It is always important to set goals no matter what your endeavor may be. As a writer you should strive to always put out the best work possible. Most importantly write how you would want to read yourself. Put some confidence into your writing, and be sure to know what you are writing about. Reading a blog or an article littered with errors or no factual information makes you lose credibility. The worst thing to be is a joke.
On the music end, stick true to your guts. Don't "sell out" in the sense of making top 40 hit music unless that is your genre. If you are a metal band who sees Lady Gaga on TV, don't become a dance/pop group. Stay true to yourself. If you decide to sway into a different direction of music be sure to have something about it sound distinctly like you. If not, be prepared to explain yourself in detail. My bands new album coming out is very different from the first one, but when you hear it there is no doubt it's Process of Fusion.
I'm in a rock/rap band, we play rock/rap music. I write a music blog, so I write about music. Stick to your guns, and do what you love. Don't let anyone try to change you, and don't change because it's not popular.
This concludes my 5 part Journalism Project series. More interviews coming soon.
Showing posts with label the Music Scene. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Music Scene. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Objective #4, Be Different, Get Discovered
It sounds so easy, "Hey guys, lets get discovered!" Or how about, "Lets get a manager, then we'll really make it."
Both of these, as wishful as they may be, are not true. All serious jobs require hard work- music is no different. No matter what field, no matter where you live, there is always someone better or higher up than you. Everybody and everything is in a total competition. A lot of bands, as good as they might be, have it engrained in their minds that their music will get them fame. Just because you are the best band in your town, doesn't mean anyone outside of it will think that way. I have a friend who played High School basketball. He was the best player I have ever seen, and was never outmatched by anyone. When he made it to college he made the team, but he was the twelfth man on the bench. Yeah, my friend was upset, but he understood. There are so many people that can do what you do. Even if you apply yourself and work the hardest, unfortunately nothing could happen.
I know so far this sounds depressing, but don't worry I'll get to some light in a bit. For any musicians reading, do a test. Go to Myspace music search and type in the style of music you play. Now look at the thousands of bands that come up. Next click on where it says unsigned, and look at the thousands there. Talk about competition huh? Here is where you can take it to the next level. Click on a few of the top ones. Check them out, listen to their music, look at the page design. What do they have that you can do better? What do they have that you can't do better? Take some notes. What do you like, what don't you like? Bring these things to attention next time you meet with your band. Strive to beat it. How do you think we learn in the first place? We see someone else do it first. Take what you observe as the ground work of what you want to be.
I can equate the same thing to writing. To be a good writer you need to first read. Read about things that you are interested in writing about. To be a sports writer, read sports columns. To be a music reviewer, read reviews. And to be a blogger, read some blogs. Blogging and journalistic writing can be two different things. If I'm blogging, I'm having a conversation with using my speaking my voice. I can say "I" and "me" with no fear because this is a personal talk. When writing something for the Advance or if I'm reviewing a band, it has to be professional. You can't refer to yourself, or any past experience. You state the facts, and keep it to a formulaic pattern of: intro, body, closing.
Just like music, blogs have their fair share of competition, perhaps more too. Anybody can blog. You don't even have to know how to complete a sentence to log into here and start mashing buttons. What makes my blog different or better than anyone else's? For one, it's my target audience. I didn't have the goal of setting out to interview Linkin Park and Jay-Z. My goal was simple and small, lets do Staten Island. Go ahead, go Google search for blogs about Staten Island music. You will find mine and Ben Johnson's of the Advance. I don't have much to worry about. Start small and build a big reputation with that, and then see what big things come your way. Find something specific and home in on it like I talked about in post #2 on "Branding".
Recently I've been thinking about hosting events under the blog. I've also been trying to contact charities and organizations to get the band involved with them. If you could attach your name to something and do work for a good cause, that sets you off from a whole group of people. It's easy to garner community support if you support the community.
Be different, stand out, and always try your hardest whether an audience of one or ten thousand.
This has been part 4 of 5 for my online journalism class. 5 will be out tomorrow night to wrap up the series.
