5 Criteria for Picking the Right Studio

Just about every musician reaches a stage in their career where they need to record all (or at least part) of their tracks in a professional studio. Readily available resources like Garage Band can be useful, but if you really need your product to sound great, it’s hard to replace the real deal.

Not every studio is the same, however (but you knew that, didn’t you…) and choosing the right one to suit your needs can leave you either doing happy cartwheels or utterly deflated. In particular, your first studio experience can shape your future expectations of recording. Music creation should be enjoyable so therefore it should be enjoyable to record. Fear, anxiety, and criticism from your studio engineer is not conducive to creativity.

There is one question you need to ask yourself: Why do I want to record?

• Is this a stepping stone to your career?
• Are you looking to just have a good time with fellow musicians?
• Do you need this to be accepted to college?
• Is this a gift for family or friends?

It comes down to quality, time and cost. By answering the question above it will make the decision for what studio fits your needs.

5 criteria for picking the right studio:

1. Are they willing to give you a test run? 
   • If a studio won’t let you play around with their equipment and see how it fits with you that’s a red flag.
2. Do they charge hourly rates or day rates?
   • Some studios may not budge on this, but it is important. You should be paying attention to the music not the clock. Shoot for a day rate.
3. Is there payment up front?
   • Always sketchy. If you are set on the studio than the best compromise to a situation like this comes from Star Wars. You will get half up front and the other half once we reach Alderaan or in your case have a finished album.
4. Is there gear in the room?
   • The presence of amps, guitars, and instruments, to test out, shows you’re working with a passionate musician. Your art deserves a creative team that is just as passionate (okay, that’s impossible, but close) about your music as you.
5. Is your engineer name dropping?
   • When your studio engineer says he used to record with Biggie back in the day before he blew up, he probably didn’t record with Biggie back in the day before he blew up.

Extra Advice: Get to know your engineer

• You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person. Make sure you like each other. Take them out to lunch, get to know them. You don’t want to pay for a sub-par experience.

Ultimately, it all boils down to this: No matter what your reason is for recording picking the right people, place and vibe will be crucial to finishing the product you want.

What You Need to Know About Streaming Royalties

What are ‘Streaming Royalties’?

Despite a past reluctance amongst the industry ranks towards music streaming, the blinders are off with a general shuffling along the pew to make room for a medium which has grown to be of great significance to both artist and songwriter careers.

For artists, streaming is how the majority of listeners are consuming music today and for songwriters, although the debate continues on the efficiency and reasonableness of revenue via streaming royalties, it is a revenue none the less.Before we get to royalties, let’s take a broad look at streaming and the types available to music consumers.

Interactive vs. Non-interactive

Interactive Streaming, also known as “on-demand”, provides users complete flexibility to choose what content they would like to play at a time of their own choosing, essentially “interacting” with the service provider. Interactive Streaming services include Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Google Play, and now Amazon with their Amazon Unlimited Music offering.

Non-interactive Streaming, also known as “internet radio”, provides pre-determined programming, much like listening to traditional broadcast radio where users can select the type of provider or style of music, but do not have control over specific content. Services that offer non-interactive streaming include Pandora, SiriusXM, and Last.FM.

Now to Royalties

What royalties are paid out from Interactive and Non-interactive Streaming?

Both Interactive and Non-interactive Streaming services pay streaming royalties to songwriters and publishers.

Non-interactive Streams generate Performance Royalties.

Performance royalties are paid out whenever a composition is broadcast or performed publicly. Performing rights organizations (PROs), like ASCAP, BMI, andSESAC collect and distribute these royalties to songwriters and publishers.

Interactive Streams generate Performance Royalties and Mechanical Royalties.

Mechanical royalties are paid to songwriters whenever a copy of their composition is produced via CD, vinyl, tape, digital download, or streamed. In the US, mechanical royalties are collected and distributed by the Harry Fox Agency. However, mechanical royalties are handled differently from country to country, so if your music is available internationally and you anticipate collecting mechanical royalties in different territories, you must register with the appropriate collecting agency in each country.

Keep in mind, PROs do NOT collect and distribute mechanical royalties. So you MUST be registered with an agency that specifically works with mechanical royalties.

The 7 Things Every Urban Musician Ought To Know About Music Career Growth, Creating Opportunities And Competitive Advantage!

The 7 Things Every Urban Musician Ought To Know About Music Career Growth, Creating Opportunities And Competitive Advantage!

