Is signing to a label like losing your virginity?

[thierry_le_dj]

anyone here that has been signed for a while!!
what changes after you get signed?
does much change?
have you heard any of your track been played out?

[HALP]

hearing your stuff being played it siiiick
and nothing changes really, you get harder on yourself maybe, but there is a tad more purpose to it after getting signed as well,
makes you feel good etc and that can have positive effect

[Sharmaji]

anyone here that has been signed for a while!!

again, it's rare that you're "signed" to a label in EDM. Breakage is on Digital Soundboy; that's about the extent of exclusive signings that I can think of. Even at the upper levels, Magnetic Man being on Columbia doesn't seem to preclude them from doing individual releases w/ other labels.

what changes after you get signed?

If you're lucky, you get about $100 richer in all truth, the $ is negligible unless you have a digital single that does really really well. Vinyl #'s are meager at best, it's just the nature of the beast. Otherwise, once your foot's in the door, it's easier to get other doors opened, and it's quite nice that folks are more open to hearing your material. You also might get some press, which is always lovely. Be prepared for that, have a bio/press release/etc ready. Or don't, and have your stance on why ready.

Also, other labels will be watching you, looking for sellable material. It's a great chance to build connections, and further proof that we're all in this together. Labels need great tunes to sell, you need great labels to sell your tunes.

Note that this comes from doing quality releases with quality labels; if you release on a digital label and the single goes absolutely nowhere, doesn't make it to beatport/addictech/etc-- nothing's gonna change, and that kind of release won't really work to your advantage.

have you heard any of your track been played out?

That never stops being flattering. And you'll never stop thinking along the lines of, shit, i was right-- really should have bumped that kick up 2db. Or you'll just get angry at the mastering engineer for flattening your mix

[disonata]

anyone here that has been signed for a while!!
what changes after you get signed?
does much change?
have you heard any of your track been played out?

first vinyl release out around last christmas time, and got some more stuff forthcoming
but yeah not alot changes, gives you more motivation to stick at it knowing people are interested and want to continue to hear your work.
and as halp said, always nice to hear your stuff being played out

[Danger Co]

Is signing to a label like losing your virginity?

A bit, the main difference is your mum wasn't there when I got signed.

B'dom tish.

My mum popped your cherry?? Ouch..I wouldn't tell anyone mate. You like women 3 times your age with hairy backs?? Poor fella..

[Danger Co]

If you're lucky, you get about $100 richer in all truth, the $ is negligible unless you have a digital single that does really really well. Vinyl #'s are meager at best, it's just the nature of the beast. Otherwise, once your foot's in the door, it's easier to get other doors opened, and it's quite nice that folks are more open to hearing your material. You also might get some press, which is always lovely. Be prepared for that, have a bio/press release/etc ready. Or don't, and have your stance on why ready.

Also, other labels will be watching you, looking for sellable material. It's a great chance to build connections, and further proof that we're all in this together. Labels need great tunes to sell, you need great labels to sell your tunes.

Not too fussed about the cash, a foot in the door to have more music released and the ability to work with other/better artists is my gold.
Just in it for the music

[thierry_le_dj]

ok thanks!
i know there like about a million different labels on all the digital store and different genre's
do you think all of them actually get sold?
i mean are there track's that does get signed but non ever sell's?

[phrex]

guys: why don't you just follow your intuition and do your own way??

[Mad_EP]

Just a few thoughts---

99% of the time... being "signed" to an indie label means nothing more than they have contracted 1 or more releases from you... and are more likely to listen to your new tracks before their normal demo pile... but that is about it.

I have been "signed" to Ad Noiseam since 2004... and while I have not been bumped off the roster in any way, most of my current stuff doesn't fit with the newer turns for the label, so it is harder to roll with them these days... whereas just a few years ago they were begging (nothing legal) for first refusal for any & every track I wrote. A day in EDM is a week - a month is a year and a year is a decade... if you don't believe, ask anyone who has been around for a minute.

Whoever said that shit about the comparisons between losing your virginity being accurate in the way that it wasn't as life changing or lasting as you once thought is pretty spot on. It doesn't change anything - you always remember and cherish your first time... but it never lives up to the hype.

As far as whether it is better to "save" yourself for a big release rather than have a gradual build - there are no rules. Some dudes come out of nowhere, and of course many PR types love to write about someone coming out of nowhere... but on the other hand, you have cats like Eskmo who has been patiently chipping away for 10+ years. There are no rules - the only useful advice worth its own weight is that - regardless for an mp3 or 12" or whatever... ONLY release shit you believe in 100% - cos it will follow you around forever. It doesn't matter if it is a different genre - many people float in random styles... just make sure you don't release anything that isn't REALLY FUCKING GOOD.

A 'no-brainer' - but easier said than done....

[dekoy records]

But is it like losing your virginity?

If you play your cards right, baby.