An Overview of Public Relations

By definition, PR is used to enhance the reputation of a company or individual and better make the connection between the company or individual and the public. For example in the music industry, PR experts are often asked to organize events, such as a CD release party, showcases or any other event that could lead to more visibility for an artist or band. So, in short, PR does look like a marketing machine at first. But have you ever heard of a PR professional’s Rolodex? The Rolodex is a prized possession (or at least it used to be before everything switched to digital!) for any PR professional and includes the contact info for all their connections in various industries. This means that while PR seems to be only a boost in marketing, your PR firm or expert can get in touch with reputable individuals or companies that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to approach on your own.

On top of offering you infinite resources in the marketing and ‘meet-and-greet’ department, a PR firm can also help you manage your reputation and image, which is unfortunately a big part of the music business these days.

Why should I hire a PR agent?

Because while you think you can do it all yourself, you’ll be missing out on the precious Rolodex. To a certain extent, PR agents can almost be seen as managers, in the sense that they can put you in touch with crucial players in the music industry. Think about it – if you were on your own and wanted to update your website, you’d have to put together a shoot with a photographer by yourself; from there, two scenarios are possible. You’d either end up paying more than you can afford for a professional result or be stuck with a cut-rate photographer who won’t give you the images you need to revamp your site. If your PR agent recommends that you revamp your website, chances are that he or she will have a photographer on hand to help you out or might even be working on the PR of a photographer who would agree to an exchange of services. This is only one example, but it certainly shows you that a PR agent has resources and connections and you can certainly use those!

When is the right time to seek a PR agent?

There is no right time – it is always the right time. How is that possible? You don’t even need to have a finished product to start using Music PR services; PR is all about creating awareness for yourself in the public eye. Let’s say you’ve just started writing new material. You can start a PR campaign for yourself and market yourself as an up-and-coming artist – the PR campaign will create a buzz around your name and once you are ready to release some tracks to the public, you’ll already have an audience to do so. This is why PR is so much more than marketing. With marketing, you need to have something to offer, you market a product. With PR, you can market yourself and put your name out there prior to having any music ready for the public! It can seem counterproductive at first but think about it; many individuals in the public eye had their name out there before we knew anything about what they were doing.

A prime example of PR well done is Kim Kardashian (and I am not saying that I endorse what she does and who she is, I’m just stating the obvious). Would her clothing line or perfume be such a hit if nobody knew who Kim K was? Probably not. It would be the same clothes and the same scent, but no one would buy it because no one would have a clue about who this Kardashian girl is; the only way all of her ventures are doing so well is because she is a public figure. Why can’t you use that model for your music? Of course this example is rather extreme and you may not achieve the same level of fame as this reality TV star, but you can still create a buzz around your name. Once people are talking about you and that the pubic is aware of your existence, you will have a public ready to hear your music when tracks are finally available.

In conclusion, just because you’re an indie artist, it does not mean that you have to go down that road alone. Do your homework and find a PR firm or agent that is interested in the kind of project you are working on and understands what your goal is. Before you know it, the PR machine will work in your favor and you’ll be able to connect with your audience and manage the exchange of information in a way that is beneficial for you and your music.

Looking back to the early years of my production career, I remember the excitement of building my first home recording studio. My eagerness took me Guitar Center’s pro audio department, even though my budget was mediocre.  All I wanted to do was record music so I could be in the music business, for real. My first studio started small and worked its way up to being worth upwards of fifty thousand dollars.

If you’re planning to build a home studio for the purposes of making money, you’ll need to consider the information in this article. My goal is to inform new recording studio business owners and developers of exactly what to consider when building a business in their homes or in a house.

• Security

Studio security should be the first priority on your list, even if you only plan on recording a small group of people. Home recording studios rank extremely high on thieves list of place to break into; therefore, invest a substantial amount of your total studio budget into home security and studio protection.

You’re going to need more than an alarm system if you want to project your investments. Thieves like to come through windows, doors, wall and ceilings. Luckily, there are companies who specialize in protecting a home from break-ins.  Shatter proof windows, security locks, lighting, and audio/video surveillance are among some of the things to consider; especially, for home recording studios.

