General Music Chat

For those interested in taking a peak at Triadster Records' new "Musician's Employment" Center I invite you to visit the Triadster Records' Official Website where you will find the new addition.... simply click the "ENTER" link found to the right of the added banner ad.

www.triadsterrecords.com

Thanks... have a great day.

Hey, I checked out your site, and to say the least - I'm confused.

You have an offer to sign up for $9.95, but I have no idea what I would be signing up for...

You have another "contracting" section where it looks like you are saying you sign artists as a record label, and above that mention guarantees of "opportunities". That's pretty vague.

Then you have another section of 'packages' you are selling for audio and video "banner ads" at what I would consider pretty steep rates. No where does it say where the ads will be placed, so I'm left to assume it's on the "triadster Records" site itself, which as far as I could see, I was the only person on the site at the time.

No offense, but why would I pay $64.99 to air a video ad once a week to what might be one or two users on your site, who are most likely musicians in another country, and are most likely not going to click on my banner ad?

I can appreciate a service offered to us, for a fair price, but much like many of the ripoff sites that pop up daily anymore, I just don't see any value in anything your site offers.

It's confusing, offers too many services in too many aspects of music (label signing, advertising, and musician / band searches ?!?).. kind of like a jack of all trades thing ... but with no visible positives that I can see.

Feel free to correct me on incorrect points.

Absolutely... I can explain those points for you... give me just a few minutes here to type it up.

To begin... what your seeing when you first visit the site.... is a "Label". Which is what any/all services offered by Triadster Records is based on.

As a Label.. I sign artists to production deals... and produce for them opportunities for the duration of the contract agreement.

However... lately... I have had to turn down some talented vocalists. Simply because... they didn't have a full band organized already. They could sing yes... but... finding band members lately have become a complete headache.

I have been looking for 4 band members in Florida for what seems like forever. I wasn't really looking forward to having to find as well 2 or 3 more in New York, a couple in Arkansas, and yet another one in California all at the same time.

Because of this lack of musicians... I am losing talent.

I look around the net and I see groups of musicians all over the place paying monthly fees just to have their music on a site.... other musicians... are paying fees to .... like here on bandmix.. just to send emails to people.

So i'm thinking... if musicians will pay $10/month to send emails.... well damn... give "ME" that 10 bucks... and i'll work my ass off to actually put you in a band.... contract the band.... and go as far as pay for the darn Music Hall for you all to play in.

The service is.... employment.... money. There's no games on the site for people to play.... there's no hidden treasures to find.... its just a site where... if you want to adopt yet an additional opportunity to get a spot in a working band.... then I would encourage ... try the Triadster Records Employment Center. Especially where I REALLY REALLY NEED MUSICIANS.

In addition... the membership fee is a double edge sword... it scratches my back so I can better afford to scratch yours. I'm sure most of you isn't used to a company that takes its revenue... and works to give it back to its members. But thats what Triadster Records is about.... using its income as a way of putting money in the pockets of the people who lined our pockets in the first place.

At first glance... I can see your point. Why pay $10/month to be part of a site that... doesn't seem to have anything better than any other site that may be setup more efficiently. I completely understand what your saying. But I see alot of opportunities in that $10 i'm asking for... and if I get that $10 from a group of musicians looking for work... I will in turn... have received some money to offer them exactly that.... work.

Like I said... its a double edge sword.

If I had the site filled up with musicians... I'd be able to afford to sign even more artists than I do.... by signing more artists... I would have jobs for the musicians on the site. (being that artists seem to always come now without a band).

What may seem like a "Jack of all trades" idea.. is a forced set of services that must work together as a whole to acheive a common goal..... A successful Label.

(I have another question to answer for you... just give me a few more minutes... brb).

The Audio/Video Ads you are talking about... they are for streaming concerts, radio, and artist's videos. For example... if you want your video ad streamed live at one of Triadster Records Live Concerts ... then you would pay the fee.

