Getting Signed By An Indie Record Label

01. Writing Your Music

When writing your music you should deffiently get inspiration for your music from many different genres. Record companys like something new, the next big thing and what not.

02. Recording Your Music

I understand recording can get a bit expensive at a studio so try to keep the amount of songs to a minimum. Record your best songs that all your fans love to hear, include anything extra to make your music special and different, maybe a part in a song where its only vocals, or maybe start out with a thunderstorm, or a car crash, or a speech maybe, just something that makes it unique.

03. Your Looks

As mean as it is to say it's true. Record companys do not sign bands that don't look the part. What i mean is if your in a metal band and your wearing a polo shirt and nice blue jeans, it's not going to work. Also try to get rid of every flaw of yourself, any blemish, make sure your teeth are nice, it all sounds rediculous but its true.

04. Your Following

Make sure that a lot of people in your area and maybe other areas like you. You need a rather large follow that shows record companys that people like you and your music.

05. The Package

Now this is the most important part. When you decide you want to be signed by an indie record label you need to send them a package. Don't just send a C-D and some contact info. They get about 150 demos on average a week so you want to make yours special make it personal, make them want to listen to it. Send in a nice package, not just a letter or anything a package. Include band pictures, not only on stage but just straight out normal pictures. Include your demo ofcourse. Also inclue any clippings from newspapers or magazines that you might have been in, even if its just some local newspaper. Write them a long letter but not to long, makeing it personal. Research a little into the record company that your sending a package to and don't just make it "dear record company" no, make it like "Dear Doghouse Records" or "Dear Tooth & Nail records" or even put the name of the owner of the company. Include in the letter a bio of your band and all your experience, include the farthest location youve played at, and the biggest gig you've played at. Include if you've been on your own tour, companys like you more if you've been on your own successful tour. If it's around a holiday send them a present or something. Make them want to listen to your album. Most importantly dont forget to include contact information; Cell-phone numbers, home phone numbers, pagers, myspace, webiste, e-mail, house address, anything for them to contact you.

06. If You They Contact You Back

If they every contact you back it's most likely because their interested. They will most likely want you to meet with them werever they live and talk about a contract. Before you sign that contract you MUST, MUST have a lawyer read over it for you. Make sure thier not screwing you over at all. You don't want them to pretty much own you and they get all the money, make sure a lawyer looks over it.

So thats it, good luck, and let me know if you get signed ^_^

Comments

[Gwynnell]

1st, quite helpful stuff, mostly pretty obvious but some not quite so obvious stuff

[bolezhinkov]

its good to have it all listed in front of you though, even if its not all new info. good article, man. Im gonna go sign a contract.

[aceofspades10]

helpful info, sucky writing though.

haha thanks bro

[DroptheBomb]

very helpful information.

except i thought indie labels were all about the bands and the music?

the whole owning you and keeping all the money sounds like more of a move major label would pull.

[LoveThyBass]

well im not saying I'ts always going to happen, but I'ts still very possible.

[the capta1n]

good info,espically having a lawyer look over your contracts. that cannot be stressed enough. i was singned (in the band that i sing for, not play guitar)to an indie label. and we didnt have a lawyer looks things over and things went very bad. make sure you know the in and outs of developmental, and non developmental contracts!!

[wholovesthesun]

I'm sorry, but this isn't the greatest information when it comes to getting a record company behind you. The only problem is that I haven't taken the time myself to write a better one or anything, so there is no place for me to be hyper critical.
If anyone here wants some fantastic, perfected information from someone who knows nearly every aspect of the music business try reading Donald S. Passman's "All you need to know about the music business" It's more than worth the cost, and it's a very good read.

[nightraven]

DroptheBomb wrote:

except i thought indie labels were all about the bands and the music?

the whole owning you and keeping all the money sounds like more of a move major label would pull.

record labels are never JUST about the music. it's always really just about the money, as sad as it seems

[Bodom69]

Yeah record companies are harsh shit man in fact at my last show i had a scout say i looked like a redneck shit kicker from georgia. so hes right looks are a huge part.

[Bodom69]

oh and thanks for the tip about the whole package thing man. i never woulda thought of that. good lookin out.

[webbtje]

They're/There/Their. There's a difference.

Learn it.

[webbtje]

Same with You're and Your.

[stradivari310]

Grammar is.. lacking.

But it's a good read. You made an interesting point about press kits.

[hawk_kst]

Haha okish points but you seriously do not sound like you know what you are talking about...

[jarett]

thats pretty helpfull thanx

[DB is Winner]

Speaking of looking the part, can we talk about one of August Burns Red's earliest promo pics? For anyone familiar with the band, you'll know which one I mean. The one where they're wearing--what was it again? Oh yeah, polo shirts. Several of the members have appeared in sweaters, polos, etc. in more recent pictures as well.

Record companies don't sign bands that don't look the part? August Burns Red was signed by Solid State. Decent article, but I would have to disagree with your paragraph about looking the part. The music is where it's at.

[peaveyT-27limit]

not so true about the "look the part" me and my band was wering blue jeans and perlsnap shirts when we went and we play metal

[Anlino]

aceofspades10 wrote:
helpful info, sucky writing though.

Agreed.

stradivari310 wrote:
But it's a good read.

Agreed as well. There are some things here that are pretty obvious to the common player, some things that aren't. Nice of you to take the time to contribute, in any case.