Create a Cult of Fans Pt 1.

In order to be a powerhouse in the music business you have to have a target. Sure, you have your God given abilities to perform, promote or whatever it is you do in this industry....but you need to go by certain rules. One "rulebook" which I know that can be beneficial towards your success is the 48 Laws of Power, written by Robert Greene. This book should be picked up!!!! It can be used in the music industry as well as the corporate world. In this series I'm going to go over Law 27:

Play on Peoples Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following:

I will use the example of an artist

Step 1: Keep it Vague; Keep it Simple

Your Vagueness is your line and hook...so to speak. When your are performing you have to have a certain aura about yourself. Beware! don't be too "Hollywood" as it may intimidate your potential fans. When you walk in the venue make up your own type of Strut! However to much vagueness could spoil your whole get up. So experiment and use with caution.

The Stage Is Mine!!!

Its all about your music right? Once you got the sound and the record its all good.....then you gotta perform! I often talk everyday about perception being reality. The eyes as well as the ears have to be satisfied when looking to acquire fans. Every successful artist can attest to the fact. The greatest artist capture through their sheer power as performers. A lot of musicians think that "stage presence" means dressing, moving, and acting in an unnatural way. Nah homie that is not the business! The best "image" of all is one that is truly YOU, truly original. Don't feel that just because Busta Rhymes is jumping around, you have to follow suit. Style comes from learning to express your true self in front of your audience, combined with the confidence of experience.

CLOTHES: It's not necessary to dress in matching costumes (which does work for some bands!), but be sure to project the band's "vibe" in the clothing your wear on stage (or in photos). That is what we talk about with SWAGGER folks. My man Senor Kaos preaches Swagger is nothing, Talent is everything! Pay Attention!!! It's great to be extravagant, which makes you memorable. But it's also OK to lay low if that's your style. Get right and get tight.

ATTITUDE: Bring something to the table. Have some kind of attitude. Nothing is worse then watching a group or an artist perform and there is no energy. Simply on stage doing absolutely nothing. Your attitude should match the style of your music. Do ANYTHING except stand there staring at the floor. Move around, dance, mosh, bounce, do the dougie, souljah boy, something! LOL!!! WORKING THE AUDIENCE: Make sure you interact with your audience. You are a entertainer so ENTERTAIN!!!! Make friends with them. Look at them, talk to them between songs, tell jokes, give away drinks or CDs. Don't have those dreaded silent minutes when the audience is waiting while the dj is trying to stay relevant. Say something witty instead. Be the life of the party. Also work the crowd between sets. I gotta give Young Joc props because he comes to mind as a live performer I seen recently. Mos def had the crowd open. That is a must.

LIGHTING & STAGING: Another visual addition to add interest to the show and draw in the listeners. You can use creative lighting effects, props, ramps, platforms, banners, etc. to make your show more appealing to the eye. For the 100th time entertain the crowd. You don't have to do the Steven Spielberg effects but give them something to look at.

IMPROVEMENT IDEAS: Practice in a room with full length mirrors. See which movements look good, and which come across as awkward. Practice facing the mirror, as you would do in a live performance. You should be able to see yourself like the crowd would see you. Videotape your performances and practices. Play full sets, and later watch the tapes to analyze your stage presence. Mentally prepare for performances by getting into the right frame of mind. Breathe properly because breathe control is key to you communicating effectively. Remember that this is about fun and expression. That's why they call it "playing". Work towards completely revealing yourself in your performance, never holding back. Suspend your fears of screwing up and let it all out. It sounds silly, but the best performers do just that. Once you have perfected your parts through rehearsals, forget all the technicalities and instead utilize inspiration on stage. Allow yourself to "play a role" while performing, if you like. Some people have a sort of "alter ego" on stage that is less inhibited than their normal personality. The diva herself Beyonce admits when she is on stage she uses her alter ego, Sasha, to get into the groove. In the end, good stage presence is simple - don't be BORING. The stage is your playing field and your competing with no one but yourself. You're free to do whatever you like as long as it is visually interesting. All you have to do is spend a little time working on it, and you'll improve the quality of your live shows by leaps and bounds.

