How to get signed

[theguitarsquall]

I'm sure this question is asked by millions of guitarists everywhere. My band went into the studio, recorded a rough demo cd, put together a press kit, sent it out to local venues, creative loafing magazine, and college radio stations...where do we go from here? How do we get noticed by anyone? Any tips, let me know...oh, and you can stream our songs at http://www.myspace.com/chamaeleon

[SGROCKER0791]

There was a thread done by tanglewoodstu about getting signed. Here, I'll search for it.

[SGROCKER0791]

Here it is. Hope it helps. (http://guitargeek.com/chat/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57615&highlight=stu)

[theguitarsquall]

Hey thanks a lot. eh, i guess we're pretty much screwed.

[Nameless]

Play loads of gigs everywhere. Rehearse all the time. Constantly write new material. Try and stay friends. If you do that and your good, you've ot as good a chance as anyone.

[yaledelay]

Originally posted by theguitarsquall
I'm sure this question is asked by millions of guitarists everywhere. My band went into the studio, recorded a rough demo cd, put together a press kit, sent it out to local venues, creative loafing magazine, and college radio stations...where do we go from here? How do we get noticed by anyone? Any tips, let me know...oh, and you can stream our songs at http://www.myspace.com/chamaeleon befreind someone who works at a lable, worked for me...

[airfall]

Originally posted by yaledelay
befreind someone who works at a lable, worked for me... who works for a label and wants a friend?!? i've been wanting to get into the industry as an engineer of sorts to try to meet people. then if my musical career never exists, at least i have a decent job helping people make music. if i meet someone and things get serious, most excellent.

[theripper]

make a demo and send it to every label you can think of. and send it to all the venues in your area. get a gig at the best one and invite all the label reps. and then you pray.

[Melvin]

Websites, merch and a demo aren't all the things you will need.

Make sacrifices. Quit your job so you can rehearse and write... same goes for any spare time you have. Your Girlfriend/boyfriend/family/other friends might not appreciate it, but it has to happen if you want to "make it".

Perform your butts off. Drive 24 hours to play a 20 minute gig at a pub in a different state. Make friends with bands to get said gigs. Make fans. Make said fans buy your CDs/merch. Get your name OUT THERE. If no-one knows who you are, neither do labels.
Labels are more interested in bands with fan bases than bands with a couple of professionally recorded tracks.

Unless your band plays emo/pop punk/squeaky clean Nickelback-esque rock etc, which I guess 90% of every geek's bands DON'T play, no out-of-the-blue record deals will come your way from sending your demos anywhere.

Disclaimer: Following this "guide" does NOT garuntee you will "make it". The writer of this post holds no responsibility for any ill-health, relationship issues, financial ruin, death etc. if any reader chooses to follow the hints in this guide and does not triumph in his or her quest to "make it". Good luck!

[Dan the Man]

Originally posted by Melvin
Disclaimer: Following this "guide" does NOT garuntee you will "make it". The writer of this post holds no responsibility for any ill-health, relationship issues, financial ruin, death etc. if any reader chooses to follow the hints in this guide and does not triumph in his or her quest to "make it". Good luck!

Is that how you got signed? [What are you signed to?]

[thefobia]

I wouldn't want to be 'friends' with anyone from a major label. In my experience, the guys with the control are wankers, (which is probably half the reason they got there in the first place.)

Diy it mate. When the big companies realise that you can do it on your own, they sit up and take notice. They pay you a lot more respect too.

One bit of advice: Know the business. And I mean KNOW it inside out.

[james teh OG]

Originally posted by thefobia

Diy it mate. When the big companies realise that you can do it on your own, they sit up and take notice. They pay you a lot more respect too.



yea thats how AFI and the Mars Volta did it. needless to say, they can get away with whatever they want now, cause they're not push overs.

i suggest investing in labels that'll let you have a steady rise, rather than one giant burst.

[Blue Collar Man]

Pfft. Getting signed is over-rated.

1 out of 10000 can make a career preforming music.
Not exact odds, but you get the idea.

I'd rather play as a hobby and have a job that can pay the rent come the 1st of the month.

[heroin]

Originally posted by Blue Collar Man
Pfft. Getting signed is over-rated.

1 out of 10000 can make a career preforming music.
Not exact odds, but you get the idea.

I'd rather play as a hobby and have a job that can pay the rent come the 1st of the month.

Some people find the prospect of travelling, and igniting people with their song enjoyable. To do such, it seems you would need to have a, sort of, proverbial "hook up", which I'd think the label could, "do up"...Atleast dream, you sound like a depressing fellow, and I'm an ass for saying so, but what can you do :D Oh wait I just read your sig, your shtick IS the depressing fellow, gotcha.

[Blue Collar Man]

Originally posted by heroin
Some people find the prospect of travelling, and igniting people with their song enjoyable. To do such, it seems you would need to have a, sort of, proverbial "hook up", which I'd think the label could, "do up"...Atleast dream, you sound like a depressing fellow, and I'm an ass for saying so, but what can you do :D Oh wait I just read your sig, your shtick IS the depressing fellow, gotcha.

Sorry, i didnt mean to come across as an depressing or rude. It was meant to be a dry sarcasm. I geuss voice tone doesnt come across very well here.:rolleyes:

I do have a dream, and in it i play local shows with my band, and have a small but loyal following. An Ep on an indie maybe. And a solid job that allows me to send my kids to college, and buy a nice motorcycle for my wife.

Dont get me wrong, I'd love to do a world tour or something, but realistically, unless you have some mad hookups or are a completely mind-blowingly good act, i dont think the likelyhood is too good. It is just way to easy to loose it all.

Geez... That did come across as kind of depressing. Time for a change then.:eek: Ahhh, screw it.:p

[airfall]

this is sort of off topic but one of my friends told me he didn't think anyone should make a living just by entertaining. :confused: i blew up at him. i don't think most people have any idea how much time/energy/frustration goes into getting a single gig, much less a deal or career in this business.

back on topic. do NOT rely on a label. you have to bring them something if you want something from them. what you can bring them are fans. show them a sold out venue and you're well on your way. if you can prove that you can make money, then they know you'll make them money, and they're willing to make you a deal. it's all about connections, even if they're wankers.

[SGROCKER0791]

Originally posted by airfall
back on topic. do NOT rely on a label. you have to bring them something if you want something from them. what you can bring them are fans. show them a sold out venue and you're well on your way. if you can prove that you can make money, then they know you'll make them money, and they're willing to make you a deal. it's all about connections, even if they're wankers.

Manager is a important person for a band. He is the one that manages the money and many other things. Without them, a band would be broke.

[heroin]

Originally posted by Blue Collar Man
Sorry, i didnt mean to come across as an depressing or rude. It was meant to be a dry sarcasm. I geuss voice tone doesnt come across very well here.:rolleyes:

I do have a dream, and in it i play local shows with my band, and have a small but loyal following. An Ep on an indie maybe. And a solid job that allows me to send my kids to college, and buy a nice motorcycle for my wife.

Dont get me wrong, I'd love to do a world tour or something, but realistically, unless you have some mad hookups or are a completely mind-blowingly good act, i dont think the likelyhood is too good. It is just way to easy to loose it all.

Geez... That did come across as kind of depressing. Time for a change then.:eek: Ahhh, screw it.:p

Pretty much my dream exactly, I'd like to show my kids that their dad wasn't one of those people who regrets not travelling or following their passion, or having a passion at all. And I'd like to have my wife on a motorcycle :D yayeah...