How Does A Group Outside Of A Major Market Get Noticed?

So the question was asked, "How does a group outside of a major markets get noticed or compete with the mainstream?"



Here are a couple of suggestions:



* The internet key! Get online and do some research. You will find a ton of information about online magazines that review indie music. There are tons of .coms that allow you to submit your music and online radio stations that will play unsigned artists.

* Myspace of course!



* If you feel like your project is ready to move to the next level , make sure that you have the proper tools in place to compete in the mainstream arena. Bio, pictures, any press or info on you or your project and current contact information. You may want to consider an EPK (electronic press kit) that has all of your information at the stroke of a key! (more to come on EPKS as well)



* Make sure that your team (PR, Marketing, Promotions) has contacts and relationships outside of your local market. Again, if you are looking to branch out, you should have access.



* Check out The Indie Review CD. This CD gives you direct access to industry professionals and they actually give you feedback on your music. (www.myspace.com/theindiereviewcd)



These are just a couple of suggestions. Instead of reaching out to the industry professionals on this one, I decided to show and tell. Below you will find the video of D.O. , The fabulous Drifter.

He is from Denver, Colorodo, not considered a major market for music, but he has been gaining momentum with his project. You can check the blog later to hear what he has to say about his journey but in the meantime, check out his video "Wake Up".

AllHipHop Talks To KRS-One About Kanye and 50 Cent

As seen on All HipHop.com..

I absolutely LOVE KRS-One! I thought this interview was hilarious. He is the truth!

Job Openings

Hey!

The company I work for, Seed Gives Life has current job openings. Below, are the list of jobs, description and salary range. To apply, please send resume and cover letter to me at yobas@seedgiveslife.com.

Thanks,

About Seed:
Seed is a full-service Advertising and Marketing agency with a focus on developing cammpaigns that engage consumers with brands. Our team brings the creative intuit, strategic thinking, and proven experience to push brands forward and reach consumers with memorable and meaningful interactivity.

Web Developer:

Web Developer will work closely with the technology, operations and creative
teams to assist in development and maintenance of interactive websites,
internal IT and other web-based initiatives. The ideal candidate will take
pride in their work and be detail oriented, proactive, with strong
organizational and communication skills. Gain exposure to the internal
workings of a young, fast paced, entrepreneurial agency in a fun and
challenging work environment. Position holds significant opportunity for
growth.

Requirements:

- Experience in hand coding PHP, JavaScript, CSS, DHTML, and HTML a must
- Experience with LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) platform a must
- Understanding of web UI design and layout
- Understanding of cross browser/platform compatibility
- Ability to multitask on multiple projects
- Strong communication skills
- Highly detailed oriented
- Ability to work independently and within team environment under tight
deadlines
- Knowledge of FTP
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience troubleshooting software and hardware in Mac and PC
environment
- Experience with Macromedia Flash, PHP, MySQL implementation a big plus

Salary: $40k-50k


Sr. Interactive Account Manager:

Sr. Interactive Account Manager will be responsible for organizing and planning projects,
including the development of web schematics like wireframes, flow diagrams,
and sitemaps as well as project plans. You will need to organize internal
resources as well as interface with clients. You must work effectively with
strategists, designers and developers and thrive in a fast-paced
environment.

Requirements:
-2 year’s project management;
-3 years interactive experience;
-Strong communication, time management and leadership skills;
-Bachelor’s degree required;
-Knowledge of project management software, Excel, Word, and Adobe
Applications;
-Familiarity with interactive software (e.g. Dreamweaver or similar, content
management systems) required.
-Agency experience preferred.

Salary: $50k-60k


Administrative Assistant:

Administrative Assistant will be detail oriented, proactive and outgoing,
with strong organizational and communication skills. You will be responsible for the general administrative functions of the agency. This includes answering phones, receiving and handling mail, maintaining digital and paper file records, maintaining office supplies, creating mail merges and mailing labels, and assisting management with meeting schedule/travel plans/event coordination. You will also be responsible for ordering office furniture, computer equipment, software and phones. The ideal candidate will be detailed oriented with strong organizational and communications skills.

Requirements:
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of Outlook or Entourage
-2-3 years experience in administration
-Strong communication, time management and leadership skills;
-Bachelor’s degree required;
- Comfort with Internet research
- Experience with Mac platform a plus
- Experience with Adobe creative suite a plus
- Bookkeeping or Paralegal experience a plus

Salary: $30k-37k


Controller:

Controller will be responsible for all internal bookkeeping, billing, financial reporting, and budgeting. In addition this position includes responsibility for development of project contracts and legal agreements working closely with Sr. Account Managers and the agency’s management. This position holds significant opportunity for growth.

