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October 31, 2009 The band Veronica’s fronted by 24-year-old twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, recently released a gritty re-recorded version of their 2005 debut single “4ever.” Here is a big lesson for songwriter’s both up and coming and those already well established artists - Yes even the likes of the Jonas Brothers etc…..
October 31, 2009 Los Angeles, CA (October 2009) – Texas native and internet sensation Coffey Anderson, known throughout various music-loving circles for his unique approach to both singing style and direct-to-fan interaction, will launch his “Direct-to-Fan Live Sessions” series on Thursday, October 22, 2009 from 4pm – 7pm PST. The series, hosted by the leading internet broadcasting platform Ustream, and powered by Audiolife, will give fans the opportunity to purchase real-time exclusive content available only during the live sessions.
As DIY technologies become readily available, and artists worldwide begin to produce and distribute their own content, the new music business is rife with opportunities for musicians to creatively pursue new revenue streams:
October 31, 2009 MXP4 partners with Redshift to bring interactive, remixable singles and albums to mobile devices
Paris, France, October 27, 2009 — David Guetta, the hit-making DJ and music producer, today announced the US launch of his first interactive album app on the iPhone. Created with MXP4 and Redshift, the app marks the first time music fans will be able to interact closely with a major artist on iPhones and iPods by sharing remixed music and connecting with Guetta and other fans in real-time.
Bringing location-aware technology, Twitter feeds, MXP4-powered remixable music and more to mobile music, the David Guetta iPhone app features include:
The launch marks the first product from MXP4’s partnership with Redshift. The partnership puts MXP4’s interactive music solution on the mobile platform. In addition to the iPhone, the app will soon also be available for Google Android, Symbian and Windows phones.
“Together we have developed a clear interactive mobile music roadmap. The strategic fit and blend of expertise between MXP4 and Redshift were vital in delivering the first interactive, dynamic mobile music solution,” said Albin Serviant, CEO of MXP4.
The app may be previewed at http://www.youtube.com/v/Qe-z1q6jbWY&hl=fr&fs=1&autoplay=1
About MXP4
MXP4 develops interactive music solutions that are changing the music experience for consumers by allowing them to play with the music. MXP4 delivers an interactive digital music experience which enables the music industry to explore new revenue opportunities and engage more closely with consumers. Based in Paris, investors include Sofinnova Partners and Ventech.
About Redshift
RedShift conceives and develops new generation mobile marketing solutions : Design and development of advanced mobile sites and applications, Monetization of the audience through its Mobile AdServer, Traffic analysis and performance measurement, Mobile web services promotion via cross-media communication tools, Media planning (search and display), SEO (natural search) and Mobile Ticketing services.
For further press information:
Ephraim Cohen (US)
Tel: +1 646 807 8721
Email: cohen(at)fortexgroup.com
October 30, 2009 Having a great sounding CD is one of the most important things for the success of your music. Why do you think all the big labels spend $$ on professional mastering?
October 29, 2009 In todays climate of even the big record companies letting people go-most artists do not have acesss to a fully functioning sales dept that can provide distribution and face to face advocacy for a project-My company Surely Music LLC does just that-Based on the business model of any publicist or radio promoter. I provide High quality Distribution and marketing info for the life of the project-Current project in the works is the wonderful contempory sounding homage to all things 60’s/ power pop by the Smithereens Drummer - Mr.Dennis Diken with Bell Sound on CryptoVision Records - The cd is titled “Late Music” - it features such performers as Jason Falkner, The Wondermints (Brian Wilson’s Back up Band) and Andy Paley-build up your own label brand with solid advice and a solid distribution network(Select-o-Hits was started as the distribution arm of Sun Records in the 1950’s)
October 28, 2009 Every time you crack open a new book, read an indutstry blog or attend a music business seminar, you hope that something will be said to make your life as a musician better. Unfortunately, nothing ever seems to work and artists are left looking for answers.
Wait. What’s the question?
As I sat through the sessions at last week’s CMJ Music Maraton Film & Film Festival, I couldn’t help but to ask myself,
“How can any one of these panelists provide a definitive answer, if the question itself is constantly changing?”
Technologies are advancing, music institutions are crumbling and artists are once again being left out in the cold.
Don’t get me wrong, most of the panelists were very knowledgeable, highly respected and quite well spoken. They played the game at a time when the music industry actually worked. Now that there is a correction happening in the market, atleast two schools of thought remain.
Old School vs New School. Traditional Media vs New Media.
Each side had its merits, yet none of the professionals gave their attendees a clear enough picture of how to manage themselves without the use of a major label. I’d bet that a large percentage of these desperate, yet aspiring artists left with more questions at the end of the week than they had when they arrived.
The older industry experts insisted that nothing much had changed. They encouraged artists to network with other bands to find gigs, sell CD’s out of thier trunks or, “do what ever it takes to generate a buzz”. You can’t get more vague than that.
The progressives represented new media applications, widgets and digital services that promised to help artists develop direct to fan relationships. They somehow forgot to mention that you would be required to pay for their service or use their branded widgets in order to create, market, promote, and distribute YOUR music to the world.
In this day and age, we are all brands.
The more time you spend updating your social networks, the less time you spend practicing, creating great music and playing mind blowing shows. Connecting with fans does not ONLY mean keeping your profiles visable and easy to read. It also means taping into the raw emotions that face society as a whole. In the good old days, when there weren’t any computers programs, some of the greatest artists succeeded by telling their story in a unique way.
