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Hello
to you all!
Love this fall! Perhaps my birthday being this
Friday has a little to do with it. I'm still
such a kid when it comes to birthdays and go
to the same bar every year with friends to
celebrate. : ) As the weather cools down, we
get more revved. Fall is a great time to clean
out what you don't need to make room for the
new beginnings of September.
I've been getting many blessings lately. One
big one is that I was asked to write a new
book - a take-off on the TV show, Queer Eye
for the Straight Guy, branded with my book,
All Men Are Jerks until Proven Otherwise. The
tentative title is All Straight Men Are Jerks
(or are they?): Gay Guys Give it to you
Straight how women can change their own
behavior in order to be happier in
relationships, without trying to change the
men. I must finish it quickly for release next
year. If anyone knows a cool gay guy who could
give good insight and can be identified,
especially OUTSIDE of NY and LA, please let me
know. I still need to interview a few more.
There may be PR opportunities. And for those
of you in other countries, I'd like to talk to
gay men out of the US too.
While this has nothing to do with the music
industry, I got this message from an industry
person and since it affects everyone, I'm
including it. The Breast Cancer site is having
trouble getting enough people to click on it
daily to meet their quota of donating at least
one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged
woman. It takes less than a minute! go to
their site and click on "donating a
mammogram" for free (pink window in the
middle). Corporate sponsors/advertisers use
the number of daily visits to donate
mammograms in exchange for advertising. Here's
the web site! Pass it along to people you
know. Breast cancer can be controlled if we
all pitch in. So click! http://www.thebreastcancersite.com
Please forward this newsletter to your mailing
list or anyone you'd like. If this was
forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe,
send me an email that says
"subscribe" in the subject header
with your name and city/state. If you'd like
to post it on your site, please ask for
permission and I'll give it. Read past issues
at http://www.daylle/monthly.html If you
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unsubscribe in the subject header of an email.
I have some great interview in this issue,
with hip-hop artist, K. Banger and college
radio promoter +, Rev. Moose of The Syndicate.
If you're feeling like your career isn't
moving, these guys may rev you up a bit. Feel
free to give me feedback on what you'd like to
see me cover in future issues.
Revenge Productions
http://www.daylle.com
1. Tools for success
2. The power of word of mouth: interview with
hip-hop artist, K. Banger
3. My next seminars
4. Working local music
5. Minding your music biz
6. College radio promotion - interview with
Rev. Moose of The Syndicate
7. Save The Bottom Line
8. Maintaining humility
1. Tools for success:
I hear it all the time from musicians. "I
don't have money so I have nothing to market
my music with." While money does make it
easier, I feel that the three tools below are
equally, if not more important. And you all
have, or can have them. You must start with
GREAT music. If you have that to work with,
use these tools to let people know about it.
Then the music can be your vehicle.
Your mouth: You all have a mouth. Use it to
create excitement about your music! Talk about
it to everyone. Network whenever you're near
people. Don't be selective. I've gotten more
contacts by talking to random people who
turned out to know someone who could help me
than by singling out the pros I felt I needed
to get to. Networking is a skill you can
learn. If you tell people about your music or
what you need to get hooked up with, someone
may know someone who knows someone. If you can
get others excited about your music, you can
begin to put together a street team. Then you
have other mouths to spread your word. Below I
have an interview with K. Banger, who's
learned the value of word of mouth.
Personality: If you don't have a friendly,
enthusiastic personality, get one! Force
yourself to smile. People are much more likely
to help you if they like you. It makes sense.
So many musicians come across as pests. When
you endear yourself to someone as a person
they enjoyed speaking with, they remember you.
When I was running my record label, I went to
the UK regularly and networked my way through
the entire music industry. I had label people
take me to lunch whenever I visited. They said
it was because they enjoyed my cheerful,
positive nature. I had nothing more than many
others had. And my money was very tight. But
because people liked me, I got several records
going there.
Professionalism: No matter what area of the
industry you're in, professionalism attracts
people. I don't mean suit and tie
professionalism. I mean having manners,
speaking with authority, carrying yourself
with confidence, and being prepared. Don't
write your contact on a piece of paper for
someone who requests it. Have a business card.
