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Hello TL, i've been lurking here for quite a while and only recently made a account, only to find that im just posting in pointless threads.
The time has come to make a real post (well blog).
First a little introduction is in order i suppose. My name is Björn, im 19 years old and live in Gothenburg, Sweden. I study 3D-animation and programming (Which sadly im not very talented at). On my spare time i play BW, WoW and drums in two bands.
So.
The music industry, as many of you no doubt have heard, has changed quite fundamentaly. The record companies are slowly getting outproduced by the extensive amount of smaller companies and people making home-recordings. Records produced on CD is slowly becoming yesterdays product.
This brings me to my (and my bands) current dilemma. As the musicindustry has EXPLODED with new bands popping up every day it's very hard to get yourself exposed around the world.
We're about to hit the studio a second time to record 4-6 tracks for a EP which we recon will be done in about 1-2 months if we're lucky. With these new tracks we would like to publish it in some kind of way and the best way, from what i've heard, is to get it out there is by digitally signing yourself through a company.
I've heard that ReverbNation is quite good at this, although im not sure about copyrights and licensing. Is it safe to use a site like that to get yourself on Spotify and Itunes?
Promoting? As our fanbase is quite restricted we're always looking for new ways to promote ourselves and our gigs. But people are quite picky these days and unless you already have a name for yourself, it's hard to get more audience.
Clubs in other cities are in 99% of the cases not willing to pay travel expenses etc so getting outside the walls of the city without paying for everything yourself is a very rare thing for us, since niether of us are making anything close to a smaller fortune.
Also i appriciate any tips 'n tricks TL has to offer!
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/Psychobrew
http://www.reverbnation.com/
(I know the quality of the songs are shit and that the page-layout is horrible. We've progressed alot since we recorded those two songs and redesigning the myspace will be done when the new EP is done so dont flame me for that  )
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TL;DR - Is it worth signing digitally through sites like ReverbNation and how can i promote my band in a smart and efficient way?
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At the stage you're at I'd focus on giving away your music for free and doing as many local gigs as possible.
If you look at that reverbnation site they have 796000 artists. All those bands are going to be doing the same thing you're doing, so you're just going to end up competing with a bunch of reverbnation bands. They'll all have the same media kits as you and their stuff will all look the same. I have a hard time believing that will help you break out. It is fine for band that already has an established name because it makes things simple, but right now you need to differentiate yourself.
So, give your music away. Find blogs that cover similar music to yours and give your music to them. Upload your music to sites like last.fm so people can discover it through similar artists. Give away cds at your shows or at least hand out cards at your shows with your facebook address and say all followers get free downloads. I don't know how things are in Sweden but in America myspace is a joke now. Musicians are all about facebook and twitter here. Create events on facebook (and whatever other major event sites there are in your area) and invite all your followers.
When you do gigs make sure things go smooth with your set up and strike, don't let the venues have anything bad to say about you. Make sure your friends and followers show up, pack the place and buy lots of drinks.
Don't try to make money off your first EP, try to create advocates.
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Have you looked at Sonicbids.com?
Also, if you know the site is horrible...do something about it. Find a kid that likes to do myspace layouts, give him free merch...deal done.
Because seriously, if your trying to schedule a tour and a promoter sees that myspace layout, they will think you don't take this serious. The place you direct them is your first impression, always make a good first impression.
From what I have seen from my friends in bands; they talk to absolutely everyone at a show. This has lead to one of them being a tour manager for Manchester Orchestra, some local shows with some top tours, and a few small local tours around the southeast.
As for reverbnation, it seems like it would be a great tool. Just try the free features and see where that takes you.
Just my .02
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I think this experience will kill your band over time until music is no longer fun for you. Art should not be an industry.
And I don't mind your website. Your vocals are kind of hilarious, and sometimes awesome.
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intrigue
Washington, D.C9935 Posts
become staff on a big website, and then link your soundcloud in your signature LOL!
aim to have fun. making money from music is the dream, but keep your priorities straight!
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Yes well we have no intention of making any money on our music pretty much at all. We just love to gig and play so we want to be able to share our music in the smartest way possible.
We've been gigging pretty extensive the past year in Gothenburg but the fact that there is little remaining metal/hc/rock-clubs left to play at it's very hard to get a succesful gig.
Anyway, thanks for tips!
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EPT
