What kind of contract should you offer an artist?

Comments · 130

• PR

  @Producelikeapro · 5 years ago · pinned

  Hi Everyone, this is such a great question! Production Contract vs Producer Contracts! Production contracts were every popular in the 90's and early/mod 2000's. They were a way for Producers to develop artists and feel protected when an artist got signed! However, the Producer HAD to work, had to spend considerable time developing the artist, putting huge amounts of their time, resources and money into developing the artist! If this work wasn't done an Artist who got noticed on their own would be hindered by the Producer who 'owned' them. In the Mid 2000's I saw many examples of great Artists whose career was hindered by being signed with a Producer on a 'Production Deal'. If you are 1) an Artist being offered a Production Contract make sure you have a clearly defined set of parameters the Producer has to fulfil, you do not want to be stuck in a Production deal with a Producer who has not worked their butt off for you! Especially if you get noticed for your amazing live show or a previous recording you did before the current Producer came on board. You have to protect yourself against predatory people who are trying to own/co own you and are not going to further your career and frankly get in the way of your career once you do have solid interest from people who can actually help you! 2) As a Producer, be FAIR! Think about how much time, resources and energy you really are going to put into the Artist, it is not sufficient to just wait for the band to become better, putting in a rehearsal room for several months is NOT developing! You have to be committed to working with them consistently, introducing them to others, co writing, producing, working on all aspects of their career! So ask yourself are you truly there to help the artist, put your heart and soul into them? Anything less then you could destroy their career!

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• MI

  @miketregle · 5 years ago

  As a former jazz guitar major who did end up becoming a lawyer, anyone who signs any kind of contract should be familiar with the concept of “consideration.” &nbsp;It’s the essence of any contract, and essentially means getting something in exchange. Both parties to a contract should get something in exchange (“in consideration for”) something else. Usually, it’s money in exchange for goods or services but it could be anything of value, like future earnings/royalties or the obligation to produce an album. &nbsp;So if you’re looking at a contract where one side is getting a lot in exchange for a little (such as a record label getting a lot and the artist getting little), it’s probably not a good deal. &nbsp;The degree of benefit to each side is, obviously, negotiable. &nbsp;If one side is getting something for nothing, then you don’t have a contract; you have a gift.<br><br>One day when I retire, I’m seriously considering doing pro-bono work representing young artists so they don’t get screwed on contracts and intellectual property, but I don’t know what that would look like. &nbsp;It kills me to hear the horror stories of artists being broke despite selling millions of albums because they signed bad deals. &nbsp;<br><br>Disclaimer: &nbsp;I’m not an entertainment lawyer but I do have experience with contracts in general. &nbsp;None of the above constitutes legal advice. &nbsp;Consult an attorney of your own for your specific situation.

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• JL

  @jloiben12 · 5 years ago

  I love this. As a producer who passed the cpa exam and has gone to law school, this is such a good thing to bring to more people’s attention. The business-side of the music industry isn’t talked about often but it can make such a difference

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• CH

  @Charis-ul2xh · 5 years ago

  Hi Warren, I stumbled across your channel a while back and I just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing your years of experience and hard-earned real world wisdom with us. As an aspiring singer-songwriter and someone wading out into the waters of home recording, I don&apos;t have enough superlatives or adjectives to adequately express how valuable your videos are. I hope you have a great day, however you&apos;re spending it. Stay safe brother.

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• SK

  @skamowna · 5 years ago

  Haven&apos;t watched the video yet, but I&apos;m always thankful for business related discussions to help the many producers and artists out there that have to navigate this! Thanks Warren!!

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• MA

  @matthewjones8510 · 5 years ago

  Your video edits are so clean that they&apos;re actually pleasing to watch. Nice work to whoever is doing that end of the gig. Hope they&apos;re being paid well.

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• GR

  @gregorybooker4913 · 5 years ago

  I personally ( after watching a &quot;Shnizzel&quot; of your Posts), think you would make a fine Lawyer, but then again you are so very smooth and friendly I could see you succeed in most anything. Thanks for this one, some pertinate advice for the young -uns!

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• GE

  @GeoZero · 5 years ago

  The problem with music contracts is somewhat similar to film contract deals, in that in music there is no way to know if an artist or their music will succeed and generate a profit (in film there is no way to know if any single film will even break even let alone make a profit). &nbsp;<br><br>There&apos;s where the issue lies. &nbsp;As long as a label brings on many artist of which most will fail, then the few that succeed will get screwed out of money. &nbsp;It&apos;s a harsh reality. &nbsp;<br><br>Many artists have figured out a way around this, going waaaay back to the 80&apos;s when rap artists and smaller bands would sell records literally out of the trunk of their cars, create hype through playing live and selling shirts, albums and CD&apos;s, or even figuring out how to rent a small venue and get several bands to come play, making greater profits. &nbsp;Sure these were not massive infusions of cash or ways to make it, but back in the day before the internet there were already artists trying to carve their own piece of the pie. &nbsp;<br><br>Today&apos;s artists have social media, and other ways to make revenue, including merch and even physical CD&apos;s and LPs which have made a comeback (not to mention that cassettes are also making a slight comeback). &nbsp;People want to OWN &nbsp;the music not &quot;lease&quot; it on iTunes, or even Spotify. &nbsp;If fans like the band they will be more likely to buy merch and see them live (though that&apos;s on hold until 2021 at the very least). &nbsp;And last it is vastly, VASTLY cheaper to record music now than it was just 15-25 years ago.

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• MA

  @mathieustrulovici8869 · 5 years ago

  For next FAQ Friday : For drums, do you time align the room mics on close mics ?

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• TA

  @Take-the-Ticket · 5 years ago (edited)

  I haven&apos;t finished the video yet but wanted to comment. Your channel might have the best intro music of any Youtube channel, in terms of mixing if nothing else. It really blooms as it comes in - width and height, &nbsp;which is the really tricky one. Well done and I love your shirt-button choices, very daring, lol.

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• ZI

  @zistheword · 5 years ago

  The thumbnail is awesome

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• NI

  @NickChase · 5 years ago

  Really good talk.

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