The Muse's Muse  
Muses MailMuses Newsmuse chatsongwriting resource home
The Muse's News
The Muse's News
The Muse's News
An E-zine For And About Songwriters.
Issue 15.3
June 2012

In This Issue:
* Editor's Musings
* Music Reviews - Cyrus Rhodes & Dan Cohen
* New Artist Spotlight Additions
* Songwriting Book Review - by Anastasia Karalekas
* Musical Notes - Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
* Muse's Clues - Songwriting Web sites that inspire - brought to you by Songwriter's Hall of Fame member, John Brhel.
* Featured Article: Artistic Ecosystem: Are We Missing Out? by Brad Dunse
* On Site Featured Article - An article already online for your viewing pleasure.
* Classifieds & Useful Services
* Contact information
ISSN 1480-6975. Copyright 1998-2011 - Jodi Krangle.
For more contact information, see end of issue.

FIND THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE SONGWRITER IN YOUR LIFE!

All sorts of products and services especially for songwriters, negotiated so that you get the best price possible. You'll find means of promotion and distribution, songwriting aids, educational products, musical instruments and their accessories, and lots more. Any of these items would make a fantastic present for a songwriter in your life (even if it's you! :-) ) Check it out!

Sponsor Message:
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)

Write Better Songs with MasterWriter 2.0 - at a New Price!WRITE BETTER SONGS WITH MASTERWRITER 2.0 - NEW PRICE!
(And Muse's News readers *still* get a special discount!)

Looking for something really special for that songwriter in your life? (Maybe it's you!) MasterWriter 2.0 is the most powerful suite of songwriting tools ever assembled in one program. MasterWriter is endorsed by ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, NSAI and is used by some of the world's leading songwriters including Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Jimmy Webb, Kenny Loggins, Trent Reznor, Clint Black, and many more.

In addition to giving you Rhymes, Close Rhymes, Phrases, Pop-Culture, Synonyms, and the Definition, new features include Word Families and Parts Of Speech, two unique and revolutionary reference dictionaries that will open up a new world of possibilities for descriptive words and ideas. There have been updates and improvements to the existing features, including greatly expanded Sound-Alikes (close rhymes), and a completely redesigned Interface. These are serious tools for the serious songwriter.

MasterWriter's NEW price is now only $199 - but you'll still get a *$20* discount (your price is just $179!) by ordering through The Muse's Muse! Take the Tour, Download a Free Trial, and get a $20 discount! Note that the auto-inserted discount number 3004 will apply the $20 discount when ordering online. Windows and Mac compatible.

Editor's Musings:

Aaaand we're back to summer again. (Not that I'm complaining!) The weather's pretty darned hot here in the Toronto area. I love it. :) Of course, it's also the season of road repair. <sarcasm> Whoopie! </sarcasm> I'm sure there are a lot of you out there that can sympathize.

Moving on to things songwriting-related (really? We do that here? :) ) there's a new raffle prize in town! Check out ZEEDIS, put together by GuitarScalesAndChords. This is a VERY nifty tool for guitar players: a pocket-sized circular slide rule for finding the notes of chords, scales, modes and also for finding the diatonic triads of scales/modes, instantly and easily. So if you'd like to potentially win one of these fantastic slide rules, feel free to mention it as one of your choices for a raffle prize when you write to me about that. Instructions for being put on the list of potential raffle winners are listed below.

And now, speaking of the raffle winners, this month they are:

  • Silvio Giarratana from Cape Coral, FL, has won a downloadable version of Rhyme Genie, a dynamic rhyming dictionary featuring over 300,000 entries and 30 different rhyme types.

  • T Dawn from Temecula, CA, has won a 6 month membership to GuitarMasterClass.net. GMC has tons of helpful videos, instructors and lessons along with a forum for chatting with teachers and students 24/7, recording collaborations, attending video chats, & content for bass, drums, singing, piano, etc.

