Re: Seeking input concerning labels

[Joshua Huppert <jbhuppert...>]

Good question, Lori. I guess nobody has a good answer. I've gone around in the 
same circles. 

I tend to think that if you are selling most of your records yourself anyway, 
you might as well put them out yourself instead of giving someone else the 
money. But then I have a tendency to be short-sighted and money-grubbing. The 
other hand says that the distribution, promotion, and prestige you get from a 
label are worth more than the money you give up. It sounds good, but if it's a 
small label, how much is that really worth? 

I can't help thinking about it from the label's point of view: OK, Lori, I'll 
print up a few thousand of your records for a buck apiece, and I'll sell most 
of them back to you for $7 each or so. I'll mail out a few more to some radio 
stations, and give some to my friends, who may or may not be infuential music 
critics or something. Hey, maybe we should go into business.

I hope nobody on this list owns a record company, or else I'm for a beating. 
Maybe I sould send this privately. Too late

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MaxwellSt (at) aol(dot)com 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Saturday, January 12, 2002 7:45 PM
  Subject: Seeking input concerning labels


  Dear Fellow Klezmorim and Music Fans,

  Here I am, seeking your collective two cents again!

  I am going in circles as to how to release my new recordings (we're having 
twins).  Our last CD (1996) was on Shanachie, which is good people, especially 
after our experience with Global Pillage.  They have also helped with CD 
promotion now and then, and even offered a modest advance on the recording.  

  These days, however, labels like Shanachie are getting fewer world music 
recordings into Tower (which was narrowly rescued from bankruptcy) and other 
places that used to carry at least of handful of klezmer CDs.  It seems as if 
the most action--outside of sales off the bandstand--is taking place in the 
Jewish catalogues like Tara and Hamakor.  

  Does anyone have thoughts about the wisest way to go with a new recording?  
Lorele likes the self-production route with Oasis, who also get some air play 
for the artist as part of the deal.  Tara has its own label, which would get 
good play in the Jewish market.  If you produce it yourself, it costs around 2 
bucks or less--when you buy it back from a label like Shanachie, the price goes 
up to $7.  So one wants to make sure that it's worth it to be on a recognized 
label.  (My, how things have changed!  Ten years ago, there was nothing more 
important than getting on a known label!)

  There doesn't seem to be any great way to get your work out there today--I'm 
not even talking about making money.  So given that, what do you folks think is 
a good way to go?  

  I assume that this discussion is of some interest to the other musicians in 
the group, so reply to the group unless Ari disagrees....

  Thanks,
  Lori Lippitz
  Maxwell Street Klezmer Band