Music Promotion, Marketing and Distribution Newsletter

August 2017

The contacts listed are sorted into FIVE sections:

1. Publications, Review Websites and Music Blogs that will REVIEW your music
2. Radio Stations, Shows and Podcasts that will PLAY your songs
3. Labels, Vendors, Distributors and Promotional Services that will help you to SELL your CD
4. Websites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3s or videos
5. Helpful Resources for recording artists

SECTION ONE: SITES/PUBLICATIONS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR MUSIC REVIEWED

Moozikoo
www.moozikoo.com
Music reviews, artist interviews, college & non-commercial radio promotion, worldwide digital distribution and music publishing service. facebook.com/moozikoo @Moozikoo

A&R Factory
info@anrfactory.com
www.anrfactory.com
Since 2012, We have grown into one of the most respected A&R Blogs. Our readership includes independent and major labels, publishers, management companies, radio station, PR and sync companies from across the world. We are always on the look out for the next big hit so please submit your demo via our website. facebook.com/anrfactory @anrfactory

The Journal of Gospel Music
6807 N. Lakewood Ste. LL, Chicago, IL 60626
PH: 773-576-2378
Bob Marovich bobm@journalofgospelmusic.com
www.journalofgospelmusic.com
Our mission is to educate and enlighten the public about Gospel music as an American art form. Its vision is to be the premier online resource for Gospel music news, reviews and scholarship. facebook.com/JournalOfGospelMusic

The Bluprint
Chad Addie chad@bluprintblog.com
www.bluprintblog.com
Features album and artist reviews, music news, giveaways, concert dates, musician interviews, and more! We cover all genres of music from Country to EDM. Bottom line, we love music and we want to showcase the best of it to the world!? Any incomplete submissions (broken links, no picture, no media, etc.) will not be considered for publishing so please read the instructions carefully on our website.

JamBands.com
104 W. 29th St. 11th Fl. New York, NY 10001
PH: 646-230-0100
Dean Budnick dean@relix.com
www.jambands.com
An online web zine devoted to Improvisational music. facebook.com/RelixMagazine @RelixMag

Rock At Night
www.rockatnight.com
Music entertainment magazine and podcasts which feature the latest news, interviews, reviews, and concert photography of upcoming bands around the world. facebook.com/rockatnightonline @RockAtNight

Thank Folk For That
editor@thankfolkforthat.com
www.thankfolkforthat.com
We are an online Folk music magazine - bringing you all the news, reviews, videos, interviews and more from the world's best upcoming and established Folk music artists ... and anyone else that takes our fancy. facebook.com/ThankFolk @ThankFolk

SECTION TWO: RADIO STATIONS, SHOWS AND PROMOTERS

2.1 RADIO - STATIONS AND SHOWS

Radio Mystic Music Network
Pete Havey music@radiomystic.com
www.radiomystic.com
Features the best in Ambient, Dark Ambient, IDM, Experimental, New Age, World, Alternative, Pop and Rock. We offer a variety of podcasts that feature music in these genres, as well as interviews with the musicians behind the music. We always accept DIGITAL submissions. We require all artists to submit a Broadcast Agreement allowing us to play your music royalty-free in our podcasts. You can submit the form digitally on our website. facebook.com/radiomystic @radiomystic

The X3 Music Podcast - Radio Mystic Music Network
Pete Havey music@radiomystic.com
www.radiomystic.com/category/x3
Features the best in Ambient, Electronic, IDM and Experimental. We always accept DIGITAL submissions. We require all artists to submit a Broadcast Agreement allowing us to play your music royalty-free in our podcasts. You can submit the form digitally on our website. facebook.com/radiomystic @radiomystic

WPWL
26 E. Main St., Pawling, NY 12564
PH: 845-493-0355
info@pawlingpublicradio.org
www.pawlingpublicradio.org
Pawling Public Radio is the voice for the people of the beautiful Harlem Valley Village of Pawling, NY.

