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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

1794.0. "Music Business and NEMA" by MASTER::DDREHER () Mon Dec 05 1988 16:54

I recently joined the New England Musicians Association (NEMA) in hopes of 
learning more about the "business" of music and to network with other song-
writers, musicians, managers, contacts, etc.  It cost $40 a year for one
membership.  There are also special band rates.

Anyway, NEMA as two regular meetings held on the first and third Wednesday
of each month.  The first meeting has guest speakers (lawyers, managers,
agents, publishers, etc.).  The second meeting is for demo critiques.  Bring
your demo and have other songwriters offer suggestions.  Meetings are held
at the Mass College of Art in Boston.

The first meeting I attended was a demo critique.  On whole I was not impressed
with worst of the material presented.  Some were very amateur, others had
terrible production from 4-trks and some were done at 8-trk MIDI similar
to mine.  Most COMMUSIC submissions would hold up pretty well.   I was
impressed with several of the lyrics and with some of the vocalist.  "One
Good Dream" on COMMUSIC V was rated very high by the group.

Yesterday, (Sunday afternoon, 1:00 to 5:00) there was a special meeting of
the whole Association in the main auditorium for a panel discussion with
industry professionals.

On hand were Albert O. from WBCN, an A&R person from Atlantic Records, an
A&R person from Rounder Records, a NY music attorney, a NY publisher, and
a NY BMI rep who hosted the event and began his career as a songwriter.

I found the discussion very interesting and informative.  Panelist sometimes
disagreed over answers to questions.

Among the highlights:

	o Bands with the best press kits usually have the worst material.

	o 60% of tapes received at WBCN have no info about the artist
	  and artists never contact the station about the material.

	o You don't have to have a live band to get a deal.  The A&R rep
	  from Rounder said that of the last 3 bands to get signed, one
	  was from a live showcase, one was by their demo tape, and one
	  was through a publishing company.

	o What's on the tape is the most important thing in judging talent.

	o The music business is very much about person to person contact.
	  and there are unwritten rules on ways to do things.

 	o Music Lawyers, Publishers, and A&R people act as a screening process
	  for the record companies.  Because some doesn't like your material,
	  someone else might.  All decisions about top prospects are screened
	  by many people.
	
	o If you have a great demo and put together an average band to showcase,
	  then you're hurting your chances.

        o Publishing companies might be a way into the business at a cost -
	  the rights to your songs or a percentage thereof, it depends on the
	  talents of the writer.

        o If you sell something professionally, it's best to join BMI, ASCAP,
	  or ???.  They provide a statement of your earnings each month and
	  act as an "auditor" in the record companies.

	o Publishers don't hire staff songwriters they way they used to but
	  they do hire songwriter/producers/engineer/musicians.

I think a lot of the musicians must have hearing loss because "How do I get
you attention" in various versions was asked at least ten times...

Dave
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1794.1hey! sample THIS ...MIZZOU::SHERMANLove is a decision ...Mon Dec 05 1988 19:447
    Gee, does this mean I should rocket myself to stardom by sending
    my album to WBCN? ... maybe they would be impressed if the *star*
    (me) or the producer (me) or the publisher (me) delivered the tape in 
    person ... I could even call 'em up later to see how they liked it ... 
    maybe if I taped a $20 bill on it they'd play part of it ... ;-)
    
    Steve_who_has_*NO*_band_and_is_just_a_programming_geek_anyway
1794.2IAMOK::CROWLEYNo we're not gonna do bloody Stonhenge!Tue Dec 06 1988 08:3414
    
    
    I'm also a member of NEMA!  They have some interesting seminars
    on music and the industry every so often.  I missed the BMI
    seminar on Sunday, but went to one sponsored by ASCAP a few 
    months ago.  Gots lots of helpful insight from the members
    of the panel into how to approach them with a tape.
    
    If anyone's interested, I can dig up the info on joining.  Its
    a good way to network with other area musicians.
    
