Artistic Diversity (Miscellaneous)  »   Listen and give help

I write and record my own music; you can listen to a few tracks by going to wglmb.50webs.com. I can't really describe the style, because I don't make any effort to belong to one. Every song is different.
But, like so many, what I'd really like is a record deal.

Now don't misunderstand me - I'm not one of these people who lives in a dream world. I fully realise that the chances of this are minuscule, given the number of people and bands looking for contracts. But I make the effort to try.
The only reason, for me, to get a record deal, is that it will mean my songs can be professionally recorded and produced. As they are, I record them with a mic headset that's intended to be used for phone calls. I have to sing really quietly otherwise it gets distorted.

So this post is here for two things really - to get an opinion on my music, and to get advice from anyone who knows the music business: are my demo recordings the right level of quality to be sending to record companies as demos? Or any other help? Does having a MySpace music account make a significant difference? (I don't have one because I'm reluctant to make my music too available - it's not perfected the way I want. I need someone who knows what they're doing in the studio - and who has the equipment - to help me)

Thanks
wglmb / Will

(and, if you find a problem with my webpage, please tell me; I designed it myself...)

Ah, that was my feeling, but I wasn't sure. (You occasionally hear of bands that get record deals by being discovered on there).
Cheers

Just listening now Will. The Peacock and the Sun sounds great!

It's amazing how things can come together like that.

Thanks Ajiq and Saskia. So I'll set up a myspace page when I have time then.
Being a student, I don't have money to be buying equipment, but it's useful to know about a good mic and headphones, Ajiq, so thanks for that. One day when I have enough money...

:)

PS: Great songs... some of them remind me of Ronan Quays and even Peter Ulrich.

I forgot to mention one important thing though. Don't get blinded by better equipment. Of course it's important, but never forget that when you record a song with all your feelings and emotions, these fibrations will be picked up and heard. Sometimes songs tend to get much too 'clinical'. If you get what I mean. Never loose the spirit...

haha, ok, AKG.

Thanks Saskia. I agree that I shouldn't set too much store by the technology, but as things are, it's limiting freedom (I can't put in too much emotion because I have to concentrate on not being too lound for the mic, and on pronounce letters like p and b carefully, so the little puff of air they produce doesn't make a thudding noise on the mic).
But yeah, going too clinical is definitely something to be wary of.
Glad you like the songs btw - thanks :)

OK, thanks for the clarification, summoningofthemuse :)

Cheers everyone

haha, thanks I'll try that :D

I've heard your songs. My favourite one is 'Eastrop'. These songs reminiscents me of Peter Ulrich's songs on his 2nd solo album.
Some voices of 'The peacock and the sun' sounds like Brendan's voices in the demo version of Frontier...and a song on Lisa's Duality album.

I think, you should send these demos to Lisa (Gerrard Records) :-)

Thanks character... that's a very bleak view of record companies! I can see things have to be carefully considered, then, if one does get in the position where they can sign a deal.

Glad you like my songs, dcdfan77. I've not heard any of Peter Ulrich's songs - maybe I should.
When I heard about Gerrard Records I must admit I thought of sending them a demo... but, unfortunately, they work solely in Australia: "Gerrard Records aims to develop and support emerging Australian artists".
Thanks for the technology recommendations too.

My bleak view is mainly based on major label record companies, and possibly independent labels that follow that structure. Other independent companies may be much more artist-friendly, but those labels may also have less funding... and more interested in artists who already have the ability to record themselves. In the past, labels were willing to take a new artist and invest time and money into developing their career. Now many labels, both major and independent, look at artists who have already somewhat developed their own career while unsigned. I know of one label who will only sign artists who have already self-financed a CD (whether demo or album)... so that they already know the work that it takes and have made an investment themselves. The music industry has changed, and the labels aren't taking the risks that they once did.

Look at Dead Can Dance - they were on an indie label together and as solo artists, and both of them parted ways with the label for one reason or another.

So my outlook may be bleak, but on the other hand it allows more freedom on your part. All you have to do is save up money, and you can record whatever you want - without the pressure of having to create music that will sell enough to recoup a label's costs. And it shouldn't take much money to get a fairly decent microphone and software. That's enough to get started with decent results quickly.

So what I am saying is "good luck" - and don't limit yourself by making your goal or dream dependent on waiting for a company to give you a helping hand. You probably have the resources to get started on your own.

Who was it that said, "Content isn't king, distribution is"....?

You could fart into a microphone and call it Elvis Christ. I'd do it myself but I haven't got a distributor!