Day 1, album #3?

[Tusk]

I look at a "Better" which has so many good songs (IBTY, Listen, LIWFF), but once the CD is released, there is little or no promotion other than Haley herself. The "Better" video did OK, but the song never caught on.

When she was on tour in Pittsburgh last year, there was no promotion or advertising for the concert, anywhere, in any local media outlet, radio stations or newspaper. A label would make sure that a concert tour is promoted.

Context, 1) at the time, Ole agreed to help Haley w/ a six song EP...things changed, within six months, she had a 10 song album. Ole's original intent w/ Haley's project was not to roll out an album of full support and advertsing.

2) Ole's bailiwick is not recording, producing, promoting and distributing artist albums. Their main focus is advertising and collecting of royalties, for them and their artists. They've made steps that appear to indicate that they are dipping their toes into the 'label' business, but it's not a priority as of yet. The timing of Haley joining Ole & their going further into the 'record business' meant that they get to try it out w/ Haley.

3) Like SMYM, CHFIL and Free, Ole looks at the songs as promotional/advertising/placement opportunities, their bread and butter. As they are not really in the 'record industry', it's no surprise the promotion end of #Better never materialized, nor, it seems, like Haley expected it to be. The songs she wrote for her EP, now LP, from OLe's point of view, are primarily looked upon as advertising/placement opportunities, waaaaaay before any consideration of promoting it on any meanigful chart, or as singles for iTunes

That #Better became an LP instead of an EP was as far as Ole apparently was willing to go....the rest, promotion, distribution that was up to Haley, or so it appeared.

I understand why, but six years into following Haley, I think it's long passed the time for us to continue to apply "Industry norms" how 'things are done' by the old guard music industry and realise that Haley is looking for something 'different' and willing to put the patience and time into it.

Like Scott said....

It's 2017 and you now have the ability to #BeYourOwnRecordLabel on the cheap.

and Haley has been on this track for most of her after Interscope career. How much the early 'release' by Interscope, IMO has driven her towards independence and attracted to people and companies that do things differently, like Ole and Scott (PMJ)

Don't get me wrong, IF she has signed w/ Concord, I will happily admit I was in error, just trying to look at patterns, what she has done, what she's apparently turned down, opportunities lost and gained.... Haley walks her own path, which is not straight and narrow, full of ups and downs, but she's willing to take it for what she wants... just my 2 cents

(For discussion sakes, not saying anyone is right or wrong )

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My thinking has always been that she cancelled the European leg of the Tour because her relationship with a label was close to being finalized. She (or they) floated the idea to take a step back, record a new record, and then promote it on a new set of dates in Europe. And then a new U.S Tour focusing on parts of the country she missed last year.

Yes....Can we finally get Haley up here in the NW? (I know, she was in Portland...a bit further up North would be nice )

I've seen Morgan twice, Casey solo and w/ PMJ, Jacob, Ariana solo & w/ PMJ, even Blake up here.... throw Tusk a bone Haley

[mercfan3]

In the 'new' era of Post Mega Label/Internet marketing & Distribution, is it possible to get some aspects of your project have 'label assistance' through contacts and Networking, yet still stay Independent/unsigned?

It is odd if there's a label working with Haley in producing 'HR3' (aka What's That Sound?") that they're keeping it 'secret'

Haley's signed with Ole who appear to be proactive, outside the box...perhaps Haley has an arrangement with someone that gives her access to resources, without the anchor of a signed contract? Certainly out of the box, if true... Just thinking out loud

Absolutely.

Look at Macklemore. A lot of independent artists sign distribution deals. Meaning, the artist is independent, but a major label will distribute to stores, and possibly radio. (All depends on the deal.)

I've followed a lot of Independent Artists, and I've long said that Michelle Chamuel's has been my favorite musical journey (even though I know she's never going to get the fame that many want of their favorite artists.) The more personal contact with artist, knowing one of your favorite artists is getting exactly what they want musically, intimate shows..it's wonderful to watch. (And Mary Lambert has crossed over to the Independent side as well..)

That being said, and I could be wrong..but my feel of what Haley wants..will probably mean she will/should be with a label. A label that gives her creative control..but still a label. (Concord sounds good that way. But it all depends on how much a label believes in an artist..)

She's patient, and willing to wait out what she wants. But my guess is Haley isn't an artist featured on Ole's "help record music in order to get a record deal" roster, if she doesn't want a record deal. Signs of who she is working with suggest a label is involved as well.

[Miguel]

Ole's bailiwick is not recording, producing, promoting and distributing artist albums. Their main focus is advertising and collecting of royalties, for them and their artists.

