I get asked this all the time. Do I need a record label to help my career? It used to be that a record deal was the holy grail of the music industry; the brass ring that all artists worked … Continue reading
If you write your own songs, at some point in your career you will want to consider whether signing with a music publishing company makes sense. Music publishers are sort of like record labels, but for your compositions rather than … Continue reading
As a songwriter, you have likely heard talk of self-publishing your compositions. You’ve likely noticed, while perusing the fine print in the liner notes of your favorite albums, that nearly all major artists have created their own publishing company. This means … Continue reading
Whether you’re a seasoned touring musician or about to embark on your first tour, there are many things to take into consideration before hitting the highway. Here are the 16 questions a touring musician should ask before loading up the van: 1) … Continue reading
I’ve negotiated a few significant film and television placements for clients in the last two months, so I decided to write an article on the topic. Getting your music placed in film and TV can be a game-changer in your … Continue reading
A Band Agreement is likely the most important agreement you can sign in a band. I say this based on my years as both an entertainment lawyer and a band member. It costs relatively little, and could save you thousands upon … Continue reading
Music plagiarism is a hot topic in the music industry these days. From Sam Smith to Bruno Mars to Beyonce, artists seem to be being accused of music plagiarism more than ever. As the old saying goes: there is no … Continue reading
Most musicians I talk to are slightly confused by all the music industry collectives out there and how they can collect money from them. This is understandable: there is a lot to digest. Let’s look at the main music industry collectives and … Continue reading
Since 9/11, touring the USA as a Canadian musician has never been more difficult. Things have gotten worse since Trump took office. Horror stories abound of bands being held at the border in interrogation rooms for hours/days on end, all because … Continue reading
What constitutes songwriting? As an entertainment lawyer, it is the single question I get asked the most. And without a doubt, its one of the most important and complex questions in the music industry today. While most musicians know very … Continue reading