Theo's Recording Studio, Elffire City.
The silver-haired young man could be seen seated in front of his computer as he reviewed the adjustments he did in the song yesterday.
After Theo arrived from his meeting with the production crew of his music video, he immediately continued his work with the song he was producing.
'bad guy' was a song that needed to be modified.
The lyrics needed to be adjusted and some other things too.
Theo started doing that on Saturday, but because he needed to edit his music video on Sunday, he had to pause the production.
He started again yesterday when he finished all the modifications.
Today, Theo would start recording the tracks.
He predicted that the song would be ready by tomorrow.
With the speed that he was producing the songs, Theo was sure that he would be able to finish the album before the end of the month.
He wanted to release the album before the New Year Celebration.
Even though that would be a risky move.
That was because releasing an album at this time of the year was the same thing that releasing an album next to Christmas in his past life.
If the album was not good enough, it would be defeated by the traditional Christmas songs on the streaming services.
For example, 'All I Want For Christmas' by Mariah Carey reached the top of the charts every Christmas.
It was rare for a song to beat Mariah's song at Christmas time.
And the same thing happened in Azure Star.
There were several New Year traditional songs that reached the top of the charts at this time of the year.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTherefore, the labels did not recommend releasing an album at the end of the year.
But Theo did not care about reaching the top of the charts.
He just wanted to release his favorite songs from his past life in Azure Star.
He wanted to share with everyone these songs.
So, he did not have any hesitation about launching his album at the end of the year.
Plus, Theo was releasing his album without any attachment with any label, so he did not have to answer and obey anyone.
He was his own boss.
That was one of the reasons why Theo placed a recording studio in his house.
Because if he did not have that, he would inevitably have to sign a contract with a label to produce his music album.
And that was the last thing he wanted.
Theo knew well how Record Labels treated new artists.
Record labels typically set the terms and conditions of artist contracts in their favor.
In the case of newly signed artists, record labels can control the type of music they record, which can include everything from the way the music sounds to the song lyrics.
They also control album cover art in most instances.
Depending on the contract structure, record labels also have the ability to set the amount of money their artists earn.
While the relationship between artists and their record labels is often mutually beneficial, there always is the possibility of that relationship becoming contentious.
The more successful artists get, the greater their ability to renegotiate contracts to include more favorable terms.
Theo valued his independence very much.
He knew how he wanted to work, so he did not want someone dictating how he should work.
They would even try to dictate which songs he should produce!
That was unacceptable for Theo.
For example, the relationship between record labels and artists can be a difficult one. Many artists have had conflicts with their labels over the type of sound or songs they want to make, which can result in the artist's artwork or titles being changed before release.
Other artists have had their music prevented from release, or shelved. Record labels generally do this because they believe that the album will sell better if the artist complies with the label's desired requests or changes.
At times, the record label's decisions are prudent ones from a commercial perspective, but these decisions may frustrate artists who feel that their art is being diminished or misrepresented by such actions.
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it.
So, theoretically, the label would own part of the songs that Theo would release.
Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing, promotion, and enforcement of copyright for sound recordings and music videos, while also conducting talent scouting and development of new artists ("artists and repertoire" or "A&R"), and maintaining contracts with recording artists and their managers.
But Theo did not need that because he had Ayia who could do all these things perfectly.
She had such a wide network with her family connections, that she was able to promote, enforce copyrights, distribute, and so on just by herself.
Theo explained all these things when he hired her, and she said with confidence that it was not a hard job for her to do these things.
She was the perfect manager.
Within the mainstream music industry, recording artists have traditionally been reliant upon record labels to broaden their consumer base, market their albums, and promote their singles on streaming services, radio, and television.
And that was something that Theo would not have.
But he did not deem these things necessary.
The songs that he chose to produce were major hit songs from his past life.
These songs reached the top of the charts, won awards, and so on.
Therefore, Theo did not think they needed to be overpromoted.
Theo planned to do a simple promotion and that was it.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHe was sure that with time, these songs would be a success.
His experience when he played 'Perfect' in the coffee shop yesterday confirmed his thoughts.
When he saw that everyone in the shop liked the song, he was beaming with happiness.
That was even more when the three girls asked for a selfie with him.
That was not because he liked the fame.
But because he saw that the girls really loved his song.
Record labels also provide publicists, who assist performers in gaining positive media coverage and arrange for their merchandise to be available via stores and other media outlets.
Theo saw multiple occasions where artists and labels diverged in opinions in his last life.
And it was because of all these reasons that he did not even consider signing with a record label.
Even though the situation in Azure Star was better for the artists because the Track streaming service limited the influence of the labels, the situation for the artists was that much better either.
As the most popular music streaming service in the world, the Track App had a huge influence on the music industry.
If the artist had money and connections, they could escape from the label's influence.
But the problem was that for that happen it was almost impossible.
So, the labels still had a huge influence.
But Theo was one of the people who did not have to follow any label.
He had the money and the contacts.
That was even better because he had his own recording studio.
Theo was carefree as he produced his album.
In less than a month, he would release his album without any help from any label.
What impact his album would have on the music industry?