teraslasch
New member
Anyone here have their own indie label set up for their own bands? Since it's so hard to get a recording contract nowadays, why not DIY? What are your views on this?
Setting up an Indie Label...
- Thread starter teraslasch
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teraslasch, if the label is just as good as the band, then why set up another entity?
i dont know how to translate it from cantonese but the general idea is "grap each other and die together". ha..ha...
firstly, why do we need a label? we must understand what is the function and how it actually help the band.
i dont know how to translate it from cantonese but the general idea is "grap each other and die together". ha..ha...
firstly, why do we need a label? we must understand what is the function and how it actually help the band.
teraslasch
New member
To promote the band and do all the work? I mean i don think the whole band can do something in the indies. And by setting this up, we can also help other smaller bands like us who share common goals? 
DoubleBlade
New member
That's how X Japan started off from their humble beginnings....
But you need a lot of cash to spare in setting up your own DIY label to market your band and we're talking about 100k here....
But you need a lot of cash to spare in setting up your own DIY label to market your band and we're talking about 100k here....
teraslasch
New member
Yea.. but if everyone chips in it'll be much easier. Btw, im planning to self-release my own album , i got all the music and all i need should be just some mixing and the packaging and art and stuff, any idea how to go around doing this? I've read some books on how to DIY..
Maybe for a start , my band should try DIY and releasing its own album b4 setting up an indie ..
Maybe for a start , my band should try DIY and releasing its own album b4 setting up an indie ..
DoubleBlade
New member
I think it would be better to be under a recording lable instead of going DIY because at least you're secured. When you're with a label , they take care of you although in actual fact , a fraction of your earnings goes to them as commission but nonetheless , it's still better than investing 100k+ on a label and finding out that it is a total failure a few years down the road , for all you may know , the future is uncertain....
If the label you're under should go bust one day , at least you won't feel the pinch as compared to investing 100k on your own DIY label.
Since you compose your own music , why not advertise your expertise as a freelance composer. There are companies in Singapore which hire freelance composers to compose music for their own corporate functions. Other functions may include , composing songs for musicials and plays etc. You just need to establish the connections that's all
You may not get fame as compared to being under a label but definitely gain some spare cash outta it.
If the label you're under should go bust one day , at least you won't feel the pinch as compared to investing 100k on your own DIY label.
Since you compose your own music , why not advertise your expertise as a freelance composer. There are companies in Singapore which hire freelance composers to compose music for their own corporate functions. Other functions may include , composing songs for musicials and plays etc. You just need to establish the connections that's all
You may not get fame as compared to being under a label but definitely gain some spare cash outta it.
Normally a label is like a consortium, which provide a platform for marketing a band's music. But before all that, you must make sure your music has already gain some recognition and is marketable in the first place. Image is very important in today's society, everyone wants packaging, so you must make sure you have a good package to show for too, not just the music.
These are important as an infarstructure to sucess marketing and proper distribution. A big label can push an unknown band very far, like getting shoot out of a cannon.
Then there are 'idealogical' label. Which are like underground labels which fuel non-mainstream music.
I don't see indie as non-mainstrem. Depending on which sub-genre, indie can be very mainstream too. (actually many bands like to fall into this category locally) I think should have a few indie band producers too around.
The thing is that you need to see the geographically, we don't have the advantge to market such music.
End of the day it boils down to firstly whether your music is really "can make it" or not. Then if your band got the X factor. Then can discuss about marketing. End of day, you sell records mainly to make money first as foremost. What ever artistic statement you have, make it off-market. Sell to the market what it want, not what it need.
Like we say, friend is friend, business is business, cannot mix.
Just do it.......good luck. :wink:
These are important as an infarstructure to sucess marketing and proper distribution. A big label can push an unknown band very far, like getting shoot out of a cannon.
Then there are 'idealogical' label. Which are like underground labels which fuel non-mainstream music.
I don't see indie as non-mainstrem. Depending on which sub-genre, indie can be very mainstream too. (actually many bands like to fall into this category locally) I think should have a few indie band producers too around.
The thing is that you need to see the geographically, we don't have the advantge to market such music.
End of the day it boils down to firstly whether your music is really "can make it" or not. Then if your band got the X factor. Then can discuss about marketing. End of day, you sell records mainly to make money first as foremost. What ever artistic statement you have, make it off-market. Sell to the market what it want, not what it need.
Like we say, friend is friend, business is business, cannot mix.
Just do it.......good luck. :wink:
teraslasch
New member
DoubleBlade said:
I think that indie labels are even safer than majors. The recording is all low budget and even if it doesn't sell, it doesn't mean much.
Btw, u got any connections for freelance composer jobs? haha.. i got a whole list of music that i plan to make into an album with a storyline and some concept art. So i need to take care of the rest besides the music too!
DoubleBlade
New member
You can ask Cheez or Turbochicken , they mentioned that they have done composing for corporate functions before :wink:
AgingYouth
New member
teraslasch said:
When your budget is lower, it usually means you have a tighter cash flow. which also means they are more risk averse and they monitor everything much more careful than the majors. My Bloody Valentine nearly bankrupted Creation Records in the early 90's because Creation never watched MBV's expenses carefully. Ironically, Oasis was the one which made the money back for them.
teraslasch said:
In addition, no label in the world will hold onto you if you can't sell. Indie or major. It's still all business.