Webcasters Welcome House Vote On Royalties Negotiation

*Every since this election I have been interested in politics a lot more, as we all should be. So here is some legislation that was passed for you from a musical stand point, it also gives us hope that we can actually change policies in this world especially in this time when we need CHANGE! Or not depending on whom you’re voting for.

By Andre Paine, London

Internet radio stations can extend their negotiations with labels and artists over performance royalties following a key vote in the House Of Representatives.

The legislation, H.R. 7084, was passed on Saturday night (Sept. 27) and now moves to the Senate.

The legislation authorizes collecting society SoundExchange to negotiate new royalty agreements on behalf of copyright owners and performers for Internet radio through Feb. 15, 2009.
This bill favors all webcasters and simulcasters - large and small. It paves the way for SoundExchange to use the coming months to pursue helpful solutions that allow all services to focus on business development. And, although there are no agreements yet, I am hopeful.
This legislation benefits all music webcasters and excludes none. Passage will facilitate closure of an agreement to enable all public radio stations to continue their public service through the webcasting of music."

The bill does not affect any underlying copyright law. .
`Crag U.

Happy Birthday I dO Music!

We're celebrating our 1 year anniversary!

DEVOTED: I dO Music Celebrates 1 Year!

CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER AND MUSIC PRODUCER LEAD MOVEMENT TO GET VOTERS TO THE POLLS

This one is for my politically enlightened artists. You know we don't usually do the news related stuff but we had to make an exception for this one...the world around us is changing. Are you taking notice or just walking around clueless? Got to thank my good friend "Yamil" for putting me on.

Check it out...

Multi-Platinum Producer Kevin "Khao" Cates and Civil Rights Leader Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. have kicked off a non-

partisan nationwide effort that calls on civic minded organizations to encourage their members and constituents to

vote.

The Million March 2 Vote campaign will target people who have never voted, especially voting age youths, and people disposed to voting, but who do not know how to register.

"It appears that the younger generations have lost sight of the struggles and obstacles

that preceded them," said Dr. Steele. "We want to rekindle that spirit in our youth and encourage everyone to use the right that so many have died for."

"Our generation takes a lot for granted," Khao said. "There is so much to learn from one another and it's way overdue. There is lack of participation from us. I asked myself: who will be our leaders of tomorrow if we don't make a stand and vote?"

Dr. Steele and Khao pledged to continue working together even after the election with the Bridging da Gap Movement. Bridging da Gap is an International project meant to bring generations together to share information and create a society conducive to progress and awareness. Dr. Steele and Khao see the need to create a platform for the unification of youth and great leaders of the older generation. The project will include various recording artists joining together to record an entire album with proceeds going to benefit Youth Programs and development of educational programs that promote such growth. The first single launching this collaborative movement is titled "Bridging da Gap" featuring Khao and Dr. Steele.

Khao and Dr. Steele will reveal this riveting and powerful song at the press conference on Wednesday.

"Music is the soul of the movement. It's how we got over…how we made it through," said Dr. Steele. "We must continue encouraging our youth the same way in which we were encouraged through music during the 50's and 60's."

Community leaders, politicians and music executives will join Dr. Steele and Khao in their efforts.

For Additional Details Contact:

National Contact: Ivan Thomas

Jerry Thomas PR 847/863/1067

Atlanta Contact: Keisha Ray

Phone: 404/895/8228

Email: keisharay_ray@yahoo.com

www.myspace.com/millionmarch2voteproject

www.millionmarchtovote.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suupoMalwiA

When I grow up I wanna be...

A Concert promoter!

What does a concert promoter do?

The simple answer is, "A concert promoter promotes concerts." It's more accurate to say that a concert promoter promotes artists. They promote artists to the venues in order to get them a gig, and then they promote them to the fans in order to get a sizeable audience into that gig.

