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What Every Artist Needs To Know
HOW DO I GET MY DEMO LISTENED TO? Unlike the U.S., major record labels in Canada will accept "unsolicited" demos. That means that if you send a demo to a U.S. record company it will most likely be returned unopened and marked "return to sender". If you send your demo to a Canadian record company, it will get heard by A&R. Take time to call the record company and find out the name of the A&R person you should send your package to. When submitting demos, always label everything, including the CD, bio and photo, with all your contact information. Include address, phone and email. Make the first track the strongest track you have. Always proofread your bio carefully, as it reflects your level of professionalism. A professional photo isn't necessary but make sure it is clear and not a photocopy. Submit your best press clippings or flyers showing live performances. In this age of technology, having an artist website or including video footage of live performances will all strengthen a package. Managers and producers will often forward demo tracks to A&R departments in order to get the word out about their artists. In the U.S., lawyers will "shop" demos to labels and take a percentage of the artist's earning on any record deal the lawyer successfully acquires for the artist. Lawyers practicing in Ontario are not allowed to take a percentage of an artists earnings and must work on an hourly or flat fee basis. I CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER, WHAT CAN I DO? Managers may have a lot of experience with certain music contracts and can help advise their artists and minimize on legal costs. Artist Legal Advice Services (ALAS) is a free service in Toronto available to any artist, photographer, songwriter, dancer etc. who would like basic summary advice from an entertainment lawyer. Lawyers volunteer their time to advise artists on issues such as contracts, defamation, copyright, trade-marks, royalties and other payments, as well as relationships with agents, managers and landlords. The volunteer lawyers cannot represent you in disputes or negotiate on your behalf in these half hour appointments but will answer legal questions. They will provide you with a referral to entertainment lawyers if you need legal representation. If you would like to find out more about ALAS or make an appointment, you can call 416.367.ALAS. While lawyers play an important role in the industry, contracts are not rocket science and every responsible artist should learn the basics about how they work. Check out the following titles to find out about contracts and the industry in general:
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