American Songwriter » Business

Converse Rubber Tracks Studio Now Taking Applications From Emerging Artists

Evan Schlansky — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:21:10 +0000

Converse Rubber Tracks, the Brooklyn, New York studio launched by Converse which we've profiled in the past, has opened up their web site for the first round of registration. The new studio is open to artists on the fringe who seek affordable studio time, which, as they point out, is "one of the biggest hurdles in their career." Space is limited, so bands and artists will be chosen based on their applications. Anyone not selected is encouraged to re-apply when studio applications reopen. Converse Rubber Tracks is open to all ages, but if you're a budding Justin Bieber under the age of 18, you'll need to be accompanied by a parent or gaurdian. Applications will be accepted from May 2nd to May 31st. Get on it! To apply, visit www.converse.com/rubbertracks

D/B/A Songwriters: Making The “Cut”

Bill Renfrew — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 16:38:17 +0000

So, how do I get a song cut these days? For the sake of argument let’s say that it actually is impossible to get a cut on a major artist if you’re not on the “inside”, ie. writing with the artist or best friends with the producer, etc. etc.. That may or may not be the case, but let’s pretend it is the case for the next 5 minutes. If it’s actually true, what then? Quit? Take up sailing? Or hang in for another round of abuse, rejection, and discouragement? The ultimate question by every writer in Nashville right now is this: How does one go about getting a cut these days? A hit songwriter and producer friend of mine went through the tip sheet the other day and said, “There are only about 6-8 major label artists I figure I can pitch to right now.” My eyes widened. “Only six?” I replied in shock as I looked at the same 25 or 30 names on the same tip sheet he was holding in his hand. “Well, if you take out all the artists who are writing or co-writing most of their albums, and then take out the artists who cut almost exclusively from within their own publishing affiliates and associates, that leaves between 6 to 8 that I see on the tip sheet this month that I can actually pitch to.” Bear in mind, this is a writer who recently wrote a number one hit and has numerous other charting cuts on majors. You’d think he’d have a big advantage, wouldn’t you? I’m wondering to myself, if he isn’t on the inside, who is? “I pitched 50 demos last year…killer demos on killer songs,” he adds, “and the only two cuts I got were songs I co-wrote with the artist. The rest? I didn’t even get a response.” For a few minutes I considered taking up sailing. How much will a boat cost? Where will I keep it? Hmmm…. Wait a sec. I’m not ready to give up yet! But man, what a daunting task lies ahead of me if my goal is to get cuts on majors these days. Fast forward to two days later. A well known producer spoke at my monthly publishers meeting and told us all about a song called “Pray for You” (Jaron and the Long Road to Love) that was recently given birth via a $400 demo at a local Nashville studio, along with a video which was shot by the artist with some help from friends and family for under $3000. The producer asked us to look it up on YouTube. When we found it on someone’s laptop we discovered that it had over 4.2 million plays and somehow it found it’s way onto the Billboard Top 100. Need I mention that Jaron, et al. now have a record deal? “Pray for You” is now all over country radio. In fact my son and I heard it on our way to the skateboard park last night. Confused? Baffled? I was and still am. You probably should be too. If you aren’t maybe you should pretend to be, just to play it safe. But you should also be very excited. Why? Because you now have hard evidence that during these times of mundane country radio, insider CD jobs, diminishing artists, dwindling record companies, and vanishing opportunities, you actually do have a shot. Do you remember my last post when I suggested that there is no business more fair than the music business? I stated that as a tongue-in-cheek observation more than as a conclusion based on hard evidence. How was I to know it was actually true? This story provides conclusive evidence that everyone, including you, has an equal shot at the brass ring. And it doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, or who you know. Instead of dropping your songs off at Curb Music and watch them disappear into the black hole of A&R (I’ve yet to meet a mere mortal who has ever received a response from the Curb A&R desk) or dropping off at Starstruck for Reba’s Christmas album, why not try a new angle. After all, if there’s any truth to my opening statement, you may have to. Before I go on, let me ask shift gears and ask you a question: if you were really great at baseball and you really thought you really had a shot, would you pack your glove and ball and move to Atlanta and walk on at Braves training camp? Probably not. You’d probably try to make a mark in the minors first so you could demonstrate your stuff, wouldn’t you? You’d probably also want to collect a little more data in regard to how well you stack up with the competition before you put yourself in what could turn out to be a