tag:undathehat.com,2005:/blogs/tip-unda-the-hat-coming-soon?p=6
Tip Unda The Hat
2024-03-26T18:53:31-05:00
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
false
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7372998
2024-03-26T18:53:31-05:00
2024-03-26T18:53:31-05:00
Brand Persona & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="866" /><p><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Tuesday, March 19th, 2024. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN">TJ Miller</span></span></a><span lang="EN">, “</span><i><span lang="EN">You want some game</span></i><span lang="EN">?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:windowtext;"><i><span lang="EN">#tipundathehat</span></i></span></a><span lang="EN">!</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i><span lang="EN">For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </span></i><span lang="EN">on </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN">Spotify.</span></span></a><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. </span><i><span lang="EN">“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </span></i><span lang="EN">This week's Amazon feature is </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3JeyCup"><span style="color:#1155CC;"><span lang="EN">Victor VC Caldwell.</span></span></a><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Who do you think you are? - Let’s Geaux -<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">I was in a situation recently where I was asked to remove my hat. Once I did, and they saw my long flowing dreadlocks the person said, “Oh I thought you would be all </span><i><span lang="EN">‘gapped up,’ </span></i><span lang="EN">(meaning they thought I would have a bald spot somewhere.), why do you wear a hat?” I replied I’ve worn a hat every day of my life for almost as long as I can remember, and the hat was a part of my Brand Persona. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, establishing a strong brand persona is crucial for businesses, musicians, and individuals.</span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d27caba0d7b8a740d2e19af18e34daaa0cc2d9ef/original/brand-persona.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1080" /><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">In our world of music, keeping it “real” or authentic means a lot. A brand persona creatively represents your personality, skills, interests, and goals. It's a way for you as a musician to differentiate yourself from other musicians, singers, rappers, etc., and create a unique identity for yourself as an artist. Musicians who stay true to their unique sound and artistic vision often leave a lasting impression on their audience. A brand persona is a real or fictional characteristic that represents who you are as an artist. When I think of exaggerated personas I think of artists like Whitney Houston. As the year passed by we found out that she was a bit tougher around the edges than the persona that Clive Davis showed us. But it worked for her. When you look at artists like Busta Rhyme, Dr. Dre, or Eminem you see that their persona shifted a bit with growing older. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Your persona can be used as a tool that helps your audience connect with you and for you to understand your target audience's demographics, psychographics, and buying behavior. By creating a brand persona, you can tailor your marketing and communication efforts to speak directly to your true followers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">To develop your brand, there are a few things you should think of, and it will require a bit of research, creativity, and knowing what makes you special. For me, it was all about hats. I’ve been wearing hats since I was a toddler. I was the kid that his mother would have a hat for every special outfit like Easter Sunday. Make sure you research your audience and find the connection between you and them. Find the common thread between you and them. Yes, you want to stand out, you want to be just different enough, but connectable. Develop a good story. Make sure you don’t just pull a persona out of the air; it must mean something to you and your followers. Create a logo that represents a visual representation of your brand persona and stay consistent. Use your new logo like McDonald's uses the golden arches, in everything. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Lastly, understand the benefits of using a brand persona. When I told the person that my hats were a part of my brand persona, and they saw that each day was a different hat that went perfectly with the rest of my outfit, they never mentioned it again. When you use your brand you will get more customer engagement, they will begin to look for it and expect it. Consistency with your brand is how you build brand loyalty. Your brand helps you stand out from your competitors and gives you a clear understanding of what your niche is. This will help you understand your target audience and help you make better marketing and business strategies.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Developing a strong brand persona is a powerful tool for businesses and artists like you looking to connect with your target audience on a deeper level. By understanding your ideal customer's demographics, psychographics, and buying behavior, you can create a brand persona that resonates with them and helps you achieve your marketing and music goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/7eab2ae5da16d3cfa6781b871cb9c2f0e90e7eef/original/3-days-4-me-3000x3000.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="3000" /><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN">#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></span></a><span lang="EN"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155CC;"><span lang="EN">Victor VC Caldwell</span></span></a><span lang="EN">. Resurrection Sunday is this Sunday. VC has the perfect single called “3 Days 4 Me.” The perfect Easter song for your program, school, church or just play it in the house while dying eggs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span lang="EN">Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN">Unda The Hat</span></span></a><span lang="EN"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:windowtext;"><span lang="EN">undathehat.com</span></span></a><span lang="EN">. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7366036
2024-03-12T16:39:02-05:00
2024-03-12T16:41:03-05:00
Do you need a Website & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="866" /><p><strong>Tuesday, March 12th, 2024. </strong></p><p><strong>Hey, it’s </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span><strong>TJ Miller</strong></span></a><strong>, “</strong><i>You want some game</i><strong>?” Let's </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a><strong>! </strong></p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i><strong>on </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span><strong>Spotify.</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. </strong><i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i><strong>This week's Amazon feature is </strong><a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3Ixgonc"><span><strong>Ruby Camille</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>Do you really need a Website? - Let’s Geaux -</strong></p><p>I know I’ve talked about this topic before, but it bears repeating. The necessity of a website for musicians has been explored, talked about and wondered about. The question at hand is: do you indeed need a website? The short answer is YES! While you may possess profiles on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and others, it is not a good idea to rely solely on these platforms for your online presence. Engaging in the music industry requires a dedicated website, as emphasized by Forbes Advisor's finding that 71% of businesses maintain websites. And yes, you are in the music BUSINESS, so act accordingly.</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/f8f44e1dc9f9784db63ccbfe87a6db6affab1935/original/why-you-need-a-website-for-your-music.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1080" /><p>Recent events have demonstrated the vulnerability of social media platforms. </p><p>500,000 Facebook users that had issues logging in and accessing the site? 76% of complaints were about logging in, 17% were with the app, and 8% were with the website. 92,000 Instagram users reported issues, with some users reporting that their feed was not refreshing. Others on Threads were met with a blank white screen. LinkedIn had a big outage just a day after Facebook and Instagram went down. These platforms, which musicians often utilize for music promotion and sales, are susceptible to unexpected shutdowns and leave you scrambling like last week.</p><p>Having a dedicated website provides greater control and offers a central hub for directing fans. Additionally, it enhances the discoverability of musicians through search engines, as individuals searching for your name are more likely to find your website than your social media profiles. Social media platforms are subject to algorithm changes and potential buyouts, which can affect your visibility and reach.</p><p>A website serves as a permanent and consistent online presence, free from the volatility of social media platforms. It provides musicians with complete control over their online identity, enabling them to create a comprehensive and professional brand. Moreover, a website allows musicians to showcase their music, videos, photos, and other creative content in a more organized and comprehensive manner than is feasible on social media platforms.</p><p>A website also presents opportunities for direct monetization. By incorporating e-commerce functionality, musicians can sell music and merchandise directly to fans, generating revenue and fostering a stronger connection with their audience. Furthermore, a website enhances a musician's professional image, establishing credibility with fans, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.</p><p>Reaching fans by email is still one of the best ways to create direct-to-fan connections. Most website platforms have email capability. On your website you can offer a free track download in exchange for an email address, to build momentum with your list. Keeping in touch regularly by email is an excellent way to promote your upcoming releases, tour dates, and crowdfunding campaigns and even gain valuable insight into your fan data.</p><p>While a well-put-together website can dazzle your followers, your website also has a lot of data to help you make informed decisions. Set up a Smart link for your music release, as well as Landing pages to see where your fans are coming from, and which tracks they play most. Whether you’re promoting a new album or launching a marketing campaign, page-level data helps you get to know your fanbase.</p><p>In conclusion, while social media platforms offer valuable tools for music promotion and fan engagement, they are not an adequate substitute for a dedicated website. A website is yours and provides musicians with greater control over their online presence, enables them to build a more comprehensive brand, and offers opportunities for direct monetization. So go get you a website.</p><p> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/5b3b967dc7c3b01cdf807d15073689895c45314e/original/rc.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="1080" /><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</span></a> is - <a class="no-pjax" href="musicallyfit.net" data-link-type="url">Ruby Camille</a>. It’s Women’s History Month. This song, from Singer Songwriter Ruby Camille, captures the essence of the month like no other it’s called, Call Us Queens!</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7362620
2024-03-06T09:59:34-06:00
2024-03-06T09:59:34-06:00
Public Domain & #IAOTW - Rachannis
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="866" /><p>Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. </p><p> </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/436mqF0"><span>Rachannis</span></a></p><p>Can I use that or nah…? & Vision - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>First and foremost, I hope that everyone exercised their right to vote today. Voting lines were exceptionally long here in Texas, catching most of us off guard, especially me. Additionally, the Facebook and Instagram outage this morning contributed to a very eventful day.</p><p>So let’s get to it. If you want to utilize previously recorded music, it is essential to contact the copyright holder. Utilizing a copyrighted work without permission constitutes copyright infringement. The copyright holder has the legal authority to take action, including filing a copyright infringement notice. A civil lawsuit could result in significant financial liability, potentially amounting to thousands or even millions of dollars in damages. The case of <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.lostinmusic.org/cases/detail/15-marvin-gaye-estate-vs-robin-thicke-and-pharre"><span>Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams vs. Marvin Gaye Estate</span></a> should serve as a great example. Until a work enters the public domain, just get your coins ready to pay…you are going to pay! Because if your song “blows up,” and it’s determined that the groove, the feel, and the chord progressions are the same, in the words of Marvin Gay you <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp7Q1OAzITM"><span>got to give it up. </span></a> See what I did there…..?</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/8c88b4d2c94ccbc65fd5acbb060469cb50434489/original/public-domain-music.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="1080" /><p>Public domain music refers to musical works that were never protected by copyright or have surpassed the copyright term, making them freely accessible for use by anyone without seeking permission or making payments to copyright holders. Public domain works offer significant advantages, as they can be remixed, covered, sold, or utilized in any desired manner without requiring authorization from the author, creator, or current copyright owner. However, it is important to note that certain situations may arise where copyright infringement can occur. For instance, if a song enters the public domain and an individual creates a cover of that song with their own interpretation, any subsequent versions or remixes based on that cover may infringe upon the copyright of the latter work. It is crucial to limit interpretations of the original song within the public domain. This principle applies not only to music but also to sheet music, particularly relevant for bands, choral groups, and jazz ensembles.</p><p>Every year on January 1st, we commemorate Public Domain Day alongside the celebration of the New Year. This significant date holds particular importance for educators, students, and creative minds, as it marks the day when copyrights expire, allowing works to enter the public domain and become freely accessible to the public.</p><p>This year, a substantial number of copyrighted works from 1928, as well as sound recordings from 1924, will enter the US public domain. These works will be available for public use. Moreover, 2024 marks the highly anticipated release of Steamboat Willie, featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, into the public domain.</p><p>In the United States, music from 1926 and earlier is considered public domain. Additionally, music from 1926 to 1977 is also in the public domain if published without a copyright notice. I use the term the United States because other countries have their copyright laws, so make sure if you travel abroad a lot that you know the law.</p><p>Several factors can contribute to a work entering the public domain:</p><ul>
<li>Copyright Expiration: In the United States, the copyright term for music generally extends for the author's lifetime plus an additional 70 years. Once this period expires, the music enters the public domain.</li>
<li>Dedication to the Public Domain: Certain composers or copyright holders may intentionally relinquish their exclusive rights by dedicating their work to the public domain.</li>
<li>Government Works: Works created by U.S. government employees as part of their official duties are not eligible for copyright protection and are considered public domain.</li>
<li>Lack of Copyright Formalities: In some cases, music may enter the public domain due to failure to comply with copyright formalities, such as proper registration or renewal.</li>
</ul><p>Additional rules to consider include:</p><ul>
<li>Works published before March 1989 are in the public domain if the copyright was not registered within five years of the publication date.</li>
<li>Works published before 1964 are in the public domain if the copyright was not renewed 28 years later.</li>
<li>Any song or other work first published between 1930 and 1963 whose US copyright was never renewed is now in the public domain.</li>
</ul><p>You can search for public domain songs on websites such as <a class="no-pjax" href="https://songselect.ccli.com/"><span>SongSelect by CCLI.</span></a> You can also utilize <a class="no-pjax" href="https://creativecommons.org/"><span>Creative Commons licensing</span></a>, which allows users to access music free of charge, and has a search feature. </p><p>Public domain music is an awesome resource for creators and users. You can use it to make your own music, videos, or whatever else you want without having to worry about copyright infringement. It's like a big, free buffet of music. So, go ahead and dig in!</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Rachannis</span></a> </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/9ed5a5e010537084db9ed4cd20a4ffa02e70fa56/original/screenshot-2024-03-05-at-3-45-33-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="1900" /><p>Born and raised in Motown, Rachannis coins her wave as Cosmic Soul, resonating euphoric experiences, and inviting listeners to dive all the way</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7358377
2024-02-27T19:36:13-06:00
2024-02-27T19:36:13-06:00
Mission & Vision & #IAOTW - MD Stokes
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" height="866" /><p>Tuesday, February 27th, 2024. </p><p> </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p> </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3OMpJeo"><span>MD Stokes.</span></a></p><p>Every business needs a Mission & Vision - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>I’m going to start right here, creating a mission and vision statement is biblical. That’s right, in Habakkuk 2:2. The verse reads: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/4590bd90bc04bd720b5986c9fc3a14b29992f15b/original/dose2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" height="640" /><p>Now with that said, if you're involved in any aspect of the music industry, whether as an artist, producer, manager, or marketing, you are in the music business. It doesn't matter if you have a "regular 9-5" job or not. This is not a hobby or a side hustle.</p><p>The music business encompasses a wide range of activities, from development and recording to marketing and distribution. It's a complex and ever-changing industry, but it's also a vibrant and rewarding one.</p><p>If you're serious about making a career in music, it's important to treat it as a business. That means having a clear understanding of the industry, setting goals, and developing a strategy for success.</p><p>It also means being prepared to work hard and make sacrifices. The music business is not for the faint of heart. But if you're passionate about music and you're willing to put in the work, it can be a very rewarding career. </p><p>Okay, so now that you know you're in the music business, (business being the operative word), it's time to get serious. You need to have a clear idea of what you're trying to do and how you're going to do it. This is called a mission and a vision statement. A mission statement is like a roadmap for your business—it tells people what you're all about and how you plan to get there. A vision statement is like a dream board—it shows you where you want to be in the future. So, what's your reason for being a musician? What do you want to achieve in the next few years, who do you want to collab with, where do you want to gig?</p><p>Crafting a mission statement can be a powerful tool for artists seeking to bring their dreams to life. It serves as a concise summary of your identity as an artist, your values, and your aspirations, both personally and professionally.</p><p>In today's competitive industry, it's essential to stand out and define your unique qualities as a performer. A mission statement allows you to do just that, setting the foundation for your artistic journey.</p><p>Beyond practical applications, a mission statement also serves as a source of inspiration, guiding your decision-making process when faced with artistic, promotional, or career-related choices. It helps you align your actions with your larger goals, ensuring that you're on a path that feels authentic and fulfilling.</p><p>As an Indie musician, having a strong foundation and a clear understanding of your niche, audience, vibe, goals, and values is crucial for long-term success. This is where your Mission and Vision Statement come in handy.</p><p>Your Mission Statement outlines your overall career aspirations and purposes, while your Vision Statement describes your unique style, flow, influences, and creative intentions. These statements work together to keep you focused and motivated, even when it seems a little dark and the creative juices just aren’t flowing like you want them to.</p><p>Crafting a Mission Statement and Artist Statement may not be easy, but it is a necessary step in your business journey, and to quote Jay-Z you aren’t a businessman you ARE a BUSINESS - Man!! That goes for you females as well. Here’s what you can get from standing on business, </p><ol>
<li>
<strong>Clarity and Direction:</strong> These statements provide a roadmap that guides your decision-making process, ensuring every choice aligns with your artistic vision and personal values.</li>
<li>
<strong>Motivation and Inspiration:</strong> They act as a source of motivation, reminding you of your purpose and inspiring you to persevere in the face of obstacles.</li>
<li>
<strong>Communication and Collaboration:</strong> Sharing your Mission Statement and Artist Statement with others can effectively communicate your artistic identity, making it easier to connect with potential collaborators and audiences.</li>
<li>
<strong>Branding and Marketing:</strong> These statements contribute to developing a strong brand identity, allowing you to stand out in a competitive industry and attract the right opportunities.</li>
</ol><p>Your vision is what sets you apart and makes you special, unique, and valuable in your niche, the studio, and the gig circuit. Use your Mission and Vision Statements as a guide on your journey, and never lose sight of your dreams and goals. With patience, persistence, and a clear vision, you can be all you can be as an independent DIY musician.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>MD Stokes</span></a>. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3b96ba3d2007b6ad1e551560f28e6513424c2f7a/original/mdstokes-fbpic.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" height="1080" /><p>Considered a musical maestro, MD emerged from humble beginnings in Colia, Mississippi, and Augusta, Georgia. Now living in Sierra Vista Arizona, his musical prowess extends across genres such as jazz, pop, country, and R&B. However, his true passion lies in the transformative power of gospel music. His adaptability and versatility have garnered him recognition as a highly sought-after songwriter and producer.</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7354385
2024-02-20T14:39:59-06:00
2024-02-20T16:02:49-06:00
Experimenting in music & #IAOTW - MD Stokes.
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, February 20th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3OMpJeo"><span>MD Stokes.</span></a></p><p>Don’t be scared to experiment. - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>So let's begin by examining the definition of music. According to Webster, music combines vocal or instrumental sounds that produce beauty, harmony, and emotional expression. Notably, this definition does not include genre lock (I made that term up 😊) meaning it doesn’t restrict music to a specific genre. Music, in essence, is an art form that utilizes sound to create an immersive and evocative experience. In most Western genres of music, such as Blues, Jazz, R&B, Country, and Pop, common chord progressions can be shared. This versatility allows musicians to explore and experiment across various styles without limitations. Embracing this fluidity can open up new creative possibilities and enrich musical expression. So don’t be skurd to experiment! </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/9d89dc1ebd917c6576bad8a4211e8bbfdc58248b/original/music-brain.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p>There’s this thing called Metathesiophobia (I got deep with you right there), which is the fear of change. There’s an old saying that says people would prefer known hells over unknown heavens. Yeah, read that again. As humans, we’re creatures of habit. We like when things are the way we’re used to. Sometimes pain is so well known to us that leaving it behind feels really scary. We prefer the known, even when the known is really painful. Stuck with Metathesiophobia and don’t even know it. It is why you hear some artists and all of their songs sound the same. Now in the big leagues, sometimes this is the fault of the labels. “You gave us a hit with that one song, now give us 10 more just like it.” </p><p>But if you aren’t signed to a major label you don’t have that issue. You have issues playing the same two or three chords, playing the same venue, and staying around the same creative team you’ve been with for years and none of you are growing. In the ever-evolving world of music, experimentation is key. Music is an art form that transcends genre boundaries, allowing artists to explore and blend various styles. Fear of change, or Metathesiophobia, can hinder creativity and artistic growth.</p><p>Musicians and producers need to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new sounds, techniques, and equipment. Stagnation can lead to creative fatigue, where audiences become accustomed to a particular style and lose interest. Experimenting with different genres, collaborating with diverse artists, and incorporating new technologies can bring fresh perspectives and revitalize one's music. Take a listen to some of these top TV music composers explain how to <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/nECEkuk0bgw?si=KMJA9t43mq0cjBz4"><span>use experimentation to improve your music.</span></a></p><p>The music industry is constantly changing, and trying to replicate past analog successes in the digital age is no longer effective. Social media and digital platforms have transformed the way music is discovered and consumed. Artists who adapt to these changes and embrace experimentation are more likely to succeed. Saying things like <i>I hate social media, I hate the radio, I hate releasing a bunch of singles, </i>only keeps you stuck. </p><p>Remember, the only constant in music is change itself. Embracing this change can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding musical journey.</p><p>Consider the multitude of successful artists who have either expanded into new genres or reinvented themselves within their existing ones. They embraced experimentation fearlessly, even when it meant taking risks. Take Garth Brooks, who transformed his persona and adopted the rock star alias Chris Gaines. While this particular venture may not have achieved overwhelming success, it undoubtedly provided valuable lessons that continue to inform his artistry and fan base. Beyoncé is another example, having successfully ventured into the country music genre.</p><p>While I am not suggesting drastic genre shifts, such as a gospel artist transitioning to heavy metal or a hip-hop artist pursuing classical music, experimentation within one's chosen genre can be equally transformative. For instance, a choral-style gospel singer might explore praise team style. Look at Busta Rhymes, whose chameleon-like approach to rap has consistently yielded remarkable results.</p><p>Experimentation is a powerful tool that can unlock new creative possibilities and enhance one's musical journey. So, embrace it, and remember: "Don't be skurd!"</p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5znqXAjsgXb7J0FO9I15DU?si=5f74560dda9f4868" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3b96ba3d2007b6ad1e551560f28e6513424c2f7a/original/mdstokes-fbpic.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></a><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>MD Stokes</span></a>. Considered a musical maestro, MD emerged from humble beginnings in Colia, Mississippi, and Augusta, Georgia. Now living in Sierra Vista Arizona, his musical prowess extends across genres such as jazz, pop, country, and R&B. However, his true passion lies in the transformative power of gospel music. His adaptability and versatility have garnered him recognition as a highly sought-after songwriter and producer.</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. Or just click this pic. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7350709
2024-02-13T12:18:03-06:00
2024-02-13T12:18:04-06:00
Muse & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, February 13th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/42FV5cl"><span>Victor VC Caldwell.</span></a> </p><p>What is your muse? The Valentine edition - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>Muse, what is that? Well, there are several definitions for the word, but we will only involve ourselves with one. A muse is a person, thing, or even an imaginary being or force that gives someone ideas and helps them to write, paint, or make music. So what is yours? Is it your sweetheart? Does she/he make your heart sing and come up with lovely metaphors that melt the heart? Do you have to have one? Not really, but it helps. I believe that it is difficult to be any kind of artist, musician, or writer without one. So the question is why do you need one? 🤔 </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/ade19aeff9016cc954cb7cabc6dbd1f65e048e17/original/t61-7marsyas-sm.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p>Well, give me a second, we’ll get to that. First, allow me to say that the role of a muse in the creative process of a musician is a multifaceted and subjective topic. While some musicians find inspiration and motivation from external sources or individuals, others may draw upon their own inner experiences and emotions. The necessity of a muse for a musician is highly personal and varies greatly from person to person, and that’s why I say you may not really need one.</p><p> </p><p>The concept of a muse often revolves around the idea of external inspiration. The word itself came from Greek mythology. The muses were these mythological figures who provided artists, including musicians, with inspiration and creative guidance. So flash to today and as stated earlier, your muse can be someone or something that triggers creative ideas and emotions and gets your blood ‘a boiling as a musician. This could be other musicians, visual artists, writers, nature, personal experiences, or even abstract concepts like love, loss, or spirituality.</p><p>For some musicians, having a muse can be a powerful source of inspiration, like God or a loved one. The presence of a muse can provide a sense of connection, purpose, and direction to their creative endeavors. Muses can evoke strong emotions and experiences that musicians can channel into their songs, performances, or lyrics. The relationship between a musician and their muse can be a symbiotic one, where the muse inspires the musician, and the musician's work, in turn, pays homage to or celebrates the muse.</p><p>Now I know some of you are reading this and going, I don’t use or need a muse to write my music. You find your inspiration from within, using your own personal experiences, emotions, and introspections. You have your thoughts, feelings, and observations to do your thing. Additionally, some of you may collaborate with co-writers or producers to generate ideas and develop your music.</p><p>So now to answer the question, why do you need a muse in the first place? A muse can serve several purposes, such as providing a sense of creative guidance and helping you to generate new ideas and emotions for your music. Additionally, it adds focus, direction, and emotional connection. Sometimes a muse shows homage and celebration. Ultimately, having a muse is a personal choice that varies from musician to musician, depending on your creative process and preferences.</p><p>There is no right or wrong answer about an external muse, and what works is what works. Whether you find inspiration from a muse, internal contemplation, or collaborative efforts, the most important factor is the ability to channel creativity and passion into your music. </p><p>Lastly, I do want to add that there is a difference between inspiration and muse. A muse, as I’ve explained, is an external source of inspiration that stimulates creative imagination and fuels artistic endeavors. Inspiration, on the other hand, is the spark that ignites the creative process on the inside. It is the infusion of new ideas, thoughts, and emotions that drive artistic expression. But let’s be clear, Inspiration can come from both internal and external. Internal inspiration stems from your thoughts, feelings, experiences, and introspections that are down in your soul. External inspiration, like a muse, comes from outside sources, such as nature, music, art, literature, or the world around you. Inspiration is a momentary or fleeting experience that can strike at any time, often unexpectedly. If it becomes long-term, then guess what? You just found yourself a muse. Both elements play crucial roles in artistic expression, and their interplay helps shape the unique and diverse works that emerge from your creative mind. </p><p>Happy Valentine’s Day. 🫶🏼💞</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/f0766b2a7466aa9dfaae27f506001985bf0af5d2/original/vc-oohwee-cvr-1600x1600.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Victor VC Caldwell</span></a>. Ooh Wee! He’s back with another one and just in time for Valentine’s Day. VC, the Chattanooga-born, Franklin Tennessee-living songwriter, producer, and engineer has a single that’s perfect for you to send to that special someone. It’s called Ooh Wee, featuring Kevin Whalum on vocals, and it’s available right now. This is a smooth jazz love song at its finest and shows why VC has so many Grammys, Stellar, and Dove awards.</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7346874
2024-02-06T13:13:32-06:00
2024-02-06T13:13:32-06:00
The Art of Songwriting & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Tuesday, February 6th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees, merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://music.amazon.in/albums/B0BXP11S56"><span>Victor VC Caldwell</span></a>. </p><p> </p><p>The Art of Songwriting? - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>So the past few weeks we have talked about melody, the hook, and song structure. These are the parts that make up the process of songwriting. Songwriting is a skill that involves composing melodies and hooks and placing them in a cohesive song structure. If you missed any of those articles, please go back and read them or re-read them as they are important to the songwriting process. Songwriting also entails writing music (songs don’t always have to have words), and/or lyrics for that piece. Depending on the type of Songwriters are also called and considered composers, this term, however, is usually used in classical music and film scoring. The good thing is I know some of you are scoring music for film and writing classical music so this applies to you as well.</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/748476450939b083b33139fceb244957f7835f09/original/main-qimg-7c754589ab04977a4b088a92264edce3-lq.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>Songwriting is a creative process that can be used as a profession a hobby or a strong stress reliever. People of all ages and skill levels write songs, jingles, lil ditties, or whatever they wish to call them. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, there are always new things to learn about the craft of songwriting. One can also look at songwriting as a process of trial and error. Here take a listen to the songwriting duo <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/oCNxBpPP5eI?si=EfM-8j9XFY3lVvoQ"><span>Nova Wav, talk about those trials and errors. </span></a>Nova Wav is composed of Brittany "Chi" Coney and Denisia "Blu June" Andrews. They have written and produced tracks and albums for artists including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Jay-Z, Kehlani, and more. </p><p>Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. The most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity flow.</p><p>Like any other profession, Songwriting is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. But if you're passionate about music, it's a rewarding and enjoyable way to express yourself and feed you and your family. Yes, songwriting is that important. It is an integral part of the human experience and expression, Songwriting can be a way to process emotions, experiences, and thoughts. It can also be a way to share our stories with others and connect with people who have similar experiences. It can also be a therapeutic process, helping us to work through difficult emotions and find healing. Additionally, it can be a way to express our hopes and dreams and to inspire others to do the same. And some even ask if humanity could survive without music and songs. This of course goes beyond the physical needs of a human but without it there would be far-reaching effects on human culture, emotional well-being, and societal cohesion. Songs even serve as historical records, chronicling events, social movements, and cultural shifts. They offer insights into the past and help societies learn from their history. Not to get too deep on you, but Songwriting is a complex process that involves both conscious and unconscious elements. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to songwriting, there are some common psychological factors that play a role in the process. It is as important to human behavior as storytelling by combining narrative structure, character development, emotional impact, lyrical imagery, themes, and personal connection, songs effectively tell stories that captivate and engage their audience. </p><p>So now to get back to the craft of songwriting, if you are wondering how to become a better songwriter here are a few tips, first, choose a good topic and decide if you want to write to someone or something, or about someone or something. Just like in Gospel writing, writers either write about God, to God, as if God is speaking to you, or about an experience that God got them through. In other words, anything that inspires you like current situations politically, or economically remember the song <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk?si=U2jbd8UonvDOrFMz"><span>War</span></a>? Then find a good melody, remember melody is king, remember your song structure and if there are lyrics, tell your story. Put them all together and there you have it, you’ve written a great song, and hopefully a hit song. Don’t forget you may need to play around with it, make some changes here or there but don’t stop until you find what works.</p><p> </p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Victor VC Caldwell</span></a>.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/ac2587fc0119ba2866689852ca48ea3f719cd6e1/original/img-4234.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /> He’s back with another one. VC, the Chatanooga-born, Franklin Tennessee-living songwriter, producer, and engineer has a new single dropping on the 16th called The Time Has Come, featuring Kirk Whalum and Paul Jackson Jr. This is smooth jazz at its finest and shows why VC has so many Grammys, Stellar and Dove awards.</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7343187
2024-01-30T19:41:21-06:00
2024-01-30T19:41:21-06:00
Song Structure & #IAOTW - Hayden Pedigo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Tuesday, January 30th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/48PHn9h"><span>Hayden Pedigo</span></a></p><p>Song Structure, what’s that all about? - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>According to MasterClass writers of the songwriters 1 on 1, scientists recently located a “music center” in our brain, which makes us react to music in much the same way we react to other pleasure-inducing stimuli. Songs make us feel through rhythm and melody, but the reason they stay with us and we remember them is based on familiar patterns that make up the song structure. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d302df3c77b8cd97f77bde5af6d1322b3b8836af/original/song-structure-formula-to-make-you-a-better-musician-1568x882.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>Song structure refers to how a song is organized, using a combination of different sections. A typical song structure includes a verse, chorus, and bridge in the following arrangement: intro, verse — chorus — verse — chorus —bridge — chorus — outro. This is known as an ABABCB structure, where A is the verse, B is the chorus and C is the bridge. Listen to what popular country songwriter <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/TFJD-4FPNLw?si=gkh7C6w3Gv3S0QGH"><span>Marty Dobbs</span></a> says about this type of structure. I really like what he says about those of you who choose not to write in a manner that most popular songs are written in, “you choose to write yourself out of the game.” And trust me you don’t want to do that. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but hey let’s play to the law of averages and play to win, ya dig?</p><p>Hit songs and pop songs tend to follow the standard structure while jazz jam bands and experimental musicians might diverge from the formula. If a song sounds familiar to us when we hear it for the first time, it’s because our ears have been trained to recognize the most commonly used song structures. But that’s not to say there isn’t value in variation as well.</p><p>Song structure refers to the arrangement and organization of the various sections of a song. It encompasses the different parts of the song and how they are arranged to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience.</p><p>The structure of a song typically includes the following elements:</p><ol>
<li>
<strong>Introduction</strong>: The introduction sets the mood and tone for the song. It's usually a short section that establishes the main theme or musical idea.</li>
<li>
<strong>Verse</strong>: The verse provides the narrative or storytelling element of the song. It typically consists of lyrics that convey a message or tell a story. Verses are often repeated throughout the song.</li>
<li>
<strong>Chorus</strong>: The chorus is the catchy, memorable part of the song. It's usually repeated multiple times and serves to reinforce the main message or theme.</li>
<li>
<strong>Bridge</strong>: The bridge is a contrasting section that provides a break from the verse-chorus structure. It often introduces new musical ideas or lyrics and can serve to build tension or provide a resolution.</li>
<li>
<strong>Outro</strong>: The outro is the concluding section of the song. It usually wraps up the musical and lyrical ideas presented throughout the song and brings it to a satisfying end.</li>
</ol><p>Now when it comes to hip hop it relies on a 16-bar verse form followed by a chorus/hook section. Often there are three verse sections with each one followed by a chorus or hook section. Sometimes the third verse is replaced with a bridge, a section with different chords or a change up in the rap style or content. The hook/chorus provides an anchor for the listener while the verses tell the story, paint a picture, or express the personality of the rapper. But truth is a lot of rappers don’t make it, and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/ttSC6ZfiAsU?si=0nzKTq9s2S4w8JOj"><span>Drew Morisey,</span></a> Founder and CEO of How To Rap broke it down and guess what he said….well you know what we’re talking about.</p><p>These elements can be arranged in various ways to create different song structures. Some common song structures include:</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Outro</strong>: This is a classic verse-chorus structure with a bridge section added to provide contrast and build tension.</li>
<li>
<strong>Verse-Chorus-Chorus-Verse-Bridge-Chorus-Outro</strong>: This structure emphasizes the chorus and creates a sense of momentum and energy.</li>
<li>
<strong>Verse-Verse-Chorus-Verse-Verse-Chorus-Outro</strong>: This structure uses multiple verses to tell a story or develop a theme before reaching the chorus.</li>
<li>
<strong>Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Outro</strong>: This structure omits the second verse and goes directly from the first chorus to the bridge, creating a more concise and focused song.</li>
</ul><p>The structure of a song plays a crucial role in shaping its overall impact and appeal. It helps to create a sense of coherence, balance, and emotional resonance. A well-crafted song structure can put you on the top of the song call list, get you a publising deal, get you that hit song you’ve been dreaming of and enhance your listener's experience. Remember when you are first starting out, you want to go with the flow instead of going against the grain. Leave a lasting impression on your fans and followers, trust me you will be glad you did.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Hayden Pedigo</span></a>.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/9bc1a3da72652c6f259e524e5ac6a7cc4461b7c2/original/hayden.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p><p>Hayden, is an American avant-garde musician, politician, performance artist, and model. Much of his work has been informed and inspired by his upbringing and residence in the Panhandle of Texas.</p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7338847
2024-01-23T14:24:39-06:00
2024-01-23T14:24:39-06:00
What the Hook & #IAOTW - Watson’s Head
<p dir="ltr"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Tuesday, January 16th, 2024. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#000000;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>Spotify.</u></span></a></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3Suomnd"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Watson's Head</u></span></a></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Do you really need a hook? - Let’s Geaux -</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">When songwriting you want to make sure that you write something that people will remember and that they can sing along to. Generally, you have about 1.7 seconds to grab someone's attention so you better come correct. One surefire way to gain someone’s attention is with a strong hook. Songs that are vocal, rap, or instrumental pieces can and should all have a good hook. So you may ask what is a hook? A hook is a memorable phrase or line in a song that grabs the listener's attention and keeps them coming back for more. It's often the first thing people remember about a song, and it can make or break its success.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/db804f4adcbd02193f42d1cf78be2f90ffb80cac/original/photo49.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">A hook is the apex of a well-crafted song. It’s part melody (remember melody from last week?), part lyric, and most likely it’s both. It’s usually the title of the song, repeating throughout the chorus and sitting in the most prominent positions of the first or last line. As stated before, a hook can come in many forms generally three but this is music and there are always exceptions to any rule. There is the Rhythmic hooks: based on a catchy rhythm, Melodic hooks: based on a catchy melody (we can’t get away from that term melody - it’s the king!), and Lyrical hooks: based on a catchy phrase or verse. All of this is considered song structure, the hook is the musical idea that can be repeated over and over and can be a sound a phrase, or a motif and can be considered the fingerprint of a song. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Some of the more popular songs that have great hooks include “We Will Rock You” by Queen, “Happy” by Pharrell, “YMCA” Village People, and “Hey Ya” by Outkast. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Now let’s be clear, every song does not have a hook. There have been a few songs that didn’t have a hook, but told a good story and kept the listener engaged. When I think of this, the first song that comes to mind is </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/CGib6okEeZ4?si=Lgwf3uJMnKdNDnXH"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>“A House is Not a Home,”</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> by Burt Bacharach sung initially by Dion Warrick and popularized by Luther Vandross. The story is so strong the listener is engaged from beginning to end. Other hookless songs include That's What I Like: By Bruno Mars, I Don't Wanna Live Forever: By ZAYN & Taylor Swift, iSpy: By Kyle & Lil Yatchy, and Love On The Brain: By Rihanna.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">My opinion is however, as a DIY musician, especially if you are just starting, you want to make your bones on songs with good strong hooks. Something that your listeners and audience can remember and hold on to; something can remember you by. There’s nothing worse than someone saying hey you heard that new song by what’cha call-it, you know the one that goes uhhh uhhh….well, I can’t remember, but I liked it, anyway…… </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Here are some things to remember when writing a hook. Use the KISS principle, keep it simple and catchy, and make sure you aren’t using a hook, just for the sake of using a hook. Make sure it’s a part of the story and relevant to the song’s theme. Use descriptive verbs, strong metaphors, and interesting similes. They should create a vivid image in the listener's mind; make’em feel something! It is a song and a song is poetry, so make sure you are using rhythm, rhyme, and repetition. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">A good hook can also pull at the emotional drawstrings. It creates an emotional connection between the listener and the song. It’s what makes them close their eyes and scrunch up their face when singing the hook over and over again. And lastly, a good hook can help with the commercial appeal. You want to sell your art at the end of the day and you are more likely to attract and retain a listener with a good strong emotional catchy hook. Without a strong hook, a song may struggle to find its place in the competitive music landscape; and you will have lost that opportunity to make that connection and keep a fan.</span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Watson’s Head </u></span></a><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/f0abfc48cb516e914eb1aa3ff4f11973be540a19/original/365715628-281285774625109-6639211351134290731-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></u></span><span style="color:#000000;">Born and raised in St. Louis Missouri, Shawn Watson has been involved with music his entire life. His primary instruments are the guitar, drums, and flute. The genre as he likes to call it is Psycodelic Funk-Rock with a lil taste of Reggae. When you hear him you can hear his influences of Jimmi Hendrix and Funkadelic instantly. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#000000;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</span></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7334931
2024-01-16T14:58:30-06:00
2024-01-16T15:06:39-06:00
Melody Is King & #IAOTW - Evan Nicole Bell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Tuesday, January 16th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is <a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3u3KHhL"><span>Evan Nicole Bell.</span></a></p><p>Melody is King - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>When you ask most people what they like about a song they usually say the beat, the words, or some smarty pants might say the artist's voice. But I stopped by to tell you that Melody, that’s right, Melody is King! So let’s start here with the egg head definition, a melody is a linear sequence of musical notes that a listener perceives as a single entity. It combines pitch and rhythm and is often the MOST memorable part of a song. It doesn’t matter if it’s Hip Hop, Country, Classical, Metal, Gospel, vocal, instrumental whatever, the melody is what people remember. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/a70d46ddb727eda883138df60487e87b37790912/original/melody-in-music-mind-map-with-definitions-2022.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>A good melody can make a song stand out from the rest, it’s the backbone of the song, and it can be what makes people want to listen to it again and again. The melody tells the story of the song. As you can hear here, Quincy Jones gets quite passionate when he talks about melody and says that <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/Qyy9W873VpE?si=W8GUFyAAfSMf29iT"><span>Melody is King.</span></a> He goes on to say “Melody is king, and don't you ever forget it. Lyrics appear to be out front, but they're not; they're just an accompanying factor. If they're good, you're really in good shape. Lyrics are written to be rewritten. Jeff Tweedy of the band Wilco an alternative rock band says “Melody is king. Songs are ruled by melody. I believe that melody, more than lyrics, is what does all the heavy lifting emotionally. When I write lyrics, or when I adapt a poem to a song, my goal is to interfere as little as possible with whatever spell is being cast by the melody.” You can even get biblical when it comes to melody. According to Ephesians 5:19-21 in the King James Version of the Bible, people should sing and make melody in their heart to the Lord. I’ll share with you also what Chris Moses of Gospel Progressions University says about <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/zQ7_zK-zxz0?si=6I6A_xdPMF45X49B"><span>why Melody is King.</span></a></p><p>Now as an Indie artist, I know you sometimes struggle with things like melody, song structure, continuity, and all that. The first thing I would suggest is to listen to songs with strong melodies. They don’t necessarily have to be in your genre. Remember we talked about boosting your creativity? Grabbing a good melody can be a result of listening to other genres. There are many different ways to create a melody. Some melodies are simple, while others are more complex and intricate. But no matter how complex or simple a melody is, it must be catchy and memorable. </p><p>The melody is also important for creating a sense of harmony in the song. When the melody and the harmony work together, they can create a beautiful and pleasing sound and help the continuity of the story. </p><p>When you think of songs with the most memorable melodies you think of songs like Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Amazing Grace. So what can you do? First use the KISS principle, you know Keep It Simply Simple, start with a simple idea, a poem, a phrase, a story title, or somebody's name like <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/CBWDGJYAD3s?si=lmRzdjwPn4s0ddlN"><span>Gloria by Enchantment.</span></a> Experiment with different rhythms and intervals. Make sure the melody is catchy and memorable. Work on the harmony to create a sense of balance and flow. </p><p>A few other ideas are to sing over a simple chord progression or a simple beat like when we were kids and used to make the beat on the desk. Play with different and interesting rhythmic stressings and accents. Don’t forget about the overall shape or arc of your melody. Remember that all stories have an arc and so does a good melody. Melody doesn't live in a vacuum, so couple your melody with a good harmony, a good rhythm, a beat, or some sort of cool accent.</p><p>So remember to listen, listen, listen to as much “stuff,” as possible, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Stop trying to write a hit and write something that’s just refreshing, different, and speaks to your audience. </p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Evan Nicole Bell</span></a> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/04c804c24a2e57a0070e088e0d6a60c5f093309b/original/evan-nicole-bell-runaway-girl-ep-album-art.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist from Baltimore Maryland. She has a lot of people talking - "One of the most exciting newcomers on the Baltimore scene." — WTMD 89.7 FM. "A highly talented multi-instrumentalist." — Blues & Rhythm Magazine. “[Evan] mines and embraces the rich history of soul, blues, and Americana while at the same time making it decidedly her own.” — SoulTracks.com. "Melodic vocal style...instrumental prowess." — Blues in Britain Magazine </p><p>Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. </p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. If you are an Indie artist and want to be featured, hit me up. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7331077
2024-01-09T16:25:28-06:00
2024-01-10T23:01:33-06:00
Improvisations & Ad libs & #IAOTW - KSam
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Tuesday, January 9th, 2024. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music click, and follow my Playlist </i>on <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span>Spotify.</span></a></p><p>Unda The Hat is now doing affiliate marketing for Amazon. <i>“As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” </i><span style="color:#000000;"><i>We feature musical equipment, OG music band Tees & merch, games, and books. </i>This week's Amazon feature is </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://amzn.to/3Hcu7PO"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>KSam.</u></span></a></p><p>Improv & Ad libs - Let’s Geaux -</p><p>Improv, ad-libs, Freestyle, off the Top of Dome, anything you want to call it, it’s all spontaneous musical expression without prior preparation. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/4959aaafc7adbe123cb9242ad8ffa6ceabdb011d/original/image-encounters-improvisation.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>Improvisation can be done by a single musician or by a group of musicians. It can be done in any genre of music, but it is most common in jazz, blues, folk music, R&B, Pop, Rock and Electronic. Pretty much everything except classical.</p><p>There are many different types of improvisation. Some of the most common types include:</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>Free improvisation:</strong> This type of improvisation is completely spontaneous. There are no rules or restrictions, and the musicians are free to create whatever they want. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/yzZrB2-yc-A?si=MLsnQEUtDA11ztFx"><span>https://youtu.be/yzZrB2-yc-A?si=MLsnQEUtDA11ztFx</span></a>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Guided improvisation:</strong> This type of improvisation is based on a set of guidelines or rules. The musicians may be given a melody, a chord progression, or a rhythm to work with. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/0HIojqqkTzQ?si=q7OqApPuF5rahEfX"><span>https://youtu.be/0HIojqqkTzQ?si=q7OqApPuF5rahEfX</span></a>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Collaborative/Collective improvisation:</strong> This type of improvisation involves two or more musicians working together to create a piece of music. The musicians may take turns improvising, or they may improvise together. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/EadpcjMB_2s?si=YjCd6uvjd8Kw0uUt"><span>https://youtu.be/EadpcjMB_2s?si=YjCd6uvjd8Kw0uUt</span></a>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Freestyle:</strong> Freestyle rap is a form of rap music in which the artist creates lyrics and rhymes spontaneously, without any prior preparation. It is often done in a live setting, such as in a club, concert, street corner, or a good ol cipher. Freestyle rap can be done by one person or by a group of people. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/VH80FTveM_4?si=aK066Ar3Fufaq_HX"><span>https://youtu.be/VH80FTveM_4?si=aK066Ar3Fufaq_HX</span></a>. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/UZ49J3TLCug?si=OILc2v_pPYxo9GbW"><span>https://youtu.be/UZ49J3TLCug?si=OILc2v_pPYxo9GbW</span></a>
</li>
</ul><p>Improvisation is a challenging but rewarding musical skill. It can be a great way to express yourself creatively and connect with other musicians. But let’s get it straight folks, improv, and freestyle don’t mean just do what you want. It takes practice, you got to know those chord progressions and know which way you going. Have you ever heard Ella Fitzgerald scat? It’s all improv. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/1GUmxnYheK0?si=ztw_Oi3hhTKxsr4y"><span>https://youtu.be/1GUmxnYheK0?si=ztw_Oi3hhTKxsr4y</span></a>. Click in at 1:41. She says she forgot the words and went off from there. But she knew where she was going from the chord progressions and just didn’t run off the rails. </p><p>Now, for the most part, ad-lib and improv are similar, but you can also add vocal melisma (runs) to that as well. Adlibbing involves improvising within a scripted context, improvisation encompasses a wider range of spontaneous performances without a predetermined script. When I think of ad-lib, I think of more emotional expression than improving through a song. Here is some real technique when it comes to runs also called rifts and a real breakdown of knowing the chord structure. Again you can’t just do what you want and it don’t fit. Cause if it don’t fit, please just quit. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/21vq7j2eXUU?si=tb06vSGxcwLeFW-a"><span>https://youtu.be/21vq7j2eXUU?si=tb06vSGxcwLeFW-a</span></a></p><p>Now there are ways to work on your improv and your ad-libs: Listen to a lot of music. The more you listen to music, the more you will learn about different styles and techniques. Practice, practice, and practice some mo - regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at improvising. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when they improvise. The important thing is to keep practicing and to learn from your mistakes. And whatever you don’t don’t forget to have fun! Improvisation is supposed to be fun. So relax, let go, and enjoy the process.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>KSam.</span></a><span> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/9714e6012627f86c3d720377cb16ecedb6dc70fd/original/ksam.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span>The world of music is about to witness another artist from world-renowned manager Qadre El Amine, an artist, named KSam. He is a soul-stirring revelation as acclaimed Hip-Hop Gospel artist KSam prepares to drop his highly anticipated single, “God’s Beauty in You.” This release has already garnered immense acclaim and enthusiasm from radio personalities and stations across the nation.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7300369
2023-11-07T22:26:19-06:00
2023-11-07T22:26:20-06:00
What's new with Spotify & #IAOTW - MrTJ Miller
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, November 7th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat</span></i></a><i> </i>on Spotify, and check out the latest YouTube from <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/4GidsuTDIw0?si=FiGvprP0cQ2YwqGE"><span>MrTJ Miller</span></a> and the book Murder By The Collar. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The new doo review - Let’s Geaux -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Okay, so let’s just get to it, Spotify, the Swedish audio streaming and media services provider is changing things up a bit. In case you didn’t know, Spotify has more than 574 million users, including 226 million subscribers in more than 180 markets. They don’t just do music either, they offer content such as Podcasts, Videos, Music, etc., but you know all that. Currently, Spotify pays artists between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average. This works out to a revenue split of approximately 70/30, with 70% going to the artist/rights holders and 30% to Spotify. The amount you can expect to receive from Spotify depends on a few factors, including: Where your audience comes from, whether they are free or premium users, and even your distribution deal. Here’s an example for you. If 100 people stream one of your songs on Spotify, you’ve just made between six and eighty cents. Here’s what you need to know, Spotify pays out monthly, as long as your balance amounts to $10 or more. If your balance is less than $10, Spotify will continue to accumulate your revenue until it reaches $10 or more. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/73910bddccb330b9057a2d96cf2cdcfd27ea63ec/original/5690e0ccde07d7d2068ee0433466265d.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Spotify will change its royalty payout model by early next year to include a minimum threshold of streams for a song to qualify for royalty payments, penalties for streaming fraud, and restrictions on royalty payments for short “noise” tracks, as first reported by <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-is-changing-its-royalty-model-to-crush-streaming-fraud/">Music Business Worldwide</a>. These changes are indicative of tectonic shifts (meaning how the music industry works, like how AI is changing the landscape) in the music industry today and point the way to the future of streaming music services. The good part is that it is easier than ever for you to record a quality-sounding project that will sit right alongside Drake, Kirk Franklin, or Bony James. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So let’s go back, remember I said Spotify pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average? Well, things are about to change. Spotify is planning changes to its royalty model for 2024 that will disqualify some tracks from payments and increase penalties for so they say things like “fraud.” On average, you'll have to earn 300,000 to 350,000 streams to generate roughly $1000. Other reasons include Introducing a minimum payment threshold, lowering or eliminating royalties for fraudulent streams, and restricting royalty payments for short “noise” tracks like white noise and environmental sounds. The changes are planned for early 2024. According to Spotify, the above are all drains on the royalty pool and stop money from getting to working artists.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The ultimate plan for Spotify is to shift $1 billion in payouts towards "working artists" over the next 5 years. So stay woke out there folks, and remember this, yes, you want to be on Spotify, you have to be if you are looking to be competitive in the market. But guess what, you don’t have to worry about all this if you are selling music on your own website. Think about it.🤔</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - Mr. TJ Miller, (yep me again). <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/e7ef498532cae93e98b4e19308e4da8a72850cc9/original/30424932-10215173101297418-3639646673390960328-o.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Originally from Monroe Louisiana, the Grambling Grad also attended Tennessee State and Full Sail Universities. He has worked for major labels and major music distribution companies for 20+ years and started Unda The Hat Media, a marketing and ad agency, to help independent musicians thrive and be successful.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7296901
2023-10-31T21:09:53-05:00
2023-10-31T21:23:37-05:00
Holiday Music & #IAOTW - Mr TJ Miller
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, October 31st🎃 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat</span></i></a><i> </i>on Spotify, and check out the latest TikTok page from <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@undathehat" data-link-type="url">Mr. TJ Miller.</a></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Music & Seasonal Moments - Let’s Geaux -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Yes, it’s that time of year when you will hear your unequal fair share of Christmas music. Depending on which genre you listen to you will probably hear Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Nat King Cole, Charles Brown, or Donnie Hathaway; and more than likely you’ll hear all of the above. One thing of note here, Holiday music is a genre in itself, so know that going in. Also, Holiday music is important because it helps to create a festive atmosphere and can bring people together. It can also be a way to celebrate traditions and memories. But we know that about the genre. Here’s what’s important, you should definitely make holiday music! Holiday music connects you to your fans, followers, and family. So for the list of artists I named earlier, for those that are still with us, if they never write another song, their Christmas songs will be feeding them and their family for generations to come. So it’s good to write good new catchy hooky Holiday songs that will outlast you. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6a82fe0a41f165b1ca6f35c2af5531ce4a39cde5/original/assets-aboutamazon.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Holiday music can be a good way for you to stretch your catalog, earn mailbox money, strengthen your brand, and gain relevance. If you aren’t writing your own original Holiday music, it’s okay. The genre is considered classic, so the copyrights for composition rights are often lapsed, owned by the public, or never existed. I would suggest you put your own branded spin on it. I love Celo Green’s version of Mary Did You Know. And all the greats did Christmas songs, be like the greats, do a Christmas album, or at the very least a Christmas song. Because it’s Christmas time, Christmas music will dominate this conversation, but the reality is there are a lot of opportunities to make Holiday music all year long. Currently, Christmas, Easter, and maybe Valentine have a lock on the holiday song market; with Easter being pretty much all gospel and classical. I think everybody who calls themselves a songwriter should write some sort of Holiday song. Now I know nobody is out there looking to pen a President’s Day song, but a modern-day Thanksgiving song would be dope.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">And listen, when you are writing producing, and releasing Holiday songs, start early. If it’s a Christmas song, start the process in the Summer somewhere around July or August. If you got that love ballad that’s just right for Valentine now is your time. Or maybe you are the one to write that hot Fourth of July song, better heat the grill up in January. In other words, start by working backward. Find out from your distributor how long it takes to get your release ready and out there. CDbaby has a really good schedule that gives you all of your dates. Then add time on for marketing, because the difference here is once the Holiday is over so is the song, until next year, so get cracking ya dig.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Here are some tips for making great holiday music:</p><ul>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Write songs that are catchy and easy to sing along to.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Be you. If you are a nontraditional type of person, don’t disappoint your fans, do something way out there like make a Christmas song about Fish & Grits. </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">If you go the traditional route please put your own unique spin on it. </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Record your songs in a high-quality studio.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Promote your songs through social media and other channels.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align:justify;">Now unless you have deep pockets, a bigger distribution source, or a Sugar Daddy/Mama, try and keep your production budget low, especially if you are doing covers. If you feel like you’ve made that one special brand-new Christmas song that’s going to make a difference in the world, then, by all means, go for it, just be smart. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">I would highly suggest that you write a new Holiday song that speaks to you, your fan base, and your generation. Holiday songs are usually fun, so go ahead and take a stab at it. Chances are people will love it. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="/blog" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Blog">Mr. TJ Miller</a><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span> </span></a>(that’s me!)<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/682040d2a3eba01683b01a90cd6b3a70db321849/original/20230807-185357.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /> Originally from Monroe Louisiana, the Grambling Grad also attended Tennessee State and Full Sail Universities. He has worked for major labels and major music distribution companies for 20+ years and started Unda The Hat Media, a marketing and ad agency, to help independent musicians thrive and be successful.</p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Click on the name link, scroll down to the picture, and then click, and support. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For Your Source for Music Industry News try </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Digital Music News.</u></span></a></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7292792
2023-10-24T14:14:17-05:00
2023-10-24T21:14:41-05:00
Content Ideas & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p dir="ltr"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Tuesday, October 24th, 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#00015c;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i> </i>on Spotify, and check out the latest YouTube from </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/@rubycamille4379" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:#000000;">Ruby Camille.</span></a></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">What are you putting out there… - Let’s go -</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">So everybody says hey you need to post post post to get your followers up, get some engagements, and get your content out there….woah! What does it all mean? And creating content, and posting can be an all-day affair. What if you still have a 9 to 5 jobbie job, and writing and recording after work, then gigging on the weekends and you’re a one-man show? How you ‘spose to do all this content? Well, one thing is to look at how you think about it. Stop stressing and just keep your camera phone at the ready. Don’t be shy about it either, tell your audience hey I’m taking a selfie of me with y’all, be all up in Starbucks talking to your camera, trust me, I’ve done it, people will smile and have whatever thoughts they will, but they will think it’s cool and that you are some superstar that they just don’t know yet. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/c4ac4fdd317dbbe3953a18f1abb27da66a83d1c4/original/social-media-content.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">If you aren't writing, recording, gigging, or just listening to music for inspiration, (that's important too) social media and your website (old school artists you hear me?) can be your best friend and the best way to communicate with your people. This is especially true for artists who haven't gone out beyond their circle or their sphere of influence, meaning young artists just starting out or older artists who just don’t see the value in social media. Trust me - you need it. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">It is important to post regularly, and if possible to do so on a schedule. This will help grow your audience strengthen your algorithms within the platforms that you post on, and ultimately help your overall career. Whatever you post, stay consistent with your brand and stay on brand message. Keep your business page all about your music, and make it fun of course, but this is not the place to share your political views or discuss the latest big gossip topic, especially if you know they are polarizing; Keep that on your personal page. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Whenever you post something online, be it a photo from your concert, announcing your upcoming events, or sharing news, you want it to have a specific positive outcome - boost your reputation, bring more people to the live performance, sell a CD etc. From a business point of view, with every published post you participate in content marketing. In other words, have a specific goal in mind. Sometimes that goal may simply be awareness, and trust me that’s fine. You will then want to up the ante by boosting the post or even buy some ads on Facebook, IG, Google, or TikTok. </span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">So now you’re thinking, “But what do I post?” Well, it’s simple; everything, just don’t forget to be goal-oriented. And please stop saying “I forgot to take pictures in the studio, I forgot to video my gig...blah blah blah.” It’s your job, not to forget. When you are setting up for a gig or a studio session or even practice, film it. Just 10 - 15 seconds is enough. Let people know this is what the grind looks like, this is what they are paying for when they buy into you. Let them know what hard work looks like. People will swear up and down that being on stage for a talented musician is easy work. </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/T91Ay_w910w?si=6Ilmxc69yab9HXbv"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>The Curtis Family C-Notes </u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">posts their practice sessions every Monday and that has grown a life of its own. They now have guests come and just hang out and play with them on Mondays, and they prove to the world that this is real work.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Here are some other content ideas that you should look into::</span></p><ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Share behind-the-scenes photos and videos from your recording sessions, rehearsals, and live shows.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Post photos of your instruments and gear.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Post a video of pictures of you in your car listening to your music.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Post acoustic or even acapella versions of your song.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Write blog posts about your music, your process, and your inspirations.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Interview other musicians.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Share tips and advice for aspiring musicians.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Host a Q&A session with your fans.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Create a playlist of your favorite songs.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Share your thoughts on current events in the music industry.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Promote your upcoming shows and releases.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Sell merchandise.</span></li>
</ul><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Ruby Camille. </u></span></a><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/4d00600bb65fbb0b6e912f9a5b76d40c0717fec2/original/img-6184002.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></u></span><span style="color:#000000;">Originally from Franklin (a suburb of Nashville) Tennessee the 26-year-old singer-songwriter, producer, song publisher, and content creator is making a huge mark for herself now living in Atlanta. She writes, arranges, sings, acts, and has a workout regime that most professional athletes can’t keep up with.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Click on her name link, scroll down to her picture, and then click, and support. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For Your Source for Music Industry News try </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Digital Music News.</u></span></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7285678
2023-10-10T12:44:45-05:00
2023-10-16T09:58:54-05:00
How to find a manager & #IAOTW - LavaLordz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, October 10th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat</span></i></a><i> </i>on Spotify, and check out the latest YouTube from <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/AR6gWbIFfhs?si=GkkJQ1ep90fNcvwH"><span>LandLordz</span></a><i>.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">How do you find a manager?? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So we all know what a manager is; an industry pro who represents, advises, finds opportunities, and helps to market the music of you the artist. A good manager also helps to shape the career, direction, and professional activities of an artist who has something to manage. Often when artists think of managers they think of someone who is going to book gigs, plan tours, or create merchandise. Additionally, managers act as a go-between between a label, third-party companies, and the artist. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/b1a9b295ebfa38cc47ba7fcdea91e2344a3f3658/original/artist-management.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Artist managers typically have a background in the music industry and strong relationships with other industry professionals - sometimes. They are also skilled in business, marketing, and law - sometimes. There are times when a good artist manager is just someone who totally trusts and believes in you, your music, and your story. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">As an artist, you may go through many managers, don’t be weary of this process. Some managers are with you only for a season to get you from point A to point B. Once it’s time to move to the next level, this manager may not be able to go there.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Now that you know all this, how do you find one? There are several things to consider. If you are looking for a professional manager, please make sure you have something to manage. The manager is going to need to make money off of their efforts. Can they book you? Can they put you in a situation where you can make money? Usually, a manager only gets paid when you get paid, unless you have a prearranged agreement. <i>"When looking for a manager, the first step is doing your research to see if there are any active managers who you feel can represent your brand. Follow them on social media and if you can find their email address, firing over a quick intro and sharing some music with some of your highlights and bio, asking for feedback is a good way to get on their radar." </i>- Mike Murphy, Ditto Management</p><p style="text-align:justify;">If you have a good network, some solid friends, and a good social following, this can be the start of finding a manager or being found by a manager. Being introduced and validated by another artist or industry type is another good way, be it live or online. Another way to be found is to advertise on forums like The IndieBible or The Music Managers Forum. You have to be ready to grind though. This is pitch pitch pitch until you find what you want. And even then you have to interview them and they will be interviewing you. You want to make sure you know what you want their role to be. Do your homework and your research on this person. Make sure they like your music and have an overall strategy for your career. After that agree to terms and what your work relationship will be. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Here are some other ways to find a manager</p><ul>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Network with other musicians and industry professionals.</strong> Attend industry events, connect with people on social media, and let people know that you're looking for a manager.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Reach out to managers directly.</strong> Search for managers online, and send them your music and a brief bio.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Hire a music lawyer or entertainment attorney.</strong> They can help you find a manager who is a good fit for you and your career.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Attend music business courses or workshops.</strong> These can be a great way to learn about the music industry and meet potential managers.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Enter music competitions or showcases.</strong> This can be a great way to get your music heard by managers and other industry professionals.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Build a strong online presence.</strong> Make sure your website, social media, and other online profiles are up-to-date and professional.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">
<strong>Be patient and persistent.</strong> Finding a good manager can take time, so don't give up.</li>
</ul><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>LandLordz</span></a>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d15788b79f54222b7b876027f06f8c14cd9ceab8/original/unnamed.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />This two-man group hailing from Detroit Michigan are real-life brothers and are bringing a fresh stance to Hip Hop.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, and then click, and support. For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For Your Source for Music Industry News try <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/"><span>Digital Music News.</span></a></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7279166
2023-09-26T21:25:25-05:00
2023-09-26T21:25:26-05:00
AI verzuz the Copyright & #IAOTW - No Worryz
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, September 26th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/kfJsdsp2CmQ?si=tDOCWdkY5d0Avg7-"><i><span><strong>No Worryz</strong></span></i></a><i><span><strong>.</strong></span> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Can you copyright that?? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ok wait, did you read my article a month or so ago about AI? So that everybody knows, AI-generated music is music platforms that are synthesizers that use generative artificial intelligence to self-compose and produce music. It is trained on powerful machine learning algorithms fed with large volumes of music data like vocals, chords, strums, and other elements to create new songs. </p><p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/7003e02fd46f4e6eef587a0e699ce0319454de21/original/hq720.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Let’s start right here; as of today, AI cannot be copyrighted. Did you hear me? AI CANNOT BE COPYRIGHTED. Copyright law protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. AI-generated content may be protected by copyright if it meets the requirements of originality and fixation in a tangible medium of expression. However, there are some challenges to copyrighting AI-generated content, such as determining who the author is and whether the content is truly original. 🤯🤯🤯🤯If you are so inclined here is a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/VN6Lil39_qA?si=4c_VqMZKBNV-j97S"><span>listening session</span></a> on AI done by The <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.copyright.gov/"><span>Copyright</span></a> Office. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">On March 15, of this year, the Copyright Office issued its latest formal guidance, which reaffirmed its position that works that are created by AI without human intervention or human involvement cannot be copyrighted. The Constitution is what gives Congress the ability to enact copyright laws, and the Constitution uses the word “author.” The copyright statutes therefore use the word “author,” and “author” has been interpreted repeatedly to mean a human. So, only humans can be authors for purposes of the constitutional and statutory copyright grant. For sound recordings, these are protected regardless of whether they are created/generated by AI or a human author because there is no requirement of "originality". However, for a song or lyrics to be protected, they must be "original". Allow me to ask an oversimplified old man question; for AI to work, somebody’s got to flip the switch or tell it what to copy right? Why can’t that person be in copyright infringement? 🤷🏽♂️</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This is like the beginning of the streaming era when everybody thought it would just magically go away. It’s the wild wild west out here. There is no law to govern AI-generated music at the moment. Have you seen the amount of Biggie songs on YouTube that are AI-generated? AI can even write and create new music as an Indie Artist. There’s a country song floating around TikTok called Beer Truck Mama that is totally AI and independent. So at some point will we see AI artists vs. Humans for the Grammy? 🤔 Oh, and before you ask, yes AI-generated content can be monetized on YouTube. So if you have the technology, and know how to create, you can do an AI song with Willie Nelson, James Cleveland, Pavarotti, James Brown, Prince, and Biggie. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Voice cloning, which is what is happening here, is the creation of an artificial simulation of a person’s voice. When it comes to AI voice cloning, regulations have yet to be established and the legality of this technology is unknown. It could even potentially be deemed as unfair or deceptive behavior if its purpose is meant for such things. The laws of image protect the right to control one's public image, to defend one's image, and to feel good about one's image and public presentation of self.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is currently working to address the issue of voice cloning by working with lawmakers and other stakeholders to develop policies and regulations that will protect the rights of artists and consumers. However, it seems as if AI technology has a step or two on the RIAA. 🫢</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><span>This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><span><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>No Worryz.</strong></span></a><span><strong> <img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d9825bf234d19f6681b78e0319da9cd093cc700c/original/meta-eyjzcmncdwnrzxqioijiemdszmlszxmifq-1.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong></span>Straight outta Dallas Texas, Cedric "No Worryz" Miller is a percussionist, lyricist, and producer and has a new single out called Jumping’ out the Jet!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, and then click, and support. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7275913
2023-09-19T20:02:41-05:00
2023-09-19T20:02:41-05:00
Video verzuz Lyric Video & #IAOTW - TaKeshia Chapple
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, September 19th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/CJqwuRqLWZs?si=D1IqGTa1aqTf1dsN"><i><span><strong>TaKeshia Chapple.</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>Traditional verzuz Lyric?? - Let’s go -</p><p>Ok, so let’s start at the top with what I know you already know, but it’s worth mentioning; a music video is a visual interpretation of a song, and usually features the artist in a dramatization of the song or performing it. Lyric videos are just that, videos that display the lyrics or for instrumentals (yes there can be “lyric” videos for instrumentals), notes, whimsical nature movement, or an animation of some sort. Both are used to promote the song, heighten the awareness of the artists, and provide lyrics for the fans. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/0deec26c8b97cab98391ba6ee48dac07c4ec85d1/original/download-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p>So ideally if it’s in your budget, you want to make both. Here’s why. You extend the life of the marketing of your song. Let’s say you release your song and the traditional video at the same time. By the way, it’s a toss-up and depends on how your fans consume music as to whether one should go before the other. I, however, would do a teaser video two weeks before the release of the song. I would drop the release, and then release the video the week after if not two weeks. You want to do what you can to stretch out your marketing efforts, so you don’t get what’s called creative or ad fatigue. After that in about 2 to 3 weeks is when you can drop the lyric video. Now what if you say, I don’t have the budget for all that. If you are going to choose only one, again respect your budget. </p><p>I hear you out there: Is this lyric video thing any good? Is it going to sell any more downloads, bring people to my site, or get me more streams? What’s the point?</p><p>A Lyric video is quick, easy, and affordable. Remember a few weeks ago, when I talked about fan engagement? This is a way to engage with your fans. It gives them a visual other than just your posts. Don’t forget that creative and ad fatigue is real. Folks will get tired and thumb right past the same image they’ve seen a hundred times. Especially if you’ve boosted the post. Even if you have an instrumental, a cool hip or inspirational animation is something that your listeners can vibe to while having something to look at. Moreover, you can <i>chop it up</i> and use different sections for different platforms like stories and reels. 15 seconds here, 30 seconds there. Next thing you know you got about 8 weeks of promotions with the same lyric video and song. Not to mention if you are a gigging artist. Get creative and infuse the two. That’s good stuff right there.</p><p>Now, I’m not trying to discourage you from making a traditional video. They are still top-of-the-shelf promotions if you have the budget. Now if you’ve stretched yourself and can only afford one, by all means, listen to your fans. Once again engage with them. Tell them what’s up. A 15-second video (by the way you want to think of your video ads in 15/30/60-second increments) of you saying <i>“Hey guys (if you’re in the south Hey y’all) I’m thinking about a traditional or a lyric video which one would you like to see?” </i>Talk to your people, they will talk back. If you are trying to get the attention of a label, they look at things like engagements, trust me on that one. Here’s the thing about a traditional video, it lasts a long time. Once again you can <i>chop it up</i> and use it in a lot of different places. It can also be used to show off your acting chops. 🤔humm didn’t think about that one, did you…</p><p>So talk to your fans and your pocketbook and let wisdom lead the way on this one. Last thing, if you do decide to do a Lyric video, and say “<i>But I’m down here in Monroe Louisiana, and don’t know anybody who does that.”</i> Fiverr.com will become a good source for you, no matter where you are.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="undathehat.com/blog" target="_blank" data-link-type="url"><strong>TaKeshia Chapple. </strong></a><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/5ec9edf752b2a7c3c929016cb4bc5837fe5f5182/original/screenshot-2023-09-18-at-10-16-45-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong>This Southern girl hails from Houston, TX by way of Shreveport, Louisiana. She is not only a singer-songwriter, but also a poet with over 500 written poems.</p><p>Click on her name link, scroll down to her picture, and then click, and support. You won’t believe how talented she is. </p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7272441
2023-09-12T20:24:35-05:00
2023-09-12T20:24:36-05:00
Merch ideas & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, September 12th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/VWW-Ucw3qKM?si=AA9mS-YGrLgCXTuS"><i><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell.</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">What else can you sell - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Back when labels like Motown, Atlantic, Arista, and Capitol ruled the airways, the artists were branded by the labels they were on. Additionally, customers bought the music and the artist brand came behind it. Consumers felt comfortable buying a new artist they had never heard of on Motown or Atlantic. They knew the brand meant something. As a matter of fact, until the onset of music videos and reality shows like “Cribs,” consumers knew very little about their favorite artists; It created a bit of a mysticism about them. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/29c7937f0551f4ba432dc1e7f1e24b9dc734e2b6/original/merch-20wall-20copy.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Most, of these labels, especially Motown, had things like Artist Development which even further branded the artists. Well, nowadays an artist has to brand themselves before they get recognized. So people don’t really rush to buy the music, nor do labels have those A&R guys out there looking for diamonds in the rough with talent, they are all looking at the social media numbers, engagements, and the brand. So if that’s the case, you might as well profit off your brand and sell it. Merchandising is a great way for musicians to connect with their fans and make some extra money. It can also help to promote their music and brand. There are many different types of merch that musicians can sell, such as t-shirts, hats, stickers, and mugs. There is a bit of research you should do before you start making and selling though.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Consequently, before you start selling merch, know your artist brand and your target audience. Know your people and what they will buy from you. Know your own distinct look and vibe also. I can’t say it enough, those yellow-golden arches of McDonald's don’t change. Even on tee shirts. Get your brand and stick to it. If you are just starting out, you will grow and let your logo grow with you, that’s fine. But for now, let’s get started. Don’t be afraid to do a little comparative analysis. If you are doing Neo Soul, what are the other Neo Soul artists selling? What’s working for them, what’s not? Yes be original but get something people will buy. You can even ask them. That’s a good way to engage with them online. Ask the question. Next, you want to put a financial plan in place. Don’t go out there all willie-nilly knowing you don’t have the money for inventory. That’s why it’s good to settle in on a merch partner. Somebody like Prinful. This company and companies like them allow you to sell POD or Print On Demand. POD allows you to work with a third-party supplier of white-label products (think anything from t-shirts to mugs) to customize items and sell them on a per-order basis. On your part, no stock and no storage. They do the shipping and take a percentage of the profit. What the companies take will vary so you will need to do your homework.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Don’t think physical merch is all there is to it in today’s market. You might want to think about things like custom ringtones, voicemail messages, or birthday videos - anything where you’re actually speaking the fan’s name and making the recording personal. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Ok, that’s the cool part of it. Let’s look at the other side. There is a caveat to this whole thing. Just like your music has a legal side, so does your merch; you can copyright it or trademark it. So here’s the quick lowdown, please let this just be the start of your information on this and not the whole of it. Copyright provides control and permission by you the creator on who is allowed the use of design and image. A trademark protects any item or product that defines a company’s brand, including logos, symbols, etc. You can use images from public domains or those deemed as fair use. So if and when you trademark your band name, you trademark the logo. Now you can make shirts, hats, and whatever else you want, and if anybody tries to steal it you got ‘em. And the reality is you, like any other business want and need more than one stream of income. The more you have the better off you, your music, and your business will be.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell.</strong></span></a> <img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/83199616c97c2e0d535d80034e611bcbcd7a3f41/original/vc-count-em.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />This Tennessee native is one of the most sought-after producers in the music game; Be it Gospel, Jazz, R&B, or Pop. He currently has a song that is tearing up Smooth Jazz radio called Count ‘Em.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, and then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is. You may want to contact him to produce your next record. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7269364
2023-09-06T12:41:00-05:00
2023-09-06T12:41:00-05:00
Tips to promote & #IAOTW - La’Kea Stokes.
