Music Industry Inside-Out

How to sign for a Record Deal and much more!

How Do I Contact Music Producers?

These days, many aspiring musicians believe that they can just shoot an email with their demos to famous music producers and they will get instantly signed to a record label!  NO WAY! Well, let me rephrase.  YES, it sometimes works this way, but only if you are a top-notch unique artist or musician.  However, your chances of getting thru to a music producer this way are kinda slim…

Nothing comes easy in this life – that’s what you have to remember.  Contacting music producers requires certain elements:

  • Music industry knowledge
  • List of music producer contacts (direct phone numbers, email, fax, etc.)
  • Following specific instructions of the music producer’s office
  • Knowing how to network with music producers at club venues, concerts, local clubs, bars, etc.

I know several people who simply refuse following certain guidelines for contacting music producers “the right way”.  These so-called artists have not made it anywhere and most likely will never make it!

Most music producers have great contacts with all kinds of executives, managers, publishers and so on.  It is very important to have all the right contacts, because it’s one of the ultimate ways to “rise up” and move up the music career ladder.

Ultimate Musician Package offers an all-in-one resource for contacting music producers, publishers, managers, etc.  It also offers an exclusive Music Business “Insider’s Guide” which teaches any young or professional musician all there is to know about making it in the music industry!

Download Ultimate Musician Package

Music Producers Contact Information

Back in the days, it was almost impossible to contact music producers by phone or email. Thanks to the power of internet, you can now music producer phone numbers and emails to send your solicited material.

So, let’s say you have music producers’s contact information handy, you need to know why you want to contact them.  Most folks try to submit their music demos hoping to sign a record deal.  Some people ruin everything by asking for a super million dollar contract, as soon as they get a music producer on the phone.  WRONG! Don’t ever follow this “teenage-type tactic”.  The music producer will definitely hang up the phone and will not try to wait their time on you.  So, be smart and tactful about the approach you take.

Before making any calls, it’s important to know why you want to contact music producers. Are you looking for an assistant job? Are you looking to submit demos in hopes of landing a record deal? Have a clear, obtainable goal for each call. Don’t ask for a million-dollar recording contract on a cold call.

It’s always important to establish some kind of rapport with the music producer.  Try building a relationship with them by asking them where they live, what got them started in this industry, what is it that they like the most about their job.  Most music producers really like when people show interest in them and the work that they do.  This way, they are more than likely to accept your music demo and take the time to listen to it and critique it.

Try to be socially open with music producers.  At the end of the call, ask them for their Facebook or Twitter account names.  See if you can subscribe to their fan pages and follow up with their daily lifestyle.  You will learn so much,  you won’t believe it!

Ultimate Musician Package offers a great way to contact music producers in the USA, Canada and many other countries worldwide.

Rock & Roll Music Producers

For all you aspiring rockstars out there, know that in order to make it in the Rock & Roll world, an authentic sound is what you need. Of course, you can hire the best engineers and the best producers of this world but, if they don’t have a strong knowledge of Rock & Roll music and its very distinct sound, the chances are you won’t find the success you are looking for. The best way to get that unique sound you are trying to obtain is to learn about the industry’s best rock music producers. Included in that list are no others than Daniel Lanois, Jimmy Miller and Eddie Kramer.

Daniel Lanois – Daniel Lanois is well-known Canadian record producer. Born in 1951, this superstar of producing was well-influenced by music in his family and in his life. Initially discovered by other great producer Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois has had a very successful career working with some of the biggest names in Rock history: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, U2, Peter Gabriel, Scott Weiland and more. Many of his albums have won Album of the Year at the Grammys and Lanois is renowned to be a very proficient and knowledgeable producer.

Jimmy Miller – Although he left this world in 1994, Jimmy Miller is still certainly remembered as being an incredible producer; the song You Can’t Always Get What You Want, from the Rolling Stones, even names-drop him! Although he is best known for a long and healthy career producing for the Stones, Miller has also had the chance to work with Blind Faith, Motorhead and Primal Scream, amongst others.

Eddie Kramer – Native from South Africa, Eddie Kramer is the famed producer behind some albums from Led Zeppelin, Triumph, Kiss, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Anthrax and many more. His career originated in the 1960’s, a period where rock & roll bands were perhaps at the peak of their existence with acts such as Hendrix and Zeppelin headlining around the world. Kramer is well known for his talent and unique ideas and is still producing great albums up to this date.

