Longwalk Distro

About me:

What is Longwalk Distribution?
- Longwalk Distribution is just me, my computer, and the post office.

What kind of distribution does Longwalk offer?
- Currently, I work exclusively with Japanese retailers and labels.

Why would I sell my music in Japan?
-The music scene in Japan is very positive for indie and emerging artists, particularly in the screamo, metalcore, post-hardcore, and pop-punk genres. Due to the enthusiasm in Japan for this type of music, it is possible for an emerging artist to sell very well in Japan with no promotion or touring.

Is this consignment?
- No! The retailers I work with pay upfront for every CD that I export. You'll get paid before you send me a single CD.

Are there any contracts or licensing?
- No! Each order is treated as a one-time wholesale purchase. There are no contracts or rights conferred. If you already have distribution in Japan through your label, you must check to make sure it is ok to sell CDs in Japan independently.

Are you going to rip me off?
- No! You name the price for your CD. Typically, the retailer pays between $2-$4 for an EP and $4-$6 for a full length (great pricing for wholesale CDs), but you are free to tell us how much you want for your music.

How many copies of my CD will you buy?
- A typical first order is 50-100 units. If the CD sells well in the first month or two, the retailer will often reorder at a larger quantity. It is also not uncommon to do an initial order of 150-200 units if the retailers feels that the CD will be well-received or if there is already an existing market for your music in Japan.

Do I have to ship the CDs to Japan myself?
- No! Once you have been paid for an order, you will ship the CDs promptly and safely to me. If you are in America, sending a box of CDs via the USPS at their "media mail" rate is very inexpensive. If I need the CDs faster, I will reimburse you for any additional costs. If you are outside of the US, international shipping is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. When I receive the CDs, I will process and repackage them with other artists and mail them to Japan myself. I take care of all the customs paperwork.

What's in it for Longwalk Distribution?
- My fee is 10% of the total cost of buying your CDs. If we buy 50 copies of your EP at $3.00 each, I will take $15 and you would receive $135.00. My fee covers my time, customs forms, currency exchange, and any applicable taxes.

Why is your fee so low?
- I'm young and I work from my apartment. I recycle boxes and packing supplies and have virtually no overhead costs. I also have a day job.

What artists do you work with?
- I work with artists on major labels, major-independent labels, small indie labels, DIY labels, and a bunch of unsigned artists. My artists range from having 30,000 to 36 million myspace plays. All of my "Top Friends" listed below are clients, and I am happy to provide additional references at your request.

Sounds great, so how does this work exactly?
- The retailers send me lists of CDs that they are interested in and I contact the artists or their management. I also make suggestions from time to time. If you feel like your music could be successful in Japan, please send me a message.

Once I contact the artist at the request of the retailer, the artist provides information on their release, including how it's packaged, how many tracks, and wholesale pricing per unit. I convey this information to the retailer, who will tell me how many copies they are interested in ordering. I receive a wire transfer from the retailer and pay the artist via check or PayPal. The artist receives the payment and mails me the CDs. I put the CDs in my next shipment to Japan, and typically within two weeks the CDs will be available in the retailer's online store.

Can you get us signed to a Japanese label?
- Yes! If your CD sells well in Japan, I can definitely help you pursue a licensing deal with an independent Japanese label. My fee is the same (10% of your gross earnings).

Can you help us tour in Japan?
- Yes! If your CD is experiencing a lot of success in Japan, I can definitely point you in the right direction for touring.

Anything else?
- Please mail me an extra copy of your CD so I can enjoy your music myself. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to send me a message. I'm more than happy to discuss this all on the phone as well.