Beat-Play Press Machine

Whenever I go to a music store or website, I always see Hip hop and Rap in the same section, and many times the terms are used interchangeably.

When you bring up this subject to people, there are many different responses. Most of the time people equate Hip hop to being the older of the two, as the real foundation for the genre. People also say that Hip hop has more of a Jazzy, upbeat feel. Rap, according to most people, is anything made after 1994. Most of what came before is considered Old school hip hop.

Some people say Hip hop is Dead. "Rapper" Nas claimed this a while back. I disagree..and I also don't consider Nas a "Rapper," though he is commonly referred to a one.

You may or may not know but I'm an independent artist myself. I actually happen to be a lyricist that mostly writes hip hop lyrics, but I also do some Rock and R&B. I would never classify myself as a rapper though, simply because of the bad connotations that the word is associated with. When I say connotations, I mean the subject matter that is in the songs.

The REAL difference between the two categories is lyrical content. Rap, I classify, as being a genre that focuses on particular concepts over and over again. The subject matter never really changes very much. It is almost like Rap is a mass produced form of music, and the artistic dynamic to the music is often lost.

However Hip hop on the other hand, which is still very much alive (overshadowed, but alive), has a greater value to the listener. It offers poetic and often insightful lyrics that give you a second reason to want to listen. Take a look at one of my favorite Hip hop lyricists, Emmanuel Jackson in the video below. He's unknown right now, but look out for him in the next couple years. Hip hop will be making a huge comeback. His style is also the closest to my own that I have ever seen and I have tremendous respect for his art.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA8jnNts4ms]

I hope this post cleared this issue up for a lot of people. Rap is a mainstream pop genre that goes through fads faster than an elementary school, and Hip hop is a fundamentally pure art form who's roots are so deep that it will never really die. In fact, I think Rap may be in danger pretty soon, especially with people like Emmanuel Jackson emerging, who happens to feel the exact same way as me on the subject. The REAL difference is all about the REAL.

P.S. I should have a EP out by the end of the year ;)

Written by: Dante Cullari (aka ilL principe) Found and President Beat-Play, LLC

On December 28th, 2009 Music Without Labels & Beat-Play asked the public (using reddit), “What needs to happen in order for music to become free and the artist still get paid?” This is a very controversial topic right now seeing as piracy is one of the leading issues in the music industry today. Here is what some of the social media world and redditters had to say about this topic:

-Jigsus States:

“Musicans should make money in one way only; Concerts! If a musician writes a song, then he is entitled to be paid if some other band plays it in a concert.”

Musicians will continually reach out for money in other areas rather than limiting their income to shows alone. The artist is always deserving of profit based on the quality and popularity of the music, along with making money from merchandise sales. The artists do not have enough promotion to stay alive without being under a major label. This system can be beaten through modern technology online, where new music is heard at all times based on the interests you have in the music world. The music will be pumped out to new listeners at all times, doing exactly what any musician could ever want to promote their music, while giving them the percentage on music sales that is rightfully deserved.

-Guitarbuddy states:

“Most musicians supplement their music income with teaching and other non-music jobs. I am surprised by how often the ‘music should be free’ crowds rely on corporate products such as cigarettes, junk food, and mass produced beer.”

Artists today do not have an engine or any other outlet that allows them to produce the large amount of publicity found with the record labels. These promotional advantages found with the labels are greatly paid out with a large majority of the income paid back to the label. Therefore, most independent artists do not really excel on sites such as iTunes, barring in mind that they also lack in the fan base to produce a livable income.

-jmnugent states

“We have to break away from this ‘MTV cribs’ culture… The music industry is a victim of the same ‘cancer’ that is affecting lots of other parts of modern culture. We’ve developed this insanely resource-hungry ‘middle-structure’ that is greedy and unnecessary.”

The lavish life-styles expected are still foreseeable in a business model such as the one discussed above. The only difference is that the fans themselves finally determine the outcome of the artists’ success, rather than who is under the best label with the largest contracts. This way we won’t be forced to see the same musicians all the time when there is always an influx of extremely talented artists out there at all times, waiting to be heard.

-beefjerkier states:

“There needs to be an increase in the cost of online advertising.”