Nowadays you can make them in your computer or
get them free at http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/bcfree.aspx,
- there's no excuse except laziness. Even if
you're just marketing your own music, create a
company name for when you contact people, even
if you don't formally register it. Have
something ready to give someone as a sample at
a moment's notice. If you spark someone's
interest, you need to act fast. Conduct
yourself as a business would, if you're trying
to make money. This isn't called the music biz
for nothing. Your art is your biz, so take it
seriously! If you keep acting like you belong
in the industry, it comes across and you
eventually believe it. Return calls promptly.
Treat others with respect. Thank people for
their time. That's professionalism!
None of the above cost money and they can make
the difference between people taking you
seriously or lumping you into the category of
all the other artists they've never heard of.
When you make a good first impression, it can
set the tone for the rest of your career.
2. The power of word of mouth: interview
with hip-hop artist, K. Banger (The Dirt
Department):
Indie musicians are known for their ability to
create awareness through grassroots efforts.
Major labels' big machines can't maneuver the
streets easily. K. Banger uses a tool
available to everyone to reach an audience -
the power of word of mouth. I met him when he
hit me up to buy his CD after I'd spoken at an
industry event. I thought that took balls and
paid attention. He kept in touch with me and
has done so well that I interviewed him for my
next book. Here's some highlights.
How have you gotten so far with word of mouth?
Independent artists must never underestimate
the marketing power of word of mouth! It can
be very frustrating to talented artists when
they do not have capital to invest in the
necessary components to be heard and seen on a
broad scale. But once we understand that
marketing stirs up word of mouth, we can rely
on our creative side to market ourselves at
low cost. Word of mouth attracts people to
assist in expanding your business venture,
from a financial point of view. When my
prospects saw the streets were talking, they
knew The Dirt Department was worth getting
into.
How did your word of mouth campaign begin? My
family and friends let their people know about
my CD. One friend told an acquaintance with a
slot on a Rutgers (NJ) station. The radio show
host played it. Although the station doesn't
have strong signals, it was a turning point in
my local market. The host warmed listeners to
me, buzzing the website URL. I did promo
rhymes to promote their show and sponsored it
since they were giving me so much burn. Next
thing you know, all the hip-hop programs on
the station are blazing my tracks. I didn't
pay for advertisement. No payola or marketing
stuff. It spilled over to a Rutgers station
with a stronger signal. The urban director got
emails from major labels asking about me. I
sold CDs with ease, off and online. People
said they heard me on radio and my name was
everywhere. For someone with few resources,
that was a great start! I didn't expect word
to spread so much from this little station in
the middle of nowhere. But it had a huge
effect, especially in my hometown market.
How has it helped you get out of your local
area? I just got off the Warped Tour, playing
6 cities along the east coast. A lot has come
out of it. I did get the tour connection
through networking alone. I still don't have a
manager or agent. We opened for Lordz of
Brooklyn and Atmosphere there, and may be
returning next year.
Use what you've got! When one person likes
you, others will hear about it. Look how fast
rumors can spread! When you get people
talking, awareness begins. K. Banger works it
wherever he goes. He's someone who speaks to
everyone and spreads the word about his music,
all for the price of opening his mouth!
http://www.KBanger.com
3. My next seminars:
My next Start & Run Your Own Record Label
seminar is on Saturday, October 4, 2003, from
11 am - 5:30 pm at The New Yorker Hotel, on
the NW corner of 34th Street & Eighth
Avenue I have 4 speakers confirmed:
Andy Reynolds, who was the label GM for
Popular Records/BMG for 10 years and then for
West End Records He recently founded
Penetration, Inc., specializing in marketing
and promotion.
Wallace Collins, Music Attorney, who's way of
making complex legal issues simple is always a
hit
Jeff Epstein, Sales & Marketing Manager,
Disc Makers and president of nationally
acclaimed Cropduster Records
Bryce Butler, who specializes in retail
marketing and street promotion
http://www.daylle.com/seminar.html
The seminar is $85 in advance or $105 at the
door. Unfortunately someone stiffed me badly
at my last seminar (FIRST time) and I must be
less trusting about personal checks, which
makes me sad. They must be in a week before.
