Musik and Film Records

Artist News

Mark Ruebery. One Night Once Chance Release Show Video Drops!!!

musikandfilm

September 14, 2015

0

Musik Radio Promotions artist, Mark Ruebery, released his new album “One Night, One Chance” earlier this year! Well, he recently posted a video highlight reel from the show that night, featuring clips from all the tracks! Be sure not to miss these great highlights! Found here. Mark has been WELL accepted on radio around the world, thanks to Musik Radio Promotions for helping to accomplish that! If YOU want to get your music heard worldwide, then contact Musik Radio Promotions today!!

How Signing A Major Record Deal Nearly Destroyed My Music Career by Terra Naomi

musikandfilm

September 10, 2015

0

The most important thing is to stay true to who you are, no matter which path you choose. It’s such a cliché, but I cannot stress it enough. Put in the work to become the very best version of yourself, and create the music that moves you. Because if it moves you, chances are it will move someone else. We no longer need millions of fans to create a meaningful career in music, as long as we’re smart about the steps we take.

President, Musik and Film Records, Stephen Wrench on radio Thursday Night!

musikandfilm

September 7, 2015

0

Musik and Film Records President, Stephen Wrench will be taking to the airwaves, joining It Matters! Radio on Thursday night at 9PM Eastern Time! He will be discussing his music as well as the state of the music industry today! This is a radio broadcast you won’t want to miss! Here is the link to the live broadcast: http://www.spreecast.com/events/it-s-all-loco-motion We will see you all there!!!

Artist News

Dear Artists Seeking Record Deals

musikandfilm

August 27, 2015

1

Dear Artists Seeking Record Deals,

When’s the last time you bought a record? Do you see any record stores still open in your town? And you’re looking for what? A Record Deal? There aren’t any more record deals because no one buys records anymore. I wish I had $ .007 cents for every time I have been asked “how do I get a record deal” I’d be rich just like the record labels are lately. Gold records now count streams as sales. Want a Gold record all you need is 500,000 streams that pay $.007 cents each. That means if you went Gold the record label made a whomping $3500.00 after they invested 100 grand or so into your career. Wow, isn’t THAT an incentive for a label to sign an artist and invest in them.

I was recently told, by a very good artist, ”I’m moving to Nashville so I can be discovered”. Who’s gonna discover her? The only thing that she is gonna discover is they are not interested and that there are no more record deals that develop artists. If she is going to have any career in music she is gonna have to do it herself, because a record label is not.

Artists do you know the history of how the major labels squashed you from being heard and making any money? Nah, you probably don’t. Well back in the days when digital first came out, the majors laughed at it because it was only a minute piece of the market. They said it would never catch on. Then they spent years fighting digital to no avail.

Then one day a light bulb went off in some record execs head. “Hey lets allow streaming of our artists!” So the first deal was made with Spotify, and the major labels took multi-million dollar advances to let them stream their catalog plus a large % of their advertising dollars. None of this was ever shared with the artists. Oh yeah, every year the majors take millions in advances from streaming companies allowing them to stream their catalog of music. This is how the major labels are staying in business. None of these advances or ad dollars are shared with the artists.

Did they ever ask you the artist if you wanted to be streamed? Did they ever give you the artist a piece of that multimillion dollar advance? Nah.

And you want what a Record Deal? How can a label give you a record deal when there are no more record sales. Why does everyone want what they can’t have? Record Deals, in the context the artists think of where they sign you because you have great songs and mega talent don’t, exist anymore there is no label out there that’s gonna rescue you and make you a star.

Want to be famous, travel and tour the world and perform. Then invest in yourself because there is no record label on the planet that will. Again, when’s the last time you bought a record? Do you see any record stores still open in your town? And you’re looking for what? A Record Deal? Want a career in music? Then wake up! You can have one, but only if you realize that you are the only one that’s gonna make it happen, and that it can happen. Stay tuned, the next article will tell you how.

