Musicadium Blog

This month Musicadium profiles one of Musicadium’s first artists to sign up, Pete Hawkes.

Q. What styles and influences are on your latest album?
The Pete Hawkes/Phil Emmanuel album (lost souls entwined) is very different to anything I have done so far and is an errie/spooky kind of album, a dedication to the lost musical greats who were never known in their time, people such as Nick Drake, Eva Cassidy, Roy Buchanan and Danny Gatton who were ‘famous’ only after death. The music has a bit of Nick in the acoustic guitars, Danny and Roy in the electric styles, played by Phil Emmanuel, especially the volume swells on the electric but its a completely new blend.

The Hawkes/Swarbrick album (which is a re- release of an old Festival records album with ou ttakes and some of Swarbricks arrangements that never saw the light of day) is the session we did at Ian Blakes Blue Bear Studio’s which is my folk stuff, written in my own style, using alternate tunings mainly and unusual hooks and melodies although on several tracks you get Swarbricks lilting, idiosyncratic fiddle style that really ended up being THE folk fiddle style that came out of the UK and was prominent on Fairport Convention & Martin Carthy’s albums and many more. He did a very good job on Jemimma’s lullaby and Reuben’s Fancy I thought. The later was his title; he fell in love with my border collie (Reuben) and gave him the tune. (more…)

Welcome to the Musicadium Blog.

Think of this blog as an indie musician’s toolkit.

Through it, musicians can learn, improve, and ultimately make the most of their talents.

We will post here regularly with marketing tips, interviews, artist and industry profiles, how-tos, never-dos and guest posts from experts worldwide.

Please feel free to comment with your own tips and suggestions or contact me directly: nick at musicadium dot com

The Bedroom Philosopher
http://www.myspace.com/thebedroomphilosopher

Scott Edgar and The Universe
http://www.myspace.com/scottedgarandtheuniverse

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In this week’s blog, Musicadium interview’s CRASH. CRASH was born Mike Beever in 1969 in the north of England. At a very early age he is introduced to music through his father, a church organist and his mother a keen ‘New Seekers’ fan!

He develops an interest in uplifting and soaring music through his love of the great composers in particular J.S Bach, Handel, Mozart and Beethoven but it is when he comes ear to ear with film and music that the potent mix strikes a chord.

Throughout his teenage years he begins a love affair with sound synthesis aquiring his first synths at age 14 and going on to start experimenting with sound and recording throughout these years. (more…)

This month we chat with Czarina who hails from Melbourne, Australia via the Philippines. Czarina first entered Melbourne’s R&B scene back in 2002. But music has been running through her veins since she was a child. Through joining various choirs and even a family band at age 16, Czarina gained more insight into her love for creating music. She even formed part of a vocal group where she arranged the harmonies. This increased exposure to music led her to obtaining support slots for touring Filipino artists, gaining Czarina a strong reputation in the Filipino community. She even sang on Channel 9’s program, ‘StarStruck’, in 2000, performing a version of Monica’s, ‘Angel of Mine’.

All this finally led to Czarina hitting the studio and recording her own original songs. Working with some of Australia’s hottest producers, singers, dancers and MC’s at the time (including JWess, Digga, Israel, Randolf Winston & Vince Calingasan), Czarina began to stamp her mark on the scene with her smooth, melodic and catchy R&B / Pop tunes through her energetic and sexy live performances in some of Melbourne’s hottest clubs, including The Next Blue, Saratoga, Club Odeon and Club Matrix.

Being influenced by the likes of Janet Jackson, Mya, Usher, Aaliyah and Justin Timberlake, her new musical direction is more an extension of her old self, rather than an entirely new path.

Czarina has written all the songs for her Album Demo (15 tracks) and has been hard at work in the studio with Damion recording and polishing off the project (which features local MC’s: Lipz, Cee-For and the recently signed, GMC).

Q. When did you first know that creating music was for you?
When I was about 19 I realised I could actually write songs! I’ve always loved writing poems growing up. Music and singing have always been part of my life though.Q. What inspires you? What makes you want to write songs that make people sit down and think?

Life experiences, family & friends inspire me most. Past experiences have lead me to feel and think the way I do now, and I believe that we only have one life to live so we should definitely make the most of it. Not take important people in our life for granted. Do what we enjoy doing and work hard. My husband & parents are extremely supportive, and my son makes me aim higher so that as he grows up he’ll also know that he can do anything.

Q. What styles and influences are on your latest album?
R&B mainly (ie. Janet Jackson / Justin Timberlake influences), however, because I bring a lot of positivity in my songs as well, I am also very Pop oriented (like our lovely Kylie).

Q. How did you come up with your band name?
OOh! That’s an easy one! I used my real first name! hehe

Q. How long of you been playing your instruments/singing and did you take lessons?
I’ve probably been singing since I was 5 years old really but nothing as exciting as what I do now. I used to be in choirs and bands growing up, and took a few singing lessons, but no formal training.

Q. What’s your favourite colour?
Purple!

Q. Do you have a day/square job as well as music? If so what is it?
Yes I do, I work full time in an insurance company in the city.

