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Today we talk with Matt Steven who has steadily built up an audience.  

Matt Stevens is a musician and composer from North London. An instrumental artist, he uses an acoustic guitar and a sampler to create multi layered tracks live. This is often called Live Looping. His music is compared with artists as diverse as John Mclaughlin, Johnny Marr and Sigur Ros.

He is using great tools on the Internet (some of them free), and is creating and embracing his own community. In the interview he talks about:

Being real with people. Go find out where your audience is and hang out there and add to the conversation (don’t just come in pimping your music). Become friends with these people before you move to make them your fans.

Some of the tools he is using are bandcamp.com is a great tool that is allowing Matt to give away music (in exchange for his email). It allows him to put his music up on his site and let the visitor determine how much they want to pay.

He is creating music using a Line6 DL4 looping pedal. This came about when the band he was in fell apart. He can play rhythms, start looping them, and solo and build the music live.

He has connected to podcasters who are playing his style of music. He is honest with these people and does not send them spam. If you do it correctly they will spread the word about your music. He has met some really great people.

With this audience growing, he is now getting larger gigs (opening for Donovan). This is allowing him to meet more people, and continue to grow his audience.

On giving away (or letting the visitor name their price), he said that 30% of the people pay. When they do, then pay higher than usual which “evens things out.” He also gets their email in return.

He is using reverbnation.com to manage his email list. He also started a podcast where he is putting out music that’s been remixed, and unreleased tracks. It’s called the “Sunday Free Noodle.”

One of the tools he is using to do “live” gigs on the Internet is http://www.ustream.tv/ where he continues to reach his audience. It gives him an opportunity to try music online before doing it live.

His podcast and ustream concerts are providing him small spikes that lead to more friends on facebook, email addresses, and music sales. Its real word of mouth that he is building up. If you are looking to learn how to promote your band via podcasting, check out www.promotingwithpodcasting.com

Jango is like last.fm for a small fee you can get your music played on this online radio station. You type in musicians who are similar to your sound. Then when people search for them, they will also find you.

Soundcloudis a great way to get music on the Internet where you can move it around. Its like google docs for your music.

He promotes any podcaster who helps promote him. He keeps up with everyone who has played his music.

For more information check out Matt at www.mattstevensguitar.com

Buy his music at

and Amazon.com

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You might remember Fantasy Island. Every week you would hear “Smiles everyone smiles.” Well I started the new year with Buddy Guy at the House of Blues in Cleveland (front row). Buddy is 72 years old (ish) and has won 5 grammys, and is in the rock and roll hall of fame. He has inspired Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name just a few. I had never seen him before.

He blew me away. One of the best thing about Buddy and his band is the SMILE on stage. They have FUN. That fun and smiles spills into the audience and that feeds the band.

I also talk about how I quit the band I just joined, and some tips on planning 2010.

Music:  Someone Else is Slippin in By Buddy Guy from Buddy’s Baddest Great Hits Collection

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When it comes to starting a band, you need to have a clear picture for those people you are recruiting. With this in mind, you should be able to explain the style of music you want to play. You should have at leas t 10 songs selected that you want to play. This way people can clearly see the style of music you want to play.

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It’s Thanksgiving and people are now in the mindset to buy stuff. People call tomorrow “Black Friday” and its one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Stores have crazy sales, and people line up at 3 in the morning to get in. It’s crazy.

You can do the same thing. I wrote about this in a previous blog post

Two Artist that are thinking outside the box are Anne Roos who is a celtic Harpist and author of the book “The Musician’s Guide to Brides” (great book by the way). She loves E-cards. She happen to notice that one ecard company uses instrumental music. She contacted them about using her music. They liked her music so much they have hired her to do some exclusive music for their cards.

John Solitro who is a solo guitarist/vocalist who just got paid a NICE amount of cash to play a YOGA session. He played an hour and walked out with a wallet full.

He was also looking for ways to make his press kit stand out. Well most people come up with a “one size fits all” press kit to hand out to bookers and club owners. If you’re just playing locally now, you can take your computer and make them personalized. Instead of “To Whom it May concern” start off with the person’s name. Then point out how you checked out their club, and what you liked about it. This shows you have done your homework. You could go to the club and take pictures and work that into the press kit. It shows that you did some homework.

There are more tips about making a press kit in my book “Get Your Band Out of the Basement.” and in the “Black Friday” theme you can get the book for $7.99 now through the end of the month (A savings of $5.00). This applies for both the ebook, or the unabridged audio book (both available for immediate download).

I’ve mentioned in the past, that one of the things you should be trying to do at a gig is to have fun. After all, who doesn’t like fun? There are people who field questions from the crowd. I was in a band that would grab women out of the audience to sing backup on “Leave your hat on.” This became a staple of our show, and women would want to be part of the “choir.” It was a chance to be silly, loose, etc. It was an invitation to have fun.

 Sometimes, we’re not sure what to try. To this I say, “It’s time to think outside the box.” This video points out how when people have a choice of “easy vs fun” people will choose fun.

Black Friday is the day after Thanks giving (November 27th). Stores have insane sales, open their doors in the wee hours of the morning, resulting with people lining up and going crazy.