The live streams is a service I am in the process of organizing... its part of a triple deal offer.... providing.... Radio, Video, and Concert streams to fans 24/7. When this service is up and running... i'm sure we may see a different in how many people are on the site.... however... it won't be streamed to any of the sites you just visited... so we can't count what you saw there ... as what you'll see on the Streaming Site.

From all the sites of Triadster Records you could have visited today that has a counter showing how many other people were visiting as well.... is the brand new section I just added .... the "Musicians Employment" center.

I just began advertising this section today... and am not really all that surprised that you didn't happen to find another person there at the exact same time as you.

I do however understand your confusion... with the addition of the "Musicians Employment" center... the Triadster Records site is looking a tad overwhelming. I will be taking a closer look at that idea... and working to divide some of its services more efficiently.

Good thing I didn't put the link back yet to the Music Center.... lol. Thats another day's confusion.. lol.

Overall.. I can surely see your point... thanks for your comments....

So you are also acting as a booking agent?

Is what you are saying - get venues to book us, part of that $10 fee, or is that more based on the premise of you signing the band/act?

Do you have that kind of pull / contacts?

I'm asking mostly out of curiosity, based on my knowledge of how things work vs. what you are saying you will offer, which just seems that in the least, your goals are lofty.

I'm still curious about the guarantee, as to what are you promising to deliver?

Thanks for explaining it all to me

So you are also acting as a booking agent?

Is what you are saying - get venues to book us, part of that $10 fee, or is that more based on the premise of you signing the band/act?

Do you have that kind of pull / contacts?

I'm asking mostly out of curiosity, based on my knowledge of how things work vs. what you are saying you will offer, which just seems that in the least, your goals are lofty.

I'm still curious about the guarantee, as to what are you promising to deliver?

Thanks for explaining it all to me

Booking Agent? Ummmm no. I don't think you know how it works at all... and I don't mean that insultively.... What I mean is....

The guarantee is for the artists... not the musicians unless they are adopted to be in the band "with" the artists. I don't sign drummers to a Master Recording Contract. Nor do I sign Bassists to Production Contracts.

I sign Vocalists.... whom I need musicians for. So the word "guarantee" would mean nothing to you unless your in one of those bands.

I guarantee things for the aritsts I sign... which I can do simply by having the money to do so. I don't worry about booking this or that... I simply go out and rent what I want (music hall) .... and fly the artist in to play there.

I also don't worry about where the artist's fans are or having to make sure I find a Music Hall where those fans exactly are.... because I encourage alot of the fans to simply stay home and let me stream the performance right to their living room computer.

You don't need too many contacts/connections to phone up a Music Hall and ask them how much they want to hand over their facility for 6 hours. Nor do you need many contacts to .... send them the cheque.

You do understand right that I run a Label?

I go through nobody... people go through me. I'm the contact to them... they are not the contact to me. And please... don't take that as arrogance... but rather... my explanation that.... I run a Label.

Wait... i'll take that back... I could use a contact right about now to find me a few musicians down in Florida... lol. Ok sorry... bad joke... lol.

I understand your not comfortable with the services offered by Triadster Records. And thats ok. Not everyone will be. I don't mind that at all.

I do thank you though for taking the time to visit the site... and ask questions. Very much appreciated.

thanks....
......Alan

The "Musicians Employment" center on the Triadster Records site is for 2 primary purposes:

(1) For Triadster Records to have its own database of musicians from which to hire from when needing musicians for the vocalists signed.

(2) To group regional musicians into a brand new band... simply by finding enough band members in one general area who are willing to work together... and sign them to a Production Deal as well.

For Triadster Record... the Musicians Employment center is an asset for these 2 above reasons.... not only will the center allow for the signing of more solo vocalists... but also.... in itself... may provide even another brand new band to also sign.

For musicians... its an added chance to get a paying job... in a production that lasts longer than the 2 hour gig down at a local bar.

