Music Producer scam?
Geetarism
Posted 2012-02-07 10:22 PM (#449492)
Subject: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 58

Location: Triangle area, NC
So my buddy/vocalist just emailed me and said he got an email from "an LA based R&D" guy who liked a few songs we sent on a demo and wants to talk to us. I think this has SCAM written all over it, playing to our vanity. I said "once they start asking for money you know it's BS" and he halfheartedly agreed. He's gonna call this guy back but wondering any any of you have had similar experience. If so, how did you manage it. Seems like those predators in the mall selling modeling opportunities to young hopefuls but "just need the $1k photo shoot to get the first gig."
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Capo Guy
Posted 2012-02-08 12:19 AM (#449493 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394

Location: East Tennessee
If they ask for money, HANG UP.
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AdamasW597
Posted 2012-02-08 12:26 AM (#449494 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
November 2008
Posts: 400

Location: Northwest Arkansas
If you're good. They'll pay you!
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Darkbar
Posted 2012-02-08 1:04 AM (#449495 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw
Unless it's a Nigerian based producer, I wouldn't trust it...
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stonebobbo
Posted 2012-02-08 2:48 AM (#449496 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307

Location: Tennessee
mymartind35 wrote:
If you're good. They'll pay you!


Especially the Nigerian ones. All you have to do is send them your bank account information so they can wire the money right over. ;-)

The whole thing seems a bit silly to even worry about yet. You send out a bunch of unsolicited demo tapes and someone comes back with some sort of proposition. Hear them out. In this day and age, the artist is expected to bring a lot with them, including money, fan base, talent, and product. Self-funded and produced work is the norm these days, not the exception. They could be looking at what you bring. And they may tell you to spend some money to get considered ... i.e. pony up for studio-quality recordings (not sure how you did your demo tape). This is not necessarily a scam, just a business proposition.

On the other hand, everyone wants to be a rock star these days and want it to happen right away without having to pay their dues and put in the 10,000 hours. Everyone thinks their original music is awesome and will be a hit if it just gets out there. There's plenty of these kinds of folks out there with more money than sense and someone may be evaluating you on those merits as a potential mark.

Figure out which one it is.
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Mr. Ovation
Posted 2012-02-08 9:04 AM (#449497 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?


Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7232

Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
If a producer thinks you're good, they invest in you. Google "Artist Producer Agreement". Just like for movies, a Producer is an investor. A typical scenario is they invest the money for the recording and in turn they get paid back FIRST from any revenue generated by the recording. When this works, and artist goes big, it's great for everyone. It's in the producers best interest to make a hit cause if there is no hit, he doesn't get paid. On the other hand, when you hear about artists that sold millions and got nothing.... it can happen that so much was spent to make it happen that all of the revenue of the first million copies is required to pay off the producers investment along with everyone else. That doesn't happen as much anymore, but it has happened. Not everyone is Mutt Lange or Mark Hudson.

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Geetarism
Posted 2012-02-08 9:39 PM (#449660 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: RE: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
February 2012
Posts: 58

Location: Triangle area, NC
I figured as much.
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Darkbar
Posted 2012-02-09 7:50 AM (#449696 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw
If you are good, they will find you by your Soundcloud account

Edited by dark bar 2012-02-09 7:55 AM
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dobro
Posted 2012-02-09 4:11 PM (#449786 - in reply to #449492)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 2120

Location: Chicago
Beware the "Hitt Music Group" out of LA ...SCAM!
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Darkbar
Posted 2012-02-09 4:36 PM (#449788 - in reply to #449786)
Subject: Re: Music Producer scam?



Joined:
January 2009
Posts: 4535

Location: Flahdaw
legend74 - 2012-02-09 5:11 PM

Beware the "Hitt Music Group" out of LA ...SCAM!


What!!?? They just promised Weaser a huge contract (for a small, minimum start up fee)
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