An Album a Start-Up Business

An album is as complex as a "Start-Up" business. Who would have thought I would be here today when I started working on creating and planning for my music career? I did not anticipate the journey and this is just the premise. This is an enterprise almost similar to a new company in a new music business reinventing itself to say the least. Today I am ready for a month in Bali or better Tahiti, really.

Fourth quarter two thousand eight, I fortunately met an orchestration specialist who made many hits and believes there is a recipe; and a former music label executive with whom I am learning a ton. At this point it is still early or too early to believe in success and for my own sake I cannot say it. Who would imagine an album is as complex as a "Start-Up" business. And it is. Especially when the economy is not well. Yet people say that cash is king and now in today’s economy it is the case.

As in any business, distribution processes are essential; therefore, the use of alternative distribution is mandatory nowadays. From new independent distributor taking ten percent of your revenue versus forty percent to satellite radio airing music for free and even new distribution in malls and grocery stores, the scene is changing rapidly today. A famous digital platform, available through Apple Computer Products, (not to name it) is already challenged with digital rights management technology available for your cell phones and computers.

I mean the use of regular distribution is still possible through regular major labels but is rare and should be embraced when made available. Some structures feed your one single to all kinds of people and to the whole industry.

Moreover, there are people and the public relations. From Miami to Los Angeles, you need to find the appropriate radio stations to air songs. People are paid to sit down in New York City and wait for the radio reps to listen to your tunes. Later in the game, agents come in the picture to develop your talent and your image by selling your act and help you open for big names. The use of email promotion is also mandatory. Your own mailing list should start helping you telling others that you are here available for.

Thanks for the art, it comes down to recording and your music and how much people like your stuff, which is only possible if it is good. And it must be 'cause at this point you are on your own or surrounded by people taking a little part of your revenue.

It is exciting to develop a universe around art, promoting it etc. I always said it. Yet nowadays, I wonder about the what if, and now I realize how many hats an artist needs to wear to be capable of such a business. The golden days are gone leaving space for all kinds of artists and a new industry.

The question is to find out whether or not the artists are ready. I do not think they do really understand the complexity of the new environment and I can take myself as an example, which makes all of us fragile. We too often assume. I think I should even believe that when I think I know I am really fooling myself as it is changing constantly.

To be continued.