Tropical Music

Radio and Television major, photographer, guitarist, social media lover and Music Business graduate, from São Paulo to Montreal to Hollywood and back. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-31251350-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[miaguitar]

Timing is everything

Maybe it's time to write down my thoughts one more time. A lot has changed since I last posted...other things have remained the same. I've gone back to teaching kids to play guitar and I really enjoy it. Imagine that. I'm also teaching English and playing with my bands. Oh, and I thought I'd take up my photography again. Everything just kind of happened really fast, some with very little planning, others with very hard work. Now everything's turned into constant hard work and the need to improve is always echoing in my head! So? Well, I realized I have quite a few talents to work with, and I don't necessarily have to follow the "normal" routine our parents plan out for us ahead of time. Things are going ok. I've gotten involved with a few music projects that I'm really excited about. Last night I performed with a singer I really admire, Natalie Bergamo, and her amazing team of dancers. I have a acoustic duo I can jam with around town and my true love, my band, Hey Ladies. Hopefully I'll check back soon with some more news. I'm excited to post videos, as well as some of my photography work! Meanwhile, feel free to check out my facebook fanpage, Mia Kay Music ;)

[miaguitar]

I love this song way too much. This is my take on Jack White's Love Interruption from my "acoustic bedroom sessions". ;)

[miaguitar]

Mia DIY News

I'm getting ready for my first "selfish" photoshoot, without a band involved. I can't wait to have some new promo pics and get things going. I'm finishing my acoustic cover set and thinking about doing some of my own songwriting pretty soon. I'll keep you posted. I know it sounds like just dreams, but since I have to start somewhere, I thought some new pics were the way to go.

Earlier this month I shot with a new electronic music project and I also can't wait to see how that turned out, but most importantly, how the show will turn out! 

Happy and excited to be able to share all this REALLY SOON with the world.

[miaguitar]

I finally made my first "dollar" with an acoustic set. I'm currently putting together a longer setlist so I can start selling the show. It wasn't easy and it wasn't hard, but I see the places I need improvement and I brought some friends along to give me their feedback. Everyone really liked it and I'm ready to work!

[miaguitar]

Rock n' Roll dress up

Last year I got to shoot this amazing singer during her album release party. She's not only the mind behind the beautiful music of Dressing Rock, but she's the drummer for my girl-band - and a heck of a good one. In "Black Brick Road", the talented Lucy Campos dresses up well known classic rock songs and adds a pinch of bossa, country, jazz and pop: the whole idea behind this acoustic project. You don't want to miss her versions of songs such as Smoke on the water, Painkiller and Changes. Released by Wet Music, the album also features "Out tonight", written by Lucy.

[miaguitar]

Hey, Ladies! play "This is Love" by PJ Harvey

[miaguitar]

Career advice from LaFamos PR at NAMM 2013: "It's not who you know, it's who knows you".

[miaguitar]

Among the difficulties and worries of our everyday lives, there's one thing that will remain certain: music. There aren't enough words to describe my love for a cheesy hard rock song and my Gibson guitars. 

[miaguitar]

This is what I do.

[miaguitar]

Still cool. Strange. But cool.

[miaguitar]

Another step for music monopoly

Last week I didn't have time to post, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I've been a little out of the music market since I dove into a corporate gig. Well, ok, it doesn't matter because music is still alive n' kicking in me.

The news that caught my eye is that Universal's acquisition of EMI for 1,9 billion dollars has been approved by the Federal Trade Commission, with a few changes from the initial deal, at least in Europe, along with Sony ATV's purchase of EMI's publishing division. Universal, which already holds U2, Jay-Z and Nirvana, now owns the indescribable Beatles catalog, but agreed to sell several assets in order to salvage the deal and close investigations.

According to Billboard.Biz, "UMG has agreed to divest the Eurpean catalogs of Parlophone, Chrysalis, Sanctuary, Mute and Virgin Classics on a global basis, resulting in the sale of assets that generate almost $500 million annually".

The final deal is expected to be closed by September 28th. For now we'll have to wait to see what happens with the US approval, which can finally define the decrease from four majors to three: UMG, Sony and Warner.

Thoughts? Help me understand.

[miaguitar]

HEY, LADIES! - On my way to rock in São Paulo

[miaguitar]

Cali girl in the Tropical City

So I made my way down south in São Paulo Rock City. I miss LA with every part of my soul, but unfortunately things don't happen exactly the way you want them to.

I feel like giving up my life in Hollywood has unexpectedly opened doors for me in Brazil that I didn't know were possible.

I'm currently working on my marketing business and doing everything I can to get it up and running. First thing, I will be working on the company website this month and meeting with possible clients, which is very exciting!

On the other hand, my all-girl band has gotten back together to perform in São Paulo again. I left the band over a year ago and I believe today we all have the same mind set to make this a fun and profitable "hobby". We had to substitute a few band members, and I'm happy I get to play with these girls for the first time next week! Hopefully my fingers still do as I tell them to!

Another exciting venture is that I get to go out and play guitar with the amazing DJanes of the Female Angels, who I played a few shows with before I left for Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.

So that's what I'm doing right now, while finding time to see all my "old" friends and spending some much needed quality time with my family.

I hope to have some cool stuff to write about as soon as I'm a little bit more settled in this new life, so stick around =)

Cheers \o/

[miaguitar]

The "what next" feeling

This is the first time I've truly had this feeling.

