Hosted by Ariel Publicity & Cyber PR

Presented by SOUNDS AUSTRALIA

Aussie Style- BBQ * Food & Beverages supplied

Featuring Katy Steele and The Fumes from OZ LIVE

SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER, 2 - 6pm
389 12th Street Brooklyn NY, 11215 (betw. 6th & 7th)
(F Train to 7th Avenue in Park Slope)

RSVP: tracey@kickmusic.com.au

New Media Pioneer: Nicole Rivera of Pop Reviews Now

Pop Reviews Now is a run-of-the-mill music review blog that posts reviews, raves, rants and the occasional music news.
http://popreviewsnow.blogspot.com/

Q: What has to be done in the technological sense to monetize music to a greater degree on the internet?
A: As a blogger, I don't think I actually have the right to answer that question BUT if it were purely my opinion, I'd say make the music available to every single country. Where I live in right now doesn't have any digital music for sale whatsoever and physical albums here not only cost a ton of money, they come very scarcely as well - it's like that for third-world countries. To me, everyone has a right to listen to music that moves him/her regardless of social standing, geographical location or whatever can hinder capitalist companies from reaching them. Making music available to anyone and everyone on the internet will let the artists earn what they need to live and make more music while reaching wider audiences. That, in my humble opinion is what should be done.

Q. Where do you see the next trend in social media? What else can be done in terms of having an online conversation? What is the next "What are you doing?" question?
A: Social media? I'm not very good at predicting trends in networking but Twitter is the big thing right now - they might create a vide-centric Twitter or something. Like you take a short video and upload it but it's just some wild dream I picked out of my head. As a blogger, I'd love the next 'what are you doing?' question to be 'what are you listening to?' but that's highly impossible - not everyone listens to music 24/7 like me and a few friends.

Q. What inspired you to start broadcasting/blogging? It that still your source of motivation?
A: I started blogging for numerous reasons and I realized that I keep on blogging for even more reasons. Blogging for me is all about the writing - I want to be a writer so badly but since I'm still in school, there's nothing I can do about it. Blogging is my sanctuary - when I'm extremely stressed all I do is whip up and post and I feel like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders. I write about music because it's in my blood. I come from a legendary music family in the Philippines with roots traced to European composers and my father produced albums for the biggest and most influential band of the 90's and 2000's - the Eraserheads. I can play basic instruments and I'm a member of one of the most prestigious countries - music is something I was born to purse but I love it so much that even if I wasn't born with these ties I'd do it anyway.

Music, like writing has the ability to relax me so the minute I put those two together I'm doing something I truly love doing. Over my short time as a blogger, I've realized that I blog to have my opinions and my thoughts voiced out to as many people as possible but I've discovered a deeper reason for why I blog.

I blog to fight for what I believe in. The mainstream music industry has taken away the little respect I have for them by deleting a review of mine with a legal download link given by promotional companies, sanitizing artists, denying me and everyone in my country of music and flat-out disrespecting creativity by doing those but I still blog because it's a way to fight. Blogging is a way for me to show the principles I was raised with and prove to everyone that I'm not someone powerful people can boss around or hurt - I'm a person and I deserve to voice my thoughts in the best way I can.

Q. What are some things bands can do to get your attention to be featured on your broadcast/blog? Do you ever cover a band that you are not particularly fond of musically?
A: To answer the second question, I only feature an artist I don't musically like if I have something to say about him/her or if it fits with the principles I'm trying to get across. Otherwise, if I don't like the artist I don't feature him/her. To me, all bands have to do is show me that they're a few things. I look for creativity, musicality, technical ability and good songs in an artist but before that I listen to see if he/she knows what he/she's doing or if the song is just a repetition of s generic pop hit. After I hear those things I find a song that I personally like. I can't really describe my personal taste well because I listen to whatever I like - I am very fond of beautifully-crafted melodies though.

Q. Will major labels ever be the gatekeepers again, or have they lost all of their power to the internet forever? Can they somehow return to prominence?
A: If they get their acts together, stop being stupid and start respecting the artists they take in then they might be able to return to where they were ten years ago. To me if they're gonna think of returning to prominence they have to take in artists who really are artists and not some random singers they find on the street with absolutely no talent and creativity. They have to learn how to respect music as it is and not force artists to change their art 'just because it won't sell' - that's not right.

Record companies have to develop the ability to be ahead of everyone else - the reason why they lost out to the internet is because they failed to use it to their advantage back it its early days, thinking it wasn't important (my dad was told that by a record company executive here when the internet was just gaining momentum). They have to lose the capitalistic mindset and get some musicians to run the company - the music can function without the industry but the industry can't so they have to learn to RESPECT it. Simple as that, really.

New Media Pioneer
Merton and Angela Beaudion of The Link Radio
http://www.thelinkradio.org

Q: How long have you been broadcasting/blogging?
A. All together my wife Angie and I (Merton) have been broadcasting for a year and 3 months. We started out as a mix station with Teen pop and Christian music mix but quickly realized that our listeners wanted more. So as we prayed about it we felt that God wanted us to go more toward the Adult Contemporary Christian direction.