After hearing both sides, I still felt unsatisfied.
As the ceremony came to a close, I folded over my notebook, powered down my laptop and put the lens on my digital camera. I opened my eyes and ears to listen to one last story of a Sudaness soilder turned rapper. He told the audience how he’d survived war, desease, famine, mass murders and canabalisim to stand on stage at NYU in front of us that day. He’s since released a documentary, three albums, and a book about his life. Emmanual Jal learned the hard way what we as musicians take for granted. He learned how to survive and adapt in the toughest conditions.
I’ve spent the majority of my life studying the process of success in the music business. Early in my career I took bits a pieces of what worked to create my own survival strategy. Now that I’m exploring new ways to make a living in music, I am simply adapting. Through Emmanuel’s story, I’ve realized that survival divided by adaptation equals success.
If you set out to gain fame and fourtune without learning basic survival skills, failure is sure to follow. All of the CD’s, downloads, T-Shirts, widgets and direct to fan relationships will not work unless you adapt them to your situation.
SURVIVAL / ADAPTATION = SUCCESS
Kevin English is a marketer and student of the arts, who blogs about the skills and strategies necessary to get the most of your musical career at http://eleetmusic.com or on Twitter @eleetmusic.
October 27, 2009 
Vinyl is an object of desire, it is non dublicable and a perfect collectible object. It is so far the best way to consume artwork around a music object
In 1996 i started a vinyl distribution company called Chronowax. This company was selling close to a million vinyl per year. I remember when Chronowax did for example campain reissues for Dej Jam and sold more than half a million LPs …
Back then the promotion and viral aspect of the vinyl was key to enter the club scene and the dj’s playlists. Digital happened to be way more effective and a less expensive way of promoting music.
But vinyl is still the best music object we had so far.
The Vinyl Factory Manufacture from thevinylfactory on Vimeo.
Selling picture discs and sexy connected devices seems to have a more bright future than selling CD’s and Music files ;)
October 24, 2009 The next gen music biz music keeps rolling out new opportunities for musicians to creatively pursue new revenue streams: To take advantage of this you need to talk to your fans, ask for ideas, get them involved, interact as much as possible as I mentioned in a previous post. (See Marketing is everything - Let me show you how!) Here’s a great example of someone who is doing just that using Audiolife and Ustream…..
October 23, 2009 It’s really hard to get people’s ear – both industry people and music buyers. Everyone knows CD sales are down and digital sales are up – seems like one needs to find a mix of both, along with licensing opportunities, and live performance revenue. Most potential music buyers seem to be content to either listen to what’s currently on the radio or listen to their favorite oldies. Those who are out there really searching for indie music and new stuff are in the minority – I know they’re out there – but they have so many choices on the internet now. If I could just get their ear for a second… Other challenges would be similar to what other artist’s face I guess; small fish/ big pond. There are so many other artists out there. Technology has opened up the floodgates. My style is very retro-but-with-contemporary vibe.
music promotion | tagged Music Industry, business, music, music business October 21, 2009 http://www.youtube.com/user/MusicWithoutLabels#p/a
Aural Fix Interview with Dante Cullari, Founder and President of Beat-Play, the most innovative and revolutionary online environment for independent artists the industry has yet to see. Sign up to Beta Test in 2010!
www.musicwithoutlabels.com
Music Industry, indie, music business October 21, 2009 I’ve been a spectator of Music Think Tank for a few months now, commenting here and there. I thought I should finally take that last step and try my luck at generating some discussion. Here are my idea of new rules for the emerging industry. Can I get a comment?
Own your music: We are past the point where you need the backing of a record label to produce a quality recording. You no longer need to forfeit the rights of your music. Hold on to these as it will allow you to maximize the return on your music and give you the creative freedom to establish your own brand.
October 21, 2009 What I’m going to write about is what I consider to be the biggest fundamental difference between artists who thrive and artists who struggle to survive. It’s a mindset, a paradigm, a way to view the world. Most bands out there are looking for support. They want you to help them out. Vote for them in a contest. Go to their show. Buy their CD. By you contributing to their cause you will get them far enough to get their big break. When they get their big break then they will have made it and other people will be there to give them all the resources they need and they’ll live happily ever after. There’s just one small problem with that model: It’s an illusion that will keep you trapped until long after all of your dreams are gone. It’s a fundamental misinterpretation of the way that money and value work. This strategy will no sooner make you successful then it will a beggar….
October 20, 2009 Rights Workshop founder Brooke Wentz, who has 25 years of experience licensing music and hiring composers for films, television shows and brand campaigns, will deliver a crash course on music business basics for composers and songwriters. Guest speakers Marc Capelle and Monte Vallier, who have written music for brands like Macy’s, Adobe and Odwalla, and television networks like HBO/Cinemax and The Food Network, will speak about how to get gigs and successfully break into the business.
October 18, 2009 For almost 30 years CMJ Music Marathon has played host to a countless number of indie bands (often catapulting them to major label status) and music industry panelists from around the globe. The 4 day conference + live performance festival is always held during the month of October in NYC, and promises to be a hot bed of progressive ideas and music discovery.
This year I will be covering the event for Music Think Tank and would like to give you a chance to attend from your laptop. I’ve posted my tentative conference schedule below. Take some time over the next few days to review the available panels and live performance happening on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday October 24th. Let me know which ones you would like me to attend and write about here in the comment section.