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3MoEuQwvKTF_X53nLaaynw"><i><span><strong>La’Kea Stokes</strong></span></i></a><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Promo tips - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d98a66141d879c55752c15f50ba243b0e2a81bce/original/music-promo-tips.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />So last week I talked to you about engaging with your audience. I’m going to stay in that lane for a minute as I give you a few tips on how to promote your music or as I like to say <i>POAB (Promote On A Budget) and PUSH (Promote Until Something Happens). </i>So, let’s be real: Every artist wants to be a big star, strike it rich, and be all things to almost everyone, right? Nah, not even. A lot just want to share their talents and live their life through the gifts God gave them. They don’t want to be broke, suffer, or even work a traditional 9 - 5 but all that other stuff can be a bit much. So how do you do that? Well, first you write good competitive content. I say competitive because you want your music to be heard, and maybe even played on the radio. There are only so many slots and let’s face it, you DIY musicians don’t have the resources these major labels have to get their music out there. But don’t sweat it, there are some things you can do to find your audience, engage with them, set aside a budget to put together a team, and work your social media, not just scroll and look for memes.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Now let’s be clear: You can follow many tips to get your new single, EP, or Album out there so that your audience can enjoy and love it. These are just a few to get you started. And these tips will be aimed at the new music that you have just released, not you as an overall artist. Remember you’ve got to do both. You’ve got to brand yourself and promote the music. Ok so check it out. </p><ol>
<li style="text-align:justify;">First things first, get your social media sites right. Have a personal page and a business page. Talk about your favorite Football team or that you put salt on your grits instead of sugar on your personal page. Talk about your music on your business page. Both are important because people will get to know you on both, and you can sell your football family your music too.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Bring them along for the ride. Take those selfies in the studio, and introduce the engineer, the producer, the beatmaker, the saxophone player, the background singers the tambourine shaker to your followers. Let them see the process. It’s never too early to start promoting. </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">if you’ve read any of my blogs you know I’m going to say you have to have a website. Remember this is a business and you have just released a product into the marketplace. You must have your own platform to sell it on. You make 100% of the profit for everything you sell on your own website. You make 0.003% of what you sell on Spotify. Think about it.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Create an EPK, electronic press kit, and start gathering names, email addresses, and social accounts to send it to once it’s ready. And for God’s sake if it ain’t ready stop asking people in positions of power to critique your music. That’s a good way to get your feelings hurt. If it’s not ready keep working on it. Ready means to have things like your bio, your promo pictures <i>(a promo picture is not you standing in the hall looking different from your brand persona)</i>, and your metadata, all wound up and ready to go at the drop of a hat.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Now don’t get it twisted, you need your music on Spotify and all the other hundred or so DSPs (Digital Service Providers like Spotify and ‘nem) and you want to promote the fact that it’s there. People stream and you want your music to be streamed.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Do a pre-order sale. Before your music comes out, make sure your followers and fans know when it’s coming. </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Create a Press Release. This will make you more competitive in the market. Not just a bio, a press release. If you can afford it, hire a publicist. If you can’t start an email campaign to the people that matter. Especially to blogs like this one.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Pitch Pitch Pitch to playlist curators, </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Send snippets to other musicians. If they like it they will talk about it.</li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">If you have a budget, go for radio. If you don’t, create that mailing list from Linkedin and other places and send it out before the release. </li>
<li style="text-align:justify;">Do a video of some sort. You older jazz and gospel artists create a video of you singing, playing doing something. Your fans will love it. </li>
</ol><p style="text-align:justify;">Remember it’s all about you, your fans, and your music. Treat them all good!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <strong>La’Kea Stokes</strong>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/78b49757842d65d75381fe543d45651fb5a3a154/original/368247352-18381948547014738-6590830472345193178-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Raised in a strict COGIC household, La'Kea has been able to combine her love of R&B and Jesus as she strives to make her mark in the music world. Click on her name link, scroll down to her picture, and then click and support. You won’t believe how talented she is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7265515
2023-08-29T22:34:28-05:00
2023-08-29T22:34:28-05:00
Audience Engagement & #IAOTW - Jonn Hart
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Tuesday, August 29th, 2023. </span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#00015c;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>You want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i> This week, </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCda_2LCnyGFDb9NBq2uHTqQ"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><strong><u>Jonn Hart</u></strong></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></span></p><p> </p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Engaging the audience - Let’s go -</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">One of the most important things about your music career, besides the music, is knowing who and where your audience is. After you’ve created that hit record, you must market and advertise it. To do so there are a few things to think about and your audience is one of the most important. If you are a rock artist and think just because you write a song that a 16-bar rap will fit on, you are still a rock artist and need to connect with a rock audience. You will waste precious time, money, and resources trying to connect this one song to a pure hip-hop audience. Moreover, you miss YOUR target audience. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/85e16a73b4cf9e538e68975b2332cf6858fb8d19/original/meta-eyjzcmncdwnrzxqioijiemdszmlszxmifq-2.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><span style="color:#000000;">As I said, engagement starts with the music – an artist's unique expression is the cornerstone of any engagement strategy. This is why so many hit songs have big hooks. It’s to engage the audience, to have them sing along.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">If the music isn’t bumping and engaging, no amount of marketing or promotion will make it so. Therefore, I strongly suggest your music be as engaging as the marketing. And stop trying to make a hit, make a difference! Speak from the heart, put people on the dance floor, talk about current conditions, something that sets you apart from the crowd, and try your best to touch your audience in ways that they haven’t been touched in a while.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Many indie artists think fan engagement starts and ends with TikTok, IG, or for you… <i>clears throat….</i>Sr. Artists - Facebook.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Obviously, social media is a crucial part of today’s fan engagement. And if you’re at a major label, the elephant in the room will be TikTok, They think the world revolves around TikTok regardless of your genre.…. <i>but I digress. </i>Make sure you ask yourself where you feel most comfortable and where your audience lives. Furthermore, the last thing you want to do is try and depend only on social media, It is important, it is a great way to connect with fans and build relationships. Consequently, Artists can share their music as well as behind-the-scenes content, and more. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">There are more ways than just social media for indie artists to engage with their audience. Here are just a few more #tipsundathehat:</span></p><ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Contests and giveaways:</strong> Contests and giveaways are a fun way to engage with fans and give them something to look forward to. Artists can give away tickets to shows, merchandise, or even unreleased music.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Q&As:</strong> Q&As are a great way to answer fan questions and get to know them better. Artists can do Q&As on social media, in live streams, or even in person at shows.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Fan clubs:</strong> Fan clubs are a great way to give fans exclusive content and perks. Artists can offer discounts on merchandise, early access to tickets, and more to members of their fan club.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Collaborations:</strong> Collaborations with other artists are a great way to reach a new audience and introduce your music to new fans. Artists can collaborate on songs, videos, or even live shows.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Vlogs and podcasts:</strong> Vlogs and podcasts are a great way to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at your life and career. Artists can share their thoughts on music, their creative process, and more.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Merchandise:</strong> Selling merchandise is a great way to make money and connect with fans. Artists can sell t-shirts, hats, stickers, and more.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Gigs & Tours:</strong> Tours are a great way to connect with fans in person and play your music live.</span></li>
</ul><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">To use the most overused business term out there - at the end of the day, music is an aesthetic that needs to go out and find its audience. You make a hit and can’t find the audience, well, what have you really done?? 🤷🏽♂️</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><strong><u>Jonn Hart</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. </span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/dcd8b64b11037fd78e8bf96dc10c8738a383cc5f/original/screenshot-2023-08-29-at-9-31-57-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><span style="color:#000000;">Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jonn Hart is an R&B Artist and Songwriter known for his seductive catchy lyrics. With over 125 Million Combined Streams across all platforms. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, and then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7261260
2023-08-22T21:32:42-05:00
2023-08-22T21:32:43-05:00
Re-Releasing & #IAOTW - Bobby Falk Group
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Bfalkmusic/videos?app=desktop&view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0"><i><span><strong>Bobby Falk Group</strong></span></i></a><i> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Releasing 1, 2, 3….? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">So I’ll admit, a lot of my topics come from real conversations I either have or overhear or even hear on social media. Sometimes it’s great information that I want to impart to my readers, and sometimes it’s the craziest thing that I’ve heard and say, I want to make sure no one else is thinking like this. This topic is about the latter. So I heard a guy tell someone that if they released a project on Spotify and there was an issue with it, well that was just it. It would be there forever, issues and all. He said you can put up another one but you would have two versions of the same song on Spotify. 🤯I mean you can’t make this stuff up. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/c8aaad3d33015a557661c106ca2e97a22f91ec46/original/hq720.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />So first and foremost, yes, a song can be re-released after it has been released. There are a few reasons why an artist might choose to do this. For example, you may want to switch distributors, you might have gotten a bigger better distribution deal, you may want to promote the song to a new audience, or you may want to release a new version of the song with different features or remixes. Now there’s a word you don’t hear too often anymore, The Remix; remember those? Back in the 90’s just about every hip hop song had a remix. And guess what that in itself was a re-release. Now here’s a little music history side note. The remix as we know it had its roots in the dance hall culture of late-1960s/early-1970s Jamaica. After that, all of the great R&B ballads of the 80s had a jazz remix. Ok, but I digress…</p><p style="text-align:justify;">There are a few things to keep in mind when re-releasing a song. First, you will either need to get permission from the original label or publisher if you don’t own the rights to the song. In this case, you probably will own it already. One good example of this is Eric & Josh Willis’s original version of the song <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/6PWbLHFp5VZyQwqVSpF4pk?si=934bdbffb2a84e71"><span>“We’re Strolling.” </span></a>Eric Majied then did a re-release of the song as a vibraphone solo. This is his version of <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/72ZGRgSXhTHGvvbzfQ3ZNg?si=jwQsKoN0RN6RT8b1ptMfxA"><span>“We’re Strolling.”</span></a> Eric had to get permission from Eric the copyright holder. <i>I like saying that. </i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Second, you will need to make sure that the new version of the song is different enough from the original version to avoid copyright infringement. In my example, you can see that it was. Additionally, you will need to market the re-release harder than the first one, because people will think it’s the same song, get ad fatigue, and not pay attention to the new version. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Now let’s say you decide that you want all of your releases under one umbrella. Previously you had songs on TuenCore, Band Camp, and DistroKid. Now you want all of your music on CDbaby. Well, you will need to issue a takedown or let the distributors know that you will be removing your song from them. Now this will remove it from all of the digital stores until you re-release it. Moreover, it is important to use your original ISRC and UPC codes for your release when re-uploading it with another distributor. This helps ensure that the tracks match and any streams you’ve accumulated won’t be lost. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Yet another reason to re-release a song is that you just don’t like the way it sounds. Let’s say you learned some new mixing and mastering tricks, and you decide to change the baseline. Or if you want to change the artwork, or your music was just ahead of its time, and a new audience will appreciate it now 5 years later. Again this is nothing new, Parliament released the song Testify twice once in the 60s and again in the 70s. There’s nothing new under the sun, trust me. So you will need to delete the release just as you did earlier and go through the process. Just remember, be patient and persistent, sometimes these distributors take a while to get it to all of the stores at the same time the second time around. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Bobby Falk Group.</span></a> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/5b9d33afe04de32b2076d9f99f4c0f98c7b618a5/original/cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Drummer Bobby Falk is a Louisville, KY native, who grew up in a musical family, and now lives in Dallas TX. Upon graduating from the University of Louisville, Bobby started composing music and established the “Bobby Falk Group” a contemporary jazz ensemble.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on her name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented she is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7257565
2023-08-15T21:53:18-05:00
2023-08-15T21:53:19-05:00
Who Owns The Masters
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, August 15th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC190pOgD_8jYCyEsFWLTO1Q"><i><span><strong>Hayley RaShel </strong></span></i></a><i> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Who’s the real owner? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">So first and foremost before you want to know who owns something, you might want to know what it is. A master recording, usually just called the master, is the original recording of a song, including the performance, the mix, and the mastering. The master recording is owned by the person or company that paid for the recording, which is usually the record label or the artist themselves. The master is the final version of your single, EP, or album that is ready to be released to the public. It is usually created by a record label or music production company (remember that from last week?), and it is the highest quality version of the project. The master recording is used to create all other versions of the song(s) or album, such as CDs, vinyl records, digital downloads, and streams. The master recording is also used for licensing purposes. For example, if a company wants to use a song in a commercial, TV show, jingle, industrial, or national ad, they will need to license the master recording from the copyright holder. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/c1f958c03ad11983a0dcd431ddfb6ff8b2c2187f/original/640px-neumann-teldec-dmm-kupferfolien-schneidemaschine.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The master recording is a valuable asset for the artist, the writer, the publisher, the label, and the copyright owner. It is the basis for all future revenue streams from the song or album. If you are just the singer or rapper, you have to sit this one out, you gets nothing. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">At the end of the day, it’s like anything else, you pay for it you own it. Now I could one-line this whole conversation with whoever pays for the production and studio time is the owner of the masters, you, the production company, the label or whoever secures the bag, but what fun would that be, right? </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So let’s look at it like this, if you own the copyright to a song called “Hot Nights,” but your friend Israel wants to record the song, he needs your permission. Once he has that he can hire producers, beat makers, musicians, or whomever to help him record the song.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The producer may or may not own the master recording, depending on the terms of the agreement between Israel and the producer. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">It is important for you to understand who owns the master recordings of your, songs, as this can have a significant impact on your ability to make money from your music. If you own your own master recordings you have more control over how your music is used and can potentially earn more money from licensing and other revenue streams. There are some exceptions, like a work-for-hire. This is because, in a work-for-hire, the copyright of the work is automatically transferred to the employer. So, if an artist signs a contract with a record label, the label will own the master recording of any songs that the artist records for the label. Now, if an artist creates a work for hire outside of their employment relationship, they may retain the copyright to the work. Additionally, if an artist negotiates a different agreement with their label, they may be able to retain ownership of the master recording.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">But here’s a note, if you don’t have a clue as to whom to submit your music to or how to get it to the right places it can be like owning a $20 million Messiah Antonio Stradivari violin and you can’t play or even know how to hold it; kindah becomes worthless huh? Just because you own your master, don’t let your music become worthless. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Hayley RaShel. </span></a><span><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/87cf227b46f3733cc6103b45cd44fbf56356eaca/original/hayley-rashel.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span>Hailing from Mississippi and managed by star maker Qadree El-Amin of SouthPaw Entertainment. Hayley is poised to be a huge part of the next cycle of superstars. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on her name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented she is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7254380
2023-08-08T22:51:20-05:00
2023-08-08T22:51:20-05:00
Production Co verzez Record Label & #IAOTW - Tom Braxton
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, August 8th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/tombraxtonmusic"><i><span><strong>Tom Braxton</strong>.</span></i></a><i> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Production Company/Record Label know the difference? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Now no hate to anybody out there so please don’t anybody feel attacked; but a lot of y’all that say you have record labels have production companies. The thing I never understand is why not feel proud of your production company, why call it a Record Label? 🤷🏽♂️</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/61f5617e11d40943ce1e70a77b9dcba8990d9ddc/original/what-are-the-differences-between-a-record-label-and-a-production-company-1024x576-jpg-1.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">The main difference between a music production company and a record label is that a production company is responsible for the creative and technical aspects of production, while a record label is responsible for the business and marketing aspects of music distribution. Now I know you might think that because you sign up with Distrokid you have a record label, because they do ask what is the name of your label. But…<i>long sigh</i>….that’s not really a label. Now I’m not trying to downplay your business prowess, because if you put in the work, like doing the video, the marketing, advertising, the publishing, and calling around for gigs and sync licensing then yes now we are talking about label responsibilities and you are an actual label owner. <i>*side note - make sure you get your inc or your LLC or at the very least your </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/what-is-a-dba"><i><span>DBA</span></i></a><i> and </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc755#:~:text=An%20employer%20identification%20number%20(EIN,file%20various%20business%20tax%20returns."><i><span>EIN number.</span></i></a></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Production companies usually consist of one or two individuals with limited resources and work primarily on the beats, the music, or even the engineering. If you are a singer being presented with a contract from such a company, just be aware of who and what you’re dealing with. Unfortunately, more than occasionally, such a company that helps with your production and studio time calling themselves a “Record Label,” will present a 360 agreement that locks the artist into a long-term deal. They then make the company the artist’s music publisher and takes a substantial cut of all the income and a whole bunch of nefarious things and won’t do any real record label work. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Additionally, a music production company typically works with artists to develop their sound, record music, and produce music videos. They may also provide other services such as songwriting, arranging, and mixing. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">A record label, on the other hand, is responsible for signing artists, marketing their music, and distributing it to stores and streaming services. They may also provide additional services such as tour management, merchandising, and artist development.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In some cases, a music production company and a record label may be the same entity. However, it is more common for a record label to have a production company in it than the other way around. This is because the two types of companies have different skill sets and expertise. Music production companies are typically staffed by engineers, producers, musicians, beat makers, tambourine shakers, and other creative folks. Record labels, on the other hand, are typically staffed by social media marketers, radio promotion guys, business executives, advertising professionals, and lawyers sometimes called suits. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So to think about it, for the DIY musician the production is ultra important in the process. Here’s why - the music has got to be tight. And yes, again I’m not here to blow up anybody’s spot, because some one-man/two-man record labels are eating well. This is more so that you artists aren’t drawn into situations where a producer says I got a label with distribution (meaning CDbaby which you can get on your own) and locks you and your music down for longer than you need.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Tom Braxton.</span></a> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/affb6d3520a6291f8cc974977f9b52b47d5321ae/original/51lih1e-hml-uxnan-fmjpg-ql85.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />A seasoned performer, who knows how to charm audiences of all ages, Braxton has his own distinctive and recognizable sound which incorporates elements of Jazz, Latin, Funk, and R&B and leaves listeners spellbound, filled with a sense of joy as his music swirls through your soul. He was inducted into the West Texas Walk of Fame in 2017.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on their name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7250242
2023-07-31T22:29:55-05:00
2023-07-31T22:29:56-05:00
Artist Development & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/64f95b450d51cae8f09b75691524b72a0112e217/original/screenshot-2023-07-29-at-10-47-49-pm.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Tuesday, August 1st, 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#00015c;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i> This week, <strong>Victor VC Caldwell.</strong> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">How to develop as an artist - Let’s go </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">I was reading a post on Twitter where someone asked “Can we bring back Artist Development?” I got happy and said I sure hope so. The replies really surprised me I must say. Some laughed, one guy said we don’t need it, a few people felt attacked, and one person said artists that do get clowned for it and it takes away their edge, it’s not needed. One even said why? I was taken aback, I guess I’m just old school like that. I guess that’s why a lot of the young cats call me OG. 🤷🏽♂️ At any rate, back in the day artists were signed on their potential. The potential that, with the right songs, promoters, marketing, education on speaking in public, and how to act on the road, they could become a world-renowned artist. Most record labels had an Artist Development department that existed to support and evolve the artists on their roster. The department would help artists learn dance moves, give voice lessons, etiquette tutorials, and brand their image. </span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/55dee4f25aa4a27b2175885f302a925b8786b77d/original/artist-development.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"> Labels put the time in and believed that with each commercial release sales would increase, so they increased bands’ exposure thereby increasing their potential fan base. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Without question, the best record label at artist development was Motown Records. Back in the ‘60s. Artist Development was a major part of Motown's operations instituted by Berry Gordy. The acts on the Motown label were fastidiously groomed, dressed, and choreographed for live performances.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Artist development, also called AD, is a process that helps artists grow and develop the skills necessary for a professional career. Artist development in today's music industry has changed since the advent of iTunes, the Internet, social media, and Spotify. The days of being “discovered” by a record label are all but gone. Labels would find up-and-coming talent and develop them within the label, even allowing some young artists to continue high school or college and pay for it. But now this development is left up to the artist. Often too many artists are left asking the question, “Where do I start?”</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">If the old Motown model was emulated today, it would include things like social media training, podcasting, understanding metadata, and other things you learn here by reading #tipundathehat. AD can also include things like:</span></p><ul>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Training:</strong> This can include formal training, such as taking classes or workshops, or informal training, such as learning from other artists or mentors.</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Practice:</strong> The more an artist practices, the better they will become at their craft.</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Performance:</strong> Performing in front of an audience can help artists develop their stage presence and confidence.</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Networking:</strong> Networking with other artists and professionals can help artists get exposure and opportunities.</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Marketing:</strong> Marketing can help artists get their name out there and promote their work.</span></li>
<li style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>Business development:</strong> Business development can help artists manage their finances, contracts, and other business aspects of their careers.</span></li>
</ul><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Artist development is an ongoing process, I was listening to an interview with Celine Dion and she said she still takes voice lessons; that’s right Celine Dion. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Victor VC Caldwell.</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/481ec18e572ea34fa9596f0172499519ebe53609/original/vc-collage2.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />This Grammy-winning, Stellar Award-winning, and Dove Award-winning producer, engineer, bassist, and songwriter has a song at Smooth Jazz Radio that is heating up called Count ‘Em, and people are loving it! Click on his name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented they are.</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7247317
2023-07-26T00:04:18-05:00
2023-07-26T00:04:19-05:00
International Marketing & #IAOTW - The Curtis Family Cnotes
<p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Tuesday, July 25th, 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#00015c;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i> This week, </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/Mj9CufsJ2sA"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><strong><u>The Curtis Family CNotes</u></strong></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></span></p><p> </p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Let’s go worldwide - Let’s go -</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Ever wonder what your music would sound like in a foreign country, in a far-off land, or as the old folks used to say way ‘cross the water. Well, it can happen and they call it the “world-wide web” for a reason. So let’s start here; International music marketing is the process of promoting and selling music to a fan base outside of the artist's home country. It can be a complex, confusing and challenging process, but it can also be very rewarding. But it can be done, and you can do it, don’t sell yourself short. America is a small territory and if you can include Canada, Africa, Europe, South America and even some Middle Eastern continents and countries to become fans this will bode well for you, your discography and brand persona. Sometimes you have to break in a totally different place and come back to the home territory, it’s not a new phenomenon so don’t overthink it. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Did you know the Roots lived in London for a while before they blew up? Yes, everybody's journey is different. And if your music<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/553b5cfdb93808993fd0a1ccc3eb5d6aca8aa876/original/avatars-000410072646-j3jh47-t500x500.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> playing in Amsterdam or Puerto Rico is a part of your journey it helps you holistically. Nowadays you don’t necessarily have to move to another country, I mean it would be nice to live over there for a while, but the internet allows you to promote your music to relevant countries without going there first. Many countries not only enjoy the art form, but support American music and don’t mind paying, yes I said PAYING for it; whether it’s Hip Hop, Gospel, Jazz, Pop, R&B, or even Country. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Now with that said, there is a bit of homework you will need to do. You can’t (I mean you can if you want to but…) just throw music in different countries without knowing the culture. As a matter of fact, social media platforms will mute certain songs and videos in countries that find some of the images and music offensive. You want to know this. It’s easy to run Facebook ads and in the location section just add a lot of different countries that you “think” will dig your music. You will find yourself wasting time and money like that. Your ad will be rejected and you won’t even know why. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">There’s a lot to consider when marketing music internationally. One of the most important is to understand the local music scene in the country or countries you are targeting. What are the popular genres? What are the trends? Who are the local artists, and what makes them popular? </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">If you are doing Jazz for example, find out where the big Jazz festivals are and target those markets. Japan has a huge hip hop music scene, but you want to know what type of hip hop they are looking for and like. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Once you have a good understanding of the local music scene, you can start to develop a marketing strategy that will appeal to your target market. This may include things like translating lyrics, working with local DJs and radio stations, and creating marketing materials that are relevant to the local culture.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">International music marketing can be a great way to reach new fans and build a global following. However, it is important to do your research and develop a well-thought-out strategy before you launch your campaign.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Here are some mo tips unda the hat (see what I did there?) for international music marketing:</span></p><ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Use social media to connect with fans in other countries.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Create localized versions of your website and marketing materials.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Partner with local businesses and organizations.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Attend music festivals and conferences in other countries.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><span style="color:#000000;">Hire a local marketing agency to help you with your campaign.</span></li>
</ul><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">International music marketing can be a great way to expand your reach and grow your fan base. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/8f8f97c996ad11fd924d6e69018b06cba9e87210/original/295465220-478437997612978-3051071248205928952-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/blog" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Blog"><span style="color:#000000;">The Curtis Family C Notes</span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. San Francisco’s First Family of Song. Their first album “Awaken” is opening doors all around the country and now they have a new video for the new single “Keep A Positive Mind.” They are known for being one of the only soul bands that features Mother, Father, and five very talented kids. </span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Click on their name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented they are.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7243716
2023-07-18T12:58:18-05:00
2023-07-18T12:58:19-05:00
Digital Distribution & #IAOTW - Anisa Fowler
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p dir="ltr"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Tuesday, July 18th, 2023. </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Hey, it’s </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span style="color:#00015c;"><u>TJ Miller</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>#tipundathehat</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">! </span></p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;" dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow the Spotify Playlist </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><u>Indie Artist Of The Week</u></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i>. This week - </i></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/Ma2J2LNfNNs"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><i><strong><u>Anisa Fowler.</u></strong></i></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><i> Be sure to follow the artists that turn you on. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">The Big 3 - Let’s Go -</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Nowadays, when you mention the Big 3, you are either talking about Ice Cube’s new basketball league or the three major record distribution companies Sony, Warner, or Universal. But this time here at Unda The Hat, we are talking about the big three in digital distribution. Now, not to make anybody mad, there are a ton of </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.omarimc.com/best-music-distribution-companies-services-online/#:~:text=There%20are%20hundreds%20upon%20hundreds,and%20music%20platform%20connections%20worldwide."><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>music distribution companies </u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">who claim to be “the best” at what they do. “The best” however, is going to be determined by what your goals are. Make sure you have clear-cut goals for distributing your music. Music distribution helps you build your brand as an artist or label. Making your music available on popular platforms increases your visibility and reaches a wider audience. This can help you establish yourself as a serious artist or label and attract new fans and followers. So for this writing, we will focus on the Big 3; </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://cdbaby.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>CDBaby,</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.tunecore.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>TuneCore</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">, and </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://distrokid.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>DistroKid</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">; albeit ever so briefly. </span></p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/88468aca2cf17ad100e00ffd3006b48a0b11cc4a/original/maxresdefault.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">CDBaby, TuneCore, and DistroKid are all popular digital music distribution services that allow artists to upload their music to online stores sometimes called DSPs (Digital Service Providers) and streaming services. However, there are a few differences here and there between the three services.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">CDBaby is one of the oldest (and they act like it) and most established digital music distribution services. It offers a wide range of features, including the ability to distribute music to over 150 online stores and streaming services. This is the tricky part, CDBaby doesn’t directly offer marketing of any sort, however, it is aligned with companies like </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.show.co/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>show.co</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> which offers things like the ability to offer pre-saves, digital banners, and other offerings. But for concentrated marketing and promotional services, you got to hit the street and find your own, or just call me. You really need to have your act together with CDbaby, or your release will get rejected. They give you a timeline with dates that you need to follow or you will get pushed back to another date. So don’t be late.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">TuneCore is another popular digital music distribution service. It offers a similar range of features to CDBaby, but it charges a lower commission rate. TuneCore also offers a few unique features, such as the ability to distribute music to TikTok and other social media platforms.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">DistroKid is the newest of the three services, but it has quickly become one of the more popular. Primarily because you can come late with your release and they will try and push it out for you. They are pretty lax in that regard. DistroKid offers a straightforward and affordable service that allows artists to distribute their music to over 100 online stores and streaming services. DistroKid does not charge any annual fees or commissions, and it has a few cool tools to help artists promote their music.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">Ultimately, the best digital music distribution service for you will depend on your individual needs, goals, and budget. As for the artwork, they all want something around 3000x3000 pixels, but make sure you read before you submit. Your timeline is important only to you, you don’t want to wait weeks just to find out Spotify didn’t approve your artwork. See this is when being strict can help you. CDBaby will stop you before you submit. DistroKid will send what you give them and you find out later that your cover was not approved.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">CDBaby is a good option if you are looking for a comprehensive service with a wide range of features. If you are looking for a lower-cost service, TuneCore is a good choice. And if you are looking for a simple and affordable service, DistroKid is the way to go. And I’m here to help no matter which way you choose to go.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">This week's </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>#IAOTW - </u><strong><u>Independent Artists Of The Week</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong> </strong>is - </span><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.undathehat.com/blog"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><strong><u>Anisa Fowler</u></strong></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>.</strong> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/e6e84ffaa976d52dccdedbc27bd8d18efa3a7a84/original/maxresdefault-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Anisa is Trinidadian-born, now New York-based singer-songwriter who has stepped out of the box of traditional gospel music and creates music from life experiences that we all can relate to. Click on her name link, scroll down to her picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented she is.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span style="color:#000000;">For more information on this or to hire </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>Unda The Hat</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span style="color:#1155cc;"><u>undathehat.com</u></span></a><span style="color:#000000;">. See you next week!!</span></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7240429
2023-07-11T21:15:56-05:00
2023-07-11T21:15:56-05:00
Music PROs & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, July 11th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="http://vccaldwellmusic.com/"><i><span><strong>VICTOR VC CALDWELL</strong></span></i></a><i> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>Who’s your go-to PRO? - Let’s go -</p><p>Ok, so you wrote the song, your Mama nem all say they love it, your friends say the same, and to validate it even more you have over 10,000 friends on IG. Now I know you got your copyright, but what about your publishing? Did you sign up with a Music PRO? What’s a PRO you ask? No, it does not stand for Music Professional. A PRO or Performing Rights Organization collects royalties for songwriters and music publishers when your song is publicly broadcasted or performed. Public performances can include plays on the radio and television, and in clubs, restaurants, concert venues, and other public spaces. PROs collect fees from these establishments and pay them out to their members. Now you do know what music royalties are right? Well of course you do, they are payments made to rights holders, including songwriters, recording artists, and intermediaries like labels, publishers, or producers for the licensed use of their work. So you could be the singer, the rapper, or the instrumentalist and not get one cent of publishing royalties. Why? Because you are not the rights holder. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/4f635d29b10c1b92ea0925b3f05d29481b662859/original/doors-pro-ascap-bmi-sesac-se-labels.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Here in the United States, there are three major PROs, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.bmi.com/"><span>BMI</span></a> - Broadcast Music, Inc, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.ascap.com/"><span>ASCAP</span></a> - American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.sesac.com/"><span>SESAC</span></a> - Society of European Stage Authors and Composers. BMI does not charge to affiliate as a songwriter, ASCAP does if you join only as a publisher. If you join as a writer and publisher it’s free. SESAC is just boogie, you have to be invited. Both BMI and ASCAP are non-profit organizations that are governed by a board of directors made up of music industry professionals. SESAC on the other hand is all about its chips, they are a for-profit company</p><p>Let’s be clear, music publishing relates to getting paid for the <i>composition</i> of the song, NOT the <i>recording</i>. In our world of DIY, most of you are both the songwriter and the performer so you are good in that respect. If you are the songwriter, composer, wrote lyrics, producer, the beatmaker, shuck your tambourine, stomped yo foot, and clapped your hands and own a part of the <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.copyright.gov/"><span>copyright</span></a> (remember this word from last week?) then you will earn money from the publishing of that song. Several songs have more than one or two or even three writers, but they all have ownership in that song. For example, <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/QOowQeKyNkQ"><span>Don’t Wake Me Up</span></a> by Chris Brown has 11 songwriters and 5 publishers. Everybody gets a piece of that pie. The bigger the pie the bigger the piece you get. </p><p>PROs play an important role in the music industry. They help to ensure that songwriters, composers, and music publishers are compensated for the use of their work. They also help to promote the use of music by licensing it to businesses and organizations.</p><p>If you are a songwriter, composer, or music publisher, you should… no, change that, you better register with a PRO. This will ensure that you get your money for the use of your work. </p><p>Here’s why you join a PRO:</p><ul>
<li>You will receive royalties for the use of your work.</li>
<li>You will have access to marketing and promotional tools.</li>
<li>You will be able to join a community of music creators.</li>
<li>You will be able to protect your copyright.</li>
</ul><p>If you are a business or organization that uses music, you should license it from a PRO. This will ensure that you are paying the appropriate royalties and that you are not infringing on copyright law. Don’t be the one that’s stealing money from musicians. Don’t make them PRO reps come over there and hit you with that paperwork, ‘cause trust me they will, and they should.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is -<a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.undathehat.com/blog"><span> </span></a><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></a>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/83199616c97c2e0d535d80034e611bcbcd7a3f41/original/vc-count-em.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />Kirk Whalum says that VC is one of those geniuses that usually operate in the background of music as a producer, engineer, or songwriter, yeah he’s that guy that’s been on more than 100 hit records and has the Grammys, Stellars, and Dove awards to prove it. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is.</p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7236896
2023-07-04T16:24:49-05:00
2023-07-04T16:24:49-05:00
Copyright Forms & #IAOTW - Eric Majied
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, July 4th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@emajic"><i><span><strong>Eric Majied</strong></span></i></a><i>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Name it and claim it!! - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Well, allow me to say Happy 4th of July (I heard somebody call it Juneteenth part 2 🤣) to everyone in the US. For all of my UK and African readers, have a beer and a barbecue and enjoy on us. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So this conversation comes up quite often, so let’s talk about it. Do you really need to fill out a copyright form? The copyright law goes all the way back to 1790. The Constitution says that an author of a work may reap the fruits of his or her intellectual creativity for a limited amount of time. The law also provides, in the case of specific works, a right to publicly perform or display the work; in the case of sound recordings, to perform the work publicly by means of digital audio transmission. So let me take you to the conversation, “I don’t have to copyright my songs because they are all on my <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/1eb8876bfd099f3069c39add8f04314e7ca7c850/original/download.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />hard drive with the timestamp.” I said wow. Please if you want to believe stuff like this, keep it to yourself, and don’t share mistruths with folks who might mess around and believe you. Here’s what he was trying to say; copyright protection exists from the moment an original work is “fixed” in a tangible medium. For example, fixation occurs when a song is recorded in an audio file or when a musical work is notated in sheet music or a digital file. However, as the owner of your music, a completed copyright form gives you the right to make and sell copies, distribute those copies, make new works based on your work, and, with some limitations publicly perform or display the work. So in other words, without a copyright, yeah you own it, but it’s not protected if you want to do anything with it besides talk about it. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">The thing about a copyright form is that it legal documentation for all you intellectual hustlers out there. Copyright covers things like Musical works, including any accompanying words. Sound recordings, which are works that result from the fixation of a series of musical, spoken, or other sounds. Literary works (like my book <a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/4GidsuTDIw0"><span>Murder By The Collar</span></a> - shameless plug right there). Dramatic works, including any accompanying music. Pantomimes and choreographic works. Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works. Motion pictures and other audiovisual works. Even Architectural works are covered by copyright law. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">When you record a song, you may be creating two works that are protected by copyright: a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.copyright.gov/music-modernization/sound-recordings-vs-musical-works.pdf"><span><strong>musical work</strong></span></a> and a <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.copyright.gov/music-modernization/sound-recordings-vs-musical-works.pdf"><span><strong>sound recording</strong></span></a>. A sound recording and the music, lyrics, words, or other content included in the recording are separate copyright-protected works. These works are subject to different rules and are commonly owned and licensed separately. Conversely, there are <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-forms.html#:~:text=Which%20form%20should%20I%20use,on%20the%20Copyright%20Office%20website."><span>several types of copyright forms</span></a>, that you can access and learn about right here on this link. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Once your copyright is registered, you are able to legally protect your work in court. Without registration, you are not able to seek compensation for any cases of infringement. You can also secure yourself additional benefits depending on how quickly you register your copyright. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So what’s next for copyright? So I’ll say this out loud about the RIAA. They tend to move behind technology and not alongside it. Therefore things like Napster got the jump on the music industry, and now <a class="no-pjax" href="https://discord.com/"><span>Discord</span></a>, an app primarily known by the gaming community, which has more than 142,000 members, had been pointing people to AI voice models of artists including Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, Rihanna, and Stevie Wonder, which could be used to make deepfaked tracks impersonating those singers. And they are making NEW songs. Who owns the copyright on this now??? 🤷🏽♂️so now the RIAA has written to Discord asking it to shut down a server called ‘AI Hub’ on copyright grounds. And yes I know it’s hard to keep up, but bruh, we got caught with our heads in the sand with Napster and Limewire, let’s not let it happen again. Ok….got that off my chest. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Bottom line….copyright your work, and keep an eye on this new AI stuff. Ok, go get your 4th of July barbecue on.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is -<a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.undathehat.com/blog"><span> <strong>Eric Majied</strong></span></a><strong>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/cc70ab93e3874cc5934d4d521d595fa5ba8c4ee0/original/emajic-were-strolling-3000-x-3000.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong>This self-proclaimed vibrapercussionest (which is a Vibraphone player crossed with a percussionist) from Flint Michigan now lives in Dallas Texas and teaches music in the Dallas School System. This is his second project release and is about to release an accompanying EP with this single called “We’re Strolling.” Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7233002
2023-06-26T22:29:34-05:00
2023-06-26T22:29:34-05:00
ISRC CODES & #IAOTW - Asha Imuno
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, June 27th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p> </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/f92MCZQRBgY"><i><span><strong>Asha Imuno</strong></span></i></a><i>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>Are we just talking in codes 🤫 - Let’s go -</p><p>The first thing we want to do is show solidarity with the great minds, creatives, and writers of the WGA that are on strike. Why was there no host at the BET Awards? No writers! If you watched it, how did that work out for them? 🤔✊🏽 Writers - We stand with you!! ✊🏽🎩</p><p>Ok for the past few weeks we we've been on advertising stuff like cost per click while doing Google ads and whatnot. So let's take a few steps back, take off the advertiser hat and go unda the music admin hat. Yeah as a DIY musician, you got a lotta hats to wear. So after you get done making that hit single...wait you do think it's a hit right? If not, go back in the studio and fix it. Ok, now that you've got that right, there is a bit of paperwork that has to get done. Being that your single is going to be digital, you're going to need an ISRC code. Don't think too hard about this one though, because your digital distributor will help you. This is more or less information for you to know what it is and why it<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3b4935f4565da6bf605b81c13e4576c6b82c0afa/original/220px-isrc-code-example.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> is. The ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) is a 12-digit code assigned to a unique recording of a specific song. The ISRC is considered the “digital fingerprint” of a recordings distinct identity and allows the tracking of critical metadata like sales, streams, radio station plays, and the composition’s author(s), performer(s), label, and UPC (Universal Product Code). Additionally, the code is required for any songs that you plan to offer for streaming on all DSPs like Spotify and ‘nem. </p><p>Just like a fingerprint, there's only one ISRC code issued per track. Moreover, an ISRC can never represent more than one unique track. ISRCs are encoded and provide the means to automatically identify recording royalties. This means that they are used by your PROs (Publishing Rights Organizations) and other collecting societies. Can’t get paid without one. </p><p>Now you might ask yourself, what’s the difference between an ISRC code and a UPC code? UPCs are for complete album sales and ISRC codes are for individual single song sales. Back in the day, UPC (barcodes) were utilized to track sales of physical products like CDs, Vinyl, and cassettes at retail. Ultimately that information was sent to Soundscan and then on to Billboard for the chart numbers. Boy, do I have some stories to tell about them days!!! Anywho….. Being that each recording has a unique ISRC linked to it, this code should never be reused or repurposed. For example, if an artist plans on releasing a 15-song album for public consumption, they would need to assign it 15 separate ISRCs — one for each track. This includes instrumentals, remixes, and covers, all of which require different ISRCs than the original recording. So let’s say you are with one distribution company like TuneCore and decide to move your track to another company like CDbaby just to be organized and have everything in one spot. You can bring that ISRC code over to the new company no need to change it. However, if you need to make a radio edit and just shave off eight seconds of the intro you will need a new ISRC code. Lastly, remember I said your distribution company will help you out? Well, when you release on any of the digital distributors they will issue you one. But if you are really hardcore about your ownership you can buy your own at <a class="no-pjax" href="http://isrc.com/"><span>isrc.com</span></a>. </p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Asha Imuno</strong></span></a><strong> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/cbcf019b6464031cb9f0681ff4f458d28abbc185/original/ab67616100005174b5908afc3238a6f3a3f486aa.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></strong>This 21-year-old artist & producer from Moreno Valley, CA, is signed to LA label Guin Records. His breakout single called ZIG ZAGGING has crossed over 10M streams independently. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is.</p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7229794
2023-06-20T19:22:24-05:00
2023-06-21T19:11:38-05:00
Mo Per & #IAOTW - Nik Memphiz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/qjULvEaTHnM"><i><span><strong>Nik Memphiz</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Mo Per per the ounce - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">So last week, we started a conversation about the pers, and focused on cost per click. Just to refresh your memory, cost per click shows how much you’re paying when someone clicks your ad. Now, question for ya, do you have your own website? If not you are depending on tech companies like Spotify (that's not even a music company) to give you correct and fair percentages of your money...<i>ok good luck with that</i>, get your own site! Websites are too easy to get from platforms like bandzoogle.com, Wix, Square Space, Wordpress etc; Anyway...I digress. Are you boosting and advertising your music? Or do you expect to just post your song or video on Facebook and IG and the 5,000 friends that you have will see it? <i>Yeah, that ain't gon happen</i>. On an organic post, the average amount of people that see your post on any social media platform that's not backed by ad dollars is low. Ya know how they say radio is all pay to play? Well so is social media. The average reach of an organic post on a Facebook Page hovers around 5.20%. That's about 1 out of every 19 followers/fans that's going to see your post, and really that's if you're lucky. And let's take it a step further, if you working with a personal page and not a business page, that 1 out of the 19 may not even like your type of music. Remember all of your friends are not friends because they are fans of your music. They may just be your middle school friends, older family members, or your church members who could care less about your music struggles, they just like you for you - <i>Ahhh ain't that sweet.</i> Ok, back to the pers. Some of the other Pers that you will need to know when you are running ads are CPC (the other one) Cost per conversion or in your case as a musician CPF (I made that one up) Cost Per Fan. How much does it take to convert a fan? The cost per conversion metric tells you how much you’re paying for each fan or sale. For example, if you spent $100 on Facebook ads and had five people convert, or buy your single your cost per conversion would be $20. You want more converts/fans that buy your music, which will make your conversion number lower. Does that make sense? </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/aa979fd90c33d2864e3c87a2a66e22021f09a96a/original/advertising-metrics-for-digital-marketers.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Now please understand this is advertising 101, but it's not new. Back in the day we said things like ad spend or marketing spend on a CD. Our average spend was one dollar per CD, meaning we were able to spend one dollar per every CD sold. So if we sold 1,000 CDs we didn't want to spend more than 1,000 dollars on advertising. Now a days the Cost Per Result shows you the average cost of your ad based on the result you get, and you want that CPR to be as low as possible. Additionally, there are more metrics that do not have per as their middle name but are still important members of the metric family. Here are some: Ad Frequency - tells you how many times your ad was viewed. Link Clicks - represents the number of times someone has clicked on your ad. Click-Through Rates - tells you the percentage of people who click an ad out of all the people who saw the ad. Conversion Rates - this is the big one, and most important, it tells you the percentage of people who click your ad, buys your music and becomes a fan. And there are others that would make this a very long read like Cost Per Conversion, Cost Per Result, Cost Per Impression, Ad Impressions and even more. So let me bottom line it for you, make good music, find your fans by doing these ads, be on all the DSPs (that’s Spotify and nem), have a website to sell from because there you keep 100% of your profits; then turn around and do it again!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Nik Memphiz</strong></span></a><strong>.</strong> This is th<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/48c4c58ca3c586c168fc87d2a9aa0cedebe7995f/original/nik-memphiz.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" />e alter ego of <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.instagram.com/angelomichaelmartin21/"><span>Angelo Michael Martin.</span></a> He is the Chicago native, bass-playing, real music-making producer, and Grambling State HBCU grad, who is funkier than a month-old sack of collard greens. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented and funky this cat is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on his name link above, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7226114
2023-06-13T19:37:26-05:00
2023-06-13T19:37:27-05:00
Per & #IAOTW - Gio Franklin
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, June 13th, 2023. </p><p> </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/kOV105P_uso"><i><span><strong>Gio Franklin</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>How to make your music ads Perrrrrfect - Let’s go -</p><p>When you start creating ads for your music whether on Google, Facebook, TikTok, Soundcloud, etc., there are a few things that will make you better at not wasting your money. I wrote about metrics a couple of weeks ago and one that you really need to know is “Per.” There are a lot of “per’s” to consider when doing ads. Pers like Cost Per Click, Pay Per Click, Cost Per Impression, and Cost Per Result, are just a few of the metrics that you need to know. Yeah yeah, I know, what does this have to do with making a hit song? See back in the day the labels had sales and marketing departments that did all this for the artists. It was their job to keep up with the metrics. How many CDs were sold, which store sold the most, how much they sold it for and all the artist needed to do was be a musician, a rapper, or whatever. Now, the artist has to have a brand and following and have engagements on each post. It’s a lot to keep up with. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3ca65828311c481c887c313c4ceffa1ef5af4aae/original/cost-per-click-blog.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />So today we’ll settle on “CPC” or Cost Per Click. Obviously, mobile marketing is where you want to be, because, well….everybody listens to their music on their phone with a really good pair of headphones. So if you decide to boost a post or buy an ad for that new single, the last thing you want to do is waste money. Cost per click (CPC) refers to how much you pay every time a fan or follower or visitor clicks on an ad you paid for. The CPC shows how much you’re paying when someone clicks your ad. According to Google Ads Cost-per-click (CPC) bidding means that you pay for each click on your ads. For CPC bidding campaigns, you set a maximum cost-per-click bid - or simply "max. CPC" - that's the highest amount that you're willing to pay for a click on your ad (unless you're setting bid adjustments, or using Enhanced CPC). Now this is not a full tutorial on these “per” advertising metrics. You simply need to know they exist and to find a way to run them. A good ad builder site is show.co which is free for CDbaby users. Now CPC exists in every aspect of digital marketing with every product. Don’t stop writing and woodshedding your instrument to be a marketing genius. But remember this is the music BUSINESS. You have to be concerned with things like cost per listener. How much is it going to cost you to acquire a fan or a listener? All of this to say, you can’t just post on TikTok and think you are going to go viral just because you have a really good-sounding record. Those days are over, and how much you know will help you know what you should expect out of your music.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/8138e5deebacf3a59bc35feb87e63af8a796bca4/original/a-musicians-guide-to-online-advertising.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Geo Franklin</span></a>, the self-taught hit-making musician from Kansas City Mo., who had the number one single on the European charts called “Still Here (Stranger Thang).” His new single is Tainted Heart and is already has more than 20,000 views on YouTube. He is managed by the legendary Qadree El-Amin of Southpaw Entertainment in Los Angeles. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You will truly dig this talented young man. </p><p>Click on his name link above, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is. </p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7221981
2023-06-06T10:09:51-05:00
2023-06-06T10:09:52-05:00
MetaData & #IAOTW - Rizzo Blaze
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, June 6th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, <strong>Rizzo Blaze </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p> </p><p>What is the Meta with you?? - Let’s go -</p><p>Who out there under the age of 30 knows what a card catalog is? </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/0eac53e68f1962469a89665638c62a173643426c/original/istockphoto-124577526-612x612.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p>Imagine, having to look up information in the library in this instead of a computer. The card catalog was a bunch of index cards that had all the bibliographic information about the book or music in a collection. Information like the author, the writer, the publisher, date, subject, players on the session etc. You could find yourself searching for multiple topics for a book report for hours. And for those of you who didn’t know that music was also cataloged like this, trust me it was. I worked in the music library while in grad school at Tennessee State. Info on Claud Debussy and the Impressionism period….<i>wait, let me stop, I just had a flashback</i>…. <i>Ok I digress,</i> anyway, this is where the data that you needed to know about a book or an album was located. Today we call that metadata. What used to take hours can now be done in minutes and even seconds; It just needs to get done. In todays music world, metadata refers to the song credits and other information that you see on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and the other DSPs (Digital Service Providers). Simply, it makes your music discoverable, you could lose money, and who wants to lose money, I know I don’t. Being professional with your music means being professional with your metadata. You can’t have one without the other.</p><p> </p><p>But it goes deeper than that; Your music royalties depend on your metadata being correct and accurate. Without the right data attached to your music, you run the risk of not receiving the proper credit for you streams. Metadata also includes all the information that you would find in those old card catalogs. Music metadata is data embedded in a song, album, or EP that displays that information. This would be titles, artist name, release date, genre, tempo, mood/style, similar artists, record label, songwriters, producers, split sheet or a cue sheet information, ISRC code, bar code, copyright ownership, and any information that you would use on your PRO (Performing Rights Organization). All this information needs to be synchronized in one place and be distributed to all platforms and websites so that everybody who should get paid, does get paid and acknowledged. This metadata, can also be used as keywords on your website to strengthen your SEO to get to the top of search engines. Yeah it’s a lot right?? I can hear you real artsy musicians out there saying, can I just sing my song, play my ax, rap or just do what I do? Well here’s the thing. When you submit you song for distribution, they are just the middle man between you and the DSPs. Spotify, Apple, and Amazon aren’t going looking for your missing information. They are not going to contact you, you will not talk to them, just know that without it, your songs might get rejected. So now that you posted on IG for a month and told mama ‘nem that your song was coming out on June 5th, it’s got rejected because you didn’t mention that your song was a cover song, or list the samples. Yep that’s a rejection from Spotify for sure. So after you’ve got the song all shiny and ready to go you can get the mastering engineer to embed the metadata as part of their service. I personally use <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.mp3tag.de/en/"><span>mp3tag</span></a>. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/bd18ac9db5f0a438ceab5d6a4344ee66a629c88f/original/metadata-101-why-metadata-matters-for-your-release-1200x627.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_right border_" /></p><p>Here are a few things to pay close attention to: Spelling (come on now pay attention to detail and spell check and get the format right.) Nobody’s going to hold your hand, so get it right. Correct language. Don’t get longwinded with information that is unnecessary, get to the point, but don’t forget anything or anybody. And yes, the artwork is a part of the metadata. Make sure the dimensions are correct and you aren’t oversharing. Streaming platforms don’t want URLs, social media handles or excessive text on the album artwork. Try and and you will have a delayed project. So get it right and you will have a great release experience.</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Rizzo Blaze </strong></span></a>straight out of Oak Cliff America (or the Oak Cliff section of Dallas Texas, your choice). This Hip Hop/R&B artists is brings real talk to life. Still relatively new in the game, he has already caught the ear of Atlanta producer legend Jazzy Pha and has no ceiling. He’s on his way! Click on his name link above, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented this cat is. </p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7218097
2023-05-30T20:17:06-05:00
2023-05-30T20:17:07-05:00
The Funnel & #IAOTW - Andrea Williams
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, May 30th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, <strong>Andrea Williams </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">What is a marketing funnel?? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Well, I hope you had an outstanding Memorial Day Weekend. I want to shout out all those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country and the freedoms we all enjoy today, and I hope you got some kind of barbecue too. 😉. You ever have to use a funnel? Maybe for your car or pouring something from a large bottle to a smaller one? Well, there is a thing called a marketing funnel that you need to be aware of. A funnel is the steps taken by your followers or fans that make them aware of your brand and take them to buy your music and stay with you to become not only a fan but a superfan and an advocate. I know you feel like hey, I got a hot song and when I post it on IG or TikTok, er’body is going to love it and rush to download it. Like a one-two punch. Please don’t forget, you are independent, and in the DIY world you get to do everything yourself, or you hire a team, but nonetheless, it’s the indie world you live in, and it’s a process. The marketing funnel describes your followers journey from follower to fan. From the initial stages when someone learns about your music, to buying it, to advocating for you so to show others how great you are. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So to be transparent, if you ask 5 different marketers in different fields what the funnel looks like, you might get 5 different diagrams. However, one thing will always be the same; and that’s the top of the funnel. Awareness. We’ve talked about brand awareness for sometime now and it’s no secret that the only way for someone to know who you are is to become <i>aware</i> of you. What is your brand, how do you make it stand out? Posting is one thing, but then to take it a step further by boosting and buying targeted ads is another. You must make sure that you are targeting the right fans however. This is extremely important. If you are a hip hop artists. but your ads are finding their way to people who listen to pop, wellll…..you almost made it, but guess what, you just took an L. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/5d2c43214cbe9eb39971c104843bbfa4c725fe2e/original/marketing-funnel.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">A great funnel for musicians is one that has the following elements. Awareness, Consideration (sometimes called Interest) Conversion (sales), loyalty and advocacy. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Awareness</strong> (the top of the funnel) is as it sounds, a contact has heard of you, your brand or your music. They heard about you via your gigs, website, social pages, media sites, blogs, paid traffic on social pages. But they haven’t taken any action.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><strong>Consideration</strong> or the “casual” fan. They’ve engaged with your content in some way; a like, and emoji, a comment or something. These are your email, YouTube, Spotify, Twitter, SoundCloud, or Bandcamp followers. <strong>Conversion,</strong> yeah these the cats you want, these are the folks that actually bought something. Look at them as <strong>Gold.</strong> It doesn’t matter where or how. They may have bought something at the gig, online, some of your merch, or went to a live show. <strong>Loyalty </strong>(retention, these are your<strong> Silver </strong>folks) They have become fans that keeps coming back for more. They also follow you with $$, crowdfunding, Patreon, Subscription, and even frequent purchases (like Uncle Fred who bought 5 downloads for his X box buddies). <strong>Advoca</strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/5b1c0631441ac655f151e6e188c1a20d1fbfadef/original/endless-tunnel-jaroslaw-blaminsky.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><strong>cy</strong> (here are your <strong>Platinum </strong>fans) They represent every part of the funnel and they absolutely love your brand, your content and they tell others; and do so consistently. So when you are writing out your marketing strategy, think of the funnel, how to get people to it. I’ll tell you definitively how to get people to your funnel. Create some really dope music. Ain’t that crazy? Yeah you still need talent. Oh wait here’s one mo thing, the tunnel never ends. After this it’s time to retarget….. Don’t be skurd! </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/79ua4ceuWMqlTxwHfqHIn8?si=af08c83527dc49a0"><span><strong>Andrea Williams </strong></span></a>or Lady A as she is called, is a play writer, actress, director, and is host of the successful radio show called <i>That's What's Up With Lady A</i> on Dfwiradio.com. Click on her name link above, scroll down to her picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented talented and anointed she is. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7213843
2023-05-23T00:50:32-05:00
2023-05-23T00:50:33-05:00
What to post & #IAOTW - Eric & Josh Willis
