I'm a huge NIN fan and admirer of Trent Reznor. I love almost everything he's ever done. However, he lost me when he started to preach his "DIY" approach and new business models, which didn't mean shit to DIY artists for the most part. While some of it was brilliant, the whole giving your music away for FREE never sat right with me, a REAL INDIE (D.I.Y.) ARTIST.
I've always been against giving music away for FREE. When there was a wave of "indie" artists who decided to put no value on their music and let their fans have it for FREE, did no one realized that all of these "indie" artists were made by MAJORS? I give them credit for continuing without a label but don't act like you're doing it from the ground up.
So how ironic than to hear Trent Reznor talk about his new album, telling people the album "costs ten bucks or go fuck yourself". While I completely agree with that statement, maybe more like "it's $10 bucks, take it or leave it" why would he go back to a major label when he could make so much more as an "indie"?
After leaving Interscope, Trent was such a huge advocate of the DIY route (which is bullshit, no artist that has been signed and build by a major can ever truly call themselves an indie "DIY" artist) So why is it that suddenly Mr. Reznor went back into bed with a major although he'd make more money as an indie? Cause NOTHING beats the big machine. Unless you get extremely lucky, your chances of "blowing up" are pretty slim.
The indie route is hard, expansive and time consuming. Not impossible, but definitely not easy.The music business is a fucking roller-coaster, and you better be passionate about it, cause it can drag you down and drown you just as fast as it can pull you up to the highest point, with or without a label.
While success is subjective and means different things to different people. We all want to feel appreciated, get compensated and recognized for our work. And there's nothing wrong with signing to a major, just don't run around preaching one thing than doing the exact opposite. We get it; you don't want to put your own money into it but why not be honest and say it how it is? I might go buy your album, I might go fuck myself. haven't decided yet.
With all that said...My God is dead and no one cares. If there is a hell....I'll see you there!
Showing posts with label free music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free music. Show all posts
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Monday, August 24, 2009
Another day in Paradise
I've been composing more than ever. I committed to 70tracks for my library and the game is ON. 50 more to go! While I feel slightly overwhelmed; I'm actually very confident that I can deliver. Life is all about choices and commitment.
I'm still working on finding the balance between being social online, offline and working, which is really more fun than work to me.
One thing that happens as a musician/composer; when you're in the FLOW, times flies by and you don't want to stop. You're in that ZONE where nothing else matters. Isn't that a great gift?
With that said; today I'm extremely grateful for all the opportunities and my ability to do what I truly love. I'm extremely excited about my solo dance EP, my new band PinkStar, My side project "When Planets Align"; my library deals, my collaborations and all future opportunities. I feel blessed! I'm grateful for all these amazing people in my life.
I'm writing this because oftentimes, I get overwhelmed and frustrated that things don't move as quickly as I'd like them to. I focus on all the things that I don't have. It's so easy to do and get caught up in it. I know I'm not the only one. This is a reminder that things are in fact "Happening". Just because we can't see it yet doesn't mean it's not happening.
The seeds are being planted. Trust and Faith is the only thing we need to move forward. (of course action is required however, if I just push and push, I'm not trusting the process).
Cheers to a fun and productive week!
xXx
JVB
I'm still working on finding the balance between being social online, offline and working, which is really more fun than work to me.
One thing that happens as a musician/composer; when you're in the FLOW, times flies by and you don't want to stop. You're in that ZONE where nothing else matters. Isn't that a great gift?
With that said; today I'm extremely grateful for all the opportunities and my ability to do what I truly love. I'm extremely excited about my solo dance EP, my new band PinkStar, My side project "When Planets Align"; my library deals, my collaborations and all future opportunities. I feel blessed! I'm grateful for all these amazing people in my life.
I'm writing this because oftentimes, I get overwhelmed and frustrated that things don't move as quickly as I'd like them to. I focus on all the things that I don't have. It's so easy to do and get caught up in it. I know I'm not the only one. This is a reminder that things are in fact "Happening". Just because we can't see it yet doesn't mean it's not happening.
The seeds are being planted. Trust and Faith is the only thing we need to move forward. (of course action is required however, if I just push and push, I'm not trusting the process).
Cheers to a fun and productive week!
xXx
JVB
Monday, August 17, 2009
Destination "Fan Appreciation"
Let's face it, musicians don't like the idea of giving Music away for FREE.
Just because it's a trend doesn't mean we have to like it, but of course we have to adopt and find new ways for revenue streams.
