Advice needed RE: Promotion Deal/Offer... *Help*

[SeanyK]

Hiya folks,

OK so its not everyones favourite genre of music, but I produce Trance (or Tarnce as its known on here) music.

I've sent about 15 cd's out a couple of months ago, not heard back, but admittedly, after chasing them up via email, some had not even got the cd! LOL then listened and returned comments such as;

"Hey Sean,

Not bad --- but nothing for us atm!

Keep us up to date always my friend!"

"‘’Not bad but nothing for us at the moment! Keep me always up to date with new things! All best’’



‘’Hi mate - yeh just had a quick listen through them - theyre ok - bit like Ian Van Dahl really - pop trance.

Nice riffs - with cooler mixes should go ok though I think the whole pop trance market has died a bit.

Thanks for sending them over.’’



Anyway, I then contacted a promotion/broker who was interested in my music, I signed a 'non exclusive broker agreement' for the 6 tracks on my demo cd, and they said they were confident they would find a deal... Nothing really has come of that, just more feedback like the above, and im most likely going to cancel the 'agreement'.
I didnt pay nothing or anything to them. It was just a promotion type deal.


So I sent 10 more cd's out on Monday of this week targetting a few labels I thought might be interested, obviously too early for feedback from them yet.

However, I have been approached by a promotions company/record label, who put out vinyls & cd's on white label and distribute to labels, approx;

"promotional album on CD and Vinyl is received by the top 1000 music industry professionals. This includes Radio DJ's, Independent DJ's, Club DJ's, Venues, Promoters, Radio Stations, Music Agencies, TV, Film, Advertising and Computer Games Developers."

The guy has phoned me and told me quite in depth about things, but there is one problem;

I have to pay £500!!!
Not a small amount is it! lol, but they were explaining how it costs a heck of a lot to press onto vinyl, and to cd and to send each cd via recorded, and so £500 is a small sum apparantly for what you get...

"This price is inclusive of:

• Your track being pressed on 1000 CD as well as 500 Vinyl...

• Extensive promotion of compilation....

• Distribution to at least 1000 music industry players/professionals...

• Industry Reaction sheet, evaluating the impact of your track on the dance floor, audience and the suitability for Radio/TV/Film/Computer Games/etc..."


The guy did seem pretty enthusiastic about my music and had one track he really liked and was pretty determined to 'get it out there'
It isnt one of the tracks I personally thought was the best on the cd, but I guess that doesnt mean much...

I honestly dont know what to do guys? Seems silly but im 24, and dont really have people to talk to about this kind of thing, except on this forum because there are a LOT of you guys on here who have experience.
Im aware you can get ripped off in the record industry if your not careful.

I could maybe give you the company name if you PM me if you needed it.


Whats the thoughts guys?
I know its all about people hearing your music, and sometimes sending cd's yourself doesnt get you anywhere without someone in the know (which could be that label) passing it to them.
He did say they can do record deals themselves, but its about reaction, and they want to see how people react to my music.

Any idea/advice what I should do?


Sean