Music Industry News

Evolution of Music Streaming

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 19:21:00 +0000

Let us take a look at yet another advancement pertaining to live streaming of music and the growing popularity of the DJ scene. Mixify is the latest offering from the creators of the ever popular online music streaming website Turntable.FM. What Mixify offers is live streaming capability of shows or events where the focus is DJs from various music genres and backgrounds. They can broadcast their mixes or live sets out across the Internet to all of their viewers and fans through Mixify.

The valuable difference with Mixify from Turntable.FM is that instead of the software detecting and learning the listeners’ habits and interests the DJ is in complete control of the playlist and deliver what and when they wish to the listener. Individuals enter into a variety of DJ forum and community sets and can encourage the individual performer through an option that when you click it there is reinforcement delivered to that DJ similar to a “Like” button.

What is most hype about this new streaming option for DJs is the interaction and social presence it creates among fans and fellow performers. While the DJ is streaming out to a community of followers it prompts the DJ with inspirational applause and visual lighting effects to set the mood. Once the set is complete it gives the option for the listeners within the community of that performance the ability to follow that particular DJ on various social media outlets including Twitter and Facebook.

Overall this is a nice improvement for those of us that love to listen to DJ performances without worrying about the crowds in clubs and can enjoy some good music in the comfort of your own home. It also gives a great avenue for those aspiring DJs and performers that may not be comfortable performing in public yet an outlet to get their music and talent out to the public for feedback and creating awareness.

As a recent graduate of Full Sail University MBA program for Entertainment Business I can truly value what this new site has to offer and now have the experience behind me to possibly become involved in the next big movement in the music industry in relation to technology and branding and cannot anticipate what may come but am prepared to all possibilities.

Resources for this posting were obtained from the following addresses and links:

http://www.djtechtools.com/2012/07/25/mixify-turntable-fm-for-live-dj-streaming/

http://turntable.fm/

http://www.mixify.com/

http://www.fullsail.edu/

EDM Controversy

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 05:55:00 +0000

Let us create a discussion on what a real DJ is shall we? Recently in Rolling Stone and Dj Tech Tools there was controversy started over what a DJ is as compared to a Producer and whether or not they should be considered a musical artist.

Since I have worked with numerous musicians I am just going to give my own unsolicited opinion on what I believe about this post. But before I do so I want to point out that I respect and love all musicians in their own right, whether they are the karaoke DJ’s on a Friday night in a slum bar or the producer of major hits in various genres of music. I believe everyone has their niche within the music industry, obviously others are far more advanced and creative as some but as long as you can make a living out of something you love doing I say more power to anyone.

So the article that created controversy was about DJ’s being the person that just pushes “play” on a CDJ and blends their own songs together for a show as compared to a live band with bass, guitar, drums, etc., that have to practice constantly to get their performance perfect for a show.

As DeadMau5 put it, and I agree since I am a producer, they are not similar situations. In my opinion not even the same sport. Sure someone who loves live bands can see anyone from Bon Jovi to John Mayer and because they prefer live music they will enjoy the performance. But this is what makes the industry so dynamic and strong is that everyone has different tastes. I’ve enjoyed live bands and some of the best shows I have been too don’t involve any dramatic stage shows but I love the music such as Skrillex, DeadMau5, ATB, and Above and Beyond. I am by no means taking sides as I love all aspects but you need to be prepared for what you want to see. You are not going to see huge stage shows and pyrotechnics at an EDM show as compared to an 80’s band touring, it’s just not the same atmosphere.

I’m not going to get very technical but very logical. If you believe that your favorite musician just “pushes play” to earn their money you are sadly mistaken unless that musician is a random DJ at a hole in the wall bar and doesn’t appreciate the industry. Even DJ’s have to mix harmonically and match beats in between songs to create the atmosphere for patrons to stay at the venue. If anyone thinks its “that easy” do us all a favor and buy the cheapest decks you can and give it a shot and see how many gigs you get to play for the masses.

DJ has evolved immensely from years ago, now it is synonymous with producer, remixing, and creating a show that people want to see and will show up to pay good money for. Not saying or taking away from live music but it’s just another evolution within the music industry. As companies and corporations realize this I wouldn’t be surprised to see more user friendly and interface acceptable options for DJ’s to utilize in live performances to make live remixes and even create songs live on stage. It’s already beginning with DJ’s such as Bassnector, A-Trak, and DJ Enferno with almost a complete band set up to remix their performance.

It is up to the music industry to accept and embrace this future that not only is live performance alive but EDM is also a major outlet!

http://www.djtechtools.com/2012/07/02/is-deadmau5-right-the-we-all-hit-play-debate/

http://www.rollingstone.com/music

http://www.deadmau5.com/rolling-stone-on-the-cover/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll5ykbAumD4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKi9Z-f6qX4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR2XilcGYOo

New Ways to Learn Music Production

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:43:00 +0000

I wanted to touch on a subject that is close to me this time. Over the past year or so I have been attempting to learn the Ableton Live Production Software program. Ableton is a program that uses innovative techniques, elements, and virtual instruments to create music, remix, or even combine for DJ's to create other worldly mash ups. (www.ableton.com)

Although there are many books on how to use the various functions of Ableton some of us prefer to be taught in a classroom setting or by actually seeing how certain areas function. In the past year there have been some outlets such as music schools online that would offer undergrad or just night classes in music production software but the cost was great for trying to learn remotely.

Two schools emerged in the past year that seem to have it down pat from each of their perspectives. First is Beat Refinery which is located in D.C. and Virginia areas. Nothing local as of yet to Philadelphia but they have already expanded from one to three locations in just about two years of operations. They focus primarily on teaching all ages of performers how to DJ in a live classroom environment. Recently they also started to provide Ableton Live Training Courses that are very cost effective. Full information can be obtained from their website where they also have YouTube videos of some of their students performing at local music venues and events. They have various class structures from accelerated training programs to longer more in depth courses to become a true music producer and remixer using Ableton Live software. (www.beatrefinery.com)

Finally for those that are interested in Ableton Live software training but prefer a specific focus there is also the classroom based, as well as, virtually over the Internet school of Dubspot. Located in a music culture rich in electronic music New York City it is geared towards the electronic music genre and all various sub-genres associated with it today. They also have varying degrees of course work depending upon local training or virtual training with payment plan options available. The upside to this school is that they offer all the major various music production software training that a music producer today would need. So even if you would want to take your education further with learning other programs this school would certainly be a great options given the flexible class schedule. (http://www.dubspot.com/)

Ideas for a Successful Business Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:39:00 +0000

In reaction to reviewing the expert advice on business plans I am planning on making adjustments to my own. In particular I found the most valuable advice to be what the important parts of the plan are that the investors will concentrate on so I too can concentrate on those sections more to impress potential investors. They mentioned the Executive Summary and Company Profile as major components. I intend to focus especially on the Executive Summary since that encompasses your entire plan in a very concise manner. After reviewing experts they also concur that if the Executive Summary catches an investors attention they will be more likely to continue going through your business concept.

