Here in the Product department, we’re always busy building cool stuff to make life (and business) easier for our clients. This time, we’re very pleased to announce the launch of a brand new Accounting section. Please, everyone, calm down. Excuse me, sir, can you put your shirt back on? This …
Videos are by far the most engaging form of social content. This isn’t exactly a new discovery, but there’s a lot of missed potential by bands that claim to have a YouTube presence. The common misconception is that your music videos go up on YouTube and you’re done. Although MTV …
Plugging — it’s a word we often hear in relation to promoting something, recommending it, giving it your stamp of approval. iPluggers does just that for your music, and it does it all around the world. With a 100% airplay guarantee (or your money back), iPluggers provides the platform for …
Meet our latest partner: Conduit Mobile. The mobile app creator is getting all kinds of press these days, and it’s not without good reason. Their sexy app offers every function you could dream of with the ease of use you’ve always wanted. What’s more, they’re compatible with all major mobile …
The name Caroline Bottomley may sound familiar to you on The Daily Rind. As Managing Director of our Marketplace partner Radar Music Videos, Caroline has already guest written for us to share the merits and best practices of her amazing platform, which connects artists and labels with talented music video directors around the world. Today, she gives us a timeline for promoting an independent single release, beginning 14 weeks from release date, and on an imaginary budget of £5,000.
A lot of promo people we talk to say artists and managers often don’t know what professionals do to promote single releases. So we asked for help from some real professionals. Then we made up an indie band with an established following and a few previous releases. We made up £5,000 to spend. And we wrote this rough guide.
14 WEEKS FROM RELEASE
TIP: “Commission nice/weird/cool COLOUR band photos, the brighter the better.” –David Laurie, SiC Records
NOTE: Social media work continues from here up to and after release date.
12 WEEKS FROM RELEASE
TIP: “There are very few print outlets for singles, a couple of dozen really. It’s ALL about online for singles.” –David Laurie, SiC Records
NOTE: Press work continues from this point up to and after release date.
TIP: “The press release needs to be straightforward and attention-grabbing. ‘Artist releases great new song/album’ just isn’t enough. What’s your story? What’s special about you/the song/album and why?” –Gillian, Million PR and Naked Press.
After more than a decade without an official release, Big Country is back with the new record, The Journey (via Cherry Red Records), which landed at #68 on the UK charts its first week out. The aptly titled album comes on the heels of a veracious two-year tour during which the legendary Scottish rockers performed at many of the UK and Europe’s most prestigious festivals, including Isle of Wight, V, T In The Park and Oxegen. But even amongst all the successes and accolades, the release of this ninth studio album is their first since the sad and untimely death of lead singer and songwriter Stuart Adamson in December 2001.
Now, the group is at the start of new era. Guitarist and founding member Bruce Watson officially invited Mike Peters — of The Alarm – to join them as lead vocalist, and in addition, the group added Simple Minds‘ Derek Forbes — who was recently voted Best Scottish Bass Player of all time – on bass. This new crew, flanked by Mark Brzezicki on drums and Jamie Watson on guitar, is currently touring across the UK and Ireland. Make sure to mark you calendars accordingly.
If you’re unfamiliar with the infectious sounds of Big Country, here’s a little backstory for you. The group formed in 1981, has released seven Top 30 albums during their historic career, sold millions of records, and toured the globe with their captivating live show. But for the new album, the band did something quite unconventional, recording in an old Cold War nuclear bunker in the Welsh border town of Wrexham. The studio had 8-feet thick walls and no phone or internet signal — talk about a truly isolating and productive experience.
Feel free to nab a copy of the band’s bunker-recorded album, The Journey, over on iTunes. In the meantime, you can listen to and watch the music video for the first single “Hurt” on the band’s YouTube channel, and below. It’s a powerful track accompanied by emotional visuals. Catch the remaining April tour dates for the group after the jump!
