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A warning on the future of music
john posted a topic in Musician's Lounge,
Hey
As ever, an interesting interview by Rick Beato with American music critic and historian Ted Gioia.
Interesting. Any thoughts?
cheers
John
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- 25 replies
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You, Aged 20
john posted a topic in Musician's Lounge,
Hey gang
I thought it would be a bit of fun to post up old pics… namely, photos of you, aged 20! Are you game?
So here I am in 1987, rehearsing with my band, The Outside Edge…
That’s me on the guitar.
Cheers
John-
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- 23 replies
Picked By
Mahesh , -
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Has Lockdown Helped Your Songwriting?
john posted a topic in Songwriting,
Hey gang
I know a lot of people have had a lot of extra time on their hands. At the same time I am aware of a lot who sit in perpetual boredom, who have largely wasted their time.
What about you? Did you add to your skills? Add to your song or composition collection? Did lockdown light a fuse under your ass?
Cheers
John-
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- 7 replies
Picked By
Mahesh , -
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FREE &/or OPEN SOURCE VST Plugins & Virtual Instruments [2021]
Mahesh posted a topic in Music Production and Recording,
Lemme start with a few that I use
CAKEWALK BY BANDLAB : https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
I've alread created a topic on this on this very board. I've used many DAWs before Cakewalk but after switching to Windows, this has been my constant and only choice. Not that there aren't great alternatives, but for a free software - it's the most robust, full fledged DAW you can get! I was particularly impressed by how good the virtual instruments are on this. If you haven't tried Cakewalk yet, you totally should. And if you're an old SONAR user who wants to share some thoughts, feel free to do so here : https://forums.songstuff.com/topic/55230-any-cakewalk-users-here-i-just-started-using-it/
Spitfire LABS : https://labs.spitfireaudio.com
Spitfire Audio has been a godsend for virtual instruments and sample libraries for many years now. So when LABS was first announced as an unending FREE series of instruments and sounds, I was very quick to latch on. I've used it for a couple years now including on my previous single "Fading Colours". I recorded this in my old room last year during lockdown. The piano and strings used for final part of the song was from LABS. Fading Colours : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDGy3X4tT-0
Wider : https://polyversemusic.com/products/wider/
I used to do all kinds of things to work with the spatial width on my tracks. Some worked well, some would bring about phase issues on which I'd spend a lot of time investigating. Sometimes I'd end up rolling things back to the way I started. That is until recently when I discovered Wider and it's such a hassle free, straight up piece of software. It handles phase really well unless you crank things up too much but more than anything, it's quick to turn on or off while I'm trying to bring some life into my sounds when needed. You should totally have it handy.
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- 14 replies
Picked By
Mahesh , -
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Independent Music Poll
john posted a topic in Musician's Lounge,
Hi Gang
Thought I would ask a few basic questions about how you feel about indie music.
Please take part!
As well as voting, please feel free to add comments.
Cheers
John-
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- 27 replies
Picked By
Mahesh , -
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Blogs
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comments - 571519
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Recent Entries
Building a deeper connection with your audience is essential for long-term success in the music industry. It’s not just about being seen but also about forming and building a relationship with your listeners that goes beyond the music itself. It’s a connection whose importance can’t be overstated. Investing time in building your connection is time well spent.
To help you with your efforts in building a connection with your fans, here are some strategic and tactical ways to enhance engagement and connection:
1. Interactive Social Media Use
- Live Sessions: Host regular live streams on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitch where you interact directly with fans, play music, or discuss your creative process.
- Q&A Sessions: Encourage fans to ask questions about your music, life, or interests, which you can answer in live sessions or through posts.
- Fan Polls and Surveys: Use polls and surveys to let fans vote on things like your next single, merchandise designs, or concert locations.2. Storytelling Through Content
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share videos or photos from your recording sessions, songwriting processes, or tour life. This gives fans a glimpse into your world and the work that goes into making music.