Payment can be sent to:
Revenge Productions
PO Box 8016, FDR Station
New York, NY 10150
I will accept charge cards on my website until
Thursday, Oct. 2nd. I take cash or money
orders in person until Friday, Oct. 3rd (I'm
in midtown Manhattan). Payment at the door
must be cash or a money order.
Artist Development 101: How to Get a Record
Deal - or Do It Yourself is on Saturday,
November 22, 2003. This seminar complements
the other one. In order to market your record
effectively, you must do artist development.
This seminar focuses on making money with your
music. Whether you're trying to get a record
deal or succeed independently, you should be
focusing on the different avenues for making
money from your music. Then if you take a
record deal, you'll already have a career and
more clout for getting good terms. This
seminar goes into details about how to develop
your artist, or you as an artist, into a
financial asset. I'll go into details about
how to take touring to the next level and the
different opportunities for licensing your
music. My guest speakers will be people who
can help you find ways to make music your day
job. : ) So far I have 3 confirmed and I'm
very excited about them. They're all first
rate speakers and know constructive ways to
make money. : ) There will be at least one
more.
Audrey Arbeeny, Executive Producer AudioBrain.
She was a Senior Producer/On-site Music
Supervisor for 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney
Olympic Games. Her company also places music
in TV, films, games, etc. and is developing a
sports music library. Audrey began as a
musician in a band and can speak from that
perspective.
Beth Krakower, Publicist, President CineMedia
Promotions and Chapter Manager for Film Music
Network will talk about how to get more
visibility for your music in order to attact
money making opportunities (see more below
under Music industry events)
Wallace Collins, Music Attorney, who'll teach
you how to protect your career.
I'll let you know more details in the next
newsletter. If you register for both seminars
at the same time, you save $20.
4. Working local music:
Most people I've interviewed suggest beginning
your story on a local scene. Your own would be
the best place to begin. But, if you live in
an area that's tougher to break into, like NY
or LA, try someone else's local area. : ) If
you can create a big buzz in a small town, it
can be used to travel to the next one. I never
advise musicians to flock to NY, LA, or
Nashville. First create your market where you
live. It makes it easier to build a press kit
and track record, which can enable you to move
to other regions. There are many websites for
local markets that can help you reach the
people and places you need to reach. I asked
my friend David Wimble, who publishes The
Indie Bible http://www.indiebible.com/icb/ if
he'd give me a sample of local sites to share
with you. The Indie Bible is the ultimate web
resource. It contains thousands of e-zines
that will REVIEW your music, radio stations
that will PLAY your music and online vendors
that will SELL your music. ALL genres are
covered! Here are some of the sites David sent
for LA, Minneapolis/St. Paul and NYC. Check
out his book for more!
LOS ANGELES
100 Punks: Distributed in the Los Angeles
area. Bands, let us know when you're coming to
town and send stuff to review. 100punks@100punks.com
http://www.100punks.com
Daily Bruin: UCLA student paper. Entertainment
section covers local music. http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu
Digital City Los Angeles Music: Regional music
column and forum. The area contains weekly
feature articles plus weekend entertainment
highlights, a running music poll and
interactive message board. http://home.digitalcity.com/losangeles
Flavorpill LA: A publishing company which
seeks out the best in arts, music and culture
and delivers its findings viaemail each week.