Both of these, as wishful as they may be, are not true. All serious jobs require hard work- music is no different. No matter what field, no matter where you live, there is always someone better or higher up than you. Everybody and everything is in a total competition. A lot of bands, as good as they might be, have it engrained in their minds that their music will get them fame. Just because you are the best band in your town, doesn't mean anyone outside of it will think that way. I have a friend who played High School basketball. He was the best player I have ever seen, and was never outmatched by anyone. When he made it to college he made the team, but he was the twelfth man on the bench. Yeah, my friend was upset, but he understood. There are so many people that can do what you do. Even if you apply yourself and work the hardest, unfortunately nothing could happen.
I know so far this sounds depressing, but don't worry I'll get to some light in a bit. For any musicians reading, do a test. Go to Myspace music search and type in the style of music you play. Now look at the thousands of bands that come up. Next click on where it says unsigned, and look at the thousands there. Talk about competition huh? Here is where you can take it to the next level. Click on a few of the top ones. Check them out, listen to their music, look at the page design. What do they have that you can do better? What do they have that you can't do better? Take some notes. What do you like, what don't you like? Bring these things to attention next time you meet with your band. Strive to beat it. How do you think we learn in the first place? We see someone else do it first. Take what you observe as the ground work of what you want to be.
I can equate the same thing to writing. To be a good writer you need to first read. Read about things that you are interested in writing about. To be a sports writer, read sports columns. To be a music reviewer, read reviews. And to be a blogger, read some blogs. Blogging and journalistic writing can be two different things. If I'm blogging, I'm having a conversation with using my speaking my voice. I can say "I" and "me" with no fear because this is a personal talk. When writing something for the Advance or if I'm reviewing a band, it has to be professional. You can't refer to yourself, or any past experience. You state the facts, and keep it to a formulaic pattern of: intro, body, closing.
Just like music, blogs have their fair share of competition, perhaps more too. Anybody can blog. You don't even have to know how to complete a sentence to log into here and start mashing buttons. What makes my blog different or better than anyone else's? For one, it's my target audience. I didn't have the goal of setting out to interview Linkin Park and Jay-Z. My goal was simple and small, lets do Staten Island. Go ahead, go Google search for blogs about Staten Island music. You will find mine and Ben Johnson's of the Advance. I don't have much to worry about. Start small and build a big reputation with that, and then see what big things come your way. Find something specific and home in on it like I talked about in post #2 on "Branding".
Recently I've been thinking about hosting events under the blog. I've also been trying to contact charities and organizations to get the band involved with them. If you could attach your name to something and do work for a good cause, that sets you off from a whole group of people. It's easy to garner community support if you support the community.
Be different, stand out, and always try your hardest whether an audience of one or ten thousand.
This has been part 4 of 5 for my online journalism class. 5 will be out tomorrow night to wrap up the series.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Objective #3, Leave Your Comfort Zone
If there's one thing I've learned interning at the Advance is sometimes you got to get uncomfortable. You can't be afraid to get your hands dirty. You have to claw and dig, and then claw and dig some more to draw the answers out. If you don't like making phone calls, too bad. If you are bad at interviews or a little scared, too bad. You have to learn to suck it up, or find a new profession. These are a few things that I still have a hard time with. It's like I'm petrofied of picking up the phone and calling someone. Usually once I get started it becomes easy. I relate this experience to the severe stage fright I used to have.
I used to be the kid who stood in the back of the choir during plays. I never had any speaking parts. When I became a musician I was a drummer, and was fine hanging out in the back. Then I got thrust to the front of the stage as a front man. This is a big difference. I was expected to sing or to rap, and most importantly convey a sense of confidence with my delivery. I can't go up there and look scared. I remember the first time up there I figured I had two choices: 1. Say nothing and look like a fool or 2. Get up there and say something. When the pressure was on, I'm glad I made the right choice.
Now what does this have to do with anything? What does this have to do with my previous posts? Well here it is- if you are trying to build a network or a brand, it's going to take some risk. Like I said the Cup closed (apparently it's re-opening which kills one of my ideas), my best shows were in that building. Why? It's because I had a familiar crowd, and familiar stage. The Cup was like home court for a sports team. Everybody plays better for their fans. What I wish is I can bring that same energy to an unknown place in front of people I have never seen before. It's a work in progress, but I believe with practice and a little courage, I can get there some day.
