Product Description

This fully updated and expanded book is not about how the music business should work, but how it does work. Industry insider Moses Avalon tells it like it is - how producers dip into budgets, artists steal songs, lawyers write contracts in code - and shows you how to survive these and other career-stifling situations. Deconstructing actual major and indie-label record deals, this book dissects each party's involvement and offers perspective on their actual roles, how much they get paid, and what their agendas really are. Engineers, managers, producers, artists, labels and lawyers each take their turn in the hot seat. It also outlines realistic alternatives for newcomers, such as "baby" production deals and vanity labels. This third edition includes: an entire chapter comparing ASCAP and BMI - a publishing first * new insights for indie artists, including the lowdown on digital-distribution scams and independent AandR * information on new legislation and its impact on sampling and other legal matters * new music-industry "family trees" that reflect recent consolidation and reorganization * 80 pages of new material * and much more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #148830 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

From Booklist
Confession is good for the soul! Over the years, among many other like-minded authors, a stockbroker, a "dirty" ballplayer, a "lapsed" librarian, a corporate headhunter, and an advertising man have all felt the need to atone in print either for their own misdeeds or for those of their profession. Here Avalon pseudonymously exposes the ways the recording industry can take advantage of budding artists. Avalon started in the business 15 years ago as a studio engineer and went on to produce records. He has also composed soundtracks for several independent films and now consults for artist managers, record labels, and investors. Avalon examines the various stages of the record deal. He explains the role of each person involved and suggests what that person's self-interest is. He also contrasts the differences among deals at the major labels, independents, and vanity labels, and he discusses "baby" deals between artists and production companies. Avalon's final cut is a medley of stories, rumors, and myths about ways people can be or have been "ripped-off." Though sometimes too blunt, Avalon provides a caveat that novices could miss out on elsewhere. David Rouse

Smug, August/September 1999
"A must read....Unlike books that explain industry workings in theory, Confessions is firmly rooted in reality....Useful as a trade guide and fascinating...can be enjoyed by anyone wanting to roll the dice on a career in music, as well as future industry weasels looking for some helpful grifter tips."

Jam Rag, December 1998
"As educational as Aesop's fables...Every musician, or at least one member of every band, should pick up a copy of this book."

Customer Reviews

Outstanding
If you any interested in self preservation in the music industry, then this book is a must! So far, I haven't read a book that breaks down the crude realities of the music industry, like he has.

Moses Avalon - Confessions of a Record Producer
I highly recommend this book, and I do not recommend many books. I first got the book from my library, and was so interested in it that I purchesed "Confessions". It tells the whole truth about how the music business works, without using legalize. Anyone that wants to make music their business needs to know how the business works. This is the book that will educate you on the full spectrum of the business.

Fake "record producer"
I met Moses Avalon at a conference. He admits Moses Avalon is a fake name (supposedly his real name is Josh melville). When we talked he spent the conversation trying to get me to go to a seminar-a seminar designed for lawyers although Moses has no law background. rumor is that he was never a great producer and created the personna of moses avalon to make money by selling his book. Kind of a sinner turned saint to enlighten innocent artists. It's worked. He is without a doubt a great self-promoter. I've read the book and there is some good info but other books have the similar info (what they won't tell you about the music business is a great book).

However, I have a real problem with this man turning himself into a fictional character, misrepresenting himself all to make a buck. I asked him why he changed his name. His reply was that he couldn't legally use the wrong-doers exact names without getting himself sued. So I said why was it so important to name names. he said he thought it was important to make sure they were exposed. hmmmmm. so to damage the careers of a few people, he decided to discard his whole identity. That didn't set well at all with me.

Also I have a problem with his negative comments regarding CD Baby. I am not friends with Derek Sivers, but I've heard him speak and met him a few times. This guy works his butt off and has opened more doors for independent artists than anyone else in the music business.

I am not saying 'moses avalon' doesn't have any information to give because he has been around the business and is very smart. However I do doubt his credentials and wonder at the extremes of his behavior. But there are real producers who have written books/articles with actual credentials. I'd rather get their advice.