By Stephen Wrench President www.musikandfilm.com

Artist News

A Review for Crimson Chrysalis latest album Enraptured

musikandfilm

August 17, 2015

0

Earlier this year Musik and Film Records signed south african symphonic rock band Crimson Chrysalis, and released their sophomore album “Enraptured” to the world. It has been garnering reviews and fans around the world since. Below is a recent review from Bandblurb.com on the album itself, check it out:

Soaring symphonic rock with a baroque atmosphere and metal stylings is the order of the day from South Africa’s Crimson Chrysalis. Fronted by the climactic, powerhouse vocals of Rene van den Berg; the music ranges from sweeping operatic passages with heavy guitar riffs and orchestral arrangements holding court from a lofty position in the sky. If Lacuna Coil would have kept their original classical style mixed with metal (minus the growled male vocals), then they might have ended up in this ballpark, which isn’t a bad place to be.

On Enraptured, the project radiates a worldly power that transcends genre for something truly special. An Evanescence clone this isn’t. “Soul Stalker” opens up hard with pounding keyboards, a rumbling bass presence, thundering drums and metal guitars dancing in tandem with the somber synth melodies. At the center of the tempest Rene stands strong carrying the lyrics to incredibly hi plateaus. The waltzing “Surrender” trades tasteful, rock oriented lead guitar shots with gloriously conducted strings. An ethereal, mid-tempo crunch runs throughout much of “Elegy” and its engaging vocal duets.

“Sacred Vows” opens with a piano sonata, slowly building up to the introduction of strings and eventually delivering a fully bombastic barrage of melodic, harmony-minded guitar riffs at a grand scale. The vocals absolutely captivate from the first note to the last. It seems like “Infinity” is conjured from a darker place with singing adopting a gritty, smoky baritone amongst cycling, marching arrangements that are as loud as they are pretty. The straight heavy metal mania of “Burning Fire with Fire” has an intense, pulsing rhythm attack on hand, featuring some of the most aggressive drumming and bass on the album. In terms of its guitar riffs, this is a track that will get the feet stomping and the head-banging.

Acoustic guitar is a focal point of “Enlightenment.” Electric instrumentation is softly added during the track’s procession but for the most part this song remains a true to the heart ballad that fans of Blackmore’s Night would probably enjoy. Things get almost Metallica hard on the crunching, forward driving groove of “Fear.” Flute is added to the equation on the folksy dreamworld conjured up by “The Raven.” When you least expect it, the song practically catapults itself in your direction like a runaway wrecking ball intent on destruction. Closing couplet “Virgin Death” and “Grace” piles on the classical music goodness and could both be part of the soundtrack to the greatest romance movie ever made.

Crimson Chrysalis plays genuine music straight from the soul with the ability to appeal to fans of many different genres. The entire effect is like going to see a huge musical production conducted by a maestro. Rock, folk, metal, world, classical and opera are combed on Enraptured to create an album that really doesn’t sound a lot like anyone else out there. When you top if it off with the jaw-dropping vocal talents of Rene van den Berg; there is no denying the greatness. In a musical climate dominated by “formula” and “cookie cutter” pop, Crimson Chrysalis stands high above the pack.

If you want YOUR music heard around the world, be sure to contact the Musik Radio Promotions team about our radio promotions packages, you can find more information on that by clicking here.

Artist News

Josef Haid Rocks Out Swiss Interview!!!

musikandfilm

August 11, 2015

0

Josef Haid, from Switzerland, had an awesome radio interview in Interlachen where they featured 4 of his songs on the air, one of which was a live acoustic performance!! Be sure to check out the interview and the performances here!! (The interview is in Swiss German, but the performances are in english. As an added bonus, the link includes a youtube video to a 20 minute compilation video of a CD release concert! Do you want to do radio interviews for YOUR music? To reach new fans around the world? Check out what our Musik Radio Productions team can do for you, here!!!

Artist News

Taking Care of Business, The Ball is In Your Court…

musikandfilm

August 4, 2015

1

All I see these days on Linkedin, Facebook and everywhere are people bitchin’ about streaming, the declining music industry and lack of opportunities for Indie artists. Today I see on Linkedin “5 Reasons the Music Business is in the Toilet”. We all know its in the toilet, but what are you gonna do about it. Boo Hoo there are no more record labels willing to plunk down cash to fund artists. There are no more publishing deals offering cash advances. “Boo Hoo there is no place for starving artists to obtain funding.” Indigogo and others were great at first but now its worn thin. You know what they say “Can’t Never Could”.

