What are your expectations of me and my music?

Guest post by Canadian entertainment lawyer Byron Pascoe

A musician told me she wanted to stop working with her producer/collaborator/manager. They recorded an album together, which she still wants to release. They didn’t have an agreement, written or otherwise, about their relationship.

I suggested before releasing the music, that she figure out her arrangement with her former music partner.

I recommended the way to start the conversation with him is to ask: What are your expectations of me and my music?

I proposed that a variety of elements be figured out, including the following, all to be followed by a written agreement:

• Writer’s Share: The writing split of the composition between musician and producer;

• Publisher’s Share: The publishing split of the composition between musician and producer;

• Master: Clarity about the musician owning and controlling the masters;

• Sales: The musician’s obligations to the producer based on the sales of the music; and

• Credit: The credit each will receive.

As the producer/collaborator/manager also played a management role, there’s a question of what the person will expect as he’s no longer managing a musician that he helped to develop.

Asking him about his expectations would at least gauge whether he wanted any form of compensation moving forward to compensate him for his contributions to date as a manager.

Another musician told me he hired a producer, for more money than he cared to admit, to record and produce his album, and bring it to some big name music execs in Los Angeles.

The record turned out to be less impressive than the musician had hoped (especially after spending all that money) and no big name people in L.A. were provided any music or an introduction to the musician. It was a bust, and the musician wish he never got into business with the producer.

The musician wrote the songs, but this producer helped him rework the songs. The producer added lyrics, made changes to the melody, etc.

The musician didn’t like the way most of the songs were reworked, and would rather develop them with another someone else for a new album.

They didn’t have an agreement, written or otherwise, about their relationship.

There was no discussion about the following, or anything else apart from the fact that the producer demanded a fee and the musician paid the fee.

• Writer’s Share: Whether the producer would get a percentage of the writer’s share of the composition, and if so, what percentage.

• Publisher’s Share: Whether the producer would get a percentage of the publisher’s share of the composition, and if so, what percentage.

• Master: Who owns the masters (although the musician assumed he owns the masters since he paid for everything)?

• Sales: What are the musician’s obligations are to the producer based on sales and licenses of the music?

• Credit: What credit will the producer receive?

The challenge with the musician releasing the songs produced with the producer is that if a lot of money is generated, the producer might take the position that he’s owed a lot of it. Before that money is generated, if ever, it will be easier for the musician to get the producer to confirm that he’s not owed anything more.

The challenge with the musician having someone else work on the songs, is that if they’re financially successful, the producer may take the position that he’s entitled to a piece of the new song, as it was based in part on a piece he helped to create. That position wouldn’t be unreasonable. As such, it’s important to clarify the deal with the producer before creating new works that you want to spend time and money on.

I suggested the way to start the conversation with the producer is to ask: What are your expectations of me and my music?

Ideally the response from the producer is that he received the large sum of money, and that’s all he’s owed. However, the producer’s response might be that he feels it’s reasonable to receive a percentage of the writer’s share of the composition, a percentage of the publisher’s share of the composition, a percentage of sales of the record, and to be credited as the producer.

Those demands might be reasonable, depending on the percentages and other details. However, it’s better to get this all clarified, and preferably formalized in writing, before spending more time and money on the songs.

The lessons for these two musicians are applicable to many music professional relationships. If you’re uncertain about what the deal is between you and the people you are making music with, ask nine words to start the conversation: What are your expectations of me and my music?

Also check out:

10 Record Deal Red Flags
Negotiating a Music Producer Agreement: 7 Key Issues

Byron Pascoe is an entertainment lawyer and partner with Edwards Creative Law – Canada’s Entertainment Law Boutique™. The firm works with Music, TV/Film, Interactive Digital Media, and other creative clients. One of Byron’s main areas of focus is music law, working with recording artists, producers, composers, managers, music service businesses, and festivals.

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