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What is Artist Management – Its Not What You Think

Rhonda

February 21, 2014

In the “old” days an artist manager could pick up a talented artist or band. The manager could then pitch them for a “record deal” that included artist development where the record label would put them in a recording studio to record their album. Then the label would hire publicists, give them tour support with a well-known artist. The label would put them out to radio and TV show appearances. The label would pay for all costs in the hope of recouping what they spent on the artist. But that was the “old” days.

Record Label deals do not exist anymore at least not the ones of old. Read this interesting article about the function of record labels.

We have been involved in managing some of the biggest artists in the world over the last few decades. But it’s a different game out there now. How many times have I heard “Believe in my music.” Believing and making the artist into a worldwide musical entity is a process involving contacts, experience and strategic skill.

There is no one out there going to discover anyone anymore. It’s a business, it’s your business as an artist. Businesses require a business plan that has to be enacted to achieve success. Yes, there is all kinds of social media out there. But social media will only take you so far. This does help and if you are really lucky you may have a YouTube video that will go viral. But I would not depend on luck. Nor would I advise just because you’re good that you will make it as an artist.

There are all kinds of levels of success. One level is to be popular in your local area. But if you want to tour successfully, gain a worldwide fan base you will need support. After all, who wants to go out to see an artist they have never heard of?

Like any other business you will require all the tools the record labels once provided. Unfortunately it is now up to the artist to acquire the funding to pay for all those services. Just recording a great album is not enough. Radio Airplay is still very relevant, read these two articles. Does Airplay Matter? by Kristin Thomson Just how important is radio airplay? by Frontside Group The article quotes “When talking about breaking artists and general mass appeal, it’s easy to say that you can’t create a superstar act without radio.

If you are good enough you need to find an experienced, savvy manager. One who knows the game and can maneuver you on the game board to the finish line. But be prepared to have the funding to do so. You can start with baby steps and maneuver yourself slowly up the rung of success. But like any other business it will require start up capitol and then for you the dividends back into your business. The business of your music.

By: Stephen Wrench

Artist News

Grooveatech Orchestra, musical dream team, released to world radio with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

February 20, 2014

Grooveatech, with their release of One More Time, has already charted across the US:

BILLBOARD/ BDS CHARTED AC # 30

BILLBOARD/BDS CHARTED SMOOTH AC # 8

MEDIA BASE CHARTED AC# 33

MEDIABASE CHARTED SMOOTH AC # 19

FMQB CHARTED AC # 8

AMERICA AMUSIC CHARTS AC # 33

The single track is now released to a world radio campaign with Musik Radio Promotions and on the fast track to global charting.

This musical “dream team” was reviewed recently by Stu Berketo.

There are many who have long criticized the ‘smooth jazz/groove’ genre for lacking innovation, freshness, and a hip sound to attract a younger generation of fans. I can’t say I entirely agree with that sentiment, but for any of the critics who do, now would be the perfect time to introduce them to the sound of Grooveatech Orchestra.

This exciting and innovative new outfit is the brainchild of Long Island, New York based Aaron Wider, who until recently has fallen under the radar of the music genre with his spectacular ‘super group’ or better still, musical dream team. While Wider is the producer, arranger, and lead vocalist on the album One More Time, he has assembled the most recognizable names and talents to contribute to his project. Among them, Chieli Minucci, Special FX, Marc Antoine, Phillipe Saisse, Jeff Golub, Slim Man, Marc Antoine, Greg Adams, Jeff Kashiwa, Ken Navarro, Chris Standring, Matt Marshak, as well as a host of ultra-talented musicians, who along with the aforementioned names, remotely recorded their tracks before Wider’s genius production skills were put to work.

To explain just what is Grooveatech Orchestra, look no further than the CD cover with its congregation of stars: alternative groove, funk, pop, rock, and smooth jazz. The title track is a beat driven, synth-heavy masterpiece that is stylish and chic and a potential ‘club hit’ complete with Wider’s perfectly laid vocal tracks that bring back the mystique of the electronica era for those of us who lived through it and enjoyed it. The beat and tempo is just as kicking on Let Me Change with its cool and melodic hooks and grooves and some of the best guitar solos you will ever hear. While One More Time stays true to its description on the CD cover, Wider produces a very pretty yet smoothly produced and up-tempo offering on Rainbow, a gently sung and reflectively written tune that fits in perfectly with the rest of the innovative work on the album. Wider and Dora Nicolosi partner up vocally for what could be called a beautiful ‘soul-tronic’ and heartfelt medium tempo track titled I Remember,backed up by the incredible guitar work of Antoine, Marshak, and Golub and Saisse’s remarkable keyboarding.

