Well,
I've met many bands here in LA, and one thing is for sure, they are all Mega passionate about making music (or else they would do something else right?). These bands are excited about making music, and would dare give up something else just to play music.
The question is, who's gonna pay your rent,gas money, food etc?
Bands can go around from club to club performing, and making chump change, but still wont make as much as if they kept regular jobs.
But they are persistant. Cos they all have hopes that one day, a label would pick them up, and (what everyone thinks) they will be rich.
My friends, a band called "Melee" (Please check them out on internet) from Orange County, are an awesome live band. They are good musicians who write their own music and have awesome musical theory knowledge. They learnt music from ground zero. They were recently picked up by Warner Music and have been doing very well.
Just one of the "dreams come true" to any band.
BUT, how long will they be able to play what they write, the songs they love, the stlye they like?
Once you are signed in a label, you pretty much have a bondage to the label.
For example, Backstreet Boys (I can see u cringe already).
The first couple of albums sold like hotcakes, cos the girls loved them, their songs were played everywhere, they were a hit.
What happened to them now? Old news? Sold out? Boooring songs?
And they are STILL producing albums?
Have you heard of the "Greatest Hits" syndrome?
For example, Backstreet Boys has a contract to produce 4 albums in 2 years.
After the latest album with all new songs, then what?
Ugh...
Christmas with Backstreet Boys?? (Just Sing Christmas songs)
New Year with Backstreet??? (Sing their old songs in a new beat??)
Best of Backstreet Boys???
Best of the Greatest Hits of the Number One Songs of Backstreet Boys??????
Sheesh, but they have no choice.
What i am saying is, don't dish your favourite bands.
They sometimes don't have a choice.
Learning about Music Law and Record Company Operations helped me see the light......
Trivia:
Did you know that at the beginning of the line, the superstar (a band, a good looking Ricky Martin who doesn't necessarily have to sing well),
is the most important thing.
Once signed, and albums are produced, the star is the lowest lifeform.
Think they make a lot of money? HAH.
Why did artistes go bankrupt?
Go read up (if u are interested in music business) what this word re-coup means in the music industry. It scares them.
