Emergenza, or Schemergenza? Pay for play?

[smopo24]

For bands, getting attention at almost any cost is worth it; if it means more fans, label interest, or the possibility of "making it," no price is too great. It seems like contests such as Emergenza prey upon artists by using the guise of a formal contest; though it seems to me that only Emergenza makes any real money. Bands urge fans and friends to show their support, and vote for them; but charge more and more for the tickets as you progress through the ranks. And if anyone has been witness to how poorly organized the proceedings are (as I have been), you may notice how the band schedules and rules seem to change on the fly. All this for some gear, and the opportunity of playing to a German festival audience. Oddly enough, none of the contest winners ever seem to rise above local band status, while the contest only seems to increase in popularity along with it's entry fees. Have you heard about this contest? If so, what do you think about it? Would you ever participate? Is this a scam? Why or why not?

[smopo24]

Schemergenza strikes again! My friend's band (a band that didn't win their last round) has been drafted, mysteriously, to the final round. A band member said that they were contacted the next day by Emergenza to see that even though they lost, if they would be interested in participating in the final round.....on one of two dates; they don't know which. When in any legit contest has that ever happened?

[SorenP]

i just had this happen to my band a few weeks ago. We got contacted from our myspace page by the "President of A+R" from this "record label" heard one of our songs and just had to have it for this compilation drunk driving awareness benefit record he was putting together. Sounded sweet right? free press rules. So we email the guy and set up a phone meeting to get the info on it. Here's what he was offering, you get to be on this benefit cd, they submit your song to some ridiculous amount of labels, myspace invites, internet press, you get to be on the cover of thier e-zine that has some huge amount of subscribers, they make you posters, get you girlfriends and houses and fast cars, blah blah.

but.
it costs you $600.
but.
they give you 50 copies of the CD to sell for $12 a pop and make your money back. it's a BENEFIT record, we're already donating our song as a service, I'm sure as hell not gonna pay a bunch of money on top of donating a free service. Turns out there is a ton of bad press online about these guys from bands that have been on the records and regretted it. The internet press is hidden and horrible and they claim to have personal connections at all these major labels who i guess have never heard of these guys.
Pay to play.... or not even play in the case... sucks.

http://www.illuminarecords.com/

[Sparky]

Total scam.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by SorenP

i just had this happen to my band a few weeks ago. We got contacted from our myspace page by the "President of A+R" from this "record label" heard one of our songs and just had to have it for this compilation drunk driving awareness benefit record he was putting together. Sounded sweet right? free press rules. So we email the guy and set up a phone meeting to get the info on it. Here's what he was offering, you get to be on this benefit cd, they submit your song to some ridiculous amount of labels, myspace invites, internet press, you get to be on the cover of thier e-zine that has some huge amount of subscribers, they make you posters, get you girlfriends and houses and fast cars, blah blah.

but.
it costs you $600.
but.
they give you 50 copies of the CD to sell for $12 a pop and make your money back. it's a BENEFIT record, we're already donating our song as a service, I'm sure as hell not gonna pay a bunch of money on top of donating a free service. Turns out there is a ton of bad press online about these guys from bands that have been on the records and regretted it. The internet press is hidden and horrible and they claim to have personal connections at all these major labels who i guess have never heard of these guys.
Pay to play.... or not even play in the case... sucks.

http://www.illuminarecords.com/

Yea, something like that always sets something off in my head; paying for a promotional cd pressing is one thing, charity a total different story. Surprising that they haven't been called out on this more often!