Speaking your client's language.

I had a client nix a track of mine recently. The reason? That's a good question!
We had discussed expectations upfront. We looked at other tracks that the client was looking to emulate. And yet, when I emailed my track along for comments, the client clammered up.

It made me think about how I talk "music" with my accounts. You can't talk chords, melodies, tempos, styles and whatever else with a person that has no musical vocabulary. I'm probably not setting up enough expecations...or asking enough questions about what the customers wants to hear... or....or...

Maybe my customer is shopping around...

I'm not going down the road you might think...

This video really shows how easy it is to get great sounding work quickly and cheaply. I bet you thought I was going to comment on the throwaway nature of pop music. Whenever I watch programs like this, it makes me curious as to how so many small and medium music houses, composers, and producers can still crank out poor quality recordings. Whether it's poor taste or a lack of understanding of current software and DAWs, anyone with a fairly up-to-date computer and a decent mic and preamp can knock out professional-quality tracks.

New orchestral piece for client

I've got a :60 piece in development for a professional sports team. They are looking for an epic-ish music track to bring mark player entrances into the arena. This track is about 65% of the way to being done, so you should get a decent idea of what I'm shooting for.

www.theadvertisingfoundry.com/LS1.mp3

Marketing your band's new album...

I know. You're a musician. The extent of your marketing and distribution experience extends only to MySpace and getting new fans to sign your mailing list at gigs.

Do yourself a favor and check out The Orchard. For $49.00, you can let them take care of all your online distributions and marketing. All of the companies listed below will be given album info, cover art, mp3's, etc.

eMusic
iTunes
MSN
Real/Rhapsody
Sony Connect
Napster
MusicNet
Yahoo! Music Unlimited
MTV
Virgin Digital
FYE
Musicmatch
Starbucks
Peer Impact
Audio Lunchbox
Download Punk
Next Radio
Cdigix
Pure Tracks
AOL Music Now
Ruckus
Musica360
Street CDs
MisRolas
Reggae Country
Chondo

Synacor
MusicGremlin
iMesh

Burnlounge
Pure Tracks
Tower Records
Univision
B3
HipDigital
Gotuit
Qtrax
BitTorrent
Akoo
Muzak
TouchTunes
Urge
MOD Systems
RawRip
BuyGoodTunes
Spiral Frog
MusicIP
Audible
Beatport
Snocap
Insound
Zune
Mix&Burn
Slacker
Allmusic
The Africa Channel
Musicane
Broadband Instruments
Circuit City

For $99.00, The Orchard will also take care of your physical distribution.

My suggestion would be to take care of this as soon as your album is finished. It took The Orchard a little while to get all our info out to all the important music websites.

After my band, That Rabbit's Dyn-o-mite!, joined TO, our search results went up ten-fold. That was a nice, yet unexpected benefit.

http://www.theorchard.com

Man, I wish I came up with this!

It's moments like these that make you go, "I wish I could steal their idea...!".

You can!

I'm actually working on a :30 project for a client that will utilize the multiple turntable idea. If you don't play turntables (and I don't), get online and find someone who does. Come up with a core track and let the DJ do his thing. It's collaborative, but if you provide the content, you look like the genius. It's very important to look like the genius.

Corr Wireless

I just finished up a few spots for a wireless company in Alabama; Corr Wireless. They are a 15 (I believe) location wireless provider, and they take their advertising and branding very seriously. These ad agency-produced spots are very similar to Verizon, and the music needed to take on the function of a nmemonic while also steering clear of the local-jingle-guy-sound.

Take a look... http://theadvertisingfoundry.com/corrwireless.mov

Now, if you want an interesting story, ask me how I got the gig...

A good way to get a Gen X'ers attention with music

I'm surprised we haven't seen this in an ad yet. As soon as I hit play, I was hooked. I know the song, but hearing it in the context of a Men's Choir made it all new to my ears. Imagine hearing this in an LA FITNESS (or whatever Big National Gym) television ad. Because it's very likely that people that use these gyms listen to Daft Punk0esque music, they'll be more prone to watch the commercial and listen to the music...

Interesting YouTube video discussing the effects of too much compression on music produced today.

Making money with music...

I had the chance to meet a a great sound designer a few weeks back. Brian Preston runs The Music Factory, a company that produces music for clients like Coke and McDonald's. His ability to compose in several different styles keeps him busy.

Here is a screen shot of his client reel page (impressive, huh?)

Go check his company out. www.themusicfactory.com

http://www.theadvertisingfoundry.com/cartoonmusic1.mp3

I'm adding this to my cartoon/video game reel...

Local Radio Stations

Local Radio Stations.

A week ago, I submitted a song from the upcoming (forthcoming?) Berliner's album to a radio station in Atlanta. They were requesting songs from local bands with the intention of picking a few bands to rock out at the Atlantis Music Conference (it's a big deal here, even though a major deal has yet to come out of this thing). I received a dear John kiss-off type letter on Tuesday from the station. Normally, this is just fine. You receive several rejections all the time while shopping music around to labels, libraries, etc. But why do we have to lose out to less capable bands? With the exception of one band, it's just your typical round up of no-chance local talent. If my wife can't get into the music in :30, I know something's wrong. These bands have stretched that rule to 30 minutes.

I'm all for a local station pushing local music, but why bother if it's no good?

Potential logo for new Berliner's Album

You might remember a little band......a giant little band. They were called That Rabbit's Dyn-o-mite!. They were under rated. Severely. However, because they are sneaky, they changed their name to Berliner's for their second album. IF you ask me, it's gonna fool everyone...

Here is a potential logo for the "new" band...

Are you in Atlanta?

For people who tire of sitting in their houses, apartments, and condos on Thursday and Friday nights, I suggest checking out Dad's Garage Theatre (or is it theater?) in Inman Park.

I play music for the actors (and actresses) that do humorous sketches...wow, that reads incredibly dry. Maybe you should just pick your nose.

Wait....tonight is Thursday night...come on out!!!

I finally got this important blog up and running.

Welcome to my new blog. Woo-hoo.