This Is How The Music Industry F**ks Musicians Over! 

Now you might understand why Patreon & RU-vid are so much fun --> www.patreon.com/jushawk

“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” - Hunter S Thompson

Love your channel Justin! \m/ \m/

Quickly becoming my favorite RU-vid channel. Much love, Justin Hawkins. Keep riding.

The part about the 'hip young execs' reminds me of the Wu tang Clan lyric: "who's your a&r? A mountain climber who plays an electric guitar. He don't know the meaning of dope, so here's a suit and tie rap that's cleaner than a bar of soap"

Being a musician you're expected to "hustle" nowadays. That usually means self-promotion through social media but I think that in many ways this is the antithesis to the rock n' roll attitude which is about rebellion and not fitting in with the status quo, which social media tilts towards. For example, a lot of bands may feel pressured to conform to one genre to get on Spotify playlists. I personally miss the days when bands like Queen and Thin Lizzy would traipse through multiple genres on their albums. Doing that now is heretical (although I myself am proud of being one). Bands like Motorhead and Led Zeppelin came from a "purer" time insofar as the artists focused on the art and the management handled the business side of things. As regards labels, I think if you do succeed in the hustle you don't really need one as a musician nowadays. You can build up a YT following for example and then you have a captive audience for your music, although I would say major labels still have clout as first moves. Pity the gatekeepers have a distinct lack of imagination though. And further to that, it's truly a sad reflection on the state of this world, when corporate drones bereft of imagination or talent pilfer the profits duly owed to the artists who create the "miracle of music".

Something that we've had to deal with as a small band making weird Alt rock stuff has been sharky mix engineers. For our first EP we got swindled hard and lost thousands. Old mate (who shall not be named) managed to convince us to work with him after showing us previous songs that he's worked with. They sounded good, really good. But as we came to the end of it all, we got the WORST MIX EVER. There was clearly not the same amount of effort put into the job as others and what it left us with was no money and a really dodgy sounding ep... We ended up doing it ourselves (which could have been better but it wasn't anywhere near as bad). The biggest advice we can give, from one small live band to another, is to work with people who have continuesly, over years, produced great music! We've done it right this time around and can't wait to show the people the difference! 🤙🤙 There's many traps to fall into, just be careful! ❤️

Today's outfit is BRILLIANT! Having worked in the music business, I know all too well how many ways an artist can be screwed. I realized very early on that when a record made money that the label found everyone possible to pay that money to (including themselves) and, if there was any little scrap of money left, they'd give that to the artist. Also, the artist would be charged for EVERYTHING. Did the label send you a gold record? Well, guess who paid for it. Did the president fly out to your gig and bring an expensive bottle of champagne back stage? Yep, the band paid for that, too.

There was one other aspect to Prince writing ‘slave’ on his face besides the obvious. WB told him they owned his name. If he wanted to record anything else outside Warner Brothers he could not do it under the name Prince, even though Prince was his actual given name- Prince Rogers Nelson. That is some horrific BS to say well you can go off to some other label, but we own your actual name, and you can never record anything else under the name Prince.

What an incredible insight. Just brilliant. Justin, you’re funny as hell and devastatingly articulate at the same time.

Would love if u made more videos talking about this kinda stuff 👍🏻

Firstly, my new favourite channel. Absolutley epic. Honest, informative and funny. The trifectre of champions! And i love to hear people speaking out about the copycat culture in modern pop. As a lifelong musician, i tend to micro analyse songs, and instrumentation, harmonies, and fx are the worst offenders that arent just blatantly ripping off other songs. That digital bassy glockenspiel is an example of being over used as a "stick that in somewhere and the kids will love it"

Loving todays shirt. 💓

Justin, this is wonderful. I could listen to music industry talk like this for hours. I find it fascinating. Thank you. Billy Squier comes to mind as an artist who was left hanging by his record company, which basically refused to market his later albums. I love Billy Squier and he’s one of the most under-appreciated American rockers. He ended up leaving the music business altogether because the experience was so bad.

Hey, Justin, thanks for giving us another good hang! Great video, as always.

Brilliant video. Should be required viewing for anyone thinking of entering the music business. Hats off to Justin for sharing his knowledge and experience. Look, listen and weep.

Thank you Justin, another wonderful RU-vid blog. Especially the Frank Zappa interview.

