Record Labels

i'm not a musician, but i've had friends who were musicians, and i think the way to do it is you just have to put yourself out there! make a demo or an EP or something, then find labels who focus on the genres of music you make/have musicians on them you're influenced by, and just look for their contact information and send them your stuff. 

I'm not currently in a group but I've had friends that have had records pressed. Here's a few things I've picked up:

1) a, "record deal" is a kind of loan to write, record, and promote a record. Usually the margins are very slim especially if you have a 5+ person group. 80,000$ wouldn't even cover, "real" touring and recording expenses so that means everyone in the band's salary might be, "IOUs" and drink tickets while on tour. This varies.

2) Often times I'd see groups do a deal with say Lolipop Records/Weiner Record (pick your poison) for just a single or an EP which gets promoted by the label. There are niche labels everywhere that are always looking for things to add to their catalog but simply, "collaborating" on a release releases both parties from any huge liabilities. Try, "making something of extreme value" and selling it to a imprint label that would, "get it."

3) The record industry (and startup space) run at an extreme loss. Labels lose money (don't recoup costs) on 95%+ of their artists/materials. All it takes is a few Taylor Swifts, Michael Jackson, Madonna, U2, ect... to recoup the overall lost costs invested in their catalog of artists. It isn't unwise to think of the label as a, "funder" for a, "developing project." The need to be, "the next Oasis" is really overblown. We need, "good music" not necessarily, "giant fuckall cultural revolutions" although we all love The Libertines and Biff Bang Pow! 

Most importantly this isn't legal or financial advice. Just, "thinking out loud." Rock the fuck on.