This has nothing to do with music, but why are people so rude?
I have just put an ad on ebay for a sxsw pass and listed it as a Gold pass. Genuine mistake and the blurb that went along with the ad makes it clear that its music only.
First off all someone asked me if they can collect it in cash at the venue! Duh. If I was there I wouldn't be selling the pass would I?
Then another numpty wants to "buy it now" despite the fact they can buy one direct from sxsw at cost immediately anyway - so what's the point in putting it up for auction? Is the whole world on a mission to rip off anyone they can?
Then another says that its too much. SO DON"T BUY IT! What good is that comment?
Now I have another one telling me I am defrauding the public by calling it a Gold pass. Pedant could see what it was all along. I apologised but it is a rather sad state of affairs when even something as simple as this results in threats.
Finally I listed a cryptic ad for potential new band members and got this as a reply,
"I think what you are asking people to do is wank for coins......"
Now that really defeats me. Why bother?
I replied and told the emailer that they were not the chosen one and to have a nice day. Amazingly she replied with this:
" Good luck with finding 'The chosen' : ) "
at last ... civility
So, if anyone wants to spam and abuse please think twice. I have had enough of rude abusive people to last a lifetime. No wonder its all messed up.
Maybe we could start a list of people who are abusive and send them all roses. That might cheer them up (and perhaps the bug that has crawled up their arses would come out and smell the perfume.)
Peace dear reader. Peace to you and Peace off to the obnoxious.
The link to the sxsw ad is on this blog if you read it in time
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Dreams and Disasters
"There are a million things I want to do today. But I'll do none of them."
If you know which album thats from you are a true afficianado of our releases.
I won't be doing the million things because .....
I have had a major bust up with the band about money. (Twas ever thus!)
They told me that I should be ashamed of myself.
Why? Because the money from downloads never arrived with us so we couldn't pass it on to them.
Basic accounting stitch up.
Immediate threats of legal action and that kind of thing.
Replies stating clearly - demonstrably .... NO MONEY FOR US = NONE FOR YOU
Band hates me and thinks I am a thief.
Would rather believe lies told by the guys who actually did them over because the sweet talk them and say Dude every five words.
Dude is not a word it is a ranch.
Crook is a crook in any language.
What can be said by me to counter this belief that I have stolen from the mouths of babies and rendered musicians homeless and destitute?
Bog all is what.
Sometimes it is a shitty business.
Sometimes.
If you know which album thats from you are a true afficianado of our releases.
I won't be doing the million things because .....
I have had a major bust up with the band about money. (Twas ever thus!)
They told me that I should be ashamed of myself.
Why? Because the money from downloads never arrived with us so we couldn't pass it on to them.
Basic accounting stitch up.
Immediate threats of legal action and that kind of thing.
Replies stating clearly - demonstrably .... NO MONEY FOR US = NONE FOR YOU
Band hates me and thinks I am a thief.
Would rather believe lies told by the guys who actually did them over because the sweet talk them and say Dude every five words.
Dude is not a word it is a ranch.
Crook is a crook in any language.
What can be said by me to counter this belief that I have stolen from the mouths of babies and rendered musicians homeless and destitute?
Bog all is what.
Sometimes it is a shitty business.
Sometimes.
3 am
3am and the music is pumping out. Vodka in huge amounts being swilled down the throats of two desperate idiots after watching Liverpool beat Barca away.
What has that got to do with music?
Not much, but it goes to show that we are all in the entertainment business now and fighting for the dollars is getting harder.
Consider this my disciples - limited disposable income can be spent on:
Nintendo wii
Sports - eg Liverpool away in Spain
Gigs
CD's
Downloads
Cinema
Your lover
New car / house / horse / pygmy squirrel pet
How are we to make music - live or recorded more desireable?
The old ways are going to have to adapt or like the Dodo music as we know it will die out!
I can't give you an answer but it is an interesting question isn't it?
What has that got to do with music?
Not much, but it goes to show that we are all in the entertainment business now and fighting for the dollars is getting harder.
Consider this my disciples - limited disposable income can be spent on:
Nintendo wii
Sports - eg Liverpool away in Spain
Gigs
CD's
Downloads
Cinema
Your lover
New car / house / horse / pygmy squirrel pet
How are we to make music - live or recorded more desireable?
The old ways are going to have to adapt or like the Dodo music as we know it will die out!
