[justinmrcrowley]

justinmrcrowley turned 2 today!

[rollingstone]

Led Zeppelin II was released 45 years ago today. Read about the making of one of one of the greatest, raunchiest albums of all time.

[justinmrcrowley]

I have written in the past on the importance of networking. Here is a great article by Christiana Usenza on on how to network better and convert contacts into connections.

By Christiana Usenza from the Sonicbids Blog.

In any field, "who you know" often counts more than "what you know." This is especially true in the music industry – an ever-shrinking pool of people that exemplifies the proverbial "small world." Now, more than ever, it's important to not only build your list of contacts, but also make true connections with fellow folks in the biz. A true connection vs. a contact A contact is someone you know through someone else, or is a respected person in your field who could potentially benefit you in some way. But what really matters...

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Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden performing at the Shoreline Ampitheatre in Mountain View, CA.

[justinmrcrowley]

Nine Inch Nails and Soundgarden lit up the Shoreline Ampitheatre

On Sunday, August 24 Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails stopped on their current co-headlining North American tour to play a show at the Shoreline Ampitheatre....

[justinmrcrowley]

Website essentials for musicians and bands.

This post was originally published and posted by Dave Cool on Bandzoogle.com.  Here is the original post http://bandzoogle.com/blog/16-point-band-website-assessment-checklist

16-Point Band Website Assessment Checklist

Section 1: Design

1. Does the imagery represent the band’s style?

Do your photos, font colors, and website theme match up well with the sound of your music? This can be quite subjective, but if you play children’s music, a dark theme with drab colors probably won’t be a good direction to take for the design of your website.

2. Design doesn’t get in the way of the content?

Does your site feature lots of crazy Flash animations? Do visitors have to scroll past too many design elements to find content? When it comes to designing a site for your band, simple is often better.

3. Are photos professionally shot, and properly formatted for the site?

We often tell bands that they should spend more money on getting professionally shot photos than on designing their websites. Having professional photos is one of the most important elements to a great looking site.

Once you do have some great photos, make sure they’re formatted and sized correctly for your site. We come across many sites where photos are oddly cropped, blurry, or the aspect ratios are off.

4. Does the typography represent the band's style, and is it easy to read?

Another element that can make or break a website’s design is the typography. Again, simple is best. Don’t use too many different fonts on your site. Each has its own style, and it can be difficult to match them properly.

For body text, keep the size of the fonts between 12px and 16px. Any smaller than 10px is too hard to read, and larger than 18px creates too much scrolling to read through.  Also stay away from colored fonts, too much bold, and never use ALL CAPS.

5. Does the website look good on a smartphone or tablet?

How does your website look on a mobile device? Does it format properly? Is the content still easily accessible? Do all the features work?

With more and more people accessing the web from mobile devices, it’s extremely important that your website gives fans a good experience on any screen size.

Section 2: Organization & Navigation

6. Is there a clear and focused call-to-action on the Homepage? (1 or 2 max)

A call-to-action is designed to direct people’s attention to something specific that you want them to do while on your website. It could be to join your mailing list, buy your latest album, listen to your latest track, or donate to your fan-funding campaign. But it’s best to limit yourself to one, maximum two calls-to-action.

7. Are there a reasonable amount of menu options? Is the menu easy to understand?

For band websites, we suggest having a maximum of 8 main menu options. You can push that to 9, or even 10, but after that, it starts to get messy.

If you only have 5 or 6, that’s fine. Any less than that, you’re likely leaving out some key information and content from your site.

8. Is the menu easy to understand?

When naming your main menu buttons, keep it simple. People have very short attention spans, and not a lot of time. If they have to think about what content *might* be in a certain section of your site because the name is fancy/cute/artsy, chances are, they’re going to skip it.

Stick to names like “Home”, “About”, “Music”, “Shows”, “Store”, and avoid vague names like “Experience”, “Discover”, “My World”, etc.

9. Does each page have a clear purpose?

A good rule of thumb is to have one clear purpose per section of your website. On your Bio page, don’t add a Fan Forum or a Guest Book. On your Calendar page, don’t add a blog.

If you have certain features/elements to your site that are important, they should have their own section.

10. Is each page a reasonable length?

Finally, each page should be a reasonable length. Don’t force visitors to scroll down the page forever to see all of your content. Either edit the content down, or organize it in a way that each page is focused, clear, and easily scannable.

Section 3: Content

11. Does the site look up to date?

Your website shouldn’t be a static flyer. If your last update is for your Christmas album from 2009, people will likely think you’re no longer active. Be sure to update your site on a regular basis to let people know what’s happening in your career.

12. Does the Homepage give a good 1st impression of the artist and their music?

Your homepage is often the first page visitors to your website will see, so it’s important to make a strong first impression. Having a great header and/or background image, a short bio, your latest news, as well as a music player for people to sample your music in one, easy, obvious click can help make that great first impression.

A well-designed homepage combined with a great call-to-action can also get you more sign-ups for your newsletter, more sales from your online store, and convert first-time visitors to becoming active and engaged fans.

