Gun Horse Records

Artist Management Court Silicon Valley’s Entrepreneurs

2010-06-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

An interesting article about Artist management and how they're searching for new platforms to promote.

Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga’s managers are looking for the next best thing.

They’re not looking for the next Bieber or Gaga— well, they’re looking for that too, but that’s not what I’m referring to here— they’re aggressively searching for the next great web platform.

See the interview here

Story by:
TechCrunch

Gun Horse Records

2010-02-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce, (well pre-announce) that Gun Horse Records is to be live, well,... um, soon. At least the domain and temporary site is up. http://www.gunhorse.com

A little about my new to-be label:

Welcome to Gun Horse Records! We are small Northern California based, indie record label. In 2010, we have realized the shift in the music industry. The independent artist can make it without, big label bureaucracy, and red tape. Hopefully, that’s where we come in. It’s about the art of music and performance, not just a packaged product. The small label was started in the garage among the fog banks of the northern California coast. We cater to the independent artist, and the independent fan. We don't have much money, but we look good doin' what we're doin'.

Our mission:
Make music. Record. Send. Pay the rent. Sleep. Start over.

Is there an Apple in the cloud?

2010-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

So, there are some I mean rumors in the air… Or, I should say, rumors in the ‘clouds’-- Apple, which might have more clout than the current record industry, (Which I guess is another debate.) May provide a streaming music service, or accompany iTunes, so your content to an Apple cloud. No details have been announced yet, however, this may make for an interesting topic in the next week’s Apple event in SF on the 27th.

So, your iTunes library could be in the cloud? ITunes could be subscription based? Is this competition to Rhapsody? To Pandora? Who knows? But Apple’s acquisition of Lala could play into this somehow. This shows how fast this industry is moving. This will be interesting to see when, or if it’s announced on the 27th.

Stay tuned.

~G

Article courtesy from Greg Sandoval's Media Maverick Blog on CNET

Apple-Lala

2009-12-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Lala.com is an online source for cheap music, and the ability to check out new music. You could buy an mp3 for 10¢, have it stored in you account, or purchase a song for 80¢. I’ve purchased and downloaded couple of albums, on sale for $3.99. What a deal! I’ve preferred purchasing music on Lala, rather than iTunes. It’s a sleek interface, reasonable prices, and I just liked how it worked... I suppose I wasn’t the only one that enjoys Lala.com, since it looks like Apple will acquire them.

There have been a couple digital music sites that have shut down recently; i.e. Spiral Frog, & Ruckus. Also, iLike is, and soon Imeem, will be with MySpace Music. Also, LastFM is now with CBS.

Now this isn’t to say these digital music sites are all a failure. There are a number of factors, and I believe the economy is a big part of it, not the model itself.

Pandora, Spotify, Grooveshark are still out there, and it’s going to be interesting to see how the Lala acquisition will shake out.

Ready for a new album? This one just came out?

2009-11-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

Them Crooked Vultures planning second album? ...um, the new one just came out this week? But, *glee*

Them Crooked Vultures planning second album

Dave Grohl and co want it to be louder than their debut

Them Crooked Vultures have confirmed that they are to start work on their second album.

Despite their self-titled debut having only been released earlier this month, the three-piece say they are already thinking about its follow-up
read more >>
Article via: NME

The new album is growing on me, I really enjoy QOTSA, and the Songs for the Deaf album is one of my faves. So, just because I was excited for it's release. Homme, Grohl & John Paul Jones, c'mon! Talk about a rhythm section

Unfortunately, I missed them coming through town to the Fabulous Fox Theater in Oakland. So, I'm a loser... hopefully, next time!

~G

Pirate Cat Radio fights the feds

2009-11-20T14:19:00.000-08:00

Help keep independent radio going... Pirate Cat Radio, is becoming quite the independent institution for local SF Bay Area music

Run entirely by volunteers and commercial free, Pirate Cat Radio is a low power, unlicensed community station that has been serving the Bay Area and beyond for the past thirteen years. However, its traditional frequency of 87.9 FM may go silent thanks to a hefty $10,000 fine from the FCC.

read more >>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/culture/detail?entry_id=52075&tsp=1
Article from SFGate.com

Event
Pirate Cat Radio Benefit
“Let Your Voice Be Heard!”
FRI NOV 20

http://www.piratecatradio.com/wordpress/?p=15037

And the Google will rock...

