Local Artist CD's

[snoopy]

How much would you pay for a local artist's CD (if you were at their show and you liked the music)?????

Just curious what everyone thinks on this subject....the poll results should be interesting!

[TAlderson]

I'd pay $10 probably, depending on the album length and how much I like the band. Although, I'd want to see how good it is. They could be a really good band, but I'm not paying $10 for something they recorded on one mic on a laptop in their basement. It's got to be a quality recording.

-Tyler

[brandondrury]

I'm going with $5. The main reason being that I can go pick up the new Darkness record for $9 somewhere. Why should I pay more for a local cd that was probably half assed?

Not only that, but almost every local cd I've ever bought has been a charity. It's more like I'm putting money in a jar than I'm buying something I really need. I guess that's the difference. When a band gets marketed properly, people "need" or at least want the cd badly. When a band just plays live, the need or extreme want is generally not created for me.

I've always encouraged bands to use live shows for their money and cds as their promotion when working on the very small scale. I'd try to break even on the cds, break even on the tshirts, and play to packed show and put $800 in my back pocket ever night. At least, that's my opinion. I must stress that I'm talking about doing with small, local bands who might not even have a following.

What do you guys think?

Brandon

[snoopy]

If it is music you like, why would it matter the cost? I mean what if the music from a local guy (or band) cost more than a national act? If is it good and what you like then you would buy it.

[Smidgelton]

I shelled out 10 at Hastings for Catatonic's CD. I still haven't seen them live. But before I bought the album, I frequently visited their myspace page and listened to their tracks. If I'm familiar with the music and I like it and I really want more, I'm willing to spend a little more for a band's CD.

[brandondrury]

I guess my point is that a local musician can seldom compete with the big boys. If they do, they are probably on their way to becoming big boys themselves. If they have a truely great record, then it's worth whatever a truely great record is worth.

However, I've never seen a local music cd that didn't sound local. There is a clear and obvious difference between a band who has been put through the bootcamp of upper level recording vs a band that just recorded in some house somewhere. I'm not saying that great music can't come out of it. I'm just saying that odds are against it.

I think the biggest thing is marketing. Most people simply don't get to hear the material so the demand is going to be lower.

Brandon

[snoopy]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I guess my point is that a local musician can seldom compete with the big boys.? If they do, they are probably on their way to becoming big boys themselves.? If they have a truely great record, then it's worth whatever a truely great record is worth.?

However, I've never seen a local music cd that didn't sound local.? There is a clear and obvious difference between a band who has been put through the bootcamp of upper level recording vs a band that just recorded in some house somewhere.? I'm not saying that great music can't come out of it.? I'm just saying that odds are against it.

I think the biggest thing is marketing.? Most people simply don't get to hear the material so the demand is going to be lower.

Brandon

I'm curious as to your above post....Where would you rank yourself and Echo Echo?

I agree it's how your sell yourself.....that's why you never see Greg and some keyboards downtown playing solo. That's not the way I could pitch my stuff to a crowd that would want it. I have went to other ways to get the stuff out....and if you go to any USACi event in several countries you will hear my "Night At A London Club" blasting through someones car stereo. The exposure on their disc brings me sales.......I'll never sell a million but I'll sell a few.

[brandondrury]

I see myself at Echo Echo Studios as a total amateur who is busting his balls desperately trying to move up the totem pole.? I've got a long way to go, but some recent contacts are going to boost me ahead about 3 years in the next 2 monthes.?

Right now my good buddy, Luke Sample, is working with Malcolm Springer on a 6 song EP which will be shopped heavily to major labels.? I've already had to cancel one recording session to make sure that I could attend.? The first night was quite an eye opener in a number of ways.

In late January I'll be attending the Micheal Wagener workshop in Nashville for 9 days.? Micheal produced "No More Tears" by Ozzy as well as "Skid Row" and "Slave To The Grind".? He has done over 25 gold/platinum records.? It will be amazing working with a man of his caliber for 9 days straight.


So anyway, back to the topic at hand.
I always recommend that a band charge $10 at first for the cd and get money from all their friends and family and from anyone else willing to buy it. Then I recommend them charging $5 to try to catch some new fish. I KNOW that what I'm doing is a joke compared to what the big boys do. This was extremely clear to me after watching Malcolm work just one night. Until I can do what he does to a band, I'll never be anything but a local recording guy. My long term goals are much bigger than that.

Brandon


Brandon

[snoopy]

Yeah I heard about those fellas.....can't wait to hear what kind of good stuff comes out of Portageville in the coming weeks.

[brandondrury]

I have been humbled tremendously by seeing a pro in action this week. There are certain skills that I have that are okay, but when you work with a real pro, the difference is mind blowing. If I had to take a test right now, I think I would get a 12% on it.

Brandon