The truth about major labels?!?

[Frank'nfurter]

Read this:

http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

 

[Ermz]

Yeah, seen that already. Was an interesting read.

 

[Razorjack]

Very interesting.

 

[Obscura]

Thanks for the post. It's something I've known for a while but to see it in black and white like that is mind blowing. It's a shame that the alternative is to deal w/ small indie labels, sometimes friends, and get just as fucked, only on a smaller scale. My band has been around for 15 years and our last album sold 15,000+ copies, not too impressive but not bad for a start up record label. We were paid $1,200 for the studio time and about $1,000 in merchandise (cd's, vinyl, etc). The label also ran a huge distribution company so he had that angle covered. Lets say he sold the release for $10 a pop. Hmmm, that's a lot of dough.

 

[Fabbio]

Hell... One in a million really 'make it' and the GREAT majority is left with only delusion and promises....

Let's think positive, the HOllywood system for flicks it's way worse.

And in hte end it's all like a lottery, if you don't play you will never win but if you play you can end very bad with too expectations not fulfilled.

Saaad but truuuee!!!

Still, if the world and the powerful people that are at the driving seat would be less greedy something good could have been done.
I mean in the music biz as in every other field.

Peace and love.

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

although this maybe true its only an example. You dont have to spend that much money, not all the things on that list are neccessary. Im sure most of you know you can record an album for cheaper that that for starters. Also the new gear costs are a tad high, endorsement prices are a lot lower, depending on what you buy obviously!!

 

[SteelRat]

Let's think positive, the HOllywood system for flicks it's way worse.

Actually, the record industry is the only industry where the artist pays for everything. Tom Cruise doesn't put up any money to be in a film, unless he signs on as a producer for it. He also doesn't lose any of his salary if the movie tanks.

Bands are the only ones who have to eat everything, and the record companies earn all the rewards.

 

[elmuchoescadawg]

Bands are the only ones who have to eat everything, and the record companies earn all the rewards.


True but bands get a very different deal when they tour. Normal touring practice is to charge the venue a set fee, and then do an 80/20 profit split in the bands favour once the venue has covered its costs. Its also the only industry ive ever been involved in where the venue contracts in a external services and then has to bend over backwards to cater for their every whim. In any other industry if you had a contractor that demanding you would sack them and get another!!
Also with the set fee the venue can make huge losses but the band will still get paid!!

 

[Kazrog]

I've read this before...

There's definitely a lot of financial corners you can cut, especially with recording technology being what it is now, etc. Here's my gripe with ALL labels though...

A lot of time and effort is spent trying to prevent pre-release promo CDs of albums from leaking on the internet months before the CD's actual release date. This is stupid, and antiquated. Here's what should be done:

1) The day an album is mastered, put it on iTunes and other legit download services. Then people will purchase it instead of ripping it for free!!

2) People can wait for the physical CDs to get to stores. Besides, stores rarely stock new releases, unless they're guaranteed to be in the Billboard top 20.

The industry is losing billions of dollars every year because of this one issue. What I am suggesting would fix it overnight, and eliminate the backwards infrastructure of secrecy, but no labels seem to have the balls to actually do this, even the indies!!!

The main reason to fear record labels in general is because of their fundamental lack of vision and lack of willingness to change with the times. They and their artists will be crushed in the wake of a consumer pace that is outrunning them. Ultimately, the consumer always wins, and the ironic thing is that labels are fighting consumers. This will be their undoing.

 

[Brooks]

I always thought review copies should be sent on vinyl

 

[unsilpauly]

I've read this before...

There's definitely a lot of financial corners you can cut, especially with recording technology being what it is now, etc. Here's my gripe with ALL labels though...

A lot of time and effort is spent trying to prevent pre-release promo CDs of albums from leaking on the internet months before the CD's actual release date. This is stupid, and antiquated. Here's what should be done:

1) The day an album is mastered, put it on iTunes and other legit download services. Then people will purchase it instead of ripping it for free!!

2) People can wait for the physical CDs to get to stores. Besides, stores rarely stock new releases, unless they're guaranteed to be in the Billboard top 20.

The industry is losing billions of dollars every year because of this one issue. What I am suggesting would fix it overnight, and eliminate the backwards infrastructure of secrecy, but no labels seem to have the balls to actually do this, even the indies!!!

The main reason to fear record labels in general is because of their fundamental lack of vision and lack of willingness to change with the times. They and their artists will be crushed in the wake of a consumer pace that is outrunning them. Ultimately, the consumer always wins, and the ironic thing is that labels are fighting consumers. This will be their undoing.

agreed, the whole frickin thing is retarded!!! a major change is needed for the big labels. the whole thing is based on "units" instead of music or art. its just sad.