Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

"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.

This book is a good read for any young person considiering going into any business, not just the record/talent business. It offers good practical advice for young entrepreneurs regardless of how much capital they have available to invest. Young Mr. Anderson shows great maturity in his writing yet maintains a youthful enthusiasm that makes for more than just a "textbook " read.

Any kid who starts his own business before he's out of high school is pretty darn passionate, and now that the author, Ian Anderson, is in his early 20s, he's had years of experience running an indie label. It shows in his down-to-earth advice. The music business is changing dramatically, and this book is a terrific snapshot of what's great about indie labels and creative indie musicians. A fun read, well laid-out, and a great gift for the garage band in your life.

aNYONE THAT OWNS, OR IS LOOKING TO START THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT RECORD COMPANY, SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK.

I'VE BEEN IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS FOR OVER FORTY YEARS.

I'VE BEEN WITH 2 DIFFERENT MAJOR LABELS AS AN ARTIST,

AND I'VE BEEN RUNNING MY OWN RECORD LABEL FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.

IT WAS LIKE A "REFRESHER" COURSE IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS!

SOMETIMES YOU GET SO CAUGHT UP IN ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO,

ARTIST,PRODUCER,PROMO, THAT YOU NEED TO STEP BACK...........

THANKS IAN!

MR. JIMMI / ARIANA RECORDS U.S.A

I'm an indie label owner myself and Ian's experience speaks to me. It was really fun reading, author doesnt take himself seriously, keeps himself super druper motivated despite aaaall the blunders. And he is so young, so it's completely forgivable!

Buy this book: if you want an easy, enjoyable, inspirational reading.

Don't buy this buy book: if you look for marketing tools, management solutions, facts&figures, and how-to-run-a-record-label. There is no such information in this book! It was not written by the bearded-man, or professional marketer but by the very clever 20+ boy. With the same success you can try to become a spy by reading Ian Flemming's stories.

very easy to follow and funny as well. I enjoyed reading this book. very helpful to someone starting out with their own label.

If you want to learn on your own how to run a record label just snatch this book! No need for a class this book explains all! The best way to go!!!

It is an easy, fun read. What I liked best about this book is, unlike others on the subject, it lays out some of the groundwork operations for those who want to start a label from nothing, right now. On the other hand it has information about the operations of a label that is actually selling records and is being recognized by people such as those at rollingstone and pitchfork.