There are 7 overlooked, underestimated & misunderstood core principles that are absolutely required to build, grow and sustain a successful career in music. Once you apply them, you will have a massive competitive advantage over 99% of all other musicians pursuing a music career and you will experience a fundamental paradigm shift from ‘looking for opportunities’ to ‘creating them’.

1. The music industry does NOT look for great music to sell - or even great musicians.... Record companies, managers, promoters and big successful bands (who might hire you) look for great 'people' who can also create good music. What this means for you is, you need to prove yourself to be rock solid in three key areas (beyond your music) in order to put yourself at the top of the list.
   
   You need to show people and companies in the music industry that any relationship between you and them will be a great the best possible investment for them. You do this by adding lots of value and reducing risks to the other side. Most musicians aren’t aware of this and/or don’t even try. There are lots of ways you can do both of these things once you learn what they are, how they work and how to implement them... This is one of the things I mentor musicians like you to do. Fact is, you MUST do this, because if you don’t, the music industry will simply find someone else who will… no matter how great you (or they) think your music is. In addition, when it comes to your music career, you need to prove that you put your money where your mouth is. That means the music industry wants to see you investing in yourself before asking them to do the same – more on this later.
    
2. Contrary to what the vast majority of people falsely believe, opportunity is never ‘given’ to musicians. Opportunity is created by musicians who have the right mindset (more on this below), add value & reduce risks for the other side. If you want to build and sustain a successful music career, then it is suicidal to depend on & wait for others in the music industry to ‘give you’ opportunity… You must be proactive and create opportunity for yourself and others around you. It’s not as hard as it sounds when you do the things in point 1 above. This is what I have done and is what I successfully coach other musicians just like you to do.   
3. The most underestimated and often misunderstood element required for building a successful career as a professional musician is having the right mindset. Many people believe they already have the right mindset to become a successful musician… The truth is, I can definitely tell you with certainty that most musicians simply do not possess the right mindset at all – and the few who do, often lose that correct mindset once things get harder, the stakes are higher or situations become stressful… However, the good news is, virtually anyone can learn, master and sustain the right mindset for all situations with the right training and efforts.
    
4. You really have zero competition. You probably think the world is filled with competitors and that in order for you to experience your own success in the music industry, you must ‘beat the competition’. The truth is, you don’t really have any competition. Most musicians will eliminate themselves from music career opportunities because they don’t know about or do the critical things I’m teaching you to do (and what not to do) on this page. Once you become truly valuable, low risk and can communicate those facts effectively, the music industry WILL want you, no matter how many other talented people are also trying to achieve the same things you are.
    
5. The reputable people and companies in the music industry are looking for musicians and bands to invest in for the long term – this is why they invest in ‘people’ and not in ‘music’. The music industry wants to be sure you are committed for the long term – they won’t be ‘asking’ you if you are committed to the long term, they’ll be looking for the proof based on what they can find out about you via their research teams... and yes they absolutely will search for all kinds of things about you, your mindset, your commitment, your track record, your strategy, your value and elements of risk.
    
6. Getting your ‘foot in the door’ is the primary focus of most musicians seeking a career in music. They think once they are in, they will stay in, or their career will be built on the music they’re creating. This myth is the surest way to get yourself thrown out the same door you just got your foot into. To become a successful professional musician, you must have a strategy that gets you ‘into the music business’, ‘keeps you in the music business’ and ‘makes both you AND everyone around you thrive in the music business’. Until and unless you have that, the chance of developing a successful music career is basically zero.
    
7. The biggest secret to success in developing your own career in music is integrating all the pieces together. This means that when you take an action of some kind (for example, promoting your album, getting people to your website, expanding your social media presence, promoting your live shows, seeking deals with labels, managers, promoters, etc.), all of the things that go into doing those things must be integrated with everything else you are doing. When the pieces are disconnected, they are simply single actions – that is not effective. When they are integrated as part of a real strategy, then your chances to achieve your objectives go through the roof.  

Now that you know what you need to be, do & have, and most importantly, what NOT to do, what next?

The first thing you need to realize, understand & accept is that nobody makes it in the music business on their own. Every star in the music business today does have or has had a music career mentor of some kind – all of them, zero exceptions.

Learn It From THE REAL DEAL, NOT From Someone Who HAS NOT Done It And Does Not Live It

You see, most of the so-called ‘music business teachers’ at music schools & so-called ‘music career advisors’ are better at talking about the music business than they are at actually DOING MUSIC as a career. In fact, not only are they not doing it now, most of them have never done it… ever.

