Working with labels

[xana]

Jesse, you have been producing for a long time and I guess, working with many labels. I'd like to have some information about how things proceed with labels; I mean the contacts, contracts, payments, promotions etc. Also, for example, when a label asks me if I like to remix their tracks etc; how do such things proceed? What are the main things we should know before working with labels?

[admin]

Xana,

Good question. The way I've dealt with labels has changed a bit since the 'old days' of 1998-2001 era due to the emergence of digital distribution.

Quite a lot of the labels I've been in contact with are not paying advances now. Instead you are getting paid on the backend, after the sales come in.
There's just a lot of competition now and the profits are lowered overall as people compete for market share.

I'm actually new to this change myself and am still feeling things out.

To be honest I don't put a whole lot of faith into contracts. Unless you are talking about big money it just isn't that practical to go chasing some small label to court over a few hundred dollars.

In fact I don't know if I've even ever heard of an artist in the underground scene using a contract to force them what was due in the case of a discrepancy.

It's unfortunate but labels generally seem to be able to slither away when it comes to issues in which they owe you money.

What I suggest is you find people that you really feel comfortable working with and who offer you some artist development.

A lot of labels will take your track, get what they can out of it and if you're lucky you see some money. The good ones though will help you in areas like DJ gigs or getting other work through increasing your network via theirs.

This can be a bit hit or miss though, as even people who seem ok up front turn out otherwise in the end. You just have to play the field and stick with the people that do you right.

[admin]

Part 2:

As far as remixes what generally happens is a label will approach you due to some success you've already had. Generally this is an original you've done that they then want the same type of style applied to their track.

You then have to negotiate the terms. If you're new then there might not be a lot in it for you other than exposure.

At that point you get sent the parts, the remix is done and handed in.

For remixes you didn't usually get a % of the sales but this has changed somewhat due to the fact that advances aren't paid (which used to be the sole reimbursement for a remix).

Again in the 'old days' I used to just get an advance for a remix and that was it. The original artist got all the percentage of licensing and sales.

Now labels are doing more flexible deals. It might be a flat fee advance with no sales afterwards. It might be no advance and then a certain percentage (I've seen everything from 25-50%).

It really depends on your history and what they feel they could recoup.

What I'd suggest is establishing yourself as an artist with some originals before you try any remixes.

Promotion wise this is one of the reasons you use a label in the first place. It's their job to market your music. That being said you can also a lot yourself through places like MySpace and your own network.

Jesse

[xana]

Jesse,
Thanks a lot, this is really valuable information. I couldn't have found all this information together.
I think in not a far away future, no one will be able to earn money from working with labels; but only promotion for gigs and organizations maybe...

[admin]

Xana,

There is still money to be made but its a small few who are. The 'middle class' producers' fees have dropped so now you've really got to have a strong name for yourself.

Jesse