It's the feeling right after you finish a important chapter of your life. In my case, it means finally having to start job searching. I mean for real.

Hours out of the MBE program and I'm already bored and need something to do. So why not write about it and get my brain pumping again.

I'm the kind of person that constantly needs to be doing something. I need deadlines. I need pressure. I need books to read. I need another class. I need movement, change.

My life has always been about drastic changes. It's been about not wanting to stay still, and not wanting to get left behind. I worked all the jobs I could work, I took all the classes I could. 10 months ago I made another drastic change and moved to LA. I'm now getting ready for ANOTHER drastic change: going home.

I got the feeling of being independent for a while, and now the feeling of not knowing how to get a job is taking over. Is this what Uncle Dan warned us was going to be post-completion anxiety?

I'm not that anxious really, unless it's being anxious to take over the world. 

So...what can I do for you?

[miaguitar]

My MI Goodbye

(Photo by Bernard Bauer)

Oh my God! What a ride this has been!

Today is my last day of class at Musicians Institute, and yet it feels like YESTERDAY I was planning to come out here. I spent 4 years dreaming about Los Angeles, it finally happened and I already need to go home.

Visas are a bummer. This is such a beautiful city and the place to be if you have a passion for music and entertainment, and I have to go home. But that's ok, I am looking forward to officially starting my life (I say this every time I finish something important)! It's also exactly 1 year this month since I graduated from college in Brazil.

This whole experience has helped me grow on so many levels, beyond personal and professional. I'm a little bit wiser, a little bit heavier, and little bit more confident. Just a little.

I met some amazing people along the way that taught me so much. I had talented teachers that I'll never forget who have helped me open up my mind in so many ways. I've had teachers who believed in me more than I believed in myself, and gave me a push to realize what I can do.

I'll carry my new friends in my heart. The musicians, the producers, the business people on the dark side of the force...

I want to thank my mom and dad for cutting me loose, even if I am going back to them. I hope they are as proud of me as I am right now. Thanks for letting me make the stupid decisions and the smart ones on my own.

To my friends back home, you can smile again. 

To the ones that stay in LA to complete their programs, keep on rocking it! Be careful with the Brazilians.

Remember:

Show up

Ask questions

Kill it!

And as for these guys down here, congratulations and have a safe journey where ever it is that you're going! Stay fabulous MI!

[miaguitar]

DIY - Getting Promotion

On with our DIY topic, let's talk a little bit about getting promotion for your band. Here are some tips to start out and save some money on that fancy publicist who may not even "get" you:

1. Location

Determine which location you will begin targeting. Are you going on tour? Research blogs based in the areas you'll be playing. Are you getting radio play? Get promotion where those stations are located. Do you have a considerate buzz going on in a specific region? Figure these things out before you begin.

2. Make sure your EPK is ready to go

Make sure your Electronic Press Kit is ready to be sent to writers. Include links where they can listen to more music and get more information about the band. Have at least one photo, a short bio or press release, the music and/or a video.

2. Research blogs and sites in those areas who write about your style of music or like-bands.

Of course, first you have to figure out what kind of music you're making! Who do you sound like?

Figure out who are the trend-setters in the areas you'll target.

3. Know who you're pitching to

Know exactly who you're pitching your story to. What is the writer or editor's name? What do they write about? What bands do they like? 

4. Know why you're contacting them

Be ready to let the person you are contacting know what you want from them and why. Be straight forward and polite. Show them you know who you are talking to. Will you be in there area? Do you want them to come to your show or review your album?

Give them a reason why they would want to pay attention to you.

5. Send your e-mail pitch

Compile all the above information and write a quick, straight forward e-mail pitch. If requested, send more information or physical press kit. 

6. Follow Up

Yes, most importantly, always remember to follow up! It helps build relationships, and even if you don't get what you want, if you are polite and smart about the way you do business, you've added another person to your network. If they have tended to your request, liked your material, written about it or if they came out to your show, remember to say THANK YOU! A  hand written thank you card goes a long way in the digital era as well.

I would love to read your comments below!

[miaguitar]

The Future of the Music Biz - Take Control

Control is the first word that comes to mind with any type of business you want to start. It’s about locating a hole in the marketplace and filling it. In the music industry, it’s also being passionate about the music and artists you work with. A independent record label is able to work closely with less artists and go through the process of developing them, as opposed to the major labels’ rule of signing ongoing businesses. A indie label helps artists take control over their careers, and have got a lot of them saying no to bigger deals.

(Photo courtesy of Ronaldo Ramos)

Starting your own record label means recognizing a different way to do business through the DIY mentality. This is why the independent market has grown so strong. There’s no reason to follow the rules of the major labels or even try to compete with them, as I've mentioned before. Through focusing on niche markets, smaller labels who are quick and practical with their decisions can enjoy success in the music industry.

Today artists are taking control over their careers by starting their own labels. That way they make sure their needs are taken care of, and most importantly, they do what they want to do. Artists can get their own distribution and do their own online marketing and promotion, which doesn’t take a lot of outside help to get done. It’s easier than ever to get your music out there through digital rights aggregators like CD Baby and TuneCore. The main point is that independently, you can make more money. You have no advances to recoup and you can work on your own to get sponsorships and endorsements.

There’s more room for creativity and tenacity in the independent market. All the tools and platforms are available, you just need to know how to use them to your advantage.