SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION's ANSWERED
0.
What Is Hardrush Music ?
1.Does Hardrush Supply Music Retailers ?
2.What is Consignment ?
3.Do I Really Need A Barcode ?
4.What If We Already Have A Distributor ?
5.What Is The Practice "Double Margin" and how it affects local artists ?
6.What Are The Advantages Of Hardrush Music Distribution of Your Recording ?
7.What Are The Advantages Of Being On The Hardrush Music Label ?
8.Can Hardrush Handle Our CD Replication/Duplication ?
9.Why The Focus On Compilations ?
10.Why Do Compilations Have Foundation Fees ?
11.How Can I Make Money From My Recordings ?
12.How Hardrush Can Assist In Touring ?
13.I Am Flat Broke - Can You Assist Me ?
14.Who Visits The Hardrush Website ?
15.Please Let Me Have A Copy Of The Hardrush Music Distribution Agreement
16.Please Let Me Have A Copy Of The Hardrush Music Production Agreement
17.What Organisations Is Hardrush Represented ?
18.What Is ISRC ?
19.Is There A Site Map I Can Explore The Website For More Information ?
20.Who Should I Contact At Hardrush Music ?
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0.What Is Hardrush Music ? (Ground Zero Question)
Hardrush Music is a company established to promote independent artists' recordings to mainstream markets both in Australian and internationally. Hardrush is a recognised medium scale recording label across all genres but with strengths in blues, country, gospel, rock and hip-hop.
As an Indie label we do not fund studio time or mastering for recordings, but assist with marketing and commercialisation at almost all levels. The best entry level is to send your CD recording to us at the pre-mastering stage with your draft artwork concept as we can assist with sequencing advice, packaging information, bar codes, our label and catalog numbers, etc. Check out the following FAQs for more details.
1.Does Hardrush Supply Music Retailers ?
Yes, as a significant independent distributor we do supply music retailers - But that is not the whole story. Every retail store or chain or outlets has its own stocking policy. This may include only taking consignment orders (very common), taking consignment from all but the big 4 transnational's, paying every second month on sales, waiting for distributors to chase them for sales data and payments, or conveniently losing stock supplied and refusing to make good payment due. We only supply reputable retailers and our list is growing as we make good contacts with independent retailers in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Europe.
From 12 February 2005 Hardrush Music was accepted into the Australian Music Retailers' On Line catalogue as a distributor and recording label. This is very significant in that even if our titles are not stocked, they can be put on order at around 700 retailers across Australia and New Zealand - including Leading Edge, Songland, The Music Shop - as well as numerous independents. We are also working on Sanity, Virgin, JB and HMV. We are now pursuing similar arrangements in North America and the European Union.
We also have our many Gospel genre artist recordings listed with the Christian Bookstores Association of Australia online database. We have been a distributor/manufacturer member of this association since Feb 2005.
Hardrush also increasingly networks with wholesale arrangements to various music clubs and societies - eg blues, folk. This allows for sales to a select targeted audience without any reduction in either performer commission or compilation payment royalties.
2.What is Consignment ?
Consignment means that goods are delivered to a retailer without the retailer paying for the stock until sold. It is the lifeblood of much of the recorded music industry, where apart from concert door sales, hard cash is very slow in coming despite the fact the that the recording artist (or management) has fully paid the sound engineer, studio, CD duplicator, etc. Most often stores take product on a consignment basis and pay when replacement stocks are required after sales are actually made (hence the importance of a barcode and Cat No.). That is why Billboard, RIAA, ARIA, etc calculate their 'Gold', 'Platinum', 'Bullet' chart indicators on what the industry calls 'shipments' of CDs. Now if the product doesn't sell within 1-3 months, the bulk of the performers units are returned to the distributor (check out Michael Jackson's last few releases).
3.Do I Really Need A Barcode ?
Unless your still living in the 70s, just about all significant music retailers utilize scanners to price check and make sales. It is not just for tallying your check-out bill, but also provide stock inventory and often reorders the product. So yes a barcode is required if you wish to have your product sold by Hardrush or any label in commercial retail stores.
Some wonderful retailers (mostly Christian music stores) can provide their own price label barcodes and this can assist - but most times this does not identify your CD from other unbarcoded CDs in the same shop - as they use the same barcode for all generic unbarcoded recordings. So how can they know your product is selling and needs to be restocked? Probably only when you arrive to check the stock you provided on consignment. So this is only a temporary measure really.
