Blog posts and interviews on the music industry
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Music Industry
Work your craft, hone your skills, become the best you can be, get out and play, learn from mistakes,... but do the business too! The reality is, that as an artist you're an entrepreneur and a business owner! If you can't invest time into to all aspects of your own career then no one will!
Something to consider is the fact that if a song is not written by a band member then it is the writers that are going to see no return on the free giveaways. Many bands give their music away with the hopes of generating more fans and consequently more ticket and merch sales, etc... this however does not benefit the writers (except that with more exposure can come more opportunities to license a track).
I have heard a lot of really good music and a lot of really bad stuff too! But some of the bad stuff is "technically" really good... What do I mean by this? I mean people can hit all the right notes, have a great melody, great lyrics, great production,... and still the song does nothing, it doesn't move me, it doesn't stir an emotion, it doesn't transmit anything. 9 times out of 10, it's because the performances are coming from the brain instead of the heart.
As a musician you can compare your career to that of an entrepreneur, you build your business from the ground up and you stick to a plan. You set your goals and then you follow your road map. The ultimate life lesson for me was climbing in South America in high altitude. It wasn't easy and the lack of oxygen didn't make it easier. I would take ten steps, stop to rest, then keep going. The lesson I learned and have applied ever since is that if you put one step in front of the other and and don't give up you always reach your goals.
I first interacted with Stacey when she was working at Vapor music with David Hayman, who's interview you may remember. Through Stacey I was introduced to Michael Perlmutter whom she has also worked with. Over and over, networking proves to be the most important tool in this industry. I love how Stacey got started in Music Supervision and how it has taken her from Victoria, British Columbia, to The Big Apple, NYC!
A few years back I came across Thorney Bleeder Records and their free compilation, "Get Thorny". Since then, it seems that Brian's name, along with that of Thorny Bleeder, are constantly associated with exciting music updates and a wealth of music business knowledge. Brian's DIY Daily and blog posts carry some priceless insight for bands that should not go unread. Getting the chance to pick Brian's brain on a topic he knows better than most was interesting and insightful to say the least. Thanks again, Brian, for sharing your knowledge!
David Weiss is President of D Media, Inc. (www.dwords.com) and is an internationally published freelance journalist. He is the NYC editor of Mix magazine, the world's leading pro audio publication, and his work has appeared regularly in publications such as Systems Contractor News, Archi-Tech, Digital Television, TV Technology, Time Out NY, Remix and Drum! magazine. He is also co-author of the book Music Supervision: The Complete Guide to Selecting and Licensing Music & Sound Design for Media, published by Schirmer Trade Books in September, 2005. Mr. Weiss is a music supervisor for retail, restaurant and hospitality environments, guiding content and music management systems while working with one of New York City's premiere A/V integrators, Essential Communications.
Michael Perlmutter is a Music Supervisor and owner of instinct entertainment. He finds songs for films, TV shows, docs. and commercials. He loves music. He loves the arts. And, happy to admit, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has been asked to speak/moderate on panels at various conferences including: MIDEM (Cannes), Winter Music Conference (Miami), Billboard Dance Music Summit (NYC), NXNE (Toronto), ECMA Music Conference (Maritimes), Atlantic Film Festival (Halifax) and CMW (Toronto).
Ariel Hyatt is the founder of Ariel Publicity, a social media PR firm based in New York. Their Cyber PR ® Campaigns place musicians on blogs, podcasts, and Internet radio stations and coach them to create authentic relationships with fans. Since 1996, Ariel Publicity has represented over 1,500 independent musicians.
Her book Music Success in Nine Weeks has helped over a thousand musicians get in control of their online strategies and her ongoing blogging challenges keep artists accountable through the reading process.
Over 140 million records sold ww (albums/singles) during his career as Head of A&R, Managing Director / CEO and European A&R Executive.
