FAQ

Keep in mind that although companies like Taxi do provide a legitimate service of shopping your music to industry executives, it will cost you. A few agencies will also include evaluations, live events, news pages and other bells and whistles but it’s best to consult with your manager or attorney to determine whether or not you should sign up for such a service.

When it comes to demos, the simpler the better. Nothing ruins a great song like a bad presentation so keep it to three songs maximum with guitar and vocals, or piano and vocals only. Always leave room for the imagination of the listener. See Don’t Demo to Death! article.

Mechanical royalties are per-unit payments collected by record companies for the manufacture and distribution of songs on CDs and tapes, usually based on the current statutory rate as fixed by the Copyright Act. In 2004, the rate is 8.5 cents per song or 1.65 cents per minute, whichever is greater.

UPC codes are used to track inventory as well as to track distribution and retail sales; SoundScan is unable to track your sales without a UPC Code. You can get a UPC Code from several sources:

1) You can register directly with the Uniform Code Council. To find out more
about UCC membership, visit their website at http://www.uc-council.org

2) Ask your record label or CD manufacturer

3) Companies like CD Baby offer UPC barcodes for a lower fee. To find out more
about this service, visit their website at http://www.cdbaby.net

Both independent and major labels offer career development and artist promotion. Determining which is right for your career is a personal decision.

The sleeve should be the place that anyone who digs your music can find out information about how to contact people vital to your career. Include the name, phone number and e-mail addresses for your publishing company, record label, manager or attorney. You should always include your band’s web site and email addresses with an easy link for signing up for your mailing list. Don’t clutter the sleeve up with inside jokes and special thanks to all of your friends - busy professionals like music supervisors and festival bookers want easily accessible contact information.

In today’s competitive climate, major and indie labels are looking for something unique, talented and well developed. Record labels are in the business of making money from the artists that they sign. The labels want bands and artists that have built a following by touring and that have already sold self-released CDs. Be smart, do your homework!  Know where your fans are, develop savvy marketing strategies that will help you stand out from the rest of the unsigned artists. Apply to play at a BMI showcase in your local area. Apply to showcase at one of the top music conferences, such as SXSW or CMJ. Attend seminars and other educational workshops where key a&r people will be in attendance and contact the local colleges, radio stations and newspapers to further publicize you. Built a unique, informative website that includes a bio, photos, song samples and tour dates.

All of these approaches are suggestions and should be part of assembling your game plan for your future. The best way to attract label attention is to build a success story that will help you stand out from the rest of the unsigned artists and help gain the attention of the industry

We don’t shop deals for affiliates as a general practice, but if we hear something that is extraordinary, we certainly make our friends in the A&R community aware of the artist.

- J.W. Johnson, Artist Relations Executive & Songwriter101 Faculty Member

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There’s no one perfect answer, but you have to get the attention of the person who’s booking the festival/tour. Show them that you’re drawing big crowds at your gigs and that you’re getting a lot of radio/retail/press attention…you get the picture. State your case in terms that translate to people showing up to see the show.