I believe the cost will go up with perceived value of a product (artist popularity). There also needs to be a system set up where artists have multiple ad streams, for example; they can track the visits to their profile, video plays, radio plays, blog views, ect… These all can be tied to a specific ad model, while being factored in with shows (which artists can begin to charge for tickets to online streams) and merchandise.

The push to create a model for music to become free and the artists to continue to make money is very popular right now. Here at Music Without Labels & Beat-Play LLC, we have the answers to the Music Industry problems today, and we are coming to you with the first online engine for independent musicians of its kind.

Written By: Mark G. Valente | Director of Operations | Music Without Labels & Beat-Play LLC

What came first, the toolbox or the tool? This is not a trick question, it's obviously the tool, and we have proof. However, with the emergence of more tools, and more applications for these tools, it became apparent that another tool, a tool's tool, was needed: the Toolbox.

It is no different for the current state of the music industry and all of it's awesome web tools. I see the future of music going in one distinct direction in order for it to flourish the way it naturally should. It may sound cliche, but the only way true, good music(like the old days) will live on, is if the surviving community of great music decides to unite as one. This may sound like an empty gesture, but with today's standards, uniting is as easy as selecting and supporting ONE universal music social network online. It's almost as simple as a mouse click these days to organize collectively toward a common goal.

Once a single platform is established, the possibilities for collaboration and integration of all of the awesome sites and tools that are out there are opened up increasingly, and can benefit the users way more than the current set up. Third party apps can be integrated with the social network to expand the capabilities of the site and its users.

Also, a huge part of this platform should include an effective ad model, that is unobtrusive and that sponsors the content. Artists can track ALL of their plays, vid views, profile views, merchandise page views, shares, ect, and if they give their music away for free, they could then gain ad revenues based on popularity. The downloads on this network would also be very safe, putting an end to crashing computers and lawsuits.

Bands could be able to perform live streaming concerts and sell tickets on this platform, as well as their merchandise, and they can have their updates sent directly to their fan’s profiles. Band members could even eventually practice with each other from across the world if this system is created, leaving even the opportunity for new bands to form, where it would have been impossible before.

Having one music platform would open up the doors to a more efficient way of artist promotion as well. There could be a system where users follow people they share a taste in music with, and then the user's radio pulls songs from their friend's playlists when they press play. There could be many ways for users to control this. What this really means is the best free promotion an artist could get (and currently can't). For example, if my friend likes a song enough to playlist it, then it will get sent to me, and if I like it enough to playlist it, it gets sent to everyone who's following me, creating an automated word of mouth system that makes the music itself completely viral, as long as it's good.

There's currently no term for this, but it can be described almost as a 2-way status update, where a user not only receives the content, but passes on the content that they like. This amazingly simple, but innovative system. will have incredible implications, not just for the promotion of music, but eventually for any product.

Basically, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have ONE platform online for music, and a million and one reasons why we should. It doesn't mean the end of all of the current music sites, it would just mean the integration of them all together, performing the role of a toolbox for all of the cool web tools out there. Imagine, before tool boxes, people only had access to a limited amount of tools at a given time; but with the toolbox, the options became almost limitless, given the tools. I see the future of this spreading generously throughout many facets of our lives.

Also in the future, along these same lines, could eventually be mobile hardware, as well as mobile apps that are universally accepted for music distribution. Then, of course, I hope we would do the same thing for TV and Movies, which would be to essentially free the industries, in almost every sense of the term. This system is inevitable and I am certain it will happen in this decade, just as sure as the invention of the toolbox was after the introduction of numerous tools. Organization is key!

Written by: Dante Cullari, Founder & President, Beat-Play, LLC

Give us some background. Where are you from originally, where are you now, how did you get there?

I am originally from Long Island, NY.  I am now living in Georgetown, MA.  After high school, I received a Vocal Scholarship to Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.  After graduating from Rollins, I then continued my life in Mansfield, Texas. Texas and I didn't mix, so I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my dream of getting discovered as an artist.  I lived in L.A. for 8 years performing, writing / co-writing and teaching.  I made countless connections and played a great amount of shows.  I had my own funk band that made everyone dance all night when we played!  The changing of times and goals moved me out of L.A. into Massachusetts this past October.  I thought that being a big fish in a smaller pond would help things, and it has. 

What Genre would you classify yourself as?

I would classify my music as Funky Pop.

What is it that drove you to pursue a career in music, along with what drives you individually as a musician?