  • Stephen Raley, from Corning, CA, has won a free 3 month membership to SongU, an Internet-based learning environment providing online coaching, co-writing and pitching opportunities, in addition to over 70 multi-level courses developed by award-winning songwriters. (Unfortunately, Brad's Onlinegigs prize didn't come through last month. :( So I offered this one to him instead and he graciously accepted.)

  • Patti Lalack Hutterli, from Aloha, OR, has won a copy of Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software.

As I've mentioned many times before (you guys should have this memorized by now :D) if you'd like to be considered for a raffle prize yourself, have a look at the various prizes offered at the top of The Muse's News webpage, decide which prizes you'd most like, and email me with your top two choices along with your mailing address so that I can get the prizes to you. Yes, it's really that simple. :) (And yes, the mailing address is kinda important. I promise it won't be used for any other reason than to send you your raffle prize - and to mention your approximate location in the notice of raffle winners you see above here.)

Enjoy the summer sun, folks. (We all need more Vitamin D!) Let those warm rays soothe your soul and get your inspiration flowing. :)

All the best,

--Jodi

Sponsor Message:
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)

BRETT MANNING'S SINGING SUCCESS SYSTEMATIC VOCAL TRAINING SYSTEM:

It's the "secret weapon" used by some of the winners of the world's most prestigious vocal awards, including the Doves, the CMA Awards, and yes, the Grammies.

Learn the one mistake even professional singers make, that drains away 3 times more vocal energy and yields only half the needed vocal power. Find out about the 3 simple exercises that allow even a "beginner" to make rapid increases in range (this also eliminates vocal strain). Learn Brett's secret for "dissolving" your break, so you'll never have to flip into falsetto again, but you'll still sing as high as you want--in full voice - and LOTS more.

The package includes 12 audio CDs (packed with 17 repeatable lessons, including both technique--the simple, yet powerful exercises, and style lessons for building vocal licks and trills); a workbook for illustration; and a DVD for visual reference and demonstration. It's a complete course - and it has a money-back guarantee!

Drop by for more details and start yourself on the road to improving your vocal chops today.

Music Reviews: Cyrus Rhodes & Dan Cohen

NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:

Cyrus Rhodes:

* Charlie Hill
* Dashboard Madonna
* Radio Drive
* Convalescents
* Drew Pizzulo
* Rick McCracken
* Christopher Sia
* Christian Floyd
* Christians to the Lions
* Erik Lamberth
* Andrew Pearson

Dan Cohen:

* Allessandro Olivieri Trio
* Papa Snow


Click here for bios on each of the reviewers. If you're considering sending in your own CD for review, you can also view that page to find out which reviewer reviews your genre. Thanks!

Artist Spotlights:

Great music is only a click away!
Here is a selection of the great artists and bands highlighted
in the Artist Spotlight section of The Muse's Muse.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Cole Jennison - Genre: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Singer/Songwriter Cole Jennison wasn't always so driven to succeed. After a youth full of sirens and suspensions, he pulled himself together and focused in on Singing and Songwriting. After 5 years of performing and writing for two rock bands ("By Permit Only" and "Heed") there are two full albums added to his songwriting lineage. Now on his own, Cole's music comes straight from the heart.

Moebius Cat - Genre: ALTERNATIVE

Moebius Cat is a fluid and dynamic project, creating melodic and emotional music in an experimental fusion of dark wave, progressive rock, gothic ethereal, world, electronic and neoclassical styles. Sounds intriguing? Then go to the website, listen to Moebius Cat music and download the entire CD to your hard drive or iPod. If you’re a musician or a singer and feel that your talent can contribute to Moebius Cat unique sound - Contact Moebius Cat

Songwriting Book Review By: Anastasia Karalekas

"Arranging Songs - How to Put the Parts Together"
by Rikky Rooksby
www.halleonard.com

Since I’ve been writing songs, I’ve focused more on the stories within them. But one day, recently, this all changed. I had been working on a new song, and had recorded a basic guitar and vocal. I put my headphones on to listen to the piece again, and as I listened to my guitar intro, I heard a harmonica. But I don’t play harmonica, and nobody else was in the room with me. A huge smile came across my face; I was arranging!