From a music journalist stand point, you can't be afraid to approach a band or artist. I'll email every band on this Island if I have to. You have to keep your options open, and you have to aggressively go after the info you want. If you are in a band and you are playing unfamiliar territory, make sure you go out after the show and shake a few hands. Introduce yourself, make a good impression. Make at least one person remember you for more than just your performance. Like I said last post, you keep bothering people until you bother the right one.
Someone asked me, "How do you get to interview so many bands?" My answer is simple, I ask. I send them an email or a message. Why wouldn't they want the free press? The only thing I ask in return is to help spread the word about the blog. Some cool bands or artists I've written about are: Stereofix, Elevaters, Analog Dive, Furthermore, and Carnival of Souls. Some of these have played in front of 10,000 people plus. Stereofix and Elevaters have been on HBO and MTV. Furthermore was on Tooth & Nail. And why did they get where they are, because they weren't afraid to step out their comfort zone.
This is part 3 out of 5 for my journalism project. Keep reading for part 4 tomorrow.
I used to be the kid who stood in the back of the choir during plays. I never had any speaking parts. When I became a musician I was a drummer, and was fine hanging out in the back. Then I got thrust to the front of the stage as a front man. This is a big difference. I was expected to sing or to rap, and most importantly convey a sense of confidence with my delivery. I can't go up there and look scared. I remember the first time up there I figured I had two choices: 1. Say nothing and look like a fool or 2. Get up there and say something. When the pressure was on, I'm glad I made the right choice.
Now what does this have to do with anything? What does this have to do with my previous posts? Well here it is- if you are trying to build a network or a brand, it's going to take some risk. Like I said the Cup closed (apparently it's re-opening which kills one of my ideas), my best shows were in that building. Why? It's because I had a familiar crowd, and familiar stage. The Cup was like home court for a sports team. Everybody plays better for their fans. What I wish is I can bring that same energy to an unknown place in front of people I have never seen before. It's a work in progress, but I believe with practice and a little courage, I can get there some day.
From a music journalist stand point, you can't be afraid to approach a band or artist. I'll email every band on this Island if I have to. You have to keep your options open, and you have to aggressively go after the info you want. If you are in a band and you are playing unfamiliar territory, make sure you go out after the show and shake a few hands. Introduce yourself, make a good impression. Make at least one person remember you for more than just your performance. Like I said last post, you keep bothering people until you bother the right one.
Someone asked me, "How do you get to interview so many bands?" My answer is simple, I ask. I send them an email or a message. Why wouldn't they want the free press? The only thing I ask in return is to help spread the word about the blog. Some cool bands or artists I've written about are: Stereofix, Elevaters, Analog Dive, Furthermore, and Carnival of Souls. Some of these have played in front of 10,000 people plus. Stereofix and Elevaters have been on HBO and MTV. Furthermore was on Tooth & Nail. And why did they get where they are, because they weren't afraid to step out their comfort zone.
This is part 3 out of 5 for my journalism project. Keep reading for part 4 tomorrow.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Objective #2, Networking and Making a Brand Out of Yourself
I can't stress enough the importance of building a network of opportunity for yourself. It's what the journalism world calls "branding". Don't worry it's not taking hot iron and marking cattle, it's a lot simpler. To brand yourself is to give other people expectations of what to expect from you. It's the expectation of anything, like Microsoft is known for computers. MTV is known for music and reality shows. Branding yourself will make you an authority or aficionado for what you do. My brand, or one I'm aiming for, is local music. Building on that foundation I'd like to add: a good interviewer, a trusted source for music information, and a writer who goes all out for a story. What is your brand? What are you doing to help yourself standout?
In the competitive world of music and journalism, it's important to have an edge. Now-a-days anything can be done online. There are thousands of music blogs, there are thousands of bands on Myspace. Why should anybody pay any mind to you?
