Vol 1, Conclusion: Breaking Down the Most Influential in the Music Biz

I’d like to start out by thanking all of you for taking the time to read my column weekly. I hope that amidst my many rantings about the music industry that you’ve managed to gather a tidbit of wisdom here or there.
Below I’ve compiled a list of artists who have made the industry what it [...]

Vol 1, Issue 17: Getting Signed – More than Putting Pen to Paper

A good friend of mine once told me a story about how his arrogant youth led to the moment in which he permanently jeopardized his music career. Believing that his act had reached its pinnacle and could not improve upon “perfection,” he haphazardly organized a showcase event where his band was to demonstrate its [...]

Vol 1, Issue 16: Making Merch

Have you ever noticed that it’s the 14-year-old high school bands who are totting around the best gear at shows and are stocked up with a full selection of merchandise? Perhaps these purchases were graciously donated through the generosity of their parents, or maybe a collection of the profits they’ve earned from babysitting gigs fronted [...]

Vol 1, Issue 15: The Rules of Rock

Your albums are your livelihood, your art, your creation. Inspired by your feelings and decorated with your thoughts. They are you in a musical form: a reflection of what you stand for, what makes you tick, what breaks your heart and what will repair it. A simple compact disc can embody one’s full range of [...]

Vol 1, Issue 14: Ready to Record?

With the surge of indie artists, and the decline in label wealth due to illegal downloading, the competition for getting signed has reached an all-time plateau. No longer can record execs wage a band’s talent and marketability based upon a mere three to five track demo. Instead, the demand for strong full-length albums (ranging from [...]

Vol 1, Issue 13: Selective Sponsorship

When it comes to gaining support from others, and I don’t just mean fans, but people who are willing to either a) provide you with their merchandise for free and/or b) front you money, a band really needs to prove themselves worthy, as next to no one will invest into something that isn’t a [...]

Vol 1, Issue 12: Making Headlines

If I can tell you anything about gaining media exposure, it’s this: persistence and loyalty pay off big time. Though results likely won’t emerge as a consequence of your initial trial efforts, this should not discourage you. The more a media outlet hears from you, the more likely you are to receive coverage. On the [...]

Vol 1, Issue 11: Getting the Right Kind of Press

When it comes to making or breaking an act in the music biz, a philosophy that I have come to fully embrace explains that in order to obtain success, the first step begins with not being afraid to ask others for what you want. Afterall, the worst they can say is “no,” but if you [...]

Vol 1, Issue 10: Making Your Rock Show a Success

As mentioned in my last column, if you’re feeling rather ambitious and up to the challenge, a final means of getting your act booked would be to propose to a club owner/booker that you would like to put together your own show. But, as I previously stated, I only recommend this option to bands that [...]

Vol 1, Issue 9: All the Right Moves to Securing the Right Gig

Aside from the option of hooking-up with a strong local act as a means to book your initial gig, a band may also consider the following options: a) working with promoters b) contacting club owners directly or c) putting together a show themselves. If you choose to undertake the last option, I warn you [...]