Frequently asked questions
As an artist, do I need to sign a contract?
As an artist on Clumsy Alien Records, you will be required to read and sign a short contract to agree upon terms vis-a-vis splitting royalties and any distribution costs. If you'd like to peruse the standard artist contract, please send an email to clumsyalienrecords@gmail.com with the subject heading "contract" and a copy will be sent to you as soon as possible.
What are the recording costs?
We provide the use of our studio with our specialised producer on a purely pro-bono basis, although we do accept donations from artists if they so choose. These donations are put towards upgrading equipment and any expenses incurred by our producer during the recording process. If we choose to record your music, you are under no obligation to pay us anything up-front and we will never expect you to arbitrarily donate, particularly above your means.
Do you take a percentage of sales?
We take 20% of all revenue accumulated by you from your recorded music (produced by us) in any capacity. This includes online distribution, CD sales, monetisation from music videos and any commercial use. For example, if you sell CD's at £5, we take £1 for each sale. Don't panic, though. There is no minimum quantity of sales you must reach, although we do have a minimum price per unit depending on the size of release (single, EP or album)
For more details, please request a copy of our artist contract.
For more details, please request a copy of our artist contract.
Do you accept unsolicited demos?
We do! But please be aware that we are restricted according to geographical location (we are based in the North East of England). Please send demos via email in the form of Soundcloud links, YouTube links etc. If you'd like to send Mp3 or Wav files, we can accept them via Dropbox links. If you'd like to send us a CD, please save your postage money. Links will do fine. If you'd like to send us a cassette tape, please give it to your local horse messenger and have him drop it off at our studio, assuming he doesn't get accosted by a highwayman en route.
Do you sell music from your website?
Unfortunately not at the moment, but we're working on it!
Do you have any employment opportunities at this time?
Unfortunately as a not-for-profit enterprise, we don't have a budget to employ anyone, although if you are especially interested in learning the art of producing music, we can organise a recording session on which you can sit in. You will be expected to occasionally put the kettle on.
You may be invited to take part in an unpaid internship, should you show particularly strong aptitude in the studio.
You may be invited to take part in an unpaid internship, should you show particularly strong aptitude in the studio.
I am interested in licensing music for commercial use. Who do I speak to?
Please send any licensing requests to us via email and we will contact the artist in question. Requests such as these are at the artists' discretion.
I found music produced by your label being distributed illegally. How can I report this?
Please don't hesitate to email us concerning any reports of illegal distribution of our music. We want to know!
Illegal distribution is killing the industry in which we and our artists are trying to thrive.
Illegal distribution is killing the industry in which we and our artists are trying to thrive.
How do I find out more information concerning artists on your roster?
We try to provide as much information as we can about our artists concerning their music, releases and live performances as well as limited biographical information. For any professional requests concerning our artists, (i.e. interviews etc.) please request their contact details from us and, should they agree to provide them, we will pass them over.
Please refer to any of the artists' public social media links for more info. Please don't contact the artist directly if you don't know them personally. We try to protect the privacy of our artists wherever possible.
Please refer to any of the artists' public social media links for more info. Please don't contact the artist directly if you don't know them personally. We try to protect the privacy of our artists wherever possible.
Can I buy myself out of the contract/Can another label buy me out?
Please see a copy of the contract for details. You may request one by emailing us at
clumsyalienrecords@gmail.com.
clumsyalienrecords@gmail.com.
Do you provide PRS licensing?
Unfortunately we do not provide any paid copyright services concerning your written music and lyrics.
Do you provide artwork or music videos?
We do not provide artwork or music video production directly but we can help our artists get in touch with the relevant contacts.
Do you provide CD manufacturing?
Indeed we do.
Can I show up unannounced at your studio and make you listen to my CD on the spot?
You can! Although we do have a large dog who get's a little uneasy around sudden unsolicited demos so it's up to you to decide whether it's worth trying.
Fun fact: pub-corner covers of Wonderwall are also a trigger for him. He's a good boy.
Fun fact: pub-corner covers of Wonderwall are also a trigger for him. He's a good boy.