I'm a fair guy... I know everyone wants their piece of the pie... and i'm trying to offer out some plates. But... I can only do so much. After awhile... I have to tell someone no... which i'm doing now to some vocalists... not good for my line of business... but without musicians... I have no choice but to tail back on solo vocalists.

There's nothing more I can do.

So what you are saying is (as it would apply to ME)

As a guitarist, and a free agent (for hire), I could sign up on your 'classifieds' and IF you happen to have an 'artist' local to me who needed a backup band, or fill-in, or studio backup; you could review my profile and potentially hire me (or 'sign' me) on a contract basis to fulfill a specific artists' needs?

Your prior post was kind of presumptuous, btw. I was asking sincere questions, as my understanding of a "label" is starkly different than what you are telling me that you do. Some of my questions you dodged, even after I asked them twice, and by dodged, I mean that your response was to the effect of "my services probably aren't for you" instead of an answer.

I meant no slight in my questions, but I am a for-hire studio and fill-in musician, so I think my questions and concerns should be worthy of more transparent answers.

So what you are saying is (as it would apply to ME)

As a guitarist, and a free agent (for hire), I could sign up on your 'classifieds' and IF you happen to have an 'artist' local to me who needed a backup band, or fill-in, or studio backup; you could review my profile and potentially hire me (or 'sign' me) on a contract basis to fulfill a specific artists' needs?

Your prior post was kind of presumptuous, btw. I was asking sincere questions, as my understanding of a "label" is starkly different than what you are telling me that you do. Some of my questions you dodged, even after I asked them twice, and by dodged, I mean that your response was to the effect of "my services probably aren't for you" instead of an answer.

I meant no slight in my questions, but I am a for-hire studio and fill-in musician, so I think my questions and concerns should be worthy of more transparent answers.

First... let me apologize... as i'm not trying to dodge your question... and am quite happy to answer as many as you have....

What you just explained... is 100% correct for half of the equation. Your completely right on the half of me looking for band members that the artists I sign are missing.

At the moment.... I don't have any artist from your area that I would need you for.... however... Its possible that I may receive an application from one tomorrow... leaving me really wishing that I had your phone number.

Or... BECAUSE I have your phone number... I purposely look for an artist in your area to sign... simply because .... I have that option now.

Also... being that there may be you... and a couple others from your area.... maybe we can work together to find that drummer your missing... and presto... your a great band just waiting to happen with a few other members on the site. Maybe the vocalist is already a member too... hoping i'll find... "you".

Your membership fee.... which at first glance seems to be for a lousy looking site with very little to do there..... is funding additional contracts that you just may benefit from. I say "may" because.... first... we need to find others in your area... and second... I can't force them to work with you.... there has to be some common agreements amongst everyone.... of course.

I have to go for a bit... other work needs to be done .... back later tonight. If you have other question.... or I didn't anwer a couple... please re-ask.

Thanks.....
..... Alan.

Hey Alan, I have been reading what you and Kramer have written and was just wondering if I could be of any help to you, being from Southern Florida that is......
Bobby Alan

lol bmix, what up with the double posts?

Your membership fee.... which at first glance seems to be for a lousy looking site with very little to do there..... is funding additional contracts that you just may benefit from. I say "may" because.... first... we need to find others in your area... and second... I can't force them to work with you.... there has to be some common agreements amongst everyone.... of course.

I have to go for a bit... other work needs to be done .... back later tonight. If you have other question.... or I didn't anwer a couple... please re-ask.

Thanks.....
..... Alan.

Ok Alan, Last question, and that is more of a confirmation than a question-

So to sign up as an area 'artist' who is available for paid work (studio or gigs), I would have to sign up (obviously), which requires a membership fee?

You see, membership fees are a tricky lot. Most of us here are NOT paid members of bandmix, but these forums are free. Many of us have used the services here temporarily, with very mixed results, but bandmix never made any promises otherwise.

