Wednesday, February 8th
Gotham Comedy Club
208 W. 23rd St. NYC
Doors: 8:30pm

$15 in advance + 2 drink minimum
$17 at door + 2 drink minimum

The Laugh Button Live! will also be taking our show on the road for the first time; we’re heading to SXSW in Austin on March 14^th! Additionally, we’re happy to announce that we’re inviting TLB Live! alumna Giulia Rozzi to become a host/emcee of upcoming shows.

–Article by Sara Haber, published by Claire Suellentrop

Happy 50^th Birthday to our friends at Amnesty International! In 1962, Amnesty International was founded as a one year campaign with a focus to free political prisoners, while fighting for justice, freedom, and human dignity. In that same year, music legend Bob Dylan released his debut album, changing the music world forever. Since 1962, Amnesty International has grown to over 3 million followers in over 150 countries around the world.

To honor 50 years of live-saving human rights activism, Amnesty International released a four disk compilation on Jan. 24th entitled ‘Chimes of Freedom,’ which features over 80 artists covering some of Dylan’s best work. The staff of Amnesty International “are deeply grateful to this legendary musician and to all of the artists who have contributed to this project,” said Karen Scott, Amnesty International’s Manager of Music Relations.

With an artist lineup including The Gaslight Anthem, Silversun Pickups, Jack’s Mannequin, My Chemical Romance, Band of Skulls and Maroon 5 covering some of Dylan’s greatest hits, what could be bad? Radio stations across the country, including our friends at KBZT, KCRW, KFMA, KIWR, KROX, KTCZ AND WRKL are already spinning tracks from this compilation, including ‘It Ain’t Me, Babe’ performed by Band of Skulls and Flogging Molly’s rendition of ‘The Times They Are A-Changin.”

You can aid in the fight for human rights by becoming a member of Amnesty International here. Support all Amnesty International projects by purchasing ‘Chimes of Freedom’ in stores and on iTunes now!

–Article by Kaitlyn Fischer, published by Claire Suellentrop 

Last Tuesday, The Syndicate’s Matt Kleinschmidt and Chris Elles met up with comedians Robert Kelly and Joe DeRosa to record an episode of Kelly’s podcast, You Know What Duuude. They were invited to be on the show to talk about the upcoming first ever live podcast taping which will be presented by The Laugh Button at Gotham Comedy Club on February 8th. As that was gotten out of the way within the first few minutes of the show, things quickly turned to what comedians do best…having some fun with people and busting chops.

Never ones against a good time, Matt and Chris hung in there with the comedians and talked comedy code, diets, and came out of the whole thing with a few new nicknames.

Take a listen to the episode on the podcast’s website or download it from iTunes. The language is dirty so if you are in an environment where someone might get offended, consider this a heads up.

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced this week that it would begin to add college and university radio stations to its New iHeartRadio service later this month. iHeartRadio is the leading digital radio station available online and on mobile devices, allowing users to create custom radio stations out of more than 800 broadcast and digital stations, then listen to them wherever and whenever they want.

This is great news for not only college radio, but for radio enthusiasts everywhere. Many college stations have been available to stream online for some time, but their integration into the New iHeartRadio will open them up to an even wider range of listeners. iHeartRadio’s College programming will launch with more than a dozen college stations; additional stations will be added in the following months. Some of those added so far include our friends at:

Appalachian State’s WASU – Rock, North Carolina
Connecticut College’s WCNI – Block Programming, Connecticut
Denison University’s WDUB – Block Programming, Ohio
DePaul University’s Radio DePaul – Block Programming, Illinois
Emerson College’s WERS – Adult Alternative, Massachusetts
Flagler College’s WFCF – Block Programming, Florida
Green River College’s KGRG – Alternative Rock, Washington State
Ithaca College’s WICB – Modern Rock, New York
Rice University’s Rice Radio KTRU – Block Programming, Texas
Seton Hall University’s WSOU – Hard Rock/Metal, New Jersey
Stanford University’s KZSU- Block Programming, California
College of Wooster’s WCWS – Block Programming, Ohio

This is very exciting for the alumni of these colleges looking to re-connect with their alma mater, as well as for listeners in search of a platform of musical discovery.  Given that college radio is known for its focus on obscure and newly-emerging artists, that level of discovery has even more room to grow.

–Article by Dustin Poh, published by Claire Suellentrop 

Andrew Galvan (Marketing Coordinator)
1.  J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story (Roc Nation)
2. Letlive, Fake History (Epitaph/Tragic Hero)
3. Common, The Dreamer / The Believer (Warner Bros.)
4. Terius Nash aka The-Dream, 1977 (Radio Killa)
5. Manchester Orchestra, Simple Math (Favorite Gentlemen/Sony)
6. Beyoncé, 4 (Columbia)
7. Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA)
8. Drake, Take Care (Cash Money/Young Money)
9. Jay-Z & Kanye West, Watch The Throne (Roc Nation/Def Jam)
10. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)

Honorable mentions:
Bayside, Killing Time (Wind-Up)
Big Sean, Finally Famous (G.O.O.D Music/Def Jam)
By Surprise, Mountain Smashers (Topshelf)
Childish Gambino, Camp (Glassnote)
The Kooks, Junk of the Heart (Virgin)