Grooveatech Orchestra with its all-star lineup of first rate talent and song writing could be the catalyst for bringing new, ground breaking sounds into the smooth jazz fold. One More Time is a perfectly orchestrated soundtrack for anyone needing a fresh, hip and stylish injection of one of the newest and creative sounds today.

Courtesy of: wave.fm

Artist News

Inusa Dawuda releases ‘Real Life’ and ‘Real Life Dance Mix’

Rhonda

February 16, 2014

Musik Radio Promotions is proud to announce the release of German entertainer, Inusa Dawuda’s, ‘Real Life’ and ‘Real Life Dance Mix‘. The global radio campaign has already generated the attention of the BBC and many other major networks and stations around the world

Inusa Dawuda a.k.a the “Black Pharaoh” is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, saxophonist, and entertainer. His diverse range as a performer has been the catalyst behind his international success.

‘Rumours Digi Digi’, ‘Down Down Down’ ‘Morning Light’ and ‘Rub-A-Dub-Girl’ are just some of the past tunes that have been grooved by the charming ragga flavours of Inusa’s vocal talents, leading him to enjoy support through the playing of his recordings by some of the biggest house giants like Erick Morillo on “Going Back To My Roots” and radio rotations worldwide of his radio friendly tracks.

Having kicked off 2009 – 2010 by being crowned officially “Russia’s and C.I.S territory most successful foreign artist”, where to-date his single Whizzkids feat. Inusa Dawuda – ‘Rumours-Digi Digi’ has received millions of radio plays, Inusa beat a stream of fellow foreign artists to achieve this accolade that includes Lady Gaga and David Guetta.

He has also been quick and wise enough to translate this popularity into live appearances all across Europe, having topped the bill at some of the the most prestigious party venues accross the world.

Inusa Dawuda has his work released on recording labels from BMG to Universal Music, Pacha Recordings, Tiger Records- Kontor Records, Hed Kandi to Kingdom of Music with his summery sounds having captivated a loyal fan base throughout Germany, Russia, Turkey, Austria, Ukraine, Poland, Albania and many countries accros the Globe. The increased popularity for his music has spread to widen his appeal in many countries where his music is finding its way onto playlists and club charts.

Inusa’s persona both as a studio artist and live performer confirm him as one of the most sought-after artists in the house and club music genre. Inusa Dawuda has also enjoyed success in the smooth jazz / chillout music genre with some of his house hits like ‘Morning Light’ and ‘You Are’ covered to cross-over as beautiful ballads. Along with soothing instrumentals like ‘Reflections,’ ‘Waterfalls,’ and ‘African Nights,’.

His talents as an inspired vocalist, saxophonist and performer reveal an amazing musical versatility that commands the attention of audiences across the world.

Artist News

BluesCorp, rocking on BBC networks and stations worldwide

Rhonda

February 15, 2014

BluesCorp, a rock’n blues-funk dance band from Australia’s Gold Coast, is rock’n on several BBC networks and stations worldwide with release of their new single, ‘Rattle Me’. This is BluesCorp’s second release with Musik Radio Promotions as ‘Who Do You Think Your Foolin’ was released several months ago.

The band was formed in 2010 by guitarist/singer/songwriter Andrew Clark, as a project for developing his own original music. Andrew’s trademark warm, earthy guitar tones, combined with his intimate and emotive vocal deliveries are the heart and soul of the BluesCorp sound. He creates a real rush of energy in his music and has been a “white boy lost in the blues” since his first working band – a 1977 project with blues guitarist Andrew Silver (Dynamic Hepnotics).

In April 2012, Andrew decided to completely rebuild the BluesCorp live band as a 4-piece line-up ahead of returning to the studio for the second album. The new line-up, featuring Jason Klaffer (bass), JJ Otene (drums) and Ben Ferguson (guitar/keys/sax) brought with it a fresher and decidedly funkier sound. Additionally, Andrew also recruited some additional players to rotate in the line-up as circumstances dictated.

Regular live appearances from guests Matt “Harp Dog” Dunn (harmonica), Steve Sinclair (guitar), Brian Elliott (sax), Gil Rasmussen (drums) and Paul Sumner (harmonica/percussion) resulted in contributions from each of them in the studio for the 2013 BluesCorp album release “Don’t Wanna Be Famous”.