So we have just let God take things over. As a result he has blessed this station in ways that we could never have done on our own.

Q: In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?
A:Wow that is a real good question. First of all I feel that it starts out in the needs of the person. Some people feel that as long as it has a good beat the words mean nothing  and that is a great song. But to my opinion a good song is like a great restaurant. When you go out to eat at a fast food place you just remember the chain but not that specific restaurant. But when you eat at really good restaurant you leave full and happy.

It moves you  to want to come back. That is how I feel a good song should be. One that not only has a good beat but is composed of words that relax or even change your heart. One that fills you up and makes you want to come back for more. If it doesn't move you then it really isn't one that stays with you and you won't come back.

Q: What is your favorite band or favorite genre of music and why?
A: As far as Genre is concerned that is easy. I think that is why we are having no trouble programming this station. We both love Adult Contemporary Christian music and that makes it both easy and enjoyable to us. As for favorite bands/artist Michael W. Smith ranks way up there with me and Angie is a big fan of the Newsboys.

Q: What changes in content laws, broadcasting rights, etc. have effected you most?
A: The new laws have affected everything we do but I feel the worst area it is affecting us is in the area of special features. If you want to do a feature artist or a special show that involves multiple songs by the same artists, For instance; New artists intro show or even the countdown when it has multiple songs by the same artists in the countdown you have to put in fillers just to make it able to play.

Q: A recent study found blogs to be more effective than MySpace in generating album sales, do you feel that that is a true statement?
A: We are really new to this field. In fact we just now set up a website www.thelinkradio.org that has the option to blog on it. (We haven't set that part up yet but it will be real soon). But that actually makes sense though. It brings a more personal touch between the Band, Artist, etc ... and the person interested.

Feature Article: Three ways to Make Money While Making Music

Playing covers, Playing Sessions & Playing Live

Rick Goetz, is a kindred spirit who has just launched a brand new consulting firm for artists called http://musiciancoaching.com Rick, like me, has spent his entire adult life in the music business and he is DEAD ON when he says: It is essential that you spend your time building your own business rather than asking for help from corporations based on your talent alone.

But how do you build your own business and what specifically works? I got Rick to share a few of his best peals of wisdom I asked him to tell me three things that actually can help an artist begin to build revenue: Playing covers, being a hired gun and working harder on your live show and live show promotion.

Selling $.99 singles isn't the answer. In fact, I would go so far as to say that in today's marketplace your single is little more than a business card and your album is just a resume. Both are extraordinarily important but both are just a loss leader for your business. Recorded music is now simply a means of promoting your live show and your songwriting and producing skills. For my $.02 the biggest challenge of being in the music business is staying in the music business without starving.

We can all point to an artist who made it big on a single and blew up over night but what about the majority of musicians out there who have been making a living? From what I have seen and experienced the challenge for the working musician just starting out is finding ways of sustaining himself while building his fan base. Complicating matters even more is that usually means finding a gig that has the flexibility that musicians require, the paycheck that covers their basic needs and if at all possible provides something that will help move their dream career forward at the same time. It's hard as hell...but this is what I've seen work.

1. Covers
It's easier to fill a room playing songs that people already know. I realize many of you are likely wincing at the notion but remember The Beatles started off as a cover band. Do I really have to drop any other names? It's a great way to keep your chops up and it really does help to gel a band. Further, it gives the members some more time in with each other with more likelihood of playing successful shows earlier in their career. It also levels the playing field when it comes to the writing process in a group dynamic, which can be challenging at times. If you feel like you are selling out, then sell out only until your own work hits its stride. If you want to make a living selling your own songs to people remember this is just a means to make enough money to put towards that dream while improving your showmanship and range of flexibility on your instrument. Once, when playing a wedding gig, I felt pretty dirty when the cry went up for the Macarena and I delivered as requested but the cash I was paid to play weddings kept my band's rehearsal space paid for that month.

2. Hired Gun
You want to be as great at your instrument as possible so don't treat your main band like you would your significant other, cheat like a motherf***ker. Play with anyone and everyone who will have you (provided you are able to carve out enough time to give your main project the time and respect it deserves). You want to play music for a living the trick is to start playing as much as possible with as many people as possible. Be it live or studio just get out there and play. Do it for free at first (if you have to) but get that experience and get as many people to see and hear you play. Every performance and every recording is another trail of breadcrumbs that leads people back to you. Write songs with anyone and everyone you know whose writing you respect. Songwriting is a skill that can be developed just like learning guitar. If you are a vocalist consider voiceovers and do background vocals on as many albums as possible even if it means swallowing your pride and playing second fiddle to someone with less talent than you. I will warn anyone considering this route to be wary, as session cats can become very jaded and cold which ultimately does effect your playing. I don't know how to advise you against this except to always have a goal for yourself beyond the next paid gig. Being a hired gun is a means to get your music where you want it on as close to your terms as you are able to in the present.

