 |
|
 |
| posted by NoCo on Thursday July 26 2007 @ 08:25AM PDT |
|
|
|
|
Anybody heard of Illumina Records (http://launch.illuminarecords.com/index.html) before or had any experiences with them? We got contacted by one of their representatives on MySpace to talk to them about joining their "Launch" campaign, which I'm sure would entail us paying them money. The email did mention a few specifics about our band though, which is what made me not discard it as spam immediately. Anyone else get this on MySpace or have any dealings with them? Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I just checked out their web page. I'd be weary of giving them money until I got a better sense of what they offer.
There seems to be some sort of Drunk Driving campaign they're involved with, but I can't tell exactly how. "Save lives with your talent"?
All I can advise is know where your time, efforts and money are going, keep your head on straight and keep your expectations realistic.
On a related note: I personally dislike when people hit me up for a donation of my time and pose it as "you'll get lots of publicity and exposure." I'd rather people be upfront, value musicians' work and call it for what it is without making assumptions about my values and priorities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was contacted on myspace for their country drunk driving campaign. We called and left a message, also left a message on their email, but never heard back from them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
yea, illumina Records is my bands Record Label, what do you need to know?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by
on Saturday January 12 2008 @ 02:49PM PST [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They are 100% bonafide scam. If those 2 words can be used together, in an oxymoronic context. they took my dough and delivered some crap cd's with misprints all over them. there is no real benefit to the "cause" they promote, and they did not deliver on any of the promises they made. NONE. When I demanded money back, I got a response from the new VP that was as childish and as nasty as the ones posted from the company here on this page . Steer clear. If anything good can come from our association with this scam, it's that YOU can be warned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks for the feedback Otono, I think I've decided to probably steer clear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
yep, it's scam.. they will ask you to pay $500. i know this cuz i was stupid enough to be on the phone with one of them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's funny 'cause we dont have any Promotion Campaigns that cost $500...i can see you were paying attention when you were on the phone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hey.
I'm an employee at illumina records.
It is not spam. We are a marketing company, and we sell marketing and publicity to bands.
and it all has the anti-drunk driving message in it.
we're getting the message across through musicians, and at the same time we are promoting those artists.
it's some interesting stuff that goes on here; it's a lot of hard work.
so before talking shit, learn about it.
give us a call, we'll be glad to help you out.
mulove,
vitor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was contacted via MySpace too and wondered about their legitimacy myself which is how I wound up finding this thread. Even if they ARE a legitimate business and are effective in marketing and promoting artists successfully, "before talking shit" is not exactly the kind of professional response I would require from a company who would potentially be handling my PR. Noco, I guess there's your answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You... sell promotion stuff. Then that means you are not a label, because a label that signs and values their artists does not make the artist pay for anything... you are suppsoed to be there to sell us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
that it a terrible misconception. every artist from madonna and michale jackson all the way down to the next up and coming artist. all of them paid a label. labels offer a service and that is to market promote manage distribute and otherwise. you think they do that for free? or because they believe in your product? you are very very wrong. have you ever even been offered a contract? look it up. I'm sure you think the "advance" or "signing bonus" is when the label pays the artist because they are so "talented the deserve it" its the same thing as a credit card company. they give you the money and thats the first expense they recoup from your album sales. let's say your get a standard $250,000 signing advance. technically you just paid the label $250,000 dollars to work for you. if you sell 150,000 dollars worth of records you still OWE the record label $100,000 dollars. A prime example if anyone wants to educate themselves is to look up the rock band FLAW they were signed to Universal and toured nationwide with acts like Godsmack and Black Sabbath, they sold 700,000 cd's and are STILL $25,000 in debt to universal. ZooMooZik is the greatest thing to ever happen to the music industry, so please folks, just get educated before you go hate mongering what you hae no clue about.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Your right in the since that the band does pay. But to clarify you should say the label loans you the money. Thats really what it is.
