Here is the link to YouTube. Damn these folks that aren’t allowing embeds! Argggh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUgB0hNf0bs
I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for the forward, Mike!!
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Check out our new Music Industry Jobs and Internships board at MusicIndustryJobs.com It’s FREE!
Okay folks, we’re experiencing a dearth of “right out of the box” great music these past few weeks. Sure there is plenty of stuff coming out, but nothing has struck a chord with me until I heard this song today from Taylor Swift. If you’re a country fan, you might know it already, but if you’re listening to Top 40, it’s just now burning up the charts.
Now, first let me say that I’m not typically a country music fan. . .my tastes typically run toward rock and alternative, but I do know a good song when I hear one, and this is a good song. The other two contenders for this week were BuckCherry’s “Too drunk to. . .” (You figure out what the last part of that phrase is . . .) and Mercy Me’s “You Reign”.
Mercy Me is a Christian band, and the song is catchy, but I’m typically picking songs that I think have the most potential to be heard and liked by the majority of people. Buck Cherry’s song is cool, but. . .wow. . how will it ever get played on radio. . .and Mercy Me’s song is catchy too, but for those not receptive to the message, it could be a turnoff. I but both of the songs could be considered polarizing to say the least. Judge for yourself, I suppose.
This video from Taylor Swift, however, a lot of folks can relate to, and it’s catchy as hell.
Three things of interest about Taylor Swift thing might help you if you aspire to a career in entertainment:
Unlike a decent majority of country music stars who enlist songwriters to create songs for them, Taylor Swift wrote or co-wrote every song on her debut record.
At age 11 Swift traveled to Nashville from Pennsylvania (with her parents help, no doubt) to drop off a demo of her singing along to Karaoke songs at every label on Music Row. How’s that for determination??
As of this date she is currently ranked at 15 for the most MySpace visits for ALL genres of music. Not bad, eh?
Album Facts you should know:
Album Name: Beautiful Eyes
Record Label: Big Machine Records
Most likely to be heard on the following radio formats: Country, Top 40 (CHR Pop)
Album dropped: July 15, 2008
Available: Only at WalMart
Other Goodies:
The Official Taylor Swift website
Taylor Swift at the American Country Music Awards Live doin’ a little flashdance of sorts
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No matter where you live, you can get a job in the music business.
Image courtesy of: Self Service World
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Last week I was having lunch with a college-aged friend of mine, and while our meandering conversation took many turns over the course of an hour, a big part of it centered on music. If you know me, you’ll know that this is a common diversion, and it’s easy to make the leap to music as I find it is a great icebreaker in any conversation. Generally speaking, even if people have nothing to talk about, they enjoy talking about music.
Even growing up, I remember music tended to define who we were in a sense. . .and it was almost the very first question you would ask in a conversation. “So, what kind of music do you like?” It was the schoolyard demographic identifier. Every click had their own tastes in music and, to a degree, you knew where you fit in, based on what folks were listening to. Of course, there were, and still are, crossover acts that hit all crowds, but it was a pretty good rule of thumb. Isn’t it funny, how that question of what kind of music you dig morphs into the: “So, what kind of work do you do?” question we all ask as we exit college and enter the working world. Ah. . .how much better it would be if we stuck to the first question. . .then followed it with: “And how is your family?” Anyway, wishful thinking. . .we’re so detached from what really matters anymore on the whole, I think.
Regardless, this conversation about music started because my friend was playing some funky tune on his iPod that I had never heard of, and so I asked who it was. . .that, in turn, led to the remaining free flow of conversation that concluded with us talking about a few friends of his who also dig music, one of whom even went to engineering school, but can’t seem to find jobs in the business and are now living at home working in retail. Eh? What a drag. So, of course, the former academic advisor and music business vet in me perked up. I asked. . .”What sort of work do they want to do?” His reply, “Not sure, but they say they just can’t get anything.”
Hmmm. . .okay folks, so it’s time for me to pull out my pedestal a bit, because this advice is critical to your success. And, if I sound like I’m preaching to you, I am. But take it with a grain of salt, because if you take my advice to heart, you’ll be thanking me later. Here goes.
First of all, not knowing what kind of job you want in the music industry is insane. There are so many books about the business, so many people talked about these days on the news and all the entertainment shows, that it’s a wonder you don’t have five or ten jobs you think you could do. Come on, really. Let’s get some focus! Second, I will never accept that there are “no jobs” in music for those first out trying. It is just NOT true. The music business is full of people who are where they are today because they have dedicated their lives to working in this business, and most, if not all of them started out as volunteers. If you’re not open to volunteering to get your feet wet, then you might as well start looking for a career elsewhere. Whether it makes sense or not, people who work in music often consider it a badge of honor to have worked for free, and with all the people willing to work for free to get started, if you’re the one out there looking for a paying gig with zero experience under your belt, who do you think they’ll hire? Even the Beatles put in extra “free” hours in Hamburg when they were getting started.
