Music Greenhouse

Do I Need A Label?

In the new music industry, many artists are asking the question, do I need a record label?

To find the answer, it is important to know just what a label does. The conventional major label pays the recording bills, creates a marketing plan and implements a promotional campaign. While these are important to achieving success, the most valuable asset of a conventional major label is the distribution network that it utilizes. This network insures that the record which sounds great and everyone wants, is also available to them when they walk into their local store.

How can I get by without a label?

The tides are turning in the music industry. Recording music is easier then ever with home recording setups that rival major studios. Today it costs much less to make a great sounding record then it did ten years ago. An artist with some capital to promote and a strong management team to direct can go very far in the industry without a label. Although distribution networks are still the key to a physical CD sale, there are many other options for artists today through streaming music and downloads.

While major labels are the driving force of the music industry, artists can get by in the new music industry without paying the overhead of a large label by running lightweight and efficiently.

What You Need To Release A CD

There are three things that you need to release a CD. The first is good music, the second is distribution and the third is promotions. The size and scope of each of these depend on how many records you intend to sell and of course, how much money you have to spend on your release.

Good music is the most important part of releasing a good CD. Make sure that you have twice as many songs as you need so that you can pick the very best for this CD release. Don’t forget to go just as far on the CD artwork as you did on the music (no one will listen to your CD if your artwork is not up to par). This full package is your CD, do not stop until you have CDs fully printed and ready for release.

After your CD is finished, you will need to place it into stores. This can be done through independent channels and consignment, or you can go with a distributor. There are many shapes and sizes of distributors including regional distributors and major label channels. Any distribution can be made readily available; you simply must insure that your CD and promotions are the same scope as your desired distribution.

The last and most influential part of releasing a CD is a strong promotional campaign. This will typically include a promotional tour (the more dates, the more CDs you will sell), which is heavily promoted to newsprint, radio and all other means. Your promotional campaign should also include radio promotions. This will be made easier if you are already advertising your shows on the radio stations! Of course make sure that you have your publicity in place through this promotional period and get your name out there!

Choosing the right studio

Every project has specific needs when it comes to studio selection. The most important things to consider are environment, technical needs and budget. The environment is perhaps the most important part of a creative and productive studio recording. The right atmosphere will allow a project to thrive. Many artists prefer to work in a studio which allows them the freedom to relax and create in comfort. These artists must know that they are in good hands and have the ability to concentrate on their music. Some factors that contribute to this kind of environment are comfortable lounge areas and friendly studio managers. Many studios will allow an artist to have a great deal of freedom when blocking out time for intimate recording sessions. The sound of the final recording will be determined by the technical details in the studio. Both the equipment available and the engineers operating it will shape the sound of the recording. The technical needs of the project must be considered when picking a studio. Each project has a specific goal and destination for the recordings. These goals must be achieved through the studio’s technical staff and equipment. It is important to consult with the producer and the studio to insure that technical needs will be met at a particular studio. The final consideration in picking a studio is the project budget. When picking a studio it is important to maximize the budget in order to use time efficiently. This stage is very important to insure that there is enough time to allow for creativity. This consideration engages the artist in a careful trade-off between quality and time to insure that both sides are equal and allow time for creation to happen within a comfort zone.

Creating an effective Press-Kit

A great press-kit is the most important part of getting your music heard by the right people. First impressions are everything and you want your image to shine the moment that the envelope is opened. A flashy eye-catching presentation will insure that your demo floats to the top and gets noticed amidst the many. Including a personalized one-sheet with graphics, photos and press information is a great way to include bonus information to generate interest. The basics of a press-kit are very important and should be the most prominent. Make sure that you include a CD in your press-kit. You need to make sure that the receiving A&R has an opportunity to hear your music (a great band picture isn’t what will make you a superstar, although it sure helps!). Some bands want to include bonus footage or DVDs and replace their CDs with these new technologies. The problem with that idea is that everyone has a CD player at hand, but most people do not have a cassette deck or DVD player at their desk. Your goal is to make it easy for the person receiving your press-kit! Just as important as a CD is a good reliable contact method. Include a phone number that will be answered that all times! Once someone is interested enough to contact you, it is very important that they can connect to a talking human instantly while they are intrigued. Remember: One call may be all you get, so make it count!

