Musicadium Blog

Lately, I am becoming more and more convinced that Facebook is more efficient and has a wider market and appeal than MySpace.

While it doesn’t have as bigger band volume as MySpace, I find that Facebook’s fan pages are a great way (and I would venture to say, almost certainly easier to make GENUINE connections with fans - talking WITH them, not TO them) of letting people know about your music, your shows and your merchandise and how to purchase tickets/hoodies/CDs or MP3s.

If you haven’t checked out fan pages, check them out here.  If you haven’t got a personal page yet, you can sign up here.  You need to have a personal account to create fan pages - this will then be linked to your fan page as an administrator - you can add tracks, add events (which you can then easily invite your fans and personal friends to), videos, apps, syndicate your myspace or other blog.  However, if the rest of your band mates are on Facebook, you can add them as administrators as well, sharing the work - they can provide content and invite people to shows as well!

This makes it VERY easy to invite a wide selection and large amount of people to become fans of your band.  Each member of the band (who also obviously will be fans of the band) can invite people from their friend lists to become fans.  From there, fans of the band can then invite THEIR friends and so on and so forth.  This is all easily manageable and easy to blast information toyour fans with the update fans tool.  This allows the band to do a localised facebook e-mail marketing campaign to people who are already interested in your band.  It also allows you to implement “Invite a friend to be a fan” type of marketing campaigns.

If you are interested in marketing to specific groups or locales as well, you can also create lists.  Your list could be drilled down to ages, genders, locations, interests or anything you wanted to target.  This allows you to specifically give/disallow information to groups of people in one hit.  Remember promoting a show on MySpace - go to your friend list, open each fan, page by page, click comment, paste image code for the poster, click send, enter captcha code, click submit, repeat.  As long as your list has less than 100 people, you can send information to your target group in 1-2 clicks.

You can use your personal account to become a trusted content provider (not annoyingly so, though!! Don’t spam people) - giving links to your friends for new bands or videos or relevant information, or blogging about new bands etc.  This can position you to your facebook friends as a trusted source of information and more likely to follow your band and be a fan.

The Facebook Fan Page also allows the band to add applications to their page to enhance the fan’s experience.  The default apps on the page are: Information, Events, Discussion Board, Wall, Photos, Videos, Music Player, Fans and Mini-Feed.  The Photos and Videos sections also allow fans to upload their own content about the band.  As well as these apps, bands can also add their own apps, such as the ability to RSS feed your blog (from MySpace or another blog website, such as wordpress, tumblr or blogger.  There are numerous apps for each purpose, too - there are extra music players which have added functionality, such as the ability to add iTunes links to purchase your tracks.  Obviously, one would remove the original music player and add the upgraded one in this case.

Here is a list of the best 30 Facebook applications for bands - as listed by HypeBot! As well as this, here is a list of the best business and self-promotion applications on Facebook from mashable.

I have been implementing these fan pages with two bands, The Origin Complex and Epidemic…Over (who is a Musicadium artist - check them out on iTunes!!) - so far, marginal results, but for only two day’s work, I am confident that this is a much more expandable, easily maintained and updateable service than MySpace.  Don’t get me wrong. Both of these bands have and will continue to have a MySpace and update it, but I envision a lot more bands will be using this service in conjunction with their MySpace account.

Hopefully this has been helpful to you.  If you want to know any more information about how to use your Facebook to your band’s advantage, please don’t hesitate to comment this blog or send an email to info@musicadium.com.

This is something I found on hypebot today.  This model needs to be implemented in territories other than the United States, ASAP, in our opinion!

The idea that bands can get their CDs and merchandise without having to buy it on consignment (buying a minimum amount of CDs or physical product) is such a godsend.  Buying even a small amount of CDs for really, quite a high price is sometimes a very big ask, considering bands spend so much on recording studio time.

This model means that you as an artist can join for free and set up your account to sell digital tracks (MP3s), Physical CDs and merchandise (T-shirts and Hoodies) through a widget that you can embed on your MySpace, Facebook, blog or website.  You can even set your own price for these items.

