I know to a lot of people, if a label show’s interest in their music… they wet themselves. I wish I still had that reaction. Through working with labels and what not, I just generally have the feeling that “I know what you’re doing, and I’m pretty confident that I’m just as capable… if not more so… than you are of doing that”. That’s cocky, right? It’s also true, though. The punk scene bred me to realize that art is higher quality when you do it yourself, and is less likely to be subject to compromise. The indie scene taught me that doing it yourself doesn’t mean that any sort of quality need’s to be sacrificed. Ultimately - as pretentious as it sounds - I do consider myself an artist. I love discovering medium’s which allow me to express myself and put out product’s I’m happy with. Like graphic design. Man. I’ve studied art for years and never felt like I found a niche other than music that could satisfy me. The more I study graphic design, the more I love it. 

Anyways, back to label’s. I’ve had a bad experience, too. I’ve worked with folks who I thought “this relationship could be mutually beneficial” only to be bent over a table in the end because of childish happenings. It’s damaged a friendship of mine, and totally abolished any professional relationship. It’s a bummer. It’s more of a bummer to find out someone who is supposed to be in your corner thinks you have no idea what you’re doing. Even if I know they’re wrong… it’s the principle that this person is supposed to have your back. It’s really a betrayal, and it’s cheap, and it’s petty. 

Then there’s the whole fiscal matter. Say a label/manager/agent takes 10% of your record sales (let’s be honest, this is modest). We’ll say only hard sales. Then we’ll say you’re selling your record for $5 each, and you sell 100 records. This means the label get’s $50. $50 seems measly, right? That $50 to a band can be the difference between making it home and overdrawing their personal bank accounts. A band is a relationship, and money can put a stress on any relationship. The 10% adds up, is my point. 

(I should note that I started writing up all of these equations and stuff for this last paragraph similar to those I use to handle finance’s/planning for my own musical endeavors and realized quickly that this would get quite lengthy if I did that)

So, what’s my point? Just fucking do it yourself. Network. Learn to handle everything you possibly can in house. If you’re in a band… even better. There are multiple talented individuals. As a solo artist… no biggie. Handle shit. You have total creative control. 

I know… there are matters of distribution, limited contacts, and just plain not knowing where to start… but, fuck. It’s 2011. USE THE INTERNET. There are people offering advice, and people who can help you learn (i.e. other artists). I know you know at least one person willing and able to offer advice - or at the very least able to point you in the direction you need to head. Hi, I’m Corey.