The Bearos Deal (in black & white with no small print!)

Once I've fallen in love with your music and want to put your record out this is what happens. It's based on advice from Keith Jenkins who used to run Wurlitzer Jukebox Records. As far as I know it's fairly standard amongst labels of this size with release runs of 300 - 1000 copies. Don't get too worried about MCPS references (trust me!)

Here's what you need to do:

  1. You pay for the recording and provide it in a mastered state ready for vinyl production (DAT, CDR, Mini Disc). Tell the person who is mastering it that it is for vinyl production as the sampling rate for CDs is different. GZ Digital Media, the Czech pressing plant I use is very reliable - what you send them is what you get back on vinyl, warts and all! I don't get test pressings unless you want to pay for them. Most often they do not send the original source back so keep a spare copy! If sending a DAT please send a tape or CDR as well that I can send to the distributor (Cargo) to start the presale of your single.
  2. You can provide artwork for sleeve as standard image files (JPEG) or any version of Correl. Mac or PC, floppy, zip or CDR. Save it in CMYK, include copies of non standand fonts or convert to curves. Size is 185mm square. Otherwise you can send ideas/pictures and I'll sort something out for you. Try to avoid full colour as it's very expensive (Keith used to allow the bands a two colour sleeve and get them to pay the extra if they wanted full colour!) Please check with me for details I need included though generally they are:
    Bearos Records
    P.O. Box 7179
    Birmingham B29 6RA
    Bearos0XX(month/year) eg Bearos027 (Feb2002)
    www.bearos.freeserve.co.uk
    I'll e mail the Bearos logo.
  3. Label artwork as B&W standard image files (JPEG) or any version of Correl. Size is 84mm diameter, keep it simple and clear, no fine detail and nothing important near the edge.
  4. Send me ideas for a press release. Brief three paragraph statement with information about the band, the songs and the sound. Any press quotes are also useful. I'll put something together and send it back for your approval.
  5. Let me know the names of the band members to be credited with lyrics and music for MCPS licence. NO COVER VERSIONS OR SAMPLES THAT COULD GET US INTO TROUBLE.

Here's what I do:

  1. Licence the record with MCPS (get official permission to press the record)
  2. I get the record pressed (usually 500 copies) and the sleeves printed. The sleeves are folded card inside a polythene sleeve.
  3. I put together a press release for your approval.
  4. I send out about 40 promotional copies (list available on request - includes John Peel, Record Collector and selected European contacts.)
  5. I sort out national/international distribution through Cargo and some national/international mail order outlets.
  6. I keep about 100 copies back to sell mail order and at gigs.

Here's what you get:

  1. 10% of the packaged pressing (50 copies if I do 500 - if I repress then you get 10% of those as well). This is in lieu of MCPS monies (see the MCPS page.) This does not effect PRS payments. You can sell these at gigs or use them for your own promotional purposes. Any further copies at cost price.
  2. You keep all the rights to the recordings for repressing, producing CDs, submission to compilations etc.

Turnaround time is about 5-6 weeks from DAT to shop. There's little or no profit made by myself on small ventures like this. There's no money for plugging or advertising. I occasionally organise Bearos Nights at the Jug of Ale through Arthur Tapp, the promoter, and try to whisper your name in any suitable ears I come across on my travels..

March 2001 (with minor updates August 2002)

 

Update on Compact Discs (the grim reality of modern life!)

This is much as above.

1. Get your recording mastered for CD production.

2. Standard CD manufacturing includes one colour on body printing, Full colour outside artwork and one colour on the inside of the fold over insert. I usually put people in direct contact with the manufacturers for the design specifications.

3. You still get 10% of the packaged pressing and the option of further copies at cost price. In addition you get 50% of the profit from money received from the distributor once the initial costs have been cleared by sales through the distributor. This will come through in dribs and drabs though.

4. CD singles are great to sell at gigs but don't sell well in the shops at this level of the business. They also cost the same as a CD album! I tend to avoid them.

August 2002