Music Career Talk 26

Okay I'll cut to the chase (I love that saying), I have written about the music industry for the past 6 months on a weekly basis. I have shared some of my knowledge, and experience with you hoping I could shed some light on the music business.
These blogs were fun to write though I admit there were some Sundays I wanted to skip, but didn't (except for my birthday). I have dedicated my whole life to music from studying violin at 8 years of age to present day as a working producer/musician/record exec and without a doubt I'm a lucky guy. It hasn't been easy, but very much worth it!! I enjoy helping others get through this tough road of music and hopefully have been successful. I want to thank all the cool people who have read my blogs and left me such nice comments. If any one has missed a blog or wants the whole collection please contact me. If any one has any questions about anything I have written let me know. I will write blogs from time to time, but my schedule is packed and I must clear out some time, I will be on the road as well. I'm on the hunt for a book deal which is a top priority for me. Lets stay in touch and stay in tune.

Music Career talk 25

Special announcement next week. Now on with the show;
The subject today or I guess tonight is "cover songs" or covering other peoples songs.
Sometimes it's the best way to get noticed. Lots of artists have made a career out of other peoples songs. Of course I will give you examples, but let talk about why??
Some artists don't have the ability to write great songs but are great artists!! That should not stop them from having a great career, just ask Rod Stewart. I'm not saying Rod didn't write any of his own songs I'm just saying. When I go to hear an artist or band I like to hear a cover, it gives me an idea of how one artist interprets other peoples work. If it sounds the same as the original artist then most of the time it's a pass for me. If I see a band playing Beatles songs and they do it well I guess that's okay.
There are a number of bands that have exploded with success from other people’s material. Before I start naming names there are some rules to covering other people's songs, like say legal permission either through the artists themselves, their publishing companies, or the Harry Fox Agency. Just make sure you have permission so you don't get your butt in an expensive law suite.
Here are some artists who really know how to make a cover song their own;
Ray Charles (Elanor Rigby), Joe Cocker (With a Little Help from My friends),
Van Halen (Dancing in the Streets), Marilyn Manson (Sweet Dreams), Led Zeppelin (the first L.P.and that's a fact)Great White (Once Bitten), Quiet Riot (Cum on feel the Noise)the Beatles and the Stones all did covers dare I say even No Doubt, the list goes on. Then there's the other list of cover songs that didn't come out very well, let’s not deal with that. If you decide to spend your time covering a song on record or live in your set, make it your own, make the original artist proud and make sure you have permission. Have a good night.

Music Career Talk Twenty 4

This will be a brief discussion on contracts. We will talk about recording contracts in particular. This blog is based on my personal experience in recording deals and negations. My first suggestion is you get out of this what you can, but certainly ALWAYS seek an attorney specializing in entertainment law with an emphasis on music before you enter into any kind of agreement with any one. Keep in mind that a signed contract (agreement) is sometimes only worth the paper it's written on. Which means what is promised by either party doesn't mean it's going to happen. Of course with a signed agreement you always have the ability to go to court and fight for what ever has not been performed by either party, but going to court is a time and money draining process. There is a term used for areas of an agreement that don't quite explain or fully spell out part of the deal, this is called a "gray area". When working on a deal with the opposing side or your own attorney don't let a word, sentence or paragraph enter without you fully understanding everything. Don't be intimidated or embarrassed by anything you don't understand, clarify everything!! Back in the day a major label recording contract could be more then 40 pages, the ones I use with my record company are between 4 & 5 pages. All recording contracts have language that is the same (depending on what state or country the agreement is written in) this is called boiler plate. The main topics covered are; terms and conditions, duration & options, compensation, third party interest, creative decisions, publishing (really should be a separate agreement), guarantees of performance by both parties, ownership of masters, advance against royalties, budget for recording, video, promotion, producers points which in most cases comes out of artists points and a show of accounting by the record company. Most artists look at the record company as the evil greedy monster and in some cases that might be true. Please keep in mind that the record company takes the chances, invests the time, money and effort into breaking an artist which is a major task to say the least. The percentage of success for record companies compared to the rate of failure is small so when something clicks the label has to take their pound of flesh. At the end of the day fair is fair. Know what your signing before you sign it and there won't be any surprises. Now go get a lawyer and sell a lot of records.