I have always been in front of crowds singing and performing, and I am extremely comfortable in that setting, and love it.  When I started writing music, I realized that it was what I was "supposed to be doing"!

What struggles have you faced with having your music heard and getting your name recognized by outside markets? 

I think that I have gotten more positive feedback rather than bad but it seems that the higher ups, that could make my music heard WORLD WIDE, don't want to take a chance on something new and different even though it's good.  

What kinds of things do you do to promote yourself? 

Performing live shows as much as possible while promoting online via Myspace, Facebook, Bebo, Imeam and email Blast lists.  I’ve also recently joined the New England Songwriters guild.  

Is there a predominant message you hope to get across in your songs?  

I preach the law of attraction, visualizing what you want and bringing it to your self through this law.  I also write about LOVE a lot because I am very fortunate to have found it.  Six out of the eleven tracks on my album VISUALIZE ('09) are about the love of my life.

What are your thoughts on the future of the music industry and where it’s going?

I know it will be harder for us musicians to get noticed, but I think that if you want it bad enough, and are good enough, YOU WILL SHINE THROUGH.  Music is needed in this crazy world and I can't think of anything I would rather do than write music to make people feel better, or DANCE!

Are you currently unsigned, and do you plan on staying independent?

I had been signed by GoDigital Media Group, based out of Santa Monica, CA.  They put my album online ONLY, on about 8 online music stores. (iTUNES, Napster, Amazon mp3, Aimey Street, Rhapsody... etc.)  This group has done very little else besides putting my songs online.  Virtually NO promotion.  The songs are online but won't sell because I don't know how to promote!  I am not really with them anymore since I moved, but my songs are still online represented by them.

What are your reasons for being an independent artist?

Mainly because there was no label interest.  

Who are some of your favorite artists?

Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson.

Do you ever feel that people will be missing out on your music because you are not signed to a major record label?

ABSOLUTELY.  All I want to do is be heard, and do it for a living.  I don't need "Bling"!

Your art can be very experimental. Do you ever wish there was an easier way to access the music you sample from, or wish that you had access to a huge library of undiscovered music, which is updated everyday by itself?

I don't sample music but a huge library of music would be nice.

What would you say if I told you that there’s a new force in Independent Music that will give you all of the power of the Major Labels and more, while at the same time giving you complete control over all aspects of your musical career, and you will never have to sign a thing? 

Sounds too good to be true!

And you would have access to the worlds first ever audio component auction, where pieces of songs are sold off at auction prices to be repurposed in other songs.  What kind of impact do you think that would have on your music?

It could be very interesting.

The only catch is you have to choose to use it to your benefit, or not.

It’s called Beat-Play.

Founder and President of Music Without Labels, Dante Cullari, has been blessed with the pleasure to speak at this year’s Independent Music Conference in Northampton this Saturday at the Clarion Hotel in Northampton, MA, in which, he will be one of a select expert group of panelists, mentors, and workshop presenters, gathered to discuss empowering ideas for indie musicians to achieve success. The four day long IMC, offers many influential opportunities for independent artists, thanks to the educational and internetworking platform provided by the event’s coordinator, InterMixx.

            Featured panelist, Dante Cullari, has been invited to discuss the underlying issues within the current music industry, while providing clear and insightful solutions to its impending transformation. Along with the ideas, Mr. Cullari has founded Music Without Labels to provide an effective, yet free, promotional outlet to the musicians experiencing the repercussion exerted by the current industry. Mr. Cullari states, “Artists should take advantage of the real promotional opportunities the Internet provides, in an effective way,” and suggests several tools to do so – INDEPENDENTLY.

            The Independent Music Conference is known for offering a resourcefully valuable learning experience for producers, musicians, industry professionals, students, and a dedicated online fan base of over 7000 supporters. Music Without Labels serves as an educational platform to discuss the issues, share, the solutions, and promote the organic evolution of the music industry.

COME OUT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!

            For additional information and/or tickets to the IMC, please contact them at 203.606.4649, or visit www.imc09.com. For further information on MWL, catch them at www.musicwithoutlabels.com, or call 717.412.0341.

