Being original is a key element for folks to recognize and identify with your band and your music. But what does being original even mean?… Because as you’re about to find out, everything is a remix. This 4 part video series is a quick reminder that NOTHING is original, everything was taken from other sources and remixed to [...]
A few of us have been waiting impatiently for the movie, It Might Get Loud, ever since we saw the trailer. If you haven’t heard about this and you’re a guitar player or a musician, listen to this! The whole concept is about bringing three people in to talk about the guitar, songwriting, and the [...]
Over the past year, while doing research for The New Rockstar Philosophy book, we’ve had a chance to speak with some very talented and knowledgeable people. One of the standard questions I’ve asked is; in our internet age “will there be a band as successful as The Beatles?” A band that the majority of the [...]
A few months ago I attended a songwriters conference and learned about the mastering volume war that mainstream music has engaged in. Have a quick listen to some old tracks (60′s and 70′s) on your iTunes, then listen to something new (John Mayer). Notice a difference? Does it feel like the new music is screaming [...]
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 [...]
You’d think a guy who did PR for Kiss, Led Zeppelin and managed Nirvana would have something to say. Turns out he does. Music industry veteran Danny Goldberg recently sat down with the Huffington Post to talk about his new book, “Bumping into Geniuses: My Life in the Music Business.” I’ll let you take a [...]
Our most entertaining music industry analyst, Bob Lefsetz, recently made a post on his infamous blog regarding sacrifice and entitlement. He is a bit harsh, but that’s Lefsetz’ personality. He tells it how he sees it regardless of what anyone thinks. His point is resonating clear. Just because you play an instrument and can put [...]
The Sum Is More Than The Parts
The best bands are worth more than the sum of their parts. The singer can’t make it alone, but when joined with the drummer, they become something bigger. Each member adds to the whole to help make it something truly special. The Smashing Pumpkins are/were a prime example. Billy, James, D’arcy, and Jimmy were a [...]