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Artist News

North Carolinas Country Artist, Canaan Cox, on to next level with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

November 12, 2014

Canaan Cox is a new and exciting country artist from Hendersonville, North Carolina. He not only writes g his own music, but is a phenomenal multi-instrumentalist. Canaan released a new single, Summer, in the beginning of 2014 and has recently began a worldwide radio campaign with Musik Radio Promotions. The response has been phenomenal, being called “brilliant” by some! Canaan is now being played on BBC networks along with thousands of other stations.

Canaan spoke of his experience with the radio promotions service, “Musik and Film Records has taken my dreams to the next level with their radio promotion services. When looking into launching a radio campaign, I had several companies in mind. But from one phone call with Musik and Film, it was a no-brainer. They are 75% cheaper and 100% more honest than any other company I spoke with. The turn out has been beyond what I could have asked for and will continue to use their services with my next single. I can’t wait to launch another tune to see where they can take me. promoting our music.”.

Musik and Film is thrilled to be working with Canaan and asked him to share with our readers about himself:

What made you want to pursue a career in music?

I grew up all around music. My entire family plays one instrument or the other so I’ve always been around it. However, it wasn’t until college I considered pursuing it and that had to do with writing. I wrote a poem for a girl in high school and in my first year of college thought I would put it to music. So a friend of mine got together in the sic building with a cheap little microphone and garage band and demoed my first song…I was hooked. Writing is such a wonderful and creative outlet for me, so I began to write more and more. It’s not by surprise seeing as though my parents are also writers themselves.

Besides music, what are 3 of your favorite things?

I absolutely love going to the movies. I’m a huge movie nerd and will always have an excuse to catch a flick. I love anything that has to do with water, swimming, hiking, waterfalls, canoeing, anything outdoors. And I love love love me some chocolate milk. There’s has been too many times in my life where I’ll go out at 2am to the nearest gas station just to get a bottle of chocolate milk.

Do you play any instruments?

I grew up in the mountains of NC so bluegrass and country music was the thing to play. I picked up the mandolin when I was 9, learning by ear, playing to Nickel Creeks first album. It wasn’t until middle school I picked up the fiddle and guitar. I also play piano, but just enough to write a song with.

How would you describe your music?

Vocally, I always get compared to Rascal Flatts, which to me, is a huge compliment because they were a huge part of my CD collection growing up. However, having 7 sisters, I had my share of the 90s boy bands, mom cranked Lynyrd Skynyrd, and my dads favorite artist was Conway Twitty, so when it comes to music and lyrics, I have a lot of influences to pull from that incorporate into my music.

What are your goals where do you want to take your music?

I could say that I want to go wherever the music takes me, or I just want to be happy, but the thing is… I love performing my music. And until my face is on the side of a tour bus, Madison square garden sales out in under 2 minutes, and I get to play in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, I won’t be happy. However, it’s not for the money and the fame, but to be remembered. And being remembered for bringing great music to the world and sharing my God given talents, that’ll be fine by me.

Artist News

South African Symphonic Rock Band, Crimson Chrysalis, Sends Shock Waves with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

November 6, 2014

South African Symphonic Rock Band, Crimson Chrysalis, Sends Shock Waves with Musik Radio Promotions campaign on a global scale.

Crimson Chrysalis has been cited as being “one of the most brilliant surprises of the year” by Terry Thompson of Sonic Cathedral. “The release sent shock waves through the Femme Metal community, music to please, thoughts that go beyond the pale. There’s so much to learn from Africa.”

Rene Van Den Berg of Crimson Chrysalis, set aside some time to share a little about the band and give some great advice:

Personally I think an entertainer’s main focus/forte is pleasing the crowd, while a true artist wants to do what is good for his/her soul, regardless of whether it is the commercial or popular route, or the road less travelled. Some artists are both (without trying to be), and in my opinion that is when they break through the boundaries of time, genre, & trends and touches people’s hearts – because it is true, honest & authentic.

Besides music I love gymming/exercising (I am a total exercise junkie), spending time with good friends, and enjoying some good food – my favourites are lamb or chicken curry, salmon & sushi. Oh and shopping. . .I love shopping! (What woman don’t?)

If I have to describe our music it would probably be Neo-classical rock/Neo-symphonic rock. I think what makes us unique, also makes us difficult to categorise or label. There are so many influences, and we never tried to fit into a specific genre. We just write and create what feels, and sounds good to us.