2009-10-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

This was inevitable; Google will rock.

Google will now add linkable items to buy and download music. So, when you search for Lady gaga, you'll have results to purchase the music. Pretty cool google-ites... Now I hope you make it affordable and competitive.

http://www.google.com/landing/music/

Slipknot vs. Jonas Brothers

2009-08-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

hillarious

via Attack of the Blog!

The new club is the indie record store

2009-07-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

I think this is absolutely great! Jay Reatard, is doing a number of west coast-free shows in your local record store... I think playing at such a venue is absolutely fantastic. Oh, yeah, it's free too! How could you pass that up?

From Matador Records

Jay Reatard loves giving back.
He loves it so much, in fact, that he’s going to visit some of the independent record stores who have supported him and his records.
He loves it so much, in fact, that he’s playing instores at those record stores.
He loves it so much, in fact, that all of the instores are free and all ages.
That’s right…I said it.
Ten…count ‘em…TEN free all ages instores up the West Coast from San Diego to Vancouver.
So come help Jay celebrate the release of his new record Watch Me Fall with some instore ROCK!!!

August:
18th – 6pm @ Amoeba Music Hollywood (LA)
19th – 7pm @ Fingerprints (Long Beach)
20th – 7pm @ M-Theory (San Diego)
21st – 7pm @ Streetlight Records (Santa Cruz)
22nd – 6pm @ Amoeba Music San Francisco (duh)
23rd – 6pm @ Amoeba Music Berkeley (again…)
25th – 6pm @ Jackpot Records (Portland)
26th – 7pm @ Easy Street Records (Seattle)
27th – 7pm @ Sonic Boom Records (Seattle)
28th – 8pm @ Zulu Records (Vancouver)

And keep in mind that these will be Jay’s ONLY west coast dates in August.
There will be no club shows…meaning…Come!! Watch Jay Play.

Watch Me Fall is available on LP August 4th and CD August 18th.

Wanna be in RockBand?

2009-07-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

Wanna get your tunes on Rock Band? We'll now here's your chance... The developers of the Rock Band franchise just announced the ability to get your music published onto Rock Band Platform. Very cool... Now potentially, my sucky music could get played by your mom in your living room. Sweet!

"MTV Games and Harmonix Empower Artists and Labels to Get Their Music in the Game with the Rock Band Network"

The Rock Band Network Gives Artists and Record Labels Tools to Author, Promote and Sell Music for Download via the Rock Band Platform The Rock Band Network is a revolutionary system that will allow bands, studios and record labels to create and sell playable game content from their master recordings using the same professional tools used by our developers. Check out this overview video for more on how it will work.

>>read more

creators.rockband.com

EMI to stop distributing to indie record stores

2009-07-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

EMI has stopped distributing their music product directly to Indie record stores. All EMI distribution will now be through a 3^rd party. So, our local indie record store will probably now have to pay an additional fee, to carry the EMI music catalog. Which may ultimately mean, no more EMI sold there.

Sucks for the indie record company. -- However, have you seen the EMI music catalog? I don’t honestly think the local indie store will miss what you could get at Walmart, along with your 9mm ammo, Hanes tighty-whiteys & 48-pack of juice boxes.

A couple of things that strike me about this are;

1.) The gossip on EMI is that they’re mired in financial woes. (Which is not exclusive in this suck economy.) So, this could be another cost cutting maneuver--among others. However, the base biz model of the record industry is to sell music. It comes off as the complete opposite of what they should be doing. Sell records. If my band was on the EMI label, I’d be pretty pissed.

2.) Again, the biz of CD’s is close to ending. I’m an avid CD buyer, but, if finding myself shopping for CD’s less and less. Either, I get p.o.’ed about the cost, it’s not available, and the convenience of online downloads, or I’m lazy.

So, as a wannabe rockstar… why be on a label. Do it yourself.