On average, concerts are two hours of loud, hand-clapping fun, full of good music and swirling lights. However, making those two hours happen isn't easy work. Concert promoters decide which cities artists should visit, choose the venues they play and get sponsors for the tours.

Plus, all the logistics that come with the each show, such as security precautions and even the amount of bathrooms available for concertgoer, are their domain. It's tough work but they get to see free shows and travel around the country.

Salary: Earnings depend on the type of concert and its success, so the pay can be as low as minimum wage and, for industry veterans, as high as millions per year.

Source: Cnn.com, Stylecareer.com


Always with love,
Miss Juice

Can Music Make You Smarter?

Can Music Make You Smarter?

According to several studies, YES, Music can make you smarter.

It’s a little thing called the “Mozart Effect”. The Mozart Effect theory suggests that there is an alleged increase in brain development that occurs in children under age 3 when they listen to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This theory highly alludes to the idea that simply classical musical or playing instruments will make you smarter. Sometimes I wonder though, what about hip hop? And also what came first, the chicken or the egg? Does music make you smarter? Or are smart people more inclined to do music?

Knowing is Everything!

Especially in the Music Business

I must know a million artists that want to make it big in the music business but yet they are all hoping and praying that someone with enough expertise comes and swoops them up like a knight in shining armor. Why, you might ask, would someone be so dependent on someone else? The answer is information! Whether you believe it or not, it is information that makes the world go 'round. Knowledge of this idea is even more important as it relates to the music industry because the nature of this industry is one of interdependence. That means the only way to build your self value in this business (and in most businesses) is to have the knowledge about how to do something that people need and can't necessarily do themselves. The more complex the task, the more valuable the professional. It's actually a quite simple..IF PEOPLE DON'T NEED YOU, THEN YOU ARE IRRELEVANT TO THEM. Makes sense right!?

Think about it...starting from the top down, (depending on how you look at it), the labels need the experts, the experts need the talent, the talent needs the management, the management needs the people, and back on around it goes in a big circle. Everyone needs everyone in this business and the more you know, the more people will gravitate near you.

Now you may be saying..."well I know as much as they do, why am I not where they are?". There can be many possible answers to that question but the main reason one man that knows just as much as another will not be as successful as that man is because somehow the more successful individual proved his worth. He proved that his way of doing something works more, and better. So before youe go comparing yourself to the Lyor Cohens, th Kevin Liles', the Ruseel Simmons, and all of the above, make sure to ask yourself if you have really proved to those that need you most that what you know is valuable. The answer to that question may infact change your life.


Here's a good place to start: delve into some of these "must read" books!

-All You Need To Know About The Music Business by Donald Passman (duh right!)

-Start & Run Your own record label by Daylle Deanna Schwartz

-Making Records by Phil Remone

-This Business of Artist Management by Xavier Frascogua

-The Truth about the music business by Moore

-Confessions of a Record Producer by Moses Avalon

-Making Music Make Money Eric Beall

-8 Minute Meditation by Victor Davich

-How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

-The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

20 Tips on Using Effects in The Mix

1. Reverb creates the illusion of space…
2. Reverb is very useful for making vocals sound more musical...
3. Bright Reverbs can flatter vocals but may exaggerate sibilance…
4. Reverb is probably the most important effect in the studio…
5. Vocals almost always require compression…
6. Compressors bring up low-level noise just as effectively as they do low-level signals…
7. Avoid gating during recording if at all possible…
8. Always gate signals prior to adding reverb if you can…
9. Don't always set your gate to fully attenuate the signal when the gate is closed….
10. Single-ended noise-reduction units are useful in reducing the perceived level of hiss during material…
11. Don't add long reverb to bass sounds unless you have an artistic reason to do so…
12. Chorus is a useful effect for creating the illusion of space and movement…
13. If you need a sound treated with chorus to stand out in a mix, try either panning a dry version of the sound to one side…
14. Equalization is often used as an alternative to getting a sound right at source…
15. Sounds can often be made to sit better in a mix by 'bracketing' them with high- and low-pass filters…
16. When setting up a mix, try to get the mix sounding close to right before you add any effects or signal processing…
17. Don't be tempted to hide poor playing by heaping on more effects, it never works…
18. Go easy when using enhancers to treat complex signals such as a whole mix…
19. Often it's better to enhance just some elements of a mix so as to make them stand out from the rest…
20. Treatments designed to increase the stereo width of a mix can have detrimental effects on mono compatibility…

Read more onhttp://www.crunkbox.com/articles/articles/25/1/20-Tips-on-Using-Effects-In-The-Mix/Page1.html

How to Track Your Sales

Want to know how to make an impression with your records? Simply selling records out the back of your trunk and then bragging about how many records you have sold is not the answer!, If you want to make a professional impression then you need to go the professional route! There is a standard in the music industry for keeping track of how many records you are selling or how many spins you are getting on the radio. Make sure that you register your product with these major monitoring systems, for media and music, so that people take you seriously!


How to Track your sales:

For Radio

Submit your music to:

1. Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS)
2. Media Base
   
   And Pick up:
3. Billboard Magazine (and check out your competition)

For Retail Sales

Submit your music to:

1. Nielsen Sound Scan (Disc makers can get you a free UPC Code for Sound Scan)
   
   Or apply for a UPC Bar Code with:
   
   
2. Uniform Code Council (UCC)

For Digital Sales

For Digital Sales monitoring, your best bets are the following:

1. Itunes
2. EMusic
3. Myspace.com
4. Napster
5. CD Baby
6. Digital Download Cards

Don’t know What BDS, Media Base, Sound Scan, Billboard, Nielsen, UCC are?? Make sure you come to our Panel featured as part of the Atlantis Music Conference THIS WEEK!!! (Click here for the Atlantis Music Conference Schedule). These are terms you NEED to know if you want to have a leg up in this industry!

Here’s some links below that should be able to help you out!!

http://www.radio-media.com/song-album/articles/airplay26.html

http://www.cummingsdesign.com/bar_codes101_UCC_App.htm

http://www.discmakers.com/music/resources/soundscan.asp

http://www.bdsonline.com/submit.html

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts.jsp


-Toya Elise

Septemebr-I dO Music RECAP

We are coming up on our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY and if September's I dO Music was any indication of what the anniversary event is to bring to the table, this show may single-handedly change the independent game as we know it. The talent presented by Patchwerk Recording Studios is beyond comparison and is sure to continue as the movement marches on.

This month's theme was Werking Your Record; With or without a Deal. Panelists included Speedy (Young Jeezy), Khao (T.I. , Reuben Studdard) and Desiree Williams (GM, Soundshop Record Stores). The discussion heated up in Apache once the panelists allowed attendees to sample their music on the spot. The conversations got real once the advice began to flow. Let's just say, everyone isn't ready for constructive criticism! In the end, many artists were able to walk away with sound and valuable advice from respected individuals currently thriving in the game. Click here for photos from the event!

This month's talent showcase was so impressive even our in-house critic, Rob Watson, found little room for critique. We featured such artists as, Snub, a fan favorite who proves that lyricism lives. Ms. Remedy, made a strong impression with her hit "Supa Dupa," and super duo, Heed, rocked the I dO Music stage once again with their unique sound and performance.


Next month is our 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY and we have plenty of surprises in store for the celebration. Keep an eye on the website for more details. Until then, mark your calendar for the first Thursday on next month. We wouldn't want you missing out on the hottest netwerking event in the city!

