So as another week rolls by in Member Relations (this week without Tess), my counter part in mischief seems to also like to spend time with her family, go figure. This leaves me to ponder my favorite subject- Music.

I ran into an experience over the last weekend with just the meanest, most depressing sound guy I have ever come across. It really makes for an awkward show when the person you are trying to work with ends up giving you a hard time. (more…)

Boston’s Mike Davidson Recording presents the “MDR Checklist: 5 Surefire Ways To Improve Your Recordings.” These are money saving strategies that will increase efficiency while in the studio, intended for both the novice and seasoned musician. (more…)

(excerpted from his book, Indie Marketing Power: The Guide for Maximizing Your Music Marketing).

How many times have you thought this: “I’m just not cut out to be a salesman”; “I don’t like promoting myself;” and “I’m too busy to spend my time marketing”?

Marketing your self, your songs, your CDs or your live shows is imperative in this dense media market we inhabit. But getting your signal through all the noise out there often seems like a hurculean task, leaving us feeling paralyzed or powerless.

At one time or another we’ve all shared these feelings. They are real.

Fortunately, to get the business you need, you don’t have to have a “sales personality,” or try to become someone you’re not, or grit your teeth to do things that you find offensive. (more…)

This article was written by Mitch Gallagher, the former Editor in Chief of EQ magazine and current editorial Director for Sweetwater.  Over the next few months, we’ll be publishing an entire series of articles in the Lounge from Sweetwater along with contests and prizes. Keep your eyes peeled and check back often!

“State of the art.” A lofty term — and one that gets thrown around a lot these days. It seems as if every manufacturer says that their products are “state of the art,” every recording studio is “state of the art,” and many venues claim to have “state of the art” sound systems. But just what does “state of the art” mean in the real world?

(more…)

This article was written by Mark Guglielmo, a successful musician who found great success in licensing opportunities for his music.  Now as CEO of Manifest Media, he’s helping other musicians to do the same.

“Like millions before me, I dreamt of making music for a living.  I formed a band, moved to Los Angeles, built a following, got a record deal, and released half a dozen independent and major label albums.  Still, after 15 years in the game, I had no real capital to show for it.  Instead, I waited tables and substituted in schools to pay the bills, which often left me too exhausted or depressed to make music much less establish a solid financial base.  I knew there was a better way. (more…)

Want to know what a promoter is thinking when reviewing EPKs? Interested in industry and submission advice from the horses mouth? Check out our quick chats. (more…)

From music to airlines to cell phones, consumer expectations for free goods and services is on the rise.  Yup, free- zero, zilch, nada moolah.  In March 2008, the independent trend firm trendwatching.com released an article detailing this new business movement.

So how can musicians keep up with these expectations without giving away all the fruits of their labor for no return? (more…)