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023. </p><p> </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p> </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, <strong>Eric & Josh Willis, </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p> </p><p>What are we posting today?? - Let’s go -</p><p>Ok so let’s start by stating the obvious, Musicians need a marketing plan. There are a few moving parts of the holistic plan, like Branding, Advertising, PR, Distribution, Sales, possibly Radio, and of course social media. Outside of arguably Radio, Social media is the most important rubric of the marketing plan. All of you out there under 35 know this, accept this and run with it. Ahhh but there’s some of you out there trying to either fight it or ignore it, and neither one is going to get you where you want to go. Again stating the obvious, social media boosts your following, creates hype, and if done right helps you to sell product on your website. Before you start figuring out what to post there are a few preliminaries you must do first that will help to optimize your social media and build a strong brand. Remember a few blog posts ago, I said that people don’t just buy your music, they buy your brand and the brand sells the music. Here is yet another obvious statement but hey you never know, create your channels. That’s right, create your YouTube, Facebook, IG, Soundcloud, and either TikTok or maybe Twitter. I think every artist should also set up a LinkedIn page. Ultimately this is your business, treat it as such and connect with the business people that are on LinkedIn.</p><p>An “older” jazz musician told me the other day, <i>“I have all those pages, I don’t do much on there because</i> <i>I don’t even know what to post on social media.” </i> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/47e418d0dfa4623dda8f0be2d447b290af2f3ac6/original/social-media-demographics-4-1536x864-png.webp/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Well, the key is what you post, where, and how to optimize what you posted. It has been said that social media is one of the most important aspects of a musician's career. I think that’s taking it a bit far, but it’s close. You still need to make good music! George Daniels of Georges Music Room in Chicago once told me <i>“It’s hard to market shi*.” </i>That was back in the CD days, and it still holds true. Now more people get to hear you at a much faster clip if you don’t have the muscle of radio promotions behind you. A few boosts here, a few ads there and you’ve got 100,000 people hearing your music and you are telling them what you want them to do. So really what should you post? It will depend on who your music appeals to. Take a look at <a class="no-pjax" href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/"><span>sprout social’s breakdown of the data</span></a>. <i>I know, I know, all you wanna do is make good music and live the life of a superstar, and not talk about data and analytics. </i>Well, don’t hate the playa, hate the game. And this is the new music game. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/92751ee1e479ca7a07f7f343a76636fc55be6244/original/social-media-post-ideas-for-businesses-frontier-marketing.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p><p>So if you are wondering what do you post; there are some ideas out there. First and foremost ask yourself what is your primary goal, and who is your audience. Once you figure that out, that gives you <i>what</i> and <i>to who. </i>A few things that you might consider posting on various platforms are your writing/production process, actually writing your hit single, and working through lyrics or music parts. A perspective conversation with a camera about you as an artist helps your followers get to know you more. Playing in the studio and or singing in your car. If you still have a 9 - 5 job, pictures of you doing your job. One that always works is listening to the finished product for the first time in the studio where ever you hear it. Another great one is eating some new food for the first time, like crawfish, sushi, or something you consider exotic. The one thing to remember is that you are a creative, and this will be like any other creative endeavor. Once you start doing a few of these, other ideas will automatically come to you. These are the posts that you will ultimately boost and purchase ads for. Again, where your audience spends their time on social media is where you want to be. Be real with yourself about it, don’t be afraid to google it, and better yet hire a professional. </p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Eric & Josh Willis. </strong></span></a>This dynamic duo from Dallas Ft. Worth is every bit the quintessential musician's musicians. With Eric on keys and Josh on drums, they are two of the most requested artists in Texas. Click on their name link, scroll down to her picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented they are. </p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7210292
2023-05-16T19:59:25-05:00
2023-05-16T20:06:33-05:00
A Landing Page & #IAOTW - Eric Majied
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, May 16th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@emajic?lang=en" data-link-type="url"><i><strong>Eric Majied</strong></i></a><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Where will you land? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">I am one that strongly believes that every musician, rapper, producer, or artist needs their own website. It’s not enough to have a social media page. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are great platforms to be on, and they are essential in today's music business; but they are not yours. You don’t own them, you have to play by their rules, and heaven forbid if they go down. Yes, I know your website could go down too but it’s still your virtual store. The question that comes up quite often is do you need a landing page if you have a website? The answer to that is yes. So what is a landing page? A landing page is a standalone web page kinda sorta, that potential customers can “land” on when they click through from an email, ad, or other digital location.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/c5b18efd7b6b4784965d8d946f181046c8f45d2a/original/music-landing-page-template-vector.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> I like to think of it as a product preview on your page. When you are doing something special, putting out a new product, a new tee-shirt or anything new, this is where you would let that product stand out. When a fan comes from a place like TikTok, or IG, goes to your page, and interacts with your page in any way like signing up, filling out a lead, or buying a product. For a musician, a landing page is where people go when they want to learn more about that special offering, the new single, an opt-in page for your email list, music lessons, new inventions, the new hat, or merch item, or catalog. For Unda The Hat it’s the page that shows off the Indie Artist Of The Week (#IAOTW) and the featured single from the artist roster. The landing page helps to introduce your fans to the top of your awareness funnel and helps increase your conversion rates and lowers your cost per acquisition (CPA). What that means is it measures the collected cost to acquire one paying customer, yeah you need to know stuff like this. You need a website, you need an EPK and you need a landing page. Some artists, look at their home page as the landing page, but it’s not. The home page and the landing page serve two different purposes. The home page doesn’t usually have a defined call to action (CTA) on it. It is more to introduce your visitors to you, your music, your vibe, and your persona. Yeah I know it’s a lot right…CPA, CTA, CPC, Geez, and all you wanted to do was make music right? Well, welcome to today's music industry. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So let’s think about your goal. Your goal is to get people to your website and keep them there until they take action right? Of course. So you want to give them something to attract them and not just your home page. The stakes is high, so why not do everything you can to keep their attention on your newest project or the latest thing you are working on? A landing page helps you to achieve a variety of objectives whether that is to get people to your gig, sell new products, or get new students to teach music lessons. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6a7f80429d2c40eeb24f8030c17700ee0baae38b/original/bzblog-musicians-how-to-properly-use-a-landing-page-on-your-website-funnel.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">With that said there is more than one type of landing page. There is Lead Generation - this turns a passive viewer into a lead by capturing their contact info. The Click Through Landing Page - this one gives info about a sale if you decide to discount the first CD because you now have a second one available, so to get them to buy right away. The explainer or infomercial page, this one is for you lyric writers who want to share some of your lyrics or if you are selling online music lessons and want to explain what it is you are doing with a video. Then there’s the product detail landing page. This is the one for you folks that sell a lot of merch and tchotchkes online. This usually has a CTA (Call To Action) that instructs the viewer to skip through the site and go directly to the product offering and buy right away. Look here’s the reality, some of you musicians, rappers, and artists have more talent in your little finger than some of these “star” artists on million-dollar tours and million-dollar deals. But you don’t want to play this crazy game at a high level and they do. I understand too, there’s no guarantee that if you do you make it. But, you owe it to yourself to do everything there is to do to get there, you owe that to the gifter of talent too. Now let’s land this thing and get paid.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <strong>Eric Majied </strong>aka EMajic. He is the pride of Flint Michigan, Grambling State grad, music teacher, vibraphone master, and percussionist. Put those two together and he is a vibrapercussionist. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Click on their name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented they are.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7205978
2023-05-09T20:43:30-05:00
2023-05-09T20:43:31-05:00
The Pentatonic Scale & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, May 9th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr-9267GAkHi_CAfcMlIavg" data-link-type="url"><i><strong>Ruby Camille.</strong></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Pentatonic, now what is that?? - Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">It felt so good talking about real music and the study thereof, I thought I’d stick with it again for this week. I know for a fact that some of my readers are music teachers and I know they are smiling at this. 😊 I know some of you just want to be stars make music and make money so why is all this music theory needed? Remember last week also I introduced you to Mr. Maurice Perry (RIP) long-time owner of Mr. Blues Records and Tapes in Dallas Texas who said “A man that won’t study his craft if a fool.” Well, I’m trying to give you some tools to study so you can get musically better. The Pentatonic scale will especially benefit the jazz, blues, pop and gospel cats. However, for you producers and beat makers who tune in every week, it would be cool to know what you are sampling right? Right! So the Pentatonic scale is one of the most commonly used and recognized scales out there. You hear it in everything pretty much. Technically, any scale with 5 notes is considered a Pentatonic scale. The pentatonic scale can be either major or minor, but depending on who you ask, the major is more popular. Now normally a scale has 7 different notes and the 8th note is an octave higher from the first note, often called the root or the one.</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/a416c1a890ee33db8c7cade3ed916fb3636b7772/original/pentatonic-scale.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> Ooooh boy I’m getting deep in here 😆but the Pentatonic which takes its name from the root word <i>penta </i>(meaning five) only has five notes. Remember the solfège scale which works on Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do? Well imagine taking out the Fa and the Ti (which are half steps) and you have the pentatonic scale. I would love to say that jazz musicians play the pentatonic because of how versatile it is without having those pesky half steps in there. But the reality is the pentatonic is easy to learn and beginners to seasoned vets can make it sound great when improvising. But I won’t say it’s for jazz musicians only. It’s a scale very often used by a number of players, even pop guys. All types of hit songs have been totally built using the five notes of the Pentatonic. Songs like Amazing Grace, Billy Jean by Michael Jackson, Sir Duke Stevie Wonder, Shape of you by Ed Sheeran, Wake me up by Avicii, Hold On, We’re coming home by Drake and soooo many more. Needless to say that songs made up of the Pentatonic scale can be easily matched to rap voices making them great for samples. </p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/b57b3477bec985a3c12d88758dba3b6e260741af/original/maxresdefault.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">When you think of the Pentatonic scale, think of the KISS principle, “Keep Its Simply Simple.” Yeah I improvised on that meaning not wanting to call anyone “stupid.” This great way to play music, to write and improvise is a great way to show your chops off and not get too complicated at the same time. More than that you can use the word Pentatonic scale in a sentence and sound like you really know your stuff. Just to show you how simple it is I’m going to leave you with one of my favorite artists Bobby McFerrin getting an entire audience to not only follow along but to anticipate the next notes. </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/ne6tB2KiZuk"><span>Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale</span></a></p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Ruby Camille</strong></span></a><strong> (Happy Mother’s Day y’all). </strong>We are going to take a step back and revisit Ruby Camille’s Mother’s Day anthem called “Call Us Queens.” I hope that yu are taking care of your Queens out there this Mother’s Day. Click on her name link, scroll down to her picture, then click and support. Your mother will love this song, so get it for her and play it all day Sunday. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7196316
2023-04-24T23:27:19-05:00
2023-04-25T10:59:45-05:00
Social Media Ads & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, April 25th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="http://vccaldwellmusic.com/"><i><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Are Social Media Ads worth it???- Let’s go -</p><p style="text-align:justify;">I was talking to a musician who said I bought so many ads on Facebook and IG and they never seem to work. 🤷🏽♂️ He then said that his likes and followers grew, but his phone didn’t ring as a result. Well after a bit of conversation, I found out that he never really bought ads, he boosted posts. And that my friend is a horse 🐎of a different color. I’m sure you know this already, but when you talk about social media advertising it is indeed a part of marketing. It delivers paid ads to your target audience, whether on Facebook, IG, Twitter, TikTok, and the rest of them. First, let me speak to my OGs (or should I say adult contemporary audience) that say they despise social media. Take the word <i>social</i> off and all you have is media. Think of how much it costs to run an ad on traditional media like radio, TV, or even a print ad. Kinda pricy huh; It’s all media. Don’t let the fact that it seems to be for “the young’stas,” make you take your eye off the importance of a social media ad. And guess what, it’s cheaper than all of the other forms of media and if done correctly can reach a massive amount of people, especially YOUR target audience. And for you young ones out there doing big things, playing music, dropping new singles on Spotify every month, gigging all over the place, don’t get likes and shares mixed up with ROAS (Return On Ad Spend) or ROI (Return On Investment) for that matter. You can’t spend 10 dollars to make 5 dollars. You have to be wise when you play this game; think chess, not checkers. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/9153eea86f8de880b2e3ec82d825c26e14ef39da/original/360-f-198585224-7an0gvgpfqrfles3jambh4gr9kveraio.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The reality is, social media advertising is a must if you want to reach your target audience expeditiously (I got that from Joe Clark 🤣) and with a higher rate of conversions. If you want to keep up with your competition, it’s important you learn how social media ads work and how as a DIY musician, they can benefit you. First, you simply must know the difference between an ad and a boosted post. A boost on Facebook and Instagram is easier to do than ads, and soooo many people get them confused. Unlike an ad, a boosted post is a regular post that you pay to reach a wider audience. This helps more people see your post and be seen more often by users who will probably engage with your content. It’s not sending them anywhere to actually buy though. Social ads on the other hand offer a ton of analytics options, giving you several different ways to track your ad engagement and define your campaign goals. You must have goals! Additionally, ads offer highly specific targeting options. This allows you to target ads to users by demographics, and psychographics. Let’s talk numbers just a little bit, I’m not a math guy at all so doesn’t worry, this won’t get too deep. According to sociallybuzz.com social media, advertising is effective because it influences purchases </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Social media advertising is effective because it influences purchase decisions on social media platforms. On average, 28% of people who use the internet found new products after viewing social media ads. With 4.55 billion (with a B) people using social media, it’s a good chance that your ad will be viewed by the people you want to see it. It’s got to be interesting though. Video ads usually trend higher than static ads. It’s not a problem to run a 15-second ad with your ax or your music behind you. The creatives that you create will keep the eyes on your ad and the longer they stay the more likely they are to buy. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></a>. The man behind hundreds of hit records is releasing his second full-length album this Friday, April 28th called CAN GOD TRUST YOU? VC as we call him has worked with everyone from Joe Sample, to Take 6 to the Clarke Sisters to the Winans - WOW! Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7192517
2023-04-18T13:21:20-05:00
2023-04-18T13:25:17-05:00
Live Streaming & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p>Tuesday, April 18th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="http://vccaldwellmusic.com/"><i><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>Do you need to live stream???- Let’s go -</p><p>So the question came up, <i>does an artist need to live-stream? </i>My sarcastic answer was it sure couldn’t hurt! Meaning that it is a very good idea to live stream if you are an artist. Live streaming is any media (video, audio, or both) that is simultaneously recorded and broadcast live. The difference between “streaming” and “live streaming” is that streaming is only on-demand; it has been recorded previously. Think about watching a video on Netflix or Hulu. With live streaming, an artist can get closer to their audience, do Q&As, and get to know their personal side. And this, believe it or not, will endure a consumer to you so that they not only buy into your music but also start to really believe in you as a person, someone that they would love to see win, and will help you win. The Family band <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.thecurtisfamilycnotes.com/"><span>The Curtis Family CNotes</span></a> goes live every Monday across several different platforms. They started live streaming their rehearsals and it just became a thing. Now people look for it, wait for it, and request their favorite songs. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://fb.watch/j_gtBqK_72/"><span>Click here</span></a> to check out last night’s version, it’s like being in their living room on the floor in some comfy clothes chilling eating popcorn, and singing along with them. This again is how you make advocates and friends out of followers and then turn them into buyers of your music. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/01473e20676963e31d66f904b6437878d6c78d5c/original/screenshot-2023-04-18-at-7-42-32-am.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p><p>Concerts, backstage hangouts, and talking back and forth with your followers are more than just an <i>at-the-gig </i>experience now. You have the opportunity to get to know your fans and followers and allow them to get to know you, and you never have to leave the house. After covid, a lot of fans, especially adult contemporary ones, are not going out as much as they once did. But you still have to capture their attention, keep them engaged, and let them know that going to your website and buying your music and your merch is a good investment. Now of course you would rather gig in front of a live audience, feel the energy of the room, and take your emotional keys from looking at someone in the audience who is really feeling your music at that moment. Live streaming will not replace that, but it’s a close second. And it gives all of the spontaneity of a live gig. This is NOT pre-recorded, that is NOT live streaming, hence the word LIVE. Here’s the caveat though, live streaming gives you a worldwide audience, and possibly the opportunity to be seen by someone who can change your life and who is on the other side of the country. And don’t forget, if you schedule your sessions like The Curtis Family C-Notes, you can better monetize your channels and make money from your live streams from the platforms. Let’s put it like this. Now that the phenomenon of live streaming has risen to such popularity, it’s now big business. Several companies are now offering live stream services. But don’t worry, I’ve got some suggestions for you if you are just starting on your live stream journey.</p><p>Yes, covid shook the world, but it created a technology lane for musicians that will never go away. AI, ChatGPT, the metaverse, and all of that will make sure of that. During 2020 our friends over at <a class="no-pjax" href="https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-promotion/the-musicians-guide-to-live-streaming/"><span>CDbaby </span></a>made a list of tools you may already have to start hosting your live stream. Here’s a brief checklist to get you started: Webcam (if you’re using your computer instead of your phone), Microphone, Decent Internet connection, Some extra lighting if needed (or just a window and daylight!), And of course your instrument(s) of choice. The environment from which you’re streaming is also important. A few things to consider. A place and space you can control, microphones pick up just about everything, so make sure to set up in a space where there’s no ambient noise. And that’s about it, see, stuff you probably already have or should have as a DIY musician right? Now, pop those phones and cameras and get to live streaming. We want to see you!!!</p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></a>. The man behind hundreds of hit records is about to release his second full-length CD called “<i>CAN GOD TRUST YOU?”</i></p><p>The first two singles are on his website and the full-length will be also. VC as we call him has worked with everyone from Joe Sample, to Take 6 to the Clark Sisters to the Winans - WOW! Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is.</p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7187439
2023-04-10T22:51:45-05:00
2023-04-10T22:51:45-05:00
Analytics & #IAOTW - No Worryz
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, April 11th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/_ird880Vebk"><i><span><strong>No Worryz</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>Analytics???- Let’s go -</p><p>Ok, I will get back to writing about real music for music’s sake but for now, I’m still on things like Analytics. One thing that every person that has ever worked in music as a performer, writer, producer, promotions person, publicist, marketer, or mailroom person can agree on is that this industry has always been super competitive. Not only is there monumental pressure to produce the next big hit but even then, you have to get it to the right audience. Let us not get it twisted, making the music is and will always be the primary focus. However, how do you make sure that your style of music is getting to the people who want to experience it? Analytics. The past few years have seen a total takeover by technology. The machines seem to be taking over, and we are becoming digitized and depending on AI, but we must admit, it is making life a little easier if it’s used right and used like a tool to understand how to get your fans, and followers what they want. Creating a professional online presence for your music is a must for every DIY musician. You can use your website to promote and sell your music and merch, list show dates, and keep in touch with followers. The reality is, fans’ taste in music is changing, and you have to change with it while understanding the craft of music and storytelling. I love what KRS-One says here in an <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEiWlMorPAQ"><span>interview </span></a>about learning new and old knowledge. Click it, it will inspire you. But, I digress, data analytics or data science is a set of tools that monitor music patterns, tastes, trends, demographics, and preferences. Back in the 90s, we said how can something so cold as business understand the warmth and emotionally filled art of music. That statement still holds true to date and is where data science comes in. Now, analytical tools used by companies like Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp Artist Statistics try and predict the next big music trend for each genre. Data science and music are emerging as a combination that might baffle a lot of people. </p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://us.sganalytics.com/blog/the-science-of-music-how-big-data-is-transforming-the-music-industry/"><span>SGA, (n.d.)</span></a> asks how can music be influenced by data? This is what we all want to know. Today, independent musicians choose their own music, write their songs, and produce music videos or lyric videos based on what they deem relevant to their brand and listeners' preferences. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3f46b5da9fc1207503a47a122fe72fa8ef021596/original/data-analytics-music-industry-infographic.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The music industry at large is becoming so heavily commercialized that now is a great time to be independent and get your music to your fans and followers via digital distribution and your website. You also want people to download your music, buy your tee shirts and come to your shows.</p><p>Analytics is playing an important role in transforming the future of music for independent artists and these tools are readably available to you.</p><p>Data analytics helps you know what fans and lookalike audiences (that’s an audience that has not yet interacted with you but has the same demographics as your followers) want to hear from an artist like you.</p><p>I like how (<a class="no-pjax" href="https://blog.chartmetric.com/music-data-analytics-artists/"><span>Why Music Data Analytics Tools Are an Artist’s Best Friend, 2022) </span></a>puts it and talks about every artist needs to have role models, or musicians whose art and output inspire them. The same can be true from an analytical point of view. Artists can learn just as much from studying the trajectories of other artists as they can from a workshop on music marketing. With this philosophy in mind, I’m asking all of the artists, artists’ managers, and people who work with artists to find a similar artist and begin to look at their TikTok followers. Find out what is making it spike and copy that remedy. </p><p>Here are 7 Music Analytics Tools & Chart Trackers That Actually Work according to <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.omarimc.com/best-music-analytics-chart-trackers-tools-online/"><span>Omari</span></a>. 1. Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp Artist Statistics. 2. Youtube Studio. 3. Next Big Sound. 4. Chartmetric. 5. Awario. 6. Soundcharts, and 7. Your Distributor's Dashboard. </p><p>Understanding analytics and using the right tools to access such data is extremely beneficial and quite truthfully, almost necessary for an artist to succeed in today's music industry. With these powerful insights on your music, audience, and overall engagement, allows you to optimize your online marketing strategy and identify your strengths and weaknesses, along with what you should continue or change in the future. The bottom line, this is today’s music industry, please get in the game, and get in to win. No, you can not do all of this by yourself. Get a team, and make sure there’s a social media marketing expert on your team as well as an entertainment lawyer. If you do this, in today’s game you will have No Worryz! </p><p>This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Cedric "</strong></span><i><span><strong>No Worryz" </strong></span></i><span><strong>Miller</strong></span></a><strong>. </strong>No Worryz is a Dallas-based percussionist, lyricist, and producer. He has been featured around Dallas on drums, on the mic as an MC, and as a producer. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is.</p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7183922
2023-04-04T12:22:20-05:00
2023-04-04T12:22:20-05:00
ChatGPT & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, April 4th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="http://vccaldwellmusic.com/"><i><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Chat with who now???- Let’s go -</p><p>Ok, I’m on a little bit of a roll with this AI (Artificial Intelligence) stuff, so I’ll go one mo week of it with ChatGPT. Ever heard of it? You may have and just not known about it. And trust me on this, we are learning together. So if any of you have worked with or know something that needs to be said about chatGPT, please add to the conversation. All of this will be taking over the music industry soon enough. And unlike when downloads, streaming and Napster came along, we will not be blindsided. As long as we work together and each one teach one, we will flourish in this new paradigm. So let’s start from the beginning, Airmetrics defines ChatGPT as an intelligent chatbot that helps automate chat tasks. Its name is the acronym for <strong>Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer.</strong> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/3c44cddf2d2213cbfd538190061b7f351068a500/original/robot-music-making-tim-robberts-2000x1500.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Created by <a class="no-pjax" href="https://openai.com/"><span>Open AI </span></a>in 2022, it is based on the OpenAI GPT-3 engine and is designed to provide natural and fluid responses to the user through chat through learning and reinforcement techniques. The chatbot is built on machine learning technology, which means it can adapt to different situations and interactions to deliver a more personalized and effective experience. Yeah, that’s a mouthful and enough to make your head hurt. But now that we got that part out of the way, let’s keep it 100 and get down to what we do Unda The Hat. How will this new technology help you write a hit song, or get your music out of the corners and heard by the people you want to hear it? The way thegroovecartel.com breaks it down is </p><p style="text-align:justify;">ChatGPT-4’s can understand and interpret images and can do everything from identifying and describing album covers to analyzing concert photos from your social media pages that can help define your audience behavior. Wow, what happened to just making sure you knew your circle of 5ths or what an augmented major 13th chord was? Or…or… for you cats that play by ear, being able to match something cool that you heard on the radio the other day? Long…sigh…sorry, I digress. Don’t want to get caught up in the “back in my day blues.” Here’s something else chatGPT can do, it could be used to make captions or descriptions for YouTube music videos, and it could even analyze album art for themes and cool factors that could inform marketing and branding strategies. I know what you old funkateers are saying out there too, <i>that thing can’t feel emotions, can’t feel the funk! </i>Well….UXmagizine says Artificial intelligence systems can get familiar with your behaviors by interacting with you. At that point, AI systems can respond to you in the most “compassionate” way (it decides from its data bank) in circumstances when empathy is called for. Ain’t that wild! </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Our good friends over at <a class="no-pjax" href="https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-career/chatgpt-for-musicians/"><span>CDbaby</span></a> give us 5 ways DIY musicians can use chatGPT. 1 - Write a business plan or grant proposal. 2 - Write an artist bio, headline, ad copy, or press release (that’s kindah what I do so that makes me feel some kindah way…😒) 3 - Help with booking tours. 4 - Content creation. Not like making your posts, but great for ideas of what to put on TikTok. 5 - Collaborate on a song 🤯wait what??? Yeah, I believe it’s coming, it’s not here yet, but it’s coming y’all. Ok, I’m sure you realize that I didn’t even scratch the surface, but if I got you thinking, then it’s worth it. This is not your grandfather's music industry, and as I said earlier, we don’t have to sit around and get caught sleeping as Artificial intelligence and Augmented Reality begin to change how we make music and get it out in the atmosphere. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Victor VC Caldwell</strong></span></a>. The man behind hundreds of hit records has released a single just in time for Resurrection Sunday called 3 DAYS 4 ME. VC as we call him has worked with everyone from Joe Sample, to Take 6 to the Clarke Sisters to the Winans - WOW! Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented he is.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7179607
2023-03-27T23:46:32-05:00
2023-03-27T23:46:32-05:00
The Metaverse & #IAOTW - Nik Memphiz
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, March 28th, 2023. </p><p> </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nKX-ieOuTuujcsGcmo4eEKi-seNClnp7c"><i><span><strong>Nik Mimphiz.</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>The Meta-what???- Let’s go -</p><p>Hey guys, miss me? Sorry about the delay, I’ve been on the road doing that SXSW thing with <a class="no-pjax" href="https://emajicmusic.com/"><span>EMajic</span></a>, then ran down to Atlanta with <a class="no-pjax" href="http://rubycamillemusic.com/"><span>Ruby Camille</span></a>, so yeah we been grinding Unda The Hat. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/d69b0ce21da4fa111d090d7caf44b6e003fa56d8/original/warner-music-group-metaverse-the-sandbox.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />So here we are and all I can say is C’mon man, what is all this AI, AR, VR, ChatGPT, and Metahuman stuff that’s going on in the music world now? Well, it’s true, the game is changing right in front of us. Guess what, you won’t need all these people that you have around you soon. So let’s start from the beginning, the definition of the Metaverse is a virtual-reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users. BPM music said that the Metaverse isn’t one concrete place or concept. It’s like a virtual construct, or some sort of oxymoron if you will. Basically, the Metaverse is made up of a wide variety of platforms and experiences designed to immerse people in a more interactive experience utilizing digital goods and services. The concept of the Metaverse has emerged largely around the development of Web3. And Web3 is the name some egghead tech guys have given to the idea of a new kind of internet service that is built using decentralized blockchains — the shared ledger systems used by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether.🤯I know if you’re like me you’re saying can I just write a hit record and everybody who digs it, rocks with it? Geez 😤</p><p>This new age of the internet is largely focused on decentralizing power and allowing users to create their own spaces for content and funding their careers. The Metaverse is a space for all creators, musicians included, to build a more lasting digital connection with their fans. In other words, the fans of the hardware dictate the music that’s coming out of it. </p><p>Make sense? Well, if it doesn’t all of your social media accounts will soon be running in the metaverse. Does anybody read <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.wired.com/story/what-is-the-metaverse/"><span>Wired magazine?</span></a> They broke it down after a few conversations with the guys that run the social world. Mark Zuckerberg or Satya Nadella said the metaverse is the future of the internet. Or it's a video game. Or maybe it's a deeply uncomfortable, worse version of Zoom? It's hard to say. Sounds like they don’t know or they are making it up as they go. But at least they get to right? They get to affect portions of your life and your music as you try and figure out if you want to make that next cord a C minor 9 or an augmented 13th. They don’t care, they just want to make sure that you can share it and like it with the rest of your friends that are on the internet and sell ads. About six months ago Facebook announced it was rebranding to Meta and would focus its future on the upcoming “metaverse.” In the time since what that term means hasn't gotten any clearer. Meta is building a VR social platform, Roblox is facilitating user-generated video games, and some companies are offering up little more than broken game worlds that happen to have NFTs attached, and folks are seemingly doing nothing more than using buzzwords to impress the next guy out there. <i>“Back in my day” </i>the labels used to get together and go to the car manufacturers and see what the new hardware in cars would be. That way the music biz (or the music software makers) were in sync with what was in the car. As Rolingstone said, music as we know it, from back in the day to this new metaword, has always been about embracing the counterculture and going against the grain. While walking hand in hand with the makers of new technology. The term is most widely associated with music, but that’s only the beginning. The rock and roll mindset can and does extend into every sphere and exists in every dimension — including, as of recently, non-physical ones like the metaverse. </p><p>As cryptocurrencies and the projects they power — from metaverses to NFT art galleries to fashion shows — have gained traction over the past several years, flocks of self-identified outsiders have gathered around and in them. Don’t get it twisted, folks are losing tons of money, and criminals are targeting people in the metaverse, it’s already crazy out there in them metastreetz. Those outsiders are now making the rules we all live by. The Metaverse is here to stay and is poised to change the music industry forever. Thankfully, most of these changes are projected to put more power and earnings back into the hands of artists, allowing more musicians to express their creativity full-time, humph….yeah we’ve all heard that before. </p><p><i>This week's </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><i><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></i></a><i><strong> </strong>is - </i><a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span><strong>Nik Memphiz, </strong></span></i></a><i>the alter ego of Angelo Michael Martin. He is the Chicago native, bass-playing, real music-making producer, and Grambling State HBCU grad, who is funkier than a month-old sack of collard greens. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented and funky this cat is.</i></p><p>For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7166865
2023-03-07T14:27:21-06:00
2023-03-07T14:27:22-06:00
Is it live or AI & #IAOTW - Four Washington
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p>Tuesday, March 7th, 2023. </p><p>Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.instagram.com/fourwashington/"><i><span><strong>Four Washington</strong></span></i></a><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p>The AI invasion - Let’s go - </p><p>Is AI (Artificial Intelligence) the next big thing in the music industry, or is it going to wreck the industry? Will it take jobs away from musicians, engineers, and graphic artists? Fighting it seems as smart as the horse and buggy trying to fight the onset of the car. </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/70edf0b1aa6ecac527fe306e31c73aac789b88c1/original/1563102063419.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />According to Zahn of<a class="no-pjax" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/ai-coming-job-chatgpt-renews-fears/story?id=97079982#:~:text=Artificial%20intelligence%20could%20displace%20roughly,30%25%2C%20the%20firm%20found."><span> ABCNewsGo</span></a> (2023), Artificial intelligence could displace roughly 15% of workers, or 400 million people, worldwide between 2016 and 2030, according to a McKinsey <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/ai-automation-and-the-future-of-work-ten-things-to-solve-for"><span>study</span></a>. In a scenario of wide AI adoption, the share of jobs displaced could rise to as much as 30%, the firm found. Staggering huh? So what does that mean for artists and graphic artists and folks that do what we do? You know every time the industry “flips,” everyone concludes that the music industry is dead. I remember old-school industry cats swore that they would never use email, “if they can’t call me, or I can’t call them, they won’t hear from me!” Yeah, those cats are not in the game anymore. Here’s a riddle for you what does a pencil have to do with a cassette tape? 🤣🤣 Then came the CD, then streaming took away the CD. Now the CD is not totally dead but they sure are trying aren’t they? How do you kill it? Stop making the hardware. You can’t play a CD in the car, or on your computer, and you sure look like a permanent #tbt Throwback if you were to start walking around with a CD Walkman (remember those 😆) Here’s a sobering thought, my 20-year-old has never owned a CD, and I’m sure today’s artist of the week Four Washington hasn’t either. </p><p>On another quick note, sometimes these changes are fiscally advantageous for the artists. Studio time is significantly lower because, with the right software, you make your beats at the house. I also remember with graphic artists would charge you an arm and a leg to do an album cover. Now get <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.canva.com/"><span>Canva</span></a>, watch YouTube for an hour and you got all the artwork you need. </p><p>As <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/the-music-industry-isnt-ready-for-the-ai-revolution/"><span>musicbusiness worldwide</span></a> (2022) says It should come as no surprise that artificial intelligence (AI) is now capable of generating stunningly beautiful still images from creative text. Training a neural network and learning capability isn’t linear – it’s exponential. It is therefore reasonable to assert that we will soon see AI-generated music becoming an increasingly cost-effective alternative to human creativity. Now with AI creating both visual and audio content, there’s a question that needs to be answered, who gets paid and how? How do you copyright an AI song, how do you trademark an AI artist? See while folks are fighting over who uses autotune and mixtapes a whole new thing is going on over here and the courts aren’t on it yet. Guess that’s up to the slow-moving <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.riaa.com/"><span>RIAA</span></a> to fight for us in congress. (oops did I say that out loud 🫢).</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/ai-generated-music-songs-copyright-legal-questions-ownership/"><span>Billboard.com</span></a> (2023) reports, the current existential threat (to the music industry) is artificial intelligence (AI), a software leviathan with a voracious appetite for copyrighted works, and a prolific capacity for <strong>human-free</strong> creative processes. Whether AI will kill the humanity of music remains debatable. What is not up for debate is that AI raises many legal issues. While courts have yet to weigh in, the U.S. Copyright Office has issued instructive decisions and made AI-related copyright issues a 2023 priority. I remember a conversation a long long time ago when I was a little fella, in the barbershop when the OGs were saying they taking the ditch digging jobs from the people and using machines to dig the ditch. Another younger OG said, well you can fight the machine and progress and lose, or you can learn to work those machines and keep your job. I didn’t understand why those old cats got mad at him for saying that…..I do now!</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span><strong>Four Washington.</strong></span></a> four dynamic sibling singers from Jackson, MS, by way of Ridgeland. Cameron, Carmen, Reggie, and Arriannia. Qadree El-Amin of Southpaw Entertainment manages them. Click on their name link, scroll down to their picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented these young cats are.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p style="text-align:justify;"> </p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7162499
2023-02-28T15:29:17-06:00
2023-02-28T16:04:13-06:00
Gospel Hybrid part deux ✌🏽& #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Tuesday, February 28th, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYsD9BY_C20"><i><span><strong>VICTOR VC CALDWELL</strong></span></i></a><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be big time soon.</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Gospel Hybrid #GospelHipHop - Let’s go - </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/885ad5cb9d0adc2de97bb4d61230dd885f501038/original/c4ylp-rvuaa4vda.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Sometimes called Christian Rap, Gospel Rap, or Christian Hip Hop (and I’ll use all of these ok…ok), it all started in the late 80s when some rappers would reference bible verses in their music. Ok, cool, no harm no foul. Then more and more rappers became Christians and their music reflected. When I think of “ When God Comes “ by Craig Mack, I think of it as a possible hit record, but he was far from being a “Gospel Rapper.” Even though it was a song about God coming back, there was cursing in it, which in the 90s was like woah. He and Hammer back in the day would usually put a song on their projects that referenced God. And remember when Salt laced Kirk Franklin & The Family on Stomp? Both were good songs. The reality is, like Gospel/Jazz, Gospel Rap is a subculture that has the same experience that Gospel/Jazz has. But with this genre, it can be too Gospel for Hip Hop and too Hip Hop for Gospel. The thing about both sub-genres is that to be authentic requires a relationship with God. Some of the first recordings were limited to singles and include M.C. Sweet’s Jesus Christ (The Gospel Beat) [Lection/Polygram, 1982] and Stephen Wiley’s Bible Break [Brentwood Records, 1985]. Both selections were heavy on the Sunday School lesson lyrics and extremely dated, Kurtis Blow-influenced beats and delivery. Now let’s face it tool When Gospel Rap came out, the beats always seemed to be two years behind what mainstream hip hop was doing beats-wise, so it always sounded a bit dated especially in the past. It was like Gospel Rap had to wait to see what mainstream hip hop was going to do, then copy it and through in God and Jesus, which made it seem disingenuous. Many of the early Christian rappers <span style="color:#000000;">like The Grits, Gospel Gangstaz, TobyMac, Pettidee, T-Bone, KJ-52, Shai Linne, Canton Jones, struggled to a degree to get past some of the backlash of “church folks” saying God don’t need Rap music to reach His people. </span>But as far as long as youth ministries were bring young folks to God, helping to save Souls, the end-result was being achieved and being done so with a pure heart. I think, and this is my opinion, Gospel or Christian Rap or Hip Hop (whichever you want to call it) has a harder threshold than Gospel/Jazz because the audience is older and more mature. And Gospel and Jazz are already kindred spirits connected by the blues, so not as much backlash as hip hop. Because Hip Hop itself has such a tainted past with so many sub-genres like Gangsta Rap, Back Pack, Boom Bap, Trap, Mumble…ugh it gets exhausting sometimes, it’s hard for it to catch hold. At least until now. One reason I believe it is getting better is that music is so independently driven. These rappers don’t have to wait on some label to tell them that it needs more Gospel or it needs more hip hop. And more and more collabs are being done by artists and producers that are just at the top of their game. When you think of artists like Mali Music (though I would label him a hip hop singer) and his collabs with Lecrae, feature songs from Kanye, Snoop, and Nikki Minaj (none, of course, are Gospel Rappers), help to expand the genre and open the ears of people and minds of people listening. Additionally, when you bring in top A-list talent you have to look at production, state-of-the-art equipment, producers, sound engineers, etc. has made the music get much better. It’s no longer off to the side done in the basement of the church when nobody else is in there. It can also be said that creativity, writing, and lyricism have in some ways gotten better. And the biggest part, dare we say it, is the ability to reach the masses with the advancement of technology which is considered way better than back in the day.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>for the second week in a row is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Victor VC Caldwell.</span></a> Originally from Chatanooga Tennessee, VC has either played on or produced the likes of Joe Sample, Whitney Houston's "Jesus Loves Me" on The Bodyguard movie soundtrack, CeCe Winans' gold Grammy-winning album "Alone In His Presence" Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how much you will dig this.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7158043
2023-02-21T15:05:48-06:00
2023-02-21T15:05:48-06:00
Gospel Hybrid & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_center border_" /><p style="text-align:justify;">(FAT) Tuesday, February 21st, 2023. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hey, it’s <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/about"><span>TJ Miller</span></a>, “<i>you want some game</i>?” Let's <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><i><span>#tipundathehat</span></i></a>! </p><p style="text-align:justify;"><i>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540"><i><span>Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></i></a><i> This week, </i><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.discogs.com/artist/478718-Victor-Caldwell?type=Credits&subtype=Writing-Arrangement&filter_anv=0"><i><span><strong>VICTOR VC CALDWELL</strong></span></i></a><i><strong>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon</i></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Gospel Hybrid - Let’s go - </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Well, happy Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras er’body! Get you some gumbo, Étouffée, a hurricane, and some beads, show your……titivating second-line dance moves and <a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT2_-jV28GI"><span>Laissez les bons temps rouler</span></a>. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">So if you look at the history of music one of the oldest genres is sacred music. In American music that would be Gospel, and it’s natural to see that this genre has had a significant impact on different genres worldwide. Gospel music has been a source of inspiration and solace since its inception. It can be called African American Traditional Folk music blended with religious hymns. Basically, you can say it started as a hybrid. A hybrid is something that is made by combining two different elements; a mixture. We could actually write a book on what and how gospel music influenced other styles as well as how other styles influenced gospel. I always thought it very interesting that the “father of the blues” WC Handy, a PK (Preachers Kid) was once a big-time gospel musician. While Thomas Dorcy the “father of Gospel Music” was once a big-time blues musician. Gospel has had an indelible mark on American music and vice versa. Many Jazz players started off playing Gospel music at church before transitioning to Jazz full-time. And naturally, they brought many Gospel piano techniques to their Jazz playing. The bridge between the two genres I would have to say is blues. They are all acutely related as if they were first cousins born to Triplets. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">If you were to ask Gospel Jazz artists what’s the biggest difference between the two, most would say the message. Most jazz songs, like any popular genre, are about the song, the beat, the swing, the groove, the lyrics; or even the artist. Gospel, however, is going to be a song about God or a song TO God, but God and the message are the focal points of Gospel/Jazz like any traditional Gospel song. Differences between Gospel and Jazz. Musically speaking Gospel music features composition, while jazz is more about improvisation. In addition, Gospel music utilizes straight rhythms and incorporates chord structures and progressions corresponding to a melody. Jazz on the other hand is about swing and blues rhythms and pushes further into more adventurous harmonic, melodic, and modal expressions and improvisations.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">In an interview with New York jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator John Raymond, conducted by TGC (The Gospel Coalition), considered this question: “How has becoming a Christian shaped your work?” He answered, “The Lord has used Jazz to make me into someone who trusts him. Jazz is improvised and messy. When performing, I don’t know exactly where my fellow bandmates or I am going. This spontaneity runs right up against my impulse to control. But God has used jazz to teach me to trust his grace, let go of my grasp, and live moment by moment through the Spirit. And this hasn’t just shaped how I play music; it has also shaped how I parent, how I teach, and more.”</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Known as the Godfather of Gospel Jazz Ben Tankard has been at the forefront of the genre for quite a while. Many jazz greats have also released either full gospel projects with their jazz stylings like Kirk Whalum and Jonathan Butler. One name that has been a strong force in the background of the genre is Victor VC Caldwell. He has written, produced, engineered, sung on, and has over 140 credits to his discography. For him, like most Gospel Jazz artists music is just the expression of the gift given by God. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">This week's <a class="no-pjax" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><span>#IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></span></a><strong> </strong>is - <a class="no-pjax" href="http://undathehat.com/blog"><span>Victor VC Caldwell.</span></a> Originally from Chattanooga Tennessee, VC has either played on or produced the likes of Joe Sample, Whitney Houston's "Jesus Loves Me" on The Bodyguard movie soundtrack, and CeCe Winans' gold Grammy-winning album "Alone In His Presence." Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how much you will dig this.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/contact"><span>Unda The Hat</span></a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a class="no-pjax" href="https://undathehat.com/"><span>undathehat.com</span></a>. See you next week!!</p><p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7150173
2023-02-07T15:28:04-06:00
2023-02-07T15:28:04-06:00
You and your budget & #IAOTW - Watson’s Head
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, February 7th, 2023. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#tipundathehat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">#tipundathehat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. This week, Watson’s Head Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Budgeting your music release - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week, Budget, Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">My mantra is “It starts with the music….but ends with the sale.” What that means is, the music or the story starts when you create it; it ends its cycle when it sells. Your budget is one of the most important things you can sit down and create; yes, it’s as important as the content. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/738069bcf4d656545b57e984173b34c69d93e44c/original/wordpress-marg-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So let’s start with the content. I for one believe in singles that lead to EPs. An EP (or Extended Play Album is shorter than a full-length album) and has roughly 5 songs; 5 songs for 5 dollars always sounds good to me. So how much does it cost to go into the studio and record a single? Now maybe you have a hook-up for studio time, or can get it for free, but let’s just say you can do it for 1,000 bucks; that’s studio time, engineer, musicians, producers, mix, master, copyright, PRO registration, gas money and lunch for the team. Multiply that by 5 (some of these are one-time costs but let’s keep the math simple ok) and you got $5,000 for an EP. Now comes the fun part, you have about $5,000 you got as a family loan, and you are gigging so you got another $500. This means you have about 500 bucks left after your EP to duplicate, and gain digital distribution from CDbaby, Bandcamp, Distrokid, TuneCore, etc. Now, this won’t cost a ton of money, some are even free because they take a percentage of royalties. Research them and see which is best for you. They in turn place your music on Spotify, Pandora, and all the places you want your music heard. That’s where you get paid!! But wait! The distributors do not market your music. So what are you going to do? You've got about $400 bucks left if you’re doing an EP. Well, you can call up a publicist, a promotions company, a label services company, and a marketing company and say, "hey I don't have much money, but the song is hot, and this is a movement, not just another artist with a song, and as soon as I get paid, you get paid…” Yeah, that does NOT work! Additionally, most professionals will not let you pick their brains for free as to how to market YOUR song. You have got to have a budget. That’s why I say, just put out a single. Get some traction on social media, email, and even text marketing which all cost. If you are bent on getting it on traditional radio well that’s even mo money, mo money, mo money. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">You are looking at an online advertisement, and a team to take it to market and publicity. Most service companies will charge by the month with a 3-month minimum, some are longer or shorter, and you just have to talk to them. You will be looking at, on a low end, about $2,500 to bring in a small team. You want to do it because it frees you up to be the artist you are meant to be. An excellent source to find these services is the IndieBible or you can go Unda The Hat and contact me. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is - <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a> The St. Louis-born San Diego living rocker is taking no prisoners with his 6th release coming February 10th. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented hip soulful soul is. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7146470
2023-01-31T14:15:38-06:00
2023-01-31T14:15:38-06:00
CDs verzuz Streaming & #IAOTW - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, January 31st, 2023. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#tipundathehat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">#tipundathehat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. This week, <a contents="Watson’s Head " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.watsonshead.com" target="_blank"><strong>Watson’s Head </strong></a>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon </em></p>
<p>CDs verzuz Streaming- Let’s go - </p>
<p>The question keeps coming up from artists, do I need to make CDs or just go strictly digital? Well contrary to popular belief CDs still sell. So then the next question is are CDs better than streaming? Well that depends on who you ask. For you sound quality gurus out there, CDs deliver uncompressed audio, whereas most streamed music uses data-compression formats that entail removing some digital information to make song files small enough to stream. Now obviously the biggest issue and problem is actual having a CD player. I still have a portable one and an old computer with a CD rom drive on it, but that’s about it. By the numbers however, CDs are on a back-and-forth swing. The number of sales went up in 2021 then back down in 2022. But you may ask what does that have to do with me a DIY musician? Well it’s simple, it’s called revenue stream. You want to have as many revenue streams as possible. One of these streams is going to be gigging, touring, singing at church or in the neighbor’s backyard. After you sing what are you working with? In today’s industry, income in the form of physical music sales – such as CDs, and vinyl – are certainly less prominent than before. But that’s not to say physical music sales aren’t still a viable income revenue for musicians and artists. </p>
<p>CDs could be a good way to go. They’re cheap to make, easy to reproduce, and they can be bundled up and sold with other merch items. But to be honest, very few people actually listen to them nowadays. Now the other thing that this will depend on is your demo and genre. The younger the audience the less likely you are to sell anything physical. Some of the late Gen Z’ers for the most part have never even owned a CD. But if you are a gospel, jazz, southern soul or even an old school rocker like this week’s artist of the week Watson’s Head, your people are still holding on to CD players and their CD’s. The name of the game is to not leave any money on the table while you are trying to make your money. </p>
<p>Now on the other hand streaming music of course if the leader in music sales. The issue for me with that is, for how long? But that’s another blog post for another day. Anyway this chart will show you that not only is streaming leading the way but where. In your marketing plans you should have an international plan. As you see, India is becoming a big market. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/158e2994095fc07f004b624e1fae5cddaea02442/original/luminate-main-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the past couple of years Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa were the top two most-searched American artists. That tells me that Pop is their preferred Western musical genre. So if you are doing Pop, you might want to look at India as a market for your streaming. I think we can all agree that Asia will yield good results in the area of hip hop and the UK for rock has always been solid. </p>
<p>So this is not to say that you should go and invest in making a ton of CDs and forget about Spotify and all of that. I mean once you sign on to your digital distributor, they will make sure that you are in all the DSPs. So it will be up to you to make sure that you have a few CDs on hand to sell at the gig, or even if you want to go old school and do some hand-to-hand combat, meaning stand in front of a Best Buy and sell CDs to customers as they walk out of the store you can. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is - <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a>. The St. Louis born San Diego living rocker is taking no prisoners with his 6th release coming February 10th. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. This is that psychedelic funk rock with a spoonful of reggae type of music. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7142835
2023-01-24T16:24:33-06:00
2023-01-24T16:24:33-06:00
Boo 👻 Ghostwriters & #IAOTW - Pamela Williams
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, January 24th, 2023. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#tipundathehat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank"><em>#tipundathehat</em></a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Pamela Williams" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/LqLakLMYrQM" target="_blank">Pamela Williams</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon.</em></p>
<p>Ghost Writers - Let’s go - </p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve all heard of the term ghostwriter right? To be clear there are of course ghostwriters in the literary world but we are talking about music ghostwriters. A ghostwritier is someone who is generally an experienced songwriter, or lyricsist. Sometimes it’s just someone who is given a shot and not that experienced, but really know how to put pen to paper. The other side of it is that ghostwriters are just that, ghosts. They are not credited for the work that they do; but they are compensated, and sometimes nicely. </p>
<p>The art of ghostwriting is nothing new either. Mozart for example was known to be paid to ghostwrite for wealthy patrons. The classical world is actually full of ghostwriters as well as the film industry. For the film ghostwriter, they are not credited on the cue sheet or in the final product in any way. It’s been a “thing” for a long time. Today in the world of hip hop, more and more ghostwriters are beginning to pop up and there is a bit of controversy surronding it. Those against it think that it’s a violation to everything that hip hop stands for, expressing yourself though your own lyrics and your own experiences and how can you do that if someone else is writing the words. It’s like acting in a movie or television show, and definitely not keeping it 100! However the real OG Chuck D of Public Enemy has a different take on it. “Not everyone is equipped to be a lyricist and not everyone is equipped to be a vocalist.” Interesting point. In some of these deals the ghostwriter will sign a confidentiality clause and sometimes it is discussed freely by both the artist and the writer. One of the biggest ghostwriting stories is how Jay Z wrote the lyrics to Still D.R.E by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog. That’s right an east coast rapper right at the end of all of the east west drama, two years after Biggie was killed wrote one of the biggest west coast hip hop songs of that time. He wrote both the lyrics for Dre and Snoop. If you want to know some other <a contents="hip hop ghost writers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://beats-rhymes-lists.com/lists/history-hip-hop-songs-written-by-ghostwriters/#:~:text=Jay%2DZ%20writing%20%E2%80%9CStill%20D.R.E.,Magazine%20in%20a%201999%20interview." target="_blank">hip hop ghost writers</a> just click that link, some you may know, some you may be surprised about. </p>
<p>Now I know your real question is how do I become a ghostwriter or how do I connect with a ghostwriter to write me a hit. Well, first and foremost, like everything else in the music industry, it’s all about contacts and relationships. You’ve got to get out of the house, out of the studio and meet people, the right people. Next is going to be some things I’ve said in other blog posts and that’s build a website and place your writings on there. Please make sure you copyright them first. You can of course copyright more than one song at a time so you are not spending a fortune on it. On your social media sites let people know that your are indeed a writer and point them to your website to get a glimps of what you can do. Work with local talent for free. Yep I said free. Get some songs out there and put them on your website that you have songs that have been recorded and released out there. Believe it our not, demos still work. I wouldn’t make it an actual demo tape, but mp3 demos that you can send to the right people works. Hit up some contests. ASCAP and other PRO orginizations have writing contests all the time. Don’t be afraid and don’t be that person “I don’t do contests.” Do it. If you are trying to write for a well known artist, find out who their publisher is, their manager or even their label and reach out. Make sure you can write in their voice and their persona so you can be taken seriously. </p>
<p>To find a ghostwriter, simple - Google it. There are several ghostwriting services out there and there is always fiverr. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Wee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Wee</a>k is - <a contents="Pamela Williams The Saxtress" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Pamela Williams The Saxtress</a>. Established in LA but musically neurtured in Philly, and has been named female smooth jazz artist of the year. Click on her name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented hip soulful soul is. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7139393
2023-01-17T17:00:09-06:00
2023-01-17T17:00:09-06:00
Who ya wit? & #IAOTW - Gio Franklin
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, January 17th, 2023. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#tipundathehat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank"><em>#tipundathehat</em></a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <span style="display: none;"> </span><strong><a contents="Gio Franklin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeARjzUGZvw" target="_blank">Gio Franklin</a>. </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon!</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">How to select a distribution company - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ok so you want your music on Spotify, Apple music and the rest of the <a contents="DSPs (Digital Service Providers)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://help.songtrust.com/knowledge/what-is-a-digital-service-provider-dsp" target="_blank">DSPs (Digital Service Providers)</a>, you even know that you need a digital distributor to do that, but how do you select which one is best for you? Well to start, music distribution is as old as the music game itself. Even when the sheet music publishing companies ran the business, they needed someone to print out the scores and deliver them to the stores. That was (and still is) the role of the distributors: getting the music into the stores. Simple as that. The game of distribution is so much easier now, when I started in distribution with <a contents="PolyGram Group Distribution or PGD" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.discogs.com/label/277294-PolyGram-Group-Distribution-Inc" target="_blank">PolyGram Group Distribution or PGD</a>, there was the big six <a contents="Warner Music Group" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Music_Group" target="_blank">Warner Music Group</a>, <a contents="EMI" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI" target="_blank">EMI</a>, <a contents="Sony Music (Known as CBS Records until January 1991)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Music" target="_blank">Sony Music (Known as CBS Records until January 1991)</a>, <a contents="BMG (Formed in 1984 as RCA/Ariola International)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertelsmann_Music_Group" target="_blank">BMG (Formed in 1984 as RCA/Ariola International)</a>, <a contents="Universal Music Group (Known as MCA Music until 1996) " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group" target="_blank">Universal Music Group (Known as MCA Music until 1996) </a>and <a contents="PolyGram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PolyGram" target="_blank">PolyGram</a>. Back then you would have had to have been signed to one of their labels to get world wide distribution. This included physical goods like cassettes, CDs, Vinyl, Blue Ray etc. This also included label services, radio promo, marketing, sales, publishing, manufacturing, merchandise and all of that good stuff.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/88b6c5f22256f15c04195311c7093cdc3ac9bdc3/original/music-distribution.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" />All you needed was talent and a relationship; well sometimes just a relationship, but you get the picture. Being independent meant you went through what was called a onestop. Without going too far into music history, a onestop is where “mom and pop independent record stores bought their product. If you were big enough locally you could put product there and stores like Serious Sounds in Houston bought it from Southwest Wholesale, one of the largest Onestops in Texas. The other ways were to get a consignment from the store or sell out of the trunk of your car. That’s how Cash Money Records and a lot of other indie labels got started. Anyway, I digress, this is now and that was then. Now, you decide on your indie distributor based on your own needs, goals and circumstances. A side note, this does not take away from needing your own website and domain. You own your domain name, and all of the content on your site and get 100% of the profits. That is NOT your Facebook or Instagram page, but your own website. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">But back to digital distribution, when looking for distribution, the biggest thing you want to consider is cost. Here’s what to know: Different distributors have different business models; there’s either a royalty fee cut, or you are charged a monthly or yearly fee. The price might also depend on how many releases you have and how many digital stores you want to get your music on, some have one-off fees, and some recurring fees. Then there are some that give 100% royalties, but trust and believe you will be charged somewhere along the line. And like everything else, some will nickel and dime you on the “additional services” they do offer, ain’t nothing free. Look at what’s important to you and see if they align with your values. Don’t do it “just because.” In other words, know what you want, how you want to do it, do your homework and find the one that is in concert with your goals. Make sure you look at the list of digital stores that they service. Don’t take the “we service Spotify, Apple Music and the rest of them,” answer. You need the actual list. You want to make sure there are some stores on their list that are in other parts of the country. Depending on your genre, Europe or Asia might be a great market for you, don’t let them make you leave money and opportunity on the table. Lastly, and this is a big one for me; make sure you are comfortable with their level of customer service. As a novice, you want to make sure you can get an answer to your question live-time if it’s during regular business hours. If it’s late night, you want an answer by the time you wake up the next day. This includes metrics and reports. You want to know how your record is doing out there and where you should spend your social media boosting money. We will take some time and look at some of the individual distribution companies in the weeks to come, but know this; look for what you want, not just what you can get. Hire a team like Unda The Hat Media to work with you and get a good entertainment attorney. That will be some of the best money you can spend. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back live on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow Jan 18th in the <a contents="NABFEME" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">NABFEME</a> (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK FEMALE EXECUTIVES IN MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT) room. Click the following link, add us to your calendar and let’s talk about it. <a contents="How powerful is Social Media?" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/club/NABFEMENationalAssociationofBlackFemaleExecutivesinMusicEntertainment?utm_medium=ch_club&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-549488" target="_blank">How powerful is Social Media?</a> </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is - <a contents="Gio Franklin" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Gio Franklin</a>, the self taught hit making musician from Kansas City Mo., who has the number one single on the European charts called “Still Here (Stranger Thang).” He is managed by the legendary Qadree El-Amin of Southpaw Entertainment in Los Angeles. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You will truly dig this talented young man. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7136169
2023-01-10T17:11:39-06:00
2023-01-10T17:11:39-06:00
Brand New You & #IAOTW - izzeYe
