I'd probably be in REAL trouble if I had a REAL band!

The past couple of weeks I received 3 notifications to contact someone because they like my songs. It sounds exciting, but each time I read one of these, my excitement was diminished.

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#1. THE FIRST ONE THAT I RECEIVED STATED::

Hey Erik, killer tune. We would love to make contact with you! Check us out at indiepower com or call us at 818 505 1836 We are based out of L.A. You can also hook up with us at: facebook/Indiepowerdistribution Let us know what you think. Thanks, Indie Power

I checked the website and they do cd's, posters, you know, stuff for bands. In other words, it was just a damn solicitor!

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#2. A FEW DAYS LATER I RECEIVED THIS:

We are starting a new website and we would love to create a profile for you on our site... The only thing we ask for is 25% commission for any music we sell thru our site... We will pay you/band monthly to an account of your choice we do accept paypal to transfer the money.. We will also send a statement that shows how many people have purchased your music and the amount of commission subtracted from the sale... Yes, we will promote and market your music for free and we (starre talent) can only make commission thru our site... Don't forget that you are still free to make money out of the site and continue promoting yourself out there. As we encourage yourself to do so... You are not obligated to keep a profile but we do encourage you to try it and see if you like the results. If interested please contact me back ASAP....

Sincerely,
Head of music department..

This is a serious opportunity so contact me ASAP... We will be submitting your music to major labels as well incase of a deal we will discuss a negotiation.

I sent them a kind of rude reply!

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#3. The third was either more creative in their approach or it is actually a decent proposal to work towards. I don't really know what to expect when it comes to being offered a deal to record. That is why I thought I'd run it through here to see if it's a waste of time to try and pursue this or if it seems legit. The first email from this third was this:

GREAT DEMOS!
Hey Erik,

(I REMOVED A BUNCH OF STUFF BELOW CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PERSON BEHIND THEIR BACK!)
I'm a music producer. I specialize in developing new talent. I'm always looking for new, young artists to develop and I think you would be a good fit! (If you are looking to pursue music seriously...if this is just a hobby for you then disregard this email).
You can: read about me and my studio at www. hear samples of my work at www/media.html
Thanks again. Look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, K.H. Producer/Writer Recording Company E-mail: Website:
Vice President of A&R Records Main: ext. 6 Fax: Website:
National Headquarters St. Beach, FL
A&R Division Blvd, Suite Los Angeles, CA
Distribution Center Street West, NY

I REPLIED:

REALLY? That's gotta be the coolest thing I have heard since I started doing this. *Although, I should mention a couple of things up front that may not fit into your plans. *Despite the fact that I feel young, my age tells a different story... I am 44 years old. *If you consider a "young artist" being young in the field - THAT'S ME! *Also, I don't have any experience in the music field, other than what I have been learning on my own.

I started doing this in December 2009 and have been obsessed ever since. *I am serious about it and have learned how to play, record and mix on my own. I am interested - but understand if the age thing is not what you expected - I have friends who think the same thing!

Thanks again for the interest - either way, it is one of the best comments that I have received,

Erik

TO WHICH HE REPLIED:

Yes! Hah hah I meant "young" as in a developing artist. If you want to chat about things give me a call. 000-000-0000 ext. 0 Thanks again. Look forward to hearing from you!

AND ANOTHER REPLY WHEN I MENTIONED ACOUSTIC PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING:

Haha I am an expert at getting good acoustic sounds!
I'm at the studio right now if you want to chat now that would be great.

000-000-0000 ext.