Promoting Your Record

Promotions are a very important aspect of making your work well known. There are several types of promotions including Radio Promotions, Event Promotions, Retail Promotions and Public Relations. Each of these varieties is an art form in itself and requires the expertise of a specialist to create the impact that an artist will require. When we talk about a CD which is being released to the public, the first and most important type of promotion to discuss is promoting to radio. The radio is where stars are made and record spins translate into record sales. If you want to be a popular artist or you just want everyone in the country to hear what you have to say, it is very important to get played on the radio. This can be much easier than you could ever imagine as long as you have the right people behind you pushing your record to the program managers at every radio station in the country. Radio promoters focus on two goals which will determine the extent of your radio play. The first of these goals is a playlist ad. Each radio station has a set playlist of songs that they spin on a regular basis. For your record to spin it must be added to the playlist. The second goal of a radio promoter is to insure that you record is getting regular play. This is done by calling each radio station and informing them of the national spins that your record is already getting which creates a snowball effect. When this process is done effectively, your record will be spinning on radio stations across the country. Congratulations, You now have a hit song!

For more information about promoting your release please contact the Music Greenhouse at (612)781-5885

My CD is made, NOW What?

Now that your CD is finished your career as a musician can begin. Putting your CD in stores across the country is essential because it allows your music to be available to the average listener. This will open the doors to further expansion. Don’t forget to send your release to a wide array of connected industry professionals. You want to be in front of as many people as possible, even if it means sending a few free copies to your favorite Sony/BMG executive. Once you are in stores you must create a buzz for your project to get people interested in your new release. To promote effectively, you must play out all the time. A booking agent or tour manager will help you to schedule shows all across the country focusing on the areas where your distribution and fan base are the strongest. Once you have made a name for yourself and your CD is flying off the shelves, you are well on your way to achieving the success that you deserve.

If you have a release and are ready to take the next step, Please contact The Music Greenhouse for a free consultation. Admin@musicgreenhouse.com

How to Make a Demo

A demo disc is the business card of a musician. Every band or aspiring artist should have a stock of demos on hand at all times so that people can tie a name with a sound. Not only is a demo great for promotion, it is also essential to take the next step and grab the interest of producers, record executives and club promoters. Your demo is a representation of you as a musician, so it is very important to make a good first impression. When making your demo the focus should be the integrity and presentation of the songwriting. Your demo should be stripped down without the bells and whistles of a commercial release. You must have a solid rhythm section as foundation with a clear and present focus on the lead of the song (typically vocal songwriting). Be sure that the playing is tight and the arrangement is simple (when applicable). Once you have a demo recording that you are satisfied with, don’t forget to present it professionally with a printed label. The number one most important aspect of making a demo is including accurate contact info. Make sure that a name and phone number are included on the disc itself, printed on the case or sleeve and even include a one-sheet or flier with contact information. You could have the best demo ever made, but it won’t help you unless the person who heard the disc can get a hold of you.

When your demo is finished we’d love to hear it here at the Music Greenhouse. Check out the FAQ section to find out more about submitting a demo.

Pre-Production: The Art of Planning

One of the most important steps to making a successful recording is one that is often overlooked by bands who are new to the recording studio. The first critical step is Pre-Production. During this stage of recording the band will plan out the recording timeline, typically with the help of the session producer. These Pre-Pro meetings will cover every aspect of the recording starting with the songs which will be recorded to the studio which will be used and ending with the final goal of the project. This stage will help to form the scope of the project into reality. Once a list of songs has been decided on, the band and producer will work creatively to work out how the song will be laid out and create any additional arrangements that may be necessary. During this process it is common to record rough versions of the songs in order to make critical decisions on structure of the recording. Once the songs are in a form which is ready to be committed to tape, the sessions can be scheduled in such a way as to maximize the time spent in the recording studio. Finally the Pre-Production meetings will decide what direction to take the project after the recording have been finished. Taking the time to plan every action is essential to getting a good sounding recording. Once the Pre-Production meetings have come to an end, it is the job of the band to rehearse as much as possible prior to entering the studio. This will maximize the recording budget since it will be much easier to record a song after the proper amount of practice time.