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, January 10th, 2023. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#tipundathehat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank"><em>#tipundathehat</em></a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong><a contents="izzeYe " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/uYfmGF1oDS0" target="_blank">i</a><a contents="zzeYe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/uYfmGF1oDS0" target="_blank">zzeYe</a>.</strong><a contents="izzeYe " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/uYfmGF1oDS0" target="_blank"> </a>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week, 2023 Brand new year Brand new you - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ok well, we are all the way into 2023 now. Know this, if you made it through 2022, there is much work for you to do, so let’s get to it. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, got a little rest, and are ready to take on 2023 with a tenacious voraciousness that makes you and your team win! So let’s talk about branding you, your music, and your persona. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There’s an old saying in the industry that goes “image is everything.” This is especially true in today's “microwave, I want it now society” that we live in and even more so for musicians. This is a “don’t hate the player hate the game” statement. The reality is, the brand used to sell the music, but now, the music sells the brand. Sorry, you are not going to sell a million copies as an indie artist with only 5 songs on Spotify. You must sell your brand. Modern culture by far is driven by what’s seen and dominated by social media. Behind Google, YouTube is the second largest search engine with more than 60 billion hours worth of video views per month; and guess who owns YouTube? Yep Google. Everything that pertains to our website is about SEO or Search Engine Optimization and how fast you can be found when you or a good set of keywords are searched. This is the importance of branding in the music industry. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So let’s take a step back, what is a brand? A brand is any product, service, or even concept that is distinguishable from any other product, service, or concept and then marketed as such, a one-of-a-kind. And isn't that what you are..one of a kind? Everything about you and your music is a part of your brand; your sound, the colors you use, your look, your logo, your website, and I will say this again, your music sells your brand and not the other way around. Branding is a marketing concept built around creating your brand identity. This is what your audience, your fans, and your followers look for and count on. Your brand is how they know they can trust you and is your public image. All public images, businesses, corporations, artists, DJs, bands, and even executives have one. Are you looking to get signed? Here’s the conversation nowadays; “what do the socials look like? How are the engagements?” They know you can buy followers, it’s hard to buy engagements though. Yes, it can be done, but it’s starting to get more easily detectable and it’s how you can get your account shut down. How do you get more engagements? You build your brand. Your brand is built around the way you dress, your style of music, your hair, your logo, your website, your color scheme, and the stories you tell in your music. Once you create your brand you want to make sure that it represents you and that people can find that “you” every time, and it’s how people can come to know you and your music. When you look for those golden arches of Mcdonald's, that M looks the same every time everywhere. Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t grow your brand, you just don’t need to change your brand with every project you release. So stay true to it once you create it. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Your brand is what separates the local weekend hobbyist from someone who has made it up in their mind that this is it, they are going for it, and making this their profession and will live their life through their gift. Once that decision is made there is work to do and you must put in the work! Remember there are 66,000 tracks a day being uploaded to Spotify and the other DSPs (Digital Service Providers) out there, how do you stand out? How do you make the people who would love what you do find you? Your brand, that’s how! Now you have to start coordinating creative posts, have specific messaging, have catchphrases, and talk to your niche. Consistent branding creates a unique perception for your audience. You will have to do a little soul-searching as well. For your audience to know who you are, you have to know who you are. Your musical output is basically an extension of your brand identity, and if your followers don’t connect with your brand, trust me they will not connect with your music, and will probably not even give it a chance. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, a successful brand articulates the intended mission of you the artist. Yes, you will need a mission plan just like a business, because you are not a musical businessman, you are a business - man!! Can you dig it? You must separate yourself from the competition and your brand does just that. If you want to make an impact, you’ll have to offer value to your listeners and find a way to demonstrate that value through your branding. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Again, stay consistent with your brand, and stay true to yourself. There are a lot of choices out there, find your brand find your audience, and serve them all that you have. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back live on <a contents="Clubhouse " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse </a>tomorrow Jan 11th in the <a contents="NABFEME " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">NABFEME </a>(NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK FEMALE EXECUTIVES IN MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT) room. Click the following link, add us to your calendar and let’s talk about it. <a contents="2023 Anything is possible!&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/m7K7NEQz?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-539305" target="_blank">2023 Anything is possible! </a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is - <a contents="izzeYe" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">izzeYe</a> who hails from Chester PA now living in LA is all about being soulfully groovy, fashion, music and lifestyle. Additionally he is managed by the legendary Southpaw Entertainment. Click on his name link, scroll down to his picture, then click and support. You won’t believe how talented hip and soulful he is. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via u<a contents="ndathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">ndathehat.com</a>. See you next YEAR!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7132103
2023-01-03T15:45:54-06:00
2023-01-03T15:45:55-06:00
This week, STAY SAFE & #IAOTW - All of the Unda The Hat Artists.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="#TipUndaTheHat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank"><em>#TipUndaTheHat</em></a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, Undathehat Artists Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon </p>
<p>Ok, so no real musical Tip this first new Tuesday of the year, but to stay safe. If you are gigging, mask up, and remain masked 😷 up. Need to touch something, sanitize it, singers BYOM (Bring Your Own Mic). It’s still crazy out here, and covid numbers are going up again. We want to hear your new music, and see you doing your thing. So just stay safe ya dig! </p>
<p>Again Happy New Year and I’ll drop a new #tipundathehat on you next week. Remember here at Unda The Hat we are “Artists Helping Artists” and “it starts with the music…..but ends with the sale!” </p>
<p>I pray you have a prosperous, and abundant New Year! Let’s get it y’all!!! </p>
<p>As always there’s some really nice music that takes us out of 2022 and on to 2023 by any of the Unda The Hat Artists. We have new music coming from Eric Majid aka EMajic, Watson’s Head, The Curtis Family C-Notes, and of course - me! 😊✊🏽🎩 I’ll talk to you next week! </p>
<p>No Clubhouse this week, so rest up from the Holidays and come out swinging next week!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7129190
2022-12-27T18:25:10-06:00
2022-12-27T18:25:11-06:00
Your Holiday Music & #IAOTW - All of the Unda The Hat Artists.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, December 27th, 2022. </p>
<p>REPRINT: Taken from Feb 15th (with a lil mo on it) </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, “you want some game?” Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. </a>This week, <a contents="Undathehat Artists" data-link-label="Artist Page" data-link-type="page" href="/artist-page" target="_blank">Undathehat Artists</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p>This week, how to increase your Catalog with Holiday Music - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Yeah, when you see the words holiday music you think of Christmas music. But remember Valentine's Day was yesterday? There were a lot of love songs being played in live music venues and over the airwaves. In addition, everywhere you went you heard either My Funny Valentine or a handful of other love songs. Now it can be said that any love song could be considered a “valentine” song. But throw the word Valentine in there and now it’s a classic. The two main reasons for attempting to make these types of classics are of course money and the possibility of it becoming a classic. This is something that you can release year after year without fail extending the life of your song catalog. Currently, Christmas and Easter have a lock on the holiday song market; with Easter being pretty much all gospel and classical. I personally wish people would take genuine attempts at making more than just popular Christmas songs. Now I know nobody is out there looking to pen a President’s Day song, but a modern-day Thanksgiving song would be dope. </p>
<p>This year, I wrote and my Phi Mu Alpha frat brother Eric Willis produced a Christmas song called Scatman's Fish & Grits, a non-traditional take on holiday music. Here is why you should write holiday music, you get to work it for a year before it comes out again. During the holidays' social media use goes up. This is when you want to be active in promoting your holiday song. This will help springboard you into the rest of the year or the start of a new year and set the trajectory of your next quarter (3 months) for activity as a professional musician and marketer of your craft. And lastly, for the most part, holiday songs are fun and help you with your brand. We can always give our fans something to smile at, even if most of our songs are dark and talk about despots and viral homicides. </p>
<p>Happy Holidays and may you have more than enough favor and blessings showered on you in 2023 </p>
<p><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back live on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow. What are you looking for in 2023? No, not your resolutions, but what do you really see for 2023? Let’s talk about it. Click the link and add us to your calendar “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/MKBGvJg0?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-519165" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.</a>” </em></p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </a>is - All of the <a contents="Unda The Hat Artists" data-link-label="Artist Page" data-link-type="page" href="/artist-page" target="_blank">Unda The Hat Artists</a>. Click on the link and see how talented these guys are, support their music, and really get ready for a very exciting 2023. God Bless all of y’all and thank you so much for supporting and reading #tipundathehat. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <span style="display: none;"> </span><span style="display: none;"> </span><span style="display: none;"> </span><a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Artist Page" data-link-type="page" href="/artist-page" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next YEAR!!</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7125980
2022-12-20T16:48:10-06:00
2022-12-20T16:48:10-06:00
Musicians and Stress & Indie Artist Of The Week - Me! MrTJ Miller
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, December 20th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="MrTJ Miller " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/_dWARLu81g0" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller </a>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I was going to write about holiday music, especially since I have one of the funnest (yep I said funnest) Christmas songs released this year called <a contents="Scatmans’s Fish &amp; Grits" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/3GqvIgIblABmtLcZjL21M1?si=4ddf307439004bb8" target="_blank">Scatmans’s Fish & Grits</a>; seriously you need to hear it and spread it like butter. However, in light of what happened with DJ Twitch (RIP), I thought it necessary to talk about stress in the life of musicians. Additionally, let’s face it, holiday times can sometimes be the most stressful time of the year. In the book <a contents="Murder By The Collar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/4GidsuTDIw0" target="_blank">Murder By The Collar</a>, singer Sam Crystal feels he has been abandoned by God who gave him the gift of song but won’t give him an opportunity to use that gift. Moreover, he was placed in a toxic environment that did not allow that gift to flourish. Such is the life of many musicians. You listen to the radio and hear what you consider some of the worst music on earth. Here you are with mad talent, but can’t get a break, when is your turn? Then life happens, kids, bills bills, and more bills and nobody wants to hear your music. You have to get a noncreative job, waking up every morning wondering why don’t they like my music? All they want to hear is AI rappers, autotune singers, or drug dealers turned rappers only because they had the money to “pop bottles” with the right record executives. I could go on for hours, but the reality is, this is depressing, especially if you don’t have a support system. Especially if your music is really good, and you aren’t just saying so because it’s yours. Not making the mark is not the only source of depression for musicians either; Successful, prominent superstars have felt the bite of depression or other mental illness. Think it can’t weigh on you if you have the number 1 record in the world, on tour selling out stadiums and be broke. It’s a lot to carry. But sticking with us, the DIY community, hypebot.com reports that 73% of independent musicians have experienced negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and/or depression in relation to their career, says a new study which surveyed 1500 indie artists. Among those 18-25 the number rose to 80%. A full 33% have also experienced panic attacks. Fear of failure, financial instability, loneliness and the pressure to succeed are given as main drivers. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There are four aspects of high sensitivity according to Dr. Elaine Aron, author of <a contents="The Highly Sensitive Person" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hsperson.com/" target="_blank">The Highly Sensitive Person</a>: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. Those with the trait of high sensitivity like us musicians, demonstrate these aspects more than those without it. Depth of processing. Processing things differently and more deeply. Overstimulation. Being aware of more stimuli and thus more easily overwhelmed by it. Emotional responsivity (or empathy). Feeling things – good and bad – more deeply and having a wider range of emotional responses. Sensitive to subtleties. Noticing more things on more levels. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A 2018 landmark study of artists found that musicians are three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Effectively managing stress is a full-time job. You have to manage your stress on a daily basis, particularly if you suffer with depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. That can feel overwhelming, but I can attest that the hard work is worth it – for you, your loved ones, your work, and your art. Whatever it takes, meds, meditation, long walks, white noise...whatever just do it. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What we know is that day-to-day stress doesn’t cause depression and anxiety, typically; but it can exacerbate it. You know like someone saying something small that totally takes you over the edge. Stress today comes in many forms, the pandemic, quarantine, fear of failing, loss of income, family, being a creative in a world of non creatives who just don’t get that what’s in your head is all that you have to be all that you are. And them watching you smile, make music, dance or whatever makes them think that you are ok. It’s up to you to tell them you aren't. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What can you do? Play music of course, not music for a project, just music that feeds your soul, eat healthy, change the way your look at things and be ok if you don’t get it. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Now this was not to depress you, but for you to know what your triggers are, address them, feel comfortable calling and talking to someone about it and never never ever stop playing singing rapping and grooving, and don’t let outside forces speak louder to you than you do to yourself, no matter how close they are to you. Lastly if you need it dial 988 the suicide lifeline or 1800 273-8255.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Merry Christmas y’all!! This is the last one for the year. I’ll repost some of the ones that people ask about. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back live on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow. Who was Santa Claus for you? We’ll have some fun talking about this and holiday music. Click the link and add us to your calendar “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/mybzZrOa?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-509160" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.” </a></em><a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/mybzZrOa?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-509160" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week </a>- <a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> - Yep, we get these Fish & Grits a record 4 weeks in a row!! Yeah it’s Christmas time so let’s all just click it, play it and like it, Santa Claus 🎅🏾would want you to. 😆 Download this one and play it at the office Christmas party. Don’t be afraid to fry up a big mess of fish and boil some grits. For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7122294
2022-12-13T14:47:48-06:00
2022-12-14T11:49:49-06:00
Best merch ideas & Indie Artist Of The Week - Me! MrTJ Miller
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, December 13th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? <a contents="Let's Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Let's Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week</a> Unda The Hat. This week, <a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/_dWARLu81g0" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What’s the best merch for musicians? Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ok, it’s Christmas time and you need to make some extra money…(wait is there such a thing as EXTRA money?) Anyway, now is the time to make and sell your merch. So the question is, why should I sell merch? Well if you don’t you are leaving money on the table. And another way to bring attention to your merch is to theme it around holidays and events. Doing a festival? Put the festival name and your band on it; now you can sell it at a premium. If you’re touring, gigging, or just have a high presence on social media you need merch. Actually even if you don’t have a high presence, merch could help you build your audience and your profile, especially if it’s good stuff. Now we know that streaming has taken away the amount of CD’s that bands can sell at their shows, but you can still sell t-shirts and even sign download cards. I heard an older blues artist say that he misses the old days of CDs because at his shows now he can’t sign a CD. I would say but you can sign a download card, a cap, or a tee shirt. In other words don’t get stuck in 1999. If you are living in today, live in today, make your merch and make it appropriate to your vibe and your persona. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A few merch tips along the way. Start small, start with something like rubber-band bracelets, stickers, and buttons. Don’t overprice, and have something unique. Make sure your logo is well represented on your merch with nice bright colors, unless you are a goth band. The merch should also speak to your audience. The obvious number one merch item is a tee shirt. Then there are always hats (you know I’m partial to hats) vinyl, CD’s, posters, patches, guitar pics, posters, postcards, and you can go next level and make bobble head dolls of yourself and the band. But whatever you do, don’t leave any money sitting on the table. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back tomorrow live on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow. Let’s have some laughs and talk about dumb criminals. “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/mW1oKwLa?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-498977" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.</a>” Click and save the link, and come join the conversation.</em> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week </a>- <a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> - Yep, we get these Fish & Grits three weeks in a row!! It’s my blog I can do that 😆 Download this one and play it at the office Christmas party. Don’t be afraid to fry up a big mess of fish and boil some grits. For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7119076
2022-12-06T17:31:23-06:00
2022-12-06T17:31:52-06:00
Music verzuz technology & Indie Artist Of The Week - Me! MrTJ Miller
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, December 6th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="MrTJ Miller " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/_dWARLu81g0"><strong>MrTJ Miller </strong></a>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What are we doing…music or technology? Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We’ve said it before, so we’ll say it again; music is all warm and fuzzy filled with emotion and business is hard cold impersonal, and never personal. This trick is to put the two together. So in this new paradigm that exists, technology is the business and along with being ubiquitous, it seems to hold the power over the music. Technology has altered how music is transmitted, preserved, heard, performed, and composed. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Today, because of electronic technology, we listen to struggling vocal performers who have note-perfect studio-recorded performances and of course, the ever-popular autotune has revolutionized how rap music is performed and listened to. When you think of Spotify for instance, do you look at them as a music company or a technology company? It started off as a tech platform that was intimately involved with music. And now Daniel Ek has talked about how Spotify wants to be more than just music. It wants to be the largest audio company in the world. Yeah sounds like a tech company to me. Back in my day, when we bought that new album or cassette it was all about the music, what you listened to made you cool, hip, funky, or spiritual. Now, it’s not what you listen to, it’s what you listen on. You know how big the iPhone verzuz Android debate is; which one has the better camera, which one has the better speaker, and which earbuds the music sound better on. It’s no longer about the music. It’s the technology that moves the music. Anyone nowadays can release a single, an album, or any piece of music. Again, back in my day, you had to call, mail, and find an A&R person to say “please listen to my demo.” Now I could be an old jaded record guy still mad at Napster for changing the paradigm of how music is sold. But I do realize that technology has not only changed music, but the gaming industry, film, how music is shared, multitracking, and of course, streaming. The audio engineer is almost as highly trained as the concert performer and can be just as sensitive an artist. Yes, there is no turning back now, we are here, technology is here and now we have to figure out where do we go next. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson, and I are back tomorrow live on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow. Is your resume up to date? We’ll have someone you can talk to “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/MR64dYrY?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-488945" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.</a>” Click and save the link, and come join the conversation. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</strong></a> - <a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> - Yep two weeks in a row we get these Fish & Grits. Download this one and play it at the office Christmas party. Don’t be afraid to fry up a big mess of fish and boil some grits. For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7113202
2022-11-29T15:00:32-06:00
2022-11-29T15:00:32-06:00
Logo & Indie Artist Of The Week - ME! MrTJ Miller
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, November 29th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Indie Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong><a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/_dWARLu81g0" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Logo do you really need one? Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When you think of logos for musical artists you usually think of bands. More bands than solo singers have their own branding tool called the logo. I would suggest however, that anyone on this musical journey should have their own logo. Whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been at this for a while, a logo is a crucial part of your brand identity as a solo artist or a band. A logo helps to give legitimacy to being an actual brand. Labels don’t sell music as much as they sell brands in this new music business. You have to understand that you are a brand, not just an artist, an entrepreneur of the highest musical order. The music industry has been as much as a visual art as it is auditory since the onset of the music video. Consequently, since social medias arrival, visual content is even more important. Establishing your brand is second only to your music. Moreover, everything is important; even and especially the color. Every color has an emotion attached to it. So different colours can have different effects on different people. The color has to be on brand topic with your persona so that you exude the right vibe for you as a solo artist or a band. If you are just starting out, a logo is an opportunity to help fans get it, and understand who you are in a glance, your identity and the type of music you do. Keeping it simple is not always as easy as it sounds, but you need to keep is simple. It’s like a musical hook. You want something that is going to stay in the mind of the viewer when they see it, and everytime they see it they need to think of you. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A question you should ask yourself when designing your brand is what are you trying to accomplish? Again everything is important, if it’s too complex, people will have to look at it twice or three times just to get it, and by that time you’ve lost them. Make sure the logo has your essence and looks like something that would represent your musical attributes and your personal brand. Your genre will play a part in the look of your logo, if you are doing psychedelic funk rock, you want it to be wild, colorful and funky so that you stand out. It has to be as unique as your music. One way to engage with your social media followers is to ask them what they think is hot. Now you do run the risk of either A) nobody responds (I hate it when that happens) or b) the answers are so all over the place that it confuses you even more. The idea here is just to get the engagements, talk to them, and you might find gold in some of the answers, it’s worth a shot. Now let’s face it, for those solo artists that have logos it is usually either their name done in a really cool memorable font, like Sisqo<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6f9a15b39a730a949c52862fffc005ceeef5f707/original/sisqo-unleash-the-dragon.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">or their initials. You don’t want a lot of different images, even if you are a band, remember, it’s a logo, not an art project, keep it simple, memorable and creative. You want it to look good on your merch like a hat, phone cover, or a tee shirt. Lastly, if you do decide on an image, make sure you either pay for it, or use a stock image, the last thing you want is to get into a legal battle over your new cool logo. Oops almost forgot, be sure that it’s an image or font that looks good across all devices, phone, tablets and computers. That’s the world we live in now, might as well play to win! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker, Robert N. Johnson and I are back tomorrow live Clubhouse tomorrow. We come back with a good one, Relationships, who needs em? You will learn a lot from this one because the music business is really the relationship business. “Untold Tales of the music industry.” Click and save the link, and come join the conversation. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</a> - <a contents="MrTJ Miller" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">MrTJ Miller</a> - With a throwback baritone vocal reminiscent of Joe Williams, MrTJ Miller, aka Scatman, is set to burst onto the scene as a jazz vocalist. Ironically MrTJ has been in the record business for more than 20 years in marketing; now it’s his turn to sing. And, fyi, I go by MrTJ because of that other famous guy out there named TJ Miller 😆 Click on my name, go to the website and take a listen, trust me you want to hear this!!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7108359
2022-11-22T15:18:24-06:00
2022-11-22T15:18:24-06:00
Artist Development & Indie Artist Of The Week - Tyler Scott Owens
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong><a contents="Tyler Scott Owens" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdfQ0cRhVV16lDjZjfnvCjQ" target="_blank">Tyler Scott Owens</a>.</strong> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon - </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Artist Development, who needs it? Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Back when I first got in the record business 100 years ago, there was this thing called Artist Development sometimes called AD. Artist Development was the process many musicians went through to develop their craft, skills, persona, and etiquette needed to be in front or behind the camera. Basically a lot of the things that I speak about here in tipundathehat. This was done to help ensure an artist's success by the labels, actually entire departments. Some artists would be signed to an AD deal for as long as a few years before they ever released an album. They took voice lessons, songwriting structure, image consulting, branding, video performance, staging, and how to talk in interviews. This was the responsibility of the labels, additionally, some managers would do this before the artist was signed. The labels would find an up-and-coming artist by actually going to their shows, church, or where ever they may be performing and develop them in-house. In today’s new music business all of the development is left up to the artists. Labels now are looking for artists that are already developed, they want the artists to do the heavy lifting and bring a brand, persona, and an audience to the table, and they want a 360 deal to go along with that. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Motown records perfected the art of artist development back in the 60s and the fact that their artists are still revered today shows cause and effect that it was needed and it worked. The way Maxine Powell who ran the artist development department explained it, she opened a school in 1964 and it’s sole purpose was to help Motown artists develop class and know what to do on and off the stage. Her mindset was to make sure they were ready to be invited to the White House or Buckingham Palace. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Nowadays, most interviews are done over the phone, Podcast, Zoom, or some other app. The biggest platforms to hear music is streaming services like Spotify and Pandora which don’t do interviews or live sponsored shows. Artists today are not protecting or representing a franchise. You the DIY musician are tasked to build your own franchise and be the entrepreneur of your own brand. You have to build your website and be the label, have your merch, market your product and have the engagements from social media before you ever even talk to a label. The first question they ask now is “what are the social media number looking like?” Not, can they perform, how do they look on stage, can they play, the difference in mindset is huge. Artist development is still a thing, and it’s still needed, it now comes before the label and a few career milestones must be met before ever talking to a label. The best thing is to make sure you budget for a team. If you’re serious about this thing, you’re gonna need one. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!! BE SURE TO GIVE THANKS FOR ALL YOU ARE, AND YOUR GIFTS!! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie Walker formally of DefJam now of NABFEME, Philanthropist </em><em>Robert Johnson and myself are back and so is live <a contents="Clubhouse " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse </a>tomorrow. We come back with a good one, Relationships, who needs em? You will learn a lot from this one because the music business is really the relationship business. “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/xLjrREn6?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-468645" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.</a>” Click and save the link, and come join the conversation. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's #IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week - <a contents="Tyler Scott Owens" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tyler Scott Owens</a> - is an R&B/Soul singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and writer. Smooth as butter and grown and sexy is what they say about him. Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented duo and the event. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7103024
2022-11-15T16:23:35-06:00
2022-11-15T16:23:35-06:00
Sonic Branding & Indie Artist Of The Week - Shelley Carrol
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Shelley Carrol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/U6GROjRJkiM" target="_blank"><strong>Shelley Carrol</strong></a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">What does your sound sound like? - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Normally when you speak of sonic branding, the conversation revolves around a corporation, television show, commercial, or jingle. For example, recognize this <a contents="one" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/soundoutindex/apple-macintosh?in=soundoutindex/sets/soundout-index-us&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank">one</a>? How about this <a contents="one" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/soundoutindex/nbc?in=soundoutindex/sets/soundout-index-us&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank">one</a>? Or this <a contents="one" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/soundoutindex/netflix?in=soundoutindex/sets/soundout-index-us&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing" target="_blank">one</a>? Soundcloud will actually take you through the top 100 sonic brands. It’s just like when you see the golden arches of McDonald’s, you know what to expect. When you heard these sounds that I shared, you knew what to expect. A sonic identity is the essence of your brand translated into audio. A solid and memorable brand association with your followers and fans can help them know when you are working with a new artist or even for you producers that are leasing beats. You use the name over the beat of course so people won’t just run off with the beat, but once they decide to use it, and your tag is taken off, so is your identity, except in the credit (which is where it matters the most, but you know what I’m saying). The psychology behind this type of branding triggers emotions, gets more attention, and enhances your brand recognition. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Now in today's producer-driven music, you hear a lot of producers, rappers, and even some pop producers whisper their names over the beginning of the track to let you know who it is. And tagging is important if you are still trying to sell the beat. However, The primary reason to talk about sonic branding today is to challenge you in the DIY musician circle to develop a sound that is recognizable without having to tag it. I know that is the thing, but for those of you old enough to remember, (or should I say back in my day) when you heard a Motown artist, you know it came from the Funk brothers, when you hear the funk you know it on the one, The sound of Philadelphia was an unmistakable sound that you knew no matter who was singing on it. The same holds true when you hear a Timbaland, Swizz Beats, or Manny Fresh beat, no matter who is rapping on it. Yes, you can say your name over the track, but what is it about that track that sounds like you? What is your sonic identity and what does your sound sound like? This doesn’t mean that all your tracks should sound alike, but it should have that “thing” that only you do. Almost like a fingerprint, it’s important. I see a lot of producers making beats, tracks and even music that they are trying to sell that sounds like the last thing the artist put out. Instead, I challenge you to make a track with your identity that a major artist would sound good on. See how I flipped that? Yes, this is your career too, make the most of it and let people know what your sound is. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie and Robert are still out of the country so no live <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow, so please tune into the last “Sisters in Law, closing deals in heels episode. It's worth a second and a third listen. These heavyweight sisters all lawyers and one judge and all in the entertainment field will teach you a thing or two. Trust me you will learn a lot from this one. “Untold Tales of the music industry.” Click and save the link, and look for us next week. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>This week's #IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week - <a contents="Shelley Carrol " data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Shelley Carrol </a>- the Texas Tenor who studied with the great Arnet Cobb and Don Wilkerson. He has been named one of Dallas’s premier sax players and has toured with Sheryl Crow, and was once a member of Kool and the Gang. He is also featured on my single called Scatman’s Fish & Grits, releasing on Black Friday, November 25th and he smashes on it. Pre-save it <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mrtjmiller/scatmans-fish--grits-feat-shelley-carrol--eric-willis" target="_blank">here</a>. Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented duo and the event. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7098003
2022-11-08T12:23:37-06:00
2022-11-08T12:23:38-06:00
Split it up & Indie Artist Of The Week - Mercy Club
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat. </a>This week, <strong><a contents="Mercy Club." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.mercyclub.org" target="_blank">Mercy Club.</a> </strong>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Splits in music - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Unless you are like Prince or some other genius self-contained artist that writes all the lyrics, the music the melody, and produces a song yourself, you probably have a partner or at least a producer. This means you need to understand splits in music and split sheets. So here’s the deal, when two or more people write a song it is looked at as a joint work, which is now one work. The words are 50% and the music 50% unless the two parties have a special written agreement saying something else. So let’s say you write some words and then give them to a musician who writes some music, the two of you own 50%. Now let’s say, two of you write some music and melody and give them to the musician the two of you split 50% (25% a piece) and the musician still keeps his 50% - make sense? Again, this is assuming that you don’t have some written agreement to the contrary. Now according to <a contents="ASCAP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/splitsvilleusa" target="_blank">ASCAP</a>, you should figure out your splits at the conception of the song, preferably in writing, and make sure it all equals up to 100%. Accurately register all of your works in detail with your <a contents="PRO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/music-licensing-101-what-is-a-performing-rights-organization#:~:text=A%20PRO%20is%20an%20agency,PROs%20collect%20public%20performance%20royalties.">PRO</a>, ideally before they are uploaded online anywhere. Because if you don’t you open the door to disputes, bad title registration, inaccurate royalty payments and just being pissed off with each other and never working together again; and you don’t want that, that puts you in <a contents="splitsville" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFZ_Q40qWk" target="_blank">splitsville</a> (check this lil video out) lol that was cute. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ok, so it’s not a lot of information you need but it is specific. Here it is in a nutshell. Song title, Songwriters, Publishing companies, the percentage splits of the song (again make sure it equals 100%), PRO, IPI numbers (Interested Parties Information) which is a nine-digit code you get from your PRO when you affiliate with them, first use or what is the song intended for, a single, an album project, etc etc, signatures, contact info, and date. Now you know in today's electronic world there’s an app for everything, and here they are; <a contents="auddly.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://auddly.com/" target="_blank">auddly.com</a> and <a contents="songsplits.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://songsplits.com/" target="_blank">songsplits.com</a>. If you want to keep it old school put it on paper and have everybody grab a pen and sign it. But I know how you gen Zs are, so we got you covered Unda The Hat! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Johnnie and Robert are out of the country so no live <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a> tomorrow, But what you can do is tune in to last week's broadcast, because it was absolutely amazing, “Sisters in Law, closing deals in heels. Some heavyweight sisters all lawyers and one judge all in the entertainment field. Trust me you will learn a lot from this one. “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.” " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/m7rql5zW?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-438352" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.” </a> Click and save the link, and look for us next week. </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a> will be hosting <a contents="“Men At The Gate Experience”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/9y6T71AdBsY" target="_blank">“Men At The Gate Experience”</a> this weekend in Monroe GA. All men are invited. If you are in or around the Atlanta area you don’t want to miss this and it’s FREE. Celebrity chef Waldron and Christian Comedian Pastor Jason Earls will be there. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Click on their name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented duo and the event. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7093161
2022-11-01T13:31:38-05:00
2022-11-01T13:31:38-05:00
You against verzuz world! & Indie Artist Of The Week - Donyale Renee
<p style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: justify;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Tuesday, November 1st, 2022.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Hey, it’s </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://undathehat.com/about" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#00015c"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">TJ Miller</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">, you want some game? Let's Tip </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://undathehat.com/home" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#00015c"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Unda The Hat</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none">For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none"> This week, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://youtu.be/3ZlF58SDtDA" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Donyale Renee</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none"> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 10pt 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">Competitive Analysis? - Let’s go -</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 10pt 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">So by now, you’ve figured out that the Music Business is just that…a business. It operates on the same business principles as any other CPG (consumer packaged goods) product. But just a little bit left of center because it deals with intellectual properties, aesthetics, muses, feelings, emotions, and is all nice warm, and fuzzy. Business on the other hand is cold, hard, emotionless, analytical, and impersonal. So, musicians, you have to learn some of this business stuff or make sure you put a team around you that will handle it for you. Steve Jobs once said, “we have always been shameless about stealing great ideas.” Which means he knows what ideas his competitors have. Now I’m not advocating you steal musical ideas, remember last week's blog about copyright infringement? What I’m talking about is seeing what your competitors are doing from a marketing perspective. See what works, and tailor it for you, your persona, and your brand. Applying business strategies to your music career can help you succeed. You and your direct competitors have one key characteristic in common: you are both going after the same target audience. Your basic competitors are either direct or indirect. Direct meaning similar style, genre, and persona like Future and 21 Savage. Indirect would be artists that are not necessarily similar or in the same genre but goes after the same audience like Chance The Rapper and Lil Durk. Yes, there will be some differences, but for the most part, they are looking for a similar target audience and money. Major labels have been doing it for years. Once an artist appears out of nowhere and becomes popular, other labels say oh we have to get ourselves one of those. A big part of my job at Motown was to find out what our competitive artists were doing and how were they stimulating the target audience which was also our target audience. This is again about paying attention to brand, staying consistent with your brand, seeing what the competition is doing for their brand, and doing some of that. Are they just taking pictures and posting on Instagram and TikTok or are they taking their fans and followers on a journey, saying come go with me; not just look at me. You can learn a lot from your competitors; which posts got the most engagements, what type of merch are they selling, and what are they talking about outside of their music. Even if what they are doing is outside of your budget or your experience, it is nice to set goals and attain them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none">Don’t forget, join us on </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Clubhouse</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none"> tomorrow, Wednesday at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST. It will be industry legend Johnny Walker, formerly of DefJam, now founder of </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Nabfeme</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none">, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/m7rql5zW?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-438352" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">“Untold Tales of the music industry.” </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:none"> Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions, comment, or tell your own story. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">This week's </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#00015c"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:700"><span style="font-style:italic"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">- </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://undathehat.com/blog" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#1155cc"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Donyale Renee</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"> aka "The Southern Soul Diamond" is a Houston native now living in Atlanta. She has sung background for countless national recording stars and has opened for even more. She has a brand new track on Spotify now and an even hotter website. Click on her name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); padding: 0pt 0pt 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">For more information on this or to hire </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://undathehat.com/contact" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#00015c"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">Unda The Hat </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">as your brand or label consultant send a message via </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://undathehat.com/home" style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#00015c"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip:none"><span style="text-decoration-skip-ink:none">undathehat.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt; font-variant:normal; white-space:pre-wrap"><span style="font-family:Montserrat,sans-serif"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="background-color:#ffffff"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">. See you next Tuesday.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><br><br><br><br><br> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7088367
2022-10-25T13:33:15-05:00
2022-10-25T13:33:15-05:00
Copyright infringement & Indie Artist Of The Week - Watson’s Head
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, October 25th, 2022. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow I<a contents="ndependent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">ndependent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Watson’s Head " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://watsonshead.com" target="_blank"><strong>Watson’s Head. </strong></a>Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>Copyright infringement? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So let’s start from the beginning, the US copyright office defines copyright as a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression. The word infringement is the action of breaking the terms of a lawful agreement. Put them together and you got copyright infringement. As a copyright owner, you get six exclusive rights. You alone can create copies of your song, distribute it, make derivatives, display it, and perform the composition and sound recording. If someone else wants to do any of these things, they need to get permission from you, and, in most cases, give up some cash. Back in the day, there was a thing called a “Poor Mans Copyright,” where you could mail a copy of your work to yourself and keep it sealed. And it kindah gives you protection. But don't get it twisted; the process will not get you an enforceable copyright. And what’s the use of a copyright if you can't bring suit to enforce it if something goes down and somebody steals your work? So basically you should register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office for additional benefits, including access to federal courts in the case of infringement. Registering your work also makes a public record of your ownership. Section 501 of the United States Copyright Act states that copyright infringement is when someone uses your original works without your permission, knowledge, or compensation. Examples of copyright infringement are quite plentiful, and they occur—not just by shady individuals lurking in the dark web, or even by people who are unsuspecting or ignorant of the law—but by some of your favorite and beloved artists who have major entertainment attorneys who should know better….hummm maybe that does make them a little bit shady huh? 🤔 </p>
<p>So the reality is if or when infringement does happen, you must first consider what the damage really is. Of course, in principle, it’s just wrong, (c’mon now, why you stealing?!!) and it’s your right to stop them from doing it. But, for any attorney or judge to take an infringement case seriously, you need to have suffered a substantial loss. Should you feel there’s substantial damage and an infringement exists, then it just might be time to go to war. You will need to show that you own it via your copyright registration, prove that the accused had access to hear your original song, show that it is substantially similar, show how it is unique (that’s why I’m not a fan of all these new hip hop songs sounding alike…but I digress), bring in possible witnesses to where, and why the song was written, proof of publication and how the rip off damaged your bottom line. Wow, a lot right? </p>
<p>Some of the more popular infringement cases include <a contents="Chuck Berry" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/ZLV4NGpoy_E" target="_blank">Chuck Berry</a> vs. <a contents="The Beach Boys" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/2s4slliAtQU" target="_blank">The Beach Boys</a> (I mean they just took the whole song geez), <a contents="Queen and David Bowie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/HglA72ogPCE" target="_blank">Queen and David Bowie</a> vs. <a contents="Vanilla Ice," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/rog8ou-ZepE" target="_blank">Vanilla Ice,</a> and of course <a contents="Marvin Gaye" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/Ayyy-03ITDg" target="_blank">Marvin Gaye</a> vs. <a contents="Robin Thicke &amp; Pharrell Williams." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/yyDUC1LUXSU" target="_blank">Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams.</a> Now if you are on the other end of this and thinking about “borrowing” or sampling a line or two from a big hit that’s out there, here’s a piece of advice…don’t! </p>
<p><em>To hear great stories and gain insight into the industry, join industry legend Johnny Walker formerly of DefJam now founder of <a contents="Nabfeme" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">Nabfeme</a>, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself on Wednesdays at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST on Clubhouse. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions, make comments or tell stories. “<a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.”&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/m2KBKdoA?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-428151" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry.” </a></em></p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</strong></a> - <a contents="Watson’s Head." data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Watson’s Head.</a> Yes second week in a row, because the new single <a contents="Despot" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/watsonshead/despot" target="_blank">Despot</a> is out now. As I told you last week, this San Diego rocker is all about psychedelic-funk-rock with a hit of reggae. Yeah, it’s unique like that. If you rock out, this is what you want. </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7083790
2022-10-18T13:29:42-05:00
2022-10-18T16:17:29-05:00
Consumer Generated Marketing & Indie Artist Of The Week - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e02cb11b420c885fe5b040a441dd943b49aa3d3b/original/blog-background.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow I<a contents="ndependent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">ndependent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://watsonshead.com" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>CGM? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Consumer Generated Marketing or CGM as it is often called is an inexpensive way for musicians to gain exposure and notoriety by having someone else do the speaking for them. In other words, it is fan/follower-created material and feedback that is created and disseminated to their friends and followers on behalf of the artist. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, because you as the artist will have no control over a would-be stay-at-home critic who wants to give you a bad review. But the good outweighs the bad in this instance, because consumers believe other consumers to be more truthful than marketers and advertisers. Let’s face it if someone hires a marketing firm they expect that firm to show them in their best light. It’s like those pictures of burgers that look so big and juicy, until you buy one. Once the consumer takes a picture of it and sends it around, people will get a feeling that the marketing was just a lie, and buy into what the consumer posted. These engagements are genuine and come from fans and followers usually on their own merit and on their own accord based on their own likes. Consumer-generated content on social media gets 28% more engagements compared to standard posts made by you the creator or the marketer. </p>
<p>There are several different ways DIY musicians can use CGM such as social media post sharing and tagging, Whatsapp sharing, writing blogs and articles about you, reviews, and forum comments like on clubhouse. One of the biggest things a musician can do is to ask everyone at the gig to take out their phone snap a picture and post it and tag you in it. Let them know you will be reposting it, and some fans will get hyped to know that their post will end up on your site. Another way is to ask your followers to use your song on tiktok and even in duets, this way you begin to share with fans, and hopefully, you both will grow. Another way is crowdsourcing. I’m sure you know of the film director Spike Lee using Kickstarter to fund one of his films. This is another way for DIY musicians who have a good enough following to research and possibly do. One other CGM tactic is to run a contest of some sort. You can get your followers to tag you in the commenting, hashtag the song and then award them with a prize, that’s probably merch. Additionally, you can get them to wear it as a winner tag you again and you then repost it, a nice little cipher. </p>
<p>DIY musicians must look at themselves as entrepreneurial business people that are putting out a “widget” into the world. The more people you get to talk about it on your behalf the better, by any means necessary. </p>
<p><em>To hear great stories and gain insight into the industry, join industry legend Johnny Walker formerly of DefJam now founder of <a contents="Nabfeme" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">Nabfeme</a>, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself on Wednesdays at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST on Clubhouse. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions, make comments or tell stories. <a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/event/mylnjRrD?utm_medium=ch_event&utm_campaign=lBXu2bawD-hoeWpuVAcDuQ-417998" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry. </a></em></p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong><em>#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</em></strong></a> - <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a>. The San Diego rocker who is all about psychedelic-funk-rock with a hit of reggae. Yeah it’s special like that. If you rock out, this is what you want and his new single Despot. Click here to pre-order. </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this real throwback hippy artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7079210
2022-10-11T12:41:36-05:00
2022-10-11T12:48:16-05:00
Song Structure & Indie Artist Of The Week - The Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, October 11th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong>The Curtis Family C-Notes.</strong> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">How good is your structure? - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Last week we talked about hooks, this week we take on the whole song structure. What is it, and why is it important? Well wait….first let’s say this, a song is a story set to music, be it lyrical or instrumental. Yes, instrumental songs also tell a story. So in as much as stories have structure, it is safe to say that a song will too, right? Song structure refers to how your song is organized, using a variation of different elements. Usually (no not all the time), a song structure will have an intro, a verse, a chorus, bridge, chorus, and an outro which is referred to as an ABABCB structure; again many variations of this have been successful for songwriters, especially in the R&B, Pop, Hip Hop, and Country genres. In jazz and blues, this is sometimes a different story with your 12-bar or 16-bar blues songs. <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/a4b24ad0712d5daff4c31c39c7aa6ab1c2223dd8/original/song-structure.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ever heard a song for the first time and it’s familiar? Well aside from copyright infringement, it sounds familiar because the human ear has been trained to recognize common song structures. Hit songs in particular follow this structure and radio stations are more prone to play these because they know their listener will gravitate to songs with a familiar structure; it is not by accident. Successful writers, producers, and singers listen to hits of the past. I’ll say that again…they LISTEN to hits of the past and use them as a muse for ideas. The structure will determine the effect that your song will have on the listener and whether it is a hit or not. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The story is what people are listening for and they want to relate and follow without having to struggle to sing along with it. This is why the verse/chorus or AB version of a song structure is so popular. The verse usually tells the story and the chorus will summarize that story and gives the audience something to sing along to. Make no mistake, hit songs tell a story, and that is what the audience is listening for, your story. There are of course variations such as AABA which was very popular back in the day. And yes there are exceptions to every rule, look at a song like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, it has no chorus. You (at least in my opinion) have to have a huge fan base first and a large enough persona to pull that off. So you wanna gamble on a no structure song? I wouldn’t, but hey….I'm just the messenger. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Let me ask, ever wonder why bad singers (at least you think they are bad) have booming careers? It’s the stories they tell, the hook, and the structure of their songs. Think about how many songs you know that get stuck in your head, then you say to yourself…I hate that song 🤣structure, hook and story. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">To hear great stories and gain insight into the industry, join industry legend Johnny Walker formerly of DefJam now founder of <a contents="Nabfeme" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">Nabfeme</a>, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself on Wednesdays at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/">Clubhouse</a>. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions, make comments or tell stories. <a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry. </a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's<a contents=" #IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"> #IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week</a> - <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">The Curtis Family C-Notes</a>, San Francisco's first family of song is back with a great song called Ms. Lucile. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Click on their name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this amazing talented family. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7074403
2022-10-04T14:15:38-05:00
2022-10-04T15:06:00-05:00
What the Hook?? & Indie Artist Of The Week - Hans Blichert
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, October 3rd, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Hans Blichert." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/OjA03cRgeDQ" target="_blank">Hans Blichert.</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">How important is the hook in a song? - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ever heard a song that you didn’t like, never wanted to hear again but you could sing the hook? As a matter of fact, the hook was so strong that you couldn’t get it out of your head? That just goes to show how strong a good hook is. Psychologically speaking the effects of a song can be powerful and wide-ranging. Education therapists even use what they call hooking and say that it is one of the most valuable memory strategies that can be taught. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So just so we are all on the same page, a song hook is a short lyrical line or melodic music phrase used to catch the listener’s ear and make the song memorable, catchy and grabs the listeners attention. It’s usually four or eight bars long and repeats repeats repeats all through the song. So let’s not get it twisted, a hook is not necessarily the chorus, but mostly all choruses are hooks. Got it? I think I see you nodding your head yes. Without a good hook, a song can be said to be really nice, but then when asked to repeat it… crickets 🦗🦗 </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Now obviously some hooks are stronger than others and there are hit songs from very prominent artist out there with no hooks like Meek Mill’s Dreams and Nightmares (intro) and Duckworth by Kendrick Lamar. However, did they cheat? 🤔Listen to these songs again and no there is no lyrical hook, but remember the definition of a hook? In both there are melodic musical lines that are repeated and the hook is in the music. The recurring piano part on dreams and nightmares and the drum and bass on Duckworth. So can a song be a hit without a hook? Sure, because ultimately a successful song is memorable, so if you want to go hookless, ask yourself what is going to make your song memorable, what’s going to make people sing your song over and over whether they like it or not… </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>To hear more stories and gain insight into the industry, join industry legend Johnny Walker formerly of DefJam now founder of <a contents="Nabfeme" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">Nabfeme</a>, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself on Wednesdays at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a>. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions, make comments or tell stories. <a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry. </a></em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong><em>#IAOTW - Indie Artists Of The Week </em></strong></a>- <a contents="Hans Blichert" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Hans Blichert</a>, a Canadian bass player from the city of Montreal. He holds a B.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas so you know, he’s a baaaaaadd man!! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented artist. Be sure to like and share the <a contents="Spotify playlist." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">Spotify playlist.</a> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Artist Page" data-link-type="page" href="/artist-page" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7069594
2022-09-27T11:36:05-05:00
2022-09-27T16:42:05-05:00
Brand Archetype & Indie Artist Of The Week - Brandon Kareem
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Tuesday, September 27th, 2022. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Brandon Kareem" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci2hsLvu6ad/" target="_blank">Brandon Kareem</a>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A Brand what??? - Let’s go - </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So this brand thing can get really deep, so let’s get deep with it. Now don’t get nervous, but we will be taking a test today, so you can find out what your brand archetype is. To begin with, an archetype is a very typical example of a certain person or thing; kindah like a stereotype but not quite when you’re talking about brands. And let’s be clear YOU are a brand. The better you understand your brand the better you can connect with your fans, and followers on an emotional level and push your music even further in the places you want to go with it. So a brand archetype is a representation of you and your brand based on a few human characteristics like safety, power, creativity, and a few more things. We connect with brands based on our emotions and how they make us feel. Ever heard an awful singer, rapper, actor, writer, or producer and you wonder how in the world are they getting hot?? Is it the song, the lyrics, the beat, payola (well that could be the case, but that’s another blog topic), or some sort of trickery? It’s emotion and that equals brand archetype. And yes you can hack into the minds of your listeners to create a lasting emotional bond. So this is a bit of psychology and it’s how the mind works. Carl Jung the psychologist from the early 20th century is the cat that first coined the phrase. He and Sigmund Freud were boys back in the day, but then they had beef, ya know kindah like Biggie and Pac…but anyway I digress. Generally, when you spend your money, you find some sort of emotional tie with that thing or service. When you hear a new song, it resonates with you on an emotional level. You have got to do the same thing as an artist. Your posts, your reels, and your TikToks have all got to strike an emotional chord to really capture and keep your audience. You’ve heard songs and said hey that’s a cool song, it had a nice hook or it had a nice beat but it just didn’t make you want to spend money on it. That’s because it didn’t resonate on an emotional level, it just kindah tickled your ears, but it didn’t move your soul. So back to that awful song, if you strike a chord with your listener because your song is about exactly what you are dealing with or going through you will connect, especially if it has a big hook or a bass line that you can sing after you hear it one time. It really is about being intentional and once you create that brand it’s got to be consistent. Remember this, consistency keeps you going when motivation gives out. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So here’s your <strong>test</strong>, and please hit me back and let me know your archetype. Go to <a contents="kayeputnam.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.kayeputnam.com/">kayeputnam.com</a> and click on TAKE THE QUIZ. It will take you to a brand personality quiz, and just so you know I took it and came up with the creator type. Not surprising, but now I know that it’s real. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">To hear more stories and gain insight into this crazy industry, join industry legend Johnny Walker, formerly of DefJam now founder of <a contents="Nabfeme" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nabfeme.org/" target="_blank">Nabfeme</a>, Philanthropist Robert N. Johnson, and myself on Wednesdays at 4:00 PST, 6:00 CST, and 7:00 EST on <a contents="Clubhouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.clubhouse.com/" target="_blank">Clubhouse</a>. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions. <a contents="Untold Tales of the music industry" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5" target="_blank">Untold Tales of the music industry</a>. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong><em>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</em></strong></a> - <a contents="Brandon Kareem" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Brandon Kareem</a>. He hails from Texarkana, Tx a city on the border of Texas and Arkansas. He started music at a young age singing in the church choir so you know he can sang!! </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this talented artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7064454
2022-09-20T12:00:23-05:00
2022-09-20T12:00:23-05:00
Brand Voice & Indie Artist Of The Week - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Tuesday, September 20th, 2022. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540" target="_blank">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://watsonshead.com" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>What is your Brand Voice saying? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So you heard that there would be some A&R cats at the talent show (or the showcase or at church) and you are ready to give it all you got. You even have your demo with you to give to this mystical mythical A&R person. All you know is you can saang!!! Everybody says it and you know it! You even have your picture, the nice one when you went to the club with your girls holding up the peace sign. Now you don’t have a “look” yet, got a social media page that your brother set up, and even got one YouTube performance when you sang at church and turned it out. But that’s all good, ‘cause if this A&R guy hears you, you KNOW you will get signed. And then…..you woke up from 1989. If you haven’t noticed, the game has changed and it’s now all about your brand and your brand voice. Brand voice is your brand’s personality and the unique way you present yourself to the world, your look, your vibe your essence. Your brand voice must be consistent through all of your communications, that means your social media, website, blog posts, email ads, at the gig, and every time you “turn on,” it can’t change. Here’s the reality, you almost have to be a star already before you are even noticed by a label. And if you listen to Chance The Rapper, you don’t need a label at that point. You’ve done all the work, reap your own rewards. Take our artist of the week Watson's Head, for example, his tagline is “Psychadelic funk rock with a hit of reggae.” Once you see his website, IG page, or listen to his music you will see and hear the brand consistency and hear all of his tagline. Brands go to great extents to create and maintain their brand. As much as social media has changed the world, it has also changed how artists are discovered. </p>
<p>Now you might ask why is this important, if I can sing, rap, and move a crowd why is any of this necessary? Well, imagine going to buy a pair of jeans cause that’s who you are a jeans and chucks kinda person. They keep trying to sell you a hat. It’s not what you are looking for. Guess what, labels and music fans now are looking for someone with a brand, someone they feel will deliver and satisfy their musical taste. Your brand needs to have a distinct sense of purpose and a heightened sense of personality. You want fans, followers, and potential label suitors to get to know love and gain a sense of loyalty to your consistent brand just like they do the golden arches of McDonald's. Your brand is more than your look or your logo. It’s your message, and it can’t be one thing on TikTok, something else on IG, and something else on Facebook; albeit, those sites do have different types of audiences. If you see a Mcdonald's ad on any of them, it will be the same message filtered for that audience but the same message nonetheless; two all beef patties special sauce….etc etc. So you need to make your brand messaging consistent and repeatable so your fans and followers continue to know and like what you’re about – this is what brand voice does. And by all means, don’t be skurd to give your brand voice a big personality with something to say, this is the new music business, right? Just make sure your brand voice is unique, yours, and says the same thing your look and your music are saying. </p>
<p>To hear more stories and gain insight into the industry, join us on Wednesdays on Clubhouse. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions. <a contents="Untold Tails and Music Breakthroughs." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5" target="_blank">Untold Tales and Music Breakthroughs.</a></p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong></em></a>- <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Watson’s Head</a>. The St. Louis native is at it again and has released his third single in three months </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this amazingly versatile artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7059302
2022-09-13T11:33:40-05:00
2022-09-13T11:33:40-05:00
Music Conferences & Indie Artist Of The Week - Averi Burk
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, September 13th, 2022. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Averi Burk." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://averiburk.com/">Averi Burk.</a> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>Are music conferences worth it nowadays? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>A few years ago, one of the best ways to debut a new artist, or introduce new music from star artists was to take them to the music business conventions. <em>“Back in my day”</em> of the late ’80s through the 2000s, it seemed like conventions like Jack The Rapper, Impact, BRE, NARM, R&R, Billboard, and SXSW were the lifeline of the industry. Want a record added to radio - go to the convention, want your IO (Initial order of CD's you want a retailer to buy) to go from 10,000 to 30,000 - go to the convention, want a job or a promotion - ok you get it. Of course, there were more and that just goes to show how important they were. But are they today? Why would a DIY musician/artist spend money to find out what they can find out on Zoom, or YouTube? Nowadays, few of them are left, and of course, covid derailed those that are still hanging on. Don’t get me wrong some like Midem in France, NAMM in Cali, and even SXSW has picked back up and had good numbers show up post-covid. But is it worth it for you the musician who still has a 9 - 5 and can’t afford to miss any gigs in your hometown? It boils down to networking. At the end of the day this is a people business, and the more you can actually meet someone, shake their hand (or just give them a fist bump) the better off your career. Let’s be clear, some of the smaller conferences like some YouTubers who ask for a lot of money upfront to make you a star only exist to feed off ambitious, starving artists and dreamers; so you have to be smart because like most DIY musicians you don’t have money to waste. Know who’s who and what’s what. Some of these conference promoters will say come pay to go to the conference and pay to be in the showcase because there will be record industry executives there that can change your lives. The record industry personal part is true, but they may not be in a position to sign artists or do anything for you because it’s not their job description. Even if you go to a NAMM or SXSW and meet a radio promotions person or one of the social media managers, it is not their job to sign artists so, sure get to know them, establish a relationship, just don’t think they are going to get you signed. A little advice that I can offer is to go there knowing exactly what you want and prepare your <a contents="elevator pitch" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/elevatorpitch.asp">elevator pitch</a>. Are you looking for a manager, a label, a marketing company an indie radio promotions person? Don’t waste your time, know what you want and go for it. Know your brand, and make sure everything you have and do speaks in your <a contents="brand voice" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/brand-voice/">brand voice</a>. Do your research. Know who’s going to be there, what they do, and what they can possibly do for you. Google them, start working LinkedIn like you work TikTok, and know what their company is looking for. This is not vacation, now is not the time to just belly up to the bar passing out streaming cards to anybody who will take one. Have your goals in mind. What happens after the conference? If you are performing know who plays your music genre on their internet station. You don’t want to hound the person who plays hip hop if you are a rock artist. </p>
<p>So though the times of conferences have changed, the right ones are still good to network and maybe even see an artist that you are a fan of, and it could possibly change your life. </p>
<p>To hear more stories and gain insight into the industry, join us on Wednesdays on Clubhouse. Click and save the link, then join in to ask questions. <a contents="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bit.ly/3BflJf5">https://bit.ly/3BflJf5</a> </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - <a contents="Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">Independent Artists Of The Week</a> - <a contents="Averi Burk" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Averi Burk</a>. A Dallas native and singer-songwriter and instrumentalist. You can find Averi burning up stages in and around Dallas/Ft. Worth and her new music on her website and all other platforms. </p>
<p>Click on her name, scroll down, and click the picture to learn more about this amazingly versatile artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7054128
2022-09-06T11:53:23-05:00
2022-09-06T11:53:23-05:00
Career verzuz Hobby& Indie Artist Of The Week - Linny Nance