Has anyone ever heard of mini days? It's a productivity system that streamlines your physical movements for optimum production with no burn out. It is similar to Henry Ford's assembly line where instead of having one person put the tires on, and then they go and work on the engine, and then go and tighten the bolts, and so on, each person is specified a specific task where each person only performs one physical movement at a time. They might put only tires on many different cars for a period of 4 hours, and then might move to tightening bolts for a couple of hours, but they are not wasting time walking around, getting the tools they need for one job, and then going and doing the same thing with other jobs that need to be done, and wasting more time. Each action is streamlined. This is how Henry Ford turned the process of producing cars from a hundreds-a-day process to a thousands-a-day process, which we now call mass-production. It can be the same for your phone calls, word processing, school work ect. Define your tasks by the physical movements you make. Select a set amount of time each day dedicated to that task. Set up a time schedule for when you will perform each task each day. An example might be Phone Calls, Operations (could be anything), Meetings, In my case updating my website, ect.  Work only for that set amount of time, and even if you don't finish what you start, move on to the next task when the time is up. This way you are chipping away at many things each day, without getting worn out by any of them, and by the end of a week you may have your whole list completely done, with no unneeded stress or seemingly hard effort. These little spurts of productivity are called mini days because once your done with one it's almost like starting a brand new day doing something completely different. It can work wonders! Remember it's all about streamlining your physical movements so you don't waste time for example typing something, then remembering you have to call someone, and then going back to typing. Block everything into time slots so you can use your time as efficiently as possible. Just thought I'd share because no one seems to have ever heard of it and everyone I tell uses it and loves it. I learned this trick in a pretty amazing book I've read. If anyone wants to know more email me at Dante@musicwithoutlabels.com and I'll tell you more about the book..you may not believe me when I tell you about it..

Give us some background where are you originally from?

I am originally from Colorado.  I was born in Littleton, Colorado.  When I was a year old, my family and I moved to California.  I lived in Orange County until I was six years old, then we relocated to Dallas, Texas.  After Dallas, we moved to St. Louis, MO and I lived there from fourth grade until I graduated from high school.  I normally tell people I am from four states.  Each state I have lived in is a deep part of my psyche and has formed my perception of the world.  The easy answer would be St. Louis because that is where I spent the majority of my life, but like I previously stated, I consider the other three states a very important part of my life. 

 

You are currently attending the Musicians Institute in Hollywood Correct?

Yes, that is correct.

Tell us why you decided to attend the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

I just graduated from Colorado State University, and I wanted to further my education.  Music has been my passion ever since I can remember, so I decided that there was no better way to continue my education than through a music school.  I wasn’t ready to go into the corporate world like my brother and father, (because that’s not my style), so I decided to attend the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.  For one, I am an artist and I produce and mix my own music.  I realized that the best option for me to pursue my dreams would be to come to Hollywood (the epicenter of entertainment), and learn how to become a sound engineer so I could engineer my own music while learning the other components that make up the music industry.  They teach you a wide range of the skills needed to be successful in the industry such as; how to hear sound correctly, recognize frequencies and understand how to conduct a session and run a studio, along with a lot more valuable information.  

What do you expect to gain as an independent artist by attending the Musicians Institute?

I expect to gain a multitude of things by attending M.I. as an independent artist.  For one, M.I. is an incredible place for networking and getting your name “out there”.  All of the teachers that teach at M.I. are extremely qualified and proven in the industry.  They all have connections and they all know their trade to the smallest details.  Some have received Grammy’s for their work; most if not all have worked and still work with famous and established musicians.  For example, one of my engineer instructors has worked with 311, Brian McKnight, Bone Thugs, and Def Leppard.  In fact, that particular engineer is so good at his job that McKnight pays him just to be in the studio when he’s recording to make sure nothing goes wrong and everything is exactly like Brian wants it.  He isn’t even his sound engineer anymore; he is just paid to be there.  Another great thing that I have already gained through M.I. are the connections that you make with your peers.  I have already started collaborating with my boy V.I. (Vic) who I met at M.I., and we have formed a band called Two $cholars $hort.  I have met a plethora of musicians who I also intend to collaborate with: guitarists, violinists, pianists, drummers, keyboard players, vocalists, etc., all at different talent levels from pro to beginner. 

Tell us about some of your experiences at school and how they have motivated you to become a better artist.