Atmospheres - Radio Mystic Music Network
Pete Havey music@radiomystic.com
www.radiomystic.com/atmospheres-new-age
Features a variety of New Age, Celtic, World, Ambient and Meditative music. We also host special album premieres. facebook.com/radiomystic @radiomystic

Sheena Metal Experience - LA Talk Radio
15030 Ventura Blvd. #843, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
PH: 818-602-4929
Sheena Metal sheenametal@onemain.com
www.latalkradio.com/Sheena.php
Combining today's hottest celebrity guests and tomorrow's most irreverent headline-makers, the show is raw, uncensored, and all-Sheena-all-the-time. Using her trademark cutting-edge observation, LA entertainment icon Sheena Metal rips the veil off the human sideshow, exposing Homo Sapiens at their most bizarre - making you wonder how you ever got by without her. It's talk radio the way it was meant to be, "Sheena-Style": unscripted, unpredictable, a little horrifying, and a lot hysterical. Every Monday through Friday 5-7pm (PST), it may be Sheena's show but it's definitely your experience. Become part of the adventure on LA Talk Radio by calling into the show. facebook.com/sheenametal @SheenaMetal

Fuego Beats Radio
Fuego info@fuegobeats.com
www.fuegobeats.com
Broadcasts a distinctive blend of talk radio interviews with a mix of Hip Hop, Pop and R&B music from emerging musicians. Topics range from celebrity gossip to controversial issues relevant to a modern society, as well as pop culture. Submit your music via our ONLINE FORM. Send us an e-mail if you would like to be considered for an interview. @WFBS981

2.2 RADIO PROMOTERS

Howard Rosen Promotion
521 W. Channel Islands Blvd. #15, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
PH: 805-382-2200 FX: 805-201-7816
info@howiewood.com
www.howiewood.com
Since 1985 We have been helping artists reach their goals of obtaining radio airplay, expanding their fan base, and creating awareness throughout the industry. @Howiewoodpromo

National Record Promotion
137 N. Larchmont #500, Los Angeles, CA 90004
PH: 323-658-7449
Larry Weir larry_weir@sbcglobal.net
www.larryweir.com
We promote artists and groups at radio with an emphasis on independent labels and recording artists. Over the last five years NRP has worked with many major acts. NRP will assist you in weekly tracking reports...national chart activity & radio interviews. facebook.com/National.Record.Promotion

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
Our Radio Promotion work focuses on relevant radio stations (terrestrial and online), especially college radio stations, in the U.S., Canada and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Our staff works daily to build relationships with radio stations, regional promoters, music/entertainment publications and websites, and media outlets throughout North America as well as in eastern and central Europe. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

SECTION THREE: SERVICES/VENDORS/LABELS THAT WILL HELP SELL YOUR MUSIC

3.1 SERVICES - PROMOTION/PUBLICITY

Moonstruck Management
PH: 626-893-5216
Josh Trivett josh@moonstruckmanagement.com
www.moonstruckmanagement.com
A modern music management company that focuses on the Country and Bluegrass music business. Moonstruck incorporates artist development, management, growth and booking into one controlled business. This consolidation creates a seamless model for an artist or group to have all critical aspects of their careers to be developed and controlled under one roof. This consolidation minimizes the chance of mistakes and loss of opportunity caused by communication failures. Understanding the direction and vision of each genre is the key component to growth in an ever-changing music industry. facebook.com/MoonstruckManagement

Chad Addie MGMT
Chad Addie chad@bluprintblog.com
www.chadaddie.com
The music industry is flooded with talented individuals who are working just as hard as you to try and make it in the industry. So how do you stand out from the crowd and make your music into a successful career? I offer one-on-one consulting in 1 hour increments either over the phone. If you're in the Chicago area we can setup an in-person meeting as well if necessary. I've found that a lot of areas can be covered within that time. You may ask me questions about topics specifically geared towards your project or goals as an artist/band. You will receive all the necessary guidance to get your career to the next level in areas such as recording, marketing, social media, branding, image, booking agents, labels, touring, publicists, and much more. We will also review a list of things for you do on your own that will help take your career to the next level. facebook.com/chadaddieofficial @Chad_Addie

Cypher Circuit
info@cyphercircuit.com
www.cyphercircuit.com
An online platform developed specifically to help members of the Hip Hop culture stay relevant in an ever-evolving industry. Being part of today's Hip Hop industry is about more than just being an artist. This is a business, and in order to be taken seriously, you need to back up your skills with a quality product, have all of your marketing materials in line, and offer dope merchandise. Cypher Circuit offers exclusive access to all the necessary resources to move your career forward. facebook.com/officialcyphercircuit @CypherCircuitNY

