I’m a U2 fan. So when I got the email today telling me the new single was available to listen, I jumped on it. I had heard they were trying new things, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hate to say it, but “Get Your Boots On” did nothing for me, but I’m [...]
There’s a statistic out there that claims 9/10 Major label records fail. Those ‘failures’ may sell thousands of units, but since the label spent so much money on recording and promoting it, they didn’t turn a profit and therefore the artist doesn’t get paid. Most people have heard the stories of artists getting screwed by [...]
If you aren’t making friends with other bands in your town, you probably should start. A music scene is based on a bunch of bands who help drive interest in local music. It’s like a support group. You go to another band’s show, they come to yours. You hang out with them and you start [...]
Franz Ferdinand is using Web Sheriff Confessed pirates themselves, Franz Ferdinand have recently taken a pro-piracy stance, encouraging fans to download some of their work. It was therefore quite a surprise to hear that the band has recently hired the infamous Web-Sheriff to stop people from downloading their recently leaked album “Tonight”. I’ve figured it [...]
Before The Beatles hit America they wanted a breakout hit. They knew the power that a crossover hit had, so they sat down and wrote I Wanna Hold Your Hand. Coldplay wrote Yellow, Radiohead wrote Creep and Nirvana wrote Smells Like Teen Sprit. All of these bands needed that first big breakout hit. None of [...]
Since it’s The Beatles week, I wanted to point out another important player in the success of the band. Brian Epstein, manager of The Beatles, was able to recognize talent early on and guide a bar band into a cultural juggernaut. The Beatles wouldn’t have been what they were without Brian Epstein’s attention. He put [...]
I’ve been watching The Beatles Anthology. It is quite a unique journey. I’ve just hit the 4th and 5th episodes, around the Rubber Soul/Revolver era. In it, The Beatles speak about the influence that Drugs had on their music. There is no question that drugs affected them. But what they’re talking about is not hard [...]
Bands today make more money off their merchandise then their music. So you basically have the music selling a clothing line. I must have heard that on a random website, because I dreamed about a music business lady telling me that the other night. That means I either need to share this info with you, [...]
Since Hoover posted about Noel Gallagher yesterday, I though I would let you know what the real McCoy has to say about songwriting. This is an excerpt from the book The Rolling Stone Interviews: In a rock band you have to make singles; you have to keep writing them… I was in Kenwood and that [...]
Attention to Tone: Sloan to Sam Roberts
Yesterday I took in a concert by the Sam Roberts Band. I immediately noticed 2 things: The quality of the instruments played The choice of each instrument, amp, and effect I am not a huge fan of Mr. Roberts, but I was impressed by his attention to detail. Every amp, every guitar, every pedal, and [...]