The Outlaw Gang

Migrating - Outlaw Gang moves to OUTLAWSITE.COM

2010-10-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

The founders, Trevor Lane and Sean Claes circa 1999.

If you're a faithful follower or just a first time visitor to The Outlaw Gang, I'd like to invite you over to http://www.outlawsite.com.

This informal group has decided to suit up and become something more than a mindshare blog.
Come on by and see what we're about.

http://www.outlawsite.com

2010-09-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

I've started a new project. 52 Weeks of Music DIY Advice. Read the beginnings of my first week here... then follow at my blog (listed at the end of the post. Thanks. - Sean Claes

Posters and Handbills ARE Important

(This is Week 1 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)

By Sean Claes

The Set Up: Let’s assume you have booked a show… since you are a band. So… next step is promoting said show. We’re going to call this one “Old School” promotion.

Poster – Get one done

Even if it’s a 8.5” x 11” pencil drawn flier on college-ruled notebook paper ripped carelessly out of the wire binder that says who you are and where you’re playing… that’s more than 80% of the bands out there are doing.

Now… I don’t recommend doing your promotional poster that way.

There are many poster designers.....
(READ THE REST AT Sean's Blog - http://seanclaesdotcom.blogspot.com

New Republic (formerly Def-Star)

2010-07-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

(NOTE: This is a slightly edited repost. Originally I told you about Def-Star. That company closed and the production manager, Steve, opened New Republic. So I share... again.)

Let's have a little clarity.
There's a designer who is creating the artwork for your band's t-shirt. This designer is also going to "do you the favor" of finding a t-shirt printing company who can print your 1-color, 1-sided shirts art the "low low cost" of just $7 a shirt..maybe $6. 2-sided at about $9-$10. Then there's shipping and handling...set-up charges...and other things you have to consider.

Don't take that designers word for it. Make sure you make the agreement that you will purchase the design..all of the files and everything that is associated with it... and find your own printer.

Then go here:

It's where this designer will likely go... and make some extra money off of you.

20 shirts for $100 = $5 a shirt.
No shipping... no set-up charges... no extra costs.
New Republic Printing. It's what DIY folks in the know use.

Now you know too. Tell 'em Sean Claes with INsite Magazine sent ya. Why? Well.. I get a few bonus shirts every time someone drops my name... and I could use some new shirts.

Heck.. if you send me your band t-shirt (XL) I'll likely wear it. I like to promote smart DIY bands. Just visit INsite's Website for our address.

That's the Outlaw way.

Are you an Outlaw or just another poser with no game?

2010-06-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

How to be an Outlaw and INDIE in a MAJOR way.

Being indie in a major way is a concept that caused a lot of grief for me over the years. However, as the machine – or business of music – begins to go through an extreme metamorphosis this concept is taking on new meaning and drawing the attention of more people as time goes by. I often hear music professionals and industry kats say, “What does it mean to be major in an indie way.” First, get it right: INDIE in a MAJOR way.

Quite simply, indie in a major way means to be an Outlaw and go against the grain without any recourse for what others think, but there's more to the formula. To illustrate, the indie scene is gaining momentum and making people recognize it is something to understand or consider when framing one’s business strategy or professional career. I stress that being an Outlaw is great and the rewards are amazing, especially if one is professional and producing commercially consumable product.

To sign, or not to sign….. that seems to be the not so million dollar question these days. I say, “If you win and no one loses, SIGN IT, SIGN IT, SIGN IT, or run the risk of living the 360 disease [as I term it] if you have the skills and politics in your corner.” The 360 disease is better known as a 360 deal wherein the label fronts revenue to the band or artist to be recouped over the course of the agreement or lifetime of the record, and then keeps 360 degrees of all revenue during the lifespan of the product. It can be argued, this type of 360 deal makes you a slave to the grind but for some it is a viable option.

In the land of independence, I had the opportunity to meet and work with the Red Dirt Rangers, whose sound is indescribable and diverse yet oh so entertaining, and they are the embodiment of INDIE in a MAJOR way; these guys pioneered the road for folks like me and the Outlaw Gang. As Brad Piccolo said to me before a press conference in March to announce the Backwoods Bash, “To heck with being told what to do and high falutin’ ways; keep your independence.” John Cooper went on to tell independent musicians, “Value your craft and live YOUR dream; it’s tough but the rest takes care of itself.”

If you dare to be an Outlaw this means it’s time to “Do It Yourself” (DIY) if you want to be successful and follow the footprint that has been left by the likes of the Red Dirt Rangers and many other independent pioneers who do not bow down to the corporate antics and politics of building a revenue stream to monetize your music. John Cooper graciously elates, "Music is for everyone." It cannot be controlled by corporations.... Napster and Limewire are proving that theory in the digital age.

And, more importantly, if you decide to go down the path of independence, you damn sure better “Do It Yourself” and do it RIGHT (DIY_R).

When people find out I have worked in NYC and LA to produce albums on iTunes and other digital distribution networks, as well as placed music in terra based stores, they want to be my friend and get my unadulterated help. As a professional who has forged my own way and helped many bands and producers, there is nothing more despicable than some shcmo giving me a home CD labeled with a Sharpie marker that is illegible and then asked, “Can we do business?” For the love of God people…. have some class.

In regard to album covers, I want so often to ask, “Has your mother seen this?”

And I often times wonder if their mother did see the artwork, did she put it on the fridge with a magnet? Or, is it the other extreme of the spectrum where the musician is so potentially embarrassed of what mom might think that she never sees the album cover design – thus a different kind of failure in design and import. At any rate, the bottom line is album sales and the only way to accomplish success is to FOCUS ON YOUR IMAGE.

Let me stress, image is everything. So, if you are going to use Photoshop or a Windows based image editor to design your own album cover….. please do it right.

I have always advocated and believed that fans, customers, clients or whatever you want to call them need to feel the need to interact with the music and/or product. On some level they need to feel a desire or impulse to “click here” or move their experience through what I call the “Wal-Mart scratch and sniff” test. If the music or album cover doesn’t look or feel like everything else you see in the store, there will most likely not be an interaction or a sale.

One more note on success: relationships. Real-lationships. Do not burn bridges, go out of your way to make amends or remedy the situation. Walk away and ignore those who have done you wrong but never, never burn a bridge. You never know when you will need to cross paths with that person. However, if you do encounter that one individual that is just plain despicable, simply turn the other cheek and remember what the rabbit Thumper said in the movie Bambi said, “If you can’t say somethin' nice, don’t say nuthin’ at all.”

Lastly, yes, my friends, even relationships have to be built and managed by yourself in the world of independent music and they have to be done right (DIY_R). Trevor

During the research and preparation of this article, I came across several interesting articles that may or may not have any direct bearing on the creation of this piece of work. The only piece of advice with the articles below is keep it real and if you’re going to be an Outlaw go out with guns o’ blazing…. The right way!

What if Hip Hop Was Governed: http://www.101distribution.com/article/rap-files-18

Clear Channel Killed the Indie Artist: Caught Red Handed? http://www.futureofmusic.org/blog/2007/07/09/clear-channel-threatens-indie-artists

Indie Success Video?

We Did It Again in Twenty-ten: Backwoods Bash

2010-06-04T13:39:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends, thanks for helping Matt and me accomplish the impossible this weekend with an event to celebrate independence, music, and our freedoms to be Americans who can worship in a variety of ways and honor our veterans. A special thanks to the Comanche Codetalkers, Cheyenne-Arapahoe, and Lenape Singers for their contribution to the worship service and support over the years with the veterans ceremony.

Many said we would never be successful without a huge budget. However, a lot of sweat-equity, work ethic, and passion for independent music, set the tone and we did it again in Twenty-ten just like we said we would. I realize the support you have given Matt and me over the years with my Outlaw vision. Matt and I teamed up “Outlaw Style” to formalize our efforts because we saw the realization that Middle America and Oklahoma in particular has A LOT OF UNRECOGNIZED TALENT. As Matt said in an interview last week regarding 100+ national submissions, “The judges voted and the Oklahoma Sound prevailed.” Most of you know that I have been doing music production or promotions for 13 years and have seen just about everything there is to the music business – most recently sitting in Frank Sinatra’s old office with my wife and a good friend in NYC while talking politics about the state of the business; record companies must change to embrace their artists or die. Matt Jostes has 11 years of festival experience and expertise to add to that mix, which is why we can cater to the artists and serve the fans with a wonderful mix of good tunes!

I realized a very long time ago when I started Outlaw Entertainment in 1997 that it was time to go against the grain and not play by the rules yet work within the confinements of industry standards and best-practices. Many people thought it would never work. Then, a few years ago Matt and I joined forces. Under my old record label, I helped produce, develop, and sell 6 out of 7 bands to independent and major labels before taking a “real job” with benefits as my mother would say. This was an average of 1 band every two years. Now, Matt and I are in the business of developing 30 bands a year while providing them with a bona-fide outlet and real industry exposure. The music we have produced and promoted can be found in the All Music Guide as well as on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and the Verizon Network.

The past no longer matters because the future of music is here now for independent music and festivals like the Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival. Our families have sacrificed and been frustrated with the level of commitment we have passionately put into the Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival. This year it finally resulted in what we always knew would happen……………… when music and water meet head to head with friends and family on Memorial Day Weekend. With your support, others are now trying to mimic us and compete. What these people do not realize is this is not a competition and we will stand the test of time. I know this.

The Backwoods Bash is about: Good music. Good people. Good Times.

I am speaking for Matt and am most sure he would agree with everything in this letter. I am also speaking for our friends Damien Hartzell, Sean Claes, Gerald Hacker, Brad Cook, Chuck Taylor, Kyle Heideman, Amadae Clark, Court and JC Egger at Thundermoon Ranch (the midwives as they have been coined), our families, and most importantly, Sean Clark who jumped on board last year to form the three amigos with Matt and me. These friends have been very instrumental in supporting and motivating us when we were down; if I forgot to mention you it is only because I’m exhausted and a bit delirious from heat exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Regardless, I look forward to finding ways to work with everyone again in the future!

Again, thank you all for believing, supporting, and promoting a great cause Backwoods style like a real Outlaw to support the Make a Difference Foundation.

Sincerely, Trevor C Lane

Email: trevor.lane@backwoodsbash.com

http://www.backwoodsbash.com/

Myspace: www.myspace.com/backwoodsbash

Twitter: www.twitter.com/backwoodsbash

JamBase: www.jambase.com/Fans/BackwoodsBash

YouTube: www.youtube.com/backwoodsbash

Backwoods Bash Music Festival Line-Up Released

2010-03-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

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At a press conference held at Blue House Media, the official line-up of the Third Annual Backwoods Bash was released. Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival is going to be held at Walnut Creek State Park on Keystone Lake. Aside from music, the Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival features a full kids area, veteran's memorial service, swimming, fishing, boating, food and drink vendors, and many other activities including some put on by various sponsors.

Backwoods Bash 2010

Official Music Line-up

Red Dirt Rangers

The headliners include the Red Dirt Rangers (Glincoe, OK), Eleven Fingered Charlie (Austin, TX), Project Huckleberry (Tulsa, OK) and Ray Bridgemay (Cabot, AR). The Memorial Day Weekend event will feature, in all, 29 independent bands from 4 states. The full line-up is below.

2010 Backwoods Bash
Music & Camping Festival
Weekend Line-Up

Friday, May 28, 2010

12:30am: Digital Graffiti (Tulsa, OK)
11:10pm: Paul Benjaman Band (Tulsa, OK)
10:00pm: Rock Bottom Ramblers (OKC, OK)
9:00pm: Dante and the Hawkes (Broken Arrow, OK)
8:00pm: HipHopotamus (Tulsa, OK)
7:00pm: Roger Jaeger (Tulsa, OK)
6:00pm: Duende (Tulsa, OK)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

12:30am: The Moai Broadcast (Tulsa, OK)
10:00pm: Red Dirt Rangers (Glincoe, OK)
8:20pm: Eleven Fingered Charlie (Austin, TX)
7:00pm: Sam and the Stylees (Tulsa, OK)
6:00pm: The Jeremy Miller Band (Austin, TX)
5:00pm: Steve Liddell (Tulsa, OK)
4:00pm: Whirligig (Tulsa, OK)
3:00pm: Parallel Play (Dallas, TX)
2:00pm: Joel Wade (Tulsa, OK)
1:00pm: Pillo Talk (Broken Arrow, OK)
12:00pm: Kayla Fitzgerald Jacobs (Wichita, KS)

Sunday, May 30, 2010

12:30am: Ghosts (Tulsa, OK)
11:00pm: Flatland Travelers (Stillwater, OK)
9:30pm: Cody Clinton & The Bishops (Tulsa, OK)
8:00pm: Project Huckleberry (Tulsa, OK)
7:00pm: Go Action Team (Austin, TX)
6:00pm: Ray Bridgemay (Cabot, AR)
5:00pm: The Move Trio (Tulsa, OK)
4:00pm: The Televised (Tulsa, OK)
3:00pm: Joe Mack (Tahlequah, OK)
2:00pm: Michael Gibson (Austin, TX)
1:00pm: Will Porter (Marietta, OK)
11:00am: Veterans Memorial Service

Backwoods Bash Music Festival 2010

2010-02-15T10:36:00.000-08:00

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2010 Backwoods Bash Music & Camping Festival News

New Location!
The Backwoods Bash Music & Camping Festival is pleased to announce that we will be relocating to Old Walnut Creek State Park on the shores of Keystone Lake in 2010. Old Walnut Creek State Park is located in Prue, OK; just 30 minutes from Tulsa. The new site has a full beach and boat access (both from and into the festival). Get directions here.
About Backwoods Bash

First held in 2008, the Memorial Day Weekend festival is located just outside of Tulsa , Oklahoma. This family friendly event has featured a diverse array of musical styles including indie rock, world music, jazz, Native American, hip hop, Americana , bluegrass, gospel, reggae, electronica and other alternative music. The Backwoods Bash Music Festival is the most affordable music and camping festival in or around Oklahoma . Attendees are welcome to bring their own tents, grills and coolers; kids under 12 are free.

