James Moore's Blog, page 121

Animals As Leaders Are The Future Of Metal

Tosin Abasi’s virtuoso metal/jazz/progressive project Animals As Leaders are touring again, this time with heavy metal/djent giants Meshuggah and Intronaut. If you haven’t been exposed to Animals As Leaders, maybe now is the time. They aren’t strictly for metal lovers, and therein lies their appeal. Listeners of everyone from Miles Davis to King Crimson will respect what they’re doing as they push the boundaries of their chosen genres. They made virtuoso playing interesting on a composition level, and that’s tough to do. Check out “Cafo” as well as their remaining North American tour dates below. Sadly, no Vancouver dates!

02/20/13 House of Blues – Cleveland, OH

02/21/13 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH

02/22/13 House of Blues – Chicago, IL

02/23/13 Pop’s – Sauget, IL

02/24/13 Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN

02/26/13 Union Hall – Edmonton, AB – CANADA

02/27/13 MacEwan Hall Ballroom – Calgary, AB – CANADA

03/01/13 Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA

03/02/13 Wiltern Theater – Los Angeles, CA

03/03/13 House of Blues @ Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas, NV

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

A Skeptic’s Guide To The Beatles; An Ultimate Playlist

My parents were never big music fans. Their music listening was typically limited to top 40 and greatest hits albums. So it’s in this context that I repeatedly heard “Twist & Shout” and “She Loves You” repeatedly on Friday evenings. Sure, it was all quite alright, but of course there was instant resistance in me to something that my parents liked…it all seemed so happy and pre-packaged. By age 12 I was listening to Public Enemy, Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Jane’s Addiction, Skinny Puppy and Nine Inch Nails. If the Beatles were going to get my attention there was going to have to be a decidedly different gateway, at least initially. Little did I know that the Beatles’ catalogue was full of dark, spiritually charged and profound material.

This blog is for anyone, those left of you at least, who possibly have managed to ignore the Beatles or have primarily heard their hits. It’s also an excuse for me to share some of my personal favorite tracks that I think are absolutely universal in appeal. And the phenomenon with the Beatles is that once you find your gateway, you then enjoy all their material, and what a wealth it is. Here is my ultimate Beatles playlist.

Because (“LOVE” version)
Tomorrow Never Knows
I Am The Walrus
Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except For Me And My Monkey
Yer Blues
I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite
Strawberry Fields Forever
Within You Without You
Love You To
Rain
Oh! Darling
Glass Onion
Hey Bulldog
Helter Skelter
Fixing A Hole
Julia
Here Comes The Sun
Back in the USSR
Taxman
Day Tripper
Happiness Is A Warm Gun
I’m So Tired
The Word
And Your Bird Can Sing
Rock and Roll Music
The Ballad of John and Yoko
Revolution
I Me Mine
Across The Universe
A Day In The Life

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Tomahawk “Oddfellows” music video

The mighty Tomahawk are back, and their new album “Oddfellows” is haunting and rewarding, proving to be one of Mike Patton’s best releases since Faith No More’s excellent “Album Of The Year”. Many fans were hoping for a focused rock release like this, and it has exceeded expectations. Prog, jazz, horror, experimental, industrial, gothic rock, metal, punk…it’s all here, and it’s all done extremely well.

Highly recommended for fans of: Tool, Nine Inch Nails, The Melvins, Helmet, Faith No More, Kyuss, The Jesus Lizard

Check out the official music video for the title track below:

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

The Dillinger Escape Plan Are Coming…

Metal/prog/hardcore/math rock group The Dillinger Escape Plan apparently see it fit to give music another curb stomping treatment in Spring 2013. They have announced a full-length follow up to 2010′s heavy masterpiece “Option Paralysis”, which in my view, all serious music listeners should listen to. (After this album, go backwards through their discography) They’ll also typically be touring to just about every nook and cranny worldwide. This is the type of artist I like to support; they’re artistically fearless, and as a result their music is their own, not some torch passed on by anyone else. For this reason, they’ve been one of heavy music’s most respected bands for years, recognized as light years ahead of many of their contemporaries skill-wise and creatively. Buy their albums. Go to their live shows. Below are 3 tracks to give a sense of the range of this band.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Sonicbids Music Roundup – The Best Of February

I.M.P has recently launched a new Sonicbids opportunity for coverage on the blog, and we figured we’d go above and beyond by posting some of the early submissions that impressed us. We’re well aware that we won’t be able to cover even a fraction of the artists we’d like to, so this is a way of giving nods to the most talented artists and paying it forward.