I play both guitar and piano. I have formal training in both, but stopped paying the piano when I was still in primary school. So I am very rusted, and wont play on stage. I compose on both instruments though, piano and guitar. The song normally decides for itself – Es (my co-creator/lyricist) of CC always says, a good song writes itself. Some songs are by nature more guitar based, and some piano based. When I look at the lyric and feel it, I’ll decide where I hear this going and then compose on the one, or the other. Sometimes I would initially start on the one, but for some reason it just doesn’t ring true. The moment I change the instrument I’m composing on, the problem normally solves itself.

If I had a chance for the world to hear one song, I would probably say “Crimson passion cry” on the first album, and “Sacred vow” on the upcoming one. I always wanted to make music that touches people’s hearts, and I think those 2 have the best chance of doing exactly that.

What made me wanna pursue a career in music? Insanity?! Ha-ha! I think any true artist will tell you that it is in their blood – the thing that makes them tic and come alive. It is a long and difficult road, but somehow I cannot imagine my life without it. Having the opportunity to take my passion globally is just bloody awesome!

What I would tell any young artist or musician? I don’t wanna say to them Don’t give up or hang in there, cause if it is truly in your blood, and what you were born to do, you won’t! What I will say is this: do your home work well. Know the audience and genre you are targeting, and know what and who you’re up against. Find your forte, the thing that separates you from the rest, and makes you unique. Otherwise you’ll just be an imitation, or second hand version of somebody else. You must have a clear cut idea of where you’re going, otherwise you will just confuse an audience. You cannot go somewhere purposefully if you don’t have a map and didn’t plan. If you don’t have a destination, you are just drifting, no matter how talented you are. Lastly, surround yourself with skill, success and experience – you cannot do this alone – not if you are serious about it!

Crimson Chrysalis is currently one of a few artists under the Musik and Film Management Team. The first single currently out to Musik and Film radio promotions campaign has set a few records with plays around the world. The Musik and Film team recently picked up a publishing deal for Crimson Chrysalis and look forward to many years of working with this unique band , blazing new trails in symphonic band.

Artist News

Jazz Band, Da Ja,Building Bridges To The World Partnering with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

November 5, 2014

Da’Ja has partnered with Musik Radio Promotions to carry their message to all parts of the globe. The song, Da’Jay, has been well received through the radio promotions campaign and has even been picked up by BBC stations.

At an early age performing with such artist as Anita Baker, Force MD’s, Chapter 8, and The Time, as well as legends Martha Reeves and LJ Reynolds, John Smith came up with the concept of combining the forms of Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Latin. Which birth the form know now as “Latin Funk”. His vision of the genre came to be after the tragic death of the artist Selina. From that moment John internalized his vision and proceeded to go forth and create the sound that dwelled within him.

John is the writer/composer of all music and the Founder/CEO of Da`ja Entertainment, the band Da`ja plays the music. John is the lead drummer. Our mission is all about building bridges between musical genres, generations, races, and cultures, past and present. What people will discover when they listen to their music? “It is Love, says John, as having such a mindset enables our production environment to be more conductive for innovative things to happen.

John graciously got up close and personal with Musik and Film:

What has been your greatest opportunity in your career so far?

John: The opportunity to glorify God through the art of Jazz music.

What do you think distinguishes a true music artist from an entertainer?

John: Craftsmanship and the learning of the artist’s trade.

If you could make 1 change to the music industry, what would it be?

John: Fair pay to the artist for their hard work and treatment with integrity and respect. Not when they are famous, but for the very start.

What do you want to always be remembered for?

John: The Love in the music.

Besides music, what are 3 of your favorite things?

John: Ports, traveling, and working with my hands. I’m a builder by trade.

What made you want to pursue a career in music?

John: Growing up in church and hearing the music from the choir. Those sounds always uplifted me.

Do you play any instruments?

John: Drums, percussions, trumpet, and guitar. Drums are my dominate skill.

What advice would you give a music artist who is just starting out?

John: Learn the business and practice your craft.

How would you describe your music?

John: Latin-Jazz-funk

What are your goals where do you want to take your music

John: Combining the Genres of Latin, Jazz and Funk into one sound.

Where do you see your artistry going in the next 5 years

John: Having a worldwide influence! Going straight to the top!

What has been your best and your worst moment during your career so far?

John: Band members! LOL

If you had the chance for the world to hear one song what would it be?

John: A unreleased song i wrote to my mother, “Thank You”.

Anything else you really want to say?

