To my way of thinking, the sweeping changes in the music industry are sending out a long overdue wake up call to record companies that it might be an idea to cut back on some of their more extravagant expenditure.

So I think paying musicians pocket money instead of an advance is a great idea. If a band signed on the strength of their catchy pop-rock songs suddenly turns round to their label and says "What do you think of our innovative "jazz funk meets Arvo Pärt" concept album, those with the cheque book can simply say: "Sorry, lads, that's bloody awful. No pocket money for you this week. I want something you can hum by Tuesday."

"well, you can always put your own record out on your own label. Less waste, less disappointment and you finance your own self-indulgence."

We've done exactly that. Getting on iTunes and all the other download services was easy, so we've got worldwide distribution right there! Likewise Amazon, so physical product is easily available should anyone want it. All we need now of course are some reviews in quality magazines, let's say like Word for example, to attract punters to our quality product and gigs. Am I dropping a hint? You bet I am!!

Z

we were strongly discouraged from mentioning our own bands/books/beauty products etc. for fear that the site would become a mini-myspace. I think the Zilster is to be applauded for his reticence. ( Unless, of course, he has bombarded us with tracks and pics in the time it's taken me to write this! )

Surely major labels have been operating on a very similar scheme for years now. I can think of two bands signed to five-albums deals on modest advances (which covered expenses and wages for about a year between them), who recorded albums' worth of material, only to be quietly dropped after three singles because they didn't chart highly enough. The 'suck it and see' marketing approach doesn't seem to be altering that much in the glorious new interweb age.

Thanks for that. So the man didn't even 'self-link'. Even more applause I hazard.....although I wouldn't necessarily employ him as a publicist for my own band which you can find at www.-
no, better not.
Just out of interest....how many of us Word readers still play in bands I wonder??

and done in a sleep-starved moment of not-quite-sanity, so my apologies if I was out of line - not something I normally do, but I did feel it was relevent to the original thread. The opportunities are very much with individuals or small companies like us now that it's so easy to get the material recorded and "out there", but it's such a two-edged sword because billions of others are doing it as well so we all get lost in a big fat pile of wannabees. I'll get me coat.

Z

no apologies are needed. I heartily agree with your points and am now quite intrigued to hear your band. ( Take that as your cue...er...as long as it's not actually 'Take That' of course! )

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