[Vince]

You have a great band. Last year, I was in a band out here in Phoenix, and we remarked that you guys were the one band that actually sounded and played in a similiar style to us. All of us really liked your music. I especially liked Rectifier. It was kinda funny when your first song hit radio, because we had a song called "Call My Name" that we'd been playing out for a long time, and it was cool to see that great minds think alike

Anyway, I'd be very interested in hearing your (professional) story. How you got signed, how the industry has treated you, etc. My first album is just about done, it's great quality and I'll be shopping it this fall, and I have been scouring every source I can find for more info on how the industry works. Any words of advice or info you have would be great, even if it's just story telling.

I had a friend a few years ago that was in the band Dry Cell. I've heard the bad side of the industry from him. They had a song on the Madden game and they thought they were going someplace. Then the record label buried their album and it was never released. The band has since broken up.

[goatsandturtles]

hey wassup man.
Chris and i are doing something for the front page and I go into detail about most of the things you asked.... hopefull that will be up today or tomorrow... but the industry can definitely suck!!! it's not artist friendlyto say the least.

[Chris]

And it's up.

[Goliath]

[goatsandturtles]

Originally Posted by desertdweller

Anyway, I'd be very interested in hearing your (professional) story. How you got signed, how the industry has treated you, etc. My first album is just about done, it's great quality and I'll be shopping it this fall, and I have been scouring every source I can find for more info on how the industry works. Any words of advice or info you have would be great, even if it's just story telling.

Unfortunately the music industry is run by accountants, literally in my labels case. That is what the president of my label did before. So it's all numbers bro. sales, scans, radio airplay charts. the more numbers you do the more love you get. there is an absolutel zero of artistic integrity involved, at least from what i've seen in my experiences.

cool site to check out as far as radio airplay goes: http://www.radioandrecords.com/
you can see the number of spins a band is getting a week nationally or at just one station....seperated by radio genere: active rock, alternative, & rock are the rock formats, but there is top 40, r&b....tons o' catagories...
you can see a single stations playlist... check out this site in detail, it can be an eye opener.

[goatsandturtles]

desert dweller, you are from AZ right? some good advise is to try your best to get in with people at KUPD. i know that station is great and are respected nationally. not only can they help you with your music if they like it, but sometimes you can get the inside on great bands (local & national) that are looking for musicians and things of such. i hate it, but politics and schmoozing are extremely important in this buisness (not just with radio stations...)

the only reason i got anywhere in music is from WAAF the local station in Boston.

[Vince]

Hey Ben, thanks for the response. Yeah, I'm in AZ. KUPD is a good station, I've done things with them before. See, it's weird now because I'm not playing music in a band anymore. I'm playing and recording my own music, most of which is mainly instrumental. Difficult market for sure, and I'm probably going to be hitting up more niche-market independent labels. I have a sound business mind (econ major), but absolutely zero experience in the music industry.

I agree with you about how politics can help. I got in with a well-known promoter last year, and my band went from opening for Fates Warning and King's X to opening for Type O Negative. That was a big jump for us, playing to 1500 people instead of 300. All of it was because he liked us and thought we were cool.

As for my music right now, my goals are a little different than if I were in a band. Since I'm solo, I don't really see myself touring much to support the disc unless it's opening for an established act. My main goals are to get the music published and into video game soundtracks, a few movies, and I have one song that I think would be great at sporting events. As for a label, I'm shooting more for like Vai's Favored Nations label than most others...or at least a label in the same vein. At that point, if the album is picked up by a label, hopefully it can be a calling card for myself in case an established band out in LA wants my services.

I have my music posted on this board in various places, but just for reference:

This is the song I'm gonna be pimping the most in the next few months:
http://www.vincelupone.com/mp3/VINCE...piritsrise.mp3

and these are the songs I'm putting out that have gotten the best responses (especially from the guys on this board):
http://www.vincelupone.com/mp3/VINCE...romsilence.mp3
http://www.vincelupone.com/mp3/VINCE...ailoflight.mp3

If you get a chance, let me know if you think my goals sound legit to you based on your experience, and if you get a chance to listen to the music, let me know what you think. Thanks!

~Vince

[Vince]

Originally Posted by goatsandturtles

Unfortunately the music industry is run by accountants, literally in my labels case.

Maybe I'm weird but I don't have as big a problem with that as most people. These companies are all about making money. What company isn't? I would be too if I owned a business. Why waste efforts on a group that isn't profitable? Even though I love bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, and SymX, I know they'll never be popular because of how the industry has sculpted the populace's tastes over the years.

I think the hardest thing for a lot of bands must be feeling like they've had their music, their heart and soul basically pawned.

I think for a band or artist to truly be successful, they have to be able to be artistic while also being profitable. Not many bands can do that.