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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | "AssociationWorks" <AssociationWorks@comcast.net> |
| Subject | A&R scam |
| Date | Mon, 6 Oct 2003 17:35:15 -0700 |
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I know there are alot of indie artists on this list, so I thought I'd
send out a warning about a scam that is proliferating like wildfire.
It has to do with a crop of independent A&R shopping networks
who are preying on indie artists and unsigned bands who want to
get their music exposed to record labels and music publishers.
I was approached by one such company the other day (Alternative Spin
www.alternativespin.com) Within moments of expressing interest
they faxed me a 6-month non-exclusive agreement whereby they would
"shop" my demo to 40+ labels for a $600 "retainer". The caviot (or carrot on
the stick to the artist) is that if any deal from their "roster of labels" is not
offered to the artist within the 6-month period the $600 retainer is refunded in
full. The crux or loophole of this scam is that many artists are indeed offered
recording contracts or licensing agreements...usually by bogus record
labels or lame offers for pay-to-play type deals, etc.
The fact that their contract was ridiculously simple and their "A&R person"
I spoke with was about as articulate as a 2nd rate telemarketer should
have tipped me off from the get-go!
If you are an indie/unsigned artist who gets contacted by any of the follwing
companies, BEWARE!! and check them out first-hand...
97RADIO
ALTERNATIVE SPIN (CIG MUSIC)
TALENT 2K
DEFTONE RECORDS
For an fascinating, in-depth expose read HERE:
http://www.garageradio.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=517
Jeff Shelton
Spinning Jennies
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