The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections.
1. Publications that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations/Shows that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists
|
SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED
Guestlist Magazine
Jeffrey guestlistmagazine@comcast.net
www.guestlistmagazine.net
Provides coverage of Rock music and all of the sub-genres that full under that umbrella. Includes; interviews, album reviews, features stories, music news and more!
Music Emissions
Brian Rutherford
brian@musicemissions.com
www.musicemissions.com
An independently run Music Review community. We focus on independent labels and artists that fit into the alternative music category. We publish music reviews of CD's on a daily basis as well as weekly interviews and biographies. MusicEmissions.com believes in independent music. Look in the General Resource section of this newsletter for details on our "Indie of the Year" contest.
UBO Magazine & P.R. Services
PO Box 160365, Sacramento, CA 95816
PH: 916-519-8196
Aaris A. Schroeder ubomag@gmail.com
www.ubomag.wordpress.com
Promotes underground, unsigned and independent artists through the media.
Musicgoat.com
www.musicgoat.com
I am a blogger who has been around music his entire life and would like to do what I can to help deserving bands and artists gain exposure. I like many styles of music and try to keep an open mind.
Performer Publications
24 Dane St., Somerville, MA 02143
PH: 617-627-9200
http://www.performermag.com
Produces 3 monthly regional magazines that highlight the best unsigned musical acts from the US.
Hear/Say
PH: 800-227-2425 x110
Diane Singer
diane@hearsay.cc
www.hearsay.cc
America's College Music media for 11 years! Distributed on 600 college campuses and 100 indie music stores nationwide! Features artist spotlights, CD reviews, artist interviews, streaming, podcast interviews & more!
SECTION TWO: RADIO SHOWS AND PROMOTION
2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS
Eclectic Bohemian
Clay Phillips
che_reborn_08@yahoo.com
www.blogtalkradio.com
A 3 hour show,with 2 hours of interviews. Each show features 4 artists getting 30 minutes of interview time. We'd LOVE to play your music,and PROMO you to the world.
The Highway Girl
Samantha Murphy
questions@thehighwaygirl.com
www.thehighwaygirl.com
A traveling music show hosted by singer
songwriter Samantha Murphy. Each week Samantha sits down with a
different artist from a different city and venue to discuss music
in the digital age. The Highway Girl has been
viewed and downloaded millions of times and is available on video
and podcast. In addition to widespread distribution on the
Internet, the show airs and is watched by millions of people on
Comcast on the ARC Channel. Submit your music to be considered
for the program. Selected artists will be interviewed by Samantha
Murphy and will have three of their songs included in the
program.
The Dragon's Lair
DJ WildWagon
dragonslairhostwildwagon@yahoo.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/WildWagon
I play the hottest Indie/Unsigned Music from around the World. If you think your music rocks and is one the best around send it to me. You might be the next artist making their debut on the Dragon's Lair.
Free Radio Jackson
616 N. Pleasant St., Jackson, MI 49202
Aaron Childs
freeradiojackson@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/freeradiojackson
I play a mixture of Blues, Rock, Jazz, Alternative, Electronica, Roots, Reggae and Ska. Are you a musician and think your music would fit my show? Send a CD and contact info (cassettes or vinyl NOT accepted) to the above address.
WRPS/WebRadioPugetSound
wrps1@comcast.net
www.webradiopugetsound.com
Internet radio exposure on two MP3 high quality streams plus 'Visual Radio'. Artists can have their music track playing with great video in a choice of two programs via Windows Media Video. Visit our website for submissions details.
eoRadio
PH: 303-808-8140
Ryan Smith webmaster@eoradio.com
www.eoradio.com
The best free music from unsigned artists from around the globe. We require all artists to register online and sign a release form before submitting. Visit online for details.
Unsigned Artists Radio
Julian Bankston
julian@uaradio.net
www.uaradio.net
Our primary goal to provide you with a new revenue and distribution model for your music. You will also be featured on our internet radio station which is broadcast globally.
