From Idea to I Did It

Here are 5 steps that you could use to help bring your ideas into fruition.

1. What's your GOAL?
   
   
2. What's REQUIRED for you to achieve that goal?
   
   
3. Keeping these requirements in mind, what's your PLAN?
   
   
4. Now, DO IT!
   
   
5. Follow-up on your original plan daily. Track your progress.

P.S. Don't try it, make it happen.

-K.C.

YOU JUST DO YOU, UMMA DO ME...

Is image REALLY everything? Yep. While having a conversation with the marketing director here at Patchwerk, we both agreed that the music industry (rap in particular) is plagued with a peculiar dichotomy: Image vs. reality. As you can learn from sitting in on one of our many informative I Do Music panels, (again with the shameless plugs?!) your image should reflect who you are as both a person and an artist. Seems easy enough, huh? You’d be surprised. More times than not, artists get caught up in portraying a character, no different than the role of an actor. Despite the recent wave of rappers turned thespians, I contend that as far as image is concerned, theatrical performances have no place in the world of hip-hop. Test it out. My hypothesis: Longevity as an artist and genuineness of one’s image are directly correlated. So let’s say your not buying my story, and you’ve come to the conclusion that trendy is the way in. Everybody’s doing it so that’s where the money is. You develop your gimmick and rather than let people know “the real you”, you introduce a manufactured image of yourself to the world. That’s cool. Wait…if people fall in love with your trendy persona, you’re only as a relevant as the trend you’ve adopted. And as we all know, the essence of a trend is to be ever-changing. That makes the fake you important for approximately 2.5 seconds. These are just some humble notions from a blog writer. If you don’t like it, get at me. I’ll be here. Until next time, (and pay careful attention to my next two words…) do YOU, do music.

-Gilles

GET YOUR MYSPACE UP!

In an age when A&Rs would rather be in front of a computer than at some smoky hole in the wall on “open-mic night”, a Myspace music page has become crucially important as the premier tool for aspiring artists to connect with the “who’s who” of the music business. If you haven’t heard it yet, consider yourself fortunate to be reading this blog. Let’s face it folks, if you want to have any chance at making it, you’d better be accessible through a computer. It may not seem like it, but A&Rs are busy people. They may not have time to listen to your entire CD or take a public survey to see if people are really feeling you. (Despite what YOU may say…) 30 may not be the new 20 but, a Myspace music page is definitely the new press kit. Just think. It provides visitors to your page with non-stop access to you. That’s your bio, whatever blogs you decide to write, video footage of your shows, your fan base, pictures, contact information, and of course, your music. Every trip to your page is another opportunity for you to gain a fan. Your Myspace page allows these music biz big wigs to get to know you virtually even before they meet you. They can see an accurate depiction of how many people download your songs, or how many people come to your page.(Myspace hits are essential nowadays, just ask Cassie…) They don’t have to take your word for it because the proof is in the pudding. Did I mention that Myspace has over 100 million accounts? Myspace is like dope in the 60s: EVERYBODY’S DOING IT. (Kids, don’t do drugs…) Either get right or get left. Until next time, do YOU, do music.

-Gilles

THINGS JUST AIN'T THE SAME FOR GANGSTERS...

Remember back when CD sales meant something? Nope…me neither. But, let’s think way back. Like when you had the red and black lumberjack…with the hat to match. I think anyone with a pulse would agree that the music industry is ever-changing and moreover, facets of this business that were once relevant no longer have much, if any significance. Allow me to get you up to speed. Say good-bye to the compact disc and hello to the ring-tone. With the emergence of media download powerhouses like Napster, Bear-share, Ares Galaxy, Limewire, and of course, everyone’s favorite: I-tunes, a weekly trip to the record store has become an event as ancient as the proverbial “field trip”. So, let’s get to the infamous (in your best James Earl Jones voice) RING-TONE. Sound scary, huh? Ok, maybe not. But, it’s true. Americans have grown increasingly attached to their phones/PDAs/Nextel chirps etc. and with this growing affinity comes the need for ring-tones and caller-tunes. Ground breaking discovery? Nope. Shift in the industry? Yep. Understand, this is just something to keep in mind when you’re developing your marketing campaign. (Yes, YOU have to do that now…per record company request) Just leave no stone un-turned. Ring-tones are a great way to achieve your success. Just ask artists like Chamillionaire, Rihanna, and Shawty Lo. Charlie Sheen and Chris Tucker once co-starred in a movie titled Money Talks. Suffice it to say, I share that sentiment. Ring-tones may be able to get you “talking” faster than you think. Until next time, do YOU, do music.