CONTACT ROCK & ROLL MUSIC PRODUCERS

Far from being the only names to be included on a list of great Rock producers, these 3 professionals have defined Rock & Roll music by producing some of the most influential albums of all times. This goes without saying; without a r, your album won’t get the rave reviews you are hoping for!talented Rock produce

 

Hip-Hop Music Producers

The best hip-hop records have been produced by influential producers; just like with anything else, having a good team to back you up is the key to success, even in hip-hop music. The following hip-hop producers are some of the most renowned producers working with this specific genre of music. While many individuals are improving themselves producers nowadays, it takes a simple reading on these guys to realize that it takes more than an appreciation for the music to become a talented producer; DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Dr. Dre have produced some of the best hip-hop albums known to date.

DJ Premier – Rolling Stone Magazine has named DJ Premier Hip Hop’s greatest producer of all time for a reason. Born in Houston, DJ Premier started his career as one half of the rap duo Gang Starr. After producing the vast majority of Gang Starr’s material, DJ Premier went on to work with other artists including Jay-Z, Mos Def, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, Notorious B.I.G. and even cross-genre artists such as Christina Aguilar and Limp Bizkit.

Pete Rock – One of the main figure to integrate jazz elements to rap and hip-hop music, Pete Rock is one of America’s finest record producers. While Pete Rock is not a ‘mainstream phenomenon’ such as Akon or Kanye, it is nonetheless with solo albums and association with artists such as Run DMC, Notorious B.IG. and Public Enemy that Rock has earned the respect of the hip-hop community and made his mark as a record producer.

Dr. Dre – A huge figure in the rap and hip-hop world as well as in the producing industry, Dre has made his mark in the music business by being not only a successful artist himself, but by producing very influential albums of the hip-hop genre throughout the years. Dre has worked notably with Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and more. Dr. Dre is regarded as a very respected figure in the entire music industry and his influence in today’s generation of hip-hop and rap artists can be heard on many albums. Even Kanye West has admitted to be highly influenced by the sounds of Dre.

CONTACT THOUSANDS OF HIP-HOP MUSIC PRODUCERS

Working with a talented producer is certainly a great idea, but you need to remember that your producer needs to have a good track record with the genre you are going for. Hiring a successful rock producer for your hip-hop album might not be the wisest thing to do – after a bit of research on some of the most successful rap and hip-hop producers, you’ll be able to find your match.

 

Country Music Producers

With the emergence of the ‘country’ style – think Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and more – also comes a need of learning about the best country music producers. Just like any other popular style of music, Country has had a world of its own; many artists have made it big but the distinct and unique sound definitely comes from the know-how of the specialized producers working in urban centers such as Nashville, for example. If you are looking to obtain the very special sound that has made many international country artists what they are today, it is important to understand which producers helped them make history.

Dann Huff – Dan Huff is a very influential figure in all aspect of the country music world; he is known to be an incredible musician, singer-songwriter and producer. While Huff started a career influenced by both rock and country music, his product credits are definitely oriented towards the latter, with credits including albums by Faith Hill, Lonestar, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Keith Urban and Martina McBride, amongst others. With a career that started in the mid-70’s and that is still going strong as of today, Dann Huff has established itself as a very important figure of the country music world and still manages to make country history up to this date.

Billy Sherrill – Made famous for his work wish superstar Tammy Wynette, Billy Sherrill is country’s most well-known music producer. A native from Alabama, Sherrill moved to Nashville and started working as a producer with very little knowledge of the country sound. His earlier albums have a very ‘pop’ quality to it until Wynette finally emerged on the international scene and Billy Sherrill was the producer standing behind the artist. Since then, Sherrill’s career has skyrocketed, and the now famous producer has been known to work with artists such as Shelby Lynne, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Jody Miller, Cliff Richards and many more.

CONTACT THOUSANDS OF MUSIC PRODUCERS

These two giants of the producing world are certainly not the only influential figures who played a part in developing the ‘Nashville sound’ so often associated with Country music from all around the world. Nashville has many resources to offer when comes the time to finding a specialized producer. By working with a producer that has a knowledge of the country music and is being immersed into this specific sound, you can rest assured that your album or demo will have the Country quality you are looking for.

 

Top Music Festivals in America

The United States are a great country for the development of music; each year, many festivals, conferences and massive showcases are being put together to entertain legions of music fans coming from everywhere around the world to attend these events. These mass events are perfect for music fans, but also for artists and music industry professionals looking to mingle and discover new genres, new talents. A perfect networking opportunity for many, these festivals are unique and of high standards. Some of the most well-known events include Coachella, Bonaroo and Summerfest.

