“Jacob, My Jacob…”

Anyone?

Okay, so I’ve been reading the Twilight series…which needs no explanation…and i’m finding it’s not all too bad. (It’s a big book, and passes a LOT of time when work is slow)…not exactly an epic like Harry Potter, or a book i’d normally read–i stick to Nicholas Sparks–but, it is a page-turner. Aside from the books being a huge phenomenon (which most of the adult-world is just figuring out) the movies have sparked an even bigger one. Most teenage girls are choosing sides; aka: Team Edward or Team Jacob. A little over-the-top, since it’s a choice between a freakin’ vampire or a wolf.

BUT…With the movies? Come the soundtracks. My personal favorite; and something I think makes–or breaks–a movie.

Now, normally the soundtracks are just 1 hit track, and a lot of crappy-filler-songs that nobody really cares to listen to. Keep that one song (i.e.: “My Heart Will Go On” - Celine Dion, Titanic soundtrack) spinning on repeat, and forget the rest. Right?

Well, aside from being a new movie trend in Hollywood, the soundtrack is bringing on a whole new light (get it…”New Moon”?); exposing new up-and-coming indie artists, as well as the big-dogs of the industry right now.

Paramore was the big player in the original Twilight soundtrack (gracing the album with two songs including the smash-hit “Decode”). Now, fans of the series can get a whole new ear-full of music that is good for not only THEM, but for the artists that are in the CD. “Meet Me On The Equinox” is one of the bigger songs (by Death Cab For Cutie) that’s going to be on the soundtrack. Alongside english-rockers Muse, Death Cab was excited to have the opportunity. Being on the soundtrack gives the two (already established) groups a chance at appealing to a younger crowd. So, you may not be a fan of the books, but you will probably like what this soundtrack is going to have to offer. After all, hundreds of groups competed to have their music on showcase; knowing it would expose them to millions of people who wouldn’t have heard them otherwise.

no, not Andy Kaufman…

The owner of Taxi, a great a&r service out in LA.

Anyhoo, Discmakers did a great interview with him about how to get heard in the music biz…

Keyword: marketing. Bands don’t market themselves at all, and that’s why they don’t make sales. Seems obvious, but most artists don’t pick up on it.

Read the article here. Seriously, do it. It isn’t that long…
-t. Laskas

So I was trolling around myspace and happened upon Halestorm (one of my favorite bands). I checked out their gig schedule, and noticed that they have a residency at The Viper Room in LA. What a gig!

How, you might ask, did they get the gig? First off, they are super talented, and second, they are signed to Atlantic Records, and they have a great team working for them as well as strong fanbase. They have been at this music thing for quite some time, and they are seeing some great rewards.

Anyway…I digress. I checked out the Viper Room’s booking policy, and I think that it is something every artist should note. It is a short, yet very sweet, checklist of how to get a gig at the Viper Room, and I think their tips are universal for any gigging musician. Main idea: PROMOTE!!!!!

Click here for the link (once you are there, click on the “booking” page…I tried to get a direct link to it, but for some reason it goes to their main page…)

Caution! Large amounts of Buzzwords to follow!

Listen, I know this isn’t a politicin’ site, but I just want to point out what Mr. Obama is up to. I think all of us should take note of how he is using social networking to get to the top of the popularity contest.

In a recent article at Wired.com (click here for the article), Sarah Lai Stirland writes:

” The use of technology like blogs, mass texting and online phone banks has been key to Sen. Barack Obama’s surprise sweep of recent primaries.

The Illinois senator’s campaign has been making use of a range of technologies — from ringtones to SMS — to inspire Obama-mania. And it’s working. Obama’s recent parade of victories in the primaries has given him a slight lead over Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination.”

Granted, I know that he has a huge army of free laborers (street team, anyone????) working for him, but this whole concept can be scaled back and applied to artists trying to get the ears and eyeballs of potential fans. Blogging and Text messaging are tools that have been around for a while, but only a few bands have tried them. Heck, Obama is even getting his fans to create YouTube clips that go viral!

Broadtexter(.com) is a great (and free for a while) texting widget that you can embed into your MySpace or website, and fans can sign up to be on your text list so that they get your text updates for shows.

Blogging, well, there is no mass blog program that I know of (yet), but there are sites where you can find many of the active music blogs out there, and the authors of these blogs are really easy to contact. Ask them if they want some free music, and in exchange for your album ask them to write a review for you. This is something we have been doing at the UnLabel for a while with great success.

The music business is no different than the political business…it is just a popularity contest, and the spoils usually go to the most creative, relentless, and resourceful candidate, even if they are not the most qualified (no dig intended).

Happy Monday everybody…If you are concerned about selling your music, I suggest you check out this article from Wired: Cheat the Music Industry: Never Pay for Music….

Basically, this is a “how to” article on how to get your music for free, both legally and illegally.

There are consumers out there now that have never had to buy music, and thanks to web gems like BitTorrent it looks like they never will have to either.

So how do you get someone to pay for something that they can get for free?

What about water? People can get that for free, but they are still buying it…a lot of it…

With all of these music “taps” available, we have to figure out a better way to bottle our music and convince consumers that it is essential to value our product.

-t.L

Music Nation is in the process of creating a new online music and video option called The Launch Pad. The Launch Pads goal is to facilitate easy access, discovery, and filtering for music lovers and holds great potential for the music industry on a digital level. The BETA version of the program is available online for testing and rating purposes. Check it out:Music Nation

If you haven’t heard, First Friday is one of the most exciting things happening on the Main Line. Content from this upcoming First Friday and future events will be offered right here, on the UnLabel website. We’ll have high-quality audio and video content for your listening and viewing pleasure. If you are in the area, be sure to come out and check out some great talent.