-Gilles

For Go-Getters Only!

In this day and age, artists are getting recognized for going against the grain. One of the major misconceptions about the music industry is that the only way to get your music heard is to be the person in front of the camera. WRONG! This industry is overflowing with outlets for independents that don’t involve a top ten countdown. If you really want your sound heard by the masses, you have to open your mind.

I’m sure you believe that you have star power within you. And you do! But not everyone with quality music will get an opportunity to become the next big face plastered across televisions and billboards. Not to worry, there are ways for you to get your sound out without taking traditional routes.

For example, have you ever paid attention to the background music on your favorite T.V. show or movie? Maybe you don’t, but the people that matter do. They say “any press is good press” right? Well let’s see, if your song were to make the soundtrack of a nationally broadcasted television show how many people do you suppose will hear it? And then just think: audiences will see their favorite on-screen star while they simultaneously hear you-- their soon to be favorite independent! Talk about positioning yourself. It’s like a free music video and with no werk from you!

Reasons to broaden your horizons:

1. You may actually like it!

2. There is an untapped audience just waiting to fall in love with your sound.

3. You are no longer limiting yourself.
-Why fish in Lake Tahoe when you can have the Atlantic Ocean?

4. You will become a jack of all trades.
- Music is universal. That means more than just what you hear on the radio. Your song's instrumental may be just what a major corporation is seeking for the theme music to their commercial campaign.

Now, I challenge you to become aware of the all different places you hear music; in a chain restaurant, at the movies, your favorite clothing store, or even your bank’s hold music. With all these opportunities for you to infiltrate and introduce your music, you’d be a knuckle head to not explore your options. In the end, remember that self preservation is key and don’t stop until you do whatever’s possible to get YOU heard!

-Always with love, Miss Juice.

How'd you manage to do that?

Are you an aspiring artist that can’t seem to get your foot into the right doors? Need a 1-man fan club to help spread the word about how you’re the best thing since sliced bread? You probably just need a manager. A wise woman by the name of Lady Eloise once said, “You shouldn’t have to blow your own horn…You should get others to do it for you.” This perverse cougar may have been on to something. As a creative genius, it may be difficult to handle all of those “music business” duties that come with achieving success. (I.e.: getting opportunities to perform, booking shows, rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers of the biz, etc.) A manager can help alleviate those sources of stress while keeping you focused on your craft. Cool. So we got that out of the way. Wait a second…Where are you going to find this manager? My advice is to look around you. An enthusiastic and ambitious friend may have to do the trick for now. In your early stages, you probably won’t be able to afford a big shot manager and those guys may not be best suited for you any way. They typically have other, more famous clients and your career won’t be their primary focus. Moreover, the advantage of a friend-turned-manager is in your ability to trust him/her. Because, they’re your friend already, you know they’ll be in your corner. Have a meeting or two, make sure you’re both on the same page, develop a plan of action, and start spreading the news! Until next time, do YOU, do music.

-Gilles

How to Find Your Perfect Mate!

