| Nov. 30 2006 at 11:56 AM |
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Hey all, I had a great time talking with Joel.
Something we didn't get a chance to talk about in the podcast is how much more being an indie artist is getting a handle on the business side. It used to be a lot less business oriented, you had a band, got an agent, were sent around to lots of bars. If you got to a certain stage you started writing songs and sent demos to record labels. If the label picked you to be a on the roster, you got some money and lots of support. Often it was a pain because they'd use their "experience" to "guide you" - often against what you felt was best for your music.
Unfortunately, the major music labels have such a large amount of overhead these days that getting signed with them is almost impossible if you don't have a "commercial" sound. I could go into a lot of detail about what happens then, but quite often a record deal for anyone other than a real star is generally a bad deal these days.
Now, with the whole "do it yourself" ethos, I and many other artists record at home or at small studios, getting a quality that equals or is better (often much better) than what most studios could achieve back when I first was involved in music 30 years ago. For my EP, which I'm mostly selling locally, I burn 50 copies a session from my computer, use a printer to put information right on the top of the CD, use my printer to print the cards that go into the jewel cases and put it all together myself. And I can do this cheaper than if I was getting a recording plant to do it at those quantities. I'm also not stuck with 950 extra copies if it doesn't sell as well as I'd like - which is a risk.
As well, I had to create a whole business plan using the same tools I do for my regular business (photography), do sales, marketing, accounting. I don't have a label watching out for me, but I also get all of the rewards. As I get more established, I'll probably hire a booking agent and a manager - but they'll work for me, not the other way around. I'm also finding the internet to be a great marketing tool for my music.
As an entrepreneur, I'm also keeping my eyes open for other opportunities to expand the use of my music, as well as help other musicians achieve their goals.
Its an exciting time to be a musician, if you're willing to be a business person and artist.
Neil
Edited by: CalgaryPix - Nov. 30 2006 at 11:57 AMNeilSpeers. com - Acoutstic blues / electric folk - independent music.
Speersphoto.com - Commercial, industrial, corporate, & editorial photography based in Calgary, Alberta.
Neil Speers
403 230 4042
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| Nov. 30 2006 at 12:57 PM |
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I could see that it would be an exciting time to be a musician. I
will defintely listen to the podcast. With being able to do everything
from start to finish if you don't have to pay the middleman.
My boyfriend 'Craigl' on here was a professional musician for 20
years and he has told me all the in's and out's of the business. Also
depending on a manger to get you bookings.
I can see how you can be additicted to photography. I too love
it and although I used 35mm for years and can really see the advantage
of my digital camera. I use it for ads and whenever I get the chance.
I wish you much success. One quick question that I have is how
do you advertise your product to get good exposure and increase sales?
Kathy
......Navy Signal Flag Gifts....
Made to Order Navy Signal Flag Banners...
"Anything you can Spell we can Make!"......
Visit IB Designs Blog....
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| Nov. 30 2006 at 1:57 PM |
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As CraigL and I have hinted in previous posts we have conversed within, I too have an extensive past in the "professional musician" industry. I didn't get quite 20 years of ongoing professional status (more like 15 years for me) but today is a different world to be a musician.
I enjoy writing, but I am no longer in the "business." I actually use Garage Band to "build" my music now. In many cases, I can play instruments faster than programming, but in my current musician status (which is basically non existant and nothing more than stories of days gone by), I never get to perform or share my musical ideas or completed content.
Garage Band, and other software packages would have been great to have when my musical brain was strong. I am always looking for musicians to work with… although… unfortunately I my musical ventures rarely leave my Notebook (PowerMac G4). Technology… What will they think of next? 
Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words
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| Nov. 30 2006 at 9:04 PM |
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Hey there, Neil. Any relation to Neil Diamond? :-D LOL!! (I crack myself up sometimes....!) 
Y'know, if you really go back a ways, back to the 40's, what we're
seeing today is pretty much the same. In other words, "back then," in
the 70's, although you could play clubs and send demos to record
companies, that's not how things "used to be," before back then. :-)
It used to be that you'd put a band together and wander around hoping
to play somewhere. You might have an agent, but usually you had to
audition for that too. Those were the days of the buses, where the
bands wandered into town and played in gyms, or dives.
Those bands usually also did mostly original material. They'd try to
save up some money and cut a record, then they'd sell that at a table
in the places they played. They'd self-promote, trying to get the
record played by the DJ's, and that was also the day of the big
corruption scandals, and bribery.
AFTER the band had the following, a record, and had proved to be a
"risk-free" investment, THEN the record companies would step in.
Doesn't that remind you of what's happening today, with the indies?