The school has clinics every week that feature various musicians or prominent producers/people in the industry who come and speak at the school.  Scientist will be coming to give a clinic soon and that should be a very influential and informal lesson.  These clinics give additional information that we might not learn in class or elsewhere.  There are often live shows occurring as well and that is inspirational to see because it makes you realize how talented your fellow students and teachers are. 

Do you think your choice to go to a music school is going to give you a better advantage in the music industry and if so, why do you think that is?

Absolutely.  In the small amount of time I have been attending M.I. I have already learned twice as much about the industry than I previously knew.  They provide a large amount of information that you can’t read in books, and that I feel a lot of people don’t know.  They tell you the mistakes they made so you can learn from them.  Also, it won’t hurt to have a college degree and an education from one of the best music schools in the world.

Now that you have attended the Musicians Institute in Hollywood for a little while, is music school something you would suggest to fellow indie artists and producers and why?

Definitely, you should never stop learning and challenging yourself, and as cliché as the saying is “knowledge is power”, it’s true.  There is a lot to learn from the teaching staff at M.I., and the equipment at the school is world class.  In Studio A, there is a beautiful SSL 4000G console with forty-eight channels, top of the line monitors, and a solid acoustic room for recording.  The networking and connections that you can make at this school is unbelievable, and the location is perfect.  The information that you receive at the school will only further your level of expertise, and you will have more control over your sound and vision.

Do you find yourself more focused on your career in the music industry than you did prior to attending music school and if so, why do you think that is?

I am more focused that I have ever been.  I finally have the tools to further my career and education in the music industry.  At the school all of the top of the line equipment is at my fingertips and I am being taught how to use it all.  It is very exciting and I can’t wait until I have my own studio.  I am more focused because, unlike other places I have lived, Hollywood is all about entertainment, and that is my passion.  Every type of music that you want to explore is located here, and the amount of musicians and artists that come here is astronomical. 

Tell us about some of your favorite teachers and how they affect your creativity and development as an artist.

It’s hard to single out a single instructor that I have at M.I. because they are all so talented and cool.  A couple would be David Hewitt, Ted Greenberg, TJ Helmerch, and Otto (superotto.com).  Dave is very relaxed and chill individual who has a lot to teach because he’s seen it all and experienced it too.  TJ is one of the founders of the RIT program at M.I. and a very talented musician.  Ted has received multiple Grammy’s for his work in “Standing in the Shadow of Motown”, and is a very intelligent man.  Otto is a certified master of both Pro tools 8 LE and HD, and Logic 9.  I almost forgot Nels Jensen who is a bad ass with pro-tool, production, mixing, and post-production. He has worked with Flight of the Concords, (he engineered their last season), Jamie Foxx, and other successful musicians and artists.

You are originally from the mid west and now you are on the west coast. Tell us, have you noticed any differences in the struggles of being an independent artist in St. Louis vs. Hollywood?

No, not really.  I would say that everything is working out better if anything out on the West Coast.  Even though there is a massive over-saturation on the music market right now, especially for hip-hop, the networking and capabilities here are far more substantial than the Midwest.  Don’t get me wrong; St. Louis has it on lockdown. I just wasn’t able to make the connections that I am here. 

Do you have any new projects you are currently working on that we should keep an eye out for?

Always.  Especially right now.  My buddy V.I. and I just created a new band called Two $cholars $hort.  We’re working on our first album, and we’ll hopefully have it out in a couple of months.  In the meantime, you can go to my website on myspace, myspace.com/lokeiistl, and check out some of the tracks.  I’m going to put up some of the new tracks we’ve been pouring our heart and soul into, but only just a taste.  I got to keep you hungry so I can feed you later.

We want to thank you for taking the time out to speak with us today and for your support of MWL and Beat-Play.

www.musicwithoutlabels.com

Every independent artist in today’s music business has the same question. When will the right person hear my music? The problem with this way of thinking is the fact that you have now set your focus on pleasing someone that could ‘potentially’ help you out, rather than focusing on the creation and production of new music. Musicians are supposed to create new music to stimulate the fans interest, but in today’s market every band and record label has the focus set towards publicizing the already created music.

If fans want to hear the old music you had made then they will obviously go back and do that based on a song they had enjoyed of yours. Too much time and money is put into the promotion of music these days that you only see new music from a band maybe twice a year if you’re lucky. What the artists need to realize is that they will make more money, create a larger backing, and promotion becomes free through the fan base.

