Commercial release: to be or not to be?

[Nickname Profile]

Hello people,

I'm preparing my second release and pondering whether I should send my demo to a few commercial labels? I never did it before and don't know anyone who already has a commercial release. So I'd like to ask those of you, who already has some experience with it.

What is the sense of a commercial release? What are the advantages of it? I suppose the whole thing looks as follows: if my demo gets accepted, I get some (very small) amount of money from the label for the copyright and that's all about my work. I really doubt that small artists get roylties for their releases. And even if there would be some royalties, who byus today releases from unknown artists? But the disadvantages are pretty clear: you can't upload your music anywhere, you can't share it on last.fm or on myspace, you can't send it to radios, you can't allow to use it in any mix... actually you can't do with *your* music anything. Am I right?

So finally, I get for my work a few pennies and lose an army of listeners. That's my point of view and now I would like to know where am I wrong?

Thanks in advance!

[MarkyPoo Profile Website]

You Forgot The Part Where You Lose All Self Distributed CD Sales And Your Only Source Of Revenue Becomes Live Shows.

[Boeie Profile]

commercial = bad

[MarkyPoo Profile Website]

Maybe You Should Go Commercial.
And Get Super Big And Rich.
Then Spit In All Of Our Faces And Boast About How Awesome You Are.
But Someone Already Did That.
(Hehe A Ventian Snares Joke )

[weyheyhey !! Profile Website]

Hello people,

What is the sense of a commercial release? What are the advantages of it? I suppose the whole thing looks as follows: if my demo gets accepted, I get some (very small) amount of money from the label for the copyright and that's all about my work. I really doubt that small artists get roylties for their releases. And even if there would be some royalties, who byus today releases from unknown artists? But the disadvantages are pretty clear: you can't upload your music anywhere, you can't share it on last.fm or on myspace, you can't send it to radios, you can't allow to use it in any mix... actually you can't do with *your* music anything. Am I right?

They don't owe you anything and you don't owe them anything unless there's some sort of legally recognised agreement between the two of you. So it's down to the contract you sign. Which can be negotiated.

The whole thing is very complex (people do degrees in it for christ sake!) but you gotta think about who you're dealing with here. It's not Sony BMG or Universal, it's just some indie label guy - most probably just like you - and they'll understand that you'll want to share your music around and all that stuff so just talk about it. If you don't like what you hear, try someone else.

I don't know how it all works in the indie label world either, but if there's a contract involved - absolutely 100% get a lawyer to read it over. It's worth the £50 or whatever he charges. You *never* know; some soundtrack researcher might want your track in Spider-Man 4 and you gonna want that money aiii


p.s., disclaimer: I've never had a commercial release nor am I interested in one.

[Nickname Profile]

Thanks for your answers. However I still would like to hear the opinions of commercial artists here.

2 weyheyhey !!: may I ask you, what are your personal reasons not to make a commercial release?

[johndecision Profile]

what do you mean by commercial release? what sort of labels are you talking about sending demos to?

[thescythian Profile Website]

If a label won't let you share tracks on your myspace, or use your tracks in a mix, than that label is mentally challenged. Espeically in the underground communities. You have to be able to promote yourself.

[weyheyhey !! Profile Website]

2 weyheyhey !!: may I ask you, what are your personal reasons not to make a commercial release?

Of course :)

Simply because i can't think of a reason to do so.

i'm not interested in making money (there isn't any!). And i don't need a label to validate or justify my quality or relevance (it doesn't bother me if everyone thinks i'm shit). And i'm happy to give it away for free.

saying that, it would be cool to have my own vinyl! So i'm thinking of DIY releasing with my producer friend Lex.

i'm open to offers though, labels! surprise me :) x

[PEPCORE]

Weyheyhey is god,

But anyways, what does creative commons bullshit mean, like it can be freely distributed for non commercial stuff, and if they want to use it in a commercial movie or advert or whatever they have to pay you right?

I believe you have different levels in that to.

I'm also not interested in commercial releases, but as said would be cool to be on vinyl in like 20 years when i have mad production skills.

[producer_snafu Profile Website]

if you send a demo and they like it, ask for 3 million dollars to get it engineered by one of yer favorite producers.

if you have music that appeals to a listening audience then change yer name for you can escape contract loops releasing shit under a new name.

like Aphex Twin

but good luck with that shit, when was the last time you heard a good electronic artist get released on a major label that didn't have a lead vocalist besides fatboy slim and goldie and daft punk

[thescythian Profile Website]

I'm thinking this may have been a troll post with a hidden motive of getting everyone to freak out about someone wanting to go "commercial".

I would think the last place anyone would ever want to talk about a commercial release would be on a breakcore forum.

Very interesting.

[Nickname Profile]

I'm thinking this may have been a troll post with a hidden motive of getting everyone to freak out about someone wanting to go "commercial"

Really? Did you read my post at all? Did you seen the part of text I marked bold? Actually I'm not interested in your opinion or of anyone who never was commercial, so just get the f*** out of this post if you don't like it. I was not asking YOU, ok?

I would think the last place anyone would ever want to talk about a commercial release would be on a breakcore forum.

Man are you really so stupid or do you only pretend? Take a look to the Releases forum here. Take a look into the Top 30 of the breakcore artists on Last.fm. So what did you say about commerce & breakcore?

[Skitzokronicles Profile]

Well if you can get signed to a commercial label and still make the music you want (it better be sick twisted fucked up Core shit!!!) and they still pay you good money or give you a good contract or at least a one you think is good than go for it .. but remember commercial labels feed on their artists so theres always loop holes in the contracts and shit that you have to go over like weyheyhey said get a LAWYER!!!

other than that if its commercial, underground or whatever it is ... if your music is good and the label doesnt help to promote you its a shit label!!

[Silent Frog Profile]

It depends why you are wanting to do it. If you think sell records is going to make you money then you are deluding yourself. If you are good and get yourself signed you will get yourself more gigs though, and that will bring in some cash. Also, as weyheyhey said, the people who might sign you will be people much like yourself, all the breakcore releasing labels are run by artists so they aren't there to try and rip you off or restrict your music.

If you aren't in it for money and you are just wanting a physical release that maybe you could sell at gigs or whatever, then contact a small independent label and get a small pressing together. Or make a label and do it yourself!

If you are trying to make a name for yourself and want a proper commercial release then send your tracks to get on compilation albums. Stuff like the SiCK compilation from Russia, which has well-known and unknown artists alike. If a label knows you have been released commercially before, they will be more likely to back you in the future.