I can't give you an answer but it is an interesting question isn't it?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
EMI
For those of you who read this blog you are no doubt already aware of the disaster that has befalled EMI.
On the day of the BRIT awards Briatians premier music co has announced a profit warning because of downloads and loss of CD sales. (oh and Robbie Williams being useless).
So what? Nothing new there then is there?
Well no. Nothing short of calamity for the majors. But what it does mean for us indie guys is that alhough the monsters of rock are suffering they are also wounded and angry and that doesn't always bode well.
What does that mean? It means that they are going to continue to use their muscle to swam us in all arenas and try to destroy the indie labels as fast as they can.
Buy - Break - Bust
That's the method you use as a cartel to get rid of the opposition and thats exactly what they are doing.
Of course there will be people who come out as winners - I predict that Domino will be worth a fortune soon. But leaving that aside what does it mean for you and me?
Carnage is what.
V2 and Capitol are already merged and the other majors will follow shortly with cost cutting. Acts will get dropped and a lot of publications will go to the wall. I can't see magnet or Spin surviving as published mags when they have Pitchfork and All music Guide to compete with.
There is going to be one hell of a shake out and there will be bodies all over.
Stores are already in the shit and Distro is close behind. Labels are their suppliers and once they go to the wall what will they distribute? Oranges?
For my part I think that US distribution is a joke. They take 25% of sales and penalise you for non sales. Then they say its your fault and you oew them even though they have kept your money for moths in interest accounts and never actually confess where the money has gone. A right royal stich up all round.
So here is my theory for what to do:
Stuff physical distro unless you have an amazing deal.
Only go for Digital
Ignore the press and A&R etc and just gig your ass off.
If you are in the business as a non muso, get a job on the door at the Hollywod Bowl.
become a roadie
or failing all that make a living on the lecture circuit as a cabaret act for businesses that are in flux.
Enjoy the future kids - Who knows what happens tomorrow!!!
On the day of the BRIT awards Briatians premier music co has announced a profit warning because of downloads and loss of CD sales. (oh and Robbie Williams being useless).
So what? Nothing new there then is there?
Well no. Nothing short of calamity for the majors. But what it does mean for us indie guys is that alhough the monsters of rock are suffering they are also wounded and angry and that doesn't always bode well.
What does that mean? It means that they are going to continue to use their muscle to swam us in all arenas and try to destroy the indie labels as fast as they can.
Buy - Break - Bust
That's the method you use as a cartel to get rid of the opposition and thats exactly what they are doing.
Of course there will be people who come out as winners - I predict that Domino will be worth a fortune soon. But leaving that aside what does it mean for you and me?
Carnage is what.
V2 and Capitol are already merged and the other majors will follow shortly with cost cutting. Acts will get dropped and a lot of publications will go to the wall. I can't see magnet or Spin surviving as published mags when they have Pitchfork and All music Guide to compete with.
There is going to be one hell of a shake out and there will be bodies all over.
Stores are already in the shit and Distro is close behind. Labels are their suppliers and once they go to the wall what will they distribute? Oranges?
For my part I think that US distribution is a joke. They take 25% of sales and penalise you for non sales. Then they say its your fault and you oew them even though they have kept your money for moths in interest accounts and never actually confess where the money has gone. A right royal stich up all round.
So here is my theory for what to do:
Stuff physical distro unless you have an amazing deal.
Only go for Digital
Ignore the press and A&R etc and just gig your ass off.
If you are in the business as a non muso, get a job on the door at the Hollywod Bowl.
become a roadie
or failing all that make a living on the lecture circuit as a cabaret act for businesses that are in flux.
Enjoy the future kids - Who knows what happens tomorrow!!!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Royal Levitation Cult
Joie Calio has come up with a name for his new band and its amazing:
ROYAL LEVITATION CULT.
They are in the studio right now ( Feb 07) recording their new album.
Joie remains a member of DADA but this new project of his is simply fantastic.
Wait until you hear it.
ROYAL LEVITATION CULT.
They are in the studio right now ( Feb 07) recording their new album.
Joie remains a member of DADA but this new project of his is simply fantastic.
Wait until you hear it.
AS WE ARE HOTTER THAN A STAR
Oh you gotta love this. AS WE ARE are already a sensation in Aus and I haven't even seen the stage show yet.
I came across them at a rehersal in a studio in Brisbane last year when they were playig silly buggers. Suddenly they are the hottest Brisbane band since the Grates or Powderfinger.