This year the festival has moved to Walnut Creek State Park on Keystone Lake and includes a swimming area, boat ramp, RV parking and more. Aside from music, the Backwoods Bash Music and Camping Festival features a full kids area, veteran's memorial service, swimming, fishing, boating, food and drink vendors, and many other activities including some put on by various sponsors.

Camping
Backwoods Bash Music & Camping Festival is primitive camping at its heart with the understanding we do our best to make other amenities available such as restrooms. Make sure to pack accordingly. RVs are allowed, but space is extremely limited and can only be reserved online. There are no electrical hookups, but there are dump stations located at the neighboring section of Walnut Creek State Park.

Camping/Concert Rules

- Be Good. (Good Music. Good People. Good Times.)

- Must have unaltered wristband to enter venue area.

- No pets allowed.

- Alcoholic beverages (BYOB) will be allowed on grounds; though security will be checking IDs.

- No open fires; fires are allowed but only in suitable above-ground fire pits. Grills are allowed.

- Do not set up your tent in roadways.

- Please place all trash in the nearest trash bin; no littering.

- No hunting.

- No vehicles in camping area.

- Please read the official State Regulations linked below.

- Have a good time.

Twenty-Ten, Dub Ten, Y2KX??

2010-01-06T22:54:00.000-08:00

I had to take the first post in the new year..... as the subject line suggests, setting trends and spreading the word is crucial. As I predicted (quite some time ago) word of mouth (WOM) campaigns and any business modeled around WOM will be able to leverage investors, sponsors, donors, advertisers, and free floating money in society with ANY CAPITALIST who has a brain.
As the fads fade in and out, WOM is here to stay regardless of what is will be labeled or coined in the future, as anything morphoses and changes or adapts to a new environment: Evolution. Thus, I say evolution REVOLUTION.

May the proverbial, promotional grass roots grow and the word of mouth continue to talk the talk to the winds of time. This has lead to the ongoing success of many "Do It Yourself" (DIY) bands and our event, the Backwoods Bash Music Festival.

So, in the spirit of shameless promotions, tell a friend to tell a friend that the key-word on iTunes and Musiclovr.com is "Backwoods Bash" and they can buy an amazing copy of some of our region's best talent in their respective markets. Hopefully, your purchases and promotions will help the future bands get record deals and more live gigs to support and feed their families.

Value the craft: Each One Teach One. I remain, INDIE in a MAJOR way, The Outlaw Way.

Peace, Trev
http://www.trevorlane.com/

Do you hear what I hear?

2009-12-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

Want to see a really "outlaw" way to promote a movie that's indie in a major way?

http://whokilledthedwarf.com/

Indie in a Major way - Full Service.

2009-10-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of the things at the heart of the Outlaw Gang is spreading the love of good music and good musicians who know what goal oriented outside the box promotion is.

So, Austin's Full Service did a "Takeover Tour" last year where they followed the 311 / Snoop Dogg tour. They had a plan. Follow the tour and set up in the parking lot (no permission from venue) and play a set for the people showing up for the show. The idea? gain new fans and get noticed. They printed up thousands of CD demos to give out... made a mobile takeover unit.. and brought along a video crew for a documentary. They weren't messing around.

They began by having a press conference.

They did a lot of promo and press. They recorded their takeovers on video (below) and kept a diary of the journey.

Here's a Youtube video they did from the Atlanta Takeover:

Some shows went well.. some were shut down.. but they tracked the progess and learned a lot. Also....Word got back to 311's folks... and when 311 came through again they invited Full Service to open for them 3 nights (Springfield, Tulsa, and Austin). Not in the parking lot... but ON STAGE.

THEN... after it was all said and done. They had caught the ear of 311.. they opened for them in Austin on stage at Austin Music Hall... they got a lot of press. What did they do next?

They headed back out the did another takeover.
VIDEO: Full Service properly executes a takeover in the parking lot of the Austin Music Hall outside the Matisyahu & Les Claypool 6/9/09. It net them free tickets to the show. Here they are performing "Don't Deny" off of 2008's The Dig. http://www.fullservicemusic.com

They continue to make moves that keep fans entertained and when they get on stage they impress most who see them. They are a perfect example of a band that is Indie in a Major Way.

Here's a Full Service short... when they were preparing for a September show at Stubbs.

The Business of Music – The Problems of Promotion

2009-10-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a column I wrote for the fine folks of Sparrowheart Music and Media. It should appear there soon.

The Business of Music – The Problems of Promotion

By Sean Claes

I began writing entertainment around 1996 when I moved from Laredo to San Marcos, Texas to finish up college. Since then I’ve written for several magazines, Websites, and newspapers. I began contributing to INsite Magazine in 2003, became Managing Editor in 2005 and together with my wife bought it in 2008.

Why the bio? Well, lets just say I’ve been approached by more musicians than a Roppolo's Pizzeria on a Sixth Street Saturday night. Some have their stuff together, some don’t. And others just think they are the stuff.

I’ve put together a column talking about some of the problems I’ve seen bands go through when they are in their promotional gear. I separated it into three topics – Promoting your music, live show, and your band. Hope you get some benefit from this.

MUSIC
CD-less CD Release Show
This one is simple, but it seems many bands have had this happen to them. DO NOT SCHEDULE YOUR CD RELEASE SHOT UNTIL YOUR CDS ARE IN YOUR HANDS. I learned this one the hard way. INsite put a CD out in 2007 called This Is INsite Austin Music. The night before the show, the 1,000 CDs came back from being printed and the design firm that was personally assembling them one by one spent an entire night putting ‘em together. We just made it. We were lucky. I’ve been at a CD release show where there was no actual CD yet. Don’t be that band. Have the CD in your hands before booking the show.

It’s Not Personal, But It Should Be
OK, your CD came in. Now you’ve got a list of media folks you need to send it to. When you send a CD in the mail to someone hoping on a review, how about putting a little personal note in there? Media folks get buckets of CDs in the mail. If you knew how many CD’s I sort through each week to pick the ones I decide to actually put in my CD player, you may be stunned. I know for me, when I get something from the band that is actually hand written, I’ll give the CD a spin. I wont always like what I hear, but I’ll take a chance. That’s the entire reason to send a CD to media folks... so they give you a listen.

At Least They Spelled Your Name Right
So you finally got the CD into the hands of someone who is willing to review it. When that review is printed they compare your music to the sounds of two dogs have sex and then falling into a meat grinder. Ouch (on many levels). You march right over and want to give that reviewer a piece of your mind. DON’T. Consider this. If what they said was so wrong, people will see through it. There are a bunch of CD reviewers who think they need to bash something in order to make it in print. The other side is, perhaps the person just flat didn’t like it. He/she is entitled to his/her opinion. All I know is, YOU will come out looking like a whiny little baby if you try and put the reviewer in their place. Suck it up and move on.

LIVE
How Do They Know?
Tell people when you have a gig. Make sure you use all of the electronic medias (Website, e-mail, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace...etc) to get the word out. But, don’t underestimate the power of “traditional” media. Print (newspaper, magazine), Radio, and Television are three options. These will cost money, but you can likely work deals with someone. For instance my magazine, INsite, has a special rate for local bands. I don’t want to turn this into a promo for the magazine, so if you want to know more, hit me up.

Then there’s always good old-fashioned posters and flyers. I like to tell the story of one of my favorite cock-rock bands, SINIS. They promoted their first show at Flamingo Cantina by handing out ten thousand flyers. They figured if they handed out that many flyers, they could get a couple hundred through the door. It worked. It was a sell out.

The point is, your efforts will be rewarded. The more people who know about you, the more chances that you’ll have more butts through the door next time you play.

Bring your merch to the show - Getting people to a show is the hardest part, but only half the effort. Now you want them to remember you in the morning. I can’t count the number of times I’ve walked into a show where a band I know has a CD/T-shirts/swag decided not to bring their merchandise. This is foolish on two levels.
1. Chances are, you’re not going to make much money at the door... so selling merch is where its it.
2. Every time you miss an opportunity to have someone walk away from a show with something of yours they can listen to, share, or wear, it’s a good thing.

Thank You Austin!
NEVER piss off the sound guy and ALWAYS thank the venue and bands who have played before you and who will be playing after. You earn your reputation as a live band. Austin is a HUGE music town. People learn quickly which bands are cocky little pricks who don’t draw a crowd and get into fights... and which bands rip it up onstage and know how to conduct themselves. But most of all, NEVER piss off the sound guy. He has the job to make you sound good. If you sound good, people might like your tunes... if they like your tunes, they might buy a CD... and come to another show... with more friends. Get it?

BAND PROMOTION
The Next Stevie Ray Vaughan?
In the last 10 or so years that I’ve been a entertainment writer I’ve come across no less than 25 guitarists that were touted as the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. You can play grooves that would make the entire fanbase of the immortal Stevie Ray Vaughan smile... but you’ll never be him... nor should you want to be. It’s got to the point that I won’t listen to a CD that claims that anymore.

It’s almost as bad as calling a band the “best kept secret” in town. You aren’t the next anyone... and if your band is a secret, you aren’t promoting well enough. Get on it.

Never Underestimate Who Your Audience May Be.
So you work at a deli to make ends meet before you hit it big with music. Mention your band to as many people as possible every day. The lady picking up a tuna sandwich might just be your future biggest fan, or the owner of a big club, or a magazine for that matter. Don’t judge a book by its cover either. She may not look like she’d be into your music, but if I walked into a room, nobody would peg me as a fan of New York’s Every Time I Die or Austin’s Grupo Fantasma but they are two of my top choices in those genres.

Another example? My wife walked into a UPS Store in San Marcos a few years back and Randy Rogers happened to be working there (This is a year or so before the Randy Rogers Band signed a major record deal and he was just beginning to play regularly at Cheatham Street Warehouse). He casually mentioned to her that he was in a band. She mentioned her husband was a music writer. I ended up reviewing his 2003 release (http://seanclaes.2.forumer.com/index.php?act=ST&f=5&t=132&st=0#entry196) for INsite Magazine as I was a contributor.

Being a genuine nice guy net him two lifelong fans and a CD review in an Austin magazine. Be that guy for your band.

Following Up
When you promote your band, make sure to hold every part of it accountable. What efforts resulted in paid tickets through the door? Did the $3 off at the door cards get used? Did the radio personality you tried to get the CD to actually receive it? Did the Marketing Director? Follow up.

There have been entirely too many bands that I’ve never even heard of and I’ve gotten a CD in the mail. No pre-contact. No follow up. Usually I don’t listen to them. Same is the case of the bands I see when I’m out at clubs. A lot of bands have a CD they’d love for me to review. Smart bands hand me a CD at the club. Smarter bands hand me a CD, and ask for my contact information. The smartest bands, get me a CD, get my contact information and follow up to see how I liked the CD.

If you are trying to make it in the music business, you need to treat it like a business. Make a plan. Make some goals. Give yourself a deadline. Make it happen. When you hit the stage or write the music or practice.. that’s all about the music. Don’t let business mess with that. But in the same breath, don’t let the stereotype of being a “musician” keep you from being in business.

Music + business = Music Business.

Sean Claes rocks like Slayer. Questions? Compliments? Free t-shirts (he wears XL)? Contact him at sean@insiteaustin.com

Gunz ablazing....

2009-09-11T20:21:00.000-07:00

I am proud to have friends like Sean Claes. I am also proud of the work that DIY bands, artists, and others do who we support. In particular, this blog and the comrades that have been embraced over the years have given life to a much needed internet based talk radio show to support the hard work these kats put into their craft. Like anything, it will take time to develop but we have the inner makings of something phenomenal.

Not much else to say, been awhile since I posted. So, check it out and let me know what you think! You know where I hide.

www.blogtalkradio.com/undacast

Indie in a MAJOR way.

2009-07-04T13:58:00.001-07:00

We have the FREEDOM to Love Music and Love Life. Little history tid-bit at the end and, yes, I know, I know.... us Outlaws keep harping on this "INDIE in a MAJOR way" slogan with events like The Backwoods Bash, Dfest, Texas Rockfest, and all the other independent concert and festivals, especially in Middle America - the last untapped talent pool in the good ole US of A. It's hard to fall for the gimmicks of corporate America when I see hard working kats like Full Service, Gorrilla Marketing, and these street performers in Boston today - seen below. This being the 4th of July makes me really thankful for the freedom we have in this country to be like our forefathers and "snub our noses at the man."

