Recording Covers, a bad idea?

Portobello_Road · #1 07-19-2011, 03:59 PM

My band recently recorded a couple covers for fun. I think we rock these covers, we definitely add some spice to its original version. A lot of people have been telling us that we should not have wasted our money recording a cover. Some people have even told us that recording a cover is wasting the producers time. Although, many people have told us that the covers we recorded sound better than the artist original. We are not trying to take credit for what someone else has written or claim that we sound better, it was for pure fun, we wanted to document our own version of a couple songs that we love with our own style. So my questions are…is recording a cover look bad in the eye’s of a producer? Is it bad to post these recordings on web sites such as reverbnation for others to hear? Just a couple thoughts, I can see where people can argue both cases.

Marton · #2 07-19-2011, 04:01 PM

Don't looks like a bad idea, but before check out copyright laws and stuff like that before doing anything. Trust me, you don't want to be sued by a Major Label.

TL5 · #3 07-20-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portobello_Road

So my questions are…is recording a cover look bad in the eye’s of a producer?

I'd say that it's strictly subjective and depends on the producer.

Quote:

Is it bad to post these recordings on web sites such as reverbnation for others to hear? Just a couple thoughts, I can see where people can argue both cases.

Unless you have secured the mechanical rights, it's not only bad but illegal. With the mechanicals, it then becomes a subjective issue.

You can get a mechanical license for most songs here:
Songfile at Harry Fox Agency

electracoyote · #4 07-20-2011, 01:05 PM

Yeah, get the rights from ASCAP, BMI, whatever licensing entity the original artist uses. It's pretty easy to do actually.

As for a tasteful cover that is a clever or engaging take on the original, why the hell not? I would think if you did a good job it would show some creative spark to any record label higher-ups.

The Beatles first three records are full or covers. It only helped their career IMO.

MonkeyBass · #5 07-20-2011, 01:07 PM

You can record anything without permission as long as you don't take credit for it and don't make money. As soon as you try to sell the recordings then you need mechanical rights.

tdub0199 · #6 07-20-2011, 01:09 PM

Get the copy rights before posting any of them..... we did a "Doors" cover on our 1st album and I think it only cost us around $120.00 to put the song on 1,000 cd's......

electracoyote · #7 07-20-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyBass

As soon as you try to sell the recordings then you need mechanical rights.

Even offering them to a mass audience without selling them still constitutes distribution.

Unrepresented · #8 07-20-2011, 01:27 PM

We're in the process of deciding how to "release" a cover we recently recorded. We didn't extend a lot of effort or cash specifically on it since we were already in the studio doing original work. It's a good way of warming an audience that may not otherwise be as receptive. Lots of great musicians have made their fame performing other people's songs. As a financial plan it may be a hazardous one. Make sure you educate yourself on the legality of releasing it to avoid lawsuits.

chokeslam512 · #9 07-20-2011, 01:39 PM

It depends on the application. If you are putting it on a work that is to be sold, make sure you are legally allowed to do so. I am in a cover band and we recorded three covers to showcase our singer's ability which we give to bar owners as a business card of sorts.

pasta4lnch · #10 07-20-2011, 01:48 PM

yeah - check the legal. though there are lots of ways to use good quality covers. getting gigs, youtube etc. having a yt vid of a cover will get you a lot of hits (WAY more than even your most popular original in most cases) which can get you subscribers and if people dig it they'll check out your originals . . .

as a producer - if a band asked me to work on a project that included a cover, I'd first ask if they checked (or considered) the legal aspect, but wouldn't look down on the project/band because of it - I think more bands should add covers to their roster, especially when they do something unique to the tune. my 2¢. . . ymmv