2.2 RADIO - PROMOTERS
Jon Flanagan Radio & Retail Promotions
PH: 323-876-7027
promotions@radioandretail.com
www.radioandretail.com
JON FLANAGAN founded RADIO & RETAIL Promotions 14 years ago & has worked in the Music Business for over 20 years. Jon has been interviewed 5 times in Music Connection Magazine as an expert in achieving Radio Airplay & Artist Development & he is asked to speak at Music Conventions Nationwide. The company's goals are to build a Band's Fan Base, Increase CD Sales, Concert Attendance & Music Industry Recognition. Jon learned the business working at Capitol Records, Columbia Records, EMI Records, Morgan Creek Records, A&M Records, Tower Records & he was a Radio Music Director himself. We specialize in getting new artists to the next level of exposure to fans & The music industry through radio airplay & retail promotions. We Work to Make Your Rock 'Roll'!
Bryan Farrish Radio Promotion
1828 Broadway, 2nd Fl, Santa Monica, CA 90404
PH: 310-998-8305 FX: 310-998-8323
Bryan Farrish airplay@radio-media.com
http://www.radio-media.com
Indie airplay promotion to commercial, commercial specialty, and college radio stations in the U.S. and Canada.
South Beach Marketing (SBMP)
7332 Erin Ct. Longmont, CO 80503
PH: 303-952-0249
Amanda Alexandrakis
info@MusicPromotion.com
www.musicpromotion.com
Specializes in the Adult Contemporary radio format.Our expertise has helped many artists attain national radio airplay and has been highly successful in charting our clients on national radio charts. Helping our clients succeed in commercial radio is a top priority. SBMP utilizes our extensive network of individual and label relationships within the music industry to help elevate your project to the next level of promotion. From the established artist on a major label to the indie band, SBMP can work for you.
SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC
3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY
Social Networks for Musicians
PO Box 16940, Sugar Land, TX 77496-6940
Madalyn Sklar
madalyn@sn4m.com
www.sn4m.com
We help musicians and music businesses effectively create + manage their social networks on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation and more.Whether you need advice or a marketing plan, we can help!
Mother Hen Promotions
Jeanette "Mom Hen" Lundgren
meetmepresents@gmail.com
www.motherhenpromotions.com
I create and/or maintain MySpace, Reverbnation, Twitter, Facebook and/or YouTube accounts for Acoustic artists. I also research and will do submissions for internet radio and online reviews. Quality Acoustic music only. Please provide links to your website, MySpace page, YouTube, or anywhere I can hear/see both your live and recorded music. If I like you, I will get fully behind promoting your career via every means available on the internet.
Harte Music Productions
2346 Westhill Dr. West Vancouver, BC V7S 2Z5
PH: 778-998-3654
Celeste Gendron celeste@hartemusic.com
www.hartemusic.com
Artist development, management and production company. We are currently looking for artists to record a CD, publish their music and then develop and management them.
YouTube & MySpace Promotion
10871 Bustleton Ave. #307, Philadelphia, PA 19116
PH: 215-582-0078 FX:
Sandra admin@somanymp3s.com
www.somanymp3s.com
Increase YouTube views, comments, subs and more.
Duo Promotions
3580 Hoggett Ford Rd. Hermitage, TN 37076
PH: 615-332-2500
Ashlie Lawhead duopmusic@gmail.com
www.duopmusic.com
An artist and songwriter development and promotion company that keeps things classy and affordable!
Soul Kiss/Universal Music
D'Anise
danisestar@gmail.com
Attention R&B/Dance/Hip-Hop & Reggae Artists looking for Distribution (Mainstream Radio, E-Singles, Ringtones etc...) Soul Kiss/Universal Music is interested in hearing from you!
MusicSUBMIT
34 E. 23rd St, 6th Fl. New York, NY 10029
PH: 917-512-2958
Michael
support@musicsubmit.com
www.MusicSUBMIT.com
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!
Nina Denny Public Relations
PO Box 1248, Ogdensburg, NY 13669
PH: 315-323-1058 FX: 877-349-0225
Nina
ndenny@ninadenny.com
www.ninadenny.com
PR with a personal touch, affordable rates and music expertise.
Big Noise Management
11 S. Angell St. #336, Providence, RI 02906
PH: 401-274-4770
Al Gomes
al@bignoisenow.com
www.bignoisenow.com
We do artist development, A&R, music marketing, and film and TV licensing. We work with Pop, Rock, R&B, Hard Rock, Metal, Jazz, Acoustic, Dance and Blues artists. Currently seeking new artists. Please call or email first. We also run Big Noise Records.
