Jules wrote on Wed, 24 August 2005 13:28 |
Dreary thing is that it seems the legal affairs departments at big labels seem to think it is part of their job to crush 'the little guy' like a bug.
Best thing you can do IMHO is to have the band on your side... they are the ONLY ones that can send a message to the big guys to 'play nice' with you...
The "new management company" that scooped up the rising talent (short sightedly) may want a big hitter 'he does everyone' type producer to record the band next so they probably don't give a rats ass about what you get out of any deal...
Of course bands 'memories' can become, er... 'vague' about all the help you gave em in the early days when the glare from the afternoon sun on the 50 platinum records in the record co boardroom hits them in the eyes...
When negotiations are on a knife edge, good relations with the band can make ALL the difference... Lawyers know this and often ask at crucial stages, "how's the relationship between you and the band".. They KNOW that a band tight with someone isn't going to dig their A&R mook if he blatantly shafts someone close to them.. naturally being a nasty business - chums DO get shafted / pushed asside...
Plus if you get on well with the band, they can come back as clients after a year or so of the major label A&R circus - to record thier OWN records with you!
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All very good points, Jules. Thanks for posting those reality checks.
One thing I'd like to add as someone who is at the semi-beginning stage of this process: Try to look at it through a long-term lens, without expectations of climbing very high very fast, but rather a step-by-step incremental buildup of a strong business foundation/reputation.
Example scenario:
Your first artist may tank completely. Your second artist may get somewhere and completely leave you behind. Your third artist may break big, and he and the label will break you off a small gig. Your fourth artist may then carry you with her right to the top of the game. And so forth you go...all the while attempting to take no percieved setback personally, and maintaining positive open lines of relationship-building vibe with everyone involved.
With each project, and with each small step up in success, you build a rep, experience, connections, resilience, and so forth...always looking to parlay those attributes toward some positive outcome. Be like a goat: Move up the mountain by slowly and persistently circling around it, always spiralling upwards.