Steve’s Music Roll

We all can write a song and record it. The challenge is getting that song heard by the masses. In the days gone by, the only way to make it big was to get signed by one of the major record labels. There were no other mediums of getting your music heard. Now, there are many ways to publish that song (as long as the necessary copyrights have been filed). Some of those ways just to name a few are:

• Band or Personal web site
• MySpace
• Facebook
• Tunecore

The two most popular are definitely publishing the track on MySpace and/or listing the tracks for download on your own site. Facebook has just recently gotten into the music segment of the social networking game. If profit is part of the plan, one can use distribution services to help promote your name.

Let us not forget the method that can work wonders, word-of-mouth. With current technology, we can make copies of our works on CDs and MP3 on the computer and graphically make it look good. Make many copies of CDs or MP3s and hand them out to friends and family. If they think it’s good stuff, they will start the snowball effect rolling.

Another way of promoting yourself is to have someone host a performance featuring you either at their home or at the park. These concerts tend to be very personal, so make sure to have copies of your songs available to hand out. If the guests like what they hear, then others will want to have you play your songs at their events and the calls will start coming.

Even though it has become easier to get music out there for people to hear and experience, it involves a lot more time on the artists part to market. It is only after tons of hours of hard work and practice that one might get picked up by the big labels. In the meantime, we keep plugging along doing what we do best and that is writing great songs with great music and getting people’s opinions.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: facebook, labels, myspace, record labels, Recording, social networking, song, Songwriting, tunecore, web site

Many artists start out trying to be role models for their audience, but then something goes wrong. It seems that the philosophies and goals of the record labels and the artist don’t always meet in the middle; the philosophies and morals of the artist get derailed by marketing efforts of the labels. Unfortunately, a very large message is delivered through the wardrobe of the artists and when dealing with certain age groups, it is imperative to influence in a positive way rather than negative.

We all know that style is heavily dictated by stars who wear them. Style and the clothes that are worn by the artists on stage make an impression. Therefore, if an artist is made to wear something provocative, it sends out a non-verbal message that it is Ok to wear styles of that type when it really should not be. Wearing those styles can also send out misinformation about yourself. For example, if you’re going to wear something provocative just because an artist wore it, it is saying to others that you are seeking sexual pleasure when indeed you are the opposite.

We need more artists and record labels to promote positive actions in our current society rather than the negative that we have been bombarded with over the last couple of decades. Artists have always been able to make people aware of what is going on in the world and the changes that need to be made. Well…The one change that can be made can begin with them and that is doing what is right if they want to be models for others.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: artists, marketing, model, Promotion, provocative, role, role model, role models, style, wardrobe

Music is everywhere and in everyone. It is the language of the soul, therefore, we are all musicians in one sense or another. It is our common goal to draw out of one another the spark that creates the music. The music can only live if we don’t let it die. Music is in each and everyone of us, however, we don’t always hear it due to what is around us. That is why we need to make each other aware of the music inside each other. By making each other aware of the music inside, we will be able to hear the music within ourselves.

Every single one of us has a duty and that is to release the music inside of us by keep creating that music in some unique way. Whether it be vocally or as an instrumentalist, we get inspiration from what is around us. It may be a person, a thing, an event, or another piece of music that moves us to create that next masterpiece. However, once that masterpiece is conceived, it is not worth anything until it is shared with the general public, whether it may be friends, family or complete strangers.

Without music, live would be boring. The rhythm that we all move to is part of the inner music score within us. It is that rhythm that makes us special and ties us back to our roots. The inner score is dynamic and can be formed and shaped by other music and rhythms around us.
Even though, it may be influenced, the core rhythm remains the same which makes us all unique which in turn makes our individual musical pieces our own.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: composition, inspiration, music, philosophy, rhythm, Songwriting, soul, viva la music

Songwriting is an art form. It is a medium by which the songwriter portrays ideas, visions, thoughts and feelings through music. Since before recorded time (No pun intended), peoples have been creating songs to tell stories, celebrate events, and display feelings. However, because of the changes that humankind has gone through, we have suppressed our natural desires to express ourselves musically. Therefore, we have come to rely on people to write songs for us to help us with our feelings and emotions.

