What should we be looking for?

[slimcharm]

I mentioned the other day that a talent management firm contacted Jessica ...we talked to them and they try to promote their artists (they have a very nice website) get record deals etc.We will have to talk to them further..but her vocal coach says an entertainment lawyer who "shops" you to the labels may be the way to go.Thoughts?

[hummingbird]

Hi Slimcharm. I'm no expert, but before you make these kinds of decisions I think you and Jessica need to sit down and talk about what success means to you (her) in the next couple of years. You decide what your goals are, and then you work to achieve those goals. I think it's premature to need a manager or booking agent at this point. What you need to is find events & venues that Jessica can perform at, maybe get her a band to back her, get her out playing school dances & summer fairs & other events. Get an EP with 5 originals on it and sell it on CD Baby and at events. If you have any connections, use them to see if Jessica could open for a more established artist. If there's any chance she/her band could play big events like... open air concerts... the local tv morning news show... local tv talk show... internet radio shows... local college radio shows... get her on them. In other words, lay the groundwork, pay the dues, be professional but persistent. Come to the Road Rally, talk to the mentors.Be very cautious about anyone who approaches you and suggests you pay them upfront for their services to promote Jessica, get her radio play, etc. There are many sharks out there who pray on the dreams, and many of them sound real good.I just read this over and it looks like I'm the voice of doom and gloom, but that's not what I mean. I've read over and over again that the labels will find you if you create enough of a 'buzz'. There's lots of competition, but if Jessica is the one who's been working, performing with a band, getting good reviews, recording decent songs, selling units, then a label might consider her a good investment. Hard graft and a lot of luck might lead to a recording contract But like I said, I'm no expert and the more knowledgeable folks on this board might have a different point of view! In any case, I hope to hear Jessica singing a hit on the radio one day soon!all the best Hummin'bird

[hummingbird]

Here's some interesting resources:on having a teamhttp://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum11/HTML ... 0_6_0_M/on new artists signing their first contracthttp://songwriter101.com/articles/596_0_6_10_M/the difference between major and indie labels & what they dohttp://songwriter101.com/articles/532_0_6_10_M/and, of course, Taxi.com:"Do I need a manager?Managers become necessary once you've got a record deal and you need an advocate to represent your interests at the different departments of a record company. They help to coordinate efforts and get maximum results at radio, retail, and publicity. Many labels will want an artist to have a high-powered manager before a record is released and will often recommend top managers.Managers can also help in shopping you for a record deal, but only if they have the connections to get your music to the right people. It's not impossible, but friends, family members, or acquaintances with no music industry experience usually aren't going to be able to get through locked industry doors, and will probably be in over their heads even if they can get through.Good managers help the artist assemble a competent team of professionals to handle various aspects of the artist's career, including an attorney, a business manager (for financial affairs), a booking agent (for live performances), a merchandising company (for t-shirt sales, etc.) and more. Experience counts for a lot when it comes to choosing a manager.At what point should I get a manager?Most of the manager's duties and responsibilities come into play once an artist is generating income - especially through a record company association, but also for active local and regional artists who are touring and selling product on their own. Therefore, many people think it isn't really necessary to have a manager until there is an income-producing career to 'manage'.One exception is the manager who can help you obtain a record deal. The right manager for this task can be hard to find, and must be carefully chosen. You don't want to get tied up in complicated legal contracts with inexperienced managers who will need to be replaced once a record deal comes along."more at:http://www.taxi.com/faq/mgmnt/index.html#q2Hey, you may know all this already, but just tryin' to help you get the info you need to make an informed decision. Get legal advice before signing anything cheersH

[nomiyah]

Like Hbird said, there are different ways to be successful. I can just add my own thoughts on the music industry and what I would do if I were in your place.First, continue recording songs, originals written by you or a songwriter/producer you want to work with. Try to get 10 good songs recorded.Second, Jessica should work hard (if she is willing) training her voice. Exercise is essential, both staying limber and cardio (sing while you run). She should take dance classes. Professional music is like sports, they are both the entertainment industry after all and they are both competitive.Third, get a band together, 3 or 4 musicians. Arrange for some practices. Give them the recordings ahead of time and let them learn the songs. Do extra a capella practices if there are backup vocals. The easiest thing is to find a band looking for a singer and see if they would be willing to do originals. Sometimes a band leader books gigs because they know all the promoters. If you do it yourself, get some photos, make up a promo pack, send it out with phone calls to clubs, special events, etc. Book shows and send out press releases to announce them to all the local papers and radio stations.OK, stop, right? That's a lot of work and an easier way might happen for you. But if you want to be proactive, what my recommendation will do (and I've done it before several times) is start an avalanche. That's what I call it because that's what it feels like. But most people call it a Buzz. People start knowing you, they can't believe how good you are, they start begging you to play gigs, weddings, openers, parties. Soon someone will offer you a deal. Then you won't have to work so hard (though Jessica will have to work harder). You will also find performing and selling CDs creates a good income.As she progresses in the music business, pay close attention that she doesn't get involved with substance abuse. From one mom to another.LoveNomi

