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Then what? What do you think you could do to potentially recruit them as a fan? How could you make this happen? What do you currently do when they encounter it: On Spotify On YouTube On SoundCloud On your website No grand reveal. I’m literally just wondering what you do or would do? Cheers John

That sounds like a good approach. Embracing that which you cannot change will result in a stronger end product. I look forwards to hearing your tracks!

Hey gang What are you working on? What projects are tickling your brain? I have so many it’s ridiculous! I have a list of 34 songs that I am working through recording just now. As it stands I plan on 2 recordings for all tracks, plus an extra version for the singles. I want to make a video, for the singles at least. That’s 5 or 6 videos in the next 8 months. I’m busy launching other artists, progressing a label and publisher and launching a coaching product. Phew! All that besides running Songstuff and the Songstuff Music Community. Getting a balance is a challenge, but I prefer to be busy than not, any day of the week! What about you? What are you working on? What are you finding challenging? Cheers John

Hi and welcome to Songstuff Auburn! Just reading your post…. Do you do your own recording and production too? These are the greatly levelling days. By all means have expensive gear, but it isn’t necessary. Gear (software or hardware) can make things easier, but lacking it will not stop you. To be honest, I think lacking gear just forces you to be creative! I look forwards to hearing your music! Cheers John

Hi Auburn The boards are quieter, in part because we’ve just gone through a major server move (among other things) that disrupted more or less everything. Point is, activity sometimes comes and goes. I can already see the uptick of traffic lifting as activity is coming back. Hopefully the next few weeks will begin to see it really recover. The more active we all are, the more activity it will breed. That’s one of the difficult things as a forum admin. Sometimes, our efforts have to go far beyond housekeeping. In order to get to where the community is travelling to, we needed to take our foot off the gas, to make necessary changes. We had to break things, deliberately, to put them back in the way they need to be arranged to move forwards. Staff have been focused on making those changes for a while (and the ton of work involved in that)… we have been able to move both website and forum servers, at last the staff are just freshly back on community activities. 🙂 With any big disruption activity does temporarily drop off, but it does come back. Over the years we’ve experienced it a few times. So, job done with the move, we’re back to the fun bit. About 50% of members are in the USA, with about 20% - 25% coming from UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia, and the rest coming from the rest of the world. There’s not really one genre. Singer-songwriter is common, and there are quite a few country writers, and electronic or rock genres have a fair representation but i would say that most artists tend to come from the alternative genres. Critique boards can be quite active, and so can the musicians lounge. The music business board and the performance boards can go through phases of activity too. As mentioned, the more active we can make the boards, the faster they will come back. It’s always been that way when we’ve made big changes before. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions! Cheers John

Events Their purpose (to lift or lower mood, to enthuse, to calm, to arouse, to get excited etc) To remember (a person, a place, a time etc) To regulate (tempo, such as marches, for exercise repetitions) To expand drama To add humour to help sleep to waken you up I’ll leave some for others!

Hi Gang In today's diverse music landscape, I believe independent labels still play a crucial role. They often bridge the gap between DIY artists and the major labels, providing a unique blend of support with a touch of the personal, artist-focused approach that big labels can sometimes overlook. Big labels can feel impersonal and distant, to the independent label’s more approachable and responsive side. At the same time, with independent artists feeling so empowered through knowledge and tools, many artists feel they no longer need independent labels. What role do you believe independent labels play in today’s music landscape? You might be signed to an indie label, operate one, or have chosen to stay completely independent. It’s also possible that you have ended up being completely independent because you felt you had no choice. How do you feel independent labels impact the opportunities available to artists? Do they offer a better deal when it comes to artistic freedom and financial terms compared to major labels? Do they offer an advantage over DIY releases? I look forwards to hearing your thoughts, ideas and experiences! Cheers John

Hi Gang Performing live is always an adventure, filled with moments that are sometimes wonderful, sometimes challenging, but always memorable. Today, I’m looking for members to share the stories of their most unforgettable performance experiences. It might be a standing ovation, something going wrong, something funny, or something going disastrously wrong, an unexpected audience reaction, or even a personal breakthrough on stage. Each and every performance has the potential of being something special that can leave a lasting impression. What’s one performance that you'll never forget? Maybe it was your first time on a big stage, or perhaps it was a small, intimate gig that turned out to be incredibly special. It could be the time everything went perfectly, or the time it didn't, but taught you invaluable lessons. Just for nostalgia or as a learning moment, spill the beans! Cheers John

