A thoroughly well-written educational piece of work that is well worth investigating.
Are you in a band? Do you aspire to be in a band? Are you a musician, or are you talented enough to write songs? Do you dream of making a successful career within the music industry, but are simply unsure of how to gain a foothold in an increasingly cut-throat business? If your answer to any of the above is YES then this book is an indispensable accompaniment to your journey through your musical vocation. It will not assist you in learning how to sing and play; neither will it teach you how to write the perfect song. This book is all about the Music Business, what you should do to embark on your quest, and all of the pitfalls to avoid. Indeed, it’s a long way to the top…
About the author; Will has spent the last fifteen years working in various guises in the music industry, including artist manager and music-journalist, with his last position as an A&R guy at Ruffworld Music, working with Joe Ruffalo (manager of Prince, Earth, Wind and Fire). This is Will’s first book, and as the author himself succinctly describes it, it is “A High-Octane roller coaster blockbuster of sex and drugs on a biblical scale. Just kidding; It's actually a kick-ass guide showing young bands how they can create a career for themselves whilst chasing that never-gonna-happen-record-deal. And Win. ‘The Rock and Roll Times - Guide to the Music Industry’ is a concise attempt at breaking down the myths, legends and bullshit surrounding the music industry, and how to break into it. Aimed mostly at young bands trying to get a record deal, it is simply a Guerilla Guide for Indie brains and talent to create a platform whilst understanding a career in the music industry is a journey and not a destination. Maybe along the way the book can help them make a little bit more money and a little less ripped-off. Having spent many years in the music industry myself in various guises as A&R, management and Press; it became obvious as the digital world took over, it would bring more chances and opportunities for young bands to get their acts together professional and get their music heard over the digital airwaves. It was under this premise that the book was written.”
’The Rock & Roll Times’ delves deep into the darkest recesses of the music industry at all different levels, and covers all aspects of what is involved; how to get your music heard by the A & R department of a Record label (and how to cope with the rejection); how to negotiate a publishing deal for your compositions and establish your share of the royalties; appointing a manager, music agent and promoter; all the Legal advice and Music Laws you will need; how to form a band and establish the hierarchy within it; everything involved with the recording studio, involving producing, mixing and mastering, and the difference behind all the processes; hints on creating the perfect website to help promote your music; distribution; touring; merchandise; making a video; even how to set up your own record label.
There is also creative input from many high profile music industry luminaries offering pragmatic advice on many of the subjects within the book. Iron Maiden’s legendary manager Rod Smallwood, A&R men Steve Proud of Atlantic Records and Mark Palmer at Roadrunner, LiveNation promoter Jon Dunn, producer Richard Robson (Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck), and Revolver Records Chairman Paul Birch are just some of the names that Will has enlisted. Will himself is a big music fan, and offers his own thoughts on many of the subjects involved with references to how they have affected Artistes including Metallica, Oasis, AC/DC and Queen.
Also currently in development are plans for music concept Websites that tie-in with a TV and Radio Show, and the platform for the book is the soon to be launched music website - The Rock and Roll Times.
So if you are in a band or have any aspirations to carve out a career within any section of the music industry then this book is a highly informative and essential accessory. Even if you are just a music fan who is intrigued with how the industry operates then this is a thoroughly well-written educational piece of work that is well worth investigating.
Available from www.smashwords.com
Ant Heeks
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