It’s called Audiolife - the website’s says that users can “Use our free tools to custom design your Merchandise, CDs, Ringtones and Downloads. Post your store to any website, blog or social network. We’ll manufacture and distribute all of your products when they’re purchased!”

Audiolife makes money by setting a minimum price, Audiolife’s Cut per se.  This means you can set it at the minimum, but you won’t make any money - however, you can set prices accordingly to what you believe your fans will pay. See the pricing options here.

These types of websites are exactly what are needed for the artists of the world to actually stop stressing about the myriad of things involved with managing their band and concentrate on creating!

Two weeks ago, I downloaded a track I saw on the front page of iTunes - it was free, it was from a band whose name I had seen around the place and I thought was a cool name (I studied History at school, so I knew about the Chinese Historical event of the same name), but never heard any of their music - The Boxer Rebellion.  It was free, what did I have to lose?

Nothing.  In fact, I had everything to gain.  Their single, Evacuate, blew my mind.  Normally, not entirely convinced of a lot of the tracks that bands in the indie genre pump out, I am more of a fan of hard rock.  The track went straight to my high rotation list.  I am sure that I annoyed Sarah, Marnie, Steve and Sophie, playing the track constantly.  They all loved it too, but I am sure I played it a little too much.

As soon as my next paycheck came in, I purchased their album from iTunes.

Obviously, a lot of people shared the same sentiment, as the album, Union, went to number 4 in the UK and number 1 in the alternative charts in the US on iTunes. The album is outselling Coldplay, MGMT and Kings of Leon.

I didn’t know this (because I wasn’t interested in a physical copy) but the album was not released as a physical product, instead, it was released ENTIRELY through digital distribution, with a digital booklet.  The album was entirely self-released (no record label backing) on no budget, received no radio play and very little marketing.

Now, the company who releases the charts for the UK, has deemed that, because they don’t have a physical release, their sales numbers don’t count against the others they are outselling.

To me, this PROVES the power of the real estate of iTunes’ front page and offering tracks free as a taste-test.

It should prove to all and sundry, the validity of the digital music revolution.  Hopefully, the backlash in the media (it made NME, The Evening Standard and The Telegraph) should make people realise the flailing CD medium is fast becoming irrelevant and unnecessary, definitely not the ONLY way to make money.

It should also make the chart-makers get with the times.  It has been confirmed that they ARE looking into changing the rules.  Hopefully, this is changed VERY quickly.

Check out their Wikipedia article and their MySpace.

I read the article at 360 Degree Music, read the rest of the article here.

In my job here at Musicadium, I do a lot of reading.  I read blogs, news articles, forums and constantly troll through MySpace, Facebook and Twitter updates, examining what is going on in the Music Industry.  I am constantly looking at what is working and not working for artists, in terms of creating a buzz about themselves.

If you are thinking about your band as your brand and business, then obviously your goal is monetising what you do, so as to provide (some) income.

Traditionally, CD Sales (and the old school emphasis on “Units shifted”) have been the big revenue generator for bands.

As sales of physical products slow considerably and the industry is in turmoil about which way it will turn next (digital all you can eat plans for consumers, 360-degree record deals for artists etc), do you really want to be left behind?

Using your MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, ReverbNation, Sonicbids accounts are given, having digital distribution to add to your physical CD income, but it’s HOW you use them that is important.

Understanding that there are numerous ways to earn money in the music industry is key to your sustainability.

There are recent examples of Groove Armada, in their partnership with Bacardi, The John Steel Singers with their partnership with Levi Jeans’ Levity Label.

Groove Armada and Bacardi’s relationship was to release an EP.  Not so radical.  However, they were releasing some tracks initially, in exchange for an e-mail address, with the added incentive that if they were to recommend it to friends they would receive more tracks and if they then recommended to others, the first user would receive even more and so on and so forth down the line.  Read about the partnership here. This then positions both Groove Armada and Bacardi with a large fanbase and the opportunity to market to a targeted group of people, who will purchase other products, such as merchandise, concert tickets and drinks at said concert.

