Derek Sivers is the founder and CEO of CD BABY which is a popular choice for indie artists to get their music out to the masses. I was skeptical, as I always am of anything new, when I first learned of CDBABY but I have always tried to experiment with how I got my music to people and figured what the hell. Since launching my album with CDBABY a year ago I have actually gotten paid, a few times so my skeptisism was quickly replaced with excitement.
I have since grown to become a fan of Derek’s blog and his insight into the music business. He gives away a tonne of great info on www.cdbaby.net and I recommend all artists take some time to read the advice portion of the website.
I recently stumbled upon Derek’s blog and found this awesome post so I thought I’d share it. The reason this all rings so true to me right now is partly due to the fact that I have recently taken part in the Cape Breton International Drum Festival. It was really inspiring to see world class drummers (seriously famous drummers if you know about drummers) coaching younger people and driving the point home that to “make it” they have to perfect their skills. If bands focused on getting good first instead of getting gigs/recording/money they would get further in the business of music.
I spoke at a conference last weekend, where a woman in the audience was SO mad about piracy that she was physically shaking, red in the face, tears in her eyes, fuming spitting livid, asking how we can stop this rampant piracy.
I didn’t answer her concern well, but I said “More people are killed by pigs than sharks each year, but because shark attacks are more newsworthy, they seem more prevalent. Piracy gets all the attention, but I don’t think most of you in this room have lost more than $30 to piracy.” (I got a big “Booo” from the audience for this.) “Obscurity is your real enemy. Fight obscurity until you’re a household name, then piracy will be more of a problem than obscurity. Until then, worry about pigs, not sharks.”
The woman got so furious about this that she screamed at me with tears in her eyes, “I HATE YOUR POINT OF VIEW, BUDDY!” (and some other angry things I forget.) From her point of view, piracy was Enemy #1 and anybody ignoring this massive threat was hurting us all.
Driving away from the event, of course I figured out what I wish I would have said in that moment:
The thing separating us from where we are and where we need to be is not piracy.
It’s always something more internal, whether writing, communicating, producing, networking, promoting, or taking a wildly different approach to marketing.
Putting so much attention and energy into fighting piracy (as if, when solved, you’ll suddenly start selling 10 times more) - is misguided effort, distracting you from what you really need to be improving.
That’s the real reason I often tell musicians not to worry about piracy. I’m not saying it doesn’t exist. But energy spent worrying about it is energy better spent working on what you know you really need to do.
When EMI was purchased by private equity firm Terra Firma I had high hopes. Here was a major player coming under control of folks with no ties to the music industry or to the ways things had be done - here was a chance to reinvent things from the top [majors] down. Alas nothing radical is likely to be tried.
In early April a glimmer of hope returned in my eyes when they hired former Google Chief Information officer Douglas Merrill, now president of the digital group at EMI, who had the following to say in an interview with C|Net - Will former Google exec help save the music industry?:
I’m passionate about data. For example, there’s a set of data that shows that file sharing is actually good for artists. Not bad for artists. So maybe we shouldn’t be stopping it all the time. I don’t know…I am generally speaking (against suing fans). Obviously, there is piracy that is quite destructive but again I think the data shows that in some cases file sharing might be okay. What we need to do is understand when is it good, when it is not good…Suing fans doesn’t feel like a winning strategy.
But he clearly has his work cut out for him as the Consumerist notes under the heading Bad Company, EMI Says You Can’t Store Your Music Files Online. Now maybe he is the one to help remedy this situation but….
Today, MP3tunes’ CEO Michael Robertson sent out an email to all users of the online music backup and place-shifting service MP3tunes.com, asking them to help publicize EMI’s ridiculous and ignorant lawsuit against the company. EMI believes that consumers aren’t allowed to store their music files online, and that MP3tunes is violating copyright law by providing a backup service. (And we’re not using a euphemism here—it really is a backup/place-shifting service and not a file sharing site in disguise.)
Much is at stake — if you don’t have the right to store your own music online then you won’t have the right to store ebooks, videos and other digital products as well. The notion of ownership in the 21st century will evaporate. The idea of ownership is important to me and I want to make sure I have that right and my kids do too. - Michael Robertson
If this doesn’t help you understand was RSS Feeds are try asking me and I will see what I can do to explain them, but this is pretty good…..need a RSS Reader, try Google’s
I’ve been hearing that May 1st was RSS Awareness Day for a few weeks, although I hadn’t really been able to pin down many details. However, since Dave Winer - the godfather of RSS himself - has posted about it, I figured it would be okay to spread the word here too. The effort appears to have been first organized by Daniel over at Daily Blog Tips, and includes a website (RSSDay.org), a video, and a page with buttons and banners you can use to help spread the word.