This is something I've been learning in my classes and in trying to market my band and blog to a wider audience. You have to go above and beyond. To those of you reading this that are annoyed and hassled by my constant Facebook attack of links- I'm sorry. I am just trying to extend my reach.
A serious musician or writer has to have a grasp of every social network possible. You need a Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress/Blogger, Reverbnation account, email, etc. You have to be compatible to that medium just in case you can grab one extra person. I'm not saying it's easy because it's not. It actually is quite time consuming. But that's the price to pay if you want it bad enough, and honestly that still may not be enough.
The way I see it, as long as I can get my work out there and maybe help or encourage some along the way, I'll feel accomplished. But a good feeling is like a temporary high because it doesn't pay the bills. So for the time being I'll keep annoying my Facebook friends in hopes of bothering the right one.
This is part two in my journalism project. Part 3 will be out tomorrow. Let me know how you'll build your brand.
In the competitive world of music and journalism, it's important to have an edge. Now-a-days anything can be done online. There are thousands of music blogs, there are thousands of bands on Myspace. Why should anybody pay any mind to you?
This is something I've been learning in my classes and in trying to market my band and blog to a wider audience. You have to go above and beyond. To those of you reading this that are annoyed and hassled by my constant Facebook attack of links- I'm sorry. I am just trying to extend my reach.
A serious musician or writer has to have a grasp of every social network possible. You need a Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress/Blogger, Reverbnation account, email, etc. You have to be compatible to that medium just in case you can grab one extra person. I'm not saying it's easy because it's not. It actually is quite time consuming. But that's the price to pay if you want it bad enough, and honestly that still may not be enough.
The way I see it, as long as I can get my work out there and maybe help or encourage some along the way, I'll feel accomplished. But a good feeling is like a temporary high because it doesn't pay the bills. So for the time being I'll keep annoying my Facebook friends in hopes of bothering the right one.
This is part two in my journalism project. Part 3 will be out tomorrow. Let me know how you'll build your brand.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Objective #1, the Local Music Scene
My allegiance will always be to the hard working musicians and artists that unfortunately go unnoticed on this Island. I am in the same boat myself and have frequently tasted the frustration in performing to a crowd of ourselves. With that being said, it is more important than ever before to bring awareness to keep this from happening. In almost three years of performing live, and about a year interviewing and searching for bands, I've come to the conclusion that the only way to truly go above and beyond is with the help of friends.
By constantly interviewing and working to expand my network, I found the ability to make connections. For example: Gerard Ucelli, a promoter, got my band a photo shoot for a magazine called Broken Records Magazine. After the photo shoot I pitched the idea of writing a story about a local guy running a magazine out of S.I. to my editor at the Advance. He okayed the story, so I interviewed owner, Scott Vollweiler. Scott in turn was very grateful and in turn "owed" me a favor of sorts (not that I asked or expected one). Scott came to my bands show at the Greenbelt and "fell in love" with our music. He wanted to become our manager and sign us as the first band to his label "Broken Records Management". Now he's using his connects in the music industry to help us out.
That is the beauty of this business. Unfortunately it is difficult to get anywhere on your own anymore. It's all about who you know, so the only work you can do is just be nice. Lend a helping hand to a stranger and don't expect anything back. Unless they are total jerks, more than likely they will pay it forward.
So what does all this mean? It means THROW EVERYTHING AT ME! I'm here, I owe it to the scene. It is my way of giving back to all the bands that have supported me, and to "monopolize" or "brand" myself as an authority for local music. I am searching for the same goals as the hungry who want it. If we all do it together maybe one can get there. Then they can look back, and pay it forward...
This is part of my class blog for "Online Journalism". I'm trying my best to keep both relevant to each other. Give me a comment and let me know what you think. Part 2 will be out tomorrow "Networking".
By constantly interviewing and working to expand my network, I found the ability to make connections. For example: Gerard Ucelli, a promoter, got my band a photo shoot for a magazine called Broken Records Magazine. After the photo shoot I pitched the idea of writing a story about a local guy running a magazine out of S.I. to my editor at the Advance. He okayed the story, so I interviewed owner, Scott Vollweiler. Scott in turn was very grateful and in turn "owed" me a favor of sorts (not that I asked or expected one). Scott came to my bands show at the Greenbelt and "fell in love" with our music. He wanted to become our manager and sign us as the first band to his label "Broken Records Management". Now he's using his connects in the music industry to help us out.