And hey, I don’t care if you live in the most podunk town on earth. There are opportunities to get your start in every town.
According to census records, Dellview, North Carolina is the smallest incorporated town in America, with only 11 residents, most of whom are related. Now that’s a small town. However, to its immediate north is a town named Cherryville, with upwards of 6,000 people. And low and behold, Cherryville has a music instrument store (McNeely Music and Sales), bars (with live bands so you can roadie, do lights/sound), The Iris Room an event/wedding reception room (can you say DJ??) , at least one record label in Almost Standing records, and all these additional music oriented businesses within a half hour of the town. It’s ridiculous really, more than even I thought I would find! Then, of course, if you’re really determined, and want to make an impression. . .only one hour from Dellview, the smallest town in the entire United States of America, is the Charlotte-Mecklenberg region where in Charlotte alone there are 705 listings just for recording studios!!!! Imagine what else is there. If you can’t get a job sweeping floors and filling pencil boxes for free with 705 options then. . .wow. . .
Look, it takes effort, folks. Sometimes climbing the ladder is tough, and sometimes it can be a breeze if you get lucky. Sometimes the money is good, other times, its slow in coming and often low at best. But there are plenty of other professions that have the same kind of sacrifices. Do you think doctors enjoy working 20 hour shifts and sleeping in locker rooms for a few years before they get to actually practice? How about architects? Almost ten years of schooling and apprenticeships before they even get a chance to sign off on drawings? Getting there is hard work, but for those who want it badly enough it’s all worth it. And don’t forget, it’s okay to stumble. . .you’re not always going to get it right just out of the gate, just dust yourself off and keep going.
Getting a job in the music industry, or in any business you really care about, is all about setting goals, being persistent and following-through. No one element stands alone. . .they all must work together, and they’re driven by your own desire and passion for whatever life goals you possess.
You can certainly toss each one of these elements out the window if you’re happy working in a job you don’t like that just “pays the bills,” but wouldn’t it be better if that job you had that paid the bills was also a job you loved? And, by the way, it certainly doesn’t have to be in music to be the right job for you. Maybe your life’s calling is helping people as a research librarian, or as the manager of a hotel, or owner of a nail salon. . .whatever it is, think about would make you happy, and do it. And to make sure you’re successful in your efforts, be vigilant about incorporating goals, persistence and follow-through in everything you do along the way. Do those things, know you can do it, and you’ll eventually figure out the path to success. Get a resume together, create a cover letter that opens doors, make yourself the fish they won’t want to toss back into the water. Do it now.
Please, no excuses! Get that gig!
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more. Subscribe to the Music Business Page Blog by Email today, and get your complimentary “Music Business Boot Camp” series, the introductory chapters of my Music Business Guidebook, and our 50+ page BOOK: “Tips, Tactics and other for-sure methods for getting your music career off the ground” each delivered free to your email box instantly as a courtesy just for signing up today. Don’t forget to approve the confirmation email, and please note: ONY email
subscribers will receive these extra gifts. RSS subscribers will still receive updates about the blog, email recipients will receive the extra benefits mentioned above. If it was us, we’d subscribe to both!
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Since the Internet is rather timeless, I’m not entirely big on making my link roundup one that only features news from last week. After all, there is a lot of stuff that is “old” and still “new” to you and me, so it’s still worth covering in my book.
So, think of my round up, if you will, as a “news worth reading” section as opposed to just what’s happening in the blogosphere this week. After all, I don’t even really watch the news, and I’m not in possession of enough time or desire to surf all day long either.
Here are some chunks worth digesting from my side of the desk:
Money magazine has a nice little story about how to go about landing yourself an internship in today’s wacky economy. Seems they think it’s” Hard to find a job, but not an internship
Here is a cool little story from a few year’s back that’ll whet your appetite if you’re a musician, but not in a band, and don’t want to be in a band, or American Idol, or America’s Got Talent, or whatever other stupid-ass reality show is on TV this week. eMusician’s “Jingles All the Way”, will show you one way you can turn your talent into a career as an advertising jingle-maker. Please turn off your TV.
Those of you who know have picked up a copy of my book, know all about campus reps and how getting a job as a campus rep can open the door to the music industry for you, like no other. For those who haven’t yet read it and are looking for a primer on the best job to have while a college student, check out: “Life as a campus rep” from the Daily Stanford.
