Customer Reviews

Music Business Made Simple: Start An Independent Record Label (Music Business Made Simple) (Music Business Made Simple)

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

 

 

this book was written by a lawyer, and what can you expect, the basic message is: hire a lawyer (like the author of this book). The other advice is to go to a website, where you can buy template contracts etc, the books doens't give you a single one for free. It's just an advertisment of this website. All creative aspects of runing independent record label are reduced to minimum, also don't expect to get many practical advices, other than pay more money to other professionals, who will do everything for you. The author says, thay you don't need big money to run a record label, but doesn't give you a single hint how to actuall do it without big money, he is just repeating over and over that spending money on professional services is the thing to do. Well, right, I know that without this book, the problem is - I can't afford it! This book doesn't help you to solve this problem (and I'm sure you don't start with $50 000 for the first release, right?). Overal, this book doesn't give you practival advices, just general advices, which are nice, if you can afford them. And by the way, go to the website recommended by the author (I won't advertise it here, the book is the advertisment in fact) and buy all contracts from them! I love lawyers!

"Start an Independent Record Label" contains a series of short chapters on topics including contracts, recording, royalties and promotion. Each chapter ends with a box containing a few concrete actions you can take, as well as suggested reading on many of the topics. This is a good starting point if you want to learn more about the responsibilities of independent labels, whether you are an aspiring label owner or a musician. However, if you are looking for in-depth information, you will need to go elsewhere.

A little bit of the information is label-specific, such as going through the legal steps to set up the label, but ultimately, if you want to start a label, I think that reading books about starting labels won't help you as much as reading books about every individual area of the industry that label owners deal with, including recording, copywrights and publishing, and marketing and promotion.

There were a couple of things about the book that really annoyed me. The main one was that the author occasionally mentioned the importance of the internet in today's music market, but didn't include any sections or information on how to use the internet for promotion and sales. As far as I'm concerned, this is unforgivable considering the current prominence and importance of MySpace, iTunes and a variety of other music sites and blogs. The book was published in 2005, so I don't understand why he mentioned cassettes more than mp3s.

Also, the author is an entertainment lawyer and owner of a website that sells sample music contracts, so be prepared to hear him talk over and over again about the importance of entertainment laywers and how you should get contracts from his website.

I was a bit skeptical at first because there are alot of con artists in the music industry, but I decided to take a risk and I'm glad I did. The author is very knowlegdeable and honest and he gives the best insight as well as a little humor to keep you interested in the book. I recommend that every artist who wants to be paid and secured financially, or wants to break into the business and control the show to purchase and fully read this book chapter to chapter. If you have to read it twice, I guarantee you will find yourself referring back to it. I make sure I reeducate myself from time to time because you never know to much in this industry all be willing to learn more. The more you know the further you will go. BY THE BOOK A.S.A.P. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!!!!!

This book has a lot of great info. I'm just starting a label so some of it's a little overwhelming, but overall it's helpful.

this book is a must have for those starting an indie label. The book was interesting, it didn't bore me to sleep as some of the others on this subject did. I still refer back to it from time to time.

This book was definitely the best book that i have read about starting an independent record label. It took all of my scattered thoughts and put it together like a puzzle and made everything make sense. It gives a complete and thorough breakdown on the label itself (management and positions), as well as the music industry itself. Since i have read this book, I have started my own label, BackPack Records.

I am a hard to please person but trust me this book is worth every penny, it goes through everything you need to know for you to create a successful label. It s there for you, now it's up to you to work hard and do your homework cause this book is full of vital information!!!

One downfall, I wish there was a bit more in-depth information (I mean a REAL step by step book!!!). If anyone hear about such a book please let me know!!!

Appart from that, this is an overall really good read!

This book was an alright read. It went more to the legal side of starting a record label. We really wanted to do a lot of the stuff on our own. If you are looking to start a label then you won't be wasting your time by reading this, but there are plenty more books out there to read(keep that in mind.)

A good book that details most of the aspects of the modern day music industry and the efforts someone has to make to start his won company. Although it is good book it misses out on some aspects. These are presented along with many other in "The New Music Industry: How to Use the Power of the Internet to Multiply Your Industry Exposure, Fan Base and Income Potential Online! " By Ty Cohen, a book that takes you step by step on your way to success, it's recomended fot those who want to know all the modern aspects of the modern music industry

The content is as good as the cover. It was a great buy along with a couple of manuals purchased from Musicbrains.net entitled the Indie label Kit on Amazon, Music business 101, Future of Music and Guide to releasing an independent record by Tim Sweeney.