How to get signed with a record label?
Mar 31, 2010 Record Label
Posted by
Admin
I know becoming a singer and becoming known is harder than anything, including being in movies, tv shows and all that, but I am a singer & have been all my life. I’m sixteen and I’m tired of watching people that have no talent live MY dream, that I deserve.
To get signed to a record label, would I need to first find a producer & make a demo?
March 31st, 2010 at 3:41 am
Make a demo of at least 1 original song. A producer helps a lot, but don’t spend all of your money, if you do end up getting signed you’ll rerecord everything, anyways. Go to a couple studios before choosing one to go with.
Make an Electronic Press Kit.
Don’t spend money on online services if you don’t have to.
Send your EPK (which includes your Demo) to the record labels scouting departments. Add some interesting content that defines your style, videos, etc. Just look on wiki for what an EPK should consist of.
They look for bands that can make them money, not necessarily pure talent. Song writing is a plus, but you’ll probably get stuck playing someone elses music unless you have a lot of your own and it’s VERY good. They’ll only pick you up if you can make money for them, so think of it from their business perspective when putting together your data.
Don’t expect the major labels to pick you up. I would focus on subsidiaries of the big labels. Indy labels with no parent companies are hit and miss.
Good luck.
March 31st, 2010 at 3:50 am
http://phantomcitystudio.com
1. You must have good music. This may seem pretty obvious, but you’d be surprised how many bands never get signed and don’t understand that this is the reason. We’re not talking about “good” as in taste (which is great news for the Backstreet Boys). We mean “good” in the sense of talent and experience.
2. You must look “singable.” No one will want to sign you unless you’re going to make them money. As such, you and your band must be confident, experienced, dedicated, and have it together (in other words, you must look like you will bring in money). Unless you’re the next Beatles, there are a thousand other bands like you – so make yourself stand out from the rest by being professional from the beginning.
3. You must have a professional-looking demo package. In the music industry, image and first impressions are the name of the game; for the unsigned band, your demo package is the first (and usually only) impression a record label will have of you and your music. As a result, it should be as attractive, informative, and to-the-point as possible.
4.Looking for a record deal? Want to get signed to a record label? Phantom City Studios is looking to sign new artists. Send demos to Phantom City Studio’s record label in Orlando, Florida for a chance to get signed or get a distribution deal. Phantom City Studios is near Disney, and Universal Studios, in Orlando, Florida.
http://phantomcitystudio.com/Demo_Submission
5.Go to PhantomCityStudio.com/Demo_Submission for details on how to send your demo to Phantom City Studio in Orlando, Florida for a chance to GET SiGNED and get a record deal with Phantom City Studio’s Record Label.
http://phantomcitystudio.com/Demo_Submission
http://phantomcitystudio.com
.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:38 am
A demo and EPK is essential.
Before trying to get signed, it’s also always best to have some kind of fanbase. Set up MySpace, Last.fm, Facebook fan page, Youtube account, and get your stuff out there.
You need to have original songs (i.e. your own) and a well defined personality/style that fits with your music. Stand out.
Viral marketing is the key. Try to create something alternative to your music (video, blog, other) that will have some kind of hook and attract people’s attention. Send your music to bloggers or your local media (alternative newspapers, radio stations). The more you can attract attention, the more you will look valuable to the eyes of a label.
Try to score a couple of local gigs so you can show 1) that you are comfortable on stage and 2) that you can attract a crowd. Keep records of all articles, blog posts, reviews made about you/your show (whether in mainstream or alternative media) and include them in your EPK.
As already mentioned, aim for indy labels. They are much more open to risk and discovery, and some have been doing increasingly well in the past few years (can’t be said for majors at the moment). Some of my personal favorites are Dangerbird (California), Arts and Crafts (Toronto) and Dare To Care Records (Montreal) – but that all depends on whether you fit with their style.