John: “Musik and Film, Get us on the path to greatness!”

Da’Ja is on the path to greatness with their unique approach to Jazz. Stephen Wrench, producer of platinum albums says” Da’Ja is one of the best Jazz bands I have heard.” There will be much more heard from Da’Ja!

Artist News

Singer Songwriter Max Lisa hits Top USA Chart with My Baby

Rhonda

November 1, 2014

Max Lisa is a singer/ songwriter/guitarist whose music mixes elements from rock, pop and country. He has been hitting the USA charts since the beginning, getting his music heard and gaining fans all over the world teaming up with Musik Radio Promotions. Max has promoted several songs through Musik and Film including ‘Walking Dead’ and currently, ‘My Baby’.

Musik and Film is loving the reactions of fans and asked Max to share some of this personal thoughts about life and career:

What do you think distinguishes a true music artist from an entertainer?

An entertainer gives pleasure. An artist lead to transformations and can even influence your life!

What do you want to always be remembered for?

I would like to write some albums people will listen for decades and will remember me for those. In this way I could virtually live… forever!

Besides music, what are 3 of your favorite things?

Sailing in open waters, flying airplanes (I’ve an FAA pilot license) and travelling in remote areas. I love wild nature.

Do you play any instruments?

I do play guitar since I was 12. I play also some piano.

How would you describe your music?

A blend between rock, country and pop with attention to melody.

When did you realize that you wanted a career in music and what prompted that decision?

I was playing Let it Be at a party, When I started to play the guitar solo the audience started to clap so loud that I felt a “new” sensation and I told to myself: I want to feel this more and more and more…

Thanks for sharing the heart of an indie artist Max!

Artist News

Inspirational singer, Noreen Crayton, releases Make Me Over with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

October 29, 2014

Noreen Crayton’s, Make Me Over, was released to worldwide radio promotion just a few days ago and the response has been enormous. Noreen spoke of the response, “It’s only been a few days, but wow”!

Noreen provided some thoughtful answers about her life and music:

How would you describe your music?

Melodic, soulful, spiritual and filled with lots and lots harmonies lol

What has been your greatest opportunity in your career so far?

I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of opportunities throughout my career
but I think I am most proud of the fact that Ronnie Milsap recorded a song
I co-wrote (with Greg Tornquist) and that it was the lead single on his
gospel cd and then right after that I was fortunate to win the Independent
Music Award for best gospel song for the song (I wrote all by myself),
“Walking In The Faith.” Those two opportunities provided me with exposure
and showcased me as a writer. It really helped me personally in that it
allowed me to realize that what I was doing wasn’t crazy lol.

What do you think distinguishes a true music artist from an entertainer?

That’s a good question, the differences are far more subtle then one
realizes.

True artistry is organic and comes from a very real and honest place. It
exists whether there is an audience watching or not. Some of my best work
is done at 1 AM in the morning while I’m composing a song or laying a
vocal attempting to keep my heart bared (open) so that the person who will
be listening can feel the message I’m trying to convey. Ultimately, it’s
not about entertaining but about relating and identifying with the
audience and vice versa.

Also, an entertainer has the capacity to turn what they do onstage during
a performance into an art form. Think about Michael Jackson and what he
did and how his work touched millions of people, it was amazing.

So there are no differences really, it depends on the person and how
deeply they’d like to delve into the gift they’ve been given.

What do you want to always be remembered for?
I’d like to be remembered as an artist that stayed to true to the vision
given to her and that her music reached the very heart of someone and
helped them heal even a little bit.

What advice would you give a music artist who is just starting out?

Just keep writing and working in public. If you hear a word or phrase
that strikes you in a very unique way, you’ll know it has meaning because
it impact you….write it down. Carry a notebook or record the phrase on
your phone. If you hear a melody in your head that just won’t leave you
alone, do the same thing……you’ll eventually have to deal with it and
hammer it out. If you are given the opportunity to execute in front of
people, try not to turn it down. Just do it even if you suffer from stage
fright like me (smile). The thing is don’t stop the flow inside you, give
in to it even if you have to do it late at night when the kids are sleep
or when you come in from work exhausted, rest a little bit then hammer it
out even for an hour. You’ll be really happy you did.

Where do you see your artistry going in the next 5 years?
I’d like the music I do reach more people, my prayer is to write or
co-write something that will help transform a generation. Some of the
things I see and read about in the news is just heartbreaking. I’m
beginning to feel that human beings don’t even like one another let alone
feel for each other and themselves. I’d like to be part of something far
bigger than me. Write or co-write or work on something artistic that will
change people’s hearts and minds so that we all realize we are here for
one another and that we all work for the greater good and from the heart.

