Tag Archive for: Band management

Band Management: Blog 49: Label Mates

This year I am managing “Band A” and the single “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles.
While the mainstream doesn’t even know we exist and the corporate music universe pays us no attention – here in the darkness and cold damp the mold and fungus is growing, the first one-celled organisms are crawling out of the primordial swamp.
Since I started this blog I have discovered so many great underground music labels and underground music publications. So many great underground bands. I love the DIY ethos – no one is stopping me – so why not do it?
We’re helping the revolution in the smallest most innocuous way possible. Holy Crap Records has released one single by The Styrofoam Turtles and one single by “Band A” – you can find them at bandcamp: https://holycraprecords.bandcamp.com/
– or you can find them on the www.hlycrp.com website.
I’ve sent out these bands’ releases to 30 indie/underground/local radio stations and to 11 underground music publications. “Band A” got played on 98.1 The River this week.
And on this Sunday evening these two bands will be playing at Static Age-Records.
The Styrofoam Turtles are the best, kindest, most talented, most passionate rockers around the Asheville scene. At Holy Crap Records we celebrate “song” – the art form of song – and these kids can write songs. They’ve produced two albums that are busting with hits. We’re lucky to be able to share their single. Their live shows are also insane. Tristen Colby has a family background in the semi-professional rural wrestling circuit – and he brings all that drama and madness to the stage. Josh Davis is very well behaved…
And “Band A” is the worst kept secret in the local underground music scene…
See you all on Sunday night…

Band Management: Blog 48: Screwing It Down

I am managing “Band A” for a year. (I’m also managing the release of “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles on Holy Crap Records – hey Josh and Tristen I just sent out the single to a second round of radio stations and I’ll send it it to a first round of media next week – I attached the music file directly to the email and we’ll see if that makes a difference.)
This moment marks the end of the run with “Band A’s” 2019 EPs “You’re A Bad Choice Baby” on Kafadan Kontak Records and the self-released “Gimme Gimme Gimme.” “Band A” got on a label, played on a handful of radio stations, reviewed by a couple of music magazines, they’re on a couple of compilations… and two weeks ago they played 4 shows in a week. I nearly killed certain members. It’s always a balancing act with the band – how much of “Band A’s” story am I the protagonist and how much am I working behind the scenes as an assistant? To hold the group of six people together, who have different interests within the scope of the band… To see how far the more chill members are willing to bend – not very far – and to work to placate the more willful members…
To be honest, with the change in season, with Winter approaching, I feel like crawling onto a couch with an acoustic guitar singing some lonesome cowboy songs.
It’s time to head into the studio. Record some super fast garage rock and some slow moody minimalist heartache. At the start of 100 blog posts I was aiming to get the band on a label, to get them playing at a festival, to have 100 people show up for them… Even as I hibernate, my confidence/arrogance is still rising and I wish to see how far “Band A” can go…

Band Management: Blog 47: Screwing It Up

I am managing “Band A” for one year. (And I’m managing the release of “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles on our label.) I am doing this because I think underground music is the best art form in the world – by far! – without a question!
I grew up in the 80s and it was clear that “indie bands” were the best and that “college radio” played the best music. The Cure, New Order, Fugazi, R.E.M., PIXIES, etc…
About a decade ago, it was clear to me again that the underground music scene was creating art so much more superior than the establishment. And one of the first bands I started following was The Pack AD. (Listen to “Haunt You” or “The Water.”) This is a band with such great songs and a following and label support, so that creating music is Maya Miller and Becky Black’s focus.
I always wanted to know how they negotiated the collapse of the music industry.
We played them on the podcast and then I set up an interview with Maya for our “4 Questions in 5 Minutes” series. She wanted to use WhatsApp for the conversation and then I also downloaded ApowerRec to record the conversation on my phone.
I screwed it up – I didn’t get the two apps working together correctly.
The thing about this blog is that I’ll totally fess up when I screw up. I chatted with Maya – who told me that neither of them knew how to play their instruments when they started, that they never made a conscious decision to have their lyrics be so dark (check out this band Ian Duvall and Jenna Duvall), that MySpace was really helpful when they started, and that Maya thought they’d have a tough time getting noticed if they started today.
It was great to talk with one of my heroes – and I didn’t record the conversation. Sorry. Sorry Maya. I’ve been too embarrassed to tell Maya my phone didn’t record the conversation. Everyone please listen to The Pack AD – “Needles” or “Yes I Know” – they have tons of great songs…

