Madalyn's Blog

by Madalyn Sklar




There are two social network sites that are a must for indie artists: Myspace and Facebook. I'm a believer in using these sites to push your buzz, build relationships and increase your fanbase.

Myspace Is (Still) Not Dead!

For some time now I've heard people (mostly musicians and a few industry peeps) say, "Myspace is Dead". Okay I do agree that Myspace is not the same as it was say two or three years ago during its peak. However, I'm here to say that I completely disagree with the statement that Myspace is Dead. Myspace has been and is still the number one music site for emerging indie artists and bands.

I recently spoke about this at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Memphis, TN. I moderated the "Building A Social Network" panel. There were seven of us panelists, which included a venue, a festival, several promoters and an artist. I asked everyone if they thought Myspace was dead and they all resounded with a NO. We all agreed that having a Myspace presence was important for indie artists and bands. All but one of us said that Myspace is the first place we go when checking out a band. Most of us agreed too that if we are directed to an artist or band's web site (their dot com) we are looking for their Myspace link on their homepage because that is where we want to start. Interesting I know! Many musicians in the room looked aghast. I'm sure some were thinking, "why did I delete (or stop using) my Myspace site?"

Now I do want to be clear that I'm also a big fan and advocate for Facebook and Twitter as well. Social networks should be an integral part of your online marketing strategy. I strongly believe that all indie artists should take advantage of these sites and maximize their presence. By doing so you will no doubt strengthen and build a great relationship with your fans. I also highly suggest utilizing ReverbNation (great widgets!) and Fanbridge (great mailing list program).

We know that everyone has shifted their attention to Facebook in the last year or so. I love Facebook and am not discounting its value for indie artists. But let's face it, Myspace was designed to be a music site. Facebook and Twitter were not.

Here are some recent stats on how Myspace, Facebook and Twitter are faring in 2010 (courtesy of Inside Facebook, 2-24-10).



Facebook is growing dramatically. We all know that. But what's interesting is that Myspace is growing again. This shows you that it's not dead. I firmly believe your fans and soon-to-be fans are checking you out here. Because as I've said before, it's designed as a music site.



One of the things I talked about passionately in the social networks panel at Folk Alliance was to utilize all these sites to your advantage. At minimum, log into your Myspace regularly and keep your content up-to-date and fresh. Post bulletins and blogs. Add photos. Update your upcoming shows in the calendar. If you don't have time to manage all your social networks, use free sites like Ping.fm or ArtistData. If you spend a great deal of time on Facebook, you can have your status updates automatically post on your Twitter. ReverbNation and Fanbridge will also update your status on your social networks.

Facebook Rocks!

So now let's talk about Facebook for a moment. I love Facebook! I think it's amazing that there are over 472 million active users. Your fans are on Facebook. Let me say that again... your fans are on Facebook! If you do not have a presence there, you are missing the boat. You should be actively working Facebook with a personal profile and a Fan page. I spend a great deal of my time counseling people on how to best use Facebook. I also do a lot of Fan page customization for artists and bands as well as businesses. Click here to see some examples.

Below are recent Facebook stats. It's mind blowing!



I'm wow'd by the fact that 20 million people become fans of pages every day. That speaks volumes! If you have a Fan page, you need to beef it up with the ReverbNation application, a welcome page, buy music page, import your YouTube videos and Twitter posts, etc. There is so much you can do to boost your traffic and increase your content.

If you need any help with these sites or need one-on-one counseling, feel free to get in touch with me.

Copyright © 2010 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: Facebook Myspace Twitter social networks

GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest and most popular website for women in music, will continue their tradition of highlighting the best in independent women musicians at their 10th Annual "Invasion of the GoGirls," March 19-20 during Austin's annual "South by" weekend. We'll be broadcasting all shows LIVE on Ustream. You can watch us on your computer OR iPhone, iTouch or Android phone using the Ustream Viewer app.

Four showcase invasions will feature over 36 bands and performers. "We worked very hard to create a lineup that both exciting and appealing to a diverse crowd," explains Madalyn Sklar, founder of GoGirlsMusic.com. "We expect to see an electrifying blend of music industry professionals,
musicians and the general public at our event," continues Sklar.

Since 1996, GoGirlsMusic.com has dedicated itself to bringing together independent female musicians from around the world and becoming a welcome destination for women in music through networking and events.

All GoGirlsMusic.com events are free and open to the public. For more information and a list of performers, please visit http://www.gogirlsmusic.com/sxsw



*SCHEDULE OF EVENTS*
(all times are Central Standard Time)

Friday, March 19th
Invasion of the GoGirls @ Austin Java
Music by: Penny Jo Pullus, Laura McGhee, Jennings, Stephanie Nilles, Mo McMorrow, Camille Bloom, Havilah, Tawny Ellis, Jean Mazzei, Deborah Crooks
12 pm - 5 pm
1206 Parkway (12th/Lamar)

Friday, March 19th
Invasion of the GoGirls @ Trophy's
*Featuring Melissa Ferrick!*
Music by: Addie Brownlee, Laura Marie, Kathleen Blackwell, Staci's Edge, Radagun, Melissa Ferrick, Bo Peep, DaRezarekt, She Craves
9 pm - 2 am
2008 S. Congress

Saturday, March 20th
Invasion of the GoGirls @ Austin Java
Music by: Jan Siedes, Merry Ellen Kirk, Nicolette Paige, Heather Stewart, Sheila Swift, Andrea Nardello, Jonie Blinman and Red Car Slow, Janine Wilson, The Devyl Nellys, Spare Parts
12 pm - 5 pm
1206 Parkway (12th/Lamar)

Saturday, March 20th
Invasion of the GoGirls @ Trophy's
*Featuring Sara Hickman and Shayna Zaid & The Catch!*
Music by: gfire, Carol Plunk, The Mieka Canon, Shayna Zaid & The Catch, Sara Hickman, Sunspot, 3 Kisses
9 pm - 2 am
2008 S. Congress

Details at http://www.gogirlsmusic.com/sxsw

Labels: SXSW Inavsion of the GoGirls

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

I'm gonna geek out here: I love the way sound waves collide. I love feeling goose bumps on the back of my neck when I finish a new song or hear an artist create something awesome with sound.

