Music Is Not Enough

Record Labels conducts artist and repertoire, maintain contracts, and manages copyright protection as well as bands and trademarks. But that is not all. The greatest responsibility of a record label is to promote and foster the music and careers of its artists. Often musicians only trust major record labels with regard to their careers.
However the boundaries between major and independent labels is one that while the former owns its own distribution channel, some of the latter, that is some independent record labels, in particular those with successful performing artists, sign dual-release agreements and make other deals with major labels and may rely to some extent on international licensing deals, distribution agreements, and other arrangements with major record labels. Major labels may also wholly or partially acquire independent labels.

However record labels consistently face a serious challenge in maintaining the value of their brand name. Their reputation is everything in this business; and when it comes to independent record labels, without the big names behind their back, it makes it even more important for them. However independent labels often, due to lack of knowledge and/or research, or lack of marketing wisdom often fall prey to common mistakes making them go burst.

Music Is Not Enough, you need:

Artist Development: Most labels today are so quick to sign these fly by night acts that they don't take the time to groom their products like back in the day. Many have absolutely no media training. This new breed of artists can't conduct interviews or create any sort of intelligent thoughts to explain the music they're creating, often causing them to become their own enemy. Naturally, it is expected that as artists age, they evolve and grow. Devolving and regressing is what seems to be the latest trend. Music fans are always looking for a new artist to love, latch on to, and grow with in a sense. However, labels today frustrate this process by creating so much false hope, that when their artist or band falls short of the expectations, they have nothing left.

Longevity: It used to be a standard industry practice to ride with an artist and their album until the wheels fell off. Labels would nurture the artist, offer them the time and resources necessary to create a valuable product, choose one single to introduce and represent it, and promote it. Successful or not, they stuck with it. Then the album came followed by another single. If that one took off, great; if not, maybe they would try one last time. Nowadays, the idea is to knock out as many songs as you can as quickly as possible, shoot as many "buzz" singles out until something sticks. If nothing sticks, then drop the album anyway and let it sink like a stone because no one will be able to say you didn't try to save it.

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Video Killed The Radio Star - Making The Music Video

Ever since 1981, the television network MTV has been broadcasting all of the hottest music videos for die-hard music fans to drool over, and all the world to see. In fact, MTV's constant broadcasting of music videos was so popular, that the network even came out with a television show entitled "Making the Video" where fans are chosen to emulate their favorite music sensations in a re-creation of the music videos that they love. Because of all the music video madness of the past several decades, you might think that it would be extremely complicated to try making a music video of your own. Actually, music videos are one of several visual communication presentations that are easy to do in D-I-Y style. Here's a list of things to consider when planning to shoot your very own music video.

1. Get to know the song you'll be shooting a video for REALLY well before you begin. Really listen to the song, and pay attention to the lyrics and the overall feel of the piece. From the song, you'll have to come up with a concept to visually communicate through your music video, so don't take this assignment lightly. A vibrant concept will be the most responsible for carrying your video to its audiences.
2. . Prior to any shoot, you must scout for a location to film at. If you're working on a budget, then pick a location that's free to cut costs. Popular free locations are often outdoors, so check the weather before you schedule a shoot. Additionally, it is best for shooting purposes to pick a private location in order to avoid any un-planned interferences. You wouldn't want to waste anybody's time or energy trying to shoot around a million pedestrians that you do not wish to include in your video. Also, the more creative you get with a location, the less money you'll have to spend on any sort of set design costs.
3. On that note, D-I-Y video shoots are often best kept simple. Don't try to build an elaborate set. It'd be best to work with what nature has given you for free. Ultimately, you want to showcase your music, and something over-the-top can detract from the focus on the music itself.
4. Use your lens power. If you are keeping your set and concept relatively simple, then get creative with your camera lenses, filters and gels. You can visually affect a lot through wide-angle lenses or fish-eye lenses, and you can get creative with color and shading using gels or filters over your camera lens.
5. Have fun! Amidst all the planning and technical stuff, don't forget to have fun. If a crew enjoys working on a project, the end result will always convey the enjoyment of the process of making the video. Plus, music is one of the deepest human pleasures. Make sure you stay true to the music and stay open-minded about the various methods of visual communication that you can use to share your music with the world.

Interested in learning more about design and visual communication? Visit visual communication colleges for more info.

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How to Audition for Musicals

The main thing about musicals is that the performer has to know how to mix the art of acting and singing; acting alone can't put you across. Choreography of your act should also be striking and not a copy of other performances. The following are some things you should consider as you prepare yourself to audition for musicals:

1. Search for an audition song that best suits your theme. This song should also fit your voice range; don't choose a song that will make you strain because it would compromise your performance. Never force yourself to sing if your voice is affected by either a sore throat or cold. If the theme of your act is courage don't do a love song as it is a total confusion of your message.

2. Choose a song that's not too common. An example is "My heart will go on" from the Titanic film. Unless you are given instructions to do such songs, it would be better to avoid them as the panel is most interested in creativity. The panel is made of humans just like you and repetition of the same track over and over may be boring to their ears.

3. Go for a song that can easily be interpreted by the panel. If you are composing your own song, make sure that it can be understood by the listeners. Songs with messages that are too deep or hidden can be burdensome and time consuming for the panel as they try to decipher them.

4. Accompany your singing with instruments. Most musical performers prefer the piano because it fine tunes the performance's atmosphere; but you are not limited to it. Flutes, guitars saxophones and the rest can also add flavor to your performance if you use them wisely.

5. Dance appropriately. The dance style you choose should flow with the main theme. The group should also show proper coordination in its moves. Body movements should move in the same direction.

6. Learn from watching others. Visit musical shows around you and see how others perform. Out of this, you may gain detailed knowledge on how to conduct yourself at the stage. Other skills such as choreography can also be learned in detail.

If you are allowed to speak with other performers who auditioned before you, ask them what the different directors at the panel are really looking for. Remember that all these directors may be interested in their own unique aspects from performers. It would be advantageous to you if you have this information beforehand. Moreover, you have to watch what you eat before auditioning for a musical. Milk or orange juices have the capacity of stimulating your mucous glands. This may make your voice sound sick, or worse still you may end up struggling to keep the mucous from falling off your nostrils. Carbonated drinks such as cola can make you develop hiccups while spicy stuff may make your voice hoarse. Finally, always have some water as it will tone your body and make you relax.

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