Record companies.What do they really want.?

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12 Comments

Comment by Moe Minor on January 3, 2009 at 12:58am

OK 250,000. . .I hope my piddly 2,500 grows like that.

Comment by Moiko President & CEO on January 2, 2009 at 11:54pm

You left off a zero Moe in the fan base. But everything else is pretty on the money.

:)
Moiko

Comment by Moe Minor on January 2, 2009 at 11:01pm

Here are a few interesting points re: what they want and you need.
1) A fan base of 25,000 or more accurately an email list of 25,000
2) A proven product
3) Some level of talent

On point one, it is difficult to get even your most devoted fan to part with their email address. So you may need to offer something in return. You can purchase targeted lists, but they cost BIG BUCKS. I have a savvy sister who is helping me develop a list for free. Then you need an insider or good promoter to shop you to the Indie Labels.

Back in the day an artist's live performance WAS the product. Legends were discovered that way. Not so today. Pro-tools and digital gadgets can make the worst musician or vocalist sound like whoever or whatever they want, again for the right $$$. Nobody's really out scouting talent today. You can pay MIDIM in Europe or SXSW in Austin, TX to showcase but that does not guarantee anything but going further in debt.

Once all your ducks are in a row, get ready for a wild ride, as success in this Biz comes fast and hard. You can forget your day job, because a good label will have you performing 4-5 days a week all over the world. This is not for the faint of heart, it's hard work. . .but if it's your call in life it should be fun at the same time.

I have a friend from Australia who is on Blind Pig. After a year of touring I guess they put him on the back burner. This is where the proof comes in. How much merch can you sell. If they fronted the money for recordings, etc. the fine print in the contract normally says it must be repaid. (Think TLC)

Ray Charles was not only a music genius, he was a shrewd business man who was the first to own the major share of the pie and may be the first and only on a major label who controlled his music like a true Independent. It is possible to do this today with the Indie Labels, but you need alternate financial backing, like a wealthy relative, to fund your recording and merch costs, unless of course you yourself are super rich and can pay up front.

It really is a shame that it all comes down to the dollar. I've sold thousands of CD's, shirts, hats, etc. put I can't prove it. It does not translate into real income because in the end you break even at best. I was going to market myself under an LLC, but even my own attorney said it would not be in my best interests at this point.

So for me, all I really care about is giving an audience what they paid for. . .a well produced show that they'll remember for years to come.
Like a gospel favorite of mine 'I Don't Believe He Brought Me This Far, To Leeeeeave Me."

Comment by Moiko President & CEO on January 2, 2009 at 8:47pm

Thank you for your reply. I listened to your music (Good way to get people to listen) write a blog or start a group. And it is very good! Wow!

:)
Moiko

Comment by The Celturian on January 2, 2009 at 5:13am

Thank you Moiko, your point has been really good and i'm not on here with a negative attitude, dont get me wrong, i look at artists who have the love and committment and dedication in their music, one that is deserving attention,i put this post up has i wanted to see what the American label was like, and the way they look after there artists,, moiko records has all the good qualities and the drive and consideration and respect, that goes a long way and well worthy to join ,sometimes it is neccessary to give shout and get ones point over, but at the end of the day,Moiko records deserves all the respect that this label has to offer, you have seen the wrongs and the rights the goings on inside, and it makes me feel angry when i see the music industry not all it claims to be,so i venture on new plains, this company on here is brilliant, and therefore gives me piece of mind, and i'm inviting my good friend artists on here,, well done Moiko records,you have my ultimate respect, and 5 stars treatment, thanks Moiko.(TC)

Comment by Moiko President & CEO on January 1, 2009 at 6:03pm

Sorry for the errors, there is no editing feature on the Main comment wall in groups. Its best to start your discussions and have all comments there.

And that was not to hurt your feelings, just to say, please have a new attitude . Thanks

Comment by Moiko President & CEO on January 1, 2009 at 5:57pm

That is what a lot of so called Managers do - I say so called, because they don't know what they are talking about, and they scare artist out of their chance to get a good deal. THAT is why labels want to sign YOUNG, artist who are excited, and filled with hope, and bring positive energy, not those old negative vibes based on ones own negative spirit, or bad experiences in your life. No one knows the other side.