Coachella – Taking place each year in Indio, California, Coachella, the king of festivals in the United States, is the perfect event to listen to rock and alternative music with the occasional dance or electronic act making its way in the headlines. For over 10 years, this festival has attracted attendees from all over the country and even from outside the United States. The 2011 edition of Coachella is set to be featuring Kanye West, Kings of Leon and Arcade Fire, amongst other well-known acts.

Bonaroo – Bonaroo takes place near Nashville, Tennessee, and usually features a healthy mix of folk, roots, bluegrass as well as pop and alternative rock. This famous festival started its yearly edition back in 2002 and has known very good success since then. The event lasts 4 days and tries to include a bit of everything to please all crowds. The 2011 edition of Bonaroo has announced the following headliners: Buffalo Springfield, Arcade Fire, Eminem and The Strokes.

ATTEND MUSIC CONFERENCES AND & SHOWCASES IN YOUR CITY

Summerfest – This 11 days long event takes place along the Milwaukee, Wisconsin lakefront and is also known as ‘the Big Gig’. This festival is known to be one of the world’s biggest event of the genre and has even been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records! Taking place in the middle of summer, this festival is perfect to come discover new talents and have the pleasure of witnessing greatness from the biggest stars of the moment. The 2011 edition of Summerfest will feature no other than Sara Bareilles, Katy Perry and Sugarland.

America’s music festivals have something to offer to everyone; whether you like pop, r&b, rock, dance or country or anything else in the middle, there is a festival for you somewhere in the country! These festivals are guaranteed to offer you great networking possibilities as well as an unforgettable good time.

 

Music Distributors: The Key To Selling Your CD’s

In the music business as we used to know it, record labels usually handle everything that is related to the distribution of albums in stores; these days, with the increasing amount of ‘indie’ musicians and labels, finding a distributor is now part of the reality of many bands and acts considering the self-release of their album. Finding a distributor for your album is not very different than trying to find a record label to sign your own band; you need to sell yourself and have a solid product to show for it.

The first step in finding a distributor for your album is to educate yourself on every possible option out there. There are many distributors available and each of them offers a different product. Distributors often offer what is referred to as packages. These packages may include promotion and marketing tools on top of a space for your album in your favourite record store. These packages are usually available at a certain fee – it is important for you to find the ideal package that suits your need and your budget in order to gain the most out of your distributor.

Not unlike record labels, most music distributors do not appreciate to receive unsolicited mail. If you are targeting a specific distributor, try to make a first contact by phoning in the office and introducing yourself. If you can get through to someone and get the green light to send in your promotional material, you already won half the battle. It is always better to have an initial contact with a representative of the distributor you are looking at rather than sending your album left and right to someone who never heard from you. Perseverance is the key to finding your first distributor; be polite, assertive and know how to sell yourself without sounding pushy.

LIST OF HUNDREDS CD DISTRIBUTORS IN YOUR AREA

Of course, with the apparition of Itunes and CDBaby came the apparition of online music distributors. Just like normal distributors, these companies will help you promote and sell your album; the difference is that your album will be available online, in a digital copy as opposed to on the shelf of a store. Some distributors offer both option while others specialize in either digital or material record distribution. It is your decision to choose which market you would like to take over; nowadays, there is as much opportunity for a successful career through online distribution as through store distribution.

Do your research and chose wisely, your distributor could be the key to a successful and prosperous career as well as the beginning of a wonderful association between you and your distributor.

Music Business Directories: Do I Really Need One?

If you are determined to make it big in the music industry, there aren’t many different ways to approach this. You need to get in touch with certain individuals that can help you jumpstart your career and gain the exposure you need in order to further your career. These said individuals can include A&R representatives, US record labels’ heads and CEOs, booking agents, producers, distributors and more. The music industry is a very large business and while you can almost find a producer on every street corner these days, the good ones are usually harder to reach.

The key to find a way to contact all these influential individuals that may help you achieve your dreams of musical greatness is to invest in a music business directory. There are thousands of those directories available online and in most major bookstores; these directories are targeted especially towards budding musicians wishing to get in touch with the sharks of the industry. These directories are a goldmine of information for anyone wanting musical success and contain the names and contact information for high-profile individuals that would be impossible to contact otherwise.