If bands like Flaw weren't dumb and took that money keeping this fact in mind they wouldnt have spend so much money on some hot shot producer and mixer like Dave Botrill. Don't get me wrong, Dave has done amazing things with King Crimson and Tool but for a new band with a sub par re-hash sound. Dont blow your whole wad on a producer. Get a good engineer, produce it yourself. Dont believe the crap that the label says you need a hot shot.
They could have broken even...maybe.
Lets don't forget that they most likely signed a 6 album deal with Universal and if they wanted to go to an indie to release it they would have to 1 pay off that debt and then pay the buy out on those remaining albums.
In the times we are living in now you dont need a label. All you need is distribution. You can do that here at cd baby, or any company like red, or fontana. Then you need publicity so people will hear about you in magazines/radio/newspapers. For that you just need the contacts or someone who has those already. Then.....
Play shows! This is the place to make money. Realize it, you arent gonna make diddly on records. They are just publicity to get people to come to your show where they buy a ticket, a shirt, and maybe a button. That goes straight to you. When a band is on a label they only get $1 per cd if they're lucky.
Im done now. Be smart, and read. Theres a lot to learn out here in the intarwebs.
Read this for sure
http://www.negativland.com/albini.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was contacted as well. I have to agree with C. Rod's comment. Our job as pro musicians is hard enough as it is. We shouldn't have to deal with all of the scams. I've been a musician "forever".
Of the countless promises from promoters, managers and agents, very few have been truthful.
It's a good thing we love what we do. Keep playing everybody. At least we have ourselves to believe in!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just in response on what C.Rod said.
I'm not going to pretend to be someone I'm not.
I do curse; you all do.
and I'm not hiding that from anyone.
The fact that I do that, doesn't make me less professional at all. In fact, it makes me even more professional, because I'm being human.
and you all are "talking shit" because you don't even know what's up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This stinks of the AR Select bullshit that went ripping through Myspace about nine months ago.
Everyone that checked in regarding ARSelect had been contacted by a girl via Myspace that didn't actually exist at the company. Once you were on the phone, they'd play your song in the background, explain that there was an Indie film slated for Sundance that they wanted to submit your music to---by THAT WEEKEND. All you had to do was sign up to the tune of at least $300.
I contacted one of the ARSelect artists. He didn't feel he'd been outright lied to, but he also didn't get much out of it.
So it boils down to this: Illumina Records pops out of nowhere, goes on a myspace spam campaign (hell, they used the first song in my profile. I'll bet 'Kathleen Curran' didn't even listen to it) and wants to get you on the phone ASAP. You know why? The high-pressure sales tactics won't work over email.
I must admit they are getting clever. By invoking drunk-driving deaths, they've attached themselves to a legitimate clause.
To any of the Illumina Records 'agents' that will bother to post here in the future, do us a favor and just come clean: post the bottom line figure here so we know what you are after. Let us know what number you will ask for on the phone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
illumina records is a scam, zoomoozik is not. here is your bottom line figure.
STADIUM PACKAGE
$295 One Time Registration Fee
• PROFILE: You will build your artist profile page at Zoomoozik.com/YOURBANDNAME where your current and new fans can sample and purchase your MP3s and Ring tones, and keep up with artist news, live shows, and pictures.
• DISTRIBUTION: There is no restriction to the number of songs that you can upload and distribute through the Zoomoozik.com network which includes some of the world’s best known music sites.
• SOUNDSCAN: Each time one of your songs is played or sold on Zoomoozik.com it will be reported to SoundScan and other agencies.
• A&R SUPPORT: All Zoomoozik artists have access to A&R Support via email.
• DISCOUNTS: All Zoomoozik artists will receive discounts on CD Manufacturing, apparel printing, sticker printing and other merchandising when using Zoomoozik’s network of merchandise vendors.
• CONTESTS: All new Zoomoozik artists will be automatically entered into the current contests that are running on the site, such as the L.A. Rock Off, enabling you to win prizes such as free trips, recording sessions, shows, etc…
• CAREER REVIEW: A Zoomoozik A&R rep will review your music and where you are in your music career and provide an advisory report for how to take the next appropriate steps.