I watched these two kids today make LORD KNOWS HOW MUCH MONEY in just a few hours, just doing what they enjoy. No permits. No contracts. No regulations. Just a nice space to go and "get it." Amazing.

Although I wonder somedays if all this work that Matt Jostes and I do with the Backwoods Bash is worth it. I know Sean probably wonders about Texas Rockfest and all the free support he gives to independent musicians, entertainers, and artists..... but the reality of hardwork, FREEDOM, and persistence reassure me that we are on the right path.

So, if you are an independent artist, musician, or entertainer.... please take a minute to thank a veteran and those who support your cause to setup shop and do what you do. You can support our freedom fighters and colleagues without supporting the BS politics of global monetization in the name of democracy or whatever cause can be dreamed up....

HISTORY LESSON: Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? You can read the snopes.com version for the full factual scoop but this will give you good perspective of the point I'm trying to make.

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his Ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I hope everyone has a safe and eventful 4th of July. PEACE..... and, remember, DO YOU! Coz Imma do me..... wooo-weee.

The Bands of Middle America

2009-04-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, some of the best bands are tucked away and undiscovered in Middle America. I have been consumed with my day job, writing a book, and planning for the Backwoods Bash so I'm taking a little break to share some thoughts and experiences as we kick off the 2nd Annual Backwoods Bash.

As the music business struggles as an industry, there seems to be a surge and influx of rising "indie" or independent bands because more and more artists are taking matters into their own hands and seeking out opportunities rather than waiting on a hand out from a major label. Since we are not as influenced as the east or west coasts, our music tends to have stronger arrangements, interesting melodies, underlying tones, and vocals that you will not hear on radio in most cases.

Due to the disconnect with music politics, our artists and producers in Middle America tend to operate without the stresses and confines offered by elitists perpetuating a structured business model. The thriving independent music scene in Austin is proof of what is emerging throughout the rest of Middle America. Austin, Texas has set a standard as the "Indie Music Capitol of the World" and it seems to be spreading - little by little.

Look out major labels....... Middle America is on the rise. And, the Outlaw Entertainment Group is "INDIE in a MAJOR WAY."

Road To The Bash - Austin, May 3

2009-04-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

INsite Magazine has organized a special "Road To The Bash" concert and raffle, featuring the 4 bands from Austin who will play Backwoods Bash 2009. The purpose of the gig is to help the bands raise money to pay for the gas to Mannford. The raffle is for the same and it'll feature some sweet band swag.

Here's the info:
Sunday May 3, 2009 @ Red Eyed Fly

Chartreuse
http://www.myspace.com/chartreuseaudio

With over a 100 shows under their belt, including playing festivals such as Bayfest and South By South West, Chartreuse brings their experimental sound to the Backwoods Bash.

The Banner Year
www.myspace.com/thebanneryear

Returning to the Backwoods Bash Music Festival for the second year, The Banner Year will sure not disappoint. These aggressive, yet accessible, road warriors from Austin create a unique sound and experience with their mixture of alternative, pop-punk and independent rock style.

Will Evans Project
www.myspace.com/thewillevansproject

The Will Evans Project is Exciting, and charged with Soul. WEP writes and creates music that fuses blues, rock, soul, and improvisation, but most importantly, their onstage chemistry is the catalyst that forms a musical journey that is truly unique.

Michael Gibson
www.myspace.com/michaelbuiltabicycle

This classically trained and accomplished pianist brings his progressive music and songwriting to the Backwoods Bash in 2009.

Do a concert a favor... click this photo... download this flyer full-size and you'll have a letter-sized page with 8 copies of the show information. Cut it up.. keep one and hand 7 out to anyone who will take one. Thanks!

If you know someone in Austin... please pass this information on. Word of mouth from you good people is what we count on. It's the Backwoods Bash way.

Backwoods Bash 2009 - Band Entry Deadline Nears

2009-01-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

This one has Outlaw Gang written all over it.

The Backwoods BashMusic Festival 2009 will be held Memorial Day Weekend in Mannford Oklahoma (just outside Tulsa).

This is a concert that was conceived by Trevor Lane, Matt Jostes, Damien Hartzell and Sean Claes. It's a benefit concert wrapped around 3-days of camping , and it's a great time. In 2008 we had about 20 bands, all indie. If you're a touring indie band, have an album ... and may be near (or can form a tour around) Tulsa (Mannford) Oklahoma during Memorial Day Weekend, please apply. We'll also put out a Compilation CD of bands playing the show.

We are accepting band applicants until January 31. Click image below to go to the site.

Here's some shots from Backwoods Bash 2008

If you'd like to support us by sponsoring, or by being a vendor, click the applicable link. Thanks.

Happy 2009.

DON'T DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)

2008-12-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

Research says that telling someone NOT to do something is a sure fire way to get action. And by the way.... I kinda mean what was said in the subject line - kinda. You should always "do it yourself" if you're an indie band, but ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO HAVE TWO SETS OF PROFESSIONAL EYES on anything going to the public or masses so that you're not "doing it alone."

As the major record labels continue to merge or consolidate and share resources, it's clear that a good "Do It Yourself" indie band can outpace the majors, if they have a plan and let the experts help them.

Having a plan and letting the experts do their job is THE OUTLAW way. Keep going against the grain and building your record sales, one fan at a time!

SXSW Week in Austin, Texas

2008-12-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

Note: the following article was written by Manny Escamilla of 956 Entertainment. It's got some good points. It was originally published on his MySpace Blog. - myspace.com/metalmanny01.

--------------------------------
SXSW Week in Austin, Texas

As most of you know, the deadline for SXSW submission was November 17th. Good luck to those bands that had an opportunity to submitted. For those bands who are not familiar with SXSW (are you living under a rock?), this is the largest music festival in the country. Held in Austin, Texas annually during March (18th - 22nd), the festival draws industry reps from across the US and overseas. The vast array of industry folks include major and indie label reps, management firms, booking agencies, gear/energy drink/liquor/clothing sponsors, media reps (radio, internet & print media), studio reps, producers, promoters, etc. Basically, if they are directly or indirectly related to the music industry, you will most likely find them in Austin that particular week. Since the majority of the music industry has migrated to this event, its an excellent opportunity for bands and solo artists to network and promote themselves.

For those bands who did not submit for SXSW, your best bet to showcase your material during this event will be through independent festivals. While these festivals are not associated with SXSW, they run concurrently with SXSW. Moreover, many of these promoters also use cool venues along the 6th Street/downtown area to showcase their talent, where the largest draws are concentrated.

Keep in mind that if your band is accepted to a SXSW sanctioned-event, you will not be able to participate in ANY of these indie festivals. Seems unfair, but SXSW prohibits bands from partaking in a 'competitor' event.

Some quick suggestions for bands to prepare for SXSW week:

- Take lots of studio-quality demos to hand out - make sure these copies are professionally-produced with all your contact info clearly noted.

- Ensure your band has an updated EPK (sonicbids.com is a good choice) for quick reference. I do NOT recommend handing out bulky hard copies, as it makes it difficult for industry reps to carry all these material. I favor handing out our business cards, then following with an EPK the following week.

- Book hotels in advance - If you are going to need a hotel, make sure to book NOW. The city and surrounding area sells quickly.

- Bring lots of business cards to hand out. You can order 250 FREE from Vistaprint.com

- If you secure a showcase (whether it's a SXSW or indie show), make sure to promote your show! Show up at least a day early and flyer your show, invite industry reps to your show, etc. Showcases are hard to come by, so make the most out of your opportunity!

- Even if you do not have a showcase, make an effort to have some presence in Austin during this week. Networking with other artists and industry reps is equally important. You may be surprised who you meet!

In the coming days, I will follow up to this BLOG and recommend some cool indie festivals to those bands eager to secure a showcase. So, keep your eyes posted here!

DISCLAIMER: I am not associated with SXSW in any shape or form; however, i've been attending this festival for over 10 years now and am simply sharing some of the things i've picked up along the way!
(Again... to follow his blogs... join his MySpace - myspace.com/metalmanny01)

Ariel Publicity - They Are On The Right Track...

2008-11-22T09:07:00.001-08:00

If you are an independent artist out there trying to make it, do yourself a favor and get familiar with Ariel Publicity.

I'm not saying hire them... although if you did, I have a great belief that you'd be better off.... But that's your choice. Tke advantage of their free advice. They have a damned good blog. - http://arielpublicity.com/blog/.

Good stuff.
It's the Outlaw Way.

Here's a link to thier intro - Cyber PR

AND... here's the link to sign up for their bi-weekly e-zine.

I've never met Ariel.. only seen her stuff through being subscribed to her E-Zine. But, if you're looking at self-promotion, she's got some great tips.

Ready for Backwoods Bash 2009?

2008-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

The Backwoods Bash Music Festival 2009 (May 22-25, 2009) will once again be hosted by Thundermoon Ranch & Paintball in Mannford, OK. It is located about 20 minutes west of Tulsa near Keystone Lake.

Backwoods Bash 2009
@Thundermoon Ranch & Paintball
33440 W. 51 St. South
Mannford, OK 74044

WANTED: INDEPENDENT BANDS & MUSICIANS

Backwoods Bash 2009 is now accepting submissions from bands/musicians to perform at Backwoods Bash Music Festival 2009!

Artists

In order to perform at the Festival, you must be able to supply the following:

- 2 songs of professional quality to be included on the 2009 Backwoods Bash Compilation CD

- Link to your band's website and / or MySpace page

- High Res. photo of band (300 dpi: jpg or tif)

- Equipment list / Special needs

- Short bio of band

Click below to inquire or apply:

2009 Backwoods Bash Music Festival Performance Application/Agreement

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@backwoodsbash.com

The Backwoods Bash Music Festival is all about being good. Leave your stresses and worries at the gate and enjoy three days of camping and good independent music from Middle America. The Memorial Day Weekend festival (May 22-25, 2009) is set on a beautiful landscape overlooking Mannford Lake at Thundermoon Ranch, just 20 minutes west of Tulsa.

Your presence not only supports real independent music, but it benefits two great foundations, the TC Lane Foundation and Vertical Life Youth Initiatives. The Backwoods Bash Music Festival is a great weekend of music for people from every walk of life. So grab your tent, your cooler and your friends and family and join us for three days of good music, good people and good times.

The T-Shirt Company Designers Charge YOU for using

2008-09-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

Let's have a little clarity.
There's a designer who is creating the artwork for your band's t-shirt. This designer is also going to "do you the favor" of finding a t-shirt printing company who can print your 1-color, 1-sided shirts art the "low low cost" of just $7 a shirt..maybe $6. 2-sided at about $9-$10. Then there's shipping and handling...set-up charges...and other things you have to consider.

Don't take that designers word for it. Make sure you make the agreement that you will purchase the design..all of the files and everything that is associated with it... and find your own printer.

Then go here:
Def-Star:

It's where this designer will likely go... and make some extra money off of you.

20 shirts for $100 = $5 a shirt.
No shipping... no set-up charges... no extra costs.
Def-Star. It's what DIY folks in the know use.

Now you know too. Tell 'em Sean Claes with INsite Magazine sent ya. Why? Well.. I get a few bonus shirts every time someone drops my name... and I could use some new shirts.

Heck.. if you send me your band t-shirt (XL) I'll likely wear it. I like to promote smart DIY bands. Just shoot me a message on INsite's MySpace and I'll get you the address.

That's the Outlaw way.

A few words to read.. from Austin's 93.3 DJ, Duce

2008-07-09T06:27:00.001-07:00

While out there in Internetland, I came across an Austin DJ's MySpace Blog and his words are Outlaw-like... so I thought I'd share his thoughts on how an artist can and should promote. The DJ is from Hot 93.3FM in Ausitn. His name is Duce.

The following is directly posted from his MySpace page.
We agree Duce. Hope we get to meet you at some point.
-----------------
Duce:
Okay, so I wrote a blog before about how artist's can better themselves on getting closer to reaching that goal of becoming a superstar. Here I go again. I hope you listen.

1. Be an full time artist. What I mean is this, don't be an artist only when it's cool. Like when SXSW comes around or Texas Relays. If you want to make it, you have to be out there all year. Not just when a big event is going on.

2. Have product. If you haven't put out a cd or mixtape or single, please do ASAP. It just looks good to have physical product to show people. It just makes you look like your serious.

3. Have representation. And I do not mean your homeboy that has your back. I mean someone who's deal is to represent you in a professional manner. At the end of the day this is a business and the majority people that you are going to deal with are professional older people who don't have time for games.

4. Control your crew. I CAN'T STAND "FRIENDS" OF ARTIST'S. These are the people who just might be your friends, girlfriends, cousins, etc. But they can get annoying if they are trying to: A. Expect to be important cause they know you. B. Be the annoying mascot. It's one thing to be down, but it's another thing to be over zealous.

