An Interview with Mally The Martian,
Recording Artist/Producer/Song Writer
Victor: What are some misconceptions
artist have about contracts?
Mally: A lot of indie artists think that
once they’ve singed a contract, they’re on because they’ve signed some
paperwork. If you’re not educated on terms and clauses, and what the words
truly mean, you could be signing your life away.
Victor: Where do people make mistakes?
Mally: Local cats (artists) are so eager
to sign a contract that they’ll sign anything because somebody promised them
this and that. You’ll be in the paperwork and even if you and that person ain’t
been working for two years, you get another situation and you have to pay that
person off just to get out of that contract you initially signed. If you’re not
educated, contracting can be nasty. The biggest mistake artists make are
signing their life away and not realizing that a contract is negotiable. Negotiation
is for all parties to come to an agreement on terms. Cats (artists) be so
thirsty for a little bit of money or bragging rights, just to run back and tell
everybody they just signed a contract; not even knowing what they just signed.
That’s why there’s entertainment lawyers and people specializing in intellectual
property because they know verbiage and the language.
Victor: Would you advise people to
always have a lawyer to assist them with their music?
Mally: Yeah, definitely retain a lawyer
or however you do it. Put them on a percentage or whatever because a lawyer
will help you in those situations. You have to pay what you weigh and pay
people who have an expertise to help you in those types of situations.
Victor: Have you ever found yourself
bound from an opportunity due to signing a contract with another client or
company?
Mally: No, every contract situation that
I every have done, I’ve made sure they were one year contracts with a
negotiation or trial period to see how things would go. I would never sign any
long-term deals with anyone who was just starting out like me. I’m not going to
be in a management contract with Joe Smoe just because he knows how to talk
good.
Victor: What would you say is the most
vital aspect of reading/reviewing a contract?
Mally: Really, just knowing
overall what the contract is representing and what type of look or leverage you
have in the agreement. You want to make it as fair as possible because you’re
exchanging a service for a service.
Victor: What type of
bargaining tactics do you use when going into negotiations?
Mally: Usually, you make a
list. Before I go into a meeting, I have a list of things I want to discuss and
go over. It’s really about sitting down and thinking about what you want to do
and what is being offered. I really just try to prepare for what I want to go
over.
Victor: Any words of advice
for artists (talent) trying to make it from smaller cities like you’re hometown,
Toledo, Ohio?
Mally: Leave. If you really
want to experience more, you have to leave and get out to experience things
with your own two eyes. So, you can get a feel for things and network. You can’t
really just sit in Toledo because nothings really going to come to you sitting
there.
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