Monday, June 7, 2010

MuSIC BIZ TODAY

I received something from the Huffington post today @ www.huffingtonpost.com. it was something posted by Macy Gray, the great singer/artist talking about the problem of being a woman over 40 and putting out music. record labels have said, on record, "we don't know what to do with a record by a woman over 40, we can't get it played". ridiculous!! i responded to her post, please feel free to check it out. I also wanted to divulge this bit of info:
Earlier this year, while I was in the uK show, "Pop Star to Opera Star", someone representing me went to see someone at a very big record label in the UK to talk about getting me a record deal. They said they were only interested in signing artists who were "younger, that didn't know much about the music biz". They said that now, they are only signing artists that would be willing to give up some of their publishing and also an additional 10% to the label for management [the latter, i've never heard of and should be against the law, fact both of these things should be].. I would not qualify because, I'm older and "I know too much". This is simply OUTRAGEOUS! Artists should unite against this sort of thing. It's like the early days, back in the 50's and 60's where artists, lots of blues and soul artists, gave away all claims to royalties and songs they'd written. I frankly this it HEINOUS! but the only reason the labels get away with it is because artist's are desperate and they LET THEM! Every artist young and old should seriously consider this when signing any kind of contract: Be Aware, be informed and take control! After all, it's a big wide web world out there and we can do this independently. You can get distribution, hire good pr people at reasonable costs, get art work done, etc much easier than you could say 10 years ago, AND, you don't have to be NAKED in a video either to get attention-unless you want to of course.
Time to Stop the madness!!
Said with LOVE xo

Marcella xo

1 comment:

Alexei said...

Hello dear Marcella!
It's Alexei from Moscow, Russia.

Just recently came across your blog and couldn't take my eyes off it.

You know, it's really interesting what you discuss in this topic - i also not long ago read the same - about singers over 40 - who can't get played on the radio or TV despite even that some of them have really self-speaking names.

Here is the interview from Erasure's Andy Bell where he highlights the same problem - i guess it would be interesting for you!

http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/06/07/andy-bell-interview-non-stop-solo-album-erasure/

And Happy Birthday To You Dear Marcella!
May joy and happiness be with you always and all your plans (i'm not saying dreams) come true!

Lots of love and kisses from Moscow!