BIO
Fortified Records was established in 2009 as a ways and means for up and coming artists to obtain visability.
Through the Determination of its forfathers this indie record label will strive to achieve great things.
Fortified Records has the ability to acompany a project from begining to end. We encumber a Production company to assist projects from start to finish. Publishing company to get our artists out there, and then get them paid. A graphic design company to help our artist create portfolios, press kits, and manufacuring of CD's , Websites, Posters, Etc.
Your band is getting gigs and you've managed to record a three-song demo at a local studio. You're even thinking about hiring someone to manage the band. These three steps are leading up to one massive leap -- finding a record label. It's the only way you can get your music REALLY out there.
We are always looking for new, dedicated, and talented artists who are open to varying music ideas and styles. Whether you are looking for a recording contract or simply need a-la-carte promotion or digital distribution, Fortified Records can customize our services for you.
A label born in what is truly a digital music-making era and a digital market, Fortified Records Leaves behind old channels and methods that many companies are still struggling to keep alive. We focus on today's latest digital music technologies, starting with the first creative concept all the way through to the end sale. That doesnt mean we still wont get those hard copies into stores.. Our progressive services span everything from songwriting, recording, and production to marketing, promotion and distribution.
Being musicians, producers, and fans ourselves, we have witnessed and been a part of the radical changes in the music business during the last decade. From digital music production and computer-based sound technologies to digital distribution and online music communities, we strive to understand and quickly adopt technologies that will help our business operate more efficiently while helping our artists connect with their fans.
We focus on fair and open relationships with our artists, provide fair and structured payment to the artists, and invest in the continued development of our current artist roster and the discovery of new promising talent. Also, as a small indie label, we can provide the personal attention that new and developing artists need in order to reach their full potential, while at the same time partnering with other companies to offer a full suite of services and capabilities that you would expect from larger organizations.
We digitally distribute our artists in the US, via major digital services including iTunes, Napster, CDBaby, eMusic, Yahoo Music, HMV and more (see Distribution section below). Additionally, we are one of the few indie lables with the ability to sell music videos on the iTunes Music Store. We maintain direct contact with the editorial staff at each of these services in order to gain maximum exposure.
The Business of Music
Now that you understand how our record label is organized, it's time to take you through the steps we go through when we decide to sign an artist. To understand this process, let's take a look at a Hip Hop artist we'll call "Band X," Before artists can be signed, they have to be discovered. Imagine, for this example, that Band X is discovered after an A&R representative from Fortified Records goes to see Band X at a live show. Before the A&R person went to the show, he was given a demo tape by a trusted source and did his research on the band. At the club, he likes what he sees and now must convince the entire A&R staff to sign the band. When they are in agreement, the band is signed and the wheels go into motion. Band X must now plan its album. Our A&R director and producer decide on the concept of the album and select the songs that will be on the album. We give Band X a budget, which is used for studio musicians, studio engineers and studio time. Our A&R executive then coordinates a time for the band to begin recording the album. (In the past, record labels had their own "in-house" recording studios, but today most record labels use independent recording studios.) We Use Lunatic Productions.. our OWN IN HOUSE STUDIO!As this is going on, the other departments of our record company are in full swing. A budget is allotted for advertising, art, publicity and promotion. As graphic artists, designers and copywriters begin their work, the A&R department, as well as publicity, marketing and sales, decide on a release date for the album. The artist development department (along with other departments) plans the live performances, promotional tour and radio and TV appearances. We must make sure that there is promotion for Band X on the national, regional and local level (depending on how much money we are willing to spend). Near the time that the album will be released, our departments are working hard to secure press coverage and exposure for the band. All the machine's parts are working together to make sure that Band X's album will sell many copies, ensuring the success of everyone involved, from the artist to the radio stations to the CD stores. This is just a sampling of some of the things that we do when we sign an artist. As you can tell, the music business is not just parties and hanging out with rock stars. A record label must do a great deal of work to discover, sign, produce, promote, distribute and sell an album. And that is what we are here for!
