ELECTRO-MUSIC.COM CD COMPILATION

[paul e.]

maybe this idea has been suggested already as it seems almost too obvious

there are a lot of great tracks among members here..

it might be cool to gather about 10-12 of these tracks and combine them onto disc [ ideally, with a cohesive or contiguous flow] and sell it at the store

..and the proceeds can go toward a. the cost of the cd's b. howard , for the site maintenance

what do you guys think

[egw]

Yes, there has been some discussion.
I think it was in the pending forum, so not everyone saw it.
It needs to be revitalized!

[mosc]

Yes, I think it's time to do this. It'll take work, so we need volunteers. It'll take up-front money, so that'll have to come from contributors. There will have to be some music accepted and some rejected, so that may be painful. That's the part I'm not happy about. But a compilation CD may help promote some of our members' music, and it'll promote the site.

I think it might work this way, but let's have input before we finalize this:

1) Any member can submit tracks, but limited to some reasonable number, like 3.

2) There will be a selection authority, probably me with the help of other members. The goal will be to feature as many members as possible while maintaining a level of quality. Thus, 10 seven minute pieces would be better than 3 twenty-five minute ones. Maybe we would accept pieces up to 10 minutes.

3) Submissions would probably be via mp3s, or links to mp3s, with a minimal amount of descriptive copy about the artist and the piece.

4) Each member whose music is in the compilation will contribute up-front a certain amount of money, perhaps $50, a they will get a certain number of copies, like 5 or 10. These numbers are a wild guess at this time. This will generate the funds to have them manufactured, and to have a stock for the store to sell.

5) Proceeds from the sales on the electro-music.com site will go to the site, which unfortunately is still a) losing money, and b) in serious need of increased network capacity. It would be great to have mp3s here some day. Perhaps we can sell mp3 downloads from this site.

6) Each artist maintains the copyright for their music, but gives electro-music.com rights for the purposes of this project and future re-releases. Basically a non-exclusive donation.

We would need volunteers to contribute cover art. If there are multiple contributors, maybe we could pick something by consensus of the contributors, else I'll decide.

There are probably other issues.

How about some feedback. Would you be interested in this? Should we change the rules? Let's hear your concerns and questions. Then, if there is positive feedback, we can finalize the procedures and processes, make an official announcement here on the site, and get going.

[themoors]

just a thought...

It might be good to have an overall theme or concept for the release, with contributors creating a track specifically for the project, this way the overall sound may be more cohesive

anyway I like the idea im interested to see what will come of it.

[paul e.]

mosc

your plan outline sounds excellent indeed...it seems like you have already put some serious thought into this issue

i throw my support behind this 100 percent and i will contribute to the discussion of how we will execute this plan

i agree with the moors regarding a theme..altho there is already one over-arching built in theme - that of the 'international artists of electro-music.com'

but a musical thematic will be nice if possible

even just track sequencing and perhaps even some segueways can do wonders for contextualizing disparate sounds


btw, if a theme is narrowed down, the selection f the tracks will become easier if not almost logical

or if there are many 'extra tracks' left over that are good, another complation can be made ['series 2' for example]

anyway, this will be a fascinating project and i am sure very worthwhile

hey, i can gaurantee some radio play here in toronto ;]

[themoors]

how about limiting every track to a minute or under, that way everyone gets a look in and think of all the creativity you can compress into 60 seconds. It could be the musical equivelent of the haiku

music lovers hear
the electronic sound
machines clash

think thats right

[elektro80]

I suggest we cash in on the new space exploration fad. We create our own "space program" which is an (series(?)) of member music compilations based around the theme of space exploration and the new frontiers. The composers can treat this subject in any way they like.

[elektro80]

[egw]

I don't think it needs to be limited to a single CD. Depends on how many want to participate. But if there are more than one, a suitable time in between will give the first one a chance to sell and be distributed. Also work out the kinks and methodology before starting number 2. There needs to be some mastering done, at least to equalize levels between tracks. Can a pressing be done for $500? (10 artists x $50) Is it ok to submit tracks from released CDs or should it be unreleased material?