Songwriting is not difficult. It just takes great practice and perseverance. Even though one might seem to think that there are rules that have to be followed when writing a song, there are none. We are free to write whatever we’d like and how we’d like. They are an expression of us, the writers. It may seem daunting at first, but that is because we let our critical thinking interfere with our creative thinking.  If we begin to inhibit our critical thinking, our ability to create great songs is possible.

We all at one time or another have sung something original in the shower. This happens because we are actually relaxed and thinking not with our critical side but our creative side. It is this portion of thinking that needs to be let loose more. The trick is to be able to catch those moments with paper and pen or with a recording device before we loose them. Whatever comes to mind needs to be caught in its rough stage without thinking.

From the various gatherings of ideas, full structures can be created that will become songs. Those thoughts whether lyrics or musical thoughts,  will help create full fledged pieces. We just have to be there to acknowledge the creativeness that is part of our humanity.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: art forms, art of songwriting, craft of songwriting, creativity, lyrics, Songwriting

The current trend with distribution of major label records seems to simulate the party game of limbo. Everyone is doing something more and more drastic to get sales up in physical media. Some are going vinyl and others now seem to be doing CD, but aiming at low cost department stores to sell their discs. Not only are bargain price stores being used, but also being given exclusives in distribution on NEW releases, not just existing releases.

It seems that no matter what segment of the music industry is examined, it has hit or is approaching rock bottom. The music industry is lost or floundering as to where to go to get back its mojo that it once had. When will it become apparent that the need for aiming higher in the content area will be the trick for getting sales to where they used to be and in the manner that it used to be. Yes, digital will be around, but digital should not be blamed for the slip.

How much further can the limbo bar be lowered before the whole industry falls while trying to slither under it? Everyone knows that marketing is no longer just in the hands of the big record companies, but almost breaking the rules to allow ground contact when getting under the bar is the question.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: Distribution, Industry, music industry, records, sales

There is an organization that I have now had the privilege to work with for over two years now, Sweetwater Sound. The quality of service and support that I have gotten in choosing the right equipment for the job has been phenomenal. Unlike other companies that sell music and recording equipment, the sales engineers at Sweetwater know their stuff and give valid advice compared to sales clerks at other organizations who barely know what they are selling to you.

The greatest help I’ve gotten has been in selecting the gear for my new mobile recording venture, Streamin’ Sound. Even though the selection process included two different sales engineers, Brandon McSwain and Forrest Powell, both have steered me in the right direction as far as quality for on a shoe string budget. Even after the purchase, my current sales engineer, Forrest Powell, has been a great help in suggesting new approaches and worthwhile upgrades. The best part about working with them has been that I have a dedicated sales engineer who know me and my goals in music.

With regards to music, everyone at Sweetwater is involved in the music industry somehow. Most are musicians and recording musicians themselves so they assist from their own experiences. If they don’t know something they have gotten back to me right away either having spoken to a colleague or calling a manufacturer’s representative. In fact, recently, I have even received a courtesy call to tell me that my sales engineer was out on the road and would return my call when he returned.

I recall seeing an ad for Sweetwater a few years ago in a magazine and just put it aside as I was using another vendor for my audio equipment needs. When I began looking into establishing a recording studio, I found that the sales staff at my previous vendor was not familiar with what they were selling me. So, I decided to try the folks at Sweetwater. Since then, I have gone nowhere else for my recording and music equipment needs. Both Brandon and Forrest have been great in recommeding products based on the current industry and letting me what what new stuff is coming down the road. Once in a while I just give a call to my sales engineer to let him know what projects I’m working on and if he has any suggestions that could make the recording better.

I would recommend Sweetwater to anyone who is an electronic or recording musician. They have everything that you could want and if they don’t have it, they’ll get it for you. They’re just great to work with in general.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: advice, Equipment, music, Recording

Everyone has heard a studio recording of a band, orchestra, choir or some other musical performance. They all sound for the most part, plain, sterile, and manufactured. Everyone has also at one point or another heard or bought a “Live” recording which sounds completely different. There is an element of freedom, originality and realness to the sound.

