A Producer's Life

For a while now, I have discussed many things about starting a music/overdub studio.  But then I realized that I have not discussed my ultimate goal, which is to be a great music producer.  Being a producer does not mean making “beats.”  Being a producer means being a musician, composer, songwriter, sound engineer, but mostly, an all-around visionary.  Dan Conner mentioned on a blog on The Stereo Bus that, “producers are the people who decide how best to artistically and creatively represent the artist in a release.” 

It has been helpful through the past year to learn and apply facts and tips about the entertainment business, especially the music industry.  I have learned that although someone has talent or an art, it is best to properly own it.  This is true because everyone in the industry wants to own a piece or all of one’s intellectual property.  For instance, I read an article in Variety about Journey’s producer Roy Thomas Baker suing Sony Music for unpaid royalties.  Although I am an independent music producer, it is important for all producers to negotiate how the royalties will be split between themselves and a label. 

Being a music producer has its good and bad moments but that comes with the territory of the business.  With any business however comes with troubles but as long as you work hard with your craft, you will gain twice as more than what you have lost.  With that being said, having experience in the music industry pays off.  For example, I read on The Hollywood Report about the legendary producers, Quincy Jones and Pharrell Williams being honored the ASCAP Founders Award and the Golden Note Award for their hard work in creating wonderful music. 

I believe music is a lifestyle and I feel that music production is my contribution to the world. To learn more about producers, their duties, and other things dealing with music, check out The Stereo Bus.

Branding

For the past few months, I have been researching and planning to build my recording company.  I have also looked up information on branding and marketing.  As a producer, I have improved on my music but I am behind on branding myself.  For the entrepreneurism inside all of us, we should create and build onto a brand that speaks to the masses.  I read an article from the Under30CEO website, where they interviewed the award winning creative director, Ray Hirschman.  He has worked with television and radio advertisements for Mounds Almond Joys, ITT, Macy’s, and more. Hirschman talks about how brands can progress or destroy your business.  Here are a few outlines about branding:

Creating The Brand

A brand can consist of a logo, slogan, or tagline.  When making a brand, it must communicate to the consumer without it being too simple.  It should also separate itself from the competition. 

Brand Equity

Once you have a brand, you should be consistent with it to build equity.  Once people start spreading your brand through social media or word of mouth, your business will begin a growth of a fan base.

Brand Relevance

As your brand grows, you must be relevant with the current culture.  For instance, according to a Music Business Journal article, Pepsi and Twitter combined forces since Pepsi consumers use Twitter.  With brands, you cannot afford to be outdated with the times.

Clever Brands

When coming up with a slogan or logo, be sure it gives meaning and depth beyond words.  Make sure it isn’t modest or too wordy.  You might have to research other brands to get an idea of what you want your brand to represent.

In conclusion, having a good brand makes all the difference between your business having success or a disaster. Below is a video that shows why branding is important.  Take some time and do some research on your industry to come up with a brilliant logo or slogan.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKIAOZZritk

Cerebro Coming Soon...

Hip-hop artist, Loser X and I will be releasing a hip hop/nerdcore EP called, “Cerebro EP.”  This album is like listening to a comic book.  “Cerebro EP” is dedicated to the Marvel X-Men character Professor X.  This album has everything a nostalgic nerd wants.  We used content from comic based cartoons, anime shows, and even video games.  We plan to release this EP as a free download to see how the public responds.  We plan to promote the EP at comic, video game, and anime conventions around Tampa and Orlando in Florida.  Our target market is heavy at these types of conventions.  We also plan to promote the EP on social websites like Facebook and Twitter.  I believe that it is great to stay in touch with fans online and in person.  I read an article from makeitinmusic.com about lessons on how to connect with fans as an artist.  One way to be proactive with fans is to be approachable.  Using Twitter helps you interact with fans and other professionals in the industry.  Depending on how you use Twitter, people can see you as a professional and a casual person.  Getting to know your fans good because you can get feedback about your music or you can have the fans participate in the decision of the next single to be released.  Another way to connect with the fans is to give away free music or gifts.  Now, people, especially fans, want more “bang” for their money, so you have to give a little extra. For instance, after the release of our EP, we will give codes to receive a digital comic book that follows the EP.  Staying positive about your online presence is a plus towards your fans.  Everyone likes to criticize or give his or her own opinions when it comes to music.  Although it comes with the territory, you have to be positive about other people’s opinions.  Although this EP is a different approach towards hip-hop, it is something new and it will get the respect it deserves.

Phunky Update

It has been a while since I posted a blog entry, so here is some good news on the journey of Philonius.  I am now a producer of Tunnel Vision Records, an LLC that supports independent artists without the use of 360 deals.  In the past couple of months, I have been working with independent artists in Orlando like hip hop artist Niko Is, soul singer Reilly, hip hop artist Kilam, just to name a few.  It has been a great experience to work on music with other artists because usually I work alone and then send my material to the artists.  Even though I work with a label, I am still an independent producer.  This is great because I can still make the music I want and still get paid.

