starting a tech-house label

[Liam Judah]

Originally Posted by science

Normally that would be the case. Unfortunately, now that there is no overhead in running a "label", especially when you and 2 of your equally talentless friends are the only people on it and all your distribution is digital, failure doesn't mean they go away.

Half of these kids spend about 3 weeks with reason before they consider themselves "pro". Now that all the work has been taken out of releasing music, there aren't as many filters holding the shit back.

Unfortunately this isn't a genre specific problem. I have to believe, though, that at some point talent and quality music will win out over the unfiltered garbage.

[Simonator]

I'm pretty amazed by the sales figures being thrown around here... I'd always assumed that Traxsource would have been a massive player in the market?

IMO it's easily the nicest site (haven't tried beatport for a while, but I found it too java heavy & clunky), and for the style I'm into (regular house) it seems to have the best selection.

[science]

Originally Posted by G-3

Unfortunately this isn't a genre specific problem.

Not entirely, but it is a lot worse in electronic music for obvious reasons.

I have to believe, though, that at some point talent and quality music will win out over the unfiltered garbage.

I've been telling myself that for 10+ years. I think most people (myself included) have just given up and lowered our expectations instead.

[alanzo]

Originally Posted by ischibay

sorry vinyl only here

I actually have a vinyl with my name on it (belive it). It was release in 2004. I feel very fortunate because today, even if I were to release on the biggest EDM label, it would still not be pressed to vinyl. The format is dead and I say good riddance. But my vinyl is still a very nice mantle piece. I have both the jacketed version and white label.

[AJ Reynolds]

Originally Posted by alanzo

I actually have a vinyl with my name on it (belive it). It was release in 2004. I feel very fortunate because today, even if I were to release on the biggest EDM label, it would still not be pressed to vinyl. The format is dead and I say good riddance. But my vinyl is still a very nice mantle piece. I have both the jacketed version and white label.

actually all the biggest EDM labels still release vinyl.

[brightbyrd]

Originally Posted by science

Normally that would be the case. Unfortunately, now that there is no overhead in running a "label", especially when you and 2 of your equally talentless friends are the only people on it and all your distribution is digital, failure doesn't mean they go away.

Half of these kids spend about 3 weeks with reason before they consider themselves "pro". Now that all the work has been taken out of releasing music, there aren't as many filters holding the shit back.

good point

[Spip]

Originally Posted by science

Normally that would be the case. Unfortunately, now that there is no overhead in running a "label", especially when you and 2 of your equally talentless friends are the only people on it and all your distribution is digital, failure doesn't mean they go away.

Half of these kids spend about 3 weeks with reason before they consider themselves "pro". Now that all the work has been taken out of releasing music, there aren't as many filters holding the shit back.

That's true but the way we listen the music also changes these days. Shit remains shit, and will be identified as shit quickly. And even if it reaches some levels of visibility, it will disappear as soon as it appears.

I don't believe things were better before.

The filters were simply not the same… That's all.

We will always need people for sorting the good from the mass. That's the role of a label…


Good luck ! and bring us some good music to buy !

[PeteJames]

A little bit of inspiration in a sea of cynicism

A friend started a minimal night in Glasgow called Sleaze a couple of years ago. He made it by getting djs like phil kieran, chloe, perc, andrew wetherall, radio slave to play at his night (making a loss I think). It was having these guest djs that are well know and credible in the underground scene that got him contacts to help release stuff, swap remixes etc. So he started his label, currently over 16 on Beatport. From what I understand the label gets about 1/3 of what you pay on beatport and then pays the artist about about 1/2 of that or less.

Sleaze Records on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

He's getting played by the likes of Richie Hawtin et al, James Zabelia, Umek and loads more. It depends how you define success. He still doesn't do it full time or make much, despite having some beatport top 100s and a top 20. But he's doing what he wants, releasing, playing at big clubs in foreign countries...living the dream.

