JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Musician Message Forum So many singers......

We are new here but see that there are so many aspiring singers looking for a chance. I thought I would introduce us.

SkyeLab Entertainment Group is an experienced, full service music production company and recording studio dedicated to helping talented artists, singers and songwriters participate professionally in the music industry and realize their dreams of success.

We've worked with major artists such as Madonna, Will Smith, Missy Elliot, 98 Degrees, Sisqo, Brandy, Mya and Pink, just to name a few.

I love to chat with singers that want to take that next step in their career. Go to our site www.skyelab.com to see what we do and Email me at skyelabny@gmail.com if you are interested.

Hi Skylab

My name is Michele, I am nearly 45 this year, and I feel time is running out for me. I am currently working on my own album, my first song "Don't push my button" is the first song I have ever written, and recorded. I haven't done much singing through my life either. My second song I am working on is called "I Wanna(Gonna)get over it" and the next I will be doing is "Call a taxi".

Before I even send you an email, I live in Australia, and also I would rather you listen to my song "Don't push my button" first. To me, there is no point getting excited about something, if it isn't going to happen. I take that back, no matter what it takes me, I'm going to make it happen.

Click on my soundclick, and you will hear my first song.

Thanks a bunch

Michele

Hi Michele,
I'm sure Skyelab can tell you this too, but they are a production house. That means, you pay them money, and they produce your song with radio-quality sound. Nothing wrong with that. But they're not a label or a publisher - so they wouldn't be "picking up" your song, or anything like that, because that's not what they do.

Does that make sense, I hope?
There are many, many places to have demos done. So it's your job to research their website, see what they have to offer, and figure out if their price ranges are right for you - IF a professional production is what you're looking for.

Linda

Hi Linda

Thanks a bunch, I have already got someone doing my demo's, so thanks for letting me know hey, I feel real blonde at the moment. So that's what I need, a publisher or a label, the music industry is all new to me, and thanks for letting me know, hey.

Sometimes I don't understand things properly especially as I am very tired at the moment, I read it again after reading your post, and it made sense.

Linda, did you listen to my song, on the Mp3 forum, "Don't push my button", what do you think of my very first song.

Michele

Michele You gotta watch out for publishers and pluggers as well they charge money and promise that they will promote your records and turn you into a star. But do not hold your breath.
Check out thoroughly anybody in the industry you may want to do business with especially those who want money or a signed contract. There are a lot of scammers. Some big sharks out there looking for minnows to eat.

Michelle - the golden rule is if you part with some money, the service they are providing you should be clear.

It could be producing a demo, sending 100 copies of your CD to local radio stations and so on, depending on the business.

You want something tangible, something you can quantify.

If they ask for your money for something that isn't tangible and that you cannot quantify (eg "make you famous") then run away!

"Skyelab Studios is a music production company with a music recording studio in New York City, NY offering demo music production, songwriter demos, singer demos and demo tapes for the independent artist, singers and songwriters looking for information on how to get a record deal. Our music production business works with record labels, music publishing companies, record producers, music production companies, record companies, singers and musical artists. We produce a variety of musical styles, such as Pop music, R&B, Dance, Rock, Country Music and Pop/R&B. If you need a NYC record producer, a recording studio New York, a music producer or music producers, a music demo, songwriter demo, artist demo, singer demo, producer demo, or demo tape, Skyelab Sound Studios provide's top music producers and engineers to produce your project to help you get a record deal. We also offer career guidance once your music demo tape is recorded by us."

Here's the details:

Platinum Demo/Master Package is just 2 payments of $797. (per song)

Gold Music Demo Package is just 2 payments of $497. (per song)

Entry Level Package $225.
This package not offered at this time.

Don't forget you would have to go to NYC to record your vocal track in their studio.

$1600 for a "master" isn't really outrageous, but you really have to trust the producer, and your musical style will have to match the musicians and production style of the main producer there, Arty Skye. I remember reading several of his articles in a music magazine a few years ago. He seems to know his stuff - but you have to like what he does.

They do seem to offer a few extras like getting the song on iTunes and Rhapsody. I know that can take some work if you haven't done it before.

However, they are NOT a record label, an artist management company, a song plugger, or a radio promoter. You just need to understand what it is they are capable of doing - and more importantly - what NOT to expect.

Here is what they say they will help you do (besides give you a recording):

* Help you get your music online with iTunes, Rhapsody and Napster
* Create a polished press package with a professional presentation
* Get photos done with a professional photographer
* Decide where to best market yourself and how
* Know what to do if and when the offers start coming in

Michele recording is a hands on experience. Most folk want to be there and see their baby being created and taking shape rather than sending in a rough to be recorded on your behalf.
I must have imput in my recordings working with the engineer and adding my two cents worth and supervising how it takes shape and is mixed etc. Kinda hard to do thousands of miles away. Stick to a good local studio. They get to know you and have a personal relationship. They will do a better job for you. It will probably work out costing less.