Bram Teitelman (Manager, Radio Marketing; Editor, MetalInsider.net)
1. Kvelertak, Kvelertak ( The End )
2. Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise)
3. Ghost, Opus Eponymous (Rise Above/Metal Blade)
4. Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce)
5. The Human Abstract, Digital Veil (eOne)
6. Cut Copy, Zonoscope (Modular)
7. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
8. Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce)
9. Trivium, In Waves (Roadrunner)
10. Goes Cube, In Tides and Drifts ( The End )

Honorable mention:
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA)
Skeletonwitch, Forever Abomination (Prosthetic)
Megadeth, TH1RT3EN (Roadrunner)
Opeth, Heritage (Roadrunner)
Russian Circles,  Empros (Sargent House)
Red Fang, Murder the Mountains (Relapse)
Machine Head, Unto the Locust (Roadrunner)
Devin Townsend Project, Deconstruction (Inside Out)

Brian Pacris (Director, Marketing & Sales)
1. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
2. Thursday, No Devolucion (Epitaph)
3. Frank Turner, England Keep My Bones (Epitaph)
4. Mogwai, Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Sub Pop)
5. Small Brown Bike, Fell & Found (No Idea)
6. The Get Up Kids, There Are Rules (Quality Hill Records)
7. Glassjaw, Our Color Green EP/Coloring Book EP (Self-Released)
8. letlive., Fake History (Epitaph)
9. Polar Bear Club, Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge 9)
10. Title Fight, Shed (SideOneDummy)
11. Defeater, Empty Days & Sleepless Nights (Bridge 9)
12. Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA)
13. The Horrible Crowes, Elsie (SideOneDummy)
14. Gates, The Sun Will Rise And Lead Me Home EP (Self-Released)
15. Maritime, Human Hearts (Dangerbird)
16. Fucked Up,  David Comes to Life (Matador)
17. Rival Schools, Pedals (Photo Finish)
18. Rise Against, Endgame (DGC/Interscope)
19. PJ Harvey, Let England Shake (Vagrant)
20. Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)

Chris Elles (Partner/Operations & Business Development)
1. I Break Horses, Hearts (Bella Union)
2. Workaholics, Season One
3. Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)
4. Mike Birbiglia, Sleepwalk With Me Live (Comedy Central Records)
5. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
6. Daniel Tosh, Happy Thoughts (Comedy Central Records)
7. Lanterns on the Lake, Gracious Tide, Take Me Home (PID)
8. Elbow, Build A Rocket Boys (Downtown/Coop)
9. Louis CK, Hilarious
10. The Sounds, Something To Die For (SideOneDummy)

Graham Rothenberg (Senior Manager, Marketing & Sponsorships)
1. Jay-Z & Kanye West, Watch The Throne (Def Jam)
2. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
3. Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)
4. Fleet Foxes, Helplessness Blues (Sub Pop)
5. St. Vincent, Strange Mercy (4AD)
6. Radiohead,The King Of Limbs
7. James Blake, S/T (Universal Republic)
8. Real Estate, Days (Domino)
9. Bon Iver, S/T (Jagjaguwar)
10. Girls, Father, Son, Holy Ghost (True Panther)

Honorable Mention:
The Black Keys, El Camino (Nonesuch)
Cults, S/T (Columbia)
Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi, Rome (Capitol)
Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise)
Portugal. The Man, In The Mountain In The Cloud (Atlantic)
The Rosebuds, Loud Planes Fly Low (Merge)
Terius Nash, 1977 (Radio Killa)
The Vaccines, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? (Columbia)
Wild Flag, S/T (Merge)
Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers (Atlantic)

Jerry Graham (Director of Publicity)
1. Anything with Sean Price on it (Random Axe album, Snow Remix, That’s Hard on Smif N Wessun album)
2. Ringo Deathstarr, Colour Trip (Sonic Unyon)
3. Toro Y Moi, Freaking Out (Carpark)
4. True Widow, As High As the Highest Heavens and from the Center to the Circumference of the Earth (Kemado Records)
5. GDP, Useless Eaters (Run For Cover)
6. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah. “Well Done”
7. The Good Natured, The Skeleton EP (Parlophone)
8. Seven Sisters Of Sleep
9. Torchbearer, The Dirty Swagger (All Ears Music)
10. Meyhem Lauren, Self Induced Illness (J-Love Enterprises)

Runner up’s for Top Ten
11) Malajube, La Caverne (Dare To Care)
12) Harm’s Way, Isolation (Closed Casket Activities)

Honorable Mentions
1) The Jingle to the Education Connection commercial
2) Jewish children rocking out to Dora The Explorer’s Christmas CD
3) Affion Crockett as Drake freestyle
4) It’s going down in the whole foods parking lot video