Band Management: Blog 45: Slow Songs

I am managing “Band A” for one year – as an exploration of the underground music industry – and now I’m also promoting The Styrofoam Turtles single “Pipe.” A couple of weeks ago I started to look into the underground music publications that reviewed our friends Crooked Ghost – like Big Takeover Magazine and New Noise Magazine – and I sent out “Band A” to their review sections. And they responded positively. We’ll see. I’m ready for a second round of sending “Pipe” to college and indie radio stations. College radio stations are into listening and playing new stuff because it’s a bunch of new kids who join the station each year. This also means kids graduate each year – so I’ve got to refresh my email list. I have that hunger of a Wall Street trader, a used call salesperson, a scammer on a Christian dating website, and I won’t take “no” for an answer. “Pipe” is a great song! And “Band A” are entertaining to me!!!
“Band A” is slowly slouching toward El Rancho Morbido Studios and recording in November. I want them to record a slow, moody, atmospheric, broken, love song. I don’t hear a lot of those in the underground music scene – which makes sense cause we’re all angry and obnoxious and fun and anti-establishment. I like that Kitty Tsunami and The Styrofoam Turtles write love songs. Probably SUSTO and “Havana Vieja” is the closest to this genre, and something we’ve played on the Holy Crap Records podcast. “Band A” is weirdly obsessed with Adalita (Adalita Official) and they have covered a bunch of her songs – and she gets moody and atmospheric. Still, most of “Band A” looks bored when I suggest a slow, moody, love song. My instinct says that an underground band can break-out by creating a great work of heartbreak and beauty.
(Thanks to Scott Sturdy for these photos. You’re the best.)

Band Management: Blog 44: Godless America Records Vol.6

I am managing “Band A” for one year – and also somehow promoting “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles. Before we get to the next page of this misadventure – I want to talk about mental health. If you’re really trying to do something as an artist you have these ups and downs. I know. Even as the boring band/label manager. Last Monday “Band A” was on WNCW and then played a killer fun show at Static Age-Records – I rode that wave of euphoria for 24 hours and then I could feel myself coming down. These ups-and-downs were so bad in my 20s that I spent my 30s closely monitoring my moods – if I was too down I’d work to pick myself up and if I was too excited I’d slow myself and keep life moving forward on a very even straight road. But I’m not sure this is the answer either – always working to stay steady. Maybe being a older I just watch it and understand it a little better. I’m only writing about this because I know some of my favorite artists/musicians in the underground music scene have this – and it is real and true and I don’t have any answers.
An artist just wants someone to like their art. That’s enough, most days. So, in this context, it was really so nice to get a message on September 30th from Jordan Duttinger from Godless America Records that “Band A” has a song chosen for their mixtape vol.6. (I know Jordan and his label and interviewed them for Holy Crap Records Podcast – but I used a different email so Jordan didn’t know it was me when I submitted “Band A.” Probably. Maybe.) Jordan and Godless America Records are the coolest. I was introduced to them because Tongues of Fire were selected for a mixtape release and then Godless America Records has distributed cassettes for the TOF’s “Everyone Hates Us.” I was totally intimidated by the utter coolness of TOF and Godless America Records, but now “Band A” is on mixtape vol. 6.
Also, here’s a photo of “Band A” from their Static Age Records show – thanks to the amazing photographer Scott Sturdy…

Band Management: Blog 42: Hear it on the radio…

I am managing “Band A” for a year – to see how far I can promote this band within the music industry. On Monday evening I got a message from a friend that WNCW had announced they were going to play “Band A” during that hour. “Band A” is a little out of WNCW’s genre focus – but the band can write songs and WNCW plays songs. I’d sent the station a CD in the summer and they’d already played one song in August.
So I was driving with Cinnamon Kennedy down i40, at 8:30pm on Monday, still some light in the western sky. I felty uncomfortably nervous. I had never heard “Band A” on the radio. We listened to WNCW play all these Americana and blues and folk songs and they sounded so rich and full on the car stereo. Finally, I heard the opening chords to “Band A’s” song. It wasn’t a song I would have chosen. It wasn’t a song I’d been promoting. It was a slower song about one brother leaving town and the other brother being left with all the family ghosts. And it sounded true and real.
Everything stopped and goosebumps rose up on my arms. A massive smile fixed on my face – and I had this surge of endorphins. I want everyone who makes music to have this blast of positive emotion.
This how it happened: I wrote an email to WNCW and Joseph Kendrick responded. Then I sent in a CD and Renee Denton with “Local Color” played “Band A.” That was it. I know radio is really intimidating – but people who are involved in radio love music…
The evening was great. “Band A” played at Static Age-Records with Klazo – one of their best shows. Scott Sturdy jumped on stage to play some bass, and Sophie Hull made sure the sound was great and the smoke machine was cranking.
In other news – Holy Crap Records has released a single from “Band A” and a single from The Styrofoam Turtles. Whereas I am not naming “Band A” I am all about promoting The Styrofoam Turtles. They are having an album release party at The Mothlight tonight, 9pm, with Tongues of Fire and Sane Voids. This is the best of the best of underground music – and these bands put on wild live shows. Also, the Styrofoam Turtles write GREAT songs!
(Photo of “Band A” by Scott Sturdy.)