Next up would be the Company Profile which lays out for the person reading your plan what your company is all about, how it is constructed, and what you are offering in the form of services or products. At this point you are giving the reviewer of your plan a good picture of you concept and bringing your business idea to the forefront.

Both experts I reviewed agreed that the SWOT, Competitive Analysis, Industry Analysis, and Industry Analysis are extremely important as well. I consider these to all be tied together since this is where all an investors doubts and questions should be addressed and answered. How will your company succeed, any barriers to entry, and how you plan to overcome any obstacles and offer your product or service to the intended target market. At this point if all goes well an investor may buy into your business plan but it will at least get them to review the financials if necessary to see how you crunched your numbers and your projections for profits since that will ultimately affect the investor as well.

When looking at my own personal business plan I consider the Executive Summary to be important because that is obviously the first point of contention that needs to pass a potential investor. Aside from that I consider the Business Concept or Company Profile and the Analysis of the Customer, Industry, and Competition to be extremely important as well since my business concept is somewhat unique, in an industry that is still in a growth mode, and have limited barriers to entry given my target market, geographical area, and low start up cost. Because of this I initially and still continue to research and update my information pertaining to these portions so that any doubt about the future success of my business plan will be answered while the investor is reviewing the concept and leave them feeling confident that they should invest in a sound business concept.

Some Expert Advice on Business Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:04:00 +0000

I’m going to speak on the subject of business planning since it not only effects the music industry but every industry for anyone ever wanting to own their own business and be their own boss. The first expert I reviewed was Tim Berry. He is widely recognized the world over by many other professionals in various industries as one of the go to experts in business plan writing, reviewing, and evaluating. His educational background includes an MBA from Stanford, an MA with honors from Oregon University, and a BA from Notre Dame graduating magna cum laude. (Berry, n.d.)

Considering his professional accomplishments he has seen every aspect of the business planning and creation process. He has authored books on business plan and starting your own business, founded his own software company in Palo Alto and bplans.com, co-founded Borland International (another software company), teaches on the subject of business planning and start-ups, and also worked finding his own venture capital and approving business plans for other angel and venture capital firms. (Berry, n.d.)

The second industry expert I have chosen is Dave Lavinsky. His education and experience includes holding an MBA from UCLA and an undergrad BA from University of Virginia. (Lavinsky, 2012) His professional accomplishments being on both sides as an entrepreneur himself and also consulting and educating others on business plan writing, evaluation, and determination as part of angel and venture capital investor firms. (Lavinsky, 2012)

According to Dave Lavinsky the five critical portions of any business plan include the Executive Summary, Company Analysis, Customer Analysis, Industry Analysis, and Competitive Analysis. (Lavinsky, n.d.) Dave Lavinsky goes on to explain the reason why these first five components of any business plan are crucial is because you need to grab an investors attention early since most the time they will not read the entire business plan. (Lavinsky, n.d.) The beginning of the business plan lays out for the investor a summary, what the business concept is, barriers and opportunities in the form of industry and competitor information, and also who will buy the prospective product or service. (Lavinsky, n.d.)

When reviewing Tim Berry comments on another contributing website blog he points out in particular that the SWOT Analysis can be beneficial in many ways to the business planning process. (Berry, 2008) He mentions that the analysis is a good instrument to use that will help you in various aspects completing the formal business plan since you are analyzing both internal and external factors in a team environment that not only improves team building within the organizational structure but ensures that all factors are considered and evaluated to insert into the formal business plan. (Berry, 2008) When looking at the outside opportunity and threats this will help in completing the industry and competitor analysis, financial planning, and marketing strategy as well. (Berry, 2008) When looking at the internal factors, although this may not be shared with investors, it can contribute to the overall company overview and culture if asked in a presentation or can be included in the organizations management structure. (Berry, 2008)

Resources for this posting from:

Berry, T (n.d.). About the big plan. Plan as you go. Retrieved on April 1^st, 2012 from http://planasyougo.com/index.php?s=key+components+of+a+business+plan

Berry, T (2008). Business Planning. Tim Berry. Retrieved on April 1^st, 2012 from http://timberry.bplans.com/

Lavinsky, D (n.d.). Key components of a business plan: part 1. Business Know-How. Retrieved on April 1^st, 2012 from http://www.businessknowhow.com/startup/business-plan-parts.htm

Lavinsky, D (2012). Team. Growthink. Retrieved on April 1^st, 2012 from http://www.growthink.com/team/dave-lavinsky

ReverbNation is a Major Music Industry Tool!

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:03:00 +0000

Continuing with my social media and music industry focus I am writing about what I see as an essential Facebook application for any musician whether experienced or beginner, ReverbNation. ReverbNation has been connecting all facets of the music industry whether you are another artist, a venue, business manager, record label, or just a fan. (ReverbNation, 2012) Many musicians use their ReverbNation page as their website since it is easy to upkeep and manage, as well as, being extremely user friendly. You can post personal information, calendars for dates of performances, associations with other artists, managers, and venues, and upload all your songs for others to hear free of charge.

(ReverbNation, 2012)

What some people may not know is that ReverbNation also seamlessly integrates to Facebook via a Facebook ReverbNation Application. (ReverbNation, 2012) Like ReverbNation it is easy to use, synced with your ReverbNation page for updating purposes, and completely free for anyone to use.

(http://www.reverbnation.com/main/overview_artist?feature=band_profile, 2012)

Not only does ReverbNation offer the musician an easy way to automatically sync their valuable Reverb information directly to their Facebook application saving time, but ReverbNation also has the premium feature for musicians to create their very own mobile application for fans. You can design and build directly through ReverbNation for a fee. You can post all the usual information from personal information to upcoming performances, as well as, song playlists. Another good feature of the mobile application option is that it syncs and updates automatically so if a fan goes to your mobile application they can view your blog feed and your Twitter updates as well all in one stop. (ReverbNation, 2012)

(http://www.reverbnation.com/main/overview_artist?feature=your_own_mobile_app, 2012)

In a world where social media is quickly becoming an essential part of any businesses marketing plan, in the music industry ReverbNation is attempting to capitalize on being the one stop shop for professionals for all their social media and online content needs. Not only can you stream your blog and updates through your mobile ReverbNation application, but you can also add ReverbNation widgets to your personal or professional blog that will act as a music player or show calendar for fans or others visiting your blog. (ReverbNation, 2012)

(http://www.reverbnation.com/main/overview_artist?feature=widgets, 2012)

Even for those artists that would like to do their viral marketing through emails ReverbNation even has an outlet for them as well. Through an easy to navigate and fully customizable platform and email marketing campaign can be developed for any artist that includes a sort of newsletter or just any information pertaining to the artist, including links to social media outlets, show schedules, and samples of music. (ReverbNation, 2012) ReverbNation will even track the statistics and reporting for the email marketing campaign of your choosing. All the artist needs to do is enter the message, customize the email for their preferences, and upload the fan or email list and ReverbNation does the rest. (ReverbNation, 2012) This even has a free trial so I encourage any and all musicians to try this out, given that you will receive reports on tracking the email success you can decide if it should or shouldn’t be a main component in your marketing plan in the future.