They don't know what it’s like to risk their own time and their own money…

... they only know how to report on how the wheels of the music business turn instead of telling you what YOU, the musician, need to do exactly to build your music career....

How to Secure Funding for Musicians and Record Labels

Securing funding and investment is a great way to get independent record labels and music projects of the ground, and cover the any costs that come with producing music, touring and running a successful label as a business. We are often asked about ways to get funding for musicians and labels, so here's a guide to the basics and some of the best potential sources.

Getting outside funding for your music isn't easy, so it's important to take time to research your options, decides what’s best for you, and don’t rush into any major decisions to quickly.

Before we get into the types of funding available to independent label owners and artists, here are some key things to consider.

The basics of securing music funding

Finding a trustworthy funding source

First and foremost, you’ll need to find where your funding will come from. Make sure your source is reliable.

A bad investment or loan source can cause all sorts of problems down the line, so watch out for extortionate interest rates or investors looking to take more control of your company than you would be comfortable with. Do your research; don’t just take the money and hope for the best.

Know how to approach

Different sources of funding and investment will require different approaches, but the best place to start is by writing a record label business plan. You’ll need to know the aims, finances and forecasts for your business inside out, and writing a clear plan is a great way to get it all down on paper, whether you're seeking investment right now or not.

Also, when you apply for funding, make sure to check every single detail of your application. Follow any application guidelines to the letter, check for spelling and grammar and get someone else to proofread it. You don’t want to blow your chances over an avoidable mistake.

Decide how much you need

It’s always wise to work out a watertight budget before you start looking for investment. That way you can decide how much you need, rather than how much you want.

Generally, there’s no such thing as a no-strings-attached investment, so taking too much money could be unwise, especially if it comes to paying it back. In contrast, taking too little cash could be a bad move, leaving you out-of-pocket before you get the chance to make a return. Think very carefully about how much funding you’ll need.

Spend it wisely

This should really go without saying, but plan exactly what you’re going to spend every penny of your funding on beforehand. Don’t splash it all on Dom Perignon and Gucci threads! Make a sensible and realistic plan for your cash flow.

Types of funding for musicians & labels

  

Start-up loans

Start-up loans are one of the most common ways in which new businesses get the funding they need to grow and develop. You can approach major banks for a business loan, but you’ll need to make sure your business plan, credit score and research is all up to scratch to stand a realistic chance of securing a loan. Also, label owners based in the UK can get help accessing start-up loans with the Professional Record Label in a Box package.

Don’t rely on high-interest lenders. It may seem like an easy way to get some quick cash, but you could end up owing much more than you can afford.

Arts grants

Arts grants are a great option for creative professionals looking for a bulk cash sum to get their project off the ground, especially as you usually won’t have to pay anything back. These grants aren’t available to just anyone and they can be incredibly competitive, so you’ll need to prove you deserve the money and demonstrate how you’ll use it. 

There are a few ways to apply for arts grants. If you’re based in the UK, you can apply for grants from Arts Council England, PRS and other sources.

For artist and labels in the USA, opportunities for grants are available from New Music USA, National Endowment for the Arts and more.

Musicians and labels in Australia can apply for grants via organisations including Australia Council for the Arts and APRA AMCOS.

10 Music Industry Blogs You Should Be Reading as an artist in 237

Whether you’re signed, independent or just getting started in the music biz, it’s important for artists to keep up to date with what’s going in the industry. There are thousands of great music blogs out there, but we’ve picked out ten that every aspiring musician should be reading.

From the latest industry news and advice on developing your music careers, to features on emerging artists from across the globe, these blogs all offer essential info for up-and-comers in the music biz. Got a favourite that isn’t mentioned? Let us know in the comments!

The 10 Best Blogs for Musicians in 2017 

1. Hypebot

Hypebot posts daily content for indie musicians and record labels, including blogs about the music business, news and technology. Their posts are usually in-depth and well worth reading, but great tips can often be found in the comments section of their posts too, so remember to scroll down and you might find something interesting.

2. Music Business Worldwide

Although it’s not necessarily a blog, Music Business Worldwide offers comprehensive news, insight and analysis from across the global music industry. It’s also well worth subscribing to their newsletter if you want the very latest music industry news delivered straight to your inbox.

3. Ditto Music Blog

At Ditto Music, we’re passionate about supporting independent music however and whenever possible. Our blog is regularly updated with useful tips and advice for musicians of all levels, to help them to create sustainable music careers, focussing on marketing, promotion, technology, opportunities and much more.