- Personal Stories: Share personal anecdotes or stories related to your songs. This can deepen listeners' connections to your music by making it more relatable.
- Documentaries or Mini-Series: Consider producing a short documentary or a mini-series about a significant project or tour. This longer form content can engage audiences at a deeper level.3. Fan-Centric Events
- Meet and Greets: Organize meet and greet events as part of your concerts or independently. These can be in-person or virtual, giving fans a chance to interact with you directly.
- Exclusive Listening Parties: Host listening parties for new releases, either in person or online. You can make these events exclusive to your newsletter subscribers or social media followers.4. Utilizing Fan-Generated Content
- Cover Contests: Encourage fans to submit their covers of your songs and feature them on your social media channels. This not only engages fans but also spreads your music organically.
- Fan Art Features: Show appreciation for fan art by sharing it on your platforms and possibly even offering prizes or recognition for exceptional work.5. Regular Communication
- Newsletters: Keep your fans updated with a regular newsletter that includes updates, exclusive content, and personal notes.
- Personalized Messages: Use tools like Cameo or directly on social media to send personalized shout-outs or messages to fans during special occasions (like birthdays).6. Exclusive Merchandise and Offers
- Limited Edition Releases: Offer limited edition merchandise that can be connected to specific albums, singles, or events. Fans love exclusive or collectible items.
- Fan Membership Clubs: Create a membership club offering exclusive content, discounts on merchandise, early ticket access, and more.7. Engaging Through Multimedia
- Podcasts: Start a podcast where you discuss topics related to your music, industry insights, or other interests. This can also be a platform to feature other artists and collaborators.
- Music Videos with Fan Participation: Invite fans to participate in your music videos, either through dance submissions, storytelling, or as extras on set.These strategies and tactics will not only help you to keep your existing audience engaged but they will also help to attract new listeners by showcasing your commitment to your fan community. Engaging with your audience in these meaningful ways can turn casual listeners into loyal fans.
Good luck with growing engagement and connection with your fanbase and remember to enjoy the process. That genuine enjoyment will come through in your activity.
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Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Sometimes, it is so overwhelming
I know I chose to be a full time musician but man, sometimes the amount of work that you have to do during music release years - it's frustratingly excessive. The thing that I find most annoying is the social media content stuff - writing blogs, making videos, website design and on and on. Though I don't necessarily align with those who do no marketing at all, but I resonate with them! Sometimes, you just want to write the music and everything else to fall in place lol
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Recent Entries
I had a great meeting with my A&R dude from Red Circle 7 (thanks @Mahesh! Lol) to discuss a release plan for my music for the rest of 2024. It’s nice to finally have my own music back on the agenda for release!
I currently have around 34 songs written, ready to be recorded. These will go out as 2 stand alone singles, a 5 song EP with 1-2 singles, then an album with 10-12 songs with 3-4 singles. As we roll forward I’ll work out if I want to change that and also revisit scheduling the rest. That will see me doing 5 - 7 single releases an EP release and an album release. At this stage I am hoping to have a video for each single, though at least half will be lyric videos. That’s over something like a 20 - 42 week period I’ve a lot of hard work before then.
So I am actively looking for any animators interested in collaborating on some not-run-of-the-mill lyric videos and possibly someone interested in working on editing an production for live action videos.
Other people I am looking to work with would be:
A graphic artist
Musically, I am also looking to work with singers, primarily as backing vocalists.
Apart from that, I want to put together an online street team. I will happily provide training and will be looking to build a solid team that I can work with going forwards. Anyone involved will get a lot of experience working as a part of a street team and implementing a number of tactics, ranging from fairly standard to uniquely my own, to help me market and promote my music.
If you would be interested in helping, please drop me a message (either a reply to this post, or as a PM) so we can discuss it further.
