Responses To Fans

Responses To Fan Comments / Questions

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  • Wemix Contest Q&A #5: Mr. Nice Guy / GryN

    January 22, 2009 28 Comments

    
From Mr. Nice Guy: I have been through a lot over the past ten years, and I am at the point where I am looking to get my foot into the door.  Can you examine me, my abilities, my band GryN (www.myspace.com/GryNpa), and some of the videos I have created to express my form of art?  What are my strengths, and what are my weaknesses? I know it's a lot to ask, but I am confident that if you give me the attention, you will not have wasted your time.

    Firstly, the music is cool, kinda a neo-reggae or ska sound mixed with some modern alternative rock...but I'd rather talk about how you're meeting new fans.

    It may be obvious, but a lot of new artists miss an obvious step: when thinking about where you're promoting online and offline, go where fans will most likely be. Promote RELENTLESSLY in a large variety of places where they listen to something similar. What well-known band's fans might like you guys: Sublime? Flobots? Jack Johnson? Aquabats? No Doubt? I'm not saying you guys sound like those other bands, but there is definitely enough of a connection that you should go to all of their message boards, make some friends, and let people know you exist.

    When you play shows (which you should) make sure to record them, put your best song(s) up online, and show your new friends and fans where they are.

    Also...my first impression was that the name is a little weird (sorry). Maybe there's a great story behind Gryn / GryNpa, but nonetheless. I'd say that might be something you want to think about :) Once you settle on a name and build a fanbase, changing the name is a difficult task, and can potentially cost you a lot of fans. Get the best name and stick with it.

    Lastly, there's no bio on the front of the myspace page! You've got to have one. People want to know who you guys are, and what you're about. Is there a bigger message or story behind you guys personally that will enhance my experience with the music and group? Keep your bio succinct, compelling, and to-the-point.

    Hope that's helpful. By the way, you've got a lot of content on there already. Good songs and videos, so you're off to a great start. And to any other artists who are reading: these things are definitely bases you should have covered. Make sure you do, and move on from there.

    mike

  • STYLES OF BEYOND and Machine Shop

    January 15, 2009 46 Comments

    FORT MINOR fans have asked me, "What's up with Styles Of Beyond? Aren't they signed to Machine Shop? When is their record coming out?" The answers are long and complex, but the short version is this:

    S.O.B.'s record was supposed to come out years ago. Due to a variety of creative and non-creative decisions by S.O.B., Linkin Park, Machine Shop, and Warner Bros., we held back in order to work on the record and the release plans. After months of hard work by the group, we ended up finishing what we feel is a great record, entitled "Reseda Beach."

    Warner Bros., however, wasn't as thrilled about the record as we were. They weren't committed to spending a healthy budget on it; they intended to limit the hours and funds spent on its release. We felt that limiting the attention put on the record would basically cut its legs out from beneath it, and it would never get a chance. There was a lot of disagreement between everyone about this topic, but it essentially became a stalemate.

    With that said, we've come to a few decisions. Firstly, due to ongoing differences between Warner Bros. and Machine Shop's views on the creative and non-creative aspects of our albums, we will be putting Machine Shop Records on hiatus until another time. We're not angry with WB. We had always hoped that MSR could be an artist-driven label with special attention on the best creative ideas and good music; until we see eye to eye with our partner, we can't see how it could be a productive relationship. Machine Shop will still promote projects (like Linkin Park) with our marketing branch, but the artist development / record label part of the company are going to hibernate for a while. The market is too tough and the intentions and ideas of the two entities are too different for it to be a productive situation at this time.

    Secondly, we worked out a number of other options for the Styles Of Beyond, and WB has generously agreed to let them explore options elsewhere. S.O.B. will likely be releasing the album independently. Look forward to more info about the record as it materializes, at http://www.myspace.com/stylesofbeyond. My bandmates and I believe in the group, and wish TAK, Skully, Cheapshot, and RYU all our best. You'll see more about S.O.B. here one this site as their project progresses.

    And lastly, some great news: in the meantime, RYU of Styles Of Beyond has been working with some mutual friends (including Apathy and Scoop DeVille, among others) on a new project called The Get Busy Committee. They just finished a new song and video for a new song called "My Little Razor Blade." Here's the world-premiere of the video and song...enjoy!

    mike


    "My Little Razor Blade" The Get Busy Committee from treylorpark on Vimeo.

  • Wemix Contest Q&A #4: RavYen

    January 8, 2009 30 Comments

    Here's my question. I read some where that in the entertainment industry morality is a speed limit. Some times I feel it's more like a roadblock. So I would like to know if it's possible to be successful in the mainstream marketplace with out loosing your morality? If so what steps should that artist take that are different from your run of the mill do anything say anything artist? My last question is are there any record labels that lean more towards artist that are actually saying something in there music if so who should I contact? Thanks for your time God speed and God Bless.....RayVen

    Before we jump in, I have to point out: in the comment about the "roadblock," you seem so jaded already. I don't blame you; it's too bad that the music world is so full of corruption and negativity that it makes young aspiring artists feel bad about doing what they love to do. I hope that through the stuff we talk about here on this site, we can improve things a bit and make things a little better.