ULTIMATE MUSIC BUSINESS DIRECTORY WITH THOUSANDS OF CONTACTS

Many people might argue that those directories are a scam and do not provide any information that is impossible to find with a quick Google search. The truth is, these directories contain many thousand contacts all in one location and can tremendously help any aspiring stars to get in touch with influential individuals that can change the course of their lives. Being at the right place at the right time and dealing with the right people can make the entire difference between a successful or failed musical career and these directories will help you get in touch with the right people.

Music business directories come in all sorts of formats; some are electronic, others are sold as softwares and some are regular books found in the stores. Find the directory that is right for you and will offer you with the right amount of information for your career and invest in acquiring one, regardless of the price (most directories are rather affordable). Using such a directory to get in touch with the giants of the music industry will help you not only start your career, but to develop an unprecedented success for yourself and your band. Buy your very own business directory and become successful in no time!

The Advantage of Using a Booking Agent to Get Your Gigs

So you’re in a band. You’ve got great musicians to play with, you have a great new song that you can’t wait to play for your friends and fans and you’ve been rehearsing for weeks, or months. Now the only thing you’re missing is that great gig to play! Now you could just go out and present yourself to clubs and venues and offer to play sometime this week, but let’s face it, a booking agent doing all the booking for you looks much more professionals. In cities like Los Angeles and New York, this is especially true, considering the insane amount of budding musicians club owners have to deal with on a daily basis.

A booking agent is an individual that can get you gigs; good or bad, small or large. Using a booking agent is great to save time and is totally worth the investment. Experienced and reliable agents will have a large number of contacts they can use to get you specifically the gig you want and will not hesitate to go the extra mile to impress you and your entourage with the quality of the gigs! They will also assist in negotiating pay, contract and more with the club owners to ensure that you walk out with the best possible gig at the end of the day.

CONTACT MUSIC BOOKING AGENTS RIGHT NOW!

Hiring a booking agent might seem like a frivolous expense at first, but you can rest assured that the result will be well worth the initial investment. Search the internet and music directories to find the most reliable agents in the industry and contact them right away to inquire about rates and their experience in dealing with your type of musical act. Most booking agents will have a specialty, or a certain niche they are comfortable working with and can definitely help you if you fall into the work they usually do.

Once you find a good booking agent to work with, do not let him/her go! They can greatly help you gain exposure by signing contracts to good gigs and performance opportunities for you, and their network of contacts in the industry is priceless. Do your research and find yourself a good booking agent in order to jumpstart your career and really have a fair chance of making it in the business as a performer and an artist.

How To Contact Music Recording Studios in Vancouver?

Many American artists have been known to head up north to the beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, for their recording needs. Multi-million selling rockers Bon Jovi have recorded some of the biggest hits in Vancouver and the same thing goes for many other internationally renowned acts. Recording in Vancouver will give you a different experience and a chance to experience the unique culture and vibe happening in the city. With a very soft weather, beautiful landscape and incredible refined recording studios, Vancouver has a lot of offer. Read below to discover Saga Recording, Factory Studios and The Warehouse Studio.

Saga Recording is the perfect option for singer and songwriters alike; the studio specializes in working with these type of artists specifically and have a very good track record with recordings of the genre. Saga Recording offers assistance at every step of the recording process including production, tracking, mixing, mastering, overdubbing, tuning and editing and more.  Singers and singer/songwriters will walk out of Saga Recording with a great product to show for it, just like past clients Lincoln Tatem, John Pippus, Christopher Wong, Katherine Scott and others.

CONTACT MUSIC RECORDING STUDIOS IN VANCOUVER NOW

The Factory Studios are another beast of their own; the studios have seen the likes of Marilyn Manson, Bad Company, Geddy Lee, Peabo Bryson, Simple Plan and more. The Factory has 2 studios and a great lounge area to get comfortable and relax in between takes. Recording at the Factory Studios will give you access to top quality gear, and unprecedented quality of recordings and much more. Rates are comprehensive and competitive and will surely please everyone.

The Warehouse Studio is perhaps one of the most picturesque location to record; located in a building that used to be City Hall and a jail in the late 1880’s, the studio is in the heart of Gastown, on the most interesting areas of Vancouver. Record your next hit in a unique environment with amazing gear and talented engineers, in the same location that has recorded Bon Jovi, Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, the Cranberries, K-OS, Nickelback, Shakira and many more.

Obtain a distinct and creatively advanced sound by recording at one of Vancouver’s elite recording facilities; whether you are on a budget or not, the city has much to offer and the experience in itself will be a worthwhile investment. Follow the paths of many successful artists and book your trip to Vancouver!