To quote Nick Crocker’s Way Cool Jnr blog, “The future of music lies in finding new ways to monetise the relationship between the band and the fan…In the digital realm, the relationship between the artist and the fan can be tracked, monitored, maintained and enhanced.”

Honesty in blogging by a band helps incredibly - answering fan emails and MySpace messages personally.  Blogging about other bands and things other than music helps to humanise the band and tear down the glaring impersonality of the internet.  Do this well and no doubt others will begin blogging about you.  Blogging and being blogged about raises interest and buzz about your band, as well as creating that vital link to your fans.  If they like your music, chances are they will like your suggestions for new music or what they are listening to as well.

Basically, more and more music will become free or near-to-free.  As this happens, it may become an addition to the live show, such as including a free CD in the ticket price to a gig or simply traded for an email address or other piece of information.

There is no time like the present to jump on board with new models of selling your music.

This week, it’s young Sydney artist Steffi who wants you to check out her track - No Surprise!

Steffi is one of our youngest artists - so we love hearing that she has been doing some cool stuff - check out this interview with her!

Steffi performed at Dreamworld on New Years Eve with Ricki-Lee Coulter.

You a Big fan of Miley Cyrus. What is it that you love about her?
I Love her personality, her voice, her stage presence and everything else about her she is just fantastic!!!

If you could sing with anyone else in the world who would it be?
Well as you already know I am the BIGGEST Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana fan so I would Do anything for the chance to sing with her!!!

What would you do on your idea of a ‘Perfect Day’?
I would get up on stage and sing my heart out!! It is my favourite thing to do, even if I’m sick I cannot stop myself from singing!!!

How should people dance to a Steffi Song?
If people were dancing to my song I would just say have fun and dance your legs off!! LOL

What plans do you have for 2009?
2009 will be a busy year for me, I am starting Grade 7 so I will have a lot of homework!! I will still be doing all my singing cause it is what I love to do, but at the end of 2009 I will graduate from my school which will be very sad but also a good feeling, then I will just have fun and celebrate Christmas & New Year all over again!!

I read that you love Cold Rock Ice Cream, me too! What is your favourite flavour?
I LOVE lemon sorbet with gummi bears!!!! (I also like chocolate!!)

Thanks Steffi!  If you like Steffi’s music, check it out on

I have just read this article on news.com.au, which is titled Music Industry encouraged to embrace the internet.

Well, of COURSE we should.  And we have. (On a side note, the article is about Midem, but never mentions it by name, instead referring to it as an “annual industry conference in France.”)

I believe the point that the article is getting at and the Midem discussion was getting at is the bigger companies and labels really need to stop trying to recreate the old models of the music industry and start focusing their efforts and money on researching new ways of monetising their content and artists, as well as generating new streams of revenue, rather than simply relying on CD Sales and blaming Piracy for their woes.

In 2008, some 95 per cent of the music downloaded from the internet, or more than 40 billion files, was illegal, leaving the overall music market down around 7 per cent on 2007, the industry claims.

With figures such as this, it really does bear thinking about which artists exactly are being illegally downloaded.  My guess is the overwhelming majority are with the “Big 4″ Record labels.  These really are the people who need to be looking to diversify, utilising their digital arms and making sure they are promoting these sales outlets as well as their CD sales.  Luckily, they agreed to stop DRM (Digital Rights Management) on their tracks on iTunes, which was a major deterrent for consumers without iPods in the past.  They should also consider putting their tracks on more outlets.

The article goes on to talk about all of the music websites and avenues that were being shut down due to companies and labels suing them and shutting them down, with the head of MP3Tunes stating that everytime one of these sites gets shut down, a door of opportunity is closed to forward the industry to the next evolution.

We at Musicadium believe that we are helping artists embrace using the internet to drive their promotion and sales.  Read our e-book if you want any pointers on how to best use it to your advantage.

