Got a record contract offer

[DCEPTCN]

....from Sonic Wave International in the mail last night. I was excited at first, but it is the type of offer I've read about before where they want a deposit from you to offset their manufacturing and distribution costs...placin g you on a sort of probation until they see how the first disc pans out. I've been bumping around the 'net all day (even searching the Better Business Bureau) and can't seem to find a shred of negative press about these guys. Jim Martin (of Faith No More fame) has apparently released an album through them as well as that dude from Celtic Frost. I'm kinda not sure how to feel about this offer. Any Indie label that has the distribution capabilities that they claim to have is a good thing....

[Top Speed]

Congrats! How much is the depost, ODB (ole deaf bastard)?

[DCEPTCN]

$2000 with them paying a 15% royalty from then on......

[87natty]

Hmm... So all the promo is on you?

[DCEPTCN]

Hmm... So all the promo is on you?

No, they take care of promotion, but the contract does not spell out exactly what or where....it's their option. But it does clearly state that they distribute to (but not limited to) Best Buy, Amazon.com, CDnow.com, FYE and a bunch of others. Hmmmm. I retain all rights to the material and have complete artistic freedom with the music and imagery.

[Be4u]

After reading this thread I feel that you'll be signing up...

http://www.forum4designers.com/message160588.html

Looks like Sonic is a positive messege type of operation?

http://www.winxptalk.com/ftopic551.html

more reading.....

http://www.senerap.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&p=113
http://www.rockband.com/band.asp?sbn=pralay
http://www.rockband.com/band.asp?sbn=mindcycle
http://www.smnnews.com/board/showthread.php?p=1412181#post1412181
http://www.musiczone.com.sg/E_SMF.htm
http://www.mbus.com/bands/genadm/Mind.Cycle.htm

[DCEPTCN]

Hey thanks, Robert- you were able to dig up a few things that I hadn't found. I'm obviously gonna wait it out and see what else rolls in, but perhaps this doesn't look so bad after all.

[Racer X]

First off congrats!

Ok, these guys are in business to make money. You are an unkown quantity to them and they need to at least break even on you in the event that you product doesn't pan out. If you can't find any negative press that's a good start. In today's interent there is a LOT of bashing of good companies out there and as Buick Owners no one knows this better than we do.

Make sure you really understand that contract and if you have a lawyer friend have him scan it over as well.

$2,000.00 doesn't really seem that much to me for what they *may* be providing. Good luck and I hope it all turns out for you!  :supz:

[ledzeppac]

Congrats.!!!!!! but yah it sounds like they want to cover their asses if you don't sell anything....   So if you think you can "make it" then give it a try.....

[sun dog]

How did they find out about you?  It's sounds good, but the BS meter is on.  I know I don't have to tell you the obvious, but $2000 is way cheap for the services they are proposing.  Just to make a good amount of Cds it would take more than that.  It reminds me of the invention submission corps that tell you how great your product is gonna sell after you give them $5000+ to patent it.
 
On the other hand they might just be fishing for new talent and you might have what they want.  In that case make demands thru an entertainment atty.  When they mentioned letting you keep rights and artistic freedom is what sounds from the norm.
 
I would guess the $2000 would just be the start of the asking for more money, but I'm an angry pessimist.  
 

[Be4u]

IMHO, I would get a list of questions together and contact them.

I'd like to know the answers to...

Who do you distribute to?

What exactly does my 2k get me?

When will you ask me for more money?

When this first step pans out...whats involved in the next step?

[Recklessrob]

Sometimes these things sound better than they are. I've recieved
at least a dozen of similar offers like that over the years, even before
the internet. When you copyright any material with the US Copyright office,
your put on a mailing list. Most of these people have never heard your material.
With the net, places like myspace and pure volume are their hunting grounds.
That does sound better than most of them though.

[DCEPTCN]

It's bullshit- no way am I sending them ANY kind of check.

[Recklessrob]

Hey, what do you thinkabout the idea of
Natty, you, and I making our own indie label ?

[DCEPTCN]

Hey, what do you thinkabout the idea of
Natty, you, and I making our own indie label ?

I love the idea but wouldn't have the first clue about how one does that.



Edit: It seems like everybody and their mother is doing lately, so how hard could it be?