One great thing about the internet is the power it gives a group or artist the ability to communicate. The problem is there are many avenues and staying organized and not neglecting a certain segment can become daunting...facebook, myspace, twitter...all your email...instant messaging...it all adds up to a lot of stuff to monitor...
Enter Digsby...
As Digsby puts it:
Digsby is a multiprotocol IM client that lets you chat with all your friends on AIM, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, and Jabber with one simple to manage buddy list.
digsby is an email notification tool that alerts you of new email and lets you perform actions such as 'Delete' or 'Report Spam' with just one click.
digsby is a social networking tool that alerts you of events like new messages and gives you a live Newsfeed of what your friends are up to.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Resource of the Day: Carbonite.com
Being an artist or a band, having pictures, press releases and digital versions of demos and songs is essential. Problem is several hands are in the cookie jar and things can get lost over time. Not only that, but a computer crash can always be a doomsday for photo...as well as losing demos forever. Instead of being in fear, spend 49 bucks for the year and give everybody access that works on all assets related to the project.
Carbonite.com is a company that does this, and they are very reputable. This guarantees that all your information is in a centralized location and in a very safe place.
Carbonite.com is a company that does this, and they are very reputable. This guarantees that all your information is in a centralized location and in a very safe place.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Expose Yourself: Grammy Time
If you have had the pleasure of releasing a CD with at least 4 songs, it is time to get yourself some street cred and join the Recording Academy. Not only will you have access to purchasing tickets to the big show each year, you get a groovy membership card that goes great with the ASCAP card as well as the chance to vote for who wins.
It also gets you access to Insurance benefits, invitations and access to some great events and speakers and also puts you in the thick of the music industry.
Register Online
or download the PDF and fill it out and fax back.
It also gets you access to Insurance benefits, invitations and access to some great events and speakers and also puts you in the thick of the music industry.
Register Online
or download the PDF and fill it out and fax back.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Expose Yourself - NAMM 2009
Every year around this time the music industry descends upon Orange County, California, just outside Disneyland to hold the annual NAMM Show. The National Association of Music Manufacturers is a great place to be if you can get in. BAck in the glory days when hot chicks and craziness surrounded the show, the public was able to attend for a price. Funny how the second they cleaned up the show, the barred the public from getting access. Fear not, there are several ways to get tickets of you are not on the "inside".
The first an easy bet is to become really good friends with your local music store. On more than a couple occasions we were able to get in via this route. Not always a guarantee, but it has worked. Getting a job at Guitar Center might increase your chances as well. Another thing is to find anyone you may know who is in the music manufacturing business. Say someone who makes a part that is used on guitars or something.
Now let's say you get your passes, next step is how to approach being in the den of musicians. The key thing here is to have a reason for a manufacturer to want o get behind you with a sponsorship. In our case, this year the band d will be filming on a episode of HBOs Entourage. This kind of clout will not always be at your disposal, but you will need a compelling story, other wise the only reason for being at the show is looking at gear and taking photos with famous musicians.
The troops are at NAMM today, and will give feedback on this years adventure. I missed out on going because I checked my text messages a few hours too late...which is definitely a way not to get to go!
NAMM 2009
The first an easy bet is to become really good friends with your local music store. On more than a couple occasions we were able to get in via this route. Not always a guarantee, but it has worked. Getting a job at Guitar Center might increase your chances as well. Another thing is to find anyone you may know who is in the music manufacturing business. Say someone who makes a part that is used on guitars or something.
Now let's say you get your passes, next step is how to approach being in the den of musicians. The key thing here is to have a reason for a manufacturer to want o get behind you with a sponsorship. In our case, this year the band d will be filming on a episode of HBOs Entourage. This kind of clout will not always be at your disposal, but you will need a compelling story, other wise the only reason for being at the show is looking at gear and taking photos with famous musicians.
The troops are at NAMM today, and will give feedback on this years adventure. I missed out on going because I checked my text messages a few hours too late...which is definitely a way not to get to go!