(http://www.reverbnation.com/main/overview_artist?feature=fan_reach, 2012)

Simply put ReverbNation has taken it to the next level offering any artist or professional in the music industry the ability to become successful or find the next success story with little effort from the user. In a world where time is money ReverbNation can definitely benefit the music industry professional by bundling all of their needs into one package and ease of use.

Resources Include:

ReverbNation (2012). ReverbNation Features. ReverbNation. Retrieved on March 19^th, 2012 from http://www.reverbnation.com/main/overview_artist

New Rane Mixers are Arriving!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:22:00 +0000

This time I wanted to focus on not only new technology in the music industry by one of the leaders for DJ products world-wide and by far the industry standard but also on how digital marketing and social media created so much hype about the release of the newest mixer offering from Rane that people were lining up and foaming at the mouth to get their hands on one.

Rane has released the brand new Sixty-One and Sixty-Two mixers and I wanted to touch on what's new and improved from the classic and beloved TTM-57SL that I personally own myself and am still finding out new techniques and features on a daily basis. I will focus on discussing the Sixty-One then comparing what the Sixty-Two adds in the way of features.

The Sixty-One offers all the playback functionality and input/output functions a DJ would need in a two channel mixer. Specifically focused on increasing the perks with this offering there is a dedicated 6 sample channel USB function that you can connect to an external controller for operating cue points, samples, and effects within the Serato software or other software of choice.

In contrast the Sixty-Two offers the same as the Sixty-One with the additional functionality of built in sound effects in the form of instant access via buttons and knobs on the mixer itself for software effects, cue points, and looping instantly without the need for an external controller. It also adds the features of two USB ports to connect to another DJ set up for easy swapping or collaborative efforts and MIDI beat clocking when using an external source.

Of course this was the talk of all the major music conferences for the past few months. If you were on any of the major social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook you would've seen a link to a video, a news article, or just personal feedback from early production release and review professionals about the new Sixty-One and Sixty-Two Rane mixers way before they were released for public consumption. This shows how well digital marketing works, because of course Rane themselves were promoting via their website and social media accounts, but they were receiving as much if not more exposure and marketing efforts from professional musicians, DJ's, conference attendees, press, and various other news reporting outlets from technology focused company's to music specific sites such as DJ Tech Tools. Not only was their marketing efforts blasted all over the Internet and mobile applications but they also signed on world famous and exceptionally talented DJ Z-Trip to design his own limited edition Sixty-Two and had him put on a performance at NAMM where thousands of individuals gather each year to see what the music production companies have to offer. These people range from professional musicians to hobbyists and also produce hype and tons of digital marketing traffic for the most popular products, this year of course Rane was the talk of the town.

As you can see from this video of Z-Trip showing off his limited edition mixer live the capabilities of the new Rane Sixty-Two seem endless and will take the professional DJ world to a whole new level of creativity and excellence in the near future.

Resources for this posting are from:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZBKbTUVzWg
http://www.rane.com/
http://djztrip.com/
http://www.namm.org/

Music Distribution in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:53:00 +0000

Does anyone remember taking that long road trip to a Circuit City or Best Buy out of town? When you got your paycheck in hand for $180 and all you can think about is how many CD's you can buy with it? That trip used to be when I was 16 back in 1997 up to Lycoming to get CD's. I remember checking out the new releases and the old favorites I loved since I was small.

It's sad to see that fade away. It was a pilgrimage with my friends to buy something we loved. Now kids can go online and download whatever they wish. And along with that came the piracy. Unfortunate as it is spots like Napster nearly killed the music industry. Of course ever likes something for free, but what most people don't understand is that musicians are just let regular people. If you don't get paid you don't work. So by giving away free music they were destroying the industry.

Back in the eighties it was getting signed by a record label that made you famous. Today there are so many sights flooded with talented artists that record labels are almost not needed. Sure you have you big labels like Atlantic, Sony/BMC, Universal, etc., that will be around forever. But with the streamlined movement the Indie scene is one of the best bets.

I take a story about Devo that played out of their van paying all their expenses and picking up shows whenever they could. Then they finally got signed, with the big contract and royalties. Today that really doesn't exist unless you are an American Idol. There are tons of good hometown acts that place independently or through a label but none of the big corporations. Now you can make money going to CD Baby or CreateSpace and sell your music to the public at a very low cost compared to what a big company would charge.

So is big industry dead for music?? In my own opinion yes.....and that what a blog is all about opening up to the world with you opinion. It will only be a matter of time until the big corporations consume one another and eventually merge into the digital world. It's true and sad at the same time that I will probably never take my children to get their favorite CD's on a Sunday at Best Buy but you cannot fight whats inevitable....

Resources include:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/music-distributor.htm

Organik Theory New Release

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:22:00 +0000

Yes I'm writing this post a little bias. But my boys Organik Theory are putting out their 2nd official album. Professionally produced and made for the masses. I cannot speak enough about this group. If you grew up in the eighties and nineties then you can feel their sound and flow. It's a little bit of Wu Tang Clan mixed with the lyrics of Common. It makes you think while you stomp your feet. They always keep the crowd moving and motivated with their fresh beats and rhymes.

Organik Theory

Just check out their page and song list and guaranteed you will be hooked. They come from a great background. We are talking a Mid West kid looking to make it as a singer and a few home town boys searching for the same. Plus the bonus of a professional NYC DJ and music producer to tip it off. That is never a bad combination. And it shows with opening acts for Redman/Methodman and Bubba Sparxx on top of recently headlining their own shows at bars like Bam Margara's The Note in West Chester Pennsylvania.

But they stay humble and true to their fans in their own right. They never pass up a meeting or a chance to sit and have a beer with a loyal fan. These guys are one of the real last American rock stars not studded by their following, but embracing it.

So on the Leap Year, February 29th, 2012 they are finally releasing their second studio album "From Prospect" and following that with a nationwide tour. If you didn't know you have to ask someone or better yet buy the album and get it autographed at any show buy all four members.

You can always download their hits for free on Organik Theory but why not get the whole thing when it's this good?? Especially to book a show. They are not a cover band......all original music from producing the beats to the lyrics which is hard to come by. I dare you to compare....check out the top five on Reverb and guaranteed it's some guys rapping over "Rhianna", "Jay-Z", etc. Not these guys. They are not just signing over someone else produced. It's all natural hence the Organik. If you want the fakes continue searching on ITunes.....If you want the real thing click below...

Organik Theory

Interview with Mr. Simon Rosen Entertainment Attorney

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:38:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Mr. Rosen recently who is an entertainment industry lawyer based out of Philadelphia, PA. Upon entering his office I was instantly impressed with his client base and his experience. His primary field of focus is musicians but does have his own practice that can handle small issues of any kind. He had also mentioned that on top of his attorney and ownership of the practice duties he is a personal business manager for a few musicians as well. Some of his high profile clients past and present include representing Bill Clinton, Wilt Chamberlain, Brittany Spears, Backstreet Boys, and many others.