If you’re considering a career in entertainment and are not yet aware of the fact that many people brandish some really sharp daggers behind their backstage pass laminates, you should start to read up on reality. The music and film industry is populated with extremely vocal people who care deeply about their positions on issues relevant to them, and one such hot topic of the past ten years has been the rise of Clear Channel. Bill Wyman, former Arts editor at Salon, tosses his dagger into the mix this week on his Hitsville site, and it ain’t pretty. Wyman’s post addresses what he sees as a few of the firm’s shortfalls in his essay related to two new books about the mega entertainment business that is Clear Channel in his article: “More evidence that Clear Channel is the worst company in America.” Read it, do your research and form your own opinion. Clear Channel seems to boil the blood of a lot of people both in and outside the industry, and while they have their proponents, they’re certainly more criticized than revered. However, whether we like it or not, Clear Channel is a big force in the industry, and recognizing this fact will aid you greatly as you move forward in your career.
For even more fun, check out the insanely vulgar “Three pandering sluts and their music press stooge” response from producer Steve Albini to a Wyman article that appeared in the Chicago Reader back in 1994. Definitely NSFW, but a hilarous diatribe none-the-less.
The One of my favorite writers on the music industry is Bob Lefsetz. And while I don’t always agree with him, I learn something from him every week. His commentary is crisp and witty, quite controversial, and seriously laced with profanities. A music business dream. I didn’t know he was writing posts for the Yahoo! Music Blog site, and stumbled upon this one today that I thought was a great read. It’s profanity-free so it doesn’t get a NSFW label, so please do read “Saving the Music Business,” and thank Bob for the advice!
For more of Bob Lefsetz’ stuff check out The Lefsetz Letter
Have a brilliant weekend, enjoy it if you’re already in it, and hope
you had a great time if you’re already out of it! Cheers, Doc
Check out our new Music Industry Jobs and Internships board at MusicIndustryJobs.com It’s FREE!
If you like the blog, you’ll love our email newsletter even more. Subscribe to the Music Business Page Blog by Email today, and get your complimentary “Music Business Boot Camp” series, the introductory chapters of my Music Business Guidebook, and our 50+ page BOOK: “Tips, Tactics and other for-sure methods for getting your music career off the ground” each delivered free to your email box instantly as a courtesy just for signing up today. Don’t forget to approve the confirmation email, and please note: ONY email
subscribers will receive these extra gifts. RSS subscribers will still receive updates about the blog, email recipients will receive the extra benefits mentioned above. If it was us, we’d subscribe to both!
Today’s New Tunes Tuesday hit is currently going for adds on Top 40 stations across the US. So, if you’re in some of the bigger markets you might be hearing this track “pop” a bit over the next few weeks. I think it might have potential on a number of other formats as well, including stations slanted toward R&B and HipHop as well as some of your more open satellite stations. I also think it’s got some potential on Alternative at some point. Anyway, I thought it was worth listening to here on New Tunes Tuesday, so I’m happy to share. I really dig the monster chorus!
As far as I can tell, “One Block Radius” has yet to release an official video for “You Got Me”, but the YouTube vid below will at least allow you to take a quick look-see at the band and the links below will help fill you in a bit more on what they’re about. Check out the video for the band’s new single “You Got Me” below:
Three things of interest about “One Block Radius” thing might help you if you aspire to a career in entertainment:
Album facts you should know:
Album name: ?
Record label: Property/Mercury/IDJMG
Most likely to be heard on the following radio formats: Top 40(CHR Pop), R&B (Urban Contemporary) CHR Rythmic
Album Drops: September 2, 2008
Other Goodies:
Join the “One Block Radius” Mailing List
The “One Block Radius” Official MySpace Page
If you didn’t click on the Space to Share link above, check out the video. . .you’ll be glad you did. Looks like a production of a few folks from UC Chico.
One of my great interests in life is learning about cultures different from my own, and when I was just beginning to get my feet wet with knowledge about the music industry, one of my more favorite sections to read in Billboard, was the International section. If you’re at all like me, and dream of yourself mixing records and working with bands in foreign lands, then you should take a look-see at the School of Audio Engineering (SAE), the world’s first school to offer “practical audio education” as SAE refers to it.
SAE Institute, the world’s largest media arts and sciences academy, operates 46 schools on four
continents, four of which are in the good old US of A. Today we’re going to take a quick look one of SAE’s more recent campuses: SAE Atlanta. Facilities at the SAE Atlanta location were built by world-renowned studio builder Michael Cronin of Michael Cronin Acoustic Construction, and occupy a 17,500-square-foot building above the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Atlanta. The campus has more than 20 studios and workstations, including a 5.1 surround sound mixing theater featuring a Digidesign ICON control surface and ProTools HD system, housing the most advanced professional audio and multimedia technology
systems available.
