Hollywood Music Online FAQS


		... INTERNATIONAL HOLLYWOOD MUSIC, INC., (IHM) In this volatile world of today’s music industry, IHM offers an audition system that puts you, the artist, first. We want talented musical artists, bands, producers and songwriters to get seen, and start the process of getting signed, without the expense of coming to Hollywood. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS THE “REFERRAL” AUDITION SYSTEM? WHAT IS THE RANDOM, “UNSOLICITED” AUDITION SYSTEM? WHAT IS THE IHM ONLINE-AUDITION SYSTEM? HOW MANY WINNERS WILL THERE BE? HOW DO WE GET TO BE A FEATURED ARTIST? WHY DO YOU NEED TO CHARGE FOR AUDITIONS? DOES IT HELP OR HURT MY CHANCES IF MY FRIENDS HOT BAND FROM THE SAME AREA AUDITIONS? IF WE ENTER NOW BEFORE OUR MUSIC IS PERFECT, WILL IT HURT OUR CHANCES LATER? WHAT IS THE BEST AUDITION TO ENTER? HOW DO WE PICK THE BEST SONG(S) TO ENTER? IF YOU DECIDE TO “SIGN” OR “SHOP” ME, ARE THERE ANY CONTRACTS TO SIGN? WHAT IS THE “REFERRAL” AUDITION SYSTEM? In Hollywood, the normal signing process usually begins with an A&R recruiter getting a personal referral to a band’s live show. If you don’t already live in Hollywood, the cost of first traveling or moving here to start promoting, then earning your way up through to small clubs to get a decent gig at a larger club, then getting the attention of someone who tells someone who matters who then comes to a show… would be between $10,000-25,000 and a couple years of your precious time. Even if you do live in Hollywood, that process is costly. WHAT IS THE RANDOM, “UNSOLICITED” AUDITION SYSTEM? In Hollywood, most records labels do not accept “unsolicited material” (meaning packages the artist simply sends in). In fact, in Hollywood, it is common knowledge that “no one” gets signed by sending in material unsolicited, yet every day thousands of artists waste valuable time and money packaging and randomly sending material to label after label that will never result in commercial progress. Your submission will probably will never get seen or heard by anyone but the receptionist or the friends she gives the CD’s to as throwaways. If an executive does listen to it, they haven’t time or staff to email you with suggestions for improvements, or to suggest another direction for you to pursue. Have you ever known any band to get a response from sending out unsolicited material? Probably not. Labels do not find talent this way, and they do not have staff ready to review these packages. Don’t waste the postage. NOTE BOTH OF THESE “OLD-SCHOOL” AUDITION SYSTEMS PUT THE ARTIST DEAD LAST. IHM IS GEARED UP TO LOCATE THE HOTTEST UNDISCOVERED TALENT FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE, BEGINNING WITH AN EASY-ACCESS, ONLINE AUDITION SYSTEM! WHAT IS THE IHM ONLINE-AUDITION SYSTEM? At IHM we realize that simple, open-access to auditions is critical to filter millions of artists around the globe down to perhaps a few hundred actual STARS. We can’t possibly review every band’s material by random selection. Therefore, our online audition system allows you choose to get heard and/or get seen on a priority basis by entering our system HERE. In return, after you have been motivated enough to enter, we will assist you with professional advice… and we may want first crack at potentially “signing” or “shopping” you! If you have potential but need development, we may want to follow your progress. On the other hand, if you have rough edges that are not likely to work themselves into our commercial industry, we can tell you that also. If you want the truth about how industry will evaluate your band, this is the place. If you want to check out the music business quickly, we can help you “cut to the chase” by entering material in our online audition HERE. HOW MANY “WINNERS” WILL THERE BE? This is not a competition. We do not have one “winner”. There is not a limit to the number of artists we, or our affiliates, may potentially “sign” or “shop”. HOW DO WE GET TO BE A FEATURED ARTIST? ENTER AN AUDITION! We are always looking for new featured artists! WHY DO YOU NEED TO CHARGE FOR AUDITIONS? For the same reason most labels aren’t able to accept unsolicited material; in order to afford to devote sufficient qualified staff necessary to do a true professional review and honest advice based on industry custom, practice, and criteria. WHAT IF WE SEND YOU CDS WITHOUT ENTERING THE AUDITION? Unfortunately we don’t have the time or staffing to reply to material unless our first contact comes through an online audition entry. We’re working hard to provide this direct access and responsive system. If you’ve used the “random, unsolicited” method, you will appreciate the differences here. DOES IT HELP OR HURT MY CHANCES IF MY FRIENDS HOT BAND FROM THE SAME AREA AUDITIONS? It doesn’t help, and it doesn’t hurt. This is not a competition. Each audition stands on its own, without comparison to others. We are not looking for just one “winner”. Theoretically multiple bands from the same general locale can simplify promotion in some ways, but each band will be evaluated on their own merit. IF WE ENTER NOW BEFORE OUR MUSIC IS PERFECT, WILL IT HURT OUR CHANCES LATER? No. We welcome you to use our advice and return for another evaluation. We appreciate efforts made toward improvement, and will not hold your original rough edges against you in anyway. We hope you will make our professional evaluations a part of the development plan for your music career. WHAT IS THE BEST AUDITION TO ENTER? This answer varies with your individual strengths and weaknesses. If you want the least expensive start, or you only have one song you feel is up to par, enter AUDITION 1. If you’ve performed live and have a video you feel captures the vibe of your performance, enter AUDITION 2. If you’ve already started working on your image, have some photos, and a number of good songs, enter AUDITION 3. If you’re performing in the LA area and want to show off a strong performance and/or fan-base face to face, enter AUDITION 4. HOW DO WE PICK THE BEST SONG(S) TO ENTER? Your fans have probably told you which songs are their favorites. Also, keep in mind that with rare exceptions, for radio airplay a song should be under 5 minutes in length. IF YOU DECIDE TO “SIGN” OR “SHOP” ME, ARE THERE ANY CONTRACTS TO SIGN? Yes, of course! If IHM proposes an “offer” to sign or shop you it will be subject to a separate confidential agreement to be negotiated in good faith and which will not be valid until signed by all parties