guitarmom
Hi all... ☹
My daughter is n a band ( 13 to 15 yrs) .They are very talented and were in lots of shows and competitions over the last year...Ive send a video clip of them to a record label, that is also a reality tv show...They did not reject the clip but asked my daughter to play one of her other songs just with guitar ,without the band. ( she writes &compose all the songs).
The label now wants to record and produce this song that she performed without her band.. The mom of the other 2 kids are not very happy and feel my kid should,ve stayed loyal to her band and not accept the offer. I love this band , and so does my daughter and the last thing we want is for them to split... (i dont see why they have to) but the way the mother is going on its asif my kid has deserted her band . I feel terrible that the producers do not want to include the other two kids,( they play drums and bass),..but opportunities like this dont come daily and we dont have the money to put these children in a recording studio.
I would love to hear your thought. Were we right or wrong ;
Thanx ☹
vic
You know when the Beatles had their first demo for some or other label, I think it was Decca, the powers that be had interest only in Paul McCartney....even EMI was hesitant initially to contract them. But they stuck together...the rest is history.
However....I would say let your daughter take the opportunity (solo), and see what happens. There must be a reason why the producers in this case feel otherwise about the rest of the band. And IF push comes to shove, let your daughter join another band.
guidothepimmp
I don't know Vic
Not sure a kid of 13 odd is equipped to deal with these emotions, and imho, don't think she should have to.
She may happily record solo but just think what the other moms are feeding the other kids about her..
Cycle of life though..
evolucian
No guilt needs to be felt whatsoever. Those other kids should be happy for her and encourage her to go for it. THAT is support. Whatever the other mom's feel is their business and they need to deal with their own conscience regarding this matter.
Besides... they should still be a band regardless of what happens. A band is a family. If anyone is butthurt they'll need to grow up and accept that it was the PRODUCER'S CHOICE!! It's completely out of your daughters hands when they ask for something. Besides, they did not reject the clip, they just wanted to hear more of her. And band wise speaking, it requires support and lots of hugging. After this thing they'll still have a band.
Parents are one of those vigilante types sometimes, and there's nothing you can do about that. Find out what the other kids think, without their parents involved. If they're also butthurt, then they're not thinking nicely.
On my part, I'd say congrats to your kid for having that kind of opportunity... grab it. It'll be an experience she will never forget, whether she places or not.
studmissile
She can either feel "guilty" for letting her band down or "regret" for not taking the opportunity presented to her. So many artist have been confronted by this and lived with the guilt rather than regret. And with all due respect I know it sounds very exciting but it's is still at a very early stage in the process and extremely premature to get bogged down in squabbles.
If she wrote the song, she is god givenly entitled to play it, sing it and recorded to whoever, whenever and however she wants to.
P.S I hope she does feel a little guilty for letting her band down, that's only human, natural for a kind and wise soul, but don't let that stop her, and secondly more importantly she can probably do a lot more for her band as a recorded artist that some member in the band entering competitions!
Goodluck
coynegfsa
Nobody should ever feel guilty for seizing an opportunity.
I've been in and out of a few bands and projects because some just didn't work out. I was able to leave on a "no hard feelings" basis, they understood why I was leaving. Unfortunately not all people are that understanding.
People leave bands to pursue other interests all the time and in a lot of cases it leads to something good.
AlanRatcliffe
This happens all the time. It means the producer sees potential in her that he doesn't see in the rest of the band. Good songwriting and singing talent is rare (especially in that age bracket, which is a highly marketable one), while good musos to back them are easy to find when the need arises. Sad but true. It's also easier for a producer to "sculpt" a raw solo talent by fitting them with the right people to shape the music into whatever they feel it should be to be marketable. It's also easier to wrangle one teen than four or five (as you probably already know ?).
The music industry is a collection of individuals, each working on their own career. In the pro leagues, bands are by necessity fluid and the "band of school mates" type band is by far the anomaly these days. Solo writing/singing talents often team up with a multi-instrumentalist producer type and then hire on musos as needed for live work (or even work as a duo in smaller venues)
The way I see it is: it's going to depend on her plans for music. If she's serious about it, then the opportunity is a difficult one to pass up. On the other hand, you do need to be aware that a record company or producer will likely have their own agenda that a solo artist fits in better with than a band (and are easier to hold in a contract).