Music or bust happened in 2006. I had done ten years of performing before that...but not ten years of business. I merged the two together nicely and now I run both Sunny Groves Music Company and Sunny Groves Publishing Company. It's exciting and satisfying knowing that I built all this myself.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

My musical style is a relaxed alternative rock groove. I want you to tap your foot and feel good when listening. But I hope my lyrics inspire you to look at the world, your world, my world, our world and think about what impact we all make, have made, and will make. I don't write Disney love songs.

My three:

Trey Anistasio (of Phish) because of the tone and quality he gives to his custom Paul Languedoc guitar. I have great respect for his ability and dedication to his craft.

Martin Sexton just blows me away. I have seen so, so many live shows all over the place and he's definitely in the top five. His live performance is absolutely electric. He's ALL IN and it shows. His voice, songwriting and guitar chops inspire me to work on my craft with sincerity.

Itzhak Pearlman/Joshua Bell: Okay, that's two...but have you heard the way these guys play the violin. I mean, holy crap! I've played the violin since I was three years old and I've never even gotten close to a note that they can play. Just astounding. Again, it's the sound waves thing. Goosebumps man, goosebumps.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Medium sized clubs like Trees in Dallas (Old school Trees). I like venues where I can be noisy and the audience can too. I play singer-songwriter venues all the time but I prefer full band with freedom to move around. I rarely ever sit on stage.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I've learned a tremendous amount about my niche. I definitely do not fit the singer-songwriter mold very well. Again, I really tend to lean toward the jam band, expressive groove. It took me a lot longer than I thought to figure this out but the journey along the way was tremendously insightful and revealing. I know when I'm most comfortable performing and writing now.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

The music scene in my area (Austin, Texas) is experiencing some changes. There have been quite a few growing pains as we, the musicians, learn to have dialogue with the downtown loft community and the city who has some pretty stringent sound restrictions. There will always be the mainstays on sixth street, etc...but we are also going through some loss as it was just announced that the legendary Cactus Cafe is closing. But those active musicians that take part in this process really get a voice and I know that within a few years we'll really have a reason to say we're the live music capital. SXSW submissions (up to more than 11,000 this year) and ACL Fest continue to be a good gauge for this 'improvement'.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

My son (who is now six) began singing my song "Fly With Me". Trains are used to represent the metaphorical longing. Well, my son loves trains and just loves that song so it really encouraged me to get my act together and record this song well.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Budget: This is absolutely key. If you don't know how much it is going to cost from start to finish then you shouldn't be recording...unless you have FREE access to a studio, engineer, producer, graphic artist, label or disc manufacturer. If you don't have a budget you're going to throw money away. If you don't have a bottomless budget you better know all of your songs that are going to appear on that cd. You better know them better than you know your own name. Surprises can happen when you're solid and prepared. That's where the magic happens.



What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Consistency, Hard Work Ethic, Tenacity, Creativity, Kindness, Respectfulness and Assuredness. Must haves for this business!! You won't get very far if you have a few of these and you're a jerk. And you won't get far if you have all of these but you don't step out of the box (creativity) to make your shows happen. They're all key and they all take work, work, work day in, day out. It's repetitive, but when you get in the groove it's a beautiful thing to watch what you've created.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

My toughest moments are when I am balancing my music 'hat' with my mother 'hat'. My son has special needs and sometimes this career is very overwhelming for him. I've had to give up big shows and have done so without hesitation for my son. We'll see if this changes as he gets older. Right now it's quite challenging and we work as a family every single day on this delicate balance. I do try to only play at venues or events where I feel comfortable with him being there.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

Plan ahead. If anything set yourself a six month time line. If you bust your ass for six months and not much is happening...take a week off. You owe it to yourself to recharge. It's amazing how many songs have popped in my head when I pre-scheduled a vacation from my 'job'. You really need the break. I actually take two months off a year. This sounds like a lot but when I'm rehearsing, booking, traveling, playing, etc. etc. etc....I really need that time off to 'check in' with my family, friends, myself. If you do feel like you need to give up, then listen to your soul. Don't lie to yourself. If you're meant for music it doesn't matter how many times you 'think' you'll quit...it will come back to you or you will go back to it.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I put Cheetos inside my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
I'm addicted to Funyuns...I think they have crack in them.
Oh, oh and that I have a bone to pick with Barbara Mandrell.
But you'll have to get back with me later about that. :-)

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

A tattoo on my 30th Birthday! Good times Madalyn! Good times! Ouch.
Seriously though. Lifelong connections to amazing people making their lives work in this crazy world we call the music business. Community is really the important word here. The GoGirls Community runs the whole gamut: young women just starting out, seasoned artists making a solid living, women rocking every genre of music there is and that is a powerful thing. And the community has so much to share and experience with each other. When I organized the 8th GoGirls Music Fest here in Austin I learned so much that I am now able to offer assistance and advice to those who write me asking for help. And it was my drive and GoGirlsMusic coming together that made that happen. I will always be grateful to Madalyn for starting this wonderful community.