Arranging is an art. There are so many ways in which to present a song, finding the winning combination takes both skill and an artistic flair. And if you want to start somewhere (or even if you’ve already started, but need some more help), Rikky Rooksby’s “Arranging Songs: How to Put the Parts Together” is a must-have.

As far as I’m concerned, Rooksy’s knowledge in this field is unsurpassed. I love the way he writes. He really is an expert in teaching something that is sometimes better learned through hearing, yet he just has a way of explaining the “sound” of something so well that it’s familiar when you actually hear it. He goes through the entire gamut of instruments, from the most popular to the more secondary ones, and lists some songs to listen to and study the arrangements. You’ll start listening to music differently, picking out violins and snare drum patterns, and even hand claps!

You don’t need to read this book chapter by chapter, but I find it’s a good idea to go through it once sequentially, and then go back to the sections that are of more use or interest to you. And when you get to Section 8, it’s studio time! It’s where you actually get to see some arrangements in action. The whole song, from intro to outro is covered, including case studies. I decided to give it a try, so I opened up my software, and started placing the instruments in my tracks. Then I adjusted their attributes, like the volume, or reverb, played with the tempo and key; I’m breathing new life into some of my songs that I’d almost permanently put on the shelf. And you don’t even need to play an instrument; as long as you have a vocal track, you can start laying down digital sound clips, following examples, and before you know it, you’ll be tweaking things to your own preferences and becoming an arranger.

In the last chapter, all the tracks on the book’s companion CD are broken down and explained. There are 50 tracks, mostly each under a minute long, giving you an idea for the first verse and chorus, at least. Rooksby tells you what each arrangement is about, and lists what instruments are used. (I have personally dubbed it my Arrangement Dictionary.)

I won’t lie, this book is not for the faint-hearted, but Rikky Rooksby’s “Arranging Songs” is a perfect starting point to putting the parts together. And if “an arrangement is the outfit your song wears when it goes out into the world,” (p. 6), you’ll definitely learn to dress them up properly!

******

ABOUT THE REVIEWER:

Anastasia Karalekas is a self-taught guitarist and music absorber.  When she is not learning, learning, learning, she spends her time writing fiction and poetry. After taking some private guitar lessons, her teacher encouraged her  to try putting some of her poems to music, and she's been writing songs ever since.

If you'd like *your* book reviewed (as long as it has something to do with songwriting, of course!), please do email us and let us know!

Sponsor Message:
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)

LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR WITH GuitarMasterClass.net AND START COMPOSING YOUR OWN SONGS NOW!

GMC is a video lesson archive & community. GMC has tons of helpful videos, instructors and lessons. GMC also features forum for chatting with teachers and students 24/7, recording collaborations, attending video chats + content for bass, drums, singing, piano etc. All genres and styles are covered - Rock, metal, shred, blues, jazz, country & acoustic, funk.. We want you to have fun while learning - so get rocking NOW!

Get instant access to:

-14273 videos, 2262 lessons and 37 instructors.
-Register at GMC forum - join a virtual band, chat with any instructor etc
-Backing tracks at different speeds & jam loop with every lesson
-Daily updates (average of ~10 new videos per day)
 -EXTRAS: Gear-, singing-, recording-, bass-, piano- and drum lessons. GMC Theory Grimoire eBook !!!


Special for Muse's Muse visitors: 
Get a 10$ discount for your first month of subscription!

Musical Notes: Songwriting Contests & Market Info.

In the interest of conserving space (when I need to), I will be including only changes to this listing in this newsletter. All other contests and market information that have already been listed here, are displayed at http://www.musesmuse.com/contests.html & http://www.musesmuse.com/markets.html.
Please check there regularly for updates!


