I love this stuff: Beatnik Turtle’s indie band survival guide: We found, when we started out years ago, that there weren’t enough bands that shared what they’d learned. The information that we found useful was scattered in different magazines, books,…
You vs. Simon Cowell
If you think you have what it takes to become America’s next big superstar, I’m not about to suggest that you try out for American Idol. Instead, check out American Idol Underground, a website that provides an online community that…
Getting Airplay
John Richards of KEXP 90.3 FM in Seattle, a bellwether of the indie music movement, shares his thoughts on how to get radio airplay. ‘Nuff said.
Breaking news: we ARE sheep
Science confirms what we musicians know in our hearts, even if we don’t want to believe it: the social influence of peers affects your taste in music. Researchers at Columbia University observed that listeners who could see what music their…
A digital divide
I remember the days of record players. Then there were cassette tapes, and then CDs. And now, it seems, everything has gone digital. Has everyone gone digital, too? When you download songs off of the Internet, do you tend to…
Remaindered Links: February 19
Public smoking bans are good for business: Keywords: smoking
Remaindered Links: February 18
The Daily Show Takes On MySpace: Keywords: funny, myspace
Musicians MUST Overcome Cocooning
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has new figures that should send a chill down the spine of folks that want to start making more money as working musicians. 22% of Americans’ “entertainment budget” now goes to cable and satellite TV,…
Working With An Agent
This article has been around for awhile but the information is still valid: Working With An Agent. The point is this: regardless of how wonderful a talent your are, the commissions you pay a booking agent must be able to…
Celebrating Independent Music
On Feb. 2, NYC played host to the Plug Awards — an awards ceremony that recognizes Indie bands and singers and celebrates Indie music as a whole. The Plug Awards, only a few years old, “seeks to create an awards…
Remaindered Links: February 16
Ripping CDs to your iPod is NOT Fair Use?: Keywords: business, music, riaa ‘Extreme Vocals Instructor’ Helps Screamers Preserve Their Pipes: Keywords: advice, music
Amazon and Google in talks to break iTunes’ grip on music downloads
Apple’s iTunes service, which currently has a 70-80 percent share of legal digital music sales, might not be in the lead for long. Separately, Amazon and Google are talking with industry executives to come up with alternate downloading services that…