Getting Paid In Your Music Profession !

Making money in the music industry isn't always as simple negotiating a salary and waiting for your paycheck to come in. Most jobs in the industry pay per project basis, on percentages, commissions, i.e. are freelance roles. This makes it very important for you to know, what job demands what, and we are hopeful this article will help you in decision making. But remember, as always, that this information is general, and the deal you agree to will dictate your circumstances.    

2. Music Promoters

Promoters make money on ticket sales for the gigs they promote "typically". While in India, most managements are also promoters. There are two ways this can happen when it comes to understanding the pay:

1. The promoter takes a percentage of the returns from the show in the wake of recovering their costs, giving the rest of the money to the artists. A door split is a term for the financial agreement between a band and a promoter or venue. In this sort of understanding, the performers don't get a set charge for performing. Rather, they get a percentage of ticket sales or the club fee at the door. Door Splits parts are more typical for independent artists, newcomers, and growing bands. Set up artists with solid followings will probably demand an ensured fee.
2. The promoter may agree to a fixed payment with the musicians for their performance and then any money left after costs is theirs to keep.

Promoters are the general population responsible for "putting on" the show. They work with artists, or at times, specifically with the organizers, and with clubs and show settings to orchestrate a show to happen. Promoters at that point are responsible for ensuring the word gets out about that show. They likewise deal with masterminding the miscellaneous items, similar to lodgings and backline for the band. To name a few great promoters from India (most run their own firms) you must refer to their work to understand the role better.

1. Karan Mehta, Blue Tree
2. Viren Khanna, VKP Parties, Bangalore 
3. Aftab Khan, MixTape  
4. Sohail Arora, Krunk 
5. Dev Bhatia, Unmute 

3. Music Agents / Booking Agents

Agents take a pre-agreed percentage of the fees for the shows they arrange for musicians. Please Note, the job of an agent is very different from an artist manager! While Indian managers are confusing their roles to that of the agents. In terms of payments, if an agent negotiates a fee with a promoter for a band they represent to be paid Rs.10,00,000 for playing a show, the agent takes a cut of that Rs.10,00,000.   A Few good booking agencies in India include Krunk, Overture India, BlueTree, KWAN, BToS, TM Talent Management, and much more!   

4. Record Labels

At an exceptionally fundamental level, record marks profit by selling records. Your job at the record label and what kind of label you work for will define out what this implies for you. If you have your own record label, at that point, you profit by selling enough records to take care of your expenses and make a profit. If you work for another record label, you will probably get a salary or hourly compensation. The size of the label and your role there will decide how huge that salary/wage will be. To Name a few good record labels in India, Pagal Haina Records, Blue Tree, Sony Music Entertainment, SaReGaMa , Paramvah Music, RDX Productions and more. 

5. Music PR

Be it radio plugging or conducting press campaigns, music PR companies get paid on a campaign basis, sometimes even are on retainer contracts. They will negotiate a flat fee for working a release or tour, and that fee will usually cover a set amount of time for the company to promote the product/tour. Music PR companies may also get bonuses for successful campaigns and reach certain thresholds - for instance, a bonus if the album sells a certain number of copies, or a band gets a "number" of booking inquiries due to the campaign.

6. Music Journalists

If music journalists work freelance, they will be paid on a per project or contract basis. If they work for a specific publication, they will likely receive a salary or hourly wage. Typically, a fun role yet very demanding.    

7. Music Producers

Record producers may receive a salary if they are tied to a specific studio or be paid on a per project basis if they freelance. Most producers have a team consisting of programmers, instrumentalists, etc and they take care of the entire production. The producer works with the band, session musicians, and the studio engineers to "produce" the sound of the recordings. Often the producer's job is to provide an extra set of ears to aid in the creation of a certain sound or to provide experience. A record producer may be involved with arranging parts of the track or even writing it. In smaller studios, the role of engineer and producer may be combined, and the band may produce or co-produce the recordings with the engineer.

8. Sound Engineers