Read more here

Content from the quite witty: www.waynerosso.com

Virgin and Universal Strike Download Deal

2009-06-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

So, all those people, (the record industry, deems such "people" as users of Napster, Limewire, Kazaa, and other P2P's, etc, to download music illegally online-- which are cutting into the Label's & RIAA's paychecks.), that got sued by the RIAA for downloading music, now have a legal option to download.

"U.K. telco and cable TV company Virgin Media has partnered with Universal Music on an unlimited download service described as a "world first" in that users will be able to keep all the MP3 downloads forever." Read More at Sky News.com>>

Basically, Virgin Media would enable their customers to enjoy all the musical content from Universal Music; Which artists include Amy Winehouse, U2, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Duffy, the Sugababes and James Morrison.

For a monthly subscription, still to be announced, the unlimited music download service will allow Virgin Media's broadband customers to stream and download as many songs and albums as they like from Universal's catalog. Users can listen to the tracks on any iPod, MP3 player, mobile phone or PC and keep them forever. Read at Billboard .com More>>

What's cool with this, is now, finally, you can get all your music, videos, and potential new media, from your favorite artist. Your Ipod, DVR, Digital TV, Laptop, PDA ect (As long as it's from Universal Music.-- So, you could get ALL the Elton John you could handle… because who can't get enough listens to Candle in the Wind.) I digress… before you couldn't get all you music from one source, the closest currently would be iTunes, but not for one monthly fee, and not on multiple platforms.

This is the beginning of music as a commodity, and not as a product. And the bonus, the record labels and artists keep their precious copyrights, and the user has access to all their fave bands content. Now if all the other Music distributors would do the same. You be able to "share" your music without repercussion. Which how it should be.

Pretty interesting stuff, and this will be a pretty big change for Music fans.

~G

For further reads on this subject, check out this book:

The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution

New products to piss off your guitar player. WOOT

2009-06-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Zildjian Z3 cymbals
Tired of your cymbals getting overdriven by your guitar player? If this is possible, (maybe because you're not hitting hard enough, just kidding.) Then your amp crushing tools are here!

The "3" in the "Z3" stands for "Power. Projection. & Playability." According to the website it's a mix between the "A Custom" (My personal faves) and the "Z Custom" line. The Z customs are f'ing LOUD, so, maybe it's 3 times as loud as previous "Z"? With this thinking it would sound way better than the "Z2's" Ok, made that up.

So, along with a new hammering technique, and mixture of the A & Z Customs, will create a greater projection--Therefore pissing off your guitar player. I'm eager to try them out.

~G

Check the out at Zildjian's Site

Sonic Youth Get Signature Fender Guitars

2009-06-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

It's about bloody time! -- Sonic Youth Get Signature Fender Guitars

Shinny new guitars from Fender. I'm glad to see these guys get some respect from the Fender Machine. So, now go get 'em and try to sound like Sonic Youth. I thought it was pretty interesting that this band, which has been so non-mainstream, now has signature guitars right next to Eric Clapton's 5 gen reissue black stratocaster. (I'm so jealous!)

Article from Pitchfork.com

I've seen the Jonas Brothers with meaner haircuts.

2009-06-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

I recently went up to Clear Lake, California over the holiday weekend-- for a little relaxation and little more inebriation. As I'm a California native, which obviously doesn't get out much, this was my first visit to the Clear Lake area. There's a resort nearby called Konocti Harbor.
Which, if you don't know, is a massive family resort/hotel/spa; with pools, outdoor lakeside bars, and boat dock for the local and un-local super horse-powered watercraft. Which zip around the lake at full throttle... The big draw is the outdoor stage, which some decent music acts come around, some acts have been around the block for a while: country acts, state fair circuit, or could have a gig at Talladega speedway, if you catch my drift. (Yes, "drift". That was a blatant NASCAR double entendre.)

So, back on point; as I was cruising around the resort, with the nice environmental bouquet of speedboat fuel, algae, bud light, and bug spray. I noticed the crowd itself was enjoying a band that was playing in the indoor stage, which was a decently huge indoor theater, just like any major city's concert hall, like the Fillmore, or the Independent in San Francisco.

