May 9, 2023 Recording what you play is very interesting. I can guarantee it will sound different to how you heard it whilst playing. I often feel the best bits when listen to a recording are the bits I thought were not that good when playing.
April 19, 2023 Discover the importance of staying true to your passion as you navigate the challenging landscape of the music industry. In this insightful blog post, I explore the journey of a music career, offer tips to keep your passion alive and discuss how to balance the business side with your artistic desires.
Career tagged a career in music January 17, 2023 So here we are, it’s the start of a new year which is usually a time for planning and preparation for the year ahead.
With the internet playing such a huge role in how we connect with others and promote our work, I’d like to share some thoughts on the role your website will play in 2023.
What role should your website play in promoting your new music in 2023?
Your website should make it really easy for people to hear / buy / stream your latest release.
Make sure you’re taking advantage of the streaming pre-save / pre-order features, and using Facebook pixels and ads to send people to your website, and then retargeting them.
If you are reaching out to publicists or others who will help you promote your music, the stronger your existing website and social media platforms are, the more effectively they can pitch your material (and YOU as an artist and brand).
Utilise your mailing list to keep your current audience informed. Email is still one of the best ways to directly reach people who want to hear from you!
Build anticipation over a few weeks prior to your release on social media by utilising release artwork / preview videos / lyric snippets / behind the scenes content.
Use your website to give more context around a release. What’s the story behind it? Who contributed to the creation? Sharing more information and providing credits can help people feel closer to the release, and it’s always nice to say thanks to those who have helped bring your music to fruition.
Touring artists can earn up to 35% of their income through merch sales. But if you’re not a touring artist, or you’re just simply not on tour *right now* you can still sell merch via your website.
There are many ways to do this – one of my favourite ways recently has been the print-on-demand method, where you don’t have to purchase a ton of product up front. This can be a great way of seeing what’s popular, trying out new designs and products, while also keeping the overheads as low as possible.
Think about offering discounts for people who subscribe to your mailing list, or running seasonal and/or holiday promotions. Rewarding loyalty can play a huge part in growing that fan relationship.
It’s probably fair to say that we’re ALL spending a lot more time on social media, and as a result you’re probably feeling burned out and perhaps a little discouraged as the algorithms are largely controlling what we see.
The way I think about social media is: it’s a great tool for meeting new people (whether they’re new listeners or industry professionals) but you can’t rely on it completely.
I would always suggest that you use social media to direct people to your website, as that’s where they can take the actions to become more invested in you.
For example, if you’ve got a new video out, send them to your website to view it. While they’re here, they may also subscribe to your mailing list or they might buy some merch. (I know that’s happened with me MANY times when checking out artist’s websites!)
Have some content which isn’t available anywhere else – while that may not be of interest to the casual fan, those who want more will really appreciate it!
Collecting email addresses from website visitors is really important, and something which is often undervalued. I always refer back to the Myspace days where people had an audience of thousands, sometimes millions, and lost contact with those fans almost overnight. Don’t make that mistake by relying exclusively on social media – building other ways of reaching people is absolutely key.
Ultimately, your social media accounts and your website should be connected, but their purposes are a little different. Social media is a great introductory tool, and a great way of keeping in contact – but your website is really where everything should stem from and should be thought of as the cornerstone of your online presence. Let your website guide your visual branding, showcase where you’ve been and where you are now, and become a solid foundation for you to build from.
I often say that music is a relationship business – and what I mean by this is that it’s often the relationships you have with your audience and professionals in the industry that are going to help you build and grow your career. When it comes to making these connections, a few ways your online presence will help you do this include:
Projecting a professional image (especially when connecting with people who work in the industry), by having your own domain, a strong website, and consistent social media appearance and usage
Showing support for your fellow artists and businesses you like on social media – this can go a long way to cultivating relationships in the long term (and also helps share music and services with others who may be interested)
I’d love to help you create a website that looks as good as you sound.
Get in touch and we can talk about creating something awesome!
January 10, 2023
As a musician, sound mitigation is an age-old problem. Just when you think you have your recording space masterfully sound proofed to prevent complaints from the neighbors, you realize that your efforts resulted in an annoying echo that makes recording professional tracks impossible. Fortunately, there are a multitude of high-quality acoustic panels that can perfectly suit your needs in 2023. The question is which one to choose. To help in this regard, keep reading for a detailed breakdown of the various acoustic panels types and which one is right for you.
One of the most prevalent sound absorption products on the market is polyester panels. Sometimes referred to as polyester fiber or polyester felt panels, polyester is a great option for soaking up ambient noise while also being mindful of the environment. Sourced mainly from old water bottles and other single-use plastics, the plastic is melted down into small flakes that is then extruded into polyester fibers to be made into sound absorbing panels. This process allows for a high degree of aesthetic control—such as in the creation of hexagon acoustic panels and other attractive designs—during the fabrication process. Polyester felt can even be used in the creation of sound absorbing clouds, making it a great choice for creating a richer sound in vast auditoriums and concert halls.
