THIS DOCUMENT SETS OUT THE POLICY OF AAS WITH REGARDS TO INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS AND FINANCES. IT IS INTENDED AS A RECORD OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN AAS AND ANY ARTIST/BAND WHO WISH TO JOIN WITH THEM ON SAID PROJECT. IT IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT A LEGAL DOCUMENT & WE WILL GIVE A CHINESE BURN TO ANYONE WHO SHOWS IT TO A SOLICITOR.
This is a draft - currently unvalidated by THE BOARD.
WHAT ARTISTS AGAINST SUCCESS IS AND IS NOT
Artists Against Success is not a record company in the conventional sense. It does not and will not play along with the corporate ideology of artistes being OWNED by a record company and thus devolving all responsibility, basically letting their arse be wiped along with their minds purely for the sake of being able to show off in front of their idiot friends.
AAS DEMANDS that it's artistes take responsibility for their own actions, hence it's unique financial policies and, indeed, existence. When an artiste "signs" to AAS it is more akin to a FRANCHISING agreement (for by reclaiming the terminology of THE MAN for our own do we thwart him).
By signing this agreement the artiste, artistes, band or enthusiast (hereinafter referred to as the FUNDER) agrees to pay for the cost of ONE single or album or whatever (hereinafter referred to as THE RECORD) . As stated above, AAS does not OWN either artistes, bands or RECORDS, it simply ABETS them in their actions.
The FUNDER will deposit a previously agreed sum (e.g. £500 per side of a 7" single) in the AAS Bank Account, and this will be used to pay for the cost of producing THE RECORD - this includes promotional, printing costs etc. Fuller details are available by reviewing company minutes where previous campaigns have been costed. AAS recommends the use of radio plugging, press releases and gigs, but this is entirely at the discretion of the FUNDER.
By countersigning this agreement, AAS pledges to lend it's full support to said RECORD, using it's contacts to try and obtain distribution for the RECORD and to help in any way it can with production, promotion and design. Here lies the GENIUS of the AAS set-up.
THE GENIUS OF THE AAS SET-UP
The FUNDER gains by being associated with a label which has access to distribution and promotion, a previous track record, and wide experience. To the false consciousness encrusted eyes of the outside world they will gain "legitimacy" by being part of an ongoing project with a proven track record, while maintaining their independence and freedom. Also, starting up yourself is TOUGH. AAS gains by having it's name and reputation enhanced and spread by releasing RECORDS by GRATE artistes, bands or whatevers. The more RECORDS released by AAS, the better it looks, and the better AAS looks, the better it is for the FUNDER. In this way both can grow together and benefit each other.
THE NITTY GRITTY
The FUNDER is responsible for paying for THE RECORD. This is VALID in that the FUNDER could choose to do so off their own back, but in signing this agreement deigns to join with AAS for the above mutual benefits. AAS does not pay for RECORDS, and most certainly does not pay people to make them. This is right out.
Any expenditure by AAS (eg postage) will be claimed back from the proceeds of RECORD sales, though AAS is prepared to wait until the end of the campaign before so doing. This allows cash flow for the project, thus aiding the FUNDER, and prevents AAS from losing money it doesn't have to start with.
In the very very unlikely event that a RECORD makes any profit, this will be shared by the FUNDER and AAS on a 90/10 basis, allowing AAS to help future artistes in future projects, while paying back the FUNDER handsomely for their self-belief. Until this happens all efforts will be made by AAS to pass any proceeds on to the FUNDER. Please note that the 90/10 split occurs ONLY when there is a profit, which as stated, is pretty unlikely.
The FUNDER is artistically free in every way, so long as what they're funding is not CRAP. AAS only makes 2 DEMANDS:
1. All cover art shall feature the AAS banner along the top (provided in Word for Windows format by AAS) to give a uniform and collectable look to output.
2.Similarly, centre stickers on the RECORD will be uniform, provided by AAS.
For it's part, AAS will use it's established distribution history to try and secure distribution for each record - it is advisable that this is undertaken before huge sums of money are spent, for everybody's benefit and peace of mind. This may also lead to the securement of advertising, by negotiation. If the artiste wishes (and it is strongly recommended), AAS will also try to secure radio promotion, help with press releases (also to use the AAS "look"), advertising, promotional mailing lists, and any other good ideas anybody may have.
AAS will also endeavour to co-operate with and advise the ARTIST in the formulation of artwork in accordance with our production methodologies (ie don't give us a 30ft square canvas oil painting and expect us to fit it on a photocopier.)
Once the record (or whatever) is produced, 10% of the records will be given to the FUNDERS as a "fee". Although this may seem ODD given that they have paid for it, it is standard practice amongst the INDEPENDENT SECTOR, and solves problems of how many copies can be given to friends and so forth. Similarly, THE BOARD of AAS will receive 3% of copies to show off with. For example, on a typical run of 500 copies of a 7" single, the FUNDERS will receive 50 copies to divide between themselves as they see fit, whilst each member of the BOARD will receive 5 each.
In the event of any FUNDERS wanting to, they are invited to attend one of the regular BOARD MEETINGS of AAS, so long as BOARD MEMBERS are alerted to this in good time. FUNDERS do not hold voting rights within the organisation, but their ideas and participation are welcome, nay, encouraged, especially if they have any particularly GOOD IDEAS.
Due to the heinous Londo-Centric nature of the crass media, AAS also recognises the need to promote performances in the capital in order to attract attention and help spread the message to THE KIDS. Thus AAS pledges to make every effort to secure a LAUNCH GIG in the capital for each project, probably with other AAS artistes, and to plug away at it like mad. Although this document keeps saying words like "try" and "make every effort" it should be noted that, so long as stuff is GOOD and not CRAP, there should be no problem whatsoever.
In short, the FUNDER and AAS agree to work together for the mutual benefit of all, to avoid unpleasantness over money by working EFFICIENTLY and in a polished financial manner, to all pull their own weight, and generally be GRATE and not a bunch of half-witted TWATS like just about everybody else you meet trying to do this sort of thing.