Jon Landman (Partner/Operations & Business Development)
1. The Decemberists, The King is Dead (Capitol)
2. The Vaccines, What Did You Expect from The Vaccines (Columbia)
3. Jay-Z & Kanye, West Watch The Throne (Def Jam)
4. The Kills, Blood Pressures (Domino)
5. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
6. The Head and The Heart, S/T (Sub Pop)
7. Gillian Welch, The Harrow and The Harvest (Acony)
8. The Front Bottoms, S/T (Bar/None)
9. Manchester Orchestra, Simple Math (Columbia)
10. Portugal. The Man, In The Mountain In The Cloud (Atlantic)

kaity davie (College Radio Marketing)
1. The Front Bottoms, S/T  (Bar/None)
2. The Wonder Years, Suburbia You’ve Given Me All and Now I’m Nothing (Hopeless/No Sleep)
3. Childish Gambino , CAMP (Glassnote)
4. I Am The Avalanche, Avalanche United (I Surrender)
5. Into It. Over It., P R O P E R (No Sleep)
6. Maria Mena, Viktoria (Sony Music Norway)
7. Frank Turner, England Keep My Bones (Epitaph/Xtra Mile)
8. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
9. La Dispute, Wildlife (No Sleep)
10. Laura Stevenson &The Cans, Sit Resist (Don Giovanni)

Honorable Mention:
Bayside, Killing Time  (Wind-Up)
Bomb The Music Industry!, Vacation (Quote Unquote)
Demi Lovato, Unbroken (Hollywood)
Fireworks, Gospel (Triple Crown)
Frank Ocean, NostalgiaUltra (s/r)
Kevin Devine, Between The Concrete and Clouds (Razor & Tie)
Lemuria, Pebble (Bridge Nine)
Pistol Annies, Hell on Heels (Sony Nashville)
Transit, Listen & Forgive (Rise)
Touché Amore, Parting The Sea Between Brightness and Me (Deathwish)

Kodi McKinney (Loud Rock Radio Marketing)
1. Machine Head, Unto the Locust (Roadrunner)
2. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
3. Mikal Cronin, Mikal Cronin (Trouble In Mind)
4. Obscura,  Omnivium (Relapse)
5. Kvelertak, Kvelertak (Indie Recordings/The End/Prosthetic)
6. Mastodon, The Hunter (Reprise)
7. Textures, Dualism (Nuclear Blast)
8. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Belong (Slumberland)
9. Revocation, Chaos of Forms (Relapse)
10. Ford & Lopatin, Channel Pressure (Software)
11. Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce)
12.  Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)
13. The Human Abstract, Digital Veil (eOne)
14. Jeff the Brotherhood, We Are The Champions (Infinity Cat)
15. Ghost, Opus Eponymous (Rise Above/Metal Blade)

Lonnie Nemiroff (Junior Publicist)
1. The Pretty Reckless, Light Me Up (Interscope)
2.  Dynasty Electric, Golden Arrows (No Shame)
3.  Like Crazy Soundtrack
4.  AWOLNATION, Megalithic Symphony (Red Bull Records)
5.  Nirvana, Nevermind (Remastered)
6.  Jane’s Addiction, The Great Escape Artist (Capitol)
7.  Jim Bianco, Loudmouth (s/r)
8.  Mad Planet,  Gliese 581g (s/r)
9.  Asobi Seksu, Fluorescence (Polyvinyl)
10. Ellie Goulding, Lights (Polydor)

Matt Kleinschmidt (Manager, Online Publicity; Editor, TheLaughButton.com)
1. Black Joe Lewis, Scandalous (Lost Highway)
2. Frank Turner, England Keep My Bones (Epitaph)
3. The Lonely Forest, Arrows  (Trans)
4. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
5. Future of the Left, Polymers Are Forever (Xtra Mile)
6. The Black Keys, El Camino (Warner)
7. Jay-Z & Kanye, West Watch The Throne (Def Jam)
8. The Horrible Crowes, Elise (SideOneDummy)
9. The Lonely Island, Turtleneck & Chain (Universal/Republic)
10. The Features, Wilderness (Bug Music)

Melissa Meyers (Marketing Coordinator)
1. Kvelertak, Kvelertak (The End)
2. A Pale Horse Named Death, And Hell Will Follow Me (SPV)
3. Rammstein, Greatest Hits (Vagrant)
4. Army of the Universe, Mother Ignorance (Metropolis)
5. Pop Will Eat Itself, New Noise Designed By A Sadist (Cooking Vinyl)
6. OhGr, handover (Metropolis)
7. The Dreaming, Puppet (BCD Music)
8. VNV Nation,  Joy (Anachron)
9. Megadeth, TH1RT3EN (Roadrunner)
10. Anthrax, Worship Music (Megaforce)

Honorable Mention:
Ghost, Opus Eponymous (Rise Above)
16 Volt, Beating Dead Horses (Metropolis)

Rev. Moose (General Manager)
1. Battle Circus, Battle Circus (Self-Released)
2. The Lonely Island, Turtleneck & Chain (Universal/Republic)
3. Future of the Left, Polymers Are Forever (Xtra Mile)
4. Kids at Risk, Music Inspired By Griff The Invisible (Self-Released)
5. Princess Chelsea, Lil’ Golden Book (Lil’ Chief)
6. Childish Gambino, Camp (Glassnote)
7. Andrew W.K. & The WSC, “Go Go Go Go” (World Snowboarding Championships 2012)
8. Rob Kleiner & The Satanics Rob Kleiner & The Satanics (Self-Released)
9. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
10. Kvelertak, Kvelertak (The End/Prosthetic)