People will be walking in and out of the studio. You’ll be working with recording artist, producers, studio musicians, commercial writers and God knows who else. There can never be too much security when it comes to protecting your studio equipment and other financial investments. And just in case all the security measures you’ve taken are breached, have your studio insured.

• Location

The next consideration is the space that you’re working with. A home studio will require a lot of space for recording drums and other instruments. You’ll also need space set aside for a control room. It’s important to have room separation between the studio areas and control rooms.

If your budget allows, you should modify the control room to deliver optimal sound quality to the sweet spot. These steps are absolutely necessary if your goal is to deliver a finished product worthy of purchase. You’re going to need to either hire professionals or DIY when it comes to redesigning a room to be used as your control room. Do not rush through or skip this process because doing so will cost you more money over the long haul.

• Construction

Consider thing like mic placement, wall mount, sound absorption, and diffraction during the construction phase of your home recording studio. The idea behind having the optimal control room is to isolate outside noise from interfering with the music coming from the studio’s monitors. Recording areas have a bit more leeway, however.

Most producers and recording artist seem to believe the vocal booth is the most important room in a studio. They’re sadly mistaken because the finished recording product is what people are going to hear, not the room that the vocal were recorded in. Most people can’t tell where a song was recorded by listening to a song. All they care about is if they like are hate the song. Yes, vocal booths are important; however, more emphasis should by apply toward the listening environment first.

The control room should be quiet, and I mean quiet. The people inside the studio shouldn’t be able to hear the people outside of it. The same goes for the recording areas. There’s nothing worse that have air conditioner noise on a vocal track; or, hearing your friends or family hooting and hollering about whatever in the background of your song. Accomplishing this good is easier said than done. I strongly recommend working with someone who has experience building professional home recording studios, and not a random carpenter who doesn’t have the ears for sound or studio design.

• Studio Gear

This is the part where most pro audio enthusiasts lose their marbles. Studio equipment is the number one amenity to consider when booking time with a recording studio, which makes equipment selection a top priority. The type of gear you get will determine your ability to get the gig.

Home recording studios are usually much smaller than your commercial recording studios; therefore, they consist of less equipment. Those of you looking to build a home recording studio will need a multi-track mixer. A home studio mixer will need to record a minimum of eight instruments simultaneously. You’re going to need these eight tracks for recording drum sets. You’re also going to need a collection of microphones for recording vocals and acoustic instruments like guitars and brass instruments. A home studio can never have enough microphones.

Also get guitar amps, at least two pairs of studio monitors for mix comparisons, and a computer powerful enough to process the loads of plug-ins and audio information. Like I stated earlier, studio equipment is the number one amenity people consider when booking time with a recording studio. Do research prior to purchasing gear.

• Pricing

The cost associated with building a home recording studio varies based on individual needs. On average you can expect to spend anywhere up to $50k or more, depending on your specific needs for daily operation.

Most music makers lose their motivation when they consider security, location, construction, and equipment cost. To them, the cost is simply too high and they can’t see themselves having the money to spend. Instead, they’ll put their studio ownership dreams to the side. On the other hand, those of you who are not as easily intimidated will find a way to get the money needed. Once you do, you’ll have a great way to make money while networking with professionals and creative music makers. Some of you may want to keep your studios private, which also has its rewards. Whichever way you decide to go, you need to understand that maintenance costs are not included in this quick rundown of building a home recording studio. Your equipment will need repairs at times, electricity cost will be higher the most average bills, and upgrades will come along.

If you’re looking to build your first recording studio, I recommend that you start small and work your way up. After all, there’s no point in having a home recording studio with no understanding of how to use it. The best way to build anything is one step at a time. Therefore, do your research and make smart purchases. Resist buying on impulse and you’ll be well on your way to having a top notch home recording studio.

A common misconception some of us have when discovering so-called ‘new’ artists is assuming that they’ve suddenly appeared out of nowhere, like unseasoned rookies making their first attempt at musical. In general, this couldn’t be further from the truth. And when you think about, it’s somewhat condescending on our part to ignore all work an artist has done prior to the moment we first hear of them. About one month ago, Bon Iver won ‘Best New Artist’ at the Grammys. While many of us were very well aware of the music Justin Vernon was writing for several years now, he was however new to the Grammy world. By the same token, many artists live the independent grind daily, and when comes the first light of recognition; we callously define them as ‘new’. The fact that we’ve just discovered them doesn’t make them new.