Juice

PatchWerk @ The Atlantis Music Conference

Making Your Music Count
(Nielsen Soundscan, Venue Sales, BDS Spins, and the basics of Royalty Points)

Thursday, September 18th @ Center Stage, 2:00pm-3:30pm

This panel will explore the idea that many independent artists have successfully sold music online and offline, but cannot figure out why they're not getting more attention from record labels and industry professionals. This is usually because Nielsen SoundScan did not track their sales and their song is not registered with BDS. Nielsen reports sale numbers and the music industry lives by these numbers. They wait for them like the second coming. So in an industry obsessed with statistical data and results, it is vital that you understand how to register and track the sale of your music. In order to guarantee you are getting credit for all of your hard work, this extremely informative panel will discuss how to make sure your "online and offline" material is being counted and you are seeing the financial rewards from your sales.

PatchWerk on SoHH

PatchWerk Recording Studios' Music University 5 is making noise on popular blog SOHH.com. Check it out!

I Want to Work for Diddy!

There’s something so MOTIVATIONAL about watching Diddy’s new show. It gives me the boost to just get up, go out, and do something!

Not only do I enjoy the show because of its motivational value, but also because of the valuable lessons it teaches in how to become a SUCCESSFUL and GREAT assistant. To anyone striving to become someone’s executive, personal, administrative assistant (esp. in the music industry) take a few tips from day one of Diddy’s swagged out version of The Apprentice!


Tip #1 KEEP IN CONTACT

Communication is Key!
You have to be able to reach your assistant at any time: Day and Night! Blackberry is everything! And once you get one, make sure your battery does not die!


Tip #2 FIND A WAY OUT OF NO WAY

Be Resourceful!
Take your lemons and turn them into lemonade.
Figure it out. If someone says ‘No’, figure out a way to make them say ‘Yes’.

“To succeed in anything in life you need a vision. Now, If you can’t see the forest through the trees, you need to chop them mother f****ers down.”


Tip #3 DIDDY DON’TS

- Don’t come in looking a mess
- Don’t smoke cigarettes
- Don't not write stuff down; Write everything down!
- Don't ever be sedentary; Always be busy
- Never say “I Don’t know”. Instead say “Let me find out”
- Don’t mistake and think he’s your buddy
- Don’t not give 100%
- Don’t be lazy
- If he’s not talking to you – Don't comment
- Don’t think he’s your friend
- 5 phrases you CAN say .#1Sir. #2Thank You. #3Yes. #4Here you go. #5 Anything else?


Tip #4 CAN’T STOP, WON’T STOP

Give it your all! Go Hard or Go Home.
You don’t have a personal life. His personal life is your personal life


Tip #5 CARRY IT ALL

Carry all of his stuff everywhere you go!
If he says “White” you need to have “White, Black, Blue, Green, and Orange.”

Bonus Tip SLEEP IS FORBIDDEN

“You know what rhymes with tired??”







I Want to Work For Diddy Episode 1: Casting Special: Act 3
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1591758&vid=261929

Is Sampling Illegal?

Yes, contrary to popular belief and practice, sampling of an original copyrighted song without permission of the copyright’s owner is illegal copyright infringement.

Unauthorized sampling actually violates two potential legal rights. First, the instant you sample a portion of someone’s song (no matter how small), it constitutes a violation of the copyright in song itself - the © symbol - which is owned by the song writer or the music publisher. Second, sampling violates the sound recording copyright - the symbol - which is usually owned by the record company or recording artist. Thus, sampling without prior permission subjects the illegal copier to a copyright infringement in federal court by the original author (or publisher) and by the record company.

http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_property/music_law/legality_sampling.htm

Netwerk! Netwerk! NetWERK!

Took all your classes? Got your degree? Well in this industry that’s not all it’s going to take. Ultimately, it all boils down to the people you know and how you can make that relationship work for you. It's wise to approach this business with a "help me, help you" mentality. If not, you're doomed before you even say your name.

The key to success in the music industry, as stated before, relies heavily on using the correct techniques to network with the not only the right people, but all people. In this day and age, it's all about who you know. "How Stuff Works" is a great website that describes the proper way to go about making it in the music industry through networking.