“Don’t Wanna Be Famous” has been released to rave reviews:

“The Blues Association of South East Queensland (BASEQ) has selected BluesCorp’s 2013 album “Dont Wanna Be Famous” as it’s nomination in the “Best Self-Produced CD” category for the upcoming International Blues Challenge awards to be held in Memphis early next year.”- Blues Association of South East Queensland (Oct 16, 2013)

“From the start to the end of the album ‘Don’t Wanna Be Famous‘, my foot was a tapping. BluesCorp has delivered a cracking CD. This CD will be in the charts for many weeks and on high rotation on the Fatman Blues show on Southern FM”.- Mick Todd, Fatman Blues, Radio 88.3 Southern FM (Mar 15, 2013)

“Just got hold of the latest release from Bluescorp. This is one that makes you want to play it again and again. A great sound mix with quality production laced with sax and harmonica full of soul ,and a killer guitar tone.”- Barry Maxwell, Blues On The Hill, Radio 3NRG 99.3 FM (Mar 07, 2013)

“Smooth, low down contemporary blues at it’s best.” – Dave Barker, Dave’s Blues Mix, StarFM Radio 98.5 (Mar 04, 2013)

Musik Radio Promotions is proud to present such a seasoned, well-polished band to world-wide radio.

Artist News

Jamaican artist, Akua Kamua, released by Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

February 14, 2014

Akua Kamua is living the Jamaican dream of making music for the world to hear and enjoy. Kamua has been released to the world by Musik Radio Promotions and is enjoying a welcoming audience to three of the seven tracks on his new EP, ‘My Island Darling‘.

Clocking in at 7 songs of high quality, the new EP from Akau Kamau is a release that is formed around the themes of Jamaican and African traditions and, in the artist’s words, ‘Ancestral Reverence’.

Kamua states, “The inspiration for the theme came about as a way to respect our heritage. My music is both aural and cerebral. I attempt to create songs which speak for themselves, however as is the case with instrumental music, the tempo, instrumentation is used to convey this message”.

Formed on the belief that generally our ancestors exist around us in the spiritual realm, these songs are designed as a tribute to the sacrifices that they made, in order for us all to have the opportunities that we now enjoy.

Operating on several levels, the seven songs on the EP are each written with a message in mind, allowing each listener to develop their own appreciation and interpretation for each song even more so if the sleeve notes have been read and understood. It makes for a different experience for each listener, especially if they are aware of the undercurrent for each song.

It’s an innovative approach, and impressive from an artist who wrote, recorded and produced the tracks all under his own steam. With a search now running to expand the band and take the project forward, this is a promising time for Akua Kamau.

Musik Radio Promotions is happy to be a part of this “promising time”.

Artist News

Rootstime loves playing Musik Radio Promotions Artists

Rhonda

February 14, 2014

Rootstime loves playing artists from Musik Radio Promotions as well as many stations and networks around the world.

Check out what Rootstime has to say about Musik Radio!

“We at Rootstime welcome releases at your label or in your distribution portfolio. We promise to give the albums the best possible attention and provide a good promotion via our website and via airplay.”

Be empowered! You CAN get your musik heard! Contact Musik Radio Promotions for your worldwide campaign to 104 countries.

Artist News

5 Industry Moguls talk about their experiences

Rhonda

February 13, 2014

Joe Smith, past president of Warner Bros. Elektra/Asylum, and Capitol Records, says, “with today’s rules, I couldn’t sign the Grateful Dead”.

Musik & Film Records changed the rules to create a new model for indie artists.

Five industry mogels provide a powerful insight into the music industry in the article below, courtesy of Hollywood Reporter. Great to know Musik and Film is on the same page!

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

It hasn’t been a pretty picture for the record companies the past 15 years. In that time, the U.S. music business has shrunk in half, from revenue of $14.6 billion in 1999 to $7.1 billion in 2012, and that’s been reflected in job losses, consolidation of seven music giants into three and a general feeling of malaise that says the industry’s glory days are an irretrievable thing of the past. Indeed, the landscape is littered with former executives bemoaning the loss of expense accounts and cocaine- and hooker-fueled days, but not these spry veterans, who have survived this brave new digital world to tell their tales.

Jerry Greenberg, Atlantic Records president (1974-80), MJJ Music president/COO (1993-2000)
THEN: Signed ABBA; connected producer Mutt Lange with AC/DC (the result: Highway to Hell); broke Led Zeppelin on U.S. radio with “Whole Lotta Love”; signed Chic, Sister Sledge and The Trammps.
NOW: Founder of Ibiza-based label Pacific Electronic Music; spearheading documentary about his career.
NEXT: Involved with the Polyphony Foundation, a music school in Nazareth where kids from both Israel and Palestine learn together. “I love music and working with artists. I can still tell a hit when I hear it. I want to find the next Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake.”
WHAT HE MISSES: “Labels signing artists, developing them and waiting for the money to come later. Record companies don’t stick with artists as much as they did back then.”
WORDS OF WISDOM: “This is as great a time to be a small, independent label as it was in the ’60s.”