That is the beauty of this business. Unfortunately it is difficult to get anywhere on your own anymore. It's all about who you know, so the only work you can do is just be nice. Lend a helping hand to a stranger and don't expect anything back. Unless they are total jerks, more than likely they will pay it forward.
So what does all this mean? It means THROW EVERYTHING AT ME! I'm here, I owe it to the scene. It is my way of giving back to all the bands that have supported me, and to "monopolize" or "brand" myself as an authority for local music. I am searching for the same goals as the hungry who want it. If we all do it together maybe one can get there. Then they can look back, and pay it forward...
This is part of my class blog for "Online Journalism". I'm trying my best to keep both relevant to each other. Give me a comment and let me know what you think. Part 2 will be out tomorrow "Networking".
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Aspire, Inspire, Expire- the Last Show at the Cup and What it Means
The moment of clarity is upon me...
It is now that I realize...
I am awake
Where lies my fate...
- Moment of Clarity (Process of Fusion)
Sweaty, hot, humid, claustrophobic, a capacity crowd in too small of a room- emotions, love, tears, memories of some of the best days past.
It's where some got their start, and a place where some came to listen.
While still others dreamed of bigger things, and some to not be taken so serious.... This is the Cup.
Ten amazing, talented, frequenters of the Cup, set to close out the Cup in style with one more jolt of passion:
Misery Loves Company, Backslashes and Bad Ideas, Rise With the Fallen, Spread the Rumor, the Threads, Julius C, Process of Fusion, Every Night Drive, It's Not Over, and Through the Year.
This isn't a blog post necessarily about the show. I can honestly say that if you weren't there, the scene can not be described to you. This is more of my personal reaction to the night and a rallying call to my fellow bands or music lovers.
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| Every Night Drive's huge Crowd. Photo Credit Alexa DeMaio |
(Dedicated to everyone in a band that has ever played the Cup, and any fan who has paid money to see a few non-professionals play.) Thank You
This is the place that my band (and countless others) have called home. POF has only been playing the Cup for a little over two years, but in that time lasting friendships, bonds, and countless moments have been engraved in my memory.
I remember my first show at the Cup as I'm sure you do. I remember seeing the Corrao Q, Julius C, and another friend's band, Mophead. I was still drumming in my basement with Pat, and making crappy cassette recordings of terrible songs. "The Cup man, if we could just play the Cup, we'd be so legit." I remember feeling that way. It's not possible to be a band and not play the Cup, it's what you have to do. It's a funny thought, because many people couldn't stand it and are glad that it closed.
To me, that's irrational thinking. Where else could you get on a show so easily? You didn't have to sell tickets, you didn't have to travel to the city, and there was no pressure to perform. Have you ever been booed out of the Cup? Have you ever been told that you can not play your music there? No. The Cup was that perfect place to just show up and play. Anybody could do it, whether most talented or talentless. It gave you that shot, it gave you that chance to build a local fan base, and most importantly it gave us starving musicians a place to play.
I've played shows in many different places and I have fun looking back, but there is nothing that hits me quite like POF's Cd release show, or the power and emotion that was left on the stage by everyone the 31st.
Ten bands played on August 31st, and they left it all on stage. It was an actual opportunity to play like it was the last show of your life, and for some, maybe it was.
Yes, I understand the Cup closing could be a blessing in disguise, but at the same time you can never have it to fall back on. With the Cup being gone, the bands that "want it bad" will move on and find shows elsewhere. But it's very hard to get all your fans to travel to Jersey or Manhattan etc. That's the way music works though, go somewhere else and make new fans... it sounds so simple. Be prepared to start all over again. The last show at the Cup had about 200 people there (give or take). How's it going to feel going into some club and playing in front of five people?
