From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

These are all the truth —

After the broadcast of "The Tonight Show", the band's performance caused a sensation throughout North America. Although Anson's topic popularity later surged ahead, there is no doubt that the band's topic popularity remained high.

The most magical and interesting thing is that when singers go to talk show performances for promotion, it is often for the sake of promotion. The program team will naturally not miss the introduction, what band, what songs, not only the host introduces, but also subtitles are displayed on the screen to ensure the promotion effect.

However, this episode of "The Tonight Show" did not have any of that.

No band, no songs, everything is unknown.

This, in turn, has become the reason why the band's popularity index has always remained high—

Pure.

Not for commercial promotion, nor prepared for fame and popularity.

Naturally, the band attracted the attention of record companies.

Some contacted Connor and the others, and some contacted Anson or Edgar; there were industry giants like Universal Records, and there were also independent record companies that had just been established; some contacted by phone, and some sent emails.

Different channels, different methods, different conditions, like a jigsaw puzzle piecing together a partial picture of the market blueprint, glimpsing their current position.

Some sincerely hope to discover the band's talent, and some are opportunistic and want to use the band to make a fortune. The vanity fair is full of human conditions.

Thus, Anson had such a judgment.

Finally.

Anson revealed a smile and quietly looked at Mike.

Dustin, "Haha, I knew I would like this kid."

Mike shook his head helplessly, and then finally opened the skylight and spoke frankly.

"Yes, you are right."

"We have market considerations, but Dustin believes that in terms of music, we can't miss you."

"Indeed, your performance is challenging people's existing understanding of music. Pop music is like this. People often like things they are familiar with, which are easy to listen to. They are subconsciously unfamiliar and even resistant to those new things, so record companies don't like innovation."

"When Queen recorded 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and the Beatles recorded 'The White Album', EMI Records can be said to have been completely disrupted. They all believed that the market could not accept such advanced music."

"Musicians want to break through themselves, but record companies want musicians to stay the same and continue to come up with familiar things on familiar tracks."

"So, you can imagine the internal divisions at Warner Records regarding your music."

"But, music is like this."

"Too old is not good, too avant-garde is not good; too old-fashioned is not good, too trendy is not good. We are all looking for a balance between popularity and art."

"I think, or rather Dustin thinks, you have found this balance."

"In fact, the fact that your performance on the streets of Manhattan can win such long-term attention on the forum is the best proof, so I think you deserve a chance, which is why we came to your door today..."

Suddenly, the words stopped.

Mike was a little restrained.

Dustin glanced at Mike, shook his head slightly, "What's so hard to say? Anson just mentioned it, didn't he?"

"The contract may not be that good."

Mike coughed twice, his expression slightly helpless, but he still looked at Anson.

"Perhaps the contract terms are slightly inferior, but with Dustin as the producer of the album, as I said just now, we will respect the band's musical colors. What we want to sign is that maverick band. We will not change you, otherwise this contract would not be necessary."

After a pause, Mike noticed that Anson didn't speak, but just kept listening, and he immediately understood that this time he didn't hesitate anymore.

"Warner Records can offer the band a contract of one million dollars per album, and we will write in black and white in the contract that you will also serve as the producer and have the decision-making power for the album production to ensure that the record can be completed according to your ideas."

One million dollars per album, that is to say, 250,000 dollars for each member of the band. What level is this in the record market in 2002?

To be honest, Anson knew nothing about it—

Although he was a time-traveler, he had limited knowledge of industry information in the music market.

Anson remembered that in 2001, Mariah Carey left her former owner Columbia Records and signed with Virgin Records under EMI Records, at a cost of 20 million dollars per album.

Of course, this is not a reference value.

First, Mariah Carey is a diva-level, currently the top 1% of the industry pyramid.

Secondly, even for Mariah Carey, Virgin Records' move was collectively criticized by the industry, and the voice of "stupid people with a lot of money" was endless.

Thirdly, after only a year of signing, Virgin Records also realized that this was a mistake, so they paid a breach of contract fee of 28 million US dollars to get rid of this burden.

Combining this information, the contract provided by Warner Records is fair, maybe not exceptional, but it is already good for a new independent band.

Thinking about it carefully, it is not surprising.

In 2002, Universal Records was still the undisputed leader in the music market. Their global market share could be as high as 30%, and the other four major record companies could not form an effective confrontation at all.

However, Warner Records has been slowly exerting its strength. Around 2006, they completed an impossible task, surpassing Universal Records to become the leader in the global music market share, completely subverting the world map.

From all the information, Warner Records has indeed been quietly exerting its strength and slowly laying out the situation. Anson and the band should also belong to one of their attempts—

Even if the company is full of worries, it still offers a contract of one million dollars per album, which is generous and risky enough.

Leaving aside the value of this contract, Anson was not overwhelmed by the numbers, "So, what are the restrictions?"

Mike shook his head lightly, revealing a smile, "You really don't waver at all."

Anson returned a smile, "I thought you were already mentally prepared."

Dustin laughed without giving any face, with a look of watching a good show.

Mike took a deep breath, "We can only sign a contract with the band for three albums; but we have the priority to sign the fourth album."

Anson raised his chin slightly, "I thought you would all sign a contract for five albums in one go. If there is no follow-up after the first one, the contract will be left there to gather dust, binding the band but ignoring them."

Anyway, without an album, the record company does not need to pay; but if the band does not complete the contract, they cannot leave, so they are trapped in a dead contract and cannot see the future.

Such things are countless in the music industry.

Therefore, Warner Records' three-album contract sounds much more reasonable.