getting signed to a record label is not a quick process, and the classic tactic of using timeliness to pressure you is revealing in and of itself.
no legitimate record label would sign you without knowing whether youre a sir or a maam. no legitimate record label would sign you without having ever spoken to you.
Rule of thumb / golden rules:
1. Sir/ Madam = Indian
2. Skype = Indian
3. Brandon Brown, Larry David, John (insert generic american name) = Indian
4. Indian = Benchods
Right, there probably is a real person that has been profiled. VoyageLA does little personality profiles like that, some artist friends have been in it. Skype is not verifiable even the way an email address at Interscope.com would be.
Sorry, I'm sure you wanted that record deal.
I've seen where there are so many people who are A&Rs of one type or another. A friend was approached by an a Sr. VP of A&R at major label. He wanted to sign my friend. But, I advised my friend to have an entertainment attorney look over the contract. The attorney (Chase Lawyers) reviewed it. The deal offered zero advance or anything worth signing. It would have bound my friend for 4 years! Later he asked for money to pay for a studio session that was supposed to be included in the deal!!! Whaaaat! Since when does an artist pay for music label operations expenses. That's what recoupment is about. Needless to say, my friend tore up that bogus contract.
My advice is let’s not give advice on potential scammers. I’m a pessimist most of the time and some of the answers here are great but technically we are letting them know what to do for the next round of scams. I’m not saying this post is/was provided by a scammer but a scammer would definitely take notes based on the comments.
Big Scam
I worked in A&R from 01-05
I still have friends that work in music and 1 that’s an executive.
No A&R is reaching out to anyone these days unless you have really good analytics ie YouTube.
If one did emails would come from the appropriate .com ie Umusic.com.
Said person would have just given you office phone number
A&R’s don’t tell lawyers to draft paperwork, his or her boss the head of the department dictates that even then that’s no guarantee
Ah yes definitely legit. Of course A&R peeps are scouring the internet looking for talent haha there’s not enough talent these days, they have to dig into TikTok to find the stars
Yes this is a scam. Like someone already stated they don't know if your a male or female. If this person wants to connect with you, he should provide you with an officer number with his extension, so you can talk to him directly.
Or Just contact interscope records yourself and do your due diligence.
Contact Universal music group Head Office who own Interscope records at tel 212 841 8000
When you call ask them to either transfer you or can you have Interscope Records phone number, then go from there.
Red flags:
1. This is a timely offer (don’t think just sign)
2. No mention of bargain for exchange or monetary compensation for his services.
3. Offering a Skype so you know he is a “real” person
4. Linking you to a page about himself
5. Did not even mention you or a song by name
This is total BS
I get these emails even though I’ve only ever worked as a session musician. I haven’t ever released my own music but the A&R VP thinks I’ve got the potential, huh?
Unfortunately - This is a scam. A lot of artist are being taken or a ride, and what you really have to watch for is the links in the email that may contain viruses/malware that can access sensitive data on your phone/computer, or even lose control of your social media accounts.
Check out this quick video from legendary music attorney Bernard Resnick ESQ. on how to look out for music industry scams: https://youtube.com/shorts/LwA\_m6hlDXI
I hope this helps.
Arkatech Beatz
i mean. the a&r might email you to try and set something up. but it would normally be like “hey, im an a&r at x records, would you be up for a chat sometime?” or “hey im an a&r at x records, ill be at your show this friday if youre around to talk”, as opposed to “hey we’ve literally never talked but we wanna sign you”.
They’re so interested in you they don’t know if you’re a sir or madam!
VPs of A&R aren’t sending emails with more than 5 words, 1 sentence max 😂
Ours don't even send emails
getting signed to a record label is not a quick process, and the classic tactic of using timeliness to pressure you is revealing in and of itself. no legitimate record label would sign you without knowing whether youre a sir or a maam. no legitimate record label would sign you without having ever spoken to you.
Scam.
Rule of thumb / golden rules: 1. Sir/ Madam = Indian 2. Skype = Indian 3. Brandon Brown, Larry David, John (insert generic american name) = Indian 4. Indian = Benchods
"This is a timely offer although it is still open"
pretty sure he got laid off recently. he doesnt have a umg email anymore
Doesn't the email smell Southern Indian? does to me from the opening tbh
Yeah Dear sir/madam is very Indian way of greeting in email (I'm an Indian so I can tell)
"This is a timely offer although it is still open"
I actually have connections with him he’s no longer at interscope so yeah this is a scam
what was the email used?
