"Music Industry Chat"

Sounds a bit extreme, but unfortunately this is the reality of the music business.   Contracts are a important part of a musicians career, especially as the career grows and expands to larger playing fields.  Most performing groups would seek out a contractual agreement if faced with a recording, development or distribution proposition and the same should hold true between the internal members of the band itself.  This type agreement can add many benefits to the group’s longevity aside from protecting each individual from unnatural disasters like the loss of a drummer, singer or guitar player.

Let’s face it; working with a group of musicians on a joint effort towards success is not an easy task.  In most cases, one must devote a great deal of his or her own time with very little reward in terms of income.  From the group’s inception all the way to the group’s final demise, members will most likely come and go.  This revolving door can create unforeseen obstacles for the remaining members in regards to future endeavors. 

For example, years ago I was part of a popular up and coming group gaining a modest amount success.  As with most bands, mine too was playing a pretty serious game of musical chairs.  I must have replaced somewhere in the neighborhood of six to eight different musicians during the span of only a few short years.  Some of these members offered their contribution in the group’s writing process while others did not.  Over the course of the bands final months, we unexpectedly lost three members (one half of the entire group).  (I promise, it wasn’t a cult suicide)  The worst part about this particular obstacle was that we had over a dozen dates left on our tour, some of which were major label show cases.  Unfortunately this set back buried crippled the machine. 

This untimely situation could have been less impactful if we had only taken the time to create an internal agreement to protect the band… from the band.  We could have drawn up a contract early on which held each member responsible for completing any dates booked prior to a resignation.   When those members decided to drop out without notice, those who were counting on the income were hurt the most. 

My bad fortune is really only one of many different reasons to implement a band contract, I’m sure we can sum up a hundred more.  For example, perhaps your band is getting ready to go into a recording studio to cut a record.  Let’s say, for instance, this process runs a couple of hard working months.  Shortly before finishing this exhausting yet rewarding adventure, an argument occurs resulting in the loss of a front man.  After months of invested personal time and money, you’re left with nothing but music that can hardly be divided.  I know, I know… this will not happen with your band. 

Most professional business’s fail due to bad management and unless your music is a hobby, I suggest you get your paperwork in order!

For more info on sample band contracts please visit the following links: http://undercurrents.com/agreements/agreement-bandmember.html

http://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/band-partnership-agreement/

Tim Smith

The Soundscape Recording Studio