Find out more about Kimbo:
http://www.sunnygrovesmusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/thekimboband
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kimbo

Copyright © 2010 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Hey everyone, my friends at GuitarItUpForGirls.com are giving away a Daisy Rock guitar.

According to their web site:

The band Radagun and GuitarItUpForGirls.com have teamed up to give away an awesome Daisy Rock heart shaped guitar and some very stylish Radagun merch including a free cd! Entry is completely free and takes only a few seconds!



Radagun.com
Myspace.com/Radagun


No purchase necessary, winner will be notified via email and announced publicly at GuitarItUpForGirls.com on or before February 14th, 2010 and will be shipped at no charge to the winner.

Good luck!!
Madalyn

Labels: giveaway

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

I've been singing and playing music since I'm a kid. I come from a very musical family and there was always ukulele playing and 4 part harmony singing at family get togethers. I learned to harmonize at a very early age and the first instrument I learned to play was ukulele at 4 (my Grandma taught my sister and I), then piano at 5, then violin, guitar, upright and electric bass, mandolin, etc. The last time I counted I think I was up to 14 instruments. I also started writing music as a kid. Except for a brief period of time when I thought I might want to be a doctor, I always knew I wanted to pursue music in some way, shape or form. It's simply who I am and what I do - I can't imagine any other life. I have a physical, mental and emotional need to make music.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

I take a very eclectic approach to composing and don't write in one particular musical style or genre. I listen to all kinds of music from medieval chant, baroque, classical, to ragtime, standards (all the great songwriters like Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, etc.), hard rock to folk, blues, alt country, pop, punk, etc. and these influences find their way into my original music. My goal is to write good music with my own unique stamp on it, no matter the style. My upcoming CD release "Wonder Wheel" has songs ranging from folk and tex-mex to rock, pop, and more. I also have a Master of Music degree in composition and music theory from the School of Music at SUNY Fredonia and I compose for a variety of projects including TV, film, theatre, etc., so I have to be flexible and able to write in whatever musical style or genre the project calls for.

I've been inspired by many musicians and composers, but if I have to pick three, I'd have to say the late Felix Pappalardi, Johann Sebastian Bach and The Beatles/Joni Mitchell are tied for third! Felix Pappalardi was my cousin and produced Cream among many other bands and artists and later went on to produce and be the bass player of Mountain (folks might know them from their hit "Mississippi Queen"). Felix gave me my first electric bass when I was 14, an old Ampeg with a scroll top and I treasure it. He was classically trained like me and played a myriad of instruments so we had a lot in common. Bach is simply the master of composition. One of Brahms' students asked Brahms what he should study to become a great composer and Brahms said "Study Bach. There you will find eveyrthing." It doesn't matter what style you write in, you can learn so much about form, counterpoint, harmony, melody by studying and listening to the music of Bach. I find myself going back to The Beatles music and the writing of Lennon/McCartney over and over again. I'm never bored by their songs and I find great inspiration in their music and recordings. Just wonderful, well-crafted songs and performances and arrangements (with the help of George Martin) that are going to stand the test of time. As a singer/songwriter, I think Joni Mitchell is the ultimate role model - She has an amazing ability to combine lyrics, melody and harmony in a way that it totally unique and perfect to each song and what that song is trying to express.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

Really, any venue that has a good sound system and a good sound engineer is ideal! I'm happy in a small room with a handful of people, or a room like The Fillmore in NYC that fits about 1000 or playing in front of 20,000 people at The Bonnaroo Music Festival in Tennessee which I got to do when I was with Lez Zeppelin (the all girl, all Led Zeppelin tribute band). As long as it sounds good out in the house and I can hear on stage, I'm comfortable anywhere.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I've been performing since I'm a kid and have played in a variety of ensembles ranging from orchestras to choruses, jazz bands, rock bands, etc. I had been doing the singer/songwriter thing for a number of years in NYC after college and then I got involved with Lez Zeppelin. I was a founding member and the "John Paul Jones" of the band and played bass, bass pedals, keyboards and mandolin. Being in the band gave me the opportunity to play some of the most challenging rock and roll there is at A list venues and festivals all over the world, get amazing press (including appearing on CBS Sunday Morning) and it also opened the door for me to become a Kurzweil endorsed artist. Although it was a great ride with Lez Zeppelin, after being involved with the project for almost 6 years, it was time to move on and I left in early 2009. Now I'm back to focusing on my own original material, about to release my next CD and planning shows, working on "The Vickie & Nickie Show" (a wacky musical comedy act I do with my sister Lori) in addition to performing with other artists. I've sat in on accordion with my friend April Smith and her band The Great Picture Show and I also play fiddle and mandolin with my Nashville-based friends The Mulch Brothers, when they're in town. In addition, I played bass for NYC cabaret singer Gretchen Reinhagen's 2009 show "Almost Blue" and will be working with her again this spring on a new project. Because I play a number of different instruments, I'm lucky to have so many performance opportunities open to me. In addition to doing my own music, I really enjoy the challenge and diversity of playing with a variety of artists.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