So what's the big deal about getting your music for FREE anyway?
Just think about this for a moment; unless you were born rich, you probably have a job to earn a living. You get paid for your services (like you should). Either you have a boss or you are your own boss. What if people used your services without paying you? Hmmmm....have fun paying your bills with love and appreciation!
Making music is a Business. It takes time, money and dedication to make a song, to write and produce an album. Just like any business, there are a lot of costs involved, from recording equipment, instruments, a home studio, producer, someone who'll mix the songs, mastering to duplication; and it doesn't stop there. Without promotion the best music in the world can and often will go unnoticed.
An indie record can easily cost anywhere btw $10,000 and $35,000.[A major label spends easily $50,000 and up; and those costs don't include Marketing, PR, Radio Promotion, Touring for either)
Is paying $0.99 for a song from an artist you love and believe in really break your bank? Or even $10-$15 bucks for a full length album?
An unsigned band goes on tour; guess what? It costs money to tour; getting a reliable vehicle, trailer, gas, food, personal bills like rent and phone bills, making merchandise to sell merchandise. Indie bands often play a lot of "big rock shows" in very small clubs with a crowd between 5-20 people. Now that doesn't cover much of the costs.
While bands have to find a way to make it happen, (and there are a lot of ways to make things happen)a huge part of a bands success is the fanbase. The fans are the ones who can really help make it happen.
Imagine you would've been The One who actually helped break "Linkin Park", "MGMT" or "The Muse"? That's a pretty huge accomplishment that could lead to a lot of great opportunities for you, personally and professionally.
Music lovers often think they are "just" music lovers when in reality, they are A&R people, they are PR people, they are radio people, they are VIP's! ;)
So why not turn your passion (listening to great music, finding new great bands, going to shows) into a part time or even full time profession or just a cool hobby?
While you enjoy the FREE music why not "give back" just a little to help your favorite unsigned artists to "Stay in Business"!
Here are a few things you can do to help! It's a win/win situation!
1. Represent!Be the A&R guy/girl!
Spread the word! Become a PR machine! Promote a list of songs, albums and merch with available tools like a widget from Ilike or Reverbnation on your social networking sites or message boards. Create your own banners.
2. Make your own Rules and Be a Trend Setter!
Start your own online radioshow! Star a player in Ilike, Facebook, Myspace, LastFM, Reverbnation. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and artists and provide links to their pages and music. Get your listeners involed, have them vote, request songs and suggest new artists! You'll promote awesome music and discover new music, creating a cool network of like-minded people.
3. Start your own Music Magazine Online!
Write about what you'd love to read about, get other writers involved! How fun! You can even generate income by putting google ads on your blog or website.
4. Be a Street Team Captain/Leader.
Create a fanpage on facebook or myspace, promote the bands pages and music, help promote shows, encourage others to spread the word.
5. Make a "Scene"
Create your own scene by putting on a show in your local area. Book 3 or 4 bands, get sponsors involved, get your friends involved. Get your local radio station and magazines involved. Charge an Admission fee to be able to pay the bands some money. Make a deal with the club, venue, bar. (What you're really doing is booking your own personal show, how cool is that?)
6. DONATE!
Get all the music for FREE and donate a little cash gift to your favorite band. Start your own donation campaign or encourage your band to put a donation button on their page so you can help them get some support for the tour and/or recordings.
7. Join the family
Be in contact with the band, I bet you'll be on their guest list for every single show, probably get free merchandise, get invited to all the cool parties and events they attend, you'll be part of the family, now imagine your band "breaks"? Guess what? You'll get to meet all the big shots, big bands, the "untouchables", you'll be backstage at the huge festivals, arena concerts. It happens all the time.
Not only will you be surrounded by what you love and are passionate about, who knows, maybe you'll end up being the next big Manager, A&R, Label or Radio Promoter. Either way, you'll have a great time and enjoy life!
While music is available for free, we don't want to see the quality of music go down, we don't want to hear less from our favorite bands because they don't have the budget to make another record or are too busy at their day job, we don't want to see bands stay home because they can't afford to tour.
I'm not stating nor do I believe in "starving artists" mentality, I believe that by bringing fans and music together, we can make waves, create our own scene and make things happen!
Support what you are passionate about and help make a difference. Now; that makes giving music away for FREE quite fun and a complete win/win situation for everyone involved.
Don't you think?
Just because it's a trend doesn't mean we have to like it, but of course we have to adopt and find new ways for revenue streams.
