Musicadium Blog

Whew! We’ve been trying to reply to all the responses to our promo!!

We have had an amazing (though not unexpected, due to the great value of the deal!) response to our $100 AUD +GST promotion to distribute your music to all of the new outlets we are bringing on board to Musicadium’s network of stores.

We’ve received quite a few questions and thought it might be best to answer them here for everyone to see!

SO…LET’S GET YOU ON YOUR WAY BY ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS!

• YES…All you need to do is log in to your Musicadium account.  Edit the album you wish to add the outlets to and select Valleyarm as an outlet.  Select your genres and territories and away you go!
  
• YES…included in the outlets are exciting new stores such as Spotify and Guvera
  
• YES…mainstay Telco outlets such as BigPond, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin are included in the deal
  
• YES…niche genre stores such as Beatport and many other new video outlets are included
  
• YES…Musicadium is still non term-based, non-exclusive and we will continue to return 100% of the royalties you earn in every store we distribute to.
  
• YES…the $100AUD+GST fee ensures that you are distributed to the hundreds of stores we have recently brought on board as well as any future outlets that Musicadium signs deals with.
  
• YES…the $100AUD+GST fee is per release. It is not a recurring or yearly fee.
  
• YES…we are sending you, an existing Musicadium customer and family member a special gift that we know you are going to love!
  
• YES…this $100AUD+GST fee will expire at June 25. It will then revert to the standard fee of $179AUD+GST after that date.

Remember, it’s as simple as logging in to your already existing Musicadium account before the 25th of June…

…OR if you are a new customer - Create an account!

I want to add 100s of new outlets

for $100 AUD +GST Now

Musicadium has partnered with Valleyarm to add 100s of new outlets for you to distribute to. Have your music sold in heaps of new digital stores including Spotify, Guvera and Bigpond!

• You’re already on iTunes and perhaps, AmazonMP3, eMusic and Nokia
• There’s 100s of digital stores out there selling music to fans like yours every day
• And artists just like you are bringing in extra revenue from these new, exciting stores
• You can be part of that action too and Musicadium is here to help!

Expose and sell your music to massive new audiences throughout Australia, Asia, Pacific, US, UK, Europe etc in heaps of new stores including …

Spotify, BigPond, Optus, Virgin, Vodafone and Guvera!

There’s no need to pay $39 for every new outlet we bring on board. Simply get them all in one hit! For a limited time, have Musicadium place your release in 100s of new stores around the globe for a once off fee of $100 AUD (ex GST).

Note: after June 25 you can still purchase this distribution offer but it will be around twice the price!

Of course you’ll still be covered by our friendly, flexible distribution agreement meaning…

• we pass on all the royalties we receive to you
• no lock in term contracts
• non-exclusive
• you choose what regions, outlets, genres etc you wish to be in.

With the 100s for 100 promo, get…

• Your release added to stores such as Spotify, BigPond, Optus, Virgin, Vodafone and Guvera and hundreds more new outlets over the next couple of months
• Your release placed in all new stores we continue to bring on board (100s more coming)
• 24×7 access to sales royalty reports and royalty collections in the Musicadium members area
• Option to select the territories and genres to distribute to

And until 25 June 2010 receive all this for…

• $179 $100 AUD excluding GST once only distribution fee which covers all deliveries to all new stores and to those stores we keep adding
• Pay on-line with a credit card or using your PayPal account (happy to accept other payment options too)

For every new store we bring on board, your music will be included in those stores. The more stores we bring on board, the more value your $100 buys!

What do I do next?

The brilliance of this offer is in its simplicity…

• As a Musicadium customer, simply login to your account, edit the outlets for each of your releases, make the once off distribution payment and we’ll take care of the rest!
• For new Musicadium customers, simply create an account, then add your release, make the once off distribution payment and let Musicadium take care of the rest!

Extra Special Bonus for a limited time…

If you purchase within the next seven days (ie by next Thursday 10 June 2010) you’ll also receive:

• Your chosen track included on our brand new compilation album specific to your genre
• The compilation album exclusively promoted and sold through iTunes starting this July
• Valued at $55 but yours free if you purchase before 10 June 2010!

We look forward to getting your music even further out into the world!