Furious Frank – Furious Frank are a gypsy folk/americana/alternative band with equal measures fun and menace. Listen to the imperial march of “In Good Time” and hear this Chicago 7-piece fearlessly explore the darker side of the spectrum. Their live show must be “one hell of a”…

Nuse – Nuse are a metal/rock 3-piece from New Jersey that pay homage to their influences (Metallica, Slayer, RATM, Clutch, etc) with a tightly executed groove-focused sound. There are hardcore elements in the vocals and lyrics, sounding closest to Slayer, but the main point is that the band sound like they’re having a lot of fun too.

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Wyldlife – Wyldlife deserves credit for taking the classic 70′s punk sound with some power pop and rock n’ roll, and doing it well. Check out “Saturday Night”, their new single, below.

Edgar Breau – What a wonderful surprise. From Ontario, Canada, Edgar Breau writes incredibly thick and dark folk rock, perfect for soul searching. Just like all the great folk singer/songwriters, there is no questioning his honesty and song craftsmanship. To see what I mean, just listen to the very beautiful “Patches of Blue”.

Orange Grove – Orange Grove are a stellar, hard working reggae/crossover band that we actually covered in the “Your Band Is A Virus” book, but they deserve another nod here for their infectious new single “Some Things Last Forever”. They’re definitely one of the most professional bands to be found on Sonicbids, or anywhere, for that matter.

Cinematic Clouds – Moscow’s solo electronic artist Cinematic Clouds is going places. He impressed me immediately with his musical maturity, seamlessly weaving downtempo, jazz, electro, trip hop, trance, world and progressive elements into his songs. A bit of Juno Reactor and DJ Krush mixed with Miles Davis and King Crimson. Yes, please!

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Zing Experience – Zing Experience are nothing short of profound, and probably one of the world’s top reggae acts at the moment. Soul oozes from every aspect of the music and vocals. What more could you ask for?

Free Electronic Press Kits from ReverbNation.com

 

Fablecar – Amongst the plethora of overly mainstream radio rock on Sonicbids, the last thing I expected to find was an enigmatic vocalist with edge and charisma. Well, I found one. Fablecar take influence from Guns n’ Roses, Jane’s Addiction, Muse, and possibly even some Sonic Youth….it’s radio playable, and yet it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Nickelback/Creed/3 Doors Down side of the genre. There’s an unhinged, dark element, and I think there is genius in this band. I gotta say….I hear some Axl too. They get my rock pick hands down.

Free embed music player from ReverbNation.com

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

How To Earn More Money As An Independent Musician

(Excerpt from “Your Band Is A Virus – Expanded Edition) A big question often asked in today’s music market is how independent musicians can sell product. After all, most people steal their music these days, right? Well, not exactly. There are still ways to make money at this thing called music. We’ll go over a wide range of tips.

 

Create abundance in your mind: A lot of musicians have unhealthy attitudes towards money. Many musicians tell themselves that money is unimportant. If you want to be a successful musician, you will need to discard this idea right away. Call it “punk rock ethic”. Call it whatever you like. If it doesn’t help you, it’s just a convenient world view – an excuse.

 

Change your attitude: There is a lot of doom and gloom in musician’s minds these days. Don’t even hang around with these people, let alone allow yourself to be one. Music should be played for the love of itself before all else. Don’t let anyone convince you that your art is not welcome in this world. Be a positive force.

 

Outsource: Why is it that musicians often yell the loudest, demanding to rake in money, but yet they very rarely actually try it. Making money is not just about asking for $5 for your CD. That’s lemonade stand thinking. Why not outsource your efforts? Hire a personal assistant. Hire freelancers. They are much cheaper than you think, and you can start on Craigslist. Have them research the licensing and publishing markets. Have them build media lists for you. This can change your life.