A brief background. Major labels fought the digital age. When they finally knew they could not fight it anymore, their way of embracing it ruined the Indie artists. The way they embraced it was to buy every digital distributor there was on the planet. Then the international President of Sony stated publicly, “Indie artists are becoming competition we need to level the playing field”. Their way of leveling the playing field was to embrace streaming services, but they went to the extreme on that one too. They took hundreds of millions in advances to allow streaming services to stream their catalogs. They never asked any artists permission to do so. Then to add insult to injury they keep the yearly advances, nothing is shared with the artists. Then they fed the artists with this crap “oh it’s a great opportunity for the indie artist’s exposure”. Bullshit! How is ANYONE going to find you among Billions of artists? Enough Bitchin’.

Let’s face it streaming is here to stay, it ain’t going away. They may raise the rates by 1/1000 of a cent but what difference will that make? Major labels have always been the gatekeepers and the big money. It doesn’t matter if its music or politics the 1% who has all the money rules the world.

Face the music its always been this way. But there are plenty of tools for the indie artist to succeed. Did you know, this week was the first week in history that 8 artists in the UK’s Top 40 were indie artists? Its starting to happen everywhere. You may not be able to make yourself a superstar, but with a limited budget you can chart, you can tour, and you can make a good living.

Artists have to realize music is a business and they have to run it like a business. Business’s need advertising. In this case advertising is not only social media but worldwide radio airplay. Cause you cannot successfully tour without radio airplay. Neil Young recently said “the only way for artist to make money these days is in the live experience” Perform in front of people all over the world. Sell your merchandise and collect your radio airplay royalties and license your music. But nobody’s gonna do it for you anymore. You have to do it for yourself.

Musik and Film has been working on opportunities worldwide for the Indie Artists through world radio airplay and charting, touring opportunities. Email us at promotions@musikandfilm.com and we will consult with you and help you achieve that success.

Artist News

Make Music and Money Too?!?!

musikandfilm

June 22, 2015

0

The world is filled with artists, bands and songwriters. All are compelled to make music. Why? Because it’s in their soul. They have no choice. It’s a creative outlet, they feel it, breathe and hear in their head.

I have been creating music since I was a kid, and I will never stop. We musicians have to do it regardless of free streaming or whether we make money from it. But we should be paid for our creativity and there are ways even in today’s music market that a creator of music can make a living from it.

“How?”, you ask? The first thing a creator of music has to do is realize that it is a business. Your business of creating music. Like any other business, your business needs capitol to operate. You need a sound business plan and a good product. In this case the good product is good music.

Okay, so you have recorded the tracks at home and think they are good enough for the world to hear. This is generally not correct unless you are one hell of a studio engineer. When you’re done recording take your session files to a great studio. That’s right great – not good. Have them remix and re-master for you. Radio compresses files so if your tracks are thin and goes to radio they will sound thin. The ole’ saying is “If you are going to do something do it right…”.

Now you have a great product. That’s the start of being in business. So now you think you can go to CD Baby and the world will hear you and want your product. Wrong again. You think that people will see your release and want to hear it. There are literally not millions or billions but TRILLIONS of songs on Spotify and other streaming services. How are they going to find you?

So now you think “Ah Ha!”, social media and I will get fans. You will find a lot of other fellow musicians but rarely fans that will buy your music.

The answers are simple. Radio is still the best way to get and artist heard and gain fans. Yes there are a lot of radio promotion companies out there. Some good and some not so good. You want mass airplay around the world. After all, we are all connected globally now.

Don’t promote your music locally or just in your country. Promote it globally. Find a good publisher who knows what they are doing. They will track down your airplay royalties worldwide. Yes, airplay royalties. Radio actually pays you to play your song. The BBC network 1 thru 6 is the largest radio network in the world. If you get picked up on the main BBC networks they pay in the hundreds of dollars for each spin. A hit song can generate thousands in airplay royalties.