Finding the right manager doesn't have to be as difficult as finding a mate, but you should approach it with a similar attitude. The thing to remember as an independent artist, is that you are just that: independent. You will face challenges that established artists (who already have support teams thanks to label assistance) won't necessarily go through. With that said, you should want someone who is willing to go that extra mile to fight for your music career; Someone who understands that the road to stardom is a long and arduous journey, and the both of you must be mentally and physically prepared. Here are a couple things to consider when searching for that perfect fit:

1. Does he or she respect your vision?

2. Don't let the big name fool you!

-An established manager may have all the connects, but will you be a priority?

3. Are they connected to the right people?
-And if not, do they have potential to properly place themselves in positions to meet the movers and shakers?

4. Can you grow with this person?
-Will they give you the freedom to follow your artistic gut?

5. Do your personalities click?
-Since there will be long nights and endless working hours, will this be someone you can get along with when attitudes get short?

Now, Juice isn't claiming to be an expert, but I have come across artists who seem to be suffering from major mangeritis. Either they were in search for a manger or found one who just wasn't right. In the end, you want to look for someone who visualizes your success as clearly as you do. Don't get lost in the shuffle of a big time name. Always keep self preservation a priority and don't stop until you have found what you want for yourself!

-Always with love, Miss Juice.

TRYNA MAKE A DOLLAR OUTTA 15 CENTS...

It’s funny how when you’re trying to get that ever-evasive glimpse of stardom…that taste of fame, you have to pay to get five minutes on a stage to do your thing. But, when you finally make it…when you finally arrive…the same people, whether it be promotional companies, radio stations, etc., are now willing to pay you. So, here’s my advice: think of all the expenses you incur on your way to the top as a sum of investments. Say for instance, that you heard, I Do Music was that monthly jump off event of the summer, (shameless plug # 1) an entry fee to perform may seem a little daunting. However, think of the opportunities presented every time you can perform in front of masses of people, actually there to see you…this is YOUR dream, right? You don’t know who could be in the crowd: Russell Simmons, Coach K, (Young Jeezy’s manager) DJ Drama, etc. Go ahead and make that investment. Really broke? Lucky for you, I had a conversation with a millionaire just the other day that may prove to be of some use. I told him your story. He responded, “Your first step is to start with asking your family and friends for the money…you gotta hit up the people that believe in your music…fans too.” Now understand, the young millionaire’s advice is not to ask for large sums of money…that would be unreasonable. (1) Ask for small donations that he/she would be comfortable with giving. Think big. If you ask 100 people for $5, you’ll have $500. A band once financed its entire album through donations made on a website by dedicated fans. (You can even thank contributing fans in the liner notes.) Keep in mind, your biggest supporters may not have money to give you…that doesn’t mean that they cannot help. Think outside the box. (2) Reach out to producers, engineers, managers, etc. that you may already know. These good folks may be able to help your career in ways you didn’t even consider (offering studio time for free or at a reduced price, “pulling strings” to get you hooked up with the right people, offering beats and instrumentals for free or at a reduced price, etc.) (3) Budget your money. The music business is expensive (promo flyers, studio time, transportation costs, creating cds, etc.) and your going to need every penny you can get your hands on. It may not be a bad idea to open up a bank account solely for your business in music. Now you’re on your way. You can submit that entry fee to I Do Music (shameless plug #2) and get the shine you really deserve. Until next time, do YOU, do music.

-Gilles

READING AIN’T FUN! or Damental…

So, we’ve all heard it before. We know that if it was up to you, you’d rather be creating, performing, and doing all things “artsy”. “Who needs a book? F’ a book! I’m a musician!” Right? Wrong. The million dollar question is: Why are America’s most prolific writers afraid to read? You can write stanza upon stanza, the dopest 16 bar verse known to man and an infectious hook to boot, but can’t seem to work your way through what could be the most important 33 chapters of your professional career. Though I’m personally not in the business of endorsement deals, my better judgment is telling me to give you the dish like a satellite. So, it is with you all in mind that I recommend what should be the cornerstone of every musician’s library. Yes, you knew it: The 6^th (or most recent) Ed. of Donald Passman’s, All You Need to Know About the Music Business. Whether it’s pushing a door that says pull or waiting for a hostess at a restaurant that asks you to seat yourself, a few moments spent reading can prove to be a tremendous asset to your life. What you will quickly learn, if you haven’t already, is that the best business in any business is your own business. Beyond such a cryptic motto lies an extraordinary message: No one can look out for you like YOU. While Passman’s book is not the only resource for the young and business savvy artist to educate his/herself on the brass tacks of this cut-throat music world, it has been critically acclaimed by artists, educators, and countless other professionals alike. Now I’m not saying you should worship the ground that this guy walks on…hell, I don’t…but, you may at least want to give his work a skim. Until next time, do YOU. Do music.

