Where's the Cash Cow?

While the music business seems all glamor and colorful, behind the scenes...not so much.




The majors are becoming the minority and the indies are blooming. The industry has changed over the years and there's not much one can do other than get creative and adopt to the new times in the digital world. Even The Beatles finally released all there music on Itunes. Can you imagine all the money they missed out on???

Many musicians raised their voices a few years back, adapting to the new way of music distribution (or shall we say free downloads) by offering their music for free, like Trent Reznor for example. Well, these artists, although independent now, still have no clue what independent really means. After all, they established their fan base through a major label, so yes, they got ripped off by their label but they would've never had what they have without them, so after all it's still a win/win.



What used to sadden me is that I've heard many stories about major labels blowing money out the window, just because they have a budget to blow.




I thought, man, give me that amount and I'll show you how to properly use it. But why waste my energy on something that's irrelevant. They do what they do and usually don't even care about their artist.

I buy music. I have to admit that I prefer buying on itunes. CD's clutter up my space and I upload it to my itunes anyway. I do buy CD's once in a while. Of course people do what they want and I can't control any of that but I can educate you a little on what goes into running a band without any outside financial support.

Here's a little breakdown to let you know what it costs. Let's say, a band is about to release a new album and is planning a tour.

1. Rehearsal studio (usually monthly lockout space) average costs $300 a month if band splits the room with another band (rooms are btw $400-$1000)

2. Websites, Webstore, EPK's, Sonicbids Submissions to festivals, web hosting, usually around $20 - $100/month (sonicbids, reverbnation, bigcartel)

While not all artists need to get a pro to record and produce their album, some have the talent and the equipment to do a lot themselves, hiring a pro to get that pro-level sound...costs money.

3. Recording with a producer/engineer (Btw $500-$2500 per song)

4. Mixing (average $500 per song)

5. Mastering (average $80-$1500 per song)

6. Release a single (online) artist pays 9.99

7. Release an EP or full length album (online) artists pays between $40-$50 (depending on distributor(cdbaby or Tunecore)

8. Merchandise.
a) Shirts , btw $4-10 per shirt, depending on quality and printing, how many screens and colors. So if a band orders 48 shirts times $5 - $240
Not including other cool things like thongs, hoodies, which are usually a bit more expensive than shirts.

b) CD's It's about a $1300 to $1500 for 1000 CD's, depending on how many pages, with tax and shipping, if you get only 500 CD's, you'll still pay about $780 or so, even a short run of a 100 will cost about $275.

9. A van, it costs about $75-$95 a day to rent a van, if you own a van, you have to buy a reliable van (average $3500 -$8000 for a decent van + upkeep)

10. Trailer starts at around $1200 and up

11. Gear/Equipment (Computer, DAW's (ProTools, Sonar, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo), plug in's, drum sticks, skins, guitar strings, batteries, cables, amps, guitars, microphones) Anywhere btw $800- $25.000 easily

12. Personal bills, rent, phonebill, utilities, internet and food (the basics) Here in LA close to $1000/month min per person (yes, it's not really band related but still part of the musicians reliability)

13. Music Lessons btw, $35-$100/hour (optional)

If it's a true band, usually every member ships in, if the band is run by one or two people, they usually carry all the costs upfront. And that's not counting any lights, stage clothing, music video, radio promotion, or any pr, stage prop's or food on the road. So the next time you want music for FREE, think about this...would you work for FREE if your boss told you he won't pay for your services?

Hope this will shed a little light on what goes on behind the curtains and makes you realize, being in a band (pro band) is work and requires money. It's a business. Every business needs to make money to stay in business. This is not a complain, but an explanation to you why indies appreciate it when their fans are willing to pay $0.99 for a single or whatever for an album.

There are many ways for bands to raise money and create income from their music...and that's gonna be my next blog!!!




Enjoy and please spread this around to raise awareness!

xoxo
JVBeast

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