538 partnership
Abraham opened his mouth, but finally shook his head helplessly. This was a willful choice, he knew it, and he believed Teddy also knew it..
“For an album like "Don Quixote", don't expect to make money. Losing less money can already be called a victory..
The music market around the world is currently in a slump. Even though North America is still the most prosperous region, the glory of selling tens of millions of albums ten years ago is gone forever. Now the album that is the best-selling album at the end of the year may be sold No more than five million copies; what’s even more exaggerated is that you only need to sell two million copies to be among the top twenty or even the top ten in the year-end sales list. You know, the two million copies ten years ago Zhang, even the top fifty may not be able to squeeze in..
From Abraham's professional perspective, the sales volume of "Don Quixote" in North America should be between 150,000 and 200,000. At least, the popular name "Renly Hall" still has some influence. Coupled with the two singles "Cleopatra" and "Ophelia", it is still possible to reach this sales figure..
Abraham is not lying.
As a reference, Norah Jones's album "Go Away" only sold 600,000 before the Grammys. That was in 2002 when the market was still booming..
Recently, Bruno Mars' debut album "Doo-Wops Hoooligans" released last year has not sold more than 700,000 so far. This is despite winning two Grammys in February this year. After the nomination, the sales volume was boosted.
After comprehensive consideration, Abraham believes that the sales volume of "Don Quixote" will never exceed 300,000. Even if a miracle happens, it will be extremely difficult..
To produce an ordinary album, US$250,000 is the common minimum standard in the industry. For independent musicians, the cost may be lower, but it is not much lower. Teddy also said just now , one hundred thousand dollars is the upper limit. It can be seen from this aspect that Teddy clearly realizes that this is a crazy gamble, and he is trying to minimize the loss as much as possible..
But the album is not finished after it is produced. The so-called "250,000" is just the cost of the recording and production stage. After that, it needs to be designed, packaged, burned, etc., and then it needs to be put on the shelves, distributed, promoted, etc. Every time Every link requires expenditure. Although it does not mean that the higher the publicity cost, the better the sales will be, but what is certain is that if the publicity cost is too low, it will naturally be difficult to achieve good sales results..
Record companies and distribution companies want to recover costs and even achieve profits: sales are the first factor, and copyright is the second factor, but the income from copyright must also be based on the excellent performance of sales, creating more channels for the use of copyright possible. But if the sales volume of an album is only 300,000, then making a profit is almost impossible..
This is why Abraham rejected George.
As a music lover, he likes the album "Don Quixote" and can't wait to see and listen to the full version of the album. He believes he will not be able to put it down; but as the helmsman of Atlantic Records, he cannot act arbitrarily. ——Knowing that "Don Quixote" is a losing business, he absolutely cannot nod his head..
What's more, in the final analysis, Atlantic Records is not his company, he is just a wage earner. Teddy can be willful and shed his blood for dreams and art, but he cannot.
If you think about it, maybe this is a good thing. At least there is a company willing to release "Don Quixote", at least there are independent record companies that are tirelessly supporting artistic creation, and at least there are producers willing to fly like moths to a flame. By creating an album, at least the musician can remain calm and pursue the height of art... and most importantly, at least his wish can come true.——
“After "Don Quixote" is released, Abraham will definitely buy it, and there will be more than one.
He hopes that this will be another album worth cherishing in the 21st century. In the past ten years, such albums have become less and less, and you can probably count them without using both hands. The grand situation of the 1970s when more than ten or twenty classic collections appeared in one year will never go back. Therefore, he hopes more urgently than anyone else that "Don Quijote" can be successfully launched. This is his simple hope as a music lover.
“Teddy, thank you." At the end of his thoughts, Abraham expressed his truest emotion to Teddy at the moment, "I sincerely hope that this album can be successfully completed." It was not polite or acting, but sincerely. Wishes and expectations. "I think you still have a lot of work to complete next, so I won't bother you by staying here anymore. After I go back, I will quietly wait for the album to be released..”
Immediately, Abraham left neatly and left the work space to them..
The joy came too quickly and unexpectedly. Before he could say goodbye to Abraham, formal cooperation negotiations were about to begin. George had so many thoughts in his mind that he didn’t even know where to start. He looked at Tai in front of him. Di, George is a little unsure - because he really knows nothing about the two Bell brothers. There are many rumors, but he has never really dealt with them..
