Amazon Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5!
One of The Best If Not THE best Out There
Reviewer: James Shannon Bussey from Mississippi
This book by Justin Goldberg is one of the best books on the independent music and the music industry out there. This book is head and shoulders above the competition. What makes this book so great is that is broken down into chapters of important aspects of the industry and most importantly each chapter contains numerous interviews from industry executives about their thoughts and experiences on the subject. Only aperson as well connected as Goldberg could have gathered and harnessed this much knowledge in one book. Just when you think this book can't get any better it has a CD Rom included with it. The CD ROM is a database of music contacts that is unparalleled. Any contact you need in the music industry is on that CD Rom. The CD ROM itself is worth $15.00. To me it was like buying the database and getting the book for free. If you can just afford to buy one book on this subject, this should be the one!
A good reference guide
Reviewer: Maeson from Greenbelt, MD
I recommend this book by Justin to gain greater insights in the Music business or any business.
Good information
Reviewer: Crystal
Why is it that the music industry is called the businessman's hell? Well read this book and you might find out, it contains the history of the independent record label and also lots of examples of people that made it big using minimal resources. It will teach you about the dangers evolved in fighting big companies and the "how to"'s of the business. A good book with easy structure and an accessible language that truly deserves to be called "the handbook for hell"
Handbook a must have when entering the gates of the industry
Reviewer: Kyrt Hendrex from Evans, CO
If you have flipped through countless how to books, looking for guidance on your path as a musician the treck ends here! with all the important facts outlined and easy to see this book not only delivers the information like "UPS" it also explains the terible truths about the music business which all artists need to know to make it on there own.
A MUST READ...PERIOD
Reviewer: A reader from New York, NY
Thank you Justin Goldberg for allowing us to get more information in one read than many can get in a few years regarding the music biz! This book allows you to hear interviews from people you could only dream of getting 30 minutes of their time with -executives and colleagues in all aspects of the music business. Justin Goldberg asks the questions that we all need to know and outlines a realistic approach to this changing industry. The CD Rom (with loads of templates and information) and organization of the book is right on target.
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!
Reviewer: Matt Boudreau from The Bay Area
This book sticks out amongst the standards. (i.e.: This Business of Music volume number..... who cares cause it's so dry and outdated anyway) I can't put it down and I've called all of the artists I work with and told them they have to buy it now! It's incredible. If you're an up and coming artist this book is required reading as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't matter if your trying to get a major label or an indie label deal. Even if you’re a die-hard DIY person this book will help put your career and the music business in perspective. I can't say enough you just have to read it.
NOTHING COMPARES TO THIS BOOK!
Reviewer: Mort Lorge of Cock Lorge
I wrote this to the author: “I love your book! It’s my main source for info on what I need to do to get my stuff out. There is nothing that compares to it. It’s really great stuff. THANK YOU!
A MUST READ FOR ALL MUSICIANS
Reviewer: A reader from The East Coast
I just received my copy of Justin Goldberg's book and have not been able to put it down. We are in the process of self-releasing our CD and since things happen so quickly these days we wanted to get some advice that was written for today's music market, unlike some of the other music guides we have on our shelves.
This book has already proved itself to be an excellent resource guide--written by an insider for those of us on the outside. There are great tips on the proper way to promote your music (just in time for us to rework our packages!) as well as basic info about things like royalties, label hierarchy and the like.
Written in an easy to understand, conversational manner, the author's work is top notch. Also invaluable are the interviews with all sorts of folks in the biz. They give their 2 cents worth on a wide range of music business topics and share their pet peeves about the whole music industry.
This has been a great read, not only for practical reasons but entertaining and informative as well - Can't wait to delve into the stuff on the CD-ROM!
A SOLID, GRITTY, HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE GUIDE
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review from Oregon, WI USA
Knowledgeably written by Justin Goldberg (a 15-year veteran of the highs and lows of the music industry) The Ultimate Survival Guide To The New Music Industry: Handbook For Hell is an informal yet information-packed guide to achieving successful a career in music. The topics covered range from how to successfully release independent albums; to gaining airplay on commercial and college radio; to creating revenue through licensing, self-distribution rights, soundtrack opportunities, merchandising, and more. A solid, gritty, highly accessible guide to working in the music biz for a living wage, The Ultimate Survival Guide To The New Music Industry Handbook is essential reading for anyone who aspires to earn a living and pursue their career goals within the competitive and rapidly evolving world of the music industry.
