Ok I searched the archives and I have yet found any info on this subject. I would like to start a label that specializes in HOUSE music. I have been producing tracks for about 5 years now and have performed live a few times in Los Angeles and i have been told I have good tracks. So I thought about sending out demos to labels. Unfortunately I keep hearing from others that house labels are notorious for saying they like your stuff but due to time and economics that cant release stuff.

So I have been thinking for sometime that i would love to start my own label. I have so many contacts that i could use to get my stuff out and played. I know a few known Djays and have been in the position to pass of records or whatever to them. For instance I went Miami and ran into a few people I knew from Los Angeles and San Fransisco. Some djays some producers and a few scene writers. They all remembered me and thats how its always been. I've just been "that guy" whos at every cool ass party.
Every now and then I will run across a kid with a killer downtempo track or house track. They got no real way to get it out but I do. So i tell them who would listen to it and who would like it, mostly peeps i know in around the scene.
A friend of mine told me if I lived in Los Angeles still I could be a manager or A&R rep for sure, simply because my ear for good quality music and connections I got. I was always selfish thinking "Yeah I save this info for myself when I get my tracks ready.." But I am getting antsy and I want to start using what i know and who i know to help others out who i think need to be heard.
I decided i must start a label. Honestly I always wanted to have my own business. I have two close friends that have thier own. One runs a successful record store (they sell vinyl!) the other runs a UPS Store franchise. I dont have loads of cash like they do but I have the drive to be as succssesful as they are.

PROBLEM A: MONEY. Well I hear you can get a loan from a bank if you got a well made business plan. Some say even with no collateral. I dont it will take millions to get a small label off. Anyone really know numbers what am i looking at for a small release 500 or less. Will a distributor even touch that if not then what?

PROBLEM B: MATERIAL. I would like to start with a release of my own stuff. That way i can find out whats it all about. I know about mastering and all that. I got a few demos handed to me when I was chilling with some friends at WMC I guess cos they thought I was someone who could do something for them. Most original music what I got was mediocre at best. "Once I listened to some the CDRs I got I thought " WOW, my stuff is better than this." Then again I get here and I must say the alot of the tracks that are on DHP Producers Forum are HOTT!! So I am really humbled. Friends say my stuff is good but will it sell?! Is it good to start with your own track?
PROBLEM C: THE GAME. How long should I wait to hear back from labels? If I release it myself,how do i know I'm not getting the shaft from the distributor, ie money? What kind of money should I expect before letting label take the track? Should I really get a lawyer or manager before a lets say Naked Music,decides to release it? what if a company in the U.K. wants to release it or distribute it? Should I fly there and hammer out a deal?

Sorry for all the questions I just knew this was the best place to start thanks again you all. [img]graemlins/conf44.gif[/img]