5. Know when your cd is in the hands of the radio station. This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. You record a song, then have all your homeboys call the radio station and request it. DO NOT DO THIS. For two reasons, a. if they radio doesn't have your song, they obviously can't play it., b. if A LOT of people are calling for something that no one has never heard of, it looks pretty obvious as to what is going on and you may annoy a dj who won't want to deal with you in the future.

6. Don't waste a dj's time. If you set up a meeting with a dj or programmer, once again be professional. Arrive on time. And if you say you are going to do something, do it. For example, I'll call next week to follow up, etc. If you don't, it will be noticed.

7. Don't think you are special because you are local. Just because you are local doesn't mean you are not still in competition with Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy and every other major label artist out there. What should inspire you is the fact that since you're local you make yourself more known to them in your market. Use that to your advantage.

8. Use the internet to your advantage. The world is smaller than it ever has been. You can find fans anywhere. Use YouTube, Myspace, and chat rooms to your utmost advantage. Think about it. If you get enough fans on your own, you can make a living by selling cd's on your own website worldwide.

Now let all that marinate.

You Heard It Here First - Viral WOM.

2008-06-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

As we labored over our first concert, The Backwoods Bash, I have been debating the topic of my next article. Then, I received an email from a newsletter from...... well, this is where it gets tricky and the reason for this blog. Let me digress by saying, "We are about to experience a world of 'Viral WOM' but like any virus you can mostlikely be traced back to the "source."

Yes, "Viral WOM" is a very calculated and strategic new term of art (and a little bit of science)!

It seems some folks like what we write about here, and then try to kipe the ideas as their own, put them in newsletters, and present it at a conference or tell their other professional friends. I must say that mimicry is the HIGHEST form of flattery because my "date stamp" predates yours - at least give credit where credit is due. Be infectious.

What is "Viral WOM" you may ask? Well, let me tell you what it isn't. According to my google search before writing this article, "Viral WOM" is not:

Viral / WOM
Viral, WOM
viral/wom or
viral, WOM.

"Viral WOM" is exactly what it appears to be and is not found in a google search prior to now. Viral WOM is data driven, strategic, analytic, yet flexible and adaptable. In other words, your WOM must be viral and infectious like STD-M.

Now that I'm done busting the balls of the idea hijackers, let me speak plain English and give you some more ideas and examples, especially for your upcoming conferences and non-profit "educational foundation." Remember, you have to value every relationship that you build in this industry, if you're going to stick around for the "long haul." Thus, you have to be very realistic, sensible, and strategic about those relationships and how you are going to maintain those connections. Folks, a marriage is said to be a "full time job" (although I would assert it's that plus overtime) and all of your professional connections need some level of attention, too. Then, let's throw children into the mix because they have the world's largest spending power. So, now we are talking about alot of "grass roots" efforts and energy like running a triathalon or clubbing all night, but spread out over time. Ha!

Now, time for some REAL life examples. These are "Viral WOM" examples that are INDIE in a MAJOR WAY: Fancorp.com, CapitolStreetTeam.com, RunnersMusicGroup.com, SeanClaes.com, Musiclovr.com, FullServiceMusic.com

ENJOY.

Backwoods Bash - It's an Outlaw Gang Affair

2008-05-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

We practice what we preach.
See you this weekend!

BE GOOD with Backwoods Bash This Weekend
Family Friendly Memorial Day Weekend Event

Austin, TX – It’s finally here. Good music. Good People. Good times. The first ever Backwoods Bash will be this weekend (May 23 - 26) at Thundermoon Ranch and Paintball on Mannford Lake in Oklahoma. This is a completely grassroots family friendly event for the people and by the people. This year’s theme – Be Good.

Come out and help support the charities (TC Lane "Make a Difference" Foundation and Vertical Life Youth Initiatives) and have a Memorial Day Weekend that will go down in HISTORY

That’s right…Backwoods Bash 2008 will be held at the Thundermoon Ranch & Paintball in Mannford, OK, just 15 minutes from Downtown Tulsa and close to Keystone Lake. For directions from 8 different directions, please visit:
http://backwoodsbash.musiclovr.com/backwoodsbash/maps/

Camping is encouraged. There will be a food vendor during part of the weekend, but please plan to bring coolers/grills/snacks/beverages for yourself. This is real camping… people who are planning on camping…bring your own shelter.

Some of the activities to be experienced over the weekend include volleyball, horseshoes, and FREE paintball admission and equipment rental and air at Thundermoon’s “The Castle” – just purchase the paint balls). There will also be event t-shirts available for purchase as well as jewelry, glowsticks, and other items.

Below you will find a snapshot of some of the planned events:

Friday May 23, 2008
Gates open @ 3pm ($5/car for one day or $15/weekend)
Entrance gates close at 10pm

Music Starts @ 7pm
7:00 Cosmic Rush (http://www.myspace.com/thecosmicrush)
8:00 Day Dreamer (http://www.myspace.com/daydreamertunes)
9:00 Damn the Man
10:00 Tech Tonic (http://www.myspace.com/techtonica)
11:00 Super Jam with Will Porter (http://www.myspace.com/willporter)

Saturday, May 24, 2008
Gates open @9am
Entrance gates close at 10pm

Music Starts @ Noon
Noon - Will Porter (http://www.myspace.com/willporter)
1:00PM - Greg Schroeder (http://www.myspace.com/gregschroeder)
2:00PM - Joel Wade (http://www.myspace.com/jwadeband)
3:00PM - Steve Liddell (http://www.myspace.com/steveliddell)
4:00PM – ValerieStar (http://www.myspace.com/valeriestar2006)
5:00PM - Cannonball Sunday (http://www.myspace.com/cannonballsunday)
6:00PM - The Banner Year (http://www.myspace.com/thebanneryear)
7:00PM - Somewhat Lucky (http://www.myspace.com/somewhatluckyband)
8:00PM - Full Service (http://www.fullservicemusic.com)
9:00PM – Ghosts (http://www.myspace.com/ghosts2002)

Sunday, May 25, 2008
9am - Noon Revival – Service and Gospel Singers:
An informal service will be held.
There will also be a gospel choir performing.

2pm Arts & Crafts Festival

Monday, May 26, 2008
Break camp, clean up, and Be Good.

Sponsors of Backwoods Bash 2008 include: American Abstract & Tile, Blue House Media, Box Photography, Creative Concepts, Creek Nation Casino, INsite Austin Entertainment Magazine, MusicLovr, Musick School, Outlaw Entertainment, Rockstar Energy Drink, Thundermoon Ranch, Tom C. Lane & Associates, Up Late with Ben Sumner, and Wade’s RV.

Backwoods Bash - Line-up and Album Release

2008-05-15T22:49:00.001-07:00

You know what... this is our blog and we can promote our stuff too.... so...

How does 20 songs from independent bands who were hand-picked to play the First Ever Backwoods Bash in Oklahoma for only $5 sound to you ?

How about if I told you I helped select the bands?
The bands are playing for free.
The concert benefits charity.
The sales from the digital downloads will go to the bands for their gas money to and from the show.

Would you buy it then?

OK... what if I assure you the music is good... or next time I see you, you can ask for the $5 back?

Here's the skinny:
Each band has also donated music for an Album Backwoods Bash 2008 – Good Music. Good People. Good Times that was released on Cdbaby.com on Tuesday, May 5, 2008. For the next 90 days, this 20-song album will be available for a $5 digital download. "We want to make sure everyone has a chance to listen to these great bands. Most of money raised from the downloads will go right back to the bands in order to pay for their gas and expenses," Trevor Lane said. "These guys are coming from as far away as Dallas and Austin on their own dime."

Fine folks everywhere will be downloading the album by visiting http://cdbaby.com/cd/backwoodsbash2008 and clicking on the "add MP3 to cart" button.

The Official Line-up for the 2008 Backwoods Bash
Noon - Will Porter (http://www.myspace.com/willporter)
1:00PM - Greg Schroeder (http://www.myspace.com/gregschroeder)
2:00PM - Joel Wade (http://www.myspace.com/jwadeband)
3:00PM - Steve Liddell (http://www.myspace.com/steveliddell)
4:00PM – ValerieStar (http://www.myspace.com/valeriestar2006)
5:00PM - Cannonball Sunday (http://www.myspace.com/cannonballsunday)
6:00PM - The Banner Year (http://www.myspace.com/thebanneryear)
7:00PM - Somewhat Lucky (http://www.myspace.com/somewhatluckyband)
8:00PM - Full Service (http://www.fullservicemusic.com)
9:00PM – Ghosts (http://www.myspace.com/ghosts2002)

Does High School Talent REALLY EXIST?

2008-05-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

The element of young talent these days is amazing - especially in light of technology. I hope to be posting some video footage as we work on production of the album for the winners of the CSU and TCC High School Talent Show! The participants were brave, daring, and amazing at times. It made me really wonder if its possible for a bunch of young talent to REALLY have what it takes to make something of themselves. Time will tell with this event, but rest assured that radio, TV, and other local media and corporate sponsors believe in this thing.

Let me introduce a couple of great guys to our local scene, Ben Sumner and Pastor Mike Hill. Nuf said.... these guys know music and understand the importance of news worthy opportunities. They have been quick and kind to sponsor a high school based talent show coordinated and organized by young students (Citizen Student Union or CSU). With commercials on the local TV network, Ben Sumer helped to couple the talent contest with an educational element filled with cash prizes, giveaways, a live DJ, and information about scholarships.

What do you think? Can a group of undeveloped youngsters pull it off?????

BackwoodsBash.com

2008-04-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

BackwoodsBash.com

Indiefest?

2008-04-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

It seems the vibe of original and LIVE music with a dose of camping is VERY MUCH alive! I'm not going to promote or plug one event over another - just wanted to simply point out that these events are popping up. As we go greener and greener to beyond recycling..... I put money on the "Green Outdoor Festivals." It seems others are feeling the vibe, especially in places like Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

It will be interesting to see what websites pop up with a "festival tour circuit" of these types of events. Time will tell.

Viral Marketing - YouTube.

2008-04-06T14:43:00.000-07:00

This may be the biggest waste of your day... but watch this video.

Annoyed yet?
Think I wasted your time?
This thing worked better for Flea Market Montgomery than anyone could have expected.

Now.. here's the deal. over 2 million people have seen this. And that's just this version on this page... if you click to look... there's probably about 1 million more clicks from others.

Family Force 5 saw it... and visited them:

And people have mocked great movies with it:

What do YOU have to shamelessly promote yourself and your music?

2008-03-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

This article was cut and pasted from MusiciansAtlas.com.

Earth Day Marketing In 10 Easy Steps

I was recently at a workshop led by Environmental Lifestyle Expert Danny Seo - a best-selling author & media personality. The room was filled with industry and corporate representatives, product consumers and music fans. Obviously these people were interested in learning how they can live a more eco-friendly existence and chances are, your fans are interested as well.

While every day should be considered Earth Day, April 22nd is the official date when the media and your fans will be hyper-aware of green initiatives and activities. Do your part by adding some eco- friendly promotions to your marketing plan & up coming gigs and you can help save the planet and grow your fan base.

What’s your issue? Global Climate change is driven by deforestation, air pollution, corporate control of resources, agribusiness, etc. It’s all connected, and there are Environmental Organizations that can help promote your efforts. Choose your issue, and become an Environmental advocate starting this Earth Day.

Here are some things you can do:

* 1) Ask local environmental groups to have a table at your event. It’s easy: just Google non-profits in whatever city you plan to be in. Give them a quick call and ask if they’d like to set up an earth day table. They’ll be thrilled for the opportunity! It’s a chance for them to spread the word, recruit new volunteers, and maybe even new members. For you: they will promote your concert because they want people to come and learn about their issue.
* 2) Register your event at Earthday.net, and go there to find out what’s already going on in your city.
* 3) Ask your fans to pay an extra $.25 or $.50 per ticket and let them know that it will be donated to an Environmental Group.
* 4) Carbon offsets—ask you fans to offset their carbon emissions by going to Native Energy. Offset your own carbon emissions while you’re there, and include that in your press release!
* 5) Ask your fans to sign an Earth Day pledge to become more eco- friendly. Have them include their email & text address so you can keep in touch with them about important Green initiatives & support each other’s efforts.
* 6) Get eco-creative with your swag. Give away compact fluorescent bulbs—they are highly efficient and use one fourth as much electricity.
* 7) Multimedia—show a short video at your concert or on your website. A lot Environmental Groups these days have short, powerful videos that let people quickly know about the problems and solutions. This is an easy way to get a strong message out to a lot of people, and ask people to take action. Check out Youtube for some short videos that you can put on your website from Dogwood Alliance or Gulf Restoration Network.
* 8) Solar panels—rent solar panels to power the stage for a day! Check out Big Frog Mountain or Sustainable Waves for more information on solar stages.
* 9) Organize a call-in day—calling decision makers is one of the most powerful ways to make change. We know that when we make a phone call to an elected official or to a Corporate Executive that they are listening. It takes a minute—you can hand out fliers and ask everyone to call before they leave!
* 10) Press—let the press know about your efforts! A little media can go a long way and many media outlets are hungry for Earth day stories. Draft up a short press release, and send it around to local media stations and to local, regional and national publications. People will be psyched to hear about your efforts. Who knows, maybe you’ll inspire some others to do the same.

