Does a record label do you any good?

Question

e.g Will a record label help you become a successful band?

Answer 1

Probably not. Then again, maybe. The vast majority of bands never become superstars. They may play a few big venues, but they're never going to get into the charts or have platinum selling albums. For them a record company MAY bring success, by associating the band with the big name of the company, and enabling you to get better gigs, more CD sells etc - BUT they'll take an awful lot of money from you as payment. Many bands can now get pretty big either before or without being signed to a major label - through networking such as myspace, and distributing their songs on the net.

I think that if you want to be SUPER big you need a label, but otherwise you can probably get by without one, or being on a small label who won't bleed you dry.

Answer 2

Ya know... I have lost faith in the good ole label record. Here is what they expect... The band has to create a fan base that consists of pretty much 1/4-1/2 the countries population, go on a tour in the back of a van and live in poverty for months at a time to grow that fan base, create and mass produce your own cd (approx. 5,000 AT LEAST), make that "catchy radio song" that sounds like all of the other songs you hear on the radio and are sick of... the list goes on and on. Basically, they want you to do all of the work and build up your fanbase yourself and THEN they might sign you only to take a cut of your profits. They don't do anything except slap their name on your album and make money off of you. There are some Indie labels out there that are the better and more helpful labels to go with. If there is an A&R show (like A&R Connections) who tell you that you have 15 mins. to play and 5 mins. with a few A&R guys from some major labels.... RUN! They will ask you to sell 100 tix for about $15 each (note that they get about 10 bands in on this scam- do the math. That's $15,000) and then they will tell you what I told you above and take your money and run. There are no promises at these events. They just want to make a quick buck and blow you off. Trust me. I know. There are tons of bands who get sucked into this thinking it's their "big shot". NOT! I say go with a good Indie label that will take over the management position as well and won't take you for everything your worth. Bands work way too hard for this. Do as much as you can on your own. Tag along on a bigger tour, pull some strings and get your name out there. Play because you love it and see where it goes. Good luck!

Answer 3

Not necessarily. Check out this article:

http://www.masternewmedia.org/independent_music/independent_music_publishing/indie_music_online_distribution_service_Mperia_20050908.htm

It says that about 97% of artists with a recording contract make less than $600 a month.