The fateful decision approaches....

[Vdrummer]

Figure out what you want to do and what will make you happy.

[Riddim]

How is the band organized?

What's your share of the songwriting and publishing?

How large is your piece of the pie to be if it does get big?

What will it cost you to pursue this, in terms of lost income, insurance, medical, etc? You have a family to think of now -- you're not 16 anymore. Once you make a baby, you are obligated to feed, clothe and house it. Most of us have difficulty doing that for ourselves, let alone others, without some other source of income. Can the family manage for a while on your spouse's income?

If you have not already, read Bobby Borg's book on the music business. There's another by a guy named Woolf. Likewise, there are music business related links to CD Baby and Sonic Bids that you -- and the band -- should be intimately familiar with.

If your band does not have an organizational agreement in writing, get thee to an entertainment attorney now and draw one up that won't you high and dry. If your partners don't want to hear it, bail now, because they do not have sufficient business awareness to keep themselves from getting themselves -- and you -- screwed over by the darker side of the music business.

[FlamTriplet]

Originally posted by Riddim:
How is the band organized?

What's your share of the songwriting and publishing?

How large is your piece of the pie to be if it does get big?

What will it cost you to pursue this, in terms of lost income, insurance, medical, etc? You have a family to think of now -- you're not 16 anymore. Once you make a baby, you are obligated to feed, clothe and house it. Most of us have difficulty doing that for ourselves, let alone others, without some other source of income. Can the family manage for a while on your spouse's income?

If you have not already, read Bobby Borg's book on the music business. There's another by a guy named Woolf. Likewise, there are music business related links to CD Baby and Sonic Bids that you -- and the band -- should be intimately familiar with.

If your band does not have an organizational agreement in writing, get thee to an entertainment attorney now and draw one up that won't you high and dry. If your partners don't want to hear it, bail now, because they do not have sufficient business awareness to keep themselves from getting themselves -- and you -- screwed over by the darker side of the music business.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's totally right. So your singer or GTR guy writes all the songs, that means when you sell a gazillion albums, they get gazillion and you get squat. You need a piece of the pie.

I turn down a lot of offers to record with other groups, one, because they offer pennies, and won't give a piece. I had a group want me to record 10 songs for 600 dollars. And they were pretty difficult metal songs. The only way I would do that is if I get a cut of publishing. So I haven't even bothered to do it. 600 that's 60 dollars a song, which really means listening to the demos, writing out charts, creating drum parts, practicing them, rehearsals, no set time limit in the studio. You are looking at a lot of time invested for pennies.

If you truly feel that things are happening, then get your attorney, have him write up a decent publishing contract that gives you an equal piece of the pie.

RIDDIM pretty much said it all.

[jgadd]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

Joking

The previous posts regarding the music buisness have said what I was going to say.

Just to add to them:
If your band is sign to a major label (Sony, EMI, Universal) don't forget that who ever is on that contract has to payback all the money the record company puts into the band and it adds up to a lot! Most bands don't make any money on thier first album unless they sell over a million units. If you think your band can sell a couple million albums and your are getting a fair cut then you should be allright. If you can write or co-write the songs on the album (CD) then you are in a better position(you don't even need to be signed to the record company contract). Remember, after all is said and done the songwriter makes most of the money and royalties never stop as long as the song is being played, performed or recorded.
If you are in a good position at your day job can't you take a leave of absence?
Good luck with your future and don't forget to enjoy the ride!

[troutbrooke]

The music industry is totally corrupt and geared toward ripping off artists. If you decide to play that game, be prepared for a vow of poverty. Just try to get your current employer to give you a 6 month leave of absence so that you can return if (and when) need be.

I think you're better off keeping the job, modifying your schedule with employer (if possible) and doing the music stuff on your own (without label involvement). This is easier said than done, I realize, but it's the only way to do it right.

[Derek DeFields]

I'm with DSOP. Unless you hate your day job, try to modify your schedule and keep both going, even if you must negotiate a leave of absence or use vacation/sick time.

I agree it's not about the Plasma TV and car, but financial stress is no fun either and unless you don't like your wife, make sure she's OK with whatever you decide. Some of our heroes have gone on the road and watched their personal lives fall apart from the comfort of the tour bus.

If you do the band thing, what the guys have recommended regarding publishing money is absolutely critical. I'm sorry to say there is NO point in doing it if they don't include you on this source of income. You'll just end up having to catch up at your day job if they won't give you writing credit, pure and simple.

