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October, 2006
 
The Role of Publishing in Artist Development
Some Publishing Companies Take Over a Traditional Record Label Role by ICX I often get asked about a topic that is mysterious to the average musician. It’s that often-misunderstood publishing. Just what is it, and how can it be useful to a musician just starting out, or even working regularly at the club level? At its most basic, publishing is one major way writers get royalties from their songs. Every writer should be registered with a performing rights organization, with the major ones being ASCAP and BMI. Those agencies sample radio, television and other areas where music is used, and devise a formula to determine how much a certain song might get played. They then send out quarterly checks to the writers based on usage of their song. So Bruce Springsteen may get a rather large payment, while a local songwriter who had a song used on a television show may get a few dollars. Where does this money come from? The agencies collect fees from large and small venues that utilize music. Radio stations, restaurants, malls—any place that plays music must pay a fee to the agency to license the music they use. A publishing company will typically sign writers that they feel will be successful, and often pay an advance. It’s good for the writer because they get money up front, which will help them continue their songwriting endeavors. It’s good for the publishing company because they then have the exclusive right to the writer’s songs, and can try to exploit them by getting them on soundtracks or placed with other artists. Most people assume this is something that only established writers can take advantage of. However, that is rapidly changing. A recent Billboard article actually chronicled the new publishing paradigm, where young artists can get great assistance from publishing companies. Major publishers now are looking for the next generation of great writers, and are even taking them on when they are being turned down by record labels. They are getting heavily into development. It can be artists they discover on the Internet, or even from a club gig. They are, in essence, taking over a role that record labels traditionally played. Publishers as renowned as Sony/ATV, EMI, Zomba, Warner and Universal have all been active with unsigned artists. As it has always been with record labels, it’s still a matter of getting heard; it comes either through connections or through chance encounters like those mentioned above. But no matter how it comes about, it is an extremely positive development for a young artist. These companies have already taken some of the songwriters they signed and brought them to independent labels, hooked them up with established co-writers and producers, and set up showcases for possible brand associations, including commercial products, games, etc. Sony/ATV actually sent a young writer to Sweden to work with a major production team, as well as to get them to see the world and experience a little more of life, which will help in their writing. While financial assistance is a major factor, these other possibilities are all part of the development that an artist can greatly benefit from. Indeed, this is the artist development that record labels were known for years ago, but that has been shunted aside in this day and age of the need for a hit right off the bat. Publishing companies may be taking on the mantle of artist development that is sorely lacking at major labels these days. Most industry analysts feel that independent labels are the future of artist development, but don’t discount the role that publishers now seem to be diving into. It’s something that the industry needs, and something that any aspiring artist should be aware of. There are many ways to find publishing companies: via directories, the Internet, from CDs, etc. Almost all recording artists are associated with a publishing company. While most will not accept unsolicited materials, you can contact them and ask them to check out your website, or gigs that may be near where they are located. You might be surprised by their interest. Don’t limit your shopping to record labels; this is an opportunity to get into the industry through an established, respected source. A label will take a hard look at an artist that is brought to them through a publishing company. If you have any questions concerning this column or any other music business topic, send them to me at: How To Succeed In The Music Business, P.O. Box 1422, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Or e-mail them to me at CaptainHal@aol.com. |