Of particular interest was our initial conversation about how he broke into this segment of the law industry. He told a very interesting story about a client from Canada well known for chart topping music production wanted to move and work out of the United States. There were legal issues holding him back and at the time Mr. Rosen was fresh out of passing the bar. The producer had hired a slew of high profile attorneys paying hundreds of thousands in legal counsel with no satisfaction. Mr. Rosen asked that he allow him to give it a shot at an extremely modest rate of I believe one thousand dollars. Through months of work the high profile attorneys at the time could not provide remedy. Within a few phone calls Mr. Rosen not only resolved the conflict but had also made a name for himself with his first high profile client.

Through his experience and limited time to talk with him I asked him one broad question that he would have expertise in to answer regarding legal issues that could potentially hinder my business plan. As my business plan is technology focused and heavy of cyber law he did mention that there are others more suited for representing me in the future because of their extreme focus and knowledge of cyber law. But on a general basis I had questioned him on trademark and copyright infringement. He gave me some great advice on this topic since it is one of the larger concerns I have regarding my business plan. His pointers to me when developing an online presence included ensuring that all aspects are unique. The logo design, th the slogan, and overall name of the company need to be distinctive. If any portion of the previously mentioned aspects can be confused with an existing competitor or if anything matches it is better to catch it ahead of time and make adjustments then deal with legal issues down the road. He mentioned some of the best sources for finding this out is simply the USPTO website and do a search. But this is where his expertise and networking connections are an advantage. He can make a few calls or may already know of a project in the works that my business may infringe upon. He gave me an example of a company in Florida that was starting their own DJ/Dance program, however, there was already one processing with the USPTO that although was not identical was close enough and in the same industry to cause confusion and possible legal action.

As his counsel he gave him some advice on what to change the name to as to keep the essence of the show without the legal hassle. This is where I believe an entertainment industry lawyer has an advantage. Especially Mr. Rosen he knows many things that you cannot and will not find on the Internet through industry connections and past experiences.

http://www.simonrosenesq.com/

http://www.uspto.gov/

Nightlife Techology and Litigation Problems

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:17:00 +0000

Although technology is always in a constant state of change and advancement when pursuing a business plan individuals need to remember about the laws associated with their industry and their business. A few aspects to consider before going head first into a business idea is the legal environment within the industry and in particular Internet liability and potential lawsuit implications. One such issue pertains to the ever popular online couponing from companies such as Groupon and LivingSocial. Although both are behemoths in their industry it does not put them above the same laws governing the individual states that they operate in. An issue that has arisen recently is the debate over the expiration of the daily deals. Many consumers are upset that the expiration date is entirely too short and many times they do not have the ability to use the coupon prior to it’s expiration. Many lawsuits in various states have been filed and ultimately may be consolidated under a class action lawsuit. The consumers are arguing that the daily deals are more of a gift certificate than an actual coupon and gift certificates by law must have an expiration no less than 5 years from date of purchase. (Salmon, 2011) This poses an interesting argument for companies such as Groupon and may ultimately shape the industry by giving a definitive term to the daily offerings and providing a uniform definition to be governed by. I believe in the case against the coupon companies because from experience I have purchased deals that were amazing but was not actually able to use the deal prior to expiration for various reasons. There needs to be some standard for the offerings so that the industry can have a mark to gauge against and in all fairness to the end consumer be able to use deals that are purchased on their time without catering to an expiration date.

Another legal issue to consider when looking at the virtual couponing arena is when alcohol is present in the daily deals. Although this is a huge draw for adults to be able to have a cheap night out on the town given horrible economic conditions a company needs to recognize that each state that they offer the deals in have unique state liquor laws that need to be adhered to. From the courts point of view they are selling and promoting alcohol deals sometimes illegally by not having a liquor license. Technically since they are offering the sale of alcohol at a discount they are considered the retailer just like a state store or actual bar so the courts are deeming that just like the prior entities the online sales companies must also hold a liquor license to sell alcohol deals for each state that they operate in. Another aspect to go along with this is to be weary of the individual states regulations pertaining to how deeply one can discount alcohol or if they are allowed to offer alcohol deals in the first place. (Novellino, 2011) While I can certainly agree with the due diligence of a company offering what the public wants it almost seems ludicrous to me that an organization offering such alcohol deals is unprepared by not filing or obtaining the proper licenses to conduct business legally in their footprint. It would take much less money to take the time to ensure that all aspects of your business is legal and operating acceptably in each market than to just start business and wait until issues and lawsuits arise to actually take action and file the paperwork to get the proper licenses and authorizations. Especially considering how strict the state liquor departments are in every state that should be the first question for a company when considering selling alcohol is to enlist the help of an expert lawyer in liquor law and have all paperwork in order.

One final consideration to look into in reference to legal issues facing online couponing companies is how they utilize websites for advertising their deals and company. Given that the deals are limited and do not last forever if their advertisements or metatags are left unattended it could potentially hurt competitors or even partners overall business generation because of diverting business and attention away from actual access through systems like Google Adwords and directing them to a coupon site that no longer has any association with the search engine results. (Ashton, 2011) This could open the door for competitors and companies to attack coupon sites for unethical behavior and file for damages for misleading consumers and drawing business away from the proper entity. I completely agree with this assessment of advertising on the Internet. It is a very competitive industry and with the Internet offering a cost effective and universal outlet for marketing and advertising efforts the individual regulatory bodies need to monitor what is fair and ethical and maintain a competitive market in a dog eat dog business world. With the ability to embed advertising language and direct consumers to where you want them to go with many different tools it is easy to get lost in the competitive movement and start thinking about end results over what is actually legal and how it needs to be done in order to keep a professional and respectable reputation with your customer base.

Resources for this article were collected from the following websites:

Ashton, K (April 10^th, 2011). How serious are Groupons litigation problems? Daily Deal Media. Retrieved on January 8^th, 2011 from http://www.dailydealmedia.com/784how-serious-are-groupon’s-litigation-problems/

Novellino, T. (March 29^th, 2011). Groupon could use a deal on legal fees. Portfolio. Retrieved on January 8^th, 2012 from http://www.portfolio.com/business-news/2011/03/29/groupon-faces-multiple-lawsuits-over-daily-deal-offers-advertising/

Salmon, F. (June 16^th, 2011). Groupon’s legal risks and legal gifts to merchants. Reuters. Retrieved on January 8^th, 2011 from http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2011/06/16/groupons-legal-risks-and-hidden-gift-to-merchants/

Modern Day Artist Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:17:00 +0000

I'm posting about what it means to be an artist manager this day in age. I had the great pleasure recently of conversing through a series of emails with Mr. D. Polemeni. He is currently in artist management and has been involved in the music industry from various perspectives his entire career. I am going to highlight the important takeaways from the series of emails for any readers truly interested in a career in artist management.

