Here Come the Regulars: How to Run a Record Label on a Shoestring Budget [Paperback]

Ian Anderson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2009

Ian Anderson started recording music when he was thirteen and launched his own successful label, Afternoon Records, in 2003, when he was just eighteen. Now this wunderkind of the indie music scene has written the ultimate guide for all those aspiring to a career in the record industry.Here Come the Regulars covers territory ranging from a label’s image to its budget, focusing on the importance of blogging culture and how to use new media like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and iTunes to the best advantage.

 

Aside from its essential advice—including a truthful account of the role of attorneys, contracts, and record deals—this accessible guide also contains key practical information ranging from sample legal agreements and press releases to actual figures illustrating how much money to spend on what (promotion, tour expenses, even T-shirts), all specifically geared toward the young upstart with very little in the bank.

 

As the front man for the indie-pop band One for the Team and the editor of the music blog MFR, Anderson demonstrates how an energetic and persevering small label can thrive in an era of big box stores and homogenized radio stations. Showing how to start with $500 and an office that’s the size of your bedroom closet because it is your bedroom closet, Here Come the Regulars will become the dog-eared, underlined bible on your nightstand.  C

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Doogie Howser of rock has a record label that’s going to take over the world.” —Rob Van Alstyne, Seattle

“[Ian Anderson’s] got a keen ear for investments . . . and his faith in the underage underground is starting to pay dividends . . . Productivity like that will get you everywhere in the music biz.” —City Pages (Minneapolis)

About the Author

Ian Anderson fronts indie-pop band One for the Team, founded the Minneapolis-based indie label Afternoon Records, and is the editor of music blog MFR. This is his first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber; First Edition edition (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 086547981X
• ISBN-13: 978-0865479814
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #255,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Wanted To Like It Tons - but has some flaws, October 26, 2009

By 

filmtheory "filmtheory" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Here Come the Regulars: How to Run a Record Label on a Shoestring Budget (Paperback)

I run my own record label and consider myself very knowledgeable about the music business. And I thought Here Come The Regulars was going to be the first definitive real inside look at how a real small indie record label operates and how to start and run one yourself, if you're so inclined. Unfortunately, although I admire Ian Anderson's enthusiasm and point of view, and am sure he's whip smart in running his own label, he fails to include much resourceful and practical information such as website links, recommended third parties/consultants, sales and pricing data, real profit-and-loss and numbers, licensing information, contract/legal resources, online marketing strategies, etc. Practical nuts and bolts kinda stuff you need to actual run a record label. Having said all that, I'm still happy a real indie label owner finally wrote a book - this is a much needed document for the exciting but tough industry. I just wished it had more meat on the bone.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's like sitting at a coffeeshop with a really smart, nice guy candidly giving you the scoop on starting your own label., December 12, 2009

By 

i heart indie (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Here Come the Regulars: How to Run a Record Label on a Shoestring Budget (Paperback)

This is the perfect book for someone who is thinking about starting -- or has just started -- their own independent record label.

It's super fast to read; full of insights, tips, and anecdotes; and decodes the most intimidating stuff about starting a label (like contracts and lawyers).

I finished this book feeling inspired, encouraged, and a lot more clued in on some of the issues that have held me back in getting started.

Seriously, reading this book was like getting to have the ideal, 3-hour informational interview with someone who's friendly, smart, savvy, and doing exactly what you want to be doing.

Great primer, great guy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Resource for all Young Entrepreneurs, November 11, 2009

By 

Susan M. Mann (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Here Come the Regulars: How to Run a Record Label on a Shoestring Budget (Paperback)

"Here Come the Regulars" will be a terrific resource for the entrepreneur starting a record label - it is not a theoretical treatise, but is packed with practical advice, actual examples of marketing plans, one-sheets, and contract provisions, and loads of anecdotes from the author's own experiences in the business. But this book will also be useful to any entrepreneur trying to get a toehold in business. It's full uf useful reality checks that will apply to any business - like: "That lesson is, Don't be stupid. Don't stretch yourself beyond your means (either time-wise or financially). Don't rent a fancy office before you have the income to justify its fanciness. Don't say you can do more than you really can." This grounded practical approach will help any entrepreneur understand how to build up the basics of a business so that it has a foundation for success.