Well, I have been flat out with work, and I finally got some time to get on JPF, thank you all so much for your advice and help. I will continue to stick with Paul doing all my demo's as he is very reasonably priced, and I agree Jim, I need to be able to have my say in how I want my songs.

Paul has been nothing but, encouraging me with my songs, we just click, as to, I went to someone else as Paul was busy, and I didn't click with him at all.

So, if any thing does crop up, as to a record deal, I will get Paul to make sure that they do the right thing by me. I will continue on, thanks again.

And yeah, I also live in Australia.
Michele

Thanks for all the good informative posts. I hope to be able to help educate people on these boards about the music business. There are many scams out there to be wary of. We have been doing it for over 20 years so I hope we are not looked at in that group.
A professional sounding demo is essential nowadays. There are many places to have it done and I agree the key is to go with someone you feel comfortable with but also someone who has experience in what you are trying to accomplish. Be wary of the basement studios where the "producer" wants you to record your vocals in his bathroom. (unfortunately I hear about this way too often)
Any specific questions, feel free to shoot them my way.

I don't think anyone was lumping you into that group at all. I'm sure you could offer some valuable advice here.

We simply try to warn people about possible scams and make sure that when someone wants to spend a fair amount of money in this industry, that they understand what they're getting - and NOT getting.

As a new poster here advertising their wares, it is simply prudent for us to do a bit of research on you. I'm sure you do research yourself when venturing into a new area.

On a slightly related note...

I know of a fairly successful indie artist who goes to Nashville about once a year and plunks down $20,000 for a master CD using live Nashville musicians. It gets done in 2-4 weeks, including a few re-writes. That cost doesn't include travel costs, etc.

It takes some organization to ensure all the logistics are taken care of, but it works for that particular artist. Then they perform and market the CD themselves - and do pretty well for themself.

Hi Skyelab
You did nothing wrong in your post and you are very welcome here. Everyones reaction was to Michele's misinterpretation of what you were offering. As you can see "we are all in this together", the JPF motto, and we look out for each other. Don't take it any other way.

Me too. We need top class studios and demo services in our business. However as you are only too aware there are scammers and amateurs charging pro prices. Our boards are targets and pondlife are no strangers.
The messages posted were only pointing out this fact to our inexperienced members who could be easily duped. We protect our own. Nothing personal and nothing aimed at you or your company.

Hi Skyelab,

Have a listen to my song below on my soundclick, I think Paul done a wonderful job. Let me know what you think, being in the business for 20 years, it would be great to get your opinion on my song.

And to all you lovely JPF's thank you very much for being so protective, I feel really safe here. Cool. I love you all very, very much.

Michele
Your Aussie friend from Australia

Hi again Skyelab

Money, Money, Money, I haven't got any, I struggle to afford Paul's pricing, and he only charges me $35 Australian dollars an hour, so how can those who want to get there songs out there, be successful if they can't afford, your great expertise.

Do I give up now?

Michele
Aussie girl from down under

No offense to Skyelab, but no one in the Indie community has enough money to buy success. It can't be done. If it COULD.. everyone would be already doing it right? The major labels spend 1 million dollars on average promoting a Pop single for an artist. If there was a way to get somewhere for a couple hundred bucks or a couple thousand bucks, don't you think they'd all be doing that?

You should only spend money promoting yourself and your music when you're already making money and have so much activity that you don't have time to do it for yourself. Until then, learn to write great songs.. learn to perform well. Get a following of some size locally. Learn what excites people about your music and who they are. Then find more people like them to market yourself to. When you're selling tons of CD's and doing tons of local gigs then you should consider stepping up your game and perhaps finding specific people to do specific services for you at that time.

Brian

Brian..i reckon that post just about sums it up...success does breed success,but unfortunately no-one does it for you..and to find that success initially,which is your foundation,you have to write what the people want and like, in your particular field/genre/market of music,and it is true,people who have bought into your music previously, are very near a certainty to stick with you,and so on and so forth...which in turn builds up your fan base,and gives the writer/performer encouragement to keep writing and hopefully improving at their craft....Terry..

Hi Skyelab,
We're glad to have you here. In my first reply to Michele, I was explaining what your business is. I should have added that the website looked on the up&up, very professional.

As others have pointed out, we get a number of "first posters" advertising all sorts of wares... often bogus or scammy. Many legit businesses simply make one post and leave.