Starting this Earth Day, you can educate and promote social action, and change the world one gig at a time. To find out more check out Dogwood Alliance, Rainforest Action Network, or check out the Business Ethics Network website for a list of Corporate-sponsored campaigns.

Stay tuned: Next month I’ll be writing about environmentally friendly musicians, what they’re doing and how you can get in the mix. If you’re already doing something Green, let me know and maybe I’ll write about you!

Eva Hernandez
Organizing Director
Dogwood Alliance, 828-251-2525 x13

Source:MusiciansAtlas.com.

See a camera... JUMP IN FRONT OF IT!

2008-03-14T07:40:00.001-07:00

Just so you know I'm not all talk when it comes to advice on promoting your product or band... I did my own little free advertising push on Wednesday night in the middle of 6th Street in Austin, Texas.

If you know music.. you know there's a band or 10,000 in Austin, Texas every third week in March. A few thousand are playing a festival... and about 8,000 are playing free shows in every nook and cranny of the city.

Well, as Managing Editor of INsite Magazine I was out there personally handing out the March 2008 issue, featuring the FREE Texas Rockfest, rock band Vallejo, punk-hop band Spin Alley, columns from local radio personalities Jason Dick and Chuck Loesch, and much more. If you're not in Austin to pick up a copy at one of over 300 locations for free... download your own copy in PDF format by clicking these fantastic words.

I saw a video camera crew that had some official-looking credentials filming... and I jumped in front of their camera. It happened to be folks from Austin's Door Number 3 filming for their blog - Advertising Anarchy. I made the video (Note the opening picture is the magazine) on their Wednesday, March 12, 2008 blog.

Now, here's a word to the wise. If you are going to bogart a camera crew... don't be an ass. Have something to say. Make sure you are pitching your product or band in a way that sounds interesting to them. Yes.. it's about you... but it's about what YOU can do for THEM not the other way around. Oh.. and always find out who they are... follow up... thank them for their time... and offer any additional information.

Here's the YouTube Video. I'm at about the 1 minute mark.

Yeah... I rock like Slayer.

Where will I be tonight? Texas Rockfest at 7:30p.m. to see Mike Truth and the Replacement Killers at the Guitar Hero III stage on 7th and Trinity for starters. If you see me stop by and say hello.

SXSW 2008 - Festival isn't always about signing bands

2008-03-12T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is a reprint of an article that originally appeared in the Austin American Statesman in March 2008. Access the original story online here : http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2008/03/0312sxsw.html

SXSW 2008
Festival isn't always about signing bands
From the casual fans to music industry players, there's something for everyone.

By Joe Gross
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The biggest myth about the South by Southwest Music Festival and Conference refuses to die, and it's this: SXSW is the place bands go to get discovered and the place labels go to sign bands.

Like many myths, there's an element of truth to this, but SXSW has never been just about record companies, major or otherwise, or any one thing at all.

The tens of thousands of people descending on Austin for the start of today's music festival include bands showcasing their latest songs; label representatives showcasing their latest bands; managers, booking agents and publicists looking for new clients; and fans looking for the next big thing.

If SXSW is about anything, it's about building and maintaining relationships in the music industry. Or as SXSW Director Roland Swenson puts it: "Our approach has always been to help artists find ways to control their destiny."

The myth about SXSW as a vehicle for stardom is almost as old as the fest itself, now in its 21st year.

"I think that started in the early 1990s," Swenson said. In the wake of Nirvana's success in 1991 and 1992, "there was a massive expansion of major labels. They were paying big money for almost anyone."

Thousands of rock bands ended up signed to major labels that didn't develop them.

"Obviously, this sort of signing binge was a huge anomaly," Swenson said.

The Internet has made discovering a band by randomly walking into a club all but obsolete. Even the idea of the unsigned band is up for grabs.

Casey Monahan, director of the Texas Music Office, said when bands talk to him about music business infrastructure and what they need, some of the first things he asks are, "Do you have a good Web site? Do you have a good server? Are you able to sell your own product?" The office serves as a promotion and information clearinghouse for the state's music industry.

With so many more ways for bands to make their music public — MySpace and Facebook pages, blogs and band Web sites from which fans can buy tracks are just a few examples — the very necessity of record labels is in doubt. Being signed might not even be a goal for a lot of bands today.

Austin band White Denim, one of the 1,700 bands selected to play SXSW, has forsworn traditional domestic record labels in exchange for the freedom of self-releasing its music.

"We don't work with labels because they talk about timing, and when you (should) release a record, and (at) what level you put this certain type of promotion," White Denim drummer Josh Block said. The band is self-releasing its debut album on vinyl and working out deals for digital distribution. There are no plans for a domestic CD release, although Block said, "We have no idea how to release music in Europe" and are talking with European labels. (Look for more on White Denim in Thursday's XL.)

"There's so much more information even from our Web site (sxsw.com)," Swenson said. "You see a band's photo; you find a link to their Web site; you can hear their music streaming. None of that was around in 1987."

Then, to hear an unsigned band, you usually had to be right in front of it. Not anymore.

Labels, especially the independents, shop showcase acts at SXSW and still rely on word-of-mouth recommendations, but those can be accompanied by a MySpace page or file transfer of a demo. The buzz of blog hype can become deafening to those obligated to pay attention. YouTube can provide live clips. It's rare that industry folks come to SXSW without any idea of the acts they want to see.

With 1,700 acts playing at least one show apiece, festival attendees are faced with a serious time crunch. "I'm not in a position to say, 'Let's take Thursday night and wander around,' " said Matthew Johnson, general manager of the San Francisco-based Birdman Records. "I will stick my head in the door of a club, but bands should never count on a random encounter."

Adam Shore, who co-administers the label Vice, does two things at SXSW without fail: He makes sure his bands play as often as possible, and he uses the popular "Vice Saves Texas" day party to build relationships. Vice is sponsoring parties throughout the festival at venues such as Stubb's, Kenny Dorham's Backyard, the Longbranch and the Victory Grill.

"There are bands that I like and bands I want to work with and bands I want to meet, so I book them for our events," Shore said. "It's a chance for our whole company to see them and make some decisions."

Shore cracks the whip on his own bands so tastemakers such as music journalists and bloggers have as many opportunities as possible to see Vice Records bands. "There's a tremendous amount of competition for time at SXSW, so if you want to launch artists, they have to play a lot," Shore said. "I don't think any of our bands are playing fewer than five times each."

But what about folks who aren't associated with a record label?

SXSW is a live music festival, so booking agents are often watching a band the closest, gauging crowd reaction, seeing whether the band can deliver on stage. They're the ones most likely to be swayed by a powerful live show or a crowd going wild.

"Over the years, I've definitely picked up a couple of brand-new bands," said Kevin French, who runs the Portland, Ore., booking agency Big Shot Touring. "I think seeing White Rabbits last year at SXSW sealed our decision to sign them," he said, although French already had a relationship with the act. Big Shot Touring is sponsoring its own SXSW showcase, featuring White Rabbits, Langhorne Slim, Bobby Bare Jr. and Austin's White Denim.

Dan Kasin, who owns Dan Kasin Management in San Francisco, manages bands including Two Gallants, Dave Dondero and Minipop, all of which are playing SXSW this week. And, yes, he's shopping for clients.

He said managers look for three types of acts: "a band that has a buzz with some potential and attention, a band that no one else has heard of that requires you to work your ass off, and somebody who maybe has a track record and they just never had management or maybe they just recently fired their manager."

Although Kasin is bringing a schedule with him like everyone else, he's also an advocate of the "hanging around" theory of band exposure. "You go to see a band you intend to see and you end up hanging around talking and something comes on afterwards," he said.

"A lot of people doubt the effectiveness of SXSW in breaking new bands, but I disagree," Kasin said. Word of mouth is still the coin of the realm at SXSW. "I ran into (BBC Radio One DJ) Steve Lamacq on the street and wanted to get him to come (see Minipop). Turned out he had them circled on his calendar. He said he listens to all the MP3s South by Southwest posts before he comes to town. It's really inspiring for a manager to hear that people at his level still do that."

Bands attending SXSW need to know what they want and what they need. SXSW might not be the best place to establish relationships, but it's still an ideal arena to develop them positively or negatively, which at least moves everyone forward.

"I'm just as likely to say, 'I'm no longer interested in a band I've just seen' as I am to say, 'I want to take this relationship further,' " said Phil Waldorf, co-owner of the Austin-based Dead Oceans Records. "But you can't make that step if you have no prior knowledge of the band." In other words, bands shouldn't expect a revelation from a businessperson out of the blue at SXSW.

"I just saw South by Southwest as a way for bands needing a tool to move another step up the ladder to have access to those tools," Swenson said. "I've never thought it was helpful to say South by Southwest is this or that. It's a media promotional event, it's an industry schmooze fest, and it's a chance to see a lot of bands. But mostly I think of it as a meeting of the tribe, a chance for everybody in this odd world to hang out."

jgross@statesman.com; 912-5926

How to be a real band!

2008-02-09T20:39:00.001-08:00

Take a look at Timbaland's new deal to verify what The Outlaws have said in this blog. According to yahoo.com, he celebrating a new move in releasing music. To quote the website, "The magazine co-sponsored the party with Verizon Wireless to celebrate Timbaland's deal with the carrier to create a mobile album and content for the network." A mobile album??? That's right!

I find this funny after having a heated debate with someone about what makes a real band. The antagonist said, "You must have a CD in stores, you must have a gold or platinum album, you must have a sharp-looking website with your own dot com, and you must be known and/or searchable on the web." Some of this I agree with..... Some of this is pure delusion.

Some of the comments made by the antagonist like having a CD in stores is debatable. I see where he's going and what I believe he wanted to say is that having a CD in multiple terra based stores adds credibility to a product. However, I must say that there are plenty of indie artists in the world that are making a killing on the internet with music sales. It's sad to say, but "video really has killed the radio star." TV and mass media have distorted the real world of music in such a way that it has children dreaming of "bling." I know this because of my ongoing work with a variety of diverse children.

The cold harsh reality is that hard work pays off, and you have to be selling your music every chance you get - even if its at your church or local flea market. In this day and age of the digital domain, its easier to get your name and music out to the WORLD.

As Sean Claes repeatedly says about the music business in this day and age, "Lead. Follow. Or Die." Thats The Outlaw way so guess what we are doing.

Lead, Follow, or Die

2008-01-15T06:41:00.000-08:00

2008 is going to be an amazing year for music in America. But, you have to have the ability to change with the direction of the wind. It seems the money-making opportunities for mass-produced music is changing face as well. People are buying less hard-copy music and going more in a digital market. Electronic Press kits (EPK), digital downloads (mp3), and free videos (YouTube), and fan sites (MySpace orFacebook) are taking (or have taken) a forefront.

So how does a band make money in today's climate? The way your musical forefathers did. Promotion, promotion, promotion.

Lead
Create a concert series where you are the main band.. and you find 3-4 supporting bands for which to assure 200+ people at a show. The need for genre-specific bands is not as important as bands who can put asses in the seats. A band that is doing this well is an Austin band by the name of She Craves. They have adopted a model in their hometown that they favor larger venues (Stubbs, Emo's, and The Parish Room) and they assemble a cast of bands who each are charged with promoting, and bringing their fans out in droves. They have also developed relationships with local media and make things happen where, perhaps, they never would have.

Follow
Large festivals are popping up all over the United States and they ALWAYS need bands. I "discovered" a band by the name of Egypt Central when they opened Ozzfest in 2007. I got their CD in the mail last week... along with the CDs of about 20 other bands. Guess which one I popped into my CD player?

Look around your area... smaller festivals and radio shows abound. Hell. Even The Outlaw Gang are getting into the game here... We're putting on the Backwoods Bash on May 24, 2008.

Warning - by following, you likely won't see any instant $$ or fame.. but you'll be remembered long after you played. You may have enough merch sales to make the gig worthwhile as well.

Another idea? Join an online community where you can video-broadcast yourself all over the world. I discovered Operator11 last year, and if they are able to debug their system... it will be a gold mine for musicians. Austin has another one called Flapdaddy that can also, with a little work, be amazing.

Die
Of course, you could do nothing... sit in your room and complain about how music has changed and left you behind. You'd be right... Change your course directly and you may just have something there... that is IF you want to be playing music in front of more the 3 people in the future.

Happy New Year. How happy will it be? Well... how that all depends on how hard do you want to work.

NuMBEr$ game

2007-11-23T18:55:00.000-08:00

As we reach the end of the year, the record labels start gearing up for the Holiday Season. They buy end caps, shelf space, and last minute ads on a variety of media networks. There's also a last minute direct mail campaign to the radio stations. It seems like alot of media and marketing and distribution outlets want to know your numbers, too.

What do your numbers look like? Sales? Distribution outlets? Venues? Performances? Press Outlets?

If you have "bottom line" and quantifiable numbers, they will listen, especially if it correlates to an accounting or bookkeeping system in place. Just food for thought, if you wanna tighten up your game.

