Demo Shopping:

Entertainment Law Chicago, P.C. provides demo shopping assistance to the best and brightest musical talent.  Our selection process is very discriminating, and we won't provide these services to just anyone.  You or your band should be active and been performing regularly for at least the past 2 years and have a unique and marketable sound.  Before beginning the demo shopping process, consider the following:

1. You should have a fan base.
If you live in Chicago, for example, you should be able to headline any local club and pack it full.

You should also have a regional presence.  Again, If you live in Chicago, for example, you should be able to travel to Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, or Detroit and headline a club.

Keep in mind that you're more likely to attract the attention of an agent, manager, or record company if you have a solid reputation over a large area.  The best way to develop a solid reputation is to perform well, and perform often.  Market yourself--give away or sell demos or full-length CDs at every performance.  Start an e-mail list and set up a website.  Print up t-shirts and organize a street-team.

2. Your genre of music should be marketable.
Your product doesn't necessarily have to be Top 40 Pop, but the broader audience base you have, the better your odds are of landing a recording contract.  Remember that record labels are in the business of making money.  If your music won't get played on the radio and music video channels, then your odds of signing with a major are slim.  While its true that some bands hit it big without radio or television, this is the exception rather than the rule.

3. You should have a catalog of material.
If you only have enough quality material to fill a 3 or 4 song demo, then keep writing.

4. You should be comfortable in front of an audience.
You should have a resume that lists all of your live performances, including club gigs, festivals, etc.  You should note the name of the club, the date of the performance, and your slot on the bill.  If your resume is thin, then book some shows and hit the road.  Don't expect anyone to get excited about a band that hasn't paid its dues.

5. You should have a good reputation.
Club owners should have good things to say about you--that you are punctual, professional, talented, and that they would invite you back to perform. You should be able to list a few club/venue owners as references.

Additionally, you should have a collection of newspaper and magazine clippings praising your talents.  If not, get some.  Invite some reviewers to a show.

Local radio stations should have good things to say about you.  Has your demo ever been reviewed or featured by a local station?

If, after considering all of the information presented above, you honestly believe that you have what it takes to make it in the music business, then we would be happy to listen to your music.  Please feel free to submit the following items to the attention of Donald R. Simon, Esq. at the address noted on the CONTACT US page:

1. The Demo
You MUST submit 2 copies of your demo.  Ideally, your demo should contain your very best 3 or 4 songs, and each song should be between 3 and 5 minutes in length.  Make sure it is a professional quality demo. 

Make sure BOTH the demo and its case are labeled properly and professionally with the band name, address, phone number, and individual contact information.

2. Lyric Sheet
You MUST submit a lyric sheet for the songs that appear on your demo.

3. Band Photograph
You MUST submit an 8"x10" professional photograph.

4. Biography
You MUST submit a one page band biography.  It should explain who you are, where you're from, what kind of band you are, your musical philosophies, your influences, etc.

5. Resume
You MUST submit a resume, and ideally, it should have at least two sections titled "Live Performances" and "Awards".

In the first section entitled "Live Performances", list all live performances (i.e., club gigs, festivals, etc.) Ideally, this section of the resume should note the name, address and telephone number of the venue as well as all other relevant information such as the size of the crowd, the name of the headliner, etc.

In the second section of your resume entitled "AWARDS", you should include any awards that you've received, and the date that you received the award.  For example, "Best Rock Band - Chicago," 2004"; "Winner - Battle of the Bands, 2005"; etc.

6. Press Articles
You MUST submit some reviews of your music and your live performances.  If you don't have any reviews, then get some.  There are many local music trade papers or magazines that will review your demo.  Most have critics that will review your live gigs.  To get reviewed, contact your local music trade publications and inquire with them.

7. References
You MUST submit some references.  The best references are those from booking agents and club owners who can verify that you sell out clubs, and radio personalities who have featured your music.  Sorry, family members and your band's management team do not count.

8. Your intellectual property should be protected.
You SHOULD have registered copyright protection for your songs.  Yes, you can do the "poor man's copyright" and mail a copy of your material to yourself.  However, there are many incentives to federal registration: certain statutory damages, granting of attorney's fees, access to the federal courts, and more.  Forms are available from the U.S. Copyright Office. Use Form SR.

You SHOULD consider having a registered trademark for your band name or logo, too.

Contact an entertainment attorney for assistance in registering copyrights and trademarks.

9. Other considerations.

You SHOULD also consider membership in either BMI or ASCAP.  Each time your band’s music is played, either live or recorded, on the radio or at a club, you are eligible for a performance royalty.  Without getting too deep into copyright law, the "right of performance" is one of the exclusive rights afforded a copyright holder.  BMI and ASCAP, so-called performing rights societies, get performance royalties for you.  Of course for a new band, the royalties will be minimal, if at all, but as things get rolling, it can become a significant revenue stream.   Go to www.bmi.com or www.ascap.com for more information.

Execute a written band partnership agreement.  A written partnership agreement should, among other things, address several important points: 1) who owns the right to the band’s name; 2) who owns the band’s songs; 3) what to do when someone leaves the band; 4) who can spend money on behalf of the band; and 5) the procedure for kicking someone out of the band.   Anything can go into a written partnership agreement.

The Fine Print.
By agreeing to listen to your product, we are not making any promises that we will represent you in shopping your music to the record companies or any other legal-related matter.  Sorry, material cannot be returned.

Best of luck.  We look forward to hearing the developed, refined, and perfected product of your hard work.