The distribution sales manager of Morphius Records met with students on Thursday to give insight on his career and share some of his experiences in the music industry.
The Maryland Music Business Society hosted the event featuring Kris Heath, who delivered his presentation at the business school.
Heath clarified that Morphius Records is a distributor, which is not to be confused with a record label.
They do, however, work closely with labels by helping to determine release dates and conveying this information to stores once it is determined.
“It’s not a job about promotion so much, that’s the label’s job to promote an artist and spend money on things like advertising and marketing,” said Heath.
According to Heath, time of year is a very important factor in determining release dates. October is considered the best time to release a record because it’s the beginning of the holiday shopping season.
Heath got his start at Morphius by meeting the owner while playing out as a musician.
“[The owner] knew some of the bands I was in and I got to know him a little bit. Then fast forward a few years and I bumped into him and we were talking about work, or whatever, and he basically just offered me a job,” said Heath.
According to Heath, it is not unusual for former or current musicians to work for labels or even own them.
Heath has worked for Morphius for the last three years and has just recently resigned.
“Distribution is getting harder and harder all the time. It’s really stressful and doesn’t pay very well and some of the major labels have just completely fallen and don’t even exist anymore,” said Heath in an explanation of why he left the company.
Heath’s presentation seemed to make a career in the music industry appear very bleak.
“I think the future is in management,” said Heath in response to a student who asked what he would recommend to someone who is looking for a job in the music industry.
Heath said that a considerably successful band that he is friends with are only selling albums at shows and are choosing to get out of their contract with their label and let their manager handle all of their business.
Heath also said there is money to be made in live performances which is easier said than done unless you are a popular musician.