rather embarrassing situation. That said, the minors would serve as a learning opportunity for you as well as the scouts. Why should the music business any different? I have an alternate suggestion which I offer as a stepping stone to the major leagues of the music business. Why not get up tomorrow and start scouring the internet to find two or three artists who you really believe in, and I mean really believe in; artists who you think in your heart of hearts are jaw dropping phenomenal. Then contact those artists and tell them just that…that you think they’re jaw dropping phenomenal. That would be the easy part because you actually fell in love with them so you’d actually be telling the truth. Your sincerity would come through clear as day. In that exchange you might also mention that you have a couple songs that you think would be a perfect match for them. That would also be easy because you really do believe that you actually do have a couple songs that would be a perfect match for them. Again, the sincerity would ring with the sustain of a ’59 Les Paul. If you’re a writer or a small publisher and you do this in a businesslike and absolutely sincere fashion, I assure you that they’ll be absolutely thrilled to learn that they’ve been discovered…even if only by a single rabid songwriter from Omaha, Nebraska. Who would ever say no to taking a demo after getting a call like that? Would you? I’d be willing to bet that your chance of Reba hearing your song that you dropped off at her A&R desk would be significantly less than that of this artist listening…an artist who you personally took the time to discover. And I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that, if nothing else, you’ll hear back. Can you say ‘later that day’? Of course this assumes a certain level of song craftsmanship on your part. But hey, you’re pretty sure you have what it takes, right?! Why not find out for sure? If this artist doesn’t work out you can start searching for another one. Have you ever seen how many artists there are on MySpace? And that’s just MySpace. I’ve said it before as have many others: every major artist who’s on the charts was once an independent artist with great potential. Why not get into someone that you really believe in? One more question: did you fall over dead from passion and amazement when you heard Reba’s last album? Maybe you did. It was actually a great album. But if you didn’t then why are you so interested in pitching her your songs? Why not pitch them to somebody you really love and truly believe in? We pitch to Reba because we know that if she cuts them we’ll make some money. But you and I know what a long shot that is these days. Why not just play the lottery instead? It may be that you have a better chance of making money betting on Powerball. If you turn your interest to independent artists that are making a dent…singers who are getting lots of plays on the net, generating a buzz, causing a stir, and you absolutely love their music and feel that artist would benefit from recording your songs, then I’d say pick up the phone or shoot them an email and let them know. They’ll be flattered, honored, and yes, they’ll listen to one or two of your songs. And who knows, maybe many more. If they turn you down you won’t have to blame the politics of the music business. You’ll just know that from their standpoint your song wasn’t right for them. And there are always other artists. Of course if everyone’s turning you down maybe you need to get some good, honest song critiques and make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. It may be that you still haven’t reached your potential and you could use a little help. No shame in that. That’s why major leaguers start in the minors. Potential isn’t the same as skill and the big leaguers know that. They know they need to be trained so their potential can be fully realized. Potential and skill are definitely related, but they aren’t the same thing, and potential alone won’t do it. In this business, like in MLB, it’s not about what you can do. It’s about what you’ve just done and proven that you can do again. What do you have to lose? Find a great independent artist, tell them that you think they’ve got what it takes and then show them what you’ve got. Chances are you’ll be feeling a lot more connected to the music business as it exists in reality than you were last night when you were dreaming of Carrie Underwood accepting the award for "Song of the Year” on one of your songs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that…but hey, maybe consider trying out the minors first instead of trying to walking on as the Yankee’s newest ace reliever. Not only will someone who’s really making a dent in the music business actually learn about you, you just might learn something about yourself that could eventually turn that dream of bragging rights to “Song of the Year” a reality. Bill Renfrew has an extensive background in teaching songwriting and evaluating songs, and has years of professional experience consulting on songwriting and song rewriting, which he does through his website. He owns and operates Write THIS Music, an independent music publishing company, and Bombshelter Recording Studio, both of which are located in Nashville, TN. For more Renfrew, check out Writethismusic.com .

