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[superbanger]

just a quick query... if i were to make a cd with only 8 songs on it, how much do you think someone would be wiling to pay for it??? and would anyone actually be interested in buying one? i'm thinking $10 just to cover the costs of recording and punching out like 500 of these things...

Comments

[mints4friends]

I think $10 is a good idea...at that price, people will pick it up just to check it out, whether they've heard you or not. Any more might turn people off?

[cinn48]

Yup, ten bucks is a good start. Eight songs is not really that few, there are lots of label cds that only run between 25 and 30 minutes. And Paul's first cd was only 6 songs, so you are off to a running start!

[superbanger]

how much did he charge for his first cd?

[jaideran_frost]

I may be the odd one out here, but I'd say make 2 CDs with 4 songs each for $5.

London's big up-and-coming music house ("Call the Office") was a stop for all kinds of big Canadian acts. (Moist, Our Lady Peace, the Hip, etc.) We saw Billy Talent there about a year before they broke out.

Everyone who played there had shirts, CDs, and whatever, but it was all for $5. I think it had something to do with people only paying $5 to see them live for an hour, so why would they pay $10 for a CD with 3 songs... That said, yours DO have 8.

I really don't know. Anyway, that seemed to be "industry standard" from what I saw. So yeah. Maybe make a CD with 3-4 songs for $5, and then if you have more songs, make a second CD?

It's more complicated, I know, but that's how I've seen it done before. What do the other guys at your shows do?

[adamjury]

I can think of another good reason for this: with 3-4 tracks on a CD, it's easier to release a CD with only *really* good tracks, and it's easier to build a CD with good transitions between 4 songs than 8. Of course, you don't get to show off your range as much ... if I bought a CD that had 4 tracks and the music style varied wildly between the 4, unless I already knew that was what I was getting, I probably wouldn't be that impressed.

Also, splitting things up into small batches allows you to theme them better. For example, you can do two CDs: "Songs where I mope about love problems that are all my fault; I'm going to go drown myself." and "Songs where I mope about love problems that are all her damned fault the crazy bitch I should kill her with scissors." which are much better titles than the 8 song album: "Songs where I mope about love."

[superbanger]

you know i like the idea of making the two four song cds, but i wonder how much it's going to cost to make a second insert and sleeve... unless i do some really simple cd cover insert and have it like an outlined image and say a red background and then a blue background for the second one?

hmm... adam... i do recall you being into graphic design..... interested? i may or may not pay you for it.... :D

[adamjury]

We can discuss the project, but:

a) CD covers are not something I normally do, so I can't claim to be an expert on the nauances of designing a great sleeve.

b) I would need to be paid.

c) yes, doing two covers that are relatively similar would be cheaper than designing two entirely different ones.

I assume if you're doing 500 units you're getting them pressed/printed professionally; if you hire me, I can help you make sense of some of the printing terminology to make sure you don't overspend to get what you need.

[thesicksadworld]

8 songs for $10 sounds perfectly reasonable. :)

(Oh, and hey! It's Sarah from Manhattan's.)

[lucyllama]

Mum and I agree, we think waiting and making a fantastic 8 song cd is the way to go. we'd rather have a cd with more than have to get two with less.

and, you should take your time and make awesome and perfect songs rather than hurry to get 4 out now. get a feel for the scene and make an awesome cd entrance into it!

LL