Good Luck

[science]

Originally Posted by Spip

We will always need people for sorting the good from the mass. That's the role of a label…

That used to be the role of a label. Now, the role of a label has shifted to the opposite. Most labels popping up today are being started specifically to release the music the label owner can't get any other label to release (usually their own music).

[Ry Thomas]

We have an EDM label and release every second monday, Beatport is our biggest store also
Hardphaze on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

[msl]

Originally Posted by science

That used to be the role of a label. Now, the role of a label has shifted to the opposite. Most labels popping up today are being started specifically to release the music the label owner can't get any other label to release (usually their own music).

Sad but true. And then they release everything they have, and most of it is sub par. Because its easy and cheep now days there is no question anymore of "is this good enough to release?" everything gets put out. I was reading an interview with Juan Atkins a while back and they asked him why haven't you released anything in a few years, and he said he didn't think he had anything worth releasing, says it all.

Personally I wouldn't be starting a tech-house label now even if you paid me (even though we were all thinking about it a few years ago). Try and get on an existing small to medium size label with a decent reputation and contacts instead.


.

[alanzo]

Originally Posted by AJ Reynolds

actually all the biggest EDM labels still release vinyl.

Not the ones I've looked at. Which ones are you talking about in parcitular? I suppose I did just look at Armada, Discover, and Anjunabeats ...

[jro323]

i haven't checked this thread in a while - it's nice to see some
people talking.
sorry to you guys who feel so negatively.

i'm finding the challenges of putting a label together ourselves
to be exhilerating - though a little overwhelming and incredibly
time consuming.

we're still in development stages and will be for awhile
merveilleux, FilthyB how are you coming along?

petejames - thanks for the inspiration, it sounds like he's
having a good time - and he's probably really busy.
and i agree
it all depends on how you define success.

for those that are interested i found a helpful book covering general
concepts - i'm only a little ways into it so far.......
i know there are many other books out there but this one had a bit
of what i was looking for and is helpful on where to
find even more answers......

Music licensing, music distribution, licensing, royalties – MBsolutions.com

[Tarkovsky]

Originally Posted by science

Congrats, you're about to join the ranks of the 15,000,000 people who had the same idea as you in the past few years

DJ -> "producer" -> "label owner"

Electronic music is ****ed.

Oh no! People are showing an interest in playing, producing an releasing music? Yes we must be totally ****ed.

People seem afraid of failure. That's really stupid. Anyone whose done anything interesting has failed a bit on the way. If you fail, just do it HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

I mean come on. I thought you were supposed to be Americans!

[Chris190]

If you're a new small label you gotta start somewhere. No big names will send any music your way to release so you are left with a couple of choices, either filter some of the best music from smaller producers and or put out your own music (if you're producing) assuming it's decent and mastered pretty good. Either way try to always improve.

I run a label too with a friend of mine called Fantasia Recordings and one nice site that we use is called promopool.com. You only pay i think one $60 or $80 fee to get signed up no matter how many releaseses...you just gotta have at least one per year quarter. This site gets your music access to DJs, Producers, Radio hosts etc.... they also get decent traffic.

I think it's a fun thing to do and an opportunity to develop and grow.

We're trying to get on Beatpork but no luck yet. We still need to prepare ourselfs more, and between the day job, gym, producing my own music etc. it's very hard to allow it the time it needs to get better...

This whole label thing needs to be treated like a real business even tho it makes no money....I try to as much as I can because I love it.

[Liquid360]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Perfectbeat. My material has always done well there.

[Dusk1983]

Originally Posted by Tarkovsky

Oh no! People are showing an interest in playing, producing an releasing music? Yes we must be totally ****ed.

People seem afraid of failure. That's really stupid. Anyone whose done anything interesting has failed a bit on the way. If you fail, just do it HARDER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER

I mean come on. I thought you were supposed to be Americans!

He's right though. 100%.

