Some of you know that I do
electronic music under the alias of KingTiger. Well, I have a great manager/producer in the form of Al Harbison of
Screachen Management, and he's helped me out a lot. Shortly after he first decided to help me (Screachen does non-profit work for unsigned bands), he told me that there were some major record labels (I won't say which ones) interested in my music. Something in me didn't like that idea, but I simply said, "Cool!" because I knew a major label would get more exposure for my music and take all of the marketing & selling & etc. work off of my shoulders.
Well, last week I had a long talk with God, and He told me to re-evaluate what my intent is with my music. When I first started, I wanted to make good art and touch some lives. I realized that I wasn't reaching that dream, and I made a rather impulsive decision to not work with a major record label and release my music independently.
For some reason, I thought having Al as my manager was dependent upon eventually releasing my music on a major label, and I was almost ready to "fire" him, in a sense, to avoid a record deal. But after some thought, praying, and a lecture from my father :), I sat down and had a talk with Al about my dreams and aspirations regarding my music. I told him that I didn't want to work with a record label, and he said it was fine -- "but don't just write off a label until you know what they're offering!" What an idiot I am! I almost threw away a great resource and a great friend. He has helped me with networking, producing, advisement, etc. much more than I know. I'm still planning to release my albums independently, but now I have someone I can count on for help.
For those of you wondering, "What on earth is wrong with being signed to a major label??" here are my reasons:
1. Less control over your music Now, this may vary, or not happen at all. Also, once you're an established artist, the label will probably let you do whatever the heck you want, as long as it still makes them money...but I'd rather be "honest" in my music and let the fans hear who I really am to begin with.
2. Less money for yourself Now, this might sound rather selfish, but considering you've poured your heart and soul (and countless hours, and possibly lots of money for gear) into your music, wouldn't you like to paid a some money for your efforts? This can be a rather significant amount of dough that you miss out on sometimes, and you might wind up with very little money at all. If you're established already, you can ask for more money, since the record labels will probably want you pretty bad. (If I had to choose between making music and having more money, I'd choose the music...but in this case, there is a "door number 3.")
3. Less control over marketing This means posters, web stuff, CD art, photos, etc. I don't mind losing this so much, except for the artwork part...I want lots of influence in that area. (I love looking at cool album art!)
4. Possibly locked into certain things ...like losing the rights to your own music, or making a certain number of albums for that particular label.
5. Big business Sometimes I just feel like fighting the man...local independent stuff is the way to go lots of times.
6. I love the indie scene ...need I say more? The fans are awesome, the music is usually creative and honest, and the people are nicer and actually care about the music more than the money. (Like I said, I would choose the music over the money if it came to that.)
I don't think I'll mind signing to a record label once I've been around for a while...I might be sick of all the work by that time. :)
So there's my rant for the day. BTW, be on the lookout for my first album,
Perceptions of the Interior...I plan to release it in the next two months!
Labels: music art record label business
