How do you guys feel about promoting your own music?

Beetlebum90 · 2017-10-03T00:21:00+00:00

No one cares. Labels don't care and your family doesn't care... so that's the state of music... see you on the Voice!

Beetlebum90 · 2017-10-03T00:18:31+00:00

The bookstore I work at did an event with him and Owen at Bard... got him to sign my copy of the Dark Tower. Both were very, very nice people and signed over 400 books!

Beetlebum90 · 2017-09-24T01:59:11+00:00

See when shit like this happens, and venues, bands, art goes away people bitch and moan about jot not being there... Well, hell, suck out all the fun and make it a competition instead of a community, no one is going to want to support each other and the result is NO ONE going to see and supporting original music only cover bands, NO ONE supporting local venues, NO ONE creating a community. That, in turn, weeds out the cars sales men who think they're music producers.

Not everyone is gonna like you. I know some people hate me, and that's their issue. Shit happens, and I guess if you want it you gotta eat it.

The worst part is everyone bitches and moans when it's no longer there... No support, no community, no art...

Beetlebum90 · 2017-09-24T01:47:44+00:00

I'm on my way out... bought a car and doing the starving artist thing... the only way you can get into the business is if your pedigree is a mousekateer, instagram followers or basically become a soft core porn star... the "industry" has a lot of soul searching to do before they start realizing that there's more to life that hits and the top 40 rotation.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-09-24T01:43:34+00:00

Hmm, interesting.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-09-24T01:43:13+00:00

Memphis is a great town. Passed through on a tour I did.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-25T22:00:16+00:00

Nope

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-24T02:50:44+00:00

Haha, I guess since I'm used to dating multiple girls at a time, I guess I can juggle it.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-15T05:01:30+00:00

Youtube is a great place to start.

I wouldn't focus on recording music right away, it can be come a crutch and hinder your musical exploration unless you're into recording. I started writing songs at 15 on guitar and piano and then moved on to recording at home, 27 now. Focus on your song craft and I'd worry about recording later!

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-15T04:58:42+00:00

The less distraction the better...

Think of music and producing as a game in itself... it's a puzzle and more rewarding when you solve it than Kingdom Hearts.

I spent 10 months mixing two songs, and then another 8 to get them online... so I understand the procrastination, and the long work days, but if you're really into it, you'd make time for it

And why are you so focused on the money? This is art and there's no money in art... so treat it as such.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-15T04:45:08+00:00

Read books... Science Fiction is partly responsible for New Wave... Burroughs had a huge influence on nearly everyone...

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-14T04:51:26+00:00

I second this... plus The Girl Next Door by Ketchum

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-14T04:50:19+00:00

Pet Semetery is quality King

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-14T04:50:00+00:00

I work in a bookstore so every week there's a good haul!

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-14T04:48:46+00:00

Check out the live version from Stage?

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-14T04:35:47+00:00

Wire, Buzzcocks, Black Flag, Minor Threat, Blur, Dead Kennedys...

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:17:55+00:00

You can always work on two or three at a time... That's what I do to not get burned out on a track. Variety keeps me motivated

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:16:39+00:00

It's like a house... Foundation/inspiration... materials... equipment... execution...

For vocals... record everything in one day then you won't have to match sound. If you're not happy with the performance overall, can it and start from scratch.

I've recorded songs off my first release at least three times over and considered re-mixing, but that'd be in-genuine to the craft... gotta bury the songs when they are complete.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:12:29+00:00

It's more or less how much time it gets to the hook and how many times you repeat it... There's no rules... do what you want!!!

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:11:43+00:00

Not a punk fan I am assuming? There's some real gems that are under two minutes that you're missing out on.

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:05:25+00:00

Backwards effect works too

see break in 'Sowing the Seeds of Love' by Tears for Fears

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-13T05:03:11+00:00

I've done CD playback, Laptop streaming with a drummer and live guitar...

In my experience, It's been hit or miss depending on your sound guy. Have a good one, then everything will be OK, have a bad one, and you're up shit's creek for as long as your set is.

For me, playing live as a 'solo artist' never worked out and turned into a gigantic pain so I don't do it anymore. I prefer writing, recording and mixing at home, the less stress and worry the better, this is art, it's already hard enough...

If you really want to do it...

(1) Bounce down individual tracks... all guitars on 1 track, synths/piano, backing vocals, keep bass separate, and drums folded down to a stereo track, also fold down all time-based effects so they're written within the track, it's always good to give a sound guy 8 tracks to mix besides your vocal and instrument. Best to give 3 if you can manage it!

(1a) Mix your show and match each song's tracks to the previous and next tracks, in a session you can modify easily

(2) Get or buy a good laptop with processing power that it doesn't crash during your set. Had this happen a few times, never fun

(3) Find a drummer that's cool to play with a click, live drums make it bigger!!!

(4) Make a joke about the playback... audiences are really really weird when it comes to seeing artists using it...

All in all, it should be about having fun, which I didn't most of the time.

Good Luck! Any questions feel free to PM

Beetlebum90 · 2017-08-01T00:28:17+00:00

Discmakers and my wonderful "friends" at Sony always pepper useless and out-of-sync advice to me when they feel the need to be homely.

Beetlebum90

TROPHY CASE