13. Is the band making a personal connection to the fan?

Are all of your updates and content written in the 3rd person? More than ever, fans want to feel a direct connection with artists. Make sure you’re including content on your site that is coming straight from you, and doesn’t sound like it’s been written or posted by a label or manager.

14. Is there a reason for a fan to come back to this site?

Are you giving your fans a reason to keep coming back to your site? Posting regular blogs, new photos, and adding other new content on a regular basis can help keep fans coming back to your site.

15. Is there content relevant for industry and media?

Remember that it won’t just be fans or potential fans visiting your website. Industry people like bookers, agents, festivals, as well as journalists/bloggers will be going to your site as well.

Make sure to have all the information they need, like your official bio, promo photos, reviews, etc.

16. The site doesn’t have any useless or annoying content?

One example of useless and annoying content we see on band websites are ads. Focus your website on your music, don’t try to send people away with ad links. Chances are, they won’t generate much money anyway, and they look kind of cheesy.

Another example would be if you’ve embedded tons of widgets onto your website. If you’ve embedded every calendar, social media, and ecommerce platform’s widget onto your site, chances are, the design will look cluttered, and will make for an annoying experience for your visitors.  

16-Point Band Website Assessment Checklist

http://bandzoogle.com/blog/16-point-band-website-assessment-checklist

[justinmrcrowley]

Tell your story digitally then market your story.

[justinmrcrowley]

I don't think of it as advertising. I think of it as storytelling.

Annie Leibovitz

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Tell your story digitally then market your story.

Besides writing for my blog, I also have my own column for examiner.com.  My title is the Bay Area Music Examiner and I write about anything that is related to music in the Bay Area.  Although I do cover some major artists and bands that pass through the Bay Area, a lot of my focus is on the bands and artists that are located and playing here on a regular basis.  I offer to write about these bands for free in order to bring some attention to what they are doing and I enjoy doing it.  So far I have met some talented artists but one thing I have noticed is that some just don't have a story nor know how to market themselves.  

When I talk about having a story, I am talking about telling your story in two ways.

1.  I have mentioned in other blog posts about having your website and social media all up-to-date along with all the correct details.  I have went to find information on a band and all I could find in their bio was a short message talking about their last EP three years ago.  This isn't going to help me much when I want to mention the history of your band and your music in a press release.  Now I have to bother the band to get their bio while I am on a deadline and hoping they return my email within a day or two.  What if a fan or music professional was looking for information on your band and there was nothing but a short message about an EP from three years ago.  Doesn't look good for the band's brand or story.  One good thing about using Facebook, is that it literally tells your story (Facebook's Timeline) of what you have done since you were on Facebook.  As long as you have used it to promote yourself, it is going to show every single, album, show, tour, record deal or new band member that has happened to your band since the band was on Facebook.  Same with a having a band blog and keeping it up-to-date.  Real fans love this kind of stuff.  Tell your story across all your digital outlets and the more information the better.  It shows you are a serious artist or band.

2.  Now that you have got all your digital platforms up to par, it's time to be a savvy marketer.  Without a story there is nothing special, unique or different from just about every other band out there doing the same thing.  So you're releasing a single or album.  Why should anyone care?  Are you doing something special for it?  Is there any kind of back story to how you made it?  Did you collaborate with someone famous?  Are you doing a special type of release for it?  Don't dare approach a publicist without having a story to give them.  In the DIY age of the music industry, everyone can make music as well as release and distribute it on their own, so you need have some kind of story to go along with it.  A band asked me to write a press release for a single they were releasing and I agreed to do it.  Once I started to write it, I released there wasn't much of a story there.  There was nothing else to write about except the single and that took up about two sentences.  It made it difficult and not that fun to write about.  There all kinds of things that can make a band and their music unique and different.  If you have to, analyze your band and find out what makes you and your music different.

Even large corporations have embraced using social media to connect and engage customers and they are also using it to tell their story.  Whether it is the launch of a new product or a promotional contest they are running with a celebrity, they are going to have a story for it.  Artists and bands should do the same.  Tell your story digitally then market your story to fans and music professionals.    

For more information on getting your website and social media up to par, check out my blog "Understanding The Details" and "What Is Going On In The Local Music Scene?"

To check out my Bay Area Music examiner column visit http://www.examiner.com/music-in-san-francisco/justin-crowley

[justinmrcrowley]

This is not the way to promote your new album.  Check out my post on six tips to uniquely promote your album release.

[justinmrcrowley]

I have a solo deal with Columbia Records. So it's about, do I want to release an album, when can we do it, what kind of album should it be, how should it be released and marketed and what's the right timing? Do I have time to do it? It's all about questions.

Cory Monteith

[justinmrcrowley]

Six tips to uniquely promote your album release.

For recording artists, albums are a big part and can even be a focal point of their overall career.  The technology of the digital music industry has made the making, producing and releasing of music easier than ever and basically any musician with the right equipment can do it.  Due to the easiness of making an album, some musicians are just recording and releasing albums with no plan in place but to post a link on Facebook the day it comes out.  This results in some fans as well as potential fans not even being aware of the release.  

