Record Deals Fit like Barbed Wire Thongs If They’re Not Tailored for the Artists Individual Design

Here in capitalism candyland, every business isnt bad but the ones that are sometimes redefine what bad business really is. The music business is’nt like insurance or Enron but its just as evil. Their contract practices have been the but of negative and sometimes slanderous jokes for the entire twentieth century, and the main reason has everything to do with the idea that most of it is true.

I play the guitar, the bass, the drums, the piano, and I sing and write my own material. I of course need a band to perform, but when it comes to recording (I am a band) and that band is called Lake. Don’t puke, its not another acronym or some deep religious cult crap. I just like the enviroment that surrounds and includes lakes (gator, and crocodile free of course). The gators I’m talking about today are a business that acts as the prince of lies in front of an artist lazy, desperate, and dumb enough to sign over his/her soul. The illusion they create is similar to the one ARMY recruiters use. They show up to your house in a shiny car, and tell you how much money you can make, and how you’ll travel the planet for free. Actually it sounds identical to the lie good ole uncle sam sells kids.

Unlike the army, this business is set up with all of these departments and offices that have to get paid off of your record sales long before you do (if you get paid at all). The recuring question in this blog will be “What do they do for me, that I cant do for myself?” James Brown put it best when he wrote ” I dont want nobody to give me nothin, open up the door and I’ll get it myself, do you year me?” (yes, James says year instead of hear, i love the south).

They count on your impatience, and they hope your as dumb their last victim. It’s business to them, but for you there are situations that wont even allow you to make money in the future because they’ve bound you in some silly ass contract (ask rap group UGK). What you have to do is avoid the pre-Christmas anxiety of opening gifts when your in front of these vampires because they play for keeps. If you sign a contract, they have the legal right to send a person to whatever studio they’re paying for so you can be watched and monitered, and in addition this (watcher) will tell you if he likes or dislikes the music your making. What do they do for me, that I cant do for myself??

If someone has a degree in music business, or theory, I’m not saying their opinion is invalid, but don’t you think its impossible for them to tell you how to do (you)?? Theres also an art department. I’ve replaced them by doing my own graphics for album covers in addition to doing the music. I’m only pointing this department out because most of the folks that sing or play something can draw also. Stop being lazy, and just draw your own stuff because even if you like what the label provides, its money you can keep if you do it yourself and if you think about it, who else can depict a visual interpretation of your sound better than you??

I was fooled by the house I met my first producer at, and all the (things) that come with the kind of success I thought I wanted. I didnt sign anything but the rest of the guys I played with did. He had them bound for years in a contract that prevented them from recording with other people.

What do they do for me, that I cant do for myself???

(nothing)