I have also become a member of BMI.  BMI or Broadcast Music, Inc. is a company that collects license fees so the artists or producers can receive royalties.  With BMI, if you are a publisher, you can join for free.  I can only join one property rights organization (PRO) and it lasts for two years.  I have learned that in my business within accounting, I can belong to all three PRO’s but within three separate accounts.  As a producer, some of the artists want me to use samples in songs.  I read on the ASCAP website that they will clear the samples, which saves me time from asking different record labels for licenses.  It costs a bit extra for ASCAP but it will be worth it in the long run.

It has been a leisurely paced journey to success but success does not happen overnight.  I have done so much but to be honest, it is only the beginning.  I am fine with my goals keeping me motivated and my business plan keeping me on edge.

Don't Worry, Music! I'll Protect You!

Learning about entertainment law has made me realize that I should look into covering my intellectual property.  I have also learned much about contracts and the compartments within a contract.  For my business plan, I want to be sure I am covered with IP and brand protection.  I listened to some podcasts from the Entertainment Law Update Podcast website with Gordon Firemark, Esq. and I have learned a few things about some types of IP protection.  I have noticed that running a studio has plenty of liabilities.  Although their will be some bumps in the road of running a business, I don’t want to make obvious mistakes that could cost me a great deal of money.

One thing I learned from the Entertainment Law Update Podcast is that the client must read the entire contract before signing.  On Episode 23 of Entertainment Law Update Podcast, Firemark talks about how a restaurant sued a reality show for displaying their visual arts.  The restaurant, however, signed a release for the TV show to use and edit whatever they have filmed.  As I develop my business plan, it is important for me to have my clients sign a waiver, notifying the risks and that my business is not reliable. 

Another lesson that I should apply to my business plan is a way to keep track of my copyrights.  As a producer, I know that once I release my instrumentals, other people will use them.  However, I would want a clearance from the user.  Therefore, for my business plan, I want to avoid copyright infringement with sending clearances.  For instance, in Episode 13, Firemark discusses the copyright infringement case of Jay-Z vs. Nafal.  Even though the sample that Jay-Z’s producers used were not under the 76’ copyright law, it is still best to ask for permission.

My business plan will have a budget for copyright and trademark purchases.  It is a small price to protect intellectual property.  The podcasts were very informative about how the laws apply within the entertainment industry.

Sometimes, Sharing Is Not Caring

Although internet radio stations, like Pandora, are popular to music listeners, file sharing is still a major problem in the music industry.  There have been some instances where some music swappers have been tried in court, whether it was an individual or a company.  However, how can you determine what the punishment or how heavy the punishment should be when it comes to file sharing?  For example, I read an article on Bloomberg’s website about Megaupload’s company wanting to dismiss their $175 million dollar case.  They mentioned that they couldn’t be persecuted because the company is based in a different country.  But then I read an article in Lawyers USA about how the U.S. District Court made a 28-year-old pay almost $68,000 just for downloading 30 songs.  I believe that the courts should be stricter on foreign companies that infringe copyrights in the U.S. because if everyone who contributes to file sharing gets punished, and maybe it would stop.  I read an article in USA Today that even with all the court cases happening dealing with file sharing, people are not scared of authority and are not stopping illegal downloading.  It hurts everybody when file sharing happens and it has definitely affected the music industry but with more internet radio stations, file sharing could decrease and artists and labels can keep their rights.

Read It Before The Pen Bleeds It

One of the first rules of entering the music business or any business in the media is to hire a manager.  As an artist, one must research and choose a manager that suits their career needs.  Not only an artist should researching to see what types of managers are out there, but also looking up what a manager does for an artist.  When hiring a manager, the artist must read and negotiate an agreement or simply, a contract.  Once the contract is signed, the artist must abide by the contract or some clauses could come into play.

At times, artists are so eager to release albums and perform at shows, that they forget or simply don’t pay their managers.  For instance, I read a Kings of A&R article about the hip-pop group, LMFAO, getting sued by their former managers.  The group supposedly owes their managers millions of dollars and they were alleged of breach of contract.  Artists and managers should have a reasonable relationship.  They should have a partnership that is partly friendship and fully business.

As for artists, I think they should at least negotiate over the original contract if a major label or something else comes up that is better.  For example, I read an article on Contactmusic website about the lawsuit against pop star, Ke$ha.  Das Communications were suing her for 14 million dollars for a breach of contract.  They said that she was influenced by the other manager to leave their organization.  It isn’t rare that this situation happens where an artist finds a better deal with another manager and he or she just leaves their former manager high and dry. 

To avoid confrontations with contracts, artists and managers must have communication the best way they know how.  Without communication, an artist could end up in more trouble than needed, and managers could end up losing plenty of money.