• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Signed a record deal

#22
Congratulations!

You should get your tapes digitized by someone who knows what they're doing. Unless they are acetate tapes, they could be saved. Even acetate ones can be saved. I have digitized tons of tapes, some for BMI, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, and Marc Shaiman. Marc told me that multiple sound engineers told him his tapes were garbage. He thought I was a wizard.
 
#25
Selling well in Europe could help in getting gigs overthere . I know you can make more money selling this way than with Spotify . My buddy just got a check for $20.00........20,000 hits off Spotify . :thumbsdown: It's all positive , congrats !
 
#27
Metalbasspro said:
I singed a recored deal! A record contract but not a recording contract. I am not even in the band anymore. None of us are. It was was all 35 years ago! It seems there is a market for new un heard music from the 80's by metal fans who do not like current metal trends or are curious about the stuff everyone missed. It's a real label too based in Greece. World wide distro. They fronted all the money for everything and while we only get a token amount to cash and some CD's the contract does not ask us to make up for any lack of sales. Probably because already recorded music is being used. I am ok with it, we all were except for the one player who is a semi pro now. He was a little concerned about giving our music away but relaxed when I told him the CD run is limited. The company is really going all out in it's promotion even had the release reviewed already. Taking pre orders and everything. YouTube promo videos, the works.

I walk around town and when I run into people I know as a Joke I ask them if they want my autograph LOL Some of them don't believe a word I tell them about my album being released March 28th hahaha. They think I am full of baloney! And I can't blame them I look nothing like a rock star anymore.

It took 35 years. Am I am accomplished bass player now? Or was I already? Hard to tell. But never surrender and keep all your recordings in good condition. I was the only one with access to what was needed to get the project done. Most people lose this stuff or it gets damaged at some point and it's lost to history. Another reason I did it. I knew the tapes were goin to degrade someday and be lost. I was worried I'd sent them the only copies anyone knows of and something would happen that I would not get it back and nothing would be released so I took a chance.
Click to expand...
Hard work always pays off but usually not when you want it too. You guys are gonna have to put the band back together and go on tour :)
 
#28
jimmydean said:
Selling well in Europe could help in getting gigs overthere . I know you can make more money selling this way than with Spotify . My buddy just got a check for $20.00........20,000 hits off Spotify . :thumbsdown: It's all positive , congrats !
Click to expand...

Europe can be good at this and they are keen to import music ...so if viable, you could end up on a tribute bill...as in old niche acts.
You'll find 80's, nostalgia and Goth fests..along with Blues fests as big business and some get municipal support so can be done very well.

I'd contact your record company and express interest...chances are they have already thought about the possibilities.
 
#29
Kewl. I remember when my band got signed back in like '99. Small label, but they had wide distribution through this thing called Navarre Corporation
Navarre Corporation - Wikipedia and Best Buy. This was obviously pre-Napster, iTunes, Spotify etc so people were still buying CDs. Funny how they promise you the world but then nothing really happens. If you play your cards right though you can find other work. Aah, good times.
 
Last edited:
#30
Thats a good point. Tours or overseas gigs sold CD and vinyl so the artist has two additional revenue streams in addition to getting paid for the gig.
Sidemen just got the gig money but didn't have to underwrite anything.
 
#33
Metalbasspro said:
I singed a recored deal! A record contract but not a recording contract. I am not even in the band anymore. None of us are. It was was all 35 years ago! It seems there is a market for new un heard music from the 80's by metal fans who do not like current metal trends or are curious about the stuff everyone missed. It's a real label too based in Greece. World wide distro. They fronted all the money for everything and while we only get a token amount to cash and some CD's the contract does not ask us to make up for any lack of sales. Probably because already recorded music is being used. I am ok with it, we all were except for the one player who is a semi pro now. He was a little concerned about giving our music away but relaxed when I told him the CD run is limited. The company is really going all out in it's promotion even had the release reviewed already. Taking pre orders and everything. YouTube promo videos, the works.

I walk around town and when I run into people I know as a Joke I ask them if they want my autograph LOL Some of them don't believe a word I tell them about my album being released March 28th hahaha. They think I am full of baloney! And I can't blame them I look nothing like a rock star anymore.

It took 35 years. Am I am accomplished bass player now? Or was I already? Hard to tell. But never surrender and keep all your recordings in good condition. I was the only one with access to what was needed to get the project done. Most people lose this stuff or it gets damaged at some point and it's lost to history. Another reason I did it. I knew the tapes were goin to degrade someday and be lost. I was worried I'd sent them the only copies anyone knows of and something would happen that I would not get it back and nothing would be released so I took a chance.
Click to expand...
This sounds pretty cool. Congrats.

It's cool that y'all get at least something in return for past efforts.

You retain rights to the music, correct? Besides allowing this company to publish & distribute in a limited manner?
 
#35
P. Aaron said:
This sounds pretty cool. Congrats.

It's cool that y'all get at least something in return for past efforts.

You retain rights to the music, correct? Besides allowing this company to publish & distribute in a limited manner?
Click to expand...
Yes the only thing the company claims is the re mastered work. We can't use tht to make money but we still have the original recordings and can remaster them ourselves if we want. Limited to 500 anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: P. Aaron
#36
Metalbasspro said:
I didn't. The band is no longer together and the terms were clear. If they were paying for us to record the terms might be different and I'd need a lawyer then. Worst that happens is I get ripped off, But then I get the full experience of an artist.
Click to expand...
As long as you're comfortable with no longer having any rights to the music and/or taking on hidden financial obligations, that's cool. I wouldn't do it, but on the other hand I'm a lawyer so I can have my lawyer read it for free, so that's easy for me to say ;-)
 
Last edited:
#38
lermgalieu said:
As long as you're comfortable with no longer having any rights to the music and/or taking on hidden financial obligations, that's cool. I wouldn't do it, but on the other hand I'm a lawyer so I can have my lawyer read it for free, so that's easy for me to say ;-)
Click to expand...
It's still our music and we still. have full ownership of the original recordings the label only owns the recordings they played with and improved, Fair enough.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back