When looking to do a recording, one of the decisions that could make or break a record is where and how it is recorded. With today’s recording technology, recording can be done just about anywhere allowing greater options to the performer. One can choose to record in the traditional studio or somewhere else which can give the recording a little extra flare. The location can also greatly affect the mood of the musicians playing allowing the recording to be more relaxed. Using an alternative location may also offer a unique effect that no electronic effects generator could reproduce. For example, recording a choir in a gothic cathedral would far outweigh the quality of the recording compared to doing the same recording in a studio or even in a concert hall. The accoustics of the high ceilings along with the materials the building is made from will offer a characteristic that is non-reproducible electronically.

No longer is location an issue when it comes to recording. It used to be that the better recordings were accomplished in the studio. With the way that music technology has evolved, it is now possible to do great works anywhere and sometime better.

Send post as PDF to

As musicians, we know there are musicians out there putting out quality music. The question that should come to mind is “Why is it so hard to find?” Real talent and new music is out there, but because of the unrest in the music industry, artists who break the mold are not being selected by the record companies for contracts. A&R companies such as Taxi get new talent in all the time, but record companies keep calling for the same cookie cutter sound that no one wants to buy. If you find the good stuff, you have to actively search. Unfortunately, when you contantly hear on the radio the same cookie cutter material, you come to a fast assumption that the talent has disappeared.

Because of this cookie cutter philosophy, musicians have had to become more creative and more self-reliant. Since the big companies are not searching the way they used to, musicians have to promote their  work. Getting our work out there and noticed requires relying on connections and increasing the impression upon the target markets. Thus, letting people know you have a unique sound requires some marketing skills.

As listeners, to find new we have to search outside traditional means. Since indie musicians are the ones with a unique product, the most obvious place to look should become the Internet. If we search places suc as MySpace, music download sites, and indie distribution channels, the odds of finding something fresh is likely.

Like a good snack or meal, it takes trial and error and when we find a good one we should notate it and share the word with others. That’s the way music is right now. It’s like that little hole in the wall restaurant that’s been there but had to go out and sample it to realize that it can compete with the current competition.  

Send post as PDF to

Tags: indie musicians, marketing, Promotion, talent

The technology to record music has become very easy to access and use. Years ago you needed to know someone who had a studio, fancy multi-track tape recorder, and expensive microphones to produce a record or CD. Now one can produce their own album with equipment just under $1000. The issue here is that since the software and recorders available can handle so many tracks, we can get easily carried away with the number of tracks and microphones in our recordings.

When recording first started almost 100 years ago, things were very simple. In fact, most studios did all recording with one microphone in the center of the room and the artists would be distanced from the microphone to produce the spacial feeling wanted. Take it, this was also in the days of mono recordings. As years past, recorders got better and the technology improved, but the accessibility still required knowing people. As recording matured, the ability to record and overdub on multiple tracks came into the forefront. With more tracks available, we are enticed to add more and more inputs. However, sometimes the best recordings are still accomplished with just the basics.

Whether it be a choral concert, instrumental concert, or band, we have the ability to over-mic. Some like to put a microphone on everything and others feel they can get the same result using 2 microphones in the room. What can be ironic is that some recordings done with two microphones end up sounding better than a recording with a whole cabinet full of microphones setup.

So, the next time you have a great song idea or a concert that should be recorded, remember to keep it simple and let the music be the focus, not the recording.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: microphones, multi-track, multitrack, Recording, recordings, sound

It has been happening for a while now. Studying the arts whether fine or performing has been deemphasized. Schools have been cutting funding for their arts programs along with the state governments cutting back on funding the arts. Does anyone realize what this action is doing to education in the long run?

Having a background in the performing arts, in particular, has its benefits that really only come out later in life. Studying music does several things to a human being. It improves their ability to analyze, it improves connections in the brain which does wonders for motor coordination. As an academic piece, it may seem senseless to study the different periods of music such as Renaissance, Classical, and Baroque, but the lessons learned in identifying music whether by genre or artist will be remembered throughout life unlike other things we learn in school and forget because their not practical in real life.

Even though higher powers that control what we learn have decided to reduce our exposure to the arts. We need to find ways outside of school education to make it know that an arts background is vital to life. Whether it be going to a local concert or show, there is something in live music and other performing arts that rewires our brains to do things that we are not aware are possible.

Send post as PDF to

Tags: arts, Education, funding, music, peforming arts, Performance