Rob Wilcox (Alternative Radio Promotions)
1. Joyce Manor, Joyce Manor (6131 Records)
2. Mock Orange, Disguised As Ghosts (Wednesday Records)
3. Braid, Closer To Closed (Polyvinyl Records)
4. Male Bonding, Endless Now (Sub Pop)
5. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
6. Maritime, Human Hearts (Dangerbird)
7. Deer Tick, Divine Providence (Partisan)
8. Samiam, Trips (Hopeless)
9. The Get Up Kids, There Are Rules (Quality Hill)
10. The Front Bottoms, The Front Bottoms (Bar/None)

Honorable Mention:
Archers of Loaf, Icky Mettle (reissue) (Merge)
The Horrible Crowes, Elsie (SideOneDummy)
WU LYF, Go Tell Fire To The Mountain (LYF)
Into it. Over It., Proper (No Sleep)
Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)

Ryan Prieto (College Radio Marketing)
(in no particular order)
Shabazz Palaces, Black Up (Sub Pop)
Gauntlet Hair, Gauntlet Hair (Dead Oceans)
Male Bonding, Endless Now (Sub Pop)
Fucked Up, David Comes To Life (Matador)
Toro Y Moi, Underneath The Pine (Carpark)
M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
Blouse, Blouse (Captured Tracks)
Destroyer, Kaputt (Merge)
St. Vincent, Strange Mercy (4AD)
Jay-Z/ Kanye West, Watch The Throne (Def Jam/Rock-A-Fella/Roc Nation)

Honorable Mention:
Crystal Stilts, In Love With Oblivion (Slumberland/Foruna Pop!)
The Weeknd, House Of Balloons (s/r)
Smith Westerns, Dye It Blonde (Fat Possum)
WU LYF, Go Tell Fire To The Mountain (LYF)
Cults, Cults (In the Name Of)
Cut Copy, Zonescope (Modular)
Yuck, Yuck (Fat Possum)
White Fence,  Is Growing Faith (Woodsist)
The Oh Sees, Carrion Crawler / The Dream (In the Red)
Puro Instinct,  Headbangers In Ecstasy (Mexican Summer)

Tim Hager (Marketing Coordinator)

1. Title Fight, Shed (SideOneDummy)
2. Touche Amoré, Parting The Sea Between Brightness And Me (Deathwish Inc.)
3. Defeater, Empty Days And Sleepless Nights (Bridge Nine)
4. Trapped Under Ice, Big Kiss Goodnight (Reaper Records)
5. Letlive., Fake History (Epitaph)
6. Frank Turner, England Keep My Bones (Epitaph)
7. Russian Circles, Empros (Sargent House)
8. Manchester Orchestra, Simple Math (Columbia)
9. NOFX, Hardcore Covers (Fat Wreck Chords)
10. Crucial Dudes, 61 Penn (Jump Start)

Honorable Mentions:
All Pigs Must Die, God Is War (Southern Lord)
By Surprise, Mountain Smashers (Top Shelf Records)
Casey Jones, I Hope We’re Not the Last (Independent)
Dead To Me, Moscow Penny Ante (Fat Wreck Chords)
Foo Fighters, Wasting Light (RCA)
Joyce Manor, S/T (6131 Records)
Kverlatek, Kverlatek (The End/Prosthetic)
Of Legends, Stranded (Season of Mist)
Pentimento, Wrecked (Panic Records)
Polar Bear Club, Clash Battle Guilt Pride (Bridge 9)
Pour Habit, Got Your Back (Fat Wreck Chords)
Trash Talk, Awake(True Panther)
Turnstile, Pressure To Succeed (Reaper Records)
Wugazi, 13 Chambers (Doomtree)

Tracey Zucatti (Partner/Finance & Administration)
1. Cults, Go Outside (Columbia)
2. The Beach Boys, The SMiLE Sessions (Capitol)
3. The Joy Formidable, The Big Roar (Atlantic/Canvasback)
4. Foster The People, Torches (Columbia)
5. The Horrible Crowes, Elise (SideOneDummy)
6. The Muppets Movie, Soundtrack (Disney)
7. Daniel Tosh, Happy Thoughts (Comedy Central)
8. Steel Panther, Balls Out (Universal)
9. M83, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (Mute)
10. Adele, 21 (Columbia)

Foo Fighters
Nominated for Album of the Year, Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Long Form Video and Best Rock Album

Coldplay
Nominated for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance and Best Rock Song

Foster the People
Nominated for Best Pop/Duo Group Performance

Wilco
Nominated for Best Rock Album

Dream Theater
Nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

Mastodon
Nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

Megadeth
Nominated for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance

Louis C.K.
Nominated for Best Comedy Album

Patton Oswalt
Nominated for Best Comedy Album

Weird Al Yankovic
Nominated for Best Comedy Album

The Lonely Island
Nominated for Best Comedy Album

Cee Lo Green
Nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best R&B Song

David Guetta
Nominated for Best Dance/Electronica Album

Kings of Leon
Nominated for Best Rock Album and Best Long Form Music Video

Death Cab for Cutie
Nominated for Best Alternative Music Album

Rave on Buddy Holly album (The Black Keys’ “Dearest”)
Nominated for Best Pop Duo Group Performance

My Morning Jacket
Nominated for Best Alternative Music Album

Eric Church
Nominated for Best Country Album

Eddie Vedder
Nominated for Best Folk Album

Tune into CBS at 8/7c on February 12^th for the 2011 Grammy Awards. We hope for the best!

by Zach Gzehoviak

Stay tuned for more information regarding COI 2012.

