band splitting up after recording...now what!!

[ZEBRAAA]

hey ppl
my client is a leader of the band.
i recorded a band, 5songs + overdubs (elec gituar/bass/vocals)
during the recordings i also got introduced to be their soundingeneer for gigs...and later i became some kind of coach/producer...giving advice to the band. everybody is exually very happy with me.

the shit hits the fan. during a gig, the leader of the band, split the money, but kept money in his pocket.

after a week the band found out, meaning obviously.....the band split up.

i got ready for the mix....now 1singer of the band dont want his vocals in the mix.

i dont feel comfortable anymore to work with this leader of the band. and i tried to mix some tracks.....and it just isnt there anymore. my energy flies away...and i dont feel good to mix it.

to my own consideration im planning to stop this project, give the client the fyles (24bit/44.1 mhz)

he payed me for the recording and he still need to pay me for the mix.

all feedback is welcome....how would u deal with it.

greetz Peter

[joeq]

I would stall and see what happens in a week or two

Bands, like lovers, sometimes get back together even after major dysfunction.

But I can see how you would be uncomfortable and there may be problems down the line if you help this leader use the others' work against their permission.

The guy sounds like bad news anyway- stealing from his own band. Plenty of leaders take an extra cut, but to do it in secret....tutt

to my own consideration im planning to stop this project, give the client the fyles (24bit/44.1 mhz)

If you are paid up to date, but haven't done the mix, why not? Just explain that he needs to finish the project with someone more neutral to the band's history. Or say you don't want any legal troubles from using stuff that people have withdrawn permission for. Be polite, but firm.

To be honest, I have ditched clients for less. Life is too short to spend it locked in a small room with jerks and assholes.

[Adib]

If you could do with the money and/or think the work might lead to greater things by keeping everyone sweet I would grit your teeth and do it if poss. If not then just pass the files back and be done with it, it's not nice working on a project that you don't share energy/enthusiasm for. Just my 2p

[_Morph_]

The recording is payed for, so it has an owner.
The legal issues are the band's problem, you're just doing your job.

[ZEBRAAA]

Originally Posted by dibble

If you could do with the money and/or think the work might lead to greater things by keeping everyone sweet I would grit your teeth and do it if poss. If not then just pass the files back and be done with it, it's not nice working on a project that you don't share energy/enthusiasm for. Just my 2p

well, i got already 2 jobs out of it, from 1singer and 1 singer/guitarplayer.
for the money i couldnt do it, i got plenty work with nice ppl.

i rather stay out of trouble and like that i dont have to put my mind on the shit they try to involve me in.

tnx for the feedback and greetz

[djejnyc]

If your heart isn't into it, your should trust your gut and walk away, as long as you've been paid for your work. I highly recommend trusting your instincts. thumbsup

[iomegaman]

"Money hole"...

[RoundBadge]

Ugh.i feel your pain
I had an ongoing project.
on/off 2 years of tracking /mixing and the husband/wife band got divorced
they were both my friends.weird situation.
whatever.
I would also suggesting you wait a couple weeks. get the money up front for any future mixing and hang onto the original hard drive.
otherwise i wouldn't sweat it...life goes on and who needs the extra frustration

[Flying_Dutchman]

did you already got a date for mixing and did you didn´t take other jobs for this time?
Do you have a contract?
i mean, ok, you don´t do the mixing, so the work isn´t done, but if you didn´t take other jobs, because you have a contract about time, well you will get the money if you want. You can´t get a holiday hotel, get sick and than get the money back, maybe if you got an insurance. It´s just normal in other types of business.
I´ve bee in a similiar situation some years ago. Recording 6 weeks, band split, half of the songs the one guy took, end of record. We had to record 4 guitar solos...
Well, i didn´t mix and didn´t take the money, i had no contract about the mixing.
Today, i always do a contract about this things and i don´t care if some boys can´t stay in a band for a recording. They got to learn, imo

[John Eppstein]

A bandleader has a right to an extra share, plus money for expenses. However he should be up front about it and not try to hide it from the rest of the band. I've quit bands over precisely that issue. The exceptions, of course are (A) if the bandleader has everyone on salary, x amount per gig, in which case it doesn't matter how much money the band makes as a unit, he pays whether he makes a profit or goes in the hole, and (B) if the band is organized as a co-operative, in which case everyone gets an equal share after expenses are deducted - and there is no formal bandleader.

[ZEBRAAA]

tnx and greetz

im going to wait after the band meeting, see what happens.