Being in the record label/publishing business and touring with Shawna Russell over 100 shows per year, puts me in contact with many young artists trying to find their way in the ever changing world of music. Most every place we play we seem to collect CD's and projects from folks wanting us to hear their music, record one of their tunes or to help them in some way. We eagerly accept these offerings. Usually with a warning that we can't "digest" their tunes since we don't want to accidentally re-write something they wrote a couple of years from now.. We do however listen to most projects at least once.
Sometimes we hear great talent, good songs and good production.. however the vast majority are poorly recorded and produced.. some to the point that we cannot bear to listen. Some folks hand us a CD with a litany of excuses as to why it sounds like crap. "We did this in our bathroom in a rain storm".. "I actually recorded this on a Karaoke machine with my little girl's "Dora" tape recorder".. you name it we've heard it. There's only one comment I can make about these situations... DON'T DO IT!
If you care enough about your songs or your band to do a recording.. please care enough to do a good one. I sometimes believe the convenience of the new technology that allows folks to record multi-track projects in their kitchen has actually been a set back for many aspiring artists. Just because you can buy a recorder from Musicians Friend for $99.00 does NOT mean it will make a quality product for you to pitch to labels and publishing companies. It WILL give you the means to record your music and listen to what you've created...It WILL give you the opportunity to make "work tapes" and share with your band.. but PLEASE stop using them to try and make a finished product. The same technology that has allowed you to make the recording has also allowed studios to make better and better recordings. No matter what level you are on.. you are still competing for the same entertainment dollar as established artists that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on recording and mixing their projects.
So you ask.. "Do I have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars?".. the answer of course is no... You DO need to spend some money however to get the type of quality needed to get the attention of A&R departments or publishing companies. If you don't have a lot of money that's cool. Try and save some. Ask your band to kick in for some publishing rights, ask your grandma, cut back on smoking or drinking, something ANYTHING to get a little nest egg to get your music going. I know of studios, good studios that are charging $60 to $75 per hour. That's cheap. If you can't afford to record 10 songs.. then record 5 or 6 and release a GREAT quality EP. Sell it cheap and sell a LOT of them.. make some $ for your next EP.. Keep folks interested with GREAT quality recordings that make a GREAT first impression.
If you are doing an artist project. Get good photography. Put your picture on the front and the back and PLEASE put your contact information on the CD AND on the packaging. By contact information I mean your e mail address, web site address, your phone number or that of your manager (if you have one) and NOT your "Facebook" or "Myspace" address only. You have to make it very easy for folks to find you, or they won't bother. The moral of the story is....
Do it RIGHT the first time and you won't have to do it again.
Live from backstage at Billy Bob's Texas... Cloudwatcher... signing off....
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