That’s one way to make money off your music. Then after radio is playing your music contact them. Tell them you are coming to their town and want to perform. Ask them what some of their advertising venues. They will be happy to tell you and in most cases be happy to do a 3 way call with the venues. Radio will tell the venue you are playing on their station. If they are playing you in Warsaw Poland then you are a star in Warsaw. Use that status. Radio wants the venue’s advertising dollars. You want a good paying gig. You go to the well-advertised gig, get paid and sell out all your merchandise. Radio got paid so they are now your friend and will play anything you send them. The venue had a full house and want you back. It’s a win-win for all.

Make Money from your music. Radio promotion, airplay royalties, paid performances, merchandise sales.

Artist News

Musik and Film Records Featured Artist Harry Tietjen

musikandfilm

June 10, 2015

0

“I’m happy to work with Stephen Wrench and his kind team. Incredible, how fast the success came. Very professional work together and the activities exactly hit the point.”

Tietjen’s comments recently when he began working with Musik Radio Promotions on a campaign for his single, “Now I’m Free”.

However, Harry Tietjen has been entertaining music lovers around the world for decades. Starting off at a very young age, Harry learned to play guitar, and piano, as well as sing. He landed his first gig in France at the age of 17 and hasn’t slowed down since; going on at age 20 to win the North German Singers competition with his first band, “Harry’s Gang”.

In the early 80’s Harry and a friend of his started a rock n roll club called “The Castle” in Hamburg. After two years of excitement at The Castle, he decided it was time take his music on an adventure, and set out to share his music in Morocco. He left his hometown of Hamburg and moved to Morocco to set up a new band. After a few months the funds ran out; unfortunately before the band could really take off.

“Then it hit me, why not solo performances in hotel bars and at Moroccan family celebrations, after all English cover songs were all the rage.”

“I was most fascinated by the extremes in daily life. One day, singing accompanied by lively guitar in the middle of corrugated iron ghetto for enthusiastic pop fans and the next, playing piano in a luxury hotel followed by a sumptuous 4-course menu for polite society.”

“Or sometimes people would simply & politely ask me if I could play something on my guitar play whilst sitting in a cafe. The music was ever present then as it is now and with an equally strong connection. People invited me home to their families and told me their life stories”.

In the 90’s, after eventually returning from his trips around the world, Harry found the “Come Together Studio”, producing bands like Inusa Dawuda, King Kurlee, Sandra king, Lightman, and others.

All these years later, Harry is still passion driven to create music, going on to win several awards in Germany in the late 2000’s to include Germany’s Best Folk Rock Voice 2008, Germany’s Best Pop Voice 2009, and Best Arrangement in 2010. Harry has teamed up with Musik and Film’s promotions team to send his music ‘round the world yet again, with his single “Now I’m Free” soaring to Number 1 in the Rock charts in 2015. We caught up with Harry Tietjen and asked him a few questions about his career in the music industry

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

The awards, yes. Germanys best Popvoice 2009, Germanys best Folkrockvoice 2008 and the best arrangement 2010. Of course that was great. But even more something else in the live situations. If people are touched by the music, especially in small music club and if after I start singing people are immediately silent and listen. Then there is this moment of magic.

What do you think drives you to continue your pursuit as a professional musician?

Harry: My passion. I have to do it. Think there´s nothing better than if you follow your passion.

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

Harry: The best is when he´s both. But a true music artist tells something from his heart no matter what he gets for it.

What made you want to pursue a career in music?

Harry: You know, I´m an idealist. I´m happy if I can inspire people a little bit or make them dream.

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

Harry: Think that you always can do a little bit more than you think you can do and find the right musicians or team that really fit you.

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

Harry: I was 14. At that time I scared my parents with a self-made Electric-Guitar and there was a deep moment of knowing – this is my vocation.

What is so special about your album?

Harry: That I have worked the biggest part of my history into it has certainly helped. The wild times in our own live music club, the exciting years on the road with my guitar, the creating of the music studio and the many, many live gigs have all contributed towards making the album very special.

How would you describe your music?

Harry: The Style is Rock Pop with Blues, Country, Latin and Funk elements.

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

Harry: I mostly did perform by myself on the guitar. The next step will be performing my original songs with a big band around the world.

What has been your experience been like working with Music and Film?

Harry: I´m happy to work with Stephen Wrench and his team. It’s incredible just how fast we’ve been successful. We work very professionally together and our activities hit the goal.

