Hello all.

My wife got a phone call from "Joe" at A&R select after giving her number to a scout after one of her shows in London. (she just got back from a two-month tour opening up for Maggi, Pierce and E.J.) I returned the call acting as her manager.

Since they didn't go the MySpace route with her and the first contact was via the phone (well technically in person, and in London know less), it felt a little more legit. But I have been in the music business for a long time and I was immediately skeptical.

I have dealt with these kinds of companies before and the amount they were asking for was usually in the thousands, not the hundreds. (most of them were NYC based).

I am glad I found this forum because I think that skepticism is healthy. I cannot begrudge a company like AR select for attempting to make money, as long as they are legitimately trying to get the artist out there because they know that that is where they will make the real money (in the finder's fees paid by the record companies or MTV or whoever)

However, my nagging question is this:

If you think the music is so good, why do you need our money up front? I'd rather work with you on a commision-based basis where we both have something at stake.

If I had $400 lying around, it might be worth it. "Joe" is a slick salesman and the pitch sounded good because they sound like a hungry start-up company. I am just not sure what they are hungry for.

And BTW, why isn't anyone pimping their bands in this forum?

Here's my wife's myspace page. If you are into Ricki Lee, Michelle Shocked et. al. you might dig it:

myspace.com/alisonlewismusic

Peace!