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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
Casual Observer
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OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30 |
We would sure like some feedback on our tunes.It's just a live recording w/ a vocal retrack ,$300 bucks to be exact,were hoping to make some contact's and see if there's any interest in our style.We are getting a great response at our show's& We know the demo quality is weak,this was our first attempt at recording,please be honest http://www.brthesect.com/home.html or http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/365/brian_rod_adams_the_sect.html any help would be greatly appreciated,Thanks in advance The Sect
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
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Top 25 Poster
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Posts: 8,102 |
Hey guys, I checked out both sites, one a few times, and listened a week ago, from you other post, and then again now. After years of going through things in this business, some not so pro, some pro, some good, and some dumb by us, but learning from them, even more than the good, I have these thoughts about your band and everything involved. First, I have to say, you guys are good at what you do, no question about that.
In my humble and honest opinion, I think you are doing about all that can be done, giving the ages and style of music. Have fun with it! The labels want young looks, young music, and bands that have sold about 10,000 or more CD's of the same album, around the country in a reasonable time span, before even giving a look. There are just too many trying to make it. It's all about marketing to even younger listeners then the ages of bands!, not just if you sound good for the style of music you are playing. Your market would be small, (bar goers and the like, to be blunt, (and older for the most part because of your approx. ages). Both markets are not ones that spends a lot of money on new acts.
If you want to get involved with the music business, the real music business, (not clubs and bars), then maybe try to get together younger players and manage them, knowing all you know about bands. Then market them to a more established manager, and/or noted music attorney, in hopes of getting them proper music business planning, and maybe signed. But all in all, the labels will have their way in the studio with them. It's image first, music last. Three minute songs are no big deal for most genres, especially standard rock. Staff writers can do them all day long if they wanted, but your style is not of today,,,,,like some of our songs that have been labeled like that.
Like Buddy and me, you guys have missed the age window for being a new marketable act, other than bars and clubs. Nothing to be ashamed of,,it's just "what is". I bet you are really good live, and kick some mean butt. It's a shame that doesn't translate onto record deals. It used to more than now, but again, the ages of the bands were still close to the 20-25 mark.
Songwriting is still an option for people like us, but there, you really have to fit the songs to the current artist who don't write their own songs. That's even a tougher competetive arena, because of the MANY around the world now being involved, due to the Internet.
You guys Rock! So keep doing that if that's what it's all about. Your fans are getting something out of it, right? Then you are too. Don't confuse the club music business with the Music Business. Now, they are less related than ever.
John dhsongs
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 68
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 68 |
I actually have some thoughts about this - about John's thoughts in his reply. I believe there really is a vast spectrum of opportunity between being the equivalent of The Backstreet Boys or Britney Spears and being a lounge act at the Holiday Inn. I believe, if your music is good, you can find/make recording opportunities no matter who you are.
That doesn't mean everybody or anybody can get signed to Capitol Records or it's equivalent or that everybody can become rich and famous recording artist. But there are a ton of small record labels who put out interesting music you probably would never here on commercial radio.
I remember reading an interview with Billy Joel where he said he felt successful well before he ever made records simply because he was able to make a living playing music. I think just being able to do that is a substantial achievement. But I think any artist wants to make records - and just because you are making records for some little, obscure label does not mean you are unsuccessful.
The only kind of record making success is not the mega zillionaire celebrity platinum album success of Shania Twain or anyone else you hear on the radio. If you have a decent sound and enough gumption left to keep swinging, you can make records somewhere and for somebody. And if you can make a living playing or making records, in my book, you are a success.
The big issue, as far as I can see, is the radio airplay which is required to expand your audience to any significant level. Without the backing of a big label, your record, no matter how good, simply will not get played on commercial radio - and that's a shame. And who wouldn't love to hear their record on the radio? Wasn't that the dream in the first place? But, sadly, most of us are locked out.
Like I mentioned in another post, I miss the days of payola. At least in those days anybody could have a chance at being heard. I think today's system is vastly more corrupt and exclusive. For the most part you hear the same rotation on every single similar radio station and you hear those songs over and over and over again. And you hear the same formulas over and over.
Regarding this age thing in general- well, yes, we old farts have about as much chance of being taken on as new act by Sony Records as we have of winning the Lotto jackpot. But like I say, that is not the only measure of success. Old farts like us - do we really want to be friggin celebrities anyway? We want to make music and have it heard.
I might add that country music's door has always been more widely open in that respect - though it is certainly becoming more like pop music everyday - prepackaged, ultracute, ultrayoung, ultravacuuous.
Nevertheless, in some segments of country music it is truly the music that counts most. There are still a pretty fair number ugly (speaking for myself) old farts like us making a decent living and making records. It isn't all just pretty boys in boots and sexpot babes in ultratight bluejeans - not yet anyway. In fact, a certain maturity and world worn raggedyness are damn near an asset for some country artists.