Many artists have released live albums recorded at music venues in Japan. These artists include B.B. King, Deep Purple, George Harrison and John Coltrane, among others. Going on their 35th year together, British Hard Rock band Whitesnake have just added their name to that list with the release of Made In Japan this week.
Whitesnake played a set during Japan’s Loud Park Festival in 2011, which was recorded and originally only intended to be broadcast for Japanese TV and Loud Park promos. However, after three songs were heard on Loud Park promotions, the band received an overwhelming number of requests to make the entire set available for general release.
Made in Japan features classics as well as new material for which fans everywhere have been starving. Ax slingers Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, who are both celebrating their 10th anniversary with the band this year, bring the blazing riffs and the face-melting solos we all know and love. Whitesnake‘s rhythm section (aka “The Wrecking Crew”), featuring Michael Devin on bass and Brian Tichy on drums, bring the pain with the hard-hitting beats and deep bass lines, further adorned by the lush atmosphere created by special guest keyboardist, Brian Ruedy. Of course, all this harmonic and rhythmic alchemy gives way to lead singer/founder David Coverdale and his powerfully seductive vocals.
In addition to the live tracks featured on Made in Japan, the band decided to include soundcheck recordings from the various venues at which they played during their 2011 Japanese tour.
The release of the record falls just in time for the commencing of Whitesnake‘s “Year of the Snake 2013″ World Tour, on which it’s certain the band will play even more historic, awe-inspiring shows.
To prepare yourself for the awesomeness (if that’s even possible), check out this video:
Introducing Jennifer Schwartz, Assistant Programmer, The Orchard Video Network
Hello everyone! I’m excited to be joining The Orchard’s New York team. I recently graduated from Fordham University with a degree in Communications and Psychology, so I’m a total Audience Behavior nerd.
Most recently I interned in Digital Advertising at NBC Universal and in New Media at Roadrunner Records before that. At Roadrunner, I helped develop the online presence of Metal and Hard Rock artists, which I’m thrilled to be continuing here at The Orchard.
Music is my biggest passion. From the time I learned my multiplication tables, I’ve been composing, playing flute, and singing. In college, I was the Entertainment Reporter for a niche on-campus paper, interviewing everyone from Minus The Bear to Slipknot’s Corey Taylor. Last year I even helped execute CMJ Music Marathon.
By 2014 I plan to dabble in guitar and piano. I also love animals and baking. My specialties include bacon brownies and Blue Moon cupcakes, but I’m always looking for a crafty new recipe.
I look forward to meeting everyone on The Orchard’s New York team, and making beautiful music together.
So you’re going on an epic, cross-country road trip with your friends, just loaded up the car with all the essentials — endless Red Vines, Slim Jims, and Hawaiian Punch — and are feeling pretty impressed with your packing prioritization skills. But after fifteen minutes of static radio noise on the highway, you realize you’re missing something. That’s right, you forgot the essential road trip playlist. Now, your best friend in the passenger seat is belting Celine Dion and there’s no end in sight for your aural misery.
Well, this nightmare is no more with the Get Gone “American Backroads Discovery” Series. You supply the destination; they provide the tunes for your trip. If you’re headed on a stretch across Alabama or Georgia, check out Southern Loop, Vol. 1. You’ll get enough Blues, Country, Jazz and Roots music to satiate your appetite for all the sounds of the South. Or, if the West Coast is your destination, Get Gone Music has you covered with Coastal Beaches, Vol. 1. It features hand-picked Reggae music that will transport you to the beaches of the Caribbean in no time (piña colada not included).
What’s that? You don’t have anywhere to go? Fear not idle homebodies, as Roadtrippers — a road trip planning service that helps build your itinerary and map out your travel plans — can take care of all the heavy lifting. Last week, the travel service featured two of Get Gone’s playlists, and this match made in Kerouacian heaven will have your travel plans covered from the drawing board to your destination.
So kick back, relax, and let Get Gone supply the sounds to your next trip’s soundtrack. Make sure to snag a copy of the Southern Loop and Coastal Beaches compilations over on iTunes before you pack though.
