|
|
10
Things to Do Before
You
Release Your Album
Copyright March
2007 by Jeremy Rwakaara, Sanctuary Lane Sound Studios.
All rights
reserved.
Back to The
Academy
Following are, in no particular order, 10 important things you should do before
you release your album:
1. If you are hiring musicians (background singers, instrumentalists,
etc.) to play on your album, you will need to make sure they fill out a musicians release agreement or talent release form. This
agreement is not necessary for musicians that own their own record label, are
performing on their own albums, and will pay for and release the albums
themselves. It is used more for the “hired guns” than group members.
2.
All writers and publishers involved should fill out a songwriter publisher share letter of agreement that spells out
their writer and publisher shares. This agreement is a document that all writers
and publishers should sign and keep for their records. Any money made from the
songs (except for money paid to the writers and publishers by their respective
Performing Rights Organizations) should be split up according to what is spelled
out in this agreement.
3. All involved songwriters should fill out a form PA and register their work (the songs) with the U.S. Copyright Office .
4. The artists / performers or
the record producer (or both), unless Musician Release Agreements have been
signed, should fill out a form SR and register the
album (sound recording) with the U.S. Copyright Office. If you are the writer
and performer / producer on the album, you can fill out just one Form SR instead
of both forms.
5. Register for an Internatinal Standard
Recording Code (ISRC) for your songs. If you are not based in the United
States, visit here to find the ISRC Agency in your territory. The ISRC is a
unique international identifier for the songs (tracks) on your album and
functions as a digital “fingerprint” for each track. Unlike a Universal Product
Code (UPC), the ISRC is tied to the track and not the carrier of the track (CD,
cassette, etc). The ISRC is usually inserted onto the CD master during the CD
mastering session.
6. If you include songs on your album that you have
not written yourself (i.e. covers), you will need to obtain a Mechanical License
from the Harry Fox Agency (via Songfile )
that will allow you to manufacture and distribute up to 2,500 copies to the
public. If you happen to know the songwriter(s) yourself, you can negotiate a
fee directly with them or just write up a Notice of Intention to
Obtain a Compulsory License and issue it to them.
7. If you wish to
have your own UPC Bar Code, you can get one from GS1 US
. Several companies, for example CD manufacturers, will offer you a UPC Bar Code
free with their services. Keep in mind that in these cases the UPC Bar Code will
belong to the CD manufacturer. If you produce another album, it will not have a
UPC Bar Code unless you get another one from them or someone else. Having your
own Uniform Code Council account will allow you to assign all your music-related
products a unique UPC Bar Code in your company’s name.
8. As a songwriter
and/or publisher, in order to get paid for the performances of your songs on
radio, TV, in nightclubs, airlines, elevators, jukeboxes, etc., you should join
a Performing Rights Organization (PRO). In the United States, you can join ASCAP or BMI . Another U.S. PRO is SESAC , but
affiliation with SESAC is by invitation only (subject to review by their writer
/ publisher relations staff).
9. As a Sound Recording Copyright Owner
(SRCO – e.g. artist, producer, record label), in order to get paid for
non-interactive digital transmissions on cable, satellite and web cast services,
you should join SoundExchange .
10. Add your songs to the Gracenote Media Database . When correctly added, song titles
and artist names will be displayed on media players (e.g. home stereos, computer
media players, satellite and terrestrial radio, mp3 players, cell phones and
other wireless devices, etc.) that take advantage of the Gracenote Media
Database data. Alternatively, you can use a freedb-aware
program to upload your songs into the database.
PLEASE NOTE: The contracts above are for educational purposes only. As
with all contractual situations, you should have your contracts drafted and/or
negotiated by an experienced music business attorney who is well-versed in
drafting and negotiating these types of contracts. If you need help finding an
attorney, you can start by going here . |
|
|
Submit An Article for Consideration!
Would you like to submit an article for publication at MusicBizAcademy.com? If you have music-related expertise
you'd like to share with other musicians including career tips, how to's, or general music business-related articles,
please feel free to send them our way. We'll be glad to consider them. Submit your article! |
|
|
|
untitled
|
Free Subscription to
The Music Biz Digest!
Promotion tips, articles, resources and news delivered to your inbox. Subscribe Here!
Get Educated...
Master the Music Biz!
Online Courses. Many Programs. Learn Day or Night.
Details Here.
How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
This easy-to-read guide to music promotion teaches you how to effectively sell your music online! Learn what works
and what doesn't from a musician who's now promoting music on the Internet full time! More....
Our Top 20 Articles
21
Songwriting Tips
How
to Write an Artist Bio
Mastering
Your Music
Improve
Your Press Kit
Sell
Your CDs Online
Performance
Contracts
What's
a Record Deal About?
Inside
Record Labels
A
Legal Checklist
How
to Write a Press Release
Record
Distribution: 25 Tips
Guerrilla
Marketing Tips
How to Make a Living w/ Music
Internship
Do's & Don'ts
Starting a Music Business
Reasons
Demos Are Rejected
Artist/Band
Interview Form
Facts
About Music Licensing
Planning
A Radio Campaign
Tax
Tips for Musicians
Lots
More Articles...
The Complete Guide to Starting
a Record Company
This
wonderful book guides you step
by
step through the process of starting up your own independent record label.
It
includes vital advice on how to retain lawyers and accountants, construct budgets, sign artists, navigate
artist contracts, find a distributor and how to develop and
execute an effective marketing plan.
More...
MySpace
Music Marketing
With tens of millions of registered
users, MySpace.com has become a
godsend for countless independent artists. If you're not promoting your music on MySpace yet, you
need to start - right away. Everything
you need to know, including tips
and tricks, interviews with successful
MySpace bands, and how to fine-tune
your MySpace profile for maximum
punch. The perfect "how to"
guide for MySpace beginners, especially!
More...
Music Is Your Business
Christopher Knab and Bartley F. Day's expanded edition of "Music Is Your Business" is filled
with more insights into the business side of being a successful
musician or band. Included are chapters on both Internet and traditional
music marketing methods. The essential legal issues you need to
know are explained as are music contract tips, how to license your
music, attract
distributors, get radio airplay and create a
demand for your music. More...
The Music
Phone Book
The
Music Phone Book lists detailed contact information for over 10,000 live music clubs and venues (More than any other
magazine) in the U.S. Also listed are over 1,800 independent and major record labels, nearly every national
touring artist, and thousands of music contacts that can't be found anywhere
else. More...
Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook!
This is your guide to independent music success secrets, featuring over 175 ways to thrive and prosper with your
own band or record label. Goal setting, networking, lists of distribution channels, offbeat promotional ideas.
It's all here! More....
The Indie Bible
With 350 pages containing over 10,000 contacts, including music reviewers and radio stations, The Indie Bible
is a resource for songwriters and musicians who wish to have their music heard, reviewed, or considered for radio
play. More....
All Content © 1996-2009
Midnight Rain Productions.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy |
|
