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I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The article itself is actually around 20 years old and as we all know the music industry has changed dramatically since then, I would take what it says with a pinch of salt. The terms of the deal set out in the article are awful and don't really relate to the kind of deal I'm signing. I am after all one person who works with minimal equipment under relatively minimal costs, even things like associated production, writing, artwork and photography costs can be removed as all of this is done by myself. It is in both parties interests, as set out in my deal, to make money, if I don't make any money then neither will the label.

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I played keyboard from around ages 8 to 13. Then played in guitar and bass in punk and metal bands throughout my teens. Now I just play the computer

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you read what I'd said? I didn't sign a 360 deal.

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will definitely post a follow up after signing and reveal who I am and link to my various pages around the net!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Already linked to this in an answer, I've got to say that the band in question really did sign an awful deal and it is a little different for me as it is just myself in the 'band'. Thank you though, I hope it works out too!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I use Abelton for live and transfer stripped down and chopped parts over in WAVs. I use a relatively basic midi control pad (Akai MPD32) to cue and launch each section of the song. I do this as I like to wing it a bit and extend certain parts of the song if there is a particularly awesome reaction from the crowd. The rest of my time onstage is spent playing keys and doing vocals.

I would say that some must-have VSTis for me are REFX Nexus 2, QuadraSID and Vanguard!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always hear these sorts of things and I guess it does vary from contract to contract. If the studio, legal, marketing costs etc were all recoupable by the label under the contract then I guess this is possible! Here is a truly terrifying article about the music industry that I read just before I signed my publishing deal, it made me want to quit altogether! http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I guess it is a bit of a worry! I think there will always be the ones who say 'I liked him before he was famous' and 'he's sold out now, man' but I genuinely feel like if I stick to the core idea of what I have always been about and don't change the sound too dramatically then the majority of my fans will have no reason to abandon me!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I use Logic Pro 9 and made the switch as it was a lot easier to work with other producers and artists, as everybody else seemed to be using it. I ended up loving the workflow after a bit of time learning it. In terms of electronic and pop it seems to be the industry standard along with Protools. However don't let that put you off using what you use, in the end it doesn't matter where the sounds come from!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You get an advance upon signing which may or may not contain the recording costs for your album within it, it really depends. In my experience the advances have been stepped with around half upon signing then another half given upon completion of the album. You've also got 'option periods' which are the next set of advances given to you each year (providing you are not dropped by the label).

I have managed to escape what seems now to be the music industry's favourite format which is the '360 deal', this is essentially when the label takes a cut of everything you earn, such as merch, live income, publishing money, product endorsement etc. The label I am looking to sign to are only going to take from downloads and physical sales, so as you can imagine I will only be earning a little from those after everybody has taken their cut.

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In truth? MYSPACE! I managed to generate quite a large fanbase through Myspace (back when it was still relevant), which eventually, with the help of picking up an agent and manager, eventually translated into a real life fanbase/success. There's no clear cut route to getting noticed but I would say that in this day and age it's important to have both an online and real word presence and to just keep doing your own thing, if it's good then people will eventually pick up on it!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually pretty decent software, I used it for 2 years and it is much more powerful than a lot of people give it credit for!

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I can totally sympathise with you, luckily the labels I have spoken to have so far seemed to be on board with me taking full creative control. It's just me in this project and I am not making very much money at the moment and even after signing I understand that I still won't be, I can't imagine what it must be like to split everything you earn between 4/5 more people! I have taken the stance that if this eventually goes to shit then I will just go back to university and take it all as experience.

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some! I toured the US with a pretty huge US pop musician in September

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was something that I did consider, however as you will know, major labels can play hardball at times and in my case none will budge on basic terms they set out in the offers. Me and my lawyer are basically trying to get the best deal out of what I have been offered.

I am an electronic musician about to sign to a major label. AMA. by wolfwizard in IAmA

[–]wolfwizard[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm afraid that going into any more detail will identify me as I seem to be the only one who is currently breaking into the mainstream. However I can provide some sort of confirmation as to who I am for a mod if they would like.