How to get a contract with the Universal Music Group? (more info)?
Question by Pedro: How to get a contract with the Universal Music Group? (more info)?
PLEASE HELP ME. By reading this, and giving me a serious answer, you are helping me in MY LIFE. This is serious for me..So please, read everything I wrote. So, here it goes…
You know, lots and LOTS of kids/teens (say, from their 8th birthday, up to their…let’s say 13) want to be a famous musician (generally pop).
Well, I’m 16. I’m in high-school already. EVERYONE else has forgotten that “dream” (and I mean everyone.. up to a point where if you talk about that, you get laughed at).
I still have that “dream”.
Couple of things I wanna know..do many teens my age want to be famous as well? I mean…but not for the fame. Seriously not. Just to KNOW that millions of other people listen to your music…which I compare to my thoughts, my personality. Do many teens my age still chase that dream, for the same reasons as me? (not money..I wouldn’t even need to be paid, seriously)
Also, I know for a fact that Universal Music Group (UMG) is the best company to sign a record label contract with.
I live in Portugal. In an island. I’m kinda isolated, not many music schools here (although there is 1 professional arts school, which I’m joining this year). I’ve been learning how to play the guitar for 4 years now. Always been passionate for music, and I’ve taught myself how to play the piano, the drums and I know a bit of bass as well. I’m told (genuinely) that I have a good voice. I’m also joining, in the professional arts school, a vocal class, a guitar class, and piano class (including music theory class).
What if I truly, and I mean TRULY, am passionate for music, and want to become famous? I don’t really care what genre of music anymore, because I used to hate pop/mainstream music, because it is obvious that it is fabricated music, but it’s still music. Hell, I wouldn’t mind if I was Justin Bieber right now..
I need SERIOUS advice on how to reach my goal..I mean..Sometimes I feel lost. I feel it, in my guts, that I’m not meant to have an ordinary job (don’t have anything against it though), I feel I’m destined for greatness..Maybe I’m just fooling myself..
Other qualities: I have a professional English diploma (if I made any kind of serious mistake here in this question, you have my permission to laugh your ass off :P) and I’ve done some modeling, in the past (just to make it clear that I’m not ugly as hell.. Not bragging myself either, just pointing out the facts)
So.. advice?
Also, I know that, if it was that easy (you, if everyone knew how to do it), everyone would be famous, and all… I don’t need a whole tutorial, just a few candles lighting the way for me 🙂
Best answer:
Answer by Dave LaBuda
My advice to you is to begin right now and follow the advice of some of the worlds greatest thinkers.
Renowned philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson said “there is nothing capricious in nature and the implanting of a desire indicates that it’s gratification is in the constitution of the creature that feels it”. In other words, you would not have the desire to be successful in the music business in the first place if you did not already possess the ability to fulfill that desire.
America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln said “I will prepare myself and my opportunity must come”. If you truly want to be successful in the music business, then spend your time right now learning how to become successful at it. Enrolling in the school you mention is a great step in the right direction. Justin Bieber succeeded because he was prepared. He has a trained singing voice and is an excellent performer. When an opportunity presented itself he was ready and able to take advantage of it.
William James, the father of American Psychology said “If a man will only do each day, as best he can, the work that lies before him, he will awake one day to find himself among the competent ones of his generation.” Do not settle for being ordinary. Intend to become the very best that the world has ever heard.
Renowned philosopher Henry David Thoreau said “We have only to move confidently in the direction of our dreams to meet with a success unexpected in common hours”.
So, you already have the ABILITY to succeed. If you spend the time required and PREPARE yourself to succeed, and LEARN everything you can about being a good singer and performer and PRACTICE everyday until you are confident in your abilities and your performance capability, then there is really only one way that you could ever fail in the music business and that is if you just quit trying to succeed.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill said NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up! NEVER, give up! NEVER! – If you follow the advice of these great thinkers, there is really no way that you can fail.
Food for thought … Who succeeds in the music business? The bands/artists who sell the most records, right? Why do they sell the most records? Because they have a sound and/or a message that is unique and that a lot of people like or can relate to are willing to spend their money to own. Why not go and listen to The top 100 hits of the last 10 years and get a feel for what people want to listen to now. Then see if you can create something unique that has all the ingredients that those 100 songs have. One thing I guarantee is that they all have a powerful hook. You know, that part of the song that just keeps on playing over and over in your head long after you hear that song which is ultimately the reason why someone will go out an buy that record or album.
So, take your ability, prepare yourself now so as opportunities arise (there will be many opportunities) you will be ready for them, then go confidently in the direction of your dreams, and never give up trying to make your dream a reality and there is no way that you will ever fail!
Now here is a little secret to get you on your way … most people who want a career in music would never even think to do this but, I guarantee you it will provide you with the perfect road map to success. You mentioned earlier that you felt that Universal Music Group (UMG) was the best company to sign a contract with. So, take everything you wrote in your question about your desires and how you believe they are the best company and compose a letter to Carmen Lopez, Managing Director Spain / Portugal for UMG and ask her what UMG looks for in the artists that they choose to sign and how in her opinion you can best prepare now to make it in the music business. I guarantee she will be impressed that you took the time to ask and she will respond with the information that you need.
Universal Music Publishing Group, a division of
Universal Music Portugal S.A.
Attention: Carmen Lopez, Managing Director Spain / Portugal
Rua Prof. Reinaldo dos Santos 12-D
1549-006 Lisboa
Portugal
Phone: (351 21) 771 0410
Fax: (351 21) 778 0212
Email this office:Carmen Lopez, Managing Director Spain / Portugal
Web Address:http://www.universalmusicpublishing.com
Good luck to you! The world will always need truly great musicians and performers. You do have the ability to be one of the greatest of your generation or you would not now have the desire to do so.
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