Every event listed on flavorpill is there
because it's worthwhile < no money is
accepted from venues, promoters, or artists
for mentioning events. la-events@flavorpill.net
http://la.flavorpill.net
folkWorks: A newspaper dedicated to promoting
Folk Music, Dance, Storytelling and other folk
arts in the greater Los Angeles area. mail@folkworks.org
http://www.folkworks.org
The Hip Hop Show: Los Angeles TV program
documenting the culture of underground hip hop
locally and globally. Fridays at 9PM on KJLA
LATV. Visit our website for more information
on submitting your video. thehiphopshow@latv.com
http://www.thehiphopshow.com
LA Jambands.com: Post your band's info. We
need your reviews, photos and just plain
feedback! Check out a show and send in your
review. Maybe your favorite new CD or music
DVD. fred@bobsdogotis.com
http://www.lajambands.com
the L.A. punk scene: News, reviews, gig
listings etc. lapunk@suburbias.com
http://www.suburbias.com/la
LA Weekly: Los Angeles arts and entertainment
weekly. Local music coverage includes
spotlight artists, reviews and gig listings. letters@laweekly.com
http://www.laweekly.com
LALOCALMUSICSCENE.COM: We have become the
singular source in cyberspace for Los Angeles
band info, music samples and club dates. info@lalocalmusicscene.com
http://www.lalocalmusicscene.com
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL
Acoustic Vision: Our list provides information
for musicians about Twin Cities and regional
venues that offer musical entertainment to the
public. vizier@acoustic-vision.net
http://www.acoustic-vision.net
Anonymous Magazine: Dedicated to covering
local music and culture while providing a
forum for a wide range of opinion. It is our
goal to establish ourselves in creative
communities throughout the Twin Cities as a
viable and reliable resource for information,
communication and promotion. anonymous_mag@yahoo.com
http://www.anonymousmag.com
Blues on Stage: Your Guide to the Blues in the
Twin Cities & Around the World. If you
would like your CD's reviewed please send 2
copies of new releases (or any past releases
you would also like reviewed), plus any
promotional material. mnblues@aol.com
http://www.mnblues.com
City Pages: Twin Cities' weekly alternative
paper. Online version features the Minnesota
Music Directory. http://www.citypages.com/mmd
D.U. Nation Underground Hip-Hop: Providing you
with up-to-date information about upcoming
concerts in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Area. As
well as what's new with various clubs and acts
around town. We also present you with hip hop
videos from live concerts, interviews, street
ballin', local events and more. hype@dunation.com
http://www.dunation.com
The Foundation Magazine: Developing Arts &
Music Foundation's Minneapolis based
publication. DAMF supports a wide range of
activities that encourage artistic development
and cultural diversity in the local and
regional community. info@first-avenue.com
http://www.first-avenue.com
gothling.com: The Twin Cities premiere Gothic
source. admingoth@gothling.com
http://www.gothling.com
The Independent Music Foundation (IMF):
Dedicated to the booking and promotion of
independent non-commercial underground music
in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. Our goal is
to provide a drug, alcohol and violence free
alternative to existing music industry venues
which have traditionally not supported truly
underground music and ideas. http://www.nosmallcompass.com/imf.htm
Minneapolis Star Tribune: Daily paper. Covers
indie releases and shows. http://www.startribune.com
Pulse of the Twin Cities: Weekly alternative
paper. CD reviews and concert previews.
Concentrates mainly on local artists. http://pulsetc.com
SoundScene.com: Twin Cities concert
photography and music news. Featuring great
local and national artists. If you are in a
band and would like to give us a scoop on
what's happening in your world, we would love
to hear from you. Please email us your info or
fax us a press release. info@soundscene.com
http://www.soundscene.com
NEW YORK CITY
Acoustic Live!: Every month, we present the
most comprehensive and easy to use list of
acoustic performances in the New York
Metropolitan area. riccco@earthlink.net
http://www.acousticlive.com
BANDSHOT.com: The Home New York City's Best
Live Bands. erik@bandshot.com
http://www.bandshot.com
Big Apple Jazz: The complete New York City
Jazz Club resource. gordon@bigapplejazz.com
http://www.bigapplejazz.com
The Bronx Underground: Our goal is to promote
local music in the Bronx. Since the first show
in October of 2000, we have organized and
promoted DIY shows at the City Island
Community Center, Shannon Seaview and most
recently, at the Manhem Beach club. Rudenychik@aol.com
http://www.bronxunderground.com
Elementary Hip Hop: Our goal is to promote the
knowledge of, the respect for and the love
toward hip-hop and what it stands for. We
accomplish this goal through various means: we
plan concerts, open mics and informative
lectures. sjy6@columbia.edu
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/elementary
Free Williamsburg: It is our intent to provide
you with cutting edge art, listings and
information that is not compromised by our
advertisers or by homogenous perspectives. http://www.freewilliamsburg.com
GothamJazz: We provide up-to-date, accurate
and comprehensive information for listeners in
search of jazz listings. Through accessible
presentation and informed research,
GothamJazz.com sheds light on the many
lesser-known performers and venues that are
often overlooked by other publications. webmaster@gothamjazz.com
http://www.gothamjazz.com
Greenwich Village Gazette: Weekly news &
entertainment paper. http://www.nycny.com
HUGE!: A very REAL look into the NYC-based
rave scene focusing on party kids themselves. HUGEmassif@aol.com
http://www.hugemassif.com
in-nyc: Send info on you or your band so that
you can be featured artists on In-Music and
get into the Backroom. Also send an MP3 or
two. JohnPatGallagher@aol.com
http://www.in-nyc.com
5. Minding your music biz:
As you seek to grow as a biz, make some time
to explore the internet for tools to help you
even more. You can never got too much help.
