| MKVibe Records |
| MKVibe Records MKVibe.com, Andy Jones Scam, mis-sold, scam merchant, con-man, scheme Internet |
| 10th of May, 2011 by User182560 |
In September 2010 I applied to MKVibe as a recording artist, looking to get signed. They sent me a reply email saying they had listened to my music online (which was odd as I didn't have any) and they wanted me to go meet them the next week to discuss options regarding my music and a possible recording deal, which seemed very exciteing. I eventually went to see them in their then tiny office, where there were 3 guys sat at desks and a sofa.
They listened to the demo CD i took with me and because the recordings were low quality they were laughing a bit, but then they got me to sing one of the songs live and seemed impressed, so said they would be in touch soon. They got in touch offering me the 'development deal' which is a photoshoot, a couple of video recordings of singing in the studio and an interview video, which are then put into an 'e-book' on their website. They said this usually costs 700 but they were happy to split the cost with me and so I paid 350 and went to get the stuff done. The photographer I had was really nice, but has since left the company because he doesn't like them and they still owe him money over 6 months since he left the company. I had a couple of videos recorded, including the interview (which never got put into the e-book). It took about 3 months for them to make the e-book and get it online, along with my name spelt incorrectly and several typos. Now the part where they scammed me - They sent me a song saying it would be great as my debut single and offered to 'split the cost' of an 800 music video so I would only have to pay 400. I was stupid enough to go along with this... as they said there would be 3 cameramen, a storyboard, HD camera, hair and make-up artists etc. I turned up for the video shoot, and there was one cameraman who didn't really know what he was doing, no hair and make-up artists, no storyboard, and all I did was stand/sit there and sing in different changes of clothes. I was meant to be going in the studio that day to record but the guy who had the guys was in a foreign country, and they somehow only just realised this on the day. After 4 months I was sent a youtube link to my video, and frankly it is the worst music video I have ever seen and I could have done a much better job myself using just 10 in petrol to travel around locations, instead of over 750 after paying for travel and accomodation. After seeing the video I was furious, and I sent them an email demanding a refund as the service was terrible and the video shoot was mis-sold to me as there was no hair and make up artists, no storyboard etc. They replied saying that basically they feel the video is excellent, and failed to acknowledge that it was mis-sold to me, and didn't even mention giving me a refund. Since then I have sent several emails threatening taking legal action against them, but they won't take notice of my requests for my money back and they try to worm there way around it. It took me 7 months from my first meeting with them to get a single and video done, yet in 2 months on my own, I have found a great songwriter who has so-far written half an album for me and I am well on the way to getting all my promo material etc. They still refuse to give me a refund so I am looking for a good solicitor to help me with the case, even though I am strapped for cash as I spent it all on the scammers. |
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| To be honest, 350 for a photoshoot alone is pretty reasonable, and definitely 400 for any form of video is cheap as chips, most studios/companies these days charge that just for hire. Trust me, I've been in the "music business" for a long time and I've paid alot more while recieving alot less than you described. Fair enough if you feel you was missold but you can't just demand a refund and claim you were scammed because you don't like it. I've looked up mkvibe and personally i think their quality is quite high compared to most "development labels". Like I said I've been in a similar situation as you, but i gave them a call asking if we could meet in the middle and reshoot a few bits for me. They eventually agreed and I am now happy that I atleast got my money's worth. I know I may have sounded harsh but I do wish you all the best and hopefully see you at the top someday. We all know how badly the music industry is struggling at the moment, so if I have to pay my own way to the top then so be it. |
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I read the post at the top and felt I had to reply, especially as I have been with this record label for a number of years. I have been in the music business for over 10 years, writing my own material and struggling to be noticed. I came across MKVibe Records and decided that teh time was right to take on some extra help. i have to say, i have had so much help and assistance that has given my career a real boost. Firstly, i needed some of my tracks producing and I needed a real makeover in terms of my image. A plan was put together on what i needed, and a budget was decided on that I was happy with. Things are so different now compared to a few years ago, any serious artist that is looking at breaking through has to be prepared to put some of their money into their art. Thankfully, the record label helped me with every aspect of what i needed, from image to recordings, a music video, promotion, gigs, live events and a single launch. i am not saying that they are perfect, of course it would be great if my career would just take off and move super quickly, but I am a realist and appreciate all the professional help I have been given. To be fair to the report above, i am sure that there are going to be people who may not be stiafied with any company they deal with, i know many many artists who have signed to major labels and not been satisfied with how their career went. the advantage of being with a smaller independent label when you are starting out, is that at least you are heard and can take a lot of control of what is done for you. I would suggest communication is the key. I have been pleased with the way i can talk direct with the bosses if I need to and the team as a whole at the label are absolutely amazing, so very dedicated.
The figures in the post are very very reasonable, i have spent absolutely thousands of pounds on my demo's and stuff over the years and can honestly say, any costs involved with my project now are absolutely reasonable. I think the writer should consider asking for his video to be re-editted if he is not satisfied, that would seem to solve his problem |
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