Here comes the adjustment period, and the "good" bands will make it. The ones who are passionate enough to do whatever it takes, will make it, and that's awesome. Just don't forget where you came from. Don't forget the seemingly lazy promoting of a cup show that still insured about 40 to 50 people. Bands, it's time to work. Everyone thinks music is dead on Staten Island, the Cup being gone is another shot in the arm. But let's roll with the punches, let's do it together. Let's show Staten Island, we are here!
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| Me crowd surfing, it was awesome. Photo Credit: Scott Vollweiler |
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Josh Cronopulos of Backslashes and Bad Ideas, smashed his guitar at the end of his set. Photo Credit: Alexa DeMaio |
ASPIRE
We all have aspirations and dreams. We all want to achieve something great with our lives. For me personally, I want to leave my fingerprint on this world. I want to touch lives through music and give those same experiences back that I've felt listening to a favorite CD. Some aspire to be rich and famous, and that's fine. Just be sure to have a goal. Two of my musical dreams were to play the Cup, (got to do about 30 times or so) and put on a great show like Every Night Drive after I played with them for the first time. (Thanks E.N.D. for some motivation!)
INSPIRE
Inspiration is a two way street. You can either be inspired or inspire something. Both of these things happened on the 31st. I was actually inspired by the amazing crowd. I felt the raw energy, I felt the need to step up, I felt important. I was so overwhelmed with happiness from the time "Misery Loves Company" played up until the end of "Every Night Drive" when I realized my "band heroes" where playing their last song. E.N.D. you guys have inspired almost every band and fan you've played in front of. Spread the Rumor, you ladies inspire other girls you play in front of and let them know it's okay to rock with the boys. Rose from my band and Kate from Rise with the Fallen, you girls too! Be a person of influence. When we finished our set someone told Dylan, that he inspired them to be a better guitar player. That's so cool.
EXPIRE
All good things come to an end. The Cup is closed, deal with it, move on, but never forget all the good times. Be proud of everything you have ever accomplished in it. Someone at the show told me that we could be the next Every Night Drive. At first I was flattered, but now as I think about it I will disagree. I don't want to be Every Night Drive, I want to be Process of Fusion. I don't want to see another Through the Year, another It's Not Over, another Backslashes and Bad Ideas, I want everyone to be who they are as I'm sure they feel. The only thing I wish to take from Every Night Drive is the ability to inspire and humbly take people under their wings. The Cup has expired, E.N.D. has expired, what will you do?
I put the "Moment of Clarity" quote up top because it rang true for me last night. When I said "I got inspired by the crowd", it really happened. I had a moment where I knew that music is something I will do for the rest of my life. I have to, I must do it, and I won't stop until something happens. As I became choked up at the end of the night (I must admit, I cried) in thinking about all the wonderful people I have met because of the Cup. I thought about all the love that was in the room, and the sweaty hugs and handshakes. I thought about how we may never all be in the same room together again. I began to think that no matter how bad I want music to be my life, my life may not be music. That's life, and we'll see where it takes us all. So to the Cup, RIP. If you do open up again in a few months it won't be the same.
Thank you to everyone who came out on the 31st, thank you to Manny for putting together such a wonderful show and being a big brother to me. Thank you to every band I have ever had the privilege to share the stage with. And thank you to the countless friends and fans for their continued support of local music and for always making us musicians feel needed.
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Manny of Every Night Drive, mastermind behind the whole night. Music won't be the same without you. Photo Credit: Alexa DeMaio |
If you share any different views on the night or would just like to share any memories you've had at the Cup please comment the blog. I may take a handful of the comments and make another story out of them. All of the bands mentioned above have Myspace and Facebook so look them up, you won't be disappointed. If you have any other thoughts, questions, blog ideas- email me at JSarachik@gmail.com
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| Nick Cardona of Through the Year... only because he's banana's. Photo Credit: Alexa DeMaio |
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Music Scene?
So believe it or not Staten Island has one. It sounds weird right? Just to think that this "Godforsaken place" (among the nicer things said) has talent and passion. What I'm here to do is basically, enlighten the vast expanses of my audiences or maybe just myself, about all things music here on the Island. My hope is to make the "Forgotten Borough" one to remember, and not for the crappy stuff. So this is post one, we'll see where this goes.
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