Fiberglass acoustic panels are one of the higher-end options on the market. Capable of absorbing more sound waves and a higher range of frequencies than standard foam insulation, fiberglass panels are definitely a premier choice for a recording studio. Typically constructed of a solid frame with a fiberglass center, these panels are a tough, durable sound insulation option that will stand the test of time. While some commercial applications leave the fiberglass core exposed, wrapping the insulation in a decorative fabric can help improve the aesthetics of the recording space.
Foam acoustic panels are one of the most common sound absorption products on the market due to their relative affordability compared to polyester fiber and fiberglass options. While foam panels will definitely absorb more sound than an uninsulated environment, they are not of the same quality as polyester or fiberglass. Therefore, they could make for a great option for an entry level recording studio but may not make the most sense for a professional facility looking for a premium experience. As a softer material, they also are not the most durable choice and may get damaged if you frequently have to rearrange the studio. Finally, while foam panels can definitely be fabricated in different shapes and styles, they are not as suitable to wrap in fabric as more rigid polyester and fiberglass, limiting the aesthetic possibilities.
Although panels such as polyester and fiberglass are usually wrapped in fiber to improve aesthetics, it is very common for recording spaces to use fabric-based insulation in sound mitigation. Cotton, muslin, and linen are some of the most common fabrics used for insulation. While these materials can absorb some sound, you are usually very limited in your aesthetic options with these types of products.
Perforated wood acoustic panels are a great choice for those artists who want a more natural, folky atmosphere in their recording space. In addition to the classy appearance, the harder surface of wood panels makes them easier to clean than more porous foam and fabric options. The downside is cost. While there are some wood composite products that can be found at a competitive price point, more natural wood used during fabrication will drive the price up. In addition, without the right perforation, some wood products can produce more echo than is desirable in a recording space.
The problem with many types of acoustic panels is that while they are great at absorbing sound waves, they are also great at absorbing moisture. Not only will moisture absorption distort sound in the short term, it will lead to mold and mildew formation that will degrade the panels at warp speed. With that said, moisture infiltration may not be of much concern in cozy interior studios. However, if you are operating a stand-alone facility or are looking for sound mitigation in an outdoor space, moisture resistant panels should move to the top of your list. While different types of products label themselves as moisture resistant, the best option will usually be fabricated from a PVC plastic that repels moisture, UV rays, and can be easily cleaned with a pressure washer.
Being a musician is all about creating beautiful sounds, but without the right environment, this aim can result in unnecessary frustration. Fortunately, there are many cutting-edge acoustic panels that can help you create a more intimate, professional recording environment. From polyester fiber to perforated wood, choose the right type of panel for your needs and get recording today!
September 30, 2022
Image Source: Pexels
Being a musician is an enriching experience. Whether you pursue it as a career or as a hobby, it is an invaluable creative outlet and technical activity. However, you may find yourself experiencing challenges that disrupt your progress. One of the most common of these is chronic pain.
One study of professional musicians found that 66% of respondents reported experiencing chronic pain. While there can be various influencers of this, the outcome tends to be a reduced ability and joy in pursuing the craft. Yet, this doesn’t mean you should give up. There are options to mitigate these negative experiences effectively.
Let’s dive a little deeper into how to thrive as a musician with chronic pain.
As with so many other areas of life, knowledge is a powerful tool. The more you can understand chronic pain, the better able you’re likely to be to manage it and pinpoint the right solutions. Remember that experiences of chronic pain can be relatively subjective. As such, your approach to learning needs to take into account both your personal perspectives as well as information from external sources.
One area that many people struggle with here is recognizing what influences their symptoms. Take some time to review the common contributors to chronic pain, including both lifestyle elements and illnesses. Excess weight can put additional pressure on joints, which can influence osteoarthritis. In some cases, poor posture can contribute to muscular strain and digestive issues. Compare these elements to your personal experiences. When you play your instrument, do you tend to have a stooped posture? Have you experienced traumatic injuries that impact your fingering technique in certain circumstances?
If you’re still unclear, it can be worth looking to key figures in your musical field that experience similar challenges to yours. Many top musicians have started to talk about their experiences. Max Weinberg — drummer for the E-Street Band — discovered his hand pain was not from drumming too hard but from drumming with poor technique. Searching out such anecdotes can point you in the right direction for information. However, it’s also worth reaching out within your musical circle. Many musicians face chronic pain issues and some of your connections may be able to share solutions.
The last thing you want is for your chronic pain to put a dent in your musical development. Therefore, once you have a good understanding of your triggers and symptoms, it’s important to develop practice routines that consider your pain. Take what you know about the condition and tailor your activities and schedule to both account for and better manage it.
This could include specific practice exercises to strengthen your body against the symptoms. In some cases, targeted physical training can relieve the pressure that triggers or exacerbates your pain. Many musicians utilize the Alexander Technique to gain a mindful awareness of the body. Some people find this helps them adopt healthier habits while enhancing their musicianship. If you’re a string musician, it may be helpful to review your technique to establish where you can reduce strain, alongside performing strength-building exercises.
However, it’s also vital not to overextend yourself during your tailored practice routines. Part of your approach here is to be aware of your limits and schedule around these. Indeed, if you’re taking lessons, you may find traveling to the practice itself to exacerbate elements of pain. Taking virtual lessons can provide you with the flexibility to navigate your symptoms while improving your skills. However, getting the most out of online classes still requires focus and dedication. Be fully engaged with the process and ensure you’re well prepared for your lessons. Make sure you have an environment both free of distractions and comfortable enough not to trigger pain symptoms early.
