Song We Like: Rage by Revelator

Big rock riffs, big rock bass, big rock harmonies, big rock themes: “We’ve been told we have irrational fears as they shackle us in chains.” Bring it, Greenville!!

Song We Like: Did Life Make You Bitter? By Carver Baronda

A simple song, in a well-defined genre, about observing the existential crisis of another human being. Something about Carver Baronda suggests not only beauty but a lot of mystery.

Song We Like: Suckitude by the Rizzos

The Rizzos are relaxed enough to be funny and improvisational, not only in performances but in the tension-inducing environment of the recording studio. This music is great, and it gives the strong impression that the people behind it are also probably great

Experiment: Band Management: Blog 24: Press Packet

I’m going to do this once – a mass mailing of Band A’s CD to radio stations and publications. It seems that some radio stations want CDs (WNCW, KDRW, WFMU) – so I’m sending out a PRESS PACKET to 30 stations and publications. 
Which takes me back to my 20s in NYC and trying to break into the literary world. Ahhh, the music world v. the literary world. This is what is wrong with the literary world: 1) poetry readings are lame, 2) everypoet/writer really wants to be a rock star, 3) the whole industry is hiding behind the walls of their shining city praying the barbarians don’t invade, and 4) the PRESS PACKET is nothing like sending off a BOOK PACKET to agents and editors. I made BOOK PACKETS which sucked the life out of me, 30 pages of cover letters, bio, chapter summary, marketing plan, first chapter – and it had to be in a certain font, with certain spacing, headers, footers – and if it had one grammatical error… 
So this is what I am actually sending out as my PRESS PACKET: Band A’s CD, a one-sheeter (Ill get to this), a band photo (thanks Scott Sturdy), and, inspired by The Space Buggy, some fun stuff like stickers and pins. The Space Buggy sent us such a great packet – a work of art in itself – that the Holy Crap Records Podcast really wanted to like them before we even listened to their CD. And no moldy egg sandwiches or anything else weird/funny/disturbing… 
I have taken a photo of the one-sheeter I wrote for “Band A.” 
(And here is a link to Tunecore’s recommendations on a one-sheeter: https://www.tunecore.com/…/building-a-one-sheet-use-this-ch…) 
Basically, how do you make “Band A” sound so cool that the radio station or publication will listen to “Band A” with an open mind. I’ve published over 900 articles – so I know what a writer/platform wants in a pitch: 1) “Band A” and the writer are in this together, 2) this band is getting a bunch of crazy momentum, and 3) name-drop that “Band A” is being played on this radio station, reviewed here, re-released through this label, cool-reference, cool reference, cool reference… bullshit, bullshit, bullshit… Get on the “Band A” bandwagon now!!!

Experiment: Band Management: Blog 22: On the cusp..

I am managing “Band A” for a year – I like them and I have free reign to use them in my exploration of the music industry. But I want to be very clear – I am not making claims that “Band A” is better than other bands we play on the podcast or other bands I know from the Asheville scene. Quite the opposite – I am making the argument that if “Band A” is getting any traction in the music industry, any radio airplay, any music publications coverage, any interest from labels – then f******ck, your band (you know who I’m talking to here – ahem – ahem) should get even more attention.
So “Band A” was invited to release an EP with Kafadan Kontak Records out of Istanbul, Turkey. For the sake of transparency these are the questions I asked KK Records:
1) Where/how are you releasing these EPs?
2) Do you get coverage in the music media for your bands? What regions and markets do you have connections?
3) Do you work to the the music played on radio, online radio, on Spotify playlists?
4) How else do you promote the music?
5) What is the label/artist split on the EP sales?
Also, for the sake of transparency, when people heard that “Band A” was going to release an EP on KK Records there were various suggestions about album covers, shown below. If you hadn’t guessed the band by now – these images will make it very clear. Obviously “Band A” is extremely sexy…. really sexy… sooooo sexy…. (thank you Scott Sturdy…)

Experiment: Band Management: Blog 21: The Artist

I am managing “Band A” for one year, because I’m fascinated by the music economy, and by the question of how artists become economically self-sufficient. (Quick aside – in a functioning music economy, like the CBGBs scene or England in the 80s, we would have more than bands supporting and inspiring each other. There would be minor labels, management, producers, experienced individuals who would help create that pathway for bands.) What we do have at this local scene is a number of killer bands who show up for each other, and we also have fantastic artists and photographers documenting and creating art inspired by the scene. 
Lee Vee Levy of Rock Photography of Levy has created tour posters and album covers for everyone from The Black Crowes to Asheville’s own Daydream Creatures – beautiful cover. Bands need to think about how they present themselves – music releases and posters – and think about what they can sell. We get into the basics of band/artist economy: merch. If you play a transcendental spirit elevating show, it’s not so difficult to sell an extra $100 of merch afterwards. Just make it a good t-shirt – and bring a light so fans can see the merch. Also leave the artists alone for posters and album covers: you hire an artist to be an artist. 
Levy has a show at the Push Skate Shop this June 28. Described as an experimental art mashups of 50’s – 90’s Television & Film. These are the shows and films we loved growing up, remixed with a highly creative and fresh approach to the abstract. Local OG Quinn Powers will be providing music. Levy has been digging into his insanity for a while – and has something like 20 new pieces for this show. Artists make a scene. 
This is the link to the art show:
https://www.facebook.com/events/347463172564909.
This is the video interview: 4 Questions in 5 Minutes with Levy: (Sound is a little sketch cause we used Facetime… also nice shout-out to Sane Voids and Thee Sidewalk Surfers) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt-Dei6u0JI&fbclid=IwAR0gE7apr9CUFDO8SdgWViQGx-VeyTAkgkAvY4Tm-0B2hwlIqzqo21JC7pk

Ep 60: The Rizzos, Carver Baronda, Revelator, Lainey Harrison, Ghost Funk Orchestra

Guest pod-vay Derek “Frenemy” Allen winds up John, sings some Nickelback and tells all about his buddy Dave Grohl. Also: Beer. Shyness. Solos. Taylor Swift. Fiscal strategies for Asheville bands. (Follow us on Facebook! Instagram! Twitter! And lots of stuff about these and other bands, including John’s extremely interesting weekly interviews, is at www.hlycrp.com.)