Label Launch: A Guide to Independent Record Recording, Promotion, and Distribution [Paperback]

Veronika Kalmar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 2002

Whether you're in a band, a business entrepreneur or just interested in the music business, Label Launch will let you take your fantasies of holding the reigns at your own record label into reality. In fun, easy-to-understand language Veronika Kalmar takes you step-by-step through the intricate process of running a label from the moment you think about entering the biz until your first CD, vinyl single, or demo tape rolls off the press. Topics covered include:

Funding your label
Maneuvering through the legal maze
Selling your product online and off
Picking and signing bands
Promotion and touring
Avoiding the most common pitfalls of a new label

And even tells you when it's time to sell out to "the man."

Kalmer has culled information from the best in the independent record business interviewing heads of labels who have made a great success and those that almost didn't make it.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although it reads like the textbook from a high school sociology class, this work from Seattle-based music journalist Kalmar is essential reading for any aspiring indie-rocker or fan-boy who isn't musically inclined but longs to be a vital part of "the scene." Centered on the vaunted Pacific Northwest indie-rock ethic, the book is designed as a primer for those interested in starting an independent record label and, just as important, getting the music noticed. With insight from a cast of respected indie music heads e.g., former Sub Pop Records producer Jack Endino and CMJ editor Scott Frampton Kalmar discusses every apparent aspect of starting an independent label, from acquiring tax I.D. numbers to distributing product. The business suggestions and ample appendixes of industry contacts will prove valuable for bands looking to book their own tour or get signed to a record label. Unfortunately, the scarcity of anecdotes from the experts leaves the text rather dry, and one has to wonder whether Label Launch defeats the do-it-yourself ethic championed by the indie-rock scene. Still, there are eager musicians everywhere, which recommends this book for all libraries. Robert Morast, "Argus Leader," Sioux Falls, SD
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Veronika Kalmar has been at the forefront of the Seattle music scene as a journalist for the past ten years. She has written for The Seattle Times, Seattle Weekly, The Rocket, and recently the Experience Music Project Museum. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312263503
• ISBN-13: 978-0312263508
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #904,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Superficial, January 12, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Label Launch: A Guide to Independent Record Recording, Promotion, and Distribution (Paperback)

Let me start out by pointing out the good things about the book. It is well written and covers every aspect critical to the successful launch of a record label.

Unfortunately, the book is not very thorough. In fact, the book is barely more than just a superficial laundry list just listing all the things that you need to be aware of. But at all times, the author completely fails to provide a well-researched, indepth treatment of any subject that it covers.

For example, it mentions that you need a music attorney to make sure nobody steals your copyright and negotiates your contracts. Well, that's common sense, I don't need to spend money on a book to tell me such basic things. I wanted to find out how to go about launching a label. Well, the authors recommends that I incorporate and think about the difference of LLC. and C-Corporation. She wastes 2 pages (= 1% of this very thin book) on basic knowledge that many other brilliantly written books about business law cover at much greater depth. Why did she even bother? She wastes another 20 pages on such generalities and topics that are mostly common sense.

Will she get to the good stuff? How do I promote a record? How do I go about approaching a DJ, a radio station, a music reviewer? Her answer: hire a good promoter. Duh. Come on, this book is cheap, but I did pay money for information. Why not explain how radio promotion works? That's one of the critical subjects of them all...In short, the book is too superficial and basic to be of any value to anyone serious about starting a label. Avoid and check out the many other wonderful books here on Amazon.com instead.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid checklist for starting an indie label, November 30, 2003

By 

Laura Crane (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Label Launch: A Guide to Independent Record Recording, Promotion, and Distribution (Paperback)

Good stuff. If you've done the indie-label thing before, it may seem like common sense, but that's because you've done it before and have already made the common mistakes. There are many other books dealing with major-label workings and the more specific music trades -- song publishing, recording, mastering, promotion, etc. -- but this is a solid quick read that will force you to re-do your startup checklist. And it's a fine guide for those non-music-biz people joining you on the indie-label train (investors, your musicians, etc.). What I'd like to see is a revised edition dealing more with Net distribution (a chapter on CDBaby?) and more tales from actual indie labels.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of date, September 11, 2009

By 

P. Sutor (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Label Launch: A Guide to Independent Record Recording, Promotion, and Distribution (Paperback)

This book should either be revised or discontinued. It was published in 2002 and a lot of the information is no longer useful or relevant.