Q. What did you think of the last Harry Potter book?
Actually I’m only up to the third book now (started reading the series a few weeks ago - held off all this time because I didn’t get into the craze of it, BUT now I’m a huge fan.) so once I finish all the books, I’ll let you know what I think of the last one! Loving it so far though!!!

Q. The best thing about being an artist is?
Getting feedback from people saying that they love my songs! Hearing them say that they can relate to a song that I’d written. Myspace is a wonderful tool for artists as feedback is world-wide! The hype of performing as well and
the fact that I can listen to a whole album which is all mine!

Q. Why did you choose Musicadium to digitally distribute your music?
Musicadium had the most user friendly website, most competitive price and kind and efficient staff.

“I chose Musicadium because they had the most user friendly website, most competitive price and kind and efficient staff. Even before signing up completely, I had emailed Kley so that I understood the way it all worked, and he responded quickly and didn’t seem to mind that I had asked SO MANY questions! I have since then been dealing with Michaela who has been fantastic! I was so surprised when she had told me that they were having a press
release done in regards to my being in the top 30 of the NA2R competition, and again now with the feature! I’m glad that I chose Musicadium because they are not just getting my songs out there, they have been extremely supportive in all aspects of my music.”

Czarina Czarina Release Date: 01 Jan 2007 Genre: R&B/Soul (c) 2007 C. Lapus-Di Santo / D. Portaro

Q. What styles and influences are on your latest album?
I would have to say that the styles and influences most liken to Queens of the Stoneage, Kyus, RL Burnside, Primus, The Waifs, PJ Harvey,Led Zep, Hendrix, Weezer, Temple of the Dog, Rage against the Machine etc. This is the music i love and i guess you write music that you like the sound off.

Q. What inspires you? What makes you wake up and think “wow that really matters?”, what makes you want to write songs that make people sit down and think?
What inspires me is my sister. When we get together and write songs, her lyrics meet with my tunes and riffs, we do some arranging and keep
it relevant to a theme for the song. What inspires me is music itself, as it is
really defined as spirit. It is when the physical meets with thought and feeling
to produce a sound or matter. It is like wind in a tree. True art is right in
front of you. If you can capture that in a song, thats great. Every day stuff
turned into music.

Q. If you could replace George Bush with anyone you like for President, who would it be and why?
Al Gore

Q. How did you come up with your band name?
We came up with our band name because there are a lot shy musos out there. We are relitavely quiet people but we have a huge sound live. We are not about bignoting ourselves. We would rather shy away from the industry that covers other peoples songs or repeats. I think you need to be shy to open yourself up to the music.

Q. What’s your favourite song to play?
My favourite song to play would probably be Highway to the Sun. I wrote it on the train on the way home from work and i discovered some chordal techniques by mistake while recording, which i used. It has a great groove and i have a fun idea for a music video.

Q. How long of you been playing your instruments/singing and did you take lessons?
We have been singing/playing ever since i can remember the old man taking us up to the local pub and singing in the bar. We used to put on home concerts.

Q. Any new influences that you will be drawing into your next release?
I really love the sound and atmosphere of Muse. I love Ben Harper and of course Jeff Buckley. I want to create a rythmical, universal unchartered but familiar soundscape, with heaps of smooth groove, in the next recording. I have a little shack which i am in the process of setting up a full analogue recording setting.

Q. What kind of instruments do you use?
We use some home made amps, Gibson SG, Pearl, Zildjian, Paste, Peavy, Cole Clarke acustic guitar autographed by Peter Brock, double muff.

Q. Why did you choose Musicadium to digitally distribute your music?
It was braught to my attention to put our music out there on the net. I contacted Apple computers who referred me to Musicadium. Musicadium was by far the easiest, most co-operative and helpful. They are clear and very responsive to any queries.

Q. Do you have a day/square job as well as music? If so what is it?
My day job is an Alcohol and Drug outreach worker with young people, three days per week. The other two i work in the disability field, running a comunity garden and arts project. I have a Fine Arts BA, which means bugger all. When my sister performed acapella in front of 500 people when she was about 14.

Q. When did you first know that creating music was for you?
Being creative is one of my primary needs. It allows me to function. Other people dont need to be creative.

Q. What are you listening to right now?
I am at work and my co worker wanted to hear the CD, so she has it playing, song 6 i think.

Q. When will be releasing your next album?
Within the next 12 months

The Shy The Shy Release Date: 01 Jan 2007 Genre: Indie Rock ℗ 2007 The Shy

Did you know that Musicadium is changing it’s model and all new sign ups will receive 100% royalties returned to you!

Musicadium is a digital music distribution service. For US$29.95 we get your music to the world by releasing your tunes to iTunes, eMusic & heaps more!

You retain all rights to your music and there are no term based contracts.

If you’re ready to sell your music on iTunes, eMusic and heaps of other digital music stores, then signup now. Its quick, simple and only US$29.95 per album. Remember, you retain all ownership, there are no term contracts and your music is made available to millions of music fans. Get started now at http://www.musicadium.com/

Or for more information, email us at info@musicadium.com

We have just released our latest shirt (also available in a poster!) “I service society by rocking” and it’s hot!

Press Release: Elias- Debut- Out Now on iTunes through Musicadium

Spanish Guitar infused acoustic tracks about subjects a little out of the ordinary. Coffee, going slow…busking.