Hey Gang Textures in music can give amazing results, turning a fairly plain arrangement into a richly woven tapestry that captures the listener's imagination. It could be a subtle background layer, a gritty synth line, or an ethereal pad. The right texture can really transform and define a track. I'm interested to know what others are using. What’s your go-to plugin or instrument when you want to add that special textural touch to your music? From something that provides an organic ambience, or even a synth that’s capable of those lush, intricate pads. As a suggestion of things you could share: Your favorite textural plugin/instrument: What is it, and what makes it stand out? Specific uses: How do you use it in your tracks? Any particular settings you love? Examples: If possible, share a clip or a track where you've used this tool effectively. A before/after would be great! This could be a great way to discover new sounds and techniques, and to see how different producers use tools to enhance the atmosphere of their music. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas, and to listening to some of the results of your efforts. Cheers John

Hi Gang As some of the members no doubt know, despite long delays in me actually getting around to releasing music, I am keen to connect with an audience for my music, but I have never been interested in fame. At least, not since I was a teenager. I love playing, being on stage, connecting with an audience, and I am perfectly happy with making a living from music, but I am definitely not interested in the whole cult of celebrity. I had a very, very minor taste of what it must be like, getting recognised when out for a meal or a drink, or at a party, with strangers staring at you, being interrupted when talking with friends, and I just didn’t enjoy it. Don’t get me wrong, I love talking to people who like my music at gigs etc. But there is a big difference between talking to people at a gig and the total evaporation of any semblance of privacy that you might have had. How do you feel about fame/celebrity? How does it fit or not fit with your ambition for your music? I’m not just starting a topic for having a topic sake. I’m interested in discussing this and seeking out different perspectives. Cheers John

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: johnmoxey.com

Hi, welcome to the Songstuff Music Community! Congrats on releasing a new album! This specific board is used for new members to introduce themselves, and we have specific boards for members giving and getting feedback, and a bunch of other specific boards, for songwriting, music business and much more. It makes it much easier to find threads based on topics. Point is, posting in the right place gets a better response, because members are looking for that kind of content in that place. Be aware, when you post to our critique boards asking for feedback on your tracks, you are expected to give feedback to other members on their music.

Hey Gang Every songwriter has their muses—artists who ignite our imagination and push us to explore new lyrical landscapes and melodic territories. So, who stands out as your songwriting inspiration? Who are your top three songwriting inspirations, and why? Is it their lyrical depth, innovative melodies, or perhaps their unique style that resonates with you? Maybe it's a classic rock legend, a pop icon, or an indie artist pushing boundaries in unexpected ways. Sharing our inspirations is a great way to discover new music and to learn to appreciate the diverse influences that shape our community. So, please drop your top three as a reply and let us know what makes them so impactful in your songwriting journey! Can’t wait to see your responses and maybe find some new favorites! Cheers John

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Hi Tony Welcome to the Songstuff Music Community! Good to have you with us. Post up some of your songs and I’ll leave some comments. I’d ask that when you have a listen to other folks music, that you leave a few comments on their songs too. Thanks! Cheers John

Eek! How did it get to be so many? 34. That’s not including the radio edits. So while I am recording, I am also sorting songs, creating a song inventory and trying to make sense of it. I’m not so sure about how to categorise the way isolated riffs, one or lines of lyrics, recordings of melodies. Not my problem today. Today, I choose my lead singles. The 2 or 3 stand alone sings, not currently planned to be on an EP or album. The track lists are shaping up nicely. Today I get to go over the track selections with my A&R dude. I’m really looking forward to finally getting them nailed down! I’m also beginning to rattle around ideas for music videos for the singles. I bought a drone for some outdoor shots. That should be fun.

