Guide to releasing music - help...

Rocky Racoon

Hello

Does anybody know of any good sites / articles detailing the steps involved in self-releasing an EP / album?? Is there a thread? (sorry - i couldn't see anything)

So PPI numbers, royalties, isrc, imro etc.?? What's nec. now and what isn't etc..

We're at the mixing stage now (old demos here - www.myspace.com/thecrayonset). Basically thinking of printing about 300 for promo purposes initially (radio, giveaways etc) and to make available as a digital download (probably for free) .

However, down the road, if it was doing well, we would want the option of distribution (i.e. selling them physically -i.e. get more cds done, and also digitally - itunes etc). Just want to be cover off all eventualties before we get to the mastering stage

Any advice etc v. welcome.

Thanks

Rocky

Waking-Dreams

I'd go with 300 promo copies (a disc and the cardboard sleeve rather than a jewel case) and see how many downloads you can rack up on iTunes, etc. Of course you can use www.bandcamp.com to release it for free too. Either way, there's no point in having boxes of unsold discs sitting in your attic. Very few artists can move CD's in large quantities anymore, fewer if it's alternative/indie music. Notice how HMV have started selling more DVD's, BlueRay's, Games, and even books, shirts and MP3 accessories than CD's? Let's face it, the majority of consumers are steadily moving away from CD's. The compact disc may soon become like the cassette tape in a number of years, or like a collector's item the way Vinyl current is.

Anyways, there isn't a quick answer to your question, so I'd recommend one book: The DIY Music Manual (2009) for further reading, which contains:

Part I: Get Prepared
Your network
Your brand
Your website
Your web presence
Your albums and merchandise
Your rights

Part II: Get Fans
Get noticed
Get booked and play live
Get distributed and sold
Get played and heard
Get publicised


...and some more online articles here:

http://www.berkleemusicblogs.com/

Rocky Racoon

Thanks WD - as always really helpful. Yeah I'd checked out bandcamp and I think it's the way to go for a new unsigned band. Will invest in that book

Is there any site that expalins PPI numbers, mcps, royalties, isrc, imro etc for Ireland?? Have mailed mcps twice and no response...

cheers
Rocky

miju

Am busy in work at the moment but will reply to your questions later on properly.

In the meantime some articles I've written that may help is freely available at this linky.

Rocky Racoon

thank you sir

Orando Broom

Listen to it and ask yourself would you spend money to buy the product. Does the music offer something different to what is available? Has it a comparative advantage over other records you'd see yourself as being likened to? Look for it's faults and flaws try to eliminate them as best you can. Have the gumption to ask for a genuine critique of the music before release ( I know it is subjective but a good ear and an honest tongue can save your blushes down the road. Tidy up as much of this as you can and you have a real chance of releasing a genuinely interesting compelling record.

That is my opinion only.

Rocky Racoon

Thanks OB - yes - i think it is good and different. Anyone can feel free to have a listen here (www.breakingtunes.com/thecrayonset) and we do welcome feedback. Tracks not mixed or mastered yet - being done (seperately by decent pros with good track records)

Guess my post was looking for like a step by step guide to the legal stuff, who to register with, addresses, costs etc. When I find I'll try to write one up myself..

Cheers
Rocky Balboa

Orando Broom

Rocky Racoon wrote: »

Thanks OB - yes - i think it is good and different. Anyone can feel free to have a listen here (www.breakingtunes.com/thecrayonset) and we do welcome feedback. Tracks not mixed or mastered yet - being done (seperately by decent pros with good track records)

Guess my post was looking for like a step by step guide to the legal stuff, who to register with, addresses, costs etc. When I find I'll try to write one up myself..

Cheers
Rocky Balboa

My post was aimed at a more general audience I suppose.

Rocky Racoon

a quick bump

PMI

Hi if I can type for long enough I can tell ya:

1: Songs copyrighted and registered then with imro and all royalties sorted within the band whos on what etc....

2: ISRC codes for the album or/and individual singles free from PPl http://www.ppluk.com/

3: use CD baby or some other digi outlet to pass to online stores and possibly use downloadmusic.ie this can take between 3-6 weeks to become live on sites like itunes etc.. so make sure your release date is set far enough back.

4: if your confident you have enough fans and following, place the single with all the radio stations as soon as you have placed it with the digi site. You will have the 3-6 weeks to do this until itunes is ready. dont wait till later as you will miss the boat. you can pay a radio plugger to do it for you but they cost around 500+ per month trust me we have one every month.

5: for you to sell via physical cd you will need a barcode which is nothing to do with ISRC codes etc.. and they can cost 800 or some duplication plants can create one for you for alot less.

6: Be sure you have done the ground work ie: have built a fan base are able to pull it off live like the record and that you are in it for the long haul as you wont see much if any of the costs back

im tired of typing now sorry.... hope some of this helps....

If your looking to enter chart etc... there are a few other things you need to do to, such as register track with chart track etc.. but thats for another post as I dont think your looking for that side yet, so you could even leave off ISRC codes etc... until you want to go for chart hits

Rocky Racoon

thanks man - really appreciated. Hope you got a good kip afterwards ..