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Kevin · Sep 2, 2006, 08:15 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060902/...online_music_6
I know ANYONE can put up a site.

But this helps get the word around faster.

I've found a ton of underground music that is KILLER on myspace this way.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 08:43 PM

Smart move, I have to admit. Props to MySpace.

I'm sure Apple will "invent" something similar for .Mac and iTMS.

-t

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 08:59 PM

You can already upload your music to the iTunes music store and sell it independently. Since it opened if I remember correctly.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You can already upload your music to the iTunes music store and sell it independently. Since it opened if I remember correctly.

Oh, didn't know. I guess tying it into .Mac shouldn't be problem then...

Hey Apple, make it known.

-t

BRussell · Sep 2, 2006, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You can already upload your music to the iTunes music store and sell it independently. Since it opened if I remember correctly.

I thought you had to have a label.

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 09:32 PM

I am not 100% sure about this but I always thought you could be your own label. There are a couple of posters on here selling their music through iTMS.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 09:40 PM

Well. that would be a HUGE difference. Starting your own label is a completely different biest than just selling some of your own songs...

-t

RAILhead · Sep 2, 2006, 09:49 PM

You can be totally independent, but Apple takes forever to process anything. CDBaby is the best way to go.

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 10:03 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Well. that would be a HUGE difference. Starting your own label is a completely different biest than just selling some of your own songs...

-t

How so? I can start my own label within the next ten minutes...
Anyway, Railhead cleared it up.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

How so? I can start my own label within the next ten minutes...
Anyway, Railhead cleared it up.

Really ?

Where ? How ? How much ?
What are the legal implications ? Tax implications ?

-t

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 10:12 PM

There aren't any. You make some records, you sell them, you're a label. People have started labels by accident in the past. Legal ramifications are the same as for any other small business and you're perfectly within your rights to run the business as a sole trader.

I can register a domain, put a site up, talk to some buddies of mine to allow me to sell their music and I am a label. End of story.

STARTING A RECORD LABEL
By, Dan McAvinchey

Releasing your own music on CD means that, for all intents and purposes, you've become your own record label, even if you didn't go about the administrative tasks of setting up a separate company. A record label is in the business of releasing records; since you've done that or plan to do it very shortly, you are already performing the job of a record label. It makes sense to take a few simple, additional steps to formalize what you are doing under the business title of Record Label.

The advantages of doing this are:

Giving your activities a separate name helps you establish an identity or a brand name, and gives it a professional look (plus, it just sounds better).
When your recordings sell, you can accept checks made out to the label, instead of Joe Blow, Musician. This establishes your income as coming from recording activities.
If you ever decide to record or release music by other musicians, their music can be produced under your label.
As a separate business you can lease equipment (computers, recording equipment), establish a commercial bank account, and accept credit cards as payment for your records.
Many labels were started by artists with the sole purpose of putting out their own music. The classic story, often repeated, is A&M Records, which Herb Alpert allegedly started with $500 and a dream. You can begin small and just put out your own music on your own label. At some point you may decide it will be time to release other musician's work on your label. There are some benefits to doing this; a multi-artist label has an easier time getting distribution deals and when your records are not selling well, income from other artists on your label may sustain you and keep the dream alive. Just ask Madonna.

Don't think it costs a lot of money to set up a record label; the costs associated with manufacturing your cassettes or CDs will far overshadow any money spent on giving your activities an official title.

For now, let's just get a record label established to release your own music.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 10:13 PM

So, having a label is a BS condition. It's fulfilled automatically.

-t

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 10:16 PM

It's not a condition. Railhead pointed out that you can be completely independent.

turtle777 · Sep 2, 2006, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

It's not a condition. Railhead pointed out that you can be completely independent.

Meant for BRussell's comment.

-t

Mastrap · Sep 2, 2006, 10:21 PM

Oh, sorry.

RAILhead · Sep 3, 2006, 06:54 PM

Labels server one purpose: exposure. That's it. Back in the day, the Big 5 ruled all, but more and more artists are going independent or with other non-Big 5 labels.

But my point is that labels only serve to help get your album out, so if you can market effectively, you don't need one.