Finding a label

[catcauphonic]

Our originals band (my first) has been writing songs for a few years, and together solid with our latest gal singer almost a year. We've been playing out in bars and clubs around Seattle (on average) monthly, to small but appreciative crowds. Our set is pretty solid, and we have 10-12 songs that we would love to now record before getting busy writing more and focusing on some other half finished things.

One thing on my bucket list (< I hate that term) is for us to release things on vinyl (with the digital download option.) However, unless you know you can move at least 300-500 of them, the cost of DIY pressing vinyl is super prohibitive.

We're currently recording 2 songs ourselves. Probably will dip from our band fund to master them, and likely we'll end up releasing them on a CDep (using kunaki.com) or just digitally. Both options are lame if you ask me.

As a music lover and listener, I have no problem finding new release vinyl that I really dig. But as an artist, I don't know where to start to see about getting support from a small label that might be interested in covering the cost of our pressing (would love to do a full LP) .. so all we would mainly need to do is play more shows and be more visible to peddle the product, which I'm quite proud of at this stage. Nothing groundbreaking, but IMO solid and sellable.

Amy advice from others who've been down this road?

 

[40Hz]

Large or small labels, it's still numbers game. Especially when it comes to the cost of vinyl. Learned that back in the late '70s when one originals band I was in was in some genuine discussions with one of the (then) bigger labels. (We never made it past that "let's have a serious talk" stage however.)

I don't think you're going to find anybody running a label they're operating as a business who's going to be interested in bankrolling a a small unknown group's vinyl pressing purely for art's sake.

There's also something I think you're going to have to come to terms with when it comes to something like vinyl. Very few people care relative to the number of people in the music buying public. So until you get better known, I think your options are to either get better known - and signed - or face the fact you'll at least need to get big enough to be able to afford doing your own pressing. And have a sufficient fan base to buy it once you do.

There's really no way around the economics of producing physical records. It costs money. Somebody is going to have to pay for it.

 

[matante]

If you really think your music is good enough to where you're proud of it, record 4 songs as well as you can. If you're truly happy with the results, send that demo to a label you're familiar with because you listen to their artists and think your music would be a good fit.

They'll either think they can make a buck off it or they won't. Ask yourself, are you doing this because you love your music and you want to share it with the largest possible audience? Or would you just like to say someday that you once put out an LP?

 

[catcauphonic]

...Ask yourself, are you doing this because you love your music and you want to share it with the largest possible audience? Or would you just like to say someday that you once put out an LP?

Very honestly ... both. Edit to add: I certainly wouldn't want to attach my name to something I thought was mediocre

 

[matante]

Very honestly ... both. Edit to add: I certainly wouldn't want to attach my name to something I thought was mediocre

Ok. That's a good answer. If it were me, I wouldn't bother with releasing that two song EP. Self-releasing is plan B.

Record your best 4 songs. Get them on youtube, bandcamp, etc. Most importantly, shop that demo around. It's not rocket science, but you will encounter a lot of negativity and people who make it seem impossible because they're cynical and/or jaded. There's a new band being signed every day.

 

[catcauphonic]

Ok. That's a good answer. If it were me, I wouldn't bother with releasing that two song EP. Self-releasing is plan B.

Record your best 4 songs. Get them on youtube, bandcamp, etc. Most importantly, shop that demo around. It's not rocket science, but you will encounter a lot of negativity and people who make it seem impossible because they're cynical and/or jaded. There's a new band being signed every day.

Good tips. I guess I need to start out by researching labels that might be a good fit. Seems daunting because there's so many, but doable.

Here's a link to our last 5 song CD/EP (with the previous singer) > Star Meets Sea EP, by Star Meets Sea, just for some reference. File under the huge post punk umbrella, but I refer to it as 'modern 80s' if pressed to get more descriptive

 

[matante]

Good tips. I guess I need to start out by researching labels that might be a good fit. Seems daunting because there's so many, but doable.

Here's a link to our last 5 song CD/EP (with the previous singer) > Star Meets Sea EP, by Star Meets Sea, just for some reference. File under the huge post punk umbrella, but I refer to it as 'modern 80s' if pressed to get more descriptive

I'll listen through headphones when I get home. My phone won't do it justice.

 

[bassbully]

I was in an originals band that put out two really good and mastered CDs. We did it all on our dime and we're proud of them. We shopped around, got reviews, tried to cram it in anywhere anyone would listen. We got some great reviews and some air play, mostly from online stations. In the end it meant nothing. Without a backing label it's just your CD you made and usually money lost.
We sold more CDs at our shows than online which sold worldwide on the web. I have about 300 CDs in a box in my basement.
I know bands who spent thousands, pressed vinyl and toured behind their Cd only to go broke. Without a label and their backing it's just a labor of love.
This is not to say my story will not be the same for you. Without a label and its backing you are pretty much a fish out of water.

 

[catcauphonic]

I'll listen through headphones when I get home. My phone won't do it justice.

The bass always sounds waaay better that way . Just know that I appreciate it, whether it moves you to comment (either way ) or not.

I was in an originals band that put out two really good and mastered CDs. We did it all on our dime and we're proud of them. We shopped around, got reviews, tried to cram it in anywhere anyone would listen. We got some great reviews and some air play, mostly from online stations. In the end it meant nothing. Without a backing label it's just your CD you made and usually money lost.
We sold more CDs at our shows than online which sold worldwide on the web. I have about 300 CDs in a box in my basement.
I know bands who spent thousands, pressed vinyl and toured behind their Cd only to go broke. Without a label and their backing it's just a labor of love.
This is not to say my story will not be the same for you. Without a label and its backing you are pretty much a fish out of water.

I have no illusions of grandeur or quitting my day job ... I don't even mind just breaking even, we just don't want to LOSE money.

