So a guy from Japan wants to distribute my album. I asked him a few questions and I'm waiting for a reply, but it's hard to say if it's a bad deal or if it's just a language barrier thing...

anyone have any experience with our friends to the east?

as an example of what I'm trying to wade through

http://powerpopacademy.com/pr/ppapr.pdf

I know that Spade Kitty Matt has experience with these things. You might want to drop him an email, too.

working on it. the internet at school is abominable.

I'd run as fast as ya can...
It's not really distribution...It seems like you are paying for a PR "distro" service....They'll send it out to their press and radio, and there is no guarantee it will get play or coverage. They'll house your record, should actual record stores want to carry it, but without significant radio play, press, or live appearances by you, stores are not going to just stock your record because it is available........

At this stage, if i were you, focus on the local (texas, and surrounding area's at most)....work your way outwards.....worry about America before you worry about the Asian market.....

Even if you did get a bit of coverage out there, the cost to ship records and sell records to potential customers over there won't be worth your trouble....

There are 5000 companies that do the same exact thing in America.
I use CD Baby to get my releases onto itunes, spotify and all the digital outlets....they also act like a physical distribtuion system and many stores have ordered my records from them directly.....costs less than 100 bux for it all.....

then if you are serious, find a local music pr team (focusing on your type of music), to work your record to radio and press.....unless you are ready to go on the road to promote, focus on your area......great press in New Hampshire is not going ot mean much unless you are going to be able to play up there to help promote as well...

that's what i figured.

I used distro kid instead of cd baby. hitting the road solo this summer.