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Dodgy Record Deal?

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mattblack1

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« on: December 05, 2010, 10:01:06 AM »
Hi

I have been in contact with various record companies about signing up some songs. I have been lucky in that I have had coupe of offers which on the face of it look genuine.

However I had an offer from one particular company to trade cds for the rights to tracks - has anyone else heard of this practice before? Id this becoming a norm or is it as I suspect, bad practice.

However the record company has quite a few releases and a decent website etc

I have removed names but below is the email conversation: any thoughts?





ps have to start at bottom to follow email trail

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Hi

I am very new to this and don’t really understand the different models at all.

I don’t even know what business model I want until I fully understand what the different business models have to offer

I have looked at your website and releases and it looks like a highly professional label

If you could explain your model explain your model in more detail it would be much appreciated

Thanks



On 04/12/2010 00:25, wrote:
That’s why I think you should seek other pastures for now…

No offense but it seems we have different models in mind.

Sincerely,




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From:
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 3:37 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Demo

Hi
I am open to negotiations but you have to appreciate I have a serious offer from another record label who have offered to produce, master, actively promote and do all artwork for free in addition to a good percentage of sales etc so I have to get answers to make a reasonable comparison of what is on offer

Thanks



On 03/12/2010 23:28, " wrote:
Hi there,

While I do appreciate your questions and your desire to participate with our label I do think that probably your project is not a good fit for <record company name removed>.

Sorry to have taken any of your valuable time.

Sincerely,



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From:
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 3:11 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Demo

Hi

I am interested but have a few questions:

If I give you the right for the tracks what does that mean and how long do you retain the rights for?

Do I still get royalties?

What percentage of sales will I get?

Where/how and how long will you promote the songs for?

Have you a templates contract that I could have a look at?

What CDs are you offering?

Thanks



On 03/12/2010 20:40, wrote:
Hi

We usually do 10 CDs per track. It’s a one time flat fee trade for full access to the music.

That way we don’t have to worry about future accounting.

Sincerely,





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From:
Sent: Friday, December 03, 2010 7:12 AM
To:
Subject: Re: Demo

Hi
Thanks for the interest

What percentage of the tracks do you want the rights to and what/how many cds do you want to trade for this percentage?

Thanks



On 02/12/2010 19:34, wrote:
Some really smooth and powerful music =)
If you are flexible on terms I am open to releasing this as a 2 track EP…

Flexible = willing to trade the rights of the tracks for some CDs (<record company name removed > catalog stuff).
I trade CDs for tracks since the money side of selling music is pretty low these days.

This way you can sell the CDs locally and make a few bux and or keep them for your collection.

The cds would be from what I have available.

Sound ok?

Attached is a submission form.

Sincerely,





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From:
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2010 4:07 AM
To:
Subject: Demo

Hi

Are you signing any new songs?

Etc content removed

tone

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« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2010, 11:22:32 AM »
Looks dodgy as hell to me. I'd stay well away if I were you and follow your other line of interest.

The fact that he (I assume it's a he) refused to answer your questions about royalties, percentages, assignment of rights etc is extremely worrying. Sounds like they're trying to hide something to me.

I had a similar experience many years ago when a song I wrote with my partner was accepted for a compilation CD. The idea was that you bought 10 CDs at half price and sold them at full price. The original purchase covered the label's costs, and the markup meant that you made some money from it. Shortly after I received the CDs, the label and the contact I'd been dealing with disappeared from the face of the earth. Three years later I heard he was serving a prison sentance for fraud...

I'd be tempted to disclose the company name and a link to their website on this thread. If they're genuine, let them come here and redeem themselves.
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sarahtaylor

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« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2011, 07:40:53 PM »
just stay away from paramont nashville they are fake as a real record deal shouldnt ask you for any money :)
ASH

Dutchbeat

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« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2011, 07:53:04 PM »

thanks for the warning

mattblack