This guy is a hoot. Never heard of him, being an agrarian and animal carertaker in Upper Midwest America, but I am fascinated by his weird use of English and tricksy humor. Nice jacket, Dandy! Mark me a New Minted Fan.

If you look a certain way, have a large social media presence and you're willing to be moulded into what music executives want then it doesn't matter if you have any talent, write a lyric or even play the recorder you'll get that music deal. Literally for the past 15 to 20 years depending upon who you ask there is one person who has written more hit pop songs than Michael Jackson, Adele and Madonna combined and his name is max Martin. If there's a new living figurine to throw out into the pop world then there's a huge chance this bloke wrote songs for him or her. Thats why a lot of the music you hear on the radio seems to sound the same. So when he said creativity is dead he was kind of right. If you look beyond the radio friendly music there's a huge wave of creativity out there and it's up to us to find it and embrace it, only then we may see some change.

Great heart felt erudite talk on the music business, by someone who knows and someone who supports and loves creators and artists. Justin rules!

Been trying my whole life to break in to the business . You have to know somebody or have an opportunity to get heard . Very hard .love your analysis Justin .thanks buddy 👍

Tell the truth ✌ Justin you are my fave new RU-vid channel. So honest and down to earth. Thanks for the great conversation👍

I really wish that people like you would use your platform to help music fans find new music that is not being peddled by the industry. Bandcamp is awash with great, brilliant music (including your own), so why not once in a while take a great unknown artist and expose them to your audience? If more established artists helped the little guys climb the ladder we wouldn't need the establishment. I think it's a real shame that you don't alert everyone to the alternatives.

Actually I've said some things about the darkness myself and your voice Justin but after watching this video I e found new respect for you as an individual and a musician.

Wow, this is one of the best videos you've done yet.

love the channel justin but i'm mainly posting because you inadvertently turned me on to my new favourite band, don broco! their song one true prince is a fucking masterpiece...cheers, mate!

What a great breakdown of the different facets of being in the music industry and how the decisions that are made and the effects they have on the artists. Needs to be more help for independent artists who don’t wanna be owned and controlled by people who have never written a song, played an instrument or sung in any way shape or form.

Great video. Nailed it with Prince. He broke chains and in doing so charted the path for others to follow. Also, love to hear what your thoughts are on the Taylor Swift situation. Her music isn’t my taste but her savy and moxie definitely are. Maybe you’ve already done a video on it???

Loving the insight you give and the channel, which us becoming my go to on YT . Would you consider doing a series of 'this week I have mostly been ' listening to..please? At my old age of 56, I rarely branch out into new genres now, and they do say variety is the spice of life. Apparently, it helps keep the senility at bay too..one fears one maybe too late in my case but I am ever the optimist . Big love

Thinking about this stuff kinda makes me happy that my band broke up rather than broke out.

I only watch these videos for the first 5 seconds - love the way you sing your intros. So much harder than it looks!

This was really magnificent!!! Thank you so much for making this. Brilliant words and fascinating clips!

Brilliant! This is true of pretty much every industry these days.

Music is the same as writing books, the internet was supposed to take away the need for gatekeepers (agents + publishing houses) and authors were going to make more. Instead even those with good deals, and I have a decent deal, don't get much whilst distributors, agents, and publishers take the lions' share.

Great episode! Love that Frank Zappa interview, it’s legendary, still so relevant. Who remembers trendy at the time pop music in history…

Can you do a video talking about your feud with disturbed lol I remember you calling them the taco bell of metal

This is one of my favorite channels. Absolutely top-notch. Thank you, Justin!

Particularly nice vocal flourish in the outro for this one Justin.

No one smarter about music and the music business than Zappa.

Great video Justin! Really enjoying your channel, don’t stop riding agaaaiiiiiinnnnn

Cheers Justin, you cheered me up, no mean feet today.

Love this channel. Could listen all day dude

I’d love to rummage your wardrobe…..not a euphemism.

Great video Justin, every new artist should see this before they write a note. My old friend and bandmate Shea worked with you guys on your last Irish tour and spoke very highly of you.

Just discovered this channel, really enjoying it!