 

[bassbully]

The bass always sounds waaay better that way . Just know that I appreciate it, whether it moves you to comment (either way ) or not.



I have no illusions of grandeur or quitting my day job ... I don't even mind just breaking even, we just don't want to LOSE money.

Well I understand and either were we. I would say we never quite broke even but close. This was a three year period.

 

[catcauphonic]

Well I understand and either were we. I would say we never quite broke even but close. This was a three year period.

Curious ... did you guys approach any labels in your time as a band? Or were you self publishing the CDs as a way to completely DIY?

 

[bassbully]

Curious ... did you guys approach any labels in your time as a band? Or were you self publishing the CDs as a way to completely DIY?

We tried for a while but just got no responce. We decided to try the Internet sales, marketing ourselves which worked better. When the band folded after 5 years each band memeber got a decent chunk of money from sales both online, website and shows.

We didn't get rich but it was nice. It's a tough game. I'm in a band now that is well over 1k in costs on an album they are recording. This is before mastering and copies on any media. I told them to tread lightly as it can become a money pit quick.
I recommend bands to work on publishing songs hoping for the tv, movie deals. The old band sadly never got that far. I have a lifetime of coasters.

 

[40Hz]

Gave a listen to Star Meets Sea. really liked it. A lot. But there is one suggestion...I would make your intros shorter.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from radio station program directors and some of the people in the music industry I know is how so many bands are taking up to half a minute (or more) to start a song. And by 'start' I mean when the vocals come in. I can understand if you're trying to do some mood setting. But long intros will not get your songs to the people that make decisions. You've got about three tries of maybe 15 seconds each with the gatekeepers who then have to decide if they're going to pass your tracks onto somebody in AR for possible follow-up.

 

[matante]

The bass always sounds waaay better that way . Just know that I appreciate it, whether it moves you to comment (either way ) or not.



I have no illusions of grandeur or quitting my day job ... I don't even mind just breaking even, we just don't want to LOSE money.

So I listened to it through some good speakers. I like the overall vibe you're going for but I have to say I didn't like the vocalist at all, not just her voice but the melodies as well I thought were weaker than the rest of the songs. I also thought the drummer was a bit monotonous, even if you're going for that style I think he overdoes it. Overall your band reminds me of KEXP in Seattle. I imagine you like that station and you must like some of the bands they play. I would look up their labels. I like your tone by the way.

Here's a performance I was reminded of by your EP:

 

[Rawkmonkey]

There are a lot of artists going the independent route selling and promoting their music online without a label, live at shows, getting CD's printed at Disc Makers.
We have some friends in SF that have built a decent following, so around a bigger show they released a limited run of an EP on colored vinyl. I think they sold a good amount of them, but it's still a gamble of "I want to do this, let's invest in making this, and see how it goes".

 

[primusfan1989]

DIY.... I know many bands that are putting out vinyl without the backing of a label, get out there and play shows and bank away the money and release it yourselfs.

Also if your are not confident in the ability of your band to sell 300-500 records, why would a label be interested in picking your band up?

 

[catcauphonic]

So I listened to it through some good speakers. I like the overall vibe you're going for but I have to say I didn't like the vocalist at all, not just her voice but the melodies as well I thought were weaker than the rest of the songs. I also thought the drummer was a bit monotonous, even if you're going for that style I think he overdoes it. Overall your band reminds me of KEXP in Seattle. I imagine you like that station and you must like some of the bands they play. I would look up their labels. I like your tone by the way.

Here's a performance I was reminded of by your EP:

Thanks for listening and the feedback . Our old singer had such a powerful voice .. it was usually a love it or hate it thing. The new gal sounds way more like the video you shared (which IS very similar to our thing.)

We're lucky to have KEXP as a local station, and I/we are no doubt influenced by it. Not that easy to get airplay on there without a connection, as they get so many submissions daily. Maybe we're just not at that level yet. After we get these new recordings, we'll give it another shot. I also think they take vinyl submissions way more seriously, as well.

 

[catcauphonic]

DIY.... I know many bands that are putting out vinyl without the backing of a label, get out there and play shows and bank away the money and release it yourselfs.

Also if your are not confident in the ability of your band to sell 300-500 records, why would a label be interested in picking your band up?

That's what we've been doing. It's not that I'm not confident in the product, it's that we don't reach that many people to move 300-500 in a year (or even 2, at this rate.) It's a big pond here, musically. I see bands I really dig and even buy their record at the show, but next time they play they might be on the same night as a different band that I have not seen yet, & want to ... so draws are tough.

 

[Zebra]

For one, I think it's mostly a myth that you can show a label how good your EP is and get signed that way in this day and age. If a label is going to sign a band now they want:

1. A band that can build a following
2. proof that they can tour
3. a good stage show
4. proof they can move a product
5. proof they're good at self-promotion

Even if you do get snagged by a label it's not guaranteed they will bankroll your vinyl production. Vinyl is a super niche thing and probably at the bottom of the priorities list for a label.

Now if you look at the stuff on that list, there's a lot of stuff there that isn't cheap and no one is going to pay you for it. If you want physical EPs you'll have to buy them at a loss and hope to make it back on sales. Same with merch, touring, promotion, etc. You're not a cover band for hire; an originals band trying to make their name is an expensive endeavor, and you're gonna have to pay some out of pocket if not a lot out of pocket.

 

[deathness]

What about self funding a 7" of your two catchiest songs (selling it thru bandcamp with digital download) to have something physical to sell at your shows? 7" vinyl is a might bit cheaper than 12" and the tried and true indie/diy format. You could always try funding it with kickstarter or indiegogo. (Running a kickstarter campaign successfully is a lot of work but can be rewarding. Ive heard good things about indiegogo.)