If you are going to have a label that achieves ANYTHING other than clog up the already polluted world of disposable EDM, you first need to build up a long (5 years upwards) and consistent back catalogue of quality releases on respected labels, and remixes for respected artists. If its meant to be, it will develop organically within your musical trajectory.

If you don't meet those criteria: sorry. Its time to get to work in the studio and in the clubs. Not "draw up a business plan".

[Tarkovsky]

Originally Posted by Dusk1983

He's right though. 100%.

If you are going to have a label that achieves ANYTHING other than clog up the already polluted world of disposable EDM, you first need to build up a long (5 years upwards) and consistent back catalogue of quality releases on respected labels, and remixes for respected artists. If its meant to be, it will develop organically within your musical trajectory.

If you don't meet those criteria: sorry. Its time to get to work in the studio and in the clubs. Not "draw up a business plan".

Disposability is the point. The system is fast paced, and constantly recycles. If you don't like it, why are you making EDM in the first place?

I'm not saying we can't achieve art, but it's going to be Warholian that's for sure.

[mellow]

Originally Posted by msl

... And then they release everything they have, and most of it is sub par. Because its easy and cheep now days there is no question anymore of "is this good enough to release?" everything gets put out. I was reading an interview with Juan Atkins a while back and they asked him why haven't you released anything in a few years, and he said he didn't think he had anything worth releasing, says it all.

This is absolutely true. These days people will just release everything. And, that goes for some major label folks as well. Non-cohesive and exhaustingly long albums with filler - just say what you got to say and end it, damn. I think one should be extremely selective as to the quality of their releases if they want a good reputation.

Originally Posted by msl

Personally I wouldn't be starting a tech-house label now even if you paid me (even though we were all thinking about it a few years ago). Try and get on an existing small to medium size label with a decent reputation and contacts instead.

Good point. Contacts and relationships are key. And why not go with someone who has them already developed?

On this note - does anyone have any advice, as a producer, for maintaining control of material where a vocalist/lyricist collaborates - without having to form a label and sign them? My thought is to act as a publisher and control the rights that way. The master is already mine since I paid for it (my studio, etc.). I would like to keep the option open to be able to sign the song(s) to labels.

[Tarkovsky]

Originally Posted by science

Normally that would be the case. Unfortunately, now that there is no overhead in running a "label", especially when you and 2 of your equally talentless friends are the only people on it and all your distribution is digital, failure doesn't mean they go away.

Half of these kids spend about 3 weeks with reason before they consider themselves "pro". Now that all the work has been taken out of releasing music, there aren't as many filters holding the shit back.

What and you're the high and mighty arbiter of talent?

There's no such thing. There's just hard work, determination and a love for what you do. Talent is the same kind of hypey crap you'll bitch about in other posts.

You're absolutely full of it.

For a start
1) Who cares if they attribute themselves with pro status, the ideal would be just to have enough money to live and be able to make and play and distribute and work with music
2) If you don't like it, you don't have to listen to it. Unless of course your more concerned with what people think of you than the music itself.

I could rant and rave at you, but you wont listen. Your too busy trying to crap on someone trying to do something interesting and maybe even worthwhile.

[daguv]

I know this is an old thread but..

You need to ask yourself what can you do that the artist can't do for themselves? Assuming it is not just your own music you are putting out there..

Are you great at branding/photoshop/marketing? - You don't want to have to spend £ on sending this to agencies to do
Do you have contacts.. big name DJ's etc?
Do you have the money and time to invest in somebody else music?
If you don't know DJs, how can you help build an online hype that bands/artists cant do themselves?

I was trying to think of why artists should hand over 1/2 of the 1/3rd they get from the stores and it is hard to think of reasons. Especially with TuneCore : Digital Music Distribution and the free hype and marketing bands can drum up themselves.

If it is a physical label then putting up the money for the Vinyl and CD distro would probably needed by the artist but digital only is something people can do for themselves these days