The Record Label is Dead! Long Live the Record Label
Note: for those of you who don't get the above reference, get educated.
The music industry is growing, much like many other industries. Newspapers are slowly moving online. TV is blending with the internet and the line between professional and user-contributed content is blurred in the entertainment world. Radio is.. Well, radio is shifting (in my experience) to a blend of podcasts and written content online.
We, as artists, have the upper hand in shaping the industry, since we are the content. I'd like to take a stab at something I've wanted to do for the past year, since I have a chance to make it work.
I have been producing my music for free for about 7 years. Most of my body of work has disappeared. A few netizens have graciously put up my older (sometimes horrible) musical works on P2P mediums, which I'm cool with (I'd rather they gave the listener warning before they downloaded it, though :)). I've finally branched into the world of selling my music through major distribution mediums such as Amazon, but I'd like to take it a step further.
My goal is to reinvent the record label. No, I don't want to create a draconian orchestration of liars, cheaters, thieves, and greedy suits that can talk fast (and sue even faster). I want to make you, the listener, the record label.
This isn't a new idea; I recall a couple online music groups working through similar mediums where you could send money to artists you liked. Instead of using one of those sites, however, I would like to interact with my fans in a more direct sense, rather than relying on someone else to take care of my front for financial support.
The goal is to produce my new blues album with no backing other than my own financial means, and the support of my fans: the new label.
There are a few things I would like to attain before doing final mixes of the new album. #1 is an Amistar Stager Crossroads bell-brass bodied electric resonator. That'll set me back about $2,000 USD, approximately. A lofty goal, but a worthy one - Recording electric has proven to be a challenge with my equipment due to noise issues in the cheaper pickups and electronics. As well, the tone of my current gear just doesn't sit in the final vision I have for this album. I had planned originally to "just do it", using the bare minimum, but felt that I've sacrified long enough. 10 major releases later, I want to record with a good quality guitar. As well, this guitar will be used live - I KNOW these suckers can take a beating, and since most of my venues will be bars, I'll need something that can take it. Beyond that, it'll also be suited for busker (street musician) work without needing to be plugged in.
After that, all I'll be seeking is a good noise cancelling system (rackmount preferred; if you have any suggestions, I'm listening). Any funds acheived beyond that will go to hiring a professional mastering engineer, and finally, professional pressing of CDs with printed booklet inserts. If I get enough to go beyond that, then.. well, I guess the next step would be to block out some time and figure out a way for myself and my live band (still working on forming it, but I've got a great drummer) to get out of the area a bit and schedule some gigs beyond the Hannibal/Quincy area.
Record labels usually front their artists a lot more, but I'm used to recording on a budget, and since I don't need to rent a studio or pay session musicians/songwriters, I can do it a lot quicker and cheaper.
Of course, the best part about it all is that the entire album will be released as a free download (plus being for sale on iTunes, Amazon, etc for discovery/support purposes) if I reach the first $2,000 goal.
There are a few ways you can jump right in and help me build the new album until I get a formal donation system set up. One, you can buy my most recent Industrial release (if you are into that sort of thing). Just hit Amazon, iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, or Napster and search for "Tempted and Future Excess" (band name Social Engine). I personally recommend Amazon (that's a direct link to the album, kids). Two, you can buy my artwork or photography.
If you don't want either and would just like to send me money by mail or whatever, send me a buzz and I'll give you my mailing address.
Thanks to all my fans who have been with me since the beginning, and all the new ones just discovering my modest body of works. Don't forget that if you ever buy any of my music, you are free to share it, as long as you share it for free. P2p, burned CDs, whatever.
The music industry is growing, much like many other industries. Newspapers are slowly moving online. TV is blending with the internet and the line between professional and user-contributed content is blurred in the entertainment world. Radio is.. Well, radio is shifting (in my experience) to a blend of podcasts and written content online.
We, as artists, have the upper hand in shaping the industry, since we are the content. I'd like to take a stab at something I've wanted to do for the past year, since I have a chance to make it work.
I have been producing my music for free for about 7 years. Most of my body of work has disappeared. A few netizens have graciously put up my older (sometimes horrible) musical works on P2P mediums, which I'm cool with (I'd rather they gave the listener warning before they downloaded it, though :)). I've finally branched into the world of selling my music through major distribution mediums such as Amazon, but I'd like to take it a step further.
My goal is to reinvent the record label. No, I don't want to create a draconian orchestration of liars, cheaters, thieves, and greedy suits that can talk fast (and sue even faster). I want to make you, the listener, the record label.
This isn't a new idea; I recall a couple online music groups working through similar mediums where you could send money to artists you liked. Instead of using one of those sites, however, I would like to interact with my fans in a more direct sense, rather than relying on someone else to take care of my front for financial support.
The goal is to produce my new blues album with no backing other than my own financial means, and the support of my fans: the new label.
There are a few things I would like to attain before doing final mixes of the new album. #1 is an Amistar Stager Crossroads bell-brass bodied electric resonator. That'll set me back about $2,000 USD, approximately. A lofty goal, but a worthy one - Recording electric has proven to be a challenge with my equipment due to noise issues in the cheaper pickups and electronics. As well, the tone of my current gear just doesn't sit in the final vision I have for this album. I had planned originally to "just do it", using the bare minimum, but felt that I've sacrified long enough. 10 major releases later, I want to record with a good quality guitar. As well, this guitar will be used live - I KNOW these suckers can take a beating, and since most of my venues will be bars, I'll need something that can take it. Beyond that, it'll also be suited for busker (street musician) work without needing to be plugged in.
After that, all I'll be seeking is a good noise cancelling system (rackmount preferred; if you have any suggestions, I'm listening). Any funds acheived beyond that will go to hiring a professional mastering engineer, and finally, professional pressing of CDs with printed booklet inserts. If I get enough to go beyond that, then.. well, I guess the next step would be to block out some time and figure out a way for myself and my live band (still working on forming it, but I've got a great drummer) to get out of the area a bit and schedule some gigs beyond the Hannibal/Quincy area.
Record labels usually front their artists a lot more, but I'm used to recording on a budget, and since I don't need to rent a studio or pay session musicians/songwriters, I can do it a lot quicker and cheaper.
Of course, the best part about it all is that the entire album will be released as a free download (plus being for sale on iTunes, Amazon, etc for discovery/support purposes) if I reach the first $2,000 goal.
There are a few ways you can jump right in and help me build the new album until I get a formal donation system set up. One, you can buy my most recent Industrial release (if you are into that sort of thing). Just hit Amazon, iTunes, eMusic, Rhapsody, or Napster and search for "Tempted and Future Excess" (band name Social Engine). I personally recommend Amazon (that's a direct link to the album, kids). Two, you can buy my artwork or photography.
If you don't want either and would just like to send me money by mail or whatever, send me a buzz and I'll give you my mailing address.
Thanks to all my fans who have been with me since the beginning, and all the new ones just discovering my modest body of works. Don't forget that if you ever buy any of my music, you are free to share it, as long as you share it for free. P2p, burned CDs, whatever.
Labels: Music Industry
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