What is "label interest" really?

I have no desire to be in an original band and take it as far as I can.
Never have. Thus I'm somewhat ignorant on the subject of getting signed. So,
can anyone elaborate on what people mean by "we have label interest" in
their musician wanted ads? My gut reaction is that if a record company wants
you, they want you. What's this "interest" stuff? Are you in negotiations?
Did they say, "when you can draw crowds this size up and down the coast,
come see us?"

I would think if you need another musician that your contact at the label
would be able to send a dozen people your way rather than have you advertise
on Craigslist. If I worked for a label, I'm not sure I would be interested
in a band that was short a musician and had to put out a casting call on
Craigslist.

I would think you'd have more of a presence than a MySpace site with songs
without vocals.

I would think that you'd have at least a homegrown CD for sale.

I would think that you would have some gigs already lined up plus a history
of gigging more than just a few free local shows.

Are these people lying or fooling themselves? Or am I just that clueless as
to how that part of the music business works? It seems like a third of the
ads for original bands claim to have label interest, so I'm really curious.


.

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