Major Labels are NOT the place to be...?
Bob Miller (Corinne Bailey Rae's manager) rang me having watched our live video for BBC1 this week. He reckons we shoud all stay away from the major labels at the moment... He's not the first to mention such. Then a manager friend of mine sent me this:
Interesting stuff - Thoughts anyone?
Anyways, Bob Miller is busy in the US at the moment with Corinne, but he sent down a few industry types to see me playing to an absolutely rammed little venue in Huddersfield the other night - "Zephyr"? Megatron gig. One of the industry people was the lead guitarist from SMOKIE! Crazy! He co-runs a management company and they are taking me for dinner next week which is cool. I don't often get chance to sit and enjoy food for free :)
Leeds College of Music have released their first CD featuring 6 of their best exports - They featured our track "Memories & Faces" - I got sent for a photo shoot with this director woman (who was quite hot may I add - hope to god she doesn't read this) of a big company "The Chambers" who are sponsoring the CD. They are putting the CD in posh hotel rooms all across Leeds... Check out my picture in the cover art - It's in Leeds Town Hall in front of the big Organ! :)
Our Live session for BBC 1 is going to be aired on the Main "Big Screens" in Leeds & Bradford everyday for a few weeks every night - I'm hoping bigger screens don't stretch your face or belly or else we could all look like rite fatties :)
Looks like our single "Home" could be distributed by local Leeds label IVOLV.
In other news, i've been asked to arrange strings for a cool new band on Heavenly (Scar on 45), had 3 wicked gigs this week and a stupid amount of studio sessions (album is starting to sound polished), been teaching ignorant shitty kids how to sing opera?!"$, rehearsing, texting, calling and now i'm blogging. I seriously need to kip and take a dump :)
Until next time, adios!
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Comments
Everyone has known about the major labels being down the drain since 02. There should have been moves before this to attract the capital, I fear that it has all gone elsewhere ,
There are some devils in the small print on these, of course working mainly in the interest of the taxman, with the situation on accumulated liability not yet being approached. ( would you invest in a band that hasn't even filed a tax return for five years and feel safe)
I'm torn on the issue using a lable or not. -There's good and bad about both.
It looks like you're doing well and staying busy! Congrads!
By the way, that's a much nicer picture you're using on your page here.
I've said this loads of time but i'll say it again... There is NOTHING an unsigned artist CAN'T do without a major label backing them. Granted... having a major label behind you gives you instant exposure and crazy budgets that allow you to reach a whole new audience.
At the moment the "normal" deals which existed years ago have now changed. They no longer offer the artist "x" percent of their album etc. The labels are now DEMANDING pieces of you "outside of the label" income i.e. indorsement money, spondership money, money made from tours etc.
You get raped in a whole new way nowadays!
Major labels will never die, if they do then the bigger indi labels will take their place... It's as simple as that.
The current business model is changing, and it's changing in a big way. Labels are looking for alternative revenew streams.
. And you can do those yourself by setting up your own label for less than a grand, and getting a good solicitor and accountant for about the same.
And include the subscriptions that you will need to be part of the industry, so reckon on about three grand. Now thats not very much when you think about it, its an investment in your future career. And its all offsettable against your income tax.
The only thing you cant get this way is an invite to a good Christmas knees up.
Gnominion