D.I.Y. OR DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist

2007-11-14T04:06:00.000-08:00

Wanna know how to make a splash? Give something HUGE away for free...
I also post this because it's a film on how to survive as an independent artist.. that is being offered gratis.

---
DIRECTOR GIVES AWAY ENTIRE COMMERCIAL FILM,
ENCODED IN HIGH QUALITY, WITH NO DRM

"D.I.Y. OR DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist"

Free on Zune Marketplace and Zune.net

Microsoft's Zune Marketplace has just launched and Zune.net launches the week of November 19th. Both are showcasing the documentary film "D.I.Y. OR DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist" as top-four picks.

Director Michael W. Dean is giving away the entire film as eight episodic chapters over eight weeks' time, one per week as free video downloads, in the "podcasts" section of Zune Marketplace and Zune.net.

The film is encoded in high quality (30 fps, 900 kbps MP4 files, 640 x 480 size, with 128-bit stereo audio, and no digital rights management or copy protection). It looks great on a Zune and other portable media devices, and damn good full screen on a computer. The entire film will stay online until at least April 2008.

Seven extras from the DVD (including interviews with Ian MacKaye, Steve Albini, and Lydia Lunch) will also be available for free download, one per week, after the final chapter of the film posts.

FILM DESCRIPTION:
This film is a celebration of the artistic underdog! FEATURING interviews and performances from: Lydia Lunch, Ian MacKaye (Fugazi), J Mascis (Dinosaur jr.), Jim Rose (Jim Rose Sideshow), J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus), Mike Watt (Minutemen), Richard Kern (Filmmaker), Ron Asheton (Stooges), Madigan Shive (Bonfire Madigan), Dave Brockie (Gwar), Craig Newmark (founder Craig's List) and more.

Directed by: Michael W. Dean.
Edited by: Miles Montalbano. DVD architect: Blaine Graboyes

Director Michael W. Dean says, "People keep asking me, ‘Why are you posting the whole film when it's still selling on DVD? Are you CRAZY?'"

Dean's reply, in part: "It's my gift to the world. People write me every day and tell me the film got them off their ass. I made the film to spread a message, not make money. And somehow, it still made money. That's how I do things - it's how I pay my rent to the Universe."

Dean's full explanation of his reasoning for this giveaway: http://tinyurl.com/39u6ur

Info on the film: http://www.diyordie.org

Create a Blog...and read a book.

2007-11-11T19:56:00.000-08:00

20 STEPS TO CREATING A SUCCESSFUL BLOG FOR YOUR BAND

by Lance Trebesch, TicketPrinting.com

Blogs prove to be a tricky field to conquer, especially when it comes to gaining an initial reader-base. However, once you get that reader base, great potential for increasing your online reputation is created. Successful blogs keep their status by following these 20 rules from the start and throughout their blog's lifetime.

1. Focus the topic.
Thousands of different blogs exist on the web. Only the well-established ones can post general news and see success. Instead, focus your blog around a niche. The more narrow the subject, the more likely you will get a steady reader base.

2. Search similar blogs and subscribe.
Because there are so many blogs on the internet, chances are somebody somewhere will also be talking about your subject. Find these sites and subscribe to them so you get instant updates. The best action to take is to read up on these blogs and know what they talk about regularly.

3. Create business relationships.
By helping out someone else and their blog in some way, they will in return help you and your blog out. One good example is devising a list of online radio stations you can submit your music to and give them the list so they can use it for their benefit as well. By becoming business friends, you can promote each other by talking about one another's webpage, music, blog etc.

4. Make quality content.
Just writing a blog is not enough. You have to make sure what you are writing is good content. No one will comment or read your blog if the content seems worthless and poorly written. Also, write grammatically. Misspellings are one of the most painful things to witness in blogs.

5. Work on the title.
The title is a necessity. The first thing people look at and what makes them read your blog is the title. Titles that hint of content with lists and bullets also draw people in due to the pleasing layout and more white space of lists. If the title perks their interest, they will click on your blog to continue reading. Take the time to think about an interesting title and log which titles draw more readers.

6. Submit to directories.
After creating a good content-and-keyword-rich blog, submit it to different directories. Top Blog Area and BlogFlux are two good sites to submit blogs to according to category of blog. Another option is to write just one blog for an established blogging site in the rock music industry and tell them why they should feature your blog on their site. If they choose to put the blog on their site, you will see greatly increased traffic.

7. Get a friend to submit your blog to Digg, StumbleUpon, Technorati, Netscape, and Reddit.
These search sites generate a ton of traffic to your site if viewed frequently (or "digged," "thumbs up" "favored," etc). However, people view down on you if you constantly submit your own content to these sites, so instead, make a buddy submit your blogs, videos, or podcasts to these sites one or two times a week. Eventually, your good content will make it to the homepage of these content-search sites, generating an unimaginable amount of traffic to your blog.

8. Ping every site.
Some submission sites allow you to 'ping' them, which means they get an automatic update when you post a new blog. This is good so they always have your latest posts in their records. These sites also allow you to put in key tag terms. By inputting a tag term, your blog will pop up if someone searches for the term you used. For instance, if you are writing about electric guitar comparisons (tag terms) and the searcher inserts "compare guitars," your blog will show as a result. You must utilize pings and tags to increase your blog popularity.

9. Write regularly and stand out.
The only way to gain a steady reader base is if you write a blog regularly. The best blogs update their content daily or sometimes several times a day. As an upcoming artist, though, weekly will suffice if you write on a consistent day around the same time every week. In addition, you need to stand out from other bloggers. Write properly, but use your personality. Personality keeps the blog interesting and keeps readers coming back. In addition, the readers like to be treated as humans, so drop the business lingo. Blogs are for entertainment, so engage your audience. Write for them.

10. Host your blog on your website domain.
Using a different host for your blog not only confuses your readers, but also reduces the amount of quality traffic to your site. The only smart way to host a blog is through your own website. If readers like what they read, or you mention something about your music in the blog, they can easily navigate to your website to find out more information. Creating a blog serves the purpose of promoting your music online, which you can only do if you reader can easily access your website from your blog.

11. Ask people to subscribe.
RSS feeds allow users to subscribe to your blog and receive an update when you add new blogs. This makes it convenient for readers so they do not need to check for blog updates. An alternative is to send the updated blog through email, so having both an email subscription and a RSS feed is necessary. Also, make the sign-up process simple and prominent. Display the RSS button everywhere and occasionally mention it in your posts to sign-up. The simpler the process to sign-up, the more chance the reader will go through with the process.

12. Offer a bribe to sign-up.
Take an example for Marketing Pilgrim, by offering a $600 cash giveaway by signing-up for a RSS feed. The code to register for the money is in an RSS-only message. Receiving $600 free is pretty convincing to sign-up. Other options to get people to sign up are free e-books related to your topic ("How to Get a Record Deal"), or send a personalized autographed picture of you or the band to those who sign-up.

13. Comment on forums. Comment on blogs. Comment on chats. And comment by providing a link back your blog.
By injecting your opinion and showing your personality through these comments, people will notice you and want to find out more. Make sure the comments are meaningful and not just some form of spam to create a link back to you. People appreciate when an expert adds their knowledge, so write truthful comments that will help the audience. Comments are the biggest promotion of your blog in the beginning months of the blog.

14. Leave blogs open for discussion.
If compiling a list, ask for comments to add their suggestions for the list. The 5 Rules of Social Media Optimization (SMO) blog by Influential Marketing Blog became instantly popular by people linking to it, posting comments and recommending the blog. After writing a general blog that does not include a list, ask a question at the end to encourage comments and blog discussion. The more, interesting discussion, the more people will link to your blog, promoting it.

15. Respond to comments.
Read your comments daily and respond when someone asks a question to you through the comments. Once you start getting a steady reader base that begins posting comments, do not discourage them by never responding back. Respond rapidly to make your reader happy.

16. Start a podcast.
A podcast is a great way to promote both your blog and your music. Podcasts are an audio blog, but you should not update it as often as your blogs (unless you just want to run an audio blog exclusively). On the podcast, talk about interesting subjects related to your blog and mention your music often. Play a fraction of your music just prior to and just after your podcast, promoting both your music and your blog.

17. Invite guest bloggers. Be a guest blogger.
Your blog gains interest if you occasionally - monthly, quarterly - invite guest bloggers to write. Your business pals become a good place to start when thinking about guest bloggers. The guests then feel flattered by your interest in them and in return promote your blog or music. On the other hand, ask your business friends to guest blog for them, which immensely promotes your music or blog through their site. Whenever you get an opportunity to guest blog, take it.

18. Add videos, pictures, MP3s etc.
Just having words on every blog gets boring. Perk reader's interest by putting a funny YouTube video in your blog, adding a unique MP3 or taking a snapshot of the website you mention in the blog. Any item out of the norm to create a change will boost your blog's appeal. Every once in awhile, make your blog a video-blog through YouTube where you narrate the blog (and act as well). You can also create a music video for you or the band and advertise it through your blog.

19. Use tracking software and analyze.
Find out how many people are visiting your blogs and which ones generate the most traffic. You should re-create titles and content that receives many views. The tracking software can also tell you how people are hearing about your blog, through Digg, Google, etc. It can give you a great insight on your viewers and many other marketing hints if you are creative.

20. Build a brand.
You want people to recognize your blog as an object, not just another blog. Make your blog worthwhile to the reader. Promote the blog with any sources you have. Tell your friends, family and strangers about it. On your website, promote your blog and on your blog promote your website. Do the same with social networking sites, YouTube videos, podcasts, live performances, etc. By marketing in a bunch of different places, you spread your name and have more sources to promote your blog and music.

Your blog will only see success if you follow all these steps and promote it as often as possible. Blogging takes a lot of dedication but pays off in the end with increased music sales. Never stop blogging and remember, you are writing for your audience.

I found this on 11/11/07 "Mostly Indie Music Connection" blog @ www.mimusicconnection.com

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For those who want to get serious about marketing themselves.... here's an interesting "self help" marketing books for musicians.

1. Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook features a few hundred ways to promote your music. Heck.. look around Bob Baker's site for a few interesting reads.

Details to come... Party to follow...May 24, 2008

2007-10-31T07:55:00.000-07:00

Click the following 3 words to Check my blog... there's a storm a brewing... and it's going to ROCK.

Be a part of it....

Not So Secret Event - May 24, 2008

So here's the thing. The Outlaw Gang, (Trevor Lane and Sean Claes), and Damien "Damn The Man" is going to be throwing an anti-industry concert. This one will be for the people who love music, by people who love music, and to benefit everyone.... Check the MySpace page below to get more information. Please join in... be a friend... and if you're in a band who can make it to the Tulsa, OK area on May 24, 2008.... maybe you can play!

http://www.myspace.com/backwoodsbash

More details to come as details are available...

Three Sixty Deals - New Future for Music Business??

2007-10-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

Let's get down to the bottom line. The record business has changed. The manner in which royalties are distributed, deals are made, and bands signed to major labels is in a state flux at this time. I would argue that the availbility of information and contacts, as a result of the internet, and ability to market one's muic with mp3's have helped to create this situation.

It seems that record companies, which should be called CD or music companies, are no longer signing "new acts." Instead, they seem to be turning to indie labels and signing acts that have a track record of progress.

I would argue the impending new area for competition will be between indie labels, management companies, and the majors over the distribution and acquisition of 360 Deals (or all rights contracts) for more established acts. The reality is...... KEEP GRINDING because the indies are always looking, while the majors are not really signing new talent; and you have to be somewhat established and known to get into the REAL music business...... not the "underground."

For more information on how this blog came to be, please visit The Economist and the article, "A change of tune" at http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9443082.

Reflections on 9/11

2007-09-11T09:57:00.000-07:00

As I sit at my desk on Tuesday, September 11, my mind wanders to the last 9/11 that occured on a Tuesday, the day that the World Trade Center and Pentagon was attacked.

I was on my second day at a new job... I was the new Communications Specialist on a federal grant called the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratories. Shortly after I got to work, I was settling into my cubicle just trying to figure out what exactly my role in this position was going to be, my boss came out of his office and quietly said "A plane just hit the World Trade Center."

Talk about a million thoughts racing in my head. In the following days as the news continued to pour in, I found out that the folks I knew in Washtington DC were all safe. That was a bit of a personal relief... but how devastating was this to every person in the world. A friend who was visitng Europe and France was consoled and embraced as she was their link to "America" in the days following... it was an amazing response of a mix compassion for Americans and rage against whomever did this injustice.

Now it's six years later.
I'm not the kind of "wave-the-flag-yee-haw" American, but I have pride. I am all for the things this country was founded on and I try to live my life embracing the melting pot idea.

So.. I sit at my desk (yes I came to work as did all my co-workers) and reflect. I popped in one of my all-time favorite CDs that I haven't listened to for a long while... Darrell Scott's Aloha From Nashville.

While doing some work, the song "Life is Cheap" began...

"She's awakened every morning with her baby down the hall
and when he's cried to sleep, she's staring at the wall.
And in that wall she sees the devil staring out of knotty pine
Though she speaks out loud, he will not get behind.

She's a woman with wounded spirit. She's a woman who loved too much.
Like Mama always said, she's such an easy touch."

