Sxsw day 2

First of all, sorry that I was not able to post more blog entries yesterday. I think March Madness + huge blogging crowd made the cell networks slower.

Day 2 was just as busy as Day 1. I went to a panel called "bloggers are now in charge" about the power of music blogging in building a name for a new band. The theme from the bloggers was "we blog about music we like and if you don't like it, we don't care."

Probably the most beneficial panel was with A&R reps from major record labels (the mysterious people with the power to sign new bands). It takes millions of dollars to get a song on pop radio. This usually takes the form of a nationwide marketing campaign at radio stations. The panel said that, contrary to popular belief, labels are still looking for new artists. In order for a new artist to have a chance at getting signed, they must have a lot of myspace plays and a live show that draws consistent crowds in the town where the act lives. I agreed to be the ears on the ground in Columbus for one of the labels who lacked an Ohio scout.

Other panels in included one about how to put on a festival, which was very Eurocentric, although the founder of Bonaroo provided good insight. Festivals don't expect to make a profit until the third year. That was surprising.

I also attended a management discussion, where I met John Mayer's manager.

Music-wise, I saw Alice Russell (no doubt + Boyd Tinsley with Duffy singing), Lenka (Dave Barnes-ish but weirder and female), Landon Pigg, and Meiko (funny singer/songwriter with a breathy voice and good songs).

The lawyer CLE program begins today.

-- Post From My iPhone

SXSW Day 1 Review/Licensing Recap

Now that I have had a chance to decompress (and an opportunity to type on a real keyboard), I have some further observations on SXSW Music Day 1.

The most informative panel that I attended was licensing unsigned bands for tv and film. The director of music supervision from MTV networks (which includes VH1) and the music supervisor for a movie company, among others, provided practical instruction for getting placements in television and film as an unsigned artist. In summary, the panel agreed that unsigned artists:

should NOT send unsolicited emails to music supervisors with links to view mp3s
should send hard copy press kits if sending unsolicited mail
should follow the proper format for submission when there is one listed. The music will get heard (they assured the audience).
should seriously consider hiring a song plugger. All panelists agreed that music supervisors trust a limited number of people. Many of them are professional song pluggers. Specific song pluggers mentioned were Talenthouse, The Orchard, and Sir Groovy.
should NOT suggest what scene the music would be appropriate for.
should be touring and actively engaged in a music career. Particularly for MTV and VH1 artists, the music supervisors want to be part of advancing an artist’s career. If it doesn’t look like the artist is even trying to have a career anymore, the music supervisor will likely move on to someone else.
should make instrumental mixes of all songs.
should have a relationship with a performing rights organization and register their material with that organization.

The panel said that the common deal terms for licensing for an unsigned band, dependent on the length of the song, the nature of the placement, and the profile of the band, varies from $ 500 to $ 5,000, with bands being paid on the back end for public performances by performance rights organizations.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARIES: (one line)

Southeast Engine – Sounded like Ryan Adams meets Wilco.
The Webb Sisters – Acoustic duo with guitar and harp. Excellent harmonies.
Dignan – Xylophone + accordion + keys + pop hooks = nice.
Peter Mulvey – effortless skilled acoustic guitar playing, great songs.
Girl In Coma – very punk, but great stage presence and the crowd loved them.
Ten out of Tenn – awesome concept for 10 established songwriters, sounded great!

Exhausted

My first day at sxsw is finally over. Tonight I saw great sets from Peter Mulvey (used a lot of interesting capo positions), dignan, girl in a coma, Jed Hughes, and ten out of tenn.

I'm bringing a charger tomorrow so I can blog more during the day.

Goodnight.


-- Post From My iPhone

Day 1 - at 7pm

The day was extremely productive. I attended seminars ok management, licensing, recording, and booking. I also got to see a Leonard cohen tribute performance by a band from Athens, oh. The licensing panel was, by far, the most productive. I will post details about it later.

Right now, I'm sitting in the Hilton lobby. Not sure exactly who I will see tonight. I'll update tonight or early tomorrow morning.


-- Post From My iPhone

Registration

The first order of business at sxsw is picking up your registration badge. I waited in line for about 15 minutes and went up and down a series of escalators. In line, I met a British guy who was starting his own label and is a 5 year veteran of sxsw.

Everyone has been very nice and accesible so far. On to the first panel. . .

-- Post From My iPhone

iPhone

I'm trying out the iPhone during sxsw. So far it is harder to type than with blackberry, but otherwise far superior. I will be blogging here and tweeting from it.

Stopping in Nashville for a quick visit with Tris before arriving in Austin tonight.

-- Post From My iPhone

Final preparations for SXSW

For those of you who don't know, SXSW (South By Southwest) is the biggest music industry event in the world.  People from all areas of the industry come to Austin, Texas for five days of music classes (during the daytime) and live performances at night.  Historically, SXSW is where artists are "discovered" by major record labels (John Mayer, for example).  Today, many artists who are already established play showcases at SXSW (usually in support of a new record). 

Here is a brief list of artists whose showcases I plan on attending: Aqualung, Meiko, M Ward, Peter Mulvey, Ten out of Tenn, Fastball, The Decemberists, Billy Bob Thornton (yes, that one), Superdrag, Landon Pigg, Erin McCarley, Andrew Bird, Greg Laswell, Cary Brothers, Rocco Deluca and the Burden (Jack Bauer's band), Ben Harper, Eric Hutchinson, The Hold Steady, The Used, Third Eye Blind, Ra Ra Riot, Shiny Toy Guns . . . and probably many more singer/songwriters whom I have not yet heard of.

I expect chaos and massive crowds.  I also hope to figure out how to navigate Austin, find some quality BBQ, and play softball on Sunday in the official SXSW tournament.