I with you the absolute best of luck in any case. Let us know how things go for you. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

[Gary Linieres]

That's why I love this board. Knowledge, empathy and honesty.

We have a band meeting tonight and I feel 50% better informed than I did yesterday. The publishing is critical and I have heard that from a number of other sources. The difficulty is getting enough of it I suppose....I read in Stings biography that the other members of the Police were constantly getting upset because Sting had his own publishing contract with Virgin, whilst they were signed to A & M for a record deal. He made many millions more than them and I suppose fairly because he did write the songs.

Thanks for the advice and the combine work music strategy has to be the way to go I agree.

[matricks]

Two questions:

1) What does your wife have to say about it?

2) What kind of rock music, i.e. is there a market for it in Europe, and possibly other places? Realistically, what is the market for what you are doing, and if you were to step away from you situation and see your band and music for what it is, how high do you see the ceiling for the type of music you are putting out? What i mean is, do you actually see this going the distance or is this project you are in the type that will get to 80% of making it big (just inherently style of music you are playing) and then hit the wall for the success it can acheive in the market it is in. I've done things where, no matter how good things looked or how much fun i had, no matter how pumped everyone else in the band was, and how optimistic they were; if i was to be realistic and step back, i would see it and take it for what it was... a good project but nothing to bank on as a long-term success. These are just critical questions you have to ask. From a business standpoint, is this a good venture... how would you advise a friend about this? I don't know your age, you could be younger than me, older, i have no idea... all that being said, ask yourself if you are really hoping this will happen because you see it as a 'last chance' type of thing, or are you actually seeing possible success from an objective viewpoint? I've had buddies who see certain things for more than they are because they see it as their 'last chance' because of their age and all... also, i have seen people turn gigs down where they may have opened some really good doors, but didn't because they couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel cause they were too 'old' and jaded.

Take a step back, optimism and pessimism aside and look at it for what it is. See everything for what it is, every possibility, weigh every option to the best of your ability. Do it with emotions involved, then try and take emotions out of it and logically judge it... logically, will you be happier if you take the chance and the risks, or is it not worth it? I mean, just because you look at it logically, doesn't mean you will end up taking the 'safe' route, it just means you will be advising yourself without the emotional aspect clouding your vision... from what you know of yourself and your family, what do you think are the logical emotional repercussions that will be involved and which life do you see yourself and your family the happiest in? Try every angle... if you are honest with yourself and really try and see it for what it is, you will know soon enough what you are to do [img]wink.gif[/img]

Best of luck to you! I wish you the best!

[matricks]

P.S. Also remember, speaking of the death-bed scenario... there are alot of things i will wonder about, i.e. not taking certain paths in my music career, not getting out there enough; also, remember, drumming isn't everything. Here's a personal story: When i was 16 my great-grandmother lived with my mom and i because she was very old and became an invalid in her old age. Well, one day when i was practicing, i came upstairs and she had died when i was practicing. It was bound to happen, her passing, but it was very strange because really, that hour that i could have spent with her, her last hour (which i had no idea that it was her last hour) but i was in the basement, banging away on the drums... just one of those things where i still feel bad about to this day. I feel bad that my ex-wife had to play second fiddle to my music... i always come back around to no matter how much i love the drums, the drums really can't love you back; they are a solitary instrument, no subsitute for alot of things, especially family and relationships.

When you are on that same bed, looking back on life, are you going to wish you had taken the gig? Perhaps are you going to wish you would have stayed and spent more time with your wife and family? I don't know, but i do know that when i am on the same bed, i am gonna wish that i had spent more time with important people, not on important gigs... and if your gig makes your life better, and the people around you happier, then do it, happiness for you and your family is the key... just think it over, there is no way to truly know, but it is an important decision. As long as you compromise, nothing has to be a ball and chain.

One will always want what you can't have... you have a family but no great gig, well, you're gonna covet the gig. I, on the other hand, have all the time in the world on the drums but would trade alot of it for close relationships and quality time that involves more than practicing to a click.

Compromise and let what happens happen... if you force it, that is when stuff breaks.

[Groovemeister]

Adding anything more here from me will just cloud the issue mate, everything has really been said.

Great input from Pedro, Riddum, Derek and Matricks. Please let us know how this band meeting went and what descision you came to!

By the way, what band is it? Do you play much in London? Let me know and I'll come out and support you guys...

MP