Gilles

‘Everything You Did Has Already Been Done’

Why is it that everyone thinks they are the first to come up with every great marvelous idea that exists on this planet? For example, just the other day, someone told me that they came up with the Kanye sound, before Kanye came up with it. And someone told me once, that they came up with the idea of Missy Elliot’s 3-D video before she did. I mean was Alicia Keys the first artist to ever be able to sing and play the piano at the same time? I doubt it. But she was one of the first to popularize it (on stage, and in videos). That’s the difference. It’s not about the first person to come up with the idea. It’s the first person to come out with the idea. Granted, some ideas are marvelous, and maybe someone did magically dream them up from the depths of nowhere,… but chances are most ideas are not 100% original. Most ideas stem from other material we have already seen or heard. So my point is stop being bitter because you think someone stole your idea!! Instead, put that energy to better use, and figure out ways to get your great ideas out to the public.

Web 2.0! ...It's Like INTERNET X 2

Well not quite!?! Web 2.0 is a term describing the trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users. In plain English, Web 2.0 is the new way to experience the World Wide Web. The ideas that make up the body of knowledge around of Web 2.0 has birthed most of our favorite new online resources such as Myspace, Facebook, You Tube, Wikipedia, millions of blogs, and countless social networks. Web 2.0 advocates a world where individuals are just as, or even more social online as they are offline. This means sharing, collaborating, engaging in dialogue, network building, etc. Growing at an increasingly fascinating rate Web 2.0 is quickly becoming the standard way to experience the internet. Check out these mind blowing statistics:

January 2004 – less than 2 million blogs
Today – More than 57 Million

October 2005 – less than 25 million online video views per day
Today - More than 700 Million per day

May 2004 - MySpace.com registered users – 2 million
Today- More than 200 million

With this type of growth it is no wonder why you can’t go to more than two websites without seeing terms like “friend”, “blog”, “RSS”, “community/forum”, or the most popular “subscribe”. These terms make up the language we all are forcibly learning to speak online.

As with any new emerging trend, it is typically those who adopt it early that benefit from it the most. That being said, as an aspiring artist it is absolutely crucial that you are an active participant in this new online arena. This means speaking, and listening…most users tend to ignore the latter. Don’t make this mistake as it will cost you more than you think!

So from now on when surfing the Internet, really take time to think about who you’re connecting with, and who’s connecting with you and why. As you practice this consistently, your online popularity and social equity will increase much more than you ever thought possible. Think of it as a fresh new life where you can determine who your friends are, and how people perceive you.

Final thoughts: Be social-not stupid!

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be A...Professional Blogger

Description: A professional blogger (also known as a copywriter or editorial-content producer) is an individual hired by a company to research and write conversation-style pieces about timely and targeted topics that would appeal to customers, clients, and potential recruits. The position often entails researching, linking to breaking news, and providing personal insight. As it pertains to the music industry blogging is becoming more and more essential in the promotion of music. Annual salary for corporate bloggers ranges from 40k to 70k. The need for professional bloggers is increasing at a very rapid pace despite the fact that currently only 4% of major U.S. corporations have blogs available to the public, according to a recent survey by eMarketer, a New York research company.