The digital age has presented the music industry with many problems over the years. The debate over the rise of digital downloads and the decline of CDs has had its fair share of the spotlight, but more recently, people are questioning the purpose of traditional AM/FM radio and the role it plays in our society. Satellite radio is becoming popular as consumers look for more specialized programming and an alternative to ad-filled commercial radio. Universities are selling their licenses, knocking some college stations off the air and onto the Internet exclusively.  Then there’s the recent political debate over funding to NPR, which syndicates to over 900 public radio stations across America. Where does this leave radio as we know it?

We might be one step closer to knowing the answer, as a new study makes this much clear: AM/FM radio is still the top source for new music. The National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) and The NPD Group have released the results to their study focusing on the ways people discover new music and how it relates to different types of consumers. Of the 3,771 people surveyed, 60 percent of active music consumers cite AM/FM radio as their top influence in finding new music.

More importantly for the industry, out of the five types of consumers studied, two are especially dialed into radio: the “comfortable” music fan who grew up when radio was one of the few options, and the “committed” music fan who still clearly prefers radio over online services like Pandora and Spotify while being the most ravenous of all music consumers. That latter group accounts for 46 percent of all per-capita spending on music.

Senior Vice President of The NPD Group Russ Crupnick said in a press release, “On one hand, you have fans who can’t find enough ways to learn about new music, whether it’s at retail, through apps and social networks, or on radio and TV. On the other hand, there is still a large core group who learns by listening to AM/FM radio and on family shopping trips. Regardless of the type of music fan, there are actions the industry can take to improve the discovery process and help drive revenue.”

One of these key actions has to be back announcing, also known as “backselling” or “readbacks.”  Most people who cited radio as their top source for new music said they wait to hear a new song again rather than buy the track, but also that they would be more likely to buy music if there were more announcements after the songs with artist and track title information. So that’s why program directors need to keep stressing the importance of telling listeners what was played. By doing more on-air recaps and posting playlists on the Internet, listeners can get the information they need to find new music.  Another crucial key is to tie this in with Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks that multiple kinds of music fans use heavily.

If you’re in radio yourself, let listeners know what they’re hearing, help them find that super-underground band that no one else is listening to, and get people excited!  If you’re in the music industry, take notice that radio is very much alive and well as the top catalyst for record and ticket sales.  And for everyone else, know that if you’re not paying attention to what’s on the radio, you’re missing out.

YESTERDAY, TODAY Servers at Fordham's WFUV, right, store the music that once was spun on vinyl. The two corners of the station make for a fitting symbol of the changes in college radio. (Michael Appleton for The New York Times)

In a world where college radio is moving further from the traditional terrestrial format, it’s getting harder for stations to maintain a unique presence in the vastness of the Internet. Instead of radio, people are turning to smartphones, internet tablets, mp3 players and laptops for ways to listen to music. Internet radio sites like Pandora and Spotify make it easier to discover new music and share it with friends, but they make it harder for college stations to attract listeners who, in the past, would simply scan the airwaves.

 The market is changing, and stations are starting to evolve into multimedia providers. Stations aren’t just playing music. They’re covering campus news, creating new mobile apps, and finding ways to stand out. Websites, blogs, fan pages, and YouTube channels allow stations to reach their audience on various media outlets. Listeners can interact and leave feedback, a growing trend as technology advances, but is this the future of college radio? A New York Times article (Nov. 4^th) spotlights several stations working to overcome the limits of traditional radio, including WDVL at The State University of New York Fredonia, WYBCX at Yale University, WFUV and The Alternative Side at Fordham University, WKDU at Drexel University, and WVBR at Cornell University.

Some universities are in a constant state of push and pull when considering the value and relevance a radio station has to their school. WRVU at Vanderbilt University, BSR at Brown University, and KTRU at Rice University, have recently lost their broadcast licenses due to
university decisions, but all still operate online. Organizations such as College Broadcasters Inc. and Future of Music Coalition, and events like College Radio Day, are working to make people aware of the significance of FCC licensed student stations and their role in launching new music.You can help, too! Keep listening to your local college station, or find one that streams (even one across the country!) that works for you. Banding together, we can keep college radio alive!

written by Lauren Jefferson

]]> http://www.thesyn.com/uncategorized/ny-times-article-focuses-on-the-online-vitality-of-college-radio/feed/ 0 http://www.thesyn.com/uncategorized/ny-times-article-focuses-on-the-online-vitality-of-college-radio/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Synblog/~3/-3KDIdKcINs/ http://www.thesyn.com/event-planning-marketing/win-a-trip-to-norway-for-the-2012-world-snowboarding-championship/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:56:32 +0000 lonnie http://www.thesyn.com/?p=8951 Music can take you places. Typically, this statement applies to those choosing music as their profession, but with help from Innovation Norway and Visit Oslo, the traveling doors will be opened much wider. The icy path leading from the gateway will take two winners to Oslo, Norway, home of The World Snowboarding Championship 2012. (WSC2012).  The Feb 10^th to 19^th athletic event will be accompanied by music from Andrew W.K., whose track, “Go Go Go Go” is the official theme song of WSC.  W.K., who is an owner of NY live music hot spot Santos Party House, is a big snowboarding supporter and Santos Party House will host a live music stage in Oslo, Norway as an official entertainment spot during WSC.

