Getting signed with a label?? Is it worth it?

[NathanNasby]

Just today I got an email regarding the indie singer/songwriter op # Y130212SS

MALE SINGER/SONGWRITERS in the contemporary style of Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, etc. are needed by a POPULAR INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL running their VERY FIRST listing with TAXI. They're looking to sign SINCERE and UNPRETENTIOUS artists who have a knack for writing CLEVER and INVENTIVE lyrics. Songs submitted should create a WARM, POSITIVE and INVITING atmosphere yet still exude a RELAXED air and CHILL vibe. THINK: Sun-kissed melodies, acoustic guitars and a touch of island flavor. (But no steel drums please.) ALL TEMPOS will be considered but MALE vocals ONLY. Please submit one to three ORIGINAL songs online or per CD,


When I saw this I definitely thought this was something that looked like it was a style and feel that I often perform and record. I'm curious if anyone here has had any experience getting signed with an indie label?

Is it a good thing or something that will only restrict an artists freedom and financial possibilities? What does a label deal typically offer to an artist, and is it a more guaranteed income?

I'm curious because it is something I've considered (trying to get onto a label) but I'm wondering if a versatile singer/songwriter like myself would have more opportunity keeping it freelance and shooting for the ops that have better returns. Haha, I laugh to myself as I type that because it's not like I'm terribly successful at landing the deals yet, but I'm also very new to this and feel like I can thrive in an environment like this and get so my music is more consistently getting attention.

Anyway, these were just some thoughts and I was wondering if anyone had some insights into labels etc.

Thanks everyone

[DesireInspires]

I don't have any experience with labels, but this sounds cool.

[coachdebra]

This is just my opinion -

In today's music industry it CAN pay to get signed by a label. BUT, with a very few exceptions, the more you've already built your platform, the more it will pay. In other words, the more you have built your audience, your friends/followers/fans, your email list, the more valuable you are to the label, the more favorable contract you can negotiate and the more you can take advantage of their help in taking you to the next level.

Too often, I've seen artists get signed and if their record doesn't hit immediately, they get dropped just as fast. And guess who OWNS that content?

Too often, I've seen artists think they could stop working now that they've got a label, and then think their career is over when they're dropped. Neither is true - once you're signed, you need to really work your ass off to make it worthwhile to the label to keep you and keep investing in your promotion. AND if you get dropped, you can use that as a launching pad too - see Amanda F. Palmer for a great example of that.

HTH,
Debra

[NathanNasby]

This is just my opinion -

In today's music industry it CAN pay to get signed by a label. BUT, with a very few exceptions, the more you've already built your platform, the more it will pay. In other words, the more you have built your audience, your friends/followers/fans, your email list, the more valuable you are to the label, the more favorable contract you can negotiate and the more you can take advantage of their help in taking you to the next level.

Too often, I've seen artists get signed and if their record doesn't hit immediately, they get dropped just as fast. And guess who OWNS that content?

Too often, I've seen artists think they could stop working now that they've got a label, and then think their career is over when they're dropped. Neither is true - once you're signed, you need to really work your ass off to make it worthwhile to the label to keep you and keep investing in your promotion. AND if you get dropped, you can use that as a launching pad too - see Amanda F. Palmer for a great example of that.

HTH,
Debra

Hey Debra! Thanks so much for your thoughts and insight! Great points to consider. I'm sure I have a long ways to go before a label would consider me "worth" the connection, but it's something that I've been thinking about. I had to laugh though over "thinking an artist could stop working once they've got a label." I've always been the opposite and been quite nervous about if I ever did get signed that I would be way busier than I already am ! I think it is a move I would like to make at some point, but I'm going to be doing a lot more research into the pros/cons. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

Nathan

[bassman]

If you write hit songs, have one of those voices that are destined to be on the radio then a label is a very good way forward. They obviously have their price but it could be worth it.

If your appeal isn't broad or you're still developing perhaps it's better to just keep gigging, try and get the odd track in a movie and build things up gradually.

I was in a band in the 90s that were signed to a major label. The upside was: we got to tour, we did lots of tv and radio, we had loads of fun, the label took care of everything (or so we thought).

Downside: The label lost interest very quickly and that has happened to about 3 signed artists I've been involved with. One of them was world class.

On the whole I've always enjoyed being involved with people who mean business and if anyone takes an interst it is definately worth considering it seriously.

[coachdebra]

I had to laugh though over "thinking an artist could stop working once they've got a label." I've always been the opposite and been quite nervous about if I ever did get signed that I would be way busier than I already am ! I think it is a move I would like to make at some point, but I'm going to be doing a lot more research into the pros/cons. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

Nathan

the label took care of everything (or so we thought).

This is what I meant by not having to work - the idea that the label will take care of everything - the marketing, booking tour management. I've always said - delegate, don't abdicate.

I was curious about the parenthetical "(or so we thought)" - Did you discover they weren't taking care of business?

Downside: The label lost interest very quickly and that has happened to about 3 signed artists I've been involved with. One of them was world class.

Exactly!