Music Career Talk 23

I'm going to talk about Public Relations today. What it means, when you need it, how much does that service cost and how it works.This will be short and sweet. The fastest way to describe what a publicist does is to say he (or she) is the liaison between the client (you) and the media. Of course there's a lot more to it then that. A good publicist should have the best verbal skills, great contacts in the media, and a true belief in their client. A great publicist can make their clients career flourish with success or sink like a lead weight in deep water. Public relations can be found in numerous industries, but we will focus on show biz. You can hire a single publicist or an entire P.R. firm who will have a staff of publicists with expertise in related fields. There are a number of major P.R. firms in Los Angeles specializing in entertainment and publicists within those firms who specialize in a particular area. With music it might be someone who just works the metal scene, they will have contacts with all the metal publication, labels, online metal websites etc. The same for hip-hop, pop, mainstream rock etc. you get the picture. Then there are individual publicists who can either do it all or specialize in one area of music and don't like to stray away from that. When do you need a publicist, when there's something going on in your career worth talking about. Most publicists will plot a campaign starting with "awareness" this tells people you and your project exist so the next time your in the press people will have already read your name. Then as your project moves forward so does the press. When hiring a P.R. firm or publicist you must remember most publications run 2 or 3 months ahead, so what is written in January won't be in print until February or March. Of course this is different with viral media which can be immediate, All publicists will tell you public relations is a process that takes time and nurturing which is true. Cost will really vary and can range between what ever you can work out with your budget $1000.00 - $3,000.00 per month to $10,000.00 per month. These numbers are estimations on my part and based on my experience not yours. When you interview perspective publicists you'll see they like the sound of their own voice and for public relations person that's a good thing. Choose wisely and you can quote me on that.

Music Career Talk Twenty 2

We're going to talk about videos. Not so much how to make one, but what role a video might play in your music career. I have been involved with making videos for many years in several capacities; as producer which entails putting all the parts together.Finding a director, location, budget, actors (if needed) in short "making it happen". I've worked as a director which is very similar to producing music. Though not technically trained in cinematography I have been a photographer my whole life so the concept is there. I have always had a great D.P. (director of photography)and someone who can really light a set. With all the years of directing musicians in the studio, preparing bands for major shows and showcasing directing for video was a very natural progression for me. I have also been titled with executive producer which in short means I paid for the video. Back in my days at T.N.T. records we shot all of our videos on film. This is very expensive, but looks great. Now you can shoot on any number of video cameras which can give you a film look. I believe in time your cell phone video camera will have the quality to make a video, mine is close right now. Having a great video can really propel your career by making you assessable to the masses without leaving your house. When I'm shopping for a record deal (truly a vanishing art)having great music is the key, but no one buys anything sight unseen. A video gives a company (record label, management) a chance to see as well as hear what they might be investing in. I can tell you as someone who has run two record companies seeing a bands video really helps me make that yes or no decision. In most cases a label will still want to see the artist live, but with a good recording and video you're improving the odds. With the internet and social networking available there are very creative ways of self promotion making a video a very necessary tool in your (imagine trumpets playing and a lot of reverb on your voice)"Quest for Fame".
Keep in mine that using a weak and or bad video will sink your ship fast. Remember unless you have a friend who knows what there doing, "you get what you pay for". It's hard to make a first impression on a second try. Now go out there and make a great video!!!

Music Career Talk #21

I took off last week for my birthday and thanks to all my readers who contacted me with H.B. greetings that was so cool. Now on to the business of the day. This blog is all about band agreements or contracts, a written meeting of the minds. Bands often form without an eye or ear to the future until a fight breaks out, someone leaves the band. In some cases there's no problem, other times there's a mess. Let’s start with equipment; amps, transportation, P.A. system, the band name and the list goes on. A band buys gear together because it's an expensive item and chipping in makes it possible. Now a member leaves, how do you handle that? I guess you can give that person their share of the money, based on what they paid at the time and not what the P.A. is worth now. How about the band Van (or truck or what ever) same deal as the P.A. A more difficult situation, lets say the band has (very wisely) hired me to produce their CD, and man that was expensive. Each member contributes towards a lavish recording (just kidding) and now a member has left. The recording is no longer really useful to that person other then a way to showcase their playing. What can be done to be fair to all parties, keep the peace, avoid a law suite (if any one can afford a lawyer) and move on with your life. Here's what should be done, a very simple band agreement covering the "what ifs" and "who gets what" just in case that band brotherhood shield of invincibility should crack like a Thanksgiving walnut (sorry about the sarcasm). I've heard the "dude that will never happen in this band" too many times!! Here are some points to cover in the agreement. Make reference to the band name so after a member has left the band can continue to use the name. Of course if that member has a trademark on the name you will need their permission to use it (get that in writing) or pick a new band name. If there is a recording, promotion campaign, website, vehicle, musical gear any expense that was acquired together there is a way to settle all disputes at the end of the rainbow. One thing to mention is whether that band member has quit or been fired which might affect the agreement. If the band writes songs together then that should have no affect on publishing splits. All of the above mentioned and more needs to be covered in a band agreement. A musical prenuptial if you like. Please don't try this at home on your own, get a lawyer to over see all. Most important: don't be a flake, try to stay TOGETHER. See ya.

Music Career Talk

Hi everyone. I have written 20 blogs so far and hope my readers have gotten some useful information. Today is my birthday so I will take some time for myself and my family. I'll be back next Sunday with a great new blog!!! (I hope).
Take care,
Dito