So what's the big deal about getting your music for FREE anyway?
Just think about this for a moment; unless you were born rich, you probably have a job to earn a living. You get paid for your services (like you should). Either you have a boss or you are your own boss. What if people used your services without paying you? Hmmmm....have fun paying your bills with love and appreciation!
Making music is a Business. It takes time, money and dedication to make a song, to write and produce an album. Just like any business, there are a lot of costs involved, from recording equipment, instruments, a home studio, producer, someone who'll mix the songs, mastering to duplication; and it doesn't stop there. Without promotion the best music in the world can and often will go unnoticed.
An indie record can easily cost anywhere btw $10,000 and $35,000.[A major label spends easily $50,000 and up; and those costs don't include Marketing, PR, Radio Promotion, Touring for either)
Is paying $0.99 for a song from an artist you love and believe in really break your bank? Or even $10-$15 bucks for a full length album?
An unsigned band goes on tour; guess what? It costs money to tour; getting a reliable vehicle, trailer, gas, food, personal bills like rent and phone bills, making merchandise to sell merchandise. Indie bands often play a lot of "big rock shows" in very small clubs with a crowd between 5-20 people. Now that doesn't cover much of the costs.
While bands have to find a way to make it happen, (and there are a lot of ways to make things happen)a huge part of a bands success is the fanbase. The fans are the ones who can really help make it happen.
Imagine you would've been The One who actually helped break "Linkin Park", "MGMT" or "The Muse"? That's a pretty huge accomplishment that could lead to a lot of great opportunities for you, personally and professionally.
Music lovers often think they are "just" music lovers when in reality, they are A&R people, they are PR people, they are radio people, they are VIP's! ;)
So why not turn your passion (listening to great music, finding new great bands, going to shows) into a part time or even full time profession or just a cool hobby?
While you enjoy the FREE music why not "give back" just a little to help your favorite unsigned artists to "Stay in Business"!
Here are a few things you can do to help! It's a win/win situation!
1. Represent!Be the A&R guy/girl!
Spread the word! Become a PR machine! Promote a list of songs, albums and merch with available tools like a widget from Ilike or Reverbnation on your social networking sites or message boards. Create your own banners.
2. Make your own Rules and Be a Trend Setter!
Start your own online radioshow! Star a player in Ilike, Facebook, Myspace, LastFM, Reverbnation. Make a playlist of your favorite songs and artists and provide links to their pages and music. Get your listeners involed, have them vote, request songs and suggest new artists! You'll promote awesome music and discover new music, creating a cool network of like-minded people.
3. Start your own Music Magazine Online!
Write about what you'd love to read about, get other writers involved! How fun! You can even generate income by putting google ads on your blog or website.
4. Be a Street Team Captain/Leader.
Create a fanpage on facebook or myspace, promote the bands pages and music, help promote shows, encourage others to spread the word.
5. Make a "Scene"
Create your own scene by putting on a show in your local area. Book 3 or 4 bands, get sponsors involved, get your friends involved. Get your local radio station and magazines involved. Charge an Admission fee to be able to pay the bands some money. Make a deal with the club, venue, bar. (What you're really doing is booking your own personal show, how cool is that?)
6. DONATE!
Get all the music for FREE and donate a little cash gift to your favorite band. Start your own donation campaign or encourage your band to put a donation button on their page so you can help them get some support for the tour and/or recordings.
7. Join the family
Be in contact with the band, I bet you'll be on their guest list for every single show, probably get free merchandise, get invited to all the cool parties and events they attend, you'll be part of the family, now imagine your band "breaks"? Guess what? You'll get to meet all the big shots, big bands, the "untouchables", you'll be backstage at the huge festivals, arena concerts. It happens all the time.
Not only will you be surrounded by what you love and are passionate about, who knows, maybe you'll end up being the next big Manager, A&R, Label or Radio Promoter. Either way, you'll have a great time and enjoy life!
While music is available for free, we don't want to see the quality of music go down, we don't want to hear less from our favorite bands because they don't have the budget to make another record or are too busy at their day job, we don't want to see bands stay home because they can't afford to tour.
I'm not stating nor do I believe in "starving artists" mentality, I believe that by bringing fans and music together, we can make waves, create our own scene and make things happen!
Support what you are passionate about and help make a difference. Now; that makes giving music away for FREE quite fun and a complete win/win situation for everyone involved.
Don't you think?
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