His title claims he is Vice President of A&R (whatever that stands for!) at a recording company - WHICH IS WHAT I AM INTERESTED IN - SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO RECORD MY TUNES. But still, I had my doubts. I told him I have weird sleep hours so he should call me and I gave him my hours and number if he wanted to talk. Then Monday I got a call and he wanted to know if I would be willing to let him do my recordings. I asked how that would work cause I have no money. He said he would do it for a certain percentage, and he'd also get the same percentage for gigs I'd play that he'd book which would also include the Vans Warped Tour! That just sounded so insane! I'M THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE BAND - HOW THE f<img src="/images/smilies/emoticon-0183-swear.gif" alt="censored" />k AM I SUPPOSED TO PLAY GIGS, NOT TO MENTION HOW STUPID I'D LOOK ALL BY MYSELF ON A VANS WARPED STAGE. I told him I couldn't perform by myself and he said find people to play. Then I thought I'd just get the recording part out of the deal and he kind of mentioned how quick it would be. I told him how long it takes me to do each instrument and he asked if I could pitch in for the studio cause he doesn't have THAT kind of money - or the money to pay a session drummer and bassist. He then told that when I get it together to contact him. I got off of the phone feeling weird. I didn't know whether I was being scammed into paying for something that may not even amount to anything except a loss of cash. I only thought that because his contact info listed above states: recording company... doesn't that mean they own the studio??? The "hurry up and let's roll" attitude was like driving without brakes down a road at 100 MPH and realizing that it splits into 2 separate roads and I have 5 seconds to decide which direction I am going to choose.

I don't know what happened. Was it a scam? Is that what happens when someone is offered a recording deal? I want someone to record and mix my songs and I know they will kick ass, but what is the percentage to negotiate if it is a legitimate offer? I have been totally comfortable with my status as an "unsigned" musician, but if that is any indication on what it would be like to be signed, I don't know if I'd be into that... I felt as though I'd be manipulated. Anyone have any advice or stories that can help me get a better idea of what this is about, cause I must admit - I do have some runaway daydreams here and there about what could be.

Thanks for whatever info you may have to help me clear this up.

Erik

[Dave Fountain]

Call me old fashioned but is it not the case that a manager, A&R type, recording studio owner, label owner (and the term owner in most cases means just calling yourself one).... they are on the look out for talent because they will become the middle man and make money, not as much as you but they will make it. But making money from you right from the off? No way. Avril Lavinge didn't have to pay her manager to make her famous, he spotted her talent and used his own money to take her places. He is now rich but not as rich as her. I know you are a lot prettier than Avril but you see a pattern emerging here.

I'm not saying these particular instances are a scam or genuine, but you do get an awful lot of cockroaches who feast upon musical vanity, we've seen a fair few on this site. I used to be a live music promoter, if a band didn't have any fans I didn't ask them to pay to play, I just told them to come back when they had some.

Erik, I don't know you or what you are like, but you are sitting behind some sort of PC or MAC and have all the tolls you need to do it yourself. Cut out the middleman!

[Fluid Breaks]

Avril Lavigne is alright. I like her pokey nose and Kirt Cobain hair

Sorry Erik, completely off topic - but fk it, if your serious, do it yourself

[TonyMiller]

The old rule remains true: If it sounds too good to be true, it is...

There is no magic or instant solution. Just hard graft.

[Superhuman]

[tangent] Like a fine wine Avril Levine is improving with age... [/tangent]

[TonyMiller]

Originally Posted by Superhuman

[tangent] Like a fine wine Avril Levine is improving with age... [/tangent]

And is up for a good solid corking...

[Erik Jurado]

Thanks Dave! That's kind of what I was thinking - making money off of me right off just didn't seem right. He had to have been aware that I was the only member - he contacted me on a site that mentions that fact. I also didn't like the fact that he was so eager to just throw anyone into the mix... I am still working on my songs and I do try to develop each instrument as opposed to just throwing in a stock drum beat or a regular bass line (although they would probably sound better! LOL!) And thanks for the compliment... I am only pretty because I wash my face with soap when I take a shower - I guess my mom was right about that! LMAO!

Yeah guys, doing it myself is better - it just takes a little longer. I almost reached my 1 year anniversary - it's at the end of the month! Thanks again!

Erik

[dawnsinclair]

I have no idea why it hasn't happened for you already but I am sure that if you started sending demos to people with a sound and proven background in commercial music, sooner or later someone will take a chance. Having said that, 44 maybe a great age for artists who have come out of bands and going solo but I am not certain it's going to be easy to get a foot in the door as a starter at that age. I do know that some guy on Soundclick who is older did it by sending in his CDs of his live gigs but if you're not actually able to gig, this means you have to rely totally on being heard online unless you bombard your local radio stations with demos and offer to do live interviews for them (my son's band did that and they get air time both here and in Germany all the time now)

Good LUck!!