It depends on the intended use of your reel. Most record labels have an active understanding of the purpose of a demo reel, however it's sort of a "working standard" for directors or film makers to not use music in their reel unless they've worked with the respective band.

With regards to contacting the label of your choice. Send me a note and tell me what artist/label you're attempting to get permission for and I can help you get in contact with the right people. If you approach them right, it may not require licensing. It just depends on what you say to them, and where you intend to put it.

A lot of the time you will need to get permission from the Record Label that 'owns' the band/song/whatever. Even if you get permission from the band itself, you need permission from the label they're signed to in order to use it. And then a lot of the time you'll be paying to use it.

If, however, they are unsigned, then just their written consent (assuming they own their own copyright) should be sufficient (if you can get it). If they're an unsigned band, then i think it might be easier to get their persmission.

It will also depend if they're registered with ASCAP or BMI or not. Those guys more or less hunt you down for royalty payments. And royalties will also depend on how much of the song you use. They have different prices for different increments. I know from personal experience that via BMI, for about 6seconds of a song that Conan O'Brien's band used from a musician registered with BMI, that it cost (either $36) or $63 bucks (i'm dyslexic sometimes ). Some older songs from older bands have had the rights sold to different labels and whatnot, so you'll have to try and figure out who owns the copyright first, and knwoing if they're signed or not will help you out

I know that with films especially (like, if you wanted to use a teeny clip from some film or something for whatever) that the rule is that you have to get the permission and the greenlight from every single person in that scene before you can use it and then PAY to use it Hollywood is crazy peoples

But as for music, here's those sites you may wanna check out:

http://www.ascap.com/
http://www.bmi.com/

....i hope i helped a little at least!

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<sub>Film Gallery Moderator

Unsigned Rock TV

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You helped awesomely!! Thank you so much!
Man, so much red tape on these things, but I am not surprised at all, nor at the cost. The same goes for the film industry when you want to use footage from something, I think. That was mentioned in one of my animation business classes.

I'm hunting down the right contact for the band's record label now, maybe with the help of ^kmdigital there. I won't be too worried if it doesn't work out though, just have to find something else or maybe someone to make it.

Anyway, cheeeers for your input!

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"If you can't be a good example, you'll just have to be a horrible warning." ~ Catherine Aird

All I need is what band you're looking for and I'll be able to contact the label myself or give you the correct contact info to do so yourself. I got your message saying that it was the Kooks. They're on Virgin records who I have a good relationship with. I know the owner and a few other bands on the label. It shouldn't be hard for me to figure out who to contact. I'll note you back with the info.

Thanks for asking here first!

I hope everything goes fantastically!! haha it sounds nuts but it shouldn't be too much trouble ^___^ WOOO!!! teamwork right thar whut whut HAHA

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<sub>Film Gallery Moderator

Unsigned Rock TV

[link] <--custom stuff

Weasley FF! (not slash)[link]</sub>