Music festival season is upon us, and in my humble opinion, it just doesn't get any better than Spanish festival Benicassim. Benicassim loosely translates into "best music festival ever." Ok, that's not true. The festival is actually named for the small Spanish town that hosts the event, which is situated between Barcelona and Valencia (Spanish readers may know the festival as FIB). It's an absolutely beautiful setting for an outdoor festival, the mood is laid back and inviting, and the music is fantastic. Plus, if you ever get a chance to get a backstage pass to the a festival, this is the one you want - there's a swimming pool, go-carts and lots more. I'm not really an "ooooh, it's magical" kind of girl, but just between us, Benicassim is a little bit magical. I won't get to make it this year, but if you can swing it - go. Really, you must.
But enough about me. What's your fav music festival? Which ones will you attend this year? Let me know!

Related Articles

• Benicassim
• Bonnaroo
• Coachella
• Glastonbury

Just a reminder that Tuesday, May 13 is the last day to submit your questions for Sonicbids. Thanks to everyone who has sent in questions and comments already - there has been a really great response to this - and whether you want to let Sonicbids know how much you love them or you want to let them know that you have a few bones to pick with them, now is your chance. Questions will be submitted to a Sonicbids rep and all of the answers will be posted on this site - your comments and stories of your experiences working with Sonicbids will be posted here as well. Email me and let me know what's on your mind!

Related Articles

• Sonicbids Profile

When you're starting a record label, who says you have to stick to just one genre of music? Not Scott Macdonald of KFM Records. His label has been going strong for years on a "if it's good, we'll release it" policy, and fans of everything from hip-hop to indie rock can find an album on KFM they just have to have. Scott recently sat down for a chat about his label philosophy, the future of record labels and how to mine your record collection to get the start-up cash to get your label off the ground - find out what he has to say.

Interviews Galore:

• Scott Macdonald of KFM
• MC Serch
• Ed Pybus of SL Records
• Francis Macdonald of Shoeshine Records
• Lauren Barberena of Tall Girl Publishing
• David Rose of KnowTheMusicBiz
• Sound Engineer Simon Kasprowicz
• Jay Flanzbaum of Onlinegigs
• Rod Hsaio of Live 365

A few days ago, I asked for people to send in their comments and questions about Sonicbids - and wow, it turns out you care about Sonicbids - A LOT. If you've been sitting out on the sidelines, now is your chance to jump in. Email me with any questions you have about Sonicbids, and I'll put your questions directly to a Sonicbids manager. Send in your comments and your stories of working with Sonicbids as well, and I'll report on what you have to say. When you email me, be sure to mention if you're commenting off the record or if you would like to be quoted in a future article on this site about Sonicbids.

Related Articles

• Sonicbids Profile
• Career Profile: Promoter

Calling all hip hop artists....as you might know if you read this site often, I had the chance to speak to the oh-so-lovely MC Serch recently about his new Peace in the Middle East project - and now you have two chances to get your music heard by the man himself:

• Contribute to the Peace in the Middle East project - click here to learn more about how you can involved
• Send your tracks to Serch for a chance to have them played on his new radio show, Saturday Night Serchlite, which is broadcast on Detroit's Hot 102.7 and streamed on their website - click here to learn where to send your tracks

If you get involved in either of these things, I want to know about! Good luck!

Related Articles

• Company Profile - Serchlite Music
• MC Serch Interview

A few days ago, I asked you what you thought about Sonicbids and your experience with using the service (and many thanks to everyone who has already responded to me). Here's a chance, however, to get the story straight from the horse's mouth. Send me your questions about Sonicbids, innocent or fully loaded, and I'll put them to the Artist Relations Manager to get the facts. All questions and answers will then be posted here. So go on and get those burning questions in to me by May 13 and find out exactly what makes Sonicbids tick.

Related Articles

• Sonicbids Profile
• Music Business Terms
• Choose a Music Career

Chicago's Touch and Go Records have been keeping it indie since 1979, and what makes their story stand out is that even through big successes, major label band poaching and Butthole Surfers-gate, they have stayed all indie, all time time. That's pretty unique. Another thing that makes T&G different is that they've always used their success to give other, smaller indie labels a leg up whenever and however possible, especially by acting as a distributor for small labels that might otherwise struggle to find a company willing to work with them. Learn more about how they've made it work all these years in this Touch and Go Profile.

Related Articles

• Touch and Go Records
• Serchlite Music
• Rough Trade Records
• Sub Pop Records
• Factory Records

There was a time when applying for a showcases at a music trade show or music festival meant packaging up a CD and sending it off somewhere with your promo package and crossing your fingers. These days, it seems like if you want to apply, you'd better be a member of Sonicbids. Sonicbids introduced the world to the EPK - electronic press kit - and their site is designed to make the interaction between promoters and bands go a little more smoothly (and involve a lot less postage costs). All well and good, perhaps, but not everyone is in the love with the way that Sonicbids has the showcase application scene on lockdown. After all, membership in Sonicbids isn't free, and besides, maybe some people would simply prefer not to use it. Further, some people are highly suspicious of the company, whispering about collusion with festivals to get the maximum amount of money out of applicants.

I can see both sides. Trades shows and festivals gets an enormous number of applications, and getting them all via one, paper free source can only make the evaluation process go a little easier. On the other hand, although none of the sinister stories of Sonicbids make much sense to me, I get the notion that people would like a chance to opt out of becoming a Sonicbids member and still be able to apply for showcases at trade shows. So - I want to know what you think. Do you use Sonicbids? Are you happy with it? How do you feel about them being the gatekeeper to so many important music events? Let me know your thoughts, and I'll report on the opinions I receive.

Related Articles

• Profile of Sonicbids
• Booking a Gig
• Choose a Music Career

It really is that music conference time of year, isn't it? Here's your reminder that today is the FINAL DAY to submit applications for the Atlantis Music Conference, which takes place September 17 - 20 in Atlanta, GA. Yes, to apply to Atlantis, you do need to use Sonicbids, so if you don't have a membership you'll have to pony up, but the really good thing about Atlantis is that if you apply, you get a pass to the conference no matter if your band is selected or not. Passes are $295, so that's quite the bargain.

All genres are accepted at Atlantis, and indie acts stand a pretty good shot of getting a showcase here - much greater than at some of the other music trade shows. There is also ample opportunity for artists to get some face time with other people in the industry who may be able to help open doors for them. The downside? They won't be announcing their panelists until summer, so you've got to cross your fingers and hope for the best. In the past, attendees have been a mixed bag. When they do announce their panel lineup, I'll let you know.

Related Articles

• Sonicbids
• Popkomm
• CMJ Music Marathon
• Midem
• SXSW

Remember - today is your LAST DAY to register for CMJ Music Marathon at a reduced rate. If you know you're New York bound, why pay more? You can sign up on their website. Bands, you have until July 15 to get in your showcase applications, which have to be submitted - you guessed it - via Sonicbids - membership required. Stay tuned for more details soon about application advice.

Also, as I'm sure you all know, Coachella happened over the weekend. Were you there? Let us know all about it.

Related Articles

• Sonicbids
• CMJ
• Coachella
• Popkomm
• Create a Promo Package