Low budget? Doode, the cheapest mastering suite and engineer in the US will set you back by more than USD1,000.00. We have not factored in the money spent on recording and mixing.
Want fancy packaging? Digipack with emblossed cover. Watch your budget go sky high.
In Singapore, no band has gotten a record deal where they are signed and given an advance to record anything since the Padres. I believe RAFE won some free studio time at Schtung! Studios and it is gonna be distributed by Universal Music. I'm not too sure who is forking money for the pressing of the CDs and packaging.
If you are really gonna wait for a label deal to drop into your lap, you might as well DIY. At least, things get done.
actually, i have an idea. as usual, i have ideas.
ok, let's say ABC is a solo musician who we ALL feel has the potential. we set up a 'company' and each person chip in $ and become shareholder of this company. with the money raised, we will produce the album and sell it.
end of the day, shareholder get a complimentry CD + any profit. Solo musician gets some money from the album sold.
basically, this has been done before in other countries.
Say basic album production = $2,000
CD replication for 1000 copies = $2,000
Marketing/Promo = $500
Misc. = $500
Total = $5,000
If we have 100 SOFTies to chip in $50 each. We will have the capital.
1,000 - 250(complimentry for shareholders) - 100(promo) = 650
650 x $ 12 = $7,800
We will and give back $5,000 to the shareholder. $2,800 to the solo musician.
this is the inital 1000 release, there will be more re-print if sales is good.
as always, there will be fine prints. but for the fun of it, doesn't this look like a plan?
:lol:
ok, let's say ABC is a solo musician who we ALL feel has the potential. we set up a 'company' and each person chip in $ and become shareholder of this company. with the money raised, we will produce the album and sell it.
end of the day, shareholder get a complimentry CD + any profit. Solo musician gets some money from the album sold.
basically, this has been done before in other countries.
Say basic album production = $2,000
CD replication for 1000 copies = $2,000
Marketing/Promo = $500
Misc. = $500
Total = $5,000
If we have 100 SOFTies to chip in $50 each. We will have the capital.
1,000 - 250(complimentry for shareholders) - 100(promo) = 650
650 x $ 12 = $7,800
We will and give back $5,000 to the shareholder. $2,800 to the solo musician.
this is the inital 1000 release, there will be more re-print if sales is good.
as always, there will be fine prints. but for the fun of it, doesn't this look like a plan?
:lol:
AgingYouth
New member
Hey James, album production is more than SGD5,000 unless you can bring everything in-house to do. I'm counting everything from recording to mastering overseas. Most bands I've talked to chalked up more than 10 hours of recording time per song. We haven't started mixing yet. After the mixing of the whole album, you still need to have time to rest your ears and go for another session of mixing to correct any problems. Unless your band name's Rudra, that's a whole new ball game...
Good news, CD pressing can be brought down to less than SGD1,000 for normal jewel cases.
With all those 350 promo copies, you might basically eliminated your natural market. It just looks like you are giving away your album for free...
Good news, CD pressing can be brought down to less than SGD1,000 for normal jewel cases.
With all those 350 promo copies, you might basically eliminated your natural market. It just looks like you are giving away your album for free...
James,
You got 6000 members....
Let say 3000 active....
1500 doing rather well.....
all chip in 10 dollar buy album....1500 copies...
S$15000.00 - $5000.00 Production fee... Profit...$10k
Put out the $10k sign 2 bands... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $30k sign 6 bands..... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $90K sign 18 bands.... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $270K.....
James you roll like that you can be millionaire in no time...
Provided all your well doing softies support every CD...
What you think? :twisted:
You got 6000 members....
Let say 3000 active....
1500 doing rather well.....
all chip in 10 dollar buy album....1500 copies...
S$15000.00 - $5000.00 Production fee... Profit...$10k
Put out the $10k sign 2 bands... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $30k sign 6 bands..... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $90K sign 18 bands.... sold 1500 copies each
Get back $270K.....
James you roll like that you can be millionaire in no time...
Provided all your well doing softies support every CD...
What you think? :twisted:
ha..ha.. i am always positive one!
as in any business, we start with the least capital possible but the profit must be able to help us move on to the next project.
the reason why i suggested solo musician is because it will be easier and faster to work with. investment also lower. logistic lesser. quality better. promotion cheaper .....
* i am giving alot of hints here already
as in any business, we start with the least capital possible but the profit must be able to help us move on to the next project.
the reason why i suggested solo musician is because it will be easier and faster to work with. investment also lower. logistic lesser. quality better. promotion cheaper .....
* i am giving alot of hints here already
teraslasch
New member
Haha.. my plan to release my album NEED NOT ANY RECORDING. means 0 housr for recording, but for mixing maybe still need. There aren't any live instruments in this album im producing. haha.. but need alot of $$ for printing as i intend to release a total of 13 concept arts + story in one booklet. .. soft wana listen abt it? got msn? can chat? :lol:
.. soft wana listen abt it? got msn? can chat? :lol:teraslasch
New member
got msn?
teraslasch
New member
ok lol.. stay tuned in a few minutes
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