Artist News

Musik and Films Featured Artist Rose Boyd

musikandfilm

June 10, 2015

0

Rose Boyd has been sharing her voice with the world through song since the young age of seven years old. She has always had a life-long passion for sharing her commitment to Jesus Christ through song, and continues to do so to this day. At 17 Rose was faced with a choice between pursuing a record deal and furthering her education through college, a decision which brought her to study at College of Albemarle, in North Carolina. This would only last for about a year, when she received a call and learned that her mother had become ill, as did her father shortly thereafter. Having been the youngest of four, with no marital ties or children of her own at the time, Rose returned home to look after her parents and get a job to help support them.

Rose is now the wife of dynamic Gospel music songwriter, Craig Boyd. They both reside in Waterbury, CT and spend a great deal of time, and take a great deal of joy, in writing, recording, and performing divinely-inspired Gospel music for the masses. Rose is a member of the Faith Center Church in Meriden, Connecticut, under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Joseph and Lady Maddaline Norfleet. It is here that she serves as an anointed Levite, Psalmist, lead vocalist, and primary member of the Music ministry.

Rose recently released the third installment of her Gospel albums in May of 2015, and has been enjoying great success, while remaining on top as #1 of the Gospel charts for several weeks in a row. Musik and Film took some time to ask Rose a few questions about her career in music, and we share that interview with you now:

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

Rose: Right now charting with “He’s So Amazing” in the National Airplay Top 50 Gospel Chart at number 1 for two weeks straight for the first two weeks my song has been playing. I’m still in shock because of it. Also doing a live performance on the Bobby Jones Gospel Presents that Air on TV in 2012

What do you think drives you to continue your pursuit as a professional musician?

Rose: This gift was giving to me by God and I just want to display the gift and talents to the World.

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

Rose: When you sing it should be from the heart, the message should be to change lives to encourage, uplift ones soul. Entertainers I feel give people what is hot right now and that has produced alot of copy cats, what do I mean? Everything sounds the same it’s all lumped into one big bowl mixed together and tastes the same. When we as artists give you something genuine and from the heart the people will know and God will be pleased.

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

Rose: Stop scamming artist! We work really hard. To pay someone to play a roll whether it be a manager, promotor etc in our music career, then you turn around and it’s like they left the face of the earth! Oh…Please pay for the music as well.

What do you want to always be remembered for?

Rose: An Anointed singer of God that gave her best.

What made you want to pursue a career in music?

Rose: My oldest sitter who has now passed on was an awesome pianist and singer. My sisters and I would go in the attic and sing. Harmonizing came natural at a young age for me. I sang in the choir every since I can remember leading and background. Singing in school playings, concerts etc.

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

Rose: Take care of your voice box. Don”t take those good vocals for granted. Also…Always get legal representation before you sign anything.

Oh… Know who you are in God, believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams, but know this…things don’t happen over night so be patient and your time and chance will come if it is God’s will.

How would you describe your music?

Rose: Contemporary Gospel with soulful vocal backgrounds that gives God the Glory with hope and encouragement.

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

Rose: When I became laid off after working at a job about 15 years. My husband Craig says “what do you want to do”and I said “sing”.

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

Rose: I want my music to be heard all over the world and I would like to travel and take it across the nation!!! I would like my music to change individuals lives!!!

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

Rose: I can definitely answer the worst moment….It was when I was promised something in God’s name and I did everything in good faith and the individual ripped me off, stole money from me. Not cool. It was a learning experience though. I have become extremely careful and it also has toughen my skin!

This moment of Charting #1 on the National Airplay Top 50 Gospel Chart for two weeks straight and only been playing on radio for two weeks is pretty spectacular!!!

What has your experience been like working with Musik and Film?

Rose: You are one of the best moments of my career (joyful tears flowing). I really just wanted to find good and honest people to work with me throughout this journey. Then came Musik and Film!!!

Anything else you really want to say?

Rose: YES….Thanks be to God who has always been there for me even when I didn’t realize it.To Craig my husband who supports me, pushes me, encourages me, protects me, believed in me and loves me. I am truly grateful for you.

Tag