Wednesday June 12, 2013
Summer is the time many bands hit the road for their first tours - and what an experience that is. Touring is fun and worthwhile, but it is also more physically, emotionally, and financially draining than you think. How well you plan has a lot to do with whether you make it out to book your second set of shows or if the band crashes and burns under the pressure of long days and nights in the van. This first tour survival guide will help you set your group up for success. If you're a road veteran, leave a comment to share tips you wish you had known before your first run of gigs.
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Wednesday June 5, 2013
Are you thinking it might be time to start working with a music manager? A manager can make a big difference in your career, but only if you find the right one for the job. Note that the "right one" isn't necessarily the one with the biggest phone book of contacts. What you really need in a manager is someone who shares your vision and is as excited about your music as you are. A motivated newcomer can be more effective for you than a big-wig who puts you last on their list. To figure out if you've met your music management match, ask these questions. If you're not feeling a fit, keep moving. Finding the right manager from the start will save a lot of heartache down the line.
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Friday May 31, 2013
Let's be clear - breaking into any genre of music requires hard work, dedications, and not a little bit of luck. Still, it seems like the barriers to entry could be greater in some genres that other. Or are they? For instance, is it easier to establish yourself as a folk musician, which has a developed network of dedicated stations, publications, and venues, than it is to be a hip hop musician, where competition is fierce and major labels are heavily represented in the playing field? Does it matter at all? Readers disagree on the answer - what do you think? Click here to share your thoughts!
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Thursday May 30, 2013
I start teaching a class about the history of record labels next week, which gives me the perfect excuse to geek out on my favorite subject (students beware). Preparing for the class means hours pouring over label profiles to decide which ones to highlight during lessons. One label that will definitely make the classroom discussion cut is VP Records. VP is more than a label - it's a singularly important outlet for an entire musical culture. There's so much musical vibrancy in the Caribbean and so few avenues for these musicians to reach international audiences. VP acts an a global voice for talents who may very well otherwise go untapped. Take a look at their profile, and while you're at it, check out these label stories:
