r/musicindustry • u/Elegant_Passenger_10 • 2d ago
Insight / Advice Anxious about hearing back.
I’m an artist. I had a
meeting with a record label yesterday, they seemed super interested, they also reached out first. We talked for 30 minutes and they had me send over what I was working on. I’ve seen them listen to a few things. Was wondering traditionally if it’s normal to be ghosted after this sort of thing if my demos turned them off or if it just takes a while.
2
u/mixmaster69 4h ago
It’s only been a day , I wouldn’t read anything into it yet. Labels often take time to review material and discuss things internally, and yes, sometimes they ghost you even after showing genuine interest. Give it a week or two, follow up politely, and in the meantime keep doing your thing
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u/YankeesNeedPitching 4h ago
Yes its normal and happens often congrats on the meeting tho and keep going
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u/machiavelliravioli 4h ago
I have spoken to 4 labels now and every single one of them was flakey as fuck, i was literally waiting on the final draft of a contract and they just stopped texting me back for 2 months until this week they asked me if i was interested in a publishing deal (not now MF 😆), we had talked for weeks. Another one missed two zoom meetings and tried to schedule a third a month later. One of them mixed up who they were talking to.
One day is nothing. My advice also is that if you're nervous about it then you might make a bad decision, if they reached out THEY WANT YOU, or at least you're probably in a decent negotiating spot. If you're not confident in yourself and what you bring to the table they will eat you alive 😆
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u/ZebraSong 4h ago
I’ve had an extensive career at both, major publishers and labels.
It’s only been a day. It’s totally fine. I was head of sync, but worked hand in hand with A&R. If they request a meeting, they’re already pretty interested. If they invite the head of sync to also meet you, it’s in the bag.
I don’t know about smaller indie labels, but at majors, that’s how it goes. A 30min is short, but a reasonable amount of time.
Give it a week or so, but congrats on getting the meeting in the first place!
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u/LoveExcelsAll 24m ago
Both. Depends... Indie, imprint, major? Are you in the US, dealing with an American label? Who are you meeting with (job title/capacity?).... and on and on I have numerous questions otherwise I have to guess in order to dial in a better maybe...
The answer is that every situation is different... there is no one size fits all, but it's safe to say that if you're dealing with an owner or executive as opposed to an A&R you stand to get a decision faster. The owner, or CEO has no one to answer to... They cut the checks so... faster answers. It's safe to say that if someone at that level won't let you leave the building and they're trying to do a deal memo you've got a real shot at something... Everyone else has to 'walk it upstairs', and get approval which can take time, and even beyond that do they really believe in you? A good A&R looks for more than good songs... They're considering everything, and have a certain amount of money to spend which brings me to this looming fact..
I'll speak as if you're in the States, but some of this will apply regardless of the location/holidays, because the same thing pretty much happens worldwide this time of year.... The (looming fact...) downside is that we're in 4th quarter and nearing tax season... Most Majors stop signing this time of year, because after halloween they begin auditing, and after Thanksgiving most employees go on vacation, or at least have reduced and/or different responsibilities that are less demanding soooo in an industry where no-one wants to do their job anyway.... vacaaay... so even if you're negotiating more than likely you won't lock in until after the new year so they can keep their books clean ie pay advances, open budgets, etc. Q1.
Doesn't mean they don't have interest if they slow the process though, BUT if they are super impressed (and have permission to close) they will communicate so you don't go elsewhere...
If that happens I strongly suggest you do whatever you can to grow your buzz, audience, to increase demand and possibly even shop to others in hopes of creating a bidding war if you really have traction do what you can to get more eyes on you...
How did they discover you? Are you on radio, playlists, earning, performing? More and more questions.... Kind of a rabbit hole... Feel free to DM.
I say be patient, but also assertive, communicative, responsive, remain active (in fact step up your promotional efforts)... Make NOISE!!!
Hope this helps.
All of my best,
LoveExcelsAll
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u/Much_Calligrapher804 4h ago
I’m still waiting to hear back from my A&R at Epic. It’s been 27 years.