Andrew Eversole - Creatures

Andrew Eversole - Creature

Anyone that loves that small town sound that almost gifts you with a homemade hot apple pie with the music, ...will love Andrew Eversole's 'Creature' release. The generous inclusion of 14 tracks of really good music is hometown Sunday supper, bigtime. Literally, a swell of well-being and fond memory embraced me as I felt the music bring me back to a safe and fun family outing at the county fair, where we would likely hear a band just like this enjoy their knee-slapping, square dancing, gingham wearing crowd as much as the crowd enjoyed them. Of course, all while my grandma win's 2nd place again for her blueberry preserves. With as much energy as one can expect in a bluegrass, banjo pickin' collection of tunes, 'Creature' offers up a couple to a few non-compliant tracks that were interesting and, for me, very likeable. For instance...imagine a hillbilly influenced by far eastern music culture, that loves Santana... making music. Well, you got The Red Blues on track 5 and The History of Man on track 13. Weird huh? Well..that's what I love about independent music. "Ain't No Use Taking a Bath Alone" was just plain fun - with that Mississippi depression era sound and some creative lyrics moving around with some pretty basic banjo work, not that Andrew is basic by any means. The fiddle work is marvelous and I can see some wonderful things happening on stage. After the sleepy intro to Amerika the Beautiful - I was jarred awake with another surprise and an all but common rendition of the traditional America the Beautiful. Wish the spoken word was a bit louder on this one, because I live upstairs, and my downstairs neighbor complained because to get the vocals loud enough to distinguish, the bass was really a thumper :) Sorry Sonny. Great point, awesome message. When the raw, authentic vocals of Sarah Strable finally joins in with the musically correct vocal melody of the classic version - a hale of Copter, Cop'per and raw street sounds played in the background in obvious realism of the shape this country has acquired. Lending a bit of educated sarcasm to the story. Touching. Katy Hill on track 14, led us out with a nice repetitive back scratch typical of banjo solo. :) I dug it...dig it?

I've got my fave track The Red Blues loaded on our myspace player for listening. Go Gitcha some - and buy his CD!
Go check out Andrew and his music and collection of backing bands The Family Eversole and Certified Organic :)
http://www.andreweversole.com/

Reviewed by: Annette Warner

Victoria White - CD Review

Victoria White - The Upside - Release May 13th
Folk -R & B - Alternative Jazz

You must own this project if you are even remotely a fan of Mary J Blige, Keisha Cole and Alisha Keys, all of whom I happen to adore listening to when I’m in a gritty to melancholy love mood. But you have to know, New Jersey mapped Victoria White is still on her own. I mean..WOW! Victoria's raw, earthy and exquisitely timed and soulful vocals seem literally without foible and each tune is carefully orchestrated to make you look forward to the next play. The production is perfection! Each of this project's eleven ear-pampering tracks offers something completely different, and the entire project is immersed in punchy, creative lyrical talent. The power-house bass on danceable melodies like "Keep On", pound out grooves that are complex, but simple, and very listener friendly. Soft, sexy and "smoky cumin" tunes like "Exodus" lay you back from the start and give you a taste of the only thing left to do; Keep on movin; to the groovin'. All you got to do yet is show up on MTV girl! And in Wilmington, NC...of course. You go! Favorite track is "Keep On" that you can conveniently hear on our myspace player TODAY! Go gitcha some :) Have I lied to ya yet? Me don't think so.....

http://www.myspace.com/victoriawhiteonlinecom

How to Call Attention to Your Music - Great Article by Derek Sivers

This is a wonderful masterpiece of information. I encourage you to download it, and read with as much thought as Derek put into writing it :)


How to Call Attention to Your Music
by Derek Sivers
This is my best advice for my fellow musicians, about how to call attention to your music.
My advice here is a combination of my advice from my own experience, and my advice from
watching the experiences of other successful musicians. I never intended to sell my advice.
I just want musicians to succeed.
So - feel free to pass this around to anyone. Email it to your friends.
Paste it into your
blog or bulletin board.
sivers.org

http://derek.s3.amazonaws.com/DerekSivers.pdf

Scammers vs Legits

At one time or another, I imagine the most seasoned musicians have been victim to less-than-honest people claiming to be promoters that can whip up 50, 000 people to see your press kits, listen to your CD's, hear about your gig and send your birthday cards.
These people usually ask for money to do it and most musicians pay for it because they have been impressed by the promoter's "in-the-know" posts and "name" presence on these numerous music lists out there for networking. I'm passing on some of my ideas on how to deal with it, and recognize the scammers verses the folks that really want to help you. I've known and heard from many musicians that have fallen victim to these people, and I've asked some questions when meeting them. And I gotta tell you, they get very uncomfortable in person and try their best to put up the smoke screens. Be careful and alert.