• PRESS RELEASE: A digital press release will be sent to over a thousand media outlets including regional, national, and international websites, magazines, newspapers, and television to announce the artist as a new Zoomoozik artist and for possible coverage.
• EPK: Zoomoozik artists have grown to love our EPK’s (electronic press kits) which allows artists to email music, pictures, show and biography information to anyone they choose. The EPK is available to you as a tool for booking, media relations, reaching out to industry professionals, or touching base with fans on an individual basis.
• GIG LIST: Zoomoozik will provide you with a detailed “Gig List” that will include detailed booking information for clubs, booking agents and promoters across the U.S. and world-wide.
• ROLLING WEB ADS: Your name, photo and chosen single will be displayed on several popular websites, including but not limited to Ultimate-Guitar.com and TheRockitnews.com.
• RADIO PROMOTION: Your music will be promoted to program directors of on-line, satellite, and AM-FM radio stations, both in the US and worldwide. The Zoomoozik team has been to Midem for the last 7 years and has established relationships with record labels and publishers from all over the world.
• TELE-SEMINARS: A weekly Tele-Seminar will be conducted by Zoomoozik on relevant industry issues such as booking gigs, hiring lawyers, or signing contracts. Artists will be able to access, listen in, or contribute to at will.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be sure to check out "Andrew Swaine"...he owns the drunk driving site and the illumina records site.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
once again, Illumina records is a SCAAAAAMMMMMMMM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
you guys are wrong
all of you, except for mike and vitor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I figure I'll just bypass Illumina and get my exposure here. Check out RL Reedy. No, but really maybe they're legit maybe not. But nothing subsitutes getting your own hands dirty and networking with other sincere musicians. If people like your music on myspace, it will show through the numbers and that's exposure. I only have around 250 friends, but I still love making music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THATS GREAT,USE THE DEATH OF INNOCENT PEOPLE,AND JUMP ON THE WAGON WITH MADD.WHAT BETTER WAY TO CAMOFLAUGE YOUR SCAM..NO THANKS ILLUMINA,BUT CHECK OUT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/STILLAINTGETTINPAID AND TELL ME WHY WE WOULD BE ANYTHING CLOSE TO SPOKES PEOPLE FOR A DRUNK DRIVING CAMPAIGNE.....LOL P.G.P 4 LIFE
TWAR THE WORLD AINT READY.WE DONT CHARGE FOR STUDIO TIME,CHECK US OUT
HOLLA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BY THE WAY..... A REAL RECORD COMPANY WONT ASK FOR MONEY,THEY WILL GIVE YOU MONEY....LOTS OF IT.ILLUMINA,I THINK YOUR COMPANY NEEDS TO INVEST IN SOME INVESTORS.....LOL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
where do you get these outlandish ideas that labels pay their artists period? dont you understand what "royalties" means? after all your hard work and creative energy you make about 8 cents per unit sold after the recoup the signing bonus. you actually SELL your rights, your likeness, your artistic license to the record label. PGP for life! cuz that's all it will be you will spend the rest of your life deluded and unsuccessful
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
after careful consideration of all opinions and statistics I have found no reason not to trust Illumina Records and their Launch program. I understand the cost of advertisement in the music industry, I also understand the contract Illumina has offered me. Therefore, in that contract the service that they offer can be beneficial to my circumstances.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
good! you are smart! Illumina Records is a SCAM SCAM SCAM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kathleen Curran canceled her myspace. I wonder why?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ROY - you're looking at this wrong, you should instead be looking for a reason to trust, not looking for a reason not to trust - you're approach is how people get scammed. Also, to all that read this thread - we do not know if any of the positive posts, IE, like the one from "Roy, are from people who work at this Illumina records place to begin with.