Here at Music Without Labels, we offer that same FREE promotion idea discussed to help the artist get their name out there so fans buy the music. With Beat-Play comes the first social network radio, in which users will login, activating the radio. Each user will have their own playlist where the friends that they make on Beat-Play will pull new music from to play on their radios. With this, the user has the ability to hear a new song every time you hit next. Once you hear something you like, you then save it to your playlist, to help spread the music. The radio system truly is a great innovation to the business of music promotion, all free.

With a model like this, it is proven that all the artists will need to do is create new music to spread on the site. This will give the artists more traffic on their site for ad revenue along with the ability to sell their music. Once it is on the site, the rest is up to Beat-Play, allowing the musicians to be musicians. Then, finally pull in the amount of money that is being made off their music, rather than having it taken from them because of promotional costs made by the labels.

Keep Makin’ Music

By: Mark G. Valente

www.musicwithoutlabels.com

*Give us some background. Where are you from originally, where are you now, how did you get there? 

To take you all the way back, I was born and raised in a town northwest of Boston. My family is pretty musical. My grandfather was a musician, and my father is a multi-instrumentalist  musician and comedian. My younger brother is also a musician. I was very fortunate that my parents were very supportive in music growing up. I mean my father was always having guys over to play and I would be sitting in at a young age.  Whether it was drum corps, or practicing/bands they gave me both space & time. My mother (who passed away in 1991) was very supportive and would sit and watch me practice alone at times.  Because of my father’s influence I was introduced to many different styles of music as a kid. I remember nights as a young kid sitting up at night talking with him. He would tell me about this band and that band, and how they would approach things. We still have long talks about music and life. He is my best friend. As far as studies, I studied with Joe Rizzo for 5 years, and he was and is a heavy influence on my playing. I also studied with Alan Dawson, and William Kennedy. I was also in the snare line in drum corps through my younger teen years.

Where I am now musically, I always wanted to bring drumming stage front my way, and I feel that my CD IndepenDRUM does just that. I wanted to put something out that was unique, and something I would be proud of. BUT the really cool thing about this is I teamed up with a trance-techno artist Christian Schubert from Theater of Silence, and we worked to create an almost “visual” effect to the music. It is a really different combination that works beautifully!

I got the name IndepenDRUM from a few things: I started to create rhythms of 4-way independence. I then built a rack around my kit hooking up lights, and some other visual effects. While bringing the audience through my rhythms I would control the lights. So, being alone on stage playing rhythms of independence on the drums, you get: IndepenDRUM.

Aside from writing and putting out my first CD, I have been getting calls for session work, and working on setting up teaching clinics. In all honesty I am hoping music without labels will get my name and work out there to possible agents, independent film directors, musicians.   I also perform with a James Brown tribute  show that performs at casinos all along the East coast. I currently reside in Central Mass. I may be relocating to Florida. I do travel so where my house is doesn’t hold me back from work.

 

*What Genre would you classify yourself as?    

IndepenDRUM  best represents: Progressive/instrumental with an experimental twist.  Most of the people that have heard the music samples have said it sounded as though it was from a movie soundtrack.

 

*What is it that drove you to pursue a career in music, and what it is that drives you individually as a musician or a band?   

Like I said earlier, being brought up in a musical family made my decision easy. I was a musician from day one. Just getting to be one full time is another story.

What drives me is passion.  Music and creating is my passion. It is my first love. You always want to have your chops sharp for what may lie around the next corner, and don’t leave any stone unturned. So I have plugged along, and feel as though at this time I am in a great position to take and make music full-time.

 

*What struggles have you faced with having your music heard and getting your name recognized by outside markets?    

It is a tough nut to crack. The music on my cd is not by any means top-40 and when you play with pop/rock bands, you are 1 band out of 4 million trying to make that one hit single. I do however believe there is a market for what I have created. This is a very unique and I believe that my name will get a lot more recognition once I have this out.

 

*What kinds of things do you do to promote yourself?  

 For Starters, I signed onto musicwithoutlabels.com so I can get a whole lot of exposure, and network world-wide. I am having IndepenDRUM T-shirts made.  Part of the proceeds from both cd and shirt sales will be donated to the American Cancer Foundation. (I lost my mother to cancer)  I am hoping to set up fund-raising performances as well.   Have also performed opening for bands and have held some group teachings. I will be sending my promo “package”  (cd,t-shirt,bio) to numerous  equipment companies,  drumming magazines, Independent film makers, video teaching companies, and others to try to get endorsements and work. I am currently building my site independrum.com.