    Ralph
1794.3DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDEveryday I got the bluesTue Dec 06 1988 11:493
    Do they have activities in the far-thur north like NH or Maine?
    
    dbii
1794.4IAMOK::CROWLEYNo we're not gonna do bloody Stonhenge!Tue Dec 06 1988 12:278
    
    
    As far as I know, everything is held in the Boston area.  Usually
    at the Mass College of Arts.  
    
    Ralph
1794.5I'd like info, please!CUPMK::DUBEDan Dube 264-0506Wed Dec 07 1988 12:4910
Ralph,

I'd be very interested in information on how to join NEMA. Sounds like a great
way to start making contacts.

Thanks,

-Dan Dube
TOPDOC::DUBE
1794.6Positive music cash flow???CHUNK::PICKETTDavid - Beware of the dogmaThu Dec 08 1988 16:387
    Thanks for a great topic, Dave!!
    
    It's interesting to hear about folks in this file who are trying to get
    some kind of return on their music investment. It's inspirational to
    me and, I'd imagine, a number of other readers of this file. 
    
    dp
1794.7Say what?WEFXEM::COTESing with the clams, knave!Thu Dec 08 1988 16:435
    > return on...music investment...
    
    Is this even possible with MIDI?
    
    Edd
1794.8DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDEveryday I got the bluesFri Dec 09 1988 07:516
    While I've gotten some return on my investment in music overall,
    I still haven't broken even, but I'm gaining with every performance.
    Now if I'd just stop spending.....
    
    
    dbii
1794.9toys for usPAULJ::HARRIMANJust say YoFri Dec 09 1988 08:4219
    
    music for profit? why am I working for DEC?
    
    I'm lucky to have the studio's rent and phone paid for by the end
    of each month. Sometimes I can make enough money to pay for a box
    of tapes (usually cassettes, occasionally reels). 
    
    Long ago I took on the philosophy that I'd have the toys either
    way, however my house isn't big enough (and the neighbors are just
    a wall away on either side), so I had to rent space for the studio.
    Rather than just take a loss on that each month, I'd try to cover
    the expenses by renting time to others.
    
    This however is a delicate balance - if I rent too much time, I
    get nothing done of my own, if I do too much of my own, I end up
    paying for it in the rent and phone. It seems to be stable, but
    there is certainly no profit in it.
    
    /pjh
1794.10Did it used to be this way?DYO780::SCHAFERBrad - back in Ohio.Fri Dec 09 1988 10:067
    Kind of crazy, ain't it?  I practically put myself thru college playing
    in a GB band.  Didn't worry about equipment or any of that stuff. 

    Now MIDI and sampling come along and I can't afford to support my
    habit.  Sigh. 

-b
1794.11DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVIDslimy weather!Wed Jan 04 1989 12:387
    Did anyone ever get the info on how to join? Could it be posted
    here?
    
    I'm in the market to sell a couple of pieces that I think may be
    good enough to make someone some money (hopefully me!).
    
    dbii
1794.12IAMOK::CROWLEYNo we're not gonna do bloody Stonhenge!Wed Jan 04 1989 13:0518
    
    
    Egads!!  I'm losing my memory!!  I was supposed to send Dan Dube
    the info to join a while back, but the holidays had me kinda out
    of it....
    
    Dan, I'll send it to you today, honest!!  Its right here on my
    desk.
    
    Dave, if you give me your mailstop, I'll send you a copy of the
    info too.
    
    sorry for forgetting.....musta killed those brain cells over
    the holidays....
    
    Ralph
1794.13is there really a NEMA ?WMOIS::MACKAYTue Jan 24 1989 11:592
    I looked in the Business to Business phone book and didn't find
    NEMA. There are however a few music publishers listed there.
1794.14IAMOK::CROWLEYNo we're not gonna do bloody Stonhenge!Tue Jan 24 1989 12:428
    
    
    Yes there really is a NEMA.  I'm a member, as are several other
    noters.  The phone # is (617) 965-7679.
    
    Ralph