Recently I was contacted by an outfit called 97 Radio in Sun City, AZ who had gotten ahold of my band’s (“Syd’s Attic”) demo. Their letter said, “Your material has passed our A & R screening process…I believe your material is label ready, and am positive record companies will be very receptive…” etc.
At first the guy I talked to implied their service was free since the make their money from finders fees from the labels when a band get signed, although submissions to radio stations are $15 each. However, their website and the materials they sent me show varying packages starting at $600 (for 20 submissions to record labels, 20 submissions to radio stations and some other things).
I approach this deal with guarded optimism, but my bandmates are highly suspicious. The guy said, “Your demo was one of 2 or 3 we selected out of about a hundred that came in that week”, but that kind of flattery is just how some scam artists operate. They do have an address rather than just a PO box, but my question is, how can I check them out to ensure they do what they say they do?
… What the heck, got a MP3 somewhere? Wouldn’t mind hearing you. As far as this goes, I don’t have much experience, except from when I was a college radio DJ. The answer isn’t as clear-cut as for the model school, stuff like this does happen, but…
They appear not to be total ripoffs. How about you get in contact with these guys? … if this 97 Radio is the same as the other, that 97 Radio appears to be a label.
You know what gets me? They don’t mention one person’s name on their site.
I tried checking them out on the Better Business Bureau page assuming that if they had scammed someone it would appear there. It’s at www.bbb.org
The company is too new and the BBB hasn’t formulated an opinion. That said, the owner, a Mr. Carlo Oddo does have another business called Talent 2000 in Sun City, AZ as well which does not have as good of a record. The BBB gave them an unsatisfactory report relating to contact disputes. Look them up and decide for yourself.
You might also want to check the newsgroups and see if you find anything there. Someone, somewhere must have used them and have an opinion about it. I do agree, however, that their come on letter sounds very scam-like. But perhaps you don’t give yourself enough credit. Maybe you really are that good…
If they’re asking for money, the chance of it being a scam is very high. If this guy thinks he can make money promoting you, why does he need to charge you for it? Tell him he can take his fee out of the money the record company pays you for your CD.
I’m coming to this from writing, but this smells much like various phoney agent scammers, and that ain’t pretty.
If you want to think about it, ask for a list of acts they represent and recent signings. If they refuse (often citing “confidentiality”), walk away. A legit agency is going to brag about sales; a scammer will try to hide the fact they have none.
Now that I see their FAQs, there are more problems. They are insisting of fees up front. Bad, bad, bad.
If this were a literary agent, I’d say it definitely smells like scam. It may be different in the music business (but I doubt it), but I’d be extremely cautious about sending anything to these guys.
Look at the $600 package. Now calculate their costs:
60 cassettes – about $60
Postage – say another $60
Materials – two sheets of paper @ $0.07/copy x 60 = $8.40
Mailers – be generous, say $1 each – $60
Total expense: $128.40
You pay $600. Even if you consider their overhead at $200, that’s a pretty nice markup.
And consider their guarantee:
First of all, what do they mean “create a buzz”? “We sent it out and they’re talking about what idiots you are to use us. That’s creating a buzz. No refunds.”
And if they’re so sure they can sell your tape, why do you need to pay the fee? Ask that one and see how they hem and haw.
“Expenses,” they’ll say.
“But won’t you make back those when the record company signs us? Do you think you can market us or not?”
“Oh, sure we can market you.”
“Then you’re going to get your money anyway, so there’s no need to ask for anything in advance.”
“We need it up front.”
“Do you think the record will sell or not?”
“Oh, it’ll sell.”
“Then you’re guaranteed to get your expenses back, aren’t you?”
“Maybe not.”
“Why? You said you think the record will sell.”
I think you should call their bluff, and ask to speak to some bands they have already “helped”. If they are good, and they know it, they should have no problem referring you to them.
If they have some excuse for why they cannot offer referrees, ditch 'em, I reckon.
The company is performing a service - whether giving them your $600 is worth it depends on a lot of factors, especially their respectability in the market.
Let’s face it - radio stations and record labels get tons of unsolicited stuff a week. Most of it goes directly into the garbage. However, there are “talent brokers” that consistently submit high quality material and therefore get more attention. So, it doesn’t matter if the 97 Radio submits your demos to 20 stations or 200, if they do not have a good reputation in the industry, whatever they submit will most likely end up in the trash.
Do your research - meanwhile, keep your money in your pocket.
I was told that www.taxi.com was a legit outfit. They do passive listings and do not guarantee any results but charge small fees up-front and clearly explain what it is they do for you.
I have never attempted to be in a band but as I’ve heard it, anybody who contacts you and says your music is great but wants to charge you money to promote it is very probably going to be a waste of your money.
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