You are here: ilikemusic.com > careers > First Time Deals

related links

1. musiclawadvice.co.uk

First Time Deals

By Elliot Chalmers
www.musiclawadvice.co.uk

Recent news stories have re-ignited the belief that the music business is still an unfair world that heavily favours label bosses and executives. Despite a resurgence in the mid nineties and a record high in new bands being offered deals it seems that we are back to the "good old days " of the eighties when bands were being exploited without even realising it. It all boils down to profits.

When labels are making lots of money they will offer more deals that are considerably fairer with long term benefits. When less money is being made, labels will offer fewer deals that are far less credible. So even if you are offered a deal it is likely to contain terms that are hugely different to those offered during a more prosperous time.

It seems that this pattern has infiltrated many genres of music most notably dance. Back in the early eighties new emerging artists such as Steve "Silk" Hurley and Farley Jackmaster Funk were signing deals that literally gave them nothing but the chance to get their music heard. The label bosses openly admitted that they were taking all the Royalties and Profits and simply paid the artists a small weekly wage. These artists obviously went on to become hugely popular, as the music was so fresh and groundbreaking. That is not the case now for many new bands that are being offered similar deals only to see nothing come of it.
page << 1 2 3 >>

Also See: ilikemusic.com