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Tuesday, September 6th, 2022. </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <a contents="Linny Nance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.funkygroovemusic.com/">Linny Nance</a>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>Do you have a career or a hobby? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>If you are hoping that one of these ol days somebody from somewhere might luck up and hear your music and contact you out of the wild blue - you have a hobby. If you are putting in the work, emailing, calling, networking, and studying your craft and the business of it - you may have a career. They say if you do something you love you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s true to a degree, I mean, if you’re a musician, you still have to put in the work, still have to woodshed, still have to stay current and relevant to your genre, new music trends, melismas (that’s a fancy word for vocal or instrumental runs) and the technology that runs this business. Now music is music and that is an art, so there’s nothing wrong with making music your hobby. Actually, some of the best musicians I’ve heard are hobbyists. And my definition of a hobbyist is one who looks at music like it’s a fun thing to do for enjoyment and from time to time will and can make some money at it. But it’s not how you eat, pay your bills or feed your family; and trust me that’s ok. But there are some of us that have to do this in one form or another. Allow me to add for those of you that do this for a living be careful of working with hobbyists. Not they are not good or talented, but if you are pressed for a deadline to get your music somewhere, or to make a certain gig, or recording, and the hobbyist is pressed at his 9-5 for the same thing, you my friend are going to have to wait until they can get to you. And yes it will probably be worth the wait, and they are not holding you up on purpose, it’s just a way of life. </p>
<p>At any rate, some of the bigger differences are if you are just waiting for something to happen because a few folks know you can sing or play, yeah this is a hobby. A few traits of the career musician are making plans, structure, networking, collaboration, organization (that’s sometimes hard for a creative right brain person), and constantly learning. Career artists know and treat this as the music BUSINESS, and take the business part as seriously as the music part. The hobbyist, loves the music, knows the music, but could do without all of the business stuff. They make some good music, maybe post it, and play some gigs, but don’t have the interest in making this a career move. And I can’t state enough, that there’s nothing wrong with that. But if this is your career, try and find other career artists to hang out with. You have to put in the work. If you know this is God’s plan for your life, then you have got to take the bull by the horns and understand how business works, realize that your music is now a “widget” and you are responsible for getting it into the hands of the right fans, advocates, influencers and superfans. So if this is your career, time to get to work! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong></em></a>- <a contents="Linny Nance" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Linny Nance</a>. Dallas’s favorite keyboard player. Linny can be found almost every night playing somewhere. Located here in Dallas/Ft. Worth, he now has a new single out and he wants to spread the love. </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, and click the picture to find out more about this versatile talented artist. Be sure to like and share the Spotify playlist.</p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7049369
2022-08-30T12:45:53-05:00
2022-09-06T10:46:45-05:00
Who is the Indie Music Fan? & Independent Artist Of The Week - Stephen Cue
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat</a>. This week, <strong>Stephen Cue.</strong> Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>Who loves Indie Artists? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>With all of the new hot music coming out from perennial superstars like Beyonce and nem, I’m sure you ask yourself how can an independent artist thrive in these murky waters. And on top of that beside Mama and nem who’s really supporting independent artists?🤷🏽♂️ </p>
<p>Well just to let you know, according to <a contents="MIDiA Research" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://midiaresearch.com/blog/music-market-shares-independent-labels-and-artists-are-even-bigger-than-you-thought#:~:text=The%20independent%20share%20was%20up,music%20market%20growth%20of%2012%25." target="_blank">MIDiA Research</a> independent labels and artists out-performed the majors in 2020 growing 27%. However, Midia Research found out that market share statistics “significantly underplay the revenue contribution of independents,” sparking a 2021 study by MIDiA that measures market shares on an <strong>ownership</strong> basis, rather than a distribution basis. Per their findings, the market share of independent acts jumps up by 9.2%, to 43.1% — in other words, an additional <strong>$2.1 Billion</strong>. So where are these actual people that are buying indie music hiding out? The <strong>B</strong> in billion let’s you know they are out there. </p>
<p>Most indie artist think it’s all about soundcloud and Bandcamp; well guess what? For all you Bandcampers out there, they just sold out to Epic Games. Does that mean your music will show up on Games? 🤷🏽♂️We’ll see. </p>
<p>But before I go any further, there are a few things I want to mention. You must answer this question for all of your fans/followers; WIIFM (What’s In It For Me). I would suggest, stop asking for support and start thinking what am I GIVING? What are they getting when they follow you and buy your music? There are roughly 1 Billion people on IG and 66,000 tracks go into Spotify a day - A DAY!! Being good or even great is not enough. What is your brand, what makes you click, what makes you different? Do you have the “IT FACTOR?” <a contents="Nick Carr of Razmusic " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2019/01/indie-music-business-turning-people-into-fans.html" target="_blank">Nick Carr of Razmusic </a> shared with <a contents="Hypebot " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hypebot.com/" target="_blank">Hypebot </a>that there were 4 types of indie fans. 1. People that know you - this is mama nem, school mates, etc. you know who I’m talking about. 2. Converted fans - the people that you connected with online, through your manager, etc. They would drive accross state lines to come to your gig. When you see them on any social, treat them like royalty! 3. Punters - They don't know you but love live music so they go to what ever venue they know that always has good music. 4 Er’body else - the folks that stumble upon your music while looking for something else. Maybe they were in the coffee shop to work and you were doing an acoustic set, maybe they were on a playlist and there you were, or even at an open mic. Truthfully next time you are at an open mic - work the crowd. Have your download cards with your QR codes on them, don’t get apathetic or lazy now - it’s grind time! And for those of you that are not gigging - GO GIG! Don’t have a way to gig? Become a regular at the open mic. MAKE them know you!! These are your fans to gain - or lose. It’s up to you. Go get ‘em. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="Stephen Cue" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Stephen Cue</a>, an artist you need to know from Dallas/Ft. Worth. He sings, writes and composes. Check out the refreshing sounds of his 1st EP called POSTCARDS. </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this exciting new artist, he's really dope!</p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7044107
2022-08-23T10:56:52-05:00
2022-08-23T10:56:53-05:00
Engagements & Independent Artist Of The Week - The Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022 </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="Author" data-link-type="page" href="/author">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong>The Curtis Family C-Notes</strong>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>This week, let's go to the top. - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Last week we talked about SEO (search engine optimization) and I said that the only way to get the SEO to work is to actually get people searching for you and talking about your music. This is called engagements. User engagement is a term used for all of the ways fans, followers, and visitors interact with your website or your socials. These metrics include all the time they spend on your site, the comments, shares, and whether they like it. Now let’s be real, we like views, especially on YouTube, but the reality is views are hollow victories; they are needed, we want and like them, and they can lead to something else, but we want them to go deeper than views. Engagement reflects a willingness to absorb your message, listen to your music, vibe with your persona, and it serves as an indicator of genuine interest. Click-throughs can happen by mistake. Engagement is always intentional. </p>
<p>Another thing I talked about last week was consistency. When you find a group of keywords that work and that are relevant you want to stay consistent with them. Let’s say you have a list of 7 keywords that reflect who you are and what you do, then you want to make sure you use those and sprinkle them into whatever other keywords you are using. This next one is always subjective to me but you’ve got to do it. Make sure you’ve got great content. Yes, content is king, but boring content is dead. The subjective part? Who’s to say what is great? You might think what you are posting is so dope, that you keep posting content like that, but then you don’t get much engagement, or someone on your team texts you and says “yo, your posts are lame fam.” Don’t take it personally. Just simply start looking at like artists who are getting good engagements and copy. Yep, I said copy…kinda why I’m not a teacher. </p>
<p>Now for you folks that are doing Google Analytics you want to <a contents="pay attention " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.searchenginejournal.com/increase-user-engagement-seo/306677/#close">pay attention </a>to things like page-views, new and returning customers, bounce rate, and time on site. There are others, click on <em>pay attention</em> to see the top 11, but these are really important. </p>
<p>So for your fans and followers, engagements really help take you up a few notches and this is where you want to spend your SEO time and efforts. ‘Cause at the end of the day, it’s all about the fans, followers, would-be fans advocates, and influencers right? Yeah, can you dig it? </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">The Curtis Family C-Notes</a>. This is indie-Soul at its finest. One of the only bands that encompass the entire family of mother father and five kids. </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, and click the picture to find out more about this family Soul band. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
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Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7039098
2022-08-16T11:32:13-05:00
2022-08-16T11:32:13-05:00
SEO in music & Independent Artist Of The Week - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday August 16th, 2022 </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong>Watson’s Head</strong>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>This week, let's go to the top. - Let’s go - </p>
<p>The business of music. You know, it's an oxymoron in a sense. It's like the two things. Although we both need each other, they really don't go together. - Kelis. Simply put what Kelis means is that music is warm, it’s art, it’s sensitive, it’s feeling. Business on the other hand is hard, cold and cuts like a knife - what an oxymoron. So now your job is not only to make the art, but to sit in front of your computer or your phone for hours posting, hashtagging, thinking strategy, business plans and considering what keyword is relevant to me. Well when thinking about how you get your music to the top of the search sites it can’t be just about keywords and the optimization of a search engine. After you’ve dropped the perfect track, and utilized all of the emotion and artistic fortitude you have to give, it’s time to get it to the top of the search engines. So what is SEO? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. This means making your song visible to search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo and YouTube, yep YouTube. It is the strategy you use to get these search engines algorithms to better understand your music and your brand to make it detectable to fans, would be fans and people who search for certain keywords. SEO increases your site traffic, and gets higher rankings on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). </p>
<p>Music that gets optimized, or utilized to its highest potential, ranks high on these sites. So how do you do this? Well unlike SEO for a product, or an insurance company or restaurant, the musician's journey starts with the fans. Now getting fans may mean something different to different artists. For some it’s gigging, some it’s posting covers on YouTube, doing charity events or even passing out old school flyers. Remember search engines only work if somebody is searching for you. You get people searching for you by staying consistent in whatever it is you do, recording it and talking about it using specific and relevant keywords. So you may also ask what it is that you are optimizing? Well your website for one, but it’s not always necessary to have a website as long as you have a web presence, like your social media pages, but I recommend you get a website. </p>
<p>Consistency is mega important when it comes to SEO. The same relevant keywords that point back to your brand, using your name or bands name, what you play, your genre across all of your social pages that point back to your website, helps people find you, your music and your brand. One of the best things you can do right from the start is to have a great name, and a name that is identifiable to you and your music and use it…a lot. Ok SEO is a big topic and we will talk a little more about it next week. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="Watson’s Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Watson’s Head</a>. This is pure unabashed psychedelic-funk-rock with a hit of reggae. Pre-order the new single coming this friday called “<a contents="The Monkey." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/watsonshead/the-monkey-2">The Monkey.</a>” </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this funky blackrock artist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7033953
2022-08-09T11:42:58-05:00
2022-08-09T11:42:59-05:00
Are you ready for a deal? & Independent Artist Of The Week - Mercy Club
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/6721fbe124f3a29de795ac0d7b5d36acd5c29bef/original/blog-background-1.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday August 9th, 2022 </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong>Mercy Club</strong>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>This week, to deal or not? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>There’s an old saying that says, <a contents="“if you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready!”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/Z6pUSKNAZk4"><em>“if you stay ready, you ain’t got to get ready!”</em></a> Meaning, everything you do should be preparing you for what you want to do next as an artist. With that said, BB King said <a contents="“never make your move too soon.”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/GGc3O2aRuOc"><em>“never make your move too soon.”</em></a> So there are two questions for you; are you ready for a deal? And is having a deal better than being independent? I guess if you think about it, anytime is a good time to pitch your music to a label, right? I mean we see all the time on <a contents="tiktok " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/en/">t</a><a contents="iktok" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/en/">iktok</a><a contents="tiktok " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/en/"> </a>where someone shoots a basketball from the top of a building and makes a shot in the hoop from over 200 yards away….anything is possible. But you can burn a relationship by submitting something that is not ready, or if you submit a song that is almost there and they say, what else do you have? And your response is well I’m working on some stuff… go ahead and kiss that one goodbye. </p>
<p>I’m the guy that likes to play the odds and tries to see what is the best possibility of success. What are labels looking for? If you stay indy and you submit to film,tv and ad agencies, what are they looking for? You could take the old major label approach that says throw it all on the wall, and let’s see what sticks. However, this is a haphazard way to use your time and efforts and could be very frustrating. The reality is most labels are looking for a decent size “real” fanbase, and not fanbots on social media. It’s easy to discover what’s real and what’s not by the level of engagements. You got 2,000 views and 3 comments? Yeah you probably bought those, and labels know it. They may say they are looking for that “one song,” but the reality is, they want artists that have a nice size catalog, of more than one album's worth of work. This is not your grandfather's record business. They expect you to come to the table with a ton of finished product, big social numbers or a relationship with one of their known producers or current signed artist. Now don’t get me wrong, there are always exceptions to the rule, so don’t take this as an absolute, just best practices for you to play the odds like I said earlier. With a smaller company there is probably no advance, but closer relationship with the owner(s), you get a bigger slice of the publishing pie, and will probably own your masters. Of course being totally independent it’s just you against the world. You will need to understand a much larger part of the business side, which can take away from the time you spend making your art, but it’s all yours. You will need to hire a team to help you get over certain hurdles </p>
<p>So why would you want a deal? Major labels are global and run their own publishing and distribution. They have money, and the fact that they may offer a sizeable advance on your earnings is a real possibility as well. The promotion machine is going to be like nothing you’ve seen before, your song on radio and video shows everywhere. But there is always staff turnover and you might be out with the staff that brought you in, so keep your head on a swivel and keep churning out music that got you there in the first place. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> - <a contents="Mercy Club." data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Mercy Club.</a> The duo that moved from funk to faith as former funkateers with George Clinton, that are now concerned with the message of grace and mercy. </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about these funky inspirational artists. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
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Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7029224
2022-08-02T14:32:47-05:00
2022-08-02T14:32:47-05:00
Artist Page & Independent Artist Of The Week - JD Blair
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Tuesday August 2, 2022 </p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=fdd5cae207cf4540">Independent Artist Of The Week Unda The Hat.</a> This week, JD Blair. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>This week, It’s yours, claim it? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>I was speaking to an artist and I asked them to make sure to claim their artist page on all the DSPs. First of, DSP’s are all the digital stores that music is streamed on like <a contents="iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.apple.com/itunes/">iTunes</a>, <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>, <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Apple Music," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/us/browse">Apple Music,</a> <a contents="Tidal " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tidal.com/">Tidal </a>etc, and they wondered why.🤷🏽♂️ Well the easiest answer is, after you’ve gone through the process of selecting a digital distributor like a <a contents="DistroKid," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/">DistroKid,</a> <a contents="CDbaby," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/">CDbaby,</a> <a contents="Tunecore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/">Tunecore</a> etc, who places the music in the DSP’s; you want to take control of your image. Here is where you can customize your profile, keep up to date with features that change constantly, and get in depth and real time statistics from your providers. As they say knowledge is power. Knowing your statistics allows you to see how much you should spend on ads and which DSP you should spend that money with. Normally, artists and businesses tend to spend the bulk of their DSP marketing dollar with <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/">Spotify</a>; and as well they should. Spotify still has the largest market share of all the DSPs, though they are down from 33% to 31%. After that, it’s <a contents="Apple" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/us/browse">Apple</a>, <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>, <a contents="Tencent " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tencentmusic.com/en-us/">Tencent </a>(who develops music streaming services for the Chinese market) and YouTube. </p>
<p>Another reason why you claim all of your artist pages is for credibility on digital platforms. Verification opens doors to additional features and again profile control. You can actually work these like your work your social media pages. For all of your pages you want to keep your image and bio updated, and utilize all of the features they offer. </p>
<p>Now I’ll admit, verification is a small but important part of branding you as an artist, it can be tedious being that there are <a contents="different requirements by each DSP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://label-engine.com/news/how-to-claim-your-artist-profiles-on-major-dsps/">different requirements by each DSP</a>, (I've listed them all here), but it is easy, worth it, and it provides you with more features to add to your marketing mix and promotion strategies to keep your engagements high. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </a>- <a contents="JD Blair" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">JD Blair</a> “The Groove Regulator.” A fascinating drummer who wow’s an audience with a pair of drumsticks like no other drummer can. </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this exciting artist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
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Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7024051
2022-07-26T12:33:47-05:00
2022-07-26T12:33:47-05:00
Keywords verzuz Hashtags & Independent Artist Of The Week - Vick Jones
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat.</a> This week, <strong>Vick Jones</strong>. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of indie artists. They will be major soon! </em></p>
<p>This week, what’s the difference between keywords and hashtags? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Two of the biggest “buzz words” when talking about social media, are keywords and #hashtags. I’ve heard some people use them interchangeably, even though they are cousins, they are a bit different. We can say that they both are used to increase your persona and visibility online. They both make your music easier to find when <em>googled, binged, or yahooed</em>. However, the big difference, one is used for your website or Youtube SEO, and hashtags for your social media search. One thing to keep in mind is that it’s a good idea to have your keywords compliment your hashtags. Another key difference is that your followers and friends also use hashtags to find music like yours or for you specifically. Bots, on the other hand are used to search out and find keywords, as do your followers and friends to find pages on your website. Keywords are terms and phrases that are used to find specific content, and hashtags are similar to emojis, in that they are more expressive, and are usually 1 to 3 maybe 4 words, and convey emotion and….now of course I know I don’t have to say this but, the hashtag has the # in front of the word. But y’all knew that. </p>
<p>Hashtags allow you to find songs, dances, and content on your social channels like Instagram and tiktok. Though you can use up to 30 on IG and there is no set number on tiktok, you want to use about 5 - 10 on IG and 3 - 5 on tiktok, it looks cleaner and your hashtag placement is important too. Keywords go beyond just what you are looking for or who is looking to find your and your content. Keywords indicate search intent, why are you searching for this or that. What is the reason you are searching for certain topics to find website pages? Keywords go into that type of knowledge. In addition you can use<em> keyphrases</em> to help bots find your website pages or pictures and music. </p>
<p>So to sum it all up, Keywords are useful for your SEO and website traffic, and hashtags help your core audience and followers find you and your music on social media. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong></a>- <a contents="Vick Jones" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Vick Jones</a>, a real singer from The Ham; That’s Birmingham Alabama if you didn’t know. He not only has hot new music on all platforms but in film as well. </p>
<p>Click on his name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this hot new artist </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
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Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7017955
2022-07-19T13:35:41-05:00
2022-07-19T13:35:42-05:00
Mixing verzuz Mastering… & #IAOTW - Kyee
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat.</a> This week, Kyee. Be sure to hit the like button and follow this amazing group of new artists. They will be major soon!</em></p>
<p>This week, there’s more than just the mix - Let’s go - </p>
<p>I was working with some cats on the final mix of a project, when the mastering process started it had to be sent back to fix something in the mix. Because I’m not an engineer, I thought it sounded fine. But the artist and engineers agreed that the issue needed to be fixed before going to the marketplace. Spotify, for instance, will sometimes put their own spin on the mix if it doesn’t fit their format. Meaning that the mixing process is a totally different animal than the mastering, but in the same family…kinda like a - tiger and a panther so to speak. </p>
<p>Usually in this post production period songwriters are usually quite removed from the process…but here’s why you should stay; it’s your song! This is an opportunity to learn another facet of the business, and yes, they are the experts, but you want to grow, learn the language and give input to your creation. To speak on the differences of the two; mixing happens after the recording process is done and the individual tracks are blended together. Consequently, mastering is the final stage of the audio production where the entire mix is polished and creates consistency across the single and the album and prepares it for distribution and market. </p>
<p>Both the mixing engineer and the mastering engineer have specific goal targets they are looking to achieve. For the mixer, equalization or eq is when the sculpting and manipulation of the sound frequencies happen, this prevents masking of tracks. Masking happens when two sounds overlap. Mastering is as said earlier, all about enhancing the sound, polishing it, and ensuring consistency throughout the song and the album or EP. </p>
<p>In a nutshell, the biggest difference between mixing and mastering is mixing deals with the individual track while mastering deals with the entirety of the song and album. For the most part the same tools and techniques are used but because they apply to different stages in the production process, they serve slightly different purposes. And just know that you want to put the same energy in mixing and mastering as you did in the writing and production; you want that thing to sound <em>gooood!!!</em> </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="Kyee" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Kyee</a>. This dynamic powerhouse singer songwriter was born in Oakland, and now resides in Texas and is oh so soulful!</p>
<p>Click on her name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredibly soulful artist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7013175
2022-07-12T15:59:46-05:00
2022-07-12T15:59:46-05:00
If it don’t fit… & #IAOTW - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, Watson’s Head. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </em></p>
<p>This week, what if your music doesn't fit into a genre - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Are you one of those artists that says hey my music doesn’t really fit into any genre? Or after you uploaded your new single to CDbaby or DistroKid and they gave you the list of genres none of them really fit so you just picked the closest one? Well if so you are not alone. Many artists that are doing sub-genre style music have that problem and it’s not going away anytime soon. Some artists feel that genre classifications are not made by musicians but are of the devil…..uhhh I mean - created by marketing people to sell music and top charts, that it is merely a business tool and not an artistic one. And of course there are those artists whose style crosses over several different genres, much like our current artist of the week, Watson’s Head. He describes his music as psychedelic funkrock with a spoonful of reggae. Now that’s a mouthful and could leave some labels scratching their heads as to where do they put this? As a musician you want to express yourself artistically and don’t want to be placed in a box. As music has shifted over the years and given indie artists more freedom, they still need to classify themselves in some sort of genre. One of the big issues artists have with genres is it usually brands the artist and not the song. Meaning if you've been labeled a Pop artist, it’s hard to be taken seriously when you decide to do a reggae song. And if you do, will you be called a culture vulture? If you decide to do a gospel song will they say ummm that ain’t of the holy spirit? Now of course there are those artists whose musical skill has transcended musical genres and nobody says a word. Prince could do what he wanted and none would try to check him on it. The late great Ray Charles initially was looked at with the side eye when he decided to do country, but when he did he nailed it. Remember when people found out that Lionel Richie wrote hits for Kenny Rogers, and Kanye has won many awards for his gospel performances. </p>
<p>On the other hand though, genres can also help brand the artist and letting people who prefer certain genres before you come out can help listeners find your music on Spotify or Apple Music. Podcasters, bloggers, and magazines hate it when they don’t know where to place an artist so they can write or talk about them. Back when music buyers at record stores were the driving force behind music getting into the stores, your genre was important because each genre had its own buyer. So if you were an artist that thought you should be in the Pop section but they thought you should be in the R&B section you could potentially lose thousands of sales, (I saw it happen). </p>
<p>Lastly I say this, do your music, make what’s in your soul just stay consistent to a sound that turns people on and tell good stories, marketing folks like me will help you figure out the genre part if you are all over the place. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><em><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></em></a> - <a contents="Watson's Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Watson's Head</a>. Known for hard hitting fusion rock; his style is psychedelic funkrock with a spoonful of reggae. His debut single "<a contents="Viral Homicide" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/18ar5u6GhGjzOtvKDKcQcY?si=0b9081f831214922">Viral Homicide</a>" is out and doing quite well! </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredible rock artist. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7007940
2022-07-05T13:06:35-05:00
2022-07-05T13:06:35-05:00
Public Relations & #IAOTW - Watson’s Head
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p><em>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat.</a> This week, Watson’s Head. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </em></p>
<p>This week, Public Relations - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Public relations is the act of getting media coverage - generally to promote new music, a tour announcement or other newsworthy event. The goal of a PR campaign is to spread awareness of the news by informing the media. A couple of weeks ago I talked about the Press Release, which is indeed under the umbrella of public relations, and they do generate publicity but they are not the totality of Public Relations even though press releases may generate good public relations. Confused? 🤔Publicity is what is generated by public relations. By definition, Publicity is an act or device designed to attract public interest, specifically information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support. </p>
<p>Well, in essence, Public Relations are really about the strategies that you use to increase your overall business presence, brand and message. PR is the foundation that allows you to be prepared, and if you stay ready you don’t have to get ready, for publicity when it comes your way, and someone sticks a mic in your face and asks, just who are you. PR helps to confirm your core message, business values, brand and image. While any form of communication can be considered public relations including newsletters, ezines, letters, blog posts and you guessed it, press releases; they must all be a part of a much bigger PR strategy. </p>
<p>When you are putting your PR strategy together you have to think about Awareness - let people know you have a new release, gigging, or just your brand. Exposure - find creative ways to expose your persona to a wider audience, like tiktok duets, reel remixes etc. Credibility - being published in the media gives your site and your social pages trust and accountability to help generate a buzz, and Social media content - can’t say it enough, content is king, PR helps you grow your social pages and don’t be afraid to tackle Linkedin. </p>
<p>So just remember the three P’s and you will be fine; <strong>public relations, publicity and press releases.</strong> And don’t fall for the old mantra all press is good press - one wrong tweet and you will find yourself fighting battles that have nothing to do with your music. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><strong><em>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </em></strong></a>- <a contents="Watson's Head" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Watson's Head</a>. Known for hard hitting fusion rock; his style is psychedelic funkrock with a spoonfull of reggae. His debut single "Viral Homicide" comes out this friday July 8th and the entire album drops in August. Pre-save your copy now by clicking <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/watsonshead/viral-homicide">here</a>.</p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredible singer songwriter. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire Unda The Hat as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next Tuesday.</p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/7003462
2022-06-28T11:59:31-05:00
2022-06-28T11:59:31-05:00
Music Education & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, Ruby Camille. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>This week, is Education needed in music? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>After the airing of the <a contents="Grammys " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.grammy.com/">Grammys </a>and <a contents="BET Awards" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bet.com/bet-awards">BET Awards</a>, the questions and conversation that always pops up in certain circles is the importance of music in schools. Is music really being phased out in the school systems? Do you need it to be successful in the industry? I would think it would be determined by what you call success. In popular music several artists speak of their days in school. And some even went on to college, but the reality is music and art is being cut from a lot of schools. Popular music artists are left to their own devices to find a way to make a living with their gift. Back in 2015 it was reported that pop music lyrics average a third grade reading level. Who knows what it is now? Now since music education improves and develops language skills in children, you would think music would be the last thing cut from a program. Music is a vehicle for excellent memory skills. Again a great reason to keep music in schools. According to a report from <a contents="Save The Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.savethemusic.org/">Save The Music</a>, Music education funding cuts continue to be the go to option which leads to chronic underfunding. <a contents="Public school per-pupil" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w24203/w24203.pdf">Public school per-pupil</a> spending decreased by approximately seven percent across the country. Because of this, districts all over the nation saw severe declines in their art and music programs. So the question is does this affect the quality of the music that is recorded and awarded on these award shows? Now obviously musicians in concentrations like orchestra, or Opera usually gain extensive amounts of music education; and find opportunities in ensembles, Opera companies, theater, music teachers and the like. </p>
<p>Additionally in other areas like music production, technology, and the business side of the industry, an education in that field is not necessary and the more famous individuals didn't study music or production. The exception would probably be schools like <a contents="Full Sail University" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fullsail.edu/">Full Sail University</a> that boast about several producers and music executives who have been a part of Grammy, BET and other award show winning projects, and of course <a contents="Berklee College of Music " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.berklee.edu/">Berklee College of Music </a>has a host of legendary musicians. Additionally, several famous artists attended their cities performing arts high school, like Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj, Tupac, Lady GaGa and a lot more. Still you have to wonder would the industry at large be better if music wasn’t being cut from schools. 🤔 </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> - is a repeat from last week; <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Ruby Camille</a>, known as The Jewel, her new release “Keep It On The Low” is turning into That Indie Song of the Summer. Click on her name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredible singer songwriter. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6998539
2022-06-21T12:49:17-05:00
2022-06-21T12:49:17-05:00
The Press Release & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, Ruby Camille. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>This week, the importance of a good Press release - Let’s go - </p>
<p>In this current information crazed climate we live in we all can agree that content is king…🤔<em>I mean money is really king, but that’s a different debate; anyway I digress….</em> When we talk about content that tells the world who you are as a musician the document you need is a press release. The press release is a common tool used to bring publicity to your doorstep. This is publicity that you control so it will be about all the good news you have; your new project, any new press, new gigs, record label signings etc. Now, believe it or not there are some artists that believe they do not need a press release, especially now that they have social media. “If I put it on the gram, facebook and twitter, why do I need to do anything else?”🤷🏽♂️ Well here’s the thing, a press release not only validates online content, it serves other purposes that a quick post can’t. At one point the press release was the main tool to let the press know that an artist had something newsworthy going on. Now it has become part of your marketing mix, and gives you a reason to email certain contacts that are not reading your online posts. So don’t make the mistake of not having a good press release. </p>
<p>With a good press release there are a few things to keep in mind. Make it newsworthy, meaning a press release is special, treat it that way. Only send one out when you have something new going on and it needs a hook, just like a good song. Keep it short, sweet and to the point. People who read press releases read a lot of them, make yours short but interesting enough to grab their attention in the first couple of lines. This one is important, make sure to write in <a contents="third person." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bibguru.com/blog/writing-third-person/">third person.</a> Write about yourself as if you were interviewing another artist and writing about them. I believe you should add a current photo with your press release, if it’s for an album release I would suggest it be the album artwork. Make sure that the first line wants to make them keep reading, don’t put them in suspense as to why you are writing a press release. Give good information in the middle, use <a contents="descriptive words" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/word-lists/list-of-descriptive-words.html">descriptive words</a>, give a little personal history, a little about your musical journey and a good button to close it. Try not to get too long winded and remember to proofread; maybe even bounce it off a band member or that aunt that’s a third grade English teacher. There are several professional press writers, publicists and people like myself that do this, so if you have a budget, hire them, it will be worth it. </p>
<p><a contents="This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> - <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Ruby Camille</a>. Known as The Jewel, this is her 9th studio release, that’s grinding! Her new single comes out this Friday called “<a contents="Keep It On The Low." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://show.co/bDbiGk4">Keep It On The Low.</a>” </p>
<p>Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredible singer songwriter. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6993810
2022-06-14T14:37:32-05:00
2022-06-14T14:37:32-05:00
Who were those Various artists & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat.</a> This week, Mercy Club. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>This week, A Compilation project - Let’s go - </p>
<p>With so many collabs happening in music now it stands to reason that compilation albums are starting to pop back up. So let’s start here, a music collab is when two or more artists get together to produce a project. Sometimes artists just reach out on platforms like tiktok and create short versions of these called duets. It’s a great thing to do both creatively and marketing wise. Collabing helps strengthen your creative process and it introduces you to an audience that doesn’t know you, but will give you a shot because you are collabing with someone they follow. </p>
<p>The compilation album is a musical release made up of songs that are not usually intended to be viewed as a single work. Compilation albums are comprised of tracks by various artists. These compilation projects are usually compiled from a particular musical style or theme, such as a movie or stage play soundtrack. With that said, it’s important to note that a soundtrack is not synonymous for compilation; there have been some really dope soundtracks that were done by one person like <a contents="Curtis Mayfield's Superfly" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/295ykF5lEp4sZseuob1qTu?si=XFVcA21CQreUdw_2xEZpOQ">Curtis Mayfield's Superfly</a>, yeah I went back with that reference. In addition, a compilation album can also be by one person such as a greatest hits or best of project. But for us DIY folks, it’s going to be a various artist joint. </p>
<p>Sometimes new labels will use the compilation to introduce themselves and their artists to the public by releasing one work. Other times they use what they consider to be left over tracks, or previously unreleased tracks from artists to rebrand or re-establish older artists and present them to a new audience. There are several reasons to consider making a compilation project. </p>
<p>Be careful when planning your Compilation project however, not all digital distribution companies distribute them. Distrokid, for example, does not do compilations or various artist projects. For CDbaby, If your album has 4 or more performing artists listed on the tracks, then it must include "Various Artists" as the album's artist name. The artist name for the tracks should then list out every performing artist on each track. Everybody wants their credit ya know. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> - <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Mercy Club</a>. An amazing duo of former funk band artists, musicians and writers that now spread a message of love, faith and mercy. Their outstanding new Father’s Day anthem called <a contents="“Daddy Was Always There,” " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/daddy-was-always-there">“Daddy Was Always There,” </a>comes out this Friday June 17th. Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about the message in their music. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6988701
2022-06-07T12:49:52-05:00
2022-06-07T12:49:52-05:00
The Musical Spin-off & #IAOTW - The Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/thecurtisfamilycnotes/">The Curtis Family C-Notes.</a> Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>This week, Derivative Work - Let’s go - </p>
<p>A famous comedian once asked me what they needed to do to distribute a parody song. Well Jason Earls, 😉 there is an answer to that. It’s called a Derivative Work. In the world of music, that is going to include things like a parody song, language translation, sample re-mix, medley or a song arrangement that changes the lyrics or makes significant alterations to the original work. A Derivative work is any song (other intellectual property as well but you know we will keep it all music) that takes a preexisting work and uses it to create a new work. Now it’s not a cover song, because that is a straightforward interpretation of an existing song like Luther Vandross used to do; he made it his own, yet still a cover - but not a derivative. </p>
<p>A derivative work is also not a compilation, because the original works are not altered, just combined into a new work. So here’s the boring part, unless you are a lawyer and like this kind of stuff, you can’t create or more so distribute a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner. The original owner of the underlying copyright is the only one who has the authority to create or authorize someone else to create a derivative work. Now just because you get an idea from an original work, does not make it a derivative work, ideas can’t be copyrighted. It must be significantly copied from an original copyrighted work. Unlike cover songs, the copyright holder CAN deny you permission to create a derivative work for any reason. More tricky stuff, only the new material in the derivative work can be copyrighted by the new creator. This includes public domain material. This does not reactivate the original copyright, but the new material that’s been added to the piece; the original remains in the public domain. The copyright holder still owns his/her copyright to the original song and will be paid accordingly. Heretowith (ha haa that’s my lawyer talk) don’t be trying to digitally distribute this derivative work until you’ve paid the original owner for that permission. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is a repeat - <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">The Curtis Family C-Notes</a>, the amazing full family band (father, mother and 5 children) from San Francisco. Look out for their new project releasing June 8th tomorrow! Get it now, just click “<a contents="Awaken" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thecurtisfamilycnotes/awaken">Awaken</a>” which is the anniversary of their television debut on <a contents="AGT." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inI4alL3J-g">AGT.</a> Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about the message in their music. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Ha" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Ha</a>t as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6983753
2022-05-31T16:37:40-05:00
2022-05-31T16:37:40-05:00
Will work for Music $$ & #IAOTW - The Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2">The Curtis Family C-Notes. </a>Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. Please, like the page and share it. </p>
<p>This week, Work for Hire - Let’s go - </p>
<p>The new thing now is everybody has a collab, tiktok, IG, YouTube, Spotify playlists, the collab is everywhere. And collabs can be a beautiful thing; they can expose artists to new audiences and that’s always a good thing. However, when you’re working with a group in a studio or sharing wav files things can get tricky when it’s all said and done and the question of who owns what has everyone staring at each other like 👀 Enter the Work For Hire Agreement or WFH. </p>
<p>A WFH agreement means that if you hire a musician, or producer, or arranger, singers, tambourine shakers, foot stompers, to be a part or collab on a project or session, you own the copyright of the finished piece and you are considered the legal author of the work. </p>
<p>Let’s say you, as an artist or songwriter write the song, but you don’t know Pro-Tools, Fruity Loops or other studio programs, and you hire someone who does, you might want to consider paying them upfront. This way you pay for their services, let them sign a WFA agreement and you are covered. Legally, they can not come back later to lay claims on the copyright because they have been given a pay-out. </p>
<p>Ok let’s say you are the producer, and want to hire everybody and own the copyright. You will need to ask everyone who contributed to the creative process to sign a WFH agreement. More than just the people that sing and play, but the engineers and production team. If they touched it or breathed on the project in any form or fashion they need to sign the WFH agreement. Oh, and not a day or a week later, right then. Get into a habit of taking copyright forms or pulling it up on your tablet right then and there. Don’t procrastinate. Get’er done!! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">The Curtis Family C-Notes</a>, the amazing full family band (mother, father and 5 children) from San Francisco. Look out for their new project releasing June 8th, and presave it now, just click “<a contents="Awaken" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thecurtisfamilycnotes/awaken">Awaken</a>” which is the anniversary of their television debut on <a contents="AGT." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/O0lOv1Hqa-s">AGT.</a> Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about this incredible family. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6978708
2022-05-24T13:16:22-05:00
2022-05-24T13:16:22-05:00
Church Folks Music license & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow Indie Hype Unda The Hat. This week, Mercy Club. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>Licenses for church Music - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Churches don't pay taxes, but do they pay publishing fees? 🤔 Well I’m sure good church folks want to make sure they are doing things the “right” way and making sure the songwriter and publisher are getting their just dues…right? Of course. And let’s get this straight upfront, outside of a church context bands that perform music written by others must have a license or they are violating copyright laws. However copyright law has an exemption from licensing in connection with religious services. But here is where it gets tricky, churches cannot broadcast the music components of their services, on TV, radio, YouTube or stream without paying for a license. </p>
<p>Now in the church music license game, outside of the <a contents="PROs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/music-publishing-glossary/glossary-performing-rights-organization#:~:text=PROs%20are%20responsible%20for%20collecting,or%20on%20other%20broadcasting%20systems." target="_blank">PROs</a> <a contents="BMI" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bmi.com/" target="_blank">BMI</a>, <a contents="ASCAP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/" target="_blank">ASCAP</a> and <a contents="SESAC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sesac.com/music-creators/songwriters" target="_blank">SESAC</a>, there are three main characters. <a contents="CCLI" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://us.ccli.com/" target="_blank">CCLI</a>, <a contents="OneLicense" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.onelicense.net/" target="_blank">OneLicense</a>, and <a contents="CCS" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://christiancopyrightsolutions.com/">C</a><a contents="CS" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://christiancopyrightsolutions.com/" target="_blank">CS</a>. Now a lot of what they do is similar, for example both CCLI and Onelicense both provide licenses to churches to reproduce copyrighted songs in service and activities. However, OneLicense represents the catalogs of sacred music publishers, and has access to thousands of congregational hymns, songs, and service music from today's top Christian music publishers to use in worship aids, service bulletins, and projections to inspire congregational singing. CCLI on the other hand grants churches a limited set of rights for over 300,000 worship songs in their program for the following uses: • To print songs in bulletins, liturgies, programs, and song sheets • To print songs in bound or unbound songbooks compiled by the Church • To make overhead transparencies, slides, or to utilize electronic storage and retrieval methods for the visual projection of songs. CCS who ASCAP partners with, is all about Performance with their PERFORMmusic License. This license grants churches and non-profit ministries the right to legally perform live or play pre-recorded versions of more than 17 million songs on their campus or during events. This includes music played at: • Coffee shops • Conferences & seminars • Bookstores • etc. </p>
<p>So which one do you need? If you are performing - CCS, reproduction CCLI and/or OneLicense. Amen? Aaaamen. The doors of the church are now open. ⛪️ </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a>. This inspirational duo has one in Rochester NY and one in Atlanta. It shows that God is in technology. Look out for their new Father’s Day Anthem on June 17th called <a contents="Daddy Was Always There" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/mercyclubspeaks/" target="_blank">Daddy Was Always There</a>. Click on their name, scroll down, click the picture to find out more about the message in their music. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6973333
2022-05-17T14:45:46-05:00
2022-05-17T14:45:46-05:00
How SMART are you with your career? & #IAOTW - Dswan
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For the best indie music from indie artists, click, and follow <a contents="Indie Hype Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2" target="_blank">Indie Hype Unda The Hat</a>. This week, <a contents="Dswan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=84d246fea51941d2" target="_blank">Dswan</a>. Send the names of hot Indie artists to Unda The Hat, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot on the playlist. </p>
<p>This week, S.M.A.R.T. marketing - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Back in the day when indie artists wanted to get started they would make their own CDs, put them in the trunk of their car and go to all of the indie record stores they could drive to and put them on consignment. Or they would stand on corners like Hollywood & Vine and sell them to passers by. That was considered SMART marketing back then. Nowadays it’s a bit different. You can’t put streams in your trunk. 🤷🏽♂️ But you can be SMART about how you get down with your music career. SMART is an acronym that stands for S – Specific M – Measurable A – Attainable R – Realistic T – Timely. So let’s break that down. First ask yourself, what are my career goals? Know both your short and long term goals. You have to have goals or your career is just a dream. Not only do you want to set goals you want to set SMART goals. You want to write them down, (that’s actually <a contents="biblical Habakkuk 2:2-3" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%202%3A2-3&version=CEB" target="_blank">biblical Habakkuk 2:2-3</a>), and put a timeline on it. </p>
<p>Your goals should be <strong>specific</strong>, what is it that you want? Know if you want a deal, want to sell product on your website, want a specific number of followers on your social platforms, want your music on a TV show or film, want more gigs or just blow up independently through the indie aggregates like CDbaby and ‘nem. </p>
<p>You will need to <strong>measure</strong> your achievements. Every time you get closer to your deal, or meet a music supervisor, create your website, connect with that club you’ve been wanting to gig at, or whatever - write it down. Then what’s next? What are the steps to success? </p>
<p>How do you <strong>attain</strong> these goals? Sometimes the A stands for actionable. What are the action steps you are taking to achieve your goal and is it attainable? Only you can answer that. If you are 45 and thinking you can break into the new hip hop scene, you might want to think twice about that one. </p>
<p>How <strong>realistic</strong> is the goal? Realistic and attainable are very closely related. I wish I had a quarter for everytime I’ve heard a no-name artist say they were going to “change the game.” Meaning they were going to change the way the music industry is run. If you never listen to the radio how do you expect to get a song on the radio? Do you know what the expectation is? Doesn't matter how much talent you have, you can’t change the game, so play the game or become a great music teacher; trust me we need them. </p>
<p>You have to set a <strong>timeline</strong> to your goals. When do you expect to achieve it? What are your step by step goals and what are the dates? This is why you write it down. Without a timeline your goal is just a wish. And remember this is the music BUSINESS, everything is timely. You can’t come out with a sound that’s 10 years old with old equipment talking about “this that new jack swing” 😳 yeah that boat has sailed. So just be SMART and get some help along the way. Your talent deserves to make it and be heard. </p>
<p>This week's<a contents=" #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"> #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Dswan" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Dswan</a>. Born in Oklahoma, raised in Texas and now one part of the duo TNG (Top Notch Grinding.) <em>Click on his name, scroll down, click the picture and find out more about this hot new artist. </em></p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6968097
2022-05-10T16:23:35-05:00
2022-05-10T16:23:35-05:00
YouTube $$ & #IAOTW - The Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol.</a> This week, The Curtis Family C-Notes. If you. know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, YouTube Money - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So how do you really make money from YouTube? I’m always hearing “if we put it on YouTube, we can get paid!” But you never really see those people that say that get paid. But you know out there in the universe, people are getting paid, and more than just the professional YouTubers with millions of subscribers; but how??🤷🏽♂️ As a DIY musician you need to find every opportunity to make money everywhere it’s available. And though it’s tougher than some people make it out to be, it is available. So first off if you are using a digital distributor like <a contents="CDbaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/" target="_blank">CDbaby</a>, <a contents="DistroKid" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/" target="_blank">DistroKid</a>, or <a contents="Tunecore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/" target="_blank">Tunecore</a>, you will have your music delivered to <a contents="YouTube Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube Music</a> and of course you will get your streaming royalties just like Spotify, Apple Music etc. YouTube Music by the way is different from YouTube the platform which is for videos while searching on YouTube Music is going to be audio only. Upon release of your audio track YouTube Music will create an “Art Tracks,” or “Topic Video” that plays your song with a display of your album artwork. So two categories (in our music space) to make money are subscribers to <a contents="YouTube Premium" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/premium" target="_blank">YouTube Premium</a> and YouTube Music. Additionally there’s money to be made from the regular YouTube channel as well. Once you opt-in for YouTube Monetization, your music will be matched with the YouTube <a contents="Content ID system" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2797370" target="_blank">Content ID system</a>, YouTube will find all the videos that use your music and an ad will be placed on that video. These are your uploads and other users that upload using your music. When you set up your digital distribution for the song you are releasing be sure to choose YouTube music as one of the stores. I would suggest that you just pick all the stores. YouTube videos do not generate a dime until an ad has been served by a copyright owner, which is why YouTube royalties are generated by ad dollars. And again, you must tell YouTube to monetize your videos or there will be no funds issued there. </p>
<p>Now there are rules to the game, the channel that the video is on must have at least 1,000 subscribers (that’s why everyone is so busy saying “hit that subscribe button”) and must have 4,000 hours of watch time over the past 12 months. Now of course you can make money on YouTube the old fashion way: <a contents="reach 1K subscribers and apply for the YouTube Partner Program, Become an affiliate marketer, Create sponsored content through brand deals &nbsp;Create and sell your own product or merchandise Turn to crowdfunding.&nbsp;&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-make-money-with-youtube#ypp" target="_blank">reach 1K subscribers and apply for the YouTube Partner Program, Become an affiliate marketer, Create sponsored content through brand deals Create and sell your own product or merchandise Turn to crowdfunding. </a></p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="The Curtis Family C-Notes" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">The Curtis Family C-Notes</a>. They hail from San Francisco and are a family of seven fresh off AGT and a huge JCPenney national commercial. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6962739
2022-05-03T13:46:22-05:00
2022-05-03T13:46:22-05:00
Submitting to TV & #IAOTW - Naimah
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week, <a contents="Naimah" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Naimah</a>. Know Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, submitting to TV & Film - Let’s go - </p>
<p>We’ve talked about what licenses are needed if you get a song on a TV or film project. But let’s talk about how you get your music there in the first place? </p>
<p>Getting your music featured in movies can not only help you find new fans and followers ,but help take your career to a new level, and of course put a few dollars in your pocket. However, there are a few things to think about when dealing with TV, film, ad agencies and the like. It bears repeating that you’ve got to take care of the licensing, otherwise this is all for nothing. 🤷🏽♂️ This idiom is where you will need to do some research and talk with “Uncle Google.” Film music first and foremost does not look for hits, they look for music that fits. TV shows and movies use different styles depending on the vibe, setting or mood of the production. This means you need to know what style the show is looking for and this will let you know what opportunity is available. </p>
<p>Do your research! Places like Google, <a contents="SongwriterUniverse.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/" target="_blank">SongwriterUniverse.com</a>, <a contents="Tunefind" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunefind.com/" target="_blank">Tunefind</a>, <a contents="IMDB" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://pro.imdb.com/signup/index.html?rf=apr22testgoogle_brand_us_187248834&ref_=apr22testgoogle_brand_us_187248834&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcOTBhCZARIsAEAYLuUtAjUW9x7HRttjfmsNMugALla5Wc-NCfvivBX6UlORCHWA76AmongaAhCYEALw_wcB" target="_blank">IMDB</a> and <a contents="Linkedin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/music-supervisor-inc./" target="_blank">Linkedin</a> are good places to find out who is working on what show, what companies are out there that place music and who the music supervisor is. When submitting to <a contents="Music Supervisors" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.guildofmusicsupervisors.com/what-is-a-music-supervisor" target="_blank">Music Supervisors</a>, they want to know that you “get it.” They don’t have time to coach you through the process. They won’t look at emails that say “hot music” or “please listen.” Know what show this person is working on, put that in the subject line. Songs should be totally finished, mixed and mastered. They don’t want unfinished songs with your explanation of “I can get it like you want it…” If they asked for it today, they needed it yesterday. And by all means make sure it is sample free, with all the paperwork, splits and publishing taken care of. No leased beats! This is the big leagues, they are not going to walk you through any of this. </p>
<p>Tunefind is great to let you know what songs have been placed on shows. Look before you leap. If the show is using nothing but big hit A-list artists, chances are that is only what they are looking for. Look for the shows that have indie artists that have a vibe similar to yours. Chances are the music supervisor will give you a listen. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Naimah" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Naimah</a>, a native of Washington DC is unbound by genres, as her music transcends all that you’ve heard. Click on her name, scroll down, click the picture and the button. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6957452
2022-04-26T15:17:39-05:00
2022-04-26T15:17:39-05:00
Sound Design & #IAOTW - Ja’Daku
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week, Ja’Daku. If you know any Indie artists that need to make the list, send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, sound design - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So we are going to take a bit of a break from “music” kinda-sorta, to talk about sound. The past two weeks we’ve discussed music in film and movies and even the cue sheets so that everyone can get paid. Today though, let’s talk about sound design. Sound design can be said to be any sounds that are created artificially. In essence it is the art of creating the audio for film, television, advertising, music, and other productions. Some of those other productions being creative recording, ambiance, audio effects, Voice Overs and of course music and film scoring just to name a few. Now music in sound design includes songs and instrumental pieces that influence mood and help tell the story. And it’s always about the story isn’t it? </p>
<p>Sound design builds sound and effects from scratch, while music production creates songs and soundtracks. Therefore, sometimes if the music was an integral part of the scene that makes it to the soundtrack, then the sound design will be on the soundtrack. In other words, the exploding car in a chase, the screeching train or the pinging sounds of a gun, like in <a contents="guns go bang" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/7nkaJQflQ0saF0w4sOSTco?si=72171eb8d0a244c6">guns go bang</a>, from the soundtrack to The Harder They Fall. These sound designers helped the scene and the song tell that part of the story. Now that all these sounds, effects and noises become a part of the music of a movie, it is important for the music producer and the sound designer to work together. If the score has a continuous “thudding” noise over a scene where someone is banging on a door, there’s a chance that the thudding will be in the music as well. So you DIY musicians who know would-be filmmakers doing tiktok reels on their iPhone, get with them and put some sound to their scenes. You folks taking music production classes, add a sound design class with your degree program. Do all you can right now ‘cause record sale money ain’t what it used to be. Maybe NFT’s will bring it back to life, but who knows. 🤷🏽♂️ Just remember it’s all about the story when it comes to sound design, soundtracks and scores. Oh yeah, be sure to get your cue sheets straight. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="J’Daku" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.iamjadaku.com/" target="_blank">J’Daku</a>, a native of Dallas,Texas and Nigerian-American. She is a World Music and R&B Singer-Songwriter, Actor and Dance Choreographer. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6951972
2022-04-19T15:20:37-05:00
2022-04-19T15:20:37-05:00
Soundtrack verzuz Score & #IAOTW - JMack
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week, JMack If you. know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, the difference between a soundtrack and a score - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Film music plays a crucial role in cinema. Back in the day of silent films, there was either a pianist or live orchestras that played while the movies played in theaters. Then the audio tracks came along and musical scores became a part of the mix and it’s been a marriage ever since. So to define; a film soundtrack is recorded songs that go along with a film project. Sometimes called an OST or Original Soundtrack, these songs can be original or pre-existing songs that are played during the film or songs that were “inspired” by the film. Soundtracks can also have vocal snippets of dialogue from the film like The Harder They Fall soundtrack that features Regina King’s famous “We ain’t No Nincompoop” line. https://sptfy.com/86vk. Some of the more popular soundtrack recordings include Godfather, Black Panther, 8 Mile, Summer of Soul and Encanto. </p>
<p>A score on the other hand refers to the original music that accompanies the film (usually instrumental). In most cases, movie music is written by a film composer hired for the production. The movie score heightens and highlights the film’s emotion, creating a mood and a vibe for each scene, and sometimes per character, along with sound effects and dialogue. The film's composer writes the original score, often with the help of an orchestrator. Some popular scores include Black Panther, Lord of the Rings, Soul, Up, and Requiem of a Dream. Both the Score and the Soundtrack can be purchased however, because the score is usually classical music it is more popular with that audience. For most of the general population however, it’s the songs that stand out to them. Unless they’re watching Star Wars or something. Even the term soundtrack is the most googled item of the two, unless you are a composer yourself looking to get into the field of scoring. There are actually lots of opportunities in that area because of independent films. So for you young musicians out there, don’t get dismayed playing in the symphonic band or the orchestra. You may be the next Terrence Blanchard, Kurt Farquhar, or Danny Elfman; so keep playing, keep learning, and keep growing in your musical dexterity. </p>
<p>This week's<a contents=" #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"> #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="JMack" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://jaymck.com/" target="_blank">JMack</a>, the Alabama native bassist now located in Dallas Texas is fresh off the road with somebody, somewhere! </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6946762
2022-04-12T14:00:20-05:00
2022-04-12T14:00:20-05:00
Cue Sheet & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week, for the first time a 3peat - Mercy Club. If you. know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, The cue sheet - Let’s go - </p>
<p>A few weeks ago we talked about sync licensing and in a conversation this week it dawned on me that we never talked about Cue Sheets. Ever wonder how everyone gets paid on a film, television show or stage play? The information has to be staggering as to who played what, who sang what, was it in the background or an integral part of the scene. How does anyone keep up? Well with a cue sheet that’s how. Cue sheets are written logs and primary sources that performing rights organizations (PRO’s) track the music that is used in films, TV or any audio visual production. Without this log, it’s almost impossible for everyone involved to get paid for their work. It also ensures that everyone's information is correct. Some of the information that is included is the series/film title, episode title & number, air date, show length, performing rights society, timing and usage and that’s not all. In addition all of the splits must be included so that the payment calculations are done properly. </p>
<p>Film like music has gone through the independent metamorphosis, meaning there are more and more indie films out there going straight to YouTube or some other cable platform. Because of this, cue sheet accuracy has become critical in tracking the use of the music that’s in these productions. Everybody wants to “grind,” but if you want your money right, better have them cue sheets right. Your PRO’s calculator of royalties depends on a detailed and accurate cue sheet. You as the composer or publisher want to double check those cue sheets and make sure that the production company or music supervisor has submitted them. It’s your money, make sure your name is on there correctly. </p>
<p>To know what music has been performed and who should get paid the cue sheet is required that list all the music, writers, publishers and artists. The cue sheet is then matched to broadcast schedules and performances are processed so that everyone involved will receive their proper royalties for their part of the musical composition. </p>
<p>With this said, you can’t just make up your own cue sheet, there is an industry standard and it must be emailed or mailed to one of the PRO’s. So if you’re working on music in an indie film, I’m sure you are asking where do I get a cue sheet from right? Well no worries, here it is right Unda The Hat. Click this <a contents="link" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/news-events/articles/2016/07/rapidcue-new-template" target="_blank">link</a> and you can find a standardized cue sheet for both ASCAP and BMI. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </a>is <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://m.facebook.com/MercyClubSpeaks/" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a> for the third week in a row. Their new single comes out this Friday, April 15th called “<a contents="Who’s Gonna Love Me" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me" target="_blank">Who’s Gonna Love Me</a>.” Click on the song title to pre-save your copy now. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6941127
2022-04-05T16:27:35-05:00
2022-04-05T16:27:35-05:00
The Fan & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week Mercy Club. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, The Fan in the music biz - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Week three of talking about Influencers, brand advocates and now fans. The core word fan is short for fanatic. Someone who is really over the top about your music, your persona, your vibe and the way you do what you do. Now I know a lot of my gospel folks out there don’t want to admit that they are fans of the artists but disciples of the word of God. But trust there is a reason you like Mali Music rather than the Fairfield Four - but I ain’t judging just saying. Now from a marketing perspective, it’s great to have fans but don’t you dare treat them like customers. A customer is just someone you have a dealing with, and a fan is someone who is devoted to your brand. And in looking back over the past few weeks, both influencers and advocates can become fans. They can sometimes look the same but they are indeed different. Influencers and even advocates can be just that and not be fans. If you are going to use influencers or advocates, make sure they are fans of your brand, you will get more out of them that way. </p>
<p>Now as far as the fan goes, you need to establish a connection with them, and it is important to understand them. You need to understand why your fans love your brand. When they know that you know it validates their love for your brand and helps them promote your brand helping them to become brand advocates for you. Now we all know that superstars with millions of fans don’t always try to connect with their fans, but some do; that’s how you get things like the <a contents="BeyHive" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.beyonce.com/register/" target="_blank">BeyHive</a>. Take care of your fans and they will take care of you, even if it’s only 37 of them - hey gotta start somewhere. There are things you can do to help them help you. You can help them promote your music. Whatever it is you feel is special about your music and your brand is what you want your fans to talk about. Are you an acoustic performer that loves everything green? Whatever your niche is, that’s what you want them talking about. If given a clear call to action, your fans will tell their friends and their supporters to not only follow, but to actually download or stream your music and that’s what you want right? Of course. And did you know they can even offer a bit of customer service and be a feedback channel for you. It’s hard for them to do, however, when you don’t reply to their comments, positive or negative. Let them know you hear them and that you feel what they had to say was valuable to your process. Look at the amount of times fans have come to the rescue of their favs on twitter, the BeyHive have swarmed and attacked more than a few times. Your fans can let others know to be careful what they say about you on social media. And trust me you want that. Let them know that it is ok to tag you so that you can have the official voice on what is said about your brand however, but a fan is a fan is a fan is a fan and you want as many of them as possible, so encourage them, interact with them, show them some love, and even break them off something free from time to time. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/mercyclubspeaks/" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a>, musicians on a mission to spread a mercy message while being a light in darkness. Their new single “<a contents="Who’s gonna Love Me" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me" target="_blank">Who’s gonna Love Me</a>.” comes out April 15th on Good Friday! Click this <a contents="link " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me" target="_blank">link </a>to pre-save your copy now. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6935374