The music scene in NYC is coming around. It was pretty bleak for about 10 plus years, but it seems to be making a comeback. NYC offers many different performance opportunities and there are venues of all sizes for all levels and types of musicians and performers. There are many venues to play even if you're just starting out and trying to get some experience. That being said, a lot of these places that cater to new artists are like assembly lines, having too many acts a night and only giving people 30 minutes to perform. You really have to do your research and find the best venues where music is important to who owns and runs the place, not just how many drinks they're going to sell.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

I'll be releasing a new CD within the next few months. The title of the CD is "Wonder Wheel" and it was inspired by a photograph that my sister Lori took of the Wonder Wheel (a ferris wheel) at Coney Island, Brooklyn and that's going to be the CD cover. It also inspired the title track for the album. "Wonder Wheel" to me is also a metaphor for life and that jives lyrically with the tunes on the album that include songs I wrote years ago to ones I just finished in 2009. I also wanted to create an album where I played most of the instruments. With the exception of some guest appearances by vocalists Lori Brigantino, Susan Haefner and Jerry Snee and my husband Tom Millioto playing electric guitar and doing drum programming, I'm doing everything else. That includes vocals, acoustic and electric lead and rhythm guitars, bass, keyboards, percussion, mandolin, ukulele and more.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Having a good producer is key. Even if you want to produce your own CD, you really need another set of ears, and very good ones at that. My husband and I co-produced my new CD, so even though I'm a producer on it, I had someone else working with me that I trusted to bounce ideas off of. In terms of saving time in the studio, making sure you do good pre-production can save many hours. I'm lucky in the fact that we've been able to take our time recording "Wonder Wheel" because we recorded it in our own project studio. If you don't have that luxury, you and any other musicians you bring in need to have your parts down and be well-rehearsed so you can go into the studio and knock out the tracks because of the time constraints you'll be under. Time is money.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

I believe that you have to follow your heart and write and play what you want and what you hear in your own head. You can't try to be someone else or latch on to the latest musical craze. Too many young songwriters and musicians get swept up in trying to copy someone else that they never develop their own "voice". Yes, music is an aural tradition and you have to listen and study to learn from those that came before, but then you have to incorporate that into your own unique vision. Plus, you have to be persistent. Just because you might have some bad experiences and disappointments, doesn't mean you should quit. Simply put - do not give up.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

My toughest moments came when I was working full time in the business end of the music industry (In addition to writing and performing, I also do music and talent supervision and intellectual property licensing and rights clearance) and was not finding the time I needed to work on my music. At the most difficult point, I was the Vice President of a licensing company, working up to 10 hours days at a very stressful job and was mentally and emotionally exhausted when I got home and didn't have it in me to even pick up my guitar. That was extremely frustrating. I did, however, force myself to get involved with Lez Zeppelin at that time to have an outlet. In 2005, gigs with Lez Zeppelin were starting to pick up and I quit my full time job. That was one of the best decisions I ever made. Now, I do supervision and licensing through my own company Hidden Pond Productions and have plenty of time to do music because I'm managing my schedule and working for myself. I've also been able to combine my creative side with the business side of my company and supply custom music production, scoring and sound design to my clients. I recently scored my second film for filmmaker Jennifer Williams and also co-wrote the music for a national TV commercial for Plato's Closet (an apparel store chain) with my husband in 2007. The big lesson here is, don't be afraid. I know it sounds corny, but I love that line from the sci-fi book Dune: "Fear is the mind killer." I'm also big into the teachings of Joseph Campbell who said over and over: "Follow Your Bliss". Find a way to do what you love and it will work out.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

I think in addition to being passionate, tenacious and not giving up, you need to surround yourself with people that love and support you and are not dream-killers. If you do get discouraged, you just need to focus more on the things that can propel you forward. You need to practice and study and be the best musician/writer that you can be. You will always have more to learn - not only about the craft of music but about the business, itself. The more you can educate yourself about how the business of music works, the better off you'll be and the less chance you'll have of someone taking advantage of you. You also need to network like crazy and be confident about who you are and how you present yourself. Also, keep your ego in check. No one likes working with a diva. You may get that first job, but if you're difficult, you'll never be asked back and word spreads quickly in the industry about how easy or hard it is to work with someone. It sounds so simple, but be kind and say "please" and "thank you". Remember, kindness is not a sign of weakness. Most of the music opportunities and jobs that I've gotten through the years have come through referrals because people know my abilities, that I have a good sense of humor, I'm easy to work with and I'm a professional. That goes a very long way.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I'm an award-winning singer/songwriter/composer/multi-instrumentalist that loves writing music, making music and performing. I'm incredibly fortunate to be able to do and continue to pursue what I love.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Being a part of GoGirls has really opened up some cool opportunities, like being able to do this interview. There are great networking, educational and performance opportunities through GoGirls, as well. It's so important to be a part of organizations like this not only to further your own career, but to support, give back and mentor others doing the same thing. Plus, I think all of us could learn a lot from Madalyn Sklar. She's a great example of a woman who knows how to get stuff done!

Find out more about Lisa Brigantino:

http://www.lisabrig.com/
http://myspace.com/lisabrigantino
http://www.facebook.com/LisaBrigantinoMusic
http://twitter.com/lisabrig
http://www.reverbnation.com/lisabrigantino
http://www.vickieandnickie.com/
http://www.hiddenpondproductions.com/
http://kurzweilmusicsystems.com/ArtistProfile.php?id=22

Copyright © 2010 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

by Madalyn Sklar



You've probably heard these buzzwords commonly used in the last few years when talking about social networks: analytics, metrics, trends, stats. And many of you are probably saying, "what does it all mean?" Simply put, it's the collection of data. For most, it makes little sense. However, if you spend time getting to know your data you can learn a lot about what is going on as well as what works and what doesn't.