Living with chronic pain as a musician is a very personal challenge. However, this doesn’t mean you only need to rely on your personal reserves to navigate it. It’s vital to identify key sources of support that can help you through it. This is not just important for the physical experience, but also to maintain your mental wellness.
Firstly, it’s important to identify those in your circle that can be genuine figures of support. If you’re in a band or orchestra, open up to your colleagues about your experiences. Of course, you may gain some empathy and moral support here, but that’s not the only advantage. It also serves the practical purpose of being able to plan studio time and practice sessions to mitigate any negative effects.
Identifying key sources of treatment and therapy is also a vital support system. This doesn’t necessarily mean relying on medication alone. Physiotherapy, psychological counseling, and potentially alternative therapies may be helpful. Remember to plan for this if you’re going on tour in an unfamiliar location, too. Take the time beforehand to search for and note professionals and facilities you can utilize if you need them on the road. Remember that traveling for long periods may exacerbate your symptoms, too, so identify exercise facilities on your route.
Chronic pain can certainly be a difficult hurdle to overcome as a musician. It’s important to gain a better understanding of both the common causes of pain and those specific to your circumstances. You can then develop more mindful practice routines and seek out appropriate treatment resources. With some knowledge, focus, and planning, you can ensure you thrive as a musician in spite of these health challenges.
Don't Give Up: How To Thrive As a Musician With Chronic Pain
July 19, 2022
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Image Source: Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/OtDBA1br4CI)
Whether you are a full-fledged rockstar or you are an intermediate musician, if you also have kids, then you’re going to have some issues. You’re often stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, you need to be there to nurture your children and help them grow, but you also need to practice so you can pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads — so what do you do?
Luckily, you are not the first musician to have to juggle your music career with raising a family, so there are many helpful tactics that you can try. From making the most of your alone time to getting them into the act, here are a few ways to make it work.
A balance in the home is an absolute necessity. Even if you are a busy musician, you must make time for your kids during the day. There are many benefits to this quality time, including the chance to reinforce positive behaviors, teach them about new life lessons, and simply show that you care. Time together as your kids develop is especially important because it allows you to pay attention and notice if they have unique needs. For instance, some toddlers deal with a speech delay that can develop when they are young but can be improved if you are able to catch it and work with them.
This is why, as a musician, your family should be the priority. One big thing you can do is to create a music studio or practice room at home so you can at least be in the house when the kids are around the most. Your space will differ depending on the size of the instrument you play, but some musicians often use a spare bedroom or even a closet. While there are times that you will have important work where you can’t be distracted, you should try to let your kids into the room whenever you can so they can be near you and you can keep an eye on them.
You need to be smart about the design of your studio space. Place dangerous items high above the ground so your kids can’t get to them, and try not to play loud music if they don’t have proper ear protection. Again, extra caution will be necessary if your child has a medical issue. For example, the optimal environment for a child with ADHD features muted colors that will not be too overwhelming for their senses, and it should also be designed with a minimalist strategy so your children aren’t constantly distracted. By making these compromises with your kids, you are setting everyone up for success.
When you do get the chance to be alone to work on your music, then you need to take the chance to do so. You probably shouldn’t practice while your kids are trying to sleep or if they are doing educational activities at home, but if they go to daycare or are outside playing with friends, then you should jump into the music studio and do your thing.
Since you may have limited time, you’ll want to make the most of the hours you do have available. You may not have time to be indecisive, so hammer out the parts of your music that you are absolutely sure about and get it recorded now. You also may not have time to record the same track multiple times, and that is okay for now. Remember that you can edit your work later if necessary.
Set up a schedule ahead of time that lists what you would hope to accomplish when you get this alone time. It is important to remember that you cannot do it all at once. If you try to do too much, then you will just get flustered. Instead, think about what you want to do. Maybe you want to write some music during this time or record or edit. Do what you can in the time allotted, and don’t stress yourself out.
You may not believe it at first, but you can be a good parent and improve your music at the same time by involving your kids in the musical process. In addition to sounding good, music can also improve your child’s development. It has been found that even listening to music while in the womb can help improve your child’s intelligence and can make them be more creative as they grow. With that said, try to involve them whenever you can.
If you are ever struggling with finding the right lyrics, then invite your kids into the studio and have them talk about their lives at home and school. The innocence of a child can make for great lyrics, and you never know what you’ll hear. Even hearing them hum absentmindedly when they don’t know you’re there can be a great inspiration.
As they get older, you can also have your kids join the band or follow in your footsteps. Teach them an instrument that compliments what you play, and you can make beautiful music together. Even if your kids are toddlers or are otherwise too small to comprehend what they are playing, then you can give them something simple like a percussion instrument or even a coffee can that they can play like drums. It is a small way to trigger their creativity.
In the end, it is important to properly combine your profession as a rockstar with the proper care and love that your child needs. Consider the tips discussed here, and you can get the best of both worlds.