Breaking through the noise in today’s music industry can be daunting, especially with the sheer volume of new music being released every day. However, there are several effective strategies that artists can use to enhance their visibility and stand out in a crowded market. Here’s a deeper dive into how you can increase your visibility: 1. Utilize Social Media Platforms Strategically Content Variety: Post a mix of content related to your music, including behind-the-scenes footage, live performances, and personal stories. This variety can capture the attention of different segments of your audience. Engage Actively: Respond to comments, participate in trends, and engage with other artists and fans. Active engagement helps in building a community around your music. Targeted Ads: Use social media advertising to target specific demographics who are most likely to enjoy your genre. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok offer powerful targeting tools. 2. Leverage Streaming Services’ Playlists Submit to Playlists: Services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music have features that allow artists to submit unreleased tracks for playlist consideration. Getting your song on a popular playlist can significantly increase your visibility. Create Your Own Playlists: Include your tracks alongside other popular songs of similar genres. This not only increases your visibility but also positions your music among established names. 3. Collaborate with Other Artists Features on Tracks: Work with artists from your genre or related genres. This exposes you to their fanbase and vice versa. Cross-Promotion: Share each other’s content, appear in each other’s videos, or perform together live. This mutual promotion is beneficial for reaching broader audiences. 4. Press and Media Coverage Press Releases: Send out press releases for new releases, events, or significant milestones to music blogs, magazines, and news outlets. Interviews: Try to get interviews on podcasts, radio stations, or music channels. These platforms provide an opportunity to discuss your music in-depth and reach potential new fans. 5. Music Videos and Visual Content High-Quality Music Videos: Invest in creating compelling music videos that can be shared across various platforms, including YouTube and Vimeo. Lyric Videos and Visualizers: These are less expensive alternatives to full music videos and can also help maintain audience interest and engagement. 6. Live Performances and Tours Local Gigs and Tours: Perform at local venues or go on tour. Each performance is an opportunity to gain fans and sell merchandise. Online Concerts: With the rise of digital platforms, hosting live concerts online can also reach global audiences without the logistical challenges of touring. 7. Email Marketing Newsletters: Build an email list and send out newsletters to keep your fans updated on new releases, tours, and merchandise. This direct line of communication keeps your audience engaged over the long term. Each of these strategies offers a unique avenue for increasing your visibility in the music industry. By combining several approaches and consistently promoting your music, you can enhance your presence and reach more listeners, even in a highly saturated market.

Understanding 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.

Hi Gang Do you have any funny gig stories to share? Go on, give us all a laugh! I don’t mind starting. Picture the scene: My band were among 6 bands playing at the annual bikers ball. 300 Angels and their partners and friends and my band were 4th on the playlist. The dance floor was empty apart from people crossing it to go to the bar. the mood was pretty grim. I and the bass player were both bikers ourselves, and we knew some of the audience, but by far most were strangers. We had just watched 3 or 4 bands die on stage. The bikers staging the event were getting pretty hostile with the bands. Our turn came, and we went on stage. We played 4 songs and nothing but grim looks. We were largely an originals band. We were known locally but there were guys there from all over Europe. At this point we played 2-4 gigs a week, we filled large bars, clubs and played on festival bills and regularly played to audiences in the 800-2000 range. Even with hostile audiences we always won them around, usually pretty quickly. No response was a bit unnerving. At this point I thought, f*ck it. We had nothing to lose. So, we played the theme from a kids TV program, “Postman Pat”. I was half expecting to be dodging bottles and maybe even some fists and boots… yet… some did double takes. They were looking at us trying to decide if we were taking the piss or not. Still, the sun must have shone upon us, because before the end of the first line the dance floor was filling. I was trying not to laugh, all the more so as I was the singer. The dance floor was filled with angels and their partners dancing to Postman Pat, and many of those still sitting were singing along. Too funny. Who’d have thought it? I don’t know if they thought we were crazy or had huge nuts. After that, the dance floor never emptied and we went off to loads of applause. Awesome gig. So, what’s your story? I have more, but I want to hear YOUR stories! Cheers John

That sucks! It is still stage fright though. Stage fright covers a broad range of issues with performance. The anxiety itself doesn’t need to be fear of the audience, fear of being judged, fear of being watched, fear of making mistakes, fear of making mistakes on a public platform, fear of forgetting (usually the cause of the forgetting is one of the other reasons), fear of playing the wrong notes, fear of not being good enough, or out of time being the main variations. There are several on that list that have haunted me at various points, but I always overcame them and enjoyed myself even when things went wrong. My short term memory isn’t great because of pain medication, so I now have a general fear of forgetting that is nothing to do with music or being on stage. Indeed it applies to me almost every day. As for stage fright, I always found that when I didn’t care, in the moment, I played my best. If I was harassed, frustrated, angry, or in the grips of some larger issue, I really genuinely didn’t care about being on stage. It was something I had to do to get back to whatever was bothering me. Mostly, I just enjoyed being on stage. It was the one place I truly felt at home. When I was regularly playing I would feel some nerves before I started playing but I was usually settled by the end of the first chorus. I genuinely looked forward to that happy, connected moment I felt once the music got going, more than any fear. Cheers John