Suddenly a meaning that was never intended came through this song (It was recorded in 1997) and it sent chills down my spine.

I guess I'm effected by music as much as many are. As Darrell Scott said when I interviewed him earlier this year:

"Music is universal language. It is frequencies and vibrations that effects me in deep ways I do not understand. I feel them and it resonates and sticks with me. Somewhere in me is all that I have heard, sounds endlessly gathering. "

I transcribed the lyrics above because they don't actually appear anywhere online that I could find.

I did find a link to a little bit of an mp3 though if you care to listen. The chorus is on the link and it's what actually effected me....then I started the song over with a new mindset.
http://www.echotunes.com/mmTHEECHOPLEX/audio/mp3/dscott_lifeischeap.mp3

So... I'm sitting here.. reflecting. Thought I'd share. I don't need a big american flag sticker or a magnet on my car or a day off work to remember... I don't need a political comment or a stance to champion or a people to parade around.

What does this have to do with the music industry? Well.. maybe nothing. Maybe it does. You see, Darrell Scott wrote that song about spousal abuse. But I had to really dig to find that out... an outstandingly written song can have many meanings to many people. Don't define how people should feel about your music. Let them define for themself.

Also.. if you read this.. read Trevor's post below also.. it's one of the better things I've read about getting into the "inner circle" of music professionals. People are people are people.

Thanks for reading.

Put This In Your Pipe and Smoke It

2007-09-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

A friend told me, "I'm just tryin' to get put on....." Meaning, he's trying to get into the inner circles in the music business. I started to respond to the myspace message with some cookie cutter response which is neatly canned for everyone with a demo or CD, but then decided this needed to be blogged. I am going to repost additional comments and ideas after this goes "live on the web" because there are alot of "DO's" and definitely some "DON'Ts."

We'll start with a few of the "DO's" and boldly so.....

Therefore, here are a few pointers of things to "DO" to get into the inner circles of the entertainment business that have worked for me and helped me to meet alot of the people in general:

First, if you want into the inner circles of any group, lose the attitude. Period. This is number one on my list because no one wants to do business with or give money to a jerk (or Gebroni, as my Brooklyn brother, Jim, calls the idiots of the world). Sometimes it happens, but usually after they have put on a good show or a good first impression(s). I highly recommend being humble, even after you hang your first platinum or gold record, if you want a long lasting career. Lose the attitude because the music business is very small and your reputation will precede you.
None of us know-it-all and the really good producers like Al Schmitt, Bruce Miller, and my friend Cool Cutter with The Runners will probably tell you to be open to new ideas and new music regularly. There is ALWAYS something to be learned.
Get out and find opportunity (promote shows for backstage access or volunteer at your local radio station) + build relationships and get to know people (make coffee for the radio DJ or help the concert promoter put up posters). Most people prefer to avoid giving money to a stranger or someone they do not trust (to some degree). Go out of your way to build trust and find opportunities to strike up conversation with people......... and for God's sake, please don't talk about yourself or your wonderful studio. Instead, spend some time building trust by asking lots of questions like "Does your family like it when you travel?" or "How do you deal with the temptations of the road?"
Follow up with your new friend in the business and continue to dialog but be careful about whether you discuss personal or professional aspirations. You built the relationship so just be respectful and conscious of your words and actions, and you will probably know what and when to communicate.
Definitely have copies of your music joints ONLY if its professional and commercially viable. In other words, if you wouldn't see it at the Mall in the music store, then its probably not ready to be handed out. For example, I once received a demo written on with a Sharpie and recorded without being properly mixed (or even mastered), and another occassion the album was completely packaged at home with an HP printer. My gosh, people. This is your career we're talking about here! Would you really go into your bosses office and turn in that multi-million dollar report with coffee stains on it??? Some of you probably should refrain and avoid an answer to that question.
Take pictures with the people you meet, but only after you're cool with them. And, always ask them for permission. Some people do not like pictures.
Do send regular "NEWSWORTHY" press releases to local and national media outlets. Usually, their general contact info for press releases is on their website or there is an online directory of who to send stuff to...... Again, please make sure your press releases are newsworthy.
Keep your website current, accurate, interactive, and most importantly UP TO DATE.
Most importantly, get started on building a database or file with emails, addresses, and phone numbers of your fan base. Set up before every show and have your street team hand out pins, fliers, and posters in exchange for fan contact info.
Last, and probably most importatnly, recognize your personal, professional, and production shortcomings and let your experts do their job. Be honest with yourself and all of your experts. Why would you want someone - including yourself - who cannot make good decisions or know how to pick other good professionals?

That my top ten - in no particular order - of things you should do to get into the inner circles of the music and/or entertainment business.

From The Musicians Atlas - "Changing Your Live Set Mindset in 7 Steps"

2007-08-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Outlaw Gang is much bigger than two people. It's a place to share things that make sense about the Music industry. So, in an effort to share things that are a "good idea" we will share things we find from other sources.

The source of today's post is Atlas Plugged

Changing Your Live Set Mindset in 7 Steps

Live performance - performing under the lights in front of cheering fans - is often the most intense and rewarding aspect of being a musician. This is why many of you first joined a band, and maybe why you pursue a career that has been mostly just expensive up to this point.

Your live performance is key to your band’s success – it will create a lasting impression with fans & press. Too many bands overlook the fact that live performance and songwriting are different skill sets – and often leave their live show to the vagaries of chance. A killer live set, like a song, must be carefully planned and perfected.

Typically, a band preparing for a gig runs through their set list a few times, then think they are good-to-go. The problem with this “roll the dice” approach is that the pacing and audience impact of the set list is unknown until it is performed in front of an audience.

Often, the band has no idea why the crowd’s reaction is substantially different from night to night. Typically, they blame a bad show on a dead crowd, while attributing a great audience reaction to the fact that they “rocked.”

I suggest taking an entirely different philosophical approach to live performance: from now on, don't play any more shows. Play a “Show” (note the capital “S”). The goal is to put together a solid and repeatable Show that has maximum audience impact, and leaves no room for error in regards to logistical considerations such as lighting and sound.

Why leave things to chance – when, with a little planning you can create a solid and repeatable Show that will wow your audience and leave little room for error? A Show so refined that when the pressure is on at a showcase or television appearance, nothing will be left to chance. Two seconds after launching into the opening chords, instinct will take over, and you won’t have to worry about a bad performance.

I suggest that you strategically design your Show for maximum audience impact, and rehearse exactly as you will perform it. Here are the basic 7 Steps to making every show your best:

Explosive Book Ends
Immediately after you take the stage, own it. Your Show must explode and hit fans like a sledgehammer—at the beginning and at the end. Opening with strength is critical, as potential fans will form an unchanging opinion of your band in the first forty-five seconds. Furthermore, if you don't end strong, you’re dead in the water.

Regardless of the genre of your music, and whether you start out loud, soft, fast or slow, the audience impact at the beginning and the end of the Show must be Nuclear.

The Valley
With the exception of Metallica, few bands can keep a relentless set going with no let-up and keep the audience interested. Imagine going to a movie, and watching an unending shoot-out for 90 minutes. No matter how great the action is, you will eventually become desensitized and bored. The same principle applies to live performance. The solution is to carefully plan the pacing and intensity level of the Show, and depending on its length, include one or two “energy valleys.”

There are several ways to do this, but it is typically done by changing the instrumentation or intensity level of the music. This gives the audience time to breath, and makes the end of the set much more effective. However you choose to alter the energy level is not important. What is important is that you do it, so the fans will stay engaged throughout your entire Show. Unless you are Metallica.

The Cover Tune
Yeah, I know. You never play covers. Well, unless you are famous and relentlessly heckled on TMZ.com already, I suggest you rethink that philosophy. Add one—and only one—well-known cover tune to your Show, preferably a tune at least 10 years old. Why? Well, you know those bitter people who stand in the back with their arms crossed? They’ve never seen you before, and they don't know whether they like your music or not. And they’re leaning towards “not.”

By incorporating a strategic cover tune into the Show, you’ll see many of these previously “unengaged” audience members drop their arms and move closer to the stage, where they will stay. Yeah, it’s like some weird psychological experiment—but it works. The basic principle is that the presence of one tune they are familiar with draws them into your world, so to speak, and they will be more open to your original music.

The one caveat is never pick a tune where the original recording sounds similar to your band. For example, if you have a band that sounds like the Smashing Pumpkins, don’t pick a Smashing Pumpkins tune. You’ll just come off like a bad cover band, minus the bald guy with the amazing voice. Instead, play a Goth version of a Duran Duran tune or whatever. By making a well-known cover your own, you will break the ice with new fans.

The Script
So now you have a brilliant set list, aka the Show. The next thing to consider is the “space” between the songs. Simply put, rehearse the Show as it will be performed—including what is said between the tunes.

Instead of launching from song to song without ever saying anything to the audience, have your singer say a few words about a tune before it is played. This will make the song memorable, and will make a huge difference in how the audience relates to your music. Your singer should also mention the merchandise table and your website’s URL once or twice (only) during the Show, without sounding desperate.

So during rehearsals, plan the breaks between the songs, and get a general idea of what will be said to the audience. Word of caution, even though this is scripted, don’t over do it and plan every word or it will sound contrived. But, a little preparation and planning will go a long way.

Reprise the Hit
If you have one song above all others that the fans love, consider reprising it at the end of the Show. Use the same lighting each time (see sound and lighting considerations below), and announce that the tune is on the new album, which is available at your merchandise booth. See a theme here?

Accessibility
The music industry is a strange and wicked animal, where its denizens are drawn towards successful and inaccessible figures, and repelled from everybody else. Without overdoing it so you cross into the realm of arrogance, your band should come across as if it already is successful and famous.

After the Show, don’t hang around trying to hawk albums. A little accessibility is cool, but being desperate and asking everyone what they thought of your band is counterproductive, and will only destroy your marketing image. Work smart, not hard. After a great show, create an “aura of indifference” which will be seen as cool by the fans. This is not intuitive—but it is how the music industry works at a world-class level.

Sound and Lighting
This is your career—do not leave sound and lighting to chance. At many shows while the sound or lighting guy talks to the chick in the leather pants, the audience can’t hear the vocals, or see the guitarist playing from a dark corner of the stage.

Since few bands have the financial resources to afford a sound and lighting crew during the initial phases of their career, sound and lighting should be dealt with in two stages.

First create a sound and light cue sheet to add new dimensions to your Show and keep the sound and lighting person engaged during your set. This sheet should list the order of the tunes, featured instrumentation and lighting effects.

Think about amazing lighting effects for certain songs which can become a “visual hook” to support that tune. For example, every time you play the chorus of your killer ballad, the club is bathed in red lights. Cool, no? It’s certainly better than hoping that the lighting guy knows when to stop talking to the evil chick in the leather pants long enough to push a button or two.

Second, and the most obvious but expensive solution, is to bring your own sound and lighting crew to each show. Once your band starts to generate substantial revenue, this is a must. The good news is that if you followed this advice, you already have a detailed and refined sound and lighting cue sheet ready to go. Thus, your sound and lighting team will have an excellent resource, and they’ll get up to speed quickly.

Finally, with the minor exception of test-market shows, which we can talk about in a future column, your band must come to the philosophical agreement that there will be no more small shows. Period. From here on out, you will treat every show as if you were headlining Madison Square Garden—whether you are in front of five fans or five thousand fans. If a show is not worth giving 110%, it is not worth doing. You never know who will be at a show, and you will only have one shot to make a great first impression on potential new fans.

Rock-n-Roll.

If you like this... follow this link to "http://www.musiciansatlas.com/" and subscribe for yourself

Split EP... a Lost Art?

2007-08-13T04:39:00.000-07:00

It seems to me that at least 50% of the indie albums coming out today are EPs. I don't have any hard evidence to back up that claim, but I do know that at least half of the indie releases that come through my hands as the Managing Editor of Austin's INsite Magazine are between 20-30 minutes long and only contain five or six tracks. In other words.... an EP.

Now... for those who don't know the term..."EP" means "extended play." This is a little misleading because an EP record is shorter than most (A full-length release is called an "LP" for "long play" by the way).

For many bands, It used to be that bands would come out with an EP because studio time was so expensive that they could only afford to cut a few songs before pressing a CD. Fans could buy the record quicker, they make a little money faster and everyone was happy.

I don't think that's the case anymore. I think with the advent of iTunes and live streaming and digital downloads, the fans are able to get the music at their leisure. Now, I feel bands are coming out with EPs because they need to get something out to put up online for downloads... and to make it feel like a real release they put it out on a CD... for people like me who like the packaging as much as, if not more than, the music.

OK...Back to my point. It seems that there are a lot of EPs coming out these days. Now, what I'm seeing here, is 1/2 of a waster album every time one of these comes out. I propose a way to end this gross misuse of a blank CD. Let's have a resurgance of the split album.

It's friggin' beautiful if you think about it.

1. You are getting your album out.
2. You are being promoted to someone else's fans.
3. You are making great friends within the scene by helping promote each other.
4. If they make it big... you're totally coattailing!
5.My favorite thing You can split the cost of printing/promoting down the middle. Double your run for 1/2 the money.