Lastly, if anyone would like to keep up to date with my music and would like access to exclusive special offers, sneak peeks and mailing list only content, drop by my site and sign up for my mailing list:
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Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Avid Technology Confirms $1.4 Billion Sale to STG
The sale has happened...from public to private. Now we wait to see how we will be effected.
https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/08/17/avid-technology-stg-sale-agreement/
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Recent Entries
As the second release from Brody Brown's debut album, "The Kick Back," "Eyes On Me" is a melodic uptempo track that is guaranteed to ignite the club scene. This captivating song has been making waves on DJs' playlists nationwide, leaving listeners enchanted by Brody's unique lyrical approach. Its infectious appeal makes it a favorite that keeps finding its way back onto repeat.
Produced by the talented trio of Brody Brown, Point Guard, and M-Millz, "Eyes On Me" showcases their collaborative expertise in crafting mesmerizing beats and captivating melodies.
This exceptional release comes under the esteemed labels of 80's Baby Ent. and Def Jam, solidifying Brody B's presence in the music industry.
Get ready to have your eyes and ears fixated on "Eyes On Me" as it captivates audiences with its undeniable charm and irresistible energy.
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Blog Entries
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By roxhythe in The Writer's Blog1 commentBailed on tonight’s caller class and Thirsty Lion gig; hated to, but the roads to Portland are bad and near as I can tell will be getting worse—and county emergency management says a “real†storm is on the way. Eric has re-scheduled me for Tuesday, Feb. 14—Valentine’s Day. Told him I’d play all love songs. I have plenty.
Some video thoughts. Some of my songs are easier to script out than others. Some potentially easy ones are:
SPEND THE END OF THE WORLD WITH ME: I’d like to try filming just a clock, with a prominent second hand, ticking toward midnight; overlay the lyrics. I actually have several clocks like that. Could I use them all? Audio: I would re-record the music, mostly because I’d like a higher-quality recording. Just guitar and fiddle (again) might be enough. This one needs to go to market because everybody who’s heard it likes it.
THE STRANGE SAGA OF QUOTH, THE PARROT: I’d film this partly on the beach at Rockaway (where I found some big piles of driftwood), partly in front of the Ghost Hole tavern in Garibaldi. Audio: I’d give this one the Full Band Treatment—bass, drums, lead guitar, and blues harp. I think this election year, this one’s marketable.
THE DEAD SWEETHEARTS POLKA: I’d film this entirely on or near the banks of the Nehalem River (which is wide and deep, and therefore perfect for the song). Another one where I could overlay lyrics. Audio: When I re-record the music, I want an accordion for the “whiny†lead, to emphasize the “polka†aspect.
THE DOG’S SONG: I need about five minutes’ worth of footage of a hyperactive kitten doing hyperactive kitten things. (All the kittens I knew grew up too fast, including Aslan and Hansolo here at home.) For the dog, still shots of Amy, our late giant Doberman, unless I can find a large old dog willing to be filmed. Audio: Music for this one is done—it’s the Deathgrass cut, off the album.
POLE DANCING FOR JESUS: I need a pole (or poles), and dancers. A little outside footage in front of a tavern (I’ll hide the name); for the chorus, I would like a churchlike congregation—and in the final chorus, the dancers would ideally join the congregation. Audio: A full band would make this sound really sleazy (which would be ideal); one needs that heavy bass to give it a Gospel feel. This is the other real popular one, and should go to market for the same reason.
I can do all these myself (or with minimal help, of the “actor†or “hold the camera†variety). Accordingly, when I talk to videographers (I know a couple who are quite good, and there may be more), I should focus their attention on other songs, asking “What can you do with these?†The Arts Center videotapes performances, too—we’ll be videoing the next Open Mike, first Saturday in February—and that’s a good time to get footage of any songs where just a solo performance would be sufficient.
I’ve noticed that’s all that some of those grand-prize-is-a-music-video companies do—they simply film you playing. That’s okay—one simply needs to be aware that’s what one is going to get. It might be professional-quality, but it’s nothing particularly special. I’d like to get more.