New Jersey-born singer-songwriter Sarah Miles is currently working on her first full-length record, but as many artists will tell you, what can sometimes seems like the beginning is in fact a result of years and years of effort. Having already released three EPs, Sarah is now keen on sharing her first full-length record with the world. “My independent music career has actually been a long road, almost my whole life,” says Sarah. “Although I just graduated from college last year, I’ve been writing music and performing since I was in high school, and I started singing when I was a little girl in Princeton Girlchoir. People sometimes think music careers are made overnight, but most of the time they take time to grow. I am still growing as an artist.”

Sarah recently started working on pre-production with New York City producer, Dave Pittenger, and describes it as an experience completely fitting into her element. “He really gets the vibe I am going for,” says Miles about working for Pittenger. She also had the opportunity to collaborate on some of these songs with artists such as Matt Duke, Ingram Hill, Chris Ayer, Todd Carey, Amy Dalley, Steve Mandile, and Jason Spiewak. “The end result has been rewarding and I feel lucky to have worked with them. I wrote some of the songs on my own as well; the writing process is always cathartic for me, especially when I write about personal experiences.”

As far as the new record is concerned, Sarah can barely contain her emotions. “I am more excited about the new CD than I can even express in words. This will be my first full-length album and the quality of my newest songs feels better than ever. My previous EPs have allowed me to grow and evolve as an artist and songwriter, but now I feel totally ready to let out who I really am, creatively speaking. I just feel more confident in my sound and I’m not afraid to put my thoughts out into the world.”

“My upcoming album is my main concentration at the moment and I am bursting with excitement over it. I really am! I tend to write about love and heartbreak…a lot. What can I say, I’ve had my heart broken a few too many times and the songs tend to pour out during emotional times. This album has a bit of that, but also some new themes about breaking out, gaining the confidence to standing up for oneself and start a fresh new life.”

Despite sometimes drawing comparisons to some country artists, Sarah insists that it’s not intentional. “I’m a Jersey girl with a bit of twang, but I really don’t consider myself a country artist at all.” Instead, she credits her musical background as an explanation for her indie-pop genre. “I love adding tons of harmonies to my vocal tracks, which comes from years of singing in choirs and a cappella groups as a child and while in college. I’ve been living in NYC for the last year and I’ve met and played alongside of so many super-talented independent singer-songwriters from Brooklyn and the lower east side.”

“I had the good fortune to meet NYC musician/producer Brian Cassagnol the summer between my junior and senior year of college.  He performed with me at The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall. We wrote together and he ultimately produced my Middle of Nowhere EP.”

Although Sarah agrees that being an independent artist these days can sometimes be difficult, she points out that it also can also has its advantages. “I really like having total control over my music and the final product that gets out to the public. There are so many outlets now on-line for independent artists, that if the music is good, opportunities will open up. It’s hard work for sure. I work seven days a week on my music, but the rewards are there and I am so happy doing what I am doing. I can’t imagine at this point doing anything else. Having a great manager certainly helps a lot too. Having Rock Ridge Music by my side has opened up so many opportunities. I think the hardest part of being independent is keeping up with expenses. Recording studio time, travel/touring costs, websites, videos, photography, all of these cost money. I am still trying to figure it all out.”

Sarah Miles’ new album is due out by the end of the year; no specific date has been given yet.
Please visit Sarah Miles Music for more artist news

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Whether you’re an experienced teacher and have an established student base or are simply starting out, you’ll have to face a harsh reality; students won’t come to you unless you attract them. The same way no one is going to come knocking at your door to produce your record, no one is going to call you up to get lessons. So, how can you apply everything you know about promoting your music to your teaching business? It really isn’t rocket science – the same way you promote your band, music and upcoming demo, you’ll have to promote yourself as a teacher. Here are a few tips to get you started – assuming you already have a professional looking space to teach and are ready to schedule new students.

