Recording Contracts: the "360" deals
65CDBaby.com loves the indie artist!
EPC-
CDBaby.com is the greatest music retailer for indie artists. We send CDBaby.com ALL our recordings to have them loaded into CDBaby's system and they put your music onto iTunes and 45 other digital distribution points and collects the money and pays it into your linked paypal.com account! Never before has it been so easy to earn money as an indie artist!Vesuvius Records EPC loves CDBaby.com! Indie artists do not need a "record contract" to make music and money via digital distribution, just like Radiohead and Pearl Jam don't need no stinkin' record label!DO NOT sign a 360 deal! Indie artists deserve the money they make from tickets and merchandise and you should never give any a piece of your tickets and merchandise because that is your money. Record companies are just that...RECORD companies. They don't spend time or money developing bands anymore, therefore, bands have to develop their own careers and spend their own time and money on their personal artist development. If someone offers you a "360" do not sign it. If they truly like your band, they will work with you to shape a contract that is sensitive to your individual needs as an indie artist. So, please before you sign away the money you earn working hard to put on the show (360 deals) know that you can build your career without becoming liable to a major label for $500,000 or more! No matter how many millions of albums you sell, you will still make the majority of your money from concert ticket sales and merchandise. Money from tickets and merch should go directly to you and your band to raise your families, etc.PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
While I agree that it behooves an artist to hold onto as many pieces of the pie as possible, not all 360 deals are a complete loser. Multiple revenue stream deals truly vest labels in developing all aspects of an artist's career. To wholesale discredit a deal because it involves multiple revenue streams would be foolhardy if there is indeed a true commitment and partnership between the label and artist.
Artists ought to make deals that stand to benefit them. It's true that there are many great companies that offer distribution to independent artists (like CD Baby). But, there are so many independent artists out there that it is as difficult as ever to cut through the noise and to be heard. Partnering with a label to help develop the artist's brand can be a great way to have a committed group of experienced professionals in one's corner.
The question becomes one of whether the artist stands to make more money with or without the deal. If an artist has a proposal, she should get an entertainment lawyer who can help with the negotiations and make sure that a deal (360 or not) is the best one possible.
Agreed. You make a good point. It is not fair to paint all 360 Deals with the same brush. My bad. It seems to work out fine for artists like KORN and others.
When contracts are involved, I teach all my artists the elements of a VALID contract ;)
xo
TyCohen says:
2 years ago
Interesting and informative article.. keep it up.. thanks for sharing it on hub..
Well, i too have a hub pages on Record Labels, just click on the link when you have time http://hubpages.com/hub/5_steps_to_start_and_run_y
Thanks
Ty