This is a site that can take a proposed record "deal" and, if given all the appropriate figures, calculate how much an artist will receive at the end of the experience. It's a simple enough bit of algebra, but it's cool that it is all set up automatic-like.

http://numbones.com/royalty.html

There is no guarantee that anything will actually get paid out, of course -- recoupable expenses always seem to mate and multiply just before accounts are drawn up, and there is no provision in the calculator for producer's points (or the add-on points that lawyers and other cocksuckers sometimes get) but this does at least allow a rough estimate without those variables.

And keeping with the given reality here:

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/news/04-0 ... tml#story3

going by the default values in that calucaltor, an artist has to sell 167217 copies of an album in order to break even...

how bored@work am i today?

The default numbers are exaggerated by our indie standards. However, the idea is right.

For our purposes, try this example. Figure 10,000 units sold on a $7500 advance. Give yourself a 15% royalty rate with a 20% packaging deduction and 0% free goods. Then see how much the recording industry (label, distribution and retail) makes versus what the band takes home.

It sucks.

Basically, if you're not getting a net split deal and working with a label where you have a strong advocate for your band, then you're pretty well baked. The financial deck is totally stacked against bands. I've dealt with ONE label where I came out of the deal thinking that the band would be served well. Every other label with which I've dealt has either failed to grasp the operation of their own agreements or simply insisted on perpetuating the thievish practices of the recording industry.

I can't imagine being in a band for a living. I feel truly sorry for those of you who are trying to do it.

maybe related, here's a story about the whole music-business-folks-being-bastards thing. a bunch of free cd's are being given to a bunch of schools as part of the settlement.

http://www.atg.wa.gov/releases/rel_cd_060704.html

what's folks' take on this? i know a bunch of people who went through the process and got their check for $10 or whatever it was.

i like the notion of sticking it to The Man and all, but i don't really get this whole thing so much. is it ultimately accomplishing something good, or is it just a minor placation?

There was this big article in Newsweek a few weeks back about all the hot new indie rock bands. The most shocking thing in the article was the news that The Post Office (strikingly dull Death Cab for Cutie side project) sold 250,000 copies of their debut album. Another thing that surprised me was - well, you know how all these VW and Miller Light ads have indie rock band music in them? That's how the indie rock bands avoid having to sign with a major label - they sell their songs to the ad companies.

Right on!

you mean the Postal Service... i have to say, i never heard of them before, but while in a girl's car a few months back, there was a disc playing, and one of the tracks came on, and i was like "wow, what is this?" and she said it was the Postal Service. the disc in general, i was all "whatever" about, but this one song was so aces. i guess it mighta helped that i was in a girl's car and all? but yeah, one song of theirs is really great, i thought. i mean, it's no Jet or anything (y'know, the ipod commercial band) but...