Ken Morgan

Ken Morgan

“The Wireline Chronicles” The Glenn Eaves Story

“From Concept to Release: An Independent Record”

As many have already discovered, there is so much more to getting your independently released music out to the public. Used to be, you found someone with a decent enough recording place, arranged the price and the players, and ended up with ONE master recording. Thing have changed just a bit since then (understatement of the week).

As an independent engineer/producer, studio owner, composer, and all around good guy (nudge-wink) I’ve been asked by the good folks at Digital Muze to put some guidelines together to help independent artists with the process of making a record, from concept to release. During this series, we will be looking at things from technical standpoints, legal standpoints, some business standpoints, the artists’ standpoints, and of course the end consumers’ standpoints. Hopefully what we discuss will help you identify and address common pitfalls in the production process.

Please know this: I am NOT a lawyer…I am NOT a multi-platinum producer/engineer...what I am is a guy with many years on both sides of the recording studio glass. I’ve written and recorded songs I was SURE were destined to be number 1 hits, only to have them rejected by almost every major label in the industry. I’ve engineered and co produced some extremely talented people….One of my favorite (and at the same time most challenging) projects was a cabaret jazz project tracked primarily in Thailand, with some the most hideously recorded but brilliantly performed music in the cabaret jazz world. We’ve worked on traditional gospel recordings for some artists getting airplay….we have worked too many demos to recall…we have worked several recording projects that were just for the client’s enjoyment….

What’s the point of all this? Each project, each adventure, has been a teaching experience. Did you know, for example, that the laws are changing for how much an artist receives per airplay vs. download? Did you know that if someone else has recorded and released a song, you can record and release it as well, and as long as you pay the royalties, no one can stop you from doing so? (Compulsory mechanical licensing) Did you know that many if not most studios now require you, the client, to purchase a hard drive for your long term storage and backup of raw tracks? Did you know that regardless of how good you sing/play, the context of your final mix and master sets a tone for how well people will like (or dislike) your record?

That’s the kind of stuff we will be talking about over the next several issues…identifying pitfalls, steps to help avoid them, tips for marketing, and so on. You don’t have to decide right this moment (obviously) but you may consider a couple of things before embarking on your project, be it the debut release or your 20th:

- Why are you making a recording project?

- Who are you trying to sell it to?

- Who stands to gain from your success other than you?

- Who is the ultimate decision maker in the process?

During this series, we will look at these and many other topics. I think the first place to start will be you – the artist.

If you have any questions, comments, gripes, complaints, or general stuff you would like to see in this series, please email me ken@wirelinestudio.com

See you next time,, and thanks for reading!

The Concept

A Look At Two Artists, From Concept to Cover Installment One: Why Are You Making Your Record?

Hello again! Welcome to our small space in the universe. Let’s get to it, shall we?

DISCLAIMERS: 1) I use the term “records” as a generic term to describe music affixed to a medium of some sort, be it CD, mp3, tape, hard drive, whatever; 2) Are mMy thoughts are in no way meant to guarantee success – they are just guidelines based on what I know, suspect, and have gathered through personal experiences and experiences with those who are considered “successful”’”successful” 3) Always be realistic in your expectations.

So, you have given this some thought – you know you want to make a record. Before booking studio time and making arrangements with graphic arts, large scale manufacturing, and so on, you might be better off in answering a couple of simple questions:

1. Why am I doing this?

2. Who am I doing this for?

Understanding these two questions will save you thousands of dollars and keep your sanity (relatively) intact.

Why Am I Doing This? Knowing the answer requires a deep level of self awareness. If you are making your record to have fun, perhaps sell enough copies to pay for it, etc, then go for it! If you are making a record to promote yourself as a potential artist for a major label, then know this going into it.… iIf you are making a record to sell your music and/or interpretations of non-original materials, and are going the indie route, know this. In other words: KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO. Everything else rests upon this decision.

(Tip: It would appear the method that leaves open the most options is to get the best produced/performances you can afford.…i If it gets picked up by a major or big indie, then you are way ahead. – i If you decide to self promote, you are close to done.…c Conceptualize the best sounding product you can., with marketing a parallel, but still open concern.)

Be realistic. Having friends and family tell you what great songs you write/,what a great singer you are/,you are sure to be a hit, are all wonderful, but if they are the ONLY ones telling you these things, don’t raise the bar too high to begin with. If you and others are convinced of your craft, then solicit professional opinion. More on that later.

Who Am I Doing This For? Major label? Self release? Business 101 classes teach that oneyou must identify theiryou target demographic before attempting to sell anything. This is where we are going to be focusing most of our time,. as wWe will be case studying two completely different artists in two completely different genres, with two completely different goals in mind. We will examine (up close and sometimes too personal) the ins and outs, and ups and downs, etc, of these two endeavors, what makes them unique, what makes them similar, and what makes each of them successful as they have defined success. success has been defined by the two artists.

(Tip: Don’t let anyone tell you that you are wasting your time…it’s your time to spend as you deem fit, right?) )

The artists we will be following through thethis series are vastly different:. oneThe first is a Tejano act called “Grupo Sello,” a collection of highly talented musicians recently signed to a major Tejano label,. and theThe second isa songrightersongwriter/guitarist/reluctant singer named Glenn Eaves working under a private label named Glenn Eaves. Both Glenn and Grupo Sello have gone thruthrough every step of the process with us in the past 6six months, and each presented both striking similarities and a unique set of circumstances that HAD to be resolved before their materials could be recorded and subsequently released.

Concepts. Knowing what you want to do with your project. …kKnowing how to get your ideas from thoughts to performances. …kKnowing up front what it will cost, and factoring in an additional 40%. ...uUnderstanding the limitations of any project and maximizing the potential of any project. …tThese and a million more items are what we mean by concepts. The bottom line is simple, though.: c Can your recording project accomplish what it was meant to do when you 1st first heard “rolling” in the headphones? If the answer is yes, then just do it. – i If the answer is “I am not sure,” the STOP and work it out before spending another nickel or another moment inon the actual mechanics of your record.

So now, you have an idea as to what we mean by “grasping the concept.” What specifically are you going to do with your record? In the next few editions, we will be referring back to the ‘concept’ of recordings, as they pertain to Glenn Eaves, Grupo Sello, and some other very special artists we have been honored to work with on certain projects. In a nutshell, know what you are attempting to do. It will make your recording experiences a lot smoother, significantly less expensive, and increase the chances you will be more than just satisfied with your project!

See you next time.