Big Time Producer Gives us a Breakdown of a Major Label Deal
Producer Steve Albini, famous for his work with bands like Nirvana, the Breeders, and Helmet among others, gives us a breakdown of what a major label signing often looks like. He uses real world money figures to show where the money actually goes in a major label deal. The interview/article is a little graphic, but nevertheless insightful. It definitely makes you wonder, especially when it comes from multiple sources. Steve Albini isn’t the first one to discourage bands from signing to a major label. Peter Spellman, author of Music Biz Insights, provides a business perspective for major label deals in his article “The Real Reason Major Record Companies Suck“. Courtney love also let’s us behind the curtain in her article “Courtney Love Does the Math“. Warning, this article is very long and detailed. Grab a cup of coffee and a notepad before reading this one!
As musicians, it can be discouraging to read these things, but my hope is that it will make us that much more vigilant in creating our own path and definition of success!