In the olden days of the Internet (and still today) you got your web site's "statistics" from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Many provide highly useful information like page views, hits, referrers, etc. I always enjoy knowing what sites are driving traffic to my pages and which pages are most popular.

Fast forward to today and now your stats are on steroids!

Many recent blog posts including Jason Feinberg's The Year in Digital Music and Predictions for 2010 talk about this being the year of analytics. There are sites cropping up to help you gather and decipher info. Plus many sites you're already on offer analytics. Sites like Facebook, ReverbNation and FanBridge collect a great deal of valuable data that can be quite useful to you.

Let's examine this further:

Facebook offer "Insights" which lets you know how users are interacting on your fan page. There is so much information in here it's almost overwhelming. You can see how many impressions you received during a particular period as well as how many new fans. You can see the breakdown in gender and age range plus top countries and cities. To access your insights, log into Facebook then click on Ad and Pages at the bottom of your page. Click on Pages then View Insights. Click here to learn more about Facebook's Insights

ReverbNation gives you a "Stats Summary" when you log in showing your band equity, new fans, daily plays and widget hits. You can then head over to the dedicated "Stats" page which is chock full of information. There is so much in there it will make your head spin!

FanBridge has been offering really nice "Campaign Analytics" for all their paid accounts. I have really enjoyed this feature and am able to effectively measure the success of each email campaign I send out. Now I know who's opening them, clicking on links, if they are forwarding the message, etc. I find this invaluable!





RockDex is a new service that I love. It's geared for artists, managers, labels and social networkers like me looking to track artists data from music web sites, blogs, tweets, song plays, etc. I have found this to be extremely valuable in tracking my social network clients success. I see RockDex becoming quite popular as the year progresses. It's currently in private beta but I encourage you to sign up so you'll be in line to jump on board what is sure to be one of the hits of 2010.

Collecta is an interesting new site I just discovered that provides almost real-time searches on Myspace that can be useful to when searching a particular topic or artist. I found this very helpful when researching one of my Myspace clients and saw that a fan added one of their songs to his personal profile. How would I have known otherwise? This is cool!

I'll be keeping an eye out for more cool sites and services that will help us analyze and understand our data. Analytics are headed for new heights. Let's use them to our advantage!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Please feel free to post a comment.

Copyright © 2010 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 14 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: Facebook, FanBridge, ReverbNation, RockDex, social networks

by Madalyn Sklar

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

What drives my music is that endless need to create. That feeling that if you don’t “let it out” you can’t live. I enjoy the process of writing songs. I get that weird feeling that “this cool little riff or chords is gonna end up a song”. It’s an intuition that can’t be explained. The universe treats you well on those days (lol). The first time it was “music or bust” was really when I picked up the guitar. I played flute and piano since the first grade up until high school. Studied it. Took lessons. Competitions etc. But it never felt right. The guitar felt right. I always thought it was a hard instrument to play. But it turned out it was really easy for me because it was my third instrument. My friend taught me a few chords and that was it! Then I was playing hours a day learning all the rock songs 101 I wanted. There was no turning back.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

It’s pop singer-songwriter with a punk heart.

Nirvana-The songs were brilliant and simple. But the sound was fresh and new. They perfected the soft-loud-soft-loud formula, which still influences many artists today. I also loved the lyrics. Abstract and clever. Kurt’s singing was like no other and was so primal and right from the gut. That’s the place I want to be when I perform.

Velvet Underground-New York down to the bone. It’s really the whole package here from the music, to clothing style, vision and art/Andy Warhol. While the hippies were talking about free love in Frisco Lou Reed and co. were writing about what you’re parents did not want to hear: Hard drugs, transvestites, turning tricks, and living life in New York that was truly a jungle then. Growing up in Long Island/NY (so did Lou!), I had an immediate understanding of the music…or why such topics were song subject matter. It was saying a statement without being so overt.

Dixie Chicks-I’m giving props to “my girls” here. I never really liked country music so much but their last record “Taking the Long Way” was an inspiration to me in songwriting, harmony and just the tone of their voices. They are fantastic musicians and flawless live. I ended up buying all their records and DVD’s. They have so much class you really can’t find that anymore.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

I think theaters are really cool. Especially the historic ones like Hammerstein Ballroom or the Tower Theater in Manhattan. Shepard’s Bush Empire in England. They tend to have great detail in the architecture/design and that could only give you good vibes while on stage. Definitely some magic is to be made. It’s also small enough to be still intimate. But if you are from NY there is only one house to perform in: Madison Square Garden

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

Well I started out barely knowing how to turn on an amp and didn’t know what a footswitch for a 2-channel amp was. Lol. I used to get nervous with my heart pounding just before I got on stage. Now my effects board weighs in about ½ of my weight. I tour in the NY tri-state area. I have performed at some reputable conferences like CMJ and American Music Festival. So it took quite a few years to grow and learn. I did not get to this point overnight.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

You know that is so hard to say. NYC has A LOT of people in it full of musicians. There is still the old hard rock/metal going on. Folkies with their guitars. And the hipster rock skinny jeans rock bands. It is diverse. I think you can pretty much find a subculture of any genre you can think of. But some would say maybe things have drifted to rock bands with ‘bells and whistles” meaning they lack a traditional instrument in the band (i.e. no guitar or no bass) and a funky old keyboard/synth player who you call your “utility guy”. Some would say songwriters have drifted to the “Americana” meaning back to a Petty/Springsteen Nebraska era vibe. I don’t know...



