Comments on: How to Detect (And Avoid) Music Scams http://soundtempest.net Reporting, analysis, and opinions on the latest trends and developments in the music industry. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:31:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: prolyfic http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-10314 prolyfic Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:44:27 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-10314 HERE IS SOME STRAIGHT FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEST FACTS ON HITT MUSIC GROUP, SONGPLACEMENTS AND DRIVE MUSIC. THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME AND RUN BY THE SAME PEOPLE. THE ACTUAL OWNERS USE FAKE NAMES AND IM SURE THEY HAVE DONE WITH ANY CONTRACTS AS THEY SET OUT TO RIP PEOPLE OFF SO WILL BE MAKING SURE THERE REAL NAMES CANT BE USED IN ANY COURT ORDERS. THEY USE CRAIGSLIST TO HIRE PEOPLE USUALLY IN THE SALES SECTION. THEY HIRE PRETTY MUCH ANYONE AS THEY DONT PAY A WAGE ONLY COMMISSION. THEY HAVE A FEW STAFFERS WHO SOLE PURPOSE IS TO GO ONLINE AND SEND OUT THE SPAM MESSAGES TO BANDS. THEY DO SIMPLE THINGS LIKE MENTION A SONG ON YOUR PAGE AND HOW IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THIS PROJECT. THE IDEA IS BASICALLY TO GET YOUR NUMBER OR TO HAVE YOU CALL THEM DIRECTLY. THAT'S WHEN YOU'LL MEET THE SALES TEAM WHICH IS USUALLY COMPRISED OF 4- 8 PEOPLE (THOUGH THEY GO THROUGH A LOT OF STAFF AS THEY RIP OFF THEIR STAFF WAGES TOO). SALES TEAM HAS A SCRIPT WHICH THEY GO THROUGH WITH NEW INQUIRIES. MAINLY THEY SAY HOW THEY LOVE YOUR SONGS AND HEAR POTENTIAL AND THEY REALLY WANT TO SUBMIT YOU FOR THIS PROJECT YOU WOULD BE PERFECT FOR BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER. THEY WILL HAVE SOME FALSE DEADLINE THAT YOU MUST GIVE THEM AN ANSWER BY, ALL DESIGNED TO CREATE URGENCY AND PRESSURE YOU INTO A RASH DECISION. IF YOU ARE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO SIGN UP BUT THEN ACTUALLY GOOGLE THE NAME OF THE COMPANY AND REALIZE THE MISTAKE YOU MADE YOU WILL GO THROUGH THE PROBLEMS OF TRYING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK. THAT'S WHEN THEY'LL PUT YOU ON WITH ONE OF THE HEAD HONCHOS BUT THEY ARE USING A FAKE NAME (USUALLY LOLA OR JANET) THEY WILL THEN GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND SAY YOU CANT HAVE YOUR MONEY OR THEY WILL JUST IGNORE YOUR CALLS. ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR MONEY THEY WILL CEASE COMMUNICATIONS APART FROM OCCASIONAL EMAILS WITH A BUNCH OF FAKE LISTINGS IN IT. THEY TEND TO USE OLD DESCRIPTIONS OF MUSIC AND TV SHOWS AND SAY THEY SUBMITTED YOUR MUSIC FOR IT. THEY DIDN'T. SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT REFER YOU TO THE A&R DEPARTMENT COMPRISED OF JERSHI, BEN AND ADAM. THESE GUYS WILL TELL YOU JACK-SHIT AS THEY ARE PRETTY CLUELESS IN GENERAL (A THEME THAT RUNS THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY) THEY SAY THINGS LIKE MAKE BETTER QUALITY RECORDINGS, JAZZ UP YOUR MYSPACE PROFILE AND BASICALLY STUFF YOU ALREADY KNOW BUT HAVE NOW PAID FOR THE PLEASURE OF BEING TOLD SO. DAVID AND INGA ARE THE HEAD HONCHOS AND PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE SCAM COMPANY. I AM SURE WHAT THEY DO IS ILLEGAL BUT ALSO SURE THEY'LL HIRE A LAWYER AND WEASEL THEY'RE WAY OUT OF ANY ACTUAL PUNISHMENT. BEST THING TO DO IS SPREAD THE WORD SO NOBODY ELSE FALLS VICTIM HERE IS SOME STRAIGHT FROM THE BELLY OF THE BEST FACTS ON HITT MUSIC GROUP, SONGPLACEMENTS AND DRIVE MUSIC.

THEY ARE ONE AND THE SAME AND RUN BY THE SAME PEOPLE. THE ACTUAL OWNERS USE FAKE NAMES AND IM SURE THEY HAVE DONE WITH ANY CONTRACTS AS THEY SET OUT TO RIP PEOPLE OFF SO WILL BE MAKING SURE THERE REAL NAMES CANT BE USED IN ANY COURT ORDERS.