*** 17TH ANNUAL USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION DEADLINE LOOMS

Deadline is fast approaching for the 17th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Winning songs will receive radio airplay in United States and Canada along with great prizes such as a Top Prize of over $50,000. Past winners include Nenna Yvonne, Alannah Myles, Ken Hirsch, Ari Gold, The Waifs, etc. First 1,000 entries will each receive a USA Songwriting Compilation CD. Submission deadline: May 31st.

http://www.songwriting.net/


StudioVox: CONNECTING THE CREATIVE/CONTEST FOR $200!

StudioVox is a fresh, vibrant social community for creatives. It's an exclusive networking community for people in ALL creative and artistic fields -- from filmmaking, fashion design, photography, fine arts, graphic design -- to music. As a member of Studiovox, you also have exclusive access to connect with both agents and industry professional such as The Source Magazine and Paramount Recording Group. 

In order to win the $200 Gift Card

1. Visit www.studiovox.com and use access code: StudiovoxBetaCode025 to log in.
2. Create a profile, upload an avatar, explore the site.
3. Click here to comment on this post with a link to your new StudioVox profile. Feel free to add your thoughts, ideas and suggestions!

One reader will receive a $200 VISA gift card to help them accomplish their music goals!


ANNOUNCING THE THIRD ANNUAL MADISON SONGWRITERS GUILD RETREAT FOR SONGWRITERS

Announcing the third annual Madison Songwriters Guild Retreat for Songwriters on Friday June 22nd-Sunday June 24th. Held in the lovely Prairie Center Building at the Bethel Horizon Retreat Center in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, the Retreat will feature beautiful natural surroundings, comfortable lodging and delicious meals.http://www.bethelhorizons.org/Horizons/Retreat_center/Retreat_center.html. Come prepared for weekend of inspiring and useful workshops, chances to perform, the opportunity to share your work with fellow writers and a staff concert. This year’s featured staff presenter is songwriter Dan Hazlett. The cost for attending the weekend Retreat is $289 and includes lodging and meals.There is a $50 discount for those registering prior to May 21st. Register by contacting Rich Bauman at 608-241-2615 or rich@richbaumann.com or by contacting Dan Hazlett at homestmusic@aol.com.


BOOKING & TOURING SUCCESS STRATEGIES & SECRETS ONLINE COURSE

Getting great gigs, building your audience and selling more merchandise is exactly what your career is all about. This online course is jam-packed with 12 hours of downloadable audio mp3s and PDF Action Guides. There are 5 modules: Module 1: Tour Goals & Planning Strategies, Module 2: Routing Your Tours, Module 3: Negotiation Techniques & Contracts, Module 4: Working with Presenters, Bookers, Promoters/Advancing the Date, Module 5: Targeting Your Markets for Maximum Audiences. Plus 2 hours of bonus classes, BONUS #1: Website Maximizer-Is you’re your Website Selling You? Learn how. BONUS #2: Copy Writing: How to write fan emails, press releases and other promo copy that get responses. Bonus # 3: Three free Industry Biz Booster Monthly Mentor Interviews. And finally, weekly call-in office hours to talk with former agent, manager, author, creator, Jeri Goldstein directly, about the course and your career. Booking & Touring Success Strategies & Secrets gives you artist-tested, step-by-step strategies to help you reach your career goals and make all of your tours profitable. http://performingbiz.com


MUSIC CLOUT: CREATING NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY RELATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR MUSICIANS EVERY DAY

We are music based promotion experts with the solutions, services and support to help you optimize the success of your promotion strategies. Our services capitalize on intelligent and proven forms of promotion to achieve maximum awareness building for your music. Within our first year of business, Music Clout has placed artists in over 1,000 different music industry opportunities including deals with record labels, publishing and licensing, radio stations, blogs, and many more.


AWARD WINNING SONGWRITER OFFERING SONGWRITING TIPS AND CRITIQUING SERVICES

Award winning songwriter Jane Eamon is offering songwriting one on one classes via Skype. These sessions are one hour in length and can cover any topic you'd like to address. From writing, to critique, to ideas and games. Or just to share your thoughts and get feedback. If you're interested in a session contact janeeamon@shaw.ca to schedule a class.


