Crucial Music is a one-stop agency for licensing independent music to films, TV shows, and commercials.

One of the premier services of its kind, Crucial has secured many feature placements for independent artists in highly rated television shows, feature films, and advertising.

I recently got the opportunity to sit down with Tanvi Patel, one of the founders of Crucial Music, to ask her about what Crucial Music does for artists, and what artists should know before signing with a non-exclusive catalog.

What is your professional background and how did you get involved in Crucial Music?

I started in radio, in broadcasting. I have a degree in communications. Right out of college I went into the radio business and specifically public radio. I was a DJ and did some event planning as well for the radio station. I decided that I wanted to be in the record business because I was spinning records.

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Isn’t it your dream as a musician to make music, but also your goal to have a music career?

You likely use a variety of methods to promote your music: email lists, a website, word of mouth, MySpace, Facebook and any number of other social networking sites.

You probably put your music online, write press releases, supply a bio, provide photos or create an electronic press kit combining all of these.

All are effective and necessary ways to promote your career.

But are you harnessing the power of online movies to promote your music?

In order to stay ahead of the competition, many businesses are using online movies as part of their online promotional strategy. As a musician, there is no reason you can’t do the same to build your music career.

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Should an artist sign a 360 deal?

This question is addressed by music manager Peter Malkin in a video blog.

What I like about this video is that in six minutes, Malkin addresses the major issues artists should be concerned with when they are considering signing a 360 deal. While Malkin seems to be on the “against” side of the argument about 360 deals, I think this video can be helpful to anyone who wants to learn about the basics of a 360 deal.

First, Malkin defines a 360 deal as a contract that allows a record company to participate in all of an artist’s revenue streams.

Next he asks- Is the record company putting up additional money for those rights?

Then he discusses the topics that artists should consider when deciding whether to partner with a record company in a 360 deal: Will they provide any expertise, services or funding for anything other than selling records, such as:

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