Music
The song is yours until a contract says otherwise
Music deals are short documents with long reach. One paragraph can decide who owns the recording, who collects when it's played and who can say yes when someone wants to use it.
I work for the artist, writer or producer, never the label. I read the whole agreement, mark what to change and explain the rest, so you sign knowing what you gave up and what you kept.
Recording and producer agreements
Split sheets and collaborator agreements
Publishing and administration deals
Sample and sync licenses
What I do
For songwriters, artists and producers
Each job has its own flat fee, and I quote it before you pay.
- Flat fee
Recording and producer agreements
Who owns the masters, what the producer earns and when it reverts. I look at advances, recoupment and how long you are tied to one party.
Full written markup
Plain-English summary
One round of changes
- Flat fee
Split sheets
One page that says who wrote what and who approves a license. Better signed at the session than argued over a year later.
Ready-to-sign sheet
Online signatures
- Flat fee
Publishing and administration
Co-publishing, admin and sub-publishing offers, with the term, the territory and the share you keep spelled out.
Markup of the offer
A call about what is negotiable
- Flat fee
Samples and licenses
Clearing a sample, licensing a track to a film or an ad, or licensing someone else's work for yours. I check both sides of the song.
Request letter or license draft
A clearance checklist
What musicians ask first
Should I sign before the song is mixed?
Usually not, but it depends on who is paying and by when. Tell me about the draft and the date, and I'll tell you what can wait and what can't.
Do you represent labels or producers?
I work for artists, writers and producers who are the one signing. If your producer and you disagree, I can only be on one side, and I'll tell you before we start.
What is the difference between the song and the recording?
The song is the melody and lyrics. The recording, the master, is one particular performance of it. They are owned and paid separately, and a deal can cover one or both.
Can you get me a better deal?
I can tell you what's standard, what's unusual and what to ask for. Whether the other side agrees isn't something I can promise.
Tell me about the draft
Tell me what the agreement is and the date it needs an answer, and I'll reply with a flat fee for the job and how to share the draft.