Anything else you really want to say?

Thanks for listening to what I’ve
released so far, there’s more to come, I hope you enjoy it and I hope it’s
something helps you get through the day.

Thanks for sharing, Noreen!

Artist News

Does Sony or Apple give their products away free?

Rhonda

October 20, 2014

It was a cold dark rainy night when a fleet of tractor trailers backed up to Sony’s and Apple’s warehouse and loaded up every computer. Then they put up a big ad everywhere that read – free computers – Sony and Apple were enraged. They demanded justice. Their warehouses had been robbed of it’s entire inventory.

Once upon a time, Sony and Apple and every other company on earth that offer digital streaming thought it would be a wonderful idea to break into every musician’s warehouse, load up all their music that had costs the musicians thousands of dollars to create, then put up a big sign and gave all the musicians inventory away.

Now ask yourself – what is the difference – giving away free computers or free music? It is still an end product that has cost money to create that was stolen.

I have been in this business for over 3 decades and thought I have seen it all but I guess not. I have been in the music business most of my life. I was with a major label in the 80’s. I still am a writing and performing musician.

I got into digital distribution at its inception well over a decade ago. At first, no one paid any attention to digital music. Everyone wanted a cd. But after a few years into digital, it became a viable source of income for Indie artists.

For years I had a good digital income along with many other artists. I know many who made a good living off their digital sales. People hear an artists music on radio or it was promoted and bought a download. No one ever asked my permission to allow my music to be streamed and given away. Or if I wanted to be paid $.000023 cents a listen. So what gave any of the services the right to stream my or anyone else’s music? I agreed to be digitally distributed and for my music to be sold – not to be streamed for free. Harvard Law calls streaming, “piracy”, and it is just that.

How would Apple or Sony like it if someone other than them decided to give away free computers? They would scream like Banshees. It cost them money to manufacture those computers. Well it costs musician’s money to record their music. Then they try to sell us this misconception, “Look at the exposure for your music”. The same applies to them give a few thousand computers away and “Look at the product exposure”.

I had heard rumors that the majors said that they welcomed streaming because it leveled the playing field for them. That indie artists were becoming a threat. Who gets the minute airplay royalties? Not the artists. Who’s making money? Not the artists.

What’s going to happen is no one will pay to record their music because it is just stolen from them anyhow. Then there will be no more new music. All because of greed and control. Once again the Indie artist is squashed making the poor musician poorer.

We must all band together as indie artists -together – we can make a difference.

Stephen Wrench

Artist News

Support Local Radio? Guest posts by Indie Artist, Earl Parker

Rhonda

September 19, 2014

America used to be known for a lotta pretty cool things. Streamlined cars with super fins, a cheeseburger with everything on it, and rock & roll to name just a few. But those innovations have gone the way of the Dodo bird, they’ve fallen afoul of a corporate need to re-dress everything that was, in order to make it cheaper,and to give it mass appeal; which also happens to make most things produced here today (which are very few by the way) suck! I don’t care about cheeseburgers, and you can’t buy a 1965 Thunderbird convertible anymore unless you go for an original, which’ll probably set you back a couple of hundred thousand bucks. No my beef is with Rock & Roll.

In the 1950’s rock & roll was born from Blues, R & B, gospel, and country music, Elvis thought he was a country singer until some girls saw him swinging his hips and began screaming uncontrollably, and from that moment on the cat was out of the bag so to speak, and it would never be put back. Rock & roll began to evolve.

It used to be that you would record a song, press it to a 45 disc, and take it yourself to your local radio station and literally give it to the DJ. If he liked it he would play it, and his audience would respond, and if they responded en-masse you had a hit on your hands, and you could record more because people liked your stuff, it said something to them, resonated with them, meant something.

Sadly today this is no longer the case, most of those independent radio stations that were run by people who cared about music, have been swallowed up by corporations who need to sell advertising on the strength of their listenership. These companies in turn rely on record labels to supply them with product, and that product is rapidly becoming a mystifyingly over produced hodge podge of insanity that leaves everybody wondering what the hell happened to good songs you can tap your feet to, or get involved with. Well, luckily for us singer/songwriters our local radio stations have now gone global.