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157, Hollywood, CA 90093
PH: 323-806-0400 FX: 323-462-0829
mhpmanagement@mileshighproductions.com
www.mileshighproductions.com
Created to bridge the gap of companies working directly with music artists and entertainment based projects who are in need of additional marketing support. MHP also focuses on non-music ventures such as corporate brand building, cosmetics, gaming, sports and other industries. MHP?s goal is to elevate your product or artist to a higher ground in an expedient timeframe by exposing them to new and existing online audiences. MHP also focuses on taking our campaigns one step further by cross-promoting all traditional methods of marketing with online opportunities for further outreach. @MilesHigh
Ariel Publicity Artist Relations and Cyber Promotions
325 W. 38th St. #505, New York, NY 10018
PH: 212-239-8384 FX: 212-239-8380
Ariel Hyatt
ah@arielpublicity.com
www.arielpublicity.net
Professional promotional services for indie artists. Ask about our discount for Indie Bible customers!
MLC PR
PO Box 1096, Agoura Hills, CA 91371
PH: 805-231-3182 FX: 818-292-8996
Mona Loring
contact@monaloring.com
www.monaloring.com
We provide music publicity services to unsigned artists, music labels and anyone else in the music industry.
3.2 SERVICES - VENDORS AND LABELS
Oak Apple Records
8155 80th Ave. Edmonton, AB T6C 0S7
oakapplerecords@hotmail.com
www.oakapplerecords.com
We are a record label who accepts music from any genre.
New Experience Records
PO Box 683, Lima, OH 45802
PH: 419-371-5334
James Milligan
just_chilling_2004@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/newexperiencerecords2
We are a Hip Hop and R&B record label, studio production company, music publisher and management firm.
GleeSong.com
17225 Valley Blvd. #57 Fontana, CA 92335
PH: 951-756-8336
Johnathan Sanders jsanproductions@gmail.com
www.gleesong.com
Celebrating the GLBT and affirming Christian indie artist. Artists can join and submit music for sale and connect with other artists and fans.
Sevier Records
1602 17th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212
PH: 615-500-4411
Chris Sevier
severerecords7@yahoo.com
www.sevierproductions.com
Artist development and A&R outsourcing. We help deserving artists make a record and build their team for success.
SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s
OR VIDEOS
LazyPoets.com
Signe Miranda
mail@signemiranda.com
www.LazyPoets.com
The place to showcase your talents and find collaborators. We welcome poets looking for music for their poems, and
musicians seeking lyrics. You can also showcase your completed songs, poems and videos. Join now and get your own profile page, start your own blog and upload your songs and videos!
Indie Charts
info@indiecharts.com
www.indiecharts.com
Indie music reviews, music charts, indie radio & free music downloads!
OurStage
community@ourstage.com
www.ourstage.com
A brand new and exciting way for you to succeed as an artist. Our site is designed to leverage the power of the Internet to connect fans to emerging artists. You get exposure to new fans through our ranking and judging system. You can track fans with a fan club and comments. There is a monthly cash prize of $100 for the top entry in each channel and a $5,000 grand prize for music and a $1,000 prize for video. You may also get additional exposure and prizes through our partners, such as NEMO, CMJ, Noisepop, Paste, the DV Show and many others.
JukeBoxAlive
311 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
PH: 828-232-0016
Will Cumberland cumberland@jukeboxalive.com
jukeboxalive.com
Our Advanced Jukebox Player protects your music from being digitally downloaded, yet allows fans to hear your music online. This creates exciting possibilities for you to present yourself to new audiences without being ripped off.
SECTION FIVE: HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND
5.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL
Twolia
inquiry@twolia.com
www.twolia.com
Twolia is a fun, new site for actresses, independent musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and creative women seeking a stage for their many talents. Twolia champions women by presenting their talent, art and merchandise to an eager audience seeking a new online experience. The site?s features include the sale of music by independent female musicians, an online shopping mall, talent contests, television and film awards, a Screening Room with films produced or directed by women, blogs on a variety of topics, and a series of WebTV shows hosted by actresses everywhere.
"Indie of the Year" Contest
Brian Rutherford
brian@musicemissions.com
www.musicemissions.com
Our third annual Indie Of The Year (IOTY) begins September 1st. Prizes will be officially announced September 1st, see confirmed list below (over $13,000 in prizes!). You can now pre-register and get approved in order for day 1 voting. We want to see how all the indie artists can rally their friends, fans, and families behind them to push them to the top. The first year's winner, Amplexus went on to be named one of Alternative Press' best unsigned acts of 2007. Last year's winner, Safety Word Orange got to play at the New Music Seminar in Ohio.