I WROTE THIS TO THE AUTHOR
Reviewer: A reader from Toronto, Ontario - Canada
I currently work at a major label doing what Justin used to do, A&R. His book is kicking my ass. So true...so legit...so on the money. I wrote him to say: “ I have not finished it but am on my way. Really digging it. Nice work. Our markets are really different but there are enough similarities that you had me giving an "AMEN!"...well...just about every page.”
REVIEW FROM BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
Reviewer: Chris Morris
"Whether you're an indie or not, working today's music industry is not unlike fighting in a guerrilla war, and knowledge is the best weaponry we know. As the title suggests, Justin Goldberg's book reflects that it's a whole new ballgame out there. Goldberg has pulled together a provocative map for navigating the music-biz waters, combining intelligent and honest testimony from seasoned pros with common-sense advice aimed largely at DIY label practitioners . One of the most useful features of Goldberg's tome is a CD-ROM included as standard equipment. The disc contains some handy informational databases."
BELIEVE ME, YOU NEED THIS BOOK!
Reviewer: Marlene, vocalist/composer/pianist from Boston, MA United States
This is an amazingly truthful and humorous exploration of the psychology of the music industry! The numerous interviews of industry executives and Goldberg's own anecdotes as an ex-A&R rep -- are strong reminders that the music business is a business after all, and that a musician has become more a commodity than an artist in the industry's eyes. This is a serious Reality Check, and will be a major kick (...)to not wait for the label-in-shining-armor to save you. And the good news is, you don't need to be saved by a label--you can DO IT YOURSELF.
It gets better! The all access CD (the book comes with a CD-Rom of resources) which contains useful information, becomes a fantastic deal when you upgrade into their membership plan (very ingenious product-bundling), as the doors are open to information on industry contacts, radio station databases, etc., etc. What a goldmine!
Believe me, you NEED this book!
REQUIRED READING
Reviewer: Alex Walsh from San Francisco, CA
Justin's way of explaining the huge changes in the music industry with his own stories and interviews makes me think how these same events have affected me personally. As I'm reading I see myself in 1993, 97, 99, and suddenly the big picture makes some kind of sense.
This book is a completely practical How-To Manual. I've already applied some basic email tricks that have changed the way I send mp3's to contacts. That alone is worth the price of admission--I think this book will become required reading for music business classes around the country. Yes, I really like this book.
AN EXCELLENT AND TIMELY BOOK
Reviewer: Brad Josling from Vancouver, BC
I was thoroughly impressed with Justin's efforts on The Handbook For Hell. His timing for this book could not be better. Having worked for major labels and now operating my own independent artist management/marketing company, I could not agree more with his DIY philosophy. The music industry has undergone radical change, and Justin highlights that if you're willing to put in some hard work to develop artists independently...there's a bright future ahead. I also loved reading the interviews from industry experts. This is a must read for any artist or member of today's music industry.
GREAT INSIDER INTERVIEWS
Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles, CA USA
Finished absorbing the book just last week and I've got to say it's some of the *best* money I've ever spent in this industry! Gave me great perspective and I particularly liked all the insider interviews! Nicely done!
A MUSIC BUSINESS JEWEL OF A BOOK
There are a lot of music biz books out there. The problem with my old favorites is the basics are there, but they are really outdated with the current changes in the music industry. Less than two weeks ago, I read this new release "The Ultimate Survival Guide to the New Music Industry: Handbook for Hell" written by Justin Goldberg. The writer has 15+ years under his belt and first hand experience with what new artists and other music biz wannabes face today. In my opinion, it is a crucial . .let me repeat crucial . . information guide that anyone genuinely interested in the music business should sit down and read. Unless you know the basics about copyrights and royalty distribution, you will be led around by your nose. This book covers TV, film, albums, copyright, record deals, lawyers, managers, indie labels and paints the big picture clearly. It also comes with a CD (not audio) that has numerous business forms that you need to be familiar with and a whole list of contacts for record companies, radio, management, etc. It is the best music biz book I have read in a very long time. It is now the first book I recommend to anyone for this new age of music business that we find ourselves in. A Must Read for anyone who is seriously interested in pursuing a career in today's music field, where I myself have logged twenty+ years.