C2 Media Relations
800 18th Ave. S. Ste. A Rear, Nashville, TN 37203
PH: 903-452-3579
Carly Caramanna carly@C2MediaRelations.com
www.c2mediarelations.com
A full service public relations company that executes media tours for the hottest acts in Country music and entertainment from established artists to up-and-coming talents. Clients can expect to work directly with us at C2 Media Relations and receive services that go above and beyond. We design innovative campaigns with the goal of increasing brand awareness as well as attracting national media attention that will further guide and strengthen media campaigns. Through solid relationships with bookers and producers, we plan and execute media tours securing major television, print, & online coverage. We'll create a target list of key national and local print contacts in major markets to secure album reviews, group profiles, concert listings and reviews of live shows. We'll also create press releases to announce new projects, tour dates, & special events. facebook.com/C2MediaRelations @C2MediaPR

Earsplit PR
PO Box 142, Congers, NY 10920
Dave Brenner earsplitpr@aol.com
www.earsplitcompound.com
An independent public relations company based in the greater NYC area. We have been infiltrating international media outlets with extreme forms of music since 1999. Please E-MAIL for all PR inquiries. facebook.com/EarsplitPR @EarsplitPR

Rarely Unable PR
PH: +44-208-144-8083
Lauren Barley lauren@rarelyunable.com
www.rarelyunable.com
London based PR firm. I specialise in music PR of all kinds, whether it be album campaigns, tour promotion, PR consultation, European promotion, press junkets or social network development. Happy to adhere to conventional workable timelines, even happier with opportunities to work more unconventionally. facebook.com/rarelyunable @RarelyUnable

Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157, Hollywood, CA 90093
PH: 323-806-0400 FX: 323-462-0829
mhpmanagement@mileshighproductions.com
www.mileshighproductions.com
Created to bridge the gap of companies working directly with music artists and entertainment based projects who are in need of additional marketing support. MHP also focuses on non-music ventures such as corporate brand building, cosmetics, gaming, sports and other industries. MHP's goal is to elevate your product or artist to a higher ground in an expedient timeframe by exposing them to new and existing online audiences. MHP also focuses on taking our campaigns one step further by cross-promoting all traditional methods of marketing with online opportunities for further outreach. @MilesHigh

CIMG, LLC
119 Bowling Ave. Nashville, TN 37205-2357
Tony Bates contact@cimgllc.com
www.cimgllc.com
We provide Social Media Marketing and Social Commerce Solutions for our clients, in addition to Artist Management and Record Label Services. We work with artists, record labels, agencies, events, and brands of all kinds that want to effectively engage their supporters and fans via social media. Considering the global marketplace and international appeal, we offer our services in several languages as well, when appropriate to meet your goals. We work mostly with Rock, Pop-Rock, Americana and Alt-Country artists. facebook.com/cimgllc

3.2 SERVICES - LABELS, DISTRIBUTORS AND ONLINE VENDORS

Red Bull Records
www.redbullrecords.com
Don't waste your time buying fancy packaging and shipping them, just fill out our nifty ONLINE form with a LINK to your streaming music on any music hosting site. It far better for us to get a feel for who you are what you have accomplished by viewing your website or profiles on Facebook, Bandcamp, Tumblr, or whatever you use. Be sure to fill out the form completely and with relevant information. Please do not follow up with a phone call or an e-mail. We get a lot of submissions and even though we listen to them all, it is too hard to give feedback to everyone that requests it. If we like what we hear and want more information we will contact you. Just make sure to keep all contact information and show schedule up to date on your sites. Please submit your best song that represents you and where you are headed musically. YouTube and Soundcloud links are best to use for your Song Link. A studio version of your songs is best but if you don't have one a live version is fine, just be sure the quality is good. If your song is not part of an album or EP, just enter "Demo" for Album Name. facebook.com/RedBullRecords @redbullrecords

Rexius Records
Avagen 24, 412 51, Gothenburg, Sweden
Mathias Rexius mathias@rexiusrecords.com
www.rexiusrecords.com
Rock/Metal label. In everything we do, we make dreams and big goals happen. By having the most talented and experienced partners in the business together with a mix of drive and passion we handle everything in a musicians career. Rexius Records handle everything in a musical career, including recording, mixing, mastering, video, artwork & managing. Using a mix of drive & passion, Rexius Records shows that they can achieve the same results as the big record labels with more limited resources. The company is proud to have partners that have over 10 years of experience within all the areas of the music business. Please submit your demo via our ONLINE FORM. We work with artists from all over the world in every genre. We listen to all demos that are submitted to us, but please respect that we might take time to respond or not respond at all, due to many artists sending demos to us. Your demo doesn't need to be perfect yet. We are listening to your potential, not the studio quality. If you have a work in progress and are really talented, then we will help you shape the edges. Although, well produced music does matter and please do not send a recording from your mobile phone. (Yes, that actually happens...). facebook.com/RexiusRecords