Why should your band miss out? You can participate as well. Send an email out to your fans stating that if they buy one CD, they get one free (for a friend), etc. You pick the sale. It could be buy a CD, get a T-shirt free (or vice versa). Make it a ONE DAY only sale (to add a sense of urgency).  If you are use CDBaby to sell your music, you can easily adjust the price of your items.

People are in the mood to buy on this day so take advantage of it. However, it is right around the corner, so start promoting this “Special” deal.

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This is show 255 of the Musicians Cooler and originates at www.musicianscooler.com

Today we got an email from Scott of the band “megaphone” and he talk about how he has created a new sites for band looking to get their music into the Rock Band Video game. You can find it at www.rockbandyourrockband.com

Scott said, “I also wanted to let you know that I’ve launched a web site called Rock Band Your Rock Band (www.rockbandyourrockband.com)

InterActive Concerts

I attended a concert of Mercy Me, and in the middle of the show they stopped the show, turned on the house lights, and fielded questions from the audience. It gave people a break from the music, made the concert a little more personal, and if nothing else, that show is completely unique now (as every show will have different questions).

This also gives the show a built in “down” period so you can again build it up with a great set opening song. Another opportunity is if you are fielding these questions via writing (or website) you have the opportunity to ask for the email address to add to your list (or phone number so you can add them to you text list from companies like fanbridge.com )

If you plan on doing this (either taking them live from the audience, or having them right them down) you may want to practice a bit at home to see if there are some witty answers yo ucan compe up for questions you think you will be asked.

I also saw where Bob Baker has a blog post of another artist who is using this approach to reach his audience

Music

“Write it down” from Megaphone.  Become a fan of the band at http://www.mymegaphonemusic.com/

Support this show

Check out our show Sponsor page for discounts, and more. The easiest way to support the show is to buy Dave’s book “Get You Band Out of the Basement“

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I recently update a club’s website (www.northsideclub.com) after they came under new management. Now I did the old version of their website (you can see this on the from page of marketingmusician.com) but it was literally one of the first sites I ever did, and it looked like it. The owner was very cheap and never wanted to update it.

The new owners aren’t quite so frugal. In talking with them they were going to keep live music, but probably change the menu (to what they are not sure), etc. So they need to figure out exactly what they want to be (its hard to hit a moving target). None the less I did some research on the club and found that a few websites had reviewed them, and I took those and made the front page filled with testimonials.

I think the same applies for musicians. What if you don’t have any gigs? No schedule? Then ask yourself what sets you apart from other musicians? My band had 7 people in it (we had a horn section). Most bands playing the same clubs had about 4 or 5 people. We started pointing that out, “Come hear Akron’s most entertaining seven piece party band.” Then we had a list of all the musicians with a picture.

Is there something that sets you apart from other bands? Exploit it and embrace it.

Always open for feedback.

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Today we have a chat with Miata Edoga the President of Abundance Bound a great website that teaches artist how to manage their money. It’s got great free resources, as well as many different packages and best of all Payment plans to make them all affordable. Unlike other “financial gurus” who provide a “one size fits all” Abundance bound features financial advice specifically for musicians/artist.

Today Miata talks about taking that first step and the thrill of discovering exactly where you are (so you can figure out how to get to “there” (financial prosperity) from where you are (not financial prosperity). She also discusses how “co mingling” your money can muddy the waters of your financial picture.

Save 10% with Abundance Bound Coupon Code Cooler10

If you’re interested in their free reports like their “Five Things Every Actor Must Do: Critical Steps Towards Success” Report or webinars check out Abundance Bound.com be sure to use the coupon code cooler10 to get 10% off your purchase. They have online classes, take home studies, boot camps, and one on one coaching. One of the great things about their programs, is they have payment plans. In some cases you are done taking the classes before you’re done paying for it. That is how much they know you’re going to love the information presented. You will also find the skills you learn will more than help pay for the class.

Don’t forget to use THIS LINK, and use the coupon code cooler10 to save 10% off your order (or just check out their free reports).

Sponsors and Support

Godaddy coupon code cooler10 gets a .com domain name for $7.49

Budget.com/musician saves 30% off a weekly rental or $10 off any rental.

Buy Dave’s Book “Get your band out of the basement – and keep them out of the asylum” available at musicianlibrary.com Order now and get the bons ““10 Stupid Things That Bands Do”

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This show originates from www.musicianscooler.com

Are You Releasing a CD  in 2009?

Do you know what the following bands have in common?

Heaven and Hell
Ace Frehley
U2
Prince

They are all releasing CDs in 2009, and they alerted the media in late 2008.

By letting your fans know you are working on a CD it can build anticipation, and make them excited about your CD.  How do you build the buzz? By telling them about it in your newsletter, your blog, your podcast. Give them quick samples of it. Let them vote on it. Make a contest and let them design the album cover.  Make the release of your CD in 2009 AN EVENT!

Make sure you have a solid plan so that your CD WILL be released in 2009. There is nothing worse than building up our fans and then letting them down (Guns and Roses anyone?).

Show Promo

“Sessions with Slau” for more information about this behind the scenes look at a recording studio go to www.sessionswithsalu.com

Sponsors

www.budget.com/musician save 10% off any rental or $30 off a weekly rental.

www.godaddy.com get a .com domain name for $7.49 using the coupon cooler10