Up and coming artists have a lot more to do to become a success than their predecessors, says a record label panellist who spoke to musicians during a BreakOut West conference session Friday.
害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 definitely a level of which an artist needs to be, probably for any of our labels to want to sign them害羞草研究所� they need to be further along now than they would have had to be 20 years ago, there are just less resources,害羞草研究所� said Helen Britton, of Six Shooter Records.
Seven record label executives spoke to musicians about what it takes to get signed and the value of having a record label versus doing it yourself as a musician.
害羞草研究所淔or me, the artist has to have done a whole lot of groundwork already to justify other people getting involved (in their project),害羞草研究所� said Michael Lambert, of A Modern Way, adding that the label will often work with artists for up to 18 months before they decide to sign them.
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Most of the panellists were not only record label executives but managers, musicians and sometimes agents.
Joseph Blood, with 604 Records and Simkin Artist Management said 害羞草研究所渢hat害羞草研究所檚 because it害羞草研究所檚 so hard to make money on the label side, you have to supplement in other ways, either with publishing or management害羞草研究所� I think it害羞草研究所檚 just the nature of the industry right now.害羞草研究所�
Lambert, from the U.K., disagreed, saying he would rather work with a label that loves an artist and has expertise in that area, and would rather use 害羞草研究所渋nternational teams that we can plug in when we need to.害羞草研究所�
Andrew Morrison, musician for The Jerry Cans and also with Aakuluk Music, his own label, said working with a label allows the artist to spend more time working on music, rather than dealing with the day-to-day business side of the career.
害羞草研究所淚 always tell people or tell other artists its a very cool change when you work with people who have nothing to do with being on stage and have everything to do with the background work to make this happen害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 really allowed us to focus on making music and making art.害羞草研究所�
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To actually peak the interest of labels, performance history as well as a social media presence is huge for present-day musicians.
害羞草研究所淭hey need to not only post but interact,害羞草研究所� Britton said. 害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 want to be the only ones posting because people can smell management.害羞草研究所�
She said she害羞草研究所檚 considered putting it in musician害羞草研究所檚 contracts that a social media presence is mandatory.
In terms of wanting to invest in an artist, the panellists said a band or musician must have a vision in which they want the band to go, an existing image and they must already have brand ideas for themselves, uniqueness and a strong stage presence.
Nigel Jenkins, with Laughing Heart Music, said the musician must have great songs overall.
BreakOut West conferences and events run from Oct. 10 to 14.
carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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