SECTION FOUR: SITES WHERE YOU CAN UPLOAD YOUR BAND'S MP3s OR VIDEOS

Music1.TV
www.music1.tv
With all the music video websites available today, there is no real focal point for the discovery of new artist's videos as independent artists are often overlooked on these large platforms. Music 1 Television features an interactive music channel in which the viewer can watch the network video broadcast stream or select artist videos interactively. There are no fees to submit music videos for consideration and if accepted, they will be added to the online interactive video channel and network stream with the opportunity to have their videos later reviewed through their digital delivery service to commercial networks such as MTV, CMT, VH1, FuseTV, Music Choice and many others. Video submission for evaluation is completely free. facebook.com/music1.tv

JukeBoxAlive
311 Montford Ave. Asheville, NC 28801
PH: 828-232-0016
Will Cumberland cumberland@jukeboxalive.com
jukeboxalive.com
Our Advanced Jukebox Player protects your music from being digitally downloaded, yet allows fans to hear your music online. This creates exciting possibilities for you to present yourself to new audiences without being ripped off.

SECTION FIVE: SOCIAL NETWORKS AND ONLINE COMMUNITIES

RapHead.com
www.raphead.com
Social networking for Urban music and entertainment. @RapHead

SECTION SIX: HELPFUL TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR YOUR BAND

6.1 RESOURCES - GENERAL

MusicianFinder
www.musicianfinder.com
The best place on the Internet to find the people you need for your project or band. Are you an individual musician, a producer/engineer, or do you represent a band? MusicianFinder understands the differences. You each have different needs, and now, there's one website that truly understands how to help you or your band find exactly what you're looking for. @MusicianFinder

Festival Network Online
PO Box 18839, Asheville, NC 28814
PH: 828-658-2779 FX: 828-645-3374
Julie Cochrane julie@festivalnet.com
www.festivalnet.com
Lists more than 10,000 events throughout the U.S. and Canada seeking performers, from local & regional to national & international. @_festivalnet

6.2 RESOURCES - EDUCATIONAL

Dotted Music Blog
PO Box 509, Knickerbocker Stn. New York, NY 10002
PH: 347-587-8513
www.dottedmusic.com
Features posts by leading industry professionals, musicians and even university lecturers, Dotted Music is at the forefront of the music industry conversation. Although web presence isn't just textual. The launch of our Stand Above The Noise video interview series sees some of the leading music biz professionals enter the picture. facebook.com/DottedMusic @dottedmusic

CD Baby Podcast
13909 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230
Kevin Breuner podcast@cdbabypodcast.com
www.cdbabypodcast.com
Join CD Baby's Kevin and Chris as they discuss current music news, interview artists and industry professionals, offer tips and tricks to help today's independent musician move their career forward and much more! Interviews about how to be a successful musician without compromising your art. It's a perfect time to take advantage of the many opportunities for Do-It-Yourself artists that are springing up everywhere. @cdbaby @kbreuner

6.3 RESOURCES - TOOLS AND APPS

VideoBlocks.com
PH: 866-282-5360
support@videoblocks.com
www.videoblocks.com
A members-only site offering a one-stop shop for stock video. Our members enjoy access to our unlimited library and our global marketplace. facebook.com/VideoBlocks @VideoBlocks

BandLab
www.bandlab.com
Singapore based cloud platform where musicians and fans create music, collaborate and engage with each other across the globe. facebook.com/bandlab.music

MyNewsletterBuilder
comments@mynewsletterbuilder.com
www.mynewsletterbuilder.com
A user-friendly, feature-rich, online newsletter management program for novices and professionals alike. facebook.com/MyNewsletterBuilder1

6.4 RESOURCES - AUDIO

Peerless Mastering
1085 Commonwealth Ave. #322, Boston, MA 02215
PH: 617-527-2200
info@peerlessmastering.com
www.peerlessmastering.com
Dedicated to providing the highest quality restoration. We offer the highest quality stereo and 5.1 pre-mastering, CD, CD Enhanced, and DVD-A authoring and full audio restoration. Our staff is exceptional at giving our clients the best quality and service, guiding them through the final phase of their sonic process with ease and expertise. We are uniquely equipped to provide the highest quality mastering available anywhere. We have the expertise, equipment, and skills to achieve the full sound potential of your album. As more and more artists are choosing to record in project and home studios, high-quality professional mastering in an acoustically accurate room has never been more important. Working at Peerless' state-of-the-art studios with our highly trained engineers, you can realize your sonic vision and make your recording sound as full, warm, punchy, and clear as possible. We will guide you through every step of this final phase of your project, and you will be truly amazed when you hear how incredible your music can sound. @PeerlessMaster

