From the category archives:

Off-Topic

Fool me once…

General

It’s worth noting that Sandi Thom, whose webcast concerts from her basement caught the attention of RCA/SonyBMG last week, had a publicity company working the press angle. That’s not to say her story isn’t legit or success is undeserved, but it kinda takes the wind out of the sails of those “made it big on [...]

4 comments Read the full article →

“Relentless repeatability”

Off-Topic

I was flipping through the online version of entrepreneur Bruce Judson’s book Go It Alone! and came across an interesting concept: “relentless repeatability.” In a nutshell, Judson beleives the ability to reduce your activities into a process you can refine and easily replicate is a key to success. I think this is particularly relevant to [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

On being “real”

Inspiration

Seth Godin’s blog is another non-music website I think all working musicians should read. Godin has a rep as a marketing “guru” but I suspect his true talent is a keen grasp on what people really value in their lives. Godin has a great thought-provoking post today on the value of authenticity which really speaks [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Paying tribute

Off-Topic

One of the important aspects we must remember as followers of the Indie scene is that often, people glaze over Indie music in search of the more mainstream stuff; in doing so, sometimes people and breakthroughs get lost in the shuffle and never get the recognition they might merit. Take John Fahey, for instance. Does [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

American Idol and Signs Of The Apocalypse

Fun

Upset to hear that American Idol trounced the Grammy Awards earlier this month, making it the least-watched Grammys since the 70s and signaling the decline of civilization? Well, it may be time to panic. AI also crushed the Olympics last Tuesday, drawing almost twice as many viewers. The Olympics recovered a bit after “Idol” went [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

For $13,000, a shotgun-guitar can be yours

News

After a Bogota, Colombia, bombing three years ago that killed 36 people and injured more than 100, Colombian musician Cesar Lopez conceived the idea of this shotgun-guitar to protest violence. Lopez has handmade five shotgun-guitars so far, and the Colombian government is even using the product in its campaign to end “41 years of armed [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Your photo on the cover? Maybe not.

Off-Topic

Over at David Hooper’s weblog, a debate: should you use your photo of yourself on your CD cover art? David says no, and I agree. This was something I debated each time I got ready to release a new CD. Dare I put my smiling mug on the cover? In the end, I always decided [...]

3 comments Read the full article →

HINT: health insurance aid for artists

Off-Topic

The Future Of Music Coalition has put together a page of health insurance resources called HINT. In addition to tons of informative articles, HINT also includes a free phone service that allows musicians to speak one-on-one to an insurance expert to discuss options.

0 comments Read the full article →

5 Questions with Howlin’ Hobbit, busker

Inspiration

Last week I wrote about Howlin’ Hobbit and how he uses his unique talents to connect with his audience. This week, HH joins us for a quick interview about his experiences as a veteran busker. What do you think “typical” performing musicians can learn from buskers? How to take the pressure. How to think “audience [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Help musicians help themselves

Off-Topic

Help musicians help themselves $10 can help. $5 can help. Any contribution can help. The folks at GiveMeaning.com are trying to raise $4,000 to fund one month of counseling for 40 musicians and artists. They recognize that depressed musicians often cannot pay for the help they need and end up with nowhere to go but [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →