FAQ
How many artists does TriCore Music Group work with at one time?
TriCore Music Group keeps its artist roster manageable so that we maintain a strong focus and personal relationship with each artist. When labels sign too many artists, their attention is pulled in too many different directions and therefore, artists often don’t receive the support they need to be successful. This results in several artists getting “dropped” from the label, and their albums are never released. We want to avoid this common problem.
Will I have any say in the direction of my music?
Absolutely. Your success is our success. Our producers work with you to create a sound and image that is right for you and that you are comfortable with. Songs are written and a style created with this image in mind. Every one of our artists are involved in the production process of their music project. We want your input and feedback.
Does TriCore Music Group recoup production, distribution and marketing costs?
No! We do not recoup any costs incurred by us for recording, marketing, or distribution. This is one of the many things that sets us apart from all other labels. Other labels recoup the costs they incurred for production, marketing, and distribution, as well as for any advances they paid to the artist. Other labels recoup out of the artist’s share from the sale of his/her recordings and must be recouped in full before the artist receives any money. With the recoupment method, an artist may never receive any royalties from his/her recording, other than the initial advance. We do NOT do this. You get paid from the first record sold/downloaded and never have to pay us back for any costs.
How much do I get for my advance?
An advance is merely a loan to the artist by the record company. An advance must be paid back before the artist is ever paid for any sales. It is repaid to the record company through a process called recoupment. At TriCore Music Group, since you will be paid from the first record sold and don’t have to repay any of the recording, marketing, promotion, or any other fees, there is no advance. Just Royalties… no advance… no recoupment.
How long is a standard contract period?
The initial contract period varies by artist and is influenced by a number of variables, including where you are in the recording process. Do you have a completed album, need songs to complete an album, or just starting to create an album? We want the initial contract period to give us time to get to know you and your music well enough to determine how to best produce, market and distribute it, monitor the results, and refine our approach to optimize success.
Where are your recording studios and who will I work with to record my music?
Our producers are located in different cities in the United States. You will have the opportunity to work with the producer(s) that best fit your intended style.
How long does the recording process take?
It varies depending on style, difficulty of songs, and working speed of the artist. A song could take from a few days to a few weeks or more. An album could take from a few months to many months. Once the artist and the producer(s) begin to collaborate together, the workflow will continually improve and the process will flow much easier.
Will my songs be on the radio?
As part of our marketing strategy for each artist, we determine which media is most appropriate for their music in order to optimize the “play” it gets and maximize the exposure and following it creates. As such, we utilize several forms of marketing and distribution for our artists’ music. If the music and style is “radio-friendly” then radio will definitely be part of the marketing strategy. Our partners will work with our radio teams to get your songs onto the airwaves… but they must fit the commercial standards of those stations.
What if I already have a completed album?
If your album is already completed and accepted by us, we will send it off to our professional mastering suites for final leveling and EQ mixing, if necessary. Then, it will be ready for our marketing and distribution teams to take over. Therefore, we will both be that much closer to making money.
How long until I see my album on iTunes and other online stores?
This will be part of the overall Marketing Strategy that is customized for each artist. However, once a song or album is complete, it could appear on iTunes or other online stores within about one month.
Will I see my album in retail stores?
This will be part of the overall Marketing Strategy that is customized for each artist. The Marketing Strategy is developed to optimize the exposure an artist and their music gets to create a buzz and a following, which is monitored very closely. Once the album creates the buzz and following to support a retail campaign, it will be distributed to a variety of retail outlets.
How do you protect against piracy?
Protecting against piracy is important to all of us, since we don’t make money if you don’t make money. We work closely with all of our distribution partners to insure the most secure measures are taken to protect against unauthorized downloads.
How much will I make per download?
We offer rates that are extremely competitive and in line with industry standards. It varies based on the amount of time and effort that is required by us to produce your music. For example, if you bring to us a completed album that requires little or no production effort on our part, and essentially want us to distribute and market it, the amount you receive per download will be greater than if we are completely producing the entire album.
How and when will I get paid?
Quarterly. TriCore Music Group, will issue a check to you within 30 days of the close of a calendar quarter for the income you earned during that quarter.
Do you provide merchandising services?
Yes. TriCore Music Group has a 60-person marketing team available to work with you to develop your merchandising strategy. Together, we determine what is going to be merchandised, as well as the most effective outlets to utilize. This can include clothing, alcohol, stickers, posters, cologne/perfumes, and more.
Can you guarantee my success?
No. Anyone that tells you that they can guarantee your success is lying–plain and simple! Because we have 30 years of experience in sales and marketing and our producers have contributed to the sales of over 20 million records, we feel that we have a better chance of successfully promoting your talents and selling your music… that’s why we are doing this! Remember, we are investing a lot, up front, on your potential success. We don’t make money, until you make money… but no one can guarantee success.
Will I become a featured artist on popular music websites and social networks?
That depends. It’s a lot like asking if we can guarantee success. It depends on how popular your music becomes. We can’t guarantee that you will, but we will be working very hard to make that a reality. Remember, your success is our success!
How can I submit my demos to TriCore Music Group?
Please email to us (info@tricoremusic.com) a link to your music, personal website and/or social network page (or attach an mp3 to your email if you prefer). Please understand that we receive several demos daily and do our best to listen and respond to every inquiry we receive.
If you like my demo, what is the next step?
If we like what we hear and like what we read, we will contact you to schedule a meeting to formalize our working arrangement. Please be patient though, as we do put a lot of thought and energy into the decision. We want to make sure we are making the best decision for all of us.