 

*Is there a predominant message you hope to get across In your songs?   

When I started the writing process my father would listen to ideas I would have, and we’d talk about some things. The point he and I agreed on is that drums and percussion is primitive. It is the most primitive instrument. People gravitate towards rhythm. So, although this album features no lyrics, I believe it will take listeners on a ride, where they can take something from it that relates rhythmically to them.

 

*What are your thoughts on the future of the music industry and where it’s going?  

 I think the timing of this site is right on, because the industry is most definitely going the route of online file purchasing/sharing. I do think that the “general top-40 pop public” music industry is getting worse. The talent is getting watered down for looks and how these people act off stage more so than any of their substance.  I hope that this day an age can bring notice to some great talent that is out there and un noticed.

 

*Are you currently unsigned, and do you plan on staying independent?   

I am currently unsigned. After recording my cd and listening back to tracks, the engineer said: “Man this could be used in some independent films.” We then started talking about music and we kind of agreed that going independent was probably in my best interest.

 

*What are your reasons for being an independent artist?   

It seems to have fallen this way for everything on this album. I think the vibe from other musicians always went to the independent side. Besides that, people who listen to or prefer independent artists seem to have am acceptance towards music that might be on the edge more so than the “norm”.

 

*Who are some of your favorite artists? 

Some of my favorite artists... Boy, I enjoy so much. I am a big fan of the late Michael Hedges, Cat Stevens, Seal, Planet X, Brecker Brothers, Tower of Power, Dream Theater, David Gray, Chick Corea, Huey Lewis, Prince, Sevendust,  to name a few..

 

*Do you ever feel that people will be missing out on your music because you are not signed to a major record label?      

I don’t know, because the fan base of independent musicians/films is pretty impressive, and it is almost like they have their own community. But I do think over time whether independent or not, your music would get across. 

 

*What would you say if I told you that there’s a new force in Independent Music that will give you all of the power of the Major Labels and more, while at the same time giving you complete control over all aspects of your musical career, and you will never have to sign a thing?  

          I would say it was almost to good to be true!!   But I would do my home work on it, because it could be a beautiful thing.        

 

*And you would have access to the worlds first ever audio component auction, where pieces of songs are sold off at auction prices to be repurposed in other songs.  What kind of impact do you think that would have on your music?

I think the impact on anyone’s music would be great, because of the technology, the word of mouth regarding your music would spread in huge numbers.  This would and could be the vehicle that drives more music out to people that normally wouldn’t have access to it. I mean, you could hear something you find interesting, and within 2 minutes you could have the artist/song/album on your screen.

 

*The only catch is you have to choose to use it to your benefit, or not. 

It’s called Beat-Play, and it will be beta tested this Fall 09. Sign up at www.MusicWithoutLabels.com

I am signed on, and I hope to be part of this from it's take-off!!

Thank you for your time!!

 

Give us some background. Where are you from originally, where are you now, how did you get there? 

My name is Soi Disant. And I am part of The Blue Roof Group that has been blue for the past four or five years since I left my past life behind. The Blue Roof is a cumulative and diverse group that incorporates my, that is Soi Disant, creative surges into one file as it were. It’s a whole other personality almost to the other me. I am predominantly a musician. But I also write poetry. I have published one poetry book independently and have created a series of short stories too. They can be accessed at lulu.com. I am also a fine artist and actor too.

I am from London, England. I’m a 21 yr old guitarist. I am presently in Vancouver and I got there via Sweden on a plane.

I was in a couple bands in London but I mostly stuck with doing acoustic nights in various public houses. I prefer just being on my own playing what I wanna play

Soi Disant means self-styled in Latin

What Genre would you classify yourself as? 


Poetry and acoustic guitar. Some call that folk, country or singer/songwriter. So I guess something along those lines if not all of them. I don’t really focus on genre. I play what I like. I am planning on writing songs in several didn’t genres too. I’m not stuck on just one. I don’t like listening to an album where every song sounds like the last one. (except when it’s the Ramones), it gets a bit dreary. I like listening to whole albums rather than skipping through to the most played radio tracks (if there are any).