What I would do in your position is get confirmation from other sources - speak to a few managers and other labels to get their opinion on her talent vs. the talent of the band as a whole (also not a bad thing to get the word around, possiby even start a bidding war). If you find managers who want to represent your daughter, rather than the full band, you have confirmation.
BTW - do you have YouTube clips of her/the band in action?
guitarmom
Hi All ?
Thank you for taking the time to reply ?.
I hope the other mom come to terms with it because im supporting my kid 100% just like i always did with the band and will still do...also, its not asif they are an established band with lots of fans.
Below is a link to youtube clips . All under " AWESUM NOISE" are clips of the band,..the others are just old clips of my daughter playing guitar before the band. ?
http://www.youtube.com/user/hiphoorayful
Have a Great day!
singemonkey
Vic's example of the Beatles is a very funny one since the studio demanded that they replace their loyal drummer. They did this. Had they not it would have been John, Paul, George, and Pete.
It's unfortunate that they didn't want the band, and I totally see why the other parents resent it. But ultimately there was an opportunity for your daughter that would have evaporated had she stuck with the band. These opportunities are few and far between.
vic
Thanks for the link..... ?
I think all those kids are very talented....serious....the drummer is very good and the young girl playing bass is also excellent. I really like her style. The youngster playing keys in one of the clips is veeeery good indeed.
I would like to suggest that someone experienced take care of them and guide them along....there is huge potential in all of them.
vic
singemonkey wrote
Vic's example of the Beatles is a very funny one since the studio demanded that they replace their loyal drummer. They did this. Had they not it would have been John, Paul, George, and Pete.
It's unfortunate that they didn't want the band, and I totally see why the other parents resent it. But ultimately there was an opportunity for your daughter that would have evaporated had she stuck with the band. These opportunities are few and far between.
ha ha....not ?
Ringo was replaced (or suggested to be replaced) on their 1st single...Love me Do. Andy White was on drums....and Ringo on tambourine.....never to be replaced again.
They lost Pete Best already in Germany ? and got Ringo on board.....or so I thought.
Edited.
Warren
I've watched some of the clips. Your daughter has a beautifully toned voice, along the lines of Colbie Caillat, which is a real gift, I can see why there would be appeal for a label to snap her up.
Sounds too good an opportunity to pass up, IMO!
Manfred-Klose
Watch out TV producers. read the contracts carefully. and get legal advise as well.
and find out what the plan is they have in mind, normally they get pro muso's in the studio to help save time in recording and give a better end result.
this should not stop her from using her current band for live performances and continue playing as they are ?
she can still perform as a solo artist, but with using her band.
I watched some of the videos with the band, and they ain't bad at all, they are just very young at this moment and need more experience that comes with time, the music they are playing is for a more mature age group, doing jazz/pop/ light rock , and they really have a big head start by starting playing this stuff at a young age.
ultimately it depends on what your daughter feels like, does she want to be a solo artist, or does she wants to be part of a band, cause in a nut shell she wrote the music and its her choice.
Bob-Dubery
Vic wrote
ha ha....not ?
Ringo was replaced (or suggested to be replaced) on their 1st single...Love me Do. Andy White was on drums....and Ringo on tambourine.....never to be replaced again.
They lost Pete Best already in Germany ? and got Ringo on board.....or so I thought.
When Brian Epstein closed a management deal with them Best was still on drums. When they first went into the studio with George Martin Best was still on drums. Martin was not impressed with Best, which sent a signal to the band: Get a better drummer.
Paul played drums on some Beatles tracks.
Bob-Dubery
I'm going to play Devil's advocate here. Your daugher is too young to leave school, too young to sign a contract. So
1) Do not do anything that compromises her education.
2) Follow the advice already given and get a lawyer on your side. Unless you are a lawyer. In particular clarify the liabilities on either side as the record company will at least expect to recoup their investment. Also clarify who will own the copyright on any songs that you daughter writes (not the same as copyright on a recording).