[slimcharm]

Believe me when I share that Jessica and I have been discussing her goals and objectives for a long time and within the past year really focusing on them and setting timelines. We have discussed EXACTLY what she wants to do with her career..does she want to be a musician or does she really want to be an entertainer? Is she willing to make trade offs in her music to be marketable..that type of thing. She has described to me the type of career she wants and her plans.As far as training goes..she has years of vocal training (11 in private voice) currently takes voice twice a week with a local coach and a CA coach and has many years of different choral and show groups. She also takes 2 dance lessons a week and workouts out 3-4 times a week. She has incredible stamina.She has been performing since she was 6 with her first recital..and over the years has done numerous musical theater shows, competitions, recitals ..you name it. She is really comfortable on stage. And taken additional training at places like Stagedoor Manor. However, we pretty much kept everything local (with the exception of SDM and some competitions).What she has not done is joined a band. Mainly because her interest has been as a solo artist. And we were told by a producer that the promotion of a band was different than the promotion of a solo pop artist and she would best try to grow her career as a solo artist.Recently she has evolved from pop/pop into more of a pop/rock type of music. ..so we actually have been considering a band though she still wants a solo career.I think if you find a good entertainment lawyer or manager they can help you evolve and develop your career..and give guidance. And I dont think the only way to find one is through working your way to that point through venues etc. Though of course that is a very good path.Vikki, I read that article on managers some time ago, but, I think there are managers and lawyers who are willing to be there at the start for young artists who show alot of potential.Nomi, as far as substance abuse goes. I have two daughters, neither smokes or drinks and both have excellent morals. Jessica knows her voice is a gift and she thinks smoking and drugs are gross. One of the reasons I did make her wait till she was this age to "get out there" though was so she was wise enough to make the right choices. Fortunately for me...neither one of my daughters has an interest drugs or drinking. I know I am really lucky! BTW Nomi..what did you mean by this.."But if you want to be proactive, what my recommendation will do (and I've done it before several times) is start an avalanche.: is this something you have done in your own career?Speaking of the Buzz..http://www.theindustryresource.com/ Jessica put two songs there and they ended up in top ten (one at number one) and they have featured her there for awhile now.We have not looked for an entertainment lawyer or manager. We have not sent her demo out anywhere except to Taxi and a couple internet sites.We were waiting to get a feel for demo before we did.

[nomiyah]

Well, it sounds like you are right on track on all points. I'm sure it says a lot about your parenting skills.The only thing I'd say is that having a band, though it is not a necessary step, is a direct promotion of the singer as a solo artist. For example, look at a band performing on a tv show like Letterman, Saturday Night Live or whatever. You will notice that the camera stays close up on the singer nearly the whole time. In the end, hardly anyone remembers who was in the band, though they lugged all their equipment around in their vehicles.Like you said, it's true that a band is a whole project and you can circumvent it. On the other hand, it ties into what I was saying about making a buzz happen proactively. Yes, I was speaking from experience, many times I followed the steps I mentioned before.One time was in San Francisco. I was a teenager starting my professional music career. I played in every available venue in the city, opened and performed with artists who are now famous such as Chris Isaak (Silvertones), Mark Eitzel (American Music Club), Michael Franti (Spearhead). But just as my career was taking off, I decided to leave and went to Europe. That was not a move I would have taken if I had a mentor for my career. But I was young and didn't know stuff like that. That ended that avalanche but I did the same thing again in Europe and back in the US many times.Another time, I led a pop/reggaeton band YahWanag. Within 1 month we were performing parties. Within 3 months we were the most popular band in our county, packing clubs and playing festivals. By 6 months we were getting offers from agents, managers, etc and making a living full time (even without having CDs). But the timing was against me that time too. By the time our band was 10 months old, I was 8 months pregnant and quit performing. It was supposed to be a break for a few months and we'd get back on the avalanche but when my son was born all my priorities changed. I could go on and on, I have done this formula many times and if I was a teenager, this is what I'd do but I'd follow through to completion. I just wasn't focused and savvy enough when I was young.I'm not saying that the band thing is the way to go for you. I think you are on the right track with everything and you'll "make it one way or ninety nine other ways". But if you want to supercharge her career and get a lot more attention more quickly, follow the formula. Like Hbird said "a label might consider her a good investment" if she is already working as a solo artist.Nomi

[slimcharm]

Nomi where was your band YahWahnag located?Have you ever considered that maybe you really didn't want it? Maybe you werent ready at the time? Maybe you purposely went off to Europe etc. because deep down you did not want it. Which is very legitimate. I personally know that I would NOT like to be a public personality. I am very private (believe it or not) and dont want to be hounded, nor do I have the energy for that lifestyle. Maybe you are ready now?I appreciate your sharing the formula with me. She is taking several approaches to success in her career..We are certainly not going to relie on one venue like Taxi to get it done. I think when kids are really focused on something it helps make parenting easier. My other daughter is a scholar and was a National Merit winner for her Art. So she has strong interests also. She is very conservative ..with good morals and doesnt drink or smoke either (heck she wont even touch soda)