2022-03-29T17:55:20-05:00
2022-03-29T17:55:20-05:00
Brand Advocates & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow spoti.fi/3td3Xol. This week Mercy Club. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, Brand Advocates in the record biz - Let’s go - </p>
<p>First off let me apologize for being tardy, had a bit of technical difficulties and those of you who are also entrepreneurs know that we are everything from the IT department to the janitor to the CEO. Ok so here we go. Last week we talked about the Influencer, this week we talk about the one who elevates your brand through word of mouth, leaves positive reviews about your music, likes shares and refers new listeners and even creates content and contributes useful insights on your behalf. Yes this is the Brand Advocate; and you have them, so let’s utilize them. Here’s how: 1. make all your listeners feel appreciated and like a VIP. When they hit you on Instagram with 🔥 respond back, engage with them, follow them and make sure they know what you got coming up next. Learn to give away a few tickets to your top fan badge holders on facebook, or a shoutout, or at the next gig ask if there are any <a contents="top fan badge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.isentia.com/latest-reads/facebook-top-fan-badges-and-why-you-should-be-interested/#:~:text=Top%20Fan%20Badges%20are%20awarded,interacting%20with%20your%20Page's%20content." target="_blank">top fan badge</a> holders there and actually meet them and show them some love. 2. Give them something to talk about, like news of the new single or video and pick a few fans to hold a zoom call with to share the new music with before it comes out. Then ask them to spread the word of how good it is. 3. This one is a no brainer and that’s to be active on multiple channels. Find out where your biggest fans are and focus on that channel. If you TikTok (all of you should TikTok) share those to reels on Facebook and Instagram. Ask followers to duet you on TikTok, then ask your advocates to re-post and share on their accounts. You don’t have to wait for your followers to engage with you, engage with them, especially the ones who are always there, even if it’s a family member or close personal friend. To find true advocates you must be consistent, repeat repeat repeat, and be patient and be you. You don’t have to be like someone else with millions of followers, advocates are fans and they follow you for a reason. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a>, musicians on a mission to spread a mercy message while being a light in darkness. Their new single <a contents="“Who’s gonna Love Me.”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me">“Who’s gonna Love Me.”</a> comes out April 15th on Good Friday! Click this <a contents="link " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mercyclub/whos-gonna-love-me" target="_blank">link </a>to pre-save your copy now. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6929188
2022-03-22T15:06:43-05:00
2022-03-22T15:06:43-05:00
Influencers & #IAOTW - Chaptabois
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week Chaptabois. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot.</p>
<p>This week, Influencers in the record biz - Let’s go - </p>
<p>This will be the start of a three week series on Influencers, Advocates and fans in the marketing of your music. Today we will start with the Influencers. First of all influencers are those individuals that have the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others based on their authority, knowledge, position, relationship and trust they have with their own audience. In this case size does not matter, because it’s about quality not just quantity. Influencers are relationship assets that can help you build long term connections with fans; the right fans that are in your niche and are active and engaged. Better a little of the right ones than a lot of the wrong ones. </p>
<p>The world of influencer marketing is not new, however it is somewhat of a new development in the music marketing world. In this instance you as the artist would partner with an influencer to promote your work to their followers. Influencers usually have trusted followers across multiple social media platforms, and those followers engage with them and look to learn about new stuff; including music. They help DIY musicians get their music to a wider audience. In addition using an influencer helps you build your marketing team. For instance you could be Unda The Hat and we could help you find the right influencer. An influencer does not have to stay long and usually does not have an emotional attachment to you or your music; although they could become fans down the road. More on that when we talk about fans. Influencers usually want some sort of compensation in return for their work. It can be anywhere from $10.00 to $20,000 - yep, 20 G's per campaign, depending on the influencer, the campaign, and the size of their followers. The way to find out who is really good at the influencer game is to look at more than the views and likes, but the engagements. In a conversation with a label executive, he told me that they look at the engagements and what fans are saying. That means that paid ads are becoming more the traditional route, while influencer marketing is the guerilla marketing technique. In a perfect world you want a bit of both because you do still want good SEO placement on google. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Chaptabois" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.undathehat.com/blog" target="_blank">Chaptabois</a>, a hip hop duo out of Houston TX that makes their bones in the sync licensing game. But they got bangas! Click their name link and scroll down to meet them and hear their music. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6923143
2022-03-15T16:31:49-05:00
2022-03-15T16:31:49-05:00
Blockchain and Music & #IAOTW - Israel “Iz” Charles
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week "Iz." Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, Blockchain in the record biz - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So two weeks ago Augmented Reality, last week NFT’s, this week blockchain. I just believe this type of technology will be the next big thing in music, so we might as well talk and learn about it together. If you remember, a blockchain is a distributed database that is shared among the <a contents="nodes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-node-4155598" target="_blank">nodes</a> of a computer network. As a database, a blockchain stores information electronically in digital format. Blockchains are best known for their crucial role in cryptocurrency systems such as <a contents="Bitcoin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bitcoin.asp" target="_blank">Bitcoin</a> for maintaining a secure and decentralized record of transactions. The thing about blockchain is that it guarantees the fidelity and security of a record of data and generates trust without the need for a trusted third party like a record label. </p>
<p>Everyone knows the relationship between the artist and record labels have been volatile, yet a necessary evil since the beginning of time when the mob…...uhhh I mean, when <a contents="Victor Talking Machine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.awal.com/blog/history-of-record-deals#:~:text=Early%201900s%3A%20The%20Advent%20of,among%20other%20things%2C%20record%20players." target="_blank">Victor Talking Machine</a> started this whole thing. Therefore, on blockchain there can be designed a model that helps artists produce music and be paid fairly for the value they create and consumers can enjoy and share at what they believe to be fair value. Remember when certain A-list artist CDs were 19.99, then Walmart and ‘nem started selling them for $5.99 as a <a contents="loss leader" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.shopify.com/encyclopedia/loss-leader-pricing" target="_blank">loss leader</a> totally making the consumer hate record labels? Yeah everybody lost in both scenarios - anyway I digress. So with the Blockchain model it would not exclude labels or digital distributors, but they would be equal rather than dominant in this ecosystem. Back to being confused? So the way I see it, Blockchain and NFTs will be similar to the farm to table movement in the food industry. Straight from the studio to the consumer, it will heighten transparency with metadata and copyrights, eliminate some of these middlemen, shorten royalty payments (now they come once a quarter) and through <a contents="smart contracts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ibm.com/topics/smart-contracts#:~:text=Next%20Steps-,Smart%20contracts%20defined,intermediary's%20involvement%20or%20time%20loss." target="_blank">smart contracts</a>, musicians can be paid for fractions of a cent each time a listener presses play on one of their songs. Meaning royalty payments take place in seconds instead of every three months, four times a year. </p>
<p>There are several companies already using blockchain and you can click <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://builtin.com/blockchain/blockchain-music-innovation-examples" target="_blank">here</a> to see who they are; add to this list familiar names like <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a>, <a contents="Red Bull" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.redbullmediahouse.com/en" target="_blank">Red Bull</a> and <a contents="Netflix" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix</a> via <a contents="Open Music Initiative (OMI)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://open-music.org/" target="_blank">Open Music Initiative (OMI)</a>. The reality is, the current system is broken. The one before that was broken but at least the music industry ran the music industry. Gen Z and Gen Alpha will learn as we do. And at least blockchain offers an implementation of a global copyright database and allows content creators to have all elements of their musical works captured on a unified system. Ok next week back to marketing. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Israel “IzziIz” Charles" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vVRUXshPoYbv_XsUvYASA" target="_blank">Israel “IzziIz” Charles</a> of Invizable Productions - Educator by day, composer and producer by night. Offering beats and production for lease. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6917222
2022-03-08T14:23:31-06:00
2022-03-08T14:23:31-06:00
NFT’s in Music & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat!</a></p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week Ruby Camille. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, NFT Record Labels - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So last week we talked about Augmented Reality, and I’ll stay on this tech train for a little while. So in talking about NFT’s there’s some definitions we need to get to first. NFT stands for <a contents="Non Fungible Token" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/nft-non-fungible-token/#:~:text=NFT%20stands%20for%20non%2Dfungible,that's%20where%20the%20similarity%20ends." target="_blank">Non Fungible Token</a>. What that means is it’s unique and can’t be replaced with anything else. A one-of-a-kind NFT song has a digital signature that makes it impossible to be exchanged for or equal to another one, thus it is non fungible. Money, however, is fungible because it can be traded for other money of equal value. NFT’s exist on <a contents="Ethereum" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://aws.amazon.com/blockchain/what-is-ethereum/" target="_blank">Ethereum</a> blockchain and are minted from digital objects that are both tangible and intangible like music, and art. A <a contents="blockchain" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/blockchain.asp" target="_blank">blockchain</a> stores information electronically in digital format. Ok totally confused yet? </p>
<p>So how does the music business fit into all of this? And why is Snoop Dogg turning Death Row into an NFT Label? Well the easy answer is money!💰💰 According to Snoop “Death Row will be an NFT label, we will be putting out artists through the <a contents="metaverse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/08/03/a-crypto-guide-to-the-metaverse/" target="_blank">metaverse</a> and a whole ‘nother chain of music,” and says he wants to be the first major label in the metaverse. Snoop is already making money in the metaverse as he just released an NFT collection with <a contents="Gala Games" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.gala.world/buy-item/0x02c100000000000000000000000000000000" target="_blank">Gala Games</a> on Feb. 9 for the launch of his new album, “Bacc on Death Row.” The “Stash Box” NFTs have already grossed more than $50 million in sales, with holders being given an NFT of one of the album’s songs. So what does that mean for the rest of us? There are <a contents="companies" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://builtin.com/blockchain/blockchain-music-innovation-examples" target="_blank">companies</a> already utilizing blockchain technology such as Digimarc, Vetz Inc., and Mediachain just to name a few. </p>
<p>The other reason to move to NFT’s is control. Control that content creators have never really felt dealing with traditional labels. The NFT will allow for guaranteed ownership. Musicians in the NFT world are able to get a certificate of ownership for a unique piece of music that can then be sold on to another outlet. Both BTS and Akon are releasing their own NFT projects. As for the fans Fans will be able to invest by purchasing shares of their favorite artist music, become digital token owners and receive a port of royalties every time the piece is streamed. </p>
<p>So truth is I am still learning about all of this myself, but the cool part is we can all learn and grow together on this one. Hit me up with any comments, questions, or concerns on this all new NFT game. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </a>is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://rubycamillemusic.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> - yes again lol. I really want you all to see her new video for the dynamic song that commemorates Women’s History Month called “<a contents="Call Us Queens" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQ5ZAxdGEU" target="_blank">Call Us Queens</a>.” Just click on the link, like, subscribe and share it. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6910884
2022-03-01T16:50:05-06:00
2022-03-01T16:50:05-06:00
What’s Next in Music Distribution & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a>. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, so what’s up next? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So I’ll date myself right quick. When I got in the business we were slinging cassette tapes and albums, remember ca’singles? 😆 yeah that was a thing. Then it moved on to CD’s and the music business was on fire! Then one day Napster snuck in through the back door and we went from downloads to streaming 🤌🏽 that quick. So what’s next? One thing about the music industry is, it’s going to change. </p>
<p>The things that people are talking about now of course are <a contents="crypto and blockchain" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://builtin.com/blockchain/blockchain-music-innovation-examples" target="_blank">crypto and blockchain</a>. <a contents="Snoop Dogg" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2022/02/16/snoop-dogg-death-row-records-nft-label/" target="_blank">Snoop Dogg</a> is looking at turning newly acquired Death Row Records into an NFT label. Wow!🤯 I’ll tackle those next week. This week I’ll stay with my own opinion about the future. </p>
<p>Any Nerds or Blerds (Black Nerds) out there? There’s a thing out there called Augmented Reality (AR) and it is tech that lets you superimpose digital content (images, sounds, text) over a real-world environment, but that’s nothing new. Remember Pokemon Go? I know you nerds do. It came out in 2016 and it was huge and Nintendo stock went through the roof (naw I didn’t have any😔). </p>
<p>So how will this affect us Unda The Hat? AR might be the new release model of the future. According to Tamara Hrivnak, head of Music Business Partnerships at Facebook, “AR has the potential to be the next format for music…it puts fans at the heart of the experience and it’s authentic. It won’t be about pre produced content, it will be something that is happening in the moment,” and taking it back to the experience we used to get back in my day. What if I recorded a song, only released it on video, with no audio release? And what if the video was in AR? Facebook is now testing new AR filters on its new <a contents="Portal TV" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-facebook-portal-tv-4775287" target="_blank">Portal TV</a> hardware that could potentially allow me to have a lip sync battle with you, where you look like a hip hop head and I look like some old jazz cat named Scatman? These kinds of experiences really bring something different to the market in a way that celebrates music, but that isn’t just about being top of the charts.” Good Lawd, it’s a lot to think about. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> - Nashville based singer-songwriter (my publishing folks out there, she needs a pub deal ASAP, get at me) with a hot new single coming out this Friday March 4th called Call Us Queens. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6904151
2022-02-22T13:36:12-06:00
2022-02-22T13:36:12-06:00
Songwriting tips & #IAOTW - Abu da Don
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. This week Abu da Don. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, Songwriting Tips - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Last week we talked about holiday songs and extending your catalog. But how about that everyday song? The song that speaks to people, makes them laugh or cry or believe in something bigger than themselves? When you write, are you trying to make a hit or a difference? Obviously in today's market more artists are shooting for that hit song - it’s where the money is. Well the question is how do you write one of them? Well a good place to start is to read how some others have done it. Yes I said read! And read more than just artists in your genre, you might pick up some new tips to bring over to your niche. Find something/someone to be your muse (or source of inspiration). Inspiration is key in this game, if you aren’t inspired by anything, writing might not be your thing. </p>
<p>One thing I will say all songs start with and that’s an idea. That idea will give you direction of the song, whether it’s a waltz, a samba, the blues or heavy metal. What’s on your mind? Then there are those things I call emotional intangibles. Things you can’t touch or see but mean the world to a song; like the feeling, the groove, emotion, or the vibe. Not just the intangibles of the song but also the intangibles of your surroundings. Emotions are funny too. You might be going through a really bad situation and come up with a happy song to lift you from where you are to where you want to go. Or you may write a song that expresses every bit of pain you are feeling. Write how you feel but don’t force it, let it be natural, let it be you. A few other things to think about is rhythm. What is your rhythm, your flow? You usually pick this up along the way, given your surroundings and what you’ve been influenced by. All artists are influenced by something or someone. Listen to <a contents="Shock G" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/VfMCh74OAW4" target="_blank">Shock G</a> explain Biggie’s rhythm influence. When we learn he was influenced by jazz saxophonist <a contents="Donald Harrison" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/8pd9ZzDgi-4">Donald Harrison</a> it makes sense. </p>
<p>Another good place to start is with the hook. A strong hook is the cornerstone of your song, it’s what people remember and hopefully sing over and over even if they don’t remember the lyrics. The last thing we will talk about is song structure. When you look at structure a lot of songs, obviously not all, carry a variation of an intro, verse, chorus (that’s usually the hook), bridge, break, and an outro. Some hip hop songs won’t have a bridge or a break, that’s why I say a variation of this. Happy by <a contents="Pharrell" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/y6Sxv-sUYtM" target="_blank">Pharrell</a> follows this formula almost to a tee. There is so much that could be written about song structure, but I’d have to teach a music history class or a master songwriter class to get it all out. I just wanted to give you a lil tip unda the hat today about writing a good song. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </a>is <a contents="Abu da Don" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/abudadon/?hl=en" target="_blank">Abu da Don</a> - Nashville based, Tennessee State Grad hip-hop artist. He has a hot single out now featured on my <a contents="Spotify list" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">Spotify list</a> called Nobody Else which features <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> on vocals. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6898397
2022-02-15T12:13:29-06:00
2022-02-15T12:23:45-06:00
Your Holiday Music & #IAOTW - Jazz Becuzz Arts Group
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol. Are you in the Dallas metroplex? <a contents="Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz</a> offers music lessons from some of the talented musician teachers in the country. Click the website and call for an appointment. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, how to increase your Catalog with Holiday Music - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Yeah I know when you see the words holiday music you think of Christmas music. But remember Valentine's Day was yesterday? There were a lot of love songs being played in live music venues and over the airwaves. In addition, everywhere you went you heard either My Funny Valentine, or a handful of other love songs. Now it can be said that any love song could be considered a “valentine” song. But throw the word Valentine in there and now it’s a classic. The two main reasons for attempting to make these types of classics are of course money and the possibility of it becoming a classic. This is something that you can release year after year without fail extending the life or your song catalog. Currently Christmas and Easter have a lock on the holiday song market; with Easter being pretty much all gospel and classical. I personally wish people would take real attempts at making more than just popular Christmas songs. Now I know nobody's out there looking to pen a President’s Day song, but a modern day Thanksgiving song would be dope, and if it's really hot, it will get played forever; maybe call it "Family, Food and Football?" or maybe "Thankful for you??" 🤔 You know, turn it into a love song and it's instant airplay. 😆 Anyway, next week we will talk more about tips for songwriting. </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week is <a contents="Jazz Becuzz Arts Center" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz Arts Center</a> - Dallas based arts center that does everything from music lessons to music events featuring grammy award winning Dallas based artists. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6892087
2022-02-08T13:05:52-06:00
2022-02-08T13:05:52-06:00
The Spotify Fall out & #IAOTW - Jazz Becuzz Arts Group
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol." target="_blank">spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. If you are in or close to Dallas, please come out to <a contents="Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com/">Jazz Becuzz</a> for some of the fantastic arts events, or if you want music lessons of any kind, call them now! Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, The Spotify fall out - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So a buddy of mine hit me up and said that Spotify would be gone soon due to cancel culture. To which I said they all have an expiration date. I also said that with 60,000 pieces of content being placed on the platform a day….yeah A DAY; it’s going to be a hard sell to just dissolve them in a day or two. Moreover, indie artists usually don’t cherry pick the digital stores that a <a contents="CDbaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://cdbaby.com" target="_blank">CDbaby</a> or <a contents="Tunecore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://tunecore.com" target="_blank">Tunecore</a> puts them in - even though they can. So if we go back a little bit, I think the majority at large knows about the Joe Rogan incident and his multiple use of the <a contents="N word on his podcasts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theblackwallsttimes.com/2022/02/07/n-word-demands-for-spotify-to-remove-joe-rogan-grow-more-than-70-podcast-episodes-removed/" target="_blank">N word on his podcasts</a>. But what you might not know is that <a contents="Spotify pays Joe Rogan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/05/19/joe-rogan-moves-podcast-with-286-million-fans-to-spotify-drops-apple-youtube-other-platforms/?sh=2e64144d2a23">Spotify pays Joe Rogan</a> 100,000,000 to do his podcasts. Now since Spotify was basically built on the backs of the music rights holder, you would think they get a nice percentage too right? According to <a contents="Business Insider" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-spotify-pay-per-stream" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>, Spotify pays rights-holders between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream on average. So Spotify, a Swedish based tech company, takes over the music business, leads all the other streaming companies in market share (31%) and pays podcasters hundreds of millions. This is not the first of a <a contents="Spotify boycott." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-spotify-pay-per-stream" target="_blank">Spotify boycott.</a> Artists have been asking for more of the money that Spotify gives away for a few years. This however is something different. Rogan says he was taken out of context. I mean if you heard any of his podcasts with his constant use of the N word (I won’t share them here) there was nothing to take out of context. He said what he said. This in my opinion will shed a light on how Spotify does business and who they do business with. There is a running list of major <a contents="artists leaving Spotify," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://time.com/6144634/artists-boycott-spotify-joe-rogan/" target="_blank">artists leaving Spotify,</a> however, and again just my opinion, until the Drake's, Kanye's, Nikki’s, Kelly Clarkson's, and Lincoln Park's of the world pull out, there will still be Spotify…..at least for a while - but giants do fall. There are a lot of metaphors you can attach to this, the one that comes to my mind is “pride goeth before destruction.” Spotify seems very prideful in their not wanting to get rid of their 100,000,000 investment right now. However, like I told my buddy, companies do have expiration dates especially in the music and media business, remember <a contents="Blockbuster" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/last-blockbuster-airbnb-4-dollars-night/" target="_blank">Blockbuster</a>? </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Jazz Becuzz Arts Center" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz Arts Center</a> - Dallas based arts center that does everything from music lessons to music events featuring grammy award winning Dallas based artists. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6885685
2022-02-01T13:24:34-06:00
2022-02-01T13:24:34-06:00
Who’s working for you? & #IAOTW - Curtis Family C-Notes
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. Listen to the song in the number one spot this week from <a contents="Curtis Family C-Notes called FUTURE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/64vLCDq3VvTz0077dWH2pD?si=8e1e407e2a44447d" target="_blank">Curtis Family C-Notes called FUTURE</a>. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, Publishing Admin - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Just to kind of recap and refresh; Music Publishing in short is about the creation of your copyrights and the protection of your music. As publisher you are the owner of your composition copyright. If there is no deal in place with an outside publisher, then the songwriter(s) is the publisher. Music Distribution is the placement of your music in both physical and digital music retail outlets, even though there are very few physical retail shops or record stores anymore. 😥 The distributor also collects your master and sound recording money from the places that sold or streamed it. Music Publishing administration is the act of collecting your money for the music you write, and administers the rights of songwriters. An administrator makes sure that your music is registered in all the right places. The administrator manages your compositions by licensing, registering and collecting royalties on your behalf, and makes sure you don’t leave any money on the table. There are companies that do this for you. Some of them are your independent distributors such as <a contents="CDbabyPro" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/publishing" target="_blank">CDbabyPro</a>, and <a contents="Tunecore Publishing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/music-publishing-administration?ref=c_9026816&cmp=b_&utm_content=196941122839_&utm_term=%2Btunecore%20%2Bpublishing&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_b_p&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0eOPBhCGARIsAFIwTs5W75fylMfL1Z7LKqA8h_d2GNHfmfctUVDJCrEKS9ZpWPFgC_5FWNAaApnoEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Tunecore Publishing</a>. When you sign with them to distribute your music, that does not automatically sign you up with the publishing admin arm. There is an extra step and cost for that. So don’t get caught slipping thinking that you are signed up for the admin service when you are only signed up for distribution. Companies like <a contents="Songtrust" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0eOPBhCGARIsAFIwTs5Ph3Iu4xqM4_UG64rlCSzCAuNTZTKvVOmITLkm73EIGG5_7RPJblMaAk84EALw_wcB" target="_blank">Songtrust</a> and <a contents="Sentric" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sentricmusic.com/">Sentric</a> do not offer distribution, they are stand alone publishing admin companies. Here's something that’s key to know and remember, Under an Administration Deal, the songwriter retains 100% ownership and complete control of their compositions. Publishing Administrators do not own any parts of the copyright or any of the rights of the songs they administer. In a sense they are kinda like administrative assistants that work for you - the songwriter/publisher. They do collect a percentage after they collect your money, usually somewhere in the area of 10 - 15% but do your research, each company is different. Know also that the admin collects both performance and mechanical royalties for you. But be advised that your <a contents="Music PRO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://blog.songtrust.com/guide-to-usa-and-canada-pros" target="_blank">Music PRO</a> money goes to the administrator, they take their fee and send you the rest. So there’s a bit of trust that has to go into this relationship. Feel free to hit me up with any comments, questions or concerns regarding music publishing admin. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Curtis Family C-Notes " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inI4alL3J-g" target="_blank">Curtis Family C-Notes </a>- San Francisco's First Family of Song. Composed of father, mother, and five children. Stay tuned, they are about to take the music and tv world by storm! Click the link to see their performance on AGT. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6879235
2022-01-25T14:02:50-06:00
2022-01-25T14:02:50-06:00
Round and round and round we go? & #IAOTW - Mercy Club
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow <a contents="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=f557b159a743441e" target="_blank">https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. Listen to the song in the number one spot this week from <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2utMMGZrQKcvJDr1YXcbTh?si=dbb80e7f2cbe4d92" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a> Help Me to Love. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, 360 Record Deals - Let’s go - </p>
<p>360 Deals, also called multi-rights deals are exclusive label deals where the label takes a percentage of all, that’s ALL of an artist's revenue streams. This could include publishing, live concerts, merchandise, endorsements, books, movies, ringtones, babysitting, dog walking - EVERYTHING! 360 deals have become increasingly common in major label contracts because sales of recorded music ain’t what they used to be, especially post internet take-over and recently even worse since the pandemic. So the two sides of this is, in a traditional deal (especially back in the day), if worst case scenario your records didn’t sell, you would get shelved, and eventually dropped. However in this multi-rights deal the label might say, you let’s put you on tour, or with a nice size social media presence we can sell a good amount of merch, or maybe you have a few songs on TV shows, now the label can see a ROI on their investment, and you make money as well, therefore everyone is happy - or at least they are. </p>
<p>Those that say 360 deals are positive say it’s good for artist development. According to <a contents="Lyor Cohen" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyor_Cohen" target="_blank">Lyor Cohen</a>, former head of DefJam and now Global head of music at YouTube, having a 360 deal with artists allows a label to sign fewer acts to the roster, which means more time and energy can be invested into each person so it’s only fair that the label also takes a percentage from additional revenue streams. <a contents="Steve Rifkind" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Rifkind" target="_blank">Steve Rifkind</a>, another powerful label executive who founded Loud Records, kind of agrees but with the caveat that he believes he should only take a piece of what he helped to create saying; “If I get them a brand deal, a tour, [a] publishing deal, then I feel I deserve a piece. I don’t feel as if I deserve anything if I don’t bring anything to the table.” Therein Lies the biggest issue with the 360, profiting off of what you didn’t earn. There was a time when being both label and management was considered unethical, not illegal, just a huge conflict of interest. So in these 360 deals labels “say” they will commit to bigger and longer promotion periods, act as management, conduct artist development and look for out of the box opportunities IF they can get a bigger piece of the pie. Ultimately you and your lawyer must decide what is in your best interest, because isn’t that what we all really want - a bigger piece of the pie? 🥧 </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Mercy Club" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/2utMMGZrQKcvJDr1YXcbTh?si=52ddb17e951d41c3" target="_blank">Mercy Club</a> - former funk songwriters, producers and band members now doing the Lord's work. Get more info when you click on the blog. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6872879
2022-01-18T13:34:37-06:00
2022-01-18T13:34:37-06:00
Why Sell Your Masters? & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/dd1db346ab3a9ff47cb3db83db09b261306aded3/original/3d-unda-the-hat.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click, listen and follow https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol. It’s time for some self love and some self care. Listen to the song in the number one spot this week from Ruby Camille called Self Love. Know any Indie artists that need to make the list? Send them to me, if we dig ‘em, they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week, Why you selling out? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks are among the artists who have sold off all or part of their back catalogs. And <a contents="Lil Wayne" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFZZnde-FsQ" target="_blank">Lil Wayne</a> reportedly sold not only his masters but all of Young Money’s as well; that includes Nicki Minaj and Drake for one hundred million dollars, that’s $100,000,000; 🤯 <a contents="Bruce" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertwood/2021/12/20/bruce-springsteen-tells-irs-whos-boss-in-500m-sony-sale-taxed-as-capital-gain/?sh=67e01b9468e3" target="_blank">Bruce</a> sold his for 500 million 🤯🤯 - Why? If you remember last week I told you that ownership is control. And I know I see a lot of people who have no idea how any of this works get on social media and say how dumb it is for selling out. So are they forgoing future royalties and creative control over their songs? Well this will only give you a glimpse, but you can always reach out to me for more information. So why sell your control? Several reasons. I will be the first to say I’m not a fan of selling your masters, but I understand. One key reason that a lot of artists are now selling is the <a contents="capital gains tax" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-the-capital-gains-tax-3305824" target="_blank">capital gains tax</a>. CGT applies when you are taxed on assets that make money, like royalties and are paid by the top 1% of earners, like Lil Wayne and ‘nem. CGT is going up to 39.6 for those making over 400K, so naturally to offset the tax hike, you sell quickly before the new law comes into place.</p>
<p>Another reason is Covid. Yep Covid 19 is all in the music business. Since the Covid shut downs, music has not sold as it once did. All of the TV shows, and commercial ads, tours and clubs and places that pay royalties have not been in operation. Even now that things are opening back up, shows that once used big songs in their programming have not been using them. Therefore to make up for the money lost, bigger acts are taking the right now money and forgoing money down the road. And say what you will a hundred million is a hundred million and it’s not getting taxed as it would if it was coming in once a quarter when royalty statements come out. Now let’s understand that it’s not necessarily an all or nothing proposition. You can sell a portion and keep the rest, maybe sell it later. But at the end of the day, the master owner holds the control even in the negotiations of selling their catalog. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://rubycamillemusic.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> - singer-songwriter from Nashville. She is available for bookings too. Go to her website or just give me a shout. </p>
<p>For more information on this or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6865657
2022-01-11T13:14:28-06:00
2022-01-11T13:14:28-06:00
Master Ownership? & #IAOTW - Victor VC Caldwell
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/dd1db346ab3a9ff47cb3db83db09b261306aded3/original/3d-unda-the-hat.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p>First Happy New Year - again 😆. For some of the best independent music from artists you need to know, click and follow <a contents="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol" target="_blank">https://spoti.fi/3td3Xol</a>. Know Indy artists that need to make the list? Send them to me and they take the number one spot. </p>
<p>This week Should you own your masters? - Let’s go - </p>
<p>The Master recording is the official original recording of a song, sound or performance. This means that this is the most authentic superior sonic account of your song. Anything else is a copy and after that, especially in the digital world, a copy of a copy. That song is a whole made up of two parts, the Master and the Publishing, but today we will focus on the Master and ownership. Ultimately the Master Rights are usually owned by whoever finances the recording. Sometimes this is the record label, an executive producer, or you the independent DIY musician. </p>
<p>Traditionally in the big machine of the record labels, deals are structured so that the label, not the artist, owns the masters and ALL songs created during that deal. 🤢 Yeah makes you sick huh. Yes, the artist does get an advance and a royalty percentage for all PROFITS, not all money. In other words a percentage off the net not the gross. Meaning the artist doesn’t see a dime until AFTER the label has recouped on that advance and all expenditures. So all money ain’t good money right? ......I guess🤷🏾♂️ </p>
<p>Many artists like Tayler Swift in their early days of recording don’t realize that signing away the masters means selling the rights to not only their work for that project, but sometimes their future especially for the length of that contract. And what if your best work is your first group of recordings? So when you hear it on commercials, movies, sampled etc - guess who’s getting paid? </p>
<p>Here’s the simplicity of this, by owning your master recordings, you keep the creative control of your song, your sound, and your vibe. You have the right and the control to release your music however, whenever and wherever you want. The issue then becomes, do you know how or have the contacts to get your music to all the places you want it to go? 🤔 </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Victor VC Caldwell" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/vwcmusic/" target="_blank">Victor VC Caldwell</a> - arranger, producer, synthesizer, bass player and grammy winner. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire<a contents=" Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank"> Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6848210
2021-12-21T15:08:34-06:00
2021-12-21T15:30:53-06:00
*REPEAT* Managers and Really Funky Christmas Music
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/dd1db346ab3a9ff47cb3db83db09b261306aded3/original/3d-unda-the-hat.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>Well this is THAT week. Christmas time is not only in the air, it's here! So this will be the last "Repeat" blog of the year. No blog next week, So I hope and pray you have an overwhelmingly joyous Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you may celebrate. Remember love is the reason for the season. </p>
<p>Peace & Blessings to you.</p>
<p>This week, Managers, Let’s go - </p>
<p>What is the role of a good artist manager? Do you work for the manager or does the manager work for you? Well if it’s your Uncle Earl, he works for you, but if you are fortunate to get signed by a large well known company like Southpaw Management you might feel like you work for them but they still work for you too. A manager is like the CEO of the company YOU. You hire the manager to run your business and you trust them to have your back, front and each side. So ask yourself, do you have anything to manage? And if you do, are you willing to turn over all of the responsibility of your business to them? Remember a manager is not a glorified assistant. A manager should have unrestricted access to your money, your image, your likeness, your contacts and make legally binding decisions for you. You have to be able to trust them. And yes there are some horror stories out there of the misuse of power of management companies, so it’s a tough call. They should be like a Dr and do no harm, and they cannot benefit from the relationship and go behind your back and profit in ways that don’t benefit you and your career. </p>
<p>Hiring the CEO of YOU, is one of the most important decisions you can make. They will handle your day to day, book gigs, make sure your transportation is straight, know what your backline is, makes sure the studio is right, the engineer “gets your sound,” and negotiates your deal points. They should not only understand your brand and your sound but help to develop it. The manager should know the right producers, beat makers, and graphic artists to make everything from your logo to your album art pop! They should understand your audience and know how to grow it, or hire the right person to do that. Now with all that said, sometimes what you need is a “bridge-manager” to help out with your load until you can find that right manager. That is where Uncle Earl comes in handy. Just make sure you both know that’s what that relationship is. </p>
<p>Now with that said, a manager is not a marketing company, a record label, or a production company. These are services that a manager helps you to obtain and even leads, so you can be the artist you are meant to be. A lot of managers out there are entertainment attorneys and they (in my opinion) make some of the best managers due to their ability to negotiate. In addition, the fact that they usually have power of attorney and fiduciary responsibility to act on your behalf, you want someone who knows the law and not just google. </p>
<p>Ok so that’s it for this week and the year, and what a year it has been. Stay safe out there, wash your hands, stay 6 feet apart and wear your mask. See you for a quick note next week and back to the Tips next year. </p>
<p>This week's<a contents=" Independent Artists of the Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=bd61805ec60341d6" target="_blank"> Independent Artists of the Week</a>, Grambling grad and Chicago native <a contents="Angelo Michael Martin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=bd61805ec60341d6" target="_blank">Angelo Michael Martin</a> with his very funky take on some Christmas classics....and I do mean funky!!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6841036
2021-12-14T15:58:43-06:00
2021-12-14T15:58:43-06:00
*REPEAT* Time to Shed & IAOTW Angelo Michael Martin
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This is one of my favorites because it talks about woodshedding and practicing to get better and to find your own sound. Only a few days before Christmas, hope you all are being good and understanding the reason for the season. Look for a new look for the Blog post in the new year! Peace & Blessings! </p>
<p>This week, Shedding, Let’s go - </p>
<p>The term “Shedding” came from the jazz world, which simply means to train or to practice, we talking about practice right? (Insert the <a contents="famous quote" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/tknXRyUEJtU" target="_blank">famous quote</a> from Allen Iverson right?). My old voice teacher Mr. Robert Williams, at <a contents="Grambling State" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.gram.edu" target="_blank">Grambling State</a> would often say “Practice makes perfect is not true; you can practice wrong all day. It’s <strong>perfect practice that makes perfect</strong>.” In the jazz world you may hear a musician go over the same three note phrase for an hour, not just to get it right but to know where and how to insert those three notes in any song they are playing. The term “woodshedding” actually means so much more than just practicing and is a great tool in any genre of music including rap, and in any area of business. When I taught voice, I taught the techniques of breathing, vocal placement, how to achieve great tone; but what I didn’t teach was songs. Have you heard about <a contents="Kobe Bryant’s" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhNhWsv3NlY" target="_blank">Kobe Bryant’s</a> (RIP) work ethic when it came to training? He didn’t go to the gym and do pick up games. He worked on areas that he wanted to be proficient in. He would show up 4 hours before a game just to shoot. Jay Z was reading at a 12th grade level in the 6th grade, and according to his teacher would read the dictionary for fun. Speaking of hip hop, shedding for a rapper might mean studying a dictionary or thesaurus for the perfect metaphors, for a barber practicing straight lines and new hairdos on wig dolls, and the dreaded circle of 5ths for horn players. </p>
<p>Shedding yields focus and growth along with consistency. Ask any successful person what the keys to success are they will answer things like work ethic, persistence and consistency. You only achieve these things from….say it with me - shedding. Do yourself a favor today and go shed! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="Independent Artists of the Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=bd61805ec60341d6" target="_blank"><strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong></a>, Grambling grad and Chicago native <a contents="Angelo Michael Martin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/user-232965973/sets/reason-4-the-season-by-angelo?utm_campaign=social_sharing&utm_source=mobi&si=72e83ab603054992891e3639cf99662e&fbclid=IwAR3tc96iygpe_ERxmvUyoDEwP3Br9CD_RFQ8AI1NPYhMHkHlnO3NIqFLQeA" target="_blank">Angelo Michael Martin</a> with his very funky take on some Christmas classics....and I do mean funky!!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6833068
2021-12-07T14:42:47-06:00
2021-12-07T14:42:47-06:00
*REPEAT* Storytelling in your music & IAOTW - Christmas Music!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>Well it’s that time of year where it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! This week we showcase how to tell a good story along with our friend Mahogany TheArtist singing her favorite Christmas songs. Check it out - </p>
<p>This week, Story Time, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Once upon a time not long ago, when people wore pajamas and life was slow - Slick Rick. I got a story to tell, and it’s about writing stories in your stories, music, art, marketing, sales - whatever. Some would say that the art of storytelling is dead because truth and wisdom have given way to technology, Twitter size mentality, and sensationalized soundbites. While these new norms are true to a point, they are still stories nonetheless and as much as some might talk about the way stories were told “back in my day…” it’s not going to change the way stories are told by today's storytellers. Storytelling is everywhere; in music, art, dance, marketing, sales, church, politics - EV-ER-RE where! At its core, storytelling is using a narrative to communicate a message. The aim is to give the listener/viewer something they can feel, grab on to and take with them to let them know what you're saying is real. This is not to say that stories aren’t filled with symbolism, metaphors and hyperbole, just the opposite; that’s what makes them fun. In marketing for instance, the point is to give people a CTA (call to action), something to do. They achieve this by telling a story that might be factual or as outlandish as the <a contents="Emu and Doug" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHdH_Pbili4" target="_blank">Emu and Doug</a> commercials for Liberty Mutual. But here’s the aha moment - the story sticks with you. </p>
<p>So in music and book marketing we are talking about a story to tell a story about the story so people will read, listen, remember and buy the story. Stories are more memorable than just a hook and repetitive verse. Not to say they aren’t successful in today’s market, they just aren’t as memorable, and that’s what sells. Now I know some of you are thinking, what about an instrumental jazz song? Well if you really pay attention, that sax, guitar, drum etc have the same song structure as a vocal tune. There is that part where you go away humming, and it speaks to you in emotions - happy, sad, excited, frantic etc. It is a story. Life is art and art is a story be it painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, music, performing art or cinema. The way you walk, talk, express yourself, eat, sit, the clothes you wear, the way you sell your goods and services all tell a story. So do yourself a favor today; go out and tell your story! </p>
<p>This week's Independent Artists of the Week, <a contents="Mahogany TheArtist" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://mahoganytheartist.com/" target="_blank">Mahogany TheArtist</a> and her Christmas project </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6825602
2021-11-30T12:54:15-06:00
2021-11-30T12:54:15-06:00
*REPEAT* Do you need a Website & #IAOTW. Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p>Hey guys during the holidays I will be repeating some of the oldie but goodie blog posts from earlier this year. Enjoy </p>
<p>This week, Website, Let’s go - </p>
<p>With <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a contents="LinkedIn" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.linkedin.com" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.youtube.com" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, and other social media platforms, do you as an independent artist, businessperson, minister, comedian, or someone making jewelry trays etc really need a website? 🤷🏾♂️ Yeah you do. The most important reason is so that you can have ownership and control of your content. Having a website also helps you increase credibility, promote your business, and reach a wider audience. In today’s digital world it is important to have all of your social information in one place. Yes you’ve got <a contents="Shopify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank">Shopify</a>, <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.amazon.com" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a contents="Etsy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.etsy.com" target="_blank">Etsy</a> and so on, but to maintain your control, avoid heated competition, and stay connected to your clients and associates, a website can be as important as the product you are selling and accentuate all of your efforts. But, let’s be real, websites are a lot to maintain and they are not free. Additionally, have you tried some of these DIY sites like <a contents="Bandzoogle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bandzoogle.com" target="_blank">Bandzoogle</a>, <a contents="WIX" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wix.com" target="_blank">WIX</a>, <a contents="Squarespace" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.squarespace.com" target="_blank">Squarespace</a>, <a contents="Wordpress" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> etc, they all taunt that it is fun and easy to set them up - no it’s not, trust me; but it’s worth it. It’s one of the best places for you to get gigs, up your <a contents="SEO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo" target="_blank">SEO</a>, and really your own site makes you look like you are in this to win this, not just a side hustle. The reality is, different demos look at different social sites. If you have a Facebook page, think again if you think your average 19 year old is going to find your music or anything else you’re selling; they aren’t there, they think it’s for old folks, (whatever 🙄 ). <a contents="TikTok" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/" target="_blank">TikTok</a> is fun to watch, but that is a serious time commitment to stay consistent there, and have you seen <a contents="myspace" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://myspace.com/" target="_blank">myspace</a> lately? Yeah that’s my point, socials come and go with the latest trends and technology. Your website, however, can just be updated and add or remove socials as to their relevance for you, your brand and your content. Everything is in one place, you can get very personal with your audience, and you can sell your “stuff” right there and have a better tracking system for your accounting. </p>
<p>This week's Independent Artists of the Week,<a contents=" Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itamiyomusic.com/itamiyo-epk" target="_blank"> Itamiyo</a>. The first Hip Hop artist to be featured Unda The Hat but certainly not the last. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6819224
2021-11-23T13:15:39-06:00
2021-11-23T13:15:39-06:00
#REPEAT Copyright & #IAOTW - Eric Willis
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week it’s Thanksgiving Week so we are going to repeat one of the oldie but goodies, Copyright - Let’s go - </p>
<p>So after you’ve written and/or recorded your song, you will want to legally own it. Time to copyright ©? A <a contents="copyright" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html" target="_blank">copyright</a> is the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute one's own intellectual property (that’s actually anything you create, but we’ll stick to music), in other words - ownership. Ownership that gets you paid, and if anyone else gets paid off or your copyright you have the right to sue. The copyright belongs either exclusively to the one person that wrote the song, or to all members of the writing team, lyrics, music, beats, whatever. Note if it’s more than one person you all will need a document explaining the terms or your splits, something we will talk about later, just know that everyone that wrote it is a part owner. </p>
<p>Ok, let’s keep this simple, if you are in the U.S., to obtain a copyright you will need to fill out certain forms that you can obtain online from the copyright office through the Library of Congress. Now there are several types of copyrights, but we will discuss two. The <a contents="PA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formpa.pdf" target="_blank">PA</a> (Performing Arts) form, and the <a contents="SR" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formsr.pdf" target="_blank">SR</a> (Sound Recording) form. The links I provided are for the paper forms but you can also apply online here. </p>
<p>The PA form protects the song, the music, the lyrics, beats etc, and is owned by the songwriter, or publisher. The SR form protects the sound recording (the track) of that song, and is usually owned by the label or an artist. Now since I’m talking primarily to DIY artists you will probably own both the song and the recording, so it’s best to just fill out the SR form. Now who ever owns the songs has to be the same person who owns the recordings to do the SR, and if you do, you can do multiple songs on one form; does that make sense? Yeah it gets complicated so feel free to hit me with any questions. Just remember copyright = ownership, and in this game you want to own your ship! Remember to give thanks for all you are and all you have. And also remember this ain't about no Pilgrims - it's about being thankful. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is the same one from that week - Pianist <a contents=" Eric Willis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/ericwillismusic/" target="_blank"> Eric Willis</a>. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/ericwillismusic/" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6811817
2021-11-16T15:56:20-06:00
2021-11-16T15:56:20-06:00
The Library & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week Music Libraries - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Everybody wants to be on TV, or the movies right? So how do you get there….well get your music there? Music supervisors are one way, but few of us know them or how to get to them. Another source is music libraries. Music libraries represent large amounts of catalog music for the purposes of securing synchronization licenses. Basically, they are the middleman that connects your music to those supervisors and key decision makers for music to film, tv, games, ad agencies etc. You place your music in a library, they in turn get that music to their clients (one of the aforementioned). Now how do you find these magical mystical libraries? You can ask Uncle Google of course. I’ve placed a few right <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.millennialmind.co/top-sync-licensing-music-libraries/" target="_blank">here</a> to help get you started. </p>
<p>So you know, this is not the sexy part of the music game. You can have as many as 100 songs placed in a library or even placed and nobody knows your name. This is not about making hits, it’s about making content that fits into a story or completes one. And just to add, for you beatmakers and hip hoppers, NO SAMPLES, can you dig it? NONE. </p>
<p>As for the deal agreement - get an entertainment attorney. But know this, there is no statutory rate for a sync or master fee, so negotiate the best you can with each library. One of those deals is a 50/50 split with the library. This means the sync and the master license is combined into a single fee. The other is an up front fee, if this is the case the library will usually keep 100% for the duration of the contract, but the writer will usually keep the writers share of the public performance royalty. The Work for hire (there is a WFH copyright) means they get it all, copyright and all, if you do this, get all you can. This is where it gets sticky and trust me they have a music attorney, do yourself a favor and get you one - ok? Ok! </p>
<p>This week's <span style="display: none;"> </span><a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is singer, songwriter <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.rubycamille.com/" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> if you are in the Nashville area, be sure to go by Lighthouse on the Lake on Dec 12th 6 - 8 to catch her performance. It will be a night to remember!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6803233
2021-11-09T14:14:32-06:00
2021-11-09T14:14:32-06:00
The Contract & #IAOTW - Vick Jones
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week That BIG contract - Let’s go - </p>
<p>First let me start with I am not a lawyer, and this by no way is attempting to offer legal advice. I just thought I’d way in on something that has been floating around the internet. It seems that the particulars of a current artists contract was leaked when she signed it in 2017. I have seen all kinds of comments calling her unintelligent, calling out her team, and of course demonizing the record company. In the words of Master P “don’t hate the playa, hate the game.” I’m not one for gossip so I won’t go too far into what they say was in her contract. Some “experts” say it was brutal; 85K advance and 15% royalty. Was it that bad? I don’t know, did it provide for her and her family’s needs at the moment? Again I don’t know. I do know that the industry itself was built on bad, backroom, under the table, scandalous practices. One writer said “bad deals were baked into the way the music industry operates.” So let me whisper this - get a team you trust and GET AN ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY! No not your cousin who is a paralegal, a bonafide entertainment attorney who is abreast of how the game is changing and where it’s headed next. Now I know some artist were living very hard lives before getting signed. Some have been homeless, living in shelters, their cars and other horrific stories. So they don’t have the money to go out and retain some high powered attorney, I get it. Another reason I don’t judge about the first contract. Now the second contract - that’s on you! </p>
<p>A few tips that I offer, first and foremost, read it! Don’t skim it, read it. If you don’t like to read - hire an entertainment attorney; they love to read. Can’t afford one, find a law student, or someone who just passed the bar, or someone who hasn’t passed the bar but has a law degree. Look at the length of time on the contract. My personal opinion is if you find yourself in a bad contract grind your way out. Meaning keep writing, release as soon as they will put you on the schedule, and don’t floss with advance money. Pay some bills sock the rest away - it’s nothing more than a payday loan; you owe it back, and they get theirs off the top first. Don’t take “stuff” as an advance. You don’t want to owe back money for gold chains, or a pick up truck. What is the territory and what are the terms of your deal? Is it world wide, or just north america? After you sign is not the time to find out. A typical artist's royalty is in the 12 - 20% range. Depends on a lot of factors. Your entertainment attorney knows and is up to date on these rates. Know what is to be invested; not just to make the record but to market the record. You should know actual dollar amounts of your production, video, radio promo, pressing, tour, merch, marketing and sales. All of this is to be paid back to the label before you see a dime. How much of your non record revenue are you willing to give up? This is where those 360 deals come into play. My personal opinion on 360’s is nobody gets anything for free. If they want a piece of the non record revenue, then work for it. You want touring money how much are you willing to pay for the tour? You want merch money? Are they making it in bulk and paying the shipping? This should be non negotiable, can’t be double dipping. Again I say a little louder - get an entertainment attorney. Lastly, let's say a label gives an artist a $1 million advance and it costs $200,000 to record their album. That means the artist has an unrecouped balance of $1.2 million. With a royalty rate of 20 percent, their album has to earn $6 million before they break even. Crazy right. So either stay independent or let me say it one mo time - GET AN ENTERTAINMENT ATTORNEY! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is singer, songwriter <a contents="Vick Jones" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/booktherealvickjones/" target="_blank">Vick Jones</a> from Birmingham Alabama. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6796089
2021-11-02T14:55:45-05:00
2021-11-02T14:55:45-05:00
How Royal is it? & #IAOTW - Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week Royalties - Let’s go - </p>
<p>Everybody wants and needs those royalties, but who really understands them? Well I could just end this whole thing and say get a lawyer. I bet my buddy Karl M Washington Esq would say yeah do that. But just so you know a lil bit about your money, I’ll share this. Royalties (in the area of music) are payments made to the owner of a copyright for the expressed use of their original content. A royalty is a cut off the top of revenue earned for the use of that content. The royalty owner gets paid first before everyone else, and that payment usually comes quarterly. Copyright laws give exclusive rights to the creators of original content and can not be used without the proper licence. And just so we are clear, saying “I do not own the rights to this music,” on Facebook means nothing; I actually laugh everytime I see that...but I digress. For recorded music there are two copyrights; the publishing which is for the composition (that’s the lyric and melody), and the sexy one that everybody likes to shout about - the master, which is for the recording itself (basically what you hear). Now we’ve talked about this a few blog posts ago but it’s worth repeating; the publishing portion of your song is split between the songwriter and the publisher. The good thing about the DIY world is that for most of you the songwriter and the publisher is one person - you! The master is between the recording artists and the record label. Guess what - you are probably the record label with a distribution deal with one of the DSP’s like CDbaby, Distrokid or United Masters. That’s a lot of money (hopefully) to split between you and yourself. Now obviously there is a lot more to royalties than this so feel free to contact me and ask me what you’d like to know. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/jazzbecuzzartscenter/" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz </a>with guest The Pete Rioux Trio. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6787628
2021-10-26T15:30:51-05:00
2022-03-02T11:13:04-06:00
IG Marketing & #IAOTW - Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="#TipUndaTheHat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">#TipUndaTheHat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, IG Marketing- Let’s go - </p>
<p>So of all the social media platforms the one that has the attention of all the music world is <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. 🤔 I wonder why? Well, for starters, Instagram has the highest engagement rate across all social media platforms. There are over a billion (with a B) monthly users, and 500 million of them use the app several times a day. Yes it is true that younger subscribers are on IG (short for Instagram if you didn’t get that already) than older, it is still the quintessential place to promote your music be it jazz, gospel, country, hip hop or even classical. </p>
<p>Now when setting up your IG account, to effectively promote your music you should get a business account. It works the same as a personal account but it has more features like analytics. One thing it does not offer like its parent company Facebook, is the opportunity to place links in your posts. Not to worry though, you are able to place a link in your bio. What that does is allows you to send your viewers to a place to buy like your website, a landing page, spotify Tidal or other selling platforms. </p>
<p>Let’s be clear, the most important thing is the content. It should be vivid, bold, interesting and good. It should speak to your brand and let followers know who you are and what you are about. It could be a pic of your current project, something interesting from backstage, or a video of the gig. What is important is you post something that your followers will respond to, and once they do, be sure to respond back. Don’t be afraid to share content from platforms like tiktok. But whatever you do, keep the pictures current, unless you are doing a throwback. Now the younger readers will get this, some of my older jazz and gospel artists will look at this and think oh well, it doesn’t matter I’ll use a pic from 1997. Problem is you don’t look like that anymore. Keep it updated, fresh and oh so clean or just use your logo. The idea here is to brand you, remember that, it all matters. </p>
<p>With so many daily users, you want to diversify your posts. Here is where IG gets fun. You have the ability to add posts, stories or reels; and they all have their own identity. One way your content can be found is the use of hashtags. They make it easier for your post to be found, but only use hashtags that are relevant to your post or reel. Stories can’t be found so easily with hashtags so just know that when you are hashtagging away. Hashtags have followers, some have more than a million followers, make sure to use good hashtags that have followers, just putting a hashtag in front of your name or something that has 0 followers will get you nothing; hashtags have a purpose, use them wisely. Here’s what we will end with, you need to know that all of the platforms want people to stay as long as possible. So if you are bringing people to IG, and your content, comments and hashtags keep them there, the further Instagram will push your posts out. The more people see your posts the more engagements you get and people downloading your music. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/jazzbecuzzac/" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> with guest <a contents="Myles Tate III." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/iammylesaheadmusic/?hl=en" target="_blank">Myles Tate III.</a> </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/iammylesaheadmusic/?hl=en" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6780729
2021-10-19T14:29:13-05:00
2021-10-19T14:29:13-05:00
Under Cover & #IAOTW - Sage Gray
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Cover songs - Let’s go - </p>
<p>First off I want to give a big shout out to my friends at <a contents="Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com/" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz</a> who are celebrating their 7 year anniversary. If you are in the <a contents="Dallas/Ft. Worth" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com/contact-us.html" target="_blank">Dallas/Ft. Worth</a> area go to the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/jazzbecuzz/?hl=en" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight for the best jam in the city with the best musicians on earth. If you’re a musician get your ax and go play. </p>
<p>Now as for cover songs, there are a lot of covers going up on all platforms, and I’m sure you wonder, are people getting paid on these? Should I be doing this? Well let’s start with the obvious; a cover song is a new rendition of a previously recorded song with the melody and lyrics intact done by someone other than the original artist. So now you are that “someone other,” and you have a killer version of a cover that you want to release. Well you could just say “I don’t own the rights to this song,” release it and make as much as you can off of it; but that protects nothing and you will probably get sued, so let’s not do that. If you are looking to record and release a cover there are certain licenses that you must obtain. You will need a mechanical license to release your cover song to the world. A mechanical license is the right to make copies of the song's musical structure i.e. the composition, lyrics and vocal arrangement. There are three ways to get this license to cover: a compulsory licensing procedure, the Harry Fox Agency - if they administer that song, or just ask the publisher of the song, which is easier said than done. The cool part about a compulsory license is - the publisher can’t say no, and has to grant the mechanical license as long as you follow the Copyright Act steps and as Grambling State University Football Coach Broderick Fobbs says - <a contents="#paythefee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/paythefee?lang=en" target="_blank">#paythefee</a>! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is indie band <a contents="Sage Gray" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCltjGErJHgKnWz6Fnml4g4Q" target="_blank">Sage Gray</a> from Dallas, Texas. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6773649
2021-10-12T12:24:53-05:00
2021-10-12T12:24:53-05:00
Soundscan & #IAOTW - Showthief
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Soundscan - what is that? Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ever read a<a contents=" Billboard" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.billboard.com/" target="_blank"> Billboard</a> magazine and wonder how those records got to be number 1? How do they get the information as to how many records were sold, were streamed, downloaded, and why it even matters. </p>
<p>That information comes from Soundscan which is owned by <a contents="Valence Media" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-releases/2019/valence-media-acquires-nielsen-music-data-and-insights-product-suite-and-creates-new-mrc-data-division/" target="_blank">Valence Media</a> under it’s <a contents="MRC Data" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mrcentertainment.com/#about-us" target="_blank">MRC Data</a> division who also owns <a contents="Billboard" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.billboard.com/" target="_blank">Billboard</a>. Now back in the day before all these companies merged, <a contents="Billboard" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.billboard.com/" target="_blank">Billboard</a> would call stores and track sales, then Soundscan came along, then they became Nielsen Soundscan, then Valence, then they rebranded it to MRC Data. 🤦🏽♂️ Geez!! Now some of these corporate maneuvers are fairly new, but as with most industries the music business is always moving, shaking and evolving; and as the song says “<a contents="big bank take lil bank" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z61GFxVD8K4" target="_blank">big bank take lil bank</a>.” But that in itself would take about 10 pages to write. As for now, we’ll just focus on what is this Soundscan that we speak about. Soundscan is a tracking platform that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada. Data is collected weekly and made available every Wednesday to subscribers, which include record companies, publishing firms, music retailers, independent promoters, film and TV companies, and artist managers. In order to have a chance at making the Billboard music charts, any release must be registered with SoundScan using UPC number (for the whole album) and ISRC codes (for the individual tracks). Without registration, the sales figures will not be counted, and will remain invisible to the system. Of the <a contents="DSP’s" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://help.songtrust.com/knowledge/what-is-a-digital-service-provider-dsp" target="_blank">DSP’s</a>, only <a contents="CDbaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/" target="_blank">CDbaby</a> and <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> report sales to soundscan. Both will report all digital sales of albums with a barcode or ISRC codes to SoundScan on a weekly basis. HOWEVER, it is your responsibility to register directly with <a contents="Soundscan" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://titlereg.soundscan.com/soundscantitlereg/" target="_blank">Soundscan</a> here, to make sure that your sales are properly credited to you and there are no mistakes with your reporting or your money - make sense? 😉 </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is rapper <a contents="Showthief" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/showthief_90/" target="_blank">Showthief</a>. Now in Florida he attended Samford in Birmingham and is featured on Ruby Camille’s latest single <a contents="Faded" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4fCuvgvSVKiJUxs2C3174y?si=858b33c018124c0b" target="_blank">Faded</a>. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6766794
2021-10-05T12:06:25-05:00
2021-10-05T12:06:25-05:00
Let’s have a split & #IAOTW - Latin Jones
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Splits - what are they and how do they work? Let’s go - </p>
<p>So you wrote the hook and your partner wrote the lyrics and the beat came from another source? Well, how do you all get paid if the song blows up?? I’ve told you on several blog posts that the way to get money in this business you must first be registered with a <a contents="PRO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/music-publishing-glossary/glossary-PRO" target="_blank">PRO</a> like <a contents="ASCAP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/" target="_blank">ASCAP</a>, <a contents="BMI" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bmi.com/" target="_blank">BMI</a>, or <a contents="SESAC" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sesac.com/#!/" target="_blank">SESAC</a>. Record labels, publishers, and film projects that may sync your music will not Pay Out if you got issues with who wrote what and where the money should go. Trust me, those people will look at you and say YOU MISSED IT!!! </p>
<p>If you write with another writer and/or producer, you each have a stake in the song’s success and should determine what percentage each of you owns. So how do you do that? Well first you need to determine how much of the song you came up with? Trust me, many a fight have taken place over this. So let’s keep down the confusion, and keep everything orderly and professionally. You do this with a split sheet. A <a contents="split sheet" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/articles/2018/song-split-sheet-for-5-writers.pdf" target="_blank">split sheet</a> is an agreement that identifies who wrote what percentage of the song such as the producer(s) and songwriter(s). Each creator has to agree about how the percentages are defined. Some artists will divide it evenly based on who is in the room writing and producing the song. Some will base the percentages on the person’s specific contribution such as the lyrics, hook, melody, and beats. It is beneficial to understand the Artists position on splits so no hands will be thrown or lawsuits filed when the song is completed. </p>
