Music Career talk VI

Okay it's that time again, today we will continue last weeks discussion on independent label success.
This adventure will take you through the maze of an indie signing all the way to the sale of product.
Lets assume you and I have a label we'll call it X Records. We have been looking at artists on line trying to find a band (or single artist) with lots of views (in the hundreds of thousands at least) strong material, great image, and performing on a constant basis. We're also going out to the venues looking for artists who are packing the house every time they play. So one night we find this great band (their name is "Y"). They were playing at the "Z Club" in L.A. on a Sat night. The place was packed with fans, and so the process starts. We introduce ourselves and talk to the band after their set. Next day the research begins on line and everything adds up. We place a call to the bands leader or which ever member seems to be in charge (there's always one). The band will send or email their best material for our review. In some cases we will ask for a showcase, once this is done and we feel the band is stable enough to work with we will offer a single deal and based on the performance of that single have an option for a multi album (CD) commitment. The rate of royalty might be based on whether the artist is bringing their self funded recording (which the label will determine) to be released or if X Records will be paying for the recording. The label must recoup it's recording expenses (in most cases) before a royalty is paid to the artist. A release date is determined by many factors, time of year, other releases by the label,the bands touring schedule etc. This release will be a digital one to start with. The expense of having a physical retail release is great and we want to see if down loads, touring and radio response create a demand for retail orders. So lets put the team together. First an agent, the band must be out playing in support of their release. Next is radio promotion, this enables the booking agent to route the band where radio is successful,and really concentrate on those area's. Interviews will also be set up at radio where the band can plug their shows and music. The label will buy ad time at those stations for the bands shows hopefully increasing audience size and creating strong relationships with concert promoters, buyer's, club owners (an interesting bunch), radio P.D.'s/M.D.'s and jocks. In some cases there is a lead time between a radio release and a street date when product hits the stores. This time is used to generate anticipation so radio listeners and will be primed to buy at retail. Hey what a concept. This has been a snap shot of the big picture. In the future we will talk about mechanical royalties, publishing, foreign licensing, sub publishers and the rest of the pie. The music business is like the shoe business, almost everyone needs both. See ya next week!!