These days, we are blessed to be DIY artists. We own our own masters - so important - and we have agency over everything. Labels are good for financing/marketing if as an independent artist you don’t have the wherewithal (which most of us don’t). It’s not an easy road, but neither is selling your rights and/or soul. I would rather opt for the former. Slow and steady with integrity. I think part of the problem is that there are some bands who let their desperation for “success” blindside them so much that they fall for the dangling carrots. I almost did myself. You have to be strong and really stand by your values. I love that Zappa video!!!! With the “open season” attitude, it seems everyone has lost their sense of adventure. I always talk about the “gatekeepers.” The hardest part is bypassing them. I agree with everything you said. I think this shift the world is experiencing is no doubt bleeding into the music industry, and more and more artists are taking charge. Great video 👍

Speaking of taking chances and risks, what wasn’t discussed is how many and our deals end up with bands getting completely destroyed because after they record an album the executives don’t like it and decide to shelve it. Then the bed is basically locked in contractually to a company that won’t let them record or publish music so they Are basically forced to have to disband if they ever wanna try again. Best part is that the band now owns the record company whatever money they were advanced to record the album so the record company doesn’t have to worry about losing anything and you’ve now got struggling musicians that owe a half $1 million and have a shoved album that they can’t use to try to Rick cover some of the money.

Another great video and insight in “The Biz”. Frank was a visionary musical genius.

Mind blown from thebinflrmation from.this video. Thanx Justin.

Rockin outfit!! I stumbled accross your page by accident and love it. Please keep going with it

I have started Vinyl night up (again) in the Triangle Tavern!! You know!! Hope to see you there next Month :-) St. Patricks Day. We might need some new equipment soon. 😀

This was very interesting Mr Hawkins, many a wise word passed on. thanks for sharing .:)

I could be wrong, but what I think what Serj was talking about regarding “damages” was a term I’m familiar with as “breakage”, and this was true back in the 90’s, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they were still trying to leave in record deals even now. It was a clause left over from the 70’s when music was primarily produced on vinyl, they would essentially say “X percentage of vinyls will be damaged in manufacturing or shipping, that will be returned to us, so we’re considering X percent of sales as 100% recoupable by the label, off the gross, to replace the product that was damaged & had to be replaced. They tried to slip this in record deals, even in the 90’s, when hardly any vinyl was even being produced(in the USA) and CDs were unlikely to break or have any issues. It’s even more ridiculous if you’re primarily selling downloads, there’s no way “breakage” could come into play.

By far your best intro. Damn !!!

Was talking about the impact of the 360 degree deal yesterday... The Robbie Williams one for $80m stands out in my mind most ... Great chat. Thanks for sharing... I was lucky enough to see The Darkness in Notting Hill Arts Club... Happy days :)

Recently discovered this RU-vid Channel and really enjoying it. Great content. Justin, you're a very articulate guy.

I was a touring roadie on and off for 25 years, I can tell you that everything Justin is saying is completely true, if anything it’s worse, especially at the beginning! Glad the truth is getting out

Easily the greatest example of a band who are criminally ignored, is the Brian Jonestown Massacre. An incredible band with arguably the best catalogue of the last 25 years, and very few people would even have heard of them.

Yes, Mr Hawkins. Peace, love and rock n roll.

I want a Justin Hawkins Rides Again T-shirt. Love These segments.

That is a very fine shirt. Well done. Good video as always

Just discovered your channel and I love you even more for these kinds of posts!!! Also, I need that shirt you’re wearing in an XL…🤘🏻

One of your BEST videos ever mate!

Subscribed inmediatly. Now let see the video😍

Really fascinating topic,thank you for all the enlightening , and by the way,love the shirt!

loved this video, thanks a lot Justin

That Billy Corgan ep on JRE is insightful and entertaining - recommended

I really enjoyed listening to your experience and take on this. Obviously The Darkness have been through this process many times throughout their tenure.

Another excellent video! I’d be curious to hear your perspective on payola in a future video.

One of your best show. Thanks for doing all that research

That line from that rush song sums up the music industry in it

Justin casually flexing these sparkling pink trousers at 2:25 has dazzled me

Love you Justin!!!

I have great respect for you Justin, really enjoyed that insight thanks

I recall Blur performed at The Brits the same year that Prince performed with the word 'Slave' written on his cheek, Dave Rowntree (Blur's drummer) had 'Dave' written on his cheek in the same angular font.