Requirements:

-Strong financial analysis and modeling skills
-2-3 years experience in finance
-Strong communication, time management and leadership skills;
-Bachelor’s degree required;
-Experience with Quickbooks
-Experience with Microsoft Office Suite
-Knowledge of the Advertising/Interactive marketplace a plus

Salary: $38k – 45k

Is It Who You Know Or What You Know That Will Get You Signed????

Ok, the question has been asked over and over again, "Is It Who You Know Or What You Know" that helps you get in the door at a record label. Who you know is important but I think it is just as important to educate yourself about this business. It is an ever changing thing and in order to compete you have to be at the top of your game. Understand the process and how a record is worked. Find out as much as you can about what the labels are looking for and how they determine if you are worth their investment. Know what it means to "Work A Project!"
I have enrolled the help of a few industry friends to assist in answering the question for us. See below.......



"I would say that it’s a little of both. I believe who you know can get you a meeting or get your music heard by the right people but, it’s what you know and what you learn along the way that usually determines if you get in and how long you stay in."
Vashon “Rap” Straws National Mixshow Promotions, Universal Motown Records.

"Who you know gets you in the door, what you know (or what you don't know) gets you out. So you better be right for the gig!"
DJ Mecca Programming Manager, Urban Formats MUSIC CHOICE

"Now days, it's about what you know.If you know that a label is looking for a east coast female artist with positive lyrics, then you have more of a chance in fitting into what the label is trying to market. If that's not your style then don't waste time trying to sell them something they are not looking for. I think you also have to have the talent and stamina for the business. You have to be ready to do a lot of work in a short amount of time to make a dent in the market. The business is mostly about good songs and very creative marketing. Just do you and if you do get the attention of a label...get your hustle on and get that money!"
Ralph McDaniels
www.onfumes.com

"Truthfully for me, Its a combination of both. Who you know, can get you into the right doors and I don't mean a meeting with an A&R. I'm talking about getting the presidents of these major labels to make time for you. These are the men and women who sign the checks, they are the top of the food chain. With that said, I urge any artists I've ever worked with to let go of the "D - Word" (Demo). A demo is basically telling them you are a waste of my time. However, Once you prove to them you have a substantial amount of undeniable hits that sound of quality to these execs, even if they're not mastered but sound radio ready. I guarantee they will not let you leave the office without at least asking you what do you want to make this deal happen. Or they make you an offer down the road. At this point, What you know has to kick in. You have to possess common sense as well as good business sense. Study those entertainment books and ask your entertainment lawyer lots of questions. You can even try finding someone successful to mirror and possibly requesting they be your mentor. Knowledge is key to unlocking that next door."

Dat Dude Moze - Owner of Mad Man Entertainment


"It's definitely helpful and advantageous to know the right people. They need to like you in order to even listen to your music. So much comes through their office and they can't listen to everything. So it helps if they know you or if they know someone that knows you and can vouch for you. That being said, it still depends on the situation. You can know a whole lot of people at every single label and that still won't get you signed. You can also know a whole lot about the business and still not be able to get a foot in the door. But your chances are better if they can put a face they like with the music they are hearing."
Lamonia Brown – President, Gilchrist Entertainment Marketing & Program Director, NY Women In Film & Television

"Kids....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE........MARRY RICH....BECAUSE ENTERTAINMENT MEANS FOR THE MOST PART AND FOR THE MAJORITY.....YOU WILL BE POOR AND UNSUCCESSFUL...YOUR EVENTUAL REALITY WILL NEVER MATCH UP TO WHAT YOU IMAGINED PRIOR TO YOUR JOURNEY...... ENTERTAINERS = PROSTITUTES ITS ALWAYS EASIER TO SEE THAT SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINER AND IMAGINE YOURSELF IN THEIR POSITION WITH WHAT YOU SEE AS THEIR SUCCESSES.....THE SPOILS AS THEY SAY......IT'S GREAT TO IMAGINE YOURSELF THE HERO...WINNING MOST OF THE BATTLES ON THE WAY TO WINNING THE WAR.....STOP YASELF.....NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE WONDER WHAT ROAD THAT SUCCESSFUL PERSON HAD TO TREAD.....THERE ARE LAND MINES ALONG THE WAY.....WE NEVER SEE OURSELVES AS THE ROADKILL LAYING DEAD ALONG THE ROAD......GUESS WHAT IN ENTERTAINMENT THERE'S MORE ROADKILL THAN ANYTHING ELSE...... GO RENT THE MOVIE "ANTZ".....DIRECTED BY THE OH SO FAMOUS(ALLEGED) PEDOPHILE WOODY ALLEN.......ITS FUNNY...ITS CUTE AND ITS OUR REALITY......THOSE IN POWER SEEK MORE POWER OVER THOSE WITHOUT POWER.....THEY DIRECT THE POWERLESS TO THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THEM MORE COMFORTABLE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE POWERLESS."

GORDON FRANKLIN, President YEAR ROUND RECORDS