Scammers: They are always up to something new that costs you money, and will make you a star.
Legits: May have services for sale, but they pass on information that's helpful without a bunch of fringe talk and sales speak.

Scammers: Don't have a satisfied client list - only the essence of thousands of satisfied clients. Legits: Have no problem leading you to those satisfied clients for proof they are who they a say they are and can do what they say they can do...and most times you don't even have to ask. The info is readily available on their websites.

Scammers: Over-indulge their egos by talking abut themselves and over-inflate their abilities
Legits: Let their clients do the talking for them

Scammers: Do not deliver their promises without many delays, if ever, and will hardly ever maintain an honest effort at meeting a deadline. If you are uneasy..trust your gut.
Legits: Realize they are only as good as their work ethic based on their last clients experience and will go above and beyond to please them..and sometimes even end up victims themselves.

Scammers: Will take your money promising more than your money's worth, and in the end deliver less or down to the penny what your money is worth..usually late, and sometimes only after they are threatened with legal action.
Legits: Deliver what they promise and don't promise more than they can deliver. Period.

What can you do to be alert to these people?

1. Keep your eyes and ears open, do your research on people beforegiving them your money.

2. ASK ASK ASK for a list of clients, and more than one or two. Even the worst promoter has a couple friends that owe them a favor. If they are as big as they let themselves on to be...they have left a trail...of something. And hopefully it's not something that stinks when you step on it.

3. Join music lists, and pay attention to the promotional habits of "industry professionals." If they are always selling and self-serving...move on. And don't be afraid to put those questions out there on the list. That's what they are there for. The rip-offs will usually leave the lists that figure them out - or they will disappear for a while until enough new members join that will be new victims and they'll show up again depending on people to have a bad memory.

4. Don't believe everything negative you hear about someone, but use that info to ask questions and find out for yourself if you are involved with them or thinking about it.

5. And the old adage still applies. If it sounds too good to be true...for crying out loud, it is. Now more than ever. Seriously.

Peace and knowledge!
Annette Warner

Modern Times Local Music - CD Review

Are open mics recording their evidence now? - Well, I know of one Coffee House that is :) And I think it's great for two reasons. First being that it's yet another fantastic grassroots effort to promote homegrown talent, and secondly - the volunteer musicians participating on this 17 track, multi-genre release, fundraised their troubadour hearts out to raised the money to record it and dispense it to grassroots efforts like Coffeehousetour in hopes of obtaining some accolades for the thoughtful, heartfelt work. Well..it worked. :) Here I am with some awesome praise. A remarkable style collection ranging from 'Ole Blues Eyes' style jazzy grooves like Matt Holsen's "The Horizon" to theatre style tunes like "The Reflex" from Maureen Andary and fun & bouncy light rock riffs like "Hard to Get Down" by The Petticoat Tearoom are honorable mentions on this CD and the poignant "Pale Green" by Mally Smith, has to be one of the prettiest songs I've heard on a compilation in some time. Other honorable ear catching tunes were Ain't Got The Money by Steven Copozzola - and Saddle Shoes by File Under Jeff. I do encourage you to wait out the too long intro on the first track "Hannukah" by Wool, because the song really is engaging and I didn't regret the wait...though I wish I hadn't had to. :) If you're close by..visit this supportive java hut and tell them you heard about them here. And pick up a copy of this wonderful CD :)
You can visit http://www.myspace.com/moderntimescoffeehouse for more info.
Or visit www.moderntimescoffeehouse.com

Way to support local music Modern Times! ~ Annette Warner

Are you making it easy for CD reviewers to write about your music?

If not, you may be missing out on some timely, great feedback! Let's face it- we all have extraordinarily busy days if we are working hard to succeed with whatever it is we enjoy doing. Seconds count! Budgets matter!As a music reviewer, it means a great deal to me to save as much time as I can by not having to worry about what I refer to as 'second wasters'.

Most Indie-music reviewers are volunteers, and most of us have guidelines on how to submit in place on the websites we publish our material on.
Do you look for and follow those guidelines?
Do you treat us as individually as you want us to treat you?
If not, here are some things you can consider when sending us your projects for review. It really may matter on whether we get to you when we actually grab your CD, or later when we have time to rifle through the tons of mailing materials, useless tape and cellophane to hear your music.The CD's I like getting the best are the ones that are in a simple envelope with a tearable material. Your CD's are not impact explosives. All you need is a simple mailing envelope, and some bubble wrap to protect the case if it's plastic. Some of the envelopes come already padded and those are fine. As long as you don't resurface them with postal tape like you are afraid someone is going to peek inside before it arrives on the reviewer’s desk.I cannot stand the plastic mailers that fuse together like brick and mortar. They are IMPOSSIBLE to open without pain....and if Edward Scissorhands isn't nearby...you are getting tossed to the side, for now - because I can't always locate my razor blades.

Please, think about the poor reviewers with arthritis and make your delivery pouch joint-friendly.You know those really thick mailers with loose insulation in them that explodes everywhere if you tear them in the wrong place? DON'T DO IT! Please! Don’t use staples! They are annoying, painful and if we miss one flying off it can end up in our foot. Budget friendly and simple 'manila envelopes' or plain padded mailers with reinforced tape along the opening edge are sufficient. I've never received a cracked CD case or a bent CD in my life because the CD wasn't mailed with a quilt. Remember...it's your money you are wasting. The mailers get thrown away here.

If you are still having your CD's wrapped at the factory - PLEASE remove the wrappers before sending them out. It is your non-biodegradable garbage. You throw it away.No need to send a transcript for a press kit either. We are interested in the music and enough info to fit on one or two pages about your act. So a 1-2 page bio and a CD is all we need. Again, check with a reviewer you are sending your CD to if they don't provide you with submission guidelines anywhere. I asked 10 reviewers and 9.5 feel the same way I do. Some .5 dude wants your life story, but he isn't here.

Address the outside of the envelope properly. Let us know who you intend for this CD to go to, publication wise. And keep track of who you are sending CD's to. There are reviewers out there that write and review for multiple places. Unless you enjoy throwing money in a bonfire...don't send one CD for each zine in which you want a review published, to the same person.Remember, we get busy and have so many CD's coming in...sometimes it can be overwhelming. And we forget who we've reviewed sometimes and where....but CD covers nag at our memory....

Peace, and Purpose!
Annette Warner

Promotion Tips for the Local Show Promoter

Offering your community something extra for coming to the shows you promote is a great thing to do. Everyone is suffering at the moment with attendance, and everyone is in need of more 'bang for their buck'. Here are a couple ideas!

1. Make sure the entertainment you book...is truly great entertainment. And entertainment that the following you wish to pull in will enjoy. Your reputation depends on it and your show-goers will talk when they leave about either what a great show it was...or what a bad show it was.

2. Depending upon what kind of show you are booking...one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a promoter is not separating friendship and business. If your 'friends' or local aquaintances just don't do it for your ears....don't book them for your shows. As a promoter..you are selling your ears. And your 'ears' are what you build your reputation on. Don't be afraid to say "NO". But remember to do it with kindness and forethought.

3. Work with your area businesses to offer door prizes at ALL of your shows in exchange for advertising. People love winning things, and music doesn't have to be THE only reason people show up...but you DO want it to be the reason they stay. It doesn't have to be a special event to give things away...make EVERY gig a special event! One of the things I do, is offer up independant music CD's to the first 50 or 100 in the door. Tip: Partner with area musicians, and offer to promote them by giving away demo's or old CD's of their music. Another ID would be to help sell your appearing artists CD's by offering a bonus random CD with it's purchase. It's a win-win.

Peace and good music..always!

Annette Warner