It always amazes me, specially when I do it, when people do the same thing over and over and over again and expect a different ending result.
That there my friends, is the definition of insanity.
If people aren't telling their friends about your music, stop promoting it and improve your product. Go back to the drawing board, write some more songs and promote those. Don't waste time promoting music people aren't latching on to.
Take my band, Highway Jackson, for example. We put a LOT of money into recording our latest release, The Dirty Bar Campaign. We got picked up by radio and everything. It was great. Things looked on the up and up. Something wasn't right though. People weren't losing their shit about our music. In fact, no one was really spreading the word at all. We released it 4 months ago. We're already writing and recording new music to get it out there ASAP so we don't lose any buzz. The product didn't work this time around. Next time we'll be better prepared.
If you're not getting the results you thought you would don't promote, improve!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Why MySpace should have said "No" to MJ Memorial
MySpace is doing the exact opposite of what it was created to do. I remember in 2005 when I signed up for my first MySpace account for my band Highway Jackson (4.20.05 to be exact) and seeing other bands on the "space" and thinking how fucking (excuse my french) MySpace was. Back then you could go to a band or someone's personal page and it wouldn't take a half hour for it to load because there was no customization of pages and back then...it WAS...all about the music.
Just like everything else in life, the first ones are the lucky ones. Being one of the first bands (and by first I mean first million) to sign up for MySpace made it very easy to network with other bands and show swap. I remember getting a message from a band asking if we wanted to open up for them in Boston (thanks to the guys again in Sad Marvin) and thinking, "Wow this is EASY". Of course that only happened a handful of times until MySpace was over saturated with everyone and their grandmother making a music page. This however, is not the ultimate problem.
The problem with MySpace is at first they were rebelling against the mainstream for a place to discover new music. Now MySpace IS the mainstream and just like independent bands have done many times before, we're rebelling against the mainstream. Against MySpace.
Signing on to stream Michael Jackson's memorial service is exactly what MySpace shouldn't do. It's as mainstream as mainstream gets. Instead of setting up some sort of musical tribute page(which would still be mainstream but not half as bad) they ignore the music and deal with the celebrity aspect of MJ. Does MySpace think they're MSNBC or CNN now? News coverage? Really?
Dear MySpace,
Get rid of all the ads. Get rid of MySpace Records too since all the bands on your label are already signed somewhere else. Delete music pages and individual pages that haven't been logged into for over 3 months. Drop the customization of pages because it just clutters everything up.
Thanks,
Former MySpace Users
P.S. Facebook is kicking your ass...if you don't already know that...and you don't see them over at the Staples Center do you?
Just like everything else in life, the first ones are the lucky ones. Being one of the first bands (and by first I mean first million) to sign up for MySpace made it very easy to network with other bands and show swap. I remember getting a message from a band asking if we wanted to open up for them in Boston (thanks to the guys again in Sad Marvin) and thinking, "Wow this is EASY". Of course that only happened a handful of times until MySpace was over saturated with everyone and their grandmother making a music page. This however, is not the ultimate problem.
The problem with MySpace is at first they were rebelling against the mainstream for a place to discover new music. Now MySpace IS the mainstream and just like independent bands have done many times before, we're rebelling against the mainstream. Against MySpace.
Signing on to stream Michael Jackson's memorial service is exactly what MySpace shouldn't do. It's as mainstream as mainstream gets. Instead of setting up some sort of musical tribute page(which would still be mainstream but not half as bad) they ignore the music and deal with the celebrity aspect of MJ. Does MySpace think they're MSNBC or CNN now? News coverage? Really?
Dear MySpace,
Get rid of all the ads. Get rid of MySpace Records too since all the bands on your label are already signed somewhere else. Delete music pages and individual pages that haven't been logged into for over 3 months. Drop the customization of pages because it just clutters everything up.
Thanks,
Former MySpace Users
P.S. Facebook is kicking your ass...if you don't already know that...and you don't see them over at the Staples Center do you?
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Songs vs. Albums
Over the past few years there has been a trend amongst independent musicians. What used to be the album is now turning into the song. Instead of a band putting out a full length album and touring or gigging on it for a year or two, bands are putting out smaller EP's and creating a constant flow of new content for their fans. It makes sense though, right? If you disagree, let me explain.