4. The Unsigned Guide

The Unsigned Guide is filled with useful info and articles for up-and-coming bands and artists. The site’s free-to-read blogs are filled with lots of great tips and opportunities, but you can also subscribe to view their wide-ranging directory and access the contact details of thousands of industry bods and companies, from labels and studios, to managers, publishers and more.

5. Pitchfork

Pitchfork is one of the world’s most popular independent music blogs, updated every day with reviews, features, videos and events. More of a news than an advice blog, Pitchfork is the place to go to find out the latest happenings from across the world of indie music.

6. CMU Insights

The CMU Insights blog is filled with expert articles on all facets of the music industry, offering a fantastic resource for up-and-coming musicians. If you’d like an even more in-depth understanding of music industry subjects, CMU also runs a number of seminars, conferences and masterclasses throughout the year.

7. The Music Entrepreneur

The Music Entrepreneur provides tips and advice for people looking to build a profitable, long-term career within the music industry. The site has articles for all kinds of industry professionals, including musicians, label owners and more, covering topics ranging from marketing and promotional to instrumentation and playing techniques.

8. Bob Baker’s The Buzz Factor

The Buzz Factor is a fascinating music industry blog from musician, author and ex-music mag editor Bob Baker, providing music marketing advice for musicians, songwriters and bands. Bob’s blog helps musicians learn ways to get exposure and connect with their audience and features articles, videos, courses, podcasts and more.

9. Ledger Note

Ledger Note is an excellent resource for all types of musicians, with plenty of detailed articles to get stuck into. Topics range from recording, mixing and mastering techniques, to music theory, beat production and gear reviews, helping artists of all skill levels enhance their performance and productions abilities.

10. /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers

While not necessarily a blog, Reddit’s We Are the Music Makers thread is filled with user-generated content and advice for musicians and performers of all genres and abilities. You can browse the thread and check out the most popular posts, or even pose your own questions and get helpful responses from expert and amateur music makers alike.

And there you have it! Our favourite resources and blogs for musicians hoping to learn more about the music industry and get tips and advice to further their career.

Do you have a favourite music industry blog that isn’t mentioned above? Let us know in the comments and share this list with any friends looking for advice about the music business.

 

RIPPED JEANS NATION BLOG: JAY-Z’S 4:44, A TIDAL EXCLUSIVE, ILLEGALLY DOWNLOA...

RIPPED JEANS NATION BLOG: JAY-Z’S 4:44, A TIDAL EXCLUSIVE, ILLEGALLY DOWNLOA...: Jay-Z released his thirteenth solo album on Friday (June 30), and it’s been going down a storm with critics. The confessional nature of ...

Ripped jeans and all about them

You can call them whatever you wish; ripped, shredded, rugged, distressed, damaged or destroyed jeans; name it all, but these cuties in their messy self are here to stay.
From 80s to date; they are a true representation of what one could call a natural wear and tear of clothing in the early times

Jeans with a slight cut/rip are good for people who hate drama, and standing out, while the huge cuts are good for very daring people

According to online sources in the 80s, most ripped jeans were a result of the unprivileged individuals in society; those who loved their jeans to bits that they wore them to a wear and tear point, and thus the birth of the ripped jeans.
In the early years it was mainly rips at the knee, but lately there are rips all over the jeans;  those ripped naturally, ones ripped on purpose, and ones ripped during manufacturing process

These three types can be further be broken down into three more specific types; the ripped skinny small cut jeans; sequel ripped jeans, and ripped huge cut jeans.
The ripped skinny small cut-jeans are those with slight cuts, usually not so pronounce as the huge cuts, or sequel ripped jeans.

The ripped jeans come in all sizes, from just skinny (small), to just fitting (medium), and baggy jeans or what many could call the boyfriend jeans (large/xtra-large).
Jeans with a slight cut/rip are good for people who hate drama, and standing out, while the huge cuts are good for very daring people.
The good news though is that this style is trendy and very much fashionable, and it is not only for the ladies, but also men

You can buy ripped jeans, or you can make them at home; at home you will need a pair of  scissors, or a blade, mark out the area you want to cut with a distinct maker line; pinch at the line and force a tiny hole into the line using the scissor or blade.

It is that tiny hole that you will work through as you rip your jean.

Remember most fabrics can be ripped, (cotton, jersey, linen, and more), regardless of different hues, white, blue, yellow, prints, black, and many more.