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This month's newsletter features the listings that were submitted to me in December. The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections. 1. Publications that will REVIEW your music |
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2. SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED NowOnTour 6300 North Sagewood Dr. #H-533, Park City, UT 84098 NowOnTour news@nowontour.com www.NowOnTour.com After years of frustration with current media trends, inane music publications, corporate venue buyouts, commercial radio flatulence and major label idiocy, three frustrated music lovers launched NowOnTour on January 1st, 2003. We review about 60% of the records received for review with an emphasis on independent and independent label records. Domain Cleveland 2332 Grandview Ave. Cleveland Heights, OH 44106 PH: 216-376-0238 Dougless R. Esper dougless@domaincleveland.com www.domaincleveland.com Your source for indie news, reviews, interviews, photos and more! Kult Rock Via A.Cristiano 4, 80028 Grumo Nevano (NA) Italy Enrico D'Aniello info@kultrock.com www.kultrock.com A new magazine of Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Ambient, Industrial, Electronic and Indie music, featuring all issues about the music and the cultural aspects around it. OnlineRock 2033 Ralston Ave. #50 Belmont, CA 94002 PH: 650-649-2304 Steve Beck steve@onlinerock.com www.onlinerock.com We offer CD reviews which are perfect for your press kit and website. All types of music accepted. Space Junkies Magazine Wednesday Elektra wednesday@spacejunkies.net www.spacejunkies.net Supporting and promoting independent music of all genres from around the world for free. Please check out our "Submissions" page for information on how to properly submit your material/information OpeningBands c/o Cassie Conner, 1724 Cindy Lynn St., Urbana, IL 61802 reviews@openingbands.com www.openingbands.com/reviews/guidelines.race To get your CD reviewed - mail two copies (so we can have two people review it) and other press info to the above address. Our address changes almost every year, so please check before sending your CD.
3. RADIO SHOWS THAT WILL PLAY YOUR MUSIC RelaxRadio - Home Of Worldwide Independent Artists 43 Federal St., Karlgarin, WA 6358 Australia PH: 618-98895050 Ron Trigwell music_submission@esat.net.au www.relaxradio.net.au We play a large variety of genres including Childrens' songs and stories, Clean comedy and skits and spoken word (Poetry). We also play non-English language music. i.e. Russian, Latin, German, Dutch Yiddish etc. We do NOT play Hip-Hop or any Heavy or Metal type music. If not sure, please email first with a MP3 sample or link to listen to your submission. Soul Music of The World Podcast LRMC-CMR 402, Box 999, APO AE 09180 PH: 011-49-16091790264 DJ Come of Age djcomeofage@yahoo.com djcoa.libsyn.com Features independent Soul artists from all over the world. It currently has 6,000 worldwide subscribers. The show is hosted by DJ Come of Age. Unsigned Underground 230 S. Main St., Newtown, CT 06470 PH: 203-426-2030 FX: 203-426-2036 Darryl Gregory info@unsignedunderground.net www.unsignedunderground.net A Podcast that features independent CDs and interviews with artists. Great free exposure! Lime Light Radio Bordentown, NJ 08505 PH: 609-424-4556 Nick Willever admin@limelightradio.com www.limelightradio.com We play only unsigned, indie music on our station. Includes public profiles, and a lot more. All free! The Jazz Suite Weekly Podcast 21901 Mada Ave. Southfield, MI 48075 PH: 734-658-9482 FX: 248-356-2021 Norvell Molex Jr. nmolexjr@comcast.net thejazzsuite.mypodcasts.net Playing Contemporary, Progressive, and Acid Jazz from independent artists and indie labels. Thunderground Radio 1964 W. Acacia Ave. #56, Hemet, CA 92545 Rich Gardner rich@thundergroundradio.com www.thundergroundradio.com Featuring the BEST independent bands we can find! Our primary genres are Hard Rock/Metal. We also play Modern Rock, Industrial, and anything that ROCKS! WildSideRadio.com station@wildsideradio.com www.WildSideRadio.com A weekly online radio show that will feature all independent artists. The new show begins airing in March 2006, and is currently accepting submissions from all music genres. Current plans include syndicating the show to numerous additional radio and online outlets. Music must be submitted on a CD, no MP3s, please. iRADIO Los Angeles PO Box 1403, Covina, CA 91722 PH: 626-780-6323 FX: 626-974-4776 Mark Maverick info@iradiola.com www.iradiola.com The #1 indie radio station, playing 100% indie bands on REAL RADIO! Muszik 4 All Radio Show 11221 Grouse Ln, Hagerstown, MD 21742 PH: 301-991-6724 Natasha A. Smith-Hazzard tasha@statiqrecords.ws www.live365.com/stations/muszik4all Fuzion Latino, Spanish Rap, Reggaeton, Salsa, Latin Jazz. M3 Radio 259 W. 30th St. 12th Fl. New York, NY 10001 PH: 917-351-1021 Tony-O m3radio@aol.com www.m3radio.com Beside playing a large amount of unsigned musicians, we also announce tour dates ("Sophia's Topless Tour Dates") as well as doing ticket give-aways. Since we're an Internet station we have a worldwide audience so no matter where an artist tours we can let their fans know. Send us your dates at least 4 weeks in advance to be included.
4. SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC MUSIK INTERNATIONAL Distribution and Promotion 154 Betasso Rd. Boulder, CO 80302 Toll Free: 888-476-8745 PH: 303-444-9575 FX: 303-444-9122 info@musikinternational.com www.musikinternational.com Promotion, Marketing and Consulting to the worldwide entertainment community. ***We are offering you a FREE 15-minute consultation! I am best reached between 10 am and 4 pm (Mountain time) Tuesday-Friday. Genres of Music covered: Rock, World, Jazz, Latin, Hip Hop, R&B, Folk, Blues, Singer-Songwriter, Acoustic, Electronic, Ambient, New Age, Contemporary Classical/Crossover. NO Country, Gospel or Christian, please. MusicSUBMIT 650 Pennsylvania #25, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Toll Free: 888-476-8745 PH: 303-444-9575 FX: 303-444-9122 support@musicsubmit.com www.MusicSUBMIT.com A submissions service that promotes your music to the decision makers at Internet radio stations, music blogs, online music magazines and more, AND we give you a full report of everything we do for you! VersusMedia 556 S. Fair Oaks Ave. #245, Pasadena, CA 91105 PH: 877-633-8764 Ryan info@versusmedia.com www.versusmedia.com Provider of publicity services and film music networking opportunities. Buzzin' Bee Entertainment 3833 W. Ave 42, #117, Los Angeles, CA 90065 PH: 323-381-0000 Monica “MoniBee” Busby info@thebuzzinbee.com www.thebuzzinbee.com Full service firm that can carry a client in all aspects of guerilla brand marketing, promotions, public relations, event planning/management, and bookings. We specifically cater to today's Urban/Pop scene. Not Lame Recordings 235 Linden St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524 PH: 970-690-5225 FX: 970-407-0256 Bruce Brodeen popmusic@notlame.com www.notlame.com Not Lame is two things - One, it's a record label that focuses on 'power pop'/melodic rock and has released over 100 CD's in the last 10 years. Second, it's an online record store dedicated to selling indie releases from other melodically driven bands and labels from all over the world. Indie Rhythm 160 Aztec Way SE, Acworth, GA 30102 PH: 678-574-6310 James McCullough sales@indierhythm.com www.IndieRhythm.com We are a CD megastore, specializing in CDs by independent musicians. Kari-On Productions PO Box 436, Evans, GA 30809 PH: 706-294-9996 FX: 706-210-9453 Kari Gaffney karionprod@knology.net www.karigaffney.com/publicity.html We are a publicity agency that represents, Jazz, Smooth-Jazz, Blues and World artists to obtain reviews in magazines, online, daily and weekly publications in support of your new release. J2R Music 471 Old Eagle School Rd. Wayne, PA 19087 PH: 610-687-3553 Adam Miller adam@j2rmusic.com www.j2rmusic.com Established in order to supply high quality original music to clients in network and cable television and feature film production. Quinn Records TM PO Box 771693, St. Louis, MO 63177 PH: 314-802-7550 FX: 314-802-7550 Dwight Quinn dwight@quinnrecords.com www.quinnrecords.com An independent record label and distributor of Blues, Gospel, Jazz and Soul music. Indie Warehouse PO Box 511, Louisville, KY 40201 PH: 502-593-9910 Matt Heitzmann matt@indiewarehouse.com http://www.indiewarehouse.com Offers the highest profit margin for artists with no out-of-pocket expenses. CD Suite 14 Urquhart St., Hawthorn, VIC 3122 Australia PH: +61398192954 FX: +61398192954 Nathan nathan@cdsuite.com www.cdsuite.com Online CD store distributing albums by independent artists. bandVillage PO Box 2211, 32 Ellis Oaks Dr. Leicester, NC 28748 PH: 828-398-4453 Peter Fleming peter.fleming@bandvillage.com www.bandvillage.com Provides promotional services and consignment CD sales for artists and labels, online and at festivals. Zero Youth Records 1975 S. Maple Tree Ln, Bolivar, MO 65613 PH: 417-326-8308 Matt Oldenburg info@zeroyouthrecords.com www.zeroyouthrecords.com We are an Independent record label that actively puts out CDs from bands in the Punk and Psychobilly genres... but we're open to others. Brutal Noise Music Co. PO Box 6827, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00914-6827 PH: 787-525-4545 FX: 787-948-5851 John Rodriguez metalkid@metalweb.net www.brutalnoise.com Founded with the objective to promote bands and create awareness in the difficult world of music business. Artificial Bliss Recordings Ltd. 12 Lucas Gardens, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU3 4BE UK PH: +44-8708147752 Simon Curry info@artificialbliss.com www.artificialbliss.com An Electronic music based independant record label and community focusing on innovation and creativity. Mark Jones Management & PR 22 Oakfield Rd. Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 9DL UK PH: 07947-232477 Mark Jones info@markjones.tk www.markjones.tk Recognised music PR and commercial adviser to record labels. A & R consultant. Artificial Bliss Recordings 12 Lucas Gardens, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU3 4BE UK Simon Curry simon.curry@artificialbliss.com http://www.artificialbliss.com Specialising in the very best of Electronic music. As a new record company we are always looking out for new talent. Takeover Records 4573 Leatherwood St., Camarillo, CA 93012 PH: 661-333-5461 Steven heymikewho@yahoo.com www.takeoverrock.com A highly active/involved Rock/Pop Punk/everything & anything melodic record label. Ball Cap Productions B. Thompson Gigs@BallCapProductions.com www.BallCapProductions.com Offers a full range of services including the creative development, design, production, and staging of corporate meetings, celebrity entertainment concerts & events, product launches and related multimedia. Singers, musicians and bands wanted for 2006 bookings. StatiQ Records 11221 Grouse Ln, Hagerstwon, MD 21742 PH: 301-992-9889 Natasha A. Smith-Hazzard, COO/Publicist tasha@statiqrecords.ws www.statiqrecords.ws UnderGound Hip Hop & Fuzion Latino Music. Video production, publishing and publicity. Mad Cash Big Money 9090 Police St., Belize City, Belize PH: 501-202-0450 Donnwyt info@madcashbigmoney.com www.madcashbigmoney.com Created to help promote Caribbean artists abroad. We specialize in Reggae, Dancehall and Hip Hop music. Rhonddarecords-Wales.com 226, Pentyntyla, Penrhys, Rhondda. CF43 3RB UK PH: 01443-732705 Ray Joseph rayjoseph05@AOL.com www.Rhonddarecords-Wales.com Promotion of all musicians who share our ideals: peaceful, sustainable, fair development.
5. SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS Indie-Music.com PO Box 602, Columbus, IN 47202 PH: 888-350-0400 Suzanne Glass suzanne@indie-music.com www.indie-music.com/join For the first time ever, we're offering independent musicians of all genres an online press kit with one song for absolutely no cost. Musicians who create a kit can take advantage of the website's 3 million monthly hits from musicians, music fans, and music industry professionals. Artists also gain access to Indie-Music's backstage Members Area, Classifieds, and Tip Sheet. Plus a chance to shine on multiple song charts. Radio Radio 553 E. Main St., Jackson, TN 38301 PH: 615-986-9271 FX: 866-294-7843 http://www.radioradio.us Create your own store to start selling music. All music that you upload to your own store will automatically be played on our radio station. Bandbreak.com http://www.BandBreak.com An all-in-one resource for indie bands and musicians, giving you access to all the services you need to get your music heard! From Music Evaluations to MP3 Hosting, Exclusive Discounts to Fan Reviews, you'll find everything an indie band could ever want at BandBreak.com! We work with our Member Bands - so you'll never have to feel alone again in promoting your music! Get started for FREE today at BandBreak.com! Vision Promotions 22 Upper Grosvenor St., London W1K 7PE UK PH: 44-0207-499-8024 FX: 44-0207-499-8032 Rob Dallison visionrob@btconnect.com www.visionmusic.co.uk Vision is now acting as a collection agent for a Japanese digital licensing company 'Toryumon'. Toryumon is looking to license label catalogue for digital rights in Japan - to include master ring tones, mp3 downloads and compilation CDs mixed by prominent Japanese DJ's.
6. HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND ABC Pictures 1867 E. Florida St., Springfield, MO 65803-4583 PH: 417-869-3456 FX: 417-869-9185 www.abcpictures.com We specialize in quality, quantity publicity prints, headshots, composites, posters, business cards and postcards for the entertainment industry, celebrities, actors, models and for those who promote themselves or their product with pictures. Abet Disc 1938 S. Myrtle Ave. Monrovia, CA 91016 PH: 626-303-4114 FX: 626-236-5591 info@abetdisc.com www.abetdisc.com Specializes in CD replication, DVD replication, CD duplication, DVD duplication, Audio Cassette and Video Duplication services for independent companies worldwide. We include the replication and duplication of optical and audio media and software, dvd-rom, audio cd-rom, CD/DVD packaging, CD/DVD silk screening & offset printing, cd business card, dvd authoring, assembly, full-service fulfillment. We'll beat any price! Nimbit 47 Mellen St., Framingham, MA 01702 PH: 866-864-6248 www.nimbit.com Top notch radio promotion, retail distribution, web hosting, audio mastering, CD/DVD manufacturing, and custom graphic design are all part of our integrated platform for serious artists - whether planning a 1st CD release or a national tour. Pro Mark Drumsticks 11550 Old Main Street Loop Rd. Houston, TX 77025 PH: 713-314-1100 FX: 713-669-8000 www.promark.com We use only unendangered wood in the manufacturing of our sticks and mallets. The harvesting of oak from Japan is carefully controlled, and replenishment of the forest is one of our top concerns. Each tree is between 60-120 years old before it is cut. American hickory and maple both grow faster than they are harvested, so there is no danger of running out. Pickguard FX 18 Valley View Dr. Fisherville, KY 40023 PH: 877-307-6418 Lesa Seibert lesa@pickguardfx.com www.pickguardfx.com We are constantly striving to provide our customers with the broadest selection of image-transferred pickguards in the most popular styles. OASIS CD Manufacturing www.oasiscd.com We help you manufacture your CD, DVD, SACD or cassette project. We also help you package it creatively, promote and distribute it so it doesn't become just more clutter in your apartment. Get Your FREE Money Making CD! "How to Have a Successful CD Release Party Without Breaking the Bank!" Just visit www.oasiscd.com/freeCD and enter the code IB Songbridge 79 Frank St., PO Box 370, Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0 PH: 705-653-2700 FX: 705-653-2709 Jana Reid jana@thesongbridge.com www.thesongbridge.com Provides a weekly pitch sheet of "songs wanted" to its songwriting and publishing members as well as service producers, labels, management and artists looking for great material who can post their ads for free. Resonate.TV Jason Evangelho video@resonate.tv www.resonate.tv A music video show highlighting independent artists from around the world. Our singular mission is to bring back the glory days of MTV, without commercials, reality TV shows, or annoying hosts. And to promote quality independent music in the process. Submission Guidelines: · Minimum Audio Bitrate: 128k · Minimum Video Bitrate: 512k · Format: Quicktime (.MOV), MPEG4, or AVI only · Indie Only: Do not submit if you’re affiliated with the RIAA or major labels. · GENRES ACCEPTED: Rock, Electronica, Hip Hop, Folk, Hard Rock, Emo, Hardcore Punk, Alternative, Grunge. · GENRES NOT ACCEPTED: Hardcore Rap, Country, Top 40 · Live footage set to your song is ok, provided the audio is high quality · MUST Have Sonicbids “Supersonic” account so we can preview video · Animation is also encouraged, provided it is set to your original music · Signed Bands MUST have approval from their label to submit video · No sex or nudity (unless tasteful) within your video, please Kvibe.com Khoi Le support@kvibe.com www.kvibe.com We offer artists/music seekers another means to find “ORIGINAL” quality music production for their demos or other purposes. Elfenworks Free Website Templates PO Box 431, Burlingame, CA 94011 webmaster info@elfenworks.com www.elfenworks.com I give away free website template zipfiles which musicians can download and use to develop their own websites. Please note that I am NOT taking on new musician web clients, just giving the templates away... House of Blues Entertainment (Ones to Watch) Attn: Jesse Ervin / Ones To Watch, 6255 Sunset Blvd. 16th Fl. Hollywood, CA 90028 www.hob.com/artistfeatures/onestowatch Every artist starts somewhere, and House of Blues is proud to present a new online feature introducing promising new talents that aren't even playing our stages yet! Free downloads, podcasts, artist interviews, photos, bios, etc. highlighting five new artists every quarter will be offered. To submit for this new HOB opportunity, send package to the above address (no call or emails please). The Disc Makers Independent Music World Series (IMWS) www.discmakers.com/imws We will award over $250,000 in cash and prizes to independent musicians and features regional showcases