 

Don’t be daunted by your friends and family: Your friends and family, in most cases, are going to be unsupportive. They’ll tell you they love your music – just don’t expect a CD sale. It’s just the way things are. That’s ok, because it’s the outside world you want to reach anyway. Don’t let it get you down. Put yourself in their shoes. Do you really want to go to your cousin’s dance recital? Your art is for the world, not your family. It will save you endless discouragement if you just expect nothing from them. Believe in yourself and don’t let it stop you.

 

Customize your content: Not everyone wants the same old CD. Many artists are finding the secret to earning more money is targeting niche groups. Making custom merchandise for each tour stop is an idea that will engage your fans and also give them the feeling of individuality. Why would they want the same t-shirt that everyone else has? Hunter’s caps and baseball caps, or possibly shot glasses, could end up being your biggest sellers, so don’t write off any options.

 

Limited edition: That sounds enticing, doesn’t it? People are attracted to scarcity. Limited edition vinyl pressings or CD releases can generate amazing results. Some record labels even adopt this strategy, limiting each release to only 500 or 1,000 copies. This could even encourage pirating of your music, which, as I mentioned earlier, isn’t a bad thing. It just means you’re in demand. It’s hard to create that demand when there are limitless amounts of the same product.

 

Target the market with buzz: I wrote earlier about “creating the frontline”. This may take a few months, but once it’s complete, your band looks much more appealing to the buyer. Go to www.kyshera.com and check out their press section. This is a perfect example of impressive press quotes, and you can certainly take it further. In order for you to be in demand, and for your product to be in demand, you need to “appear to be” in demand. Get it? This is why it’s so important to have 50, 60, 100, 200 reviews, blog posts, and press quotes. Fan-made videos and forum posts as well as news releases and an active fanbase spreading them all make a difference. Appearances become reality, especially when the buzz is warranted.

 

Get busy, look busy, and stay busy: Some bands don’t sell and they can’t identify the problem. Maybe your album came out 6 months ago and you’ve been playing a show a month ever since. People can tell when you’re not busy, and it’s not all in relation to live shows. People can just sense when the momentum is missing. That’s the best way I can explain it. This is why it’s important to record multiple bonus tracks, even extra EP’s, high quality live audio and live videos. If you’re not releasing a new album for another year, it would be a huge benefit to put out something new monthly to appease your fanbase and encourage growth. As a result, the outside world will see your band as productive content providers, and worth following up on. The band that waits around loses.

 

Stream your music and don’t believe the hype: Many new streaming services have popped up over the past 10 years, and they have mainly been controversial because of their typically horrible payment rates. Spotify leads the pack here and is generally the most heavily criticized of the bunch. Pandora, Last.fm and Jango are other popular streaming sites. What many musicians don’t understand when they debate on forums about these things is that these changes are most likely here to stay, and most importantly, a significant portion of people choose to discover their music through sites such as these. If you withhold your music because of political reasons, you miss out. Some people stream in order to decide what to buy, as well, so being accepted in the streaming game can mean more sales.

 

Go viral: Get people posting your mp3’s and sales links all over the place (the ones you want distributed, anyway). Persuade people to write about you in their blogs and forum posts. Put up YouTube videos featuring your songs. Spread the message far and wide.

 

Talk to people: Be a real person. Talk to people on Facebook. Comment their profiles. Participate on forum chats. ALWAYS leave your web address as your signature. Many people are more likely to buy your CD if they feel they have had a good conversation with you or that they ‘know someone in the band’. It’s a win-win situation.

 

Solve a problem: Who needs your music? There are niches out there that your music can fill. Is your music good for meditation? Could it be used by a political activist organization? Could it be marketed to others who are in line with your beliefs? How could it be useful in people’s actual daily living?

 

Covers: Everyone knows that cover bands make way more money than original acts. The covers market is lucrative and shows no signs of letting up. Sure, you may want to wear a mask to hide your real identity, but gigging regularly as a cover band could earn the funds you need to properly promote your original band. Just saying!

Note: Only you know if this is a good option for your band. I don’t typically recommend it as I personally prefer bands who are uncompromising. However, anything that allows a band to save up if a positive thing; even if it’s children’s parties.