Face The Music Studio
8508 Lansdowne Ave. Upper Darby, PA 19082
PH: 484-452-6166
Jeff facethemusic58@yahoo.com
www.facethemusic.info
We are a premier music rehearsal facility and teaching studio located in the Philadelphia suburbs.
Americana Rhythm Music Magazine
PO Box 450, Bridgewater, VA 22812
Greg Tutwiler
AmericanaRhythm@aol.com
www.AmericanaRhythm.com
Covering all things Americana in Virginia.
Bandit A&R Newsletter
68-70 Lugley St., Newport, PO30 5ET UK
PH: +44-1983-524110
John
bandit.icb@aweber.com
http://www.banditnewsletter.com
Helping ambitious bands target their demos to labels, publishers etc.
5.2 RESOURCES - CD DUPLICATION
OASIS CD Manufacturing
7905 N. Crescent Blvd. Delair, NJ 08110
PH: 540-987-8810 FX: 540-987-8812
info@oasisCD.com
www.oasiscd.com
We help you manufacture your CD or DVD project. We also help you package it creatively, promote and distribute it so it doesn't become just more clutter in your apartment.
Progressive Media & Music
2116 Southview Ave. Tampa, FL 33606
PH: 813-251-8093 FX: 813-251-6050
info@progressivecds.com
www.progressivecds.com
For over a quarter of a century we have been manufacturing the highest quality duplicated media available.
From compact discs, cd rom, audio cassettes, dvd?s to vhs tapes we have been your trusted, one stop solution. If you can play it, hear it, or see it Progressive Media & Music has always been the first choice when the project really matters. Ask about getting a free custom printed full color t-shirt of your album art!!!
Crystal Clear Disc and Tape
10486 Brockwood Rd. Dallas, TX 75238
PH: 800-880-0073 FX: 214-349-3819
Jim jim@crystalclearsound.com
http://www.crystalclearcds.com
Need CDs? For over 30 years, thousands of artists across the country have trusted Crystal Clear to take their Audio CD duplication, DVD replication and cassette tape manufacturing projects from concept to finished product. We can do it all - from full-color art design and digital mastering and editing to professional "retail-ready" duplication and packaging. 1000 CDs for $999. 1000 Promo CD Pack for $599. 1000 DVDs for $1499!
Disc2Day
2113 S. 48th St. #103, Tempe, AZ 85282
PH: 602-438-4848 FX: 602-438-2929
www.disc2day.com
A CD DVD duplication and replication company that works closely with the customer to fulfill his or her individual needs. We offer high-quality, professional services with some of the fastest turnaround times in the industry. If CD replication or DVD replication is what you are looking for, we have your solution. With our state-of-the-art facility we can handle any size job, from one to a million or more.
Media Replication Services (MRS)
1 Woodborough Ave. Toronto, ON M6M 5A1
PH: 416-654-8008 FX: 416-654-3663
replication.services@MediaRS.com
www.mediars.com
For customers seeking an end-to-end replication services company, Media Replication Services provides dependable, complete replication services on all media platforms.Our services include pre-mastering, graphic lay-out services, packaging, fulfillment and distribution. At Media Replication Services, our mandate is to provide a very high level of service to our client-base, which includes companies from a range of different sectors including corporations, software developers, and the audio industry. Our process is fully documented and we are in the process of completing our ISO registration in compliance with ISO 9001:94 standards.
CD Rollout
4001 Pacific Coast Hwy. #104, Torrance, CA 90505
PH: 310-791-7624 FX: 310-406-2109
Mike Naylor
info@cdrollout.com
www.cdrollout.com
We offer CD and DVD replication, manufacturing as well as a wide range of services to market and promote your project. It's our "one-stop-shop" convenience that sets us apart from other companies.
Play-It Productions
259 W. 30th St. 3rd Fl. New York, NY 10001
PH: 212-695-6530 FX: 212-695-4304
info@play-itproductions.net
www.play-itproductions.net
Founded in 1990 to provide local musicians and other content owners with a one stop solution for all of their duplication and graphic needs no matter the size of the project.
5.3 RESOURCES - MASTERING
The Mastering Room
480 Baldur Run St., Las Vegas, NV 89148
PH: 415-948-4734
Greg Forsberg
info@themasteringroom.com
www.themasteringroom.com
World Class CD Mastering and Replication. Give your music the edge over your competition. Luxury Mastering at indie rates.