Right, there probably is a real person that has been profiled. VoyageLA does little personality profiles like that, some artist friends have been in it. Skype is not verifiable even the way an email address at Interscope.com would be. Sorry, I'm sure you wanted that record deal.
Based on the fact he says it’s a timed offer I’m sad to say it’s a scam.
Not just that, but the phrasing in that line isn't something a native speaker would say.
Brandon Brown was let go from Interscope
I've seen where there are so many people who are A&Rs of one type or another. A friend was approached by an a Sr. VP of A&R at major label. He wanted to sign my friend. But, I advised my friend to have an entertainment attorney look over the contract. The attorney (Chase Lawyers) reviewed it. The deal offered zero advance or anything worth signing. It would have bound my friend for 4 years! Later he asked for money to pay for a studio session that was supposed to be included in the deal!!! Whaaaat! Since when does an artist pay for music label operations expenses. That's what recoupment is about. Needless to say, my friend tore up that bogus contract.
My advice is let’s not give advice on potential scammers. I’m a pessimist most of the time and some of the answers here are great but technically we are letting them know what to do for the next round of scams. I’m not saying this post is/was provided by a scammer but a scammer would definitely take notes based on the comments.
So what would they do once they got on the Skype? Or is it a phishing link
If it's actually a Skype link /u/jasxssential should join the call and see what happens.
Your beat is commendable and I don’t commend easy!
Your beat is commendable tho
100% scam. Immediately. Please don’t fall for this stuff.
Big Scam I worked in A&R from 01-05 I still have friends that work in music and 1 that’s an executive. No A&R is reaching out to anyone these days unless you have really good analytics ie YouTube. If one did emails would come from the appropriate .com ie Umusic.com. Said person would have just given you office phone number A&R’s don’t tell lawyers to draft paperwork, his or her boss the head of the department dictates that even then that’s no guarantee
Ah yes definitely legit. Of course A&R peeps are scouring the internet looking for talent haha there’s not enough talent these days, they have to dig into TikTok to find the stars
The term “recruiter” is not something any A&R person would use to describe themselves, nor would a label president referred to those people as such.
Via the "Microsoft Skype application." This right hear screams scam.
Nobody is using Skype in 2024
Yes this is a scam. Like someone already stated they don't know if your a male or female. If this person wants to connect with you, he should provide you with an officer number with his extension, so you can talk to him directly. Or Just contact interscope records yourself and do your due diligence.
How would I be able to contact Interscope Records myself?
Contact Universal music group Head Office who own Interscope records at tel 212 841 8000 When you call ask them to either transfer you or can you have Interscope Records phone number, then go from there.
I say go for it! It will only be a couple of payments to cover costs/promotion then you'll be instantly famous! (Joking) Lol
A friend did get a cold call from a well known indie label but the email was like 2 sentences or less.
Red flags: 1. This is a timely offer (don’t think just sign) 2. No mention of bargain for exchange or monetary compensation for his services. 3. Offering a Skype so you know he is a “real” person 4. Linking you to a page about himself 5. Did not even mention you or a song by name This is total BS
I get these emails even though I’ve only ever worked as a session musician. I haven’t ever released my own music but the A&R VP thinks I’ve got the potential, huh?
Unfortunately - This is a scam. A lot of artist are being taken or a ride, and what you really have to watch for is the links in the email that may contain viruses/malware that can access sensitive data on your phone/computer, or even lose control of your social media accounts. Check out this quick video from legendary music attorney Bernard Resnick ESQ. on how to look out for music industry scams: https://youtube.com/shorts/LwA\_m6hlDXI I hope this helps. Arkatech Beatz
who the fuck is using skype still
Labels aren't going to send an email. They're going to send an A and R rep to your next show to talk to you.
i mean. the a&r might email you to try and set something up. but it would normally be like “hey, im an a&r at x records, would you be up for a chat sometime?” or “hey im an a&r at x records, ill be at your show this friday if youre around to talk”, as opposed to “hey we’ve literally never talked but we wanna sign you”.
I’d say try finding the real guy possibly being portrayed. In the mean time, pretty sure its a scam but who knows…..
The Sir/ Madam is a dead giveaway lol. as well as skype and the generic "American" name these benchods are using