Hardrush Music does lease barcodes to artists @ $25 in a one off payment that covers 5 years. During this time you have full use of the barcode for your CD release and we make all annual renewal payments etc. It is worth the small investment.
4.What If We Already Have A Distributor ?
We do not aim to rock the boat on your existing agreements or obligations and advise you to stick with those you know, trust and who perform well for you. The questions you need to ask yourself are
- Is it a formal (written) contract ? If not then you have a gentleman's agreement on a handshake and it is not enforceable. Your call on this.
- Is the written agreement an exclusive or non-exclusive contract. ?
- What does it cover - 1 CD recording (must state the title) or all you recordings ?
- What territories does the written agreement cover ? Usually distribution agreements will include Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. If it doesn't include other foreign territories we may be in a position to handle international representation for your recordings and certainly online sales.
Typically distributors will seek exclusive rights over a specific recording as a CD for a specific time period (usually 1 - 3 years). Please note that such agreements only pertain to the CD Album and you are usually quite able to include any individual one of your songs on a compilation CD, such as those produced by Hardrush Music.
If you are serious about a career in music, the bottom line on any agreement should also be - performance. Are you achieving the sales you wanted, exposure and what is the promotion like? If Hardrush Music can assist you without infringing other legal and moral responsibilities we will try our best to take that step further to realizing your goals.
Anyway if you are happy with your distribution maybe consider having a song on one of our compilations to promote your CD album or live performances, or get that bar code onto your CD.
5.What Is The Practice "Double Margin" And How It Can Affect Local Artists ?
Have you ever wondered why the music stores have so many "unknown" or "less than 1st class" foreign (let's be blunt and dare say "American") artists, when so many better known local independent artists are not stocked ? Chances are the retailer network is not just into retail. Let us explain.
It has been a practice over at least the past 20 years for US and British recording companies to appoint distributors amongst major retail chains and, in some instances, purchase such retail chains outright. What does this mean ?
A retailer may make between 30 - 45% of the retail sales price per CD recording. Distributors tend to make between 10 - 20% of the retail sales price per CD recording. If these activities are both combined there is the opportunity for the retailer to make 40 - 65% margin of the retail sales price per CD recording. This situation makes it much more profitable and under control to promote artists that have both distribution and retail margins rather than promote local acts that have far less profit margins.
Examples where this happens include Virgin Megastores (part of EMI) and most notably amongst the dominant Christian music retailers Word and Koorong,
We are not against these retailers and we wish them success (and want them to buy more of our artists recordings too) We just point out to you where the profit incentive is likely to be when we try to distribute for you (or you try yourself) to such retailers. We support the principle of 3 degrees of separation : Artist > Label/Distributor > Retailer
6.What Are The Advantages Of Hardrush Music Distribution of Your Recording ?
Where to start - here is a brief list:
- Automatic recognition of your recording by over a thousand retailers across Australia connected to online catalog listings of distributors such as Hardrush Music. Also listing on many closed proprietary online retail networks eg Koorong. That is if someone asks for your CD it may not be on the shelf, but the retailer can put it on order. At last you can announce at that gig or interview "Available at any good music shop" and it will be true ! Now this is true for your own label distributed by Hardrush, but we know retailers favour the labels they know and distributors back up 100%.
- Sales online here to world markets in US$ and A$
- One of the few distributors that have a plain English distribution agreement with options that include 'non-exclusive' and allow you to sell your product where and as you wish.
- Credibility in a market that ignores just about any material that is not with a recoding label - buying public, radio stations, print media. Try doing it yourself as an individual or band - it is next to impossible except for the few contacts you may have at the occasional radio station or indie music store.
- Ability to sell download songs to global markets off the Internet - the new music single - with a huge potential. (system operational in March 2005)
- Ability to get independent reviews of your recording (few distributors except the majors bother with this - but it can seriously assist your promotional efforts.)
- The knowledge that we are honest, reliable and also put our money back into this business. The owners are Christian, but not fundamentalist or preachers in any way - the faith principles are put into practice in running a fair and win-win operation for all interests involved.
- We could go on ...........
7.What Are The Advantages Of Being On The Hardrush Music Label ?
There is a big difference between a record label and record distributor - and Hardrush Music does both functions either together or separately. A record label has specific responsibilities and many labels have come and gone over time - usually with one artist as their mainstay.
