LSC
623 posts
Apr 17, 2014
8:21 PM
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I'll be doing some recording with Matthew Robinson in the near future and I was wondering about marketing in todays blues world. I used to think that EPs and singles were a non-starter in that everybody wanted full length albums but with downloads, iTunes, etc, I'm wondering if that is still true.
We were going to do a full album but resources got scarce so now we're considering an EP. My main concern is not so much sales as the ability to attract radio airplay without a full length CD.
Could anyone who has done a reasonably recent release and worked at getting airplay pass along some insight.
Thanks in advance
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LSC
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nacoran
7693 posts
Apr 19, 2014
3:09 PM
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I haven't got airplay, but I have a few friends who have, and they all got it by contacting local stations first, I think. Locally, R.P.I has a good college station and we have a local commercial station that is real big into promoting local acts, and NPR. They'll all invite bands in for an interview and to play a couple songs in the studio. They then use the local coverage to get their foot in the door other places.
Several of the last few albums I've bought have been kickstarter rewards, usually after hearing them play on here or on a friends link on Facebook. YouTube videos are the other way I discover bands to buy these days. I also buy albums from local bands directly at their shows. In that case, a full album is better, but several local bands will give out cards for a free song download. The trick is you give them your email to get the song, so when they have a full album ready they can sell it to you.
As for format, I've bought an album on tape and a friend did one on vinyl. You get the free digital copy with the purchase.
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LSC
624 posts
Apr 19, 2014
3:37 PM
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@nacoran - Some useful info there. Thanks kindly.
I've done promotion for myself as a singer-songwriter with three albums of original material but never promoted another artist or specifically blues. Radio play is crucial and with Americana you can get some traction with a good single off an EP. I'm not sure if the same holds true for blues specialist stations.
Since posting the question I discovered a really good studio locally who offer a pretty damn good block booking deal which makes the money difference not all that great between doing an EP vs. a full album. I've got an appointment for next Monday to visit the place and will have a better idea then.
Matt and I are splitting the cost but since the guys we work with are pros I pay proper session fees to whoever joins the party. That actually is the biggest expense difference between the two lengths since I pay by the song.
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LSC
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kudzurunner
4660 posts
Apr 19, 2014
6:13 PM
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If I had to do only one thing differently with the Blues Doctors album, I would have ordered 500 instead of 1000 CDs.
My anecdotal sense is that streaming has significantly cut into download sales in the past couple of years. CDs are only worth ordering, in volume, if you're touring fulltime. You'll give away at least 100 to radio stations, another 30-50 to miscellaneous reviewers and friends. You're not going to sell many mail order.
Streaming absolutely sucks, from the producer-end. No ifs, ands, or buts. You make no money from streams unless you're a major star.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Apr 19, 2014 6:15 PM
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isaacullah
2709 posts
Apr 19, 2014
7:40 PM
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@kudzu: from what I read, even major stars make almost nothing from streaming. Its something like 0.001 cents per stream. There was an article I read recently about a San Diego underground rock band that made an "album" they called "sound of silence", which was just an hour-long mp3 of nothing. They tweeted all their fans to leave it playing on repeat on Pandora over a weekend so that they could get enough revenue to finance a " real" album! I think they earned about $500 from it, which I'm sure is one of the single largest payouts Pandora has ever made to an indie artist...
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
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LSC
625 posts
Apr 19, 2014
10:30 PM
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@kudzurunner
Yes, I learned that lesson a few years ago with my first solo album. I was going to order 300 but my wife talked me into ordering 1000 when she saw the difference in per unit price. I knew better but went with her optimism. I've still got a couple hundred in the garage. I got 300 copies of the most recent and have just a few left.
What I'm really trying to find out is if a makes a difference to radio programmers/DJs whether they are looking at an album or an EP. I'm looking at this project as a promotional tool more than product.
@isaacullah - You're absolutely right, streaming royalties are pathetic. I think the performing rights organizations really should be on that and make some attempt to bring them in line with broadcast royalties. After all they sell advertising just like radio and TV.
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LSC
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LSC
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GamblersHand
501 posts
Apr 20, 2014
5:52 AM
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emusic mainly. Good price, good range of music from the more independent/ less mainstream side of the spectrum, and I understand that they pay a reasonable percentage to the artists.