What is especially nice about this community is that members on the forums are mostly the more intelligent and musically serious folk, and the reason IS the membership fees. Most freeloaders and flakes visit the site, realize that it ain't "FREE" and piss off. Those of us who have stayed have found some sort of value here.

Anyways... people will be looking for a perceived value of active services for monthly fees. Promises of future rewards for payment today won't convince people like me to join (assuming that you charge for registration). If I'm wrong, forget the last 3 paragraphs lol.

I appreciate your candor and discussing this. Many other businesses who have posted here with similar adverts tend to start throwing verbal punches when their feet get held to the fire. Well played.

To answer your question... yes... to sign up as a musician available for work you would be charged a membership fee. And I agree... membership fees are a tricky lot... and as you pointed out... most of bandmix's membership base likely doesn't pay a membership fee. So asking them to start paying one... is going to put me in a very difficult position right from the get-go.

But as you also pointed out... BandMix made no promises otherwise... other than the given of a forum for you's to network on. So its ok for bandmix to offer FREE services... being that they themselves are not contributing back into the system financially... meaning... they are not offering to work with you personally to get you your next gig... nor are they offering to try to sign you to a production contract... or rent for you a Music Hall.

So in a way... you can say that you get what you pay for. I'm not beating up on bandmix... but rather... pointing out their personal interaction with their members on a financial level in comparison to their membership demands requested of their members.

Another great point you made was... the "freeloaders and flakes visit the site, realize that it ain't free, and piss off". Which is another important reason for me to be charging a membership fee.... to help filter out who is serious about building a mature professional opportunity... and who isn't. This isn't a fool proof filtering system... but it adds to the assistance of finding those musicians who are commited and willing to dedicate themselves to a program also for their benefit.

Promising future awards for membership fees is a very common idea.... one that bandmix offers as well. When a member here at BandMix pays the $10/month for email privileges... they are also buying the opportunity of a "future award" of receiving an email from someone they may want to respond to. When someone pays for membership at a website and uploads their music... they are also buying the opportunity of a "future award" of someone visiting during that paid membership duration and happen to hear their music.

I'd like to offer a couple points in return if I may.... (typing them up... brb).

For me to sign up here at bandmix ... and offer you all a bunch of FREE services... I would expect that most of you would (perhaps not directly) laugh in my face. Think of it logically... what could I possibly do for any of you.... for FREE... that would encourage you to even consider that I may be in some way NOT a complete waste of your time?

For example.... for FREE... I could offer you all a forum to network on... and let you fight amongst yourselves to achieve your next opportunity. But then again... as we all know... there are many of those types of forums already offered to musicians... we are chatting on one of them now. So... what would you need "me" for?

To expect to be taken seriously... I must offer serious opportunites. Serious opportunities cost money. Now... at the same time... i'm not crazy enough to consider all you people stupid. If I walk in here saying... i'll give you this and give you that... and so on... and I don't want anything in return... FREE membership.... lol... lets be honest... your not that stupid to believe that I can afford to offer you ANYTHING worth while considering.... for FREE.

As you may notice... the sites that don't charge you a membership fee... usually don't call you to ask you if you need financial assistance concerning one of the services offered by the site. In fact... even the ones that "do" charge you a membership fee... still won't call you up and try to put money back into your pocket.

I'm not familar with too many sites that when charging a membership fee... collect that membership fee for the purpose of trying to create financial gain for its paying members.

Even if the "Musicians Employment" center only had just 100 members... that would be $1000 per month in site revenue. Do you have any idea what I could do for my members with a thousand dollars per month? I could send someone to the studio to Master a song... which we can count as 1 completed towards a CD production. I could setup photoshoots.... invest in some merchandise... etc. All with just a 100 members.

If your trying to get ahead in your music... then I would encourage that you seek an opportunity that you can invest in... that will in return... invest in "you" as well.

I'm offering that opportunity. I'm willing to invest in my members. If they too... will invest in "me". Fair is fair.