Day in The Life: From reading and commenting on other popular blogs to researching breaking news and attending buzz worthy events, there is rarely a dull moment in a bloggers life. In addition to their daily blog posting tasks they're also usually responsible for other important business functions such as

• Writing marketing copies and content for the Web site of the company
• Effectively communicating with users via blogs, newsletters and daily reviews

• Monitoring Community Forums, Feedback and answering support emails
• Building relationships with cross-functional teams in order to understand their needs and goals, and ensure that the Community perspective is being considered
• Serving as the lead communication liaison during site issues/maintenance between technical groups, the Community and Public Relations team

Education & Experience:

• Strong writing skills and experience with blogging software
• Complete and comprehensive grasp of the rules of grammar
• Excellent communication & presentation abilities

Tip: How to Setup a Home Studio Space

To all new and aspiring engineers and producers who have thought of setting up your own studio, take some comfort in knowing that it is not too hard to accomplish. Knowing is half the battle , and these tips can help you take that empty room from being just a useless space to a fully functioning home recording studio. Below is a little help on how to get started, including optimizing your space, and having the right equipment:

Space Optimization Tips

• Find a quiet environment or “dead” room ( which doesn’t echo or tend to emphasize certain frequencies)

• Find a neutral room

• Get a room with carpeting (and if you don’t have a room with carpeting or have hardwood floors, get a rug or a couple pieces of acoustic foam to do the trick)

• Make sure your room is soundproof without noise bleed (or far away from your neighbors)

• Finally, keep in mind that Walls, Ceiling, Floor, Doors, Windows, and Ventilation are all important and all need to be optimized!

Equipment Must Haves

The following are basic equipment must haves for any at-home studio:

1) A good quality microphone

2) A basic mixer

3) An audio interface for your computer

4) A computer (Preferably a Mac, mainly for compatibility purposes)

5) Studio monitors (not regular speakers)

6) Musical instruments (optional)

7) Turntable (optional)

8) CD player (optional)

* additional tip: Make sure to spend most of your money on microphones and monitors!

For more info on how to setup your own home studio visit:

http://www.podcastingnews.com/articles/Home_Studio.html

http://homerecording.about.com/od/homestudiobasics/a/acoustics.htm

http://www.humbuckermusic.com/jul5th20buil.html

Who's In The Studio

In Studio 995
Engineers Mike Wilson and Kori Anders were in 995 mixing and tracking sessions for artists such as Dex, Vinson, Gucci Mane, El Dorado Red, Vawn, SouthWest Click, Certified Coaches and David Banner.

Kori Anders tracked sessions for Gucci Mane including “Never too Much”, “Like That”, and “Brain’. He also tracked “Champagne Conversation’, “Shots”, and “Faucet” for Young Joc, plus “Up & Down” for Vawn and “So Long”, “Crazy”, and “Do it” for David Banner. Anders also did mixes for GB & Slick, and Dex.

Mike Wilson mixed a session for Southwest Click’s Fat Profit while he tracked vocals for Angel Productions’ “In the Club”, “Publish”, and “Your Man Is Supposed To”. Wilson also did a mix for J. Rizzle featuring Shawty Lo for the remix of “Hello”.

Also in studio 995 were Mike Pratt tracking an AUC Chant and Mike Miller tracking “Spot Light” by G5 featuring Bobby Valentino.

In Studio 9000

Leslie Braithwaite held it down at PatchWerk’s studio 9000 once again this past May. Recognized at PatchWerk for his top notch mixes, Brathwaite, assisted by Justin Trawick, mixed sessions for artists such as Ashanti, Nelly, Murphy Lee, Young Jeezy, C-Side, Red Dirt, Plies, Sir Will and Janelle Monae . Some of the songs that came out of the studio this past month included “The Way I Roll” by Murphy Lee (produced by LT MOE) “Put On” by Young Jeezy (produced by Drumma Boy), and “Locked Inside” by Janelle Monae.