THEY USE CRAIGSLIST TO HIRE PEOPLE USUALLY IN THE SALES SECTION. THEY HIRE PRETTY MUCH ANYONE AS THEY DONT PAY A WAGE ONLY COMMISSION. THEY HAVE A FEW STAFFERS WHO SOLE PURPOSE IS TO GO ONLINE AND SEND OUT THE SPAM MESSAGES TO BANDS. THEY DO SIMPLE THINGS LIKE MENTION A SONG ON YOUR PAGE AND HOW IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THIS PROJECT. THE IDEA IS BASICALLY TO GET YOUR NUMBER OR TO HAVE YOU CALL THEM DIRECTLY. THAT’S WHEN YOU’LL MEET THE SALES TEAM WHICH IS USUALLY COMPRISED OF 4- 8 PEOPLE (THOUGH THEY GO THROUGH A LOT OF STAFF AS THEY RIP OFF THEIR STAFF WAGES TOO). SALES TEAM HAS A SCRIPT WHICH THEY GO THROUGH WITH NEW INQUIRIES. MAINLY THEY SAY HOW THEY LOVE YOUR SONGS AND HEAR POTENTIAL AND THEY REALLY WANT TO SUBMIT YOU FOR THIS PROJECT YOU WOULD BE PERFECT FOR BUT YOU HAVE TO BE A MEMBER. THEY WILL HAVE SOME FALSE DEADLINE THAT YOU MUST GIVE THEM AN ANSWER BY, ALL DESIGNED TO CREATE URGENCY AND PRESSURE YOU INTO A RASH DECISION.

IF YOU ARE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO SIGN UP BUT THEN ACTUALLY GOOGLE THE NAME OF THE COMPANY AND REALIZE THE MISTAKE YOU MADE YOU WILL GO THROUGH THE PROBLEMS OF TRYING TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK. THAT’S WHEN THEY’LL PUT YOU ON WITH ONE OF THE HEAD HONCHOS BUT THEY ARE USING A FAKE NAME (USUALLY LOLA OR JANET) THEY WILL THEN GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND SAY YOU CANT HAVE YOUR MONEY OR THEY WILL JUST IGNORE YOUR CALLS.

ONCE THEY HAVE YOUR MONEY THEY WILL CEASE COMMUNICATIONS APART FROM OCCASIONAL EMAILS WITH A BUNCH OF FAKE LISTINGS IN IT. THEY TEND TO USE OLD DESCRIPTIONS OF MUSIC AND TV SHOWS AND SAY THEY SUBMITTED YOUR MUSIC FOR IT. THEY DIDN’T.

SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT REFER YOU TO THE A&R DEPARTMENT COMPRISED OF JERSHI, BEN AND ADAM. THESE GUYS WILL TELL YOU JACK-SHIT AS THEY ARE PRETTY CLUELESS IN GENERAL (A THEME THAT RUNS THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY) THEY SAY THINGS LIKE MAKE BETTER QUALITY RECORDINGS, JAZZ UP YOUR MYSPACE PROFILE AND BASICALLY STUFF YOU ALREADY KNOW BUT HAVE NOW PAID FOR THE PLEASURE OF BEING TOLD SO.

DAVID AND INGA ARE THE HEAD HONCHOS AND PEOPLE WHO STARTED THE SCAM COMPANY.

I AM SURE WHAT THEY DO IS ILLEGAL BUT ALSO SURE THEY’LL HIRE A LAWYER AND WEASEL THEY’RE WAY OUT OF ANY ACTUAL PUNISHMENT. BEST THING TO DO IS SPREAD THE WORD SO NOBODY ELSE FALLS VICTIM

]]> By: doug garvey http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-8810 doug garvey Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:26:03 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-8810 I have been in business for myself fo over 30 years and have seen just about every industry has its scams. The bottom line to success is being serious about your craft, spending the time to research any opportunity and networking in your given profession. Its so easy to get scammed because you haven't done the homework. Protect yourself and know who you are talking to. I have been in business for myself fo over 30 years and have seen just about every industry has its scams. The bottom line to success is being serious about your craft, spending the time to research any opportunity and networking in your given profession. Its so easy to get scammed because you haven’t done the homework. Protect yourself and know who you are talking to.

]]> By: doesn't matter http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-8717 doesn't matter Sat, 03 Jul 2010 15:21:21 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-8717 Has anyone heard of Handle IT Productions out of Burbank, CA? Are they a scam? Can't find ANYTHING about them but need to! Has anyone heard of Handle IT Productions out of Burbank, CA? Are they a scam? Can’t find ANYTHING about them but need to!