Haven’t you noticed that many established professionals in the music industry are always seen in nightclubs, bars, showcases, concerts, and numerous other locations….NETWORKING!!! That’s what it’s all about! But make sure that you go about it the right way…and here are some pointers: Be strategic, appreciate assistance, organize your information, always give thanks, communicate effectively, and target the correct network.

Follow these steps, exchange numbers, and get ON!

Megan

DJ Toomp, J.U.S.T.I.C.E., Adonis, & more confirmed for Music University 5!

DJ TOOMP

& more

Confirmed for PatchWerk's Music University 5!

DJ TOOMP
(T.I., Kanye West, Nas)

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
(Jeezy, Mary J Blige)

GUCCI MANE

ADONIS
(Usher, Mariah Carey, Diddy)

BANGLADESH
(Ludacris, Lil' Wayne)

ERICA NOVICH
(Distuburing Tha Peace)

And Many More!

REGISTER HERE
September 15th Deadline!

For More Info:
Contact: Kervins C.
404.874.9880
marketing@patchwerk.com

I Want My BDS!!!

So you poppin in your city. Putting on like Jeezy you think? Well who all is really checking for you MC Too Hot? Keep up to date on the spins your getting by registering with Nielson Broadcast Data System. Its the world's leading provider of airplay tracking for the entertainment industry. Nielsen BDS captures in excess of 100 million song dections annually on more than 1,600 radio stations, satellite radio and cable music channels in over 140 markets in the U.S. (no doubt Puerto Rico) and Canadian markets. Like Jay Z said at the BET HIP HOP AWARDS, "Men lie, women lie, numbers don't!" If you got a movement going and the people are demanding you, it will be recognized.

The big boy executives from all corners of record companies, radio stations, independent promoters, film and TV, music retailers, are among those who search more than 10,000 reports DAILY looking for whats hot. Key word is DAILY! MESSAGE!!!! Nielsen BDS information is utilized exclusively by Billboard, and R&R (Radio & Records) in determining their radio airplay music charts.

To register with Nielsen BDS, you must submit your music for encoding by mailing your media and contact information to their encoding department, or by submitting it electronically through their secure Virtual Encode website. Okay....here is where they get ya. It will cost you *drum roll* all of zilch, zero, dollars! It takes 3-5 business days to encode and then your in the game. Don't make excuses, make it happen!

For mor information hit the link http://www.bdsonline.com/faq.html.

--
Oh-zee Banga
personal cell: 404.803.3754
business cell: 205.807.6489
"Call me what you want just end it with a BANG!!

Happens @ Apache in 30-Minutes!!!

Don't miss the best networking event for musicians this month. I do Music goes down aprox. 30 minutes from now at Apache Cafe located at 64 3rd Street, Atlanta, 30331 (right behind the world famous Varsity). The door cover is $10 bucks but the opportunity is priceless.

"It's I dO Music baby!!"

Urgent: Only read if you're serious about your career!

As you sit at your computer plotting your next move to get in the game ask yourself a few questions.

1. Do you have an entertainment lawyer ready to read whatever legal documents you may be presented with?

2. Do you have a manager?

3. A wardrobe stylist?

4. A booking agent?

5. Are you even familiar with these positions?

6. Are you prepared to be in the spotlight?

7. Are you as ready as you think you are?

Do you understand the protocol of the media? Ms. Solange Knowles showed up all what happens when you're not trained in media etiquette.

With all these questions you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed. But imagine walking into the music industry and being smacked upside the head all these issues that you were just unprepared to address!

Of course, this won't happen to you because you're a smart cookie. How do I know this? Well, you're reading this for starters. Other than that I just have a feeling. Anyhoo, I digress.

Make sure that you are well educated in whatever endeavor you choose to pursue. Trust and believe that where you slip and fall, there are a dozen people ready and willing to take your spot. So be the BEST. Of course, you could try and learn as you go, but while you're bumbling around blind, someone with a clear vision is passing you by.

Well, that's all from Juice today. Thanks for reading. Remember that self-preservation is key and don't stop until you get what you want for YOU!

-Always with love, Miss Juice