Record Label Deal?

I recently had the pleasure of pitching a very talented, well produced artist to major labels. Years ago I was a VP of a major label and have been in the business for decades. We all know that record sales have been taken over by streaming. Very few people are buying records anymore. So it’s tough these days to be a record label.

The artist I was pitching spent several hundred thousand dollars with the best producers and studios. The production is fabulous. The songs are great and so are the performances. With that, one would think that obtaining a major label would not be an issue.

After pitching the album to about every major label, I started making calls to my contacts at the labels. Naturally my first question was “How did you like the music”? I was shocked at the answers I received. “Well I took a look at their social media numbers and they weren’t very good”. But how did you like the music? They never listened to it because their social media numbers were not good enough?

So this is what music has come to a social media contest? Where would the greats be today if they were dependent upon social media numbers? Would we have ever heard Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin, The Rolling Stones or Michael Jackson?

Music is supposed to evoke emotion and not be just a number. Does a million you tube hits evoke emotion? Record labels’ sales may be in the toilet but maybe that is because they are concentrating on the wrong thing instead of the music. After all, it is all about the music and if the music is great and evokes emotion to make you laugh or cry, it is memorable and that’s what creates a great album, one that people actually buy.. Let’s get back to concentrating on making great music and the labels might sell some records again.

Madlyn has teamed with Musik Radio Promotions for a worldwide marketing campaign and her first single release, Kiss Me Goodbye, has climbed to #4 on the U.S. Independent Chart.

After tragically losing her mother to breast cancer when she was just 13,  Sabrina began to immerse herself completely in songwriting and pop music. She later made the choice to honor her mother Madelyn, by taking on her name. Artistically choosing to drop the “e,” she would be known as MadLyn.

Years of developing her craft  led MadLyn to writing songs for other artists, including European pop sensation, Suzanna Lubrano, recording the title track for the film “Wheels,” appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! singing background vocals for bands like Youngblood Hawke, and recording vocals on the latest Jared Leto / Thirty Seconds to Mars album, “LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS.” MadLyn has also co-written with some of the music industry’s most prestigious songwriters including the legendary Billy Steinberg and Ken Hirsch.

MadLyn performs on a regular basis at various venues throughout the US, entertaining audiences both as a solo vocal/piano performer and with her other awesome band members. Her original music combines honest and self-aware songwriting along with her quirky piano playing pop sensibilities, and her covers of classics and modern music always includes her own style and interpretation. MadLyn is the creator & host of the ongoing breast cancer fundraising music event, “The Siren Song,” and released her first official single and music video “Kiss Me Goodbye” on February 17th 2015.

Musik and Film Records Country artist, David Cooler, believes in staying true to his roots.  Musik Radio recently began a worldwide music marketing campaign and the “world” has voted they appreciate  David’s roots.   His music is rising in the charts and recently David signed a publishing deal with Tabitha Records.

David took the time to speak about his career:

What made you want to pursue a career in music?

It is a passion that is hard to describe in words. After writing a few songs, people wanted to hear more. That was a spark that started a fire that has followed me for years. You can’t put a price on something you created that holds the power to touch/move people the way that my songs have.

Do you play any instruments?

Yes, I play guitar, keyboard/piano, bass, drums……..
Let’s just say it has helped me a lot learning these instruments, in creating my own albums.

How would you describe your music?

I consider my genre Back Yard Southern Rock/Country.

Where do you want to take your music?

World Wide, if you’re going to dream, dream big.

Besides music, what are 4 of your favorite things?

My family, Hunting, Golf, and Farming.

What advice would you give a music artist who is just starting out?

Follow what you believe in, for you have to believe to succeed.

What do you want to always be remembered for?     I would like to be most remembered for being who I am vs. what I am.  I stay true to myself, family, and my music.

“For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul’s own speech.”  That’s the simple, yet foreshadowing quote that hung on the wall of the Midwestern farm house of David’s piano teacher when he was seven years old.

David has partnered with Musik Radio Promotions  and now his songs have inspired thousands all over the world. Musik and Film’s affiliate, Tabitha Records, has also signed David to a publishing deal.

What has been your greatest opportunity in your career so far?

Almost 5 years ago I had the incredible  opportunity to become a member of the multi-platinum band ‘Blessid Union of Souls’.  It’s been a tremendous ride, and literally taken me all over the world.  I’ve performed music on every inhabitable continent, except Austrailia.  So Aussies, let’s make this happen!  Being with BUOS has really caused me to hone my abilities and see how a successful band conducts themselves.

What do you think distinguishes a true music artist from an entertainer?

I feel like there’s a drastic difference between an artist and an entertainer.  If you have enough things to hold people’s attention; lights, camera and action, everyone will walk away feeling entertained.  But a true artist, in my opinion, is able to portray a message and connect with the people’s hearts and they walk away feeling changed.

What do you want to always be remembered for?

As much as music is a huge part of my life I hope to remembered as so much more than that.  Of course I hope my music carries on but I also want to be known as someone that made others feel loved and that I was able to be a positive influence.

Do you play any instruments?

Yes I do.  My main instrument is piano but I also play guitar, bass, drums and toy around on a few other stringed instruments just for fun.  I played all the piano, synth, keyboard string arrangements and acoustic guitar on my most recent EP.

What advice would you give a music artist who is just starting out?

Don’t box yourself into one specific style or genre and always write through whatever is happening in your life.  Become a student of music and learn how it all works together to create exactly what you hear inside your head and feel inside your heart.

How would you describe your music

I get asked this question a lot.  I try not compare myself to other artists so a few years ago I came up with a simple phrase that describes what I do.  Faith, Hope, Love, Rock!