Through the Determination of its forfathers this indie record label will strive to achieve great things.
Fortified Records has the ability to acompany a project from begining to end. We encumber a Production company to assist projects from start to finish. Publishing company to get our artists out there, and then get them paid. A graphic design company to help our artist create portfolios, press kits, and manufacuring of CD's , Websites, Posters, Etc.
Your band is getting gigs and you've managed to record a three-song demo at a local studio. You're even thinking about hiring someone to manage the band. These three steps are leading up to one massive leap -- finding a record label. It's the only way you can get your music REALLY out there.
We are always looking for new, dedicated, and talented artists who are open to varying music ideas and styles. Whether you are looking for a recording contract or simply need a-la-carte promotion or digital distribution, Fortified Records can customize our services for you.
A label born in what is truly a digital music-making era and a digital market, Fortified Records Leaves behind old channels and methods that many companies are still struggling to keep alive. We focus on today's latest digital music technologies, starting with the first creative concept all the way through to the end sale. That doesnt mean we still wont get those hard copies into stores.. Our progressive services span everything from songwriting, recording, and production to marketing, promotion and distribution.
Being musicians, producers, and fans ourselves, we have witnessed and been a part of the radical changes in the music business during the last decade. From digital music production and computer-based sound technologies to digital distribution and online music communities, we strive to understand and quickly adopt technologies that will help our business operate more efficiently while helping our artists connect with their fans.
We focus on fair and open relationships with our artists, provide fair and structured payment to the artists, and invest in the continued development of our current artist roster and the discovery of new promising talent. Also, as a small indie label, we can provide the personal attention that new and developing artists need in order to reach their full potential, while at the same time partnering with other companies to offer a full suite of services and capabilities that you would expect from larger organizations.
We digitally distribute our artists in the US, via major digital services including iTunes, Napster, CDBaby, eMusic, Yahoo Music, HMV and more (see Distribution section below). Additionally, we are one of the few indie lables with the ability to sell music videos on the iTunes Music Store. We maintain direct contact with the editorial staff at each of these services in order to gain maximum exposure.
The Business of Music
Now that you understand how our record label is organized, it's time to take you through the steps we go through when we decide to sign an artist. To understand this process, let's take a look at a Hip Hop artist we'll call "Band X," Before artists can be signed, they have to be discovered. Imagine, for this example, that Band X is discovered after an A&R representative from Fortified Records goes to see Band X at a live show. Before the A&R person went to the show, he was given a demo tape by a trusted source and did his research on the band. At the club, he likes what he sees and now must convince the entire A&R staff to sign the band. When they are in agreement, the band is signed and the wheels go into motion. Band X must now plan its album. Our A&R director and producer decide on the concept of the album and select the songs that will be on the album. We give Band X a budget, which is used for studio musicians, studio engineers and studio time. Our A&R executive then coordinates a time for the band to begin recording the album. (In the past, record labels had their own "in-house" recording studios, but today most record labels use independent recording studios.) We Use Lunatic Productions.. our OWN IN HOUSE STUDIO!As this is going on, the other departments of our record company are in full swing. A budget is allotted for advertising, art, publicity and promotion. As graphic artists, designers and copywriters begin their work, the A&R department, as well as publicity, marketing and sales, decide on a release date for the album. The artist development department (along with other departments) plans the live performances, promotional tour and radio and TV appearances. We must make sure that there is promotion for Band X on the national, regional and local level (depending on how much money we are willing to spend). Near the time that the album will be released, our departments are working hard to secure press coverage and exposure for the band. All the machine's parts are working together to make sure that Band X's album will sell many copies, ensuring the success of everyone involved, from the artist to the radio stations to the CD stores. This is just a sampling of some of the things that we do when we sign an artist. As you can tell, the music business is not just parties and hanging out with rock stars. A record label must do a great deal of work to discover, sign, produce, promote, distribute and sell an album. And that is what we are here for!
