3 ms·

There are several reasons that "signing" is the next, big logical step. Larger venues (most of which are owned by Clearchannel) will not give you the time of t

There are several reasons that "signing" is the next, big logical step. Larger venues (most of which are owned by Clearchannel) will not give you the time of the day if you don't have a label behind you. It doesn't matter if you consistently sell out of venues a tier below them. Their booking agent won't even take your call. Sell a million mp3s of your song online? If one of the subsidiaries of the Big Four aren't behind you, forget getting to play a place like Bowery Ballroom. The "break-in" venues like CBGBs don't even exist anymore. In order to tour, and I mean really tour - spend six, eight months on the road - you need a lot of money. To haul equipment. To pay people to schlep your equipment. To deal with contracts with venues. To deal with venue management. To make sure you don't get screwed by the venue management. To book the shows. It's really, really hard for even a locally established artist to tour. That's where the label helps out. I'm not talking stadium shows. I'm talking about shows that break even, where 200-300 people show up.

geden 16y ago
I've worked with multiple acts (Clark, Broadcast, Plaid) that have played (and sold out) the Bowery Ballroom without major label support. There is a very successful tier of well run larger indies like Warp, Domino, Beggars Banquet. They've worked out that not fucking your golden geese is a good long term play. But yes, even they struggle with the costs of big tours. Touring is expensive.
- warfangle 16y ago
  Oh, I concur. I've known a few unsigned local acts that have been able to edge in as an opener at Irving Plaza. But it's a rare case indeed. (it doesn't help that they play a semi-in-the-hole genre, at least in the US. It's still quite big in some cold, northern european countries)
- JonnieCache 16y ago
  Add Planet Mu and Ninja Tune to that list. edit: and most importantly don't forget XL Recordings, who have Radiohead, the Prodigy and the White Stripes among others.

geden 16y ago

I've worked with multiple acts (Clark, Broadcast, Plaid) that have played (and sold out) the Bowery Ballroom without major label support. There is a very successful tier of well run larger indies like Warp, Domino, Beggars Banquet. They've worked out that not fucking your golden geese is a good long term play. But yes, even they struggle with the costs of big tours. Touring is expensive.

warfangle 16y ago
Oh, I concur. I've known a few unsigned local acts that have been able to edge in as an opener at Irving Plaza. But it's a rare case indeed. (it doesn't help that they play a semi-in-the-hole genre, at least in the US. It's still quite big in some cold, northern european countries)
JonnieCache 16y ago
Add Planet Mu and Ninja Tune to that list. edit: and most importantly don't forget XL Recordings, who have Radiohead, the Prodigy and the White Stripes among others.