What was the inspiration for your latest release?

My current album is called “Post Data”. It is an artist collective in Brooklyn. They create art based on old technology and manipulate it or the programming some how. They use data beyond its original intended need. This collective was mentioned in a Village Voice review of Radiohead’s “In Rainbows” album. Comparisons were made with that. What it made ME think was that we live in this world of ridiculous technology and apps to do everything. A Post Data world or society. You don’t have to leave your house to communicate. And sadly we lose human contact and interaction. You know we are naturally wired to have intellectual conversations in real time face to face. But the world has gone mad once again and we have less and less time to do so. We stay in contact with Facebook and such or texting. And that is better then not I guess. So, it was my drive to write songs relating to that in a loose sense. A deconstruction of communication as we know it... and I feel fine.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Number one is making sure you are working with the right person. Be it a producer or engineer. The relationship is KEY. Don’t record somewhere because it is free or you got a great deal. You have to be on a certain level of connection with your recording team. To save time in the studio make sure your songs are ready: the arrangement, any re-writes of verses or choruses. Pre production is a must. Work out all parts with your band in a rehearsal studio before hand. Have your producer hear it and make any suggestions for revisions. That is what he/she is there for. This way when it’s time to record you all know what is going on in the songs.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Drive. You got to have it. It’s a shitty business and people will tell you you suck and you will never get anywhere. You must believe in yourself and your music. Also, don’t be stubborn. Learn from (hopefully) constructive feedback from people. Be open. Evaluate. It can only make you better.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

When I started singing I was pitchy. I didn’t sing my whole life. In fact I never did until I started paying guitar and wanted to write songs. I was in a few bands and they wanted me to step down from singing and get another singer. I actually gave in to that for a while. I didn’t want to in my heart and I lost hope that I could sing. Thankfully the band broke up. Lol. I took voice lessons and I continue to study today. It’s an underrated instrument. I worked my ass and my wallet off. But it was totally worth it. Now I have people offering vocal studio work for me.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

The Beatles were passed up to get signed many times over when they were starting out...remember that. Being an artist is a life long commitment. You have to keep plowing away. I believe talent and some luck that you create for yourself will make you successful. People’s tastes are so subjective. You never know who will fall in love with your music and be that one person to make you a superstar.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

I made a promise to adopt a dog from a shelter one day and save it’s life. Dogs are amazing creatures. Due to my schedule I don’t have time to take care of a dog and I feel I should really be in it 100%. In a perfect world I’d love to adopt a pup, an old 14 y/o dog on its way out and the dog that no one wants. They all need equal love.

What have you gotten out of being a member of the GoGirls community?

Putting shows together and meeting Go Girls from out of state. It’s also a comfortable atmosphere to approach anyone to ask questions. The network really connects you if you want it too.

You can connect with Lisa Bianco at:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.lisabianco.com/
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/lisabianco
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Bianco/15715842255
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/lisabianco
YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/bianxnyc

by Madalyn Sklar



It's that time of the year where we need to look back, evaluate, assess and look towards the New Year. 2010 is going to sparkle for you!

When it comes to promoting your music in bigger, better and broader ways it's all about having a plan in place. Take a moment and think about what your goals are for 2010? Think about where you want to be in the next 3 mos, 6 mos and year. If you map out a plan on paper with your thoughts, ideas and goals you will have a much better chance of achieving the success you want and deserve. Most people just don't do this so that puts you ahead of the game.

How hard is it to write out your thoughts, your ideas, your goals? No hard at all!

It Starts With A Plan

The biggest hurdle most people face is procrastinating. Don't be the majority. Be the minority who will take the path leading to success. Take a few minutes right now. Get out a sheet of paper and write down your thoughts for you and your music in 2010. It all starts with a plan.

Thoughts, Ideas, Goals and Dreams

I find it's best to get yourself a notebook and start writing down what you want on a regular basis. Don't worry about how outrageous it is. Get your thoughts on paper. Visualize it. Keep the notebook nearby and write in it whenever you get ideas. The key here is to formulate your ideas and dreams into achievable goals.

An Action Plan To Success

Once you get a clear picture of what you want to achieve, make an action plan of what you need to do to reach your goal. Keep it simple. Set deadlines. Close your eyes and visualize it.

I know this sounds simple and it really is. If you spend time doing this you will see real results. Escalate your music career to a new level. Don't let it stagnate.

I'm available if you are looking to schedule a phone call to discuss this further and work together to map out a plan for you and your music. I know that brainstorming can make a huge difference. Let's brainstorm together and create great strides for you. Details at http://www.indiemusiccoach.com/

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: motivation

by Madalyn Sklar

I've known Ryan Michael Galloway for years and not only is he an extremely talented musician but he's also a great resource for indie artists. He's written some really helpful books and hosts a nightly video blog. --Madalyn

First off, I’d just like to say that I have always been very appreciative of what you’re doing, Madalyn—both for women in music and for all the rest of us musicians. I particularly like the women-oriented focus, because I think that women in rock have not been well supported until you launched your efforts. Still, I haven’t heard you give advice that didn’t pertain to all of us, so your messages are universal. --Ryan

What drives your music? When did you first know you had to do this thing called music or bust?