I am a big fan of The Tractors, for example, and there are no teenage, pretty boy celebrity types in that bunch. They just make really cool music. There are a number of pretty successful country acts that do not play into that young, good looking thing at all.
Of course, another issue arises about getting older and that is do you even still the stamina to endure that kind of life? If that is how you plan to make your living, man, it is a serious grind and if you are like me you are now fat and lazy. and tired.
The upshot of all of this and the point I guess I am trying to make is this: If you have it in you - the drive, the desire, the talent and the energy - you can still make interesting and exciting things happen with your music and you can still make records and you can still be successful - you just won't be looking at being a Backstreet Boy or having gold records hanging on your wall or making Grammy speeches. All that stuff certainly is not entirely impossible, just as winning the lottery is not impossible, but it's pretty unlikely.
But it is entirely possible that the babysteps you take in persuing your musical dreams (if you can keep them alive)will take you to amazing places you never even imagined. There are other models for success besides Britney and Shania and Faith and whoever else you can think of. My best, BDK
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
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Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102 |
Good points you made, Billy, to be considered by all. (There are of course many levels of achievement and success, which are both really only a state of mind). They could be very happy with everything right now, which they could and should be, given they play "their" music a lot, and are liked by those going to thier gigs. But, "my" thoughts and points didn't include or speak about Backstreet Boys or Britney Spears, or that extreme end of the businsss. I know what you mean though. I just wanted to make clear my thoughts had nothing to do with Mega Making It in the Pop world. I was thinking all the time about "Rock band's similar to theirs, and what their competition for any level of deals are. John
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
Casual Observer
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OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30 |
First of all many thanks for taking the time to give us your informative oponions on this,John,I hear what your saying,i know were no spring chickens,Maybe were a little crazy also,But as BDK said success is only a perception,We feel honored & blessed every time we play,or if someone says"man You guy's rock,where can I buy your cd.I know the industry isn't looking for 3 ol codgers to sign,but that hope is still alive.I guess it will always be that way until the King changes his will for our life,so as for now,it's up that rough mountain,Yhank you both for the insight and wisdom you shared w/ me.Wishing you both John,&BDK the best Scott from :The Sect http://www.brthesect.com/home.html
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
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Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102 |
You're welcome! If you read what all that I said, you will see that I was giving credit for any success you do have, and to be proud of what you guys do. In the replies, it sounds as if I was coming down on you guys. Not so. "BEST" of everything to you too!
John
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 68
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 68 |
Hey John and Scott,
Didn't mean to sound like I thought that you, John, were coming down on Scott. It was just that reading John's comments got me thinking about things and I was just thinking out loud, so to speak. And I didn't mean to sound like I was disputing John or reacting specifically to his comments.
If I was reacting to anything it was really just to the way things are. I got a call once from an A&R person from a record company. He told me all this stuff about how I had a unique and interesting sound with potential (or something to that effect). About a minute into the conversation he wanted to know how old I was. Needless to say it pretty much killed the conversation when I told him I was forty something. I might as well have told him I grotesquely disfigured or something.
And I hope (god forbid)that I didn't come off sounding like I think I actually know what I'm talking about. I have lots of opinions about things and you know what opinions are worth. My Best BDK
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
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Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102 |
I know what you mean,,,now! Makes even more sense too! Your opinions are more than "you know what"! Isn't that something, that you had everything going for you until the age thing? Happens all the time. I wonder if age discrimination would fall under those events? Unique business I guess though. They do have all those stats for who buys what and from who, and why. Still, it would be great for bands like The Sect to get a one or two year deal, and find whatever nitch they could, with hopes of not becoming signed for the label's secret design of them being only a write-off band for the company. I knew one band that went through that twice!,,,,,after each one of their A&R Reps moved on to another company, right after signing them. They were real good too, (Quincy). You are great to have wanted to explain yourself. Sorry you had too. It was my bad, taking sentences literally, and connecting them to my thoughts. I should not be so anal. Will try to learn from this. "Think before posting, think before posting". I think I'm getting it! Thanks actually, John
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 110
Serious Contributor
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Serious Contributor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 110 |
Scott,I have heard your demo,it's pretty good quality wise.The first time I heard the demo,my bro was playing it in his car,I think it was"She Knows",almost got you guys confussed with Robin Trower.The opening guitar hook on that song took me down a road I haven't been down in a long while.Unfortunatly,what John and BDK are saying is all to true.Oh well,good times are the best times.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30
Casual Observer
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OP
Casual Observer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 30 |
Thanks you guys,We appreciate all the input.It's nice to hear about the reality of the music world,We will keep rockin till we know better.Thanks again Scott The Sect
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
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Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102 |
And Rock right past and over that!
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