Parenting as a Rockstar: How to Rock Out With Kids in the Home
Children's Music, Creativity, Musician tagged Music, independent rockstar, kids, parenting May 23, 2022
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Image Source: Pexels
For the last two years, concerts and festivals have been at a halt thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more artists and venues feel comfortable enough to get back to “normal” and start playing shows again. If you’re a musician, you’re probably breathing a sigh of relief, and you also probably have a lot of excitement rushing through your veins at the idea of hitting the road again!
However, after some time away from touring, it may be beneficial to recalibrate your checklists. It might be just like riding a bicycle, but it never hurts to make sure you and your band are as prepared as possible.
The music will always come first, and you probably don’t have to worry about putting on a killer show. But, staying safe, healthy, and comfortable while on tour should be a top priority so you can continue to hit the road for years to come.
With that, let’s cover a few tips you should keep in mind for your upcoming tour. The more you focus on the importance of behind-the-scenes issues, the better your shows and your tour experience will be.
As much as we’d all like to think we’re suddenly living in a COVID-free world, that isn’t the case.
While we’re entering a post-pandemic society, the threat of the virus is still very real. If you or someone in your group is immuno-compromised, you might be at an even greater risk of catching COVID or another virus while on the road. So, instead of going on a traditional full-fledged tour, you might consider dipping your toe back into the lifestyle by only performing outdoor shows or keeping your performances limited to small venues.
It’s also important to remember that COVID isn’t the only threat. When you’re on tour, it’s common to share a van or bus with several other people. You’re also interacting with fans every day, visiting local facilities, restaurants, and more. It’s easy to “catch” something, from a common cold to more serious viruses.
And, as much as you don’t want to “jinx” anything, accidents can happen. Whether someone trips and falls over a cord or ends up with a broken toe from heavy equipment, the last things you want to worry about are illnesses and injuries.
Keeping a first aid kit in your van or bus is a good start, but it’s also essential to make sure you know where local medical facilities are, or how to find them wherever you’re staying.
If you haven’t been touring in a while, you also may not have been making as much money as you used to. While touring isn’t necessarily a cash cow, it’s the lifeblood of many musicians’ careers.
You might have taken on a part-time job or side hustle to make ends meet throughout the last couple of years. There’s no reason that has to stop when you hit the road.
Remote work has become more popular than ever over the last few years, with over 4.7 million people working from home at least half the time. If you have a strong Wi-Fi connection and a few hours to kill each day, you can earn extra money while on tour, which can sustain you and your band and help you to stay on the road longer. Some of the best options for remote work for musicians include
Graphic design
Freelance writing
English tutoring
Coding
Marketing
Remote work isn’t for everyone. Some jobs require you to be present during specific hours of the day, and that might not be feasible with your lifestyle. However, if you can find something with flexibility and something you enjoy, you can improve your financial well-being while on the road.
There’s a difference between having safety precautions in place and practicing preventative healthcare.
Tours are notorious for long stretches of being sedentary, eating a lot of fast food, and not getting enough sleep. No matter how rock-and-roll it sounds, that’s not exactly the “healthy lifestyle” anyone should maintain for too long.
Make sure you and your bandmates are prioritizing your physical and mental health while you’re on the road. That includes basic things like
Exercising
Eating healthy
Getting enough sleep
Avoiding alcohol
If anyone has any underlying conditions, such as GERD or other digestive issues, managing diet is extremely important. It’s worth it to pack your own healthy snacks, rather than relying on fast food and convenience stores that could trigger symptoms, and you should always have antacids or other medications on hand to help with symptoms.
Managing your mental health is just as crucial. It’s not always easy to be away from home, no matter how much you love the lifestyle. To combat the feelings of stress and loneliness, consider things like mindfulness, meditation, or journaling. If you’re feeling anxious or depressed while on the road, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Remote work has seen a rise in recent years, but so has teletherapy, allowing you to talk to a counselor or therapist anywhere in the country.
By focusing on physical, mental, and financial well-being, you’ll be better prepared for your upcoming tour, and you can enjoy every moment on stage that much more. No matter how ready you are to hit the road, don’t forget about this important “checklist” for a better experience no matter where you are.
Advice, Live Music, Musician, Musicpreneur, Touring tagged band tour, health and wellness, traveling April 29, 2022
How do guys like Antoine Dufour, Andy McKee, and Jon Gomm get those crystal clear and snappy drum sounds from their guitars?
Well, keep reading this post to know the secret!
These are 4 tips that’ll help you get a super-crisp percussive sound from your acoustic guitar.
If you’re going to mic your guitar, then the majority of the sound will be determined by the quality of the microphone itself.
Something like the Rode NT-USB or AKG P170 is an excellent microphone for the price. Andy McKee likes to use the Rode NT4, and if it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for all of us.
A bit more costly option would be the Neumann KLM184 or any small diaphragm condenser mic. A steeper investment when you’re starting out, but you get much tighter bass and shimmery highs.
Cheaper mics like Zoom and Tascam can definitely work, but they won’t be able to reproduce everything as well as the Rode or Neumann. Slaps might sound fine, but body drumming won’t be as boomy.
If you’ll be using a pickup, you should invest in a good one. If you own an entry-level or mid-range instrument, you should consider replacing the pickups and preamps on that baby.