All that said, this doesn't look like it benefits musicians at all. At the most, you get some local exposure. The theme from message boards is that this is a waste of time. Illumina has no impact wihtin the music industry. None. At the most you get some local exposure (maybe, and it might be marginal at best), but thats it. Ask yourselves - what do they get out of this? From what I've read they ask for cash up front from $300-$500 - but for what? What happens? The photos on the Illumina site, with that little girl in them, prove nothing. There's a photo that makes it appear that she is in a studio with an engineer - big deal! I can get someone's daughter to come with me to a music store and I can make the same kind of photo! Ilumina has yet to establish credibility. BTW Illumina, what is your business model? Do you guys just do Compilation CD's? What is the circulation of this "Magazine" of yours. Which, BTW, looks to me like its never been published - I just see a lot of Photoshoped (poorly at that) magazine covers.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In reference to the person ‘tha dub’ who chose to criticize Illumina Records as well as myself I want to mention a couple things. You say that we came out of nowhere, well that may be true, because we are in fact a new company as of last year, and to be honest every company comes out of nowhere at the beginning, and shouldn’t be scrutinized for trying to establish themselves by building clientčle. Secondly, I do listen to all the artists I contact. If I said I liked your song, I did. The fact that I took the time to check out your profile, listen to you music, and complimented you on a song, is nothing to be annoyed about. Sorry that it happened to be the first one on the playlist, but you should be happy that yet another person likes your music, not belittling them because of the number song choice they enjoyed. Also, the reason I try to talk to people on the phone is because I feel that online is too impersonal. Clearly it is an effective way to contact artists with our information and genuine interest without scaring them away with a cold call. They choose to call us, or email us back because they are interested. No one is pressuring them to do so. Also, a phone conversation gives me time to get to know the person, the band, and their ambitions. If you took a second to contact me you would see that I do not pressure people to any extent, rather I hear about their music and simply explain our campaign to see if they are interested at that point in their career in marketing services. If not interested, then fine by me. If you do not think that an artist needs exposure to gain fans and connect with media sources to inevitably get to the next level, then agree to disagree.
We are providing an effective service that many of our artists have been very happy with, and have seen results. Furthermore, I am sorry that you feel our association with Ground Control (one of Americas biggest anti drinking and driving campaigns) is just a clause. Our President Ron Bellanti is the founder of Arrive Alive- a non profit agency dedicated to preventing teen-age drunk driving. And now he brings this cause to Illumina with our association to Ground Control. One of our major goals is to spread awareness and maybe you think it’s a section of our campaign but I think much more important.
Obviously you are upset, and perhaps a little less informed about our company. You have a right to your opinion, as I do mine.
p.s. my myspace is up and running and was accidentally deleted. I never canceled it, you can check it out for yourselves
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by
on Monday August 06 2007 @ 01:21PM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
There is an obvious reason that so many artists don't take their music to the next level. They spend all of their time watching their backs to make sure they don't get screwed out of something, instead of spending that same time to promote their music.
Illumina Records "IS NOT" a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs. It is simply one more way for you to draw some Internet attention to your original works.
The more hooks you have in the water, the more likley you are to catch fish.
If you can't afford to possibly lose and write off the $300 to $500 that Illumina might charge, you really can't afford to be competitive in this industry anyway! It is not uncommon for me to spend upwards of $15K to $20K on the promotion of one single. This is how the guys who are getting international radio play are doing it every day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Being competitive is not entirely about money, unless the goal is simply to be a name. Grassroots promo, very inexpensive, can also be effective. This is neither an endorsement or condemnation of Illumina, since I know nothing about them, but just because you, who remain anonymous, claim you spend $29k promoting a single, does not make spending $300 to $500 on whatever Illumina a good idea (nor does it make it a bad one).
It seems like everyone is jumping the gun on judging this company (pro and con). If what they do interests you, why not contact them and see what the deal is yourself, rather than assuming that somebody else got the straight story? Once you have the contract in hand, then is the time to ask questions about the ins and outs of it. Anything else is just speculation. And if you judge a company by their myspace page I think you need to rethink your criteria.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by
on Tuesday August 07 2007 @ 08:21AM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
Ed:
I could not agree more with your comments.
Grass Root marketing efforts can be very effective, if you work them hard.