 

Play live: I constantly hear artists saying that “if a good live opportunity comes up, we’ll do it”. I’ll save you some time in telling you that if you’re waiting for someone to knock on your door and bring you out on tour, you’re going to be waiting a long time. It’s important for many reasons that you play live and play often. All the tactics in this book should help you, but it’s arguable that the single most important thing for you to do is to play live. Book your own tour or hire a booking agent. Don’t whine about the fact that you have a job. You’re the captain of the ship. You’re just contradicting yourself, which brings me to my next point.

 

Mixed signals: Most bands fail to create momentum and really sell/create demand because they send mixed signals. They say they want to be in Rolling Stone and travel the world but expect someone to do it for them. The world is always against them somehow, and it’s easy to see through.

This isn’t even something that should be said when it comes down to it. It puts a jam in the works, doesn’t it? The main thing to understand is this. All of us human beings, we are all in the same situation more or less. We all experience the same sorrow. We all go through hardship. Most of us don’t have what we need to live a healthy life. Most of us are poor.

No one cares about your particular situation. It’s neither unique nor special in any way. It doesn’t even matter how justifiable your story is. Whether you broke your leg or you got a disease, there’s a point when complaining loses its potency. Complaining about Spotify, Sonicbids, or entertainment lawyers won’t do any good. Don’t let being in a band be your thing to complain about. Do your research and set an example by showing a positive face to the world.

Music consultants will tell you that at the independent level, bands and band members must be accessible. So create profiles for each of your band members and make them accessible. Provide contact information for each member on your official website. Add their individual profile information to your Twitter account. Some people may have questions for the lyricist about the meaning of a particular song. Other people may want to ask the guitarist about his gear, or how he or she got started. Once they get that friendly response directly from the member of the band it will get them on board. They will be a loyal fan and much more likely to buy a CD.

 

Steal your way to the top: One of the best ways to get ahead is to steal tactics. Find bands that are similar to yours but more successful. What are they doing right? Start connecting with their fans. Connect with them and ask their advice. Post comments on their page – the less spammy and the more personal, the better.

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As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Weekend Wisdom; Alan Watts, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Ram Dass

Most of the content posted on Independent Music Promotions are music-based, but is music important? That’s a tricky one to answer, as music, to me, is completely unimportant in the sense that it just is, like nature, the stars and the planets. It moves and inspires us, but to say it has a particular purpose is to limit it and tether it to our own limited concepts. So, with that in mind, I’d like to share a few talks from individuals that have moved and inspired me personally, and I hope you enjoy them. Alan Watts, Jiddu Krishnamurti, and Ram Dass…all brilliant people with completely different perspectives that meet in nothingness, as none of them particularly paid much heed to any one discipline or philosophy, instead viewing reality in a more expansive light.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Why Music Fans Are Respecting Their Elders In 2013

Music fans, more and more, are respecting their elders in the search for something a little…truthier. Often, when looking at current music trends, we forget to look at the whole picture, and end up throwing the baby out with the bathwater, opting for a simplistic, negative generalization rather than a comprehensive view. With many popular music blogs and sites projecting an over-obsession with youth to the point that they insult any artists who may be “over the hill”, it’s easy to be fooled into the “you need to be young to be relevant in music” mantra. To see what I’m referring to, check out this piece Stereogum wrote critiquing Rolling Stone’s “Best 50 Albums of 2012″ list. Beware of the oldsters, apparently!

And yet, more and more, and now more-so than ever before, I’m seeing a more balanced trend happening. The elders have invaded, and they’re offering something very valuable; wisdom and soul. From Charles Bradley, Neil Young, Patti Smith, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Cliff to Dr. John, Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Bobby Womack, you may have noticed that many of 2012′s most critically acclaimed albums are by “oldsters”, as Michael Nelson from Stereogum referred to them as.

Don’t get me wrong. All ages are necessary, and there is extreme talent in youth today. From Grizzly Bear, Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean to Cloud Nothings, Flying Lotus and Animal Collective, there is plenty of experimentation and wisdom happening within younger circles.

However, we listen to different music for different purposes, and that’s ok. No need to shut off part of our nature for the sake of the “ultimate hip”. Why can’t we listen to ASAP Rocky AND Neil Young?

For some, the trendiness of the indie phenomenon (indie rock, indie pop, indie folk, electro-indie, 80′s indie, etc) has waned, and led them to turn elsewhere. The repetition has become painful and the kicks aren’t there any more. Enter the story tellers. The wise men and women. The ones who have witnessed more of life while in this particular body. And ironically, they seem to be so much edgier than many of the younger artists.