Despite not being able (or willing) to travel very far in the Winter Storm, I have two verses (the second and third, I think) and the chorus to the Gospel song (tentative title “Is There Room Up in Heaven for a Sinner Like Me?â€). I still need a first verse, to set things up, and a fourth one, to wrap things up. The redemption sentiments notwithstanding, it’s still got some tongue-in-cheekiness. I bet it can’t be performed in church.
Joe
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By john in Songstuff Stuff0 commentsBuilding a deeper connection with your audience is essential for long-term success in the music industry. It’s not just about being seen but also about forming and building a relationship with your listeners that goes beyond the music itself. It’s a connection whose importance can’t be overstated. Investing time in building your connection is time well spent.
To help you with your efforts in building a connection with your fans, here are some strategic and tactical ways to enhance engagement and connection:
1. Interactive Social Media Use
- Live Sessions: Host regular live streams on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitch where you interact directly with fans, play music, or discuss your creative process.
- Q&A Sessions: Encourage fans to ask questions about your music, life, or interests, which you can answer in live sessions or through posts.
- Fan Polls and Surveys: Use polls and surveys to let fans vote on things like your next single, merchandise designs, or concert locations.
2. Storytelling Through Content
- Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share videos or photos from your recording sessions, songwriting processes, or tour life. This gives fans a glimpse into your world and the work that goes into making music.
- Personal Stories: Share personal anecdotes or stories related to your songs. This can deepen listeners' connections to your music by making it more relatable.
- Documentaries or Mini-Series: Consider producing a short documentary or a mini-series about a significant project or tour. This longer form content can engage audiences at a deeper level.
3. Fan-Centric Events
- Meet and Greets: Organize meet and greet events as part of your concerts or independently. These can be in-person or virtual, giving fans a chance to interact with you directly.
- Exclusive Listening Parties: Host listening parties for new releases, either in person or online. You can make these events exclusive to your newsletter subscribers or social media followers.
4. Utilizing Fan-Generated Content
- Cover Contests: Encourage fans to submit their covers of your songs and feature them on your social media channels. This not only engages fans but also spreads your music organically.
- Fan Art Features: Show appreciation for fan art by sharing it on your platforms and possibly even offering prizes or recognition for exceptional work.
5. Regular Communication
- Newsletters: Keep your fans updated with a regular newsletter that includes updates, exclusive content, and personal notes.
- Personalized Messages: Use tools like Cameo or directly on social media to send personalized shout-outs or messages to fans during special occasions (like birthdays).
6. Exclusive Merchandise and Offers
- Limited Edition Releases: Offer limited edition merchandise that can be connected to specific albums, singles, or events. Fans love exclusive or collectible items.
- Fan Membership Clubs: Create a membership club offering exclusive content, discounts on merchandise, early ticket access, and more.
7. Engaging Through Multimedia
- Podcasts: Start a podcast where you discuss topics related to your music, industry insights, or other interests. This can also be a platform to feature other artists and collaborators.
- Music Videos with Fan Participation: Invite fans to participate in your music videos, either through dance submissions, storytelling, or as extras on set.
These strategies and tactics will not only help you to keep your existing audience engaged but they will also help to attract new listeners by showcasing your commitment to your fan community. Engaging with your audience in these meaningful ways can turn casual listeners into loyal fans.
Good luck with growing engagement and connection with your fanbase and remember to enjoy the process. That genuine enjoyment will come through in your activity.
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By john in Songstuff Stuff0 commentsUnderstanding the 80/20 Rule in Music Success
In the music industry, there's a popular saying that goes, "having a successful song is 20% about the music and 80% about the marketing." At first glance, this might seem a bit surprising. Isn't it all about the music? While the quality of the music is undoubtedly crucial, the role of effective marketing in the success of a song can't be overstated. Let’s break down why this is the case.
The Importance of Music Quality
Firstly, the 20% that pertains to the music is vital. This portion represents the foundation—without a good song, the rest of the effort might go to waste. The music itself needs to be compelling, well-produced, and resonate with listeners. This is where musicians, songwriters, and producers focus their craft to create something that stands out and speaks to the audience. However, even the best song can remain unheard without the right exposure.