Band Management: Blog 41: “Band B”

Holy Crap Records Podcast has been interested in running a label. I just don’t know how. But I want to be a good label and do something that helps bands. So the plan was to use “Band A” to explore the current music industry and also interview all these other labels, publicists, publications, and bandcamp to actually find out what’s happening. And when I got to Blog 100 I’d know something.
I feel like I’ve done a disservice to “Band A” this year – because every time they’ve had success (being played on KPSU, WNCW, Belter Radio, reviewed by Divide and Conquer, on Kafadan Kontak Records) I’ve never named them.
So Holy Crap Records became a label this week, and we signed “Band B” – The Styrofoam Turtles. We put out a single by “Band A” and “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles. Cinnamon and I were playing the new song by The Styrofoam Turtles on the podcast and Tristen Colby wrote: “We’re releasing our BRAND NEW single “PIPE” September 17th exclusively with Holy Crap Records!” Which is kind of bold. But we were like – alright – let’s just do this – we’re starting a label.
I’ve seen Tristen and Josh Davis (and now Colm McKeon) around the Asheville music scene for a couple of years. They’ve got that ambition. They have a live show inspired by the small town professional wrestling circuit. They’re put together a couple of tours, they’re always playing, and if they’re not playing they’re out watching other bands.
Most importantly they write songs. The Holy Crap Records Podcast loves punk, post-punk, garage rock, surf rock, indie rock, blues, country – but we’re really about SONG. The understanding of song. Verse-chorus-verse. Melody. Catchy hooks. And actually saying something that’s true. If we play you on the podcast we ADORE your song.
The Styrofoam Turtles write great songs. Holy Crap Records will only release singles, this single. I want to send out press releases and emails to college radio stations and see if I can replicate the small success of “Band A” with The Styrofoam Turtles. I’ll grift. I’ll see where I can put these two bands and see what works and what fails.
You can find “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles on the Holy Crap Records label on bandcamp: https://holycraprecords.bandcamp.com.
And you can find the single on the Holy Crap Records website: https://hlycrp.com/the-label

Holy Crap Records – The Label

Holy Crap Records has launched as a boutique label. We specialize in unique voices within the genre’s of garage rock, punk rock, surf rock, new wave, blues, and country. We believe in the art form of “song” and enjoy artists who understand pop structure, melody, and hooks. The label will only be releasing singles.

Band B: The Styrofoam Turtles

We’re super excited to release “Pipe” by The Styrofoam Turtles.

The Styrofoam Turtles have grown their musical reputation through constant touring and rocking the Asheville underground music scene as an explosive live show with great catchy garage grunge punk songs. Their latest release “Pipe” moves their sound significantly forward. “Pipe” is bratty soulful or soulfully bratty, and the vocals have grown from snarls and sneers to the uncovering of a pure heart. They’ve slowed down their punk destruction without forgetting the influences they wear on their sleeve: Nirvana, Pixies and the Violent Femmes.

Band A: The Egg Eaters

We’re super excited to release “C&D” by The Egg Eaters.

The Egg Eaters sound has evolved from raw garage punk to that indie new wave sound of bands like Blondie, Talking Heads, and B-52s. These songs are catchy earworms in your brain. “C&D” is the perfect blending of garage rock and new wave, with abstract lyrics about living a larger life than was written in your fate. Egg Eaters have been played on KPSU, WNCW, Belter Radio, and their lates EP “You’re a Bad Choice Baby” was release by Kafadan Kontak Records.

Band Management: Blog 39: The Publicist

I am managing “Band A” for one year, as an exploration of the music industry. And I promise to tell you the complete truth….
“Band A” has a pretty good recording schedule. Every six months or so they go into El Rancho Morbido Studios with producer/engineer Edward Madill and record a 5-song EP. They usually have around 20 songs they’ve played live, so they can be picky. But this also means they have to keep writing…
I went to their practice space yesterday and there were only three of them messing around with a couple of new tracks. They were good – that new wave garage rock sound. Good melody line. Sing-a-long choruses. But it doesn’t really sound like “Band A” unless all five members are involved. The drummer makes sure nothing gets too poppy or singer-songwriter – and smashes everything back into garage rock. The rhythm guitarist probably has the best ideas on hooks and making catchy stuff – but he wasn’t there either…
The rhythm guitarist hurt his hand making a KRAKEN. He and his wife make the best Halloween decorations and this year they’re making massive tentacles of a KRAKEN to rise up from a hole they’re digging in their front yard. For real. Two of the other bands members are planning to make a three mast ship as a costume, and then will walk down Cherry Street in Black Mountain and fire cannonballs on the KRAKEN. Sometimes I think I’m managing a gang of very smart and devious 8-year-olds.
The very same day a publicist reached out to “Band A” – “Hi Johnny, wanted to quickly introduce myself; I work as a freelance publicist, was recently turned on to “Band A” and just wanted to offer my services if you’re ever in need of PR. Cheers!”
My first reaction was – aren’t I doing publicity? I’ve got “Band A” on three radio stations and one write-up by an underground music magazine??? But I also read the article by Alli Marshall in Mountain Xpress about Secret Shame and how a publicist really helped them out. Secret Shame is a great band with great songs, and it was helpful to have people in the industry hear them…
So yeah, sure, I’m going to respond to this publicist. Best thing about this blog, this story about managing “Band A,” it gives me an excuse to explore everything about the music industry… so yeah – hello publicist…