I Don't Need a Record Deal!: Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution

by Daylle Deanna Schwartz

Thousands of people want to be recording stars, but lack a deal with a record label. While today's musicians have all the tools they need to build a recording career on their own-pro-tools for... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823079481
• ISBN13: 9780823079483
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Billboard Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Must Read for Today's Independent Musician

For artists forging an independent path in this brave new world of IPods, ringtones, and struggling major labels, this book is truly a godsend. Filled with practical info and advice culled from numerous interviews with working musicians, Daylle peels back the mystique behind today's evolving music industry and advocates empowerment and independence from hoping for that major label "deal" that may never happen. Echoing the book's title, I remind myself regularly that "I Don't Need A Record Deal!" Highly recommended. (Winner, Best Political Band of 2005 - Rock City News)

The Talented Daylle has done it again!

I loved Daylle's other books but this one is my favorite. It's very honest about how hard developing an indie career can be but also encourages and gives conrete steps to make it a reality. I don't know if I want a record deal but I like knowing I have choices. This book allows me to have them! There are so many opportunities to make money with musical talent and Daylle explains how to find them and have the best chance of tapping into them. It's the only book with loads of info on licensing music in and touring Europe. I recommend this book to anyone considering a career in music.

What you need to know to survive the music biz

Ms. Schwartz is exactly right. You always hear about the big name artists on the big name labels, but that's not most of us. MOst of us will never have that chance, nor do most of us want that chance anymore. "I Don't Need a Record Deal" is great for anyone looking to have a serious go at the music industry. It IS possible to make a living in the record business without having to sell your veritable soul in order to succeed.

AMAZING BOOK for indie artists!

This book is a MUST READ for any indie artist, not only because of the solid advice and suggestions from people who are doing it themselves and having success, but because as artists we forget that the game has changed, and if we do what we love, we'll be able to make music AND keep more of the money from CD sales, and not be swayed by thinking we NEED the major labels to be successful. Daylle Deanna Schwartz is a godsend for reminding us of this in such a powerful way. She doesn't just talk the talk, she's actually walked the walk, and doesn't stop there. She interviews people who have had the "big deal" and are well known, and she also interviews people who aren't household names, but have been making a good living at what they love, and getting their music out into the world, allowing them to grow a bigger and bigger fan base. She also makes a point that the book isn't 'anti-major record deal', but just 'pro-artist', and encourages a record deal if it's a GOOD one. I've read a few of Daylle's books, one of them a relationship book, and she makes the same life-defining point in that book as well: if you want a record deal OR a man, get a life that you love first! This way you can choose wisely, and walk away if the 'right one' doesn't come along!

The best book out!

I have no idea who this person is who tore I Don't Need a Record Deal apart but I saw their other reviews and they seem to like to do dirty things to books. She's obviously bitter about something because everyone I know who's read this book has found it to be fantastic. The over 150 people interviewed in the book are inspirational and informative. This book is full of so many ways to make money. I've already tried some of the suggestions and have had success. There are many venues I never thought of approaching that I'm trying now. And the interviews with music supervisors gave me new ideas for licensing my music. Daylle also included ways to stay healthy by interviewing doctors and getting tips from artists about what they do. The chapter on getting your music into international markets has so much information I'm still digesting it all before going for it. This is a must read for any musician that wants to make a full time living from their music!