John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde. Click here to check out John Doe's new release with The Sadies, Country Club.

A Question from Austin in Austin, TX

Hey John,

We've been on an independent label here in Austin for our last 2 records and it's been a very good thing for us.  But it seems as though a lot of guys who're on a label want out of their deal and the ones who don't have label representation want it more than anything.  Obviously the industry is really going through a volatile time right now - how do you see all of this shaking out?  What's the artist's best move in the coming years?  How can labels, both large and small, really benefit and capitalize as the playing field gets leveled?  Thanks for your thoughts, have a good one.

Austin Collins

www.austincollins.net

www.myspace.com/austincollins

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Austin,
  Get some dice & a dart board; if it comes up 7 three times in a row, stay w/ the label; if you get three bull's eyes w/ 6 darts go to the liquor store & buy a lottery ticket. If you get snake eyes, fire yr mother-in-law. boxcars, go buy dope.  KIDDING ! ! !
   Do you like & trust the people @ yr label?  Are they working hard to make you & them a better living?  Are you so incredibly organized that you would like to run a label of yr own? (some people are). Trust yr intuition & when it's time to make a change, you will know it.  If things are going well w/ in yr business world, then don't change it just because other people are dissatisfied w/ their situations. One thing that is very clear today is that all musicians must have closer connections to their fans. In the real world of musicians, there is much less distinction between singer & listener. Through myspace/facebook, or as my friend likes to call it, SpaceBook; giving the listener bonus tracks, special performances & just being in touch, like any good relationship (YIKES! again I kid); all musicians/singers have to communicate on many different levels, not just writing, singing & playing.
   This conversation could go on for hours but that's the basics.  Record labels are not intrinsically bad & they can do a lot of good.  Now-a-days musicians are taking more responsibility for their careers & can do the whole thing if they want to work 90 hours a week.
I hope this helps and as always, thanks for writing.
yrs,

JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .