SPONSORS?

Ok, I have found several avenues that can help with those little income problems, and its called ....sponsors!!! Yes, sponsors, investors, financial supporters, whatever you want to label them...these individuals literally have the power to put real money in your pocket!!! If you have not already notice the music industry has completely evolved, the old school way of selling CDs, merch and playing a gig here and there are no longer the major sources of making money. In the here and now its about literally selling yourself to those willing and able to put up the big bucks, maybe that means signing with a record label or maybe that means creating a KICK ASS  campaign explaining why "I THE RICH GUY" or "WE THE PEOPLE" should invest in your product? That's right I labeled you and your music 'Product', don't get offended, please I mean no harm and by all means I do not mean to take away from your Artistry, but in order to sustain and use tremendous amounts of TIME and MONEY to create your "ART" something must be produced and sold for a livable income. 

The first thing is to recognize what you are worth...not just an individual creation (remember YOU are the product), but you? Could you honestly ask someone to pay you 1 million dollars just because you think your worth it?? Please don't answer YES to that question! Lets take a step back, when you understand fully your worth, and can give a solid "WHY" explanation...then you may proceed...but proceed with caution because "you only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow" - eminem, which means your proposal/campaign/proposition should be award winning, in detail answering any and every hesitant questioning remarks, and last but not least Visually/Musically entertaining as HELL!! PEOPLE love a GOOD show!! There are millions of artists out there working themselves to the bone; gigging, FT/PT jobs, hustling albums and singles, when they are worth soooo much more......90% of these artist will unfortunately fail, simply to exhaustion and the inability to make money while focusing on their craft. 

Now lets take a look at two platforms that you the artist can campaign; Kickstarter.com a site where creative projects raise donation-based funding. These projects can range from new creative products, like an art installation, to a cool watch, to pre-selling a music album. It’s not for businesses, causes, charities, or personal financing needs. Kickstarter is one of the earlier platforms, and has experienced strong growth and many break-out large campaigns in the last few years. Indiegogo which approves donation-based fundraising campaigns for most anything.  There are several platforms and several different ways to find and secure sponsors/investors, these two sites are just a start or rather a source of brainstorming. Maybe you want to go outside of the world wide web, and work face to face with those in your community, which is a great idea and what I personally prefer, or maybe you prefer to reach out from your personal websites. Whichever direction you decide to take...remember to always give an award winning performance, professional, timely and approaching the correct potential sponsors. 

If you are in need of any themed instrumentals, custom graphic designs or simply needing some constructive advice...please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thanks,

66notes 

NEVER ENOUGH $$!!

Hey, Whats up artists? How is your musical journey going, Good? or Not so Good? Maybe a bit of BOTH? Yeah I totally understand, it seems every time you get into a position of potential growth, whether if your endeavor may be fame and/or Fortune, we get hit with a cost, a huge cost, a cost that we were not expecting. e.g. Marketing/advertising cost, equipment fixes, maintenance, additions, traveling, bills bills and more bills need I go on?

Sometimes it is literally impossible to cover all of those costs, especially as an up and comer and income from gigs, record and merch sales are very scarce if even existent at all. Well DAMN....what to do, what to do....I myself, had to go back to work into an industry I absolutely hated..but hey, I needed the cash to fund my dream of being a ROCKSTAR!! ;) But what I did not expect, is the long days of work, and eventually between work, family and sleep (which unfortunately is needed to LIVE) there was absolutely zero time left for my music...my dream..and if I worked miracles to fit in an hr of creative time...that hr eventually turned into the last 10 mins trying to cram notes into sequence and vomit whatever lyrics I could muster, needless to say every single thing I composed was exactly that....vomit, I mean literally my fans/supporters would cringe at the sounds of myself forcing these chunks of regurgitated  nonsense onto whatever surface was available. I soon realized that I had two options...quite this BS job or quite my dream and I don't know about you, but if your anything like me, you LIVE BY THIS QUOTE "Never Give up what you cannot go a day without". I cannot go a day without making music, trust me I've tried and felt that void (no Bueno), so I was left with only one decision...QUITE THE BS JOB!!