So, how do you explain RSS to a novice? Personally, I explain it by demonstrating how it allows you to read all of the sites you typically visit in one place, hence, saving you considerable time that would otherwise be spent navigating the Web. If this doesn’t resonate, I like to make the analogy to old-fashioned newspapers, which are often a round-up of stories from the wire services like AP and Reuters, blended in with content produced by the paper’s own reporters. It’s not a great analogy, but it at least conveys the idea of reading content from multiple sources in the same place.
I am trying to clear space for new records, so until May 9th shipping in Canada is free on orders over $45. The usual 4% fee will still be charged for all pay pal transactions. Quantities are limited and availability changes quickly (sometimes before I can change the website). Prices for pick-up and Lost and Found remain the same.
Shipping on LPs is usually around $10 in Canada, so this is a good deal. Check out the facebook group or divorcerecords.ca for information. Thanks.
For those of you needing shirts printed and are concerned with the use of chemicals in standard shirt inks and solvents, I´ve quit working with Plasticol inks a while ago due to the harsh chemicals used in both the inks themselves and the cleanup.
These inks are incredibly toxic to both make and print with.
I´m now printing with an ink called Permaset which is an Australian company using 100% water based inks with equal quality as its harsh alternative. I´m now set up for printing up to 4 colours on fabric with perfect registration.
I´ve also stopped printing on any clothing that is not produced in North America. Although these shirts end up costing a bit more they´re made with fair wage standards and more locally produced than alternative cheaper companies.
if you´re interested in having clothing printed by a conscious printer contact me. if you´d like to read more about the inks themselves go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbxgvrxysyA
for cd cases I´m now printing exclusively with stumptown printers cases which are 100% recycled materials and technolithe papers which are also 100% recycled(post consumer and pre-consumer recycled)
email daygristle at hotmail dot com for quotes and inquiries
I am not even sure who I would compare from current crop of singer songwriter’s as even a potential heir ….. So much vapid meaningless shit produced today [Black Eyed Peas I mean you] it is easy to forget the faith people had in the belief music could change the world [some folks, like Neil Young, no longer think it is possible].
Music Makes Good Pics Too
I see lots of great visuals related to music and will start firing them up under MMGPT.
A series of interviews with designers is in the works as well - all with the intention of getting musicians to consider the visual impact - and opportunities - present with their music.
If you are a designer that works with music on a regular basis in any capacity and would like to add your 5 cents get in touch [info (at) aquietrevolution.com].
And what about pictures turning into music?
RGB Experimental Music Laboratory
RGB MusicLab converts RGB (Red, Green and Blue) value of an image to chromatic scale sounds. *Also MIDI file which is created by RGB MusicLab can be converted to the original image. The program reads RGB value of pixels from the top left to the bottom right of an image. One pixel makes a harmony of three note of RGB value, and the length of note is determined by brightness of the pixel. RGB value 120 or 121 is the center C, and RGB value 122 or 123 is added a half steps of the scale that is C#. Pure black that is R=0, G=0, B=0 is no sounds.
You get 19 free tracks - all for download w/artwork or streaming on the site - including the newest Tycho single. There is also a video for the first song if you look down in the lower right corner.
It is the artwork I really like on this project. When I first saw the site I instantly thought “vinyl” in relation to the album artwork and its size on the site. Developing covers that can work as the foundation for the artist’s website to be built around them might be an idea more designers should try pitching to artists and artists should consider regardless. Oh and I think the artwork itself is beautiful.
Record label Ghostly International and modern cult classic programmers [Adult Swim] have paired up for a compilation of new music and art*.
A genre-busting 19-song collection, stretching the entire Ghostly International galaxy, Ghostly Swim explores the Avant-Pop style that the Ann Arbor/New York City label has been been championing for the past 9 years. Ghostly Swim features artists like Matthew Dear, Dabrye, Tycho and Aeroc and features new signings like UK cult band The Chap and NYC producer Michna.
The free collection also includes favorite friends of the label like School Of Seven Bells, and Detroit’s Deastro, Milosh (Plug Research), FLYamSAM (Warp’s Flying Lotus and SAMIYAM), and Dark Party (Mush). Along with the new music, BoyCatBird (Ghostly’s mascots) make their animated debut in the awesome “City Suckers” video by Daniel Garcia/Superfi.