I really like the K&K Trinity Pro Mini system. It picks up percussion effects from the entire body. But DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, and Fishman also make great pickups.
I think it’s obvious. A cheap knock-off won’t ever sound like a well-built acoustic guitar from a decent brand.
Taylor Guitars are extremely popular among percussive guitarists. Their Grand Auditorium shapes produce a balanced sound and respond well to percussive hits on the body.
But those aren’t the only good ones out there. Yamaha, Martin Guitars, Takamine, and Breedlove are some other great brands for acoustic guitars.
You’d be surprised at how much the quality of your recording changes with the proper technique and skill. Make sure to learn basic percussive effects: thump, snare-drum slap, kick drum, hitting the sides, and tap harmonics.
Once you get familiar with these building blocks, move on to practicing some riffs or short sections from your favorite songs.
Here are some easy percussion songs for guitar I recommend starting out with. Once you learn them, gradually move your way up.
Percussive fingerstyle guitar is unlike any other guitar style and is something that’ll let you expand into unimaginable territories with guitar.
Thanks for reading!
Until next time,
- Pranshu
April 28, 2022 
TikTok vs Douyin vs Instagram Reels vs YouTube Shorts vs Triller: How to go Viral on Short Video
It is the video content that is made and shared on TikTok and similar video platforms like Instagram reels and YouTube Shorts. In China they have Douyin (TikTok’s big sister), Kuaishou, Watermelon and Bilibili.
Go to the App, make the video, add your music and upload yourself.
This is important because by posting your own videos and music, your audience will get to know you and find your music. What if you don’t have any audience? If you build it they will come.
It can be a paid post so other audiences can see your videos and hear your music.
Get your music to the short video platforms’ library with a distribution service so others can use your music on their videos.
This is important because your music is available for others to use. The usage of your music is tracked and royalties get paid back to you. Word of video (word of mouth): More people use your music in their videos, not only do these videos get played over and over again, but they get shared more, which means that more people will listen and use your music in their own videos. Viral baby!
We have now seen this happen with Musicinfo artists. It can be 10’s thousands of streams a day or 10’s of millions streams a day. What do you consider viral? Both of these scenarios tell me that a heck of a lot of people are using your music.
What music is getting picked up? Well, right now our top artist is a breakbeat artist getting around 12 million hits a day. This has been going on for a few weeks now. Generally there tends to be more instrumental music: classical, ambient, cinematic music getting used, but our 2nd viral artist right now is a hip hop artist, so go figure.
The question I often hear from some artists is, “Can you show me a report of the level of royalties paid out.” The short answer is no I can’t, I can’t tell you how much specific artists are getting paid. The ironic thing about this scenario is that most often I see this question come from artists who have a very small following on other music platforms like Spotify.
I am interested in all our artists, and it is not unnatural that my attention would be piqued by artists whose success is more obvious than others. And then when I say, “Sorry I can’t share the reports with you, I can’t tell you how much you will get paid,” they don’t sign up, they don’t distribute their music.
The amount of payout is growing. Services in China have now been more or less established by way of offering free subscriptions; there are 100s of millions of MAUs. Now these free users are becoming paying users, upping the amount of pay per stream to the creators. Listeners are paying more for your music.
The point of getting your music on short video is that your music can get visibility and plays like never before, like it never would have if you had left it on the shelf. But then those who bravely have signed up have the potential to get 12 million streams every day!
Now, do you care how much you are getting paid now? Yes of course you do. But, what is even more important is the visibility and followers that you have now gained, millions of new listeners who now know who you are, who now have heard your music. You have a massive new fanbase that you can build on.
You need to hop on the bandwagon and ride the wave of your viral music on the short video platforms. Boost your streaming music. Short videos that use viral songs do better. Make videos with your music and share links to your streaming music.
Does it need an explanation? Well, I guess for any of the other 6.7 billion people in the world not using it. Please take a look at our previous blog: What Artists Need To Know About TikTok And Douyin.
Tiktok’s big sister in China. Visually almost identical, Douyin came out first and is a much more robust platform allowing users more options and services that its little sister doesn’t provide. Both keep to their own rooms and are not allowed to play with each other’s friends.
Douyin’s top posts are based on comedy or pets, while TikTok’s top posts are more arts-based, featuring lip-syncs and trending dances. With posts that have context, a quick caption usually does the trick in TikTok. Douyin videos are more content-driven than TikTok.
Now instagram draws you in even harder into a mélange of, “look at what I can do!”
Has come up a little short compared to the rest but has more long term potential for professional users.
Been around the block longer than TikTok and likes to hang with music groupies.
TIKTOK VS DOUYIN VS INSTAGRAM REELS VS YOUTUBE SHORTS VS TRILLER: HOW TO GO VIRAL ON SHORT VIDEO
https://www.eggsist.com/en/insights/tiktok-vs-douyin-which-are-the-main-differences
https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-triller
https://gab-china.com/what-are-the-main-differences-between-douyin-vs-tiktok
https://www.makeuseof.com/tiktok-vs-instagram-reels-vs-youtube-shorts
https://vidooly.com/blog/instagram-reels-vs-youtube-shorts/
https://wallaroomedia.com/blog/social-media/tiktok-statistics/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/
https://earthweb.com/instagram-reels-statistics/
https://filmora.wondershare.com/tiktok/triller-vs-tiktok.html
https://targetmarket.com/2021/04/instagram-reels-vs-tiktok
https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-reels/
TikTok vs Douyin vs Instagram Reels vs YouTube Shorts vs Triller: How to go Viral on Short Video
April 27, 2022 There’s a huge demand for original, vintage band t-shirts, with over a quarter of a million people (276,200 in January) searching for band tees every month. But why? And what puts certain bands in such favour for the real deal?