Masterwork Recording
1020 N. Delaware Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19125
PH: 215-423-1022 FX: 215-423-6020
Albert Oon
albert@masterworkrecording.com
www.masterworkrecording.com
We have been providing professional high resolution mastering services to major labels and artists of every kind for nearly three decades. Although we?ve seen tremendous changes in the music business and recording technology during that time, we?re still doing what we?ve always done well ? delivering results. In our business, that means a superior mastering experience, and superior product.
5.4 RESOURCES - MERCH
stickersandmore.com
art@stickersandmore.com
www.stickersandmore.com
Since 1995 our goal has been to provide our clients with quality custom merch, fast service, knowledgeable assistance, all at competitive prices. Twelve years later, and 3500 clients worldwide, our goal remains the same. Thank you for stopping by and visiting us. We hope to be part of your next custom imprint project. We will be featuring talented bands here on stickersandmore.com so look out for some fresh new artists! If you are a young or veteran band and would like to be a featured artist on stickersandmore.com please subimt an image (JPG, PNG, GIF, PSD), contact information and a couple of MP3s to the above e-mail address.
Seatthole Shirts
PO Box 3137, Bellingham, WA 98227
PH: 360-733-2154
Django Bohren
info@seatthole.com
www.seatthole.com
High-quality custom t-shirt screen printing and Rock n' Roll promotional items for your high-, medium-, low- or no-budget project.
Sinergy Merchandising Concepts (SMC)
PO Box 1908, Spring Hill, TN 37174
PH: 615-261-8592 (Nashville, TN)
PH: 714-989-8008 (Orange County, CA)
sales@smcincorporated.com
www.smcincorporated.com
SMC began as a distributor of merchandise for the entertainment industry in 2000. We targeted the music industry and specialized in the design and production of band & artist merchandise. SMC has always kept the end user in mind and never compromised our goal. This goal being: To provide the best product for the best price and deliver it on time. We have come a long way since February of 2000, but one thing has and will always remain the same, our passion for good design, excellent customer service, and most importantly, our attention to detail and superior quality.
5.5 RESOURCES - MUSIC EQUIPMENT
The Hook Studios
PH: 818-759-4665
Mike Frenchik
mike@thehookstudios.com
www.thehookstudios.com
Featuring one of the industry's premiere inventories of classic & comtemporary microphones, The Hook offers affordable rental packages for tracking drums, guitars, and vocals. We cater to engineers, producers, labels, and production companies whose projects have limited budgets, yet demand the highest standards. Contact us today, and put "The Hook" in your recordings.
5.6 RESOURCES - STUDIOS
Metalworks Studios
3611 Mavis Rd. Mississauga, ON L5C 1T7
PH: 905-279-4000 FX: 905-279-4006
paul@metalworksstudios.com
www.metalworksstudios.com
We have expanded over 25 years into a six studio powerhouse, and today ranks as Canada?s consummate world-class studio facility. Recognized for an unprecedented Eleven consecutive years as "RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR" (1998 ? 2008) at the CMW Canadian Music Industry Awards, Metalworks has become the undisputed leader in the recording studio business in Canada. It is little wonder that Gold & Platinum record awards line the corridors at Metalworks. Prince, Tina Turner, David Bowie, The Cranberries, D12, Guns and Roses, Bruce Springsteen, N?Sync and Christina Aguilera chose to make themselves part of the Metalworks legend, as well as film stars Catherine Zeta Jones, Rene Zellweger, Steven Segal, Richard Gere, and Denise Richards, to name a few.
Lamont Audio
534 S. Honeysuckle Ln. Gilbert, AZ 85296
PH: 480-503-3004
Sandy Lamont
sandy@lamontaudio.com
www.lamontaudio.com
Striving to provide cutting edge sound and service at affordable rates. Specializing in Country, Rock, Jazz, Old R&B, Gospel & New Age. Custom & vintage equipment. 30 years experience in recording and production. The studio provides digital, analog, and midi recording in a laid back relaxing setting.
Virtuo Sound Studio
4894 Farm Valley Dr. Woodstock, GA 30188
PH: 770-367-2132
Josh
contact@virtuosoundstudio.com
www.virtuosoundstudio.com
Audio recording, mixing & mastering, post-production/film audio (suitable for projects at all levels).
5.7 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL
MusicTipSheet.Com
www.musictipsheet.com
The expert resource site for Songwriters, Recording Artists, Producers, Managers, Production Companies, Music Publishers, Record Labels and everyone else interested in, or motivated by MUSIC!