There was this immense 2 level stage. Massive PA and light setup, and this 5 piece group, we're rocking, hopping, having a good time and the crowd was into it. The place was about 3/4 full, and it looked like a good gig. However, the interesting thing was, this band was actually a bunch of kids; ala a UFC version of the Jonas brothers in Affliction t-shirts, and meaner haircuts. The band member's age, was no more than 15-16 yrs old. The band was called the "Lost Boys". The band, from a quick listen, played emo/ pop-punk radio cover tunes and the typical injection of originals. So, in my little jealous mind, I was thinking who the hell are these kids? And how did they fill up a large gig like this? They have tons of merchandise, roadies, glossy posters, and probably bobble-heads in production.

I looked a little closer at the band posters and merchandise around the resort, and came to a minor conclusion. This is the house band for Konocti Harbor Resort. This band opens up for the rock headlining acts that come thru town, Journey, Styx, and others for example. Or they play out the surrounding area. So immediately, this reminds me of such boy bands ala Menudo, Backstreet Boys, N'sync and etc. This leads me to believe that this formidable well oiled music machine has the promotion backing of this resort's vast bank account. The coffers to fund the group; radio & print advertising, equipment, 40 foot banners of the band logo, pyrotechnics, vans adorning the band's group photo, ushers, a roadie crew, and ticket sales staffs. A little further crack investigation--the band itself is managed by the President of the resort, and marketed by the resort itself.

The band and its package was not to my taste, but who really cares what I think, I'm a snob. What did matter was the crowd sure was into it. Granted, the crowd was young and consisted of mostly vacationing families, and local fans. Also, I'm assuming the band itself is from the area. But, it was a full house and it looked like a successful event for the resort and the band itself. It's a home grown event, grooming these kids for bigger and better things. It was nice to see.

Regardless, of the initial thoughts of exploiting a group of teenagers, slaves to a corporate music package. It's would be the formula of a good tragic child star episode of "E! True Hollywood Story.", where about 15 minutes into said TV show, the inevitable words are spoken "…that's when it all went horribly wrong." I also predict, just like the previously mentioned Latino super group; Menudo, which the band managers kept the groups rotating members, under the ripe age of legal drinking status. Such the same may happen to this band as well. However, that's my little un-objective, half empty view on life.

What I did understand, and think is brilliant, is that it takes a village (or resort) to raise a band. Much like what any music label would do for their signed act; this resort was doing the same. This resort is the label, the marketing, and the promoter. It's the ultimate house band and it seems to work. This might be a flash in the pan, or it could be something bigger in the future. Now that Rome, (I mean major record labels) have fallen. Who's going to fill the void? Would your local amusement park or state/local fair help your band out? How does one band get more access to bigger crowds, bigger gigs? Maybe this is a good path for some, maybe not. It's just interesting to witness, and interesting to see how it could work for other bands career path.

~G

Three books to make you a rock star… Or at least books to make you think you could be

2009-05-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to recommend books-- since it takes me forever to read anything.
However, here are three books of the subject matter, "self published music" (This should be a section in most book stores.) They've been very informative for me.

In my opinion, I see so many indie bands and indie label start-ups not realizing their potential to market themselves correctly, regardless of their talent and/or fan base. On the flip side, it is so overwhelming and very time consuming to market one's self, make a record, make your art, perform, promote. So, how do you juggle all of this? Try and get a label and have someone do it for you? Get your mom to do it? Here are some good reads to help you & your band help navigate through the morass.

~G

The Indie Band Survival Guide:
The Complete Manual for the Do-It-Yourself Musician (Paperback)
List Price: $14.95
by Randy Chertkow & Jason Feehan
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (August 5, 2008)
This was a great reference for common sense promotion for your band; Online, touring promotion, working with labels and management. This is timely but, it is a little dated on the internet side (If you call a couple of years "dated".) I really enjoyed it.

All You N eed to Know About the Music Business 6th Edition (Hardcover) 2006
List Price: $30.00
By Donald S. Passman
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corp; 6 edition

This is the nuts and bolts of the record biz. Royalties, Lawyers, Representation, Distribution, Contracts... This is a staple for a many of peeps in the music biz. It really is the standard for the Music business... Also, you will understand how silly the music business really is... Honestly, if you music/ band reputation is at the point, where it's getting really serious. Like, "I think I need a lawyer to go over this 500 page contract."This is a good reference.