It was a terrifying thought, so many questions; how will I survive? Pay for this and pay for that? And of course the ultimate question, how in the hell am I going to fund this dream of mine??? And my friend these are the questions that have brought me to why I am writing this entertaining heap of incredulous hopefully useful information ., I want to share with you my journey.......I will share anything and everything that helps...all the positives minus the BS and false presentation.

Wish ME LUCK!!!

- notes

www.66notes.com

PLANES WITH TRAIN WHISTLES

Sound is life! You cannot experience a precise moment without it, even those that cannot hear have a concept of it, and whether or not it is heard it exist!
Sound expresses, emphasizes and explains...it gives every moment or action definition and imprints those moments and actions into memory, allowing us to revisit, manipulate and even "RECREATE" such sounds. Now this is where things become very touchy..in the "recreating" part of things! As I said in the beginning while expressing the beautiful concept of sounds "it gives every moment or action definition and imprints those moments and actions into memory" IN...TO...MEMORY....why the emphasis, well as an active listener and forever participant of sound I know from memory and am absolutely certain that PLANES DO NOT HAVE TRAIN WHISTLES, trains have train whistles and planes, well I cannot recall the last time I hear a plane whistle?
As you probably have already figured out, this entire concept is an analogy for something that can make or break you in the musical arena. There has been way to many musicians, producers and designers unsure of what sound fits them. Sure confidence is an amazing thing and can take you very far in the music industry, but with that confidence one must understand that they cannot do it all, meaning stick to what you excel at. I have seen to many musicians wasting their efforts trying to perfect an attribute that they just were not suppose to perfect, which in turn takes away from what they are suppose to be.
Let me Give you an example:
Tyrese Gibbons, yeah I know you remember this singer gone actor, but before that, he converted to "Rapper", that's right 'Sweet Lady' was replaced by this horrible entity which was made up of a late 80's elementary rap style and a weird amount of over confidence to boot, it was embarrassing, thank goodness for The Fast and the Furious!!  To name a few others; Shaq, WIll Smith, CeeLo Green, Kanye, 50cent, The Frey, Skrillex, I can go on for pages, but the point is that these people at some point in the their music careers thought they belonged somewhere they didn't, and if any one of them would have stayed there, we would not have known them as we do now.
SOooo take this as a challenge, to truly look at yourself objectively and ask yourself, are you a Plane With a Train Whistle, and if the answer is YES, then I suggest a 180 is necessary for any kind success.
Good luck in your endeavors!!

If you are in need of a different sound to find yourself, please visit my site www.66notes.com and check out my selection of Original Instrumentals.

- 66notes

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION

As an artist I approach this this topic very carefully, simply because I have witnessed the power of collaboration first hand. From heightening a track to levels unattainable by a solo artist, to destroying reputation and dramatically lowering the potential of what could have been a hit single!
    when determining collaboration with a fellow artist, you must first ask yourself 3 questions; Is this artist of equal or greater talent? Do/Can our sounds  mesh? and How can this artist benefit the track and you as an artist? Depending on how these questions are answered will depict whether or not collaboration should be done.
    There are many artist that are purely monetarily driven, and answer such questions with that state of mind, but let me tell you why they shouldn't. "Selling Out"..no one likes those type of people, willing to change their everything for the right Price, although many artist operate solely by "selling out" (Being paid for a feature on a track that goes against all of their beliefs) and make a decent income doing so. They hold no value for long-term branding/imaging, which can/will benefit them financially by the support of true fans (a true fan is one that holds on to your image, regardless of propaganda and trend swifts), true fans are those that will consistently buys albums, singles, t-shirts, tickets to your shows in boonville No man's land, anything that represents you and your brand. By "selling out", you throw those fans to the wolves, and this image that you sold them will lose its value tremendously and eventually die. This is a major reason you should strongly consider when collaborating, that the fellow artist be as similar to your in nature as possible.
   Lets use myself as example; As an artist, I represent Freedom, Non-conformity, Difference and most importantly Realism in my lyrics. I was recently offered a substantial amount money, to feature on XYZ's album, I cannot lie I was ecstatic and more then willing. Before I totally accepted I asked to hear this artist's work, the name of the album and concept?  His manager sent me all info requested; Artist work = He was pretty good, but sounded like a number of rap artist I've hear before, Album name = Diamonds On My Wrist, Concept = How we get endless money in the hood and turn it into expensive material we own. Whaaaaa....this went against everything I believed in as an artist, person and especially brand, there was no way I could have tied my brand to such opposing views, yeah I would have made a significant amount of money in that deal, but after the fact I would have lost all my true fans who consistently support me. That collaboration would have destroy my career as an artist!!
    Now after we have answered all 3 questions appropriately and decide its a GO!! Then lets see the potential benefits of this collab; My number one favorite, the quality and overall sound of the track, as an "Artist First" the actual sound of the production makes me get all tingly and stuff ;), but truly to have that collab be an awesome song would be enough for me. But there is more, way more....such as expanded marketing, for instance if you are a mail courier traveling across country with a message that needs spread among as many people as possible, wouldn't it help you out to share that message? and in turn that person you have shared that message with will in turn share that message, next thing you know you have created a network, which is what the music biz is all about! I often commit to features with amazing artists simply for the marketing, I know that we will create a hit and that artist will be just as enthused as me in wanting to share it with the world, in essence doubling promotional efforts...you can't beat that!! And if that's no enough to give you an idea of the power of collaboration, then maybe solo acts are the only fitting acts for you.

Devoted to creating music & sound that will elevate your project from the Rest.

CREATING SOUND

YOU CAN

SEE 

www.66notes.com

"COS IM ONE OF A KIND, AND ILL SHOCK YA MIND"

    I know I know why in the hell am I using a quote from The Sugarhill Gangs 'Rapper's Delight', well one is because it was one of my fathers favorite sayings, in which he would say it literally every single day! lol And two, which is the reason for writing this.... this quote is the MAKER or the BREAKER of anything dealing with creative products.
    How many have you decided to go buy an artist's album for the reasons that the artists sounds exactly like an artist that you adore? I'll wait............exactly, none of you would even consider doing such a monstrous activity, and Ill explain why. The reason why we as fans, consumers and supporters fall in love with an artist, is simply because they are their own,  unlike any other and that difference intrigues us, and if anyone mimics the sound, lyrics or personality of our favorite artist, at that precise moment they become just that less intriguing. And for that copy cat artist, we shall bid you farewell, with hopes of you having a terrible death in your career, all because that artist ruined our "One of a kind" artist that you called your own.
    As a creative artist you must always keep in mind the differences that sets you apart from the rest. What specific things are you doing that makes you special to your fans/listeners, and how will you continue this? There are those people that will attempt to share your light or even steal your glory, and when that happens how will you still consider yourself "One of a kind"? When your fans began to see you as less intriguing, and you slowly fade away into a fad that you mistakenly thought was all yours. This is bound to happen as an artist, there is no way around it!
    Lets take one of my favorite artist Justin Timberlake for example, this artist is the epitome of the phrase "one of a kind, and ill shock ya mind", from his beginnings with the 'Bye Bye Byes' and 'Girlfriends' with N Sync during the elaborate soda pop boy band era, to the
R&B/Pop scene in which JT was a fierce competitor, putting an alternative soulful spin on Dre's pounding beats. And 14yrs later, Justin Timberlake is still going strong, with implementing a very comedic style in acting in skits, and serious roles in films. And we don't even have to talk about his music 'Suit and tie' feat. JayZ, this artist is the king of setting himself apart...consistently!
    From what I have observed during my few short years of life, is that everyone loves Fresh, New and Different (within limit of course..we are not talking about stripping naked and going tribal). And in order to keep your brand/image "One of a Kind", you must know when to bring something New, Fresh and Different to the table......consistently!
   