The problem was the record companies and agencies became so huge, they
wiped out the free market, and much of the competition. Then too, MADD,
despite the uplifting message of mothers being against drunk driving,
helped to wipe out the bars.
To play live used to mean two bread-n-butter audiences; the local bars,
where people could go every day of the week (remember "ladies'
night?"); and the convention clubs. The IRS made it so you couldn't
write off business lunches, drinks and food at conventions, and so
forth. With people being arrested or stopped as soon as they walked out
the door of a bar, and the reduction in write-offs, the clubs with live
music began to disappear.
But in it's place, the Interent and places like iTunes and Napster have
accomplished something even better, I think. It's a tough life these
days being a musician, but I'd say the same about starting a business.
Instead of competing to be visible in your own local neighborhood, now
you're competing with the entire planet! ;-)
Then again, with better competition, the consumer tends to benefit.
Better music, higher quality, lower prices, and more inventions.
Craig Landes
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Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
International Society of Curmudgeons
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| Dec. 01 2006 at 7:41 PM |
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Hey Kathy, Vincent and Craig - thanks for the comments.
Craig is right, the indie route is very similar to what bands did back before the major labels really became the creations they are today. The advantage today is that I now have recognition and fans from Great Brittan, US, Europe, and even down in Australia. It isn't a massive fan base yet, but I've only really pushed the last three months. To get play on something like the Community Podcast on SN was a really cool event - and that I can put that interview on my site and link to SN so others who are not part of this "nation" can hear it as well is a remarkable thing.
And Vincent, I have used GarageBand - yes, a person can quickly create some impressive music and I like a lot of the features. But, as with all things musical, taste is still the big factor.
I find that similar to digital photography; although cameras can do amazing things for exposure, colour balance and storage all on their own, the most important part of the camera is still "the six inches behind the viewfinder."
Neil
NeilSpeers. com - Acoutstic blues / electric folk - independent music.
Speersphoto.com - Commercial, industrial, corporate, & editorial photography based in Calgary, Alberta.
Neil Speers
403 230 4042
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| Dec. 01 2006 at 9:51 PM |
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I completely agree. I only used Garage Band as an example to illustrate how readily available the applications are. Comparing my time in the recording studio , and using garage band, I think there's an extreme difference in professionalism. Not to mention the ability to elevate your creative expression.
Great photography in your profile.
Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words
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| Dec. 03 2006 at 1:04 AM |
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I have a friend, Zeek. We played
together for many years, sometimes in the same band, other times with
our own. Through all those years, he said he was going to write his own
music, cut his own record, and be his own producer.
Like me with my philosophy, Zeek was more or less passionate about this
idea, depending on how much time it took playing gigs, having a life,
and going up and down the rollercoaster of succes-failure.
We left the professional circuit at about the same time, and Zeek
picked up a synthesizer, a Mac, and a sequencer. He started learning.
But he brought to that all his life of mixing onstage, studio work, his
ears, and his skills with music theory.
It took five years, and he gradually built up a terrific home studio.
Technology gave him a hand, producing astonishing capabilities in
little boxes he can carry under one arm. He already played guitar and
bass very well, and does a passable job on keyboard. (He'd say he's
frickin' great! :-D But I'm a keyboard player!) LOL!
With the release of his own CD, so professionally packaged it's no
different than what you'd find at a music store, he's now learning the
ins and outs of marketing. I can't keep up with him nowadays, as the
technology requires full-time hands-on maintenance. I bought an Ensoniq
KT88 last year, but have yet to figure out how to change a single
patch. Even so, we talk periodically, and it's an adventure learning
how to get his CD out there.
10 years ago he never would've stood a chance. 4 years ago, he began to
approach an equal footing to Columbia, Sony, or any other massive
label. Today, he's almost on a par. Independent Web distribution was
the last block to fall into place that will eventually undo the
nonsense of the huge labels having a near monopoly on the entire
distribution channel. It's a good time to be a passionate musician! :-D
Just as long as your focus is original material.
Craig Landes
---
Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don't." - Unknown
International Society of Curmudgeons
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| Jan. 18 2007 at 1:27 AM |
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Just a quick update - my music is now available for download through iTunes and you can buy the five song CD at CDBaby.com.
Thanks to everyone for your comments and checking out my music.
Neil
PS - Craig, your sig reminds of the joke "There's two types of people in the world, those who need closure...."
Edited by: CalgaryPix - Jan. 18 2007 at 1:30 AMNeilSpeers. com - Acoutstic blues / electric folk - independent music.
Speersphoto.com - Commercial, industrial, corporate, & editorial photography based in Calgary, Alberta.
Neil Speers
403 230 4042
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