The New Rock Biz Paradigm - Welcome to 2008!

The new music biz equation in 2008 seems to be touring + inexpensive recording technology + internet distribution - large record label = sustainable success at least according to Live Music Thrives as CDs Fade, an article that all rock and roll bands serious about making it today should have a look at. There are now so many ways to get the music out there that any musician should be familiar with as many as possible but touring still appears to be the best method to put the butter on the bread. The only fly in the ointment of that avenue is the insanely high gas prices that make going on a large-scale, many-miles tour a financial burden.

The effect of high gas prices on touring is hitting smaller bands and artists hard but even big name festivals like Bonnaroo are being affected. This brings up an interesting point that came up in a recent discussion with some musician friends. They argued that it was now becoming much less lucrative to travel hundreds of miles to play in a new town where they may not be able to guarantee a healthy gate, or play on the side stage of a festival (where even there they have to often pay to play) than to play locally where they can actually guarantee themselves fairly steady income. It’s not that they don’t want to tour outside their area code, it’s just becoming too damn expensive to do so.

What does this all mean? Will it become too expensive for bands to tour and even if they do, too expensive for fans to get to their shows and festivals? Perhaps in the short term it will be an issue but rock and roll fans are if anything a resourceful bunch and whether they car pool it or bike to the show, they will need to get their rock and roll fix somehow. And bands are increasingly looking at viable ways to get to the gig by using things like bio-fueled tour buses and transport trucks with the help of organizations like Reverb so the tours will keep rolling. As with everything else in this day and age, the game is changing and you either adapt to what is going on or you fold up your tent and go home.

Luckily, despite the hardships for all involved, the rock will still roll, regardless of the bumps in the road. Thank God for that!

See you at the show.

Mark

JanSport Sets The Stage For An Online Battle Of The Bands Competition

(Press Release) JanSport, the original outdoor gear Brand that equips people globally with quality backpacks, travel gear and collegiate apparel, today announced its partnership with The Forecastle Festival, the largest gathering of musicians, artists, and environmentalists in the Midwest, to create an online "Battle of the Bands" competition.

Read more

Wanna Be a Rock Star? Rock Label Seeking Unsigned/New Bands for ‘Anthem

(Press Release) U.S.-based hard rock label with national distribution seeking original compositions from new or up and coming millennium rock/metal acts, as well as any other rockers who have an anthematic rocker which
salutes the Rock & Metal genres for surviving as long as they have! The compilation will additionally feature name players from well-known rock/metal acts, and will hit stores in the late spring of 2009, and each participating band will receive promos upon release of the cd, as well as pic/bio in the cd booklet. Interested bands should submit a myspace (or other web link) with the specific tune they have in mind to anthemrock2008@yahoo.com

Wanna Be a Rock Star? Matheson Takes a Look at the Michael J. Media Group

Nashville-based musician Mike Farley has always had a love for the “business” side of the music business. In fact, it was during his time as host of an open-mic night in Cleveland, Ohio that he found his own musical voice and started writing and performing his own music. The songs that he wrote have become 5 full-length albums and one acoustic EP. And although Mike loves to write and perform music, the “business” side of the music business is what ultimately made him move from Cleveland, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee.

While living in Cleveland, Mike started helping other musicians with the promoting of their music, helping them move forward in their careers and getting them more exposure as far as radio play and larger venues to perform in.

And although Mike loves to write and perform music, the “business” side of the music business is what ultimately made him move. He took the part-time music venture he was operating and decided to go in full-time and start helping as many musicians as he could. And in 2003, Mike moved his company from Cleveland, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee.

Mike Farley’s publicity company, known as Michael J. Media Group, features several different types of services to help musicians further their musical careers. Some of the services offered to clients include: creating and distributing press releases to local and national media outlets, follow up with press contacts, promote local or regional CD release parties or other events, assist in setting up radio and TV appearances or other promotional gigs, and solicit film and TV placements from music supervisors and publishers.

Currently, Mike has a large list of artists that are taking advantage of his publicity help. Some of his most well known clients include: Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Badfish (the tribute to Sublime), and many others, including Tim Mahoney, the musician who was featured in the 40th Anniversary issue of Rolling Stone as a result of winning the Ray-Ban ‘Never Hide Your Music’ contest.

To find out the complete list of features and services offered by Mike Farley and the Michael J. Media Group, go to www.michaeljmedia.com. You can also contact the company by calling them at (615) 885-3652.

Matheson Kamin

Net Neutrality and Why Indie Musicians Should Care

If you haven’t already, you will be hearing a lot about the issue of Net Neutrality this year and while it might seem to be a esoteric, technical debate for geeks, the implications to independent musicians could be great. Or as a recent article in Exclaim magazine stated “net neutrality is about three seconds away from being one of the Most Important Issues Facing the Music Business Today.”

Future of Music Coalition Director Ann Chaitovitz ran a commentary in a recent issue of Billboard Magazine explaining how the open internet is absolutely necessary for creativity and commerce to flourish online and I urge you to read the commentary and educate yourself. You can read it at this link.

The Internet holds a lot of promise of what musicians can do with their music instead of being beholden to a record label. We are starting to see a lot of experiments taking place where the artists is regaining control of his or her muse. Some will work and some will fail but at the very least there is a legitimate chance for artists to make a living while being in control of the modes of distribution of their music. Net Neutrality in my opinion is essential to this. Make sure that you are informed as to the impact of things like network throttling can have on independent music on the net. Regardless of which side of the debate you may ultimately take, your future could well depend on it.

Later.