It might be nice also to have an open-ended compilation, where everyone on electro-music can submit a track, just to share with each other. I personally don't have time to listen to everyone's mp3s, but I would go for something like this. This could be inclusive, avoiding the need to judge or select the music. And could be a limited run CDR, since it's not intended to promote the site or a particular quality or style of music, or to raise money.

[Cyxeris]

This idea had surfaced from time to time, and, for logistical reasons, seems to cool off after a week or so.

I like the idea of a compilation, and have in the past suggested that one include collaborations between artists here as an added bonus. I think a tentative series is a good idea, as it allows for a broader showcase, AND allows for a different motif/libretto/theme for each disc.

Insofar as getting it done, this sort of thing requires a project manager, who acts as the central authority for getting it done and managing the wide range of issues that such a project entails.

It can act as one of 2 things. Either a sampler, or an original work, and an original work will offer the most flexibility and the most opportunity to entertain an actual theme. I still like the idea of collaborations, even if online on a few of the tracks.

The real question is whether or not we will actually execute this idea.

Cyx

[paul e.]

distribution beyond the web is not likely, so i would think cd-r's made to order would be the way to go

someone orders one from the store, it gets burned and the artwork printed out

and publications and college/public radio will accept and play/review cd-r's [as long as they have a nice look] and they could direct their listeners/readers to this website for purchase info

therefore the only cost would be the cost of blank cd-r's...some paper for the print outs, and mailing costs

no ISBN

low cost

alternatively, or in conjunction, is the idea of selling hi bit rate mp3's that mosc eluded to

[Cyxeris]

[egw]

How about a sampler, selected from the CDs for sale here on electro-music?
That has the the direct tie-in to promote CD sales, and also has the advantage of using audio files instead of mp3s.
Plus it would encourage artists to put their CDs on here.
Perhaps that one could be the "serious" pressed CD.

In addition, the CDR approach could be used for one or more of the other suggestions that have been made. This is easier and faster, probably any of us could do it, so it doesn't need to be as restrictive.

[elektro80]

[paul e.]

members should offer up tracks that have no legal baggage


otherwise, it will be a headache

keep it simple

[elektro80]

If you have signed with an RMA, in theory all your material is covered by that deal.

[paul e.]

personally, that is a waste of time and energy

[elektro80]

That might be, but the way this business is working now, if you haven´t signed you are waiving your rights.

[paul e.]

maybe..unlikely tho

and you have just made it more complicated to ever have your music 'signed'

now, an indie label would have to purchase a liscence and pay you a mechanical fee for every copy of a cd..

most indie labels would never do this, on principle and for cost reasons

if an artist is 'unsigned' to an official record/distibution deal, siging up to any rights agency is meaningles and complicates the matter

[elektro80]

Well.., it all depends on strategy. A small indie label is not able to help me out anyway. There are no small labels out there who have any interest in what I do and the very few who are, are not able to sell the stuff anyway. I should probably use another strategy, and in this means indirectly that signing with an RMA is smart. My deal with Tono also means that all those old "lost" mastertapes will have to get cleared with me if they ever show up.

[paul e.]

anyway, considering the idea behind this is to maybe raise some awareness/cash for electro-music.com, i would again suggest that member's submit/donate tracks that have no legal complications and can be freely used ....

[elektro80]

But is this release to be sold just to the artists? How will it be marketed?
Distribution? Reviews? Do we have the brand yet?

[paul e.]

i think i am beginning to see why this idea of a compilation get sidetracked, derailed

keep it simple

members send in free tracks as donations to mosc

make cd'rs on demand for anyone who buys it at the store

send some cd'rs to radio stations/publications, send them to the website

that's it..

anything else is a headache and not worth the words

[elektro80]

But you could help out, Paul! You still have a room full of the Sudden electronic music CDs. Send 20 copies to Howard and let him sell the stuff here!

If vintage Bowie sells, then some vintage Sudden will sell great too!

[paul e.]

actually, we only have 7 cd's left from the run of 1,000 .. also, that cd is under restrictions worldwide until 2005 i am afraid [which was a mistake on my part]
or, i already wold have sent howard some sudden cd's

[btw total profit from selling almost 1,000 cds = about zero after the expenses]