matthew's world

www.pacificorock.com

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thoughts on this kind of release? what about 8track, tape, vinyl or CD? does it really matter anymore?

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bookspaperscissors:

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

(Photo of Joshua Bell by Eric Kabik)

(via rebekahtodd)

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my favorite band posted a demo of a new track - check it out - ugh i can’t wait!!

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this is my response to a friend who wanted to start working for a record label - thoughts?

1st of i want you to know my response will be quite a bummer for you

2nd this is solely an opinion of a musician who has been doing music professionally since 1998
I HAVE NEVER OWNED A LABEL
but i have released my own music, played with several different independent and major label bands, have friends that have started labels, had friends who have started recording studios, I’ve had contact with several independent and major labels, had friends who have either been signed to a major label, or worked for one, and i am currently a manager for a recording studio and a Music Supervisor for Film

now that that is out of the way - first i will answer your questions:

*Is it a worthwhile endeavor? 
Not really - i say this because “labels” are a dying breed - they are a thing of the past
in a world where anyone and everyone can write, record, and release music from their bedroom - who needs a label?
not to mention no one is buying music (well not “no one”) but music is one commodity that has been steadily in decline since the mid 2000’s and hasn’t had one spike since

*What does it entail?
you will most likely start in the mail room and/or as someone’s B!+*# getting coffee and such as an intern working 20-60hrs a week and not getting paid for 6-12months
and maybe possibly might get promoted or possibly let go

*what skills do you need? 
you need to LOVE music 
you need to be OK with being poor
you need to be OK with having no time
and you need to understand that if you actually get a job at a record label you will constantly be worried if your job is safe, will be working for and with bands that you hate, and your opinions will not be valued
honestly no skills are required - just intern and hopefully you will start getting paid and then hopefully you can get promoted

*What are the best/worst aspects of it?
the best possible outcome would be that you get lucky enough to discover and/or work with a great artist
the worst (which sadly is also the most likely) will be basically what i wrote above

so yea that’s honestly it
if you still want to pursue it - find a label you love, contact them and ask them if they are hiring or looking for interns
and then go from there

but to be honest if you want to work with bands, introduce people to music, and be a part of someone’s musical experience i would try other avenues
such as:

the future of music is basically what it looks like SF is doing
“real independent music”
you record your own songs (either at home or in a local studio)
you release your own songs (through your website, itunes…etc., and on the road)
you promote your own songs (via interviews, reviews, and performances, ads online, in regional and nation press, and on the radio)
and you tour (nationally and internationally)

i would suggest: 
helping your favorite band, favorite venue, or favorite independent radio station
start a music blog, podcast, promote shows around your town
become a booking agent, publicist, manager, or tour manager
just find out what your strengths are, write them down and find out how, and who you can help with them
(i will always take help from anyone who wants to promote my band and will even give them a kick back for their time personally)

hopefully that helps
let me know if you have any other questions, responses, thoughts…etc.