Unless you have someone to handle biz for you,
take some time each day to dedicate to the
marketing and promotion end of your music. I'm
always searching and recently discovered the
House of Hayes, which has great resources for
musicians: lists radio stations, magazines,
online resources, and much more on their site,
for free. Check it out! http://www.houseofhayes.com
6. College radio promotion - interview with
Rev. Moose of The Syndicate:
I met Rev. Moose , who does college radio
promotions among other things, when he spoke
on a panel last year at CMJ. His knowledge and
perspective impressed me so I had to interview
him. http://www.musicsyndicate.com
How should someone begin to market their music
independently? Do everything yourself. The
best thing you can do is be so familiar with
the arena that you're going to be working in
that when the time comes to involve other
people you already know the ins and outs and
the goings on of what that arena includes. If
you can't do it yourself, at least modestly
so, then you can't expect other people to want
to do it for you. You know what you're doing
the best. . . before someone else tells you
what you should be doing.
How does college radio relate to college
music? There's a big difference between
college radio and college music. Usually the
college radio listenership doesn't draw from
the college as much as they do from the
college community. A lot of people think that
because they can play to 200-300 kids at
colleges across the country that means that
they're a college radio artist. But there's a
big difference between the two.
What's the most important aspect of college
radio? The radio relationship. Most college
radio stations are like a club of some kind,
with a staff of between 20 and 120 people. So
if someone on staff there hears something they
like, they'll tell all their friends about it
too. Most people at college radio stations
wear different hats. They may also be editor
of the local fanzine, book shows at the local
garage, work in a local coffee house that
books local talent, are friend's with a band
that is just starting to get a career
nationally, they are interning at a publicity
firm. They do many things that will help them
go on to a career. A large chunk of college
students want to do this for their career. So
you don't know if one of those people may be
writing your next check. An artist that goes
to college radio may not get support from the
actual station but they may build their fan
base by giving their record to college radio.
What's the best way to choose which stations
to pitch? People often only seek to impact the
larger college radio stations. You want to
focus on stations that you have the most
likelihood of getting a reaction from. If that
happens to be the large stations, so be it.
But those will be the stations that everyone
goes to. The likelihood of your being able to
make a reaction stick for any length of time
is less than if you were to target a station
that had not as large of a reach but has just
as strong a staff and is able to actually make
something happen within their community. A
large station might be able to get you to a
bigger listenership with fewer plays. But they
won't be able to dedicate themselves to your
career in the same aspect as a much smaller
station could. The smaller station may have a
staff that remembers you 2 years down the
road.
What should an artist send to send college
radio? Right now the way to do it is to send
your CD, with some kind of description or
insert with it. The theory of the more you
send, the more of an impression you make isn't
always true. A good one sheet is usually the
best. You can fit a lot of information,
including comments as to who produced it, who
guest stars, a short bio of the band, a track
listing, a tour routing, some quick press
quotes. None of these are things that will not
help the artist along. What won't help is
spending your budget making 20 page booklets
to send and they're all going in the trash.
That's something college radio has never
needed.
How can an indie artist make the best impact?
For a completely self-released record, step
with your best foot forward. Your best foot
forward is often the record. Make sure that
what you send out is the best representation
of yourself. Don't send a burn of a single or
your demos, unless you already have the
support of the station. Sending demos and
burns is not the way to begin building a
relationship. Build it with handshakes.