Digitally Yours,

The Musicadium team

PS Every existing Musicadium customer taking up this offer also receives a special gift just for being a valued Musicadium family member. Our team has chosen something especially for you!

PPS Maybe you also want to pick up the gaps in your current distribution beyond the original four Musicadium outlets (iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Nokia). Dring this 100s for 100 promo, you can add your release to those selected stores for only $9.75 AUD ex GST for each outlet.

PPPS Not yet a Musicadium customer or perhaps you’re an existing customer and want to add another release, then we also have a special offer of $139 AUD ex GST to distribute to all four original Musicadium outlets ( iTunes, eMusic, Amazon, Nokia) PLUS to all the new stores including Spotify, Bigpond etc. Just create an account or login and select those outlet options.

Click here to add 100s of new outlets for $100

Get your music personally pitched by Musicadium to leading global industry players gathered in Hong Kong this May…without needing a rock superstar budget or an expense account to travel!

• Want to make it in new international markets but don’t know how to do it or where to start?

• Been getting some local traction but don’t know the people or places outside of your own turf that can grow your fan base, build your profile and open doors?

• Need publicity or a plugger but don’t have Major Label-size Rock Superstar budget?

Maybe you could try doing it all yourself.  Maybe you could beg, borrow and steal. ….Or you could simply use Musicadium to do the leg work and get things happening on your behalf.

Ramp up your profile and international connections

Access opportunities to plug your music in to Asia and the rest of the world

We’ve got a great opportunity to “take you” with us this May to Music Matters in Hong Kong, Asia’s only annual conference dedicated to the business of music.

With our partner Valleyarm as key sponsors of this event, a select handful of artists will be exclusively represented by Musicadium at this leading industry gathering, pitching you and your music to the world’s best and influential.

We know your music is good. You certainly do. So let us tell the world!

Make your music matter this month with Musicadium representatives working face to face on the ground for you.

What we’ll be doing for you…

• Your featured track on our digital sampler BandTag personally handed to industry leaders and included in over 1,800 delegates’ goodies bag

• A one on one consultation with Musicadium prior to the conference, to really define how to get the best outcomes for you at Music Matters

• Your own plugger on the ground, introducing your sounds to the markets you can’t easily reach

• Establishing new relationships and opening opportunities to expand your audience

• Profiling your music and band on our exclusive Music Matters artist’s webpage

• Providing you a full rundown on how things went - your opportunities, recommendations, actions and follow ups.

Our special deal for you…

Exclusive representation, professional pluggers, conference fees, band tags, travel etc can cost thousands! We really want you to have this exposure…it could lead to great things! It’s definitely worth thousands, but working closely with our partners we have packaged all this for $500 (ex GST).

How do you get involved? You need to act fast!!

To be a part of this exclusive opportunity, we need to hear from you as soon as possible.

All you need to do is visit http://www.musicadium.com/musicmatters, enter your details and we’ll be back in touch ASAP.

Numbers will be closed 5pm Friday 14^th May. We only have a few spots left.

Making that first connection to 1,800 of the world’s leading music industry reps can start today.

STUDIO 301 - NEW EP RECORDING MIXING & MASTERING PACKAGES

Economy EP Package: Record, Mix & Master up to 5 tracks In Studio 6

6 days recording & mixing in Studio 6, 5 track mastering with your choice of Mastering engineer and a bunch of extras!
Cost: $4500 + GST

First Class EP Package: Record, Mix & Master up to 5 tracks in Studio 1

Includes 7 days recording & mixing in Studio 1, 5 track mastering with your choice of engineer and also a bunch of extras!
Cost: $10,500 + GST, overtime & additional materials

Production Packages begin at an additional $300 per Song depending on choice of Producer. Studio 301 are also happy to tailor a custom package to suit your project to include additional tracks etc.

TRIAL MASTERING FOR ALL STUDIO CLIENTS

If you are booking into 301’s Recording or Mixing Studios why not get a sample Master done by one of their reputable Mastering Engineers?  Free one track sample Master for studio clients and only if you dig it will you have to pay for it!! No strings.
Usual terms and conditions apply, contact:
Anita / anita@studios301.com / 02 9698 5888

Check out Studio 301’s facilities in Byron Bay and Sydney at their website - http://www.studios301.com

Ahh, the holiday period. A time for family, food, festivity and fantastic tunes.

