Being a Songwriter

Being a Songwriter

 

In the past it was easier to compose, arrange, and play a song. Today, it’s more difficult to produce a hit single. Pop culture is now using a staff of songwriters that are directly employed by music publishers. Only a few songwriters serve as their own music publisher. Now-a-days, songwriters no longer need record labels to support their career. Because of technology and the internet, anyone can work at home.

When it comes to songwriting, it is important that you know the artist, their style, and their agenda. You need to know what direction an artist is going toward. Some artists try to create a body of work that tells a story or many stories. The best option is to personally work with the artist. Any songwriter can choose a beat and write songs, but if the song doesn’t fit the artist then what’s the point.

To me, there are two types of songs. You have “right now” songs and lifetime songs. “Right now” songs are hits that don’t last forever. Lifetime songs are more challenging. Some artists would usually choose to have a lifetime song. At the same time, most record labels today look for hit songs.

“Right Now” Songs

A “right now” song usually becomes irrelevant. This happens because all “right now” songs are lyrically the same. The song doesn’t tell a story or represent the artist. Ex: An artist has a song on the radio about going to the club. Months later, another artist submits a song about the same subject making the previous song possibly second place or irrelevant. This becomes a never ending cycle. If you want to build a career by just writing “right now” songs, be prepared to write a hand full. The songs also have to make sense if you want artists to accept your songs.

Lifetime Songs

Lifetime songs are the best songs to write. Anytime you hear an old school song on the radio, it’s usually one of the best songs from the artist. Lifetime songs have more emotion and creativity. The songs either relates to the artist, the audience, or both. To me, they don’t make songs like this anymore.

Advice

Choose the direction that is best for your career. Now-a-days it’s hard to get a placement. To start your songwriting career, try working with a producer who is on the same page and same creativity. This will help develop your writing skills before you become professional. Be innovative as well. I believe songs today become irrelevant because there isn’t enough creativity or uniqueness. But, if you want to write more “right now” songs, it’s nothing wrong with that. Just try writing a lifetime song every now and then.

The Music Industry

The Music Industry

How It Works

The music industry is companies that make money by creating and selling music. All companies consist of different record labels. For ex: Def Jam, Interscope, Rocnation, Atlantic, Geffen, etc. Record labels consist of artists and people who help with creating, promoting, selling, performance, legal rights, media, and press.

A&R

Most artists are discovered by someone from A&R (Artists and Repertoire). A&R’s are responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of an artist. A&R executive is authorized to offer a record contract. A&R’s work closely with the artist to determine if the song or album is acceptable to the record label they work for.

Composing

When it comes to composing a song, record labels need producers, songwriters, and audio engineers. A producer will create or introduce an instrumental that will fit with the personality and talent of the artist. Most artists need songwriters. At times, producers and songwriters would collaborate to compose a semi-complete song for the artist. Audio engineers take care of the recording, mixing, and mastering of the song.

There are two types of producers. An executive producer oversees an album project’s finances. A music producer oversees the creation of the music, which allows music producers to create, shape, and mold a song. At times, with new artists, someone from A&R is the overseers.

Selling

When an album is complete, the process of audio begins. The physical aspect, such as CDs (compact disc), is sold by music retailers. The music distributor delivers from the manufacturer to the retailer. In order, the retailer pays the distributor who pays the record label. The record label pays royalties to the publishers, producers, and songwriters. The record label then pays royalties to the artist.

In the online world, physical media doesn’t exist. The digital media aspects, such as MP3 or WAV file, are sold by online stores such as iTunes or Amazon. In this case, every song can be purchased individually. Although, digital media is sold differently from physical media, payments and royalties are still the same due to agreement to the record label and vendor licensing terms.

Promoting

When a song is broadcast, organizations, such as the ASCAP or BMI, take care of performance rights. They collect a royalty which is paid to composers and artists. When songs are used in television and film, the composer and their publishing company are paid through a synchronization license.

Live performances are usually organized by promoters and venue owners. A booking agency represents the artist to promoters, makes deals, and book performances. Consumers would later buy tickets either from the venue or from Ticketmaster. Live Nation owns Ticketmaster and is the must dominate company for live performance.

Hopefully Helpful

Hopefully this blog will help new artists understand the basics of the music industry. I know there are a lot of artists that are clueless and would like the knowledge before signing to a record label. Some record labels follow this structure. My only advise to you is to start your music career independently first. That way, if you decide to sign with a record label and everything goes wrong, you’ll know how to get back on track.

 

For more information about the music industry and other blog topics about music and the music business in general, visit http://www.jayalgeezyonline.com.

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Want to establish a music career? In my blog, I will provide information and advice on how to be successful in the music industry or as an independent artist.