Mike Bone, Island Records president (1990-91), Mercury co-president (1991), Def American Minster of Truth (1992-94)
THEN: While a promotion exec, broke Thin Lizzy in the U.S. with the single, “Wild One.”
NOW: Graduated Loyola Marymount with an MBA in marketing and a 3.93 GPA; owns homes in Santa Monica and Encino, a condo in Atlanta and a 215-acre Georgia tree farm.
NEXT: “In five years, my daughter will be a senior in college and my son will be a freshman, so I will start divesting my real estate, and prepare to move to Hawaii with my wife.”
WHAT HE MISSES: Being part of a team and moving the ball down the field, the snap, crackle and pop of the business, the camaraderie of orchestrating the whole ensemble. “My best years were atBob Krasnow’s Elektra in the ’80s, a magical time.”
WORDS OF WISDOM: “I saved my money. I didn’t put it up my nose or get divorced three times. My vices are now my kids.”
STORY: Afrojack Signs With Island Records and Universal Music Group

Joe Smith, Warner Bros. Records president (1970-75), Elektra/Asylum (1975-82), Capitol (1987-93)
THEN: Built Warner Bros. with Mo Ostin; signed the Grateful Dead and “changed the industry perception of the record company as the home of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin”; helped breakGarth Brooks; wrote Off the Record, a collection of more than 200 artist interviews now archived in the Library of Congress.
NOW: Lakers season ticket-holder, avid wine and art collector.
NEXT: “I hope to continue standing above ground.”
WHAT HE MISSES: That collegial feeling which disappeared when the business got corporate. “You rooted for your competition to have a hit because it meant increased retail traffic for everyone. We were never really competing with each other, we were all trying to make our own way. I also miss going to the NARM [National Association of Recording Merchandisers, since renamed the Music Business Association] convention, where I got to see everybody from around the country, where I emceed several of the award dinners and panels. I really felt at home.”
WORDS OF WISDOM: “There was room for everybody then. With today’s rules, I couldn’t sign the Grateful Dead.”

Phil Quartararo, Virgin Records president/CEO (1992-97), Warner Bros. president (1997-2002), EMI North America executive vp (2005-06)
THEN: Part of the Island Records team that broke U2; One of the founding executives of Virgin U.S.; signed Linkin Park and Josh Groban while at Warner Bros.
NOW: Managing Arturo Sandoval and Yoshiki at The Collective (the latter with veteran publishing and A&R exec Kaz Utsunomiya); consulting for artist estates and businesses that look to “use music for currency, and are willing to pay for it,” including Australian brand-sponsored e-commerce platform Guvera and sync recognition app Shazam. “I have been very fortunate to be able to take my 30-year record company experience and convert it.”
NEXT: “I’m not one to sit around moping and being resentful, waiting for the phone to ring. I’m looking at the first part of my career as the launching pad for the best part, which is right now, because I get to work with artists, brands and music. That experience we had in the major label system is valuable for companies today. There are not a lot of guys around who have run multimillion-dollar companies and are still young enough to have the energy to do something else.”
WHAT HE MISSES: Being able to activate a team of people working every day toward a common goal: to break an artist or a song, to build a career. “That was art; that was beautiful. Today’s market is not conducive to record companies as we knew them. They’re overwhelmed and under-resourced, which is a bad combination. The major labels of the past had the revenue to support the effort. [Now] there’s no money to do anything. And the thing that suffers the most is artist development. If you’re a new band, and can’t get any traction on your own, the record company won’t be able to do it for you.”
WORDS OF WISDOM: “The time for new opportunity in the music industry has never been better.”

Jeff Gold, A&M vp marketing/creative services (1981-90), Warner Bros. Records executive vp/GM (1990-98)
THEN: Helped break Bryan Adams; won a Grammy for art direction for Suzanne Vega’s third album.
NOW: Founder of Recordmecca, collecting and selling rare memorabilia; author of 101 Essential Rock Records: The Golden Age of Vinyl; consulting for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Experience Music Project.
NEXT: “I am going to do this for as long as I enjoy doing it. I wake up every morning and can’t wait to see who’s emailed me and from where, what I’ve sold. I engage in this fantastic treasure hunt where I get to meet super-interesting people, buy stuff from them they’ve had for a long time, research and contextualize it.”
WHAT HE MISSES: The expense account.
WORDS OF WISDOM: “The record business missed the boat on the Internet. It’s a real lack of vision. People aren’t doing the Steve Jobs leading thing in the record business.”.