1. Set up an online space. Whether it is a professional website, a WordPress blog or a Facebook business page, you’ll want to have a great looking online page to refer potential students to. Most of your students will probably be children and teenagers and you’ll be talking to their parents; you want to look professional, reliable and responsible, since you’ll be trusted with their children.
2. Advertise on various websites. Don’t concentrate all your efforts to Craigslist or other classified websites; expand your horizons! There are many websites dedicated to listings of educators, teachers and tutors. These websites will usually allow you to create a profile, or contact card, and you’ll also be able to include a link to your website or online space.
3. Network. When you first started taking your music career seriously, you probably started networking with other musicians and anyone else involved in the music industry, right? The same thing applies to teaching. Get in touch with other established local teachers, schools, parents, etc. It can be very valuable to get in touch with a music teacher at an elementary school; they can be a great referral and can give your contact info to an immense pool of parents and students.
4. Be consistent in everything you do. Finally, no matter what you do to promote your business, be consistent about it. For example, post ads on Craigslist as often as it will allow you to – not just once every other week. You’ll want to keep promoting and be consistent about it in order to get the word out, make a name for yourself as a teacher and keep attracting new students.

The perils of teaching

Just like being an independent musician, being an independent music teacher is not easy. While there is a lot of work to do when it comes to promoting and attracting a stable student base, there are also many other factors to consider and pitfalls to avoid.

One of the main perils of teaching is that you don’t have much of a job security unless your students sign a contract and pay monthly. Every teacher can tell you that there are students who are consistently sick or out of town, for example. You can avoid those situations by drafting a contract stating that students will be charged for lessons if not cancelled x number of days ahead of time; however, many families and students usually sign up with independent teachers for the advantage of not signing contracts and not being held accountable to a business or company per se. Hence, you might find out that you can’t attract as many students with this particular practice, but it’s definitely worth the shot – be upfront with your students. This is your business, your profession, and you need to set ground rules for all your students to follow.

Another peril of teaching is that you can sometimes feel at the mercy of your students. This goes hand in hand with the problem of lesson cancellation. You might find yourself doing favors just to attract new students or keep existing ones; opening up a new day in your week, allowing people to reschedule too often, etc. While it might be tempting to think that this will help you gain or keep students, in the long run it will be very frustrating and might not even be to your advantage. Treat your teaching gig as a real business – you wouldn’t try to go to the store after opening hours simply because it is more convenient for you. Your students shouldn’t try to score lessons after your business hours either. By having a set schedule, you’ll offer a more professional environment and image and this can definitely be to your advantage as you start dealing with more and more students.

In short, teaching music can be a great way to supplement your income or even be a very rewarding career path should you decide to dedicate your life’s work to this profession. Just like any other career related to indie music, being an independent music teacher is a lot of work and demands effort, energy and time. However, by following the three tips on how to get started and by avoiding the common perils and pitfalls of the profession, you can certainly become a successful music teacher and enjoy the benefits of a steadier income.

Does your image tell a story? Does it portray your artist brand and music accurately? Is it compelling? Does it speak to your music?

Artists will always need photos for general use on the web, press articles, profiles, websites, album arts, promotional shots etc;

Finding just the right music photographer who understands this… and can also bring that conceptual mind image to life while feeding life into your brand should be a top of your to do list as an artist.

To get you started I scoured the web in search of music photographers who are passionate about what they do and specialize in this field. It is a work in progress, but I will continue to add to the list as I go along. If you know of someone who belongs on this list and has their own website, feel free to contact me  music_admin (at) gighive dot com

Live Concert and Band Promotional Photography Raymond Ahner

Over the years I have been fortunate enough to combine my passion for live music with my love of photography and have developed a fresh approach to my subjects, as well as a unique eye. And although I will always love shooting the big arena rock show, it is pressed up against the stage in a hot, packed to the rafters club where I am most at home.

Portrait Concert, Live Events Environmental Photography Tara Ashlee Novak

I have been photographing concerts and my own conceptual ideas since I was 14 years old. Living a mere hour outside of the amazing city of Chicago my whole life, it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I was able to enjoy it to my full potential. I have grown and advanced within my own style and technique. I take everything I know and apply it to my work.

