Finally got our first review. Whilst not in depth it does, however, indicate that there are people out there who like the music. Haven't found anymore.....yet. It's definitely not a vain attempt to release music in an age of diminishing returns and over saturation. SubsonicTemple.com
Also found an article about an old album Hussein played on, Skin by Ephraim Lewis. If you don't know about Ephraim then you should as it's coming up to 15th anniversary of the album's release and 13 years since his death. http://www.compulsivereader.com/html/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1784
Till next time
Saturday, 17 May 2008
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Online Distributor Woes
Apparently, some online music distributors, regardless of the quality of your music, do not deal with lone artists or small record labels. Being in business is fine and you can run it however you wish but potentially alienating future clients, should they become large enough, sounds like commercial suicide. Perhaps some of these online distributors/aggregators see themselves as the 'next major labels'?
Let's look at this way. As a small label we develop a good relationship with a distributor/aggregator. As the catalogue grows and, hopefully sells, the commercial relationship develops further. If, having created and nurtured this relationship, why would you want to go with someone else who has given you the bum's rush? Beats me, but some companies seem to think that passes for sound business practice.
Anyway, until the next rant.
Let's look at this way. As a small label we develop a good relationship with a distributor/aggregator. As the catalogue grows and, hopefully sells, the commercial relationship develops further. If, having created and nurtured this relationship, why would you want to go with someone else who has given you the bum's rush? Beats me, but some companies seem to think that passes for sound business practice.
Anyway, until the next rant.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
I've Seen The Future - More Gatekeepers
There's a lot of buzz and discussion about Music 2.0 and the writings and podcasts of futurist Gerd Leonhard. On the whole some of the concepts are very good and perhaps will develop into something of note over the next few years. However, I have some misgivings and these mainly pertain to access to the channels.
Being a very small independent label means that you have limited funds to do marketing and promotion. You have to spend your dough where you think you'll get the best return.
As far as I can see and, from little bits of conversation I have overheard at conferences, some bloggers are already being paid quite substantial sums of money to promote specific bands and albums. I have no issues with being paid. Everyone has a right to a living. My only concern is for transparency. Perhaps the bloggers, instead of masking their writings as that of a fan who's just discovered the most amazing band (since the last one), could carry a little disclaimer on their blog announcing that it was bought and paid for by ....... Of course, we know it won't happen but it would be nice to see.
Anyway, until next time.
Being a very small independent label means that you have limited funds to do marketing and promotion. You have to spend your dough where you think you'll get the best return.
As far as I can see and, from little bits of conversation I have overheard at conferences, some bloggers are already being paid quite substantial sums of money to promote specific bands and albums. I have no issues with being paid. Everyone has a right to a living. My only concern is for transparency. Perhaps the bloggers, instead of masking their writings as that of a fan who's just discovered the most amazing band (since the last one), could carry a little disclaimer on their blog announcing that it was bought and paid for by ....... Of course, we know it won't happen but it would be nice to see.
Anyway, until next time.
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Debut Album - Hussein Boon
Hi all
New Label Brown Baby Records first release is the debut album Life Changes by Hussein Boon. It is an eclectic and diverse instrumental guitar-led collection of tracks that is influenced by the rich heritage of Jazz Guitar, coupled with a contemporary feel for production and arrangement.
The album contains 10 tracks; nine original and one cover, the standard ‘On A Clear Day’, which receives an unusual treatment in keeping with the overall character of the album. Songs are slow to medium tempo; arrangements unfold over time, allowing for space, nuance, texture and dynamics to transport the listener on a sonic journey.
The album is available from online retailers iTunes, Amazon MP3, Napster and Rhapsody followed by the scheduled UK CD release in Autumn 2008.
Enjoy
New Label Brown Baby Records first release is the debut album Life Changes by Hussein Boon. It is an eclectic and diverse instrumental guitar-led collection of tracks that is influenced by the rich heritage of Jazz Guitar, coupled with a contemporary feel for production and arrangement.
The album contains 10 tracks; nine original and one cover, the standard ‘On A Clear Day’, which receives an unusual treatment in keeping with the overall character of the album. Songs are slow to medium tempo; arrangements unfold over time, allowing for space, nuance, texture and dynamics to transport the listener on a sonic journey.
The album is available from online retailers iTunes, Amazon MP3, Napster and Rhapsody followed by the scheduled UK CD release in Autumn 2008.
Enjoy
Sunday, 4 May 2008
Welcome
To paraphrase Breakfast In America by Supertramp, 'it's not much of a blog, but it's the only one I've got'.
Being a new record company has certainly opened my eyes up to the the sheer amount of paperwork that has to be completed should you wish to be inside the system. For some of these applications there isn't a fee, but for others you can fast see money disappearing out of your account and of course nothing coming in.. yet (fingers crossed).
Which brings me on to one of my current pet subjects. All the books about setting up a record company are by and large from the States (no offence). I've got no problem with that, I just wish that someone did one for the UK market. Quite a lot of the books that I've looked at are either long winded; state the obvious; out of date or miss several opportunities.
Anyway, that's all for today, hope you like the music.
http://www.brownbabyrecords.co.uk/
Being a new record company has certainly opened my eyes up to the the sheer amount of paperwork that has to be completed should you wish to be inside the system. For some of these applications there isn't a fee, but for others you can fast see money disappearing out of your account and of course nothing coming in.. yet (fingers crossed).
Which brings me on to one of my current pet subjects. All the books about setting up a record company are by and large from the States (no offence). I've got no problem with that, I just wish that someone did one for the UK market. Quite a lot of the books that I've looked at are either long winded; state the obvious; out of date or miss several opportunities.
Anyway, that's all for today, hope you like the music.
http://www.brownbabyrecords.co.uk/
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