When I was 14, I played an original vocal/guitar/harmonica song for a very loud and demonstrative high-school audience of about 500. It was a completely magical moment for me, personally. I stepped on the stage, the audience disappeared in the lights, and I felt like I was alone in the room. I almost went into meditation or tunnel vision while I sang. When it ended, the crowd roared with a sound that is still in my ears. I was totally hooked, and it has never stopped.

Describe your music style and name three musicians you have been inspired by and why.

This is an issue I have. Though I’ve been compared to James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg, I’m really a songwriter first and foremost. Way back when I was published by Columbia/Screen Gems Music, I was taught how to write songs, and it really didn’t matter what style. So it was rock, folk, jazz, country, and blends of all four. Consequently, when you listen to one of my albums, it sounds like a diversely programmed radio show, as opposed to a single artist. It drives record companies crazy because they can’t categorize it and market it easily. It also means I win my following one person at a time. My fans have to be open-minded, and it has certainly slowed my success. However, once I get them, my fans tend to stay around for a long time. They like the variety.

Joni Mitchell has to be my number one influence—including her transition from folkie to jazz and that marvelous in-between place in the albums “For the Roses” and “Hissing of Summer Lawns.” Her first producer was David Crosby of Crosby, Still and Nash—and he was another big influence for me in the merging of folk and jazz. CSN&Y also got me into harmonies early on. Then throw in the Jazz-Rock-Indian fusion of John McLaughlin and you probably have my three strongest influences. There are many, many more.

What's your ideal venue atmosphere?

I like small. Somewhere between 12 and 500 people, who have nothing to do but listen. Small concert halls, warming-up for dramatic plays, and house concerts. I like to connect with stories and emotion; to me this is the best way. The places I actually play, however, are usually small wine bars and clubs. That’s probably the next best thing, but people who come out to drink aren’t necessarily there to hear original music; they would rather re-live their memories. You have to work really hard over time to win them.

Describe how your music career has evolved since you first started performing.

I started seriously performing my first year of high school. I’m really weird though, and I have been inventing big projects for myself forever. I played with friends in a folk-inspired band called Breezewood for much of those four years. High school music theory really unlocked it all for me. I did my second year on independent study when my “final test” was to put together a small orchestra of 40 musicians from two different schools and perform 15 arrangements of my original songs. That’s when I found out it’s really hard to be the Project Manager, Conductor, and player all at the same time.

After high school, it was a series of harmony-heavy bands doing originals and covers of Eagles, Beatles, CSN, America, and the like. I LOVE harmonies, and am still enthralled with them today. I played in a number of bands, including Nic Danjer, Primadonna (which toured the east coast), and Promise out of Dallas. I can’t afford all the rehearsal time it takes to get a vocal band tight anymore, so I use the Digitech Live Vocalist 4 as a back up. It’s great, but not as great as ensemble singing and playing.

I’m mostly solo these days, but have great fun playing in Foundation, a band made up of the founders of the Collin County Songwriters Association. I also really enjoy playing with Chad Ireland on drums, and Matt Gaskins on bass, in a really nice little trio configuration. You can see some videos of us playing on Youtube from a taping at Drury University last year.

In the last five years, well past middle age, for some reason my voice is better than it’s ever been before. I’m singing stuff I only dreamed of in my twenties, my falsetto is strong, and I think my performing and audience connection has evolved to the best it’s ever been. I have a mild case of autism, called Aspergers Syndrome, and I suppose it’s taken me a while longer than usual to learn to read audiences. I’m pretty happy with the outcome, though.

How would you describe the music scene in your area?

Vibrant! There are lots of places to play live, and we have a number of songwriter groups and associations: the Collin County Songwriters Association (which I chair), the Dallas Songwriters Association, a Waxahachie-based songwriter group called Tredway and Friends, and several branches of the Nashville Songwriters Association. The local musicians who “get it” have really pulled together to be part of the local performance industry. We’re strong competitors, but we’re friends too. In the media, the local Public Broadcasting System (90.1 KERA) has launched a sister station (91.7 KXT) focusing on locally produced content, Randy Tredway’s Texas songwriter site http://www.InTheMusicRoom.com is getting 16,000 hits a month, and local bluesman, Michael “The Mudcat” Reames, is considering launching a local music television show shortly.



Up on the north side of Dallas, in Frisco, there are three booming music schools, including Neighborhood Arts and Music School (NAMS), Music Conservatory of Texas, and School of Rock. If you need a guitar worked on, you can talk to Anderson Guitar Gallery, now cohabitating with NAMS. They are all serving their niches, maintaining a friendly competition, and have been supportive of local live music and songwriters. I’m sure I’ve just mentioned a fraction of the scene.

What was the inspiration for your latest release?

My latest release is currently available in digital release only from Songslide.com, or slightly lesser quality downloads are available free on my website: http://www.ryanrocks.com/. It’s called Rock the Big House Down, and it is inspired by the indie music revolution. The title song is about taking the music back from the record companies and making it our own again. It’s truly the theme song for everything I’m doing in educating fellow musicians, and it led to my nightly v-log post at http://www.wedontneednostinkingrecordcompany.com/. If you’re on Facebook, you can follow all the blogs by being a fan of http://www.facebook.com/nostinkingrecordcompany. I’ll remind your readers that I have a number of books and programs out—all part of the Gigster Clinics Series. Titles include “Hits and Heartbreakers: Songwriting Fundamentals for Love or Money,” “The Band Promotion Turbo-Charger: More fans, more fame, more fortune,” and the “Gigster Clinic Textbook,” among others. This is all what I consider “nuts and bolts” stuff about putting your band together, selecting PA and lighting equipment, promoting your act, and some stagecraft. The books can be found at http://www.GigsterClinics.com.