Well, for starters, the industry has changed. Merch’s role within music has become more important, as smaller artists need more support than just a stream to make a profit.
To take a deeper look at the changing state of music, Everpress has sourced monthly search volumes for band t-shirts (for example, ‘nirvana t-shirt’) and multiplied this with the t-shirt selling for the highest price (for that band) on eBay.
Which bands could be making the most from selling vintage t-shirts?
Nirvana could be making the most profit off of their vintage t-shirts, with potential earnings of up to £32,110,620, thanks to the 8,500 monthly searches for ‘nirvana t-shirt’ and their high resale value.
Following closely is the Rolling Stones, with their potential earnings coming in at over £27 million. Despite a far lower monthly search volume for their original merch (3,600), the potential resale value was much higher, with the highest item selling for just under a whopping £8000.
While the top two are definitely in a rat race for the highest potential earnings, the gap grows considerably beyond this point.
Rounding off the top 5 are Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden, with potential earnings of £5,543,454, £4,533,264 and £3,625,000 each.
How the money-making machine has changed in music
With CD sales reducing by 27% annually between 2018 and 2020, artists can no longer rely on sales to make a profit.
Streaming services like Spotify don’t help either, with artists only making 0.0028 pence per stream on average.
Nirvana, the table topper, would need over an astounding 11 billion streams (11,468,078,571) a month to match their potential earnings from their vintage t-shirt resale.
This is closely followed by The Rolling Stones, needing 9,714,137,143 streams to equate their potential earnings.
The rest of the top five bands would also need over a billion streams, too. Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Iron Maiden all needed 1,979,805,143; 1,619,022,857; 1,294,642,857 respectively.
Are modern artists missing out?
Streaming culture means modern artists rely more on merchandise as a money-making scheme, with some charging hundreds on the initial sale.
The highest potential earnings of a modern artist from merch resale is Eminem, with £576,000 - still over £31 million (31,534,620) lower than that of Nirvana.
This is followed by Billie Eilish and Travis Scott in second and third place, with potential earnings of £530,000 and £323,840 each - 5032 and 1611 per cent lower than their silver and bronze counterparts, the Rolling Stones and Metallica.
Is there a ‘gender pay gap’ in music merch?
Out of the top 50 groups (with the highest search volume for band tees) only two included female musicians - Fleetwood Mac and Bikini Kill.
Everpress’s findings show that the ‘gender pay gap’, in terms of music merch is, £30,732,508 (126% difference)(Fleetwood Mac v.s Nirvana).
Amongst the women, only one group could earn over £1 million from vintage t-shirt resale. Second place Blondie, were only able to earn £304,000 - barely chipping at the armour of their silver podium counterpart, The Rolling Stones (who could make as much as £8,8155 per cent more).
No other women-fronted group reaches the £100,000 mark, with third-place ABBA able to earn just £45,000 from their vintage t-shirt resales.
Alisha, music sales lead at Everpress, commented:
“Anyone can become an ethical listener. By using more fairly weighted streaming platforms, you can help artists keep creating things for you to enjoy.
“Right now, the music industry (like so many others) operates under the might of late-stage capitalism, leading to unethical streaming platforms and bootleg merch skimming the money that artists need to make music and huge corporations sliding in to take whatever they can too.
“At Everpress, we’re partnering with Bandcamp. This means smaller independent artists are now able to sell their merch through Bandcamp, cutting out the powerful organisations that profiteer from creative minds and giving the control back to the artists.”
Bands would need 11 BILLION Spotify streams to match the value of their vintage merch
April 26, 2022 |
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Image Source: Unsplash
Being a professional musician can mean many different things. You could make your living selling records, touring, playing an instrument, or singing. You may not win a Grammy for your work or end up on the Billboard charts, but it doesn’t make you any less of a professional.
No matter what level you’re on, being a professional musician can be a lot of fun. However, it also comes with several challenges and uphill battles you’ll have to face throughout your career.
One of those challenges includes saving for retirement. You might be able to make a living playing music now, but saving for the future is another story.
Whether music is your primary or only source of income, it’s not impossible to save for retirement. However, the sooner you get started, the better! Let’s take a look at how you can make the most of your income, manage your money, and build the capital you need to lead a comfortable retirement.
If you have a consistent, day-to-day job as a musician, setting money aside is easy. You probably don’t have to worry about things like tax penalties or even calculating how much you can afford to save.
However, not every professional musician has that luxury. When you’re concert-hopping or living gig-to-gig, it can be difficult to practice healthy money management.
It’s easier than you might think to manage your money, but it can take some organizational skills. Start by creating a budget for yourself. Look at the income you’re bringing in each month and how you’re spending it. From there, you can come up with ways to “cut back” on your spending habits, both in your personal and professional lives.