In the DIY digital age, the trend is to release singles as soon as they are recorded.  This is an efficient and adequate strategy to keep your music at the top of the fans' minds, but what if you do decide to release an EP or LP.  In addition to the customary ways to promote an album (press releases, media interviews, social media, blogs, radio, touring, etc.) below are six fairly easy and inexpensive ways to promote your new album release in the new music industry.

1.  Break that EP or LP up into singles and release them over a six month to year long period.  After you have released the singles, release the full album with extra songs, material and music and/ or behind the scenes videos.

2.  Going along with the release of each single, play a single release themed show.  At the show, give away the single (physical, USB or download card) to everyone that came and of course play the song and record it for the full album release (See above).

3.  Releasing a concept album?  Do a small run of limited addition vinyl to give it that nostalgic feel?  Hell, you can also do this for any type of album.   

4.  Reddit is gaining popularity and artists are using the Reddit platform to hold an AMA (Ask Me Anything).  The artist sets a time on the Reddit platform and creates a post about the album and fans can ask the artist questions about it.

5.  Encourage fans to throw album release parties where they gather all their friends and they listen to the album all the way through for the first time together.  As the artist, you can have a Google+ hangout with these different parties.  Say hello and give a few comments on the inspiration and recording of the album.  Give a prize to the fan that throws the biggest party.  

6.  Hold a contest.  After releasing a single, ask your fans to shoot a music video for it then choose the best one or have your fans vote on the best one and make it your official music video for that song.  Want to shoot your own videos, then do the tried and true fan song remix contest.  Either way, it will help promote the album.  

For major label recording artists, there can be up to a year and half to two year preparation period that goes into releasing a record. Most indie musicians don't have the money and time to promote their albums like major label recording artists.  Depending on your music genre and fan base, there are many different ways to promote your album.  With constant new apps, videos, social networks, music and forms of entertainment fighting for people's attention, the only way for fans and potential fans to know about your new album is to effectively promote your album release in unique ways to them.

[rollingstone]

Ill Communication continues the formula established on Check Your Head — home-grown jams powered by live instruments; speedy hardcore rants; and insane rhyme styles buried under the warm hiss of vintage analog studio equipment.

Beastie Boys released Ill Communication 20 years ago today.

[justinmrcrowley]

A great reference for musicians and their distribution needs.

[justinmrcrowley]

Black Sabbath's career has spanned over 40 years.  

[justinmrcrowley]

Like most things that happen with Sabbath, it happened all of a sudden...

Toni Iommi

[justinmrcrowley]

What musicians can learn from Black Sabbath's music career?

About two weeks ago I saw Black Sabbath play a sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood.  It was the second time I saw them play in just over six months.  While I was watching them play their set of vintage signature songs including their new tunes off of their recent album "13", the same feeling came over me that came over me when I saw them six months earlier.  These guys (Ozzy Osbourne, Toni Iommi, and Geezer Butler, three out the four original players) are real professionals playing at the top of their game and it doesn't get any better than this when it comes to live rock music.  It really is an amazing experience to watch them play together.

I recently read Toni Iommi's biography "Iron Man".  It's of course a great book telling the story of his life and Black Sabbath (He is the only member to stay in Black Sabbath the whole time since the formation of the band).  To summarize the book and the story of Black Sabbath, they started off as Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne, Toni Iommi, and Bill Ward in Birmingham, England back in the late 1960s.   They struggled until they landed a record deal and recorded their self-titled album in 1970 which basically started a new genre of music (heavy metal).  From there they kept getting bigger and better, putting out a couple more landmark albums until they eventually imploded and singer Ozzy Osbourne was fired in 1978.  Classic '70s "Behind the Music" rock story, right?  Well, yes and no.  Ozzy went on to have a gigantic solo career while Black Sabbath brought on new singers and musicians and still turned out great albums.  Eventually the original band members got back together and have been touring on and off for the last 15 years and even released an album of all new material in 2013.  

The point of this rock 'n' story is that they didn't plan their career to happen like this but it happened this way because they just kept creating and playing music.  When Black Sabbath started off in Birmingham, England they were very poor and they didn't have much of a choice for careers except work in the factories, be a criminal and go to prison or form a band.  They didn't have a back up plan and they were extremely determined to play music.  Toni Iommi cut off the tips of two of his fingers on his fretting hand, yet he was so passionate about playing guitar he engineered a way to keep playing and essentially created the beginnings of a new genre of music.  So if you are struggling now as a musician and aren't sure what is going to happen, don't worry and keep playing.  If you love playing music and are trying to make it a career for the right reasons, you too will find a way to do it.  Some music careers take time to evolve, understand this and don't get discouraged from your dream and vision.    

Black Sabbath is a legendary band but they didn't set out to be legends, they set out to play the music they wanted to play and nothing was going to stop them.  If you're stuck in your music career, you may need to change things up but keep playing and keep creating.  Having a career as a musician isn't easy but for Black Sabbath it was easier than working in a factory or going to jail.  If you are passionate enough about music, you will find a way to keep playing and if you're lucky even develop a career spanning 40-plus-years.