Why our music is free.
Hello my name is Simon. I write and sing my songs with the band Steadman.
If you’ve come to this page you’re possibly thinking about contributing to Steadman. I want to begin by saying “Thank you!”
I want to tell you why we’re giving away our entire catalogue up to this point. Please don’t read this and think I’m a bitter artist whining about getting dropped. I’m merely passing on what I’ve learnt and giving you an artists insight into the workings of the music industry. I have had SO many wonderful experiences, I’ve traveled the world and I’ve met and worked with some amazing and good people. I regret nothing. Honest.
We’ve had 2 major label record deals and one independent record deal and although we’ve made money from being musicians it has always been indirectly or as a result of having a deal and never because of record sales.
A major label artist will need to sell roughly 250,000 – 500,000 records before they see any money for themselves. The artist/s must recoup first. Recouping is basically paying off the debt from costs incurred. These costs includes promotion, recording, marketing, packaging tour support and label reps piloting private planes to come to shows (true story). A record “advance” is similar to borrowing money from a bank except that when you’ve paid back all the money you owe the record label you still only earn a small percentage of future record sales.
All working bands earn the majority of their money through touring, merchandise, film and TV licenses and sponsorship. These are the only ways my band has made money. Unless you’re Madonna, Coldplay or U2, chances are that you’re not going to make money selling records.
If a label signs ten acts it is likely only one will ”break”. It’s the “throw them against the wall and see what sticks” mentality. The act that does stick becomes the labels priority act and all attention is focused on them. The band that sticks is usually the band with the most press buzz coming to the label with many of the pieces of the puzzle already in place. They are usually the lowest risk and require the least development. The other 9 bands don’t stand a chance and are likely doomed irrespective of their talent. It’s interesting to note that the winning act will end up paying the debt of the 9 runners up. Understand this is a business and it’s never “all about the music”. Today’s record label doesn’t develop artists. That’s ancient history.
Why does an artist or band get a record deal?
To sell records
What is the music industry having trouble selling at the moment?
Music
If people aren’t buying as much music but music is still being heard, how are people getting music?
Downloading, burning, and ripping.
It is the norm now to get music for free or at least purchase only the song you want rather than an album of filler for that one favourite track. People are getting wise to technology and many now have an “if its digital it’s free” attitude about music, movies and software. Future generations will get wiser and more tech savvy to the treasures on the internet. In my opinion this is a good thing.
When a music fan finds a band they like, they will normally want to support that band. If the band continuously makes the effort to connect with their fan base, the fans loyalty will grow and they will likely be a listener for life as long as the quality of the songs remains the same. The listener who couldn’t care less about you or your band is going to find a free and easy way to get your music whatever silly laws and rules are out there to try and scare them.
It is perceived that it’s the musicians are suffering from illegal downloading and trading etc but other than Lars Ulrich in 1997 do you see many other musicians, particularly the new acts kicking up a fuss? Their music is being heard and enjoyed by people and in the beginning of a career that’s the most you could ask for. It’s interesting that the labels are the ones most afraid and most pro-active to stop illegal downloading. They’re not protecting the artists they’re protecting their investment. It’s the labels that are losing money. The artist wasn’t getting any to begin with.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you do decide to contribute to the band know that we really appreciate your support and that you are giving us the means to carry on making the music we and hopefully you love. I hope you learnt something and understand that being signed is not all limo’s and supermodel girlfriends. That’s the end of my rant. Now get downloading……………
Cheers
Simon “Whining Ex-Major Label Artist” Steadman.
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