Why Marketing Takes The Bigger Slice
Once the song is ready, the next big challenge is getting it heard. That’s where the 80% comes in—marketing your music effectively. Here's why marketing deserves this much attention:
Visibility in a Saturated Market: The music industry is incredibly crowded. With thousands of tracks released daily, your song needs to cut through the noise. Effective marketing ensures that your music reaches potential listeners across various platforms—from social media to streaming services. Engagement and Connection: Marketing is not just about visibility but also engagement. Strategies like social media campaigns, email newsletters, and music videos help build a connection with the audience. They provide a platform to share the stories behind your songs and interact with your fans, making your music more relatable and memorable. Monetization Opportunities: Proper marketing strategies also open up various monetization channels. Whether it’s through streaming, downloads, merchandise, live performances, or licensing deals, good marketing ensures you maximize the revenue potential of your music. Longevity and Career Growth: Effective marketing can also pave the way for long-term success. By establishing a strong brand and loyal fanbase, you can enjoy sustained interest in your music, leading to more opportunities and a more extended career in the industry.
Balancing Both
The 80/20 rule in music highlights the necessity of balance between creating great music and investing in marketing it. While it might seem disproportionate, the emphasis on marketing simply reflects the realities of the modern music landscape. Your music deserves to be heard, and investing in marketing is how you make sure it reaches as many ears as possible.
Key Takeaways
For upcoming artists, remember that your journey doesn’t end when you finish a track. The completion of a song marks the beginning of its journey to the listeners. Paying attention to how you market your music is just as crucial as how you make it. Focus on building a strong online presence, engaging with your fans, and staying consistent in your promotional efforts.
Conclusion
While quality music is the cornerstone of any successful song, robust marketing is what takes your music from the studio to the world. Embrace the 80/20 rule as a reminder of the importance of seeing your music career as both an artistic and entrepreneurial venture. Your music may be great, but people only get to decide that once they encounter your music. Marketing is what makes that encounter happen.
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By Mahesh in The Road to Change3 commentsI know I chose to be a full time musician but man, sometimes the amount of work that you have to do during music release years - it's frustratingly excessive. The thing that I find most annoying is the social media content stuff - writing blogs, making videos, website design and on and on. Though I don't necessarily align with those who do no marketing at all, but I resonate with them! Sometimes, you just want to write the music and everything else to fall in place lol
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By john in John Moxey's Blog0 commentsI had a great meeting with my A&R dude from Red Circle 7 (thanks @Mahesh! Lol) to discuss a release plan for my music for the rest of 2024. It’s nice to finally have my own music back on the agenda for release!
I currently have around 34 songs written, ready to be recorded. These will go out as 2 stand alone singles, a 5 song EP with 1-2 singles, then an album with 10-12 songs with 3-4 singles. As we roll forward I’ll work out if I want to change that and also revisit scheduling the rest. That will see me doing 5 - 7 single releases an EP release and an album release. At this stage I am hoping to have a video for each single, though at least half will be lyric videos. That’s over something like a 20 - 42 week period I’ve a lot of hard work before then.
So I am actively looking for any animators interested in collaborating on some not-run-of-the-mill lyric videos and possibly someone interested in working on editing an production for live action videos.
Other people I am looking to work with would be:
A graphic artist
Musically, I am also looking to work with singers, primarily as backing vocalists.
Apart from that, I want to put together an online street team. I will happily provide training and will be looking to build a solid team that I can work with going forwards. Anyone involved will get a lot of experience working as a part of a street team and implementing a number of tactics, ranging from fairly standard to uniquely my own, to help me market and promote my music.
If you would be interested in helping, please drop me a message (either a reply to this post, or as a PM) so we can discuss it further.
Lastly, if anyone would like to keep up to date with my music and would like access to exclusive special offers, sneak peeks and mailing list only content, drop by my site and sign up for my mailing list:
johnmoxey.com
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