ArtistDirect Lines Up Lyrics Site

ArtistDirect is getting on the lyrics bandwagon, with plans to launch a new interactive lyrics page on the company's Web site. The site, which is expected to go live sometime this fall, is designed to augment the company's existing stable of news, bio, reviews and streaming music and video content.

Unlike other authorized lyrics services that have emerged in the past year, ArtistDirect is pursuing its own licensing deals with music publishers rather than using pre-aggregated lyrics licensing programs such as that by Gracenote.

The company presently has deals with Universal Music Publishing Group and EMI Music Publishing.

Artist Quote of the Week

"I've made hundreds of legendary records that people talk about that didn't sell." Jerry Wexler

Running a Label... Part II

Tactics

If you are a musician yourself, it is always better to start putting stuff out on other people's labels and then move onto your own once you have a bit of recognition. Getting excepted by a distributor will be HARD, and its getting harder. They want to work with people that have some kind of profile, not just a competent record. Distributors are steadily disappearing and your back catalog and balance due tends to disappear at the same time. Independent record stores are evaporating. On the other hand, the Internet is still exploding for Independent labels, and promotion has never been easier. Independent music may be down and it may be up again in a few years.

Cuts and Style

You will need a bunch of slamming tracks. Decide what you want the label to cover. Often, records are bought without having heard them, based on reputation, previous releases or curiosity. Erraticness or unpredictably will hurt your sales, as will blandness and predictability. Get an angle, work it. Think about what you look for in a label or record when you buy.

Capital and ambition

You will need some money to start with. You will make some money, but it will be hard work. If you just wish to make money, get a job, it will be easier.

Music Musing

Does that band from Wichita, Kan., really have 42 million MySpace fans? Are free music Web sites a solid business model? How do I reach that lucrative market of older music enthusiasts?

Execs from Pandora, Imeem, Kyte and hundreds of others from the music and digital industry are getting together this week at the Bandwidth conference in San Francisco to discuss just such issues.

The annual gathering looks at how people discover, interact with and, most importantly, spend money on music.

Speakers include Alexandra Patsavas of Chop Shop Music, who selects the music for television shows such as "Grey's Anatomy"; Jonathan Poneman, co-founder of Sub Pop Records; and executives from YouTube, Microsoft, Benchmark Capital and Cisco.

Running a Label ...Part I

Once upon a time this resource centered itself on the mechanics of starting your own label. I encourage you to think carefully before starting down this path. There are too many labels out there right now, the market is shrinking and for you to get the label properly noticed and accepted, you should be able to undertake this step with a proper and informed focus.

Starting a label is definitely not something for an industry beginner to undertake.

You should not start a label just because:

1. you as an artist have been turned down by other labels

Either you have not sent your stuff to the right labels, you need more time to develop, or you are doing something no-one else understands or cares about.


2. you think you will earn money.

Only if you really know what you are doing and put a lot of visionary effort into it. Getting a normal job is easier. Chances of losing money are fairly good. It happens. Usually.




You should start a label because:

1. You regard it as a work of art, an extension of making music

2. You see it as a way to promote your DJ-ing or live shows and are prepared to put money into the label

3. You like shopping at office supply stores and find fax machines and ring binders inspiring

4. You can't make music at all but you want to be involved and spread music and have something to contribute

5. You just want something to talk about while you are hanging out at shows sitting behind the merch table

6. You are just biding your time until you can diversify into train lines, jet planes and near-orbital space travel



This guide will attempt to be thorough and informative, but if you are actually going to start a label, I advise that you get in contact with people who have already done it and get some person to person advice.U

Artist Quote of the Week

Let me handle my business, damn!"

- Jay Z.

Demos 101

The basics are to choose maybe 6 labels of different calibers and styles. You should look for opportunities on small labels. Larger labels watch the smaller labels for new talent. The larger labels are getting so many demos a week, they don't simply don't have the time to really listen to everything. In general, they are already in contact with the people they are likely to sign in the future. In order to be one of those people, you have to develop yourself as an artist and rise to that situation.

Choose labels you spin or that other people spin. Sit down with boxes of records and take notes. Either fax them or ask on the net for addresses. Starting a relationship with a small label is all about making friends. Look at how the label looks and find someone who reminds you of yourself (same attitudes) except more advanced and established. Sending it to the wrong label is not a big deal. Sending it to the TOTALLY wrong label is just a waste of time. Never try to second guess what the label guy thinks, just let him or her listen to it if they get a chance. Some label people I know just love listening to tapes. Even when they know they won't put it out, they still sit around and listen to them. Some people just fast forward through it and decide immediately. Some people will never even listen to your tape. You don't have to call them and bug them (maybe once, but just to
say hi), just keep sending stuff out and see what happens.

Don't get hung up on pass or fail bullshit. It can be good material but sent to the wrong label, it could be you aren't ready yet. The label might like it, put it out and its still crap. Why trust them more than yourself ? You might hate the record in 6 months. You can put out crap and you can fail to put out good stuff. Don't do either. Do send out demos though. Very simply : put it on a CDR with clear labeling. Some labels feel that if you spent time on the graphics, you probably care more about what you are doing. Some labels just want to hear the music. Properly labeling stuff is important. Put your address and telephone number on it. Wait. Send out more demos every-time you have a batch of material you feel strongly about.