6.5 RESOURCES - ORGANIZATIONS

Pro Musicis Paris
72 quai Louis Bleriot, 75016 Paris, France
PH: 33-01-40-50-72-39
promusicis@promusicis.fr
www.promusicis.org
Promotes the social impact of visionary concert artists who awaken the human spirit wherever they perform. Pro Musicis concert artists demonstrate to a distinguished jury both a high level of artistic performance and a passion for social outreach. facebook.com/promusicis

Ethno
PH: +32-2-513-97-74
info@ethno-world.org
www.ethno-world.org
Jeunesses Musicales International's program for Folk, World and Traditional music. The program, founded in 1990, is aimed at young musicians aged 13-30 with a mission to revive and keep alive global cultural heritage amongst youth. Present today in over 13 countries, Ethno engages young people through series of annual international summer music camps, as well as workshops by working together with schools, conservatories and other groups of youth. Ethno promotes emerging artists by touring selected groups of talented musicians through its Ethno on the Road initiative. Ethno provides a unique opportunity for young people from across the globe to come together and engage through music in a manner that is characterised by the respect, generosity and openness. facebook.com/Ethno

SECTION SEVEN: THIS MONTH'S ARTICLE

15 Reality Checks Young Artists Need to Hear (From People Who Know What They're Talking About)'
by Adam Bernard, Adam's World Blog
© 2017 All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission

Young artists bring a lot of raw talent to the table, but they also bring a naivete about the music industry that can not only make their lives difficult, but can totally derail a career.

While there's nothing wrong with being a dreamer, it's imperative to realize there's a huge difference between a dream and reality. A young artist may have visions of signing a big contract and the world being at his or her feet, but if that's what an artist believes to be the truth, a reality check is necessary.

In order to get a clear picture of that reality check, I spoke with 12 professionals in the industry, including publicists, artists, an artist management team, and a label owner who also runs a recording studio, all of whom have worked with young artists. They broke down the reality checks all young artists need to hear.

1. Talent does not equate to success

"To save yourself a lot of headache and heartache, please begin repeating to yourself now that your talent is not a direct correlation to your success - your effort and marketing are. My mom makes an amazing jar of homemade peanut butter, but without being marketed, how would she ever expect to compete with Jif or Skippy?" - Jake Palumbo, founder of SpaceLAB Recordings and SpaceLAB Recording Studios

2. Each step you take will require more work

"The second you hire a manager, a publicist, a team, that means you have to work 10 times harder than ever." - Jen Appel, The Catalyst Publicity Group

3. Your career growth will take time

"A lot of young artists are misled into thinking that things happen more quickly than they do in reality. They'll look at the near-vertical ascents of, say, Kreayshawn, or Kamaiyah, or Desiigner, and not realize that those artists are the exceptions, not the rule. Yes, every year there are a small number of artists that break extraordinarily quickly, but for every one of those, there are 100 artists that are growing organically at a slower and steady rate, and that's totally okay, too." - Michelle McDevitt, Audible Treats

4. Actually, everything will take time

"It takes a lot of effort, supportive friends and family, and a world of confidence to make it. Not the confidence that you are bigger and better and deserve everything handed to you, but the confidence that you are patient enough to try everything." - Jen Appel

"My biggest reality check as a young artist who is now entering the music industry is that everything takes time, and nothing happens overnight. Sometimes the industry likes to portray certain artists as if they just blew up out of nowhere, when the truth is that hard work and dedication lead to success." - Johnny Based (age 17) of the hip-hop group RAAA (Rebellious Against All Ahead)

5. You need a plan when releasing music

"Countless young artists will leave our studio, convinced they've made a hit, saying, 'We're about to drop this tonight!' as they rush out the door, not realizing that to truly 'drop a record' involves a lot more than uploading it to your SoundCloud and sharing the link on Facebook and Instagram. There's a lot of preparation, timing, prep work, targeted advertisement, and, frankly, money involved in making sure a record reaches ears that may be interested in hearing it." - Jake Palumbo

