Kong (1): Sliptrick approached us with a proposal for a non-exclusive 18-month deal for the release of our latest album. The deal included physical distribution of 2000 copies and online distribution via well-known streaming platforms.

Kong (2): A marketing plan would be rolled out for this purpose, including promotional merchandise, posters, etc. Royalties and the proceeds from physical and digital sales were to be split 50/50.

Kong (3): The investment would also be split 50/50, so the band contributes to the marketing costs. Which is of course pretty unusual, but okay, music business changed and is tough these days. Maybe a little naive, but we decided to give it a shot.

Kong (4): Seven months later the only result has been a few reviews on websites with hardly any reach, and it's questionable whether this happened through Sliptrick. And it's highly doubtful whether the CDs have even been pressed.

Kong (5): Despite multiple requests, we have not received the promised physical promo CDs nor an overview of the marketing activities carried out. It remains a case of half-hearted promises that, unfortunately, are not fulfilled.

Kong (6): All in all a very disappointing and frustrating experience. Explicit advice: don't fall for it!!

Konvolted (1): We've managed to terminate our contract with Sliptrick prior to the expiration date. To cut it short: We didn't get back any of our money. But we successfully cut ties, and hold rights to our music and videos exclusively again.

Konvolted (2): Although we had hired a lawyer to help us, that's all that has been possible in an out-of-court solution. Unfortunately, Sliptrick did not respond to our proposal to terminate the contract by mutual agreement and repay at least half of our money.

Konvolted (3): Interesting: Our complaint about the promotion not being carried out was answered as follows: „As per the contract terms, there isn't a specified timeline for expenditure, as it aligns with the distribution schedule coordinated by the label“ - means something like:

Konvolted (4): it's not specified on what date the promotion would be carried out... You never stop learning: I've never heard releasing an album first, and promote it later - until now.

Konvolted (5): Also interesting: Responding to our claim to prove fulfillment of the contract, Carlo Muselli answered: „... we acknowledge the potential for contractual disagreements“ - I take that as a guilty plea, sir.

Konvolted (6): He went on: „...as a reputable company...we propose considering a unilateral termination without refund.“ IMO, a „reputable company“ admitting „contractual disagreements“ would've proposed a MUTUAL termination, and refunded at least parts of our financial deposit.

Konvolted (7): Accepting the financial loss and being ok with just regaining our exclusive rights, the termination of the contract was very easy.

Konvolted (8): Under „Terms and Termination“ it has been written that the contract could be „terminated if either Party breaches any of the provisions of this Agreement, which breach has not been remedied within thirty (30) days of written notice of the breach“.

Konvolted (9): Step 1: We sent an e-mail with a list of the breaches of contract, and granted them 30 days to remedy the breaches or provide evidence of performance. (Note: Not you, but they have to prove they executed what has been contracted.)

Konvolted (10): Step 2: Because the breaches of contract were not remedied, nor accountability provided after 30 days, we sent another e-mail in which we terminated the contract and demanded that they remove our music and videos from their platforms.

Konvolted (11): If you prefer a more detailed version of how a label contract can be terminated, you can download a long-form here, that uses our case as an example: drive.google.com/file/d/1yJWuzU…

Mario Rossi Band (1): Nowadays nobody needs a record company who asks money from us, if you are willing to pay for something in the release step, pay for a good promotion.

Mario Rossi Band (2): PayPal removed the fraudulent links, as I let Spotify, Google etc know clearly who is the client they are dealing with.

Mario Rossi Band (3): I encourage everyone with this same problem contact their distributor The Orchard (theorchard.com), they removed all songs from the album requested by me.