If you haven't heard already, the Malaysian Artistes Association (Karyawan) wants a 9:1 ratio of local to foreign songs to be aired by private radio stations. Basically, they want local radio stations to air 90% of local content.
I agree that there should be more local talent on our radio airwaves, but blocking out foreign music like this is not the answer. Already we are years behind countries like Indonesia, and instead of working our asses off to compete with them, we decide to go about it the easier way. As it is, its already very difficult to penetrate the Indonesian market, and by restricting their market here is gonna make it even worse.
Lets take a look at our music industry. Only a few composers and songwriters are willing to take risks and test the market with fresh sounds. The rest are just playing it safe. Either that or they have lost touch with modern day music. When things don't work out, we play our favourite game, finger pointing. It used to be the pirates who got the blame, then it was the free downloading and file sharing on the internet. Now we blame foreign music, our neigbours, and the radio stations who keep airing them. When will we stop playing the blaming game and realize that at the end of the day, its our own fault. Its time to wake up and work harder.
Why do people rather listen to Indonesian artistes rather than our own? Its simply because our music industry is not up to date. Our country has developed and grown rapidly. We can build modern day buildings, world class airports, and F1 circuits, but our music industry has remained stagnant, and undeveloped. Yet we choose to blame others for our own incompetence. That's really very sad.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Organizing your own gig
Music Biz Guide #3: Organizing your own gig
You wanna promote your band name but opportunities are hard to come by? You have tried tirelessly to book a gig, but to no avail? You read my guide on "How To Book A Gig?" but you still find yourself restricted to jamming studios, and bedroom sessions? If you have enough belief in your music, then maybe, just maybe, you might wanna take matters into your own hands by organizing your own gig.
First thing you have to do is identify potential venues. Try not to restrict yourself to the same old gig venues. You might wanna venture out and try some place new. Once you find that place, cut out the best deal with the management. Some venues will charge you a rental for their space, so you have to fork out your own money first and recoup it later through cover charge. If the venue doesn't provide backline, and a PA system, you'll end up forking out even more money. But if money is not an issue for you, then go ahead.
Another option is to go on a profit sharing basis. It means you get a cut of the profit the venue made that night. But of course, for this kind of deal, you'll not only have to bring in a crowd, you'll also have to make sure they spend on drinks and food. In such case, it is not advised to charge an entrance fee. Use the money you made to pay the bands.
The best deal, and also the hardest deal to get is by getting the venue to provide a budget for you to organize a gig. In return, you'll have to bring in a large amount of crowd, a crowd that spends money so the venue can recoup the budget they provided you through sales. Again, no cover charge should be applied. Use the budget provided to pay the bands, bring in backline, print flyers etc. It's really up to you what to do with the budget, so use it wisely.
Once you got the venue locked down, its time to get the bands. Choose your bands wisely, choose bands that are not only good, but are able to bring in a crowd. Some bands don't mind playing for free, some are ok with just petrol and makan money, and some charge hundreds to thousands of ringgit. It really depends on your budget. Contacting these bands are easy, just try their myspace. Do not totally overule the bigger bands. Some of the big bands do like to come back and play smaller gigs once in a while. If you're lucky, you can get them for a cut price deal. Just try your luck, what have you got to lose?
So, you've got your venue, and your bands. Its time to get the flyers out. Start with putting the word out to the online community. Post info about your gig on forums, blogs, websites etc. Then, get your flyer up on every jamming studio you can think of. Pass it around to your friends from different colleges, and get them to pass the flyers to their friends. If you can, put it up on notice boards in various colleges. Email it to magazines, 8tv quickie also has a gig guide, send your flyer to them. Feel free to email your flyer to me too. I'll put it up here.
Now, all you have to do is wait for the big day. Things might not run as you planned. Something is always bound to go wrong during events, so deal with it quickly and efficiently.
You wanna promote your band name but opportunities are hard to come by? You have tried tirelessly to book a gig, but to no avail? You read my guide on "How To Book A Gig?" but you still find yourself restricted to jamming studios, and bedroom sessions? If you have enough belief in your music, then maybe, just maybe, you might wanna take matters into your own hands by organizing your own gig.
First thing you have to do is identify potential venues. Try not to restrict yourself to the same old gig venues. You might wanna venture out and try some place new. Once you find that place, cut out the best deal with the management. Some venues will charge you a rental for their space, so you have to fork out your own money first and recoup it later through cover charge. If the venue doesn't provide backline, and a PA system, you'll end up forking out even more money. But if money is not an issue for you, then go ahead.