If I buy CDs it's typically directly from the bandstand or artist website, sometimes CD Baby (again good percentages so I've heard), or amazon. Occasionally I go to Bear Family or similar for something very obscure.
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SuperBee
1926 posts
Apr 20, 2014
7:07 PM
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I buy CDs from Stefan at Music Without Frontiers...it's a record store!
For airplay I try to obtain direct from the artist as much as possible. That's often a download from their site, or whatever site their link sends me to. I don't stream much at all.
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mr_so&so
812 posts
Apr 21, 2014
10:34 AM
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This is blues music, not the popular music of today, so I buy a lot of the vintage stuff from used "record" stores, on CD. That way, I have a physical archival copy with sound good quality that I can then burn to whatever digital format I like. My new music is purchased usually directly from the artists. I buy CDs at shows if I can, or will download from the Web if I have to, e.g. Adam's offering through TradeBit. My last choice is to purchase (again on CD preferably) through the big on-line vendors, e.g. Amazon.
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isaacullah
2711 posts
Apr 21, 2014
10:49 AM
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I do the same as mr so&so, even for non-blues music (which is most of what I buy). I'll add that I do pay for a streaming service (Google Play All Access), which I use mainly as a "music discovery service" in that I'll stream a lot of music ("radio" or "recommendations") listening for stuff that catches my ear. I'll compile a play list of the "good stuff", and then put it on repeat for a while to weedle it down some more. Then I stream the whole album once or twice, and if I still like it, I go an buy it. I do so either as a direct download (many indie bands), or, if I REALLY like it, I buy the CD (direct or from CD baby, etc.) so it can go on my shelf (space is limited these days). I USED to do all my music discovery and shopping in used record stores (cd's), but I almost NEVER do that any more. The stores are more rare, and so is my time. Plus, I mainly listen to music on my phone or computer these days anyway.
*Note: I think if more people used streaming services the way i do, then it wouldn't be such a bad thing for the bands. basically it would be advertising. But the sad truth is that most people don't. They just stream away and never buy albums or go to shows.
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CarlA
491 posts
Apr 21, 2014
11:33 AM
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YouTube
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Frank
4174 posts
Apr 21, 2014
11:56 AM
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Is there really any music being made these days that is worth spending money on, be honest here?
You read these raving reviews about an artist or band then listen to some samples and most of it just does not live up to expectations-
it's just the same ole, same ole...I know I am sounding negative but, seriously, good music worth spending money on is rare anymore don't you think?
Maybe I'm jaded from growing up in the 60's 70's and 80s :)
Last Edited by Frank on Apr 21, 2014 12:05 PM
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isaacullah
2712 posts
Apr 21, 2014
12:12 PM
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Frank, it depends on what you are into. If you are just talkin about the Blues, then I might be inclined to concede your point. But if you are talking about music in general, then I have to disagree. In that case, I think that its the case that there is TOO MUCH good music, and my main concern is that I won't be able to get to it all! I do think, however, that the level of crap "background noise" pop music is at an all-time high, which tends to drown out all the good music, and make it harder to find...
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
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CapitalG
30 posts
Apr 21, 2014
12:52 PM
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Interesting post LSC. Just wanted to add that in the Uk one of the largest retail music shops is HMV, although they are struggling financially recently. I visited my local one today only to find the "Blues" section had been completely removed! However, Jazz Country, Folk were all going strong. Not sure why this is the case, demand I guess, I will ask next time..
I now tend to buy on CDbaby and itunes for downloads and for hard copies bluebeat music imports to the uk for reasonable prices.
G
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JustFuya
85 posts
Apr 21, 2014
1:17 PM
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Lately, I get a lot of ideas for my music purchases right here. (I listen while I browse.) My last MBH inspired purchase was an album consisting of individual MP3s from Amazon. $8.99 for Roland Kirk's "I Talk With The Spirits". Way too cheap.
But I like owning it and being able to translate the music onto my preferred media. From what I gather, iTunes has a leash on their product.
I still prefer a hard copy.
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Frank
4180 posts
Apr 21, 2014
4:40 PM
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The last blues player I was compelled to buy a Cd of was Jason Ricci - he KNOWS HOW to make you want it :)
Last Edited by Frank on Apr 21, 2014 4:42 PM
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