.... CONT We have the numbers. Young families are moving here every day; we’ve got a demographic that statistically will support an Arts and Entertainment scene. Contacts here have been a long road, meeting new musicians, finding out who they know and meeting them. It hasn’t been like one networking event where I went and passed out my business card. The closest I came to that was when I was on the ECMA 2012 planning committee. I met a lot of great people and did a lot of networking there. It was nice to connect with people who are in an active music scene.
Clients have been more challenging especially when I incorporate contracts. People will sign a 3 year cell phone contract and think nothing about it. I think a lot of it has to do with a lack of knowledge on how to read and understand a contract. As a music producer, my contract is pretty favorable. I’m giving a 15% royalty rate; the standard industry rate is 7-8% for an unknown, unsigned artist. It’s a 2 year contract and I’m fitting the bill for all production in house, I don’t charge you for studio time, outside musicians, music videos or photos. I will make my money back when I sell the song through a licensing deal. That’s how I make my money. I don’t understand, as a musician, you don’t jump on a contract where you’re not paying anything to record a commercially viable product.
Contracts are for everyone’s benefit so that you as an artist know what you’re getting into and know what to expect from me. It just makes sense. I’m not going to cheapen the company, the label or the brand. I need to protect myself and my artists.
We just released our first country pop single, All I ever wanted, was released by Christine Cee. It was a bit easier signing her because she has the mindset to do this long term and wants to put in the work.
THE RIZE: Do you have a favorite music project that you've worked on?
ALLON: This most recent project with Christine Cee has been really great. I’d been doing the hip hop, urban stuff for a year and a half before Christine came along. I’m a drummer and I like live instruments, that’s my background, so doing samples and digital wears on you. It was nice to get back to real instruments, building a song organically. Having a singer who can actually sing and project is really nice as well.
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The WE.Music Productions Inc.