Here is where you come in. Well two of you, to be exact. Innovation Norway and Visit Oslo are sponsoring an online contest, where two people will win a trip to the world winter capital. The victors will have tickets and passes to experience the full WSC2012 and party at Santos Oslo at night. For entry and details go to www.visitnorway.com/mynorwaytrip.

If February is too far away for you or a lengthy flight isn’t up your alley, then perhaps the second giveaway will better suit you. WSC in association with Innovation Norway, Visit Oslo and Santos Party House will be sponsoring the international launch party for WSC on November 18^th at New York City’s Santos Party House. The pre-cursor WSC special reception will be hosted by, drum roll please, W.K. The world ambassador of rock will perform “Go Go Go Go” live for the first time ever as well as premiere the video to the song. You can be a part of these first W.K. moments thanks to Brooklyn Vegan, who is giving away two spots to the special invite only party at Santos. Check the main page of Brooklynvegan.com for more information!

Good luck to those who enter the contests and let’s hope the music doorway remains restriction free.

Putting the NYC preferences aside, CMJ was filled with acts from all over the country and outside the states. Showcases from Portland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and Taiwan flooded NYC venues, like Sullivan Hall, Fat Baby, (le) Poisson Rouge, Pianos and Dominion.  Note that this showcase list is very brief, extra emphasis on the very, but still shows you how diverse the world of music actually is. Just when you think you know everything about music, CMJ proves that you don’t.

Along with origin variety, genre diversity was prominent throughout the week. This past Friday, October 21^st, the 3^rd Annual Metal Insider CMJ Party took place at Idle Hands Bar. Sponsored by Roadrunner Records, Prospect Park and Universal Republic Records, the Metalinsider.net event held an exclusive listening party for Megadeth’s forthcoming album, “TH1RT3EN” and a playback of Steel Panther’s latest release, “Balls Out”. The night also included giveaways form Five Finger Death Punch. The metal themed event was exactly the remedy needed to cure the indie rock hangover of the CMJ days.

Kudos to those who managed to go to all the shows on their CMJ Music Marathon wish list and double the props to those who survived without a permanent ringing in their ears. Tips to CMJers of 2012, use your earplugs!

Although The Syndicate was not eligible for this travel prize, the group still managed to have quite the exciting time at the awards. Winning a total of six awards, The Syndicate graced the stage often throughout the afternoon. Who sat the least at the CMJ event? Well, that would be the queen of the awards, Kaity Davie, who won “Best Taste In Music”, “Sexiest Phone Voice” and drum roll please, “Promoter Of The Year”. Rev. Moose nabbed the “Best Mentor” award. Collectively, The Syndicate won “Best Online Resources” and “Promotion Company Of the Year”. So, send your congratulations on over because the hardworking team at The Syndicate deserves the praise.

Who better to learn from than the employees at The Syndicate? That would be a rhetorical question. The first Syndicate employee up to the plate was Rob Wilcox, who led the panel titled “Eventus Maximus: How to Organize, Plan and Host A Killer Event”. In other words, he and the other panelists, which included Alyssa Hamade of WPSC, Justin Lanoue of CFUV, Sharlese Metcalf of KEXP and Dan Zilber of FBi Radio, talked about the importance of getting bands in for in-studios, booking shows on and off-campus, maintaining relationships with promoters, finding creative ways to raise station awareness, using social networking to give the station a second voice and overall, giving back to your community.  Within the list of topics covered, the panelists told first hand accounts of how they succeeded in hosting an event. Alyssa Hamade revealed her secret formula for getting 362 stations to participate in this year’s College Radio Day. The recipe involved both Facebook and Twitter.

Moving on to the second Syndicate panelist, Jon Landman joined Panos Panay of SonicBids, Ron Faris of Virgin Mobile, Evan Krauss of Shazam, Jason Miller of Fuse and Matt Hirst of Red Bull US, on the panel titled: “How Brands Are Using Emerging Music To Reach Consumers”. The discussion involved band and brand partnerships as well as why brands are gravitating towards indie and emerging musicians. Landman spoke of The Syndicate’s connection with Taco Bell’s Feed The Beat and how authenticity is what binds the band with the brand. Covering the latter part of the panel, the speakers conversed about how brands want to connect with the youth and want to move at the speed of pop culture, which can explain the gravitation of them towards emerging artists over marquee ones.

Taking a different route on the third panel, the speakers instead talked about the best ways for college students to get into the music industry. The Syndicate’s very own, Rev. Moose, led this panel titled, “Music Career Mapping in 2011 and 2012″, alongside fellow speakers Wheeler Newman of Full Sail University’s career development, Perry Serpa of Good Cop PR, Shirley A. Washington of the NYU Music Business Program and Trudy Lartz of Nielson Music. The panelists conveyed to the audience what they are looking for in future employees and those in entry-level positions also known as interns. The insightful crew also shared thoughts on the right behavior at an internship, appropriate language on Twitter and Facebook and overall, the line between being personal and professional in the hiring process.