Mark

Wanna Be a Rock Star? Check out these opportunities.

CONTEST GIVES MUSICIANS A CHANCE TO TRAVEL THE “ROAD TO ROCK FAME”

“Road to Rock Fame” recording contest. The contest is open to artists from all genres of music, and the grand prize package includes a week of recording at Cuthbert Road Studios. Entries, which must include a demo recording of one song, a bio and photo, must be received by July 31, 2008 and will be judged by a panel of music industry professionals. Entries are being accepted via US Mail at Road to Road Fame Recording Contest, 1960 Old Cuthbert Road, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034, online at www.roadtorockfame.com, and at select retail locations that can be found on the website. Questions regarding the contest can be emailed to questions@roadtorockfame.com.

RJL BATTLE OF THE BANDS IS OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS

There is a contest that nimbit sponsors every year that is put on by a non-profit organization run by a generous couple as a tribute to their late, talented son’s passion for music. The promoters really get behind the winning artist, helping them record and press a new album. And they put the extra time in to help keep the winning band on track to complete an album. This year they have combined the contest with an event “Band Camaro Rock and Roll Boot Camp. In addition there will be $10,000 + in prizes. Every band wins something cool. Submission deadline is June 22nd. The competition is Saturday, August 16th. Go here to sign up: www.rjlmemorialfund.org

SONGS WANTED FOR CD COMPILATION

Stomp Out Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to curing a form of cancer known as Ewing’s Sarcoma, is looking for bands for a CD compilation that is to be released Oct. 28, 2008 with all proceeds going to cancer research. All genres are accepted and songs should be sensitive to the CD’s theme. Songs may address topics like enjoying life, an artist’s own experience with cancer, or a tribute. Songs that honor those who have cancer, or overcoming obstacles, are appreciated. To submit a song, go to www.sonicbids.com/socmusic and for more on the organization, visit www.stompoutcancer.com.

ABC Radio Networks Launches Fame Games in Search for the Next Music Superstars - Show Will Allow Local Market Artists to Compete in International Competition

Venture merges online music world with terrestrial radio And reinforces the Network’s commitment to young end programming

DALLAS, June 2 /PRNewswire/ — ABC Radio Networks announced today it has partnered with Mere Music International (MMI) to bring Fame Games — the popular Web-based competition for new music artists — to U.S. and international radio syndication. The show, which has been available on the Web since 2006, has drawn unsigned artists from more than 70 countries and currently pulls a weekly audience of more than 2.5 million listeners. Fame Games will begin airing on select ABC Radio Networks affiliates on June 30 and be comprised of three 15-week competitions targeting young and consumers.

Fame Games provides an online stage for aspiring musicians. While the showcased artists are truly international in scope, almost three quarters of the weekly listeners and on-line voters are from the United States — an indication there will be a strong reception from young, active listeners in America who want to help determine tomorrow’s music idols. The show is expected to drive traffic to station websites from listeners looking to cast their ballot and follow the weekly competition.

Read more

Unsigned Band Opportunities: Bubba the Love Sponge and MyBandsMusic

UNSIGNED MUSIC SOUGHT FOR SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO SHOW

Each week Sirius Satellite Radio’s Bubba The Love Sponge Show presents “Unsigned Band Review,” a segment that evaluates the merits of artists and bands who’ve submitted their music to the site’s review area. Show host Bubba, his sidekicks and occasional guests listen to a few cuts and offer their unbiased, unbridled opinions. Co-host Spiceboy coordinates the segment from week to week. The Bubba The Love Sponge Show is a regular offering on Sirius’ Howard Stern channel, Howard 101, the most listened to channel on the satellite network. Artists or bands interested in submitting music to this national weekly showcase should visit http://pm.btls.com/music/.

MYBANDSMUSIC LAUNCHES MUSIC NETWORKING SITE

MyBandsMusic recently launched an indie music and social networking site, where fans and bands can meet. Now, MBM is offering a business model with a 100% pass-through sales structure for downloaded tracks and CDs. Previously, MBM announced that downloaded tracks would give100% profit to all artists on the site; now they are taking it to the next level and including CD sales as well. The only cost would be the shipping and handling charges, for mailing the CDs. The site claims that all the tools an artist or band needs to implement full-blown viral marketing campaigns can be found at www.MyBandsMusic.com.

Indie Bands Invited To Rock Against Diabetes

(PR) To celebrate the bringing of music to a global audience, in an online HD broadcast, Rock Against Diabetes has decided to find the opening act where else, but on the music Social Networks of the internet.

Myspace, Facebook, Garageband, PureVolume and the multitude of other musical communities will be invited to submit their music, and videos to Rock Against Diabetes to be judged, and pared down to a Top 10, that will be judged by a panel of musicians, promoters, television personalities and industry giants.

The winner of the contest, that will begin May 20th, 2008 and conclude with a winner on July 26th, 2008 will receive the following: 1) A slot in the kickoff pre party in Las Vegas at Club ROX on Friday August 22nd, 2008 playing with KARNEVAL, featuring Dario Lorina, MAGNETICO, featuring Rafael Moreira, Bumblefoot of Guns N Roses , and MORE!!!!

Read more

Odds and Sods: Rock Out at Denny’s, Ernie Ball’s Battle of the Bands at Warped ‘08, 1st Annual Sunset Strip Music Festival and Sixx A.M.’s Playboy Debut

This edition of “Odds and Sods” covers everything from greasy fast food, a great Battle of the Bands competition that involves both fans and unsigned bands, rocking out on the Sunset Strip and porn music videos. What a great way to start the weekend!

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »