Comments on: Introduction http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/ Music culture, strategy and thinking in the digital age Sun, 20 May 2012 02:12:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Eric http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1382 Eric Wed, 30 Jan 2008 11:21:31 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1382 Frantically trying to adapt my ideas of how to deliver a short (17 week) course in Contemporary popular music I found this enterprise, and thank th' lord for that! As a youth-in the dark ages I guess according to the young folk I work with in FE - I was an avid NME reader, I knew what was going on (in the areas I cared about!) and I bought albums, dismissed "pop" music and the TOTP chart-ness of UK radio, but fevered away over Bob Harris and John Peel shows late night trying to "get" what "real" music was about. Wow! Thank goodness for NMS! I'm still interested. I'm keen to learn. I am an educator by paid profession. I teach folk stuff. I am interested in learning how to keep up, and aspire to be able to master some new tricks now and then! So, back to the comment. Yes we all need to do this life audit thing you describe so elegantly in the posts here and I am now a reader of "the Book"and I hope to be able to adapt the ideas and paper-based concepts of student teaching and learning materials into aomething a little different, to see how it works for me - and the students. Any contributions would be welcomed. I want to ask them to record their answers rather than write me essays or reports where possible, and want to suggest a pod cast as their final project task. I am aiming to keep things fresh as it were, and work from the idea of approaching this (media studies) course from the PoV of "an examination of the production, consumption and social context" of contemporary popular music, and that means asking what are they doing to produce and consume their music? I can give the sociological and socio-political background, that's easy enough; but I know they are not interested in the sociology, politics or historical contexts much. I want to get them into the analysis of what they consume - and in some cases - produce themselves, by another route. NMS has provided the can opener here and the worms are about to be released (I hope!) All power to your considerable elbow! Frantically trying to adapt my ideas of how to deliver a short (17 week) course in Contemporary popular music I found this enterprise, and thank th’ lord for that!
As a youth-in the dark ages I guess according to the young folk I work with in FE – I was an avid NME reader, I knew what was going on (in the areas I cared about!) and I bought albums, dismissed “pop” music and the TOTP chart-ness of UK radio, but fevered away over Bob Harris and John Peel shows late night trying to “get” what “real” music was about. Wow! Thank goodness for NMS!
I’m still interested.
I’m keen to learn.
I am an educator by paid profession.
I teach folk stuff.
I am interested in learning how to keep up, and aspire to be able to master some new tricks now and then!
So, back to the comment. Yes we all need to do this life audit thing you describe so elegantly in the posts here and I am now a reader of “the Book”and I hope to be able to adapt the ideas and paper-based concepts of student teaching and learning materials into aomething a little different, to see how it works for me – and the students.
Any contributions would be welcomed. I want to ask them to record their answers rather than write me essays or reports where possible, and want to suggest a pod cast as their final project task.
I am aiming to keep things fresh as it were, and work from the idea of approaching this (media studies) course from the PoV of “an examination of the production, consumption and social context” of contemporary popular music, and that means asking what are they doing to produce and consume their music? I can give the sociological and socio-political background, that’s easy enough; but I know they are not interested in the sociology, politics or historical contexts much. I want to get them into the analysis of what they consume – and in some cases – produce themselves, by another route. NMS has provided the can opener here and the worms are about to be released (I hope!)
All power to your considerable elbow!

]]> By: Recommended Blog: New Music Strategies http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1381 Recommended Blog: New Music Strategies Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:27:56 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1381 [...] Andrew. In fact, in one of his early 2008 posts, he says: I consider myself successful to the extent that people come back to me and say “Because [...] [...] Andrew. In fact, in one of his early 2008 posts, he says: I consider myself successful to the extent that people come back to me and say “Because [...]

]]> By: garagespin http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1390 garagespin Sun, 06 Jan 2008 04:48:27 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1390 Awesome. Super idea. Funny, I started outlining a "how to" series of posts for basic online tasks for new bands, that could become an eventual book...your idea is FAR more interesting. :) (Then I realized that I'd only completed a single song in 12 months, and have no business taking on new projects...but we'll see.) Looking forward to following your exploits, Andrew! -Mike Awesome. Super idea. Funny, I started outlining a “how to” series of posts for basic online tasks for new bands, that could become an eventual book…your idea is FAR more interesting. :) (Then I realized that I’d only completed a single song in 12 months, and have no business taking on new projects…but we’ll see.) Looking forward to following your exploits, Andrew!