HAVE YOU EVER STRUGGLED TO FIND THE RIGHT CHORD OR NOTE TO FIT SOMEWHERE IN YOUR SONG?

Hooktheory is a free resource that can show you how to integrate basic music theory into your songwriting process, making it easier to write catchy chord progressions and melody. Hooktheory currently consists of three main areas:
1. The Hookbook demonstrates basic principles of music theory and how they relate to popular music. It's filled with multimedia-rich content explaining musical concepts synchronized to real songs so you can hear what you are learning and make connections easier.
2. The Music Editor lets you write chord progressions in Roman Numeral notation and listen to them in any key. Add a melody, save your work, share it with friends, or export it to Garageband, sheet music, or guitar tab.
3. The Analysis Wiki is a user-generated collection of analyses of popular songs. Look up the chord progression and melody of a song, or use the music editor to create your own analyses.
Check it out now!


SELL YOUR MUSIC FOR FREE & KEEP 100 % OF YOUR SALES

VibeDeck is a free direct-to-fan music sales solution that's easy to use and quick to set up. All you need is your digital tracks, some album artwork and a PayPal account. When a fan buys your music, the money goes directly into your PayPal account so you can access it immediately. VibeDeck does not take a cut or charge a service subscription fee. It's truly free, easy and invaluable for any artist with music to share with the world. 

Sign-up in seconds!


MUSIKPITCH: NEW ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR SONGWRITING OPPORTUNITIES

MusikPitch is a brand new website where songwriters can find the latest opportunities from companies, studios, and individuals looking for custom songs. It's a straightforward marketplace, where you can get your music heard and win contracts, regardless of your experience and location. New projects are posted daily — from big name movie studios and company brands to non-profits and schools. Start browsing for great new opportunities today! http://www.musikpitch.com


SONGWRITING CONSULTATION SPECIAL OFFER:

Pete and Pat Luboff are offering a special rate to Muse's Muse readers on a single song consultation: http://www.writesongs.com/consults.html MM readers get a $5
discount by sending $15 via PayPal to peteandpat@comcast.net instead of using the $20 single-song button on the site. Please email the songs to the same address (mp3 attachment with the lyrics in the body of the email - lyrics only are fine).
Response will be by email.


THE INDIE VENUE BIBLE - A GROUNDBREAKING VENUE DIRECTORY FOR ANY ARTIST PLANNING TO TOUR IN THE US OR CANADA!

32,000 live music venues of all sizes are featured including clubs, bars, restaurants, lounges, coffee shops, theaters, halls, churches, book stores, community centers, house concerts and open mics. There are also 1,500 festivals listed as well as over 1,000 colleges for any artist that wants to plan a college tour.

Jumpstart your tour today! Click here for more information!

Muse's Clues - By John Brhel

©2011-2012 John Brhel. All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission

“Broken heart again
Another lesson learn
Better know your friends
Or else you will get burned”


--“No More Drama,” Mary J. Blige

“No More Drama” was a top five hit for Mary J. Blige in 2001. The song, produced by none other than Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Usher, Boyz II Men), sampled “Nadia’s Theme,” better known as the theme from “The Young and the Restless.” Did you that the same guy who composed “Nadia’s Theme” also wrote music for “Exorcist III” and “The Warriors”? Or that this same guy discovered sunshine pop group The Association? Geez, this guy really gets around.

You’ll find all about this mystery person if you visit his songwriting blog, MasterWriter. This man of soap opera themes and pop group discovery is none other than longtime songwriter/publisher Barry DeVorzon. When Barry’s not winning Emmys (he’s got six) or producing gold records, he offers hungry songwriters weekly updates on various aspects of the biz on his blog.

According to its tagline, MasterWriter offers “Things Every Songwriter Should Know ...from the Pros Who've Done it.” This isn’t some amateur songwriting blog; Barry’s done it all. How many songwriters can say they scored a top ten hit with a doo-wop song (“I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight”), composed music for a sci-fi series (“V”) and were nominated for an Academy Award (“Bless the Beasts and the Children”)? With those kinds of credentials, Barry’s advice is worth heeding.

