Product Description

This practical, provocative book is not about how the music recording business should work, but how it does work. Industry insider Moses Avalon tells it like it is - how producers dip into budgets, artists steal songs, labels skim royalties, lawyers write contracts in code - and shows readers how to survive in the wake of these and other unfortunate truths. Deconstructing actual major record deals, Avalon dissects each party's involvement and perspective: what they actually do, how much they get paid, and what's really on their agenda - on the table and under it. As Avalon notes, "no one gets away clean." Engineers, managers, producers, artists, labels, and lawyers each take their turn in the hot seat. Avalon also outlines more realistic alternatives for newcomers, such as independent labels, "baby" production deals, and vanity labels. This second edition examines important recent developments and their impact, including Internet "file sharing" and "streaming," mergers and acquisitions that are making the big guys even bigger, trade associations and their agendas, the evolving economics of the music business, and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #613681 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
Moses Avalon (a pseudonym) began his recording career as an assistant engineer in a small eight-track studio in the early 1980s. Since then, he has engineered and produced records for Warner Brothers, Atlantic Records and BMG, as well as many independent labels. His work with Grammy award-winning recording artists has earned him five Platinum records and several Billboard Awards.

Customer Reviews

An invaluble insight to the music business , buy it!
When I originally purchased this book, I wasn't expecting much from it at all. But once I began reading, I was blown away. Moses Avalon brings us behind the scenes of the record industry and exposes the hidden flaws, shams, pitfalls and rip-offs in the industry. More than that, he gives case studies and solid (sometimes) sneaky survival tips.This book is terrifyingly addictive and a wealth of information is avalible on every page. For any aspiring musician or anyone interested in the music business, this is a must read!

It's nastier than you'd think
A real harsh view of the music industry, enough to put anyone off even trying. However this kindof perspective is essential to anyone silly enough to want to get into the biz.