NAMM 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Hope this new year is good for everyone and that the music and fun keep getting better!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Resource of the Day - Broadtexter.com
This is a very clever tool for broadcast messaging your fan base to their phones. Just another way to reach out and touch someone. Here is our widget:
Here are some of the sites you can embed:
Myspace Profile, Myspace Bulletin, Myspace Blog, Facebook Profile, Facebook Pages
Orkut, Blogger, TypePad, Friendster, Tagged, LiveSpaces, Freewebs, Zorpia
BlackPlanet, Xanga, Tagworld, Piczo, Multiply, Your Website (easy)
Choose one of the sites to the left to display your widget code and directions for posting. You can post your widget on any number of places. The more people that see it the more subscribers you'll get.
Checkout broadtexter.com
Here are some of the sites you can embed:
Myspace Profile, Myspace Bulletin, Myspace Blog, Facebook Profile, Facebook Pages
Orkut, Blogger, TypePad, Friendster, Tagged, LiveSpaces, Freewebs, Zorpia
BlackPlanet, Xanga, Tagworld, Piczo, Multiply, Your Website (easy)
Choose one of the sites to the left to display your widget code and directions for posting. You can post your widget on any number of places. The more people that see it the more subscribers you'll get.
Checkout broadtexter.com
Monday, December 29, 2008
Go Live - Lighten Up the Stage
New Post type called Go Live. This type of post will relate to all things that I have found helpful in putting on the best live show.
As we approach the New Years Eve show one of the things that came to mind was to put on a show that extends beyond what we normally do for our fans. As only the set really changes over the course of the year we thought there must be a way to do something on the cheap yet extend the experience.
So a few thoughts on improving a live show from just beyond the normal house lights.
1. Hmmmmm, what holiday just passed that involves lots of lights? recycling your Christmas lights into the stage show can go a long way in a very cost effective manner.
2. Guitar center has a section of lights that can be a great resource to get ideas for retro fitting lamps or buying one of their low end lights. Usually they start around $27. Over time just adding 2 more to your line up each month can really begin to add character. Also, look into getting a DMX controller which can really add to your show and remove a need for someone else running the lights.
3. Something I did a ways back that really worked in a previous band was to put together a video mantage and string it across a few old tube TVs, color and black and white. Tube tvs are littering the planet, I gurantee these will be easy to find. I did this with ease on VHS, so I am sure, if you have a computer, putting this together onto a DVD will be a piece of cake. I combined this with my white christmas lights and the result was a very theatrical, low budget stage show.
In the end, challenge yourself and your live show. You rehearse to sound good, so why not put that same creative energy in how you present yourself. Subtle things can make a big difference and by no means am I suggesting a strobe light for a folk act...this is where your creative energy comes into play.
As we approach the New Years Eve show one of the things that came to mind was to put on a show that extends beyond what we normally do for our fans. As only the set really changes over the course of the year we thought there must be a way to do something on the cheap yet extend the experience.
So a few thoughts on improving a live show from just beyond the normal house lights.
1. Hmmmmm, what holiday just passed that involves lots of lights? recycling your Christmas lights into the stage show can go a long way in a very cost effective manner.
2. Guitar center has a section of lights that can be a great resource to get ideas for retro fitting lamps or buying one of their low end lights. Usually they start around $27. Over time just adding 2 more to your line up each month can really begin to add character. Also, look into getting a DMX controller which can really add to your show and remove a need for someone else running the lights.
3. Something I did a ways back that really worked in a previous band was to put together a video mantage and string it across a few old tube TVs, color and black and white. Tube tvs are littering the planet, I gurantee these will be easy to find. I did this with ease on VHS, so I am sure, if you have a computer, putting this together onto a DVD will be a piece of cake. I combined this with my white christmas lights and the result was a very theatrical, low budget stage show.
In the end, challenge yourself and your live show. You rehearse to sound good, so why not put that same creative energy in how you present yourself. Subtle things can make a big difference and by no means am I suggesting a strobe light for a folk act...this is where your creative energy comes into play.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
