Playing Record Label showcase...question

lamonica78 · #1 10-27-2008, 10:33 AM

Ok, so here's the deal. My band was personally invited to play a showcase being run by MAD Dragon Records. It's a unique independent label based out of Drexel University with national distribution through RYKO/Warner. We were invited by the president of the label, Terry Tompkins. For those of you who don't know who he is, Mr. Tompkins was a former A & R director for Columbia Records/SONY and is credited with discovering John Legend! Needless to say, this is a huge opportunity for us.

That being said, I was wondering if anyone else has played showcases like these......have you invited other labels? I'm thinkin g that is probably poor form for us to do so, but just wanted to get some opinions.

Thanks

Dogbertday · #2 10-27-2008, 10:46 AM

I did one of these once. It was a cool experience. It was infront of Epic, Universal, and Atlantic. They were touring around looking at and band that heard about the deal and made the trip to be heard. We got a lot of positive feedback, however they told us straight up that they were looking for that next big hit song and not a band to have great longevity. We understood and we got their contact info and were asked to keep in touch as they said our sound had potential to have that one big hit.

I don't know what exactly the deal is with your situation, but if it's anything like mine it should be a good experience. I say invite everyone you can.. Even invite a whole crowd of fans if it'd be cool with them to show your populatity...

zachbass02 · #3 10-27-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

I don't know what exactly the deal is with your situation, but if it's anything like mine it should be a good experience. I say invite everyone you can.. Even invite a whole crowd of fans if it'd be cool with them to show your populatity...

if they open it up to the public, then invite all your fans. if that label is sponsering this and you are not funding the showcase yourself (ie...you pay for the venue, invitations, sound engineer, etc...), then it's in bad form to invite other labels to a label sponsored showcase. most A&R guys realize that and would probably refuse to come. just my experiences here in Nashville. However, if your band is putting the whole thing together with the intent to showcase, then by all means, invite every label that will come.

just my $.02

lamonica78 · #4 10-27-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachbass02

if they open it up to the public, then invite all your fans. if that label is sponsering this and you are not funding the showcase yourself (ie...you pay for the venue, invitations, sound engineer, etc...), then it's in bad form to invite other labels to a label sponsored showcase. most A&R guys realize that and would probably refuse to come. just my experiences here in Nashville. However, if your band is putting the whole thing together with the intent to showcase, then by all means, invite every label that will come.

just my $.02

Good advice. Just to give you a little more background: MAD Dragon is a unique label. Drexel University has a music industry bachelors program, so students get hands on experience helping to run the label (which is overseen by faculty/industry professionals), book shows, put together concerts, etc. As part of their curriculum, the students put together this showcase which is funded by the music industry program and label. It's open to the public, so we definitely plan on inviting all of our friends/family/fans as well as local press. But you're right, probably not a good idea to invite other label reps.

We've been on their radar for a few months now. We started out working just with their booking agency for local shows, so it's cool that they're starting to recognize our potential.

theoldmiami · #5 10-27-2008, 11:12 AM

Be really cautious as these university-run labels can be bad for you. I came from a school that did the same program, and bottom line: it's run by students.

Just be cautious. It can often hurt you more than help.

agreatheight · #6 10-27-2008, 11:14 AM

A band I was in back in the 90s showcased for a few labels, including Atlantic. There was some discussion between them and our mgmt about a deal, but the band disintegrated before anything could come of it (we had some 'issues'). The best advice I can give you about it is don't think too hard on it, just play it as a show and enjoy yourselves!

lamonica78 · #7 10-27-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldmiami

Be really cautious as these university-run labels can be bad for you. I came from a school that did the same program, and bottom line: it's run by students.

Just be cautious. It can often hurt you more than help.

Yeah, I totally understand where you're coming from. What school did you go to if you don't mind me asking?

Anyway, I think the thing that sets them apart from most university labels is the fact that it has a major distribution deal with RYKOdisc/Warner. It is student run to an extent, but it's overseen by extremely reputable faculty who have years of real music industry experience. There are a couple of artists on the label doing really well including The Redwalls (formerly signed by Columbia, but were dropped a few years ago) and Hoots and Hellmouth.

theoldmiami · #8 10-27-2008, 01:36 PM

I went to Appalachian State University

lamonica78 · #9 10-27-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theoldmiami

I went to Appalachian State University

Cool. I just checked out Split Rail Records. Looks like it's a fairly new label, so hopefully that will continue to grow.

Just did a little more fact checking on MAD Dragon. They are currently the only university based label with a major national distribution deal