Book suggestions on how to make it w/o a label?

hello,

I already have and have been reading the book "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald Passman and it has quite good advice/facts to know when getting your band into the business. However, it's mostly directed towards the idea that your band is or is going to try signing to a major label.

I want my band to try and avoid signing with a label if at all possible (for numorous reasons)...and though I know this is near to impossible if you want to make it on a larger level, people have done it (ie: Ani Difranco...and punk bands, though we're not punk). I was wondering if anyone has suggestions of books that lay out how to "make it on you own" of if someone's published a book on Difranco's experience/process of getting known. thanks ahead of time.

lots of touring.

Exactly.... If you are willing to play everyplace you can, as often as you can, you can force yourself into the business and sell CDs. Staying power (and talent, of course), that's all you need. So few bands actually can - or are willing to- do that.

You should tour extensively, trying to work every pocket of the country. Make sure that your live show is worth people taking a chance on; that way you can generate some good word-of-mouth. A good underground buzz is something that money just can't buy.

Hi,

Unfortunately, that is the truth. "Making it" is really just simple accounting. Do you earn enough money to cover your expenses. Record labels are essentially banks when it comes to contracts. They loan you the money to make and market yourself and your music. You can do the same thing on your own. Make a record and start selling it. Play a ton of shows. Send it to radio stations and magazines. Make a ton of phone calls and press releases.

Overall, you need to figure out how much money you need to earn to be happy. Devise a plan to earn that much money. Put your plan into action. That is how you, "Make it."

Ken

Good point. "Making it" can mean different things to different people. If you mean limos, tour buses, backstage orgies, arenas, and Hollywood mansions, then you'll really have to bust your ass.

If, on the other hand, gigging three or four times a week, selling enough CDs to turn a profit on them, and making enough money to live a meager existence without having to take a "real" job is your idea of "making it", then you'll really have to bust your ass.

thanks for the advice. all pretty common sense. just need to make some connections and aquire some business sense.