<p>So in simple terms if a producer and a songwriter/artist create a song then 50% goes to the producer and 50% goes to the songwriter/artist. If there are two writers then the producer still gets his 50% and the two writers get 25% apiece, make since? If you look at some of your bigger songs you will see as many as 13 people are listed as songwriters. Yes everyone of them will get a piece of that pie. And please take split sheets into the studio with you, fill them out right after the session while everything is fresh and everyone agrees on what was done. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank">#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</a> is <a contents="Latin Jones" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/ellejonesmusic/">Latin Jones</a>, a singer/songwriter and worship leader from Birmingham, AL. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6759857
2021-09-28T11:58:29-05:00
2021-09-28T11:58:29-05:00
Publishing Admin & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Publishing Admin, what is that? Let’s go - </p>
<p>So we all know that in the DIY music space, <a contents="music publishers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcharts.com/blog/how-the-music-publishing-works" target="_blank">music publishers</a> and songwriters are usually synonymous, and the publisher part of them is looking for opportunities for their music to be heard. And just so you know, publishing is the oldest part of the game. It was there long before streaming, recordings, 8 tracks, or 45’s. Moreover, cats like Mozart and ‘nem had publishers who produced their music on paper,and in books, and paid them for using their work. But in today's world, when your music gets streamed, downloaded, used on TV, radio, internet etc, you get PAID, either a mechanical, or performance royalty. But how do you get the cheese? 🧀 Being that you are a DIY musician, you usually wait on your <a contents="PRO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/music-licensing-101-what-is-a-performing-rights-organization" target="_blank">PRO</a> to get that once a quarter mailbox check, or work with a Publishing Administration company; it’s not free but worth the cost. </p>
<p>Publishing Admin is basically the art of collecting your money for the music you write. You, as the publisher, would be the owner of the composition copyright. A publishing admin works for you, the publisher, to manage the copyrights and account for the money that’s out there. There can be tons of money that you are missing trying to chase it yourself, or wait on that PRO to get that check in the mailbox. So you are clear the Publishing Admin does not own any part of the music, so there is no mailbox check for them, just what you pay them, usually on a commission basis. Now because I believe in going for the low hanging fruit, for most of you, your indy distributor like CDbaby or TuneCore have publishing arms that you can utilize, again for a fee, but a well worth it fee if they find that money you have on some lil TV show in Brazil that you had no clue was being played. So get your money and make sure you are working on the music and let the folks who look for money look for yours. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> who has a hot new single coming out this Friday October 1st. You can still pre-save your copy today and get a free download on her site.</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6753114
2021-09-21T13:08:41-05:00
2021-09-21T13:08:41-05:00
The Fantastic Mr Fox & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /> Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, <a contents="Harry Fox Agency" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">Harry Fox Agency</a>, who and what is that? Let’s go - </p>
<p>In short the <a contents="Harry Fox Agency or HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">Harry Fox Agency or HFA</a> is a mechanical licencing organization that was established in 1921. They are not the only mechanical licencing organization, but they are the oldest. Now before we go further, let’s review mechanical royalties. Mechanical royalties are royalties that are generated each time a musical composition is reproduced, whether physically or digitally via on-demand streaming or download-to-own services. Basically when a product is mechanically reproduced legally, the songwriter is compensated. </p>
<p>Now back to <a contents="HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">HFA</a>, though they have several subsidiaries, primarily, they are responsible for licensing and collecting mechanical royalties on behalf of music publishers in the U.S. These royalties include the recording and reproduction of music streams, CD’s, ringtones, and downloads; in other words both physical and digital products. In addition to mechanical licencing, <a contents="HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">HFA</a> conducts royalty examinations, pursues piracy claims and covers cover songs. With that said <a contents="HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">HFA</a> is not a PRO - <em>Performance Rights Organization </em>- you remember them right? They collect public performance royalties from public performances as defined by the <a contents="US Copyright Act" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.copyright.gov/title17/" target="_blank">US Copyright Act</a>, and ensure that payment is issued appropriately. When it comes to cover songs, joining or contacting <a contents="HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">HFA</a> is one of the ways to obtain a mechanical license for that cover song as long as they administer the musical composition for it. If you plan on releasing a cover song as part of a physical and/or downloadable record, you will need a mechanical license. Not the case if you are releasing a cover strictly on streaming platforms. You secure your license through <a contents="HFA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/#/" target="_blank">HFA</a> or the copyright holder themselves if you can get a hold of them. Now some digital distributors have publishing admin third party services such as <a contents="CD baby pro publishing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/publishing" target="_blank">CD baby pro publishing</a> or <a contents="TuneCore publishing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/music-publishing-administration?ref=c_9026841&cmp=b_&utm_content=196941122839_&utm_term=%2Btunecore%20%2Bpublishing&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=us_b_p&gclid=CjwKCAjwhaaKBhBcEiwA8acsHHkIqWodlQED_EZL4zyDE2QRdODqgbPDFbdXbOKCnhFfi4TOuKFtqhoCzywQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">TuneCore publishing</a>, but they take a nice chunk of your money, so the best bet is to join HFA or one of the other mechanical licencing organizations yourself to try and get as much of your coin as possible. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is the newest Jewel in R&B, <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a>. She has a new single coming October 1st called "Faded," and you can pre-save your copy on her website and get a free remix of her song "Fun Love" done by last weeks #IAOTW <a contents="Angelo Michael Martin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/AngeloMichaelMartin/videos/555423759122181" target="_blank">Angelo Michael Martin</a>. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6745953
2021-09-14T16:17:54-05:00
2021-09-20T06:51:43-05:00
Check your email & #IAOTW - Angelo Michael Martin
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Email Marketing for Musicians, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So we all know what email is and use it daily. If you are a DIY musician, and you aren't using it to promote your music, keep reading. Now I know a lot of you are devoted to your craft and believe that the music will speak for itself, and because it’s soooo good it will mystically manifest itself into the hands, ears and hearts of the buying public….<em>yeah that ain’t gon happen.</em>😒 And being that you have your website (you do have your <a contents="website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/campaigns/677525" target="_blank">website</a> right??) you need a way to get your fans over there; they’re not going to your site on their own. There are obviously many ways to get your music to listeners and social media is usually the first thing people think of. Even though some of the younger cats out there consider email old school; it still works and works well, as much as 40% more effective than facebook and twitter combined. </p>
<p>As with everything there are rules to the game, before you collect emails, you will need to choose an email marketing platform. These services provide features that collect and manage email lists, send bulk emails, collect analytics and so much more. Due to the <a contents="can-spam act" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/can-spam-act-compliance-guide-business" target="_blank">can-spam act</a>, it is illegal to host a newsletter without offering a form of ‘unsubscribe’ within, so running your newsletter through your Gmail account and BCC’ing is not the move. Plus, email marketing platforms give you a much more robust experience. Some of the email marketing services that are out there providing great services are <a contents="Hubspot" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hubspot.com/" target="_blank">Hubspot</a>,<a contents=" Mailchimp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://mailchimp.com/" target="_blank"> Mailchimp</a>, <a contents="Fanbridge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://fanbridge.com/" target="_blank">Fanbridge</a> or even <a contents="Bandzoogle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bandzoogle.com" target="_blank">Bandzoogle</a> who I use. </p>
<p>Once you’ve got your platform, it’s time to start a list. You need to get people to sign up. You can give away free downloads of unreleased tracks and remixes, access to exclusive backstage video, pre-save campaigns, sweepstakes, ticket giveaways or even other artists' content. Now if you need help getting your email campaigns going, hit me up, I’ll be glad to help. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Angelo Michael Martin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/angelomichaelmartin21/" target="_blank">Angelo Michael Martin</a>, a Chicagoland singer/songwriter musician and Grambling State University (my alma mater) grad who is both original and funky!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6738884
2021-09-07T14:37:19-05:00
2021-09-07T14:37:19-05:00
SoundExchange & #IAOTW - Chaptabois
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, <a contents="SoundExchange" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange</a>, what is that? Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ever heard of <a contents="SoundExchange" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange</a>? Well <a contents="SoundExchange" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange</a> is a non-profit organization founded by the <a contents="Copyright Royalty board." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.crb.gov/" target="_blank">Copyright Royalty board.</a> What they do is collect and distribute digital performance royalties on behalf of recording artists and master rights owners; these can be record labels, publishers or indie artists that own their masters. This is different from <a contents="PRO’s" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/music-licensing-101-what-is-a-performing-rights-organization" target="_blank">PRO’s</a> that collect and distribute performance royalties for songwriters and publishers and <strong>not</strong> the <strong>performing artist</strong>. See the difference? Currently, there is no performance right (or money for the artist) for over-the-air traditional broadcasts. Artists and record labels are not compensated when their creative works are used by traditional radio. A <a contents="PRO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/music-licensing-101-what-is-a-performing-rights-organization" target="_blank">PRO</a> collects royalties by issuing licenses to TV’s, terrestrial radio, businesses, streaming platforms and even local bars and clubs. So why Soundexchange? Currently there is no performance right for the over the air broadcasts. Artists and record labels are not compensated when they get airplay from traditional radio.</p>
<p><a contents="SoundExchange " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange </a>on the other hand collects digital royalties from three main sources: 1) Non-interactive webcasters like Pandora radio, 2) Satellite and digital cable TV like <a contents="Music Choice" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://musicchoice.com/" target="_blank">Music Choice</a> or <a contents="Muzak (now Mood Media)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://us.moodmedia.com/ga/muzak-background-music/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=618570716&utm_term=muzak%20music&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm9yJBhDTARIsABKIcGb0fE-p19vIpfuNlWfTdezuQ1aOuVYHncIz3-V7LMv32HDA6Pj4Z5IaAkbXEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Muzak (now Mood Media)</a>, 3) Satellite Radio Services like <a contents="SiriusXM" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.siriusxm.com/" target="_blank">SiriusXM</a>. So the recording artist CAN make money from satellite radio, but not terrestrial radio - ain’t that crazy? <a contents="Digital Radio Services " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/digital-radio" target="_blank">Digital Radio Services </a>send playlists with songs played and money to <a contents="SoundExchange" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange</a> which then get to the recording artists and master rights owner. By law 45% of digital performance royalties are paid directly to the featured artist(s) or the person or group that is most prominently featured on the project, and 5% to a fund for the non-featured artists such as session musicians, or background vocalists. The other 50% of the performance royalties are paid to whoever owns the master sound recording. Get it now? Yeah in this digital age, you need <a contents="SoundExchange." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.soundexchange.com/" target="_blank">SoundExchange.</a> Now the paperwork is no joke, don’t let it deter you, get in there and make yo money mane! </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Chaptabois" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/therealchaptabois/" target="_blank">Chaptabois</a>, two of the hottest film to music rappers that you’ve never heard of, straight out of Houston TX. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6732159
2021-08-31T13:00:31-05:00
2021-08-31T13:00:31-05:00
SEO for artists part 3 & #IAOTW - Eric Willis
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, SEO, where you at? Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ok, the final week of SEO theories. So we talked about your goals, your content, keywords and your metadata; now let’s finish this up. A good way to increase your visibility on google is to use links. Links to your website from other websites, aka backlinks, are extremely important for SEO. That’s because Google likes sites that are trustworthy, and one way it can tell if your site is trustworthy is whether other trustworthy sites link to yours. The more sites linking back to yours, the better. Now this is where the hard work comes in - ha not really. But you want Google to know that your site is your site, so set up your site in <a contents="Google Search Console" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://search.google.com/search-console/about" target="_blank">Google Search Console</a>. Google - <a contents="Google Search Console" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://search.google.com/search-console/about" target="_blank">Google Search Console</a>, and sign up or create an account, and then add your website. Then you’ll need to prove that you own your site, which you will see instructions for in Search Console. Usually this is done by adding a simple HTML tag to your website. One of the advantages of doing this simple step is that it will help you get a knowledge panel in Google search engine results pages. </p>
<p>One that I found a little bit difficult and expensive to hire someone else is to Create Wiki entries for yourself or your band. If you are just starting out you may want to wait on this, if you are on your way and making headways, you may want to make this investment. Search engines like Google use wiki sites as a source of reliable information for certain things, particularly for generating <a contents="knowledge panels" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/how-to-get-a-band-knowledge-panel" target="_blank">knowledge panels</a> and other rich information in search engine results pages. </p>
<p>You’ll want to use your website as your hub to really start getting SEO traffic. Now none of this will happen overnight, so this isn’t for the casual musician, it’s for those of you that have chosen this as your profession. It usually takes months before Google will view you as a trusted site, but keep pushing and stay consistent. Ok so there you have it, have fun rising up the Google ladder and being found on that first page. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Eric Willis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fb.watch/7K9fhTeOjr/" target="_blank">Eric Willis</a>, the amazing piano player from Louisiana now living in Dallas Texas. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6725809
2021-08-24T13:25:39-05:00
2021-10-05T17:42:13-05:00
SEO for artists part 2 & #IAOTW - Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, SEO, where you at? Let’s go - </p>
<p>Last week we started with SEO for artists, so here’s a refresher; SEO stands for <a contents="Search Engine Optimization" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/what-is-seo" target="_blank">Search Engine Optimization</a>, which is the art of making your content visible to search tools such as Google. I touched briefly on researching keywords and hashtags. I want to start with the fact that content is king🤴🏽therefore the more content the better. The more you use the same keywords and hashtags the stronger your SEO is, and it continues to raise your profile up the google ladder and makes you easier to find. Now please keep in mind you must make interesting intriguing content and you must look like a star in your world. What does that mean? Be genre specific for your fans. If you are doing jazz you might not want to look like and talk like/sound like a trap rapper. You must have amazing content that your target market will appreciate, not just your real friends but your potential fans. Remember once you decide to be an artist for real for real you have to do what successful artists do, so in the words of Master P - “don’t hate the playa, hate the game!” </p>
<p>I did an entire blog post on making sure you were set up with your <a contents="website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/blog?p=20" target="_blank">website</a>. Here’s what you need to know, google prioritizes content from an artist's official site in it’s rankings, especially when you run ads on google (you want to run ads on google). Then you will want to prepare your site with <a contents="Metadata" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/metadata-definition-and-examples-1019177" target="_blank">Metadata</a>, <a contents="Title tags" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://moz.com/learn/seo/title-tag#:~:text=A%20title%20tag%20is%20an,%2C%20SEO%2C%20and%20social%20sharing." target="_blank">Title tags</a>, and <a contents="headers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Header_(computing)" target="_blank">headers</a>. The meta descriptions will help users know what type of music you make, tags are headlines that search the engine and find when users search for your content and headers are titles that separate different sections of a post on your site will increase your traffic. Meta descriptions help internet users know the type of music you create. You will want to use an analytical tool like google analytics and <a contents="Spotify for Artists" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://artists.spotify.com/?utm_source=googlesearch&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=2021q1_creator_single_creator_us-en-brand-exact&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsZKJBhC0ARIsAJ96n3USPtjp0-ek_s5lZrSWFKYRIEWF0HsVNvaUZBPyDHoGunRfpm0hIYoaAtf_EALw_wcB" target="_blank">Spotify for Artists</a> to get your content prepared. Make sure you update your website frequently because google crawlers prioritize unique content when ranking websites. Yeah and all you thought you had to do was record, and put your song online huh? Yep the game done changed! Part 3 next week. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.itamiyomusic.com" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a>, The West African Rapper is at it again with a new video on the latest single and is releasing his third single in as many months. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6719457
2021-08-17T12:04:02-05:00
2021-08-17T12:04:02-05:00
SEO for artists part 1 & #IAOTW - Linny Nance
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, SEO, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So I get asked this question a lot so I thought I would tackle it here. Moreover, there’s a lot of info to discuss on this so this is part 1 of a 3 part series ok? Ok so… </p>
<p>I’m sure you wonder 🤔 <em>how do you get to the top of the google search</em>? Well it’s all due to the magical mystical SEO; so what is that? SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, the art of making your content visible to search tools such as Google, YouTube etc. Content that is optimized ranks higher on organic search results. SEO is an important free marketing channel that works, as long as you work it. Yep it’s time consuming, slow and not that easy to do, but if you get it done, so worth it. </p>
<p>So for most musicians, the reason you jump through these SEO hoops to begin with is to make your content discoverable in search engines, and to create a positive and engaging experience for fans. So what that means simply is SEO is about making sure that when people are looking for your information and your music they can find it. When you start to think about SEO, one thing I’ve found that helps is to not think of yourself, but your fans. Who’s looking for you and why? So since your online presence is probably spread across many different platforms; your website, social media, video, streaming, tour dates, and eCommerce. With each of these platforms serving a different purpose for fans at different points, so are these platforms speaking the same language? Hashtags and keywords are the languages that these platforms speak, so your hashtags and keyword game has got to be strong, relevant and has to mirror each other. Did you know that hashtag analysis was a real thing? Research for keywords and hashtags that fans use. Afterwards use them in the metadata on your website and social pages. Include synonyms of the keywords to cover the variety of search terms fans are likely to use and use them across all platforms and be consistent. We’ll stop here for now, got mo stuff to say next week…. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Linny Nance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.funkygroovemusic.com/" target="_blank">Linny Nance</a>, Dallas’s Favorite Keyboard Player. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6712179
2021-08-10T10:23:47-05:00
2021-08-10T10:27:19-05:00
The Artist Brand & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, The Artist brand, Let’s go - </p>
<p>In my very first <a contents="blog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://undathehat.com/blogs/tip-unda-the-hat-coming-soon/posts/who-are-you-and-what-is-your-brand" target="_blank">blog</a> I talked about you and <em>what</em> your brand is. This week we’re going to further that discussion and discuss <em>how</em> you establish a strong brand identity. We know that the brand is everything that defines you, basically an outward visual and sonic expression of you, your music, art, business - everything, and it distinguishes you from everyone else; or at least it should. Some of the anchors of branding will include your look, logo, promotional photos, album artwork, music videos, and merchandise; it can even include your font and the color schemes you use. These all combine to form your brand identity and help people get to know you. </p>
<p>The brand has got to have an emotional tie. When little kids see those golden arches they go all in, your fans should do the same thing. So the how to all this is to first and foremost make sure that your music, your speech, your art is worth talking about. George Daniels of George's Music Room in Chicago, would always say <em>“you can’t shine sh**, no matter how much marketing you put on it.”</em> Fans are quick to judge new music, so make sure yours is good and relevant. There is a lot of music out there, give your fans what they want. Next is to make sure you are building a strong relationship with your target audience. Additionally make sure you are everywhere your fans are. Don’t be enamored by new platforms if your fans aren’t there. If you are an adult contemporary artist, it’s more likely that your fans are more on Facebook than TikTok, and just the opposite for hip hop artists; wherever they are, that’s where you should be, and grab them and bring them into your circle, make them family. </p>
<p>If the internet did anything, it provided a way for millions of musicians to put out music to the public faster and more abundantly than ever, you have to stand out; your brand makes you do that, keep it fresh, know what the competition is doing because they are watching you and how you engage your fans. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong></a>is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.rubycamillemusic.com" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> the newest jewel in R&B has her new single “<a contents="Fun Love”" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/FjaurOz7hKw" target="_blank">Fun Love”</a> and it is getting rave reviews. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6706004
2021-08-03T17:19:29-05:00
2021-08-03T17:19:29-05:00
Studio ready & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Studio ready, Let’s go - </p>
<p>A wise man once said <em>“if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready” </em>- Suga Free. This is very true when it comes to going into the studio. Now for some, I’ll be preaching to the choir, so please pass this Tip along to your apprentices, interns or anybody on the come up going in the studio for the first or second time. It takes a good deal of money to record in a commercial studio and the last thing you want to do is waste any coins. Maximizing the time, energy, creative juice and opportunity should be one of your number one objectives. Therefore, <em>set a goal</em>. What do you plan to get done and how? <em>Make a plan</em>. How long will you be there, what will you do, plan out your vocals, layers, instruments, beats, all of it. Be prepared <em>physically, mentally and spiritually, </em>to be at your peak creatively. If you are too tired, under the weather, hung over, or emotionally spent, people can hear it; it will take longer to record, and it won’t be your best. <em>Be on time.</em> You will be dealing with other professionals and paying for their time. Time is money - period. <em>Practice and finish writing</em> before you get there. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen acts try to write and practice once they get to the studio. Have it all formatted - the hooks, the verses, solos, drum breaks, everything. Obviously leave some room for creativity, but know where it goes and have it written down. <em>Bring snacks.</em> Now I’m not talking about a full burger meal, but something healthy to keep your energy up. Do a little <em>research</em> on the studio and the engineer; or bring your own. If the engineer has only done hard core hip hop projects, they may miss the little nuances that take a gospel or jazz project from good to great; know what you’re dealing with. Lastly <em>proofread </em>meaning listen. Listen to correct not to jam. Make sure your chords lineup, and your vocals are distinguishable; people want to sing along. If they have no idea what you're saying they can’t, and trust me they want to. </p>
<p>This week's <a contents="#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bgy0UKS8tQZqdTIt65ht6?si=daf6523f072c4fd8" target="_blank"><strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong></a> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/FjaurOz7hKw" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> the newest jewel in R&B has her new single <strong>“Fun Love”</strong> and it is getting rave reviews. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6699473
2021-07-27T13:17:47-05:00
2021-07-27T13:17:47-05:00
What’s in a picture & #IAOTW - Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, the photo shoot, Let’s go - </p>
<p>You know the old saying, <em>you only get one chance to make a first impression.</em> This is true on so many levels; first impressions matter, especially when it comes to your image. Being that your image is the firstting people see, it has the power to make or break you, or at the very least create unnecessary hurdles. Your image is your brand, it’s who you are and it is always remembered. A really good photo shoot captures the style and story of the artist, the business, the music and even holds elements of the genre. There is nothing worse than seeing a picture of an artist and the photo has nothing to say about the artist or their art. A great photo can speak to the listener's expectations and gives a peek into what the sonic brand is going to sound like. Now I know you purist musicians out there are saying the picture doesn’t matter as long as the music is right. I can’t scream loud enough as to how wrong that is. Marketing audio content based on an image may seem out of place, but imagery is powerful. A brand image can be more prominent in a person’s mind than a song - <em>yeah I said it</em>. That image is the identifier that bonds the listener to the artist and the song. Can you imagine <a contents="NWA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N.W.A" target="_blank">NWA</a> dressed in tuxes and tails the first time you saw them? Or <a contents="the Three Tenors " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Three_Tenors" target="_blank">the Three Tenors </a>dressed in shorts, chucks and skull caps? Visually listeners experience the themes and stories that they see and sometimes live vicariously through what they see. This does not mean to shy away from being bold and stretching the boundaries, it just has to fit and be a whole vibe. </p>
<p>Lastly, please be timely. If you decide to grow a beard, shave your head or float between different bands, let the images reflect that. Then if you are putting out digital product there are times and dimensions that the DSP’s require. If you are a day late, that’s going to cost you a week. Therefore, don’t let poor or untimely images cost you your career, get the picture? </p>
<p>This week's<strong> #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/a-1tamiyo/pushn-it" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a>, he comes out this friday July 30th with his new single “Push’n it.” </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6693230
2021-07-20T11:53:47-05:00
2021-07-20T11:53:47-05:00
Talent verzuz Drive & #IAOTW - Ben Bohorquez
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Talent versus Drive, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Why is it that some artists make it and some don’t? And why are the ones that don’t seem to have more talent than the ones that do? 🤔 To start you have to ask what is your definition of success or “making it.” Some musicians really want to make it to the big time, record label deal, tons of radio airplay, headlining a major tour etc etc. Some musicians are great with playing enough local gigs to pay all the bills, take a vacation and raise a family; that part depends on you. Moreover this is not a “how to make it in the industry” blog. But it's to show what some musicians/rappers/songwriters/storytellers focus on. Some believe that it takes mastering your craft to an insanely high level - and it does...well it should. The problem with this thinking is that a lot of very talented musicians believe that now that they have mastered their craft, success should come to them quicker than those that don’t have this mastered level talent...but it’s more to it than that. First and foremost, talented, especially virtuoso level talent, have to understand that this is a business. A cold hard sometimes unforgiving business. Labels sign what people will buy, radio plays what holds people's attention so advertisers buy ads on their station.</p>
<p>So how do you balance music which is warm, soothing and gives you goosebumps with a business that cares about people that buy? If you’ve never heard of the 10,000 hour rule, which <a contents="Malcolm Gladwell " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.gladwellbooks.com/" target="_blank">Malcolm Gladwell </a>talked about in his book <a contents="Outliers" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliers_(book)" target="_blank">Outliers</a>, it goes like this: it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials.... So what does that mean for the musician, writer, storyteller that’s trying to make it? It’s going to take that 10,000 hours to perfect that craft + another 10,000 hours to make it in the industry. Now of course some make it out of sheer luck, some had to put in the hours. If you haven’t heard of Malcolm's book, you’ve heard the Tyler Perry and Steve Harvey stories on sleeping in their cars to make it. They focus on the drive, not just the talent. The reality is; you got to put in the time to train AND to “make it” in this business. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is Ben Bohorquez, extraordinary sax player of the <a contents="Ben Bohorquez Quartet " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCznx1HspBw7znvcUKROMoQ" target="_blank">Ben Bohorquez Quartet </a>will be performing this Sunday at the Sunset Summer Concert Series at <a contents="Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz</a>. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6686686
2021-07-13T14:14:48-05:00
2022-02-03T01:34:21-06:00
What and why the EPK & #IAOTW - Jazz Becuzz Sunset Summer Concert Series
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, The EPK, Let’s go - </p>
<p>EPK stands for Electric Press Kit which is a resume or CV for music artists. It’s made to give labels, agents, music supervisors, venue talent, buyers and the media essential information to understand who you are as an artist so that you can get noticed, land a gig and/or make connections. The EPK is nothing new however, back in the day pre - websites and social media, an EPK was a VHS, vinyl, flyers, merch and a bio typed out on a typewriter and it was mailed. Nowadays it’s a little more sophisticated and digital. Nonetheless, then or now An EPK will help you communicate all the news they can use to cover your music and your brand. Basically it’s a collection of music, pictures, biographies, and relevant information assembled to inform and sent out digitally via email or social media. An electronic press kit can be hosted on a project’s website, social or accessed through an EPK service provider. It makes your first impression as an artist and hopefully leaves a lasting successful one. </p>
<p>So What’s needed? A good EPK doesn’t have to be too slick, too wordy or over the top. Use the KISS principle and you should be fine. Start with a well written bio, great photos (more than one or two), video links, press (don’t stress out if you don’t have any press yet, it’s coming), any blurbs or comments from other larger artists or entertainment executives, your social media numbers and pictures of any merch you may have. Labels, clubs, media etc want to see if you have a following and if you have any hustle in you and how much energy you have. But represent yourself, you don’t have to act like you are bouncing off a wall if that’s not the type of artist you are. Send them a cool concise representation of you, your art and what you bring to the table. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz </a><em>Sunset Summer Concert Series. </em> </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6680257
2021-07-06T12:29:35-05:00
2021-07-06T12:29:35-05:00
Spiking The Punch & #IAOTW - Mahogany TheArtist
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, spike <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Believe it or not, you can actually spike your <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> streams and followers organically. Now be not deceived, this is incremental growth, not buying a million streams overnight, which is shady anyway and should be avoided. So here’s a few ways to <em>spike the punch</em> or <a contents="spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">spotify</a> in this case. Some of this is actually really simple, but we get lost as artists trying to think of the <a contents="DSP’s" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://help.songtrust.com/knowledge/what-is-a-digital-service-provider-dsp">DSP’s</a> as terrestrial radio, which means the more spins the better. First and foremost, make sure you have a dope profile. Make sure your profile speaks to your brand, your image and your music. It all has to fit and make sure to keep it current and updated. Make sure you claim your profile to access <a contents="Spotify For Artists" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://artists.spotify.com/claim" target="_blank">Spotify For Artists</a>, this is open to both artists and their teams - you do have a team right? You can’t do this alone, go get a team or hit me up. Submit to curators. Now with this timing is everything. You must submit to <a contents="Spotify curators" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.jscalco.com/spotify-playlist-curators-you-can-submit-to-for-free/" target="_blank">Spotify curators</a> prior to the release of your single so don’t forget. Look for other playlists and create your own. You can actually advertise your playlists on your socials and on other sites. Submit your songs to bloggers like - me! Or you can use tools like <a contents="submithub" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.submithub.com/" target="_blank">submithub</a> or the <a contents="indie bible" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://indiebible.com/" target="_blank">indie bible</a>. Support other artists. It’s like friends helping friends type thing. Embed a Spotify Follow Button on your website. Now you may need a lil help with this so just go to the <a contents="Spotify Developer website" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://developer.spotify.com/documentation/widgets/" target="_blank">Spotify Developer website</a>. Copy and paste the Spotify Follow Button widget HTML to a webpage. Fans who click your button become followers of your Spotify artist profile and music.</p>
<p>Email marketing is a great way to get the word out to the lists that you create from your website - you do have a website right? Get one. Create a <a contents="Spotify code" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotifycodes.com/index.html" target="_blank">Spotify code</a> and share it with your fans. These codes are QR-like “scannable” tags used to share or discover content on Spotify. You can create Spotify Codes for artist profiles, brand profiles, playlists, albums, and songs. Make sure you are asking your distributor if they have a list, or help with any lists they are a part of. Lastly - be patient and pray 🙏🏾 it helps. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong>is <a contents="Mahogany TheArtist" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mahoganytheartist.com/" target="_blank">Mahogany TheArtist</a>, Singer Songwriter from Dallas and is the epitome of Artist. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6674020
2021-06-29T12:47:24-05:00
2021-06-29T12:47:24-05:00
Is that pound sign necessary & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, #Hashtags, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So where did this <em>hashtag</em> thing come from anyway? By definition a <strong>hashtag</strong> is a metadata tag that is prefaced by the hash symbol, #. Hashtags are widely used on microblogging and photo-sharing services such as <a contents="Twitter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.twitter.com" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.instagram.com" target="_blank">Instagram</a> as a form of user-generated tagging that enables cross-referencing of content sharing a subject or theme </p>
<p>The first one came from a google developer named <a contents="Chris Messina" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/09/how-chris-messina-got-twitter-to-use-the-hashtag.html" target="_blank">Chris Messina</a> in August of ‘07. He thought it would be cool to use for groups. He was right - even though Twitter labeled him a nerd. It’s so people can find certain topics or events or things that are popular or of specific note. Obviously the hashtag is for any and everybody, any business or topic. However since we focus on the DIY music and creative communities, we’ll keep it there. </p>
<p>It is quite apparent that Instagram, <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.facebook.com" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and other social platforms are more than important in the life of a musician trying to gain attention from fans. One of the best ways online to do that is by using the hashtag. Hashtags create a virtual page online for anyone who uses that specific hashtag. Grouping topics, events, new content and whatever else makes it easier for users to find similar posts. For musicians, hashtags can help reach other musicians as well as listeners. </p>
<p>Now for <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.instagram.com" target="_blank">Instagram</a> you are allowed up to 30 hashtags but please don’t use that many. A good number is somewhere between 8 - 11. Trust me I know from experience, use too many hashtags or certain hot topic ones like #rapper #f4f (follow for follow) or l4l (like for like) etc., you invite the bots; then your page looks spammy. </p>
<p>Hashtags are more important than just putting the pound sign in front of a word. After you’ve created your hashtags you can then analyze them and monitor their effectiveness. <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.instagram.com" target="_blank">Instagram</a> even has an explore page that allows you to tell how popular certain hashtags are. The reality is you won’t happen on the perfect set of hashtags the first time around. Don’t be afraid to experiment, analyse them, and if you are on a consistent plan - change them. #TestYourHashtags. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/rubycamillemusic/?hl=en" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a>, Singer Songwriter from Nashville and the newest jewel in R&B. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6667100
2021-06-22T13:35:42-05:00
2021-06-22T13:35:42-05:00
Is there still sound in the clouds & #IAOTW - Stephen Harper
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Soundcloud, Let’s go - </p>
<p><a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> is an online audio streaming and music sharing platform founded in Stockholm Sweden back in 2007. For you history buffs, <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> was found in the same place a year earlier and they have been rivals ever since. Soundcloud has a very interactive fan base of listeners and creators - both musicians and podcasters. One of their most coveted features is the commenting feature that allows listeners to share their thoughts anywhere during a stream which is visible to other listeners. For the creators, there are several tools to share work and grow a good audience. The other cool part is that <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> has a very good podcast community. </p>
<p>Currently <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> is considered to be one of the industry standard websites primarily because as a creator you can share and monetize your music, get access to detailed statistics on everything from plays, likes, comments, reposts and downloads. Now <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> boasts over 125 million songs on it’s platform to about 70 million on Spotify. The big difference is the standards, though there are some great songs on <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> the quality of more than a few leaves something to be desired and it is much easier to upload hence the reason for more songs than <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>. But I would like to think this makes <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> a great testing ground for new artists before moving to <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, and a great place to find new up and coming artists and podcasts. In addition to the commenting, the other thing that makes <a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> cool is the <a contents="reposting" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://help.soundcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051036214-General-Info-about-Repost-by-SoundCloud" target="_blank">reposting</a>. There are chains and trading; kindah sorta the same thing, kindah. <a contents="Repost chains" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://fuxwithit.com/2019/07/15/repost-chains/" target="_blank">Repost chains</a> are networks of like minded producers who help each other by reposting when you drop a new track. The tricky part is making sure you are in a good chain.<a contents=" Repost trading" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://heroic.academy/soundcloud-marketing-repost-networks-promo-channels/#:~:text=A%20repost%20trade%20is%20a,uploads%20to%20get%20them%20exposure." target="_blank"> Repost trading</a> is when artists repost comments and like each other's music to expose each other to both fan bases. This helps to grow followers and gain engagements. </p>
<p><a contents="Soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a> has not been without controversy however. Back in 2017 they were about to shut it down and give up the ghost, until some much needed investment money came in right at the nick of time. Then <a contents="SiriusXM" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.siriusxm.com/" target="_blank">SiriusXM</a> dropped 75 million on them primarily to boost their podcast game - “Won’t he do it!” 🙌🏾 </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week is <a contents="Stephen&nbsp;Harper" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/stephenharpermusic/" target="_blank">Stephen Harper</a>, a young talented up and coming guitarist who is featured at the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz/" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz</a> Becuzz tonight. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6660292
2021-06-15T14:15:43-05:00
2021-06-15T14:15:43-05:00
Collab & #IAOTW - RUBY CAMILLE!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Collab, Let’s go - </p>
<p>To start with, the word collab is short for collaboration meaning to work together, so instead of always thinking DIY (Do It Yourself), it becomes DIWO (Do It With Others) and it’s mo fun that way. The collab has become a big deal on <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://instagram.com" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a contents="TikTok" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/en" target="_blank">TikTok</a> due in part to the pandemic. Much like <a contents="Zoom" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://zoom.us/" target="_blank">Zoom</a> has taken over the lives of people who meet, sell and network for a living, these apps have stepped in to create very creative collabs. In a world where engagements lead to sales, engagements become everything. Collabs and duets are one of the best ways to increase your engagements — the more duets your video gets, the wider net you cast. </p>
<p>For content creators and even influencers, the pandemic has meant the lack of live interaction, which is how we live and connect with our public. Everything from <a contents="performing in the car" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrhLMJ2ug9c" target="_blank">performing in the car</a>, <a contents="mini concerts" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdHRwlKMGak" target="_blank">mini concerts</a> that were filmed and sent out online, <a contents="going to church" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fox4news.com/video/873032" target="_blank">going to church</a>, to <a contents="outdoor yard concerts " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcZe0cRqyNc&list=PL6F83Jacv6zCTI29Z3UR1eLjQk7HqQOxl&index=11" target="_blank">outdoor yard concerts </a>became the norm to hold on to a fan base, and for artists to do what they were called to do. With all this new “stuff” going on, in stepped the short-form videos led by TikTok, that includes collab features like <a contents="duets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/feature-highlight-new-layouts-for-duet" target="_blank">duets</a> and <a contents="stitches" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/new-on-tiktok-introducing-stitch" target="_blank">stitches</a>, allows users to share followers and incorporate each other’s content into their own. </p>
<p>Creating a Duet challenge for your audience is also a smart way to increase and collect user-generated content. Here is a <a contents="list" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.musicianwave.com/10-great-music-collaboration-websites-and-apps/" target="_blank">list</a> of several apps that allow you to collab and duet from everywhere you are, literally from across the street to across the ocean. Now with the success of TikTok with their <a contents="duets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/feature-highlight-new-layouts-for-duet">duets</a>, guess who else is getting into the collab game? Well Facebook of course! And they named the app “collab.” Much like TikTok, Collab offers a selection of three 15 second videos that can play in sync with for example a drummer, a singer and a bass player doing their thing separately but together. All of these guys will benefit with engagements. So next time you feel a song coming on, hit that duet button or go to one of the other collab apps and make the band. </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week is <a contents="RUBY CAMILLE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/rubycamillemusic/?hl=en" target="_blank">RUBY CAMILLE</a>, this Nashville natural beauty has a new single coming July 2nd. Follow her on Instagram to find out more. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6653101
2021-06-08T14:35:47-05:00
2021-11-11T14:38:03-06:00
Playlist Matter & #IAOTW - ITAMIYO!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, The Playlist, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Well you know how it goes, you’ve finished your single, and submitted to your <a contents="DSP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sundownsessionsstudio.com/best-digital-music-distribution-companies/" target="_blank">DSP</a> of choice, it’s time to get on the top streaming services and that means <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Deezer" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.deezer.com/us/" target="_blank">Deezer</a>, <a contents="Apple Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.apple.com/apple-music/" target="_blank">Apple Music</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://artists.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> and the rest of them. In addition it means all the digital store partners like <a contents="TuneCore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/" target="_blank">TuneCore</a>, <a contents="CDBaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/">CDBaby</a>, <a contents="DistroKid" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/" target="_blank">DistroKid</a>, <a contents="UnitedMasters " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://unitedmasters.com/" target="_blank">UnitedMasters </a>etc., are all capable of providing their subscribers the top listened to, curated playlists of new music that gets released each week. So with that said, this is the DSPs way of doing more than just being a streaming service, they can also be touted as a marketing tool - well kindah. One of the best ways to grow your listeners and share your music or podcast is to get on playlists of which let’s face it, <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://support.spotify.com/us/using_spotify/playlists/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> is the best. So from here on out, when I talk about playlists it will be the coveted Spotify playlist. </p>
<p>So to get on an “official” Spotify playlist your songs need to be heard by the editors also known as <a contents="playlist curators" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.jscalco.com/spotify-playlist-curators-you-can-submit-to-for-free/#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Spotify%20Playlist,curators%20are%20employed%20by%20Spotify." target="_blank">playlist curators</a>. They listen to millions of songs, sort them out by genre, mood and other criteria. Users can also create and share playlists, and some actually have thousands of followers. These playlists, both by curators and users are often time how people discover new music. Let’s see how essential they can be; a playlist called <a contents="Low-key Weekend" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXbLx6H12mpQk" target="_blank">Low-key Weekend</a> has over 70,000 followers. Songs that have been added have gone from virtual obscurity, to 2 or 3 million streams. But as with everything, trying to get onto a highly sought after playlist ain’t for the weak! Can’t be procrastinating; it takes timing, patience and the right song. After your single has been delivered to Spotify (and you’ve claimed your <a contents="Spotify For Artist page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://artists.spotify.com/?utm_source=googlesearch&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=2021q1_creator_single_creator_us-en-brand-exact&gclid=CjwKCAjwqvyFBhB7EiwAER786TGBmFxGkimwJ9m0nwySlFUwjNrFMo-p-BfCTGSrEPXk0xPUzZRdBxoCIkgQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Spotify For Artist page</a>) the waiting game begins. After 2 or 3 days you can start checking your <a contents="Spotify For Artist account" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://artists.spotify.com/?utm_source=googlesearch&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=2021q1_creator_single_creator_us-en-brand-exact&gclid=CjwKCAjwqvyFBhB7EiwAER786TGBmFxGkimwJ9m0nwySlFUwjNrFMo-p-BfCTGSrEPXk0xPUzZRdBxoCIkgQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Spotify For Artist account</a> to see if you’ve landed on the “unreleased” section. Now here’s the thing though, you need to submit your single at least two (2) weeks prior to your release date, because you must submit your single for playlist consideration at least seven (7) days prior to the release of your single. Alright, let’s go get on those playlists!! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW - Independent Artists Of The Week </strong>is <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://itamiyomusic.com" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a>, West African Rapper now living in Dallas Texas. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6646289
2021-06-01T12:37:51-05:00
2021-08-12T12:34:23-05:00
All about the Lyric & #IAOTW - Bobby Falk at the Jazz jam at Jazz Becuzz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, The Lyric Video, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ok so you’re finished what that song that you said is your single. Everything in you and everyone around you says “make a video!” Last you checked you have about $500 in your budget and you also need to market said single. All the local cats who can do a really good professional video are quoting $1500 on a low. This is where the lyric video comes in. Lyric videos are a great way to manage your budget, keeps your content coming, adds to your brand identity and continues to keep you creative; and please remember - <em>“content is king!”</em> </p>
<p>We all know <a contents="YouTube " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtube.com" target="_blank">YouTube </a>is the best way to reach people and gain attraction to your music, your sermon, speech or business, but again budget is an issue. Budget is always an issue isn’t it? If you’re putting out an <a contents="EP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/releasing-music/what-is-an-ep/" target="_blank">EP</a>, a good strategy might be to release a lyric video for the first single, a lyric video and an actual video for the second single, if you have the budget of course. In between these do a few social media shout out videos, then release the <a contents="EP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/releasing-music/what-is-an-ep/" target="_blank">EP</a>. This will keep your cost low and get tons of views. Did I say content is king? There can never be enough content. The other thing to know is the more content you have on <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://youtube.com" target="_blank">YouTube</a> you can have a great feeling asking your fans to <a contents="subscribe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.techwalla.com/articles/what-does-subscribing-mean-on-youtube" target="_blank">subscribe</a>. If you only have two or three videos then what are they subscribing to? Believe it or not fans enjoy watching lyric videos that are done right, and you can actually do more than one lyric video for the same song, especially if you have a remix; yep you can have that kind of fun. </p>
<p>Lastly, there's a thing in sports called momentum. Once it’s on your side, you can move mountains. The Lyric video helps you gain momentum as you move toward whatever your end goal is. Additionally, if you are a gigging artist, this helps your fans learn your words and sing along with you, and what a rush that is!! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>#IAOTW</strong> - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Bobby Falk" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bobbyfalkmusic.com/" target="_blank">Bobby Falk</a> percussionist at the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight 8:30 CST. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6639754
2021-05-25T13:50:38-05:00
2023-12-10T11:00:48-06:00
Numbers numbers and mo numbers & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50LnNpdGV6b29nbGUuY29tIn0=/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Numbers, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So a few weeks ago I told you that it was a great idea to have your own website. That of course has not changed, but it is important to have a well rounded social media strategy that includes socials and your site. Now when it comes to the numbers also known as engagements, which ones are the most important? The amount of likes shares or comments? Well the old school in me is going to say the number of downloads you sell on your site, those numbers = $$. Basically engagements are a common metric for evaluating social media performance but doesn't necessarily translate to sales. With that let’s look at it; <strong>likes</strong> are the quick actions that say I like your track, song or ad, lets you know you’re on the right track and has the lightest metric weighting. <strong>Comments</strong> involve a little more commitment because they are actually talking back to you and of course have a little more metric weighting. <strong>Shares</strong> have an even higher weighting because the reader is pushing your post out to other friends and followers saying hey you need to see, or hear this. So needless to say you want to get as many shares as possible. You want to get friends of friends of friends talking about and continually sharing your product. </p>
<p>Social Selling if you’ve never heard of it is about leveraging your social network to find the right prospects, build trust, and ultimately, achieve your sales goals. This means you need to have an actual sales goal or at least a goal with your marketing. As an independent artist it’s hard to determine a sales goal when you are looking at streaming numbers or waiting on Amazon to sell your downloads. Thus back to my old school way of thinking, sell on your own site. Social selling means targeting the customer, but where you direct them to is on you. If you target your customer to Spotify, you’ve now sent them into an ocean of other artists just like you, and their primary goal is to get customers to stay on their sites as long as possible, long after your one song has gone off. If you’re going to send them somewhere, send them to your own store. If your goal is to get a major label deal, the same applies. You can walk into an executive office and say look at the amount of numbers on social media I have, can I get a deal? Or you can say look at the amount of units I’ve sold, lets partner to sell more. Yes labels want numbers but at the end of the day numbers = engagements, $$ = power!! </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcUp_mZhn9g" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> unsigned independent singer/songwriter from Nashville. New single coming in July. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6633604
2021-05-18T12:58:36-05:00
2021-05-18T12:58:36-05:00
Let the track breathe & #IAOTW - Ruby Camille
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Less is more, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ever heard the expression <em>“less is more?”</em> The term itself means to take a minimalist approach to artistic or aesthetic matters which becomes more effective; and we all want to be effective don’t we? In the arts of all sorts this term continues to bubble up, in visual art the desirability of simplicity over visual clutter. In theater, one of my old directors would say “less less less, you <em>ackin</em> now, I need you to act, and simply <em>BE</em> the part.” And I’m sure like me it grinds your gears when a singer decides to riff and run all over the place and out of key instead of keeping with the <a contents="melody" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/music-101-what-is-melody" target="_blank">melody</a>. Even words can be too much. Sometimes in the effort to tell the story writers (self included) get a bit wordy, trying to fit as many words in a bar or a page or blog as possible. In music you have to remember that the track is also important and needs to breathe. Moreover the music should have a hook of it’s own that compliments the <a contents="hook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_(music)" target="_blank">hook</a> of the lyrics.</p>
<p>Understand that a good melody is a group of words organized into what is called a <a contents="motif" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000019221#:~:text=Motif%20%5Bmotive%5D&text=A%20short%20musical%20idea%2C%20melodic,its%20identity%20as%20an%20idea." target="_blank">motif</a>. That motif is basically a short group of notes (or words) that can be 2, 3, 4 notes that are played in a repetitive way so that the tune is easily identifiable. In storytelling the motif is a word or group of words that repeat that have significance, which is the same in songwriting. Repetition is key, and is remembered by the listener. Hip Hop has mastered the art of appealing to their listeners, and banging them over the head with repetition.</p>
<p>Ever heard a speaker use so many big words that the message is missed? Don’t let your message get missed by using too many words, trying to be too intellectual, or so street that your audience doesn't know what you’re talking about. Remember who needs to hear your story, who your audience is, who needs to feel you, and how to be effective. Your listeners need to remember the song after it’s off, and need to be able to repeat the hook or motif after only one listening. </p>
<p>This week's #IAOTW - <strong>Independent Artists Of The Week</strong> is <a contents="Ruby Camille" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcUp_mZhn9g" target="_blank">Ruby Camille</a> unsigned independent singer/songwriter from Nashville. New single coming in July. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com." data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com.</a> See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6627669
2021-05-11T13:27:22-05:00
2021-07-07T05:51:54-05:00
The OAC & IAOTW - Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /> Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, YouTube OAC, Let’s go - </p>
<p>If you didn’t know by now, YouTube is the second largest search engine behind google. That’s right YouTube, and since its inception in 2005 it has literally transformed the way we digest information on the web. As DIY or DIWO (Do It With Others) musicians, artists, writers etc, you already know how important YouTube is with visitors watching over 6 billion (with a B) hours of content every month. So with that said, here is an important feature that has been added that I want to hip you to. First a little review, a while back I stated that it is important for you to have both a personal and a professional page with all of your socials. All your pro pages should have the same vibe and should speak one language where it pertains to your brand. Your official picture, your logo and a link to your website should be included. The web as I’m sure you’ve seen by now, likes consistency. You can either sit on your phone or laptop all day and post post post, or get a tool like <a contents="Ripl" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ripl.com/" target="_blank">Ripl</a> or <a contents="hootsuite" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hootsuite.com/" target="_blank">hootsuite</a> to give you a consistent posting schedule. This will allow you to not only post to YouTube but to your other socials all at the same time. So here’s the biggest thing I want to talk about today, it's the use of YouTube's Official Artist Channel or OAC. The OAC will strengthen your brand, help boost your SEO and give you more control over your content. Let’s face it, many of us (self included) start a social page, mess it up and start another one, or forget the password or even how to retrieve it and it’s easier to just start another page. Now you’ve got 3 or 4 YouTube channels with a little bit of content on each one and a handful of subscribers on each one as well. Getting an OAC on YouTube will allow you to gather all that content and put it in one place, galvanize all of your subscribers and give you deeper analytics. When your fans or customers subscribe to your OAC page they get an email and notification letting them know of your new content. Now truth be told, it’s easier to get an OAC through one of the distribution channels like CDbaby, Distrokid or Tunecore, but of course you can go directly through YouTube but it is way more complicated. Ok hope that helps, continue to stay safe out there. </p>
<p>This week's Independent Artists of the Week is <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itamiyomusic.com/" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a> unsigned independent Rapper from Cameroon. Debut EP available now. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6621248
2021-05-04T12:58:39-05:00
2021-05-04T12:58:39-05:00
Just text me & IAOTW - Latin Jazz
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Text Message Marketing, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ever get a text from someone running for office, or the place where you just bought a new hat or the non-profit art center you visited last Tuesday, or even <a contents="Starbucks" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.starbucks.com/" target="_blank">Starbucks</a> on your birthday? Well, just so you know that's called SMS (Short Message Service) Marketing or text message marketing. Moreover, if you are gambling person the odds are in favor of using this type service because it’s Person To Person, from you to them and lets “them” know exactly what’s on your mind and what’s in it for them. Now one would wonder if SMS is good for folks in the arts or small business or even churches. Remember the odds I just mentioned? The open rate (the ratio of when folks read your stuff) is 98% vs 20% on email, and yet I still just sent you an email. 🤦🏽♂️ The other fact about SMS is that it goes to the receivers phone, which is probably in their hand right now or at least in their pocket, bam 💥 instant communication. </p>
<p>Now if we want to apply this to the music industry we know that the “game has changed” tremendously since “back in my day,” therefore we have to change with it or get left behind. The average person sends and receives about 40 text messages per day and of course that number rises exponentially with the younger hip hop community to about 100 per day. Now let’s be clear, SMS is not for the weak; there are hurdles and the biggest one is the first one - opting in. By law the <a contents="FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.fcc.gov/document/rules-and-regulations-implementing-telephone-consumer-protection-act-22">FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act)</a> indicates that an individual must opt in to receive a text message BEFORE they get one, and there must be clear language that allows them to opt out if they choose. </p>
<p>Additionally, one must know how to keep it short, you only have 160 characters to play with so no pontificating, get to the point and make sure they know who you are. The smartest thing you can do is offer something, be it free, a discount, or early access. Give a clear <a contents="CTA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_to_action_(marketing)">CTA</a> as well otherwise it's pointless. Lastly, don't over do it. Send too many texts you will get reported for spamming and phishing. Nothing is worse than getting too many texts trying to sell you something. But trust your fans, customers, parishioners, readers and would-be fans want to hear from you. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, is a whole genre featured tonight at the <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz/" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> - Latin Jazz. <a contents="Go to Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com/" target="_blank">Go to Jazz Becuzz</a> and donate to keep the music jumping! </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next Tuesday</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6615052
2021-04-27T09:57:05-05:00
2021-04-27T10:15:48-05:00
Study to show yourself approved & IAOTW - Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /> Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Study, Let’s go - </p>
<p>It has been a hard month in hip hop with the passing of <a contents="DMX" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thIVtEOtlWM" target="_blank">DMX</a>, <a contents="Black Rob" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC5LzftfcjI" target="_blank">Black Rob</a> and <a contents="Shock G" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBsjggc5jHM" target="_blank">Shock G</a>. These three were some of the best the 90’s had to offer in that genre and before you get all sad, this is a message to encourage; to encourage you to study. There’s a bible verse that says study to show yourself approved. These three gentlemen certainly did that. Now I know I said last week to woodshed, and this week to study (I’m sure my educators out there will approve) and I hope you are getting the point. I’m always amazed at people who say “I want to write a book,” I say oh yeah who are you reading? If they have no answer, then trust they are not going to write a book. Rappers who say I don’t listen to the radio will probably never end up on the radio. Opera singers that don’t practice breathing technique probably have a nine to five and opera is their side gig. In the arts, it’s not enough to study who your favorite artist, you have to study who they studied, then you have to study who they studied, then find out who they studied and so on and so forth. I’ll leave you with an incredible video of Gregory Jacobs aka Shock G as he talks about the cats that he studied and how he broke down who they studied. Enjoy your week and continue to stay safe out there. <a contents="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeQsQBPe/&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeQsQBPe/" target="_blank">https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMeQsQBPe/ </a></p>
<p>And by the way, if you want to check out any of the past blogs, just go to the website, go to the blog page and click on the previous weeks. </p>
<p>This week's I<strong>ndependent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0k5KTkUKst6iccXyQeAfBm" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a> unsigned independent Rapper from Cameroon. Stream now on Spotify. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6609425
2021-04-20T13:41:20-05:00
2021-04-20T13:41:20-05:00
Time to Shed & IAOTW - Itamiyo
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Shedding, Let’s go - </p>
<p>The term <em>“Shedding”</em> came from the jazz world, which simply means to train or to practice. (Insert the famous quote from Allen Iverson right?). My old voice teacher at Grambling State would often say “Practice makes perfect is not true. You can practice wrong all day. It’s perfect practice that makes perfect.” In the jazz world you may hear a musician go over the same three note phrase for an hour, not just to get it right but to know where and how to insert those three notes in any song they are playing. The term “woodshedding” actually means so much more than just practicing and is a great tool in any genre of music including rap, and in any area of business. Shedding is actually taking apart the practice and drilling it down to it's smallest concept. Some people call this peeling back the onion to go deeper than just practice. When I taught voice, I taught the techniques of breathing, vocal placement, how to achieve great tone; but what I didn’t teach was songs. Have you heard about Kobe Bryant’s (RIP) work ethic when it came to training? He didn’t go to the gym and do pick up games. He worked on areas that he wanted to be proficient in. He would show up 4 hours before a game just to shoot. Jay Z was reading at a 12th grade level in the 6th grade, and according to his teacher would read the dictionary for fun. Speaking of hip hop, shedding for a rapper might mean studying a dictionary or thesaurus for the perfect metaphors, for a barber practicing straight lines and new hairdos on wig dolls, dancers that shed on the perfect spin over and over, and the dreaded circle of 5ths for horn players that is played ad nauseam. </p>
<p>Shedding yields focus and growth along with consistency. Ask any successful person what the keys to success are and they will answer things like work ethic, persistence and consistency. You only achieve these things from….say it with me - shedding. Do yourself a favor today and go shed! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/0k5KTkUKst6iccXyQeAfBm" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a> unsigned independent Rapper from Cameroon. Stream now on Spotify. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6603026
2021-04-13T14:45:37-05:00
2021-08-13T15:20:07-05:00
Storytelling in your music & IAOTW - Shelley Carrol
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Story Time, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Once upon a time not long ago when people wore pajamas and life was slow - Slick Rick. I got a story to tell, and it’s about writing stories in your stories, music, art, marketing, sales - whatever. Some would say that the art of storytelling is dead because truth and wisdom have given way to technology, Twitter size mentality, and sensationalized soundbites. While these new norms are true to a point, they are still stories nonetheless and as much as some might talk about the way stories were told <em>“back in my day…”</em> it’s not going to change the way stories are told by today's storytellers. Storytelling is everywhere; in music, art, dance, marketing, sales, church, politics - EV-ER-RE where! At its core, storytelling is using a narrative to communicate a message. The aim is to give the listener/viewer something they can feel, grab on to and take with them to let them know what you're saying is real. This is not to say that stories aren’t filled with symbolism, metaphors and hyperbole, just the opposite; that’s what makes them fun. In marketing for instance, the point is to give people a CTA (call to action), something to do. They achieve this by telling a story that might be factual or as outlandish as the <a contents="Emu and Doug commercials " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHdH_Pbili4" target="_blank">Emu and Doug commercials </a>for Liberty Mutual. But here’s the aha moment - the story sticks with you.</p>
<p>So in music and book marketing we are talking about a story to tell a story about the story so people will read, listen, remember and buy the story. Stories are more memorable than just a hook and repetitive verse. Not to say they aren’t successful in today’s market, they just aren’t as memorable, and that’s what sells. Now I know some of you are thinking, what about an instrumental jazz song? Well if you really pay attention, that sax, guitar, drum etc have the same song structure as a vocal tune. There is that part that you go away humming, and it speaks to you in emotions - happy, sad, excited, frantic etc. It is a story. Life is art and art is a story be it painting, architecture, sculpture, literature, music, performing art or cinema. The way you walk, talk, express yourself, eat, sit, the clothes you wear, the way you sell your goods and services all tell a story. So do yourself a favor today; go out and tell your story! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Shelley Carrol" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFuwufQXfZiYAV5rMImaZPQ" target="_blank">Shelley Carrol</a> featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6596005
2021-04-06T15:15:24-05:00
2021-10-03T02:26:11-05:00
Do you need a Website & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Website, Let’s go - </p>