NYSC And Fashion Fantasy Game Align for Songwriting Contest

Brittney McKenna — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:07 +0000

NYSC Hosts World's Most Fashionable Songwriting Contest

Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand, and now that partnership might make a star out of one lucky young musician. The New York Songwriters Circle is currently accepting submissions from artists around the world for its 2009 Songwriting Contest, which will be judged partially by members of the social networking site Fashion Fantasy Game. Fashion Fantasy Game allows users to develop online personalities as virtual “designers” or “store owners” who sell clothing and other fashion pieces. Users can also take part in online design contests and design their own virtual clothing. Fashion Fantasy Game’s targeted demographic is teenage girls. The 675,000 current members will listen to audio clips and watch video of NYSC submissions, and will also cast the final votes for the under-18 category of the organization’s 2009 Young Songwriter’s Award, via online ballot in October. NYSC, which has a profile on the site, will add a new video to FFG every week. “This is a fantastic opportunity for our artists to have their songs heard by hundreds of thousands of young music fans in an influential online community,” Tina Shafer, NYSC Artistic Director and president, said in a press release. “FFG members are passionate about trends and style, and they know what’s hot. We think this is the perfect opportunity to showcase performers who could become the next Kate Voegele (NYSC’s first contest winner),” said Nancy Ganz, creator and Chief Fashion Designer, Fashion Fantasy Game. “FFG membership is growing at a pace of more than 10,000 members per week, add to that the range of capabilities of our site and we offer The New York Songwriter’s Circle a powerful springboard for their performers.”

The Top 20 Jeff Tweedy Songs: Your Turn

Evan Schlansky — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:10:28 +0000

The greatest lost track of all time?

We'd like to thank you all....for reading. We'd like to thank you all for reading our blog. Lists are like fingerprints: everybody's got their own. But before you say, "we've been had," we want to know your opinion. Which of you're favorite songs aren't on the list, that deserve to be? How would you rank Jeff Tweedy's greatest songs? What are JT's finest lyrical moments? Let's get this party started. Here's our top 20:

IDT Launches Inovative Music Sponsorship Network

Alex Shoaf — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:41:48 +0000

Find a sponsor to support your career. IDT Media Group and its subsidiary, DiskFaktory, have announced the creation of the Music Sponsorship Network, a system that will connect upstart musicians with commercial sponsors. Artists are able to upload their music and submit information that would be helpful in their marketing (genre, target audience, etc.) The MSN then finds a potential match from its pool of sponsors. If the sponsor approves, the artist is immediately granted funding for CD production and duplication. Each artist or group will receive a minimum of 100 copies (complete with jewel cases and artwork), with the caveat that the sponsor will reap the benefits of a small printed ad somewhere in the CD artwork. The mutually beneficial arrangement is encouraging for all parties involved. Artists get the opportunity to freely distribute their own work in professional-quality packaging, as well as the chance to gain 100% profits from the sale of their CDs. A press release also states, “CDs will also include DiskFaktory's MFA TM interactive technology with great features to help the artist further build their fan base.” Sponsors enjoy inexpensive and lasting advertisements for a particular demographic, easy philanthropy, and street-cred. In addition to temporarily offering free submission to iTunes, the MSN plans to eventually extend its services to sponsored live events. Get your demos ready, and check out www.musicsponsor.net for more information.

Enter the 6-Pack Songwriting Contest

Evan Schlansky — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:41:43 +0000