in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. Enter today for a chance to be selected for one of 24 performance slots and play in front of music industry VIPs and win prizes that include enough gear to build your own home recording studio, a killer CD manufacturing package, showcases at major music conferences, cash money, and more! $25 Entry fee required. Submission deadline: May 3. Visit our website to determine regional eligibility. Maps Magazine 14 Park View Close, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 5JE UK Paul Madden paul@mapsmagazine.co.uk www.mapsmagazine.co.uk In keeping with our geographical moniker, www.mapsmagazine.co.uk is planning a series of special issues based on a specific town, city, county, area, country, etc. The first three that we have lined up are based around South London, Yorkshire & New York, and we're now looking for new locations in the UK and the wider world for future issues. We are looking for bands, labels, promoters, venues, or anyone passionate about music to feature in these issues, either through reviews & interviews, or by contributing articles of your own (for a good example, take a look at this one contributed by Andrew Moran of The Violets & The Swear from our first issue: http://www.mapsmagazine.co.uk/2005andrew.htm ) OnlineBandManager.com Mike Info@OnlineBandManager.com www.OnlineBandManager.com Free contact manager + website four bands/acts. Forums, mailing list, gallery, news, calender and more!
7. PODCASTING MY TASTEBUDS INTO YOUR MIND by Gilli Moon, Songsalive! and Warrior Girl Music © 2007 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission It has been said recently that Podcasting is growing faster than anything in history. To think that each and every one of us can become a radio programmer and people can subscribe to our taste in music is just simply amazing. One night, at about 2am when I should have been asleep, I was updating my MySpace.com page (www.myspace.com/gillimoon) with some new photos and adding friends. You know, the typical business transactions of the new music paradym shift called "artist empowerment". Getting Friends on MySpace has just become my new answer for worldwide domination! Anyway... there I was adding friends when suddenly I saw Madonna was asking me to be her friend. I thought, heck this is probably just some fan site of Madonna, but okay I'll accept the invitation. Click. Madonna is now one of my 800 MySpace.com friends. But I was curious. I decided to go to her page. There she was, the real deal, with lots and lots of info on her new album which I'm very excited to hear. I was more excited when I saw, center page, a little icon saying "Podcast Madonna's new album". "Podcast", what does that mean? I immediately wanted a podcast just like Madonna, so I went directly to the company hosting her podcast, gcast.com. From there I began setting up my own podcast, not even knowing what it was, but ever so curious. gcast.com then forwarded me to garageband.com, which is their current host for indie artists. I had an account with garageband.com and so it was time to get my hands dirty. It was now 2.40am I spent the next hour dabbling in uploading mp3s, and creating 3 podcasts under my profile. One about my own music which is at www.gillimoon.com/download. One for my warrior girl music and females on fire artists at www.warriorgirlmusic.com and one for Songsalive! elite members at www.songsalive.org. You can subscribe to all three podcasts at www.gillimoon.com/download. So what is podcasting? A Podcast is recorded audio distributed via RSS. Podcasting allows anyone who wants to broadcast to reach a huge potential audience online. More info: Wikipedia's podcasting entry at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast . You need an application, commonly called a "podcatcher" to download and organize podcasts. Garageband.com, which allows artists to create their own podcasts free of charge, has a very easy step-by-step guide on setting up your own podcast. It's like "podcasts for dummies" and that fits right in with me because I hate reading manuals and guides when getting into new technology. I am too impatient. They sock it to ya in one minute. Here's what they say about podcasting: "If you don't know what "podcasting" is, don't worry! You're not the first to ask. Podcasting is a new trend, and there are a lot of people who haven't heard of it or don't know exactly what it is. Basically, podcasting is like blogging, but with audio. ("Blogging," which stands for "web logging," means maintaining a web-based journal). Podcasting is a combination of: a new capability for listeners not only to download an audio file (MP3) from the internet, but to subscribe to receive future audio files from the same source or "channel," and a growing trend of amateur DJs creating their own "radio shows" as giant MP3 files published on the internet, including both music and talk. Podcasting is very significant for independent music for several reasons. First, it has fueled the rise of