Ripped: How the Wired Generation Revolutionized Music (Hardcover)
By Greg Kot
Scribner, May 2009
List Price: $25.00

Description
A decade ago the vast majority of mainstream music was funneled through a handful of media conglomerates. Now, more people are listening to more music from a greater variety of sources than at any time in history. And big corporations such as Viacom, Clear Channel, and Sony are no longer the sole gatekeepers and distributors, their monopoly busted by a revolution... more>>

Wilco is trying to break your heart - Or lay a massive guilt trip on you

2009-05-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

So, Wilco's album was leaked to the internet! (Bad Pirates!)

However, it's actually not TOO big of a deal for the band. (Besides the obvious. I'd be pissed, but I ain't Wilco.) So, in an impressive psychological move--they ask fans who have helped themselves to an illegal download to donate to the Band's favorite charities.

It's like your mother telling you, we're very disappointed in you, so apologize. It obviously, doesn't make up for lost sales (Like who buys CD's anymore.) But, it's an interesting way to try and deflect some cash back towards the causes, the band believes in.
Read The Article - From Media Memo >>

Media Memo
How to Plug a Leaking Record–Don’t Even Try

by Peter Kafka Media
In the old days, back at the beginning of this decade, news that a band’s new album had leaked on the Internet before it went on sale was a big deal. And it occasioned lots of wailing and hair-pulling in the music business.
But that was when people still bought CDs. Now everyone from Britney Spears down to the smallest indie band routinely streams music for free, before the disc–or iTunes download–goes on sale, in order to whet appetites–or at least promote concert tours. No big deal.

Rather than linking up its free stream in a promotional tie-up, the band waits for the album to leak onto the Web, then streams it on their own site. And they ask fans who have helped themselves to an illegal download to donate to charity.
Read The Article - From Media Memo >>

The link to the new Wilco album -(Streaming)

Preorder the new Wilco album here:

Oh by the way, if you haven't seen the Wilco documentary "I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART.", definitely pick it up. It's a great insight on band member relationships, and the silly bureaucracy of the Music industry.

Opinions are like a-holes. Now I have a Blog (Which is both!)

2009-05-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

This is where my thoughts, views, and opinions on Music, Art and Media News and the Technology it supports. I'll have updates on the Shotgun Approach project, record label and its self published music lifecycle.

This is such an exciting time for the independent musician; the information available to promote online - self publish - be an indie label - where to digitally distribute and how to reap its benefits. Why did Radiohead & NIN drop their label/publisher/distributor? Why is Chester French releasing their new album for free? What's a DRM 320 kb FLAC. Codec mean? Well hopefully have the answers, or link to such answers, shall be here.

Very Interesting how technology is adapting to the "Artist's control of their own domain"

2009-05-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

If anyone uses twitter/myspace/facebook/iLike you might dig this:

iLike Expands Social Music Service To New Platforms
May 13, 2009 - Digital and Mobile (Billboard.biz)

By Antony Bruno, Denver (Billboard.biz)

iLike is expanding its social music service to new platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, MySpace and the iPhone, as well as introducing a new data feature for artists who use it to promote their music.

Hoping to address the problem many artists have with updating multiple social networking services with new information and content, iLike is now syndicating changes to artists' profiles on these other services.

Read more>>

May 13, 2009 - Digital and Mobile (Billboard.biz)

By Antony Bruno, Denver (Billboard.biz)

New EP for Riders of the Blood Red Dawn and The Shotgun Approach are in the works

2009-05-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

New EP for Riders of the Blood Red Dawn and The Shotgun Approach are in the works, Should be available Late Summer of '09. Exciting!

More to come

~G

Gun Horse Records - Mission statement

2009-05-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Mission Statement:

Gun Horse Records! We are small Northern California based, indie record label. Born in 2008, and realizing the shift in the music industry, the small label was started in the garage among the fog banks of the northern California coast. We cater to the independent artist, and the independent fan. We don't have much money, but we look good doin what we're doin.

Make music. Record. Send to the masses. Pay the rent. Sleep. Start over.

More to come,
~G