Professional negotiation with record labels, help ?

Hi there! We are veterans in the extreme metal scene and now we have a new band with a new album, a final product paid from our own pockets. Probably a strong product with many selling points because of our earlier bands.

We know pretty well how the scene works and have signed different contract earlier but what I wonder is if we would "earn" on hiring a proffessional to pump up the deal for us? Does a professional use to get more out of the labels than if the band negotiate their selves? What are your experience?

If you experience is good do you have anyone to recommend us to use ?

Don't mean to sound like a damn rock star here.... But I really believe in our new album and think we have good chance to get a descent deal.

Thanks in advance.

Since your CD is already finished, what do you want a label to do for you?

Did you you really read what I wrote ?

Does a final production means you wouldn't sign to a label? Would you put it in the shelve and do nothing with it ?

We want a label to promote it, pay for our product and release it with worldwide distribution as all other musicians in the world probably want a record company to do.

We have offers now but I have "heard" and believe a professional negotiator in the music scene would be able to get us even a better deal than what we could negotiate if we did it our selves since we are musicians, not busniess men.

That's why I ask if someone have experience about this ?

Thanks!

Tomas,

Ohh, yes you are if you expect to do anything professionally with your musical talent. You should lose that thought immediately. More correctly stated, you are inexperienced with negotiating deals. It is wise in that case to seek the assistance of someone who has the experience to get the best possible deals for you. I can't speak directly to the state of business affairs in Sweden or the EU at large, but here is how I would approach this if it were me and in America.

What you are basically describing is the role of a business manager. You could also seek out a reputable entertainment business attorney to shop and negotiate deals for you. Whover you select as your representation will expecte anywhere from 10 -20% of the value of the deals they make for you.

Thanks Gtrbass! You really got what I meant

It dosen't really matter for us where this person is located and which label we sign for as most metal labels have worldwide distribution. We just want to get as much possible out from the deal.

Do you have any good names to recommend or maybe companies I could contact about this? I have tried to search the internet but I can't find anyone that are really into the metal scene... I guess we need someone really experienced in the music biz and preferably metal scene.

Thanks!

In my opinion, a single deal to cover worldwide distribution might be a huge mistake. First of all, a worldwide deal will have great potential for double dipping and "accounting policies" which could diminsh your potential income from offshore territories. It gets very complicated and you need an experienced person to guide you.

Start with Andy Farrow at Northern Music.

info@northernmusic.co.uk

I guess you're right! It could be good to strike 3 deals, Europe, North America and Japan ... It's where this kind of music sells.

Thanks for the tip! I will get in touch with him and see what he says.