amateur DJs who are helping ordinary consumers discover music that they might never otherwise hear on the radio, These amateur DJs help level the playing field for all musicians. Second, podcasting also allows consumers to "subscribe to a band" and receive future material (or messages) from that band -- just as if the band had their own radio station. Third, podcasting addresses a new generation of youth - "Generation i" - who don't own radios or CD players, but who own computers and iPods. For this new generation, podcasting is what FM radio has been to past generations." So... with this small but power-packed piece of knowledge, I began to investigate podcasting further, and I have found that it truly is an amazing phenomenon. Garageband seems to be the way to go for the startup podcaster. Bob Baker, fellow warrior-boy and trusty friend who continues to think the same thing when I do (way to go Bob!) wrote about Podcasting in his e-newsletter: "I went ahead and tested the service by setting up a page there for my Artist Empowerment Podcast. I posted one of my earlier shows plus a newer one with more spoken word marketing tips and some killer songs by Chris Gallagher, Heidi McCurdy and Denny Blake. The GarageBand podcast deal is pretty quick and easy to use. In addition to basic podcasting, you can also record podcasts by phone, encourage other sites to embed your podcast onto their pages, and have fans sign up for email alerts. I think I'll combine this new Gcast page with my own hosted Artist Empowerment Radio podcast page (which I also publish at no cost using a combination of Blogger, FeedBurner and OurMedia), in addition to a lengthier streaming version at Live365. You should probably do the same with your original music: publish podcasts via two or three various targeted, high-traffic sites. The more places people can access your songs, the better your chances of connecting with fans. However, be aware of the pros and cons of making your songs available to others who produce podcasts. Check out this GarageBand BBS Forum post by Domenic Scarcella. It does a good job of explaining the difference between Direct Plays vs. Playlists vs. Podcasts." Check out Bob Baker's Podcast and his website is TheBuzzFactor.com Samantha Murphy, independent artist and podcast pioneer, (who I mention below), creates her Podcast with any recording software (her preference is Protools). Read below on how she does that. The cool things about having your own Podcast is a) You can have it embedded in your own artist website, your MySpace.com page, anywhere you can manipulate the html code of a webpage you host on the Internet. b) Fans can listen to your podcast either through the Internet, there and then from your webpage, or download the mp3s to their computers through a podcatcher download the podcast to their ipods through a podcatcher subscribe to the RSS feed so that every time you as the podcast host change your show, it automatically updates on their computer or ipod (this is the coolest part!) c) Fans can also take the html code of your podcast and put it on their sites, thereby adding to the ultimate goal of spreading your music far and wide. Talk about viral marketing at its best! But what are the pros and cons of that? What are the ramifications of spreading music, what with the new digital download rights arena, the RIAA's feelings on this, and well just how do artists get paid? Isn't that what we want in this new music revolution? For artists to finally be in control of being paid? I mean, Napster was certainly a great catalyst for change, where the consumer became in control of what they wanted to listen to, but it opened up a can of worms on how to allocate royalties for the artist. It has been suggested that Napster created a phenomenon where consumers thought music should just be free. We all understand the concept of sharing music in order to get the word out there, but at a certain point shouldn't the artist be paid for their hard work and creativity? So how can podcasting help the artist? I attended and spoke at the Rockrgrl Music Conference last weekend in Seattle WA, which was a very inspiring weekend for me. I went to a few workshops. I happened to sit in on a really great Panel discussion about Podcasting. Oh.my.god i'm so inspired to embrace this new technology. I have already developed 3 podcasts in the last week. I took notes. I was writing like crazy, because I was eating up every word they said. Actually the panel was also about blogging, which included discussion groups like Myspace.com and where Napster was going, so I'll entrance you with a little update on the world wide web phenomenon for music herewith: On the panel were Panos Panay from Sonicbids (another trusty friend who picked up my Newsweek interview while lying on a Cyprus beach and loved that I mentioned Sonicbids! What a small world!). Also on the panel were Jeff Heiman from Play Network, Michelle Santosuosso from Napster, Elise Nordling from Soma FM and Samantha Murphy, artist/podcasting pioneer. Samantha