I have met a number of musician/artists who mentioned that when a band or other artist has a record deal, the label could and often has shelved the band. Which basically means that they have them under contract for say 3 albums, but they do not promote any of them. Or they give you money to record and then they might not even release the record, but the artists are still stuck with the contract. Sometimes it's because they already have an artist or 2 that they want to protect and your band is seen as an interloper and regardless weather you are good or not, they just don't want to gamble by spending any more money on you, when they believe they already have a sure thing and have millions invested in them. It may not happen very often, but signing an artist to keep them from competing with a similar group has happened. Which is a laugh because labels seem to swarm around some bands like vultures that sound like the current hot band. That used to be the way it was done waaaay back when. I believe that the music business has changed dramatically over the years since the digital age began. Money is much tighter and deals have changed to favor the label even more these days. I like the idea of licensing your music and owning all of the rights and publishing of your works vs the label having ownership of all creative material and publishing. I cannot imagine how anyone would sign a 360 deal. I know of a number of artists who have to give a piece of their t-shirt sales from the road to the label.

Great videol

Fascinating discussion.

"It's a f-cking Prince record" classic spot on point.

I heard Tom Gray talking about streaming services f**king over musicians recently and having to rely on touring until say a global pandemic arrives. I am old school. If I like stuff I buy the CD. I still have a CD player in the car 😁. “Cigar chomping old guys” Reminds me of Have a Cigar by Pink Floyd. What legend Frank was and introduced us to some of the greatest drummers in history including the great Vinnie C, Chad Wackerman, Aynsley Dunbar and Terry Bozzio just to name a handful.

I’ve been a fan since you did the XFM party. I remember sitting my car in traffic outside Kew Gardens and listening to your first radio play. From that moment you became a part of the soundtrack of my life. When you wrote a song it has its own meaning to the listener. Genital warts and all.

I think Serj is talking about damages in the sense of physical cd/vinyl damages in transit.

I don’t use my real name in my RU-vid profile, but I have worked in the music business for over 30 years, and the problem is that a lot of the label people are lazy, and don’t want to be held responsible if a record flops, so the “plan” is blame the band, rather than help them out and work harder. Also, label people fear getting fired, especially A&R guys.m, so they are not very daring these days. One of the most important assets can be your publicist, and too many artists don’t understand that. If the label doesn’t get you a publicist that’s really working in your project, hire an outside publicist. Don’t hire one based on what big names they have worked, hire one based on what artists they have actually broken. Like what underdog artists have they been able to help achieve success. Anyone can do well with the gravy, a big name, but it’s someone that can take an unknown artist and blow them up. That can make a difference. A publicist with serious skills.

Nailed it! Absolutely love you brah vote 1 Justin Hawkins XTX ♥️

My circle of friends got into The Darkness when one of us saw you play live and filmed it on his cell. We were all going "Look at this fuckin' band!' and started ordering CDs. A few weeks later the entire town was The Darkness central. Even though that college town tried to ruin it for us, I still love you. Cheers!

More of this please!

I really enjoy these videos. Fascinating guy.

What a bloody good video.

My son is an aspiring musician and he needs to listen to you! His band actually writes great songs and are all so talented. I would hate to see them go down the wrong road and I think you are so informative on things any new singer/musician should know! Thank you!

So useful. Great insight. In the days of physical album sales, before downloads, streaming, Napster and Spotify the music industry seems like confusing place to make money. Im not to sure that has become easier today. To make money as an artiste/band.

Great interesting content Justin - thank you 👍😉🎸

Justin,fuckin right on.preach it.I’ve put out 13 self released records ,never even a review.I’ll keep on till I croak.AFan.

Excellent video

Love the show. Can you cover Badfinger and how they got screwed by industry. Thanks

Brilliant video and subject too. The Stone Roses Silvertone contract must be one of the worse cases.

“When you’re creating your own s***. Man, even the sky ain’t the limit.” - Miles Davis

I really love this video Justin comes across as so smart and with it. You can tell that he gets it that its a business but they are always looking to take advantage of you. The praise he gives to Prince at the end makes me like the guy even more. I mean he is totally right it's a Prince record of course its going to sell duh.

You need to discuss the culture who owns and runs the business

I’m a 39 never-has-been muso and listening to this like i still might need this advice 😁😁. (But still very interesting to see behind the veil tbf)

Great video and topic .. and GREAT shirt! I want one 😂