Comments on: The Empowered Artist’s Tool Kit Part 1: Labels are Unnecessary http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/ “Panos’ Brew” is Sonicbids founder/CEO Panos Panay’s weekly (or more) post about whatever happens to be on his mind. Look for musings and observations on entrepreneurship, the state of the music business, his experiences with members, interesting things he’s seen in his travels, or just about anything else. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:18:07 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Brandon Green http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Brandon Green Mon, 25 Aug 2008 01:04:32 +0000 http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/?p=254#comment-67 M G F- I most definitely feel you, but I wouldn't say that ALL music is necessarily boring. But we're almost there -- I've all but given up on all music television (VH1 is still occasionally good for silly reality television) and conventional radio. I think the problem does have to do with what the American people want, and what record execs/marketing guys can sell to the American people. It's not to say that good, thought-provoking music isn't out there -- satellite radio is pretty good for that. Local band shows are even better. It really seems to come down to publicity and marketing, how much bands are willing to spend and/or innovate to get their stuff out there. My band is actually dealing with that exact dilemma right now -- and we're starting to learn that there are much cheaper ways to get out there than dealing with a record label, getting our CD in retail stores, and all that jazz. I'll agree with everything Panos just said because of what I've learned as a bass player in a prog band. -brandon M G F-

I most definitely feel you, but I wouldn’t say that ALL music is necessarily boring. But we’re almost there — I’ve all but given up on all music television (VH1 is still occasionally good for silly reality television) and conventional radio. I think the problem does have to do with what the American people want, and what record execs/marketing guys can sell to the American people.

It’s not to say that good, thought-provoking music isn’t out there — satellite radio is pretty good for that. Local band shows are even better. It really seems to come down to publicity and marketing, how much bands are willing to spend and/or innovate to get their stuff out there. My band is actually dealing with that exact dilemma right now — and we’re starting to learn that there are much cheaper ways to get out there than dealing with a record label, getting our CD in retail stores, and all that jazz. I’ll agree with everything Panos just said because of what I’ve learned as a bass player in a prog band.

-brandon

]]> By: Panos Panay http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Panos Panay Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:09:28 +0000 http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/?p=254#comment-68 Jamie, I will address your comment in a longer post but I do not believe that good marketing needs to cost a lot of money (I've experienced this my self with Sonicbids). Effective marketing for me has less to do with money and more to do with the willingness to experiment, developing a good gut, and fully leveraging the internet to spread the word. And of course, having a good thing to sell to begin with. Panos Jamie,
I will address your comment in a longer post but I do not believe that good marketing needs to cost a lot of money (I’ve experienced this my self with Sonicbids). Effective marketing for me has less to do with money and more to do with the willingness to experiment, developing a good gut, and fully leveraging the internet to spread the word. And of course, having a good thing to sell to begin with.

Panos

]]> By: M G F http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/comment-page-1/#comment-69 M G F Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:52:36 +0000 http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/?p=254#comment-69 I agree with what is said about how it was done, but I'm not sure that the gates are open. Present music is at a new MTV low. There is no new voices coming thru. Music is basically boring. Who is out doing live shows (50 year old bands). There is no music that makes you think, everyone tries to sound like someone else. Even MTV can't show a full video as they are now showing 20 second clips. A D D is becoming the flavor of choice and I'm seeing this in music. The problem is that it is no longer about the music and if it is not about the music then what is it about? I agree with what is said about how it was done, but I’m not sure that the gates are open. Present music is at a new MTV low. There is no new voices coming thru. Music is basically boring. Who is out doing live shows (50 year old bands). There is no music that makes you think, everyone tries to sound like someone else. Even MTV can’t show a full video as they are now showing 20 second clips. A D D is becoming the flavor of choice and I’m seeing this in music. The problem is that it is no longer about the music and if it is not about the music then what is it about?

]]> By: Jamie Strange http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/comment-page-1/#comment-70 Jamie Strange Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:09:04 +0000 http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/?p=254#comment-70 I understand what you are saying, but what about marketing? Doesn't it still cost a large chunk of money to actually get your music out there in front of people (ie featured artist slots, internet ads)? Or do you think word of mouth brings the cream to the top... Jamie I understand what you are saying, but what about marketing? Doesn’t it still cost a large chunk of money to actually get your music out there in front of people (ie featured artist slots, internet ads)? Or do you think word of mouth brings the cream to the top…

Jamie

]]> By: Z. Mulls http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/the-empowered-artist%e2%80%99s-tool-kit-part-1-why-labels-are-unnecessary/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Z. Mulls Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:47:10 +0000 http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/?p=254#comment-71 I've been saying this for a long time. The gates are open and there is a flood of music available now. That small garage band in Sydney, Australia can get to an audience in Detroit, Michigan with little overhead. I tend to think that fewer people will be able to make a living off of their music, as there is so much choice, the market will fragment. A consumer with $100/month to spend will spread it out -- the pie will remain the same, but hundreds or thousands more artists will split it. I'll look forward to more of your comments about the ecosystem. I’ve been saying this for a long time. The gates are open and there is a flood of music available now. That small garage band in Sydney, Australia can get to an audience in Detroit, Michigan with little overhead.

I tend to think that fewer people will be able to make a living off of their music, as there is so much choice, the market will fragment. A consumer with $100/month to spend will spread it out — the pie will remain the same, but hundreds or thousands more artists will split it.

I’ll look forward to more of your comments about the ecosystem.

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