I’ve got quite a few more 5 Questions interviews in the pipe, so I’ve added an Interviews category to spinme.com so you, Constant Reader, may more easily find them. Watch this space. In the meantime, here’s a brief recap of…
On being “real”
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.…
5 Questions with Michael Tarlowe of Virt Records
Michael Tarlowe started his independent label Virt Records in 2001 with a tight focus on the Triple-A and performing songwriter markets. Virt’s modest roster includes critically acclaimed artists Vienna Teng, Shane Nicholson and Brenda Weiler. New releases from husband-wife duo…
American Idol no guarantee of marketplace success
Here’s a report that American Idol finalists typically have poor record sales and that labels are hesitant to offer contracts to former AI contestants. Of course, “poor record sales” can mean different things to different people: Second-season singer, third-place finisher…
Remaindered Links: March 10
Art statements, Pitchfork, and fancypants analysis: Keywords: business, music Idol’s former finalists have poor record sales, and "labels are reluctant to sign ‘Idol’ runners-up": Keywords: business, idol, music
The power of audacity and other networking tips
This week I finished reading Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferazzi’s book on professional networking. There are some people who seem to be naturally adept at making connections with others; I’m not one of them. However, I personally feel that networking…
What is Square One?
I’ve been reading Kathy Sierra’s blog forever now and recommend her to almost every musician I know. Funny, because she writes about software development and learning, not music. But her ideas and observations are completely applicable to just about any…
Remaindered Links: March 07
Reduce stress by doing what you love: Keywords: advice
Audacity: free recording software
Cash-strapped musicians who want to do computer-based home recording might want to look into Audacity, a totally free multitrack recording program that runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. I haven’t used it myself, but after looking at the…
Global gigging via the Internet
If you’re weary of hauling equipment from gig to gig and pouring your money into repairs for your tour van, you can always try what Scottish singer Sandi Thom did: set up a webcam in her basement. In a packed…
5 Questions with Ronan Chris Murphy, producer/engineer
To say Ronan Chris Murphy has had a varied and interesting career would be classic understatement. As a musician, he’s shared stages with The Flaming Lips and the Henry Rollins Band; as a producer and engineer he’s worked with King…
Kid Rock a Whole New Ball Game
A recent article on CNN.com reports that although music sales in general might be on the decline, there is one genre of music that is boasting a rise in sales and popularity: kiddie rock. As an increasing number of parents…