NuMuBu Innovation Connects the Music Industry

Tuneography is a social vehicle built in the NuMuBu platform to interlink the entire music industry through crediting all the creators of every song. An artist uploads a song and types the name of a person involved in that song, for instance, the producer. If that person is on the NuMuBu network, Tuneography will immediately find that person and allow the artist to select the producer for song credit. If he/she is not yet on the network, the Tuneography system allows the artist to type the producer’s email address and send an invite to set up a NuMuBu profile , at which point, the song credit selected will be automatically attached. The same process occurs for recording studios, record labels, and anyone else, even sponsors

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Unsigned Acts and Drawing Fans

I look all around the country and I see Musical Artists/Bands looking for places to play for as large an audience as possible, wanting to be heard, wanting to gain new fans, wanting to earn a living doing what they like to do – which is: Creating and Playing their Music.

Naturally, they are going to go where they can be hired, which most of the time consists of different Bars, Clubs and other drinking establishments…

Well, in theory, this should work pretty well; you have places to gather and nurture fans, and you’re doing what you love to do - play Music. But, as I’m sure most of you have found out, this rarely works very well…

Why? The 1st of a couple main reasons is actually very simple when you really look at it…

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Echo Republic Announces "Music Stock Market"

Echo Republic, the worlds first joint music stock market and sales company, opened to the public on June 20^th. Part music sharing, part e-commerce, Echo Republic strives to return the power of the music industry to its two most important members: the artists and their fans. “We’re not a company. We’re a movement.” says founder Patrick McConlogue of the California start-up.

  A movement that will quickly attract attention for its legal music downloads at a price point even the most penny-pinching college student can handle: 10 cents a song. What’s more, Echo Republic’s firm belief that purchased music belongs to the buyer means every download is iPod™ compatible and accessible through the company’s cloud based music library, Echo Encore. 

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Kings Of Flow Charts With The Top Urban Stations

LOS ANGELES - Not long ago, a reporter in The San Fernando Valley, put Carlos Ilich Talavera member of the rap group Kings Of Flow better known by his stage name The Flow, on the spot at a news conference when he asked the Nicaraguan American performer why he had once rebuffed Cuban rapper Cuban Link.

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The Difference Between an Artist and a Wanna Be!!!

I’m getting kinda sick of hearing the word ‘Artist’ being thrown around Hollywood and other social media circles as though anyone who has a talent automatically qualifies as an ‘artist’. That is so not the case and in my opinion needs to be clarified.

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mind mapping for song writers

mindmapping has become one of my favourite activities when it comes to brainstorming ideas, lyrics, melodies, harmonies, live shows, set lists and more. I use it now almost anytime I take notes. the creativity flow is increased so much that it’s almost hard to stop.

what is mindmapping?
here’s the wikipedia definition: “A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.”

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Why All Independent Musicians Need A Mailing List

Mailing lists, one of the most under used tools of an independent musician. But why is this when major labels have been using it to good effect for so many years? It seems no one’s let the “little guy” know of the power of mailing lists, instead allowing them to carry on thinking social networking is the only way to effectively communicate with your fans online. However, this simply isn’t the case.

If you’re not sure why mailing lists are effective, here’s a quick summery:

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Finding Affordable Mixing & Mastering

With the low prices of recording equipment and software, it is no surprise that the number of musicians trying to make it big on a DIY budget is on the rise. Seasoned industry veterans will testify that not only does an artist need to possess the talent and determination to succeed in the music business but their success depends on the team of dedicated industry professionals surrounding the artist. As more and more layoffs take place within major labels, these professionals become more accessible to the little man.

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Fort Knox Five - "SHIFT" Music Video featuring Afrika Bambaataa

The 2009 Inaugural weekend saw massive celebrations in Washington, DC and worldwide. The legendary Afrika Bambaataa, who helped launch the hip-hop generation with hits like “Planet Rock” and “Searching for the Perfect Beat” was in town to celebrate the historic moment. While Barack Obama was being sworn in as President, the Fort Knox Five teamed up with electro-funk innovator Afrika Bambaataa and Mustafa Akbar to create the funk anthem “Shift.” Originally released on the 2009 compilation The New Gold Standard 2, “Shift” has been reinvented in both audio and visual form.

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Rock Shop

The Middle East (venue) in Cambridge, MA and Pirate! Promotion (radio promo company) in Cambridge, MA and NY, NY has created a monthly series titled Rock Shop: Less Rock, More Talk.  

No we’re not trying to kill rock, but we are trying to spend one night a month not rocking out but instead talking about the industry/the scene/music/etc.  

This month’s Rock Shop will be an info session on the CMJ Music Marathon and will take place on 7/21/10.

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Why indie artists don't need itunes, amazon, etc..

I remember the days when you had to be hand selected to get your music into itunes and now literally anyone can pay to be distributed to the major digital sales platforms. It’s not special anymore. What I’m getting at is, what are the odds of someone finding your music on any of the major digital sites and making a random purchase to you, whom they never heard of? The odds are unlikely. Why do so many indie artists feel they need to sell on itunes etc.. for their music to be official? Doesn’t it make sense to say if you have a true fan, that they would want to buy directly from the artist? Yes it does. None of those major distributors are doing anything to promote your releases on their site, unless of course its paid, you are signed and the label is paying for promo slots, or you are popular enough to reach high sales rankings. In the event you are selling high units, the worst decision you can make is give the larger cut to a corporation that does nothing.

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When will I be famous ?

Face it the world has changed, the internet has changed and people have changed. No longer do fans want inaccessible artists and stars they want to know what you had for breakfast whom you’re sleeping with and to know the colour of your underwear or not if you’re Britney or lindsay.

24 hour news is driven by gossip, rumours etc but they want you to be celebs and they want to know you as celebs. Heck some of them want to be celebs too and the rise of reality TV is the proof of the pudding.

But in the light of all this how do we as artists rise above just being just wannabes into stars they wannabe a part of ? Traditionally you had a hit record and voila you were catapulted into celebrity but now the economics are slightly different but your goal should be the same to become a celebrity. Because that is the only reason your records (singles) will mean anything to anyone and your status will elevate to the must have status.

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A Common Music Business Contract Mistake – Not Thinking Long Term

2 Common Examples:

1. You’re offered 10% as an Artist
[Side Note: Make sure it says of the Retail Price! If it says “Wholesale”, make sure you get 20%!!!]

Why not ask for your rate to rise each album you release by 1/2%?

Why not ask that your rate goes up 1/2% for “Gold” and anothet 1/2% for “Platinum”?

Believe it or not, the Record Company will probably say “Yes” to both! Why? Because if you’re doing well, they won’t mind it, and if you’re Not selling, they can always rease you from the contract anytime they want!

2. Thinking you can stop paying a Manager [for example] when the contract is over

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Simple website builder for artists launches while declaring end of recession

Canadian startup Sayvee has just launched a simple and easy way for musicians to create a professional website without the need to be a geek. Their launch is combined with an announcement declaring the official end of the recession and a creative Facebook contest.

Not often do you find a technology company with a lot of personality. Sayvee is changing that by turning the heads of their biggest competitors with their tongue-in-cheek promo videos and their latest contest on Facebook where they declared July 1, 2010 as the official last day of the recession.

“We decided that it was time for the recession to be over,” commented Steve Devries, co-founder and photographer. “We’ve been building Sayvee for the past 2 years and figured that since people are doing things like selling stars and space on the moon that we could claim a date for the end of the recession.”

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