Barry created the MasterWriter blog to give struggling songwriters an “opportunity to hear what successful professionals had to say about the art and craft of songwriting.” Back when Barry was getting his feet wet in the business, it wasn’t as easy as emailing a songwriter for advice. Had he been able to talk to professionals in the business during early in his career, Barry believes he would have made smarter decisions. Thanks to the Internet and all the technology available today, amateur songwriters can avoid many of the common mistakes of yesteryear. Nowadays, it’s as easy as tweeting your favorite songwriter and asking for his or her opinion.

Barry breaks his information down into easy-to-swallow chunks that any songwriter should understand. Take, for example, his “7 Places You Should Be Sending Your Songs To.” If you’re not exactly sure what to do with a song, read this article. There are more avenues available to submit a song than to publishers or directly to artists.

If you’re of the YouTube generation (you know, the generation born before “Nevermind” or “OK Computer” even came out), you’ll also appreciate Barry’s video posts. Onscreen, Barry shares bits and pieces of his past in the music business, such as how he started Valiant Records and the story behind “Bless the Beasts and the Children.” The videos are really great, as Barry seems so enthused to be telling his stories.

Depending on how many industry functions you attend, you may already recognize the name MasterWriter, as it is also the name of Barry’s groundbreaking songwriting program. According to the blog, MasterWriter is “the #1 used and accepted software application for songwriters, poets and creative writers.” It was designed by songwriters and several useful tools like an array of searchable reference dictionaries. I saw a demonstration of MasterWriter at last year’s ASCAP I Create Music! Expo and I was thoroughly impressed.

If you’re looking for some insight into how the music business really works from someone who’s been involved in it for decades, check out the MasterWriter blog. What have you got to lose? Besides, not only is it free but you get the Songwriter’s Master Contact List just for signing up. The Songwriter’s Maser Contact List is actually Music Connection's industry list of record companies, A&R personnel and producers, perfect for submitting that dubstep-infused folk song you just recorded on your laptop.

The music business is incredibly different from the days when The Association topped the pop charts. Heck, things have changed dramatically since “No More Drama” debuted in 2001. The basics, however, are still the same. Artists still need memorable songs. Publishers are still looking to add potential hits to their catalog. And songwriters are still fiercely hungry. Barry’s insight into the business is above and beyond the common songwriter’s blog. His expertise and knowledge is invaluable. You owe it to yourself to check out his articles and videos, if anything just to enjoy his unique stories. Don’t write him off as an industry dinosaur. Just look at his recent work, especially with the MasterWriter program, and you’ll see he has a lot of great information and resources to offer us struggling songwriters.

Well, that’s all for me. Time to watch “The Young and the Restless” and come up with my own soap opera theme. It’s every songwriter’s dream, don’t you know?

******

John Brhel is a songwriter from upstate New York who wrote his first batch of pop songs before graduating from elementary school. A lover of all music, John writes country songs, plays in a punk band and spends a good deal of his free time listening to Diane Warren ballads. John regularly attends industry events in New York and Los Angeles and is a member of ASCAP and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. A lover of melody and the left-field chord change, John lives and breathes songs. He is always on the lookout for Skype cowriters.

Featured Article - By Brad Dunse

Artistic Ecosystem: Are We Missing Out?

As a performing songwriter, occasionally I run across one of those gifted people that writes the songs without a co-writer, plays every instrument on the tracks, runs the multi-track software, mixes, produces, and masters the project; creates the graphic art for the packaging, successfully markets themselves… I’ve got to stop there, any more and I’ll be cupping my mouth and running for the bathroom.

You know the kind I’m talking about, the ones most of us love to hate. If you’re one of those wonderfully gifted “I can do it all” folks, smile big I’m just kidding. Swap the word “hate” for “extremely admire” and you’ve got the picture, you rock baby, you’re our heroes!