Our gift to you is Digital Distribution of your music and video - which you can re-gift to your fans!

Last week, we promised you a sale on our Digital Distribution services and in a fit of pre-Christmas excitement, we gave away gift cards like crazy to those who took up on our offer.

This week, we’re delivering more gifts to you like some sort of Rock and Roll Santa Claus!

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY- OFFER AVAILABLE TILL 5:00PM AEST 18th DECEMBER 2009!!*

Video Distribution
Add 3 videos for the price of 2
1 or 2 videos, get a $20.00 AUD iTunes Gift card

E-Mail info@musicadium.com for instructions on how to sign your videos up and for specifications for encoding.

Add an Outlet
Add Nokia or additional outlets for $20.00 AUD each for releases already through Musicadium

New Releases
- All four outlets for the price of three for new releases - $19.75 AUD per outlet!

Don’t forget to email info@musicadium.com to let us know you signed the release up - you can expect to receive an invoice for the limited time offer price within 48 hours.

Issues

If you are having any issues with the uploading of WAV files to the Musicadium system, be sure to e-mail support@musicadium.com for assistance.

Ah, the season of giving!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Its unanimous, the Musicadium team wants to send holiday gifts early! We know we said yesterday we’re having a sale next week, that’s still happening, but we just couldn’t wait to offer you something special today. We’re like those kids who wake up at 4am on Christmas morning to open their presents, too excitable!

Been wanting to get your music to the world, and just haven’t got on to it yet? Then give yourself an early Chrissy present by having Musicadium distribute your tracks or video to iTunes, Amazon etc today and we’ll give you a gift in return! Your music will be live in your choice of stores ready for your fans to grab tunes for themselves or friends in a fit of post Christmas Sales-fever!

Simply add an album, single of video to your existing member account or for new Musicadium members, create a new account and add an album, single of video. Then complete the purchase and we’ll send you an Amazon or iTunes Gift Voucher.

Hooray! This offer starts today, 9 December 2009, and will continue through to midnight Sunday 13 December 2009 AEST. All purchases must be completed by then to be eligible for our Holiday gift. Please note: gift cards may take up to 72 hours to be delivered to your inbox.

What do I need to do?

For existing Musicadium members, all you need to do is head to http://www.musicadium.com/christmas, fill in the form, then log in and go through the process of adding your release!

For new members, it’s a similar process. Head on over to http://www.musicadium.com/christmas, fill out the form, sign up as a member (make sure you select Pre-Xmas Sale Offer in the how did you find us section!), Log in and add your release!

What if I don’t have any music/videos to release right now?

Not to worry! We still have something for you. If you don’t have a new release to add right now, or just want to spread the holiday love, tell a friend by re-tweeting the message below on Twitter or changing your eBook status to below and we’ll send you our eBook for your troubles!

ReTweet or Facebook Status Update!

RT @Musicadium Join us in the spirit of giving at http://musicadium.com/christmas. Receive a iTunes/Amazon Gift card for adding a release!

With Digital Christmas Cheer
The Musicadium Team

Is there a super cultural mainstream or is it merely the mosaic of subcultures and music scenes? Is mainstream our enemy or our saviour?

Are all creatives eccentrics or are the normal ones merely weirdos in normals’ clothing?

We take a look at the difference between “good mainstream” and “bad mainstream”, and how we can harness the benefits of mainstream to help emerging artists find a wide audience.

The discussion will be lead by QUT’s Professor Alan McKee, pop-culture extraordinaire who has written five books on the subject.

Special guests include Sean Sennett, Managing Editor of Time Off Media, and John Willsteed, QUT academic and former member of the Go-Betweens.

When? Tuesday, 20^th October, 2009

Time? 6pm – 8pm

Where? Brisbane Powerhouse (Turbine Platform), Lamington St, New Farm

THIS EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND AND ALL ARE WELCOME

For the sixth year in a row, the mighty Pyramid Rock Festival returns to bring in the New Year on Phillip Island from Tuesday 29th December 2009 until Friday 1st January 2010.

If you are an artist wishing to make a submission to play at Pyramid Rock Festival 2009 email bands@thepyramidrockfestival.com or send demos/press kits to:

Pyramid Rock Festival
PO Box 256
Inverloch, Victoria, Australia
3996

Be part of a Guinness Book of Records attempt!