Completing the lineup of The Syndicate CMJ panelists was Graham Rothenberg, who sat on the panel titled, “Reaching College Influencers and How To Effectively Market Them”. He, along with Katie Bickley of University of Missouri, Matthew Maysonet, Vishal Sapra of Mr. Youth and Sonny Shotz, The Dean’s List artist, expressed to the audience the importance the college market has on breaking bands and brands into the industry and how that significance has extensively grown over time. Each panelist revealed their own personal experiences with brands and the effective means he or she chose to market them. Along with the three panels previously discussed, Rothenberg’s panel stressed how the advances in digital technology and the Internet, have given those working in the music industry a stronger connection with brands, bands and the community they reside in.

This year’s CMJ panels proved that skipping school is no longer the “cool” thing to do. So, shame on you if you missed out on these panels, but all will be forgiven, if you make up for it next year.

The Laugh Button Live! showcase was a nice change of pace compared to the massive amount of concerts happening around NYC this week for CMJ. Throughout the night, there was no need to pop in earplugs, worry that the person dancing next to you might knock over your drink or if you can’t dance, awkwardly stand there tapping your foot or repeatedly nodding your head. The viewers had to simply sit back and enjoy the show and enjoy, they did.

Jon Fisch began the night with his own stand-up routine and kept the jokes coming as he presented one act after another. First up to the stage was comedian, Wil Sylvince, who has performed on BET’s Comic View, HBO’s Def Comedy and Showtime at the Apollo. He kicked off the night hilariously tackling topics about NYC street cleanliness vs. Seattle streets and airplane’s coach seating vs. first class.

Just as Sylvince temporarily relaxed the audience with the social injustices in America, Rachel Feinstein soothed the crowd’s sexual anxiety. The Last Comic Standing finalist and Comedy Central star made humping and sex talk less nerve wracking to discuss in public and proved that childhood antics don’t necessarily have to stay hidden. Rounding out the night’s planned lineup was Louis Katz, who recently appeared on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. He managed to turn the commonly mistaken fact that a tomato is actually fruit into a string of jokes that embarrassingly provoked the question, what are even the credentials to be a fruit?

The Laugh Button Live! concluded the night with special guests, Kurt Metzger and Colin Quinn. Metzger, who has appeared on numerous Comedy Central programs, took jabs at NYC’s love of men in tight skinny jeans, along with the bland, yet pissed off expression of the hipster women that parade through the city’s streets. The skinny jean jokes continued in the grand finale act of Colin Quinn. The former SNL cast member entertained the audience with a chat about the elevator run-ins many try to avoid. Quinn even factored in a brief rant about the music business world, which coordinated well with CMJ.

There you have it, a condensed version of the Laugh Button Live!event at the Gotham Comedy Club. To CMJ 2012, you should learn from this recap and plan for some more comedy nights in your upcoming schedule.

With thirst and hunger removed from the equation, listeners’ craved one thing only, music. The powerhouse acts, which included Princess Chelsea, Andrew Keoghan, Pikachunes, The Golden Awesome, Popstrangers, Street Chant and Cairo Knife Fight, each brought individual musical styles. When looked at collectively these techniques communicated a single thought: New York City venues need to make room for artists from the land deep in the South Pacific more often. Simply put, the showcase set CMJ expectations quite high. So, to CMJ bands who have yet to perform, you better bring it.

Starting the night off right, Princess Chelsea hit the stage captivating the crowd with her whimsical ways. As well as three other musicians, her Lil’ Chief Records label mate, Pikachunes, joined her on stage playing as her guitarist and drummer. Chelsea’s vocals had a girly touch with her strong word pronunciation that only heightened the instrumental sounds surrounding her. These instruments included the xylophone and the violin minus the violin, but plus the saw.

Andrew Keoghan took a different route by using the violin in its traditional sense, but also by plucking the violin strings, resembling the motion of a guitarist. The lineup of instruments at NZ @ CMJ continued to amaze the crowd, especially when the spotlight fixated on Pikachunes. The New Zealand producer and musician, Miles McDougall, solely provided the tempo and vocals of his set with a little help from the digital instrument placed in front of him. Looping one electro beat into another, his groovy vocals solidified a danceable sound that caused the crowd to let loose, especially on the track, “Metronome”.

Along with instrumental variety, the New Zealand showcase also featured genre diversity. The Golden Awesome switched up the audience’s Pikachunes dance moves to a more sway-like movement. A mix of heavy guitar and bass sounds with the keyboard’s mellow beat created an ethereal vibe that was difficult to not be swept away by. The four-piece band exposed the crowd to a genre that is frequently overlooked, the world of shoegaze.

The shoegaze sound transformed into grunge punk with the heavy guitar sounds of Popstrangers. Although their lyrics were both catchy and memorable, the real shine exploded when the instrumentalists just jammed. The three-piece band commanded the stage by working it from end to end with their guitars leading the way. The jam sessions continued as Street Chant took over the venue. The females were at the forefront of the stage on guitar and bass with the male drummer situated between them.  The musical connection between the members, Emily, Billie and Alex, were felt with the first note the trio played.

Bringing the night to a close, Cairo Knife Fight put the icing on the instrumental cake of NZ @ CMJ. The duo, which consists of drummer and vocalist, Nick Gaffaney and guitarist Aaron Tokona, burst the set into flames by playing their instruments vigorously and passionately. Their proximity to each other as they played also brought the energy of the set to a level that was lethal. Cario Knife Fight added even more edge with their wildly outlandish movements, especially from that of Tokona.

