1st Contact From a Library

[switchbladesousa]

Hi friends,

I was delighted to receive an email the other day from a new European music library about one of my tracks. I'm in my first year of Taxi membership and this is the first track I've been contacted about, so it's very exciting. I've been scanning through the company's guidelines and agreement doc and I don't think I have any questions. It's an exclusive deal, I'm ok with that. I think I've watched enough TAXI TV episodes to know what "stupid" things not to do. However this would be my first deal and there is that clause about the company wanting to work only with people who have experience, which is not the case for me.

Thanks for reading and I welcome any comments or questions!
Jon Sousa

https://www.taxi.com/my/artist/songs/02 ... w-down-out

https://www.taxi.com/members/yISKuvkkRz ... -jon-sousa

[Casey H]

This is a tough one because you should not be dishonest. That's the absolute wrong way to start a relationship (besides being just plain unethical). I think you have to be upfront with them even if that blows the deal. Let them know you don't have the experience in the music library world but would still like to work with them. Didn't it say this in the listing? If so, reality is you shouldn't have submitted in the first place.

Best,
Casey

[switchbladesousa]

Thanks for your thoughts, Casey. Yes it is a tricky one.. many of the listings seems to have this "Important Note" clause about having previous experience. But of course, I will be honest with them and see what happens.
Best,
Jon

[Paulie]

Can you post the clause about being experienced? I'm curious from a legal perspective as to how they define it. I just listed to your music and it is wonderful, I would think a library would want to work with a quality composer... not having much library experience should not be a problem, as long as you don't do stupid things like pester them or whine about any feedback they might provide. Everyone needs to start somewhere.

[Casey H]

Can you post the clause about being experienced? I'm curious from a legal perspective as to how they define it. I just listed to your music and it is wonderful, I would think a library would want to work with a quality composer... not having much library experience should not be a problem, as long as you don't do stupid things like pester them or whine about any feedback they might provide. Everyone needs to start somewhere.

I don't think (strong guess!) it was a clause in the contract, just something they said in the listing and maybe in follow up communication. But only Jon can verify that.

[Merryband1]

I hope they will work with you, anyway, but do tell them this is your first contract. Also emphasize that you don't need them to hold your hand and that you understand the contract terms. Let them know that you really appreciate the opportunity to work with them, and that you won't be emailing them wanting to know about placements, and that you won't be yanking your track out of their catalog if they don't place it in a minute (or even in ten years!). In other words, act like the professional that you now are!

I haven't submitted to listings that say the company prefers dealing with people who have already signed with a library, even though I am familiar with the way the contracts work, simply because I don't want to bother with the hassle of having to explain that I know how deals work because of being educated through TAXI and through reading industry books by people like Steve Barden and Dean Krippaehne. I'll probably continue that practice until I do get signed, either with a library or a music supervisor, but that's just me.

Very best wishes,
Merry

[SubRivers]

Definitely mention it up front but I think they will be fine about it as I just listened to your music on your Taxi page and it's excellent.
Just let them know that you won't be high maintenance.

[Paulie]

I don't think (strong guess!) it was a clause in the contract, just something they said in the listing and maybe in follow up communication. But only Jon can verify that.

Ah, I see that now. My initial reading made me think there was something in the contract. You are correct sir.

[Rolf]

Congrats Jon, all the best for your future relationship with that company.

[switchbladesousa]

Thanks everyone for all of your responses. It's really helpful. And thanks to those of you who checked out my music, I really appreciate it

I got back to them pretty quickly with the reviewed and signed contract, but it's been about 3 weeks and haven't heard from them. Is this common? I did send a short check in email a few days ago, still nothing.

Best,
Jon