Every new student receives an Apple laptop computer, audio interface, and Pro Tools M-Powered, BIAS Peak and Logic Express software to further enhance and encourage each individual’s educational experience.
Why I like SAE for its international vibe is that it is headquartered in Byron Bay, Australia and has a network of 47 campuses all over the world, opening up opportunities for study abroad, and international connections that almost never exist in traditional engineering school environments. If you’re at all interested in working overseas in the entertainment industry, I would encourage to take a serious look at SAE by requesting information about their schools.
SAE offers diploma and full degree programs in audio, multimedia, digital filmmaking, animation and gaming. SAE is part of the SAE Technology Group, which also owns and operates leading mixing console manufacturer AMS Neve, Studios 301 (with locations in Sydney and Byron Bay, Australia, Cologne, Germany, Studios 301 is a collective group of state-of-the-art recording and mastering facilities), the Computer Graphics College and Qantm College.
They have a rolling application deadline, which means that instead of thinking you have to wait until fall to go to school, they’ll take your application now. And in my book that’s a great deal.
To learn more about any of the SAE campuses and receive your FREE information packet about the school, fill your information in their quick form on the next page, and click SUBMIT. You’re only as close to your dream as the action you take. Get started on your dream career today and lay down some thumpin’ beats at SAE Atlanta
Learn recording engineering by the beach at sunny SAE Miami
Rock out with the cats at SAE Los Angeles
Hang your hat with legendary songwriters in music city at SAE Nashville
One thing I love about music is finding something that is totally new to me. Sometimes I’m on the cusp of the new stuff, sometimes I’m behind the curve a bit. So, depending on how close you keep your ear to the ground, you may have already heard some of these tracks that I’m going to introduce to the rest of the audience this week. While looking for a new place to live this week, I popped my head in a Border’s for a quick half hour break. Searching for a new place to live can be mind-numbing, and the break was much needed.
Perusing the aisles, my ear caught the beat of the song playing on the sound system, and I went up to the cashier to ask who it was I was hearing. Actually, I first asked if it was Amy Winehouse, ’cause the production sounded much like that familiar 60’s soul sound she and her marvelous production team is bringing back to the fore, but I didn’t think the pace of the music was like her style. And, for sure, it wasn’t. Who it was/is, though was another great artist you should check out if you haven’t already had the pleasure. The name of the gal singin’ this great tune bustin’ out of the speakers at Borders Music belongs to Welsh singer, Duffy.
No doubt you pick up on some similarity in vocal styling as well as in the production value of her songs, but who the heck cares, groundswells in music always occur as people start trying out the same sounds, work them over time and are “discovered” seemingly all at once. Think about the early 90’s “Seattle Sound” for a brief history of how what is familiar to some becomes “new” to most in a heartbeat.
Duffy’s style seemed so fitting this week as well because I’m currently reading John Farinella’s “Producing Hit Records” book which is one of the coolest, insightful books on record production I’ve read in a long time. Farinella not only teaches the reader what’s important to learn about how to get a job in the music industry as a recording engineer or record producer, but also highlights the critical role a producer plays in working with artists to get that “sound” that knocks your socks off. Having spoken with some of the most innovative, respected and legendary producers music has today, Farinella’s book is a true gem that should be on your reading list this summer. My full review of the book will come next week. Be on the look-out for it. It’s long overdue!
Anyway, check out these tracks. I’ve included a few more videos than normal to help catch you up with UK and European listeners who are months if not years ahead of us on this sound. Oh, and I’m tagging this post with something really cool from Atlanta, Georgia’s Gnarls Barkley to see what some American-made 60’s retro sounds like as well.
Sorry this “New Tunes Tuesday” is a day late! Good music is always welcome regardless of its delivery date, anyway, right? Cheers, D
P.S. The Imeem videos load a little slower than YouTube, but they work.
Duffy - Warwick Avenue
Duffy - Rockferry
Duffy - Mercy - Official Music Video (anyone else hear Ben E. King’s “Stand by me” in those first few notes!?)
Gnarls Barkley - Run
Three things of interest you might want to know about Duffy as an entertainment career wannabe:
Album facts you should know:
Album name: “I am Duffy”
Produced and co-written with Suede’s Bernard Butler
Most likely to be heard on the following radio formats:
AAA
Alternative
Top 40
Rock
Adult Hot A/C
Album already dropped May 13, 2008
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It is my mission at musicbusinesspage.com to provide anyone interested in a career in this industry, the inspiration and resources needed to achieve your goals. It ain’t easy, and you’ll face a lot of closed doors along the way. Anyone who has achieved greatness or even a modicum of success in this world faces failure and rejection. . .meeting rejection is the only sure way of knowing you’re trying! Be willing to starve, be willing to work at it, and in the end it will pay off!
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