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We
provide information to assist you in getting a Record Deal,
choosing a music producer and recording studio, and making your
music demo.
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How to Get a Record Deal.
For the singer, band or musician looking to have an illustrious career
in the music industry, a record deal or record contract often seems like the best way to
go. While there is no absolute guarantee of getting a record deal by following
any set plan, there are things that one can do to increase their chances
of landing that elusive record deal.
It must be understood that a record
deal is only the first step, and many singers, bands and musicians find
out that the real work begins only after landing that deal. Just getting
a record deal is no guarantee of success in the music industry.
There are many record deals out there. Some are good and some are bad.
Some good record deals can make the artist tens of millions of dollars
and bring fortune and fame, while some bad record deals can tie the
artist up for years, without ever getting a record or CD recorded or
released.
The Music Demo
The first step towards landing a record deal is often the “music demo”
or “demo tape”. This music demo is a representation of who you are and
what you can do, what makes you special and why the record companies
need to sign you to a record deal and invest millions of dollars.
The
music demo is your product. When eventually approaching record
companies, management companies, music producers and talent agencies,
your music demo will be the first thing that they ask for. If it’s hot
stuff, they will consider working with you in some capacity or at least
keeping their door open for future consideration. If your music demo
sounds like crap, you can bet that their door will close to you and
remain closed to you.
Give them what they want
So what do record companies look for when evaluating a music demo? While
the details may vary from person to person, one thing that they all have
in common is that the music needs to move them emotionally. They have to
“feel it”. But with hundreds of music demos coming across their desk,
they don’t have the time to wait until the second chorus to see if they
like it or not.
About 95% or more of the music demos received by
management companies, music production companies, music producers and record companies, are of such
poor quality that often the music demo will be rejected within the first
10 seconds simply on that basis.
It’s often the job of the assistant to
weed through the piles of music demos and separate the quality ones from
the poorly produced, poorly recorded ones.
You have to be heard within the right context
If the sonic quality of your music demo or demo tape is acceptable, then the person
you’re trying to impress may now be willing to listen to at least a
verse and chorus. But you must sound legit.
If you’re an R&B singer, but
you’re singing against a music track that’s country, your singing won’t
be heard against the proper backdrop and most likely will be rejected
before they reach the chorus. Another example might be a female Pop/R&B
singer trying to sing against a big, loud hard rock band, or a country
artist trying to sing against a dance track. While the singers might be
good in each case, they will sound “wrong” to whomever might be
listening.
The music MUST complement the vocals. The subtleties of each
style of singing must be enhanced by the appropriate musical arrangement
and production. That is often the job of the music producer or record
producer.
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