A GOOD BOOK! HERE IS A COMMENT THAT I WROTE TO THE AUTHOR:
Reviewer: A reader from Philadelphia, pa United States
I just wanted to drop you a line and tell you how much I enjoyed your book. It was very informative- I would actually love to talk to you about your experiences some time when I am in CA. It sounds like you were in the thick of it during some very interesting and informative times. The artwork that you included was very cool-honestly really neat stuff.
ULTIMATE SURVIVAL, INDEED!
Reviewer: Keith Holzman from Los Angeles, CA USA
Goldberg's is an excellent and timely book that should be useful to anyone considering getting into this weird but wonderful business of music. His illustrations are clever but it's a shame that they're not in color. It's a must read for anyone who's interested in the music industry.
PRACTICAL AND INSIGHTFUL
Reviewer: mpboyle from Atlanta, GA United States
As an industry outsider, survival guide is proving indispensable in my effort to take a popular yet unsigned Atlanta act to the next level. Goldberg succeeds at making the industry Understandable and accessible.M. BoyleManager - YOUwww.pleaserock.com
IT'S GREAT!!!
Reviewer: A reader from Fort Lauderdale, FL
Thank you Justin for allowing us to get more information in one read than many of us get in years! This book allows you to read interviews from people who are high executives and colleagues in all aspects of the music business. It's a great for anyone interested in this hellish biz of Music!
LIVING PROOF, THIS BOOK IS RIGHT ON TARGET!
Reviewer: Steve McAnulla from Lawrence, Kansas
I really wanted to put together a band that was open minded to my ideas, and wanted to attack the music industry in a very "UNTRADITIONAL" way. I am a computer nerd from way back, and I could see that over the years to come... this could be my big chance to accomplish my dream if the cards were played right. So, I put out an ad on 2 musicians classified sections (via the internet) seeking the like-minded band mates I had always dreamed of meeting. Well, I met them all within a couple weeks thanks to the ads. We spoke on the phone, and through emails. Joe (guitarist) tells me on the phone that he has a few songs he could send me in mp3 format over the internet that he recorded at home. I set up an ftp server, and had the songs that same night. I wrote the vocals on the fly for the most part while recording them, and sent them back within hours of getting the music from Joe. He freaked out, and loved the vocals. He then sent me 2 more songs. They were completely finished over the next 2 days. He heard them, and freaked out again lol. Well, after feeling such strong chemistry, we knew we needed to meet in person, and we had to find a drummer ASAP. I happened to know of one that I met online as well. And he is our drummer still today. Our other guitarist is Joe's best friend (for over 10 years), and our bassist we met online several months later after the album was already complete. In 3 months time, we had written a full album, recorded it's demo, built a website,.... And were playing gigs. We were headlining by our 3rd show. A couple months later we recorded the ACTUAL album on our home computer, filmed the entire process, edited down the footage, turned it into an enhanced CD, sent it off to be mass produced, and are currently getting it to radio stations, labels, managers, publications, etc... all thanks to the internet. Although we had done all of this before I had even read "THE ULTIMATE SURVIVAL GUIDE to the NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY", in reading this book.... I feel more confident that our band is doing the correct steps that will give us the edge in this rapidly evolving "NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY". And I've learned plenty of new tricks that had not even crossed my mind. The wisdom in these pages is invaluable.
If you want to see some of the ideas from this book at work, you may visit www.zenm.com/e-card . This is a web address of my band TELEMETRIC. It is an E-CARD sent to music industry contacts.
Use this book by Justin Goldberg to enrich your life. The price of the book will pay for itself 1000 fold!