If you're an independent musician you know how important each fan you have is to you. Without your fans your nothing. Hypothetically, if you put out an album every two years that means your fans have to wait two years every time they hear new material from you. In today's age where attention spans run on average about 30 seconds before it's, "O.K. what's next?", you've got to get more content into their hands (or ears) sooner rather than later.
No one likes going to see a band playing the same songs over and over and over again. What you want to do is give your fans a reason to come see you. A reason to spend their hard earned cash on your show, your record. Instead of putting out a ten track album once a year, put out two five track EP's twice a year. This gives more a reason to create a buzz around your band and also gives the fans something to get excited about. It's strategic marketing. It's OK to hold back on new music!
Apple is a great example of this with the new iPhone features and models. The Apple iPhone 3GS just came out adding video functionality to the iPhone. Apple already has other features available but will not add them to the iPhone until the next model, giving them a reason to put out another model while getting consumers excited about purchasing a new product. All of a sudden people who have iPhones are trying to get another iPhone with updated functionality. The same thing goes for your music.
Even though you may have 13 songs recorded and ready to release, maybe it's smart to release only a portion now and a portion later. I've heard of some artists releasing one song a month for a whole year. At the end of the year that artist pressed the top ten songs voted by his fans. How's that for keeping your fans engaged all year long?
What stories, tips or advice do you have about keeping your fans engaged and interested in your music?
If you're an independent musician you know how important each fan you have is to you. Without your fans your nothing. Hypothetically, if you put out an album every two years that means your fans have to wait two years every time they hear new material from you. In today's age where attention spans run on average about 30 seconds before it's, "O.K. what's next?", you've got to get more content into their hands (or ears) sooner rather than later.
No one likes going to see a band playing the same songs over and over and over again. What you want to do is give your fans a reason to come see you. A reason to spend their hard earned cash on your show, your record. Instead of putting out a ten track album once a year, put out two five track EP's twice a year. This gives more a reason to create a buzz around your band and also gives the fans something to get excited about. It's strategic marketing. It's OK to hold back on new music!
Apple is a great example of this with the new iPhone features and models. The Apple iPhone 3GS just came out adding video functionality to the iPhone. Apple already has other features available but will not add them to the iPhone until the next model, giving them a reason to put out another model while getting consumers excited about purchasing a new product. All of a sudden people who have iPhones are trying to get another iPhone with updated functionality. The same thing goes for your music.
Even though you may have 13 songs recorded and ready to release, maybe it's smart to release only a portion now and a portion later. I've heard of some artists releasing one song a month for a whole year. At the end of the year that artist pressed the top ten songs voted by his fans. How's that for keeping your fans engaged all year long?
What stories, tips or advice do you have about keeping your fans engaged and interested in your music?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
RIP MJ
I really don't want to be "that guy" and start posting about how amazing Michael Jackson was, but let's be honest here OK? The guy was beyond incredible. It's one of those things where you realize you've taken someone for granted for so long and now we realize that we let go of Michael Jackson the performer and hung onto someone who was just a little different than everyone else, and exploited him. I don't want to defend or accuse Michael of anything. But I just want to talk about his music.
Having not entered this world until 1985, I never knew music without Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bach, Mozart, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Parker, etc. It had ALWAYS been in my life. The media was ALWAYS following Michael Jackson and was ALWAYS reporting on what he was doing no matter how private it should have been. My parents grew up with Michael Jackson, then I grew up with Michael Jackson. It would have been great for my kids(or pets since I don't have kids) to grow up with an old Michael Jackson, still touring like The Stones, Aerosmith, etc at the age of 65. If you look back on Michael's life, you'll notice something.
Michael Jackson spent most of his time, trying to please others.
Whether it was fans, friends or family he was always just trying to please everyone. He holds his new child up in front of a mass crowd to let them see and we claim he was "dangling his child from a balcony" and call him a bad father. Unfortunately that's just one of the many instances where we misunderstood Michael. Whether you think he was guilty or innocent in his recent court trials, you have to admit that he was shaped by us, the public, to be who he was. If you'd like to know what someone is like when their entire life is made up of making mass amounts of people, in excess of tens of millions, happy...now you know.