    Before I say anything else, I think it might be best to put a sample of RayVen's music up:

    Moving on to "morality in the mainstream," I think the main component in this equation is you. Nobody can make you do something you don't want to do. They may try to pressure you to do things a certain way in order to position yourself in the music marketplace, but at the end of the day, you need to be comfortable with it in order for it to get the green light. And remember to PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS--figure out what it is that you do, from both business and creative standpoints, that works well and makes a good connection with fans.

    Let's also talk about how you're reaching out to new fans. Who are you promoting to? Where?

    Injecting some positivity in the world of hip hop is an admirable (although daunting) goal. In taking on this responsibility, my main piece of advice is: embrace, don't preach. Do at least as much listening as you do talking. Sometimes it may be good for you to reach out to people who are already interested in your message, but don't be afraid to reach out to people who aren't. "Preaching to the choir" is going to help you find fans, but in the bigger picture, it might be more powerful to reach out--in a positive, non-confrontational way--to people in the "bitches, guns, and money" world of hip hop. Be a part of a movement...and maybe even lead one.

    Check out RayVen here: http://www.wemix.com/userinfo.aspx?id=38326

    mike

  • Wemix Contest Q&A #3: Pilot Touhill

    January 5, 2009 24 Comments

    Continuing to answer questions by my 5 Wemix contest finalists. This one by Pilot Touhil:

    As an unsigned artist, what online distribution service would you recommend? I was thinking of either using TUNECORE or maybe CD BABY but i would like to hear your opinion. Thanks".

    Pilot, I did a bunch of research on this one for you. I asked people who they thought the best online distribution service was (and I didn't mention Tunecore or CD Baby, in the event that people suggested another service)...although CD Baby, TheOrchard, and Nimbit were mentioned, TUNECORE seemed to be one that people recommended most often. From Mr. Red Baron:

    "Artists pay an up-front fee to open their account, and they select which stores they want to sell their music. They earn ALL the revenue and do not have to pay a percentage to Tunecore. The backend is really smart, much like a bank account.

TuneCore charges $0.99 per track, $0.99 per store per album, and $19.98 per album per year storage and maintenance. Or, just put up one song as a single for a flat price of $9.99 per year, all stores included. This eliminates the need to hit LaLa, Amazon, Rhapsody, etc- which are commonly used places for artists to sell."

    Nine Inch Nails did their last album with Tunecore, if that says anything to you. I've also heard that TheOrchard is great because they have a strong ability to handle physical distribution as well, which will probably play some role in how you get your music out. At the end of the day, I'd say to research all the options and figure out which one is best for you.

    Good Luck! mike

  • Responses to comments: JohnLP89, MetalValue

    December 28, 2008 67 Comments

    Posted by Metal_Value: (excerpt) ...all these unsigned bands you see around that are looking to be signed by a major record label, that mostly believe there are no other routes to success other than the big record companies, would actually start to explore and research more about these indie routes and being unsigned but successful if popular and successful bands they idolize actually start taking action themselves and move away and become independent with their music. The problem is that right now, really, being successful is "Major labeling". But maybe that'll change when major artists do...

    M: I would love to see influential bands lead the way, but the vast majority are locked into a recording contract. Once you sign, you're committed. A handful of artists have negotiated out of a contract, but fighting over it may mean: not being able to release music for many years due to court battles, millions of dollars in damages, or many other things that are not ideal for the band, label, nor fans. In a broad sense, a lot of peoples' favorite bands are in the same situation. Once you sign, you're locked in; that's why it's important to know the ramifications of signing a contract.

    Posted by JohnLP89: Can I ask you a question? This seems to be a very debatable topic among local bands. To "get big" do you take the punk mode of thinking and stay true to your music no matter what, and hope that you don't need to change to get noticed. Is that what a label or independent contractor would want to see? Or do they want to see someone who develops a bit of a social imagination, and can step outside of what he likes to make music that the people want to see? Do they want to see someone who understands their music, or someone who understands the culture?

  • Wemix Contest Q&A #2: A Brokeheart Pro

    December 23, 2008 40 Comments

    The album I'm working on now is also a book, a movie and merchandise. Now, I have two complete visions for this project: 1.  To do it DIY like I do everything else, or 2. To do it bigger, with a major label attached to all properties. If you were me, what would you do?

    Jeannette (a brokeheart pro)

    http://www.myspace.com/abrokeheartpro

    I think your band's sound has the potential to achieve a mainstream crossover someday--you guys got a ton of votes in the Wemix competition, so people obviously like it. Success will take time, hard work, good ideas, and some level of luck...But in the meantime, I would imagine that the best thing you can do is try to build things as much as possible without signing to a major. In your case, signing a contract should be the result of having an amazing band, sound, live show, and fanbase. Don't let the cart lead the horse--focus on building a big live show following and online fanbase, and by the time the labels figure it out, you'll be able to negotiate a much better deal for yourselves.

    mike

    PS - don't let them take your web domain rights and ownership of your fan club. The last thing you want to do is give them the power of your mailing list and your online community.

    PPS - I want to point out that Jeannette gets it: she remembered to tastefully add her myspace link in her post (I didn't add it).