Any one hear about this?

Ty · Post by Ty » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:25 am

Not sure if this is "whore house" material. But we have received messages from a company called Artist Force, saying

Hey there -

My name is Reed Calhoun and I'm the Director of Artist Relations at ArtistForce.

My team checked you out and and we're interested in adding your act to the ArtistForce roster and helping you book some shows.

Check out the official ArtistForce website and pass my number on to whomever is currently handling your bookings. If you're currently doing your own booking, I can be reached directly on my office line at (512) 600-2182 or send me your number and I'll have my assistant schedule a call.

Best.

Reed Calhoun
Director, Artist Relations
ArtistForce.com

Any one else here know about this?

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:51 am

Have you looked at their website? I wouldn't get too excited, but I suppose you've nothing to lose. Might get a few gigs out of them, like.

Ty · Post by Ty » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:23 am

I'm not really excited, more fearful of being scammed. Checked the website, seems to be legitimate.

James · Post by **James** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 11:28 am

I only skimmed over it, but expect to get 3 or 4 emails in and hear "you only have to sell x many tickets".

Post by **Doog** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:31 pm

I'd imagine they sent it out to every band they come across. Message back asking how he found you and what they do, etc- Should make any geniune offers obvious.

Ty · Post by Ty » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:19 pm

Doog wrote:I'd imagine they sent it out to every band they come across. Message back asking how he found you and what they do, etc- Should make any geniune offers obvious.

Messaged them back, no response it hasn't even been read yet, to my knowledge any ways. We might call that number to ask some questions.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 3:58 pm

i got a curious thing today. note his extremely vague language.

Hey,

Thanks for accepting our friend request. Iâ€™ve just had a listen to your music and think that you might be interested in our development service. Itâ€™s just been launched and is aimed at helping unsigned musicians to progress their careers. Would you be available to come in for a meeting?

Rgds,

after looking at their website (based in edinburgh) i replied:

can you explain a bit more about what it actually involves? for example, i'm not sure i completely understand the following:

"The service is divided into three tiers and offers as a basic a live recorded albulm at the conclusion of the initial year long contract. With the options to add on 8 hours per month within top rehearsal rooms, a dedicated studio recorded album, cash at end of contract, advertsing and promotional materials, and album duplication."

the word 'service' implies something you do for us in return for something else (money?)... i'm just not sure what it is you're offering or how you go about providing the things mentioned above.

i'm intrigued, but if you could give me a bit more info that'd be good.

thanks,

stewart

which is kind of a polite way of saying "i think you're talking complete mince, TBH". we'll see if he gets back to me. i'm just waiting for the "yeah, you pay us Â£400 and we'll get you X".

highly sceptical.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:10 pm

the plot thickens:

Hello Stewart,

Thank you for replying to our myspace message.

The development service that we are currently setting up has been developed to allow musicians the ability to get their music out there without having to sign a conventional contract that basically forces them to give up more than what is fair.

What we offer is quite simple, if you think of the following analogy: Instead of buying something on hire purchase at a rate of 29.9%apr, you save up the money the go in the purchase the same product in cash, allowing you the ability to negotiate a better deal.

Similarly, we operate our service to musicians and they pay for the services though event fundraisers (specifically through their core fan bases). This means we have not risked and finances on an act, meaning we can offer a fair deal to musicians signed up to our label.

In the first year all services are negotiable. However we advertise what we think is essential for acts to progress in their careers; Studio Recorded, Produced and Mastered Albums, Rehearsal Room Time, Promotional Material and Cash.

In the Second Year we licence the music from you (as you own the master copy, mechanical rights, and copyright of the your music) and pay you 40% of retail for each unit we sell. Each licence is a run of 100 units (limiting risk), and we continue with further service to try and help you progress your careers. The 60% goes into retail costs, production costs, replication costs, and finally a small profit for us. As we donâ€™t offer advances to any act we donâ€™t expect you to pay us a penny if the CDâ€™s donâ€™t sell. There is also the added benefit, that when ever a unit is sold you get the your share from the first unit sold.

We have an event booked in May and would like to invite you to play in front of us, as we are looking to find an act that could spearhead our concept. Would you be available to play?

Regards,

endsjustifymeans · Post by **endsjustifymeans** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:18 pm

Sounds like an interesting sca... erhm... plan.

Interesting reading when it comes to any contract you sign in the music industry below...
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:53 pm

don't worry, my bullshit detector twitches easily. just thought it was an interesting angle he's using. dress himself up to look like a record company when he's really nothing of the sort.

kim · Post by **kim** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:54 pm

dude, honestly, your band sucks, don't fucking count on it, go to your dank smelling rehearsal place and play some warcraft or whatever the fuck instead.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 4:57 pm

you talking to me?

kim · Post by **kim** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:14 pm

<3 de niro yes

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:24 pm

that's pretty rude of you, generally if i don't like someone else's music i keep it to myself unless they specifically ask for an opinion. but we're not all that polite, clearly.

not liking music is one thing, personal insults are another.

JamesSmann · Post by **JamesSmann** » Thu Apr 23, 2009 10:33 pm

so what the fuck is going on up in this piece, yo?

Ty · Post by Ty » Fri Apr 24, 2009 4:06 pm

Heavium, a band that recorded at two months old, will suck.
We got a call this morning from the guy at artistforce, how ever I can't call them right now, will call them at lunch, and tell you all the details.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:23 pm

i wouldn't get my hopes up if they weren't specifically looking for y'all. there's nothing in their letter that makes it appear to be anymore than spam.

Ty · Post by Ty » Fri Apr 24, 2009 10:28 pm

We got it twice the same exact message from both him personally and the actual Artsistforce.
*NEWS FLASH*: We called them back at the number provided, and instead of an actual human on the other end, it was a recording asking us to set up an account. So we hung up and they sent us a reply.
They aren't a "pay to play" service.
But we can't get thru to them via phone....