New York Concert Photographer Bryan Kremkau

I’m a freelance concert photographer based out of Jersey City, NJ and has been shooting concerts for over 14 years now. Besides shooting for my own website ReadJunk.com  I’m also a contributing photographer for NME.com

I’m available for assignments in the New York City area and would love to shoot concerts and band portraits for you!

Professional Photographer Music, Band & Editorial Photography Marcus Maschwitz

Currently living in London (United Kingdom) and I specialize in Music and Band Photography including live music photography, portrait photography as well as album photography that can be used for artwork as well as marketing.

I have no philosophy about photography. Like writing or breathing air, I just started doing it. And somehow it all seems to work. I love it and have a passion for everything and everyone that I have the privilege of photographing.

Fashion, Events, Concert, Conceptual Photographer  Chazz Gold Photography

I have been doing photography since 1993. When, I bought my first 35mm film camera, an old Pentax k1000. For years I shot black and white film. I would take the streets and take photos of random people. I even did a gallery show at the 111 Minna Gallery/nightclub space in San Francisco CA.  in 1995 titled The Random Goddess.  It was a showcase of my best photography of this style of photographers, with a female DJ lineup in which all sales and proceed went to the breast cancer foundation

Professional Live Concert, Artist & Band Photographer  Jason Wilder

My name is Jason Wilder, I am 29 years old, and I have been photographing live bands and artists since early 2004. I live in Tampa, Florida and cover shows all over the state and beyond. I started iShotYourBand.com in late 2004 to showcase my work to the fans of music and photography. It is pretty much a online portfolio with more photos. I have developed my own style when it comes to live photography and portraits, and I have been published by many magazines such as Guitar World, Spin, etc.

Film Production, Music Photographer, Filmmaker NYC  Josh Rothstein

When Filmmaker & Photographer Josh Rothstein first arrived on the scene in the late 90′s he worked as if he had two entirely separate paths- shooting print for some clients and working on film projects with others. A few years ago, however, the stars began to align for multi-platform artists, and Josh’s expertise in both mediums became one of his strongest assets. He is a storyteller by nature, using both mediums to create rugged, tender and very alive images that come out of a deep compassion and curiosity for his subjects.

Entertainment Photographer | Portrait and Band Photo  Jason Paul Roberts

Jason Paul Roberts is a Denver based entertainment photographer specializing in portrait and band photography. Jason’s photographs have been featured in publications such as “Alternative Press”, “Colorado Music Buzz”, “Westword”, and “The Denver Post” to name a few.

Jason also works with record labels, independent musicians, actors and entertainers – providing custom photography for CD and DVD artwork as well as editorial and promotional use.

Music, Advertising & Entertainment Photographer  David Molnar Photography

Music city has been a fantastic launching pad for David who claims to be a secret “scream the lyrics at the top of his lungs in the car” music lover. With clients like Atlantic Records, Sony BMG, EMI, INO Records and artists such as Skillet, Newsboys, Thousand Foot Krutch, Tricia Brock, Hawk Nelson and more, David has honed his skills in the entertainment world. In addition to the entertainment industry, he is also focusing on lifestyle, advertising portraits and landscapes for campaigns like Dolby and Centura Health.

Rock Music Photographer, Live Band Concert Photography  Steve Johnston

Steve Johnston has been involved in live music for over 20 years, playing in rock bands and working in sound reinforcement, stage management and venue promotion. He began photographing established and unsigned bands in 1992, before attaining a degree in photography and establishing a career in web development and marketing.

New York Music Photographer Jacob Blickenstaff

Jacob’s photographs are deep investigations into the hearts and soul of music and its creators. Experienced in both the creative and business sides of music; working with independent artists, record labels, prominent magazines, music blogs, venues, festivals publicity firms and arts organizations

Fine Arts Painter and Music Photographer Brandy Kayzakian-Rowe

Raised in the Deep South music has always been apart of Brandy’s soul and consciousness. A fine arts painter and photographer who is immersed in everything from live performances, rehearsals, recording sessions, music festivals and even musician birthday parties. Her work continues to evolve and explore the deeply rooted stories of life and culture and that it evokes love and compassion in all who view it

Freelance Photographer Graphic Artist and Painter Carlos Roberto Sanchez

My mission statement as a music promoter and photographer is to act as a middleman between the artist and the fans. I aim to bridge this gap with compelling photography that provides ardent supporters with a on stage glimpse of their favorite musicians at work.