That's why their interest would lie in "upstreaming" Haley. With the proper support, she could break big and that would lead to greater royalties.

[Tusk]

I'm confident that Ole has the "what's good for our artists is good for us" mentality, so I'm glad that Haley signed up w/ them...

[JMT]

That being said, and I could be wrong..but my feel of what Haley wants..will probably mean she will/should be with a label. A label that gives her creative control..but still a label. (Concord sounds good that way. But it all depends on how much a label believes in an artist..)

One thing Haley has said she wants is a Grammy-- an why not! A really good 3rd album with label support could put her on that track faster than w/o a label. IF a label believed in Haley as much (or almost as much) as she did in herself (and her instincts) then it might be really good for her.

What I find interesting is the accolades others who have worked on this record have said about Haley. It seems they really respect her talent and what a nice person she is. Really, it's been that way since Idol with other musicians and those in the industry. In a tiny way, it's an affirmation what I've believed (being just a fan looking in) about her for some time. And of course, everyone reading this forum.

[john]

It's 2017 and you now have the ability to #BeYourOwnRecordLabel on the cheap.

True but it requires a lot of effort in that direction. Like regularly uploading material to YT -- PMJ and many others have achieved success that way. Scott also uses social media on an almost daily basis. He does FB live videos every week and interacts with fanbase, and he regularly tweets. Haley has never been inclined toward any of that.

When Haley released Better I was struck by the almost total lack of attention from media. Reviews? Not so much. If nothing else, a label seems to automatically legitimize such things and draw interest.

I think Haley is signed to the label, although that could mean a lot of things. I doubt that John Burk, President of Concord would be spending time in the studio if the company didn't have a significant commitment to (and involvement with) this record. And it does seem she has spent a lot of time in the studio. The downside of lots of studio time is that it is charged back against the revenues generated by the record. I think Scott remarked that it is a loan with bad terms. Nonetheless, I believe Haley needs a label to do some of the things that #TeamHaley never quite mastered. I imagine the deal gave her lots of creative freedom, and Concord was supportive of her vision. They have a lot of quality artists that don't do high volume record sales.

[Tusk]

I believe Haley needs a label to do some of the things that #TeamHaley never quite mastered.

Do we know what their responsibilities are? I always got a feeling that they were more extensions of what Haley wants done, not autonomous, making decisions 'for' Haley.

Most of their activities appear to be 'one and done' like signing up to get the one news alert about Better. There is no follow through. Same with keeping her website up to date.... seems if someone were in charge, it's not that hard a responsibility.

The down side to having complete control is the people who work for you can't or don't make decisions on their own w/o your instruction.

Regardless, having a label involved in distribution/promotion can only help,

[john]

I would include Haley in #TeamHaley. Whatever the structure and functions of "her people" the effort was lacking. She had a song that has apparently gone gold -- for example -- how many times did she sing it on T.V.? I do think it may have gotten her the appearance on Idol (I could imagine Ryan stumping for her), but otherwise?

I assume the advantage of a deal with Concord would include the release of CDs. They have a distribution system as well as contacts related to promotion of the record. They may have hooked her up with producers and arrangers, as well as that string section. I would have assume they discussed the type of record she wanted to release, and maybe possible subsequent records.

[rmd1064]

What I don't understand is this---what more could a solo, unsigned artist do to get signed to a label? She has a very loyal national, if not international following, was one of the favorite artists ever on American Idol, recorded two great CDs, and now has over 100 Million views on YouTube with PMJ and her own live appearances. And a Gold Record with no promotion or label!

Add in her amazing talents and (sorry if this sexist), drop dead gorgeous looks. You would think labels would be knocking down her door to sign her---and maybe they have, and maybe she has been picky.

I did not know that the label head for Concord was at her studio sessions---that is a very good sign. I am with the comment that said this has all probably been in the works for awhile and may have impacted her European tour last year.

Concord is a very solid place to land with 243 Grammy winners in its history (almost 6% of those ever presented). We all know Haley wants a Grammy!

[Tusk]

You would think labels would be knocking down her door to sign her---and maybe they have, and maybe she has been picky.

We've heard over & over again since Post Interscope, "control" is at the pinnacle of significance to her regarding the quality & direction for her career. She appears to have the patience to wait it out. I don't doubt she's had many, many opportunities, some serious, some not so serious.

As Scott posted, there are more avenues of self promotion and distribution available to motivated artists than ever before. With the right mechanism and people in place, it's no longer necessary to "sell your soul" to be successful.

Haley's still very young, she's been patiently laying the foundation, grass roots building in the industry...she's 'primed' for the right opportunities...if there's a time to take risks, see what you, yourself, are capable of, it is when you're young and inspired.