The advantages of being released under the Hardrush Music label are very much aligned to what a label should do if it is to remain viable and legally survive, namely:
- The label is registered and recognized both by the taxation office, industry associations and retailers. Hardrush Music has an ABN 47057382439, ASIC corporate ACN and is registered for GST and other legal requirements.
- Being legal we can enter into contracts, both with artists and also sub-licence recordings to other record labels, distributors and retailers with due substance as a legal entity.
- Ability to chase royalties from your CD sales anywhere as Hardrush Music handles commercial distribution. This includes airplay royalties due from international markets. Remember APRA only monitors Australia and New Zealand.
- Ability to facilitate publishing rights and covers of your materials anywhere in the world.
- A label must account for all sales and royalties payable within a recording thereof to both performers and composers. In contrast, a distributor just keeps their margin, but does not have to ensure the performer collects what is due from airplay and sales results.
- We can legally seek royalty payments on behalf of artists in just about any nation that plays an artists recording supplied under the Hardrush Music label - provided naturally that the nation has the legal framework to handle this - virtually all developed economies do have this and we deal with the relevant APRA/AMCOS/PPCA counterpart agencies worldwide.
- Several radio stations will only play artists that are 'signed' to a label that is a member of either AIR or ARIA (Hardrush is a member of both). Virtually all music video programs require artists to have label backing as a prerequisite for airplay consideration.
- With more than one artist we have a critical mass that makes a difference. One artist labels are not so welcome in industry associations or in fact amongst retail buying groups.
- A distributor is less likely to assist in the production side with funds, resources or discounts. Hardrush Music does assist some indie labels with bar codes for now, although this policy may alter over time, where if released under the Hardrush Music label we obviously have a vested interest in its success and so do all things possible to make this happen.
- Hardrush Music offers attractive packages for CD production for artists on the Hardrush Music label (download PDF pricing here)
- You can still sell your CDs at your own gigs even if the CDs are pressed under the Hardrush Music label - no problem. Just report the sales to us so we can keep tabs on those as we report to the various music sales authorities for chart and royalty records. We don't want your profits from sales you make from your own hard work. But if under our label, we must still comply with the legal requirements of a label and may seek some payment for the songs you recorded off someone else so they can be paid their royalties due.
- There is safety in numbers and take a look at the great company of other recording artists that are on the Hardrush Music label. Fans who like one performer on the Hardrush Music label may check out other performers on the label, and this may include you!
- Hardrush Music will certainly given preference in our other activities to artists that are both distributed and pressed under the Hardrush Music label. Tours, showcases and promotion certainly go firstly to artists with full CDs pressed with the Hardrush Music label. It's not a control issue, more that it makes good business sense and the results speak for themselves.
- A true label is separated from the artist and makes judgements accordingly. Many times a brilliant musician or singer can have that special something, but unfortunately all energies are directed to performing with the management and marketing side being totally "Out To Lunch" or blinded by "rose coloured glasses".
- Finally, a label is the first port of call for litigation in times of trouble - either allegations of copying, plagiarism, etc. Similarly, Hardrush as a label will take on others that copy, sample or download your music illegally if it comes from a recording that is under our label. We have the product insurance cover for actions like these and artists don't. If someone thinks you copied their material, they sue Hardrush first then later the artist - if you are pressed on the Hardrush label. If not they may put an injunction on you that stops you selling your recordings forever and a day - how deep are your pockets to defend yourself ? Distributors do not do this - only ensure they have their rights covered to make commission.
- We could go on ...........
One thing we must do as a label is ensure the integrity of all songwriters. If you have a recording where you have recorded another's songs there are mechanical royalties payable upfront. We can assist in this process. Hardrush Music will not issue a CD under our label without documentary evidence that mechanical royalties have been paid to composers that are not the artist. As a member of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) we sign an agreement to maintain this status - and we do not compromise. If you do not wish to give credit to the original composers, then delete these songs and include those that are self composed. Also if you wish to issue under your own label we can assist in pressing copies, but carry no legal responsibility for actions brought about by APRA, AMCOS or ARIA for your breach of songwriting copyright - this is serious and does happen. If in doubt about this matter just contact us as indicated below.
So please, before you go off thinking of making your own label, consider the advantages of your recordings being pressed with the Hardrush Music label. If you seriously wish to develop a label then consider Hardrush Music an able distributor, but you will have to keep your side of the administration act together and up to date.