Toronto based Band Editorial Fashion and Music Photographer Emma Lee

A critically acclaimed songwriter herself, Emma-Lee has become the go-to girl for musicians seeking an artist they can truly connect with. Her sharp eye and knack for creating the perfect marriage of image and music result in standout photographs that consistently draw attention.

Promotional Concert Endorsement Photos/ Photography Graham Denzler

As a photographer that currently lives in Durham, NC I specialize in concert and promotional pictures for bands, artists, head shots and endorsement photos.

Since 2002 I have had the opportunity to expand my portfolio and provide one of a kind images to some of my favorite groups in the music industry

Freelance Music Photographer – Blu-ray quality HD Video ShootsCarbieWarbie

Everybody calls me “Carbie”, as in carburettor. I am an in demand freelance music photographer based in Melbourne Rock Central. I am known for getting that “WOW!” photograph at concerts. I also capture Blu-ray quality HD Videos of performances and conduct interviews with the artists

Album Covers, Band and Music Photography Denver Band Photographer Jackie Nuxoll

Jackie Nuxoll is a Colorado band photographer specializing in music photography, concert photography and album art photography. She combines her experience as a fashion photographer with her artistic background to give you creative imagery fit for unique editorial or promotional use. Her photo journalistic style will also reflect your band’s music and personality.

Amanda Shoots Bands Amanda Ratcliffe

Photographing established and emerging musicians at a variety of venues and locations around New Zealand, Amanda Ratcliffe is a familiar face on the music scene.  Behind the camera, she is also an album / gig reviewer, radio DJ and NZ music advocate.”

His new single “Just You and Me” offers a hard-hitting lyrical delivery that reminds us what it’s supposed to be like to strive towards a dream despite the hardships and surrounding negativity that can sometimes hold us back, with Silex rapping about ‘staying hungry’ through some of the more difficult moments. “I’ve literally been hungry just pouring what little money I had into this dream,” he says about these times. “I didn’t think about food. If I wasn’t getting new equipment, I was buying beats or paying for studio time, photo shoots, videos, you name it.“ Through it all, it’s that same hunger to succeed that still keeps him going today. “I just feel that this is all I’m good at. You know how many times I’ve been told to give it up? To just let it go, and that it will never happen? But for some reason I just cant.”

Silex is quick to point out that Just You and Me is a song that was born out of improvisation. In fact, improv has become a preferred method of creation for him these days. “I’m the type of artist that doesn’t write down lyrics anymore, so I’ve trained myself to create songs in my head. With this song, I just heard the beat and I started vibing to it, and that’s the track came to life.”

Despite growing up in Europe, Silex acknowledges that American hip hop music was the dominant influence on his music early on. He’d catch artists such as Tupac, Nas, and DMX on MTV with his older brother, and it would inspire him to work on his own rhyming skills. Starting out as a member of a few Rotterdam groups, Silex quickly realized that working alongside other rappers added extra incentive to shine on a song, a challenge he embraced with open arms. “You didn’t want to be the one with the weakest rhymes on a track,” says Silex. “So every song you felt like, ‘oh man I gotta step it up!”

From the start, Silex understood that he would have to back his skills up to stand out from other local rappers. “The rap scene in Rotterdam is a rough one,” he explains. “We’re known to be one of the toughest crowds, so if you can impress us, that’s when you know you got what it takes. Even back in the days, you would get rushed off stage if you were wack!  We didn’t allow just anybody to grab the mic, so being from Rotterdam really taught me to practice, practice, practice, so that I could stand behind my skills as an MC.”

Silex credits time spent in Scotland for teaching him the true meaning of being an independent artist. “I don’t know how it is now, but when I came to Glasgow, in my opinion the Scottish hip hop scene was just coming off the ground. There were some opportunities to be heard, but the level wasn’t quite there yet. But I loved how these guys got down to business; in my time living there we put out our own mixtapes and just flooded the city with it. That’s when I learned what it meant to grind and be independent, something that wasn’t as strongly developed back in The Netherlands.”

