# What is the best way to expose yourself to a record label? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 14, 2003, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206 "2003-11-14T06:59:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/21 "2003-11-15T15:31:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aviary Disaster \* > \*\*headache? what? its a style. > > I dont understand what you guys mean by headache. > > Peace > AVA. \*\* Re: the fades. They’re talking about the song “Brain Relaxant.” The parts (basically, the whole song) with the synth acoustic guitar sounds constantly fading out is a bit unnerving. It doesn’t really work in an experimental context, and certainly not in a song with the word “relaxant” in the title. My problem with the music is that it’s a bit nondescript. It ain’t bad per se. It’s just a bit…well, it doesn’t sound terribly inspired – a bit too left-brained and bit too “trip hop by numbers.” Something a computer might generate if you created an artificial trip hop compositional tool for it. Is this making any sense? Now, I do like this genre of music, but it’s already a bit outdated. Not that that should stop you, but these particular songs are not really contributing much to the genre. You obviously have a good basic knowledge of how to work this genre, but I feel like you’re still in the finding-your-own-style phase. Imitation is a very important part of learning how to make music, and I encourage to continue it. However, no insult intended, I don’t think these tunes will perk up the ears of any record execs anytime soon. Also, perhaps you want to consider heading away from the purely instrumental…unless you can pull off the type of musical denisty such acts as the French duo M83 or Iceland’s Sigur Ros can. It’s not exactly your genre, but those acts are electronic acts which are experimental and creating something new and fresh. If you haven’t heard them, they might be worth checking out. As for getting signed, the band I used to play with got signed to a German indie lable simply by making a good demo CD, meeting with the guys running the company, and giving them the disk. They liked it and agreed to release our stuff. Sometimes it can be that easy. But labels usually like hard-working bands who tour. They want you to be out there promoting your material. They also like bands who are fairly well established. So if you’re not out there agressively selling yourself, it’s gonna be next to impossible to find a label willing to back you. My friends who have major label experience got there via an indie label as well. So best bet, start indie. Also, you could work the local colleges to play your record. Do whatever you can to promote yourself. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/22 "2003-11-15T15:32:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aviary Disaster \* > \*\*I do make music for own enjoyment though, I still have yet to earn a single penny. Dont think for a moment I do this for reasons besides the fact that I love to do it, becuase I for one know that I may never be recognized in the world EVER. > > [www.kidwonderful.com](http://www.kidwonderful.com) > > I wasnt trying to be too critical on people who don’t like my music, but some of these cats here cant dissassociate my political beliefs with my music, they’ll probbaly hate anything I do, but when you say things that are unpopular that is just something you have to face with down the road later… > > Oh well. > > Peace > AVA. \*\* Politcal beliefs? Huh? Were there political messages in your music that I missed? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2003, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/23 "2003-11-15T17:54:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Darth Nader \* > \*\ ***Aviary Disaster** , I have earned exactly _one_ royalty check in my life: For my work on a track on small fan-driven tribute to the perfect oddness known to us as “Coil”. It was for US$2.64. I never cashed it-- I framed it. 😉 > \*\* Sweet, what track did you cover? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/24 "2003-11-16T11:10:57Z")
It was on [LOVED, STOLEN AND DECONSTRUCTED](http://www.brainwashed.com/brain/brainv02i26.html) (scroll down a bit)… The link no longer works, I guess Eli has moved on. Mine was one of the “drone-ish originals”. ---
**Author:** ![gex\_gex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/94ad74/32.png) [@gex\_gex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gex_gex)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/25 "2003-11-16T12:49:31Z")
As to the “does the music suck or not” debate, I’ve only listened to Brain Relaxant, which I didn’t hate. I just found it a bit, as **pulkamell** said, abit “trip hop by the numbers.” Whereas sparse can often work, in this case it just sounded empty. you may describe this as a style, but a style is only useful if it works. I didn’t really get into until around halfway through, when you started bringing in other elements and shuffling the beat around a bit. I’d look to those areas in future; trip hop’s been around for a while, and unless you’re going to bring something new to the table, I don’t see much point in doing it. But don’t let my words discourage you. I’ve only listened to one somg, but from what I’ve heard, you’ve got potential. Develop the good parts, experiment a bit more and you might just have something there. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/26 "2003-11-16T22:10:54Z")
Sup **AVA**. I’ve made tons of stuff through sampling, recording, sequencing, etc… And the rule of thumb is, practice and more practice. For about every 10 songs I create, 1 will might be good. I have to agree that _Relaxant_ wasn’t really relaxing. It wasn’t even anything I could bounce to in a club. I took the time to listen to about 70% of each song and shut all of them off except one. As I write this, I’m listening to _So Sorry Prefuse_. I’m really diggin’ this beat and how the second half comes in. Second, I will say that you can’t expect everyone to like your stuff and not critique it, even if it’s harsh. If it’s harsh, this shouldn’t sway you away from what you like to do, it should motivate you to do better and suprise the hell out of your audience next time, whom ever it may be. I would say, if you really love doing this stuff, do it for a couple more years and see where your at. Through out this time, share your music with everyone you know. Family, friends, random folks, you’ll be suprised. Signing to a record label, should be the last thing you’re thinking about. To be honest, my friends and I never thought about it, we just get some 40 oz’ers and dick around with the stuff and have a good time. Also, for the record, what equipment do you use? I myself use a Roland MPC-909, Yamaha MD8 recorder, Fruityloops, mic’d drums, guitars and a cheap ass Yamaha keyboard from target (it’s amazing how this thing sounds with effects and equilization). A song we make can get processed like 20 times throughout different sound editors and such. Just trying to see what other people are doing to make their beats. And trust me, you have potential, just don’t try to get into the game so fast, have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/27 "2003-11-17T06:56:36Z")
Ava. I would say forget the record labels. At least the majors. They are a waste of time and money unless you intend to sell YOURSELF and be their pawn. Just write music and enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/28 "2003-11-17T07:01:26Z")
Don’t forget, many record stores will take stuff on consignment, so whip up them CDs and get them out there. Just make sure you have contact info on them when that A&R guy picks it up. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Aviary\_Disaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/34f0e0/32.png) [@Aviary\_Disaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aviary_Disaster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/29 "2003-11-17T08:50:53Z")
[http://www.kidwonderful.com/betteroffyesterday.mp3](http://www.kidwonderful.com/betteroffyesterday.mp3) Peace AVA. Yeah I wasnt going to aim for major record labels, I know thats not the venue for me. ---
**Author:** ![Aviary\_Disaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/34f0e0/32.png) [@Aviary\_Disaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aviary_Disaster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206/30 "2003-11-17T08:52:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pulykamell \* > \*\*Politcal beliefs? Huh? Were there political messages in your music that I missed? \*\* They are from other message boards. Peace AVA. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-expose-yourself-to-a-record-label/213206.md?page=1)