For example, as a traveling musician, you might spend a lot of money on gas to get from one gig to another. Think of ways you can save on gas, like preserving your car’s efficiency and optimizing your driving. Choose to bring your own food along rather than stopping at fast-food joints, and keep a separate “road budget” so you don’t end up buying things you don’t need.
In your personal life, you can manage your money and decrease your spending by cutting back on things like subscription services and dining out.
You should be budgeting to save, not just to pay your bills now. Whether you set aside a section of your budget as an emergency fund or specifically dedicate some of your monthly income to savings, it’s easier to manage your money when you have something tangible written down.
We touched on tax penalties above, but are you aware that some of your savings could actually be costing you money? Taxation penalties are destructive and can take away some of the hard-earned cash that you’re trying to store away for retirement. If you want to maintain and grow your savings accounts, it’s important to be aware of exemptions. Some of the most common tax-exempt savings accounts include:
401(k)s
IRAs
Roth accounts
FSAs
HSAs
You can still be taxed for things like early withdrawal and minimum distributions. However, if you work with an investor or accountant on setting up an account, they can guide you through the process and help you mitigate penalties.
As a musician, you probably pay your taxes every year. Maybe you even pay quarterly taxes to avoid a large lump sum owed at the end of every fiscal year. The last thing you want is to deal with more taxation when you’re trying to get ahead. In fact, you should be looking into expenditures that you can write off and deduct! Invest your time and money into working with a tax professional that can help to ensure financial stability for your future.
Whether you’re gigging every night, you’re a “seasonal” musician, or you rely on record sales and royalties for income, it can be hard when things aren’t consistent. Even if you tend to do well throughout the year, you might find that most of your income is going directly to the here and now, just so you can get by.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to have a backup option when it comes to your finances. Thankfully, there are a few different ways to approach a backup plan.
One is to invest your money.
You don’t have to have a lot saved up to invest, and your return could be something that sets you up for a comfortable retirement. Some of the best high-yield investments include
Value stock funds
Short-term government bond funds
High-yield savings accounts
Rental housing
Cryptocurrency
If you’re not willing to take a risk with your money through investing, consider using a “side hustle” or part-time job as your backup plan. It might not seem very rock ‘n’ roll to have a side gig doing something more consistent, but it will allow you to live more comfortably now while you live out your dreams, and give you the opportunity to have a nest egg in the future.
Whether you penny-pinch to save your money, invest in the stock market, or find ways to avoid tax penalties, there are plenty of ways to save for retirement as a musician. While it’s okay to focus on the fun you’re having now, it’s crucial to recognize that one day you’ll want to sit back and relax. Consider some of these ideas when it comes to making sure you can do so with comfort and ease.
March 31, 2022
Recording at home seems like a great idea, at first. You’re likely a lot more comfortable at home than you would be in a professional studio, it can be cheaper, and you’ll have more time to get every recording right without wasting anyone else’s time.
Still, creating your own home studio can be daunting, especially when you don’t know where to begin, and you’re on a tight budget.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to simplify the process and make sure you don’t have to take out a second mortgage just to create a functional studio.
Let’s cover a few ideas you can use to set up an at-home recording studio with the essentials.
When you’re building a studio from scratch, there are some key essentials you’ll need to get started. There are also some things that would be nice to have, but can probably wait. Being able to prioritize your purchases will make it easier to put the basics together quickly so you can start recording. Some of the key components you’ll need to get started include:
A computer
DAW/Audio interface
Monitors
Cables
Microphones
Headphones
Once you have some of the basic equipment, you can look at other “extras” like an upgraded interface, soundboard, and speakers.
One of the easiest ways to prioritize what you should buy first is to create a budget. Doing so will allow you to see what you’re starting with, what you can afford, and what needs to be prioritized. Consider decorating on a budget and focusing functionality via a quality computer and monitors. The “extras” are still important, but when you have limited funds, they need to come last. The sooner you invest in quality equipment, the sooner you can make money by recording other artists.
Professional studios have one big advantage over recording at home – they have soundproof booths that eliminate all outside noise. Whether you live in an apartment in the city or a farmhouse in the country, chances are your home wasn’t built to block out sound. Unfortunately, with no protection, that can lead to fuzz and background noise on your recordings.
No one wants to hear a car horn, a plane overhead, or a cow mooing in the background.
Thankfully, you can make your home recordings sound far more professional by soundproofing the room you’re transforming into a studio. The best part? It doesn’t have to blow your budget. While you can always have a professional come in and soundproof your room, there are plenty of DIY ways to block out noise, including:
Installing heavy thermal curtains or soundproof drapes over windows
Using a noise-proofing sealant on windows and doors
Covering unneeded vents with acoustic foam
Using ready-made acoustic panels on walls and the ceiling
With a few inexpensive materials you can take your home recordings from distracting to intricate and detailed. Even if you can’t afford high-quality recording equipment, you can make up for some of it by soundproofing your studio.
Remember how we talked earlier about prioritizing your budget? Use whatever you have leftover after buying equipment and the right gear to decorate your recording space. It might not seem important, at first. And, of course, equipment should take precedence.