Have you got the musical muscle to enter the Six-Pack Songwriting Contest? Enter the Six-Pack Songwriting Contest Have you got the musical muscle to enter the Six-Pack Songwriting Contest? Enter you song(s) to compete in six-increasingly challenging phases of the competition. We'll let the press release explain: Broadjam.com (http://www.broadjam.com) , an independent music website featuring free music promotion, music licensing opportunities, and music contests, launched the 2009 6-Pack Songwriting contest, now in its fifth year. The 6-Pack Contest consists of six individual songwriting challenges, which take place between June and September 2009. Prizes are awarded at each challenge step, but each challenge is also designed to be a little more difficult than the previous. By the sixth challenge, the level of difficulty is high and the results very exciting. This year, prizes to be awarded are valued at over $85,000. "The 6-Pack Songwriting Contest seems to get better each year," says Broadjam Founder and CEO Roy Elkins. "The sponsors and prizes are amazing this year, and I look forward to hearing how our members interpret each challenge." http://www.broadjam.com/6pack How The Contest Works Participating artists earn additional points for every song that places in the Top 20 of each challenge. A song's rank is determined by the average rating it receives from peer reviews. It is possible for an artist to have more than one song in the Top 20. During the review process for each challenge, songs may change places frequently, thus altering the number of points awarded as new reviews are submitted. Therefore, points shown for a challenge that is still in the review stage are not final. When review periods end, Broadjam will name the winners for each challenge, according to point totals. At the end of the final challenge, the 20 participants who have accumulated the most points throughout the competition will receive prize packages. About Broadjam.com Broadjam.com is a social media website focused on indie music and musicians. The site feature free music promotion for bands and musicians as well free MP3 downloads for fans. Artists can also enter contests hosted by Broadjam, find music licensing opportunities, and sell their music at one of the highest per-song rates on the Internet. The company also offers hosting services focused on musicians and bands, and distribution opportunities through other online channels. Broadjam currently has over 95,000 artists in 190 countries.

U2 Caught in a War Over Radio Royalties?

Evan Schlansky — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:42:22 +0000

The musicFIRST Coalition wants to give the drummer some. The musicFIRST Coalition wants to give the drummer some. The musicFIRST Coalition has asked the FCC to investigate radio stations that have allegedly refused to play songs by musicFIRST artists and supporters due to an ongoing battle over royalties for musicians. Congress is debating the signing of a bill that would require radio stations to pay musicians royalties for playing their songs on air; currently, only the writer(s) and the publisher of the song receives a royalty when their songs are plaid on the radio. The bill, dubbed the Performance Rights Act, is currently opposed by the National Association of Broadcasters, which represents the radio industry. The AP posted an article today, suggesting that U2's last single, "Get on Your Boots," may have been blackballed by some radio stations, due to the fact that U2 frontman Bono has been a vocal supporter of the Performance Rights Act. Here's an excerpt from the AP article: * * * WASHINGTON — Which top-selling artist purportedly had his new single yanked from some radio stations playlists in retaliation for supporting royalties for musicians? No one involved will name the recording artist, but his no-play treatment by several radio stations is alleged in a complaint filed with the Federal Communications Commission and obtained by The Associated Press. It claims recording artists are being threatened and intimidated. In the filing, the musicFIRST Coalition says the top-selling artist — there are hints it could be U2 frontman Bono — recently released a new album and spoke during April in support of an effort to require radio stations to pay musicians royalties similar to those paid to songwriters. Soon after, it said, "several stations within a major radio broadcast group notified the artist's label that they would no longer play his single on the air." Representatives for musicFIRST refused to identify the artist. The complaint said artists asked to remain unidentified "to protect against further reprisal." U2's album, "No Line on the Horizon," was released in March with its leadoff single, "Get on Your Boots." In April, Bono issued a statement on behalf of pay for musicians, saying, "It's only fair that when radio makes money by playing a recording artist's music ... the recording artist should be compensated just as songwriters are already." Calls and e-mails to a spokeswoman for Bono were not immediately returned. The National Association of Broadcasters, which represents about 6,500 radio stations nationwide, denied any attempt by stations to retaliate or intimidate artists. A statement by NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton called the complaint a "stunt" and said artists who support royalties, such as will.i.am, get great play on the radio. His group Black Eyed Peas is "currently Number 1 on Billboard's Pop 100 Airplay Chart with the song 'Boom Boom Pow,'" said the statement. The single was distributed in May, and the group's new album, "Behind the Front," was first distributed in June. * * * NAB EVP Dennis Wharton issued the following statement: "This allegation is nothing more than an act of desperation by a record label lobby losing on Capitol Hill and in the court of public opinion. On one hand, it highlights the unparalleled promotional value of free radio airplay, which has propelled countless artists to stardom. We would also note that Will.i.am, a vocal proponent of the performance tax, and his group Black Eyed Peas are currently Number 1 on Billboard's Pop 100 Airplay Chart with the song 'Boom Boom Pow.' If there's an FCC probe involving the music business, it ought to focus on claims from numerous artists -- from The Beatles to Prince to Cher -- that they were cheated out of royalties by their record labels." Read more of Wharton's comments here.