<p>With <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a contents="LinkedIn" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.linkedin.com/" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, and other social media platforms, do you as an independent artist, businessperson, minister, comedian, or someone making jewelry trays etc really need a website? 🤷🏾♂️ Yeah you do. The most important reason is so that you can have ownership and control of your content. Having a website also helps you increase credibility, promote your business, and reach a wider audience. In today’s digital world it is important to have all of your social information in one place. Yes you’ve got <a contents="Shopify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank">Shopify</a>, <a contents="Amazon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.com/" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a contents="Etsy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a> and so on, but to maintain your control, avoid heated competition, and stay connected to your clients and associates, a website can be as important as the product you are selling and accentuate all of your efforts. But, let’s be real, websites are a lot to maintain and they are not free. Additionally, have you tried some of these DIY sites like <a contents="Bandzoogle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/">Bandzoogle</a>, <a contents="WIX" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.wix.com/" target="_blank">WIX</a>, <a contents="Squarespace," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">Squarespace,</a> <a contents="Wordpress" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> etc, they all taunt that it is fun and easy to set them up - no it’s not, trust me; but it’s worth it. It’s one of the best places for you to get gigs, up your <a contents="SEO" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo" target="_blank">SEO</a>, and really your own site makes you look like you are in this to win this, not just a side hustle. The reality is, different demos look at different social sites. If you have a Facebook page, think again if you think your average 19 year old is going to find your music or anything else you’re selling; they aren’t there, they think it’s for old folks, (whatever 🙄 ). <a contents="TikTok" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tiktok.com/" target="_blank">TikTok</a> is fun to watch, but that is a serious time commitment to stay consistent there, and have you seen <a contents="myspace" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://myspace.com/" target="_blank">myspace</a> lately? Yeah that’s my point, socials come and go with the latest trends and technology. Your website, however, can just be updated and add or remove socials as to their relevance for you, your brand and your content. Everything is in one place, you can get very personal with your audience, and you can sell your “stuff” right there and have a better tracking system for your accounting. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Itamiyo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/loaded/1540472338?i=1540472531" target="_blank">Itamiyo</a> - <em>pronounced It - ah - mi - yo.</em> The first Hip Hop artist to be featured Unda The Hat, but certainly not the last. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6589224
2021-03-30T14:27:21-05:00
2021-03-30T14:27:21-05:00
Relevant Music in turbulent times & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Relevant music, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Does music today have the same relevance in the wake of turbulence as it once did in the 60’s and 70’s? As the country deals with the case of Derek Chauvin on trial for the murder of George Floyd is there one song that sums up how some of us feel? What about the pandemic, those crazy elections, and what’s going on in Georgia now? If that song exists, is it a universal runaway hit like a “<a contents="War" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk" target="_blank">War</a>,” by Edwin Starr, the timeless “<a contents="What’s going on" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/fPkM8F0sjSw" target="_blank">What’s going on</a>” by Marvin Gaye, or even “<a contents="Respect Yourself" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/e0q15TPT1aQ" target="_blank">Respect Yourself</a>” by the Staple Singers? Is that even possible today? If it were, who has a multi genre appeal to reach the masses and it be a hit song by today's standards? Those of you who are artists do you think you could be the voice of the people, of your city or community in song, poetry or a good story?</p>
<p>To be fair, songs like <a contents="Glory" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/HUZOKvYcx_o" target="_blank">Glory</a> by Common and John Legend, and <a contents="Letter to the Free" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/KO7tVuPHOxA" target="_blank">Letter to the Free</a>, again, by Common and Bilal did win mass appeal and topped the charts. Glory hit #11 and got an <a contents="Oscar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.oscars.org/" target="_blank">Oscar</a> and Letters to the Free did indeed win an <a contents="Emmy" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.emmys.com/bios/common">Emmy</a>. So is Common the lyrical profit of our time that Curtis Mayfield was in his day? How about songs like <a contents="Sweeter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/35AWgksymtA" target="_blank">Sweeter</a> by Leon Bridges, or <a contents="2020 Riots" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/aIcrNxaaI3Y" target="_blank">2020 Riots</a> Trey Songz? And yes there are others, but probably the one that hit the hardest and got the most attention was from 13 year old Keedron Bryant, <a contents="I just want to live" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/pEaV6lbplPw" target="_blank">I just want to live</a>. After this internet sensation racked up several million views, likes and shares, Warner signed him and gave 100% of the profits to the <a contents="NAACP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://naacp.org/" target="_blank">NAACP</a>. This then continues the age old question of; does art imitate life, or does life imitate art? Back in the day, Marvin and <em>‘nem</em> charted and can still be considered relevant 40 years later. Will any of these newer songs be full on anthems 40 years from now? Well here’s the obvious, <a contents="This is America" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/VYOjWnS4cMY" target="_blank">This is America</a>! And in keeping with the theme of this blog, this one did chart #1 on the <a contents="Billboard" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.billboard.com/" target="_blank">Billboard</a> charts for Childish Gambino. So let’s dig deep, stay focused and keep making good relevant music, poems, books and stories that can speak for generations. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Kent Ellingson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/6PsNCU7wWU4" target="_blank">Kent Ellingson</a>, featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6582685
2021-03-23T15:28:51-05:00
2021-03-23T15:28:51-05:00
$$YouTube & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, YouTube, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Obviously <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> is the number one online video platform to watch and upload videos. However, did you know that YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google? Of course you did. Here are a couple of quick facts; 5 billion (with a B) videos are watched every day, YouTube gets over 30 million visitors a day - A DAY! 80% of 18 - 49 year olds watch YouTube in an average month. Does that sound like your demo? So the question isn’t should you as a DIY musician, composer, music business, art school, independent business person, etc be on YouTube; the question is how do you really monetize that joint? 🤔 </p>
<p>People will tell you that all you have to do is set up your YouTube page to get monetized and the money will start rolling in….wrong! I wish it were that easy. It’s all in the numbers. You will need a balance of $100 or more from views. This means you will need about 20,000 views if you receive $5 per 1,000 views. To do this, YouTube created the <a contents="YouTube Partner Program" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/72851?hl=en" target="_blank">YouTube Partner Program</a>, which allows you to get paid through advertisements on your page. To be accepted into the YouTube Partners Program, you must: Have at least 1,000 subscribers, reach 4,000 valid public watch hours in a 12 month period, have an <a contents="AdSense" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/6242051?hl=en" target="_blank">AdSense</a> account, and you will get reviewed prior to approval. Now the next question is how much can I make? Basically you are looking at anywhere between $0.01 to $0.03 per view, which translates to $3 - $5 per 1000 views, and up to $5,000 for 1,000,000 views. YouTube income is generated by advertisements through AdSense, <a contents="sponsorships" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://wiki.optimy.com/music-sponsorship/#:~:text=Definition%20Of%20Music%20Sponsorship,loyalty%20and%20adopt%20premium%20prices." target="_blank">sponsorships</a> with popular brands, and affiliate links. </p>
<p>Another way to make money on YouTube is user-generated content. Consequently, this means that someone is uploading a video that features your music. How is it detected? Well each time someone uses your music <a contents="YouTube’s content ID system" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://support.cdbaby.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003068672-VIDEO-What-is-Content-ID-and-how-does-it-work-" target="_blank">YouTube’s content ID system</a> should pick it up automatically; of course there are ways shady people get around this, but this is the system at the moment. </p>
<p>So all this to say, you can get paid with your music on YouTube, and if you have super personality and can be an influencer you can make mo money mo money mo money!! The top YouTuber way back in 2018 made 22 million. Let that sink in...22 million! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Chris Borin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://chrisborin.com/" target="_blank">Chris Borin</a> featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6575420
2021-03-16T12:05:44-05:00
2021-03-16T12:05:44-05:00
Merch the Show & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Shows and Merch, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ok for those new to the blog, we’ve been talking about making money and the different revenue streams. We’ve talked about downloads, streams, and physical product like CD’s and vinyl. So let’s talk about the obvious. If you are a working musician, that means the work comes in the form of gigs. Now I have met artists that found their way to record deals with demos from the studio, or with a ton of social media followers; had no band, and had never gigged. Trust me, that ain’t the norm. You’ve got to put in the work. And why wouldn’t you. Part of the beauty of being a singer, musician, poet, book writer or whatever is being in front of an audience. Any one of us will tell you there is healing power in giving back what God gave you; plus you get paid to do it, 🤯 mind blowing and cool all at the same time. Now some of you should put in the time to find a booking agent because you are gigging to the point where it’s hard to keep up with writing that new song and pounding the phones to find the next gig. Yes I know you are a DIY musician, but remember we talked about DIWO (Do It With Others) Let it go, and let someone help. </p>
<p>The other part of your show is what do you have to sell after? Of course you should have CD’s, Vinyl (in some cases) and downloads. The next thing though is merch. Now you could just slap the cover of your CD or single on the front of the shirt/hat and keep it moving. However, creative people have to be creative and the mindset of branding has to come into play; and to do that is expensive. Think of your brand as an artist. Do you have a logo, a funky look, a whole vibe? That might be the move. Also to extend your brand you can bundle your product for one low price i.e. a Tee shirt, CD and whatever else ties into your brand. Go beyond tee shirts too. Hats (my personal favorite), bracelets, and calendars are things that stay with people. Imagine your pretty face on a calendar touting your brand, some show dates, website, and cool motivational sayings that move people. Just know that you are unique, give people more than a memory of the gig, make a fan, make a friend. You will be better for it, trust me. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong>, <a contents="Linny Nance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.funkygroovemusic.com/" target="_blank">Linny Nance</a> featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6569155
2021-03-09T14:09:49-06:00
2021-03-09T14:09:49-06:00
Let’s get physical & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, physical goods, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So what are physical goods? Well CD’s and Vinyl of course. So let’s get the easy one out of the way. Unless you are an experienced DJ that learned the art of touch on wax, or if you are doing dance or house music, or you just love nostalgia, you might not need to make any vinyl. However, let’s not sleep on the old school configuration. Vinyl should be up for comeback kid of the year because they outsold CD’s in 2020 by 3.6%, the first time since I was a baby in the 80’s. Was this a pandemic thing? 🤷🏽♂️ Since it’s outbreak <a contents="RIAA " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.riaa.com/" target="_blank">RIAA </a>reports that there was a surge in college students buying vinyl online. This was not just major labels either, indie artists have been making custom performance vinyl. For example, if an indie band plays the Granada Theater here in Dallas, they can have custom vinyl made, on a short run to sell and commemorate the date. And lastly <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/pro/news/bandcamp-vinyl-pressing-service-indie-music-1114800/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a>, an independent distributor, will make the vinyl for you. At any rate this is when “know thine audience” comes into play. If you can sell 'em, why not? </p>
<p>Now for the other guy - CD’s. CD sales dropped by 47.6 percent. Wow! But you know sometimes those numbers don’t always apply to the DIY musician. The reality is indie artists are releasing more music than ever right now. That includes CD’s. Again the increase is due to the pandemic. While major artists are sitting out touring, all of the indie distributors like <a contents="CD Baby," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://cdbaby.com" target="_blank">CD Baby,</a> <a contents="TuneCore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://tunecore.com" target="_blank">TuneCore</a> and <a contents="United Masters" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://unitedmasters.com" target="_blank">United Masters</a> are saying they have doubled and even tripled their workload for releasing indie artists. However, little of that has been on CD. So the million dollar question, does it make sense to make CD’s? Again I will say “know thine audience.” It’s a good thing to have at the gigs for sure. If you are in the adult contemporary world i.e. Jazz, blues, gospel, americana, some country, soul - yeah do yourself a favor and make a few copies of your CD. The old school still digs 'em, and some of the new school too - ya dig? Cool! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> <a contents="Gaika James" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://thegjq.blog/" target="_blank">Gaika James</a> featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6563254
2021-03-02T18:20:46-06:00
2022-01-24T03:00:20-06:00
Download verzuz Streaming, & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" />Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Download and Streams, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Both downloads and streams involve files being sent to a device like a smartphone, tablet, laptop etc. The obvious difference is one keeps the download, and the stream is played utilizing that device, similar to satellite radio with a subscription. You will sell your audio product via your own selling site or a DSP. A DSP or <a contents="Digital Service Provider" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/music-publishing-glossary/glossary-digital-service-provider?hsLang=en-us" target="_blank">Digital Service Provider</a> is a digital retail store (sometimes called an eTailer) like iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music or Spotify. When your song or album is downloaded, you are able to earn both <a contents="mechanical " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/music-publishing-glossary/glossary-mechanical-royalties?hsLang=en-us" target="_blank">mechanical </a>and <a contents="performance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtrust.com/music-publishing-glossary/glossary-performance-royalties?hsLang=en-us" target="_blank">performance</a> royalties on these sales depending on the copyright owner(s) of course. </p>
<p>Downloaded files were the first format of digital music that fans stole😏…..uhh I mean - could purchase; however, according to the <a contents="RIAA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.riaa.com/" target="_blank">RIAA</a>, total revenues from streaming grew 20% to $8.8 billion in 2019, while digital downloads from DSP’s grew only 8%. So if iTunes is selling your CD to someone who saw your video on YouTube, that means you have the opportunity to tell him on YouTube to come to your own site and buy it there, and keep all the revenue; and last I checked all means ALL. The best place to sell downloads is your own website, it gives you control of the revenue, specials, promotions, ads of all your music and merch product. You can utilize social media, email and text marketing to drive traffic to your online store inside your site. I would suggest <a contents="Bandzoogle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandzoogle.com/" target="_blank">Bandzoogle</a>, band or not, especially for the customer service and availability to chat during business hours. </p>
<p>Now I’ve posted this before, but thought this might be a good place to recapitulate. Here is how many streams it takes to make one dollar from DSP’s. Do yourself a favor and get a website. </p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:500px;"><tbody> <tr> <td>Streaming Service</td> <td>Avg. payout per stream</td> <td># of streams to earn one dollar</td> <td># of streams to earn minimum wage</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Napster</td> <td>$0.019</td> <td>53</td> <td>77,474</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tidal</td> <td>$0.0125</td> <td>80</td> <td>117,760</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Apple Music</td> <td>$0.00735</td> <td>136</td> <td>200,272</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Google Play</td> <td>$0.00676</td> <td>147</td> <td>217,751</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Deezer</td> <td>$0.0064</td> <td>156</td> <td>230,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Spotify</td> <td>$0.00437</td> <td>229</td> <td>336,842</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Amazon</td> <td>$0.00402</td> <td>249</td> <td>366,169</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pandora</td> <td>$0.00133</td> <td>752</td> <td>1,106,767</td> </tr> <tr> <td>YouTube</td> <td>$0.00069</td> <td>1,449</td> <td>2,133,333</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<p><em>*U.S. monthly minimum wage of $1,472 **Premium tier</em></p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week </strong><a contents="Mahogany TheArtist" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mahoganytheartist.com/" target="_blank">Mahogany TheArtist</a> featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz </a>tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. She has a new funk/Soul EP coming in May and wants you to name it. Go to <a contents="@mahoganytheartistfanpage" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">@mahoganytheartistfanpage</a> on facebook and write your suggestion. Winner gets free downloaded music. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6556917
2021-02-23T19:13:13-06:00
2021-02-23T19:13:13-06:00
Show me the money, & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Revenue Streams, Let’s go - </p>
<p>So a friend of mine posted the top 10 mustiple music revenue streams to her site and I thought this would be a good blog post to place Unda The Hat. So for the next few weeks, I’ll spend some time on the following; Digital Download sales, Streaming Revenue, Direct CD sales (people actually still buy them), Publishing Revenue (we spoke on this in previous blogs), Merch sales, Show revenue, Licensing Revenue, Feature revenue, YouTube, and Sponsor income. </p>
<p>The days of just selling CDs, a few t-shirts and waiting for that quarterly publishing check is much different than back when I first got in the business selling cassettes. Now the good part is there are many different ways to make a living in the music business on both the creative and the business sides. As we’ve discussed before most of the income is based on percentages; Therefore, the more parts of the percentage you have the better for you. So look out for how to actually make some money in the next few weeks of tips. </p>
<p>This week's Independent Artists of the Week <a contents="Dre Synth " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/dresynth/?hl=en" target="_blank">Dre Synth </a>featured at The virtual <a contents="Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz/" target="_blank">Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. Click on the name, click on the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via <a contents="undathehat.com" data-link-label="Marketing" data-link-type="page" href="/marketing" target="_blank">undathehat.com</a>. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6550397
2021-02-15T18:00:00-06:00
2021-02-16T17:56:38-06:00
What’s the Plan Stan, & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, plan, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ok the plan this week; stay safe and warm, especially here in Texas and other areas of the south that’s not used to snow. With that said the old saying is plan your work and work your plan. It’s great when you have the hottest music you can make, it’s great when your musicians and engineers are awesome, and the studio has all the latest equipment. All this means is the front end of your project is good and ready to go. Now it’s time to perform it, gain distribution and market it to a wider audience. Here is what planning really does. It helps you be prepared for the unexpected. Releasing a single or an EP and even a full length album will have unexpected uncertainties; very similar to all this snow in Texas and Louisiana. The southern states are not equipped with things like snow plows (I have personally never seen a snow plow in real life), salt trucks and whatever else is needed to keep the city running when freezing temps happen. It’s the same thing if you don’t plan for the back end of your project. Remember that distribution companies like <a contents="CD Baby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/" target="_blank">CD Baby</a>, <a contents="Distro Kid" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/" target="_blank">Distro Kid</a>, <a contents="Band Camp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Band Camp</a> etc don’t market. And if they did there would be a fee. So you have to have a budget plan for the marketing, the press release, the social media, the showcase and even the remixes. You can't spend your entire budget in the studio. Remember it’s not enough to plan the work, you must work that plan! </p>
<p>Ok, so this southern cat is not accustomed to all this snow, stay safe and warm out there. If you have a new project coming hit me up, let me help you out. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> <a contents="Eric and Josh Willis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.com/Father-Son-Eric-Josh-Willis/dp/B07L39NFYV" target="_blank">Eric and Josh Willis</a>. Click on the pic to hear a sample, go to the site to buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6543993
2021-02-07T18:00:00-06:00
2021-02-09T15:15:02-06:00
Instagram Marketing & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller," data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller,</a> you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, <a contents="Instagram," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/" target="_blank">Instagram,</a> Let’s go - </p>
<p>To begin with Instagram (IG) is one of the best ways outside of <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a> to introduce your visuals to the world. But you know this already right? Of course. As stated in an earlier blog of mine, you have to go with the medium that’s going to drive the business. For a lot of you that is going to be IG, for some maybe not. But you still need it. “Drive the business,” what does that even mean? Well depending on your audience IG may be the go to; currently IG has 500 million active daily users, 67% are between 18 - 29, 47% 30 - 49, 23% 50 - 64, and 8% are over 65. 51% are female and 49% male. See your people? Depending on the type of music you make or business you run - IG will drive the business, or be a good part of your social mix. If you’ve been doing music, or any other business for that matter for more than 10 years or so, you know the marketing game has changed. <a contents="Push Marketing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/push-vs-pull-marketing" target="_blank">Push Marketing</a> activities such as radio ads, gigs to sell product, conventions etc are expensive. <a contents="Pull Marketing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://marketerstouchpoint.com/blog/why-you-need-a-mix-of-push-and-pull-marketing/" target="_blank">Pull Marketing</a> like word of mouth, social media, and email is the <em>now</em> and the <em>future.</em> There is definitely a science behind all social media platforms, IG is no different. Though you can’t place live links on each post, you can do so in your bio and change it when necessary. You can also tag others in your posts and stories. This will help you gain followers who follow other people that dig what you do, can you dig it? The beauty of IG is the amount of videos you can add. You can engage your audience by talking directly to them, uploading videos of a performance, or just a spontaneous acoustic set or just open up and sing some acapella; it all works. Though you want to maintain brand integrity, you want some of your cool hip personality to shine through; even if you flub a word, or make a mistake. It’s life, laugh it off, and get your audience laughing. It draws them to you and makes you more enduring. Last thing is, like all other social media - it’s free! Well, kinda. Time is money and it’s going to cost you a lot of time, apps like <a contents="hootsuite" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hootsuite.com/" target="_blank">hootsuite</a> or <a contents="Ripl " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ripl.com/" target="_blank">Ripl </a>will help. The key in the social game is consistency. </p>
<p>So regardless of whether you are a hip hop artist, jazz, opera singer, stand behind a chair as a real barber, have a restaurant, make cool art out of clay, or even preach the gospel, IG is a good time investment and will yield a return. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> <a contents="Dana Sudborough " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/danasudborough/" target="_blank">Dana Sudborough </a>who will be featured at <a contents="The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz/" target="_blank">The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz </a>tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. Click on the name to catch the vibe, or the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight on the page. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6537850
2021-02-02T17:22:20-06:00
2021-02-02T17:33:14-06:00
To lease or buy & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p>This week, leasing, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Here’s how a lease works, a producer or copyright owner leases their beat or track to be used by other artists for a price, and term set by the owner. The track can only be used for a certain amount of time or sell a certain amount of copies. Once the lease terms are up, you can agree to longer terms. Keep in mind the owner also has the option to make the same deal with as many artists as he chooses. Meaning the track can make tons of money with different artists. </p>
<p>So you ask why would I “lease” a track? Simple, for artists that don’t have a producer, or that want to do mixtapes or promos it’s a cheaper price, and gives them a hot track to perform on. If the new song <em>“blows up,”</em> the lessee can renegotiate for an exclusive track that already has momentum and a sales history. </p>
<p>There are usually four types of leasing licenses. All four will depend on where you are on your musical journey. First is the mp3 license. This is for the cats just getting started, first single, first mixtape etc. It is the cheapest of the four and lesser in quality because it’s an mp3. Terms usually exclude live televised performance or radio, but this will get you going on YouTube, your website and your other social platforms. And yes you can sell it and put it on Spotify, usually for a small amount of units, somewhere in the 1,000 unit range and 5,000 streams. Next is the wave file license. Bigger better quality, not compressed so it sounds better, for more money of course. You get to sell more units, stream more and can approach a limited number of radio stations; so it’s mo money for both of you. Next is the Track out license or stems. Now you are spending more money, and it is the most expensive of the non exclusive tracks; but you have more control and usually worth the money if you have some traction and momentum to your career. Here you can remix and remaster to make it more “your'' track. As the lessee you get more sales, more streams, more radio, live performance, video if you want as well. Please remember all of these licenses are negotiated between the owner and the lessee, these are just very general terms and gives you a gage to go by. Lastly of course is the exclusive, the owner still retains writers royalties, but now you have your very own track to get down on. And once the other artists that had non exclusive deals terms run out, they will not be able to renegotiate for longer than their original agreement. Just like leasing a car - get it? </p>
<p>Ok, so need a track? Lease it, you have options. </p>
<p>This week's Independent Artists of the Week <a contents="Wes Stephenson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/wesonbass/?hl=en" target="_blank">Wes Stephenson</a> along with, Larry Davis and Medrick Greely, are featured at <a contents="The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz/" target="_blank">The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz </a>tonight Tuesday at 8:30 CST on Facebook and YouTube live. Click on the name, click on the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6531219
2021-01-26T16:24:30-06:00
2021-11-03T14:23:59-05:00
Facebook for business & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Last week we started talking about social media for the DIY musician and independent business owner. So let’s break that down a bit and look at Facebook. In sales you look for drivers or <em>“who drives the business.”</em> According to digitalmarketing.org the average user spends 38 minutes each day on Facebook. Despite the rumors from Gen Z and Alpha that people have started abandoning the platform, <a contents="Facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> still has 2.23 billion daily active users, and 80% do so from their phone. More than half of the Facebook users are aged between 18 and 34 - sound like your customers or fans? </p>
<p>The reality is Facebook is still the go to when it comes to promoting your music or business online. There are however, some tips to making it as advantageous as possible. One of the biggest tips that I can offer is to create a business page. If you are promoting your business you don’t want to do it from the same page you got into a facebook war about sugar or salt on grits. This doesn’t mean that you can’t share your music on your personal page, just do it via your business page. Represent your brand well. When you set up your business page, make sure that your brand image is placed in both the profile and cover photos. Your brand is what draws attention and sets the tone for who you are and what you do. Sync with other social medias i.e. Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin etc. Contrary to popular belief, social media is NOT free; remember the old adage time is money? You can spend a lot of time on social media, almost too much. There are, however, several apps that allow you to share to multiple sites at a time like <a contents="Hootsuite" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hootsuite.com/" target="_blank">Hootsuite</a>. You do want to approach some items differently due to the specific nature of each platform, but there are times when one pic with one click to all the platforms works just fine. </p>
<p>Now the big question; when do I run Facebook ads? I would suggest when you have some traction. The best thing to do is generate organic traffic first. You do this by inviting your personal Facebook friends over. Once you get them engaged, look at your Facebook analytics to check best time of day for your customers. They are all different. If you are for example <a contents="2N1 Cutz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.2n1cutz.com/" target="_blank">2N1 Cutz</a> in Duncanville TX, your run times will be different from <a contents="D’ Marie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/DMarieSings" target="_blank">D’ Marie</a> Sings in Alabama. </p>
<p>Now I could go on for hours about how to use facebook, so if you would like to hear me pontificate more on the subject, give me a call, or email me. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> <a contents="Todd Parsnow" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/ToddParsnow/" target="_blank">Todd Parsnow</a> along with Jay Mck, and Frank Mocha are featured at <a contents="The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/Thejazzjamatjazzbecuzz" target="_blank">The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz </a>every Tuesday Night 8:30 on Facebook and YouTube live. Click on the name, click on the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6525261
2021-01-19T18:07:25-06:00
2021-01-19T18:18:05-06:00
You and Social Media & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="Author" data-link-type="page" href="/author" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Social Media, Let’s go - </p>
<p>First I would be remiss not to mention the celebration of life of <a contents="Dr. Martin Luther King" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s" target="_blank">Dr. Martin Luther King</a>. We will indeed march on until victory is won! Thank you sir!</p>
<p>Now at this point, everyone has some form of social media they engage with. By far it is the most important communication tool created, and any form of business needs to be on social media. The following few weeks, I’ll spend some time talking about the different social media platforms where your brand needs to be. The science is in the strategy. Social media is how to communicate with your customers and fan base; we just have to make sure we are where they are. People hang out on different sites, at different times for different reasons. </p>
<p>Social media is basically short attention span media, feeding people with a twitter attention span. While they are scrolling dozens of posts by the second, you have to stand out and grab their attention, and when you get it you have to keep it. And that in itself is time consuming. You have art to create, a business to run, you don’t have time to stay glued to YouTube all day, or tweet out every cool thing that just happened to you. But it’s got to be done, it is how you market to your fans and customers. Aside from the usual platforms of fb twitter etc, artists need to be on <a contents="soundcloud" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://soundcloud.com/" target="_blank">soundcloud</a> <a contents="bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bandcamp.com" target="_blank">bandcamp</a>, writers on <a contents="goodreads" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://goodreads.com" target="_blank">goodreads</a>, and so on. One of the biggest mistakes artists and business owners make is opening up accounts on all the relevant social media platforms, then leave them alone with no activity. In fact, social media users may be turned off by the open accounts and no engagement. There goes that issue with time again… </p>
<p>You want to make a clear connection to and with your fans and customers. You want them to know (to an extent of course) what you are doing, what you are working on, and what inspired you to write that song, that book or that ad. You do have to be engaging enough without going overboard. There must be an end game as well. You want to make sure there is a Call To Action to actually listen to your music, make an appointment, and support. </p>
<p>Next week, we’ll talk about specific platforms like Facebook, and talk a little strategy and best practices. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> <a contents="Shaun Martin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.shaunmartinmusic.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Martin</a> along with Jay Mck, and Frank Mocha are featured at The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz every Tuesday Night 8:30 on Facebook live. Click on the name, click on the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight on Facebook or YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6519167
2021-01-12T15:30:00-06:00
2021-01-12T15:31:06-06:00
Your Team & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Your Team, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Well we made it. 2021. As you look around, take inventory to see who’s still standing with and for you. A few weeks ago I talked about managers. But that’s not all to your team, or is it? A good team is not just something a good artist needs, if you are in business of any sort, you need a good team! Now let’s be honest, the bigger your career, the bigger and better your team needs to be. In the beginning if you got a <em>“road dawg,” </em>or someone who is with you and honest with you, you are good. But why do you need anyone? Well it’s simple, YOU need to be about the business of art. Creative thinkers need head space and room in the creative soul to create. You have to write, practice, get the band together, get the beat right, etc. But you also have to make sure the fb flyers are the right size, Get on IG and Twitter, book yourself, make sure the verbiage is right on contracts and just get to the gig on time. Trust me, it is hard wearing many hats! </p>
<p>So for the <strong>DIY musician</strong>, writer, business person, what do you think? Think it’s better to <strong>DIWO (Do It With Others)</strong>? First, make sure you know what type of team you need and make sure you have the budget for them, (team does not = free). Some of you are creative enough to do your own graphics, production, engineering, negotiating etc. Know what you know, and what you need. A manager might be a good start, but as in a previous blog, make sure you have something to manage. A publicist can spread what you are doing to the media and look for media opportunities and even set up events to bring the media to you. Marketing consultants like Unda The Hat. Companies like CD baby can get you to Spotify and Pandora, but they don’t market your product to the public - we do. With everything online, you will need a graphic artist. This is someone who can make the graphics on your logo, site, social pages and more stand out and pop. You ready for the radio scene? Get an Indie Radio Promo person. Granted they are not cheap and there is a game to play, just make sure you are ready. Got labels knocking at your door, don’t talk without an entertainment lawyer. And lastly for now, if your money is starting to stack up, get an accountant. Yes, you still have to pay taxes, you need someone on your side for this one. Remember you don’t need to hire everyone at once, just on an as need basis. Please don’t expect any of these people to like your music so much that they are going to work for free. Don’t approach them on linkedin with, <em>“it’s a movement, going to be huge! When we get paid we ALL get paid,” or "can you check this out and drop something on cashapp," or "can I pick your brain?" </em>It don't work like that! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> is <a contents="The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecauzzac.com" target="_blank">The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz</a> every Tuesday Night 8:30 on Facebook live. Click on the name, click on the pic to hear a sample, then tune in tonight on Facebook and YouTube live. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6514232
2021-01-05T15:46:40-06:00
2021-01-05T15:46:40-06:00
Happy New Year
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/dd1db346ab3a9ff47cb3db83db09b261306aded3/original/3d-unda-the-hat.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, STAY SAFE Let’s go - </p>
<p>Ok, so no real musical Tip this first new Tuesday of the year, but to stay safe. If you are gigging, mask up, and stay masked up. Need to touch something, sanitize it, singers BYOM (Bring Your Own Mic). It’s crazy out here, and we want to hear your new music, and see you doing your thing. So just stay safe ya dig! </p>
<p>Again Happy New Year and I’ll drop a new Tip on you next week. Remember <em>“it starts with the art…..but ends with the sale!” </em>And <em>“Er’body don’t need to know so….Keep it Unda The Hat!” </em></p>
<p>I pray you have a prosperous, and abundant New Year! Let’s get it y’all!!! </p>
<p>As always there’s some really nice music that takes us out of 2020 and on to 2021 by Eric Willis. I’ll see you next week!</p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6509844
2020-12-29T17:57:39-06:00
2020-12-29T17:57:39-06:00
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/80fb421eb854be8c7408b5c757d9df6d2724c512/original/3d-unda-the-hat.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>I pray and hope that you had an overwhelmingly joyous Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. Moreover I hope you got in a good deep breath. So I decided to do a quick video to sum up the end of the year 2020. </p>
<p>Peace & Blessings to you and Happy New Year. </p>
<p>As always there’s some really nice music that takes us out of 2020 and on to 2021 by Eric Willis. </p>
<p>Click the YouTube link below and subscribe to the channel. I’ll see you next week, next month and next year all at the same time! </p>
<p>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSzKtWdeFhM</p>
<p> </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6505714
2020-12-22T16:14:56-06:00
2020-12-22T16:14:56-06:00
Managers & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Managers, Let’s go - </p>
<p>What is the role of a good artist manager? Do you work for the manager or does the manager work for you? Well if it’s your Uncle Earl, he works for you, but if you are fortunate to get signed by a large well known company like Southpaw Management you might feel like you work for them but they still work for you too. A manager is like the CEO of the company YOU. You hire the manager to run your business and you trust them to have your back, front and each side. So ask yourself, do you have anything to manage? And if you do, are you willing to turn over all of the responsibility of your business to them? Remember a manager is not a glorified assistant. A manager should have unrestricted access to your money, your image, your likeness, your contacts and make legally binding decisions for you. You have to be able to trust them. And yes there are some horror stories out there of the misuse of power of management companies, so it’s a tough call. They should be like a Dr and <em>do no harm</em>, and they cannot benefit from the relationship and go behind your back and profit in ways that don’t benefit you and your career. </p>
<p>Hiring the CEO of YOU, is one of the most important decisions you can make. They will handle your day to day, book gigs, make sure your transportation is straight, know what your backline is, makes sure the studio is right, the engineer <em>“gets your sound,”</em> and negotiates your deal points. They should not only understand your brand and your sound but help to develop it. The manager should know the right producers, beat makers, and graphic artists to make everything from your logo to your album art pop! They should understand your audience and know how to grow it, or hire the right person to do that. Now with all that said, sometimes what you need is a <em>“bridge-manager”</em> to help out with your load until you can find that right manager. That is where Uncle Earl comes in handy. Just make sure you both know that’s what that relationship is. </p>
<p>Now with that said, a manager is not a marketing company, a record label, or a production company. These are services that a manager helps you to obtain and even leads, so you can be the artist you are meant to be. A lot of managers out there are entertainment attorneys and they (in my opinion) make some of the best managers due to their ability to negotiate. In addition, the fact that they usually have power of attorney and fiduciary responsibility to act on your behalf, you want someone who knows the law and not just google. </p>
<p>Ok so that’s it for this week and the year, and what a year it has been. Stay safe out there, wash your hands, stay 6 feet apart and wear your mask. See you for a quick note next week and back to the Tips next year. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week </strong>is still Indy artist with Christmas Music all the way through Christmas. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6500180
2020-12-15T16:27:05-06:00
2020-12-15T16:27:05-06:00
Writer’s Block & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, Writer's Block, Let’s go - </p>
<p>Writer’s block is a writer’s inability to create new creative material or work for a period of time; usually a short period, but in worse case scenarios longer. Now let’s be clear, writer's block and procrastination are not the same thing; they aren’t even related. This is a creative block that varies from writer to writer. The condition can range from not being able to come up with original ideas, to not being able to see a project through to the end. You know the feeling. You go to your work station, pull out the laptop, your instrument, go to the studio and...nothing. Some artists have said they have gone years without the inspiration to overcome that mind block. Again don’t get this confused with procrastination. Some of you just won’t get off your aspirations and get started or finish, so don’t blame a case of the lazies on writer’s block. Psychologically speaking, writer's block, as written in an article in Psychology Today in 2015, says that writer’s block is based in fear. For beginners, fear of not being good enough, for experienced writers not being as good as the last work, and even the work not matching up to the standards of expectations. In addition, writer’s block can be attributed to external anxiety. This is why so many writers go off to remote locations to find peace of mind. For the right brained creative type, life’s worries can be debilitating, especially if they are the only creative in their circle. Analytical people simply don’t get it why one can’t do what they do when the “vibe” or essence of their external peace interferes with their internal peace. Like Erykah Badu say, we are artist and sensitive about our s***! Another mind halting reason could be not enough study and know how. Not knowing what a 4 or 8 bar chorus is, a hook, or how to weave a protagonist through a story can have you put down your pen forever. I’ve always thought it interesting to hear people that don’t read books talk about writing one, or people who don’t listen to the radio, say they want a hit song on the radio. You must study to show yourself approved, and you have to keep up with the latest trends to sell your work. </p>
<p>So the question becomes, how to fix writer’s block? Here are some ideas that might work for you. First, study. Maurice Perry (RIP) of Mr. Blues Records used to say <em>“a person that doesn’t study his craft is a fool.”</em> If you are writing books, read a book! If songs, listen to the type of music that inspires you and acts as your muse. There are too many avenues to free study nowadays such as online webinars, writing courses at libraries, studios and art centers like <a contents="Jazz Becuzz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz</a> in Dallas that offer songwriting classes. Also be consistent with your writing. Writing books, songs or ad copy can be a bit different so follow the process. Set a time everyday to write books or plays and let your characters speak to you. For ad copy please study your product. And if you have an idea for a song while out and about, whip out your phone and record the idea, don’t wait. Don’t be scared to write junk and stuff that stinks too. That’s how you get to the good stuff; just write! Lastly, put yourself in the company of creative people that do what you want to do; even if it's just online in a FB group. There’s nothing like being around uber creative people that have the life freedom to be creative, trust me it will rub off. Ok I hope that helps. Now go forth and write!! </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> is still Indy artist with Christmas Music all the way through Christmas. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6494629
2020-12-08T16:15:29-06:00
2020-12-08T16:25:52-06:00
Budget & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's <a contents="Tip Unda The Hat!" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Tip Unda The Hat!</a> </p>
<p>This week, Budget, Let’s go - </p>
<p>My mantra is <em>“It starts with the art….but ends with the sale.” </em> What that means is, the music or the story starts when you create it; it ends it cycle when it sells. Your budget is one of the most important things you can sit down and create; yes, it’s as important as the content. </p>
<p>So let’s start with the content. I for one believe in singles that lead to EP’s. An <strong>EP</strong> (or <strong>Extended Play</strong> Album is shorter than a full length album) and has roughly 5 songs; 5 songs for 5 dollars always sounds good to me. So how much does it cost to go into the studio and record a single. Now maybe you have a hook up for studio time, or can get it for free, but let’s just say you can do it for 1,000 bucks; that’s studio time, engineer, musicians, producers, mix, master, copyright, PRO registration, gas money and lunch for the team. Multiply that by 5 (some of these are one time costs but let’s keep the math simple ok) and you got $5,000 for an EP. Now comes the fun part, you have about $5,000 you got as a family loan, and you are gigging so you got another $500. Which means you have about 500 bucks left after your EP to duplicate, gain digital distribution from <a contents="CDbaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/" target="_blank">CDbaby</a>, <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a>, <a contents="Distrokid," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/" target="_blank">Distrokid,</a> <a contents="TuneCore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/" target="_blank">TuneCore</a>, etc. Now this won’t cost a ton of money, some are even free, because they take a percentage of royalties. Research them and see which is best for you. They in turn place your music on <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a contents="Pandora" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pandora.com/" target="_blank">Pandora</a>, and all the places you want your music heard. That’s where you get paid!! But wait! The distributors do not market your music. So what are you going to do? You've got about $400 bucks left if you’re doing an EP. Well you can call up a publicist, a promotions company, a label services company, and marketing company and say, <em>"hey I don't have much money, but the song is hot, and this is a movement, not just another artist with a song, and as soon as I get paid, you get paid…”</em> Yeah that does NOT work! Additionally, most professionals will not let you<em> pick their brain</em> for free as to how to market YOUR song. You have got to have a budget. That’s why I say, just put out a single. Get some traction on social media, email and even text marketing which all cost. If you are bent on getting it on traditional radio well that’s even <em>mo money, mo money, mo money. </em></p>
<p>You are looking at online advertisement, and a team to take it to market and publicity. Most service companies will charge by the month with a 3 month minimum, some are longer or shorter, you just have to talk to them. You will be looking at, on a low end, about $2,500 to bring in a small team. You want to do it, because it frees you up to be the artist you are meant to be. A good source to find these services is the <a contents="indybible" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://indiebible.com/" target="_blank">indybible</a> or you can go Unda The Hat and contact me. </p>
<p>This week's<strong> Independent Artists of the Week</strong> is Indy artist with Christmas Music all the way through Christmas. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6489559
2020-12-01T16:16:30-06:00
2020-12-01T16:16:30-06:00
Part 5 of a 5 part blog on publishing; & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, “Print license,” Let’s go - </p>
<p>This one is for my church and band folks. Do you have a print licence for the songs your choir or band is singing and playing? Depending on your audience you might want to. A print license is an agreement between a music user and the owner of a copyrighted composition (song), that grants permission to rearrange, print, or display the music notes or lyrics of the song. This permission is also called <em>print rights</em>. If you rearrange, print, or display the sheet music, notes, or lyrics of a song that someone else wrote, even a little bit, you need a print license. </p>
<p>If you are performing from a new sheet music arrangement in public you need a <em>permission to arrange</em> license. In addition the permission needs to be displayed on the title page of every sheet on a stand where you are performing. Permissions to Arrange can be obtained from <a contents="Hal Leonard&nbsp;Inc" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.halleonard.com/permissions/index.action" target="_blank">Hal Leonard Inc</a> or <a contents="Trésona" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://tresona.com/" target="_blank">Trésona</a> and take up to six weeks. Prices rang from $50 up, depending on the purpose, group size etc. </p>
<p>Ok that’s the “info,” but let’s be real. Church choirs do not need a licence to perform during worship service. If they are performing on a national televised show and do a different arrangement and have sheet music, then yes. You can also purchase a <a contents="CCLI" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://us.ccli.com/" target="_blank">CCLI</a> (a privately held company) licence where you can get legal content and media and possibly get paid for your original songs that end up on the overhead screen for the congregation to sing. </p>
<p>Most marching bands are buying sheet music, thereby the purchase has made everything legal. However, once you leave the classroom and create that custom arrangement of “Neck,” you will need to follow copyright laws and get a permission to arrange licence. </p>
<p>To be honest, unless you are in a large public setting where someone from Hal Leonard may show up you probably won’t get fined. But you don’t want to find out in court. It’s easy, contact the copyright holder before that big performance you’ve been waiting on, or your band plays at the <a contents="Bayou Classic" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOkjrm_1Bg4" target="_blank">Bayou Classic</a>, or <a contents="Super Bowl" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR9K_QjJzZ4" target="_blank">Super Bowl</a>. You don’t want to come back home to a BAL aka a Big Ass Lawsuit! </p>
<p>Ok so that’s it for publishing for now. I hope that you found this 5 part series of value. Please share with your writer/publisher friends and feel free to reach out to me for any more information. Join a PRO, and get an Entertainment attorney. Next week we will talk about your budget. </p>
<p>It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We will keep <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> as Indie artists with Christmas Music. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6484807
2020-11-24T14:00:28-06:00
2020-11-24T14:00:28-06:00
Part 4 of a 5 part blog on publishing; & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, “licence to sample,” Let’s go - </p>
<p>In the DIY world of music sampling there are two ways to look at things, ask for permission or ask for forgiveness. Here’s what I mean. When sampling, you will need two permissions; one, the <em>master use licence</em> that comes from the owner of the sound recording (usually the label). It permits you to use a portion of a song. You need it regardless of how long the sample is. The other comes from the <em>owner of the composition</em>, that’s the songwriter or the publisher. To get the first you can contact <a contents="HFA the Harry Fox Agency" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/" target="_blank">HFA the Harry Fox Agency</a> who does administration for over 100,000 publishers and labels. For the composition you need to contact the publisher or songwriter, usually via their <a contents="PRO aka Performance Rights Organization" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-rights/what-is-a-performing-rights-organization/" target="_blank">PRO aka Performance Rights Organization</a>. Here’s the other part of gaining permission, both parties usually want to know what's happening with their song. Does it take it too far away from the brand of the song, the songwriter or the label. Does it diminish the value of the song? In other words are you taking a precious love song and turning it into a trap song meant for the strip club? Or making a one sided political statement of an uplifting song? They may not want all that, regardless of the check, and since you are a DIY hip hop artist, you probably don’t have the check up front anyway. So how much does it cost? Depends on several factors; the success of the original song, how long is the sample, how successful do you plan to be with it, so you will need to negotiate. There are several things you can negotiate like a mechanical license flat fee, a share in the performance royalties, co-ownership, but really, this is where you call a good entertainment attorney. I know your uncle is a tax attorney that deals with insurance fraud, and invested a thousand dollars in the recording, but trust me, get an entertainment attorney. </p>
<p>Now, here’s what I meant earlier by asking forgiveness. Some DIY artists just make the recording without permission. If it does nothing, goes nowhere beside a couple hundred views on YouTube and Facebook, then you probably won’t hear from anyone. But if it blows up, well you will get that phone call and trust me paying upfront is going to be a lot cheaper than paying on the back end, no court costs, different type of lawyer fees etc etc. You make that call, but choose wisely my friends. </p>
<p>This week is Thanksgiving. Crazy year but still plenty to give Thanks for. We will keep <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> as Indy artist with Christmas Music. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat " data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat </a>as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6479740
2020-11-17T13:21:41-06:00
2020-11-17T13:32:44-06:00
Part 3 of a 5 part blog on publishing; & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/486893/e006ef485e8139e5d5fe7165f4201012273f429b/original/unda-the-hat-logo-copy-2-png.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>This week, sync licensing, Let’s go - </p>
<p>First, last week, I said “...the mechanical royalty goes to the songwriter...and the songwriters who share in the copyright.”However, I excluded the publisher. A <strong>mechanical license</strong> requiring payment of a <strong>mechanical royalty</strong> is owed to the music publisher <strong>AND </strong>songwriter. Most independent artists are <strong>BOTH</strong>, but I wanted to clear that up, and thank music instructor Israel “Iz” Charles in Florida for writing in about that. ✊ </p>
<p>Now for Synchronization or Sync license. This is the license, granted by the composer, that’s used for movies, TV shows, YouTube, games, ads, or anyplace where music and images are synchronized together, hence the name. </p>
<p>So if you have a deal, the rights belong to the songwriter and publishing house, while the copyright is divided between the master owner like a label, and the composition of the song owned by the publisher/songwriter. However, if you are a self contained songwriter and publisher, you will be keeping a handsome 100% of all revenue generated by both the writer and the publisher. Make sense? </p>
<p>There are two permissions needed to make a sync license deal go, the sync itself (permission to use) and the master use which will both come to you as the owner of both. You can also issue an exclusive licence where you can not give permission of use to anyone else until that licence is over or non exclusive. </p>
<p>A term you need to know is <a contents="music supervisors" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-music-supervisor" target="_blank">music supervisors</a>. These are the guys that place the music in the visual media and the ones that make sure you get paid for that placement. In a sync licencing world you can literally become the best known voice nobody knows. Be advised, supervisors are not looking for the next big hit, they are looking for songs that fit. They are not looking to clear samples, they are not going to wait on you to finish an idea that might be close to what they want. If they ask on a Monday, they want it on Monday. Only send finished cleared product to a music supervisor. You want to get on their radar, even if your song misses. If it is close they will possibly give you another shot. If it’s filled with samples or you send ideas, you will be bounced from their list and not considered again, they have little time and are on strict deadlines. </p>
<p>I know your next question; how much can I get? Well that range is from dinner and drinks for a no budget indie film, to hundreds of thousands for a major placement. There are several variables like how much of the song is used, will it be the original recording or is it a cover and where is it used. As stated earlier; some of the uses include games - the money usually comes directly from the game company, commercials - money usually comes from ad agencies or TV studios, and movies where the money typically comes from the production company. It’s a grind but well worth the effort. Thanks for reading, next week, it’s all about the licence for samples. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artists of the Week</strong> is Indy artist with Christmas Music. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Contact" data-link-type="page" href="/contact" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message via undathehat.com. See you next week.</p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6474437
2020-11-10T15:35:13-06:00
2020-11-10T15:35:13-06:00
Part 2 of a 5 part blog on publishing; & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>As promised we are tackling mechanical royalties this week. Let’s go - </p>
<p>By definition mechanical royalties are the royalties paid to a songwriter when a hard copy or digital copy of their song is manufactured and distributed. The mechanical license is basically a license to sell (not perform, like the performance license). Primarily this applies to record companies or third party entities that press CD’s, or vinyl, download stores like iTunes, streaming platforms like <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> or<a contents=" Pandora" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pandora.com/" target="_blank"> Pandora</a>, and <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>, that’s right <a contents="YouTube" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. Based on the interactive stream of your song, this money goes to the songwriter. Now just so you know, the <strong>PRO’s</strong> (<a contents="Performing Rights Organizations" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Performance_rights_organisation" target="_blank">Performing Rights Organizations</a>) do NOT pay mechanical royalties; only performance royalties ya dig? There are several companies that collect these royalties and send them to the songwriters; <a contents="Harry Fox Agency" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.harryfox.com/" target="_blank">Harry Fox Agency</a> represents all of the major publishers in the US, therefore takes care of you signed to label folks. However, companies like <a contents="Easy Song Licensing" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.easysonglicensing.com/" target="_blank">Easy Song Licensing</a> issue mechanicals for covers and YouTube performances. Additionally, distributors like <a contents="CDBaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://cdbaby.com/" target="_blank">CDBaby</a>, <a contents="Distrokid" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/" target="_blank">Distrokid</a>, <a contents="Tunecore" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.tunecore.com/" target="_blank">Tunecore</a> and <a contents="Songtradr" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.songtradr.com/" target="_blank">Songtradr</a> are options for digital mechanical royalties. Again, the mechanical royalty goes to the songwriter and that includes all the songwriters who share in the copyright. </p>
<p>As always the question is how much do I get paid? Currently in the US, the statutory rate for mechanical royalties on physical product and digital downloads is 9.1 cents for songs that are 5 minutes or less, and 1.75 cents per minute over that. Now for streaming, long sigh, it’s a different story and each platform has a different pay rate. For example as of last year it will take you 229 streams on Spotify to make one dollar; crazy huh, y’all better keep gigging and selling CD’s at the club, church or the family reunion. Here’s a <a contents="breakdown" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.visualcapitalist.com/how-many-music-streams-to-earn-a-dollar/" target="_blank">breakdown</a> from the visual capitalist. An easy to understand resource is a book by Eric Willis called <a contents="Handle Your Business: Music Publisher.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.com/Handle-Your-Business-Music-Publisher-ebook/dp/B01K7TOBG2" target="_blank">Handle Your Business: Music Publisher. </a></p>
<p>One last thing, even though you have a DIY distributor remember they do not market your product, so you’ll need someone like me to help with that. </p>
<p>Ok that’s it for mechanicals, next week, let’s talk about synchronisation licence. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Business of the Week</strong> is <a contents="Jazz Becuzz Art Center" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com" target="_blank">Jazz Becuzz Art Center</a>, Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support. </p>
<p>For more information or to hire Unda The Hat as your brand or label consultant send a message on undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6470104
2020-11-04T12:48:42-06:00
2020-11-04T12:57:53-06:00
Part 1 of a 5 part blog on publishing; & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about" target="_blank">TJ Miller</a>, you want some game? Let's Tip <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a>! </p>
<p>Last week we talked about <a contents="copyrights" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog">copyrights</a>, and I want to stay on the theme of ownership, Let’s go - </p>
<p>To securely own songs that you have written you will need a copyright. After that you will want to register with one of the <strong>Performance Rights Organizations</strong> aka <strong>PROs</strong>. <a contents="BMI," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.bmi.com/" target="_blank">BMI,</a> <a contents="ASCAP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.ascap.com/" target="_blank">ASCAP</a>, and <a contents="SESAC." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.sesac.com/" target="_blank">SESAC.</a> BMI does not charge to affiliate as a songwriter, ASCAP does, and SESAC is just boujee, <em>you have to be invited.</em> They represent songwriters and publishers here in the United States. There are others around the world, but for now we will stay with these. Let’s be clear, music publishing relates to getting paid for the composition of the song, NOT the recording. In our world of DIY, most of you are both the songwriter and the performer, so you are good in that respect. If you are the songwriter, composer, wrote lyrics, the producer, the beatmaker or just shuck your tambourine and own a part of the <a contents="copyright" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/" target="_blank">copyright</a>, then you will earn money from the publishing of that song. For example several songs have more than one or two or even three writers, but they all have ownership in that song. For example Don’t Wake Me Up by Chris Brown has 11 songwriters, and 5 publishers. Everybody gets a piece of the pie. </p>
<p>Now this week we are primarily focused on Performance Rights, but just so you know there are several different places to make money that we will tackle in the weeks to come; Mechanical royalties, Sync licensing fees, Licenses for samples and Printed sheet music (print rights). </p>
<p>Performance royalties is the money that radio stations, streaming companies like <a contents="Spotify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.spotify.com/us/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> and <a contents="Pandora" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.pandora.com" target="_blank">Pandora</a>, restaurants, bars, and live venues pay when they play your music. These entities purchase a blanket license, then report the songs they played back to the PRO. The PRO’s then collect songwriters royalties from the users and pay the songwriters and the publisher. So I know what you are asking; how much? There is no set rate here in the US for performance fees. There are a lot of variables that affect the cost; the type of terrestrial radio station big or small, college (student size), non profit station, internet radio etc, how much the live venue paid for the license, and the list goes on. Look at it like this, the bigger the license fee to the user, the mo money you get. 50% of the performance royalty goes to the songwriter and 50% goes to the publisher. If you are both, then mo money mo money mo money! Hit me with your questions, next week we go to mechanical royalties. </p>
<p>This week's <strong>Independent Artist of the Week </strong>is D’ Marie. Click on the name, scroll down the page to hear, buy and support https://www.amazon.com/Be-Continued-D-Marie/dp/B07T3HNJ79 </p>
<p>For more information or to hire <a contents="Unda The Hat" data-link-label="Marketing" data-link-type="page" href="/marketing" target="_blank">Unda The Hat</a> as your brand or label consultant send a message on undathehat.com. See you next week. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6464430
2020-10-27T16:31:53-05:00
2020-10-27T16:31:53-05:00
Copyright © & Independent Artist of the Week.
<p>Hey, it’s <a contents="TJ Miller" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">TJ Miller</a> and I am Unda The Hat as always, and I got a Tip for ya. </p>
<p>Last week we talked about branding, this week ownership. Let’s go. </p>
<p>So after you’ve written and/or recorded your song, you will want to legally own it. Time to copyright ©? A <a contents="copyright " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html" target="_blank">copyright </a>is the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute one's own intellectual property (that’s actually anything you create, but we’ll stick to music), in other words - ownership. Ownership that gets you paid, and if anyone else gets paid off or your copyright you have the right to sue. The copyright belongs either exclusively to the <em>one</em> person that wrote the song, or to <em>all</em> members of the writing team, lyrics, music, beats whatever. Note if it’s more than one person you all will need a document explaining the terms or your <em>splits</em>, something we will talk about later, just know that everyone that wrote it is a part owner. </p>
<p>Ok, let’s keep this simple, if you are in the U.S., to obtain a copyright you will need to fill out certain forms that you can obtain online from the copyright office through the Library of Congress. Now there are several types of copyrights, but we will discuss two. The <a contents="PA" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formpa.pdf" target="_blank">PA</a> (Performing Arts) form, and the <a contents="SR" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formsr.pdf" target="_blank">SR</a> (Sound Recording) form. The links I provided are for the paper forms but you can also apply <a contents="online" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://copyright-application-online.com/" target="_blank">online</a> here. </p>
<p>The PA form protects the song, the music, the lyrics, beats etc, and is owned by the songwriter, or publisher. The SR form protects the sound recording (the track) of that song, and is usually owned by the label or an artist. Now since I’m talking primarily to DIY artists you will probably own both the song and the recording, so it’s best to just fill out the SR form. Now who ever owns the songs has to be the same person who owns the recordings to do the SR, and if you do, you can do multiple songs on one form; does that make sense? Yeah it gets complicated so feel free to hit me with any questions. </p>
<p>For my book writers out there, you can sit this one out, the moment our words are written on paper or saved to a digital file, that work becomes protected under intellectual property law. But if you want to take it that extra step you can. You would fill out a <a contents="TX" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.copyright.gov/forms/formtx.pdf" target="_blank">TX</a> form. Just remember copyright = ownership, and in this game you want to own your ship! </p>
<p>This weeks <strong>Independent Artist of the Week</strong> is <a contents="Eric Willis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ericwillisbooks.com/" target="_blank">Eric Willis</a>, or as we call him, “The Incredible Mr. Willis.” Click on the name, scroll past the blog to hear, buy and support. </p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment
tag:undathehat.com,2005:Post/6454681
2020-10-13T12:30:15-05:00
2020-10-21T05:44:47-05:00
Who are you and what is your brand?
<p>Hey y'all! I am TJ Miller and I am #UndaTheHat as always. As a degreed vocalist, thespian, storyteller and former major label executive, I've been in and around the arts and the business thereof all my life. For more details see the bio in the <a contents="about" data-link-label="About" data-link-type="page" href="/about">about</a> section of the site. </p>
<p>Welcome to my new blog called #TipUndaTheHat. Here we talk about music, books and marketing. Let me hear back from you ok…. </p>
<p>So let’s get started talking about <em>branding</em>. Establishing a brand image can be intimidating and even seem formidable, but oh so necessary. The old saying “a picture says a thousand words” is truer than ever in the social media world we live in. Let’s say you got that hot song, or book finished that was burning in your heart. Your dad, mom, sister, brother all think it’s hot; now what? Get it on the radio or in the local book store right? Not so fast! </p>
<p>Who are you? What’s your image, your vibe, look, interests, and does it align with your message? What can your fans expect from you? Is it consistent? In other words, what is your brand? </p>
<p>I urge all my clients to have both a personal and a business page on social media. On the business page it’s important to stay on message with posts; they do not need to be about the family fight over mac and cheese, save that for your personal page. Potential fans could see your social pages before actually hearing your content, the images on those sites need to connect you to your customers and must be consistent across all platforms. Do not allow lousy images that don't match your music or story stand in the way of connecting with your fanbase. Today the way people buy are about two things, content and marketing; but they do not sit on an island alone. You want your fans and your customers to come to your island, and how do they? Your brand image draws them to you; kinda like the golden arches draws kids to those fries. </p>
<p>Trade sites like <a contents="Goodreads," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://goodreads.com" target="_blank">Goodreads,</a> <a contents="ReverbNation " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://reverbnation.com" target="_blank">ReverbNation </a>or <a contents="Soundcloud " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://soundcloud.com" target="_blank">Soundcloud </a>should have the same consistent imaging with your <a contents="facebook" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://facebook.com" target="_blank">facebook</a> or <a contents="Instagram" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://instagram.com" target="_blank">Instagram</a> pages and yes you do need a <a contents="Linkedin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://linkedin.com" target="_blank">Linkedin</a> page. And if you don’t have a website - get one. There are enough DIY sites like <a contents="bandzoogle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://bandzoogle.com" target="_blank">bandzoogle</a> that give you a great look. If you have trepidation about doing it yourself, sites like <a contents="fiverr " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://fiverr.com" target="_blank">fiverr </a>have inexpensive designers that can do your site and your logo. </p>
<p>Your brand can also be enhanced by what’s known as sonic branding. This is a signature sound, something great to use on your website when the page opens. This is especially great for businesses and services. In her blog, <a contents="Haley&nbsp;Walden" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/marketing/sonic-branding" target="_blank">Haley Walden</a>, speaks eloquently about sonic branding and has a video that really breaks it down. </p>
<p>For you book writers, you too need a brand image. It’s a little harder because you spend so much time alone, it’s almost like playing tennis by yourself. So what vibe do you portray? You can’t be scary and dark if you write children's or religious books right? So think about how you want to portray yourself, and does it fit what you write about. </p>
<p>The most important thing about a brand is that you connect with your audience in a way that’s special and unique. Now take all the time you need to think about this; The <a contents="Netflix" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://netflix.com" target="_blank">Netflix</a> brand is so strong, it competes with sleep. </p>
<p>Ok, thank you for reading. I hope this #TipUndaTheHat helps in some way. This is my first one so I need all the feedback you can give. Next week we’ll talk about copyright and PRO’s (Publishing Rights Organizations). </p>
<p>Peace.</p>
<p>Be sure to click on the name and scroll down the page to see and hear music from the latest <strong>Independent Artist of the Week</strong>. This week <a contents="Mahogany TheArtist" data-link-label="Blog" data-link-type="page" href="/blog" target="_blank">Mahogany TheArtist</a></p>
Unda The Hat Media Entertainment