So the purpose of this article is not to prove a particular point. It’s a happy observation I made while going through the most impressive new music of the past few years. Much of it was not only from older artists, but from older artists who sounded absolutely inspired and rejuvenated. These artists have all inspired me, and I hope they provide the same for you.

CHARLES BRADLEY

Charles Bradley stormed into 2012 like a man on a mission, and pretty soon he was playing just about every music festival in existence, attracting thousands of young fans, bringing soul music to the mainstream, and becoming a surprise entry on many of the year’s top 10 lists. Watch “The World (Is Going Up In Flames)” below and ask yourself “who else is doing this at the moment?”:

 

DR. JOHN

At 72 years old, New Orleans blues/funk/soul great Dr. John released one of the best albums of his career with the sharp and insightful “Locked Down”, a release that was actually produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Luckily Mr. Auerbach didn’t make the man sound like the Black Keys; there’s a place for their blues pop, but the right choice was to let the grit shine through. “Locked Down” received top reviews across the board. Check out “Revolution” below:

 

NEIL YOUNG

Neil Young needs no introduction, of course. What took some people by surprise, though, were the not one but two new albums released with Crazy Horse, both that displayed a whole lot of distortion and beautiful noise. Check out “Walk Like A Giant” from the critically acclaimed “Psychedelic Pill” album below:

 

BOBBY WOMACK

Many younger music fans didn’t know anything about Bobby Womack until the press machine got going for his 2012 release “The Bravest Man In The Universe”, and by then it was too late. How could such a fresh sound come from this 68 year old R&B/soul singer? If you stick to the hipster blogs, you may not have caught wind of him, so please enjoy “The Bravest Man In The Universe” below:

 

JIMMY CLIFF

Among the revitalized and renewed comeback artists were Jamaican ska/reggae legend Jimmy Cliff with his 2012 release, appropriately titled “Rebirth”. Check out “One More”, one of my personal favorites from the release:

 

TOM WAITS

Tom Waits has been known to attract fans from all walks of life. Metal fans respect him. Punk fans love him. Young and old alike, the main is admired for being a true original. He’s also a perfect example of someone who rocks about 10 times harder than your favorite death metal band. Why? Because they’re trying too hard, and this man does what he does effortlessly. It’s quite obvious that in 2013, appreciation and buzz for Tom Waits is at an all-time high. That really says something positive about where we’re at, so quit complaining about Rihanna and look at the whole picture! “Hell Broke Luce” is the best video he’s ever done. A masterpiece:

 

BOB DYLAN

The stand alone artist, Bob Dylan showed an impressive return to form with “Tempest”, a dark and gripping album which was very well reviewed. Check out standout track “Early Roman Kings” below:

 

PATTI SMITH

Patti Smith is an icon of rock and roll, punk, spoken word, and a genuinely lovely human being. 2012 saw her releasing “Banga”, an unsurprisingly brilliant album with a mixture of full-bore rock and roll and shamanic folk storytelling. Watch her perform the title track on David Letterman:

 

DEAD CAN DANCE

Though possibly not old enough in age for this piece, Dead Can Dance exemplifies the wisdom that I’m talking about in this piece, and they had a very respectable return in 2012 with “Anastasis”, an album which I hope marks the first of many more new releases. The duo sound rejuvenated and connected, and it’s a highly recommended release. Once again, I ask the question “Who else makes music like this?”:

 

PUBLIC ENEMY

With politically and spiritually charged hip hop taking a backseat to the ever-determined topics of purple drank, bitches, and swag, this may be pretty much what we get going forward if we keep asking for it. However, it’s good to know that there are still groups like Public Enemy raising their fists and not bowing down to the brainwashing. Check out “Get Up, Stand Up”:

 

DAVID BOWIE

The best music news I’ve heard in 2013 thus far was the announcement David Bowie made about his upcoming new album, which he’s been recording in secret for the past two years. The first single is beautiful, with matured song writing and extremely vulnerable vocals. Check out “Where Are We Now” below:

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

How To Promote Your Music Video; Exclusive Interview With HIP Video Promo CEO Andy Gesner

Planning on a music video but aren’t quite sure how to promote it effectively? If you think YouTube is your only option, you have some reading to do, my friends! 