Sonic Youth Embrace Ilike; Stream New Album

Ted Spangler — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:34:56 +0000

Hear Sonic Youth's The Eternal on ILike today. Next Tuesday, Sonic Youth will release their latest album, The Eternal, on Matador Records. In the week leading up to the release date, however, fans can stream the band's sixteenth album on iLike, the leading social music discovery service. In addition to listening to the album, visitors to Sonic Youth's iLike page can also participate in "The Sonic Youth Trickster Challenge," where they can create quizzes for other fans to play. The fans that create the most played quizzes will win Sonic Youth-themed prizes, including an opportunity to meet the band. In recording the 12 songs for The Eternal, Sonic Youth deviated from their usual songwriting technique by writing multiple songs over the course of one weekend and recording these same songs the following weekend. Addressing both this change in songwriting style and the new iLike partnership, Thurston Moore said, "Releasing this album with our friends at Matador feels like liberation which inspired us during the recording process. Debuting it on iLike, free from industry constraints, also fit this theme." Besides the album stream on iLike and the Trickster Challenge, iLike will also advertise the album on their Facebook music application and on the ITunes sidebar, both strategies a part of iLike's artist content syndication tool.

Ozzy Osbourne Sues Black Sabbath Bandmate Tony Iommi

Evan Schlansky — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:13:42 +0000

Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off Tony Iommi. Ozzy Osbourne bites the head off Tony Iommi.
All is not well in the land of Satan. Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has filed a lawsuit against Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi , alleging Iommi has illegally claimed ownership of the "Black Sabbath" band name. Osbourne was a member of the band from their inception in 1968 until he was fired in 1979. After a period where they were fronted by Ronnie James Dio, Sabbath welcomed Osbourne back into their ranks in 1997. Now Osbourne hopes to claim a 50 percent interest in the "Black Sabbath" trademark, as well as a portion of the profits Iommi has made from using the Black Sabbath name without him. In a statement, Osbourne said: "It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990's, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. "Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world. We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name "Black Sabbath" which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. "Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the "Black Sabbath" brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour. "Tony, I am so sorry it's had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don't have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We've all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We're all in our 60's now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing."

Are Pearl Jam and Target Joining Forces?

Ted Spangler — Sun, 31 May 2009 22:50:40 +0000

Pearl Jam rock Tonight tonight.

On May 28, Pearl Jam, without prior announcement, performed at the Showbox Theater in Seattle. The crowd contained 300 hired extras, many of whom were from the area's unemployed ranks. After entering the venue, the extras soon discovered they were not there for a private concert. Pearl Jam was filming a commercial for Target with Cameron Crowe at the theater to direct filming.

According to the website Antiquiet, most famous for leaking Chinese Democracy , Pearl Jam played a new song from their yet untitled album for the commercial, originally labeled "Something's Going On," now more likely to be titled "The Fixer."

Rumors are swirling that Pearl Jam will release their album exclusively at Target stores. The deal would only apply to retail sales, so fans will still be able to purchase the album directly from the band or their fan club. This change in sales marketing would signify a big step for the anti-corporate band. Regardless of whether the band titles the new song "Something's Going On" or "The Fixer," fans can expect to hear Pearl Jam debut the song on Conan O'Brien's inaugural Tonight Show debut scheduled to air tonight.

UPDATE:

From Billboard.com - "We'll have a lot of partners," said [Pearl Jam manager Kelly] Curtis, who confirmed that deals were also finished or in the works with an online retailer, a mobile partner, a gaming company and with a network or possibly networks of indie retail stores. "Target ended up allowing us to have other partners. We'll be able to take care of all levels of the Pearl Jam fan...We wish we could tell the whole story right now, but all the deals aren't done. Target was cool enough to realize that little independent record stores are not their competition." Curtis was also quick to note that the album would be for sale via Pearl Jam's fan club, Ten Club.