3. Live Shows
Hopefully you have enough people coming down to see you live and if this is not the case and you are not getting repeat customers at your gigs you should re-evaluate your show. Look at everything from stage show to songwriting to delivery and ask a cynical friend who has seen you what needs improving. The cynical need no prompting to offer up the awful truth. Be as communicative as you possibly can be with the venue owners where you play even if it is on amateur night. The simple act of introducing yourself and asking how you can help promote your own show with put you in better favor with whoever books the room. Make sure you have some means of collecting email addresses from those who show up and make sure your name is visible on stage (get a banner and hang it up behind you) and you can't make a banner make sure to say your band name at least a few times during the set.

If you like what Rick has to say I highly suggest that you spend some time on the phone with him.... You will be one step closer to reaching your dreams with a great new team member to help you along.

http://musiciancoaching.com

Hi Comrades in Music,

I feel so cliché even saying this but where has the summer gone? It was just yesterday I was planting seedlings in my garden and now the tomatoes are ready for eating!

I got chills down my spine a few weeks ago at The New Music Seminar. They came at the moment Mathieu Drouin, Metric's manager described how he feels at this time. He said (and I paraphase):

"It's the opportunity to participate in the ‘new' music business and be one of the creators of the architecture while influencing the artist's destiny that keeps me vibrant and alive in today's new music business."

And I couldn't agree more... This is what keeps me from sleeping most nights.

I have many colleagues and friends who are also on this mission and each of us in our own way is doing our best to carve out solutions and processes that work.

I don't need to tell you that these are uncertain times. When we all started out in this business, we learned specific systems and they worked.

For me, as a publicist the process was 7 simple steps that I repeated 1,000 times for over 10 years:

1. Write press releases and craft a story with a solid bio
2. Stuff 200 - 350 envelopes with CDs and press kits
3. Schlep it all to the post office
4. Pitch, pitch and pitch, then pitch again
5. Get placements
6. Write endless reports for labels and managers who always wanted more placements
7. Pitch more - Get placed more

(I promise you this does not work at all anymore).

So what does work? I have re-invented my whole company and written 2 books about PR in the new music business trying to answer this question and I'm just getting started.

I spend a lot of time asking my closest colleagues and friends to help me answer this question and I am thrilled to announce we are getting one step closer.

Hi Comrades in Music,

I feel so cliché even saying this but where has the summer gone? It was just yesterday I was planting seedlings in my garden and now the tomatoes are ready for eating!

I got chills down my spine a few weeks ago at The New Music Seminar. They came at the moment Mathieu Drouin, Metric's manager described how he feels at this time. He said (and I paraphase):

"It's the opportunity to participate in the ‘new' music business and be one of the creators of the architecture while influencing the artist's destiny that keeps me vibrant and alive in today's new music business."

And I couldn't agree more... This is what keeps me from sleeping most nights.

I have many colleagues and friends who are also on this mission and each of us in our own way is doing our best to carve out solutions and processes that work.

I don't need to tell you that these are uncertain times. When we all started out in this business, we learned specific systems and they worked.

For me, as a publicist the process was 7 simple steps that I repeated 1,000 times for over 10 years:

1. Write press releases and craft a story with a solid bio
2. Stuff 200 - 350 envelopes with CDs and press kits
3. Schlep it all to the post office
4. Pitch, pitch and pitch, then pitch again
5. Get placements
6. Write endless reports for labels and managers who always wanted more placements
7. Pitch more - Get placed more

(I promise you this does not work at all anymore).

So what does work? I have re-invented my whole company and written 2 books about PR in the new music business trying to answer this question and I'm just getting started.

I spend a lot of time asking my closest colleagues and friends to help me answer this question and I am thrilled to announce we are getting one step closer.

New Media Pioneer
Mister G of Green Arrow Radio

Green Arrow Radio is an open forehead music show. The show offers a bit of something new with a mixture of world beat and fresh jazz. Also, included is some soulful funk. The entire show is landscaped to change each week.

http://www.greenarrowradio.com
http://www.myspace.com/greenarrowradio

Q: How long have you been broadcasting/blogging?
I have been broadcasting in  community and college setting for over 6 years now and i have been "blogging" for about 4 of those years.

Q: In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?
A good song needs to play well with others!

Q: What is your favorite band or favorite genre of music and why?
Such a difficult thing to narrow down since the desired sounds change constantly based on so many uncontrolled factors.  I don't care much for assigning "genres" to art..either its for me or it isn't....I guess if my life depended on answering this I would without hesitation say that Club d'Elf would be the band I call my favorite since they mix and blend so many varieties of sound into everything they do live or otherwise.

Q: What changes in content laws, broadcasting rights, etc. have effected you most?
You know, I think I just don't like the meddling of authority on what I am supposed to form my own opinions about.  But as I pay attention to what is going on and follow it to the edges----I just appreciate the opportunity to introduce people to new sounds that I just play along nicely to be able to share.  But ask me again some other time and I'm sure to have a different answer.

Q: A recent study found blogs to be more effective than MySpace in generating album sales, do you feel that that is a true statement
Well, I hope that my efforts on greenarrowradio.com help generate listening ears which will turn into trying to find out more about the artist..including purchasing some of their art.  I see myspace for me as a great avenue to get people over to greenarrowradio.com and for me an easier way to check out music with the intention to purchace it...even if it is one tune at a time.  More power to all these ways of supporting that something that does seem to unite many.