Andy Gesner is the CEO of the popular and successful music video distribution and promotion company HIP Video Promo (www.hipvideopromo.com). They’ve worked with clients both major and indie and maintain a strong DIY ethos in their business practises. I had a few phone conversations with Andy in 2012 and we discussed everything from my artists and DIY music marketing principles to our mutual love for Iggy Pop and underground rock. He was very friendly and knowledgeable  and after having two of my artists work directly with HIP Video Promo and receiving good results, I felt it would be ideal to really pick his brain in order to get “the straight goods” on a topic many independent bands either gloss over or ignore; the importance of the music video and how to do it right.

The purpose of this interview is to cover critical information in the area of music videos and their promotion. This interview is part of the “Industry Interviews Series” in the newly updated “Your Band Is A Virus – Expanded Edition”. I’d like to thank Andy for taking the time to do this, and for being a genuine, honest force in the industry.

Hi Andy. So what is music video distribution anyway?

As a music video promoter for 12 years, I’ve learned just how valuable we are to our clients and record labels we work for. We’re quite often referred to as their “scrubbing bubbles”… we do all the mind numbing work so our clients don’t have to! A successful music video campaign involves lots of upfront costs and technical attention to detail. Whether a video is delivered digitally or on a tape format like a digi-beta or DV cam, you need to be 100% sure that there are no video hits, audio glitches or aspect ratio problems when the video arrives to the programmer.

What’s more, you want to make sure the video is accompanied by a professionally written, compelling one sheet that gives the programmers all of the reasons why this is a video he or she needs to pay attention to, void of empty hype or false accolades. Once the video has arrived to the programmers, the most important step of any successful music video campaign is tenacious follow-up. We do lean on our programmers to give the programming love to our clients, but we are never arm twisty in our approach. We understand that a programmer has to genuinely be excited about the artist and video on their end, but because we are very selective about the videos we promote, we’re usually confident that what we’re presenting them is fully worthy of theirs and their viewer’s attention.

You’ve built a strong reputation at HIP Video Promo for working with major artists (Johnny Cash, Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie), up-and-coming indie artists, as well as major media outlets. Please tell us a bit about your business philosophy.

Our business philosophy is very simple. Our goal is to supply our programmers with the videos their viewers really want to see. This leads to us declining many videos that are presented to us, because in the music video world, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. We are very blessed to get to work with some of the best independent record labels on the planet. But my greatest joy is to unearth the brand-new noteworthy independent artists that have up until this point, flew decidedly under the radar.

What are some of the qualities you look for in a band and also a music video?

Now more than ever, the video does the talking! A band or artist can be just starting out, or barely established, but if the video is memorable and the song is good, lots of new potential fans will find out about you. It’s also very helpful when the band or artist that we are working with have other parts of their marketing campaign working in tandem with us. Quite often when we were promoting a music video, the band or artist is running an online marketing campaign along with a press campaign and a radio campaign. Certainly the more pistons you can have pumping at once, the better chance you have of making an impact.

Why is it necessary in 2012 and beyond for an independent artist to have a professionally done music video?

“When I started HIP Video Promo in October of 2000, a professional music video was an expensive undertaking. But with the cost of digital filmmaking being lower than it’s ever been, coupled with the fact that digital can often times look even better than film, has made a music video affordable for even the most independent of bands and artists. The video doesn’t need to be expensive to be memorable. “

“Our most successful video campaigns have usually been videos that have a novel or compelling idea. Sometimes videos that are expensive end up falling short. And now more than ever, animated videos have really made a comeback. Quite often when a band or artist is on the road and doesn’t have time to make a video, they can consider having an animated video, which doesn’t require them being involved in any way, shape or form. There is no escaping the fact that now we live in a very video centric world. Fans of music also have a very short attention span. A well shot, compelling music video is the best way to connect with them…visually, musically and artistically.”

Most bands and artists shoot a video, put it straight on their social networks and Youtube, and then begin the cycle of looking for views wherever they can find them. What’s missing from the master plan here? Why do you think proper video promotion falls by the wayside in most cases?