What do you think is number one for a musician to think about before preparing for a CD project and do you have any tips on saving time in the studio?

Planning is totally key, then sticking pretty close to that plan in execution. If you’re on a budget (who isn’t?) the studio is not the place to do all of your creative stuff, so keep that to a minimum. The goal is cost/time control, because the typical engineer is going to let you rack up as many hours as you want. If you’re doing it all yourself, you’re in real trouble—no one is keeping score of the time and it could go on forever.

One of these days I’ll finish my book on how to be your own producer. In the meantime, I generally:

-Establish my songlist and arrangements
-Rehearse my musicians (whenever possible)
-Record the rhythm section—bass and drums—with a scratch (temporary) vocal and guitar. If I’m working on multiple songs, I try to do as many rhythm sections as possible to save money. Drums can take hours to get sounding right, and even if you use electronic drums as a shortcut, it’s going to take a while. Imagine how much it’s going to cost if you have to re-set the drums for every song on the album.
-Layer on the basic instruments like guitar, piano, organ, horn sections, orchestra
-Add the lead and background vocals. I like to double and triple the background vocals for that CSN/Eagles/America sound.
-Add lead instruments
-Add embellishments like sound effects, rhythm and musical additions
-Mix the songs
-Correct any discovered mistakes
-Mix again
-Listen on various systems
-Mix again
-Master—where I send it to another studio to get an extra set of “ears” on it and make adjustments to the audio curve.

As much as I believe in producing yourself, a co-producer is really helpful. Someone who is honest enough to say, “I just didn’t believe that last take,” or “you hit a sour note,” is invaluable. My usual engineer is Ron Logan out of Desoto. I have also done some work with David Williams at Vault Studios in Houston. I consider both of them my co-producers when I work with them. They both have great patience and excellent ears, and they’re both musicians.

What makes or breaks a musician just starting out in your opinion?

Professionalism. You have to say what you’re going to do, and do it—just like a job. Even if you’re not being paid, by the way. Professionalism also means taking charge of your audience’s experience. Like bringing SOME kind of stage lighting when you’re playing solo in a dark corner of a club. If the club doesn’t “get it,” who suffers? The artist and his/her audience, that’s who. Do the best job you can, even if it’s not in your job description.

Describe your toughest moments in your quest for a music career and tell us how you overcame them.

A number of years ago, a record label famous for KC and the Sunshine band decided that they wanted to branch into rock and roll. They signed my band to a two-year contract, and promptly went into bankruptcy within about 30 days. That left us completely locked up for two years, unavailable to sign a record contract with any other label until the time expired. We simply toughed it out and kept up our live playing and writing. However, I recommend that artists—young and old alike—subscribe to a pre-need legal program of some kind, so they have someone to review contracts from a legal perspective, and help out when things get more serious. Here in Texas there are some free artist-oriented legal services available through the Texas Music Office. If that’s not available, or not enough, programs with a wide variety of protections—not just those to do with the music business—are available nationwide and in Canada for $17 - $26 a month. That’s pretty cheap to have a law firm with attorneys in every specialty (including copyright) at your beck and call to review legal matters, write wills, and send letters when you have an altercation with a club owner.

What advice would you offer up and coming artists that get discouraged other than don't give up?

We all hear the stories about James Taylor who made it at 17, or the Beatles who came onto the scene all at once. People who really take off young are largely flukes—it’s like winning the lottery. And how much money they make is entirely over-estimated. The Beatles were more of an example of how it is and was. They spent years honing their skills in Hamburg and bonding as a team before they made it. In the indie world, for sure, it’s about lasting for a long time. Outlasting everyone else in the process. Don’t wait for a record company, manager or producer. Become those things for yourselves, find your own “voice,” and build your own fan-base. Don’t stop. If you think you’ve tried everything, trust me you haven’t. With your own fan base, signing with a record company becomes a choice, not a requirement. You may find that staying independent makes a whole lot more sense when you look at how much you’re NOT going to make off the deal.

One more: choose bandmates and partners who are stable, even if they’re a little less talented. Nothing is more likely to trip you up than a talented jerk that you can’t work with, or someone strung out on drugs or alcohol. This is your career you’re talking about.

Tell us something you want the music world to know about you.

This year I was nominated for 2009 Texas State Musician. Willie Nelson won, but my standard joke is, “at least this year he can say he beat Ryan Michael Galloway. And I wish he would. Every time he plays.”

I’m here to mentor as much as I’m here to write, record, and perform. To me, it’s always been about service, whether it’s to my fans or my colleagues. As generous as I’ve attempted to be, I find my fellow musicians have always been amazingly willing to share of themselves in even larger ways. What comes around truly goes around.

Let me put it another way. My email is Ryan@RyanRocks.com and my phone number is 972-841-0226.

Websites to check out:
http://www.ryanrocks.com/ (my main portal)
http://www.gigsterclinics.com/ (music business education)
www.facebook.com/NoStinkingRecordCompany (fan page, including nightly v-log posts)
http://www.wedontneednostinkingrecordcompany.com/ (v-log ground zero)

Copyright © 2009 Madalyn Sklar

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 13 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success in the biz. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

You can reach Madalyn at MadalynSklar.com or madalynsklar AT gmail.com

Labels: interview, Ryan Michael Galloway