Hi Gang As we all find our way in music video production, we regularly face the common challenge of working within budget constraints. Whether you're just starting out or simply looking to minimize costs on a project, the gear you choose plays a pivotal role to not breaking the bank. What's your go-to gear setup for shooting a music video on a budget? I'm curious to learn about the cameras, lenses, lighting, and any DIY rigs that you've found give you the best bang for your buck. How do you make the most of limited resources to still produce a visually stunning piece? Do you have any favorite budget-friendly equipment or hacks that have become staples in your production kit? Sharing our experiences can help us all discover new tools and techniques to enhance our work while keeping costs down. Whether it's a hidden gem of a lens, a creative use of everyday items for lighting, or software that delivers more than it costs, let's pool our knowledge and help each other out. Looking forward to seeing your recommendations and maybe even adopting some new strategies for my next project! Cheers, John

Hi Gang We’ve all been there—staring at a blank page, fumbling with a melody that just doesn’t click, or feeling like the well of inspiration has run dry. Writer’s block can be a real challenge, but it’s also a common part of the creative process. I'm eager to hear how you tackle these moments. What strategies, tricks, or rituals do you use to overcome writer’s block or creative slumps? Do you take a break and step away from your work, or do you power through with different exercises or techniques? Your experiences could be just what someone else needs to hear to get past their own creative hurdles. So let’s share and support each other in keeping the music flowing! I use a range approaches, but I’ll only mention one to get the ball rolling, and then post back more once others are posting their experiences and ideas. Basically, I do things aimed at ensuring that I am firing on all cylinders creatively. It doesn’t even mean something musical. It could be coming up with something to eat from the contents of my fridge, or drawing a picture from my imagination. As long as my creativity is flowing, it is a good start. What about you? Cheers John

Hi Gang Every producer has a few tricks up their sleeve—those little secrets that give their tracks that extra sparkle. Sometimes it’s a unique way of using a common tool, or maybe a creative workaround that no one talks about. Whatever it is, these tricks can be game-changers in our production process. I thought it would be awesome if we could pool our collective knowledge and share some of those lesser-known tips and tricks that help us achieve amazing results. Whether it's a specific way to layer sounds, a particular compression technique, or even a MIDI routing tip that simplifies your workflow, let's hear it! Here’s what to include in your post: Your unique production trick — Describe what it is and how you do it. The impact it has on your production — How does it enhance your sound or workflow? Any specific tools or plugins needed — Mention any gear or software essential for this trick. This could be a great opportunity for us all to learn from each other and perhaps discover new ways to enhance our music that we hadn't considered before. So, don’t hold back—dive into those production secrets and we can help each other grow! Cheers John

Hey gang How do you deal with stage fright or nerves before a performance? Getting up on stage can be as nerve-wracking as it is thrilling, no matter how seasoned a performer you are. Today, I want to open up a discussion on a topic that I believe many of us have wrestled with at one point or another: stage fright. How do you handle the butterflies before stepping into the spotlight? Do you have any rituals or routines that help calm your nerves? Maybe there's a particular song you listen to, a pep talk you give yourself, or even specific breathing exercises that prepare you mentally and physically. Whether you've found a foolproof method to soothe your nerves or are still experimenting with different techniques, your insights could greatly benefit others in our community who might be struggling with the same issue. Share your experiences and tips on how you transform those pre-performance jitters into an electrifying presence on stage. Looking forward to learning from all of you how to turn anxiety into energy! Cheers John

Hey gang, As we all navigate our unique paths in the music industry, it's fascinating to see the different strategies each of us employs to get our music out there. I'm particularly interested in hearing from both sides of the spectrum—those who have experience with traditional marketing methods used in the mainstream industry and indie artists who've had to think outside the box. How do you approach marketing your music as an indie artist compared to what you’ve seen in the mainstream industry? What innovative or unconventional methods have you tried? Did they work as expected? Do you feel that being independent gives you more freedom to experiment with your marketing strategies, or does it come with its own set of challenges? What strategies have you seen other artists using that you want to give a try with your music? Looking forward to hearing your stories and maybe picking up a few new ideas along the way! Cheers, John