Unknowingly and unintentionally through his family, the media, and yes you and I, the fan we collectively denied Michael Jackson a childhood. He spent his entire adult life trying to relive it and just when things looked like they were looking up for Michael, having been equitted on all charges in his trial, and getting ready for a 50 date stint in London at the 02 Arena, he was denied his old age.
I quote Bob Lefsetz when I say, "How fucked up is that?"
I watched in 2001(at least that's when I viewed it, but I think it was live) as Michael took the stage with his brothers to be on stage once again as The Jackson Five and although he stood out like a sore thumb, the performance gave me goosebumps. Michael Jackson was the epitome of the word "performer". No one could out dance him, out sing him, or out entertain him. He was the Michael Jordan of music. The best, EVER.
Every couple hundred years someone comes along that defies everything we know and hold true as a standard to the threshold of human beings. Bach created music notation and was the foundation for what we now know as classical music and contemporary music notation. Mozart was unmatched in his ability to compose and hear arrangements. Miles Davis revolutionized jazz and contemporary music as we know it. Michael Jackson is in that category. Everyone knows Bach, Mozart, and Miles Davis. And 500 years from now when we're all gone and music has reached levels we'll never be able to comprehend in our lifetime, someone somewhere will be popping in Thriller for the first time(probably downloading it directly into your body for listening pleasure from within...no headphones or speakers...hey it's the future I can dream!) and wondering, "so who's the Michael Jackson guy?". Then they'll be blown away.
We won't remember Brittany or Justin. But our history books and archives will always have Michael Jackson.
Michael is now being welcomed by the musical genius' of the past, but he will forever influence our future.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
Having not entered this world until 1985, I never knew music without Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bach, Mozart, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Parker, etc. It had ALWAYS been in my life. The media was ALWAYS following Michael Jackson and was ALWAYS reporting on what he was doing no matter how private it should have been. My parents grew up with Michael Jackson, then I grew up with Michael Jackson. It would have been great for my kids(or pets since I don't have kids) to grow up with an old Michael Jackson, still touring like The Stones, Aerosmith, etc at the age of 65. If you look back on Michael's life, you'll notice something.
Michael Jackson spent most of his time, trying to please others.
Whether it was fans, friends or family he was always just trying to please everyone. He holds his new child up in front of a mass crowd to let them see and we claim he was "dangling his child from a balcony" and call him a bad father. Unfortunately that's just one of the many instances where we misunderstood Michael. Whether you think he was guilty or innocent in his recent court trials, you have to admit that he was shaped by us, the public, to be who he was. If you'd like to know what someone is like when their entire life is made up of making mass amounts of people, in excess of tens of millions, happy...now you know.
Unknowingly and unintentionally through his family, the media, and yes you and I, the fan we collectively denied Michael Jackson a childhood. He spent his entire adult life trying to relive it and just when things looked like they were looking up for Michael, having been equitted on all charges in his trial, and getting ready for a 50 date stint in London at the 02 Arena, he was denied his old age.
I quote Bob Lefsetz when I say, "How fucked up is that?"
I watched in 2001(at least that's when I viewed it, but I think it was live) as Michael took the stage with his brothers to be on stage once again as The Jackson Five and although he stood out like a sore thumb, the performance gave me goosebumps. Michael Jackson was the epitome of the word "performer". No one could out dance him, out sing him, or out entertain him. He was the Michael Jordan of music. The best, EVER.
Every couple hundred years someone comes along that defies everything we know and hold true as a standard to the threshold of human beings. Bach created music notation and was the foundation for what we now know as classical music and contemporary music notation. Mozart was unmatched in his ability to compose and hear arrangements. Miles Davis revolutionized jazz and contemporary music as we know it. Michael Jackson is in that category. Everyone knows Bach, Mozart, and Miles Davis. And 500 years from now when we're all gone and music has reached levels we'll never be able to comprehend in our lifetime, someone somewhere will be popping in Thriller for the first time(probably downloading it directly into your body for listening pleasure from within...no headphones or speakers...hey it's the future I can dream!) and wondering, "so who's the Michael Jackson guy?". Then they'll be blown away.