The problem is, that so many young artists just expect their careers to magically launch on their own, or that some how they will just be magically discovered.
We have far passed the age where Elvis gets discovered off of the back of a dilivery truck by Sam Phillips.
This is a highly competitive market where young indie artists are competing with major labels who have marketing budgets in excess of $150K to $200K just in the marketing of one of their singles.
The only point I was trying to make "which was in no way an endorsement of Illumina" is to get out there with your music in as many ways that you can!
It is this acumulitive effort that makes for a great and effective marketing campain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was contacted on myspace and contacted them by phone and email, but never heard from them!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hey Troy,
Give me a call, I'll call you back.
978-236-4080
Mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Why wouldn't the staff at illumina ask a few of the bands they've helped achieve success to post a testimonial. That would mean a lot more than a bias staff defending themselves. Like it was posted above, until there's reason to trust (and a solid reason at that), why should anyone? Also, as an established internet company, why is there no secure page to enter my bank info. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't give out that kind of information to a stranger over the phone. Until further notice, I'm out of this deal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
testimonials are no longer relevant. they are quickly dismissed as corporate drivel by consumers...aka BULLSHIT - check the facts here iLLUMINA is doing something good for all of our communities and friends. they're intentions are good and positive, which is why music was invented so long ago - to invoke good feelings in humans. i am not an employee or even an illumina artist, i just respect good intentions. much respect
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
listen to this ideological sucker. are you kidding??? take your good intentions and piss all your money away on them. i'm being realistic. besides, you didnt even address the secure website issue for credit information. or what about 'employees' of illumina claiming to be the head of departments they arent even listed as working in at all? must be nice to have enough money to not worry about whether you can trust people or not!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anonymous band who has been played by the illumina scam. Fellow musicians listen up... IT IS A SCAM!!!
Anonymous Band
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by
on Friday August 10 2007 @ 08:21PM PDT [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
I have heard several people say that they were approached by Allumina to market their music for $500 to $600. I was approached by someone claiming to be the "head" of A&R for Allumina that was willing to give me the whole works for $299.00, however he was not posted on their website as even being an employee of Alumina? He was however REAL interested in getting my credit card information. He was not successful.
Illumina.....if you have a REAL thing going, my hat is off to you. You are however going to have to find a way to stream line your services and make them 100% secure if you expect the pros in the industry to do business with you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
same thing happened to me. I called to see who the head of the a and r department was and it was two men... not the woman asking for my bank info who claimed to be. they did say she worked there though, even though she is not on their website as even working in that department
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are a "pro" musician why are you reading this post. If you are a "pro" musician you should be signed to a label and making lots of loot. I believe Illumina is trying to help bands reach pro status through exposure. Nothing more, nothing less. If you are already there why are you here?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
> If you are a "pro" musician you should be signed to a label and making lots of loot.
What?!? You've got a seriously 1970's view of what it means to be a pro musician.
The labels are all disappearing and one of the stupidest things you could do for your career is to sign all your rights over to one.
Most pro musicians are NOT signed to a label.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| by
on Wednesday January 30 2008 @ 07:38AM PST [ reply | parent ] |
|
|
|
|
you're right and wrong look up ludacris, and find out what he spent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My boyfriends band was contacted by iLLUMINA records. They received a contract from them that read for the most part pretty legitimate. But when the guy was really pushy on the two day deadline and the credit card number the guys in the band became a little more than skeptical. The company is NOT listed with the Better Business Bureau and the representative kept insisting on them giving the guy their credit card number because the offer was so "time sensative"...The guys felt it wasn't in their best interest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I suggest any of you google one of the already released Illumina
compilations (ie "Boston Rockers for Life" or "Cleveland Rockers
for Life" etc.) and see how many matches you get that equate to
real press or publicity. The answer is usually zero or next to
zero. No publicity equals no reason to do business with these
jokers. The fact that they are ripping off bands should be
enough shame for them, that they choose to cloak it in a
message of charity is truly disgusting.
|
|
|
|
|