Four hours later, it was time to say goodbye to NZ @ CMJ 2011. The CMJ opening night showcase contained music from bands of different genres, different gender mixes, playing different instruments and having different vocals, but hailing from the same location, Aotearoa, New Zealand. The musical mix of these South Pacific elements will only be broadened once NZ @ CMJ 2012 rolls around.

We have a lot in store for the event, including an exclusive listening party for Megadeth’s forthcoming album TH1RT3EN and a playback of Steel Panther’s new release, Balls Out. Plus we have some great giveaways from Five Finger Death Punch that we’ll be handing out throughout the night.

So make sure to come to the Metal Insider CMJ Party on Friday October 21st at Idle Hands Bar (located at 25 Ave. B., between 2nd and 3rd). Doors open at 5pm and the party is free with an RSVP. Click on the invite to RSVP.

The NZ@CMJ Showcase is one of CMJ’s opening night events and is hosted by the New Zealand Music Commission.

This year the annual showcase will take place on October 18th at (le) Poisson Rouge. The event will feature new and emerging acts, Princess Chelsea, Pickachunes, Popstrangers, The Golden Awesome, Street Chant, Andrew Keoghan, and Cairo Knife Fight.

Event: NZ@CMJ 2011. Tuesday October 18th, (le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY10012.

Doors: 5:45pm and show starts at 6:00pm sharp.

Admission: Entry is free with a CMJ badge or RSVP to international@nzmusic.org.nz

RSVPs are valid for one person per unique email and admittance is granted on a first come, first served basis.
Media RSVP to jerry@thesyn.com

More info on artists: http://goto.thesyn.com/nzatcmj/

Join us for another night of stand-up as The Laugh Button Live! returns on Wednesday, October 19th. This show will be a big one for us! Not only will we move things into the upstairs room of Gotham Comedy Club but it’s a CMJ Marathon sponsored event. So in the middle of a music marathon, you will be able to steal away for a few hours of hilarious people doing what they do best.

PERFORMING LIVE!
Jon Fisch, Wil Sylvince, Rachel Feinstein, Louis Katz, and Robert Kelly

Come out and take advantage of our drink specials as well.

Gotham Comedy Club
208 W. 23rd St. NYC
Doors: 6:15pm
Show: 7:00pm
Tickets: $20 or $30 which includes V.I.P. seating and drink minimum*

Call (212) 367-9000 to make a reservation, or purchase tickets here or here.

*CMJ Badges will be accepted to this event. Tickets for the public are limited so get them while you can.

Anything goes – Make a pop-up radio tower poster, paint a Rivera-esque mural on the wall of your station, streak across the football field painted in your call letters! We at The Syndicate, many of us former radio geeks ourselves, know how important college radio is to creating the hit bands and the anthems of tomorrow, and we’re joining this fight to preserve it wholeheartedly.

Those who dare to submit, just e-mail collegeradio@thesyn.com!

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College Radio Day, the first major call to college radio solidarity across the Western Hemisphere, is almost here! College radio balances an ever-changing musical landscape of taste-making and audience appreciation by constantly bringing new and innovative artists to the forefront. Its whole life depends on the trust between the host and their audience that what they’re hearing is the next step forward for new music. This message is becoming buried in today’s commercially driven atmosphere, and fast.

Rob Quicke, General Manager of William Paterson University’s college station, WPSC (almost neighbors of The Syn over in Wayne, NJ!), thought so too. He saw the need for a centrally organized movement of awareness and appreciation of what college radio has to offer as an activity, a career, and above all, an ideology. He founded College Radio Day as a non-profit, volunteer-run organization in December of 2010 and has since successfully grown the movement to include supportive bands and artists, faithful sponsors, and above all, more than 300 stations from the U.S., Canada and Jamaica – and counting! This revolution, like so many others happening right outside your door, is a statement of faith in a passionate community. Now more than ever, college radio is in jeopardy! But what do we do on that day to support it, exactly?

All college, high school, and independent stations are encouraged to sign up for College Radio Day and support the movement through on-air publicity, web support, and personal involvement. The College Radio Day team is also asking audiences of college and high school stations across the U.S., Canada and Jamaica to tune into a station near them on October 11 to gain awareness, appreciation and, above all, become loyal fans. But, it’s more than that: this is a collective attack on the vacuum-sealed automated broadcasts that loop the greatest hits of whomever every hour, on the hour. It’s a question they’re posing to millions: are you going to trust the tastemakers of tomorrow to hold your sweaty hand and navigate you through the cavernous depths of experimental hip-hop throat singing laid down to the chillest of waves, or will you wallow in safe musical complacency for the rest of your miserable, auto-tuned life?

In order to kick this off, College Radio Day is having a launch party Monday, October 10
at Angels & Kings in New York, with drink specials and DJ sets from NOYK Productions to launch it right the first time.

To learn more about how to get involved, you can go to www.collegeradioday.com.

If your station hasn’t joined in yet, visit their sign-up page: http://www.collegeradioday.com/register

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(Note: You must be a current college student affiliated with a station to win the CMJ badge.)
(Winner will be subjectively chosen by the staff of The Syndicate, and submissions must be received by October 10 by 3pm.)