InsiderMusicBusiness.com
www.insidermusicbusiness.com/blog
We show independent artists how to increase their exposure, get more gigs and make more money from their art.
Indie Week Toronto
www.indieweek.com
Giving Indie artists a chance to participate, be seen and be discovered, it's as simple as that. Additionally chances to meet and learn from industry professionals are also abundant. I have seen so many great bands that deserve attention and success; INDIE WEEK is just one more opportunity for bands to get a leg up. The best way to apply is online through Sonicbids www.sonicbids.com
Harris Institute
118 Sherbourne St., Toronto, ON M5A 2R2
PH: 416-367-0178 FX: 416-367-5534
info@harrisinstitute.com
www.harrisinstitute.com
A leader in music industry education since 1989. Students have come from over sixty countries and every province in Canada. A 68 member award winning faculty teaches the private college's 100 students.
5.8 RESOURCES - TOOLS
The Patchbay
getconnected@thepatchbay.com
www.thepatchbay.com
Compare all the best quotes to manufacture vinyl records CDs, & CDRs. One click to email thousands of companies and announce your new music. Promo Page for secure distribution of your high resolution promotional materials. Mailing labels with cover letters for companies that don't respond to your email. Connections log of companies you contact so you can follow up with a call or fax. Radioactive widget to make fans an active part of your radio promotion.
MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike.
5.8 RESOURCES - ONLINE COMMUNITIES
Stereofame
www.stereofame.com
A social music game that brings fans and artists together and empowers artists and listeners to determine what's hot by creating virtual record labels.
Tweeton.net
www.tweeton.net
Deliver your message, sell your products and music, build your brand recognition and create valuable networking opportunites. Take your presence in the entertainment industries to both levels of online and off.
SECTION SIX: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE
May I Have Your Attention Please: Branding Your Songs
by Bill Pere, CT Songwriters Association
? 2009 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission
In today's very crowded music marketplace, you are competing at any given time with thousands of artists and tens of thousands of songs ? and you're competing for two specific things: Awareness, and Attention. Awareness is getting a listener to notice that you (or your song) exist, and Attention is sparking enough interest in that listener so that they willingly hold you in their awareness (and ideally, make others aware of you as well).
You cannot achieve Attention without first achieving Awareness. Thus, many artists spend considerable time and resource in "marketing and promotion", learning what they can and applying a variety of approaches to capture listener Awareness. However, they often overlook one fundamental piece of the whole picture ? once you've achieved Awareness, what does it take to turn it into Attention?
The answer is simple and basic ? quality. Great songs. The songs are like cars to GM, computers to Apple, food to McDonald's, or flavor to Coke. These companies have great brand awareness, but have faltered when there was a perception that their quality was compromised or did not measure up to competitors. The ultimate success of a company (i.e. you), is bring a quality product into a wide awareness.
I meet many young artists who want me to tell them all I know about marketing, but who never ask for analysis or critique of their songs. They've spend large amounts of time and money recording songs that have never been critiqued by objective professionals, or developing graphics that have never gone before a test audience, and then they wonder why all their best efforts at marketing and promoting yield little results ? OR ? they get some degree of results from their marketing efforts and never think to ask how much MORE they would have gotten if they had a better product.
There was an amazing online poll conducted by Derek Sivers in early 2009. He asked how folks get input on their songs during the development stage. A huge number of aspiring Independent Artists wrote (sometimes emphatically!) that they never seek out nor ever need critique. Could you imagine any company today investing all the time and money it takes to launch a new product or service without including focus groups and market testing as part of the product development? We all remember - or not - the Ford Edsel?
If much of your competition is not spending time and effort in maximizing the quality of their songs, it is good news for you ? it means that if you take the time to work on the crafting of your songs, then your subsequent efforts at promotion and marketing will be that much more effective.
A typical response to avoiding critique is that "I want to be different! My music doesn?t fit any type of category" Let's take a moment to look at when 'different' works for or against you.
At my workshops, I usually ask 100 people in a room what song they think about when I say the word "love", and I usually get 100 different answers. Then I ask what song they think of when I say "centrifugal" ? and there are only two kinds of responses ? either nothing, or "This Kiss", as recorded by Faith Hill, written by Beth Nielsen Chapman, Robin Lerner and Annie Roboff (yes, it sometimes takes a village to raise a great song).
