If you play indie music and you are in an unsigned band, just how do you go about actually getting that coveted recording contract which means you will really get your music out there to a much larger audience? Well, one of the main things that record companies are looking for are the following:
- A large following of fans who are already interested in your music.
- The ability to create large amount of virtual fans on the Internet through Facebook and Youtube.
- A track record of songs that have both been recorded and are ready to record.
- If you are a band that actually goes out and gigs, so much the better.
- A wide appeal to a large cross section of young people.
If the list above is your band then you are most certainly in with a shout, however, what can a band realistically expect when they get signed? Well, indie bands need to be aware that the music industry has fundamentally changed over the last ten years and music is not selling in the numbers it once did. This change in the amount of units being sold not only relates to physical sales which have taken a real downturn, but the actual amount of sales both physical and digital is much lower than even seven years ago. The reason for this is simple, fill sharing and the ability for one person to buy a track and then share it with all their friends has created a difficult situation for record companies wanting to see a return on their investment. So, today, you will find that many record labels do not offer much in the way of big advances to musicians and indeed, getting the money they give you back is a big consideration when the contracts are offered.
So, where does that leave bands and is it a good idea to actually go for a deal? Well, the jury is out on this one. The thinking goes, is may be better to just use the promotional tools available for free on the Internet and get a loyal following doing what you do best; playing live and forget about the whole idea of ever making much money from the recording of music. The recorded music is in effect a hook to get people interested in the bands and the money is only really made through the fees charged at gigs as well as the returns gained from the music collection societies who have interconnecting structures right across the entire world.
So, the glitter of the recording contract of untold riches may not be all that it used to be, but until the music industry works out a better financial model, indie music will have to ensure that the live scene is where the true musical battle is one.