But, decorating your space serves a dual purpose.
First, whether you plan to use your recording studio for personal projects or you want to rent it out to other musicians, it’s important to set the right tone and foster a creative environment. Think about some recording studios you’ve been in or seen. They usually have artwork, colorful rugs, and warm tones throughout the space. You might be inspired to create something totally new in your studio, and having a creative atmosphere can help to bring new ideas to life.
Things like furniture, rugs, and wall decor can also help to absorb more sound. Even if your space is soundproofed from outside noise, certain rooms within the home might not have the best acoustics. If you’re using a larger room, for example, the open space can create a lot of excess noise and echo. Having items in the room to absorb some of that extra sound will make a big difference and provide you with a cleaner, warmer tone.
If you don’t have room in your budget for decorations, consider decorating on a budget and bringing some of your personal items into the studio until you do. Bringing in a couch with a few pillows, a throw rug for the middle of the room, or some artwork that inspires you can make a big difference until you’re able to purchase studio-specific decor.
As you can see, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money to create a home studio. If you’re on a budget but can’t wait to record, use some of these ideas to get your studio off the ground.
Advice, DIY, Developing a Strategy tagged budgeting, finances, home studio, home studio ideas February 24, 2022 
Sync Tiger
Cinema productions from China keep gaining acclaim in the Global Market and China remains the world’s largest film market. Globally the second highest grossing movie for 2021 was Chinese produced Battle At Lake Changjin, following just behind Spiderman’s: No Way Home.
Movie names like, Eat Man Drink Woman or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon unravel stories that are deep and filled with culture and human experience, often in worlds where imagination colors the story making a truly memorable experience.
Have you ever listened to a movie with no music? How does music color our visual experiences with sound? Well musicians and composers either make music for the movie or visual productions select music from a library of music.
Sync licensing allows music to be available for usage in visual media. For music often left on the shelf or on streaming platforms, sync licensing can pay depending on the form of media, tens to tens of thousands per license, often much more than a track will get in its lifetime.
China often leads the way in technology, and with Metaverse breaking through to our daily news, it goes to show how social interaction is influenced by our media and technology. Metaverse is a whole new world for music to color our visual experiences with sound.
Trends in Chinese social media show that screen time is occupied by high profile virtual female influencers. Virtual influencers are just one new element that attracts new audiences.
China’s TikTok aka. Douyin is still the most downloaded app in China with already over 600 million daily active users, the one billion mark is soon to come.
Streaming music is the go-to home music library for music listeners of today. Video platforms are the radio channels of today, where listeners get their first taste of new songs, impressing a lasting audio visual memory.
It may be time to consider the options and that the virtual audio visual landscape is changing rapidly and the way in which listeners are exposed to music are more mobile and fleeting. Stand your ground and make your move.
China is in the spotlight and history is being made. Copyright is safe, there are more strong female roles in Cinema and TV, and medal contenders in the Beijing winter Olympics impressing critics and audiences all over the world.
Make your mark in China and have your music distributed and sync-licensed to China. Be the future.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_copyright_infringement_in_China
https://hype.my/2022/258787/chinese-new-year-2022-movies/
https://radiichina.com/entertainment-trends-china-2022/
https://www.shine.cn/feature/entertainment/2201140769/
https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/
https://www.eggsist.com/en/insights/tiktok-vs-douyin-which-are-the-main-differences/
https://musicinfo.io/blog/tiktok-douyin
https://olympics.com/en/news/ten-team-china-medal-hopefuls-to-watch-at-beijing-2022
https://www.statista.com/topics/5776/film-industry-in-china/
February 23, 2022 
Nothing But Real is a french hybrid alternative rock band from Paris, drawing eclectic influences of alternative rock, fusion, stoner, film music, pop and electro.
The second single “Behind The Door”, out of their upcoming album, is being released today. The music video will follow and will be out on March 3, 2022.
Mixed and mastered by Y. François, this new song is about admiration for another and the toxic relationship that results from it.
“We all had someone we admired. A charismatic, ambitious, and dangerous personality. While we know he is toxic, he manipulates us, he is evil, we do not care. We want to be his shadow.
So we hope to follow in his footsteps behind this door…” – Nothing But Real
Recorded at Studio Cream with Yohann François (Théo Tams, Greg Nori..), the new album “Lost in the World” will be released on March 25, 2022.
The sound of the quartet comes to life through mysterious virtual characters.
Self-described as “a double-headed hybrid animal carried by a powerful and light alternative rock“, the band takes its audience into a unique and visual world inspired by manga, comic books, films, video games and mythology.
« The album was created through an extended period of time : The song “Lost in the World“ for example, was composed in 2007 to pay tribute to my grandfather to whom I did not have time to say goodbye… “Here I am“ was composed in 2008, and “Behind the Door“ in 2013. After this long process, it feels so good to have succeeded in giving birth to these songs. » — Tom / Nothing But Real
ABOUT THE BAND :
Nothing But Real is composed of Hanta (Lead vocals), Tom (Guitar, Backing vocals), Eghan (Drums) and Victor (Bass). The band released two singles in 2019 (“Don’t you know“ and “Noisy Mind“) and their first eponymous album in 2020, all well received by the press in France.
