Record Store Day

Today is officially Record Store day!  Find a record store and buy some vinyl (or plastic).

RecordStoreDay.com

Goldstar

Goldstar: "Check out this site I found called Goldstar. They have half-price tickets and member reviews of concerts, sports, theater and more.
I'm already a member! https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F1821207RB"

Physical vs. Digital Music Sales

Craigslist + RSS + Google Reader = Great Deals!

Who has the time to keep trolling through Craiglist to find deals on gear?  Here's an easy way to setup a search and be notified a la "watching" items on eBay.

1. Go to your local version of Craigslist and enter a search term.
2. When the results page comes up, click on the orange RSS button.
3. Choose Google Reader as your RSS reader.
4. Keep a browser tab open showing the RSS subscription.

As people list items that contain your search term, you will see new entries in Reader in real-time.

How bands can use the iPad

If your band plays live, then you are familiar with the practice of collecting emails from the audience.  How cool would it be to use the iPad to capture the emails??

Simply create a web page that has the capture form and submit button and presto!  Instant opt-in and no typos!  You can also create a profile on Reverbnation and use that to capture emails as well.

The audience will be impressed with your tech savvy and they will get to test out the iPad.  They will definitely remember you.

Tired of playing to the same 10 friends?

A new website promises to help bands fill the room for their next gig.  CreateTheGig.com is in pre-launch mode and it's goal is to create a true win-win-win for fans, bands and venues.

Fans name their own price for a ticket and interact with the band on the gig setlist.  Once the attendance minimum (set by band) is reached, the fans are charged for the ticket and the venue is selected.

The Web Has Not Destroyed Record Labels, Say Record Labels

Getting a following online and sustaining a band are two different things. Once a band has a large rapid fanbase, they will need help to manage their existence.



Unless the band are absolute artistic purists, they will need to hire a team for touring, marketing, pr, distribution, publishing, design, engineering, project mgmt, html, etc.. It's hard to imagine a band can create awesome music AND those things without help.



That said, a solid indie label can provide that support and the band doesn't have to sell it's soul in the process.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost