How to Work With Music Industry Contacts

It’s no secret that often in the world music, it’s more about “who you know” than what you know. The industry generally favors pre-existing relationships, whether you are looking for a venue, a sponsor, a review on your new album, or a slot at SXSW. Like it or not, networking can make or break an act.

Focus on taking a few steps closer to your goal by working on your contacts a few minutes each day. Here are some of my favorite tips on networking:

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The UK markets MBA for the Music Industry at Henley Business School proves to be a Key Influencer in US Job success

The UK market is known for its influence in music across the world so its no surprise that its world first MBA in the Music Industry also proves to be a real game changer and a positive effect on the US jobs market.

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Fan Interaction: Why successful EDM Artists and Jam Bands are ahead of the game.

The biggest thing in common between these types of acts, aside from the volume of drugs consumed, is the level of mastery in connecting fans with fans. Let’s take a quick look at three different types of fan interaction:

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Henley Business School's New MBA for the Music Industry Program Gets U.S. Launch at Musexpo, May 5-8, 2013

Spearheaded by Program Director, Helen Gammons, the Henley Business School will officially launch it’s new MBA in the Music Industry program in Hollywood at the Musexpo global music event, May 5-8, 2013.

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The Age of Production

ProTools is the new guitar.

We’re in the age of production. –
Almost everyone’s participating!

Live concerts, the recording process, the number of “production” educational programs, electronic music, and much more.

Computers are shaping the future, innovation, culture, art, and more much in the same way rock and roll once did. If you’re a part of the youth, you want…

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On The Importance Of Originality

The last worker adds less to output than the first.

This was the argument set forth by French economist Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot (1727-1781). Turgot believed that national wealth was created from agriculture. In the 1700’s this made more sense than now. Turgot developed an interesting theory that explained how the output of each extra worker changes as successive workers are added to a production process. It goes like this:

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The Forgotten Art Of Saying Hello, Spam In Today's Music Industry

Has the simple act of saying hello been forgotten in the frantic act of getting from here to there in the music industry? Often, it’s the musicians who get a bad rap for spamming…sending unsolicited mp3’s and so forth. But the problem is industry wide. Everyone wants something, but very few of us are actually communicating with one another….even to get what we want, which is ironic.

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Hal Leonard Publishes Less Noise, More Soul

Thought-provoking essays on the search for balance in the art, technology, and commerce of music

MONTCLAIR, NJ (February 11, 2013) – Less Noise, More Soul features the unique perspectives of highly accomplished performers, engineers, and producers on the question how modern technology has influenced and shaped the way we create and consume music today.

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Why Most Indie Music Groups and Labels Fail (Part 2)

This is part 2 of a 2 part article I wrote strictly based on my professional experience producing and engineering and managing artists. Since 2006, I’ve been involved as a key member in several music groups, labels, and production teams that despite all their potential to achieve greatness, fail and fall apart, often at critical moments.

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Could You Handle a Full-time Music Career?

Many artists I know tell me that they’d love to be able to do music for a living, to make their band a full-time occupation. Often times, my initial reaction (that I usually keep to myself) is asking, “Really? What would you do?”

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In the Music Industry, the Best Form of Revenge is Success

Rejection. It can sting. Whether it is a promoter or a record label who doesn’t want to give you the opportunity to shine or it is a critic who writes a bad review of your music, the reality is that sooner or later, you’re going to face rejection. How you deal with that rejection can ultimately determine your success.

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Artists Participate In A Global Music Conference Without Leaving Home

Nashville based Indie Connect, an educational and networking organization for working artists, songwriters and musicians, is bringing all of the features and benefits of a live global music conference right into the artist’s home. The IC Virtual Music Conference and Expo will feature 3 days of high-level international networking, over 50 expert presentations by experts worldwide, a music business trade show and both live and video artist showcases. And best of all, it is being held exclusively online.

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Paina B Music Marketing is asking Indie Artists and Indie Labels….Who handles your marketing?

Music Marketing Company looking for new clients to “Promote to the next level”

(ATLANTA, GA), August 1, 2012 – Paina B Music Marketing is launching a new campaign “Who handles your marketing?” in hopes to recruit indie artists and labels to promote to the next level. This company is looking to take on new clients to provide quality marketing services to them in hopes gain exposure in the entertainment industry. Launched in December 2010, Paina B has worked with pop, rap, and R&B artists in providing ways to enhance their brand according to the artists’/label’s goals and objectives.

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Life as a roadie

If you love music, becoming a roadie can be one of the most fun and exciting jobs you can have. In addition to traveling to all sorts of cities around the world and interacting with fans, you get to hear live music for free. These benefits, however, come at something of a cost. Setting up all the equipment is hard work and it can be difficult keeping up with your dental and medical care while traveling every other day.

As a roadie, you take care of all of the heavy lifting that goes into putting on a concert, which can be difficult and dangerous. You move equipment, hang up lights, set up and work from scaffolding, move cables and any other tasks related to a specific concert. Being a roadie requires a lot of physical strength, stamina and care as occupational hazards are more common. Dangers, although extreme, include falling from a platform or being electrocuted when setting up lighting, amps or other high-voltage equipment. The most common hazard is likely related to the weight of the items being moved. Given the rush involved with setting up and breaking down shows, the risk of hurting or overexerting yourself is heightened. Muscle strains and sprains, hernias and even dehydration are common results of overexertion.

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