T2K

David, in your opinion do you feel that good representation agent, manager or Entertainment attorney is crucial to getting signed?

Most record labels and publishers won't take unsolicited material from unknown artists so it's almost mandatory that an artist have representation until they are established enough that they can do it themselves.  Even then it's wise to have representation as the business folk in the industry will have a different conversation with representation than they will with an artist. It's all about money and deals on that level, not the art, and that's something many artists simply don't understand until they've been in the business a while.  For most, it's difficult to separate their business from their art, at least until they understand you need to wear many different hats in this business.

T2K

What would you say some of the mistakes unsigned bands make when trying to get signed?

David

I don't know if there are any mistakes because it's a lot of luck, timing and just simply having the "right thing at the right time" anyway.  The only real mistake is to sit around and do nothing dreaming that one day it will just come your way because you think you're great!

T2K

What do you think the difference is for a band getting signed in the early 1980's as opposed to getting signed today?

David

If you were lucky enough to get signed in the 80's there was a ton more money being thrown around for tour support, hefty recording budgets, etc.  These days the record deals are pretty small and you often best take what you can get just to get in the game.  It's more of any Indie's world right now rather than the majors like it used to be in the glory days of the 80's.  You definitely have to be an entrepreneur now, for sure.

T2K

What recommendation's can you give for an unsigned band to keep and control there Publishing? Should they start their own publishing company?

David

Publishing becomes one of your greatest assets if you have success as a songwriter because that can be "cash cow" money for years to come.  At some point though, getting a publishing deal is imperative to make sure your money is collected for records sold and for other opportunities to get your music out to other parts places in the industry ie. gaming, movie soundtracks and so forth.  The main thing is to make sure your rights revert back to you at some point in the future if you can negotiate that

T2K

What is your opinion as to signing with an indie or major label?

David

The idea used to be if you had to start with an Indie you would work toward selling a lot of records so you could get picked up by a major.  In today's landscape, the Indie labels are ruling the roost because everyone got tired of the majors calling all the shots, signing bad pretentious artists, corporate layoffs, etc. The world, especially the business itself, really started to champion the Indie labels because it put the control back in the hands of the little guy again. Most of the Indie labels today strive to secure Major label distribution anyway so the key there is to make sure the label you're signing with has that part in place to get your records in the stores. Then you try to get marketing and radio promotion money so you have some mojo going with the public so they know about you. 

There can be little or no tour support with Indie labels so be prepared to get in the van and get out there and play everywhere you can on your own.  Make sure to take your own merchandise because that's one way a lot of new artists pay for their costs on the road and in many cases make a nice little profit, too!

T2K

SO when can we hear F5? the little I have heard is awesome. Tour plans?

David

Thank you, we are not a typical sounding heavy band in that we are also very melodic and you can understand our singer's lyrics! I'd like to think we've got something new and fresh to offer. Last Fall, in 2004, we got out playing some shows because we needed to get in front of audiences to test our songs and get the band experienced onstage, which went real well. We've held off on the band playing out too much over the last couple months while we get our recording deals in place because in order to keep going back into the same towns, or book tours into new cities, we need to get our record out so people know what we sound like. So, that's been top priority for us. People need to know what we sound like before they come and see us!

I know we've been a bit silent about it but our debut album is looking to be scheduled for release this summer with various labels around the world.  Getting signed takes time to move the project thru the process, and the record company machinery, so we appreciate everyone being patient with us.