For a consultation regarding how Musik and Film Records can help you, free of obligation, contact us today.

Artist News

Steve Roach and Little Rain release new single, Darkness, with Musik Radio Promotions

Rhonda

February 7, 2014

Rootsy rockn’roll, tinged with blues & alt-country, from Australia, Little Rain pulls you into the emotion, pathos & life of Steve Roach’s songs brought to life by Australia’s fiddle legend Marcy Taylor, great guitar licks & Steve’s evocative vocals. Guitarist Adam Roach on lead guitar is one of the best players to come out of Melbourne. Multi instrumentalist Christopher Sprake plays guitar, keys , percussion and drums. Journeyman bassist Mark Nolasco and talented and eclectic drummer Matt Laing keep it all in a line, with Richard De Kleyn on Piano. Keeping it in the family is Ebony Roach, Steve Roach’s daughter, and Kristy Mellish, his sister. Sarah Clarke, a regular face on television and stage rounds out the threesome on backing vocals.

Little Rain has just released their second album A Long Time Coming following the successful The Revelation, which saw the band get signed to USA record company Musik and Film Records.

Musik Radio Promotions has recently released the singles, Darkness and Salvation, to worldwide radio. The response has been enormous, with the largest radio network in world immediately picking up the band for airplay, The BBC.

Playing an eclectic mix of Rock, Alt-Country, Blues, Folk and Americana, Steve Roach and Little Rain always make you feel you’re hearing something new, but familiar at the same time. Soulful, gutsy, Rockn’roll.

Artist News

Rhett May, Spotlight Artist for 3000 Records

Rhonda

February 4, 2014

Rhett May has been chosen as Spotlight Artist through February for 3000 Records. Terrance Schemansky at 3000 Records says, “We are happy to have Rhett as our Spotlight Artist this month!”

Rhett will also be featured on myspace, facebook and twitter, with an email blast to 12,000+ artists and musicians.

Rhett May, a multi-cultural singer/songwriter/musician from Down Under has been receiving acclomades from all over the world with his new EP titled ‘Insatiable’. Promoted to radio by Musik Radio Promotions, Rhett May has continued to make a huge splash with receiving play by thousands of stations and networks including the BBC.

Apparently, all the work on the production end has paid off. Rhett says of working with the MAF production team, “I feel I built a rapport with Stephen Wrench from day one….very easy going and likeable guy…and nothing was too hard…we shared some stories that are insane and I guess we come from a similar background in music…a similar era…the classic rock ’When the van is rockin’ don’t come knockin’ era…and the influences very much gel. Their interpretations and ideas did surprise me at times…but I listened and absorbed and came away with a sense of excitement that Stephen and Terry Nails….. that someone like Musik and Film were actually interested enough to take the time in listening to my songs, tearing them apart…positively…and then helping me put them back together in ways that I hadn’t considered. I think that they’ve taught me a number of things…and I’m grateful …I’m always learning and will certainly incorporate some of their fundamentals moving forward. ”

The whole idea was to have five songs that were entirely different from each other: ”Cocktails and Cannabis” (rock groove), ”Insatiable” (Acoustic and melancholy), ”Hey Peter” (Reggae/Upbeat) and ”Jenny” (Sixties/Beatleish).

This combination has certainly struck a chord as it has continued to generate excitement with every release.

Artist News

Why cant I get my music on the mainstream radio in the US?

Rhonda

January 30, 2014

According to All Indie Magazine, “You can, but it costs a lot of money to do so. Radio campaigns range differently in price depending on the size of the region and how large a network you want to market in. If you want to market to radio stations in the major metropolitan areas, then get ready to cough up in upwards of $250,000 per campaign. If you’re doing your own promotion, be prepared to be ignored and get your CD’s tossed in the garbage. A station manager or program director gets upwards of 20 to 100 CD’s per day. By email, they are unsolicited by hundreds of indie labels and do-it-yourself artists. Guess who’s emails and appointments they’re going to accept? Not yours unless you’re a rep from the “Big 3″ (Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group) or one of the smaller major labels including Columbia Records, RCA Records, and Epic Records. Priority goes down from there to the next highest labels in the chain.”

CEO Stephen Wrench of Musik and Film states, “there is good news – its a big world and radio exists outside the of the United States. Radio in other countries are very receptive to playing good Indie Artists music. The BBC is the largest radio network in the world and Musik Radio Promotions services 104 countries and over 170,000+ stations. We can get your music heard!!!”

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