I am now working on more of a chill dubby/emotional/experimental album (hense why I just joined this forum).. going to be my first one. Not the typical wobble wobble complex basslines that everyones making these days.. I try that kinda stuff but I just lose the emotion and I don't like it.. I am much better at darker and slower stuff. Now what I am wondering is.. When you join a label, how does it work..? lol. Once they like me I'm in, do they accept all my songs I have ready for them? or do they pick and chose.
It depends on the label most likely - some will probably want to hear what you have unsigned, and choose from that. SOme might just want one track, and want you to produce one or two to go with it. When I started Echodub, I selected "artists" not "tracks" - but now I prefer to select "tracks" as opposed to "artists". It's different for everyone - some will offer you a deal - "we'll sign 2 EPs from you" or "we'll release one EP, then see how it goes" - it's never an exact science, and I'm not sure there's any acceptable standard.
Do artists in labels just dish out songs one by one? and hope that the record label releases it? Do they automatically get the ok for songs when you're in the label..? What if I'm the kinda person that wants to work on the album but theres a couple songs I don't want on the album. do I still try to release it as a single? Are you aloud to post songs on soundcloud before a release? Can you have singles released some-odd months ago, and then have them on the album after? Can you be in more than one record label***???
As a label, I like to get a few songs at once, so that I can envisage them as an EP - it helps if an artists sends me like, 4 tracks set up as an EP - provided they mention that it's unsigned, and looking for a home.
Artists quite often aren't signed to just one label - some labels may require exclusivity, but we're talking big labels. I'd say most smaller labels will either just sign your release, or have you on the books as non-exclusive. So really they'd probably just highlight if they wanted any tracks from you as and when you passed them round.
As for posting stuff on SOundcloud pre-release, that's down ot the label. If they're OK with it - do it, if not, I'd be wary of posting them. Lots of labels will probably prefer you not to go shouting about your tracks before they get released, so the marketing and promo can be the part where you promote the tracks, in order to get some interest worked up.
BASICALLY, I am becoming very confident in some of my new songs I haven't released.. and Instead of throwing em up on soundcloud for some typical responses.. I want to finish a album of 5-10 songs, and see if I can get on a label specific to the genre of how my album will sound. BUT.. all I know is how to prepare the album.. thanks to the other thread. Now what actually happens when you're IN the label. That's whats confusing the shit out of me cause I wouldn't know what to expect..
Good idea - I've been building a few EPs. Don't be downheartened if labels only want a few tracks though - maybe pick and choose, and swap your tracks around - since some labels will prefer to have an overview of your tracks - some harder and faster, some deeper. It will depend how consistent the labelw ant to keep it.
Preparing the tracks is your call - as an EP, or individually. It's not crutial I don't think.
When you're "IN" the label - provided the label works like that - you can expect to probably get promos from the label, and have a bit of chatter between you and the label owners, and other artists on the label - but not much more I'd imagine - really the label will be keen to put out your music, and that's probably going to be about it. I may be wrong on this though.
Also another thing I'd liek to ask is, does fan base matter? I have almost 300 followers on soundcloud and 80 subscribers on a youtube I never use.. Which is nothing I know.. that's my point. I just hate promoting myself cause I am always looking at the bigger picture and trying to stay focused on my music. Is it stupid for me to think that if I make a great album then it won't matter how small of a fanbase I have, and they let me in the label anyway?
Well this all depends. if the label has a big following, you can probably do pretty well from that - but you should always be looking to promote yourself and your music regardless. An audience is important. I do always say make music for yourself, but it helps if people are listening too. A lot of labels might not want to pick up tracks from an artist who is too unknown, even despite the music being great. It all depends on the label - and the label will usually outline these things anyway.
I think I have a couple more questions but I can't think up anymore right now.. Please if anyone can give me some info that would be great! ANYTHING at all! sites to check out, labels, answer my questions, refer me to another thread maybe? IDK! Thanks
Hopefully these answers have helped, and not just provoked more questions! haha