Another option is to go on a profit sharing basis. It means you get a cut of the profit the venue made that night. But of course, for this kind of deal, you'll not only have to bring in a crowd, you'll also have to make sure they spend on drinks and food. In such case, it is not advised to charge an entrance fee. Use the money you made to pay the bands.
The best deal, and also the hardest deal to get is by getting the venue to provide a budget for you to organize a gig. In return, you'll have to bring in a large amount of crowd, a crowd that spends money so the venue can recoup the budget they provided you through sales. Again, no cover charge should be applied. Use the budget provided to pay the bands, bring in backline, print flyers etc. It's really up to you what to do with the budget, so use it wisely.
Once you got the venue locked down, its time to get the bands. Choose your bands wisely, choose bands that are not only good, but are able to bring in a crowd. Some bands don't mind playing for free, some are ok with just petrol and makan money, and some charge hundreds to thousands of ringgit. It really depends on your budget. Contacting these bands are easy, just try their myspace. Do not totally overule the bigger bands. Some of the big bands do like to come back and play smaller gigs once in a while. If you're lucky, you can get them for a cut price deal. Just try your luck, what have you got to lose?
So, you've got your venue, and your bands. Its time to get the flyers out. Start with putting the word out to the online community. Post info about your gig on forums, blogs, websites etc. Then, get your flyer up on every jamming studio you can think of. Pass it around to your friends from different colleges, and get them to pass the flyers to their friends. If you can, put it up on notice boards in various colleges. Email it to magazines, 8tv quickie also has a gig guide, send your flyer to them. Feel free to email your flyer to me too. I'll put it up here.
Now, all you have to do is wait for the big day. Things might not run as you planned. Something is always bound to go wrong during events, so deal with it quickly and efficiently.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Band Manager?
The number of bands in this country have skyrocketed. But how many of these bands actually have a manager on their side? Only a handful. There aren't many band managers out there. I can only think of four right now.
Do you know any band managers? Do you know anyone who would like to be one? Why are we severely lacking band managers? If i want to hire a manager, where should I look? I think this issue needs some attention. Share your thoughts with me.
On another note, if you need advise regarding your band/music etc, feel free to email me. I will be more than glad to help you out in any way I can. Email me, musicbiztimes at gmail.com
Cheers!
Do you know any band managers? Do you know anyone who would like to be one? Why are we severely lacking band managers? If i want to hire a manager, where should I look? I think this issue needs some attention. Share your thoughts with me.
On another note, if you need advise regarding your band/music etc, feel free to email me. I will be more than glad to help you out in any way I can. Email me, musicbiztimes at gmail.com
Cheers!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Self Promotion Part 1
Music Biz Guide # 2: Self Promotion
If you are one of those people who sit down at home, waiting for some big shot to bump into their Myspace account, and turn them into complete rockstars overnight. Stop dreaming! I happen to have worked with some people like this. You can't wait for things to happen for you, you have to make it happen yourself. You have to approach people yourself, do some networking once in a while. Its not easy being thick-skinned, but it takes you a long way.
Though Myspace is still arguably the best site to stream music, it has been outdone in many ways by its competitors. Take the Facebook Fan Page for instance, its the easiest and most convenient way to update your fans on the bands latest happenings. A single click, and all your fans have been updated. You just saved yourself a lot of time and energy. The best part is, you don't even have to register a seperate account to set up your bands Fan Page. It can be done through you own personal account. While you're at it, might as well check out the ReverbNation application that can be added onto your page. It's pretty much the same old thing. You know, streaming songs, charts etc. Its best that you fully utilize these platforms, its free anyway, and you've got nothing to lose.
Youtube has also helped many artistes rise to fame. Marie Digby comes to mind, but there's no shortage of local Youtube superstars either. If you have been following the local scene, you might have heard of Kokokaina. This girl attracted interest from all over the world. If you haven't heard of her yet, now might be a good time to check her out. Then, there's the famous controversial Negarakuku rapper. I bet you have at least heard of that one. Even though he did not expect it to be well received, it turned out to be a very good marketing and publicity stunt. I will touch on marketing and publicity in another post. To attract attention in Youtube, you have to be really really good, or you can be creative and try a different approach, like what Namewee did with Negarakuku. So take out your cameras and start shooting. Also, don't forget to upload your live performances, as well as behind the scene shots. Sometimes, fans wanna see how the bands are off stage. They want a more personal approach, they wanna feel involved. Another way to do that is with blogs.