There is no question that this song "works", across different styles, tastes, demographics, and cultures. Besides being a #1 international Country hit and a Top-10 crossover hit on multiple-genre charts on three continents, "This Kiss" became the signature song for the 1998 movie Practical Magic. It won the Video Of The Year awards at the 1998 Country Music Association awards. This was the first time in her career that Faith Hill had international success with a hit ? success due to the song, not the artist. (She had had four previous #1 hits, but nothing of this magnitude).
Why does this song "work" so well, as opposed to the vast number of other songs that are also about love and kisses? Clearly it's not just what the song is "about". There is more at work.
Song lyrics have three main sets of components: Semantic (having to do with meaning), Phonetic (having to do with the sound of the words), and Prosodic (having to do with the rhythm of the words). (These are all discussed at great length in "Songcrafters' Coloring Book")
When you look at the chorus of "This Kiss" :
(Chapman, Lerner , Roboff ? Almo Music, HFA T14952 )
It's the way you love me
It's a feeling like this
It's centrifugal motion
It's perpetual bliss
It's that pivotal moment
It's, ah, impossible
This kiss, this kiss, unstoppable
This kiss, this kiss
You see that it's not what is being said that is so memorable -- a million songs say the same thing. It's not any unique use of metaphor or any memorable story. It is the sound of the words, their cadence, and the unusual choice of words. The incredible international success of this song is shaped primarily by five words: centrifugal, perpetual, (that)pivotal, impossible, unstoppable". These five words show tremendous interaction between semantic, phonetic, and prosodic elements. The sonic activity (use of phonetics) here is extremely high: a five-fold alliteration on "p"; all the words end in the "ul' sound; assonant syllables in "cen" "per" and "pet"; a sonic reversal in "pos/"stop"; and a rhyme in "tual"/"fugal".
Prosodically, all the words have the exact same cadence (accent pattern) of
4 syllables with the accent on the second: soft-LOUD-soft-soft, and the same rhythmic timing. The five lines of this rhythmic pattern set up a real perception of motion -- and then -- the spondee pattern of the words "this kiss" (LOUD LOUD) moved to musical off-beats totally changes the sense of motion and makes the title really stand out, far more so than if the words just continued the fast-moving pace of the previous lines. It is quality creaftmanship on all levels.
Finally, the semantic choice of the particularly unusual word (for a song) "centrifugal" put the icing on this lyric, using the Von Restorff Effect to uniquely brand the song. The Von Restorff Effect is the cognitive principle that makes things stand out and be more easily remembered by being different . This same principle is at work with the music in songs as well. Ask 100 people what well known band they think of when you say "guitar", and you'll get 100 answers. Same for "keyboard". But ask what band they think of when you say "French Horn" and you'll get one ? The Who. Ask about "flute" and you'll get Jethro Tull, and perhaps some Moody Blues. Ask about "cello" and it's the Harry Chapin Band. The Von Restorff Effect is clearly at work musically as well as lyrically.
The bottom line of all of this is simple: it's not enough to just be different, nor to be technically proficient. You have to have an above-average song in order for uniqueness and technical artistry to have optimum effect. And if you're going to be "different" it has to be in a way that is in a space of its own, without other competing songs or artists or styles. You can only determine this with some market testing. Don?t just assume. Always strive for maximum Awareness, but be sure you have a well crafted, quality song to hold Attention.
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Bill Pere was named one of the "Top 50 Innovators, Groundbreakers and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry" by Music Connection Magazine. With more than 30 years in the music business, as a recording artist, award winning songwriter, performer, and educator Bill is well known for his superbly crafted lyrics, with lasting impact. Bill has released 16 CD's , and is President of the Connecticut Songwriters Association. Bill is an Official Connecticut State Troubadour, and is the Founder and Executive Director of the LUNCH Ensemble. Twice named Connecticut Songwriter of the Year, Bill is a qualified MBTI practitioner, a member of CMEA and MENC, and as Director of the Connecticut Songwriting Academy he helps develop young talent in songwriting, performing, and learning about the music business. Bill's song analysis and critiques are among the best in the industry.
For workshops, consultation, performances, or other songwriter services, contact Bill via his web sites, at
www.billpere.com
www.ctsongwriting.com
www.lunchensemble.com
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e-mail: info@indiebible.com
Phone: 1-613-596-4996 (Eastern Time Zone UTC/GMT -5 hours)
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