In another story I found on my internet travels, another one of HypeBot’s Daily D.I.Y. articles brings up a topic about “The Straddle.“  It talks about the artists best straddling the fence of online and offline promotions and relationships with their fans.  One would hope that an artist would be using their online relationships to leverage offline relationships to create fans who genuinely want to go to the band’s shows and feel like they “own” the band.

HypeBot is blogging about the conference papers and discussion panels that they are attending at MidemNet and this topic is one that struck a chord with me as being important for an artist - ANY artist, be it a struggling artist (part of the long tail) or a major artist, looking to avoid being a flash in the pan, one-hit wonder, instead creating a career of good music and good choices.

University Professor, Nancy Baym (whose blog can be found at http://www.onlinefandom.com/), presented at the MidemNet conference over the weekend - HypeBot caught the main points of her conference paper.

Important behaviors:

1. Sharing emotion
2. Building social identity
3. Collective intelligence (set lists, fan reviews)
4. Sharing interpretations (analyzing lyrics)
5. Creating for each other (fan videos, remixes, playlists)

She also shared some mutually beneficial ways for Artists to connect to their fans - to spread the buzz about the artist -

Mutually benificial ways to connect with fans:

1. Make personal connections
2. Use multiple plaforms, but only as many as you can maintain well.
3. Provide social resources
4. Encourage their creativity

We agree with these points - these are at the heart of what it is to be a part of the web 2.0 world of promoting your band and spreading the word. Never should interactions between fan and artist be impersonal.

Check out our e-book for other ways of maintaining a good relationship with your fans using your web 2.0 tools.

This week’s hottest album cover belongs to Seth Sentry.  We love the soft, pastel colours, kind of reminds us of Dr Seuss!  Fantastic, detailed art, that tells another story on top of the great hip hop tales on this album!

If you think you should be in the running for the hottest album cover, shoot us an email with your details including the cover art and why you think it is hot.

Leave a comment below if you love Seth’s awesome cover art.

The MidemNet Conference has been talked about right through any music-focused website in the past few weeks. It is taking place beginning tomorrow, at the Palais De Festivals in Cannes, France.

MidemNet is a portion of the entire Midem conference - a worldwide music conference, where professionals from the world over congregate to explore the latest developments in the industry.

MidemNet is the Digital Music arm of the conference.

From the About MidemNet section:

MidemNet – Music Business in the Digital Age

In 10 years MidemNet has become the definitive event for monetising music in the digital age. This stand alone event offers two days of intense conference sessions and serious networking with unequalled opportunities to debate and engage with more than 1,400 key international executives and actively participate in shaping the industry’s future.

MidemNet - Creating, serving and monetising the artist-fan relationship!

MidemNet 2009 will bring together leading experts from around the world and across the industry to discuss opportunities & solutions to enhance the artist-fan relationship. What are the most promising ways to foster this relationship further? What are the most promising organizations, services, social media and digital platforms for artists to better connect with their fans? How can the music industry create value and generate new revenue streams out of such a relationship? These are key questions to be addressed through exclusive keynotes, panels and workshops.

We will be following the happenings of the conference closely and blog on any of the interesting topics.

Check out the MidemBlog to find out more about what is going on - some of the conference topics and some videos have been posted - VERY interesting reading!

Here is an exciting opportunity and a different type of gig to play if you are in the vicinity!

Every month, the Apple stores in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia have artists performing instore sets.

These happen on either a Thursday evening or Saturday afternoon, and are traditionally acoustic/semi-acoustic style performances, though there has also been DJ sets, live vocal to backing, and other performances. No high-volume gigs are encouraged as the store is surrounded by other stores who are also trading at the time.

FYI:
* Sydney store - can accommodate up to a 5 piece band.
* Melbourne can comfortably fit a 3-piece. Or a 4-piece if it’s a stripped back kit, or live to backing.
* Apple organises (and pays for) PA / audio / tech. Artists are responsible for own instruments.

The booking agent is currently booking February through to June 2009, so if you would like to be considered, email info@musicadium with the subject line “Apple Instore Performance - BAND NAME.”