Key Of Grey

May 20th, 2010 - These days it's hard to keep track of all the social networking sites we're on to promote our music. We might be on Twitter, Tumblr, Blogger or any other of the countless sites out there. However important those sites are, the most important is your own website. I personally build Wordpress sites because I like the flexibility and the power, but sometimes you just want a simple page to aggregate your web presence in one space. That's what Flavors.me ... Read More

May 18th, 2010 - I like using Facebook. Unlike other social networking sites that have come before it, Facebook has been the first that I felt has actually evolved over time. I'm not talking about the addition of Facebook apps (if I see your status updates about Farmville or Mafia Wars, I will block you), but rather the constantly improving algorithm that attempts to connect people together. Facebook allows me to connect to potential fans, people I've just met, and reconnect with ... Read More

Photo courtesy of PugnoM May 14th, 2010 - These days with so many unauthorized remixes out there, some even better than the original, it's a weird legal situation. Who has the right to do what? Who owns this or that? Well, the following short(ish) documentary "Walking On Eggshells: Borrowing Culture In The Remix Age" doesn't give any real answers, but it's an interesting look at the opinions of "well-known" artists who remix media, and scholars who study it. If you're into remix culture, ... Read More

Photo courtesy of Mourner May 11th, 2010 - Today I was able to meet up with David Chick of the "Inside Home Recording" podcast (Hi David!). One of the things we talked about was how to get a music job for film. He told me that one of the questions he gets asked a lot, is how to get film composing gigs. David's advice is to just get out there and do it, even if you have to work for free for the ... Read More

Photo courtesy of xrayspx April 24th, 2010 - Motherboard.tv has a great interview with the guys from Devo. They're back with a new album, and a shiny new look but the interview is mostly about their past. Devo talks about how they got started (I especially love the story about warming up the old synthesizers with plump women), and their gear. I like how they're so candid about their use of gear; it turns out that a lot of it was just for ... Read More

April 21st, 2010 - Have you ever want to hear me babble on as if I know what I'm talking about? Well here's your chance. On Monday, April 26th at 7:30PM CDT, I will be appearing on a free online webinar hosted by Joe Gilder of HomeStudioCorner. There will be 5 other guests, each much more prestigious and knowledgeable than I, so check it out for some good ol' learnin'. The Home Recording Show boys will be there (Jon Tidey, Ryan Canestro, ... Read More

Photo courtesy of Barbara Mürdter April 20th, 2010 - 2010 looks to be a pretty difficult year for fans of hip hop music. First Nujabes passes away, now Guru. He was one half of the duo Gang Starr, widely considered one of the greatest hip hop groups. Guru was suffering from an aggressive cancer and passed away yesterday. A letter was released by his current collaborator, Solar, that allegedly was written by Guru when he came out of a coma briefly. In it, he ... Read More

April 19th, 2010 - If you've ever been fascinated by the business side of the music industry, but don't know how to get in, there's no better way to step in than working for Alicia Keys. Her team is looking for a blogger/social media "expert" to implement online marketing. Unfortunately, you must be a US citizen (or have a US work visa) as they will not sponsor you for work permits. You must also submit your social media and blog sites so the ... Read More

Photo courtesy of pasukaru76 April 15th, 2010 - These days, artists that are looking to make it big cringe at the thought of working with labels, major or otherwise. There's a knee-jerk feeling of distrust against labels, especially major ones, and that hurts indie labels that might be a beneficial partner. I'm a fan of artists taking control of their own music, essentially creating their own labels, but reading the article linked below made me realize that some artists aren't exactly angels themselves. ... Read More

April 5th, 2010 - Berklee Music is one of the most well-known music schools in North America. Many great musicians have passed through those halls, but one of their most lauded programs deals with the music industry. Not only do they train musicians, but they train them to hustle and find work. After all, no matter how good you are you still need to make a living. They've just released a free ebook you can download (warning, you'll need to supply an email ... Read More