Category: artists

You should watch this video

Without repeating exactly what Ian Shepherd wrote on his production advice website, you should really watch this video. I can’t really write much about it that will really do it justice, so it’s probably a good idea if you just watch it first – like I did – and then see what you think about it. As Ian says on his own blog, there’s more to it than first appears. The real message will “shock, surprise and move you.”

Watch it, and then click this link to find out more….

Oh, and please visit Ian Shepherd’s Productionadvice.co.uk too.

(updated)

Only Connect

Amongst the things I’ve been doing recently in terms of music-making is trying to improve my Facebook band page, and hopefully make it a place for people to hang out and discuss my tracks, and hopefully download some of those tracks while they’re visiting. So far I’ve only got about 40 fans, which isn’t a lot, but while they’re visiting my page, they’ll want something to listen to…

So, is Facebook the place to do all of this for someone like me who isn’t that well-known? I’m not sure right now. A lot of the bands I’ve seen on Facebook have some free tracks on there, plus fan photos, gigs, and other announcements. A place for fans to hang out.  I guess that a lot of bands on Facebook have already got a big following, or at least some sort of following. They’ve been playing gigs, so the people who go to the gigs might want to share their experiences and want to connect with the band members and get more of them and their music. The same probably goes for a band or solo musician who has had a hit record or is well-known on TV and in the music press. The same as before. They’ve already got some sort of following.

I honestly don’t know if Facebook is the right place for someone like me who hasn’t played a gig or hasn’t already got a following. I know that people like Lily Allen built up a following on Myspace. Maybe it was the way Myspace is set up that makes it musician-friendly and fan-friendly. Music player, a place to post comments, a mini-blog, some photos, and that’s it. All in one place. However, she probably used it for people who’d seen her in gigs and in the press to connect with her.

Can you build up a following or get loads of fans on Facebook if you haven’t already got a regular following? I’ve had one of my tracks, albeit a remix of another band’s tune, released on a CD, been played on radio, and even been in the top 30 of radio airplay charts. The same track was on an EP on an Indie record label, and was followied by a couple more remixes, also released on indie labels. However, do the people who buy those tracks and listen to them on Soundcloud, Last FM, Beatport, and Bandcamp want to connect with a musician who they’ve never seen in person, who hasn’t been on the tv, or who hasn’t created a buzz. The website “The New Rockstar Philosophy” says that Facebook ads work for bands who have a “serious” budget. Most relatively unknown bands haven’t got a serious budget so that’s out. I usually send my Facebook friends those wonderful “suggest” messages, and other bands probably do too. I guess most people ignore those messages, and certainly don’t recommend your band to their friends if you do the “suggest” thing.

So, should I stick to Myspace to connect with my “fans” or “friends” (I have over a thousand) but I guess most of those are people who went on Myspace to plug their own music when it was the in thing. Should I use Facebook ads or just plug my Facebook page all over the web? I think the answer is that I can’t up the interest in my music by my Facebook page alone. I’m going to have to do a couple of gigs and connect with the masses, and maybe create a buzz or two.

Popcorn Slavery

Popcorn Slavery (mistrust remix) is out today on International Observer’s Popcorn Slavery EP (Dubmission Records). You can download the track on International Observer’s website or click the player to listen to the whole EP (mine is track 3). Don’t forget to share the player and spread the word. Some of my other tracks and remixes are on Soundcloud, and you can become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter

Why Facebook and kids

Well, I’m certainly getting a lot of hits on here about kids using Facebook. Why’s that then? Dunno, really. Maybe a lot of kids go on it, and a lot of parents either want to monitor what they’re doing on it or don’t want them on it all. I like all this social networking thing. Don’t get me wrong. Think it’s great. Very useful, very now. Can’t see the world going back to a Facebook-less era. However, why are parents still letting their kids as young as six or seven going on Facebook? Why? What reason? Have they forgotten how to talk? Fine – if your relatives are halfway round the world. What about Skype. What about setting up your own family social network on blog thing. Anyway. The debate still goes on and it rankles with me that I still see all my kids’ friends on there. So what are the schools doing about it? Not a lot at the moment, but maybe it’s finally getting through to the schools that something should be done about it. Take this for example.  Internet Safety for children.  Maybe things will start changing.

So, why am I on Facebook if I’m not happy about young  kids being on it? Well, I’ve been in touch with a few people from school, and I’m using it to plug my music. That’s it. That’s all. If you’re on Facebook and want to become a fan of my music, click here and “Become a Fan“. I’m also on Twitter.

The gratuitous plug.

I did a remix for dub band International Observer a while ago. The track is called “Popcorn Slavery (mistrust remix)” and is out on the band’s EP on Monday 22nd February. You can hear previews of it on my Soundcloud and Myspace pages, and it’s available to download from Monday on all major music sites, and the band’s own Bandcamp page. Spread the word.

Here’s the soundcloud player for it….

schizoid blog

Well, I’m at it again – can’t decide which one of the many WP themes to use for this blog. Again. How many times do I keep changing? I just can decide. Same with my website. Can never decide about the look of it and what to include. Anyway, trying to get the blog to look like the website or the website to look like the blog? Mr Elgey once told me to pay for some hosting and use WordPress for my site.  Maybe one day. Well, the website has now got a bit of a new look until I can decide what to include. So much for advising my stepson’s dad about how to market his painting and decorating business using the internet!

So, what else have I been upto recently? I’m trying to avoid all the usual Facebook toys and apps, but I’ve now got a “band” page, so hop on over and become a fan, and spread the word! I’ve also been working on another remix. This time it’s for International Observer. It’s due in soon, so I’m not going to tempt fate by saying what it’s called. I’ll announce it properly if Tom Bailey of International Observer and his label like and decide to release it.

I find it quite amusing that a lot of the hits on my blog come from people searching about kids using Facebook and how to put soundcloud tracks on wordpress blogs.