It’s hard to push for creative deals (deals that have terms that are out of the ordinary) because the creativity might kill the deal. And most artists are desperate for the deal, and don’t think they have walking-away power, and are willing to forgo advantageous/creative terms for the sake of association with a certain entity.
Sometimes it ends up working out. Most of the time it doesn’t. (In both cases it never goes as planned)
Most of the time the artist has more leverage than they think, but less leverage than they want. So fear and insecurity rush in.
It’s risky in negotiating a deal to ask someone to do something they’ve never done before. But it’s also very attractive for you to be confident in what you want. And attraction lessens the perceived risk.
If you want to own your masters (someday) you need to put it in the contract.
If you never want to play a show in Florida you need to put it in the contract
If you want a bowl of yellow M&M’s to show up in your dressing room it better be bolded and underlined in the contract.
Creative demands have risk and unforeseen consequences.
So does taking what you’re given.
You choose.
***One other thing worth mentioning is: who are you negotiating with? Are you negotiating with the person who has the power to say yes/no…or are you negotiating with the person who has to go ask if they can say yes or no? Entire books have been written about the distinction between the two.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com