Hits and recordings with: Christina Aguillera, Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Santana, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood, Katherine McPhee, Jessica Simpson, Ronan Keating, Sugababes, Danity Kane, Duffy, Christina Milian, Monrose, Danity Kane, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Saturdays, Ben's Brother, No Angels, Thomas Godoj, Shinee, Super Junior, Girls Generation, F(x), BOA, Namie Amuro, Tata Young, Daniel Schumacher, Till Brönner, Thomas Godoj, Cinema Bizarre, Tarja Turunen, Millencolin, Baxter, Sugarplum Fairy, Infinite Mass, Rachel Stevens, and many, many more...
As Head of A&R and International for Sony BMG Canada from 2000-2004, Berry was responsible for the development, recording and international marketing of Sony BMG Canada’s domestic roster, including artists such as Keshia Chanté, Wyclef, Shawn Desman, Sloan, Rascalz, Treble Charger, Gino Vannelli, In Essence, The Guess Who, Ryan Malcolm (Canadian Idol), Kalan Porter (Canadian Idol) and many more.
Brian Cannon is a British graphic designer, art director, photographer, and music video director. He is best known for his Microdot graphic design company and its work in the 1990s, which created the album cover for Oasis' record breaking debut album, Definitely Maybe, in 1994.
Dave is an executive music producer, music supervisor, published author, artist manager, producer, voice-over artist, on-air talent, and writer for TV, Film, Advertising, New Media, and Live Events. Dave was awarded for his contributions to a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series, "All My Children" (ABC / Disney). During his tenure at ABC, Dave made on-camera appearances on shows like Live Regis and Kathi Lee as well as NBC’s Maury Povich Show…
A rock n’ roll legend in his own right, Canada’s Bob Masse has been creating highly collectible concert posters since the ‘60’s. As one of the pioneers of the psychedelic art movement, he has worked with everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, The Doors, and The Cream, to U2, The Red Hot Chilli Pepers, Tool, ACDC, and many more. His poster for U2 at the Reunion Arena has been listed as one of the top 10 concert posters of all time by Billboard Magazine.
Sindee Levin is a veteran entertainment attorney whose credentials include business affairs at major film studios, music publishing and mechanical collection and extensive private practice. A noted expert who speaks at conferences, panels and seminars nationwide, she is a well-versed authority on international as well as domestic business models. Levin, a 30+ year Hollywood veteran, has invaluable contacts, education and expertise; she is a powerful advocate for songwriters, composers, recording artists, music publishers and record labels.
Ryan Stanley is a Professional Coach, Band Manager, Screenwriter and Independent Film Producer. A graduate of iPEC (The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), Ryan is considered by many to be the leader in Professional Life Coaching throughout the Music Industry. Whether it's becoming a better musician, businessperson, and/or just living a more positive existence, working with Ryan will enhance your ability to take the necessary steps so that you will be successful in any area of life that you choose. I have to personally thank Ryan for doing this interview as well as the insights he has shared in our sessions.
Jonathan Simkin's name is associated with a long list of the who's who in the Canadian music business. This interview provides a ton of great insight for bands that are trying to make a career in music, as well as for those who are simply interested in learning more about the business.
Greg's credentials can be found on numerous reality showswith networks including MTV, VH1, The Discovery Channel, SPIKE, A&E, Lifetime, BRAVO, to a name a few. As a music supervisor with experience as a composer/arranger in conjunction with session work on production music cues, Debonne also is a well integrated member of the Los Angeles music community. To top it off he has perfect pitch!
From the age of 15, when he ran the Fed 13 Rock n' Roll Roadshow which spent three years as the premier Rock n' Roll/Rockabilly management and promoter in Southern England, to the current running of a global PR/Marketing agency - Mojo Working International, "I've managed to stay alive and work in the industry I love very much for ALL of my life" says Kevin.
There is harmony in the collision of music and image. This is where you will find David Hayman, Director of Music Licensing and Supervision at Vapor Music. David has spent his entire life working with images and music for new and traditional forms of media. This harmonious union is his art and David is the master.