Go figure! Right under my nose and then POW!! Just as soon as I relocated to the UK.
Guess I better get the guys over to America soon so they can see what real rockers look like!
Check these out:
http://www.timeoff.com.au/index1.php?area=News&pg=32&subarea=32&sel=1027
http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,116/task,
I came across them at a rehersal in a studio in Brisbane last year when they were playig silly buggers. Suddenly they are the hottest Brisbane band since the Grates or Powderfinger.
Go figure! Right under my nose and then POW!! Just as soon as I relocated to the UK.
Guess I better get the guys over to America soon so they can see what real rockers look like!
Check these out:
http://www.timeoff.com.au/index1.php?area=News&pg=32&subarea=32&sel=1027
http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/component/option,com_mamblog/Itemid,116/task,
Monday, February 05, 2007
DIGITAL DAYS
ARE WE IN A MESS IN THIS BUSINESS?
Well. not really.
Are we confussed old men with no idea whats going on. Probably.
Digitals better for artists and indie labels than CD on the whole.
Guess so 'cos its cheaper but the downsideis that it sounds like crap.
(That's real old man talk - no tune - wheres the melody? etc)
Actually its pretty good to listen to in the car as rule and with the new HD and Satellite channels coming to life its all vibrancy and madness out there.
In the UK, despite the recent collapse of Music Zone and Tower we are still in there fighting. Trouble is that so is everyone else. Its what they call lowering the barriers to entry.
That has a knock on effect which is that you need even more cash to make a noise using traditional methods. WE all have to think differntly.
Turns out Fopp have bought Music Zone so maybe they wil be better stores than before. That takes them from about 50 stores to over 150. No mean feat in one move. And it just shows that there are opportunities out there. You need to grab them whilst you can. WELL DONE FOPP!
So, Listen you other retailers (HMV, VIRGIN ETC) - Stop being so damn retro and get into the new world. Place user friendly download portals in every shop. Fill the pace with Apple Macs and make it look cool. Take a tip from the phone shops and give the consumer extra. The old listening booths would be a good start - headphones make you look dorkey unless they are worn as a fashion statment and the kids with $200 hair cuts will not wear them - oh and you get nits!
Up the game and stop trying to shortchange us all. Add massive stocks that are representative of music and not just Universal's A&R department. You get them on sale or return anyway so enough with the crap that you have no space. Use it better!
Here is my top retail tip - more free sex for all. Works everywhere else. What the hell is sexy about shopping for CD's? BOG ALL THATS WHAT!
In fact that's the key. Bands should offer to shag all the audience instead of the audience lusting after the bands.
Anyone out there got anything to say?
Well. not really.
Are we confussed old men with no idea whats going on. Probably.
Digitals better for artists and indie labels than CD on the whole.
Guess so 'cos its cheaper but the downsideis that it sounds like crap.
(That's real old man talk - no tune - wheres the melody? etc)
Actually its pretty good to listen to in the car as rule and with the new HD and Satellite channels coming to life its all vibrancy and madness out there.
In the UK, despite the recent collapse of Music Zone and Tower we are still in there fighting. Trouble is that so is everyone else. Its what they call lowering the barriers to entry.
That has a knock on effect which is that you need even more cash to make a noise using traditional methods. WE all have to think differntly.
Turns out Fopp have bought Music Zone so maybe they wil be better stores than before. That takes them from about 50 stores to over 150. No mean feat in one move. And it just shows that there are opportunities out there. You need to grab them whilst you can. WELL DONE FOPP!
So, Listen you other retailers (HMV, VIRGIN ETC) - Stop being so damn retro and get into the new world. Place user friendly download portals in every shop. Fill the pace with Apple Macs and make it look cool. Take a tip from the phone shops and give the consumer extra. The old listening booths would be a good start - headphones make you look dorkey unless they are worn as a fashion statment and the kids with $200 hair cuts will not wear them - oh and you get nits!
Up the game and stop trying to shortchange us all. Add massive stocks that are representative of music and not just Universal's A&R department. You get them on sale or return anyway so enough with the crap that you have no space. Use it better!
Here is my top retail tip - more free sex for all. Works everywhere else. What the hell is sexy about shopping for CD's? BOG ALL THATS WHAT!
In fact that's the key. Bands should offer to shag all the audience instead of the audience lusting after the bands.
Anyone out there got anything to say?
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