Ep Album Ready..

[visa]

Elroy:

You could try

- sending your 4 songs to every record label you can find
- hope for the best
- find that none of them really care about you because they're busy chasing bands that have already achieved a degree of success
- get jaded and complain about how unfair the scene is

OR,

you could try

- publicizing the songs to your friends and everybody you know
- get some constructive criticism
- work on them
- send them to gig promoters
- play good shows
- build and develop a sizable fanbase
- print and sell the demos
- be pleasantly surprised when a label executive knocks on your door as you progress

(assuming you really feel a need for being signed to a label)

 

[Gracia]

Actually, some people do buy CDs from bands they have never listened to before. I think Labels, especially Major ones, bring you to uncharted territories easier than working yourself half to death. They have the resources and networks to bring your works across the oceans, over the hills and far away. Maybe that explains why bands that sound mediocre can be so famous too.

Anyway, certain labels represent certain groups of genres, such as Nuclear Blast and such, so if you get signed to them you'll get more recognition in the community and market that you are aiming for.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't work work hard or just wait for the big break by doing nothing, but getting signed is a clearer path towards achieving recognition worldwide than just working alone all by yourself.

Heck, if I'm just stating the obvious, don't flame me.

 

[dir]

hey visa I totally agree with you, screw the labels man. they're only in it for the money anyway.

 

[AEnimic]

I want to be signed by Roadrunner Records or The Null Corporation. That'll be so cool. You can even get to perform without much hassle on searching for shows.

I think having a label to yourself helps you alot as a growing musician. Going label-less will be even tough when you realise that you might need to join ventures in the future. I rather try being on a label then leave the label once my contract is done after a period is done and start going labelless. At least I'll be better informed about the market flow rather than draw assumptions.

 

[vx02]

Elroy: if you are really interested and keen about getting a label, especially for hxc, there arent many (if any at all) mainstream labels which would want to sign you because of the marketability of your music. however, you could approach other record labels from around the region. Independent labels generally give you more creative freedom and flexibility in your band management. Major labels, essentially have the resources and the networks to get you places. HOWEVER, this is dependent on your worth to the company. eg Avril Lavigne. Her shows are getting smaller in comparison to before due to the fact that she isnt doing as well as her other counterparts in Sony BMG like Sean "Mee Goreng Mamak" Kingston. there are even talks of her being dropped,.

If you're talking about distribution, you can talk to independent distros or even the distribution arms of major labels (again, this lies on how marketable you are as an artiste). independent distribution labels usually have nothing to lose, or not much in that sense.

do note that labels / distros arent golden tickets to whatever success you are seeking, may it be money or fame. there are many bands out are racking it out DIY. in fact, most bands who play in clubs are without labels and are just contracted by the nightspot to play in-house.

You get signed to a label because you are successful, not the other way around. Bands signed to labels are successful because labels choose to sign successful bands.

not true actually. bands get signed to labels because of marketing potential and not initial success as you mentioned. even if you are ALREADY successful, labels, major in this context, would sign you because you have potential to make it bigger.

Dir / Visa : i can name 5 home grown singapore bands that have fanbases all over.

1. Great Spy Experiment
2. My Precious
3. Firebrands
4. T'ang Quartet
5. Analog Girl

but again, you guys gotta have substantial, no make it exceptional, material, if you're really in this if you are really serious on hitting it big, bro.

 

[ac]

I'm sorry t'ang quartet are signed to a major label? Analog girl as well?

 

[vx02]

I'm sorry t'ang quartet are signed to a major label? Analog girl as well?

nope, they're just examples of local musicians who have fanbases all over. t'ang and analog girl are both indie, but t'ang has been receiving the support from SAC through sponsorships