Innovation, Our New Job As The Music Industry

I released my first music video, “Rocket to the Moon” today. As a new artist with a low starting fanbase I understood I wouldn’t be able to get much press write up for my music video unless I presented something never seen before. So that’s what I did, I created “The World’s First Portrait Music Video”, and the press followed. It is our new job as the Music Industry to lead innovation.

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Warner Music Group Collaboration with Shazam Creates Hybrid Record Label

By Zach Rickers

In February of 2014, Warner Music Group and Shazam announced that they would enter into a “strategic collaboration” in which Warner would have access to Shazam’s user data and Shazam would have access to exclusive Warner content.¹  Currently, when a user hears a song that they like, whether it is at a restaurant or on the radio, they can open up the Shazam application on their smartphone and hold the phones microphone to the speaker which will then analyze and identify the song title and artist that the user is listening to.²  Once a song is identified, the app logs data such as the time of day the song was “tagged”, the song being identified, and even where the song was tagged (if the user has location services enabled).³  This is the sort of data that Warner plans to use not only for A&R, but also for marketing and promotion purposes.

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How to Work With Music Industry Contacts

It’s no secret that often in the world music, it’s more about “who you know” than what you know. The industry generally favors pre-existing relationships, whether you are looking for a venue, a sponsor, a review on your new album, or a slot at SXSW. Like it or not, networking can make or break an act.

Focus on taking a few steps closer to your goal by working on your contacts a few minutes each day. Here are some of my favorite tips on networking:

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Henley Business School's New MBA for the Music Industry Program Gets U.S. Launch at Musexpo, May 5-8, 2013

Spearheaded by Program Director, Helen Gammons, the Henley Business School will officially launch it’s new MBA in the Music Industry program in Hollywood at the Musexpo global music event, May 5-8, 2013.

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The Top 50 Most Influential A&R People in the U.K.

It’s true - I’ve listed the contact details of the top 50 biggest A&R cheeses in the U.K. here - http://mashbinsocial.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/the-top-50-ar-people-in-the-u-k/

There’s no catch - it’s my Blog, you don’t have to sign up for anything, pay anything, sell your grandmother - nothing at all. If you’re in a band looking for a decent record deal, then it’s probably the best bit of free information you’ll ever receive.

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Would You Pay Someone To Listen To Your Music?

We all know that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. Musicians who make lots of connections and have the “hustle” tend to get further in their career than the quiet gifted artist. That just seems to be the way of the world in any industry. It’s not what you know or how talented you are, it’s who you know!

So what about pitching websites/A&R platforms, are they a good way to open doors within the industry … and in particular, is it OK to pay someone to listen to your music?

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Amy Lavere Is Someone You Should See (if you like music)

On August 10, I went to a show to take some photos. I was not thrilled about it but I had agreed to do it for the Mapanare website (my site). The show was at a great little live venue in Chicago but the lighting there makes it tough even on a really good photographer (which I am not). I intended to take some shots and head for the door. I didn’t mention I had to be up at 6 a.m. the next day.

I stayed for thw whole show. Amy Lavere was the artist.

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