Unsigned Musicians - Network & Resources Blog | SeeJoeRock.com

By Range Producer Aaron Levinson

This Studio Tip comes from SeeJoeRock.com “PRO”, Range Recording.  You can connect with them at www.SeeJoeRock.com/RangeRecording

From their first real introduction in the early 70’s the synthesizer has played a unique role in popular music.  From the pioneering work of groups like Can and Kraftwerk on the Krautrock side to the slippery funk of Sly Stone and Stevie Wonder, the synth has had its ups and downs.  Some years it’s all over stuff and then for some reason it goes into the musical witness relocation program.  I think it is safe to say that today it has come out of hiding again and is back with a vengeance.  Like any weapon, it can be used responsibly or it can be misused with tragic consequences for all involved.

In part this rise and fall can be located in what kind of synthesis we are talking about.  When they first came into prominence the reigning design model was multi-oscillator analog synthesis with names like Moog and Arp dominating the landscape.  Further down the road various other designers and manufacturers got on board and those quirky sounds give way to the dreaded digital synthesis of the 80’s and the emergence of Yamaha and the ubiquitous DX-7.  The DX-7 is the kind of beast that can give any instrument a bad rep for years to come.  That is exactly what happened.  The cheese factor of digital synthesis was so insanely high that it basically broke the cheese-o-meter in half. Read the rest of this entry »

by: Steven O’Donnell, Ph.D., Esq.
Registered Patent Attorney

Create, Consult, Control

News & commentary on intellectual property issues.

Got more questions about protecting your music? Connect with Steven O’Donnell on his SeeJoeRock.com profile: www.seejoerock.com/AttorneySteve

“Interact with your fan base. Some of my all time favorite bands are the ones that vlog, blog, and tweet. It humanizes the band, and forms a personal connection with your fans.”
- TLarkin Productions / www.seejoerock.com/tlarkinproductions

“Music is what feelings sound like. Don’t be afraid to lay it all on the line.”
- RYO Records / www.seejoerock.com/ryorecords

“Your live show should appeal to all five senses. You need to learn how to make the audience buy into and believe in what you are doing on stage. Strive to make people feel passionately about your music. Make them absolutely love you or absolutely hate you. There is nothing worse than a lukewarm listener.”
- Break My Band / www.seejoerock.com/BreakMyBand

“Management is not what every band needs especially when you are not ready. Establish yourself, develop relationships and a resume before you take the next step! Find out what the bands missing, not what you already have!”
- DJQ Artist Management / www.seejoerock.com/djqmanagement

“Being successful in the music industry consists of 40% talent and 60% promotions! Why release great music if no one knows about it.”
- AheadPR / www.seejoerock.com/AheadPR

“5 helpful tips for printing on a CD!!
1.) Make sure to use the correct Dering templates and follow the specs.
2.) For CD labels sometimes simpler is better. Sometimes using solid PMS spot colors renders better results than artist’s images or subtle and detailed artwork.
3.) Keep type larger than 8 points for easy reading and higher quality printing.
4.) If you want to print on a disc without printing a white base coat down first, be aware of the different surfaces of the disc. For example the center area of the disc is clear plastic. Printing type or logos across these different surfaces can lead to unappealing results.
5.) Remember that the silver surface of the disc can be used to add an additional “color” to your artwork. Letting the silver of the disc show through type or graphics can add a nice effect to your design”
- Dering Corporation / www.seejoerock.com/Tracy

Find more helpful PRO TIPS by our SeeJoeRock.com PROS on www.seejoerock.com/professionals

Today we celebrate our One Year Launch Anniversary!

One year ago today, SeeJoeRock.com was launched to help support and promote local musicians everywhere and help connect them with music industry professionals from all facets of the music business that can help take their music and/or music career to the next level!

SeeJoeRock is a free service to all musicians and music industry professionals!

So join today and get connected! Be seen.  Be heard.  Be discovered!

Via Nancy Prager on MusiciansAtlas.com

Whether you pursue the label route or self-release, it is important to realize that the “thing” that you create as an artist is a product, which must be protected. Your songs, music and even your image are all classified as “Intellectual Property” and qualify for a variety of legal protections to ensure that it not be stolen or misused by someone else. As an artist, it is your most important and valuable asset and it is not enough to rely on your managers, agents, or even lawyers, to protect your interests in the works you create.

Intellectual property law is complicated and nuanced, but an understanding of the fundamentals will help you be more effective in protecting your rights. Please note that the purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the intellectual property rights associated with music and the music industry in the United States. It is not intended, nor should it be used, as legal advice, but a launching ground for you to begin to learn more about your rights as a musician.

Why Copyright?

No matter where you are in your career, Intellectual Property laws, particularly Copyright law can greatly impact your art and income. Similar to a title on your car or house, a Copyright provides proof of ownership. Your songs, music and recordings qualify for Copyright protection in the United States of America as guaranteed in the Constitution.
Read the rest of this entry »

• http://www.musicconference.net/ - Feb 18-21, 2010 (Harrisburg, PA)
• http://www.digitalmusicforum.com/east/ Feb 24-25, 2010 (NYC)
• http://sxsw.com - March 12-21st, 2010 (Austin, TX)
• http://www.redgorillamusic.com/ - March 17-21, 2010 (Austin, TX)
• http://www.wintermusicconference.com/ - March 23-27, 2010 (Miami, FL)
• http://www.launchmusicconference.com - April 15-18, 2010 (Lancaster, PA)
• http://nxne.com/ - June 16-20, 2010 (Toronto, Canada)
• http://www.nextbignashville.net/ (Oct 09) (Nashville, TN)
• http://mpmf.com/ - September 23, 24, 25 of 2010 (Cincinnati Ohio)
• http://www.deweybeachfest.com/ - Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2010 (Dewey Beach)
• http://cmj.com/ - October 19-23, 2010 (New York City)
• http://www.digitalmediaconference.com/west/ Oct 28, 2010 (SanFran, CA)

More to come as they are updated!

So this past weekend, we had the amazing opportunity to attend the Dewey Beach Music Conference in Delaware and let me just say, it was awesome!!  For those of you who don’t know what this event is or what goes on, be sure to check it out here [Dewey Beach Music Conference] and get hooked up for next year!! It’s every independent, DIY Musician’s MUST ATTEND event!!

I have to say, out of all of the amazing people we met, pros in the Industry, amazing bands and musicians.. the one thing I took home with me that I thought was crucial to make sure I got back to every musician out there reading this.. was the importance of musicians getting themselves registered to get PAID for their PLAYS! And one way is with SoundExchange. Read the rest of this entry »