A brief history of how a progression into an artist manager can go and the important networking connections along the way. Some individuals believe that anyone that is well versed in business management, finance, marketing, and promoting is all it takes to be a successful artist manager. However important these competencies are there are also factors such as personality, drive, humility, respect, industry experience, and trust that can be considered equally as important. As Mr. Polemeni points out in our conversations which I agree with is, "What they can't teach you in school is the importance of networking and moving to a major entertainment city, it is very difficult to find a job." (D. Polemeni, Nov 29th, 2011) I agree that textbook knowledge is valuable to a point but there are some things such as personality and the drive to go out and networking various industry connections that no teacher or professor can just instill in your through a test or a school project. To some extent it is like the old adage that you make your own destiny, should you choose to just read the texts, do the assignments, and get the degree expecting offers to role in once you graduate then some people are inevitably going to have a rude awakening.

Mr. D. Polemeni went on to explain that he began on the creative side as a successful songwriter artist having a record deal at one point even touring in the UK. This is obviously the best case scenario because he made many different types of connections such as promoters, venue representatives, record labels, marketing directors, other singers, songwriters, and artists, etc. From there it was more of a transgression from creative to what he calls the "creative/business side" (D. Polemeni, Nov 29th, 2011). As he moved over to the other side the songwriters and artists were willing to take his advise and work with him because he could truly empathize with them and talk their language.

He closes our conversation with some sound advise for anyone that has the tenacity and will-power to commit themselves to pursuing a career as an artist manager. He reiterates that moving to a major entertainment city is a must whether that be Los Angeles, Nashville (being the two main spots), but also smaller options when just starting out include Atlanta and New York City. Also a good piece of sound advice is not to try and just find that best new artist to manage right out of the gate. He made a sound argument that many new artists never make it today because of how easy it is with technology to put your music out there for anyone to hear. His advice was to join a larger firm with experienced clientele and established artists even working at a lower level to start out. This gives a great introduction on all aspects since the established artists will be touring, marketing and promoting new albums, special events, even other industry initiatives such as clothing lines, perfumes, etc.

I appreciated the time and availability knowing how complex and hectic his schedule must be and found it profoundly educational as real world information on what to expect and how to approach it to give myself the best opportunity to succeed.

Resources for this posting was in cooperation and special thanks too:

D. Polemeni per email conversation concluding on November 29th, 2011.

The Importance of a Celebrity’s Image

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:05:00 +0000

As I consider my future as an artist manager some recent news headlines shows how volatile a position this can be and also how important it is to manage the client although they may be famous. A celebrities image is the most important asset an artist maintain throughout the years. (Frascogna Jr, X. & Hetherington, H.L., Pg. 80) Of course there are ups and downs much like a roller coaster it is up to the management team to make sure that the image remains in a positive light and for any bad publicity to arise attempt to swing it in the artist’s favor or else it is dire consequences for the managers career future.

In one recent event involving actress Hillary Swank who one best actress awards for the hit movie Million Dollar Baby and had a very favorable public image had it all collapse around her because of some bad choices from her management team. She had been offered a fee for a guest appearance in Checnya for president Ramzan Kadyrov who has a scrupulous reputation. (Adams, 2011) She appeared at his 35^th birthday along with other celebrities where she gave praise to him and also commented on how strongly she felt the warmth from the people of the country upon her arrival. (Adams, 2011) This is nothing new in the celebrity world especially when one’s career is not at it’s peak. Many celebrities and athletes make personal appearances for prominent individuals for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What the celebrities count on is their team of managers to keep it under raps if it is not a favorable appearance for organizations such as human rights or PETA. This was a domino effect that her manager Jason Weinberg received the worst blow at the very end. It was her agency team at CAA that actually lined up the event and where the manager (Jason) was to blame and why eventually fired was that he should’ve been the one to look out for her image and turned down the guest appearance. Instead of managing the image he went with the agency suggestion and then when the information did come out publicly he did nothing to spin it into a positive light or do anything preemptively to blockade the information from getting out to the public.

Another recent event is rapper Nelly’s being scorned by former manager Slim. In a statement released by his manager Nelly was having drug addiction issues with cocaine and steroids and on the brink of bankruptcy because of an excessive gambling problem. (Daily Mail Reporter, 2011) In this article it showed me the reverse of what power a manager can have and why a split, if any should occur, should try to be professional and done because of valid reasons while trying to remain amicable. In this scenario just because it was coming from a manager and not some fan it made instant headlines across various media outlets. True or not Nelly felt the need to defend his position but from this point forward because of a disgruntled manager Nelly will forever be questioned and suspicious of these allegations. This goes to show that image is important enough that even if it may not be true a celebrity will defend it till the end to ensure that they are not seen negatively in the public spotlight.

The overall message to receive here is that a celebrity image is most important in the real world. When it comes down to it the manager and the celebrity never hold as much power over their career as the public conception does. People can put a price tag on a movie role, a manager’s salary, but the one thing that cannot be bartered or bought is the positive public image of a celebrity and the cost to maintain that image through the good times and the bad times.

Information for this blog posting was retrieved from the following sources:

Adams, G (2011). Swank staff sacked over Chechen gaffe. Retrieved on November 23^rd, 2011. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/swank-staff-sacked-over-chechen-gaffe-2377776.html

Daily Mail Reporter (2011). Rapper Nelly battling drug and money issues according to ex-manager. Retrieved on November 23^rd, 2011. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1392016/Rapper-Nelly-battling-drug-money-issues-according-ex-manager.html

Frascogna Jr, X. & Hetherington, H.L. (2004). This business of artist management (4^th ed.). New York, NY: Watson-Guptil Publications.

Negotiation 101

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:24:00 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to interview 2 brothers that are co-creators and producers of various concepts for TV, film, theater, and other various media outlets. They are currently in negotiations on various levels from talent contracts to selling their concepts to studio executives and investors. They are planning on putting together an assortment of concepts ranging from an animated adult cartoon similar to Robot Chicken, Family Guy, and Archer to a film concept about an American solider deployed to Iraq that has recently come back from active duty with a multitude of interesting and unique experiences to share. Below is an example of their animated show they are using as the lead in for their production company named Zoo University about the college experience from the perspective of animals instead of humans. They call these "sizzles" and not pilots as they are just short little clips to show the concept of the show while they save the pilots for when presenting to studio executives.

They started their own production company called Starving Brothers Productions based on their concepts and are nearly completely family owned with the exception of roughly 10% of the company given out to investors to help them get their pilots ready for presenting to the studios later this year and early 2012. They were computer graphics graduates of Penn State University and recently moved out to Los Angeles to begin negotiations with talent and the studios. To date they have agreements and contracts awaiting to be signed by Wilmer Valderrama who will be their show runner and line them up with studios based on his experience and networking expertise within the industry. I believe the most important lesson I learned from our discussion is that at any given time you may be involved with many different negotiations dealing with different aspects of your business development all at the same time. It takes concentration, preparation, and good negotiation style to keep everything in line and beneficial to all involved.