seemed to know exactly what podcasting was about and as an info junkie like me, she just sort of took the ball and ran with it at the beginning of the year, so she's leaps and bounds ahead of the pack and seems to be very cluey about what it is, where it's going and what the benefits are. Samantha said that Podcasting is an mp3 download. It's not a broadcast. Apparantly it will be legislated as an mp3 download. You can create a podcast with talk before a song and after, just like a radio show. You can make that in any recording software, like Protools. (I use Cool Edit because it's simple and you can insert mp3s/wavs and record your voice, but you don't need a Mac or a huge studio set up). It can be from 3 mb to over 40 mb.... but better to keep it light as people have to download it. Fans can listen to the podcast at their leisure through their ipod or computer. Panos Panay says it's like "Tevo for Radio". Once created it gets fed to other different sources and RSS feeds. Itunes picks it up also, and it can get a lot of attention if it's officially listed. KCRW, the ecclectic public broadcast radio station in Santa Monica CA, was one of the first to create a free podcast (for members) of their weekly show on their website KCRW.org . When itunes first picked it up they had 100 subscribers. In one day it went to 100,000 subscribers. They now have over 1 million subscribers. Not bad for a left of center non-profit radio station. There are copyright issues that are going to happen... Elise Nordling, radio host in San Francisco who also has her own podcast, mentioned that there are two copyright laws involved when it comes to podcasting. The first is the Song composition - owned by the songwriter and publisher. The second is the sound recording - owned by the master owner/Artist and/or Record Label. So basically, at this stage, anyone hosting their own podcast needs to get permission from both these two entities, which could be the same person. An independent artist who has produced and funded their own album most probably owns their songs and their masters. But not always the case. It can be a real hassle hunting down the copyright owners to get their permission to podcast essentially their song. At this point in time there is no way to pay/track royalties for the use of songs in podcasts. Podcast hosts have been able to find lucrative ways to make money though. Jeff Heiman from Play Network runs a podcast and he collects money through advertising. In turn, he has begun a nice payment model where he allocates a percentage of advertising revenue to the artists (and/or copyright owners as per above) for playing their songs. But he is always very careful to play songs that are easy to get a release. He admitted that since there is no revenue stream in place yet, that the best thing to do is split the advertising revenue on a favored nations basis. (Each artist played gets the same amount of money). Elise Nordling and Samantha Murphy only play songs of artists that can give permission for both parts of the copyright there and then. Elise says she simply asks the artist to sign a form and then she can play them. They don't want to go chasing labels and 5 different people just to play their music. Panos talked a little about Adam Curry, who started podcasting. He mentioned that the best podcasts are where you get to hear snippets of songs in a show of about an hour. Some songs are only 30 seconds long because copyright legislation allows "fair use for demonstration" which is 30 seconds long. This kind of overrides the need to always get permission. (I thought this was kind of spooky to hear this. It reminded me of the early days of Napster when they claimed they were just sharing songs with their friends... yeah 100,000 of them which spread to millions!) So then the Napster representative began to speak herself. Michelle Santosuosso was particularly concerned for artists and their royalty payment needs, which was very ironic to hear, although I was certainly comforted if indeed Napster is now understanding this dire importance. She said that the RIAA is upset because they cannot collect fees for the copyright owner yet from Podcasts. How ironic again? You know who the RIAA represent right? The major record companies. Isn't is such a shame (I am using sarcasm here) that the labels are unable to stop spreading art, that consumers can control what they want to listen to? Samantha Murphy has been keeping a close watch on the discussions and future of these download rights for the songs. Apparently Ascap and BMI are already collecting $300 a year from major podcasters for so called "broadcasting" songs. The weird thing is that the songwriters are not getting paid? So where is the money hiding? Why aren't songwriters getting paid. They claim it's too hard to divide it up because it's impossible (at this point in time) to audit the statistics and downloads. So why are they collecting the money and who are they harboring it for? Michelle from Napster offered a cool site to check