Band Name Disputes: Who Can Use the Band Name When a Band Breaks Up?

Bands break up all the time. And band name disputes often follow. Some­times one or more mem­bers want to con­tinue using the band name, as was the case with Pink Floyd in the 1980s when both Roger Waters and David Gilmour were tour­ing with two dif­fer­ent bands under the name Pink Floyd. Similarly, Axl Rose […]

Can You Copyright a Drumbeat?

Copyright a Drumbeat In light of the many high profile plagiarism cases making headlines in the music business over the last few years (Lana Del Rey, Led Zeppelin, Robin Thicke, Sam Smith, etc.), it felt like the right time to examine the topic of songwriting from where we all sit: the drum throne. All of […]

The Lana Del Rey and Radiohead Plagiarism Case: What You Need To Know

Your newsfeeds might be buzzing with the news that Radiohead are suing Lana Del Rey over her song “Get Free,” which they say plagiarizes their 1993 hit “Creep.” Lana Del Rey tweeted yesterday: “It’s true about the lawsuit. Although I know my song wasn’t inspired by “Creep,” Radiohead feel it was and want 100% of […]

Do Musicians Need a Record Label?

Record Label 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 towards. This is no longer the case. While record deals are still a […]

Should You Sign a Music Publishing Deal?

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 your master recordings which embody your compositions. The right music publisher can take your career […]

Should Musicians Self-Publish?

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 that they’ve incorporated a publishing company, through which the publisher’s share of income flows. The […]

16 Things Every Touring Musician Should Ask Before Going on Tour

touring musician

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) Are Your Gigs Confirmed & Contracts Signed? This might seem like an obvious starting point, […]

Music Placements: How to Get Your Music in Film & TV

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 career. Music placements are one of the best ways to gain serious exposure for your […]

What Constitutes Music Plagiarism? The Sam Smith and Robin Thicke Trials

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 such thing as an original thought. Everyone from Shakespeare to the Beatles to Zeppelin has […]