8.Can Hardrush Handle Our CD Replication/Duplication ?
We handle only recordings pressed on the Hardrush Music label. We prefer to handle minimum quantities of 500 units, with anything less being duplication. CD replication tends to be within a range of 500 to 5,000 units. We have our preferred CD pressing factories in Australia and Asia for such production. If you make it to 350 units in North America we press another production run in either San Diego, Houston or Cleveland.
9.Why The Focus On Compilations ?
Hardrush Music is very focused on compilations. The reason is simple in that like many things in life, there is strength in numbers and diversity. Since singles and EP sales have been on the decline, their has been a rise in the demand for compilation CDs. This is the pattern across all genres, be it country, hip-hop, Christian to country. It is also a much better way for a relatively obscure independent artist to get noticed if appearing on a compilation that has at least one 'name' performer. We also tend to agree with many fans that often a performer does only have that one song that is really very good, with the others being a bit hit and miss in places. So get with the strength and look at joining in one of our compilations. Radio airplay is easier, as is buyer interest.
10.Why Do Compilations Have Foundation Fees ?
In order to assist with setup costs and demonstrate the commitment by artists to the success of the compilation, all artists are required to pay a foundation fee up front prior to acceptance and mastering of the compilation. Hardrush covers the pressing and graphics of the CD.
In return the artists are provided with 10 CDs of the compilation for their own sales - typically more than doubling their initial outlay.
More details on the reason and benefits of the Foundation Fee approach to compilations.
11.How Can I Make Money From My Recordings ?
There are several ways artists can make money from their recordings:
- Sales at gigs. Venue sales are always the most profitable as there are fewer sales layers. The performer/s can meet and sign autographs for fans and develop that special rapport that builds a lasting fan base. Nothing beats live gigs to get local artists up and healthy (but not really wealthy). This why Vika & Linda and others are always touring or performing live in their home town. If they waited for record store sales they would never be the household names they are today.
- Commission from sales. This commission is derived from distributors or direct from retailers that agree to stock an artists recording. This may be anywhere from $5 - $15 per CD album
- Royalties from recording labels, such as Hardrush Music. Typically the percentages vary according to the label and number of tracks as well as strength of the artist. The standard rate in the US is 4% for mechanical royalty (composition) and 2 - 8% for performers. In Australia this is more around 5% composer and 5 - 6% performer. At Hardrush Music we base compilation royalties at 5.3% for composer and 5.3% for performer - reflecting our strong singer songwriter focus.
- Commission from song downloads. This commission is derived from labels that licence their artists music to IT file resellers where the label gets a percentage that is then divided between the label and the artist. Starting 1 November 2005, Hardrush has an agreement with the industry's largest such service provider who supplies the major download organisations such as IPOD, Big Pond, etc. Typical share of a $0.99 download goes - $0.35 to IT Service Provider, $0.325 to artist and $0.325 to the label (Hardrush). This technology also includes ring tones and is fast becoming the new Top 40 benchmark.
- Airplay royalties from radio and television. This applies to the USA, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Australia. Under the Copyright Act 1969 the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia collected $2.7 million in licence fees from AM and FM radio stations from their $770 million income in 2004. There is a Government inquiry that aims to increase the royalty payment as barely more than 7 per cent of Australian artists received more than $1000 a year in fees from stations last year. Television royalties are higher, but less frequent, ditto for cinema.
12.How Hardrush Can Assist In Touring ?
Every performer wishes to get out to the widest audience possible. The trouble with most independent artist touring schedules are that they are often hit and miss, an endeavor to cover costs and to small or indifferent audiences. Wouldn't it be great if an artist knew in advance that there was a guaranteed and dedicated audience just waiting for a chance to see that artist perform? That is where Hardrush Music can assist.
Our distribution tracks all website CD sales with buyer name, email, location and other contact details readily stored and potentially used for newsletters, special sale mail outs and tour determination. For example, if we notice upon location sorting CD sales for a specific artist are happening in San Diego, Long Beach, Bakersfield and Los Angeles - that provides tour potential in terms of audience, venue proximity and transport logistics for South West California for that artist. Much easier and less expensive to target a focused tour than to attempt a tour across the hole country. The power to do this via the Internet is immense!
13.I Am Flat Broke - Can You Assist Me ?
