I started a small label for alot of reasons. The number one reason though
was because there were a ton of great artists who were going unheard on the
net. People like Cell and aem.
I contacted these artists and released a comp CD with some of them on it. I
am now planning on 3 releases within the next 3 months from a few of these
artists.
Alot of demos came out of nowhere when I mentioned the label. I have done ok
so far with about 0% advertising. Strictly word of mouth.
I have plans to do vinyl releases as well.
It is alot of work to run a label so small, it is expensive and the returns
are very small if at all. I guess if I was releasing known names it may be
better but for now I am happy and the artists I am working with seem to be
happy with it. I have no plans to be as big as some of the other labels out
there but I would love to quit my day job to do it. =]
Contacting distributors is kind of weird. Alot of them never respond. Then
if they do you have to send a demo. If they like it, they will ask for
copies to sell. If they dont its the same as sending a demo to a label and
getting rejected.
On the labels first release I got some good and some not so good reviews.
The good ones are great and the bad ones you have to take with a grain of
salt but dont let it get to you. Youre not going to please everyone.
I know this isnt alot of specific information but it is coming from
my_very_new_to_the_ business point of view. I am learning as I go. Its alot
of fun and I am happy that I am doing it. It is worth it to try if you have
the time and resources. If anyone wants more specifics and I can give them I
would be more than happy to try and help.
Spencer
antechamber recordings
http://www.achamber.com
quoted 65 lines From: Gee Why <gyaker@fragment.com>
>From: Gee Why <gyaker@fragment.com>
>To: IDM list <idm@hyperreal.org>
>Subject: Re: [idm] starting record labels
>Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 10:56:07 -0500 (EST)
>
>Wow, I'm glad someone asked this question, I've been meaning to for a
>while as well :)
>
>Tho' I have a different take on this. Who or rather what kind of people
>start record labels? It can't all be by the artists who want to get their
>music out, cuz they spend all their money on gear (hehe, well I'm sure
>they make up a percentage). But record label owners must have some
>confidence in their musical taste that people will buy their productions.
>
>The other question, is how do new labels find artists? I can't imagine
>from online. I've scoured many mp3.com pages, and artists sites, and the
>majority of the music isn't anything I would want to put out. Is
>everything from personal connections?
>
>etc... I'd love it if some label owners posted up 'their story'...
>
>-Gil
>
>
>
>On Tue, 13 Mar 2001, Jesse Farmer wrote:
>
> > Hi.
> >
> > Something I've been considering for a while is starting a record
> > label. Yes, yes, I know.. the last thing we need is another
> > label.. Anyway, I've been reading what I can about this aspect of the
> > music industry, and as much as I can about the dance field in
> > particular. However, there is still a lack of information about this.
> >
> > I was wondering if anyone on this list has started a label, and if you
> > wouldn't mind sharing with me a bit about your experiences. I'm
>wondering
> > what sales strategies are the most effective, distributing yourself, or
> > through a distributor, vinyl vs. cd's in terms of sales, initial
>catalogue
> > size, etc...
> >
> > Or if someone has a nice idea ("I'd like to see a label that did . . . .
> > .") , that would be great too.
> >
> > Sorry to waste precious time and bandwidth, but any and all comments (+
>or
> > -) are welcome.
> > Thanks, I really do appreciate.
> >
> > -Jesse
> > (reply in private to keep off list; in consideration of others)
> >
> >
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