What are TMG Artists Doing??

Here is a link to a new site that showcases a few thing we have going on with our artists. Want to see a snippet of what we do? Check out http://tmgupdate.tumblr.com/.

Words of Wisdom

Words of wisdom from a great artist and producer here at Tate:
"They ought to stop calling it "Recording Artist". Hardly anyone can make a living solely from recordings anymore-- how about just "Performing Artist"? Maybe that will help sort out people who are shocked that they still need to play shows after releasing a CD."

TMG is Not Traditional and Here is How

No one can dispute the fact that Tate Music Group is offering a unique deal. While the industry is changing and artists are forced to find new ways to promote their music, make money, and find fair record deals, we are proud of our unique, artist-friendly contract and truly believe it's the best in the business. In fact, we guarantee it! Check out the comparison chart below to see just how much our contract is different than traditional contracts.

CD-format to be abandoned by major labels by the end of 2012

Here is a very insightful article that shows how the industry is aggressively moving to digital format sales and getting out of the retail outlets. I talk to artists on a daily basis that think if their music has to be in stores like Walmart or they are not going to be able to sell and if they are not on the shelf than they have not "made it". Young artists have been fed so much false information by the media that they still think they HAVE to be on a store shelf. I've got news for you...this isn't 1995. Check out this article. http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=46980_0_2_0_C

Artist Presentation Part 1

Your artist website or social networking site may be the only thing an A&R rep or potential agent will see to get an idea of you and your talent. In a way it serves as your resume. With that being said, here is my first installment of a few tips to keep in mind when you are setting up your site or updating the content.

Images:

Right or wrong A&R reps do care about image. In my case I am not too caught up on whether or not someone is pretty or handsome but more are they presentable. If an artist has a photo of themselves wearing a shirt that says “I don’t give a sh--!” (you can fill in the blanks) I don’t care how awesome their music is, they are not going to get my consideration. It sounds dumb but I have seen a photo with this. What you wear in your photos matters.

Another thing to consider when placing images on your site is that not everyone is a drinker and wants to flip through 20 pictures of you hanging at the bar. Are you interested in showing us that you know how to party or that you know how to play music and be responsible? The settings in which the photos take place is important. Go to your favorite artist's website and see where their photos are taken. They are all in a professional setting or performance based.

And finally, DO NOT put pictures on your artist web site with your or anyone else flipping off the camera. You might as well be flipping of the person that may want to sign you and help you. Besides that, it’s not as cool as you think and definitely not professional.

This things may sound like common sense to you but I wouldn't be writing about it if I didn't reject hundreds of artists a week based on these simple things. Save all the silliness for your personal social networking site.  Use your artist site to show how professional and serious you are about your music career. Your images tell a story about you. What story are you telling with your photos?

Tate Music Group Artist Michelle Buzz now on Pandora!