My son's band question
 

What is the best way to get a record deal ? I have some connections here and there but, want to get their CD in the right hands.

Any suggestions ?

There really is no short cuts.

The best way is just to get out and play, build word of mouth and then maybe then they will get noticed.

99.9999% of everyone that thinks they have what it takes are actually shit.

Maybe hit the local radio station and talk one of them into playing. Them maybe the big boys will hear it and want to make a deal.

I hear ya but, even some of the music on MTV and VH1 really is not that great in my opinion.

Some of the riff's to me are boring.

And even after they get label interest it's all just a big bullshit run around game that most of the time ends in nothing.

Thanks I am sending it out to my local stations this week. I want to make sure I cover every possible avenue.

I understand that completely but, I am bound and determined and always think positive :)

They have to be road dogs, it's the only tried and true method.
Of course, you can shop your demo to labels (most wont even listen unless you have a contact). To get some contacts, get in touch with a GOOD music agency or music lawyer. Ask them to shop the demo.

Buy them a ford econoline van and send them on the road. About 200 shows a year for a few years. South by Southwest, North by Northwest, they should be booked in towns where big music festivals are at the time for maximum exposure..

play, play, play.

Play shows as often as they can. If they're good, they will be found. The local radio thing is ok. Just think of how many crappy bads are already doing it.

Like Shok said, there is no real shortcut. I've played in bands that played with bands who were around for a long time who eventually got good record deals and played on big tours - but it was all abotu them being good and getting a following.

road trips, gigs to get exposure. goodluck :thumbsup

Promotional T-shirts always help... :thumbsup

Tshirts get record deals?

:1orglaugh

nice sig. :winkwink:

having been in almost 15 bands now, i can tell ya the process.

1. play out constantly,always have shows booked up. you can do it yourself,you don't need a manager or a booking agent.

2. have a well recorded demo and merchandise

3. get a fan base. this will be easy if the band is good and has a email list at every show.then you can email yer fans.

4. TOUR!!!! you have to tour cuz the labels need to see ya. if ya dont live in NYC or LA then you wont be discovered,trust me.

5.network with other bands. you MUST get tight with other bands and get a "sister" that can help you out.maybe email somebands you like and show them mp3s or send them a cd.

6. good luck!!! all these things havent gotten my band a deal yet.:thumbsup

4: You would not believe some of the places that label people pop up at.

6: :1orglaugh

Agreed. Have them hit the road HARD.

Getting a record deal isn't always what it's cracked up to be, especially if it's a major label. It may mean that they HAVE to hit the road endlessly just to "pay back" the label for what they "loaned" them to record the album.

Once they've been on the road for a while, you should put them in a recording studio & make their own cd first. ..then they have something to shop around with.

American idol :winkwink:

Thanks I appreciate that. :)

it doesnt happen overnight, the band has to build a reputation for itself locally first. they should try to get as many gigs as possible and get their name out there. tell them to form a mailing list and sell cds at the gigs. Also when they have a bit of a following you can approach the equipment manufacturers for endorsement deals, even if its just a discount on the gear. all this helps build the bands profile and make it more attractive to the record labels.

hope this helps

I do have some contacts with record labels thru one of my old friends in NYC. She is personal friends with someone from Arista Records. She is getting in touch with him this week to give him a copy of the boys CD.

I just want to make sure I do not leave any stone unturned :)

http://www.katch22.com/

A friend of mine

Having a band with exeptionally attractive people. Musical ability would be a bonus.

Thanks for the url. Shall I say you referred me ?

Also can you tell me what their track record has been to get bands signed ?

Thanks so much.

Tour tour and tour some more.. and they can try shopping it to some smaller lables.

Radio.. some Radio stations like clearchannel have local bands that play....

.

Sleep around a bit :Graucho

Post some mp3's here if you can. I'd like to hear a few tracks.

Yeh post them here so we can tell you how it is!

http://www.indietrax.com/

My site, if he needs free hosting.

I'll e-mail her and see what she has been up to lately and if there is any info I can give you!

It takes lots of work and lots of playing. Took us 5 years before our first record deal. His band has to have a following because he's gonna have to move units once a company signs him a puts an album out. If they can't move the units, they'll be dropped and probably owe some money.

hit local youth targeted radio stations. 91x was the first station to play Jack Johnson, and that gave him his start. Most radio stations have alotted a time slot for local bands, check into that :)

Isn't this a teenage boyband? You could always contact Lou Pearlman, the guy who got both Backstreet Boys and nSync off the ground.

*edit ... hey look at that...my 5,000th post.

put a couiple tracks on an actions sports video soundtrack....

we have raised an entire generation of children on VHS/DVD when a 13 year old is too old for the lion king anbd toy story they look for other means of entertainment inside the routine they are use to .....this is why the rental and home dvd purchase numbers have exploded in the last four years.


....but i guess weare on top of that already


:winkwink:

#4 True but your chances are significantly greater being in a media center.

I have uncles who have been in bands since the late 60's and won great accolades in the 70's...in fact they won the Buddy Award in Texas which was quite a feat back then...they were kind of a rock jazz fusion kind of group and beat out the North Texas State Jazz band which was an even bigger feat.

One uncle finally gave up, the other continues to this day playing as a session drummer in Nashville...he has made many contacts through the years..o p ened for ZZ-Top etc etc...however he would tell you if he had to do it all over again he would have bitten the bullet and moved straight to LA or Nashville when he was younger.

My cousin who is now a drummer...married to Johnny Cash and June Cash's granddaughter is playing in Nasvhillle and touring all over but he's planning on moving to LA now.

Hey Jim, thanks for your advice. I guess we are on top of that already. Hope your show goes well :)

Yep its an all boy rock band. All original music.

How easy is it to get a hold of Lou ?

congrats on your 5000 post :)

Okay sounds great, keep me posted :)

Sounds great I will do that this week. Just gotta figure where to upload them :)

What is your genre and whats the name of your group ?

Thanks SoundMan,

I will upload them this week :)

I think the suggestion of getting a song or songs played on a local radio station is the best idea. you want people to want the music. try hitting up colleges n stuff and dropping off cd's n stuff. they prolly wont hesitate to play it.

Good way to get the name out there kinda ;]

what genre of music do they play? I may know someone to hook you up.

What's a good way for someone to becone a "pop singer"? Not for a band, but just a regular singer? This person I know has a good image ; thin, sexy, exotic, pretty, which is important in pop, so there shouldn't be any problems with that. This person is also not interested in writing her own songs, but just wants to perform. She's 25 but looks a lot younger for her age, could pass for 18 so it would not be a problem to appeal to the younger trl generation? Unique thing about this person is that she is asian, and there aren't any famous ones around yet, so it could be something to set her apart. She's not the best singer, but not the worst. She can certainly sing like J-lo and Britney, but she's no Whitney Houston or anything.

What are the steps to becoming a pop singer, getting signed with a major label like Jive? This person I'm referring to is interested in conquering the TRL/mtv crowd, and pure pop music such as Britney style, J-lo, Thalia, Mandy Moore etc....

So they actually play instruments? That might not be something TransCon will work with.

Post some contact info here and I'll pass it along to the few people I have managed to keep in contact with from the Music Industry.

Yep my son is lead guitarist and vocals and has written all the songs.

Whats your icq ?
I can send it to you that way.

Here is my icq 258036220

278138509

Rock Music :)