I’VE BEEN TOLD A LOT AND LEARNED A LITTLE…

So last blog I talked about the plethora of East Coast Metal bands… This time I want to talk about how there are various different ways for these bands to promote themselves.

From Diminished Fifth Records perspective I want to work with bands that are, not only, as passionate about there success as I am, but are willing to work as hard as I am to make that success happen.

A lot of people still have old world ‘MTV Thinking’ (That’s ‘Much Music Thinking’ for us Canucks!) You get a label you get rich, you get famous and you get the girls… while this may have been true in the glory days of cock rock the digital world has changed the way the entire industry works.

What bands don’t seem to realize is the ‘Faux Glory’ of a big time recording contract. If a label invests $250,000 in your band most would think that is fantastic right? WRONG! First off, an Advance is a nice way of saying a LOAN. So even if your band achieved double that in sales you’d still end up in the hole. Check out this incredible article by genius producer Steve Albini HERE

Scary shit indeed…

So all the big labels are still fighting like the dinosaurs (soon to be fossils) as they are still trying to make millions with hit singles. But thanks to the internet, bands are getting smarter and so are the Indie labels. Realizing they need to use Guerilla tactics to survive.

When someone can as easily download an album (for Free) as purchase it, it is becoming increasingly important for the bands and indie labels to really reach out to the fans and have a direct relationship with them. (Not just force-feeding Fall Out Boy and bands of that ilk down your throat) The bands, after all, are offering a service and the true fans want to be part of it. Fans no longer ‘have to’ purchase the album… any 15-year old knows his way around a Torrent site can find what he wants.

The problem is bands see the internet as the enemy. The truth is the internet is your best friend.

I’ve soaked in a lot of lessons from a variety of sources: Industry professionals, publicist, books, blogs, seminars, conferences, one-on-one meetings and anywhere else that I could gain some knowledge from. Hence today’s title ‘I’ve been told a lot and learned a little…’ Below I’ve listed a lot of different resources (all found online) that will not only help educate you on a variety of topics but also help you market/promote your band so you can succeed to the next level.


The INDIE BIBLE
-This is what it says the ‘bible’ of music, publications, radio stations, labels, distros etc..

DROPCARDS
-Dropcards bridge the gap between digital downloads and the physical world. Create your own custom art work for your drop card and either give them out or sell them.

ARIEL PUBLICITY
-Ariel got smart a few years ago and abandoned traditional PR and started working strictly in the digital world.

CD BABY
-A great company where you can sell your music online and they will ship it anywhere in the world for you. Also you can register to have your music set up for Digital Distribution for such companies as iTunes, Napster, EMusic, etc... CD Baby charges a set up fee as well as keeps a percentage of your sales.

TUNECORE
-A Digital Distribution company you pay a set up a few only and keep 100% of your sales.

EARBUZZ
-Similar to CD Baby except you pay a monthly fee for their service but keep 100% of your sale price.

ANDREW DUBBER
20 Things You Must Know About Music Online
New Music Ideas
-The First is the a free e-book with some very worthwhile advice the second is this website on New Music.


SOME REGIONAL SITES TO PROMOTE YOURSELF ON:

ONLINE MUSIC NETWORK
-A great new site that focuses all genres or homegrown east coast music

MARITIME METAL
-The Message Board that is home to East Coast Metal

LOCALS MESSAGE BOARD
-A variety of message boards looking at the different areas in the East Coast

ALCHEMY MUSIC
-A Message Board dedicated to Prince Edward Island

ALSO I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU CONTACT YOUR PROVINCIAL MUSIC ORGANIZATION:

MUSIC NOVA SCOTIA
MUSIC NEW BRUNSWICK
MUSIC PEI
MUSIC NEWFOUNDLAND