how do I contact music labels/studios?and do I really have to do that to become a musician?

the only thing a studio is good for is money, that's basically all the do is give you the money to make your album, they don't book tours or even promote very well. the booking agent sets up the shows, your talent agent promotes you, so basically they just give you money and take more in return. If you have millions of dollars then start your own, if not, you may have to be a studios ***** for a few years.

as for contacting a studio... get an agent, they wont talk to anyone unless they have an agent.

-Kevin

Imperia Studios

President

Studios are separate entities than music labels, a studio is a facility that records audio and anyone with a few hundred dollars can go in and record, although with todays technology anyone can download a halfway decent multitrack recording program and do it themselves.

Labels on the other hand take a chance on you that you'll make them a ton of money so they front you everything, money for studio time, money for promotion, money for yourself, money for everything. Which is why they take the lion's share of the profits in the beginning, to recoup their investment. Again with the internet and today's technology, if you have the energy you can pretty much do everything they do for yourself. Granted it won't be on the same scale, but you can. Look at someone like Ani DiFranco , google her, she did it all herself and has turned down the labels.

and no, you don't have to be signed to a label to be considered a musician, you just need a passion to play...

Here's what I had to do, and there are lots of us out there. "Indy" musicians, or independents, that is. Get yourself a decent computer recording program, or even a stand-alone 4-track recorder, and learn to record your own tunes. A Digital 4-track will only set you back between $300-$500 bucks. Then share your songs online at sites like Garageband.com, etc. You never know who might be listening out there, and you gain a ton of feedback from other struggling musicians just like you! Just make sure you copyright your songs before sharing them, it's easier than you might think. You might also want to pick up a current copy of The Songwriter's Market, in it you'll find a boatload of tips for breaking into the biz. Email me if you need more info, and Good Luck!

It's a lot of everything. I'd prefer to spend money building my own studio and then rent it out or have other people to pay me for the studio time. and then just play live - a lot. and then labels come to you...