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Old 3rd May 2008, 06:50 PM   #4
8th_note
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 622
Quote:
Any hints on what US A&R's are looking for?
I'm not trying to be discouraging but here's a real world answer to your question.

Labels, even small indie labels, are looking for a performer who has already built a following, can bring 100 people into a venue in their local scene, has self-funded their first CD and sold a couple thousand copies, and has 11,000 friends on Myspace. Indie labels are the venture capitalists of the record industry. When they invest money in an act they are looking for a return on their investment. The more evidence you can show them that you will make money, the more likely they are to sign you.

If you are a 16 year old girl who looks like Jessica Alba, sings like Tina Turner, and writes songs like Carol King then disregard the above paragraph.

While nothing is impossible, it is very rare these days for a label to sign an unknown act. You're welcome to contact a bunch of labels but every label that I personally know of won't respond to unsolicited materials. They get flooded with this stuff every day and they don't even have the time to listen to it. They are looking for bands that are emerging on the scene and creating a buzz. The successful labels go out and look for the best clients as opposed to reviewing the promo paks that come across their desk.

Sorry to be a downer but if your present marketing plan consists of cold calling labels you are in for an uphill battle.
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