A lot of rockers often feel that getting signed by or being offered a recording deal is the ultimate goal of their musical career. In some cases this can be true but frequently it can be the start of a whole new set of problems that no artist could ever foresee or desire.

These days a record contract is nothing more than a big advance of money to be recouped by the recording company through sales of your product. If it doesn’t sell to expectation you still have to pay the money back somehow. The recording companies have the methods to make the product sell, get airplay and distribute the product. Music companies loan you the money to make the music then they sell the music to get their money back, giving you just a small percentage.

If you can find a company who believes in the music and is just not into the business, that is great but keep in mind it is a business. They may try to change your sound in order to make it sell or kick band members out if it doesn’t it with a certain look.

A band gets signed; get some money advanced for recording. The songs are recorded and completed but the record company shelves your act and you never sees the light of day but you cant take your product anywhere else because you are already signed. Often you cant even play live gigs without giving a % of your performance fee to the record company. This happened to Billy Joel who waited his five year contract out playing in piano bars.

Often you will be all ready to record your songs and the record company will bring in a co-writer or producer who alters your compositions beyond all recognition to fit in with label’s style. You started to make a hard rock album and you end up with a rap album with all your instruments removed and samples replacing them. You thought you were Metallica only to end up like Jack Johnson. Then you have to go and promote something you really hate and your product is no longer recognizable.

Always remember you have to pay back the investment the record company makes so it is important to keep track of the money. Live gigs, touring, radio shows, shopping centers for the next ten years will help you pay back the loan. How do all those artists who make millions of dollars end up bankrupt? They had so much fun, they never watched where the money was going.

Quite often musical differences between band members and record companies are solved by the company getting rid of and replacing any member of the band who doesn’t agree with them. They are always trying to get work for their own players and artists who have already been signed. Quite often you will find all your guitar players work re-recorded by the studio guy or producer to fit in with the labels sound or smooth over tensions within the band.

Try to get famous on your own first. It will give you more leverage when you do get signed by a recording company that can take you to the next level. When you do sign, make sure to read the contract carefully. The music industry is about the business first and the music second.