Working With Chartsong
Chartsong will not work with anyone. Because we market our product direct to record labels, there is a selection criteria to go through. To make it simple, we’ve divided this section into a Frequently Asked Questions page. You should find most questions answered somewhere here.
Q. How far in advance do I need to book?
A. It all depends on Stuart’s commitments. Sometimes, you can start almost immediately. Other times, you may have to wait a couple of months. Generally, two months out is a minimum.
Q. Is this offer available to anyone?
A. No. Unlike most producers, Stuart will not record ‘anyone who has the money’. Because he promotes everything he records directly to hard-earned contacts at record labels, the music and artist must be of a high standard to start with. Stuart will need to hear a demo before agreeing to anything, and he also needs to talk with you on the phone, just to make sure your head is in the right place. We'll be suggesting lots of changes and improvements, so you'll need to be open minded and ready to do something different. If you do things the way you've always done them, you'll get the results you've always got.
Q. I’m a solo singer who doesn’t write songs. I have a great voice and star quality – is this the right thing for me?
A. Definitely – Stuart is an experienced songwriter and has written for many artists. He also has a team of songwriters who write songs under the Chartsong banner. Stuart will find the right songs for you to record. In some cases, Stuart may recommend that you record a cover song, that is, a remake of an old song.
Q. I’m a songwriter who plays a bit of guitar and sings – how will this work for me?
A. Perfectly – Stuart will help you choose your best 2 songs for recording, then give you advice on how to best arrange and produce the tracks. He will arrange for all other instruments to be recorded - he often plays everything himself.
Q. I’m in a band – can we come and record with Stuart?
A. Yes, of course. If you're not from Brisbane, we can even accommodate you while you're recording (up to five people).
Q. I don’t live in Brisbane, but I’d like to work with Stuart – how does that work?
A. You fly here and stay with us for the duration of the recording, then return home with a CD, ready to be marketed to labels. We can work with anyone from anywhere. Accommodation is included in the price. Click here for details about Chartsong accommodation.
Q. Does Stuart specialise in any one musical style?
A. If anything, Stuart is known as a producer of ‘radio-friendly’ songs. His productions always fit into the format of Nova, Austereo (2Day FM, B105, FOX FM, SA FM, equivalent NZ station), MMM or JJJ.
Q. What is the price and what does it include?
A. Our fees start as low as $3900. See the Packages & Prices Section for more specific info. Basically, this price includes 5 days with Stuart recording your best 2 songs and help with record label promotion. The price includes accommodation if you need it. We can work with anyone in Australia or NZ.
Q. Will I have any time to do some sightseeing?
A. Probably not – you’ll be needed in the studio every day between 11am and 6pm. For bands, it's up to you whether every member of the band comes every day - for example, the drummer might be only needed one day, whereas the singer / songwriter will almost definitely be required for the whole time.
Q. Can we record in Sydney/Melbourne etc?
A. No. Stuart bases himself in Brisbane. It’s actually much better to completely get away from your life and fully concentrate on your music. Remember, accommodation is included, so you just have to get yourself here. With flights being so cheap these days, its very easy!
Q What kind of mics/reverb/software do you use?
A. These kind of questions are really not worth answering, as the best gear in the world won’t save a bad song, or make a crap producer sound good. Listen to the Chartsong sample CD, and make your judgements on that. We’ve got all the pro gear you'll need, but you shouldn’t make your decision on the equipment – it’s the driver of that equipment that counts.
Q. What will I need to bring?
A. If you’re a solo performer, probably nothing. We’ll supply all instruments. If you’d particularly like to bring your own guitar/keyboard, no worries. If you’re in an interstate band and want to bring a full drum kit, you should consider driving here. If you're flying, drummers should bring pedals, snare, cymbals and hats if possible. We can provide drum kits/guitars etc at no extra charge.
Q. Who will be in the studio with me? Who else is involved with Chartsong?
A. There are three or four people that work for Chartsong regularly, but they won’t be directly involved in your recording. Only you and Stuart (plus any session musicians) will be in the studio.
Q. Will Stuart help me improve my songs?
A. Absolutely! This is one of his main roles. He will help you improve your lyrics, melodies, chords and arrangements. The copyright to your songs remains your own, unless you agree to let Stuart write a part of a song. Often, this part of the process takes an entire day, sometimes two. There's no point recording anything until the song is working brilliantly.
Q. I’m a solo performer with limited instrumental skills – who will be playing the instruments on my songs?
A. Stuart is an accomplished keyboardist and guitarist and is very capable of playing everything. He’s also very experienced with drum programming.
Q. What if we run out of time, and don’t get everything recorded?
A. That’s never happened. Stuart is very focused in the studio and will keep you on task. It’s important to realise that your time at Chartsong will be spent RECORDING – the mixing and mastering will happen after you leave. You’ll be sent a CD to comment on and ultimately approve, then the final CD’s after that. Stuart usually spends a further 3 days mixing after the artist leaves.
Q. What if I disagree with Stuart ideas?
A. Firstly, it’s important that you speak up. Secondly, it’s critical that you have an open mind. Stuart has produced more music than you can imagine, and always has a reason for his ideas. Ultimately though, it comes down to taste. Stuart will respect your opinion. At the end of the day, it’s your music, but you're mainly paying for Stuart's honest feedback and ideas, not for him to just record whatever you want.