]]> By: Music Industry a Sinking Ship, Says Radiohead’s Thom Yorke — spinme.com http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-7849 Music Industry a Sinking Ship, Says Radiohead’s Thom Yorke — spinme.com Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:58:00 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-7849 [...] that costs just a few thousand dollars. Music business scams have been around for decades, but smart musicians have started to debunk the myths. By understanding that you don’t need to be discovered by anyone but your true fans, you [...] [...] that costs just a few thousand dollars. Music business scams have been around for decades, but smart musicians have started to debunk the myths. By understanding that you don’t need to be discovered by anyone but your true fans, you [...]

]]> By: MusoUSA http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-6595 MusoUSA Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:23:22 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-6595 RAINMAKER PR is a scam..........Please please please if anyone gets contacted by Rhonda Kelly or Rainmaker Public Relations do not fall into her glitter covered pitch to promote your band. She promises the world and to most naive acts it would be refreshing to get someone who says 'I will help you will sell loads of CD's, your myspace fans will increase, we can get you management and a label deal from our campaign, my PR company can make this happen'. Once she gets your money you will not hear from her. She replied to emails almost instantaneously when inquiring about her PR campaigns and getting payment. From there...honestly, we did better promoting ourselves than Rhonda did. We got a few reviews from online webzines, but looking at the artists she has worked with in the past they have the exact same reviewers (Neufutur, Music Emissions, Skope Magazine etc). So I am guessing she has friends, or pays these reviewers a small amount to get some press for her clients. She does not keep you informed of your PR campaign, her replies to emails are confusing at best and getting her on the phone is next to impossible. Any PR firm will give you a monthly update of their work. Rhonda said 'I don't waste time on press reports'...that is ridiculous! Not to mention after paying for a 6 month campaign and sending her 150 CD's, paying an extra $350 in postage fees and ANOTHER $300 for phone call/office expenses... I am going to let this be known to as many music websites and bands as possible because this kind of crap happens too often and it's always the musicians who end up losing out because of the sharks in the industry. Lesson learned, this will be passed on to as many other people in our position as possible. Check out the horror stories of Rainmaker PR here: http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/rainmaker-public-relations-amp-artist-development-c156496.html RAINMAKER PR is a scam……….Please please please if anyone gets contacted by Rhonda Kelly or Rainmaker Public Relations do not fall into her glitter covered pitch to promote your band.

She promises the world and to most naive acts it would be refreshing to get someone who says ‘I will help you will sell loads of CD’s, your myspace fans will increase, we can get you management and a label deal from our campaign, my PR company can make this happen’. Once she gets your money you will not hear from her. She replied to emails almost instantaneously when inquiring about her PR campaigns and getting payment.

From there…honestly, we did better promoting ourselves than Rhonda did. We got a few reviews from online webzines, but looking at the artists she has worked with in the past they have the exact same reviewers (Neufutur, Music Emissions, Skope Magazine etc). So I am guessing she has friends, or pays these reviewers a small amount to get some press for her clients.

She does not keep you informed of your PR campaign, her replies to emails are confusing at best and getting her on the phone is next to impossible. Any PR firm will give you a monthly update of their work. Rhonda said ‘I don’t waste time on press reports’…that is ridiculous! Not to mention after paying for a 6 month campaign and sending her 150 CD’s, paying an extra $350 in postage fees and ANOTHER $300 for phone call/office expenses…

I am going to let this be known to as many music websites and bands as possible because this kind of crap happens too often and it’s always the musicians who end up losing out because of the sharks in the industry.

Lesson learned, this will be passed on to as many other people in our position as possible.

Check out the horror stories of Rainmaker PR here:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/rainmaker-public-relations-amp-artist-development-c156496.html

]]> By: anon http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-6554 anon Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:00:33 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-6554 Do you guys know if modernbeats.com song submit is a scam? I think its a huge scam because its 10 dollars to send a song and they claim its practicly a free service because you get a 20 dollars off coupon to use on their products. AND you have to spen 50 dollars or more to be able to use the coupon. Plus they claim to have huge artists to be looking for songs like britney spears. Like she needs some random producer making songs for her when she has the whole industry at her fingertips. Do you guys know if modernbeats.com song submit is a scam? I think its a huge scam because its 10 dollars to send a song and they claim its practicly a free service because you get a 20 dollars off coupon to use on their products. AND you have to spen 50 dollars or more to be able to use the coupon. Plus they claim to have huge artists to be looking for songs like britney spears. Like she needs some random producer making songs for her when she has the whole industry at her fingertips.