I actually got to interview them based on a mutual friend that set me up to be an investor in their company and possibly help them out with my experience and connections within the music industry when it comes time to create theme songs and soundtracks. During our negotiations there were two main factors of me becoming an investor in their production company and having producer credit and also the ability to possibly assist and join the company as a music supervisor and have creative authority over the music aspect of the different concepts. Our negotiations went back and forth for about one month until a final agreement was met but below is how it played out and why it was a success.

What the main selling point for me during the process was the alternatives they laid out in front of me for discussion from the start. Of course I have limited capital and it is a high risk investment as I could lose all funds if nothing ever gets produced. But based off of their business plan and concepts they allowed me to view I gain trust in them and they had confidence in themselves during the negotiation process which made me more comfortable as an investor as well. They offered me alternatives from a large initial investment with executive producer credits scaling down to a very low initial investment with no credit aside from what is owed to me as an investor but the amendable contract that if future contributions are made then in future shows I could receive producer credit. This was a great concept for me because if I would have had the hard sell of the large investment I probably would not have bought into the company but their flexibility benefited both parties involved. I got the opportunity to get my foot in the entertainment industry and network along with making a long-term investment and they received money to help them produce pilots to sell to studios that hopefully get green lit. Finally what made it a great sell for me was that they appreciated and valued my experience in the music industry and availability to assist them and throughout the process stressed the importance of doing business with trustworthy and knowledgeable individuals which is why they did give me the options they did. They valued what I could bring to the table long term and truly wanted the process to work out and benefit both parties.

http://starvinbrothers.com/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005519/

http://www.adultswim.com/shows/robot-chicken/index.html

http://www.fox.com/familyguy/

http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/archer/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZqT8cFxuMk

DMC DJ Competition 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:49:00 +0000

This posting is dealing with one of the biggest music competitions in the world. It is a DJ competition now in it's 28th year and brings out the best talent from all over the world. They have various competitions across the country for regional crowns but the main stage is in October in London, England where the best of the best battle it out for top honors, a plethora of publicity, many unique pieces of equipment, and of course the bragging rights. There were and still are competitions occurring regularly all over the world from Brazil to Tokyo to determine who advances to the finals in October.

The first competition in 1985 involved more of a mixing concept than what it eventually evolved into. It wasn't until the following year when DJ Cheese from the US introduced scratching into the competition to take the title. From that was eventually born "turntablism" which is what we all know today as the DJing you see in major clubs and venues. This includes mixing, transitioning, musical selection, controlling the crowd, and scratching. Competitors use a variety of music combinations and genres during their routines, scratching style vary greatly, and even the use of props and scratching tricks can be seen on the grand stage. DJ's have been seen scratching with everything from their nose, behind their backs, standing on their heads, and even a kitchen sink was used once in a routine.

The competition helped to break down many barriers for talented musicians that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The competition would eventually allow teams to compete in the 1990's against the solo DJ's raising the bar for excellence. And again the world would be stunned with a 15 year old took home the prestigious gold plated Technic SL 1200 decks in the late 90's, today he is known all around the world as A-Trak and helped to place Canada on the DMC Championship list of countries. This is much more than a competition though, ask anyone who has performed at any of the events and they will tell you it's more of a brotherhood. This is where all the worlds best can showcase their skills but also build life long relationships with peers and through the years it becomes a family that spans the globe.

This year for the first time DMC again innovated the competition by allowing online submissions to be judged in an online competition to earn a spot in the finals. The competition has brought many DJ's into their own and brought some back from the dead. Anyone from a child in their parents basement to Harvard graduates have taken home the title of world champion. Many of these DJs continue to influence the industry and reinvent the competition such as DJ Q-Bert with his own line of turntables or DJ Enferno with his unique blending of Live Remix Project. It also draws some of the main sponsors and suppliers of the industry in Rane and Serato. Rane mixers are the standard mixer for DJ's everywhere since it incorporates the Serato software. Serato for those who do not know is the legendary software and hardware combination that came out of Australia a decade ago that revolutionized DJing and took it to the next technological frontier. No longer do DJ's need to cart around hundreds of vinyl records but can still use vinyls through the laptop where all their music is stored and have the same feel. Within a hard drive weighing less than 5 pounds is all the music a DJ needs for a set and can be adjusted at will within the program.

For those that have never seen or wish to see something truly unique you should check out a competition near you. For more information on the championships visit the DMC website. While you are there you can learn more on their equipment and innovations in technology by visiting the web pages for Serato and Rane and who knows maybe someone will be inspired enough to lock themselves in their home for a few months and take home the coveted gold plated mixer and turntables in 2012.

http://www.dmcdjchamps.com/results.php
http://serato.com/
http://www.rane.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul7wWU79o2U

Music Avenues

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:23:00 +0000

My post this week is about new avenues to find music. Since the show is coming to an end and it is a personal favorite I am choosing Entourage currently on HBO at 10:30 on Sunday nights. The show is about a group a guys from Queens, NY, that make it big out in Los Angeles, CA. They ride the coat tails of their childhood friend Vincent Chase as he is the major movie star.

What happens behind the scenes though is tremendous. Aside from the all star cast the music is superlative. I don't know how many times I have been out and heard a song from an episode of Entourage. It fits the mood of the episode to perfection along with giving the public something else to download on Monday..

They have also jump started at least one music career of a hip hop star named Saigon. Saigon made some guest appearances through out the show as a client of Turtle's. They post music all through out the episode with more than 2 or 3 songs in a 25 minute segment which is impressive considering the movie standards. In a major motion picture you may have one main song during the credits but with a show like Entourage they pack so much in a 25 minute episode that they make every moment count.

Of recent I have found such artists as Teddy Bears, Outkast, Obie Trice, and an old favorite of Paul McCartney that have graced the soundtrack that is Entourage. Although this show is about a movie star sometimes you can get lost in the music and find yourself bobbing to the beat of the show. They not only introduce new musical talent but also bring back some old hidden gems that were lost in the attic. They are the source of what is new and growing.

Entourage being in the final year is sad because it is an essential show for myself. A show that pushed me in this career direction not for the fame but the excitement and constant changes of the entertainment industry. But what will be sadly missed is Shazaming the show for new music. On any given Sunday night I find myself not only finding out the music from the show and downloading it onto my IPhone but then I look at the suggestions from the editors and music critics to find out what else I am missing out on. It opened up my eyes to what is out there and why you should not be satisfied with what the billboard top twenties give you. Look deep inside and don't be afraid to challenge the norm. You never know what you might find it may surprise and impress you.

http://www.hbo.com/

http://www.rhapsody.com/

The Internet Video Revolution

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:07:00 +0000

I am reporting in this post on TED.com discussion by Chris Anderson. To be honest I have not heard of this site prior to a few days ago, however, found it very useful and the posting I watched inspirational. The speaker used great use of visual representations during their presentation to keep the crowd not only informed but also amused and acted as an enhancement to many of the facts they were reporting. They used comical videos and pictures to ensure the crowd was paying attention, while using other videos and pictures to relay actual statistics in a unique and captivating manor. They also spoke about relevant and current information that pertained to many of the spectators and did not make too many historical references.

