^^ What the....? How you gone talk shit about me saying the $5 thing, then support dude when he says it? Come on now!
And with all due respect, D: you are 10 years older than I am. My life right now IS college and i make no bones about that. Away from the "nest", away from "mommy"--I'd be about $10,-15,000 or more deep in student loans by now...not a very good start for someone who would rather use that $150/month in future incomes to put towards something other than my "Tadou Pride" Account for 03-05. I'm full-time, on the path to transfer (hopefully, this winter)...what else can i be doing?
Now...you are a very astute businessman--i will give you that much. But for one, your album figures are a bit inflated, and for two, your recoup concept is very different from mine.
Working backwards...Recoup means Recouperate...if you go run 10 miles, the goal is to recouperate, specifically, the faster you're able to, the healthier your indicator is. Gaining STRENGTH is secondary, and gaining endurance is the key measure. -- Sprinting is cool, but I'm trying to be a marathon runner.
Crossing back to the Album Figures...if you've got money to split between people, a name to build, and ground to cover, the LAST thing you're going to want to do is spend $10,000 on your album. Yes, it takes money to make money; but taking LOTS of money doesn't mean you'll make LOTS of money.
Back again...Recoup is most like an investment, so think like an investor for a second: Its expected that your companies make you money, but the MAIN THING THAT IS IMPORTANT, is that they DO NOT LOSE MONEY. -- This, I believe, is the very essence of recouping. Profiteering is a whole 'other issue.
Forward again...consider this budget:
$1000 studio time/mixing, roughly 40 hours x $25
$500 mastering, a top quality price
$500 graphics/photo shoot, assuming you aren't using a digicam
$1000 beats (most of the work done in-house)
$500 guest verses (album is mostly label roster);
$500 incidentals/overages
$1000 first pressing of 1000 copies, standard 4/1 3-on
$? promo (whatever is left of overages)
= $5000
Assuming you have a pre-production studio you can practice in for free; in the "recording" studio you have a "NO BULLSHIT/Memorize your shit ahead of time" attitude; you follow instructions to submit artwork; and so on....is that not a viable budget?
Once you make that 1000 x 5 back, the world is yours. Go back to the drawing board and see what everyone wants to do next. Heavy shows are an obvious next choice, and have the ability to bring in a good amount of "right away" income: $300 a show, 4 people, 75 each...there goes the cable or light bill.
Going on the road doesn't have to mean to California or Arizona; its just crazy to me that artists in Bellingham haven't performed (and aren't looking around) in Olympia, and vice versa, when they are only a few hours apart.
I just can't see how people would act like they are completely assed out when it is their own fault for not having a back-up plan. Who's fault is it you smoke weed or drink? Who's fault is it you have fucked off credit? Who's fault is it you're too shifty to use a bank and you have to cash your check at a Cash-N-Go for a $30 loss? Who's fault is it you gossip like a little school girl and run your cell bill up?
My thoughts about cash flow go like this: The same people that HEMMORAGE money, BITCH about money.
If you work a back-breaking 8 hours a day and are too tired to put anything less than $10/unit work, that is on you...but If you work that non-manual job and have the energy and time to put in that $5/unit work, I'd say go for it. But all this, "i need my money right away" shit, that is wack. One of the main reasons i go back to fucked off credit.
How you gone skip your credit card bill, but pull out 20 every weekend for weed? How you gone ignore that ambulance bill, but buy a 1/5th of Henn every friday? How you gonna not pay you telephone bill, but buy fast food 3 times a week? Well...when it comes time to get that $1000-2000 loan your label needs to put this next project over the top, YOU won't be able to throw your hat in the ring!
Hip-Hop is a business just like every other business, but the only difference is, indy labels have a fucked off view of (and ability to get) credit. "The man" this, "the system" that....mothafucka, "THE MAN" is trying to GIVE YOU money, and LET YOU be A PART OF the system; all YOU gotta do is pay the shit back ON TIME!!
In the context of, "we spent $5,000, we need to make back 5 G's ASAP"....yes, that is a bad thing. But In the context of, "if all else fails, we only owe $100/mo"...that is a GOOD thing.
Anyway, i'm rambling like its late '01. I understand most of this is just theory from a momma's boy that lives at home; but its also the theory of someone with good credit, studying business/philosophy/law and growing into a man in his own right.
Sometimes I wish we had more people like you.....but then sometimes I'm glad we don't because you really are a narrow minded fool with the REDICULOUS shit that you say
Walk with me...walk with that man...either way, my feelings aint hurtin. I write this shit out to speak to myself, to inspire MYSELF...if somebody agrees with me from time to time, thats an added bonus; NOT something that is mandatory or something i'd do anything to acquire.
