A friend of mine may have a shot at a deal with a very good indie label—not an indie giant but a respected releaser of respectable music. He can’t really afford a lawyer right now, but I told him I really think he needs someone to help him with any negotiations (especially knowing this particular friend). Do some lawyers work on a percentage like managers and booking agents or are they strictly hourly? Because after all, I imagine a lot of artists go into their first deal negotiations too poor for lawyer fees.
I know most lawyers who negotiate for acts signing to majors usually take a percentage of the advance. So if the advance is big enough to divy up and him getting a deal is a sure thing he can probly find someone who will be worth it to negotiate for him. Of course that means the lawyer will ask for the most he can up front, which is probly a good thing especially with an indie.
So am I right to be absolutely urging him to find himself a lawyer before he signs a deal, even though at first glance this is an ultra-artistically-credible label?
No one should enter into negotiations with a label without legal help, EVER. Just ask the people who signed with good old artist-run SST.
Yeah, not having your own representation = madness.
This guy=slightly mad
but good, which is why I’m bugging him to find representation.
If anyone has a recommendation to make, e-mail me. We’re probably not talking about a huge sum of money—this ain’t Drag City or Touch & Go.