Examples of bands who released a split album/single?
Nirvana and The Melvins
Bright Eyes and Neva Dinova
Fall Out Boy and Project Rocket

Lets just say... this is not a new concept.

I recall seeing it a lot in the hardcore/punk scene. It's a damned solid idea.
If you use this idea after reading it here... just thank Sean Claes and Trevor Lane of The Outlaw Gang in the credits... then mail me a copy.

The Song Game

2007-07-05T14:09:00.001-07:00

I interviewed Austin indie musician Matt The Electrician for the July issue of INsite - Austin's Monthly Entertainment Magazine which will be out Friday, July 6, 2007.

While chatting with him, I asked about this Song Game he has been a part of for years. The basis of the game is, someone E-mails a list of musicians a song title at the beginning of the week, and in seven days they must write an original song with that title. Song titles have included "China Airline," "Left Coast," or "Love on the Moon." All of these ended up on Matt The Electrician albums by the way.

I mention this because I see a lot of bands who get themselves into a rut. I'll bet you've heard the saying "you have your whole life for your first album, and 6 months for the second." Well, most people aren't always writing, and if you are a songwriter, you must practice. Challenging yourself to write a song a week is amazing. After a year, you get 52 songs. That is 52 nuggets of music that wouldn't have lived if not for the game.

It's easier to rewrite and polish something you already have in your hand. If you are in a band, you've got friends who are songwriters in other bands. Why not start a group and begin your own songwriters group... write a song a week.

Keep yourself always fresh. Always thinking. Always moving forward.
If you start that group, let me know. I'd love to hear some tracks.

5 Tips To Build Your Fanbase

2007-07-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

As an entertainment writer, I have the opportunity of being on a lot of music-based lists. I will share some of the ones I deem more important now and again. Hope you enjoy.

This one comes from Ariel Publicity's promotional publication entitled Band Letter.

5 HOT TIPS For Building Your Fan Base
July 2007

Building Your Fan Base = Building Your E-mail List

For the past several years, I've allowed bands to wimp out on one of the most critical and important things that they need to do be doing to further their careers. I am not allowing you to wimp out anymore.

One rule people: The Size Of Your E-mail List = The Size Of Your Income

So, how big is yours?

Myth: I don't have any shows to promote. Therefore, I'm not going to do a newsletter.

Reality: 50% or more of the artists that I work with don't have any shows to promote. Zero, zilch, none...and they still want to be artists in the world getting their music out and heard and liked and listened to (why in the heck would you hire me if you did not want your music out there?).

You must communicate something to your fans regularly and consistently to be in the game. If you do not communicate regularly and consistently, or if you disappear from the hearts and minds of your fans for several months,
they will not know where you've been, and they will not know how to be your fan.

I don't care what the content of your newsletter is. Everyone has something to say, and even better - everyone has something to show. Photos of your vacation, your kids, you in the studio, you at your day job, what you
thought of the last episode of the Sopranos, or what's in your iPod this week. Whatever it is - send it regularly to your fans. These are interesting and pertinent pieces of information about who you are, and these are great ways to connect with other people.

When you only e-mail your fans when you have a show, or a new CD to sell them, it totally screams: "Hey fan, I want your money!"

You just show up out of nowhere and say: "I know you had no idea where I've been for the last six months, but here, buy something now!" and people hate being sold to.

When I started regularly communicating with the fans through my fan list at Ariel Publicity, magic started happening. My articles started getting picked up and reported online. People started leaving me nice messages and saying thank you for my newsletter, and I even threw my first all-day workshop that came directly from people on my newsletter list and it SOLD OUT so fast I had to add a second session!!

Why? Because I sent an e-mail!

In other words, I made money by just communicating.

Studies prove that people buy from people that they like and trust, and there is no better way to earn people's trust than by communicating with them regularly something personal and fun or unique about yourself offstage that your fans may not know. So, go out there and build your e-mail list.

5 HOT TIPS For Building Your Fan Base

1. Give Away A Free MP3 To Everyone That Signs Up To Your List -The last thing you want to do is put a box in your page saying, "sign up for our e-mail list so we can send you more e-mail." That's basically what that says. Instead, try giving something away as an incentive to get people to sign up to your e-mail list. I highly suggest a free MP3. This says, "thank you fan, we appreciate you signing up for our mailing list."

BUT... How do you get a free MP3 to send to your fans you may wonder?

Easy - http://www.fizzkicks.com - Go sign up here and Aaron, who runs the site, will host FREE downloads for all of your friends for 2 months. After that it's a measly $9.99 per month for unlimited downloads and uploads and Aaron will sell you these AMAZING little credit card size customizable cards to hand free MP3s out to your fans (or load them up with your new tracks and sell them)! A hell of a lot cheaper than pressing a CD and way
cooler.... And Aaron will send you 120 cards for $19.99 (and tell Aaron Ariel Publicity sent you).

2. Do A Live Giveaway/Raffle At EVERY SHOW - When you are playing a show, hold up a CD or a T-shirt on stage and announce you are doing a free giveaway and a raffle. Have a friend sweep through the venue with a hat and have all the people in attendance drop their business cards into the hat. When the hat reaches the stage, pull a random business card out and do a giveaway. Then, mention to the crowd that you're going to add everyone in the hat to your e-mail list. You've just collected a ton of new e-mail names and addresses that you definitely would not have captured.

3. Collect Text Addresses - Before you start playing a gig, when you are asking fans to switch off their cell phones, ask them first to text you their information. Then you build a cell phone text e-mail list and you can e-mail people directly to their cell phones the next time you're coming through town. This is a totally unique and original way of communicating on people's cellular phones and will get you noticed.

4. Mine Through Your Inbox - We all have them. Huge inboxes stuffed with e-mail from people who you're communicating with. Are they already on your e-mail list? If not, e-mail each of them and ask: "Is it okay for me to add
you to our fan mail list?" (and offer a free MP3). And if they say yes, add them directly on to your e-mail list.

TIP: Never ever add someone without getting permission first, because that's considered SPAM.

5. List Trade With Another Band - Once you have a sizeable e-mail list, you can approach other bands that you play with or whose music is similar to yours or maybe they're from your hometown and you can ask them to write an endorsement e-mail saying: "Hey, if you like us, you'll like our friends!" Then they can send that endorsement out with a request for joining your e-mail list and you can in turn do the same for them. When you do a list trade with another band, always make sure that your music is very well described in a couple of sentences - what you sound like, who you get compared to, and if you can, take them directly to a page where they can get a free MP3 the moment they sign up that's streaming so they can check you out.

-----
Reprinted from Ariel Publicity's promotional publication entitled Band Letter

Sean Claes lives in Central Texas and loves everybody.... especially you.

Quality Production

2007-06-27T19:14:00.000-07:00

In a day and age of music and listeners being"dumbed down" as a result of poor quality found in the ever popular mp3 technology, availability of home studios, and the growing number of indie artists and labels, many people might argue about "quality." As a result, music connoisseurs and successful producers have ideologies and philosophies on what it means to have "quality music." Regardless of your preferences or taste in music, there is a formula to what makes a quality album become commercially viable, which means the music can be sold.

Now, I do not want to turn this into an article. Rather, this is designed to promote thinking and open the floor for discussion or debate.

Before laying the formula out there, let me just say that it is absolutely essential to be strategic, planned, and thoughtful BEFORE embarking on an album release. The biggest reason that alot of projects fail or do not receive the attention they deserve is due to spontaneous or last minute decision making. Record execs start planning for releases on multiple-album record deals years in advance and promotions is a component built into alot of the better record contracts. This ensures artists and other people involved in the production will know how much money and time will be spent and the efforts that will be exhausted to get exposure for the record.

There are three major elements to a successful campaign to sell records: promotions, production, and distribution. Timing and strategy are keys to implmenting your plans for each of these elements. The major elements occur in phases that are both synchronous and continuous. In other words, they go hand in hand, but must also be segmented.

In regard to promotions, this includes an entire marketing PLAN that is written, articulated, and shared with the team - complete with long term and short term GOALS with things that cover the spectrum from TV and radio interviews or news releases to search engine rankings and web advertising or street promotions. There is alot of information available and lots of books in the stream of commerce. For any newbies that are reading this, my favorite is a book called "This Business of Music" which is available on Amazon and Google.

Next, in the realm of production let's get real. There is not a "home studio" going that can replace the dynamics that come from recording in a world renowned studio like Capitol Records and Studios in Los Angeles or Quad Studios in New York City. or The Hit Factory in Miami (which I have never been to.... .but plan on working there someday). There is something about building an "industry buzz" and credibility for a quality album that comes from working in these places. The other dynamic is name recognition. To translate, you should work with others who have a name and established track record in the business to set yourself apart from the pack. Now, the other elements to production that I will address over time are pre-production, production, and post-production. I could write a novel on each of these facets that are essential to the "creative process."

Last, is the element of distribution, which needs to be factored into the promotions PLAN. Without a distribution PLAN, there will not be any success or hope for funding additional future projects. With the power of the internet these days, there really is not a need for a "record deal." Being signed is not what it's cracked up to be, unless you want to owe a bunch of money and use props and equipment that is leased or rented.

Now, I am just a marketing and promotion guy, who has been involved in production at different stages and in a variety of capacities. I hope this helps you to begin thinking and planning for your project.

The idea...

2007-06-03T21:05:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone, I'm Sean Claes

As you have read in Trevor Lane's post below, this is going to be a collaborative effort with people who we know and respect in the music business. Sometimes we'll post messages we see as important, sometimes we my print interviews, sometimes we'll invite someone to join who shares a unique perspective.

The Outlaw Gang was born many many years ago. First as GooRu Entertainment in the mid 1990s... then as The Outlaw Gang in the early 2000s. We bring it to a blog now because we're at the point in our career that it just makes sense to try and prevent good people from making fundamental mistakes, and we feel that we've paid enough for it already... so why make others that we feel could Make A Difference pay (emotionally, physically, or financially) as well.

We are based out of Oklahoma and Texas.. and although Texas did try to sever itself from Oklahoma (you've heard the jokes... the ditch was dug... everything was planned out perfectly... but they failed to separate the two states because us Texans forgot a simple truth that prevented the states from moving away from each other... Oklahoma Sucks.) we get along great.

I love Oklahoma by the way... I just can't NOT tell a good joke. I'd say "sue me" but there's way too many lawyers reading this. That said... if there's a good music lawyer out there that can give advice (yes I said lawyer and give in the same sentence) hit us up here.

So, hello. Hope you enjoy. If you have any questions... ask us. We're here.

New Users

2007-05-31T16:28:00.000-07:00

We're building an exclusive blog for music industry professionals to network, share ideas, discuss marketing opportunities, share press releases, vent, and discuss various aspects of the business. Thanks for signing up!

We only want people who like REAL music, have a diverse musical palette, and appreciate building a successful career on those platforms. We are not looking for spammers. We are looking for genuine dialog. If you know someone, please invite them.

The Outlaw Gang

Migrating - Outlaw Gang moves to OUTLAWSITE.COM

New Republic (formerly Def-Star)

Are you an Outlaw or just another poser with no game?

We Did It Again in Twenty-ten: Backwoods Bash

Backwoods Bash Music Festival Line-Up Released

2010 Backwoods BashMusic & Camping FestivalWeekend Line-UpFriday, May 28, 2010

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Backwoods Bash Music Festival 2010

Twenty-Ten, Dub Ten, Y2KX??

Do you hear what I hear?

Indie in a Major way - Full Service.

The Business of Music – The Problems of Promotion

Gunz ablazing....

Indie in a MAJOR way.

The Bands of Middle America

Road To The Bash - Austin, May 3

Backwoods Bash 2009 - Band Entry Deadline Nears

DON'T DO IT YOURSELF (DIY)

SXSW Week in Austin, Texas

Ariel Publicity - They Are On The Right Track...

Ready for Backwoods Bash 2009?

Artists

The T-Shirt Company Designers Charge YOU for using

A few words to read.. from Austin's 93.3 DJ, Duce

You Heard It Here First - Viral WOM.

Backwoods Bash - It's an Outlaw Gang Affair

Backwoods Bash - Line-up and Album Release

Does High School Talent REALLY EXIST?

BackwoodsBash.com

Indiefest?

Viral Marketing - YouTube.

See a camera... JUMP IN FRONT OF IT!

SXSW 2008 - Festival isn't always about signing bands

How to be a real band!

Lead, Follow, or Die

NuMBEr$ game

D.I.Y. OR DIE: How to Survive as an Independent Artist

Create a Blog...and read a book.

Details to come... Party to follow...May 24, 2008

Three Sixty Deals - New Future for Music Business??

Reflections on 9/11

Put This In Your Pipe and Smoke It

From The Musicians Atlas - "Changing Your Live Set Mindset in 7 Steps"

Changing Your Live Set Mindset in 7 Steps

Split EP... a Lost Art?

The Song Game

5 Tips To Build Your Fanbase

Quality Production

The idea...

New Users

2010 Backwoods Bash
Music & Camping Festival
Weekend Line-Up

Friday, May 28, 2010