-Mike

]]> By: Karen Hunter http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1389 Karen Hunter Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:21:48 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1389 Great stuff - looking forward to it - will spread the word to my friends and fellow students about your latest project. I appreciate your artistry in writing about the online environment for musicians and music industry professionals. you are creating a living breathing beasty in here that compels me to return again and again for injections. I have followed some of your suggestions already, and I am enjoying not following some of them too! As you are putting these ideas into words it liberates me to do just the opposite as well. I am personally working with the idea of having more than one website - one for personal stuff, and one for my 'career' - which is what you seem to do. I think it's a great idea and will be working on putting this into action shortly. your students are very lucky! thank you! k Great stuff – looking forward to it – will spread the word to my friends and fellow students about your latest project.

I appreciate your artistry in writing about the online environment for musicians and music industry professionals. you are creating a living breathing beasty in here that compels me to return again and again for injections.

I have followed some of your suggestions already, and I am enjoying not following some of them too! As you are putting these ideas into words it liberates me to do just the opposite as well. I am personally working with the idea of having more than one website – one for personal stuff, and one for my ‘career’ – which is what you seem to do. I think it’s a great idea and will be working on putting this into action shortly.

your students are very lucky! thank you!

k

]]> By: Michael Winger http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1388 Michael Winger Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:28:34 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1388 Like many other music professionals, I have involved myself in about 20 different roles over my 18+ years in the music business. Mostly I call myself a music producer, because it seems to be the most broadly undefined category available. I'm also a writer, a musician, a performer, a band leader and occasional theorist on the music business. After reading your last two posts, I have spent the last few days writing down and categorizing all the things that I do. It has opened up a lot of insight into how I spend my time, and I am finding as much clutter in my activities as I find in the junk drawer at my studio. (Perhaps those two are related) I first categorized my list into Learning, Writing, Performing, Collaborating and Relaxing (with lots and lots of subcategories). I then realized that most of these categories fell into the broader concepts of Creating, Selling and Maintaining. What I am finding difficult is bridging the gap between Creating (songs, writing, performances, recordings, etc) and Selling (earning money from these creations). Both Creating and Selling seem to involve a lot of overwhelming maintenance for each. And I think I am someone who defines himself as a creator first, a maintainer 2nd, and a seller as a distant 3rd. But my goal for the year is to bring these elements together a bit more, or better still, delegate the selling and maintaining to others. It seems that the more I collaborate with other people, the easier it is to do all three though. So a large part of the effort this year will be focused on projects that I can work on with others. A new band and possibly starting a new label for the artists I work with (if I can find someone to launch it with who wants to do the selling part...) Good luck on the new version of the site. I've beeen an avid reader for the past few months and I'm looking forward to more of your useful nuggets of wisdom. Happy New Year! Like many other music professionals, I have involved myself in about 20 different roles over my 18+ years in the music business. Mostly I call myself a music producer, because it seems to be the most broadly undefined category available. I’m also a writer, a musician, a performer, a band leader and occasional theorist on the music business.

After reading your last two posts, I have spent the last few days writing down and categorizing all the things that I do. It has opened up a lot of insight into how I spend my time, and I am finding as much clutter in my activities as I find in the junk drawer at my studio. (Perhaps those two are related)

I first categorized my list into Learning, Writing, Performing, Collaborating and Relaxing (with lots and lots of subcategories). I then realized that most of these categories fell into the broader concepts of Creating, Selling and Maintaining.

What I am finding difficult is bridging the gap between Creating (songs, writing, performances, recordings, etc) and Selling (earning money from these creations). Both Creating and Selling seem to involve a lot of overwhelming maintenance for each. And I think I am someone who defines himself as a creator first, a maintainer 2nd, and a seller as a distant 3rd. But my goal for the year is to bring these elements together a bit more, or better still, delegate the selling and maintaining to others.

It seems that the more I collaborate with other people, the easier it is to do all three though. So a large part of the effort this year will be focused on projects that I can work on with others. A new band and possibly starting a new label for the artists I work with (if I can find someone to launch it with who wants to do the selling part…)

Good luck on the new version of the site. I’ve beeen an avid reader for the past few months and I’m looking forward to more of your useful nuggets of wisdom. Happy New Year!