[nomiyah]

YahWanag was based in Santa Cruz though we played all over the Bay Area. We had an incredible core fan base.You're right I didn't really want it. In fact, I didn't know what I wanted. I just played music and followed the wind. I never thought about becoming famous or rich, just about writing songs and playing music and surviving. I was your average crazy artist, wandering about with nothing but my instruments and notebooks, living off gig money. I didn't get grounded enough to think in terms of setting goals until I became a mom. Things would have gone differently if I had some guidance and that's what I like about the Taxi forums, people asking for and giving advice. We can really help each other.But no I'm not ready now, I am still a single mom raising a child so I'd rather stay home. I'm pursuing other goals with my music.Nomi

[hummingbird]

Hi - I just found this great article on the label question, thought I'd paste it in here. It's from the JPF newsletter. H ~~~~~To Take a Record Deal or Not by JPF Mentor Daylle Deanna Schwartz The music industry is changing dramatically. Since I wrote my first book, The Real Deal: How to Get Signed to a Record Label from A to Z, the allure of a record deal has dimmed. Musicians are waking up to the realization that record deals don't create careers. Too many signed artists are poor. Many don't go on to a second or third album. Major labels only promote a small handful of their artists. A career in the major label system can die before it's born. But you have choices! There are many different ways to make money with music and more opportunities than ever to develop a career independently. With the resources available today, I'm a bigger advocate than ever of controlling your career. When you put the destiny of your music into someone else's hands, your chance of getting a long term career diminishes greatly. I'm not against taking a record deal. But, I advise you to be selective. Working hard to generate a buzz for your music one that allows you to earn a living enables you to walk away from a bad deal or one that won't advance your career. Any deal is NOT better than nothing. Labels take advantage of artists when they can. Give yourself the clout to leverage a deal that works for you by developing a career that doesn't depend on a record deal. The leverage of indie success allows more artists to partner up with labels instead of taking a straight deal. If you want to eventually affiliate with a label, think in terms of something beyond a straight artist deal. Labels give more artist development deals than ever and work with some artists as partners. These artists have more control over their creativity and marketing strategies. Refusing to take a deal unless it adds fuel to the career you've already established is the only way to go if you want longevity and satisfaction. Don't be scared to turn a bad deal down. If one label wants you, there will be more offers as your career grows. Artists who wait get more in the end. Fear makes us jump at things that aren't good for us. If you're convinced you need a label deal to survive as a musician, you probably won't have a career. Declare your independence! Stop looking to others to give you a career. Why be one of those musicians who whine about how no one has discovered them when you can be happily paying bills from music related income? Why spend time and money sending packages to record labels when you can be answering fan letters and booking gigs that pay? Put all your energy into creating income-earning situations for your music. My new book, I don't Need a Record Deal! Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution elaborates on many different ways to do this. It doesn't matter what your genre is. If your music is great, you can use the tools in this book to make a living from it. Successful indies are resourceful and create many revenue streams at once. CD sales alone might not pay bills but you can try licensing your music to film, TV, advertising or labels in foreign countries, tour in venues that pay, sell merch, win songwriting contests, tour Europe, and find many other alternative venues. Indies say this adds up to a decent income. It can take time to develop revenue streams. Independents need sources of backup income at first. While you'd rather perform your original music in front of adoring fans, performing for 200 people at a wedding or playing covers pays the bills and keeps your chops active. Most indies say it's better than having a day job that's not related to music. I found lots of ways to increase your income. The biggest hustlers make the most money. Accidents rarely happen in this biz! You may think someone is lucky because their music, which is no better than yours, makes that artist a lot more money. Not! People create their own luck. The more you play live, the more people that hear your music. The more people you meet and stay in touch with, the more contacts you have. Everyone knows someone. We're all six degrees of separation. In the music industry, it can be no more than two or three degrees. So put on your best smile, get out there and meet folks! The music industry is tough but it can be conquered. It's time that musicians establish a declarations of independence for creating a music career that sustains. I had no trouble finding indie musicians to interview for my book. They may not be household names but they're happily earning a living without a day job. You CAN too. About JPF Mentor Daylle, Daylle Deanna Schwartz is a music industry consultant, speakers and author of the best-selling Start & Run Your Own Record Label and The Real Deal: How to Get Signed to a Record Label (Billboard Books). http://www.daylle.com Her new book is I Don't Need a Record Deal! Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution. http://www.idontneedarecorddeal.com has resources for advancing in the music industry. Daylle also publishes Daylle's News & Resources, a free music industry newsletter. daylle@daylle.com ~~~~

[slimcharm]

I have Deanna's book, "The Real Deal" and she pushed making it on your own in the book also. Sort of misleading from the title..but good info.