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January 12, 2010 What came first, the toolbox or the tool? This is not a trick question, it’s obviously the tool, and we have proof. However, with the emergence of more tools, and more applications for these tools, it became apparent that another tool, a tool’s tool, was needed: the Toolbox.
January 11, 2010 It only make sense that with the floods of content floating out there waiting to be surfed, there would be some better tools put in place for finding and organizing the content that interests you the most.
So how is content found today? I think it would be safe to assume that Google is the number 1 way people currently find content on the web that they’re looking for specifically. It works great. It will show me any content or any websites that even contain the keywords I’m looking for, but when it comes to using the search results for a specific function, Google isn’t always so specific. In other words, there’s many things Google can’t/doesn’t do.
Breaking into the industry, music promotion | tagged Beatplay, Dante Cullari, Free, Google, Internet, Web, advanced, artists, find, indie, organization, search December 30, 2009 Frankly, I am happy the record industry is in this current state. We are about to wrest control away from 3 decades of corporate record thugs. We are now unencumbered to discover more new artists, and discover more ways to connect and share artists and music than ever before. Today there are more business models for an artist to reach an audience than ever before and the opportunity to make a living as a performer is emerging. The record business is dead, but the record business still tries to lurch forward with their 30-year old business model.
September 12, 2009 Check out this new Interview with XPN General Manager Roger LaMay. Hear what XPN has to offer indie artists, get advice, and find out what the radio station that broke MIA into the mainstream scene is doing right! Stay tuned for our next interview with Bruce Warren, XPN’s PD, for more info about how XPN selects their artists and how you can get involved!
Breaking into the industry | tagged Free, Independent, MWL, Philadelphia, Promotion, Radio, Roger LaMay, XPN, advice, artists, bands, music | 1 Reference July 31, 2009 These are five of the top reasons why you will fail at a music career. It may sound like it is coming off a little harsh. That’s because it is.
Too many musicians put too much energy and effort into talking about why things have not happened or why things are not working for them. Everyone has reasons, justifications and rationale to explain why they are failing, yet these same artists do not take the steps to problem solve, change direction, learn, educate or empower themselves with the knowledge and the tools to change the path.
Egos are a sensitive thing and musicians, as well as other artists, are very sensitive. Add stubbornness and delusions of grandeur to ego and you get a failure trifecta. The music industry has changed. It is not what it was twenty five years ago and, hell, it is vastly different than what it was even five years ago.
It’s the musician’s responsibility to learn the industry and the changes that are currently happening. Then formulate a clear understanding of what has to happen in order to ensure success. You must have problem solving skills. You must have the tools and patience to do the drudge work. You must watch for mistakes and missteps just as you watch for opportunities and new avenues. It is crucial to make corrections to keep yourself on the path to success.
Here are five of the top reasons or excuses for failure that I hear all too often. I’ve listed the reasons why they are bad and a way to look at them in a different light.
Realistic Music Careers 101 | tagged artists, bands, brain grenade, business, loren, marketing, weisman July 21, 2009 Seattle, WA, July 21st, 2009/BGE. Brain Grenade Entertainment (BGE) proudly announces the release date and CD Release Party for D.a. Thompson’s new extended play album titled “Disclaimer” on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at Galerias in Seattle, Washington. The first single off of D.a. Thompson’s EP is entitled, “Just you and me.”
Disclaimer is a piano driven pop/rock/funk extended play album with fun arrangements and relatable lyrics. The EP delivers memorable hooks with hints of such artists as Billy Joel, Tears For Fears, and Jason Mraz. Disclaimer was produced by Loren Weisman, mixed by Scott Ross and mastered by Mark Alan Miller in a total of 110 hours over 13 sessions in the month of June 2009. 25 percent of this EP’s sales are being donated to artists working with Brain Grenade Entertainment in the FSRP program.
music marketing, music promotion | tagged artists, brain grenade, business, loren, marketing, musicians, weisman May 26, 2009 You need to professionally present yourself, your music and your career. Your recording, promotion, marketing as all your soliciting materials and legal materials need to be done the right way. A strong professional package and promotional presence goes a very long way while a fake or weak presence will hurt you more than you know. Too many bands out there are trying to paint a picture they can't live up to and it is hurting much more than helping them.
March 23, 2009 Check out this site for interviews with the top music industry professionals, musicians, administrators, and more. Great way to learn about the industry in the present and future. I'm doing producer work for this website this summer by interviewing a classical music symphony and its administration. Great learning tool.