Music Business/Law Tips - "Tour Support"

Artists normally sell more product when they tour and selling product is really all that record labels care about, so sometimes a record label will financially support a tour if an artist is new and not breaking even on the road yet. This is called "tour support". Tour support money can help defray touring related expenses such as gas, food, food, lodging and crew. This would be considered an "advance" that is generally recoupable against the artist's royalties. Ben McLane Esq. benmclane.com

Music Business/Law Tips - "DIY Pitching Music"

Clients I have that have been able to place music, they are done it these ways: (1) developed a relationship with a music publisher who would pitch, (2) developed a relationship with a manager who would pitch, (3) developed their own one on one connections with labels, artists, managers, publishers, producers, A&R reps, etc by going to lots of music conferences, etc and making their own one on one connections. Of course there are third party services like Taxi that help to get that initial break and then once you have a cut or a hit its easier to meet the movers and shakers. Ive have found that with Facebook you may be able to track down and artist or producer A&R person or music publisher or other record exec that works with the kinds of acts that might cut your tune(s) and send them a pitch direct. If you are BMI, ASCAP or SESEAC and know a rep inside you might also want to get their opinion/suggestions as they have the inside track on a lot of projects looking for songs. Ben McLane Esq benmclane.com

Music Business/Law Tip - "Recording Advance"

A "recording advance" is the money paid by a record label to/for the benefit of artist used to cover the costs of recording a record (i.e., studio rental, producer, mixer, session musicians, engineer, equipment). Normally, this amount would be recoupable against the artist's future royalties. Budgets can range from a few thousand to a million dollars. Ben McLane Esq benmclane.com