During the studio sessions for his upcoming EP Listen to my Demo, Silex recorded over sixty songs before cutting it down to the final seven. The new EP is set to drop before the summer. Check out Silex’s website for more information about the release and upcoming concert dates.

Silex Music Website

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The GROW MUSIC PROJECT

WHY?

Independent artists and bands need help now more than ever. Few places are left in the music industry that are still able to support and foster the talent of budding artists. The Grow Music Project endeavors to fill that void, to open the doors of our studio to up and coming artists and bands and give them a place to learn, develop and hone their craft. The GMP community will support their creative process, and strive to give their music the wider audience that it deserves.

WHO?

CHRISTOPHER TYNG is a songwriter, composer and producer who has worked with a wide variety of successful artists, and has written music and songs for popular movies and television series in Hollywood over the past 20 years. Through his experience writing, recording, and producing everything from large live orchestras to punk-rock, reggae, folk, neo-soul to electronica and everything in between, Tyng has honed a unique sensibility and a wide palette of sonic techniques, with which to help new artists create and refine their songs and musical identity.

WHERE:

Selected artists will be invited to work with Tyng and his team for a three-day period at Star Hill Studio, his private recording facility and artistic oasis hidden in the countryside near Santa Barbara, California. At the completion of their stay, each artist will end up with full ownership and control of their finished song master, to use in whatever manner suits them best; with no producer points assigned or mechanical rights or publishing rights given away, nor any other ongoing financial obligation of any kind by the artist required.

HOW?

Artists can submit themselves for consideration through an online submission form at www.GROWMUSICPROJECT.com. Submissions will open on Feb. 1, 2012. Artist selections and invitations will be announced on a rolling basis throughout 2012, with a goal of twenty-five total artists announced in this inaugural year.

When you flip through the pages of your favorite music magazine, you expect to see professional shots of your favorite bands. In the 80’s, magazines such as Kerrang and Rolling Stone used to have entire pages dedicated to live shots and promo pictures of the biggest bands. These shots were taken by music photographers. While some may argue that the career of music photographer is not as alive as it used to be, due to the more ‘indie’ approach of many bands (we need to remember here that music photographers were usually associated with major labels), there are still many individuals out there who offer their services to bands and artists; photographers can capture your raw energy at a concert or get you professional shots for your press kit. Whether you are interested in music photography or in need of shots for your upcoming album and promo kit, read below to learn more about the history of music photography.

Music photography came to life with Rock & Roll. You (or your parents…) may remember going nuts just to grab a poster of The Beatles or the Rolling Stones. Back in the 1950’s and the 1960’s, the interest for memorabilia was increasing with every new band that graced the airwaves. Posters, pictures, magazines – images were just as important as buying the records. Back in those days, some of the more respected music photographers included Gered Mankowitz (Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix…), Robert Altman (Rolling Stone Magazine) and Ethan Russell (Jim Morrison, John Lennon…) amongst others. Pictures back then were mostly in black and white, but nevertheless, these photographers have paved the way for what would become a very popular and lucrative career in the next few decades.

Later on, with the arrival of hair bands, glam rock and the bands of the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, music photography took a whole new level. There were so many bands, so many singers…music & band photographers were just as numerous. Everybody needed a promo pic and everybody was trying to get signed. Amongst the most well-known photographers of the 1980’s, you might recognize names such as Mick Rock, who worked extensively for Lou Reed, the New York Dolls, Thin Lizzie and David Bowie, and Karl Larsen, who worked as a resident photographer at the House of Blues and shot some of the biggest acts of the decade.

Nowadays, music photography is slightly different. Instead of working for a venue or a magazine, many photographers will go the freelance route; this allows them to work for indie bands and widen their horizons rather than specializing in a genre or style appropriate for the venue or magazine they are representing. If you are interested in music photography, there are still a lot of opportunities out there; there is something quite rewarding in combining photography with music – in a way, music photography is defined by two forms of art coming together to bring a whole new dimension to what would otherwise be a simple image.