"Because they're kids, and they've never really worked in the real world, they have unrealistic expectations for how long things take to get done professionally or the right way. They're young, so they're very impatient, and they're growing up in a hyper-instant gratification world with all the social media platforms where everything is out there in a second on Snapchat, which definitely adds to their sense of urgency to throw stuff out there before it's really ready." - Tiffany A. Wentz (Wentz Entertainment Group, LLC) and Richard Laurent (Laurent Enterprises, Inc.), co-managers of RAAA

"The biggest reality check about the industry that I've experienced is how crucial it is to make and release music at a certain time. I had always imagined that artists just create music and send it out to the world to hear, but now I realize things are much more complex than that." - David Lee (age 17) of the hip-hop group RAAA

6. You have to learn the business side of music

"It's been a bit of a wake-up call for me realizing that you have to have a really clever business model of your own to get your stuff out there. As an artist, I don't enjoy the business side that much; I just want to create. I am starting to enjoy [the business side] more, though, as it is forcing me to brand myself, and explore things about myself as an artist that I normally would not." - Brooke Moriber, singer who started as a child actor on Broadway

"Nowadays you have to be more than an artist. With social media and so many other platforms out there for us to brand ourselves, it comes to a point where we are 100 percent involved in how our image is portrayed." - Ceddyjay (age 17) of the hip-hop group RAAA

7. If you want respect, you have to show respect

"There is a certain way to act and treat others around you. Whether it be your fans, your team, the media, agents, or even labels, nobody owes you anything. You should be grateful for any support you receive, and appreciative of the opportunities offered. Talent alone will not sell itself, and especially as a young artist trying to make it in the industry, an inflated ego is your worst enemy. You have to work hard, and give respect to earn respect." - Stephanie Maksimow, The Catalyst Publicity Group

8. Cash rules everything around you

"Young artists typically have little to no concept of the value of a dollar. Not only do they lack even a cursory understanding of how exactly their talent is converted into currency, they don't have any understanding or appreciation for how much it costs to maintain a career in music. Often, young artists will receive advances - which are likely to be dreadfully stingy as is - and then promptly blow all that money on creature comforts and non-necessities. Artists with poor finance skills leave themselves wide open to be taken advantage of." - Andrew Wetzel, drummer for Nine Shrines

9. You need to connect with people on a real level

"Nobody owes you anything because you sound and/or look appealing. Give the audience a reason to want to connect with you." - Rick Eberle, Rick Eberle Public Relations

10. Your small fanbase can play a big role in your career

"I think [young artists] tend to overlook the importance of nurturing the small fanbase that they do have, and converting those supporters into diehard fans for life. [Instead], they're constantly looking for the next quick scheme to get in the game - pay-to-play, fake followers, etc." - Jake Palumbo

11. You have a limited number of places where you can perform

"A lot of venues won't allow underage artists to perform, so you have to get creative about where and how to create performance opportunities, whether that's at private parties/backyards, high schools, community centers, warehouse spaces that don't have liquor licenses, busking, etc." - Tiffany A. Wentz and Richard Laurent

12. Staying at home is not an option

"I didn't realize how much traveling outside of touring you need to do in order to make and keep up the connections you need. I am a native New Yorker, and always thought the industry was mostly here, but it seems to have shifted a lot to Nashville and LA, so I have been traveling back and forth a lot." - Brooke Moriber

13. You need to have your own identity

"You break yourself into this wild industry by being creative and never giving up - by being different, and offering a brand and style that is undeniable." - Jen Appel

14. You need great songs

"The internet has made it easy to gain followers and create hype, but you still need to be able to write great songs and/or perform them." - Rick Eberle

15. There are no magical "right people"

"I need young artists to understand that the idea of merely being 'heard by the right people' to get your way in is a myth... as is the notion that paying to open up for famous artists, paying for fluff showcases with 'industry judges,' or merely bumping into a famous artist out and about somewhere will skip them to the front of the line." - Jake Palumbo

After reading these reality checks, some young artists may now think their music industry dreams are over. However, while the dream of signing a deal, instantly being famous, and having a stress-free life is no more, if your dream is to be a recording artist, knowing these realities will only help you towards your goal.

Adam Bernard is a music industry veteran who has been working in media since 2000. If you live in the NYC area, you've probably seen him at a show. He prefers his venues intimate, his whiskey on the rocks, and his baseball played without the DH. Follow him at @adamsworldblog. This article originally appeared in the August 14, 2017 Sonicbids Newsletter

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