We won't remember Brittany or Justin. But our history books and archives will always have Michael Jackson.
Michael is now being welcomed by the musical genius' of the past, but he will forever influence our future.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Importance of Promoting Your Show
I'm sure this is not secret to anyone out there. Promoting your show is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE SHOW. Getting your band ready, having a great merch booth, and learning how to throw your guitar around your body while your play is only cool if you've got people to play for.
I'm sure everyone is sick of playing for the same 25 people or else you wouldn't be reading this, so I'm going to list a few things you can do for your next show to get some more peeps through the door, and leave with a few new fans.
1. Flyers. Now 10, not 50, not even 100. I'm talking 4-500 flyers, everything Friday and Saturday night 2-3 weeks prior to the show. If nothing else this will help brand your band. I expect to take some heat for pushing flyering out their as many will say it's a dinosaur, but mark my words, you flyer it...and they will come.
2. Radio Advertising. This may be a little advanced for some of the bands out there, but having an advertisement on the radio for your show is a big help to get new fans. People think if something is on the radio it's a big deal. $4-500 should get a you a great package for the week or so before the gig. Investigate it, and if you've got a good ticket percentage/garuntee with the promoter, give it a shot...it may make the difference between $200 and $800 at the end of the night.
3. Social Networking. I've said it before and I'll say it again, MySpace and Facebook are two of your best assets. Use them. For more info check out my post on Social Networking/Marketing here.
4. Clubbing. This is what I call going to the club you are playing at and handing out free CD's and swag every Friday and Saturday 2-3 weeks prior to your gig. This is also a great way to see the other bands on the scene, as well as see what their draw is and how they operate. If you're a little weary about giving your CD away for free, let me ease your mind a bit. You are NEVER going to make a penny off your CD without fans, and until you have them you might as well give it away, or at least a sample of it away. And please, at the show don't make your disc more than $5. I'm not going to buy a band's album if it's got 8 songs and is $10, specially if it's my first time seeing them. Keep it cheap or go home with a full box of CD's.
5. Contests/Fan Interaction. If you've got at least a small fan base this is a great way to get them involved. Have them sell tickets for you. For the first fan to sell 5 tickets gets free entrance to the show and a free t-shirt. Get creative and give your fans a reason to come back, even after they've been to your show 5 times and you haven't written a new song in months.
The five ways listed above to promote your show is only a sample of the possibilities. Bands that make it get extremely good at promoting. At times it seems like too much work, but that's the game. It's sad but true, the next Led Zeppelin is in some basement in Your Town, USA...and no one will ever know about them because they have no idea the importance of promoting.OVER AND OUT.
I'm sure everyone is sick of playing for the same 25 people or else you wouldn't be reading this, so I'm going to list a few things you can do for your next show to get some more peeps through the door, and leave with a few new fans.
1. Flyers. Now 10, not 50, not even 100. I'm talking 4-500 flyers, everything Friday and Saturday night 2-3 weeks prior to the show. If nothing else this will help brand your band. I expect to take some heat for pushing flyering out their as many will say it's a dinosaur, but mark my words, you flyer it...and they will come.
2. Radio Advertising. This may be a little advanced for some of the bands out there, but having an advertisement on the radio for your show is a big help to get new fans. People think if something is on the radio it's a big deal. $4-500 should get a you a great package for the week or so before the gig. Investigate it, and if you've got a good ticket percentage/garuntee with the promoter, give it a shot...it may make the difference between $200 and $800 at the end of the night.
3. Social Networking. I've said it before and I'll say it again, MySpace and Facebook are two of your best assets. Use them. For more info check out my post on Social Networking/Marketing here.
4. Clubbing. This is what I call going to the club you are playing at and handing out free CD's and swag every Friday and Saturday 2-3 weeks prior to your gig. This is also a great way to see the other bands on the scene, as well as see what their draw is and how they operate. If you're a little weary about giving your CD away for free, let me ease your mind a bit. You are NEVER going to make a penny off your CD without fans, and until you have them you might as well give it away, or at least a sample of it away. And please, at the show don't make your disc more than $5. I'm not going to buy a band's album if it's got 8 songs and is $10, specially if it's my first time seeing them. Keep it cheap or go home with a full box of CD's.