   

TO SET TRENDS OR TO FOLLOW THEM...THAT IS THE ?

    If you have listened to my lyrical sounds, you would know my stance when it comes to following the TREND, and you will know that my style is unlike any other artist that you've heard!
    The epitome of me being an Artist & Producer is the ability to set myself apart, and truly express ME..the ME that you may hate, love or find very strange, and whether you hate it or love it, that is ME! I will not lie, there has been many of days when I seriously considered following the trend, and the outcome of that would have definitely brought me more placements, more sales and a bigger target market, but I chose the dignified route. haha J/K No offense to those that are following the trend and making a living off the proceeds..but this blog is not for those business oriented type artists, rather Artists first, then Business. We are in an age, where the actual artistry in music is being overlooked by the all mighty dollar, true respectable amazingly passionate artist that are selling out to make shallow mindless tunes for that giant check and the millions of screaming fans that only know 5 words from their latest radio hit..that sounds like every other commercialized radio hit out there.
    I like to look at any act I decide to partake in as an investment, and whether I want it to be long-term or short-term. In music and as an artist, you must understand the extreme dangers of following the trend, the likelihood that you may always be one step behind becomes an almost certainty. Trends tend to change with the season, and with the unpredictability with seasons, trends follow in suite.
    Here today, Gone tomorrow! Speaking of the thousands of artists considered "One Hit Wonders", but who are we to judge, maybe it was that artist's investment plan...strictly short-term...Go Big, then Go Home, which is exactly what they did! And with that I cannot emphasize anymore to have an investment plan in order, and follow that plan. Those artist that started with that short-term investment plan and got greedy, those are the artists that will eventually become an embarrassment begging for a comeback, and NO, I repeat NO artist wants that legacy.

So lets start with 3 questions and determine where to go from there:

1. Am I in it for the long haul, through the ups and downs, twists and turns, and passion of the art...OR... Do I prefer to be a "One hit Wonder", with the Go Big and Go Home mentality, quit when I'm ahead?

2.  Am I in it strictly for the $$, point blank period?   If that's a NO proceed to ? 3

3. What will I do to consistently set my self apart?

Always keep in mind that it is those that SET TRENDS that become legends!

THE POWER OF ARRANGEMENT

Intro, Verse, Hook, Verse, Hook, Bridge, Verse, Hook, Outro....This is your basic structure of a song, specially those of HipHop persuasion.
   TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT! Maybe start with a bridge that will never be heard again through out the song, maybe 3 different hooks for those listeners who follow the motto of expecting the unexpected! Or my personal favorite....extended verses, instead of your typical 16 bar beasts, you come with 24-32 bar MONSTERS!! And if you have something good to say, your listeners are going to be happy with more verse then hook, trust me. And if the beat/instrumental you are blessed to be rocking on is an exceptional work of art, how about lowering the amount of vocals and letting that shine, maybe lyrical 8 bar spurts with occasional bridges and some vocal effects to spread things out a bit and let the instrumental breath.
    I have been hearing/seeing arrangements being taken to an insane level with your new style of beats, such as; Dubstep, Triphop, electroPop, DubHop, Trap and all of your other combinations of multiple genres. And with this awesomely crazy mesh, comes freedom, freedom to potentially make an entire song filled with more music then lyrics, for example; We Found Love by Rihanna..which I must admit is an amazing song. I believe if this song was saturated with lyrics and vocals in your structured arrangement it would have definitely taken away everything that makes this song great!
    Artists, your challenge, if you choose to accept it, will be to create something unlike you have ever created, going against your typical arrangements and thinking outside of the box, because as with life the tunes change as well. If you are in need of different styles of beats to help challenge your arrangement styles, please take a gander at my selection of unique Music & Sounds @ www.66notes.com    

Happy Music Making,

66notes