Every Friday, we will will be featuring a new crew feature to give an insight in to what we do in the music industry. Touring crew members are some of the most underrated people in the industry, but without them, the show would not go on. From the tour manager to tour photographers, every role …
We all remember the crazy videos from our favorite bands at house parties or out in the woods creating a show! There are plenty of stories of the old punk days in the desert where bands brought generators into the middle of nowhere, and just partied! This was the purest for of the art form …
Being able to draw in your local area is something to be proud of, as it is difficult in this industry to get recognition. However, if that is all you do, then you will go nowhere in the larger picture. The problem that I see with most bands is that they feel that since they …
We caught up with Patrick and Jeramie of The Absence at their show at Rooster’s Roadhouse in Alameda, CA. After being pushed off of MetalBlade Records, the band went into DIY mode. The band put together a self-booked US Tour, as well as a show in Mexico. The music industry is seeing the reduction in …
With their Nuclear Blast contract now complete, Threat Signal mull their options for the band’s future…
Our good friends in Recoil VOR have been doing it DIY for a decade, and with their newest album released today Sleep for the Masses (you might even see Jeff in their music video at some point), we wanted to catch up with our buddy Wade McKay from down under. So I know you guys …
Recently, I caught up with Caliban frontman Andy Dörner and asked him about the differences between touring in Europe versus the U.S., their new release I Am Nemesis, and how touring pays the bills. The music industry has been changing dramatically (downloading, declining album sales, etc.). So, how do you guys stay current with the industry and find …
If you decide to record in a professional studio, it is important to be as prepared as possible to save the most money! If you don’t have the knowledge to DIY your recording in your own home studio, there’s nothing wrong with going to a professional studio. However, make sure that you have every thing …
I get a lot of musicians asking me about what they should do next or what they are missing from their band operations. I figured that it might be a good idea if I put a basic blueprint together of things you should have down to effectively pursue your career in music. This is not …
We tracked down All Shall Perish guitarist (and We Need Merch owner!) Ben Orum over the weekend to pick his brain about today’s music biz. Ben offered his thoughts on “piracy,” the effectiveness of social media, and other tips for aspiring bands in the 2012 metal hustle.
It is always great to talk with artists about their feelings on the industry and what they are doing to advance and succeed. I had a chance to speak with Obe Babakhan of Until We Sleep and ask him about his thoughts… Hey Obe! I wanted to thank you to take time to talk …
Last week, we caught up with Jon and Pat of Threat Signal down in Vegas and invaded their hotel room for the following interview. We asked them about their thoughts on dealing with (or, in their words, “coping with”) the music biz, including one-sided record contracts, working second jobs to support their music careers, and the importance …
There is something that every artist needs to understand and fully submerge themselves in: You have to know the business of music! These days — to be DIY — you have to stay ahead of the game, working harder and researching more. You can’t think of yourself as simply an artist, because this is a business …
Guitarists, have you ever wanted to get a great quality pedal, like an overdrive or delay? But when you priced what seemed to be the best corporate branding had to offer, you were looking at anywhere between $150-$200 and upwards of $250 for “branded” boutiques? Last week, I sat down with DIY boutique pedal-maker Walt Cannoy …
I know that we talk about the power of giving your music away for free, and it is truly a good way to utilize the marketing model to get your music out into the world. You are truly trying to reach a largest possible audience with your music. Yet, the thing that most artists don’t …
When it comes to adding third-party plug-ins to your recordings, there is abundance. Many are over-priced and out of reach for most musicians. Relying on successful branding, Neve, Pultec, etc., companies like Waves and Universal Audio charge premium prices for digital “replicas” of classic outboard gear and may require the purchase of additional hardware to …
In today’s industry, artists do not have the luxury of being on the front line of a blossoming new movement, where bands and artists are getting signed “right and left” like those that came before us. I am not saying they had it easy — because they earned every bit of fame and fortune — …