The presentation was focused on overcoming the early adversities of the internet limitations. Where prior video on the internet was difficult to accomplish due to file size and bandwidth capabilities today you can take a video with your phone and upload it for public view within minutes. This gives many individuals that did not have the outlet previously to display talents or assets to do so freely for all to view. A good example given in the speech was about Kibera in Nirobi. Because of technological innovations and inspired by TED.com they had a representative report on accomplishments made by this small village. Due to limitations in land they converted what was once a landfill into inhabitable land that is feeding the village through irrigation systems and planting of crops. They have also established a film school through the use of FLIP video cameras with Kibera TV for each individual student to display their work. This was inspiring for me to watch because it shows what desire and determination can do no matter where in the world you live and no matter what circumstances you must overcome.

What the speaker was conveying to a worldwide audience was that the internet and technology has given the people a voice. That voice could be to educate, mentor, perform, or inspire those around the globe to do the same. It was through internet video that one of the worlds most elite dance performance crews was formed called the League of Extraordinary Dancers. They recently performed at the Grammy's and have as a performer many of the best dancers from around the world in every style from contemporary to break dancing. The point of the speech was that years ago this team would have been nearly impossible or at most entirely too time consuming and expensive to bring together, promote, train, and perform for the public to view. With the internet today it was as easy as the dedication from one individual to spend some time viewing dance videos online and contacting the individuals to bring them together to perform to choreographed pieces. In turn this will surely inspire some young child to pursue a dream and career in performing arts in an area where possibly there is currently no outlet for their talent.

The internet age is opening up many possibilities to many different people especially those that learn from example and not just reading. Where you can tell someone how to do a simple process it may take them many failed attempts to get it perfected. However, to show them step by step how the process can be performed it can save that person time and energy and possibly even create enhancements of their own to the process since the element of frustration will not be present.

I encourage all to check out the presentation below and visit the website for additional videos from around the world and hopefully you too will be inspired to pursue what you love to do.

Chris Anderson: How web video powers global innovation | Video on TED.com

And for more on the performing arts including dancing, choreography, and the music behind the scenes visit one of the most entertaining and educational dance crews on the planet:

The League of Extraordinary Dancers

Resources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_anderson_how_web_video_powers_global_innovation.html

http://thelxd.com/

SXSW as a Business

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 21:03:00 +0000

SXSW Business Model

Walking around the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas there is one thing that is in abundance and that is talent. Everywhere you look there are new opportunities, avenues for information, learning from experience, and last but not least, hearing some great music from legends and emerging talent.

As I walked around the grounds for the first time I was in awe of what was at my fingertips. Never in one place have I had the opportunity to connect and interact with peers like myself, new to the industry and just starting out, and also experienced and established professionals. Anyone could visit with a potential record label, public relations firm, advertising agency, or talent management association. Over the years the festival has grown from just a few days of good music into a full-blown business. It draws some of the best musicians in the world as well to critique new up and comers that could be tomorrow’s stars. It also holds various panels that discuss a variety of topics pertaining to the music industry including, but not exclusive too how to better market yourself, production and mastering tips, and how to accelerate as a professional musician in today's environment. Videos can be viewed via their YouTube dedicated channel which anyone can subscribe to and become educated on variety of issues relating to the music industry today and where it is headed.

Of particular interest is how well SXSW expands its reach of social networking and information deliverance. Starting in 2011 along with their regular newsletter and website you will be able to access SXSW on your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts. This will open many doors to talent, promotions, and sales opportunities that previously never existed. Through LinkedIn new employment opportunities within the music industry can be researched by potential applicants and employers alike reaching national talent and beyond. This will undoubtedly add to the talent pool already existing and raise the bar higher leading to better productivity as well. Through resources such as Twitter information about SXSW and it’s sponsers and partners can be shared with followers giving up to the minute information or changes to festivals. Facebook will give an outlet for SXSW to accept applications for sponsorship and musical acts, as well as, a means to convey event information to all fans at once and receiving a response to gauge attendance more accurately.

Like many young professionals and established professionals alike SXSW can see the future and the future is information at your fingertips. With a mobile application already available it is already taking steps to where advertising, public relations, and information is heading in the future. Being a success is also about creating mutually beneficial partnerships. Of particular interest is their sponsor ASCAP which recently held a conference in Los Angeles, CA, where amateur musicians could attend and be educated on various music industry niches including, promotion, marketing, producing, recording, and some good life lessons on being a star musician in the real world. For more information on this long time SXSW sponsor and their commitment to the music industry visit ASCAP Musicians Conference.

http://sxsocial.sxsw.com/user_session/new

http://sxsw.com/music

http://sxsw.com/business_at_sxsw

http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/events/expo/2011/coverage.aspx

Showcase Washington, DC and DJ Geometrix

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:04:00 +0000

I saw an interesting video posted to one of my favorite remixers and DJ's, DJ Geometrix, out of the Virginia/Washington D.C. area. With regular residencies at Ultrabar, Pop, and Fur for the past 13 years he is considered one of the most accomplished DJ's performing today. In an interview recently posted by his management company Sound Smugglers LLC he explains what got him started and what keeps him going after so many years. He also speaks of how it has evolved over time and what his inspirations were. You can view the full bio video below:

He speaks of many influences including his older brothers and DJ mixes he would here on the radio. Likewise another source to read up on if interested in the current DJ trend and how many today are not only performers but also remixers and producers is "Last Night a DJ Saved my Life" written by Bill Brewster and Frank Broughton.

Similar to DJ Geometrix it explains how music has evolved over the many years of DJ's. Originally a DJ was someone who performed turntablism, entertaining the masses, and had limited ability due to technology. At first only vinyl records were used for performing which made it limited and difficult because to switch songs if you were switching to a different artist you would need to remove one record and replace it. Likewise the DJ had to mark their spots on the individual records so they knew their cue points, where to scratch, where to juggle, and when to cut out and switch records. Remixes were also seldom saw in the beginning and not many crossed over into producing original music. Today with the advent of laptops, software, and hardware that communicates directly from the turntable/mixer to the computer/music source it has given a new life to the DJ's performance. Also because of the enhancements with production software and technique many DJ's today cross over to make unique music all their own or give new life to existing songs through remixes. No matter what changes though what remains constant throughout history is the true performer and DJ is not someone that just transitions from one song to another. They beat match, juggle, scratch, and use various other techniques to bring clubs to life and enhance the experience of the music listener.

Brewster, B & Broughton, F (July 1st, 2000). "Last night a DJ saved my life". Grove Press, NY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAkfx8a9SMs

The Future of Music!

