I am losing my full-time job on March 5th, due to contract renewal. This means unemployment and music time until I get another job! I have already had two interviews, so it isn't like I am trying to milk the system. I would rather just go straight to another job, but alas, sometimes it doesn't work out that way.
Anyways, new things are coming for sure in the coming months. I am going into a recording studio tomorrow to check some things out. It would honestly cost me a fortune to do it in a studio, which makes me think going the digital multi-tracker route is still the best bet. I don't have a problem with the quality of the TASCAM, but I do have a problem with my quality. Anyways, we will see how the next few weeks pan out. Take care!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Thursday, September 22, 2016
The Best Way to Release Your Album
So do you think you are just going to release an album and then advertise on your Facebook? Unless you played your ass off the previous year, or already have a large following, then you will fail. It takes dedication to make it as a musician...and in some cases that isn't even enough. Here is a great scenario that will get you on the right track.
First thing is first. Record the best damn album possible with what equipment you have. Be sure to hire a photographer and do a couple of photo sessions. We don't need anymore album covers with selfies of you and your guitar walking on the rail road tracks. Besides, you might get run over by a train that way. I know because I work for the rail road. Your image is important. Another thing you could do is make a lyric video for one of your tracks. Be sure to pick out which track you think people would like the most, or which would make the better video. Doing all of this beforehand prepares you for your release. The next part will then be fun.
The next step is to get your name out there. Start with all of the open mics in your area and then branch out to close towns/cities. Find local musicians on Facebook and follow them and follow their friends too because chances are they are musicians. Keep track of all the places they advertise and go to those places. Be a regular at some of these venues. Plan your whole month out with open mics and meet and play with local musicians. Play your ass off for the next six months. Be sure to introduce yourself before you start playing and tell them your social media tags so they can find you and follow you. Once you get followers, use Facebook Live and Periscope to interact with your followers. Once you have people stomping their feet, singing your lyrics, and stalking you, then its almost time to release your album. First, drop your video you made months ago and tell your fans to share it on their social media. A week after you drop the video, upload two songs on Soundcloud and tell them to share that too. Make sure it isn't the same song as your video. Finally, have a CD release party at one the venues you visited regularly for the past year and enjoy! Be sure to bring CD's to sell and enjoy your fan's reactions!
First thing is first. Record the best damn album possible with what equipment you have. Be sure to hire a photographer and do a couple of photo sessions. We don't need anymore album covers with selfies of you and your guitar walking on the rail road tracks. Besides, you might get run over by a train that way. I know because I work for the rail road. Your image is important. Another thing you could do is make a lyric video for one of your tracks. Be sure to pick out which track you think people would like the most, or which would make the better video. Doing all of this beforehand prepares you for your release. The next part will then be fun.
The next step is to get your name out there. Start with all of the open mics in your area and then branch out to close towns/cities. Find local musicians on Facebook and follow them and follow their friends too because chances are they are musicians. Keep track of all the places they advertise and go to those places. Be a regular at some of these venues. Plan your whole month out with open mics and meet and play with local musicians. Play your ass off for the next six months. Be sure to introduce yourself before you start playing and tell them your social media tags so they can find you and follow you. Once you get followers, use Facebook Live and Periscope to interact with your followers. Once you have people stomping their feet, singing your lyrics, and stalking you, then its almost time to release your album. First, drop your video you made months ago and tell your fans to share it on their social media. A week after you drop the video, upload two songs on Soundcloud and tell them to share that too. Make sure it isn't the same song as your video. Finally, have a CD release party at one the venues you visited regularly for the past year and enjoy! Be sure to bring CD's to sell and enjoy your fan's reactions!
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Is My Recording Good Enough?
When you are in your home studio recording some songs for your upcoming album and you then play it back to review the quality of your vocals, or your guitar playing, you then wonder if it is good enough. I know i am guilty of this since I started my album, "Good Times" in 2007. I am still currently working on the album and everything on it has been recorded this past year. I didn't like my past recordings, even though it has almost been ten years, the album is in better shape now than it would have been in 2007.
The bottom line is that quality is important. When you slack on certain songs in on your album, people notice. This should be the best recording that you can possibly make. This will be the way you identify yourself to your listeners and you want your song to have an effect on your listeners to where they feel what you are singing. Sometimes your song will have to wait until your skills increase.
Waiting is something I'm working on right now. I have a handful of songs finished that I am dying to upload. I have a plan, however, on how I want to release my album. The goal is to wait until it is available to download and purchase, then release 2 songs per day via Soundcloud, and advertise on my Facebook & Twitter. This way they can sample the whole CD within a week, versus listing to a couple of the ten songs you release on the album. This will build a momentum of listeners who will be waiting to hear more. There are benefits when you wait.
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