And Labels don't have time to be going back and forth over nonsense.
That is why they hire least likely to stop GOING, to listen to all this negative nonsense. YOUNG people. So, when you say your main purpose is to examine artist, to see if they are content or what ever because of this back stabbing industry - then what? Are you saying? You are on Moiko Records site, are you saying that you are the Doctor Qualified to Examine our artist and our relationship with them?

These are the main reasons artist don't get signed, because they listen to people who say this kind of nonsense.

The only back stabbing we have had is people who try to mislead our artist like fake managers, wives, girlfriends, and phony lawyers, and label want to be's. If this is why you are here, you too, are here for the wrong reason. We are a happy, hopeful family and we don't need negative energy and a spirit of doubt and confusion. Please don't bring that here. We have too much to do!

1) Get really Good Pictures
2) Make sure your SOUND quality is professional
3) Invite some fans- and have NICE/positive conversations with them.
4) leave them comments.
5)Write some songs
6) Create some challenges
7) Get signed and get qualified for a grammy
8) Get into our Marketing system
Who has time for WHINING, please. You are at a new label, this is a brand new year, Lets look ahead to 2009 - AT MOIKO, we have welcomed all of you. Please don't bring negative energy, doubt and fear here.

Let us focus, Not as You the Artist, and We the Label. Let us Focus on Moiko Records as a team of PROFESSIONALS, Artist, Musicians, and Entertainers working together to beat the hell out of the Major labels.

Moiko Records Artist are in good hands, We don't need people to Examine them, trying to pry into their contractual or personal information trying to gain access to confidential information. If that is why you are here, then you are here for the wrong reason Celturian.
If you are here as an Artist, Get some fans, if you have enough fans, NO LABEL, will turn you away. They think , PEOPLE OVER 25 DON'T BUY MUSIC, Let's prove them wrong. go get your market. Bring them here. Sell them our music, we will provide the tools you need, And then who can argue?

Comment by The Celturian on January 1, 2009 at 5:07pm

Thank you Sullee j...Appreciate your interesting comments, like i imagined a label to be, productive and the right motivation in producing music that befits the artist,i guess the differance in labels over in the states and here in the UK are completly differant,they should all go over to America and be educated, the label and companies over here have a differant perspective in who they want to sign up,and to them it's all about money and what they can get out of it,i have seen to much over here in the industry and it can be very off putting, at least,image plays a magor role in the record companies and BBC radio 1 only plays young bands,the way the industry is it needs a wake up call over here, and learn to see the person who he or she is, and focus on the talent and the material they are presenting,it's always interesting to get views on differant labels, this opens up ways of the record companies, and see who they really are, many these days are producing there own companies and setting up a label,for they have been discouraged by many.We all love music and artists love performing, but without good record labels backing them up 100% they are thrown off into a differant direction, and music to them seems so futile and of no purpose,my aim is to examine artists and to see if they are content and being advised, about who they should sign up to.it's been widely known that the industry is a back stabbing buisness, and there are ways that are coming to prevent this from happening,once again thank you for your input (TC)

Comment by The Celturian on December 30, 2008 at 6:05am

Thank you Moiko for your input.I just love it when a record company see's you for who you are,that goes a long way, and establishes a gel with the label,a artist who has good material and worth investing then the record company will give it support,but has you say it has to come from the artist and the way he or she presents themselves.arrogant and wrong attitudes i cannot stand in the industry,it has no place and shows a lack of respect in music,i have seen so much when artists think they know it all when they dont know a damn thing at all,over here in the UK their are many who are trying to get signed with no joy,and some even give it all up has they expect they are good the next thing in music,but sadly record companies over here do not have the time of day, i see alot heading over America for they tell me they get more respect over there, i did when i performed over there, and they look at your potential and talent not the way you look..Thank you Moiko most appreciated..(TC)

Comment by It Aint About Us Project on December 29, 2008 at 7:58pm

We want faith hope & charity.

Great Photos

A Decent Video

A Great Bio

A willingness to Cross Promote

Performers ( Or say you are studio Musician up front)

Honesty. Don't say you are ready when you are not.

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