In New York, an artists’ coalition is preparing to hold a concert series this year to raise awareness about musicians’ complaints. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City) introduced legislation last month to reform recording industry business practices, promising to reprise a political battle that ended with a similar bill’s defeat a year ago. That argument doesn’t fly with artists and their supporters. The dismal music marketplace makes it increasingly hard for labels to gauge whether the money they wager on an act - even an established star - will ever pay off, the executives say. “That’s what’s happening now.”Įxecutives at several record labels said privately that it’s only sensible for a company to take a tough stance in the contract renegotiation talks that frequently take place when a band has established itself, as Incubus has in recent years. “When there’s not, everybody starts fighting over the same dollar,” added the veteran music attorney, who represents such acts as Alanis Morissette. And if Incubus’ albums don’t continue to sell briskly, it won’t get a penny more from the label. For each band member, that has amounted to about $121,000 a year - a salary a junior recording executive, not a chart-topping rock star, would expect to make. Sony Music has paid Incubus $4.25 million for three hit albums and a series of other products since 1996. The band and its manager, former Sony Music executive Steve Rennie, are coming to terms with the harsh realities of music industry compensation. unit, in turn, sued Incubus in New York to try to force the band to deliver four albums owed under the agreement. The refusal touched off a brawl that went public in January when Incubus sued Sony Music in California, demanding to be released from what the band says is an onerous contract. Sony Music, its profit plunging, said no. The sources estimated that Sony’s share of the cost of music videos, radio promotion and other marketing expenses for the band was about $13 million, while band management placed these costs at about $7 million.īy last October, the Calabasas band had sold 2 million copies of its hit album “Morning View.” So the quintet did what successful musicians have done for years: They asked their label for better contract terms and a multimillion-dollar advance before recording again. The information came from industry sources outside Sony. Rock music accounting - A graphic accompanying a Business article Tuesday about the finances of rock group Incubus incorrectly attributed a cost estimate to Sony Music executives.
Los Angeles Times Wednesday MaHome Edition Main News Part A National Desk 2 inches 70 words Type of Material: Correction