Who cares? So what?!

You should care about the online trends that are evolving the “Interwebs.” From the SOPA & PIPA bills to the changes Google has implemented, you need to recognize the importance of the news and changes that occur.

If it’s just monitoring our blog or checking credited social media blogs, you need to keep tabs on the game they call online marketing.

Now let’s get to the recent changes to Google.

Google+ is now the featured social network on the search engine. If your band doesn’t have a Google+ business page, create one. The search engine is now considered a “social engine.” Fill out the page completely and apply links to websites you want you fans to find you on.

Google is also knocking websites that apply too many ads to their sites. What does that mean? Who knows…? What we do know is that your indie band or project needs to have a solidified presence on reputable sites that won’t take a hit from the revision.

Keep in mind that these are only a couple of more than 500 changes Google applies each year. So keep your ears perked and be aware of who is changing the game.

Has your online presence been affected by recent changes? Feel free to share more tips and information with other indie artists in the comments section.

A few years ago, stories about modern-day pirates terrorizing the waters off the Somali coast started to emerge, and eventually it led to a small media frenzy. In 2008, the world watched as rescue measures were taken to save kidnapped French couple Bernadette and Jean-Yves Delanne, who were abducted by pirates while sailing home from Australia aboard their yacht, the Carre d’As. Eventually, French Special Forces freed the couple in an operation that left a pirate dead, and six more arrested. Although this happened several thousand miles away from the Californian coast, for Los Angeles based director Cutter Hodierne, the story hit close to home.

Just before he was born, Hodierne’s parents sold everything that they owned and bought a 32-foot cutter-rigged sailboat; Cutter spent the first three years of his life sailing the South Pacific Ocean. At the time, the area was one of the first and only places one would hear about modern-day pirate activity. When reminded of the French couple, Hodierne says, “That could’ve been us.” Over twenty years later, the early memories would lay down the groundwork in what would become the short-film that introduces Sundance to Cutter Hodierne.

In the last few years, many rumors about Somali pirate movies surfaced, disappeared, only to resurface, including a possible film directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks as a ship Captain who encounters Somali pirates while at sea with his crew. Somehow, it didn’t sound like the story we wanted to hear. Luckily, it wasn’t the story Hodierne was interested in telling either. Fishing without Nets is a tale about Somali pirates, told through their perspective, in Somali with English subtitles.

In the making of Fishing without Nets, Hodierne shows an incredible amount of dedication: he traveled to Kenya, did the research, scouted the locations, and mingled with the local population. “We travelled to Africa for what was supposed to be five weeks,” Hodierne told me during a recent telephone conversation. “We ended up getting carried away a little bit, and staying three and a half months.” Most of this time was spent in Mombasa, a Kenyan city with a notable Somali population. During this time, Hodierne and his crew cast the actors by holding informal auditions in a local nightclub, or sometimes simply by picking out potential actors off the street.

“The hardest part was getting the weapons from the Kenyan police,” remembers Hodierne. “They simply didn’t know if they should trust us.” In the end, the weapons were acquired and the actors were able to arm themselves to the teeth to accurately portray the fierce characters.

Documenting such a topic is however not a simple task. “It is the very definition of ‘complicated’,” recounts Hodierne when asked his opinion on the way these pirates were portrayed in the media. “I think my opinion of them was more romanticized before I made the movie actually, maybe the earlier pirates had more of a Robin Hood-like element to them,” said Hodierne, citing examples such as fighting against the dumping of toxic waste in Somali waters, as well as fish theft. Hodierne however states that his film’s intentions are neither to romanticize the pirates, nor are they to demonize them; in the vein of City of God, the film merely tries to understand the roots of a very complicated issue, often far too simplified in mainstream media.

Fishing without Nets will be screened at Sundance Film Festival, taking place in Park City, Utah from January 19^th to 29th. If all goes according to plan, the feature-length version will be shot in 2012, for release in 2013. Watching the trailer, witnessing the dedication present in this project, and listening to Hodierne speak so passionately about his artistic endeavor, one would assume that things should go exactly according to plan.

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Director Cutter Hodierne