Get on a recording with some of the greats and up-and-comers of Brisbane music, including Ed Kuepper, The Smokestack Orchestra, The Heroes, Tara Simmons and Asa Broomhall, and help make music history at the QUT Big Jam.

There’s still time for musicians to get their names added to the line up, which also features Mike Howlett, the bassist from cult band Gong and Grammy-winning producer who now heads QUT’s music program. The jam also features John Willsteed, former member of the Go-Betweens, The Apartments, Disgraceland, and The Riptides.

Organised by QUT’s Independent Music Project and supported by Ellaways Music, the 150-hour Big Jam will include local musicians from the 1950s to today. The jam also features regular house bands and professional recording teams in the world record attempt for longest continuous recording session with multiple artists, possibly the world’s longest jam session.

Beginning early on Monday August 31, musicians will tag-team for just over six days at the new QUT recording studio in Doggett Street before being transported in an open top vehicle with portable recording equipment to the Botanic Gardens River Stage for the finale on Sunday September 6.

The jam will conclude with massive 12 bar blues in G, before local acts The Gin Club and Intercooler take the stage in support of The Cat Empire at the free QUT and BCC organised concert at the River Stage for Brisbane 150 Come Celebrate.

Room is still available on The Big Jam timetable, but be quick. To participate, please register at email or phone Carly Dickenson on 3852 5249 cl.dickenson@qut.edu.au.

Let me ask you this; can you think of one famous female DJ? I put this to the test and asked my fellow co-workers to see if they could. Two out of Three said Bexta and she’s no longer on the club circuit. I’m talking about the big name DJ’s like Fatboy Slim, Diplo, (he’s big in my world, he produced M.I.A’s album, DJ’s and has a side project called Major Lazer with DJ/producer Switch. Can you tell I’m a fan?), John Digweed, Carl Cox etc. Not one colleague could come up with an answer – which highlights my point: the DJ world is dominated by men.

We all know it’s extremely hard for a DJ to break into the music industry. If they do, some people like to call it luck, dj-ing somewhere at the right time, having money, or even just knowing the right people. Have you ever considered how hard it is for a female DJ to break into the scene? As one myself, I’ve had the fortunate and often unfortunate experience behind me of trying to ‘crack’ the DJ side of the music industry. As a woman.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t call myself a raging feminist. I don’t use the fact that I’m a female DJ as an excuse, it actually drives me harder. I have been dj-ing for approximately 3 years now, starting in Sydney. I still haven’t completely broken into the scene but I’m getting there. For those that do know me, they know how hard I work to get where I am today. I play everywhere I can, I’ve been rejected, people and other DJ’s have shut me down, but I’m still booking gigs because it’s my passion.

A Case Study: I saw a bulletin on Myspace about 6 months ago and this one particular venue in Brisbane were asking for new DJ’s to get in touch with them. It basically said something along the lines of ‘If you’re a new DJ looking for a gig, then get in contact with us.’ So I sent them a message straight away saying that I was interested. I didn’t have a demo at the time, so I said I would send through a set list for the time being. I know the EXACT type of music played at this venue so I spent a lot of time on my set list. Eventually I sent it through and they were really impressed. They said they generally book about 5-6 weeks in advance. I said that was fine, I just wanted to play there. We corresponded for about 6 months and they still haven’t booked me in. I even sent them a link to my demo which they liked. Maybe I’m just being paranoid but I don’t know ANY female DJ’s that have played at this particular venue. Hopefully I’ll be the first.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. In an male-dominated arena, it’s been great to see so many other female DJ’s come out from practicing in their bedrooms to playing at venues in Brisbane. Not only has there been an explosion of local talent but also internationally; La Roux, Florence + the Machine, Ladyhawke, Santogold, M.I.A etc. If you read any of the biographies, I can guarantee that they have been playing/writing music for years. These talented women are practically forcing themselves out there for everyone to hear and the response has been astounding.

I’m constantly encouraging my DJ friends to play gigs and recommend them to other promoters that are suitable. Maybe one of those girls or even myself will be on the same level as Fatboy Slim and Diplo. One day. I have faith. It’s time for a change and that change has begun.