
Jan/Feb '17 Issue Of BRASH! Magazine Available Now!
Jan/Feb BRASH! Magazine Featuring Cover Artists The Last Living









































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Jan/Feb BRASH! Magazine Featuring Cover Artists The Last Living
In May and June radio stations will be looking for the next hot summer song. In relation to this we’d like to ask you to upload and plug your summer-related releases asap.
Each release that will be plugged between 1 May and 1 July will receive a “music in the spotlight” spot on our homepage for four weeks!
What makes a great song? A catchy melody? Definitely. Killer lyrics? Possibly. But if you really want to know what helped Mark Ronson shift 14 million copies of Uptown Funk in an age where piracy and streaming rule, research suggests you may have to dig a little deeper.
Where can we find quality music today?
It’s a no-brainer that the music industry has DRASTICALLY changed since some of our favorite mainstream artists began. These changes have created a domino effect on how music is made, distributed, marketed, and handled business wise. A lot of our beloved artists who were once signed to major labels have now started their own or joined independent labels. On the other hand, technology changes have had a grand effect on new indie artists who have hopes on getting picked up/signed by major labels OR continue their growth on the independent route
In our last blog about Music & Fashion, we highlighted how these two elements can come together to make a powerful force in the entertainment and fashion industries. You can take that on and allow yourself as an indie artist to be a part of that force. Today, music artists are setting the latest fashion trends. Consumers are being inspired by what today’s hottest artists are wearing on red carpets, interviews, appearances, concerts, and even on their social media during random outings. Some wardrobe choices are only meant for the stage however, fans are constantly wondering, “What are they wearing? How can I get it?” This blog can go for up & coming fashion moguls as well. You want your clothes to have more exposure in your industry, team up with a great artist to help build that brand. Gain their fans as future customers.
I am Nino Munaco, Editor and Blog writer for Ourtunez, the Music Network. Ourtunez is a free music streaming service that features Independent musicians. Any one can sign up, upload their music and instantly receive the benefits.
Your music will gain exposure through our website and app. New music discovery is missing in other music streaming services but Ourtunez excels in that department. Even our “mainstream” stations are full of independent artists who have signed up. They are being played alongside today’s (and yesterday’s) biggest artists. We even have a Comedy station where independent comedians can be discovered.
We are looking for people who want to be a part of this community of amazing artists.
Have you ever felt like you were no longer in the loop when it comes to new music? “Have you heard Beyonce’s new song?!” “Did you get tickets for that gig?” “It went to number 1!”. None of us like to feel left out when it comes to the hottest new songs, the latest summer smash, or that killer album everybody’s talking about.
Here are a number of methods to stay up to date with the best music and most anticipated releases.
1. Social media
Following your favourite artists and bands on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook will ensure that you are constantly in the know about what’s out and what’s coming next. Artists promote themselves and their music this way as it’s the easiest outlet to connect with their fans.
Money. Let’s face it: most artists aren’t very good with it. Most of us don’t have much to invest into our music career (relatively speaking), and when we do, we tend to throw it at some random opportunities without a larger strategy in mind.
Take, for instance, submission fees to music festivals. Each year, thousands of artists spend over $100 in application fees or subscription costs to EPK sites, in hopes of getting a show at SXSW, CMJ, Bumbershoot, or other large festivals. Personally, I think festivals are overrated in terms of importance for your career, but if you really want to get in, try reading this guide: How to Get Into SXSW.
You can easily spend $100 on strings, picks, or sticks. You could even buy a cheap electric guitar. Or, if you were riding in my tour bus, $100 almost covers the gas from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA.
The internet has opened doors to promotional opportunities for artists worldwide. The problem with that is it’s created a much more competitive market, and you need to stand out from the crowd. Ultimately your music sells itself, and without the talent you won’t succeed. But even the most talented musicians don’t necesarily succeed in the industry today (or in the past). That’s where management comes in, however most managers charge a fortune and take a cut of your money. A lot of indie artists just manage themselves today, which is a full time job if you want to succeed. When you have another full time job, your band, and managing your band, that can be extremely diffecult. Plus it takes away from your true passion, the music. As musicians ourselves, and with years in the industry, this is why we offer management unlike any other.
As sure as dark clouds gather in hurricane season, a storm is brewing around artist compensation. Art and technology are at odds. However, it wasn’t always that way.
From the advent of cassette multitracks in the ’80s, to the arrival of digital multitracks in the ’90s, to the maturation of digital audio workstations in the ’00s, affordable, cutting-edge technology enabled recording artists to seize the means of production. The rise of the internet enabled them to marshal the means of distribution. Without those home studios, without a free internet, artists would still be trying to catch the ear of some well-connected impresario who could foot the bill for commercial studio time and old-media publicity. It’s a plain fact: thanks to technology, producing and distributing music is a lot easier than it used to be. And artists have reaped the benefits.
Senator Wyden,
I am writing regarding the Internet Radio Fairness Act. I am a musician, registered Oregon voter and participant in the Future of Music Policy Summit on November, 13 2012. In fact, I played the role of Oregonian #1 during your speech. I volunteered my time to contribute to the event and involved myself by managing the stage for the presentations, an activity I receive 20-35 dollars/hour for in Portland, placing me in a front row seat for the event. We met immediately before you began your speech. I am fairly certain you don’t know my name, it is Graham Smith-White. Given the nature of the government in these United States, I am not surprised by this. I most certainly do not think it positive, however. It is this discontent which moves me to write to you on the matter of the Internet Radio Fairness Act which you introduced to the United States Senate and supported in your presentation at the FMC Policy Summit.
Did you know you can get your music played on the radio without a label?
TheFanGuru.com is changing the way the music industry works by allowing (almost) anybody to have their song played on the radio. Here’s how it works:
Hello Everyone!
I am the spokesperson for Music Without Labels & Beat-Play LLC. MWL is an umbrella for many music projects, ideas and conversation. The MWL Live just wrapped up a on a 15,000 mile cross-country video tour covering the hottest summer musicians and artists across the country. We featured several great bands such as Portugal. The Man, Datsik, The Lonely Forest, Yann Tiersen, Carina Round, Vintage Trouble, Dry the River, Washed Out, Gardens & Villa, Fun. and many more! Check out the MWL Live Tour 2012 videos here.