Do you really want a record deal?

This might seem like a silly question as probably 95% of people that start a band dream about the day they sign the big deal with one of the majors but think about it a bit more and the question becomes more relevent.

Firstly what is the real reason you want a record deal?

It doesn’t gurantee success, it doesn’t gurantee becoming a millionaire, it doesn’t even gurantee your first album will ever see the light of day!

Sure it sounds good to tell people you have been signed and there is definately a stamp of approval effect where people think that if a record company has taken a gamble on this band then they must be good, but in todays climate is it the best option?

I suppose it depends on what type of act you are and what your ambitions/aims are. If you are a singer that doesn’t write and is aiming to take on the teenage  pop market then the traditional route or x factor is probably still the best option. But if you are a singer/songwriter or band whatever the genre then I think serious consideration should be taken before blindly chasing a multi album deal with a major label.

Why not forget about record companies until they are contacting you, pretend that they dont exist and focus on what you can acheive youself, release your own music or even give it away, chase bigger gigs, sort out your own merchandise, forget the rules and look at different markets and ideas to get your name out there and create a buzz. Once you are creating a buzz I gurantee you that record labels will be contacting you but my that time you may have decided that you can do it better yourself!