out called www.musicpodcasting.org It's the Association of Music Podcasting. I went there and got another blast of information which my brain is just soaking up like a sponge. In their own words, AMP was formed in January 2005 to unite podcasters who play awesome, legally available independent music. We are a bunch of music lovers who have access to great, mostly independent music that you probably haven't heard of (yet). We provide a fresh alternative to the radio you may be used to. It is all 100% legal and safe to download." At the Rockrgrl panel, Michelle at Napster defined the new era of podcasting as being majorly powerful for indie artists. Even Derek Siver's CDbaby.com has joined in on the fun. He has offered over 2,500 artists' songs to www.podsafeaudio.com, from cdbaby artists who've opted in to this opportunity. It's listed now at itunes. Powerful grassroots marketing stuff don't you think? Samantha Murphy says that podcasting is growing faster than anything in history. In January there were one hundred associations of music podcasting. www.musicpodcasting.org was the first. Now there are millions, and once you create a show, it's up there in cyberspace in perpetuity. Success stories for artists through podcasting? Panos from Sonicbids says that it's not about success stories through this phenomenon. Podcasts, EPKs (electronic press kits that he has re-invented with a vengeance), and web blogs are merely tools to get out there. We are living in the best of times, where artists are able to make a living by what we love to do. It used to be about being signed to a label and touring. Now it's about diversifying the access to the world to get our music out there and making a living from it, and the Internet is truly where it's at. I walked away from that panel on fire and ready to take on podcasting more and more. So how do you manage your subscriptions to podcasts? Well I've discovered Juice, now on my 7th day of podcast introduction heaven. It's a "podcatcher". I'm getting very cluey on these terms, all in one week. Juice was called Ipodder, but they changed their name. They say "We squeezed "iPodder" out of our name. What’s left is... pure Juice." juicereceiver.sourceforge.net is where you can download the software to your computer. If you want to listen to podcasts, this program is for you. Juice is the premier podcast receiver, allowing users to capture and listen to podcasts anytime, anywhere. Once installed, the program offers you a way to manage your podcasts... which music program to play your podcasts on (itunes, Windows Media Player etc), checks for new podcasts when the application is started, and more. If you use Windows, like I do, it automatically sends new podcasts to your "My Received Podcasts" folder that Microsoft creates in your Documents. It's pretty seamless really, and very exciting. Very soon we'll be able to make our own branded Juice Receiver with preset subscriptions so I can package all my podcasts in one area and have it downloaded from my site. For now, you can subscribe to my podcasts individually. Feedburner.com is another cool site to collate all your podcast feeds into one. But I like Juice. It uses a yellow lemon for its logo and I don't know why, but that sucked me in. So, go get Juice at juicereceiver.sourceforge.net and add my podcast feeds to your list today: Warrior Girl Music podcast, featuring Females On Fire artists and gilli moon www.garageband.com/user/warriorgirl/podcast/main.xml Songsalive! Songwriters podcast, featuring Songsalive! Elite members www.garageband.com/user/warriorgirl/podcast/http_www_songsalive_org.xml gilli moon's music only 24/7 podcast www.garageband.com/artist/gillimoon/podcast/newsletter.xml Or all of the above are linked at www.gillimoon.com/download I know my Warrior Girl Music marketing mentor and distributor, Ernie Campagna (former A&M executive now independent revolutionist of the new music paradigm with Experience Entertainment) would say to me: "Gilli, now it's about the artist reaching directly to the consumer. That's it. By-pass the middlemen. You can reach your audience directly now. Do your art and they will come." He then emailed me an mp3 of Joni Mitchell's 1970 recording of "For Free", and her words said it all. She really knew it all didn't she? GET GILLI'S BOOK: "I AM a Professional Artist - The Key To Survival And Success in the World of The Arts" - by gilli moon For artists of all genres, this book will certainly change the thinking of any professional artist who may doubt themselves or their art, who may feel pressured by the industry, or may feel the hardship of the roller coaster ride. "I AM a Professional Artist" combines a self-empowering practical guide in surviving and succeeding in the Arts with key business principles and spiritual nourishment. Whether you are a musician, singer/songwriter. actor, screen writer, author, painter, film director, etc., this book is FOR YOU! More info and buy at www.gillimoon.com/thebook
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