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Our Artist Promotions Director, Stacey, attended the Amplify Music Conference in Las Vegas recently and reveiwed her experience with a few inspiring words that are geared towards the companys’ fundemental prospects and some useful tips for up and coming artists. Some of the events at the gala that she remarked on included such lectures about:

>Touring and Booking

> Marketing & Promotions
> The Indie Label A&R Perspective

> The Art of Artist Management
> The Major Label A&R Perspective

and so much more; Check the full schedule here: http://www.amplifymusiccompfest.com/2008-panelist-schedule.htm

Here are her words:

“OK, this is what I learned…

The band & their manager need to create something directed at the attention of “labels/ A & R”. Pretty much, they need to work their asses off & when they get to a place that grabs “their” attention, “they” will come swoop them up & put into place the industry connections, to sell you to the big companies, better conections for huge sponsorships & big events. The only thing “they” seem to have is connections. I asked what they provided that a small time manager couldn’t & that’s the only answer they had. So if you want to have your tour sponsored by Verizon & get David LaChapelle to take your photos – they will provide the $$ & connections to do it & they get a cut of your success. I get it, makes sense.

So, the artist needs to get out there & create a buzz/ fan base. The best asset to an artist is their fans. Their fans will inevitably get the artists name out there, spread the word. But don’t leave it up to the fans, guide them as well. Get out there & hang with them, share info& ideas. Your fans are your best asset, get their info, remember them. No shit kinda.

Another thing they kept saying is think outside the box. Make your website an attraction. Since websites cost $$, Independent self run websites and MySpace are the best route for bands – free hosting & domain. Make the design unique & place as many “widgets” on there as possible. Widgets are a means of keeping in contact with the fans – bulletins, mailing list, videos, text-messagers. On the other hand, don’t over do it, like, don’t send out messages about shows in CA to NYers – don’t SPAM. Make videos, use videos, upload art to your site or MySpace all the time, keep it fresh. The “a&r” people are looking at Page Views on the MySpace pages. If you have over a 500,000 views, they will proceed to listen to your music & check you out.

The days of tape/ cds are over. MP3’s, a pic & stats on an email – that’s all they want. Best source – their assistants, get the attention of the assistant & they will get the info to the boss – they are filters. BUT make sure to have a good press/ promo pack for after the catch – Have a high quality photo for print ads, The best MP3 you have, stats – previos shows – Myspace address. Simple.

The only advice I heard that was real fresh was on touring – to go region by region. Even stick to a region each year, get around town, build a fan base in a region – play, play, play – if nothing happens after a year or so, move on. That way you get your name out redndently in the same area but know when to move on & not become a local band & can come back for shows later. Then branding & recognition should follow by word of mouth.

Branding, stick with a logo or 2 or theme, people become more familiarized with you.. obviously.”

Thanks Mrs. AP Stacey!

And the curve continues as we wind on through the creation towards the cause.

Looking with lightening into the eyes of destiny,

-Mgmt.

Filed under: General by phoreal