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