3) Since you will have to sign the contract, be sure about how YOU feel about all of this business with the band and the contract that you will enter into.
4) Your daughter is very young. If things go swimmingly well and she starts making money before she leaves school then find a way to put the money in trust (maybe with some paid in real time as an allowance and encouragement) and get people to advise her on how to handle the money when it comes to her.
5) If the band are friends first and band mates second then managing the splitting of the band will be difficult. Even if they are just band mates then there will still be unhappiness and difficulties. Help her come through this with her values, self-respect and friendships intact.
6) Are there any pre-existing contracts? Does anybody else have an arrangement with your daughter or with the band with your daughter as a member? If so then declare this up front so that it does not come back to haunt you or her later.
DonovanB
guitarmom wrote
Ive send a video clip of them to a record label, that is also a reality tv show...
Reality TV hangs the carrot of success out there, then if you aren't "better" than the others then you get nothing and they don't pay royalities (usually) for what you've broadcast. It's also not much as much exposure as they make it out to be.
I watched the clips with the band and the solo ones. If your daguhter is Kelly then I'd personally ask the producer what his intentions actually are. if they are "hopeful" then walk away. They're all still young and can probably develop their talents better together than having animosity between them.
Well, thats my thoughts anyway. Try contact Holly Wasserfal and chat to her mother, Vivienne. I'll PM you details
guitarmom
I really appreciate all your feedback and i will follow all advise given. Also, thank you for complementing the band. We are very proud of them. ?
@Manred .dont worry, we will definitely get legal advise when we get the contract ? and no,..she doesnt really want to be without her band but young as she is she told me this opportunity might help her band in future.
@X rated Bob. there is no way we would compromise her education ?. I dont know a thing about copyrights etc..but we were advised loooong ago to never let her give up ownership of her songs.( a year ago,some guy offered to record her free of charge but he wanted to own the songs, we just never went back to him).. so we will definitely not sign contracts until we are clear about everything..I will be back with questions as soon as we have the contract. ?
Have a great evening.
guitarmom
Hi donovan
I hear you....yes, kelly is my daughter.we will see the producer on friday after school...I will then ask him all the questions.
Thank you for the contac.i will wait for the details ?
Arno-West
Firstly, I didn't watch any of the videos but from the comments, I assume these kids have some talent, but I am doubtful that they will hack it is seasoned/pro/recording-musicians. This is purely because of their age. The fact that the "producer" is only interested in your daughter, is nothing unusual, but I would venture as far as to say that he has no long-term plans for her and at best will try to make a novelty act out of her. Given the musical climate in this country, there is a 90% chance that something like that is doomed for failure.
It is also highly unlikely that he, the producer or whichever Recording label he represents, will put up any money for studio time. He will try and convince you to fund the recording sessions and print at least a 1000 cd's through his connections at your own expense He will then suggest you guys sell these cd's at your gigs. In return, he will offer to promote your daughter"s music by utilizing his expertise and connections in the industry. This is called a "Distribution Deal". I can almost guarantee you that no record company or producer will fork out their own money to promote your music or "break" an artist these days. The internet has killed the music industry of 20 years ago.
Regarding the "Reality Show" - aspect. Be VERY, VERY weary of this. Reality shows/ Talent Competitions have absolutely no interest in how good someone is or how much real talent they have. It's a TV-Show and they're only interested in what makes for good viewing - i.e. the human aspect, background stories, emotional turmoil, hardships etc. This I was personally told by a certain Gareth Cliff long ago. I, as a parent myself, would not put my daughter (and I have 2 of them) through this sort of nonsense.
Ma'm, they're still young, to be a teenager and play in a band is a cool thing to do, but for most kids the fad passes. Let her have fun with her friends for now and don't get too "supportive" (nice word for pushy). If she is truly talented and a musician at heart, her talent will blossom and grow by itself and she will do something with it regardless of anything else. I know this 'cos I've been there and done that 20 years ago.
MIKA-the-better-one
She is 13... best you can do is record her, and get her on the internet as much as possible and, bands come and go..... 90% of band members you meet suck, and are not really worth the time. Thats just the truth, by kicking them out / parting ways you find the good ones