]]> By: Laura Harley http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1387 Laura Harley Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:26:48 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1387 Congratulations, Andrew! I am thrilled for you in your decision to move forward on your path and it sounds like you are more committed to your purpose than ever. Very inspiring for all of us artists who follow your advice! Your suggestions have been tremendously helpful to me, and I know this living book will be even more so. A million thank yous for all the time, effort, support, understanding, and advice you give to independent artists. Congratulations, Andrew! I am thrilled for you in your decision to move forward on your path and it sounds like you are more committed to your purpose than ever. Very inspiring for all of us artists who follow your advice! Your suggestions have been tremendously helpful to me, and I know this living book will be even more so. A million thank yous for all the time, effort, support, understanding, and advice you give to independent artists.

]]> By: J Bluevibe http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1386 J Bluevibe Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:30:46 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1386 Looking forward to the next stage of NMS and it's development in to something more focused and well, real. Like most people I read the blog, drop a few comments, check the other blogs to keep up to date with the latest ideas and theories on where the industry is going and try to put some of these ideas in to place for my studio and artists. For me it becomes reality when my music gets heard and maybe even bought by a new audience, when the ideas and theories on screen walk in to my studio and sit down for a jam. Lets enjoy the ride people, cheers Dubber. Looking forward to the next stage of NMS and it’s development in to something more focused and well, real. Like most people I read the blog, drop a few comments, check the other blogs to keep up to date with the latest ideas and theories on where the industry is going and try to put some of these ideas in to place for my studio and artists. For me it becomes reality when my music gets heard and maybe even bought by a new audience, when the ideas and theories on screen walk in to my studio and sit down for a jam. Lets enjoy the ride people, cheers Dubber.

]]> By: wallofsound http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1385 wallofsound Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:47:26 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1385 And about bloody time! And about bloody time!

]]> By: James Rhodes http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1384 James Rhodes Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:41:23 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1384 Andrew, I think this is great. I love that you're looking at this as a way to write a book that we all need, with interactive help, addressing the topics we are working on at the moment. I look forward to sharing all the projects that I am working on and implementing with my own company FIXT Music. To start that off - I'd like to put a call out for a discussion about the best shopping cart software for indie musicians/labels to utilize online sales of both physical products and digital delivery. We are currently using a PRO account with 1shoppingcart.com and have been selling digital downloads directly from our store for about 1 year. I'd also like to share an idea that we've been implementing for a few months now: Because we have the ability to sell digital products, and we also sell physical items (CDs, T-Shirts, Posters, etc...) we have begun to combo digital bonus products as immediate downloads when a customer purchases a physical item. So if they buy a T-Shirt, they might get 3 free mp3's upon checkout. Or if they purchase a CD, they'll get an exclusive bonus track from that artist, not available on the CD, etc...You can check out our store at http://store.fixtmusic.com What are other indie labels/store doing along these lines? Andrew,

I think this is great. I love that you’re looking at this as a way to write a book that we all need, with interactive help, addressing the topics we are working on at the moment. I look forward to sharing all the projects that I am working on and implementing with my own company FIXT Music.

To start that off – I’d like to put a call out for a discussion about the best shopping cart software for indie musicians/labels to utilize online sales of both physical products and digital delivery. We are currently using a PRO account with 1shoppingcart.com and have been selling digital downloads directly from our store for about 1 year.

I’d also like to share an idea that we’ve been implementing for a few months now:

Because we have the ability to sell digital products, and we also sell physical items (CDs, T-Shirts, Posters, etc…) we have begun to combo digital bonus products as immediate downloads when a customer purchases a physical item. So if they buy a T-Shirt, they might get 3 free mp3′s upon checkout. Or if they purchase a CD, they’ll get an exclusive bonus track from that artist, not available on the CD, etc…You can check out our store at http://store.fixtmusic.com

What are other indie labels/store doing along these lines?

]]> By: km http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/comment-page-1/#comment-1383 km Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:14:56 +0000 http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/01/02/introduction/#comment-1383 Another great post Andrew. So are you hinting that your NMS posts will be more infrequent to allow you to write longer, fleshed-out pieces that might become book chapters? Reminds me of how Chris Anderson's "Long Tail" evolved from an article, to a blog and discussion forum, to a book. Keep up the good work and best of luck in 2008. Hope to see you soon in the Washington DC area. Kaushik Another great post Andrew. So are you hinting that your NMS posts will be more infrequent to allow you to write longer, fleshed-out pieces that might become book chapters? Reminds me of how Chris Anderson’s “Long Tail” evolved from an article, to a blog and discussion forum, to a book. Keep up the good work and best of luck in 2008. Hope to see you soon in the Washington DC area.

Kaushik

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