Upcoming bands and artists immediately think that professional music video promotion does not fit into their budget, or because of budgetary constraints, don’t think they can afford our services. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? If you really have an outstanding music video, you’re selling yourself short if you don’t get it out there to all the potential outlets that could give your video serious consideration for programming. It does require a lot of up front attention to detail, and this is the kind of thing best left to the professionals. So many of my programmers complain they get dozens of videos each month, but either the tape doesn’t work right, it’s not dubbed in stereo, it’s not closed captioned, or the aspect ratio isn’t right. That means that these folks have sent all these videos out, and no one’s going to be able to play them. Because we’ve promoted so many videos, we’ve got a system down with excruciatingly stringent quality control. We are always confident that the videos that hit our programmer’s desks are 100% ready for immediate programming. Sure, the cost of admission into our tent is not a small amount, but if you put a lot of time and effort and money into producing a music video, it makes no sense to just have it sit on your YouTube page.

What’s involved when HIP Video Promo distributes and promotes a music video? Let’s say you’ve approved a new artist, their video looks great and they want to reach all the outlets possible.

The first thing we need to happen is to have the video delivered directly to us digitally. Once it is received, we need to check it out and make sure there are no technical issues before we move forward. The client must also provide us with lyrics for closed captioning, submission form info and graphic assets. At that point we prepare a music video promotion one sheet that is then approved by the client. Once all the duplication has taken place the campaign begins. We mail out all of our videos priority and first-class mail, and then there is about a three day waiting period until the programmers have received the video. Our campaigns last eight to ten weeks, and we report back to the client every two weeks with all the airplay that has been secured during that time frame. All throughout the campaign we are blogging, tweeting, and face booking about the artists, as well as placing phone calls to our most important programmers to encourage them to support the campaign.

What advice would you give independent artists who want to plan, shoot, release, and promote a music video properly?

Just remember; you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression!

What are the most common mistakes you see independent artists make today, both in the music video spectrum and in general?

In the music video spectrum, there are lots of common mistakes that independent artists are committing on a daily basis! Now that music videos are the best, most integral way of getting some traction on the independent musical landscape, bands and artists don’t realize that the first video you unleash upon the unsuspecting public needs to be memorable, compelling, and leave an impression in the viewer’s eyes that the band or artist are on the fast track to the next level. Quite often, if the first video leaves people unimpressed, they won’t pay attention to a second or third video, even though they might be outstanding. Another common mistake is including “red flags” in their videos such as guns, drugs, salacious behaviour, and naughty words.

All of these red flags are going to limit airplay significantly, so it’s best to stay away from them. Another common mistake is that they think they can’t afford a service like ours, even though they spent a lot of money on the video. It seems that bands and artists shoot their entire load on shooting the video, and then have no extra money left to professionally promote it. If a band is really going to go all-out to produce an excellent music video, it makes no sense for them to just park it on their YouTube page or their Facebook page and that’s it. You want to get it out there to all the potential programming outlets that might give it serious consideration for exposure. That’s where a company like mine comes in to save the day!

To find HIP Video Promo online as well as possibilities for your music video, visit www.hipvideopromo.com.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.

Fans Of Erykah Badu and Kate Bush Will Love Jordannah Elizabeth

Jordannah Elizabeth is just the type of artist we like to recognize here at I.M.P. She has depth and she’s not afraid to stand on her own. To embrace unique sounds and follow her passions to whatever ends, even if the outcome is challenging to the mainstream ear. Her new solo album “Harvest Time” drops March 21, 2013, and it’s at once soul, psychedelic, electronic, folk, minimalist…and most of all daring.

Jordannah was kind enough to answer some of my questions and give some insight into her new venture. Don’t forget to follow her on Facebook. Fans of everyone from Erykah Badu to Kate Bush will appreciate this.

Your new album “Harvest Time” has an inspired and open-hearted feel to it, as well as some eclecticism too. Themes of love and maturity are constants. Can you talk about where the songs came from and any themes you had in mind while writing?

The concept of the album is about me growing up and becoming a woman. It’s a reflective piece of art that denotes acceptance. As I hit my late 20’s, I find myself becoming more vulnerable and more childlike. I find myself wanting to be 5 years old again, missing that girl, and what it was like to be so small and sweet. I want to go back just to be inside her mind and body. I am connecting with my inner child again…to my surprise.

