Just reading your post again
That's good business you've done there, eh?

Are you going to send a load of them out chasing a deal, or sell them yourself via gigs, independent shops etc?

In this day and age I think you might do best doing the latter, but if it's the former you're doing, I have ears and contacts at a number of labels and will happily 'introduce' your stuff to them if you like.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:21, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

we're going with selling them at gigs and such
the trouble is, because most of us have mortgages and stuff, that if we were to make a career from it then it'd have to happen really fucking fast, otherwise we couldn't really give up our jobs.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:23, Reply)

I can't think of one single band that went from well paying jobs to well paid group status and fame.
Surely there has to be an interim period of struggling before you hit the big time?
( girlinthehole, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:27, Reply)

If I struggle will you hit me big time?

(Bazongaloid, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:28, Reply)

No, I prefer it when you play dead.

( girlinthehole, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:32, Reply)

yeah, but they generally weren't 28, 34 and 37
with well paying jobs, and large mortgages
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:29, Reply)

But they weren't usually smug ninjas either.

(Bazongaloid, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:31, Reply)

this is true
they also weren't lazy stoners
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:36, Reply)

In the immortal words of Creme Brulee
'It's a shit business.'

It really, really is - and shitter than it's ever been, too, for artists and label folks alike.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:30, Reply)

^this
which is why we are doing it for enjoyment, rather than making money, or for fame
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:31, Reply)

I cannot recommend your approach highly enough
Even if you do quite well, 'the machine' is fucking horrible and is very likely to sap any enjoyment you get from it very quickly.

There was a time when I could have gone pro with DJing and I decided I didn't want to and I am very glad I didn't. I have many friends throughout the music industry and pretty much all of them have lost their youthful fire for music itself through the business.

I cannot imagine a more depressing prospect than finding music a chore

*shudders*
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:37, Reply)

that's my attitude as well
it's rare that bands will make a great deal of money anyway. we're not exactly mainstream and are never going to have a crazy following with our type of music, so why bust a gut and spoil it for ourselves by chasing success when it might just ruin the whole thing for us.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 10:42, Reply)

It's incredibly rare
that bands make any money - for anyone.

Most record deals are a waste of label money and never recoup. Which serves them right for being utter, utter cunts almost to a man.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 11:05, Reply)

further encouragement not to get into it
as it stands, I'm a civil engineer, our drummer is purchasing manager for a VERY large international company, bass player is a graphic designer for an enormous charity, and singer is an estate agent, but not a typical one, so people like him.

we're doing reasonably well for ourselves, better than we could from the music!

have you read this: www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Your-Friends-John-Niven/dp/043401799X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254219146&sr=8-2
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 11:12, Reply)

I've not
Looks funny - do you recommend it?
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 11:35, Reply)

absolutely
it's a great read. I think you'll particularly like it because you are familiar with the industry.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 29 Sep 2009, 11:41, Reply)