What is it that drove you to pursue a career in music, and what it is that drives you individually as a musician or a band? 
 

My first interest in music came from two different areas. I went to a market in England and bought a Shania Twain record and also a Stereophonics record. Then I got really into taping the radio onto my cassette and wearing headphones so I didn’t have to listen to my mom. Then one of the songs I taped was jumping jack flash by the stones my dad had all the records which I borrowed. It was like a rush of music from then on. I just had to go out and buy records all the time and really got into the indie scene that way. My friend introduced me to the Libertines and Blur and it all kicked off.  

My songs are stories based on my personal life and a big part of that is my White Rose. She saved me. Also my teenage years are a highlight in my songs because it was rather hectic. My songs are written spur of the moment and while I am listening to other music. This is how my music can sound like various different styles because each song is influenced by whoever I am listening to at a time.

What struggles have you faced with having your music heard and getting your name recognized by outside markets?  
 

With this band in London I recorded a few songs with them but I never had an opportunity to record any of my own stuff. They had this hierarchy in the band which sucked.

 From moving around and jet setting to Vancouver and trying to earn money in between I haven’t had a chance to record my own stuff as yet. But I have a lot of songs I have demoed on my laptop and am saving up for some studio time to do it all properly. I have been able to make videos with a camcorder of me playing my songs and they are now on my myspace web page. www.myspace.com/soi-disant. please kindly check it out.

What kinds of things do you do to promote yourself?  

I don’t really do anything. I have some ideas about how I want to do it just on my own. But really I want to be totally independent and want people to just stumble on to my scene rather than have it shoved down their throats. I am planning on playing a lot of acoustic nights in Vancouver when I am fully settled and get sufficient time to do that.

Is there a predominant message you hope to get across In your songs? 
 

My songs don’t have a specific message. The stories behind them are quite personal. But I guess there are plenty of people that have had similar issues in their life as I have in mine. If they get something from the songs then that’s great.

What are your thoughts on the future of the music industry and where it’s going? 
 

Bring back the LP. The 7” is great. Music is going quite static at the moment. Its hard to get into it. Too many judgemental people out there.  Simon Cowell has too much say in what is good and what isn’t.

Are you currently unsigned, and do you plan on staying independent? 
 

What are your reasons for being an independent artist? 
 

I am currently signed by The Blue Roof group. This is a totally stable society, of just me and my computer. But it is the most independent you can get. I like being unsigned because I get to decide whether what I am doing is good or not. It means no pressure and no one checking on productivity. No one saying to me time is money and all that. I don’t do it for the money.

Who are some of your favorite artists? 
 

My favorite band is Aerosmith. I feel privileged too have seen them in Hyde Park a few years ago

I prefer the 60s and 70s tunes. Hendrix, Clapton, Dylan, Beatles, Kinks, Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd. I like the blues artists like Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, B.B.King. I like Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison and Leonard Cohen.  I like David Bowie, Charlatans, Echo and the Bunnymen. Modern stuff I like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Muse, Stereophonics, Foo Fighters. I have a large CD collection. As does everyone with the internet.

I like to read musicians biographies and find out there influences and go and listen to that myself. It gives a broader knowledge and often I prefer them to who I was listening to the first time. Generally, I find, it all comes back to Beatles, Dylan and Chuck Berry.

Do you ever feel that people will be missing out on your music because you are not signed to a major record label? 
 
 

What would you say if I told you that there’s a new force in Independent Music that will give you all of the power of the Major Labels and more, while at the same time giving you complete control over all aspects of your musical career, and you will never have to sign a thing?  
 

I would say, “let me have a piece o’ that, mate!”

And you would have access to the worlds first ever audio component auction, where pieces of songs are sold off at auction prices to be repurposed in other songs.  What kind of impact do you think that would have on your music? 
 
 

I hope that that will not take off. I have heard some of this stuff and it is the most unsatisfying type of music. My songs are songs I wouldn’t want them to be cut up and put into someone else’s scene. Because they are personal stories the other person probably wouldn’t do it right. It is not real music.

The only catch is you have to choose to use it to your benefit, or not. 

It’s called Beat-Play, and it will be beta tested this Fall 09. Sign up at www.MusicWithoutLabels.com