We're glad to welcome you aboard and will appreciate your professional input wherever you care to post. Feel free to make yourselves known, offer opinions on songs or lyrics, etc, and let us get to know you. As you tell us about your 20 yrs. experience and share some 'war stories,' we'll trust you. Glad you're here - and welcome! We can use a few more in your business on board to help guide and direct, and warn away from the scammers.

Michele - yes, this is a very safe group. You've landed in a good spot. We're like family - we may have our spats and disagreements, but we stick together. Glad you found us!

I went and listened to your song! I haven't been on the MP3 board in a while - I'm delinquent. A lot of people have listened to my Star-Spangled Banner and I haven't gotten in to listen back to all of them yet. Been working!

I like the catchy arrangement and melody. Good theme too. (As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm glad you pulled through!!) Pretty good job for a first-ever song, I must say. Keep on writing - don't stop with one! It was interesting to hear country with your Aussie accent - fun. I'm assuming that's your wedding photo with the song - you make a nice-looking couple.

Another Amen to Brian, too. If success could be bought by smaller artists, it'd be happening.

Linda

Sorry I was away for the weekend and didn't get to post until now. This does seem like a very supportive group and I am glad to be a part of it.
Getting a top quality recording done is not cheap. And as the saying goes 'you get what you pay for'. I can't even tell you guys how many times we get new clients who come to us with a previous demo that they had done cheaply and are so upset with the result. They ended up wasting their money and time on a inexperienced producer who could not get what they were going for but was all too happy to take their money. It boils down like any other business where it takes an investment to get started. I think those who accept that the music business is just that 'a business' tend to be most successful. Making music as a hobby is great too but to try to have a career as a musician takes this 'biz' mindset.
If anyone gets approached by any scammers feel free to tell us what they are offering and I will give my advice on what is feasible. Thanks

I agree with what 99% of what you're saying Skyelab.

I would add that the people that I have met who have been truly successful in the music industry have had the willingness to throw everything at becoming a successful artist and that has made the biggest impact in their success.

Practice 7 hours a day and tour like B.B King and eventually you'll get there.

Lots of people get a business mindset about their music, but often their music just doesn't stack up in terms of production quality or their material. Make sure you've spent a lot of time perfecting your craft before opening your wallet, and then do it with your eyes open.

The 1% difference in opinion is probably about the 'you get what you pay for' statement. There are still golden opportunities out there for artists.

My first studio recording was done in a place that charged $10 an hour rates (a few years ago now):-). The engineer had been there for twelve years and knew everything about the space and its limitations, his skills made that recording. Compared to the $100 an hour studio I recorded in the following year (still many years ago) the end result was a lot better in every respect, despite having all the nice mics, latest hardware and a very competent engineer.

Is it really 1 mill per single? If that is the case, no wonder you only see a few singles released per album. Still, this number seems overly inflated.

From what I have read, a major label makes between $0.60 and $1.00 per album sold, with around $6.00 per unit going towards marketing and distribution. According to Billboard magazine, only about $2.40 of that is spent on promotion and marketing. For a platinum album, that would equate to 2.4 million total spent on advertising. If it really costs a million dollars to promote a single, I don't see how a record company could release any more than two singles per album, yet there are albums with three or more singles released that didn't even get certified platinum and these are albums the record company still made a profit on.

If the labels have their own radio pluggers on staff and these people are paid a specific salary, then I don't see how it would cost a million per single in promotion costs, unless you're talking payola (the music industry just got a huge spanking for doing this). Moreover, if the artist is well known, the radio stations will play anything released by that artist (they will get tons of requests).

I realize that you know a hell of a lot more about the music business than I probably ever will, but I get the suspicion that a lot of the cost estimates put out by the major labels are grossly inflated. The majors are notoriously ruthless and would do anything to make an extra buck, including lie about their bottom lines.

I just don't see how it would cost a mill to promote one song. All the print and TV add promotion involves the entire album. Other that getting the single airplay (which involves paying for lunch or dinner or the occasional excursion to a strip club), what else is involved in promoting it apart from promotion of the entire album?

There is virtually no difference quality-wise between a professionally produced demo and an actual radio-ready master. Soulja Boy Tell 'em's number one hit 'Crank That' was produced using the original demo. Given all the royalty free loops available these days, it is possible to produce an entire album without having to pay musicians to play live. That is the way most hip hop albums are produced. You can do it all yourself on Pro Tools and it won't cost anything. I am always amazed when I hear about 200k budgets being paid for major artists to complete an album when all they do is waste studio time drinking and fighting with each other. It is a huge waste of $$, IMHO.

With all due respect to Skyelab Studios, you are in business to make money by recording people's albums. Some of the demos I have paid $300.00 to get done are as radio ready as anything that is put out by a major label.