Also in 9000 were sessions with Turner Broadcasting Station for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne featuring Chrisette Michelle, assisted by Mike Pratt. “Here I Am” by Rick Ross was engineered by Justin Trawick and a listening session with Disturbing tha Peace, and Monster Music was also held in 9000 this May.

Visit www.patchwerk.com for more on PatchWerk Recording Studios

Step Your Game Up: Mbox 2 Micro

Ever wanted to take your Pro Tools mix session with you but didn't want to go through the hassle of packing your Mbox and all the cables that come with it? If you're a producer or engineer that is constantly having to leave your studio setting for one reason or another then the answer is probably YES! Well the Pro Tools gods have FINALLY answered your prayers and have created a little piece of music heaven called The Mbox 2 Micro.
As the much anticipated answer to one of the top requests from Pro Tools® users, ultra-small Mbox® 2 Micro enables Pro Tools users to edit, sequence, and mix sessions created on Pro Tools|HD®, Pro Tools LE®, and Pro Tools M-Powered™ systems on the go, as well as compose music with virtual instruments and loops.

About the size of a typical USB flash drive, Mbox 2 Micro offers high-quality 24-bit / 48 kHz sound, a 1/8-inch stereo output for headphone or speaker monitoring (no audio inputs*), and a convenient volume wheel, providing you with the freedom of true editing, sequencing, and mixing mobility. Whether you’re looking to work on studio-created or live sound Pro Tools sessions on the go, or create loop-based or virtual instrument-driven music, Mbox 2 Micro lets you work wherever inspiration takes you.

Tip: Decide if Exclusive or Non-Exclusive Rights are Better for You

Producers and Songwriters, before selling the rights to your beats or songs, you should consider whether selling them exclusively or non-exclusively is better for your situation. Both options have benefits and downsides. So how do you decide which is better for you?

A good way to determine if you should give away your product exclusively or non-exclusively may be based on the following questions:

a) How likely am I to use the piece again?

b) How long it takes me to write the song or make the beat?

c) What is the shelf life of my song or beat?

d) How much money do I want to make and how fast?

Exclusive rights grant the customer the right to use the beat or song for all commercial recording purposes. A contract is typically received by the client disclosing their rights to the piece. It is important to note that granting a client exclusive rights to a beat or song does not entitle them to any portion of your publishing rights. However, exclusive rights are sold only to one party and may not be resold to anyone else. Once full rights for a beat are purchased, the beat will be taken off the market.

• The Benefits: You will be able to sell your beat or song for a higher profit than if it were non-exclusive.
  
  
• The Downsides: You will not be able to use this beat or song ever again. Also, selling the beat or song exclusively gives the customer full creative control allowing them to go against your original vision for the piece. This is important to consider as producers and songwriters usually have strong ideas about where they want the music to go creatively.

Non-exclusive rights grant the client the rights to use a beat or song for all commercial recording purposes, however these rights can be extended to more than one person at a time. The beat or song will still be available for purchase and the same rights may be given to anyone else who purchases it non-exclusively. It is important to note that once a beat or song is sold non-exclusively it cannot be sold exclusively. Doing this will cause a breach, on the sellers part, in both contracted agreements.

• The Benefits: Non-exclusive contracts are better for one-time demos and low budget albums because they serve the primary purpose of the project without breaking the bank. Financially speaking, as a producer or songwriter, you can resell your non-exclusive piece over and over again creating repeat profit. In the long run this strategy has the potential to generate a large income.
  
  
• The Downsides: You will usually sell non-exclusive pieces for less than you would an exclusive one, generating less upfront profit. Also some people may not want to buy your non-exclusive beat or song once they have found out that a number of other people have already used it.

There are other ways you can structure your selling agreement to be more flexible but these options are beyond the scope of this article. For more info on Leasing exclusive versus non-exclusive rights check out the following links:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/195142/exclusive_vs_nonexclusive_content_which.html

http://www.writing-world.com/rights/rights.shtml

http://www.endlessbeats.com/legalrights