Blogs are great marketing tools. It lets you be more intimate with fans. Typically, bands will post about the shows they played, or sometimes a sneak preview to their recording sessions. Yes, those things are necessary, but it gets boring after a while. You gotta give them more. Like i said, they wanna get personal. They wanna feel like they know you personally, like you're that dude living right next door. For example, if you're into scuba diving, then post some pictures and tell them all about your scuba diving experiences. Or if your family is celebrating a special occasion, show them how your family gets together and celebrates it. In other words, show them that you're human too. Other than that, the amount of blog hits you get can actually bring in revenue for you. Advertising for example is really huge, so you might wanna consider that. Or you can also use it to get endorsements and sposnsorships by offering to feature those endorsed products on your blog.
I will write more about promoting your band in the weeks to come. Watch this space!
Please feel free to leave any questions in the comment box or email directly to me at musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Have a nice day.
Cheers!
If you are one of those people who sit down at home, waiting for some big shot to bump into their Myspace account, and turn them into complete rockstars overnight. Stop dreaming! I happen to have worked with some people like this. You can't wait for things to happen for you, you have to make it happen yourself. You have to approach people yourself, do some networking once in a while. Its not easy being thick-skinned, but it takes you a long way.
Though Myspace is still arguably the best site to stream music, it has been outdone in many ways by its competitors. Take the Facebook Fan Page for instance, its the easiest and most convenient way to update your fans on the bands latest happenings. A single click, and all your fans have been updated. You just saved yourself a lot of time and energy. The best part is, you don't even have to register a seperate account to set up your bands Fan Page. It can be done through you own personal account. While you're at it, might as well check out the ReverbNation application that can be added onto your page. It's pretty much the same old thing. You know, streaming songs, charts etc. Its best that you fully utilize these platforms, its free anyway, and you've got nothing to lose.
Youtube has also helped many artistes rise to fame. Marie Digby comes to mind, but there's no shortage of local Youtube superstars either. If you have been following the local scene, you might have heard of Kokokaina. This girl attracted interest from all over the world. If you haven't heard of her yet, now might be a good time to check her out. Then, there's the famous controversial Negarakuku rapper. I bet you have at least heard of that one. Even though he did not expect it to be well received, it turned out to be a very good marketing and publicity stunt. I will touch on marketing and publicity in another post. To attract attention in Youtube, you have to be really really good, or you can be creative and try a different approach, like what Namewee did with Negarakuku. So take out your cameras and start shooting. Also, don't forget to upload your live performances, as well as behind the scene shots. Sometimes, fans wanna see how the bands are off stage. They want a more personal approach, they wanna feel involved. Another way to do that is with blogs.
Blogs are great marketing tools. It lets you be more intimate with fans. Typically, bands will post about the shows they played, or sometimes a sneak preview to their recording sessions. Yes, those things are necessary, but it gets boring after a while. You gotta give them more. Like i said, they wanna get personal. They wanna feel like they know you personally, like you're that dude living right next door. For example, if you're into scuba diving, then post some pictures and tell them all about your scuba diving experiences. Or if your family is celebrating a special occasion, show them how your family gets together and celebrates it. In other words, show them that you're human too. Other than that, the amount of blog hits you get can actually bring in revenue for you. Advertising for example is really huge, so you might wanna consider that. Or you can also use it to get endorsements and sposnsorships by offering to feature those endorsed products on your blog.
I will write more about promoting your band in the weeks to come. Watch this space!
Please feel free to leave any questions in the comment box or email directly to me at musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Have a nice day.
Cheers!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Welcome
by some miracle, this blog has gotten off on a good start. I have few more articles on the way, but it'll also be nice if you guys can suggest topics for me to cover.
Again, the email add is musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Thanks for the support!
Cheers!
Again, the email add is musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Thanks for the support!
Cheers!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
How To Book A Gig?
I am a local music enthusiast. I've been involved in the music business for a few years now,and has been fascinated by it since I was 15 years old, silently observing and learning the ins and outs of this very rough industry. Throughout the years, I've learnt a tremendous amount, having experienced the music business lifestyle of the rich and the famous, as well as the unknown and struggling. Hence, I've decided to share my knowledge and experience with aspiring musicians, bands, artiste managers etc. I will be writing guides, giving tips, and answering questions, if any, regarding the local music scene.
Music Biz Guide # 1: How to book a gig?
Gigs and shows are aplenty these days compared to a few years back. Mostly, these gigs are concentrated in towns like JB, Ipoh and KL, but places like Terengganu, Penang, Kuantan and Melaka are slowly catching up. The key to booking a gig, especially if you are a new band, is to be as shameless as possible. Opportunities will not come knocking on your door, instead you have to go out and about, knocking on other people's doors, even if you do not know who is behind that door.
Demo recordings are essential these days. Get one done if you have not already. Recording is way cheaper than it used to be. Heck, you can even do it for free at home. Once your demo of preferably 3-5 songs is ready, make a few copies of it. The most important thing to do now is to write down your band name and contact number. You have no idea how many bands overlook such a basic step. You can choose to write it down on the CD itself or on a piece of paper which you can insert into the CD case. But to be safe, you can do both. You never know when a small piece of paper might go missing. You can also choose to design a cover for your demo, but bare in mind, even an award winning design is not gonna book you a gig if your music simply sucks.
Another necessity is a band bio. Every band needs one. If you can't write English for nuts, please don't even try. If you write better in Malay, by all means write your bio in Malay. Try to limit your bio to just one page long, or at most, one and a half page. Always start the bio with your band name and a picture of your band. Again, do not forget to include your contact details.
Once you've done all of the above, you're ready to go. To be more presentable, you might wanna consider getting a folder for all your materials.
Now, go online and check your gig guide. Attend as many gigs as possible. At every gig, spot the organizers, speak to them, tell them about your band, and pass them your material. It'll be best if you get hold of the organizers contact details as well. Contact them a week or two after to check if they have listened to your demo. Ask for theircomments and use any criticism to improve further. Sometimes, gig organizers do not book you for your musical talent, but for the amount of crowd you can bring in for the gig. If you have a lot of friends who are willing to pay to watch your band perform, emphasise on that point and convince the organizers that you can bring in revenue for them.
In addition, you might also wanna send your demo's to music magazines or fanzines for reviews etc. But to do as such, your production quality has to be at an acceptable level. Also, utilize the internet as much as possible. Myspace used to be the in thing, but I personally think that blogs are a good marketing tool, and can be more personal. The internet has no borders, so think out of the box, be creative. Find ways to create hype and publicity for your band.
Networking is also important. Be nice to everyone you meet. You never know when you might need that persons help.
For queries, please feel free to email me at musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Good luck!
Cheers!
Music Biz Guide # 1: How to book a gig?
Gigs and shows are aplenty these days compared to a few years back. Mostly, these gigs are concentrated in towns like JB, Ipoh and KL, but places like Terengganu, Penang, Kuantan and Melaka are slowly catching up. The key to booking a gig, especially if you are a new band, is to be as shameless as possible. Opportunities will not come knocking on your door, instead you have to go out and about, knocking on other people's doors, even if you do not know who is behind that door.
Demo recordings are essential these days. Get one done if you have not already. Recording is way cheaper than it used to be. Heck, you can even do it for free at home. Once your demo of preferably 3-5 songs is ready, make a few copies of it. The most important thing to do now is to write down your band name and contact number. You have no idea how many bands overlook such a basic step. You can choose to write it down on the CD itself or on a piece of paper which you can insert into the CD case. But to be safe, you can do both. You never know when a small piece of paper might go missing. You can also choose to design a cover for your demo, but bare in mind, even an award winning design is not gonna book you a gig if your music simply sucks.
Another necessity is a band bio. Every band needs one. If you can't write English for nuts, please don't even try. If you write better in Malay, by all means write your bio in Malay. Try to limit your bio to just one page long, or at most, one and a half page. Always start the bio with your band name and a picture of your band. Again, do not forget to include your contact details.
Once you've done all of the above, you're ready to go. To be more presentable, you might wanna consider getting a folder for all your materials.
Now, go online and check your gig guide. Attend as many gigs as possible. At every gig, spot the organizers, speak to them, tell them about your band, and pass them your material. It'll be best if you get hold of the organizers contact details as well. Contact them a week or two after to check if they have listened to your demo. Ask for theircomments and use any criticism to improve further. Sometimes, gig organizers do not book you for your musical talent, but for the amount of crowd you can bring in for the gig. If you have a lot of friends who are willing to pay to watch your band perform, emphasise on that point and convince the organizers that you can bring in revenue for them.
In addition, you might also wanna send your demo's to music magazines or fanzines for reviews etc. But to do as such, your production quality has to be at an acceptable level. Also, utilize the internet as much as possible. Myspace used to be the in thing, but I personally think that blogs are a good marketing tool, and can be more personal. The internet has no borders, so think out of the box, be creative. Find ways to create hype and publicity for your band.
Networking is also important. Be nice to everyone you meet. You never know when you might need that persons help.
For queries, please feel free to email me at musicbiztimes@gmail.com
Good luck!
Cheers!
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