Q. I’m a bit worried about my voice. I sometimes sing out of tune, and I’m not very experienced with harmonies and backing vocals. Is that a problem?
A. If there’s one thing you can be assured of, it’s that Stuart will record the very best vocal you are capable of. He has plenty of ways of pulling a great vocal out of a singer. Above all, he’ll make you feel comfortable, give you as much time as you need, and make you sound better than ever.
Q. I’ve got a few particular ideas for my songs. I want strings in one place, organ in another and flanging on my voice on one song. Also, I want a thumping techno beat for the first verse, then a real sounding jazz kit for the chorus, and then a huge heavy guitar in the bridge. On the last verse, I want loads of echo, and a phaser on the bass? Over the last guitar solo, I’d like some whale sound effects. Can all that be done?
A. Yes – anything you want, we can try it. There are no limitations. Then again, if your wacky ideas are more distracting than anything else, Stuart will tell you.
Q. Will my CD sound as good as what’s on the radio?
A. Pretty much. It's probably advisable to request a sample CD and make up your own mind.
Q. Will I have input into the mix of the CD?
A. Yes – we’ll send you a rough mix CD, then incorporate your comments into the final version. Again, you should approach the mixing with an open mind.
Q. What’s mastering?
A. Mastering is the final polishing of a CD. It’s where the sound is smoothed out – more bass is usually added and the sound is enhanced to make it sound more ‘exciting’. The volume is also adjusted so the CD plays loud and sounds good on radio. Fade-outs are also done at this point. Mastering is included in the price.
Q. How many CD’s go out to record labels?
A. When the recording is complete, you’ll get our contact list, containing around 200 industry people. This includes record labels, publishers, managers, radio and more. Stuart will indicate which of these contacts will most likely be interested in hearing your CD. There are usually around 20 relevant contacts - industry folks that are particularly interested in your style of music, and are actively looking for new artists.
Q. Will my CD go out to the big record companies?
A. More than likely, yes. EMI, Sony, Warner and Universal are all on our list, along with many others. Often, the smaller labels and management companies are quicker to get on something, and these can be good halfway steps between anonymity and stardom.
Q. What if I want to release the CD myself?
A. You can. Stuart can hook you up with a distributor. We'll also help you with radio play.
Q. What are my chances?
A. Vastly improved!! Let’s put it this way. Your best 2 songs will be tweaked and worked over by a very experienced songwriter, then recorded as well as they ever could be by one of Australia’s best producers. Your performance will be flawless and you will sound your very best. The package will be fully professional. It will be sent to the 20 people in the Australian music industry who are most likely to take an interest and do something with it. They will listen with open ears. Having said all that, this is one of the most competitive industries there is. You’ve got to be damn good to break through and you need every unfair advantage you can get. In a nutshell, your chances will dramatically improve.
Q. What has been the success rate of people who have recorded with Stuart?
A. Better than just about anybody! Check out the success stories page for the full story.
Q. What will happen if I get ‘the call’ from a record label?
A. Firstly, you’ll realise that this is only the first step. Record labels don’t often sign people on two song demos alone (well, Stuart was signed by Mushroom on the basis of ONE song, but that’s another story). They’ll want to hear more, or see you play live, or meet you for dinner. Stuart will give you advice at this stage. If they actually offer you a deal, you’re going to need a good lawyer – again, Stuart can point you in the right direction, and advise you.
Q. I’m not sure – it seems like a lot of money. How do I know if this is right for me?
A. For a start, you should ring up a few producers with equivalent skills, cred and contacts. One notable producer charges $9500 per song. Stuart charges less because he’s more interested in discovering a great talent and getting them signed than he is in making stacks of money on the front end. Ultimately, it comes down to how important music is in your life, and how much you believe in your talent. Some people have decided to record with Stuart because they’ve never had a decent recording of their music, and simply want to hear how good they can sound with a pro helping them. Others know that they have a unique talent and that it deserves to be heard. They realise that recording with Stuart helps them bypass the bullshit and get straight to the main event. Some people have lots of creative ability, or a great voice, but haven’t been able to harness it. If you fall into any of these categories, this could indeed be the best thing for you. If you’re passionate about music and performing, then having a polished, completely professional recording of your talent is a smart investment. It's important to realise that making a great CD will be just as important to Stuart as it is to you - it's his name on it too! That's the difference. One thing that always surprises us is that musicians will spend years of their life trying to get somewhere with their songs, but never commit to a REAL DEAL recording, and a genuine shot at labels. They'll spend thousands on guitars, amps (not to mention beer and cigarettes) but not the one thing that might honestly get them to the next level. These days, your demo CD is your ticket to everywhere in the music industry. If it's not 100% great, the doors will stay closed.
Q. Ok, it all sounds great, but what if Stuart doesn’t like my demo?
A. Remember, being chosen depends almost as much on your attitude as it does on your songs. Stuart would prefer to work with a modest, open-minded person who’s not quite there yet, rather than a genius who’s going to need a second suitcase just for their ego. If your songs show potential, and you're open minded, we can help with the rest. We don't simply record you as you are - we regularly make pretty dramatic changes for the better.
Read Some Of The Many Chartsong Success Stories
How Much Does It Cost To Work With Stuart Stuart?
Request A Sample CD Of Stuart's Work