5. Contests/Fan Interaction. If you've got at least a small fan base this is a great way to get them involved. Have them sell tickets for you. For the first fan to sell 5 tickets gets free entrance to the show and a free t-shirt. Get creative and give your fans a reason to come back, even after they've been to your show 5 times and you haven't written a new song in months.
The five ways listed above to promote your show is only a sample of the possibilities. Bands that make it get extremely good at promoting. At times it seems like too much work, but that's the game. It's sad but true, the next Led Zeppelin is in some basement in Your Town, USA...and no one will ever know about them because they have no idea the importance of promoting.OVER AND OUT.
My next album will cost $80,000...per song
The Capitol Records vs. Jammie Thomas-Rasset case has finally reached a verdict. Jammie Thomas-Rasset was proven to have downloaded and distrubed at least 24 songs using Kazaa's network. She actually had over 1700 songs on her computer in the "shared music" folder that were most likely illegally downloaded, but she was only charged with 24 songs.
The verdict rewarded Capitol Records the amount of $1,920,000, or $80,000 per song downloaded and distributed.
You may think this verdict is a little harsh.
It is.
$80,000 per song is 228,571 times the actual damages.
This case has been plagued with different issues ranging from testimony to evidence. One side was over-lawyered while the other was under-lawyered. Not to mention the fact that the plaintiff was not required to prove infrigment of the distribution right. Google "Capitol Records vs. Jammie Thomas-Rasset" and you can see all the problems involving this case. The reason I'm writing this post is because I can't wrap my head around the idea of $80,000 per song.
There are so many legal ways to download a song. You can go to iTunes and rip it for $.99 per song, you can go to Amazon and get one for $.79, and you can even go to lala.com and get a web song for $.10. That's right. $.10.
Now before we talk about the reasons why Thomas-Rasset couldn't download the song legally, let's talk about the value of a song. How much is a song worth? What does the artist who created, put blood, sweat and tears into, and labored over it think it's worth? Here's a better question,
Who is the RIAA to decide how much a song is worth?
Let's just get this straight. Jammie Thomas-Rasset absolutely illegally downloaded at least 24 songs. She broke the law. That we know is true. But how can you justify and prove (although since the plaintiff wasn't required to prove many things, this verdict is not suprising) that the damages incurred for downloading and distributing music illegally results in $80,000 per song?
You can't.
That's rediculous.
I'm an artist. I'd be ripped if my record label went to court over something like this. The artist will never see a dime of that $1,920,000. I understand that the RIAA and Capitol Records are just trying to make an example of Thomas-Rasset, but what they're essentially doing is making an example out of the United States. Let's give the rest of the world ANOTHER reason to laugh at us.
On a more positive note, Jammie Thomas-Rasset will never pay a dime of that money. The case will go to trial a third time.
Quick Fix: Charge Thomas-Rasset $.99/song and make her pay $24.00. The retail value for each song. Hell, you can even charge her tax so Uncle Sam is happy.
The verdict rewarded Capitol Records the amount of $1,920,000, or $80,000 per song downloaded and distributed.
You may think this verdict is a little harsh.
It is.
$80,000 per song is 228,571 times the actual damages.
This case has been plagued with different issues ranging from testimony to evidence. One side was over-lawyered while the other was under-lawyered. Not to mention the fact that the plaintiff was not required to prove infrigment of the distribution right. Google "Capitol Records vs. Jammie Thomas-Rasset" and you can see all the problems involving this case. The reason I'm writing this post is because I can't wrap my head around the idea of $80,000 per song.
There are so many legal ways to download a song. You can go to iTunes and rip it for $.99 per song, you can go to Amazon and get one for $.79, and you can even go to lala.com and get a web song for $.10. That's right. $.10.
Now before we talk about the reasons why Thomas-Rasset couldn't download the song legally, let's talk about the value of a song. How much is a song worth? What does the artist who created, put blood, sweat and tears into, and labored over it think it's worth? Here's a better question,
Who is the RIAA to decide how much a song is worth?
