matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 650
Boston, MA
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Posted on Dec 13 2021 12:45 PM
I have finally gotten everyone's schedules together so we're going to record! I'm very excited. Wish us luck.
Question for people who basically "run" the band. Should I pay the bass player & drummer for the session? It's a weird arrangement, I do all the work and pay them for gigs (even if it means a loss for me). I could split "the money we make" when the recording is done, but I reckon after recording and pressing, it'll be quite a while before we start splitting each sale three ways. what have other folks done?
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3804
North Atlantic
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Posted on Dec 13 2021 01:16 PM
Hi Matt,
Our approach to recording is that band members don’t get paid to record as the sales will potentially benefit the band (we have been together for 25 years plus). Non band members who record for us get paid for their session, unless they do not want to be paid and just record for fun/ to help us out/ free merch.
All profits go into our band account to fund the next release, help with travel expenses, etc. We make our money from gigs, and licensing.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
Last edited: Dec 13, 2021 13:17:11
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cirecc
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 306
seattle, wa
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Posted on Dec 13 2021 01:39 PM
I’m with Rev on this, though your situation might be different since it appears as though you’re paying them like session musicians already. If that’s what the group expects, then that might be your course of action.
Have you talked to them about what they want their time to be? What do you want?
— -Eric
New music!
https://thedesolatecoast.bandcamp.com/releases
Spotify
Also:
https://theverb.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theverbseattle/
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Dec 13 2021 03:19 PM
I guess I am weird, but I wouldn't pay the guys in my band for a studio session. If we ever get paid for a gig, I am happy to let them divide up my share. I play for the love of the music, not for money. For some reason, it really ticks off fellow musicians when I tell them I/we will play for free.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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TheFintastics
Joined: Jul 28, 2008
Posts: 471
Wichita Falls, Texas
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Posted on Dec 13 2021 10:34 PM
I'm one of those that do get ticked off when bands or solo musicians play for free. We all want to perform.
But asking and allowing yourselves to play free cheapens all musicians everywhere. "Get free beer and use a tip jar" are insults; mocking our talents as not worthy of financial compensation.
— _
Hi, I'm Gellert, guitarist for The Fintastics.
https://www.facebook.com/TheFintastics
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 02:06 AM
1
Last edited: Mar 03, 2022 02:14:44
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 650
Boston, MA
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 07:06 AM
Re: the playing for free thing--I wouldn't say it ticks me off, but I also won't do it, unless it's a donation for a fundraiser or something. I've worked as a side guy in other bands, and have always been treated really well by the leader, so I try to do the same for the folks who play with me. it is kind of an odd situation because we've been playing together for at least 6 years, it's definitely a band, BUT I'm the one who writes the tunes, gets the gigs, gets the merchandise (did I mention we have hats available?) and if I didn't do those things, there wouldn't be a band.
I'm going to ask them what they want, that's a great and obvious idea cirecc! And day one went great, so that's a relief.
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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tahitijack
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 693
San Clemente, CA
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 10:18 AM
What ever you do put in writing and have everyone sign the agreement. It might be as simple as giving band members a choice of getting paid for the recording session and no money from the recording sales...or play the recording session unpaid and a share of recording sales. It's their choice.
— Happy Sunsets!
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 04:53 PM
TheFintastics, I hope we can respectfully agree to disagree on this one. I like you, and respect you as a person/poster, but I don't see anything wrong with offering to play at a nice outdoor venue for free.
Gilette, I would obviously never pay to play. In my opinion, that is a lot different than playing for free. I didn't mean to stir the pot, but I play for the love of the music, whether I get paid or not. Am I the only one who feels this way?
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 650
Boston, MA
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 05:04 PM
SixStringSurfer--I think we're all playing for the love of it (if it were a get rich quick scheme, we all picked the wrong genre). I guess my issue is playing for free when the rest of the situation is getting paid. like a bar. or a food festival where clearly the totally pro sound company is not donating their time...that sort of thing.
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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cirecc
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 306
seattle, wa
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 05:08 PM
I agree with Gellert and others. Being a musician is a lot of work and training (some of use even went to school for it). The more that people play without compensation, the lower the market value is for good musicianship. We all play and study music because we are passionate about it, so it’s not a lack of virtue on our part. A lot of time and hard work should go into preparing for your performances which should be valued by those looking for your services as an artist.
Our society continues to value the arts less and less, so making sure that we are advocating for our value is important. The more we play for free, the easier it is for venues, audiences, etc. to expect that and see that as the value of artists and their work.
— -Eric
New music!
https://thedesolatecoast.bandcamp.com/releases
Spotify
Also:
https://theverb.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theverbseattle/
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edwardsand
Joined: Jun 29, 2018
Posts: 755
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Posted on Dec 14 2021 07:54 PM
I'd like to add to the sentiments regarding playing for free, as it's an important issue. I won't be pissed at anyone who does it, but playing a bar, club, or other regular venue for free does impact other musicians who are at a more professional level, many of whom need to get paid. The more bar and club owners can get away without paying musicians, the less willing they are to hire others, and are likely to pay poorly when they do. Bands are entertainment for patrons, and as long as you aren't driving customers away, the venue is benefitting monetarily from your performance.
I'm coming at this someone who has not played a gig, paying or otherwise, in ages. There are exceptions, for sure, like playing for free at charitable events or your friends' parties or get-togethers (as long as your friend wasn't already planning to pay for another band).
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Dec 15 2021 11:56 AM
You guys make some valid points, I will take everything you wrote into consideration. Sorry for derailing the thread.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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