When is the time to hire an independent
promoter? When they can't do it themselves
anymore ? when they've grown past their
limits. If the band has a day job and can't
make the calls all day, or they have a
national tour or national exposure coming up
or they get a lucky break, it can make sense
to hire someone. The worst thing you can do is
do a college radio campaign, or a tour or
publicity campaign, and expect everyone to
come knocking on your door afterwards to tell
you how great you are. You need to be the one
to take that reaction and change it into
something productive. If you don't have that
ability, then you need to wait until you do
have that ability in some capacity before you
pursue an avenue like that.
What's your best advice? No matter what you
do, make sure that you believe in it before
you do it. If you have second thoughts, ask
people you trust. If you're talking to an
independent promoter of some kind, make sure
that you truly believe in what you're doing
before you agree to do it. Ultimately it's
your decision ? your art that's at stake. If
you have any doubts, the time to say it is
before you move forward, not after you begin.
Learn from your friends' mistakes. Share among
each other.
7. Save The Bottom Line:
The Bottom Line, owned by Allan Pepper and
Stanley Snadowsky has been presenting live
music since February 12, 1974. I know Allan
and his passion and dedication to keeping
"The Bottom Line a 'mom & pop store'
amidst a crowded field of conglomerates and
corporations." They have always been true
to the music. Allan has given many new acts a
chance to perform. His focus has always been
on providing an atmosphere condusive to
enjoying the music. Since 9/11, attendance to
shows has declined. They've found themselves
substantially behind in their rent. Their
landlord, New York University, has started
eviction proceedings. The Bottom Line has
presented several different proposals to pay
their past due rent, while at the same time
keeping current with a new, higher rent
proposed by NYU.They want to pay off their
debt to NYU, but to do so we need to remain in
business with a promise from NYU that, if they
pay off the rental arrears, they won't evict
the Bottom Line. Unless they can get this
basic assurance, they won't be able to take
the steps necessary to save the Bottom Line.
If you'd like to help, they're asking everyone
to let NYU know how important the Bottom Line
is to the metropolitan area and what a loss it
would be if the city was downsized by another
landmark. This IS a landmark! It's one of the
few clubs that normally get a draw because of
the quality of music they offer. If you want
to help, send a note to John Beckman assistant
vice president of the Office of Public Affairs
at john.beckman@nyu.edu
or Lynne Brown, the VP for University
Relations and Public Affairs at NYU at lynne.brown@nyu.edu.
Please send send a copy to SaveBLT@aol.com
- and please forward this message to your
friends.
I'll be very sad to see The Bottom Line close.
It will be a blow to the music scene in NY and
all musicians, as Allan Pepper is a strong
advocate for good music. Do not put off seeing
a show today because we may not have a
tomorrow.
8. Maintaining humility:
As success begins to smile on you, please
remember where you came from. My friend,
publicist Terrie Williams, says you'll meet
the same people on the way up as you will on
the way down. Don't let small or large
successes get to you. Always be gracious with
people. I've been interviewing a lot of music
industry people lately. Often it's the ones
who have the biggest names who are the most
generous with their time and most gracious to
deal with. Musicians who are just starting to
come up can be the ones who act the most full
of themselves. They expect special treatment
and have the biggest attitudes. I've met some
very famous people and appreciate those who
acted like regular people. Keep your ego in
check at all times. No one is better than
anyone else, even if they're more famous. I
laugh when people call about my seminar and
are surprised I answer my own phone. My
friends have explicit instructions to kick my
butt hard if my success ever gets to my head.
Give your friends the same instructions. : )
I believe that we all can have control over
situations. We can't control others but we can
control ourselves. Use your power. Make a
decision to take your career into your own
hands instead of whining about how you're not
where you want to be. You can control how
people treat you by carrying yourself with
confidence and treating yourself as someone
who's got the goods. You can get more
accomplished when you make the time to do it.
You can improve your craft if you practice and
take workshops. Your career is in your hands.
So stop thinking about what hasn't happened
for you and go out and make things happen.
Enjoy the fall! If you have anything to share,
please send it. Until the next issue.....
Keep your passion strong,
Daylle
© 2003 Revenge Productions
http://www.daylle.com
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