Let's just get this straight. Jammie Thomas-Rasset absolutely illegally downloaded at least 24 songs. She broke the law. That we know is true. But how can you justify and prove (although since the plaintiff wasn't required to prove many things, this verdict is not suprising) that the damages incurred for downloading and distributing music illegally results in $80,000 per song?
You can't.
That's rediculous.
I'm an artist. I'd be ripped if my record label went to court over something like this. The artist will never see a dime of that $1,920,000. I understand that the RIAA and Capitol Records are just trying to make an example of Thomas-Rasset, but what they're essentially doing is making an example out of the United States. Let's give the rest of the world ANOTHER reason to laugh at us.
On a more positive note, Jammie Thomas-Rasset will never pay a dime of that money. The case will go to trial a third time.
Quick Fix: Charge Thomas-Rasset $.99/song and make her pay $24.00. The retail value for each song. Hell, you can even charge her tax so Uncle Sam is happy.
Getting Your Music Reviewed
Over the past few weeks I've been submitting Highway Jackson's album for review in a number of publications across New England. I've also been seeing this topic spring up on online forums so I thought it'd be a great time to touch upon the subject of how to get your record reviewed, whether it be through your local paper or a music blog.
Build a Relationship:
One of the most important things to remember, and this goes really for anything, is that building a relationship is so much more important than getting your record reviewed. If you go about the task with that mentality it will help the process along ten-fold.
It's way too easy to just grab a list of 25 emails and put out a massive email like this:
"Hey So and So,
I'm sending along [insert artist name here]'s new album and I was hoping you would consider it for review.
Thanks!
-You"
On a local level you really want to establish a relationship with the person you're hoping to review your album. If you can't do that, a simple email like this should suffice:
"Hey So and So (make sure you know their actual name!!!),
This is Your Name from the Portland based band "Your Band Name". I am contacting youin regards to possible inclusion in an upcoming local music section to focus on our new EP"Album of the Year", which is set for release on September 1st. I'd be more than happy tosend a copy of the CD over to you but have not been able to find an actual mailing address. I'd love to get some more info on how to go about this. Oh and I also wanted to thank the "8 days a week" crew for the very large photo and caption of us that was placed on page's 12 and 13 of the July 25th-31st issue. It was a nice surprise. Thanks.
-Name Here
www.myspace.com/yourbandpage"
By metioning a past issue of the publication you let the reviewer know that you're familiar with the magazine. I happen to know this particular reviewer and band. Because of this initial email they recieved a review in the magazine. Because of their music, it was a positive review.
Building a relationship also helps for future releases. A reviewer that you've already worked with in the past is that much more likely to review your act again if you've maintained that relationship!
So next time someone says, "Let's keep in touch", do it. It'll pay dividends in the end.
Over and Out! -Kris
Build a Relationship:
One of the most important things to remember, and this goes really for anything, is that building a relationship is so much more important than getting your record reviewed. If you go about the task with that mentality it will help the process along ten-fold.
It's way too easy to just grab a list of 25 emails and put out a massive email like this:
"Hey So and So,
I'm sending along [insert artist name here]'s new album and I was hoping you would consider it for review.
Thanks!
-You"
On a local level you really want to establish a relationship with the person you're hoping to review your album. If you can't do that, a simple email like this should suffice:
"Hey So and So (make sure you know their actual name!!!),
This is Your Name from the Portland based band "Your Band Name". I am contacting youin regards to possible inclusion in an upcoming local music section to focus on our new EP"Album of the Year", which is set for release on September 1st. I'd be more than happy tosend a copy of the CD over to you but have not been able to find an actual mailing address. I'd love to get some more info on how to go about this. Oh and I also wanted to thank the "8 days a week" crew for the very large photo and caption of us that was placed on page's 12 and 13 of the July 25th-31st issue. It was a nice surprise. Thanks.
-Name Here
www.myspace.com/yourbandpage"
By metioning a past issue of the publication you let the reviewer know that you're familiar with the magazine. I happen to know this particular reviewer and band. Because of this initial email they recieved a review in the magazine. Because of their music, it was a positive review.
Building a relationship also helps for future releases. A reviewer that you've already worked with in the past is that much more likely to review your act again if you've maintained that relationship!
So next time someone says, "Let's keep in touch", do it. It'll pay dividends in the end.
Over and Out! -Kris
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