From the monthly archives:

August 2011

Music Piracy: A music industry insider talks illegal downloads, new laws, and 10 billion iTunes downloads

by Rick Goetz August 31, 2011

Whichever side of the fence you’re on in regard to the issues of music piracy, as artists creating music for public consumption, it’s a topic of special concern. Here, Alex Jacob of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) talks about the music industry, illegal downloads, and some of the causes the IFPI champions. Read more…

47 comments

SPIN’s best of the year

by Disc Makers August 30, 2011

Looking for new music to listen to? SPIN just posted their 35 best albums of 2011 (so far). It’s worth checking out. Any albums missing that you think ought to be listed? Read more…

1 comment

Summer Music Festivals: Four tragic stage collapses lead to deaths and injuries

by Andre Calilhanna August 30, 2011

Summer Music Festivals: Four tragic stage collapses lead to deaths and injuriesMusic festivals are a staple of the summer season, and since the inception of Lollapalooza in 1991, outdoor concerts and worldwide attendance at festival shows have increased dramatically. 2011 has been a strong year for these shows, in terms of attendance, but events in the past two months are leaving many promoters, managers, fans, and artists ill at ease — and in mourning. Read more…

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Songwriting and Writer’s Block: 11 tips to help the songwriter get unstuck

by Disc Makers August 25, 2011

11 tips to help the songwriter get unstuckIconic songs come in all shapes and flavors: from Kermit the Frog’s plaintive rendition of “The Rainbow Connection” to AC/DC raging with “Back In Black,” from Thelonious Monk’s wistful meanderings on “’Round Midnight” to John Lennon’s utopian dreaming with “Imagine.” Obviously, the list goes on an on – and wonderfully enough, on a regular basis, inspired songwriters add new entries to the pantheon of timeless compositions. Read more…

32 comments

Get the Right Music Equipment the First Time: 10 Tips for Buying Musical Instruments and Professional Audio Gear

by Phil Selman August 23, 2011

Buying the right music equipment can be a difficult and stressful process. Most of us have spent countless hours agonizing over gear decisions, and the mistakes we make are frustrating at best and painful at worst. Here are 10 useful tips to help you avoid common gear-buying pitfalls and make the most of your budget. Read more…

3 comments

Desktop Wallpaper – September Edition

by Disc Makers August 17, 2011

September Desktop WallpaperThe talented designers in our Design Studio created twelve original works of art (one for each month) that feature the cities where Disc Makers offices are located. Each month we will post a new design, in six common desktop sizes, so you can use them as your desktop wallpaper. September’s wallpaper features Houston! Click here to get yours!

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Performance Contracts: For private events, weddings, and special performances, a band contract is key.

by Keith Hatschek August 10, 2011

Imagine this scenario: Your band agrees to play at a private event at a local hall for a healthy fee. You learn six new songs requested by the person that hired you and are counting on the gig and the fee you will earn. Two days before the show, you get a text message saying that the gig is off because of a mix-up between the person throwing the party and the owner of the hall. What do you do? Read more…

39 comments

Videomaker’s 2011 NAB Wrap – Checking Out The Show
An Overview of the Annual National Associations of Broadcasters Tradeshow in Las Vegas

by Dan Bruns August 8, 2011

NAB is one of those few times when acting like a kid in a candy shop is appropriate.. With thousands of new and innovative high-end cameras, computers, lights, jibs, dollies, and accessories to check out, even the most stoic attendees can find it hard to act their age. To help you sort through the bevy of new gear without losing the last vestiges of your respect, the Videomaker staff boldly undertook the task of scouring the show floor’s 785,000 square feet of space for cool products that we thought you would love. Read more…

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Artist Booking Essentials: College concerts and the military market

by Rick Goetz August 5, 2011

What advice would you give a DIY artist that wants to get into the college circuit? The college concert market is ruled by two entities: the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA). These two organizations are working in a cohabitative nature, but I would say to some extent they are also competitors. They both set up the infrastructure for schools and their programming boards to come together to one place. Agents and artists come in on the other side of the fence and work to find a way to book the entertainment onto the campuses. Read more…

7 comments

5 Habits That Will Make You a More Successful Musician

by Scott James August 3, 2011

There are a lot of posts out there that have great tips for becoming a more successful musician by using things like social media, sales techniques and email marketing strategies. I wanted to take a bit of a different approach and look at getting better results by improving the foundation that those things are built on…YOU! By changing some of your unconscious habits you can literally multiply your results in just a matter of months. Read more…

5 comments

Top 10 CD Baby Albums: July 2011

by Disc Makers August 1, 2011

E.S. PosthumusBill PerisonInvincibleCheck out the latest and greatest indie music from CD Baby!
Here are the 10 best-selling albums in July: See all 10…

3 comments
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