“For this album, how many songs do you think are acceptable?？”
Just as George was thinking, someone next to him spoke. It was not Nathan, but the stranger he met for the first time today. He didn't even know the other person's name, let alone the other person's identity. George looked at Nathan and cast a glance. He turned to ask questions, but before Nathan could speak, the other party continued..
“I'm talking about the upper limit. For example, if we have twenty songs, we will only make one double-sided disc album. Is this acceptable?？”
He is unhurried, neither arrogant nor arrogant, neither rushed nor slow. Most importantly, he is clear-cut and has a steady tone. He is not too aggressive but sticks to the topic. After just one conversation, Teddy has taken a new look at the person in front of him. It can be seen that It turns out that this is a veteran with the ability to make decisions and negotiate. "Before we officially get into the topic, why don't you introduce yourself first?"？”
Teddy was obviously not a soft persimmon. His humble and polite words directly ignored the other party's attack. The subtext was "In what capacity are you talking? Do you have such qualifications?" In an instant, the two parties were back on the same page. a starting line.
“Roy Lockley." Roy did not panic and introduced himself with a smile, "I am talking on behalf of Renly now, and Nathan can testify..”
Nathan, who was sitting next to him, was full of questions and looked at Roy in surprise. He obviously didn't understand what Roy was talking about, because Renly never mentioned it to him at all, and neither did Andy. So, why did Roy do this? What do you mean? Also, why does Roy represent Renly? He thought Roy was just Renly's friend.
Nathan could feel the gazes of Teddy and George coming towards him, and the pressure on his shoulders made him breathless. What should he do? Deny or confirm？
Although Nathan did not participate in the conversation just now, he heard the whole process. He did not understand the interests involved and the twists and turns, but it did not mean that he was a fool. He knew that Roy was fighting for more rights and interests for Renly. I am also striving for more opportunities for the album "Don Quixote". If it weren't for Roy, the current situation would probably still be a mystery..
The last time he met Roy flashed through his mind - at that time, Roy successfully rescued Renly among the reporters, and Renly and Roy had a very happy conversation. This is Isn't it somewhat different from today's situation?？
Nathan secretly clenched his fists and made up his mind that even if he couldn't help, he couldn't hold Roy back. Then he thought about his words a little, "Yes, Roy is Renly's very good friend." partner.”
Partner, this definition should be correct, right? A partner can be a friend, a partner, or a spokesperson. If you put it this way, it shouldn't be a hindrance.？
Deep down, Nathan was still a little unsure. He subconsciously raised his head and looked at the recording booth. Renly was still concentrating on recording. His conversation with Herbert sounded from time to time, completely ignoring the other people in the recording studio. ; Then Nathan withdrew his gaze, became highly concentrated, and listened carefully to the discussion in front of him. This was the only thing he could do now before Renly finished his work..
“Before signing the contract in black and white, I think Renly will take the contract seriously." Roy added, and these words immediately relaxed the atmosphere, and George couldn't help but smile..
Teddy could feel that Roy's focused and condensed gaze fell on him. He remained polite but did not give in at all. He knew what this look meant: it was time to talk about business. Now Teddy began to believe that this was indeed the case. is a master at negotiating on Renly’s behalf, “About the tracks on the album……”
Herbert wore huge earplugs and wrapped his entire ears in them. He listened to it over and over again. Finally, he raised his head and made an "OK" gesture toward Renly. His tense shoulders relaxed, and his face There is also a joyful mood on the.
The recording was finally coming to an end. The original plan was that they planned to record sixteen songs and then select ten from them. However, during the recording process, the number of works that could not be discarded increased. Now they have completed the recording of seventeen songs, and there are One last song and then the whole recording will be done.
Next, Herbert will enter the work of post-production and track selection. However, selecting ten out of eighteen songs is simply a sweet and painful task. Just thinking about it, Herbert Bert felt his cerebellum hurt..
“Hey, where are they? "Renly opened the soundproof door and walked out. Then he saw an empty recording studio full of question marks..
“What? "Herbert didn't react. He turned around and looked confused.——
When did those people leave?？
Comments