Vinyl IS awesome and so is the idea behind this art show:
ARGYLE FINE ART PRESENTS:
Vinylview
On July 10, 2008, Argyle Fine Art will host a new and exciting exhibition combining both the musical and visual arts. Artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Applicants are asked to create artworks using vinyl records, and if desired, record sleeves. This is an open call to all visual art forms; artists are not restricted to using specific mediums. You may for instance paint directly onto the vinyl, or you may use the record as material for sculpture. Recycled records will be provided by the gallery free of charge, and are currently available for pick-up.
Although this is an open call, ALL works will be accepted at the discretion of the gallery. Applicants must send a jpeg of completed works to Argyle Fine Art via e-mail by June 19th. Artists that have been chosen will be notified ASAP, once we have received their proposal.
Accepted artworks will be sold at a retail price chosen by the artist, and the gallery will assume 50% commission from this price. The gallery will then donate 10% of its profits to a TBA charity in support of music education.
This show will run from July 10th until August 4th. Artists will be required to pick up any unsold work after the show has ended.
p.s.-if you are a musician and would like to play at this reception, let us know. we would be interested in hearing from YOU.
Please telephone or email the gallery if you have any questions in regards to show requirements.
Runs from Thursday, July 10, 2008 to Monday, August 4, 2008
Argyle Fine Art
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS
I am sure somewhere on this site I have commented on my dislike of Flash based websites.
That said I know I have bitched about bands not having a website of their own.
So a Flash based site is definitely the lessor of the two “evils” in my books.
The UK’s Computer Arts magazine has a Projects magazine and the most recent issue was dedicated to design matters for the music industry [last year they also had a music focused issue that came packaged in a vinyl sleeve]. One of the articles in the issue is Create a band website in Flash.
So if you are lacking in the website department there’s something to keep you busy.
Cheers
* indicates Canadian artist.
** indicates local artist.
Chart ranking reflects airplay during the week ending 22-Apr-2008.
Top 30
22-Apr-2008
RANK ARTIST TITLE (LABEL)
1 GHOST BEES** Tasseomancy (Youth Club)
2 OLD MAN LUEDECKE** Proof Of Love (Black Hen Music)
3 THE NYMPHETS* Feels Like Motherfuckers 7″ (Psychic Handshake)
4 BRENT RANDALL AND HIS PINECONES** Strange Love (Just Friends)
5 VARIOUS* Do You Want To Talk All Night? A Tribute To Snailhouse (Sappy)
6 DUCHESS SAYS* Anthologies Des 3 Perchoirs (Alien8)
7 WOODHANDS* Heart Attack (Paper Bag)
8 CADENCE WEAPON* Afterparty Babies (Upper Class)
9 JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE The Good Life (Bloodshot)
10 YOUSSOU N’DOUR Rokku Mi Rokka (Give And Take) (Nonesuch)
11 DAVID MYLES** On The Line (Little Tiny)
12 URBAN SURF KINGS** Bang Howdy Partner (Independent)
13 RYAN COOK AND SUNNY ACRES** Hot Times (No Scene)
14 THE CONSTANTINES* Kensington Heights (Arts & Crafts)
15 CURSED* Three (Goodfellow)
16 CRYSTAL CASTLES* Crystal Castles (Last Gang)
17 BEACH HOUSE* Devotion (CarPark)
18 HAYDEN* In Field & Town (Hardwood)
19 QUARTETSKI DOES PROKOFIEV* Visions Fugitives Op. 22 (Ambiances Magnetiques)
20 KATE MAKI* On High (Owom)
21 LUKE DOUCET AND THE WHITE FALCON* Blood’s Too Rich (Six Shooter)
22 TONY WILSON SEXTET* Pearls Before Swine (Drip Audio)
23 WILSON/LEE/BENTLEY* Escondido Dreams (Drip Audio)
24 FOND OF TIGERS* Release The Saviours (Drip Audio)
25 BILLY BRAGG Mr. Love & Justice (Anti-)
26 CLINIC Do It! (Domino)
27 THE BREEDERS Mountain Battles (4AD)
28 THE MARS VOLTA The Bedlam In Goliath (Universal)
29 BETTY HARRIS Intuition (Evidence)
30 HOT CHIP Made In The Dark (Astralwerks)
