By: Tim Roberson

    Raphael Domalik knows business. From the beginning he has been on the cutting edge of the digital revolution in South Africa. After starting his own company, what is essentially South Africa's version of Monster.com, Domalik has gone on to create perhaps the most unique business structure for a band in the industry. 

    The Parlotones, South Africa's most successful band, are run as a corporation with an umbrella company servicing subsidiary entities that interface with the appropriate outlets, creating multiple revenue streams and lines of communication. The band, and Domalik himself, are simply employees of the corporation and receive a salary, rather than a percentage of over all profits. 

    According to Domalik and the Parlotones, this structure has allowed them to enjoy incredible stability and longevity, something sometimes rare within the music industry. By only receiving a salary, the band has avoided the excesses of watching $100,000 come in all at once, and allowed the dollars poured back into the company to fuel their brand growth. 

    Domalik's management of The Parlotones is by far the slickest, most ingenious business model that has ever come to our attention. With the measureable success that Domalik and The Parlotones have seen, why aren't other artists and managers pursuing a similar path? 

    Typically, when bands form and become serious about their career, they hire a manager. This person, as business minded as they may be, essentially works for the band. Musicians today, admittedly, are very business savvy, but when it comes to the powers a manager is bestowed, the cart can easily get before the horse. A manager is limited by the fact he is employed by the very people he is supposed to be managing. Domilik solved this problem by hiring the band as employees. They work for him, changing nothing about their creative or musical process. Music remains their job, but Domalik has the power to make business decisions that will benefit the band, without the stumbling block of the band knowing better. 

    With the success Domalik has achieved with The Parlotones, he may be forging the modern, 21st century business model for bands across the world. As the industry becomes more and more competitive, artists must look to a better business structure to maximize their brand potential and make the best use of their time and money. Domalik seems to have a silver bullet in that respect. 

    Domalik talked to Play Music City about this ingenious business model and the success he has had with it across South Africa and now across the world.