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:53:00 +0000

I read an interesting article the other day about what is trending within the music industry. As everyone has surely seen a commercial from some developer the biggest thing now are the Tablets. Whether it is the Xoom, IPad, or other version they all represent the same idea, that is information anytime and anywhere. Not only can you access magazines but you can also search web articles, access online music stores, or even download some exclusive music artists mobile applications. I will focus on the ever popular IPad for this article since it remains the best selling table to date. You can find additional information on what is trending in the music industry on the following website http://www.thebiz.com.au/trends-in-music-industry.htm

The entertainment industry is certainly embracing and proactively pursuing this new outlet to reach consumers and fans alike. Does this mean the end to paper publications? Probably not because many people still prefer to read a magazine rather than look at a computer screen but its the concept that is gaining ground in all aspects since it is literally news and information at your fingertips. You can rearrange the articles as you see fit or jump straight to links within articles for additional information on the internet. An example of how you can read periodicals and magazines in the future is outlined in the video below:

This gives a new responsibility to the representatives of an artist. Artists agencies are already hard at work brainstorming and updating artists mobile content and applications with real time information from new information about the artist, concerts, or music releases. With the IPad since it is built with ITunes you can preview and even download artist music on the spot. Not only that but you can also interact with fans and post your own comments in an artist community. Many agencies are even bringing out artist or label specific applications for the IPad whereas you will be privy to exclusive offers, information, and unreleased music for that particular artist. For marketing and promotion of concerts, events, music releases, guest appearances, etc the possibilities are limitless if you consider the application of location based incentives. With the ability for an IPhone or IPad to be picked up at a venue, retail outlet, or online store then offering that customer a discount or free download with purchase it will give more revenue back to the music industry which they lost due to pirating in the late 1990's and help it to grow. Now not only do the talent management agencies need to be on top of client relations but they will need to partner and work closely with record labels, software designers, computer hardware manufacturers, mobile content designers, and ecommerce consultants to individual artist projects. They will need to identify the most profitable plan for attacking the marketplace and get their artists information to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. You can see a good example from this link which shows and ITunes artist link but many independent artist applications are sure to follow: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pink/id293680837?mt=8.

This will also help open the doors for the lesser known or underground music acts across the world. Many of whom do not have the purchasing power of a Columbia Records or the backing of a talent agency such as Creative Artist Agency to create mobile applications but they will have the ability to get their music out to the public easier than before thanks to outlets such as widgets, YouTube channels, ITunes, and Facebook applications. This certainly means increased competition in an industry already flooded with talent but with increased competition comes increased quality. What this holds for the music industry only time will tell but what we should see is some of the best music we would never have known existed 20 years ago.

For an idea of the responsibilities of the individuals behind the development and implementation of an artists creation of a web presence and artist management read the book by Paul Allen - Artist Management for the Music Business. (Allen, P (July 13th, 2007). Artist management for the music business. Burlington, MA; Focal Press)

Information on talent agents responsbilities for the music industry can be found on this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talent_agent#Music_agents

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:28:00 +0000

I would like to take the opportunity to share information on a local group that has been growing to great lengths lately. With their new album being released shortly and live shows this summer this is the best time to get the word spread. I had the opportunity to meet this hip hop group personally and wanted to help them expand their base. The group is from Downingtown, PA and they are called Organik Theory. The name of the group fits the rhymes that they produce in their songs. They have a sound and feel that is very genuine and hits home all to often. They have performed for some big name acts like Redman, Methodman, and Bubba Sparxx including headlining their own show at Bam Margeras establishment The Note. One of their largest influences according to a co-producer of the beats is the Wu-Tang Clan so you get that old school feel. The way that too many artists today use Auto-Tune or mask their tired and cliche lyrics with magician like loops is what sets OT apart. If you are expecting long choruses about girls and partying like too many other songs lately be prepared because what you get is real life experiences expressed in words. When you have the opportunity they have their music available for listening and download via ReverbNation http://t.co/TKCmh1c but if you can get to one of their live performances to experience the atmosphere of old school inspiration meeting todays hottest beats and rhymes.

Movement Electronic Music Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Wed, 18 May 2011 21:14:00 +0000

For the DJ's, producers, and fans of electronic music this is the one event to get to this year. In the past it has not been a disappointment drawing huge crowds and the best electronic musicians in the world. It takes place in Detroit from May 28th - 30th with the official afterparty on the 28th at The Works. You can view the entire lineup for this year and get ticket information by visiting http://sera.to/news and clicking on the hyper links. Some of the artist expected to perform include Fatboy Slim, Skrillex, and Gaslamp Killer. You can also view the past years event at http://sera.to/-c4nt.

Thursday May 12th in Philadelphia DJ ENFERNO

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:28:00 +0000

That is correct DJ Enferno of the Trooperz Crew in the DC/Virginia area will be spinning at Zee Bar in Philadelphia tonight. This is his first appearance in Philadelphia since 2008 prior to his touring with Madonna as the official tour DJ when she was promoting Sticky and Sweet. DJ Enferno has played all over the planet from Asia to Chile and in my opinion one of the most original and talented DJ's today. For complete information and additional performance dates visit his official website www.djenferno.com.

What makes DJ Enferno particularly unique in his performance style is in the presentation. Many people think DJ and think someone with a laptop or IPod hooked up to speakers at the neighborhood bar. DJing has evolved in the last few years and for those world renowned for their skill and talent it is more of an art-form than just playing music. At times it can be a thank-less job and success is not achieved easily nor quickly but for those few that are leaders within the music industry the boundaries have no limits. The most successful DJ's become producers and even songwriters later in their career.

What DJ Enferno adds to his shows is what he has dubbed the "Live Remix Project (LRP)". In this stage set up you not only see turntables, mixer, and a laptop for music generation but an orchestra of MIDI instruments and software programs that allows him to transform music right in front of your eyes. His gear is ever changing with technological advances but some pieces of equipment you may see include software programs such as Abelton Live, Reason, and Serato Scratch Live. Some hardware that is usually present at a minimum is a MIDI keyboard, drum pad, and an EFX processor. He will usually pick a popular song that everyone knows and remix it in front of the audience. As with everything he has also needed to enhance his offering to his current offering of a hybrid set. In the past he would either do a committed LRP set or a regular Club Set. Today he combines the two concepts simultaneously giving that club vibe of mixing, scratching, and transitioning seamlessly between tracks with his original remixes of popular songs.

Also for any aspiring DJ's or even remixers/producers out there his colleague and fellow Trooperz Crew member DJ Geometrix runs a DJ Training Camp out of Bethesda, MD and now in Virginia as well. For additional information visit www.beatrefinery.com.

DJ Enferno back in Philadelphia

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:32:00 +0000

For those that love music and technology this is a must see event. DJ Enferno of the Trooperz Crew from the DC/Va area will be at Pearl in Philadelphia Thursday May 12th doing a hybrid set which includes a regular two turntable show with the Live Remix Project worked into it. Read more about the evolutionary LRP and DJ Enferno at www.djenferno.com and show your support tomorrow night!!

DJ Evolution

noreply@blogger.com (Projekt V) — Thu, 05 May 2011 01:08:00 +0000

Go to Beat Refinery to learn more about becoming a professional DJ, VJ, or Producer/Remixer using Ableton Live!! Visit www.beatrefinery.com