Question...

[dannyrajan]

can anyone suggest a label or group of people that i should send my demo to?

 

my brothers suggested i send one, but im not sure who id send it to.

 

im not here to whore myself out or even take a big opportunity, if the giant 999,999,000 sided dice so shall chooses.

 

however my sound is somewhat unique(?)

 

but basically i just love playin and wouldnt mind somethin sweet if it came my way.

 

sounds---> myspace.com/dannybillingsley

 

so if anyone can suggest a group that would dig my tunes, id appreciate the help.

 

thanks for any advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

manbearpig

[karma279]

They wont take unsolicited material

It would end up as wasted postage....

Promote on Soundclick, Ourstage, Myspace etc

[CLOCK13]

Do not forget cdbaby.

[BlueStrat]

 

can anyone suggest a label or group of people that i should send my demo to? my brothers suggested i send one, but im not sure who id send it to. im not here to whore myself out or even take a big opportunity, if the giant 999,999,000 sided dice so shall chooses. however my sound is somewhat unique(?) but basically i just love playin and wouldnt mind somethin sweet if it came my way. sounds---> myspace.com/dannybillingsley so if anyone can suggest a group that would dig my tunes, id appreciate the help. thanks for any advice. manbearpig

 

 

1.Are you currently selling lots of CDs/downloads (over 1000 of each a year)?

2.Are you performing in a large area, say 3-5 states, regularly?

3. Are you headlining shows?

4. Are you drawing crowds consistently well?

5. Do you have any national press?

6. Do you have at least a regional booking agent?

7. Do you have professional promo?

8. Are you getting rotation airplay on any commercial or college radio stations?

9. Do you have reliable transportation for your band?

10. Do you have more than one CD released?

11. Do you have more than two CDs worth of unrecorded material?

12. Do you have a one-sheet?

13. Have you played any concert quality large stage venues or events?

14. Do you have a contract attorney, or at least know one?

 

Before you send material to record companies, these are questions that you mostly need to be able to answer 'yes' to if you want the time of day from them. Unfortunately today's labels, if they can do anything for you, aren't any longer in the business of developing artists. If you aren't ready to go with little investment needed on the part of the record company, you're liable to get a pass.

 

Lots of guys seem to think that if they write some songs and make a demo, they should send it to a record company. It sounds logical, until you think of a record company as a bank which makes loans, which is pretty much what it is. You wouldn't build a bird house in your garage and then take it to a bank and ask for a loan to build houses, would you? Of course you wouldn't. yet this is what we do when we write a few songs and think a label needs to hear this. There are many steps that need to happen before a label gets involved.

 

Keep in mind, I'm talking about labels that can do something for you. There are lots of tiny labels out there that can make you a record but have no promotion or distribution, and they aren't that hard to get signed to because they won't lose much if anything by signing you. They just won't get you anywhere, either.

[primeelite]

The best way to get a record deal is by making your own way. Sell CD's, do shows, build a fanbase on myspace and youtube. The most people I have seen get large deals are the people who do not chase deals but instead make their own way.

[sabriel9v]

To the OP, I checked your myspace and the material is pretty good. I'd suggest working on cleaning up that myspace. In addition, build up a solid fanbase, saturate the market, and people will come to you. You've got a good sound, but just need to present yourself as a professional looking for a genuine shot within the industry.

[dannyrajan]

thankyou people, all your posts are helpful. I will continue writing and playing and building up a fan base. I am putting together this band here though - myspace.com/medicinegodbox and it will be paying shows up in seattle and eventually onward. the sounds are a bit different. thanks again to peoples posts.

[ZebraSteve]

I totally agree, do not send your demos to any record labels. I know it seems like a long long haul from where you are to get to the point where a label is intrested in your act. Hang in there...

 

Start small in your home town, do gigs, write your own music, record your music, sell your CD's at your gigs and on your web site. Build your following and keep improving. Never quit!

 

Hope this helps!

[JackChapman]

Hey Dannyrajan,

 

I believe that as a fan of the music that you make,

you are in the best position to see your market.

 

Def agree with going to the people first!

 

Which acts are well respected etc..

 

make a list of venues, promoters and important people in your niche .

 

Try to get people who "care" or are passionate about music...

 

Approach them as they can help you get to the next level in terms of getting your music to real people.

 

Start small to the right core of people who will get your music and learn your craft.

 

Hope this helps!

 

JC

[dannyrajan]

as far as finding those right people though, is where i lack. If anyone can suggest a source to contact I'd appreciate it. thankyou for all the suggestions so far, its been quite helpful.

[JackChapman]

Hey Danny,

 

You could start with album covers of all of the bands who are in your "niche".

 

Try to build up a picture of who players are.

 

Then just go from there.

[Booya Tribe]

For the style of music you play, you pull it off pretty well. Start playing shows and touring. Contact bands in other towns who you like and are playing similar music, and book a tour, having them set up the shows in their towns. Get in contact with the local clubs where bands you like play when they are on tour, and start playing with them. If the bands aren't totally huge and cocky and your band is good, they will be impressed and you will make friendships that way.

 

You start small with a few contacts here and there, but through playing and touring, new opportunities open up.

 

What I am explaining is exactly how the White Stripes, who you quote in your sig, got to where they are. They were touring, playing small local clubs on shows with my friends' bands when they came to town for a long time before they "made it."

[ermghoti II]

...until you think of a record company as a bank which makes loans, which is pretty much what it is.

 

I'm stealing that description. Wish I'd thought of it. Self again.

[BlueStrat]

as far as finding those right people though, is where i lack. If anyone can suggest a source to contact I'd appreciate it. thankyou for all the suggestions so far, its been quite helpful.

 

www.musiciansatlas.com

[sabriel9v]

 

can anyone suggest a label or group of people that i should send my demo to? my brothers suggested i send one, but im not sure who id send it to. im not here to whore myself out or even take a big opportunity, if the giant 999,999,000 sided dice so shall chooses. however my sound is somewhat unique(?) but basically i just love playin and wouldnt mind somethin sweet if it came my way. sounds---> myspace.com/dannybillingsley so if anyone can suggest a group that would dig my tunes, id appreciate the help. thanks for any advice. manbearpig

 

 

SPAM! You've posted this before Mr. Danny Billingsley.

[Poker99]

BAN BAN BAN !

[dannyrajan]

i have not.

[sabriel9v]

 

i have not.

 

 

Oh yes you have dannyrajan. I checked all the links in your sig when I answered the first post. I distinctly recall some of your songs too, they weren't bad. But if you want to spam your myspace links, just do it. Don't wrap it in the slick guise of question.

[pjrake]

www.musiciansatlas.com

 

+1. we just got ours this week. very helpful!

 

-PJ

[dannyrajan]

 

Oh yes you have dannyrajan. I checked all the links in your sig when I answered the first post. I distinctly recall some of your songs too, they weren't bad. But if you want to spam your myspace links, just do it. Don't wrap it in the slick guise of question.

 

i just dont understand what i did wrong, i had a question and honestly wanted the wisdom of the forum.

ive posted my link in a "post your mp3's here forum" and this one. that is all. ive spammed nothing.

 

geez

[danosongs]

So he posted this once before under another user? Maybe he just forgot his username and passoword and created a new account. Harsh.

 

Anyway, and in reponse to the question, forget record labels even exist and build a business around your music. Learn to turn a profit by selling your products and services (cd, merch, sponsorhips, affiliate programs, ads on your website, show income, etc.) and minimize your expenses (recording, cd dups, gas, tolls, etc) and grow it each year.