I make music because I love making music; I write songs that I want people to relate to; and I am happiest when I have an audience. I’ve tried promoting my music to American radio, and I have good success with independent stations that care about music, but I am shutout of the syndicated stations because their Nashville pop playlists don’t play well with really innovative country rock music.

But it’s okay cats and kittens, we have a friend over at www.musikandfilm.com, his name is Stephen Wrench, he’s a musician himself, and God help him, he cares. He cares enough to have made your local radio station one in Paris, or Budapest, or London, or for that matter in any town or village worldwide. And get this, every time you release a song the last one, or two, or three are still there. So if a DJ suddenly cottons onto your sound, he has other songs he can draw on, and you’ll be getting played. Of course convincing the audience is still your job, and now you’ll get to sweat over the song, the vocals, the arrangement, and the mix. But at least you’ll have an audience, and believe me, that is worth its weight in gold!

Artist News

Michael John Horneman

Rhonda

August 25, 2014

The release of Michael John Horneman’s debut single ‘What We’ve Found’ produced by Musik and Film Production Team, marks the beginning of a fresh new direction as a country artist. MJH has spent the last 3 years writing and playing shows along the East Coast of Australia in “map dot” pubs and local venues, writing heart felt songs about life and love. Written from a musician’s perspective, the hard work and dedication to inspiring people through music brings forth his debut release which is all about loving where you live, and living out what you love.

The single is now released to worldwide radio by Musik Radio Promotions and is rapidly attracting a following of stations around the globe.

Following on from the release of “What We’ve Found” Michael will be continuing to spend the rest of 2014 in the studio writing and recording songs that will take his music to new heights, looking forward to Tamworth in 2015, Michael plans for more gigs and tours as the year goes on.

Artist News

Finlands Hard Rock Band, Joffel Project goes Global with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

August 4, 2014

The band “Joffel Project” was created in August 2011 by guitarist Mr. Joffel. The band’s concept is to play music with different musicians playing ‘their’ style of music without any pressure to succeed

The band’s motto: “No name, no fame – we just want to play”. The band’s debut album “Shaken’ Not Stirred” (15 songs), explores complex areas in people life and hard experiences what you been going through, without any musical prejudice and without music industry pressures. The musical abandonment is present in all stages in the making of this album: composition, production, and especially in the vocal and instrumental performance. They are all truly genuine expressions of the feelings that inspired these songs. The album has struck a chord, being picked up by 3 BBC networks with millions of listeners after a release with Musik Radio Promotions. Recently, the band passed another milestone, winning in the “Hard Rock Best AlbumCategory at the Akademia Music Awards LA California for July 2014. Judges say’s: “This outstanding collection of pulse-pounding, adrenaline-charged rock jams, led by Joffel’s distinct voice, will bring you to the edge of your seat and kick the chair out.”

The Joffel Project musical journey continues with the group keeping with their motto: “No name, no fame”.“We just want to play and share our music with people worldwide”.

Artist News

Convulsic Charts in World Independant Top 10

Rhonda

July 23, 2014

New single “The Day You Left” by San Diego artist Convulsic is Sure to Intensify Your Senses.

California Electronica artist has charted in the world independant top 10 not once but twice with both of his releases with Musik Radio.

Music trends come and go, but the actual sounds remain imprinted on people forever. Every genre can cause a shift in emotion, and mood, but there some songs that can just create an influx of sounds and completely take over you. This is the sound that San Diego native Convulsic creates to make his mark in the trendsetting worlds of Electronica and Dub-Step. His influence with mainstream artists such as Flux Pavilion and Skrillex is present, however he is nurturing a sound that will compete with the heavy bass hitters of today’s scene and with his new singe “The Day You Left”, can define a sound that has potential to make San Diego the new Dub-Step destination.

Convulsic creativity is intense, and it can be heard and felt when listening to “Love Space”. Not your typical ballad, “The Day You Left” is a hard hitting, synth splitting Dub-Step track that takes charge of your speakers and intensifies your senses. Like most Dub-Step, “The Day You Left” has a soothing intro, comparable to roller coasters beginning their adventurous trail. With light soundscapes and gentle melodies, the song quickly bringing in rougher elements including impactful drums and gnarly synths; and before you know it, you’re trapped into the song’s growling bass lines and snarling synths. “The Day You Left” ensnares you with it’s high octane energy while creating an euphoric atmosphere for audiophiles to submerge their love for Dub-Step.

2012/2013 was big for Convulsic, entering the Dubstep scene and creating a wave of followers, you can be sure that 2014 will be even bigger!