netlabels and such

[YellowT]

so I am wondering - there were two small labels that approached me via soundcloud interested in my music. Apart from not feeling ready to take that step at all, I am also quite shy of any consequences from the law side of things (paperwork, etc). Also I am not too sure what a small label could offer in terms of spreading my music ?! A possible benefit would be, to eventually have a track or two on physical format though. I guess I just feel comfortable just being on soundcloud and "promoting" myself.
So how do you guys handle this - what do you think of the netlabel thing and what did you do?

[V-F!]

If someone wanted to make physical media of my music and sell it and give me money I would do it in a second. You also have to have your standards and decide if the label represents what you want to be promoting, Congrats fam!

[YellowT]

well I am not really that in interested in the money side of things - I realize that there are so many way cooler people out ther dropping hot music 24/7 for free. personally all I'd like to get from a label is physical form of music and some promo. There is no money in this side of music besides for the big ones (flylo, dibiase, samiyam, etc.).

[MechaLove]

I wouldn't say that. Even if you make like $500 in one term, thats better than nothing. Plus you could probably still have free releases and still just make music for fun.

If it was me, it would depend on what they expect from me in return. I can only make music when I feel like it, and they would have to be okay with that. I don't know if they would require me to have x amounts of releases per year or whatever which I may or may not be able to meet. Also, what the people stand for would be important to me. I would check out some of their other artists and see how they are doing and what they are about. If I don't like how their marketing plan looks lol, I wouldn't sign up.

That's super cool though lol. You must feel really nice about your music right now

[ghost ghost ghost]

If you don't feel confident with the legal issues, what is expected of you as an artist, etc. you should just ask them, they will be able to answer any questions you have. But do remember that they came to you, not the other way around, they want you to sign some piece of paper so sometimes they might try to mislead you....ok, they doesn't happen so much with indie labels but in my opinion you should be at least a little cynical and take precautions. After you get the answers you are looking for you might want to seek legal advice, not from some top entertainment lawyer or contract negotiator, advice is available for free, in the UK we have the Citizens Advice Bureau, they can sit down with you and go over your contract before you sign it and explain everything for you using human -as opposed to legal - terminology. There are similar schemes in most EU countries.

If you are happy with what they are offering you, then go for it, it may lead to other things like physical distribution, more shows, producing for other artists. If not then it's no great loss. Going at it alone has just as many benefits as being with a label does, this is something worth considering, especially in your case since you don't really seem to care about getting paid too much.

Congratulations.

[V-F!]

well I am not really that in interested in the money side of things - I realize that there are so many way cooler people out ther dropping hot music 24/7 for free. personally all I'd like to get from a label is physical form of music and some promo. There is no money in this side of music besides for the big ones (flylo, dibiase, samiyam, etc.).

You're just as cool as thoses dudes, the key is you have to have one of those dudes say you're cool to make it so. Promoting yourself gives you more of a chance of being "put on" by the "cool people" haha. But you have to be careful if you get put out by a wack label with wack artists that are using YOU for legitimacy, then you can get into trouble. I have turned down some offers that would have gotten me good exposure, but not the kind of exposure I want. Be patient fam.

[YellowT]

guys, thanks for all the advice and kind words! regarding the money part - I will never say no to being payed - I just find it an unrealistic thought. Money never was why I wanted to do this . so it is not a top priority for meI can always use money to buy more sidechain compressors

lots of stuff to think about. Thanks for taking the time and support!

[ellaguru]

2 years ago an english netlabel contated me for an indie rock project i got. they proposed me an e.p. with some tracks i send them just to be heard. i refused sayng that i could record better things. lazy as i am i never send other tracks between a year and, adding the fact that they asked me few times to open a myspace and to a have a manager (!!!) too, i sent finally a demo with techno/hiphop/jungle/rockish tracks, nothing to do with the beginning tracks, just to see their reaction.
result: they became very nervous and finally "we broke up" .
they never talk to me about money because they were very little.
a manager, oh boy, imagine that...

ps
in 2001 i was about publishing an LP with a little italian label but they asked me the half costs of the production (500€ or something) and at the time i didn't work so i haven't money to invest on that thing...

[FrancisTurkey]

another concern which i'd think about is sampling(!)
so if you're doing heavy sample based music, any official
release will be illegal in some term, because no 'netlabel' will
be able to clear all those samples from tha old dusty vinyl;)

so you are always vulnerable from the day you release your
first tracks 'official' ... fuck copyright-industry

despite of that, i think physical releases are the dream of every
musician:)

[a.D.]

thats my boy blue!

[a.D.]

yo-google "laughing target media"-- this douchy douche tried to sign me to a "5 album deal" lol...mad empty promises and shady double talk..i signed his "contract"--all he got out of it was his audio technica 4040 mic jacked from him when he sent it to me in the mail.

[Dj_just_jeff]

Just remember what q tip said "industry rule number fourthousand and eighty, record company people are shadey." But beyond that if you release something under an alias you might be able to dodge some heat. Also,if you have a band cover a song and then sample that you are in the clear, I dont know if you want to re do some tracks but that is a workearound. I also hear that guys making sample heavy 12 inch singles will make an a side with no samples or a wack track with no samples on the a side and the real track on the b side to get away from legal. You could always press up white lables amd sell them on consignment to record stores. Anyhoo congradulations!

[a.D.]

couldnt u just say that a band covered it and u sampled it?or find another cover of it?just saying.

[YellowT]

thanks for all the thoughts and comments. I answered that one guy to hit me up but never heard back ... oh well. off to busines as usual