Record Companies
Anyone who has ever picked up an instrument and played in a band has thought about what it would be like to have record companies knocking on your door. Those who sing and even those who are comedians very commonly have the same fantasy. Sadly, it rarely works out this way, and getting the attention of a company that produces records is something that is a mix of talent and exceptionally good luck. There are many great bands and solo artists out there that never get a deal, and it's simply a matter of bad location and timing, and has nothing to do with their talent.
Some bands get lucky simply because they live in the right spot. When one band hit from Seattle, the record companies scoured the city for more of the same. Many bands got signed then. That didn't mean that they were better bands than others around the country, they just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Those who play in New York or Los Angeles know that most record companies have headquarters there, and they have luck on their side as well. Some good acts are missed in those cities, but those are the best places to be.
Those who do not live in those cities sometimes have to travel to get the attention of the record companies, and many times this does not work very well. There are some that will go to showcases. These are set up to allow representatives from different record companies to see what some of the better bands have to offer. These can be great, but even if they like what they see, they may not bite. They tend to sit back and see how you do afterwards before they make a decision. It may take a year or more for reps to say that they have an interest. It's about the way the band does business as well as how well they play.
If you have the luck, and you have the talent, you may get some record companies to look in your direction. However, the bad thing is that all bands and all solo acts have a bad night now and again, and that can turn them off rather quickly. Some have a great regional pull in their area, and the right sound for the times, but they muck up the showcase. Though this might seem like the end of the road, it can be seen as a chance to find out what went wrong and fix it. It's tough to get in with record companies, but at the same time, they know a good thing. They may not bite at first, but you never know what will happen after that if you keep it up.
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