Longing for the day ...

Someone agrees!

For some time now I've been working on what I've called my "tentacle theory" of business for indies. This is basically the idea that you need to extend your reach as far as you can into the rest of the world and there are several strategies that can be used to achieve this. Yesterday in can across this article, which looks at businesses as an "octopus" with tentacles reaching via other websites and other New Media as far as possible into a potential market. It's a pretty cool idea.

Now, my theory also encompasses fansourcing and other means to extend your reach offline as well, but this is essentially a nifty expression of the idea as it applies to your online presence. I'll write my ideas up and publish them as appropriate early in 2008.

Isn't it always nice be agreed with??
[sigh]

Being not boring

I was at the Art of Record Production conference at QUT last week and listened to Hank Shocklee talk about the creation of Public Enemy. It's an amazing story and Hank was very open, frank and forthcoming about the music business past and future.

However, the thing that caught my ear most succinctly was this quote, which repeats a common theme emerging from my research, but it's worth saying and worth saying to young artists clearly and often:

"You can do anything you want to. Just don't be boring."

He's talking about making new music, of course, and I'd put limits on "anything" depending on your goals and abilities. But it's an inspiring quote and a great approach to creativity.

Season's Greetings

Whoever you are and wherever you come from; whatever you believe and however you may appear, we wish you all the best for this time of year.

We hope 2007 was great and may 2008 be even better.

Playing with Demands

Just trying this out. But it will work if you click on it ...

Coke or Moonshine?

David Byrne, formerly of Talking of Talking Heads, had a great piece published in Wired, in which he examines the future of the music industry and maps out some strategies for independent artists. Packed with real data and analysis, it is an inspirational piece of writing and should stand out as a beacon to those seeking advice about how this industry works and how to get their piece of it. The sound recordings on the sides are great, too, I've been told, but I've yet to listen to them.

But in the whole article, my favourite bit is this wonderful quote, which sums up my own approach to music listening really well. David has hit the nail on the head precisely with this one and my response is "It's all good":

"Some artists are the Coke and Pepsi of music, while others are the fine wine — or the funky home-brewed moonshine."

I love the idea that I might be funky moonshine ... there's a song in that!

Be Free

I've had this acoustic guitar-runny lick bit in my head for quite some time and was having a nap one afternoon after playing with it, wondering where it might lead, when this idea popped into my head, which I immediately bounced up and started to write down. It kind of started with an image and then grew into a tirade for the release of humanity from the tyranny of the 9-5 prison.

We're playing it tonight at The Alley in our live debut, but I haven't recorded it yet. I'll post an MP3 as soon as I've got one. As always, this version is entirely provisional - feel free to suggest fixes.

Be Free

Got surf and sand, sun and sea
Walk the beach just you and me
That’s all we need
We’ll find the time and find the space
Live at our own pace.
Got a soul to feed

You bust your gut each day but your pay ain’t no guarantee
This soul tattoo makes me want to break free

So oooohhh, come away with me Be Free
Yeeeeeah, see what we might see Be Free

Got open plains and trails to ride
Mountains high and rivers wide.
That’s all we need
We’ll take off down the highway
Like every day’s a Friday. Got a soul to feed

For stress and sweat all you get ain’t no guarantee
This soul tattoo makes me want to break free

So oooohhh, come away with me Be Free
Yeeeeeah, see what we might see Be Free

Break down on the verse pattern

Got friends with time to spare for me
Sharing creativity
That’s all we need.
We’ll find the time and find the space
Leave the fuckin’ rat race
Got a soul to feed

With room to move, feel the groove. There’s your guarantee
Your soul feels new. That makes me want to run free

Chorus x 2

*****************************************

Please note: This song is APRA registered: Work ID GW36114616; ISWC TBA. You can copy, reproduce and distribute any part of these lyrics and chords for any non-commercial purpose as long as you acknowledge its source. I'm interested in your feedback, comments, suggestions. If you make something good out of it, let me know and I'll consider adding it to this site.

If you perform it or broadcast it for any purpose, please let APRA know.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License

The Genre Benders go Live! Twice!

At long last, The Genre Benders go live with a splash this weekend at The Alley Bar, 2 Frew St, Milton!

We're on Friday night at 7pm with Yield, Triplickit, A Date with Apathy and Lord Byron. Doors open 5.30.

Then we're on Sunday night at 5pm with Fasttrak to Eurphoria and The Room! Doors open 4.30.

The GBs lineup will be a duo: Huge on acoustic guitars and stompbox and Gumby on Bass and percussion. We're playing most of the material on the first album plus a few newbies. I've made up some special shirts to commemorate the gig.

Much celebration, boogying and giveaways will ensue. Make sure you're at The Alley Bar, 2 Frew St, Milton at least once this weekend!