How does one get a contract with a major music record label company as an artist!
Question: Do I release some CD's to start with? How does one meet some high executives? Also how does one acquire a manager?
Answers: Do I release some CD's to start with? How does one meet some high executives? Also how does one acquire a manager?
Just as the old Hollywood way of grooming an artist has fallen by the wayside, so has the idea of a Record Label creating an artist. The best way is to do most or all of the following things.
1) Practice. But, don't just practice, challenge yourself to improve all the time. Learn from what other top talents are doing. Take lessons. Drill riffs and chord progressions and vocal licks.
2) Have a clear identity. It is better to have a clear and small target market than to have a muddled general target. Record execs and producers are too busy that they don't have time to do the research for someone they don't know and haven't been given some help in seeing where they fit into a crowded entertainment market. Take a branding course. Figure out what you want to say and design yourself as a product that markets to a specific target.
3) Educate yourself with what is going on in the industry. Read trade papers, listen to podcasts, and research the major record labels. Know who they are, who's at the top, even who is represented by who. This will not only equip you for success, but also impress other people by your knowledge.
4) Grassroots. Build a following. Figure out your niche and start winning them over. Find gigs, invite people. Create good examples of what you're about and distribute them online. The best way to open a major label's eye is to have a strong following growing. It will also help prepare you, in a small way, for the responsibility you have to your fan base.
5) Perhaps start with a small label. Many artists do it. But, be careful that this is a label with a good reputation and who you trust because if a major label wants you, a greedy and stingy small label can hypothetically ruin a deal for you if they demand too much from the major label or are unpleasant to work with. Signing a contract with a small label can also haunt you. You must decide what's best for you - everyone's path is different.
6) Learn how to write songs. Write from the heart, but also learn about how to write songs - the popular methods and what is a good length of a song for the radio, etc.
7) Consider your image. There are thousands of great artists who really care about their work who never make it. The ones who do are not necessarily the best, but instead are the savviest ones. Make sure your image reflects who you are and what you want to say. If you're writing love songs or christian songs, you may not be successful if you dress like Marilyn Manson. On the other hand, maybe the market is itching for someone like that. You never know.
8) Meet people. Make good impressions. Don't burn bridges. Playing gigs, connecting with folks in big markets, building a following will expand your footprint. It will put you in touch with people at higher levels. Be patient and smart. Let your work speak for itself and the right people will eventually come as your reach expands.
9) You will need a demo. It should be good quality. And, it should grab the person within the first ten to thirty seconds of the song for the first three songs. Likely that's about all they'll listen to. Record labels get so many demos that they won't listen to a whole song. And, if they listen the thirty seconds of each of the first three songs, that may be the most you'll get.
These are a few pieces of my advice.
Place an ad in local trade magazines for a manager.
Then develop a live show and record some demos.
Put your music on the internet.
Just keep at it. There is no single fail-proof route to success.
Make up your own success story.
Good luck!