This blog is in response to the question, "how do i get signed to an indie label" asked by a solo artist...well, there isnt just one answer and i cant answer for ALL other indie labels, but i can answer for myself. Here goes...


1a. Plays shows with Anathema Records run by Mr. Zach Weiss. And for a quote from the Show-Guru himself, Zach, whom ive grown to trust so much over 6+ years we've worked together, "They arent just shows, they are job interviews." This is the best place for me to see you at work. Youre on my turf. Youre in my comfort zone. I get to see your music, your business, your attitudes, your networking...i get to see the everything, and i am watching.

1b. Work hard and sell your tickets. If you dont care enough to do the job of selling tickets, i am not at all interested in working with you to further your career. Other labels may see you do this later on and will come to the same realization. That realization is that you dont work hard for your shows, for the promoter, for your band or your fans...and ultimately wont work hard for the label. You just blew your first impression. No label wants to blow money on a lazy band. There are tons of bands that are willing to work hard. All you did was prove you arent worth remembering and are certainly not worth signing.


2. Have a good, honest, hardworking attitude. There are lots of musicians out there. Most of them want to be signed. I have no problem walking away from arrogant, egotistical jerks. You know those bands. We all know those bands. Take a second. Think about that band you know that falls into that roll...now think...is that band signed? Or are they just dicks because they just played a show in front of their moms and co workers? Did they have a handful of loaded up drunk girls wanting their tits signed? Did all their people show up right before they played and leave right when they were done? Yea, no label wants to deal with that kind of band. I definately dont want to deal with that band, no matter how much money they could make. It isnt worth it.


3a. Have solid, marketable radio-friendly music. I have worked for labels that want only hardcore bands. There is a label for everything, but only if you can prove to make the label money. It is a business, after all, not a charity. Dont ask "What will you do for me?" If you dont know what a indie label does, then you arent ready for one. Its kind of like "If you have to ask the price, you cant afford it."


3b. Some labels dont know what they are doing and dont have a plan past a few months or a few years. Theyll sign anyone. ANYONE. It isnt so much a signing, as it is a screwing. Right in the butt. Good luck with that. Look for a label that seems to have a support system. Look for a label that has a plan. Talk to people who seem to be linked to the label. Do your homework. Would you promise to hook up with a random chic if youd never seen her or talked to her about her views or positions on important issues? Would you just be like "Sure. Ill have an exclusive relationship with you for MANY years, strange girl. You just promised me the moon, and i know you wouldnt promise me the moon if you couldnt give it to me. I would love to give you many thousands of dollars and waste a few years on you, strange girl ive never seen or heard of or talked to." It just doesnt make sense.


4. Have a professional recording. This isnt a deal breaker for me, but a professional recording already done by the time i start dealing with a band is excellent. It means i dont have to put out as much money to get a band going. I can focus my resources on other aspects, like merch, ads in AP magazine, tour spots on Warped Tour, trailers, vans, indie tours, distro, radio, publishing deals, hookers, $5 handles of whiskey, fire-breathing nude midgets, etc. The list goes on and on. Just kidding about the hookers and whiskey.


5a. Consistant show attendence. I expect a new band to draw at least 100+ people per show. C'mon. For a 5 person band, thats 20 people each. Even if youre lazy, you have a handful of family, someone that enjoys having sex with you (and her/his friends), someone that WANTS to enjoy having sexy with you (and her/his friends), friends that you drink with (and their friends) and a few co-workers. Easy. After about a year or so of local and regional touring, i expect this kind of draw everywhere.

5b. So, yea. 5a is a stupid no-brainer. Venues are not charities, unless they SAY they are charities. Almost none ever are. Bands that tell me that they dont sell tickets but "dont mind playing your show..." sound like dicks. They sound worse when they ask how much you are paying them. Sure, dude. I bet you dont mind.

5c. We are not to be confused with the cold and corporate. If you are prepared to sell out, we arent prepared to deal with you. We are ONLY interested in those artists and bands that care for their craft.
5d. Shows within 100 miles of the Arch (for you STL area bands) are local shows. Sorry to the bands that think Belleville is "out of state". Playing Potosi is not considered "touring". Touring is touring. If i didnt hear this so much id think it were more funny.


6. Show history and possible touring. I expect bands to be touring or planning actively to tour. I expect bands to have or be ready to have plenty of regional show experience...meaning, outside of your 100 mile comfort zone. Not every band knows this, and thats ok. You have to learn somehow and somewhere what each label expects. You cant just Google that. You can, however, know what labels do. Again, if you have to ask...


7. Merch. Or at least some money and plans to buy merch. Or at the very least, a business plan. I regularly help bands with this. This is the main problem with 95% of bands.


8. Professional image. I expect professional gear and a professional sound. If you look professional, you are perceived to be a professional. The last band i was in had this down to a beautiful art. Theyd roll in and peoples heads jerked. They were masters of that art. I expect a myspace page that i can navigate and not get lost in a jumble of cheezits ads, half-naked prosti-tots and quizzes to find out "What Twilight character you are". Seriously, be professional if you want a contract from anyone ever, or just go have fun, play video games and wait tables.


There are more, but this is a good roadmap.


Mike Barclay
Owner and A&R
Anathema Records