Second Monday » music industry http://www.secondmonday.co.uk Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:05:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Record labels…schmecord labels http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/2009/04/record-labelsschmecord-labels/ http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/2009/04/record-labelsschmecord-labels/#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:48:35 +0000 Will http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/?p=31 So we’re talking with a few record labels for our second album. It’s slow work and it can be pretty intense sometimes. The whole music industry is changing and this whole economic-downturn that seems to be making people redundant left, right and centre. Basically, there’s more risk. So it’s pretty amazing that record labels want to talk with us about our record

There are three things I care (my opinion only) about when it comes to this album…

1. A cheap and affordable physical record
2. A release date this year
3. Breaking even

Physical CDs are losing ground in the marketplace. Digital music is going to be the future. Still, I’ve enjoyed putting together the artwork for our records and seeing the printed result and that’s something that you don’t get with digital… even if it comes with a “digital PDF” it’s really not the same. If you want to sell your CD on the road you’re going to need a physical product too.

CD distribution has a smaller role in UK shops today. It seems the only time I buy music from HMV is when I’ve been given HMV gift card. I still seem to be buying DVDs as and when there are good deals, but I prefer buying the real CD online. I haven’t yet bought my digital ticket just yet. Plus, call it old-fashioned, I enjoy the anticipation of waiting for a CD in the post.

I’ll let you know when anything happens. I still dreaming of doing this record DIY. Less hassle, less expectations, what you get is yours and it’s earned. Sure, it’s one way ticket to no-where but the journey’s not too bad. Still, being part of good indie record label, being part of a collective of quality music, that’s not so bad either.

DISCLAIMER: Non-representative opinion of the collective group known as “Second Monday”

]]> http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/2009/04/record-labelsschmecord-labels/feed/ 0 Final day of mixing http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/2009/03/final-day-of-mixing/ http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/2009/03/final-day-of-mixing/#comments Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:07:55 +0000 Will http://www.secondmonday.co.uk/?p=21 Today me, James, Jim and a very sleepy Rich finished mixing our album. It was a fun experience. We removed all the compression from the recording, worked some interesting dynamics in to a couple of songs and, much to my liking, we brought up the level of the guitars when we really feel like the song needed more rockin’. Happy to say the whole album is now at 100% rockin’ capcity. Once we get it mastered I dare to think how awesome it will sound. Not because I like our music but simply for the fact Jim Turner has done a sign and a wonder in producing this album and Alan Douches has got the history and skills to master this record to new levels of hugeness that no man on earth has yet witnessed. Ok I’m slightly hyperbolic but I’m excited.

In other news I had an interesting conversation with photographic extrodinair Chris Law and illustrative genius Stephen Daoud about business ideas, life management, marketing and networking. It certainly got me thinking….. if there isn’t a good record deal to sign and we self-release this puppy then how on earth am I going to market it? I couldn’t care less for the money but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to not put value on art. It’ll be a terrible day when people don’t buy good records anymore just because they feel entitled to free music. As the mantra of the working band and record label goes: support independent music.

I typed this on an iPod touch… sorry for my probable lack of good spelling.

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