Madalyn's Music Biz Blog

I'm always interested in how bands market themselves, especially when they do so in a unique way. I mean let's face it, the world is full of indie musicians so you have to step outside the box and be different. You need to find creative ways to generate a buzz about you and your music. Well that is what The Locals have done. This Chicago band has come up with a cute little gimmicky doll named Danger Boy. Wherever the band goes, Danger Boy is right there beside them. So it was no surprise that Danger Boy tagged along when they made the trek to Austin, TX for the recent "Invasion of the GoGirls" event during SXSW weekend.

After their electrifying set, front woman Yvonne Doll walked over to me and asked if she could take my picture with Danger Boy. How could I resist? He's so cute! Afterwards she handed me this card...


http://www.localsrock.com/

This is brilliant! Brilliant because you want to see you photo with Danger Boy and to get there you HAVE to visit the band's web site. And it's not just a web site, it's an awesome and extremely creative web site. For years I have been directing people to their site because they do something most don't... they have a "press room" section with a band photo for both web (72 dpi) and print (300 dpi), plus bio and fact sheet. It's so important to have this information readily available in the event someone needs it quickly. And believe me, it happens!

So back to my new best friend, Danger Boy. He has his own Blog and Myspace page that you must check out. No surprise there, right.

Oh and check me out with Danger Boy.



Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
http://www.indiemusiccoach.com/

Labels: danger boy, indie music marketing, sxsw, the locals

I love being part of the GoGirls community during a music conference, especially Folk Alliance and SXSW. They are both large and well attended by members of our community. It's a great time to connect and get to know each other.

So at SXSW last weekend, after our daytime event at El Mercado a bunch of us hung out. Making connections is what this is about. Knowing that there are others out there doing EXACTLY what you are doing. Finding gig swap opportunities. Forging new friendships. Being part of something special.


Madalyn, Ina, Bettina, Onya, Maura, Debbie


TX GoGirls: gfire, Madalyn and Tish

As you can imagine at a music conference everyone wants to hand me their CD and/or press kit. I'm a nice person and will always take one. Do I really want it then? Um, not really. It sucks to get weighted down with CDs that I have to pack for my trip back home. I really wish someone would ask if they could mail me one AFTER the conference. See, I coach bands to do that. It's much more professional to ask someone that than to to shove it in their face and say, "here."

Be different and you'll stand out. In this business if you don't stand out you might as well go home!

And how many of you take the wrapper off before you hand it to an industry person? I already know the answer... very few of you. Do yourself a huge favor, take off the wrapper. You have a better chance of getting it listened to. And you will look way more professional than most others doing exactly what you are doing... trying to get ahead as an indie artist.

So here is a little story...
Last Thursday I went to visit one of my manager friends at a SXSW day party. I had two of my clients with me and they wanted to give him a CD more than anything. Especially because he manages someone quite big. I told them both NOT to hand him a CD but rather strike up a conversation then ask him if they could mail him a press kit. After all, this is a relationship business. It's better to get to know someone a bit. Get your picture taken with them so they'll remember you when you follow up and attach the photo. Ah, good one... I know! And when you offer to mail a press kit, tell them you would love their feedback on it. Who better than a veteran manager? I was going to introduce them to each other but ended up on a call from a frantic band who was on the road making their way to Austin and needed my assistance. My clients ended up on their own and did great without MY help. I was so proud. He eagerly gave them each a business card. It worked well. Now the ball is in their court to send the press kit then to follow up.

So I have a stack of 20 CDs on my desk right now. Each one was handed to me by an artist at SXSW, each wanting me to take a listen. It's cool really. I'm not trying to be critical. I'm trying to make a point. ASK first. Luckily I drove to/from Austin so no biggie taking these on the road. If I was flying I'd have to fit this in my already packed suitcase. Yes, packed because as a promoter I have a lot of other shit with me. Hmm, bet you didn't think about that. So I just threw the CDs in the backseat of my car for my trek home. Except I did want some music to listen to on the 3 hour drive to Sugar Land. Guess which ones got the listen... you're right, the ones with the wrapper off.

Copyright © 2008 Madalyn Sklar, IndieMusicCoach

Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach, consultant and author. She founded IndieMusicCoach and has spent over 12 years working with a wide range of independent musicians all over the world - U.S., Canada and Japan thus far. Her goal is to help indie artists achieve greater success in the music business by working smarter not harder. She is also the founder of GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest and largest online community of indie women musicians, with a vision of bringing together and empowering musicians from around the world.

Madalyn is available for one-on-one consulting and coaching at affordable prices. Check out http://www.indiemusiccoach.com/ for more info.

Labels: gogirls, sxsw

I've been going to SXSW every year since 1998. Ten years now and I love it. Why wouldn't I go? I mean c'mon I only live 3 hours away. When I'm coaching musicians we talk about why music conferences and the networking that goes on is so important. And why wouldn't you want to go to the largest music conference in the US?

A long time ago I tried getting onto the SXSW bandwagon with an official GoGirls showcase. No luck.

Then something interesting happened...

In 2001 I hosted our first "unofficial" event at Gaby & Mo's. It was an amazing night. The energy was infectious. The talent was incredible. And interestingly you didn't hear about anything other than "official" SXSW shows. I felt like we were onto a new trend here. Times were going to change. Why not provide opportunity to talented musicians who didn't make the SXSW cut.

Echoset (formerly known as Shade)

Elizabeth White

Doria Roberts

Ginger & Sarah Band

For years people would say to me, "why would I go if I don't get an official showcase?" I say why not! I know, SXSW is terribly expensive and so corporate. So what! Now there are just as many "unofficial" showcases as there are official. It's about finding (and sometimes creating) opportunities.

In 2002 I was ready to step this up and host 3 GoGirls showcases. And I got the crazy idea to host a "2 song" night which has now become an annual event for us during SXSW. Basically everyone plays 2 songs with backline provided. You get 10 minutes on stage with 5 minutes between acts. It has proven to be one our most fun and successful nights! We typically get more fans and music industry people out for this.

Over the years we've had some amazing talent grace our stages!

2004:





2005:






2006:


2007:


2008:
The A-List: Invasion of the GoGirls at Trophy's, 03.14.08

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
http://www.indiemusiccoach.com

Labels: gogirls, sxsw