How to Get Your Record on a Major Label Level Without the Major Label (and Keep Your Artistic Control)

 

By Cari Cole

Most artists today, are a bit leery of big labels. They know that if they sign with a major, they risk sacrificing artistic control. Because when the big boys are investing in you, they want to control their investment ~ and they will. They will control you and your work. Your songs, your image, your art.

Enter, the indie revolution. Problem solved. Now you can release music on your own, keep your artistic control and your profits. Bam.

Are there downsides?

Yep.

You miss out on the bankroll for your project and the muscle to get you in front of the public in a single swoop ($$$$$.) Okay, well, who needs big bucks anyway. A smaller career is worth it!

But, you also miss out on the process of making a record, of birthing an artist to the world that involves much more than money or marketing prowess. You most likely will miss out on A & R ~ the process of being sure you’ve got the right material for the record. That it’s strong enough, that it matches the artist enough. That is says something the world wants to hear at that particular time – enough to breakthrough. That the music is on point, innovative, rooted in the past but relevant to today. That you’ve got the right production team and enough ears and objective opinions on the project to ensure it’s success ~ as much as possible.

And that, is not happening much today with independent releases. Matter of fact, it’s an epidemic that more independent releases fail because they weren’t worked on enough.

They are made in the recording studio with just the ears of the artist and the producer. They are made in a cave without enough feedback — or process. And that, can be deadly and a waste of time, efforts and resources. And it doesn’t need to be that way.

 

 

A year ago we had a meeting at BMG with SR VP Andrew Gould who helped develop the careers of Andra Day, Sia and many more well known artists. We showed Andrew 5 or our artists that we A & R’d during the making of their records. We helped select the material, fine tune and hone the writing, the vocals, the productions. We labored over each project, sometimes for years. Each project was a culmination of a lot of blood, sweat and tears for the artist and everyone involved. They were victory laps that were hard won in the best of ways. After listening (and being excited about several of them), Andrew said “Wow. You are releasing major label level artists without the major label.” That phrase stuck with us and helped us realize even more how important the process of the making of a record actually is.
Here are my Top 8 Tips for Making Your Next Record Major Label Level Status. Each one is critical. Do them all and you’ll be in the running.

 

1. Don’t Rush, Do It Right.

Too many artists hold themselves to an impossible deadline. There is no hard deadline on a creative project. The project itself will reveal the release date. Don’t rush. Do the work.

 

2. Get A & R Guidance.

This technique has been used by some of our best beloved artists. Hozier did the same to unearth his record that blew up the airwaves. And if you have a day job, then lock yourself in a room at night ~ or vice versa. You need an uninterrupted concentrated period of time to get to the good stuff. Do it.

 

3. Write and Co-write. A lot.

Don’t write about casual stuff. And stop cloaking your insides with outsides. The only way to write a record that will break through is to bare your soul. You’ve got to dig deep to get grab people’s attention. This world doesn’t respond to fluff ~ not really.

 

4. Lock Yourself In a Room

When you are making your record you need to put blinders on. Hozier said he locked himself in a room and didn’t come out until he had a record. It takes lots of time to reflect with no distractions to get to the good stuff. Don’t fool yourself. Carve the time.

 

5. Unearth Your Message

What you say is everything. When you are writing a record, you are on a mission to unearth the message inside you that is screaming to get out. Make that your goal and you’ll have something powerful.

 

6. Research the Right Producer & Team

Having the right people working on your record will make or break it. Period. Do a lot of research. Meet with a lot of people. Get feedback on them from professionals you know. Get referrals. Stop at nothing to find them. You need the right producer, A & R team, co-writers, musicians and if you’re smart, the right vocal producer (more on that below.)

 

7. Vocalize Every Day for 6 Months

Make this one non-negotiable. The lead vocal is the star of your album, the star of your track. Don’t skimp on this. Do the work. You’ll be so glad you did. Remember when Lady Gaga performed at the Oscars and blew everyone away with her voice? She vocalized every day for 6 months because she was smart. It works. Do the work.

 

8. Work with a Vocal Producer/Arranger

My pet peeve is that most artists don’t work on their vocals and leave them to the last minute. Your vocals are the star of the track. All big records have vocal arrangers. You should to. Don’t leave undeveloped or undelivered vocals on your next record.

 

Want to do all of this in an organized focused setting with guidance? Check out our Your Exceptional Record Course where we lay out all the steps and give you the know-how and resources.