I had to grow up fast. Because I grew up in the church and in a unique family, I was never really shielded from the darker issues of adult life. That’s ok. I’m ok, but now I’m just learning to accept my experience and my emotions more as I become a more mature woman.

So, All in all, Harvest Time is about me accepting my inner child and embracing my womanhood at the same time. It sound confusing, but I think I’m getting beyond the phase of feeling uncomfortable with the duality, and just settling into it. I sing in different ranges, and about different subject matter in regards to love, innocence, intimacy  and being me.

The album is also called Harvest Time because I began to write it in October of 2012. October is a time for harvesting crops. I feel like I’m ready to reap what I have sown in life as a young woman.

Your singing voice is extremely unique. How did you start to walk the unfamiliar, original path less followed?

To me, my voice doesn’t sound much different than any other female vocalist, but I have been hearing lately that my voice is unique. I never really thought about it. I have been classically trained. I was trained to sing opera music and arias. I guess I figured because I have training that thousands of women have had before me, I had a traditional vocal tone. My style is a bit strange, but I never thought my voice was out of the ordinary. I learned something new about myself, I guss.

I learned a few vocal tricks from Kurt Cobain and I really love the way Dax Riggs sings. I get compared to Nina Simone and Coco Rosie a lot. I am in love with the jazz singer Betty Carter right now, and her style. I love Erykah Badu and Jill Scott.

I love blues and country music, and kind of lay that over washed out psych ballads like music, so it’s gonnah be strange.

Who are you listening to these days? Who’s different and exciting?

Yeah, I’m in love with the Baltimore indie scene right now: Smoke Bellow, Whoarfrost, Romantic States, The Flying Eyes, The Water, Talking Points. I’m listening to Haybaby, The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman from Brooklyn. I’m listening to a lot of Latin experimental rock like Celestial Bums and Bruno Dario and Los Enfermos de Vida.

I’m collaborating on some music with 185866232 from Philly. I am also listening to a lot of indie rock. I’m the founder of TPR-Mag.com and am a music journalist. I’m always into different kinds of music. My oldies but goodies are The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Dead Meadow, The Warlocks, Talk Talk, Dolly Parton and Betty Carter.

I found “Harvest Time”, the title track, in particular, to be the kind of song that stops you in your tracks. Very emotionally effective. Can you talk about the lyrics and music and what it means to you?

Well, I’ve been in the indie music business for 9 years now. I dedicated my late teens and all of my 20’s and to rock and roll. When I sing “They say…” I think athere are a few general rules in the business and to success. Malcolm Gladwell talks about putting in 10,000 hours of practice into a cognitive craft, or 10 years or more into something will guarantee expert status, thus bringing success. I’ve been in the game, so it’s kind of like, I’m saying, “I should be ready by now, according to the thought leaders of my time.”

And I’m asking, if it really is time to reap, and if it really is Harvest Time, where are the signs? If everyone says, love ain’t a crime and it’s beautiful, why haven’t I found it for me?

The entire album is titled Harvest Time, because I do believe in success, I do believe in love, I do believe I’m in a good place in my career and I’m proud of myself. The song is just kind of me saying “Let’s see it happen.” “Show my Universe, cus I’m ready.”

You have a promotional tour coming up to support the new album. What’s next for Jordannah Elizabeth?

Yeah, I just got back from Brooklyn and did a couple of photo shoots and played a gig. I’m on my way to Los Angeles and San Fran at the end of the month to do a radio show, and a podcast talk show hosted by my friend Bernadette Bohan. Her show is called Latenite Bubbles with Bernadette.

This is a promo tour, so it’s not all about playing shows, I’m also networking, going to events, and again, doing radio and talk shows to promote the album.

I’ve gotten great feedback from trusted friends, collaborators and journalists, and I’m so honoured and humbled. I’m so blessed, and I’m thankful and this album is being received well. It’s all I can ask for, and I’ll never take it for granted.

As featured on Indie-music.com, Examiner.com, I Am Entertainment Magazine, Antimusic.com, and recommended by countless music publications, “Your Band Is A Virus! Expanded Edition” is the ultimate music marketing guide for serious independent musicians and bands. Get your copy now.