Getting a major record deal used to be a big deal – it was the only thing that artists could talk about trying to get.  It was seen as a liceense to print money while the major label would work on your publicity with a publicist, management and everything else. nevertheless, when some elite names started praising being independent things began to change. Thjey showed how, in some cases, by taking more responsibility you could also keep more of the net profit. It is all about doing the math and shopping around. Do you need to pay for the promotional arm of a major label to push you when you could instead drop your own press releases with an EPK? The playing field of the music business has been levelled somewhat with the major label stranglehold being loosened by advances in technology and also in how we consume our music. It amazes us as to why artists are so bent on being signed to a major label.

What are you in the music game for – is it for the love?  We would hope that you’re doing this first and foremost to try to make a living, especially if you have put your all into this. Realizing that being independent can be just as beneficial as being major, if you get the right deal and have the right manager. When you choose a manager, make sure that they are looking out for you from a business perspective, and that everyone is aligned for your business dealings. A major label may be the right place for you – but then again it might not. You need to weigh up the options available to you. Afterall it is your career and your life and if you make the wrong choice it can be very hard to go back.  There are countless of people that got blindsided by the majors, and really messed up any other good opportunities that they may have had.  A major will offer benefits – especially with their large budgets, publicity contacts, and sway – but at the same time these may come back as costs that you, the artist have to cover. It can be a hazard whichever path you choose. Not everyone will make it to the majors, but then again, think about it, is being major really being major?

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