So you got talent but no money to make your dreams reality. If finances are difficult, we suggest you consider all the following items carefully:
- Look at a short term sponsor/loan from a relative, friend or organisation who you can repay with the sale of your recording proceeds.
- Consider that friend of a friend that has a home studio with most of the software and equipment you will need to make the recording - at least a demo. May that gem of a person will record and engineer your material at a low cost or even gratis - just because you are that one in a million artists or they like your smile, whatever. (same applies for making a music video)
- Be realistic and look at the bottom line economics that you have to face. It is very hard to get much cash change under $2,000 for studio time and disk manufacturing. However, if you sell 500 units you will probably get at least $10 per copy so a minimum of $4,000 - $5,000 (allowing for give away's etc) and quite possibly more from this small production run.
- Please also take into account that you may need to tour, have a CD launch and produce promotional items - so allow another $500 for this. Hardrush can assist here if we agree to sign you up.
- If you can't manage these items, then you need a manager to assist - someone who is not a performer who can arrange your recording and performing career without fear or favour of their own ego and honestly facilitate your efforts to good ends.
(could write a book on this topic so best to end here)
14.Who Visits The Hardrush Website ?
Since the website was relaunched on 1 January 2005, it has been receiving an average of 20 - 30 unique visitors per day, with these viewing numerous pages. Some of these visitors check out all pages, up to 2 hours for some keen music fans (especially when downloading MP3s).
Using our webserver stats package we know that the Visitors to the Hardrush Music website have been drawn from:
- Africa - Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania
- Asia - Brunei Darusalaam, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
- Europe - Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
- North America - Aruba, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, United States
- South America - Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay
- Oceania - Australia, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Tuvalu
Sales tend to be Australia, USA, Western Europe & Asia.
The most popular webpages in approximate rank order include:
The main referrals come from
15.Please Let Me Have A Copy Of The Hardrush Music Distribution Agreement
OK, our plain English Distribution & Retail Agreement is available in PDF format
16.Please Let Me Have A Copy Of The Hardrush Music Production Agreement
This is provided upon request or invitation only. If you wish your CD to produced on the Hardrush Music label email our A&R Manager as indicated below in the Contacts section
17.What Organisations Does Hardrush have Representation ?
- Association of Independent Record Labels (AIR)
- Australian Gospel Music Association (AGMA)
- Australian Music Retailers' On Line Catalogue (AMROC)
- Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)
- Christian Bookselling Association of Australia (CBAA)
- Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA)
- Folk Alliance Australia (FAA)
- National Gospel Happening Music & Arts Festival (Sponsor)
and indirectly by staff participation in
- Numerous community groups and events
18.What Is ISRC ?
The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) was developed by the international recording industry through the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) as a response to a need to identify sound and music recordings. The current version is known as International Standard ISO 3901:2001.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has recommended since 1988 to its members that ISRC should be adopted as the international means of identification of sound recordings and short form music videos. 49 national agencies have been appointed by the IFPI to implement and administer the ISRC. In Australia, the responsible agency is the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). As a member of ARIA, Hardrush adheres to ISRC for all recordings distributed internationally and increasingly within the local market, where we have assigned publishing rights from the performers/composers.
19.Is There A Site Map I Can Explore The Website For More Information ?
- Site Map - an overview of this website so you can find where you need to go quickly
20.Who Should I Contact At Hardrush Music ?
- A&R Inquiries - Agreements/Promotion/Production/Tours/Publishing
Performers and management wishing to submit materials to Hardrush Music are always welcome. Please read this website details on Online Retail, Networking, Promotions, Tours, Videos and Publishing prior to making contact. Look at the way we promote other artists and if this is for you, please contact us initially via email with relevant details re recording, biography, live performance status etc. Your contact for this is Kelvin Fahey.
- Distribution & Online Retail Inquiries
Retailers, promoters and other online distributors are welcome to contact Hardrush Music with any inquiry, comment or proposal for reasonable consideration. We strive to achieve the best position for all artists both short and longer term. If you wish to be part of this - please contact us. Your contact here is Sarah Chen.
- Product Sale & Royalty Payment Inquiries
Proceeds from online CD audio & DVD sales are are paid out to your bank account on the first week after the preceding calendar month period. Royalty payments from compilation CDs are paid in the first week of the month at the expiry of the period stated in the compilation agreement (usually every 6 months). We try to do our best, but remember there maybe bank and public holidays that we have no control over. Your contact here is Wanida.
