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Unfortunately many young artists are literally begging labels to make them famous. They assume that money comes along with that, but its not necessarily the ca

Unfortunately many young artists are literally begging labels to make them famous. They assume that money comes along with that, but its not necessarily the case. I was one of those people once and got a fairly standard (crappy) deal. We're still 6 figures in debt to the label even though the records made a profit.

k-mcgrady 14y ago
>> "Unfortunately many young artists are literally begging labels to make them famous. They assume that money comes along with that..." Half of your statement is true, most if not all young musicians want to be famous (and by that I mean have lots of people listen to their music and see them play). I don't think the second part is completely true though. Most musicians do what they do because they love it and as long as they can make enough money to buy them food, a bed, and get them to the next show, they will be satisfied. People are familiar with the bad reputation labels have and are aware it is not always a road to riches. I think there are very few people who get into music for the money, frankly because the chances of you making a lot of money in it are unlikely. If you want to be rich there are much easier paths.
- chris_j 14y ago
  Don't forget that many bands consist of kids in their late teens and early twenties who might be more naive than you are and who may not have a full understanding their chances of making it big vs getting screwed over.
- jakejake 14y ago
  Well you are correct that some bands are only "in it for the music" but in fact that attitude can get you screwed even harder when you're negotiating with a label. A lot of musicians are comfortable with a meager living - but not too many of appreciate being poor while the label is raking in cash. But, that's the reality of it. A big label has the power to get you in front of a lot of people and make you famous. It's better to build up the fanbase on your own in the long run, but that's a tough road and many, many artists are eager to accept the shortcut in exchange for a crappy deal. That's just the way it is.

k-mcgrady 14y ago

>> "Unfortunately many young artists are literally begging labels to make them famous. They assume that money comes along with that..." Half of your statement is true, most if not all young musicians want to be famous (and by that I mean have lots of people listen to their music and see them play). I don't think the second part is completely true though. Most musicians do what they do because they love it and as long as they can make enough money to buy them food, a bed, and get them to the next show, they will be satisfied. People are familiar with the bad reputation labels have and are aware it is not always a road to riches. I think there are very few people who get into music for the money, frankly because the chances of you making a lot of money in it are unlikely. If you want to be rich there are much easier paths.

chris_j 14y ago
Don't forget that many bands consist of kids in their late teens and early twenties who might be more naive than you are and who may not have a full understanding their chances of making it big vs getting screwed over.
jakejake 14y ago
Well you are correct that some bands are only "in it for the music" but in fact that attitude can get you screwed even harder when you're negotiating with a label. A lot of musicians are comfortable with a meager living - but not too many of appreciate being poor while the label is raking in cash. But, that's the reality of it. A big label has the power to get you in front of a lot of people and make you famous. It's better to build up the fanbase on your own in the long run, but that's a tough road and many, many artists are eager to accept the shortcut in exchange for a crappy deal. That's just the way it is.