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Lukas Camenzind comments on How Often Should You Play? 6 Drawbacks to Playing More Shows

Lukas Camenzind — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:05:34 +0000

Great article Simon. I agree - Playing shows is effective for building a connection with the fans you already have and for making money (when you have a big enough audience), but generally not for building a fan base - there are better ways to do that online.

Tommy Darker comments on The Rise of the Musicpreneur (Part 3/3)

Tommy Darker — Wed, 15 May 2013 07:49:19 +0000

@ Carol

Thanks a lot for your comment Carol. All this won't unfold unless we build it ourselves. YOU are the Musicpreneur. Go, do it.

Rich comments on Music mixing tips

Rich — Mon, 13 May 2013 18:16:38 +0000

Some fantastic tips here.

One of the little things that I still do is to go into the next room whilst leaving the door open - it highlights any unbalanced volume levels straight away, especially vocals. In fact, when I first started doing this, the vocals were usually a little too high and had to be brought back down. I still do this quite often to double-check things.

Carol Mae Whittick comments on The Rise of the Musicpreneur (Part 3/3)

Carol Mae Whittick — Mon, 13 May 2013 16:13:59 +0000

Great 'conclusion' to an inspiring and compelling article. I'm excited to see it all unfold.

Brian Franke comments on How Often Should You Play? 6 Drawbacks to Playing More Shows

Brian Franke — Sat, 11 May 2013 18:46:43 +0000

I have a different take on some of the points in this article. But I go in assuming this article has to do more about original shows and working with a promoter, which is not always the case for many musicians, myself included.

On point #1, this is true if you are promoting every single show. I play over 200 shows a year, but I put my promotional efforts into the ones that matter the most or when I'm expected to draw a crowd. Which is probably 20 of those 200 shows.

On point #2, I disagree to the point that not gigging as much does not improve your stage performance or musicianship all that much. Bands I know that follow this point are not as impressive, not as polished on stage, and therefore ruin their chances and reputation with the venue. Plus it's a let down for fans.

On point #3, yes venues that depend on bands to draw are going to be hurt if you gig too much. Venues that promote themselves and your gig, which is very rare and should be done more, can actually help create a win win for themselves and the band. The band gets more fans and the venue gets more interest in the types of music it brings in.

On point #4, this is not always true. Using myself as an example, I have many repeat venues I play at least once a month throughout the year. Some months I'm so busy that I have to turn down gigs. I've even turned a venue down multiple times which gives them the impression that I don't want to play there and it hurts my reputation. Plus many of my gigs have lead to private funcitons, corporate events, and bigger opportunities.

On point #5, yes, this is true. But it's about self-care and being in top shape that reduces the wear factor down.

On point #6, I agree, but then writing music and doing other music business things takes away from playing gigs as well. Opportunity cost in both instances.

The touring comment is for another article. But for me at the end of the day I play music full-time in an expensive high cost of living city and sometimes have no choice to play lots of gigs to make ends meet. If I followed this advice where I am based I'd be back to a desk job and not enjoying my life.

Brian Franke, Singer/Songwriter
@bfrankemusic
www.brianfranke.com

Peter Jenkins comments on Top 10 Rules For Better Songwriting

Peter Jenkins — Sat, 11 May 2013 11:02:37 +0000

Good Post,

I have been telling others for years that a study of the best songs, will show you Procedures / Rules to follow.

I cant stand people who say there are no rules to songwriting, in most cases they are Lazy idiots talentless and thick.

It's good to find sensible writers who realise that any Art Form has a set of rules , yes learn them, and then you have the right to break them but only where it will improve the song.

Wise Da Ebb comments on The Music Marketing Manifesto. Ten Principles For Success

Wise Da Ebb — Sat, 11 May 2013 02:35:52 +0000

Yall r dope as sht for the music marketing cycle.. Appreciation

Trumpet grrrl comments on 9 Things YouTube Recommends Musicians Do, That You're Probably Missing

Trumpet grrrl — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:27:09 +0000

This is an amazing article, thank you very much for all the new ideas. :)

Peace,
Trumpet Grrrl

Leia comments on 3 Ways Your Band Can Use Creativity to Make More Money

Leia — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:43:38 +0000

Great post! I'm always looking for new creative ways to get my bands music to our true fans. For our first self release single we only made 5 CDRs, each made by us. I know that the few people that HAD to have it got it, and I now know who some of our truest supporters are. For our next single we're still going to only do 5, but each one will have its own special art work and packaging. That way its unique and special to that one fan.

Thanks again for the post and good ideas!
https://www.facebook.com/MascaraMonsters

Jonathan Jaeger comments on How Stuff Spreads – Gangnam Style vs. Harlem Shake

Jonathan Jaeger — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:30:06 +0000

Great explanation of all the facets of a meme! Conclusions at the end were interesting.