]]> By: Not Important http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-6429 Not Important Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:05:20 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-6429 I used to do contract work for Hitt Music Group. I quickly quit because they are a complete SCAM. They rip off hopeful musicians and can not get you into all of the publications and labels they claim. Do not waste your money. Simply play shows and use other sites like Sonic Bid that can help you get your name out there. I used to do contract work for Hitt Music Group. I quickly quit because they are a complete SCAM. They rip off hopeful musicians and can not get you into all of the publications and labels they claim. Do not waste your money. Simply play shows and use other sites like Sonic Bid that can help you get your name out there.

]]> By: John Alden http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-6092 John Alden Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:28:52 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-6092 CDBaby on the surface looks ok, but they do engage in some business tactics that are less then reputable. I use to highly praise their services and moved away from selling on Amazon.com, but I am now recommending that people pay attention closely to their statements and make sure they are getting all of their sales. CDBaby on the surface looks ok, but they do engage in some business tactics that are less then reputable. I use to highly praise their services and moved away from selling on Amazon.com, but I am now recommending that people pay attention closely to their statements and make sure they are getting all of their sales.

]]> By: Donald http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-6078 Donald Mon, 05 Apr 2010 21:14:00 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-6078 FYI TO EVERYONE OUT THERE, SONGPLACEMENTS AND DRIVE MUSIC ARE THE SAME COMPANY LOOKING TO SCAM ARTIST....I SIGNED UP WITH THEM 8 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE YET TO GET ONE PHONE CALL FROM THEM, AFTER I HAVE LEFT AT LEAST 10 VM. ALSO I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT DRIVE MUSIC AND SONGPLACEMENTS ARE THE SAME PEOPLE, THEY HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS, SAME NUMBERS AND IF YOU LOOK AT BOTH WEBSITES THEY HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS STORIES, FUNNY HUH. INDUSTRY STANDARD (IF YOU GUYS AT THESE COMPANIES REALLY KNEW ANYTHING) IS NOT TO CHARGE UP FRONT. YES TIMES HAVE CHANGED(IS WHAT THE "A&R" REP TOLD ME)BUT TAKING ON ARTIST YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR IS NOT GOING TO WORK. KEEP AN EAR AND EYE OUT FOR ANOTHER NAME CHANGE AS THEY WERE CALLED HITT MUSIC GROUP AND THEIR "MEMBERS SERVICE" GUY BRET HAD THE NERVE TO SAY IT WAS CAUSE THEM WANTING PEOPLE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO, HAHAHA.... I GOT A NAME FOR YOU GUYS......SCAMPLACEMENTS.COM AT LEAST THAT WAY YOU'RE NAME WOULD NAIL IT ON THE HEAD WHEN IT CAME TO PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU REALLY DO. CIAO D. FYI TO EVERYONE OUT THERE, SONGPLACEMENTS AND DRIVE MUSIC ARE THE SAME COMPANY LOOKING TO SCAM ARTIST….I SIGNED UP WITH THEM 8 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE YET TO GET ONE PHONE CALL FROM THEM, AFTER I HAVE LEFT AT LEAST 10 VM. ALSO I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT DRIVE MUSIC AND SONGPLACEMENTS ARE THE SAME PEOPLE, THEY HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS, SAME NUMBERS AND IF YOU LOOK AT BOTH WEBSITES THEY HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS STORIES, FUNNY HUH.

INDUSTRY STANDARD (IF YOU GUYS AT THESE COMPANIES REALLY KNEW ANYTHING) IS NOT TO CHARGE UP FRONT. YES TIMES HAVE CHANGED(IS WHAT THE “A&R” REP TOLD ME)BUT TAKING ON ARTIST YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING FOR IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

KEEP AN EAR AND EYE OUT FOR ANOTHER NAME CHANGE AS THEY WERE CALLED HITT MUSIC GROUP AND THEIR “MEMBERS SERVICE” GUY BRET HAD THE NERVE TO SAY IT WAS CAUSE THEM WANTING PEOPLE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY DO, HAHAHA….

I GOT A NAME FOR YOU GUYS……SCAMPLACEMENTS.COM
AT LEAST THAT WAY YOU’RE NAME WOULD NAIL IT ON THE HEAD WHEN IT CAME TO PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU REALLY DO.

CIAO

D.

]]> By: John http://soundtempest.net/guides/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/comment-page-4/#comment-5952 John Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:35:38 +0000 http://soundtempest.net/how-to-detect-and-avoid-music-scams/#comment-5952 Sorry, that's won. And, they are liars through and through. Amazing people wake up and look at themselves in the mirror happy with what they see working for a place such as that. Sorry, that’s won. And, they are liars through and through. Amazing people wake up and look at themselves in the mirror happy with what they see working for a place such as that.

]]>