Don't just cross your fingers...

So many people have the notion that if a band is talented enough they will "make it". Although it's never actually been that easy, these days there's even more to consider than the standard:

1-form band

2-write songs

3-play shows

4-record album

5-cross fingers

Artists have so many resources at their fingertips in order to share their work and not only develop, but maintain and grow the relationships they forge with their fans. While it is important to have social networks and street teams in place, there is another option that may help expedite the process of finding the ever illusive "big break". With product placement in nearly every t.v. show and movie coming out, having your music be part of something with mass appeal can be even more effective than being the next viral video on YouTube.

Getting ready for FMF weekend!

I've looked through the schedule to find out which days and where my favorite local bands will be playing. I've googled a handful of artists that are new to me and I am excited to check out several of them. I'm registered for the conference on Saturday and pumped for the long weekend! What is all of this I'm talking about? I’m speaking of Florida Music Festival, 3 days of music and networking fun in downtown Orlando. The festival will showcase about 200 artists at something like 8 or 9 different venues simultaneously (kudos to Axis Magazine for coordinating). From April 7th-April 9th the streets will be buzzing with all sorts of industry, artists and fans. During the day Saturday, keynote speaker Melvin Benn will bestow knowledge upon music biz students and artists looking to get a leg up in the industry. Other notable speakers include Allison Hagendorf, Matt Pinfield, Aaron Ford and Steve Robertson (full list)While there is plenty of homegrown Florida talent, there are unsigned artists traveling from other states and even other countries to take part in the fun and get seen by some of the 25,000 people estimated to be in attendance over the course of the festival. In addition to lesser known indie acts, there are also some notable names that will be gracing the main stage with their swagger. Minus the Bear and Better than Ezra are two of those names I'm looking forward to. Fans can get a 3 day pass for $25 or buy a separate ticket ($10-$15) for the individual days they want to attend. All in all, to be able to wander in and out of a great majority of downtown Orlando bars for one cover and check out that much music in one place has me saying, "yes please!”

Do you see what I see?

You see it every day. Carefully crafted messages from politicians and commercials for the next must have product that have been methodically assembled and tested on focus groups. Some companies hire consultants to specifically analyze the body language of the people who are delivering their advertising message; they are trained on what nonverbal cues will help consumers identify with their product. Lawyers run mock trials to rehearse exactly how to best present their cases. Think all of this has nothing to do with your music? You’re wrong. Whether or not you realize it, the way people perceive you, is their reality. If they don’t hear or see something to cause them to remember you then you have a lot of work to do to get their attention again. Even worse, if they see or hear something they don’t like then you have lost a potential fan. In the age of sound bites and tweets, you rarely get someone’s undivided attention for an extended amount of time. You have to be set up to make the greatest possible impact in the short time you have their attention.