For the rest of us though, we struggle with enough time and talent to handle one or two of those things and that can present a real problem when it comes to advancing our songwriting.

If you’ve been in the music business at any level for any amount of time, you know it has just as much, if not more, to do with relationships as it does music. Let’s face it, we really can’t do it alone, we need others to make us who we are in music.

Back in the day you could pick up a guitar, learn it, get together with a few boys from town, get a band together, head down to Sun Records for an audition and become Johnny Cash.

The scene has changed just a little since those old days. Technology and the internet have changed how business is done today, music being no exception. Although some aspects of technology have allowed some not so good things like music pirating, equally there are some really good things that have come from it.

Take the 2012 Grammies for instance. I’ve no doubt technology and the internet came into play in allowing an artist to create a project in someone’s garage then walk away with an award (Foo Fighters-Wasting Light), or enable a songwriter from Eau Claire, WI (Justin Vernon-Bon Iver—just up the highway from me) to find his band in LA accepting awards while based out of his relatively small Midwestern home town.

With Indy artists at an all-time high and life at warp speed, how does one manage to get all the tools and resources together to stay in the game? People, networking … right? Sure, we meet up with folks at gigs and parties to network but outside of those events it takes a fair bit of time. Besides, you could go to a party and never meet the person you’re looking for: a co-writer, a musician, a publisher, a recording engineer, or a graphic artist.

Many have tried to make the best of it through social media, networking, and distribution sites like MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and CDBaby, but even those have artistic challenges.

They’re great tools but MySpace sadly has returned to TheirSpace for many artists, Facebook is great but a little too casual--for the want of another term, LinkedIn doesn’t quite have the media technology built in for artists; and even though Twitter and CDBaby are wonderful tools, how many stand-alone accounts are we supposed to log into and manage at one time to put all the tools and people together?

We’re back to the time issue. Build a bigger computer and we’ll find larger software applications to fill it up; create more stand-alone internet tools to save time and get the job done, and we just find more butt-time at the desk logging in and tweaking, while simultaneously creating a new challenge for balancing priorities.

I think we might just have a solution on the horizon though. What if there was one single place where we could access some of the mentioned resources, integrate features from some of the others, have access to co-writers, musicians, lyricists, recording engineers, publishers, agents, graphic artists, photographers … virtually everyone needed to advance a career, including the fans; we can’t forget the fans!

StudioVox, founded by Amanda Slingerland, Mazen Hijleh, and John Bryant; is a one-of-a-kind platform dedicated to joining both amateur and pros of all creative fields with industry folks and fans in one single platform; forming a perfect creative ecosystem.

When asked what StudioVox is all about, Amanda said…

“Today’s artists’ success requires a vast range of skill sets (beyond being talented) and the ability to wear multiple hats: accountant, producer, booking agent, publicist, social media manager, web designer, attorney…it’s an endless list of job titles that are the antithesis of making art, as well as taking time away from the process required to create it. However, they call it the music “industry” because it is a business. No matter how big an artist gets StudioVox will always be a fantastic resource for finding the most talented people in the world to work with, an easy way to collaborate from anyplace in the world and stay connected with fans to keep your fan base vibrant.”

If you’re just getting into songwriting and don’t’ even play an instrument, you can find other writers with the same challenges and knock around some solutions, or you can search the database to find musicians to write with. If you’ve been writing awhile, got some good stuff down, and want to get out and gig or get a project done, you’ll be able to search for the other creative folks you need. Ready to gig, looking for professional projects, or need an agent or publisher? You’ll be able to find those too.

Creatives, as StudioVox likes to call them, can find other artists they need to do the jobs they can’t, agents and publishers can find artists they need—and vice versa, the fans can talk about and purchase the creatives’s work, and the pros can also keep an eye on the fan action to catch which artists are making the biggest buzz out there. Does that look like an artistic ecosystem that’ll work?

Apparently StudioVox has turned the entire world into a backyard neighborhood full of creative folks and enthusiasts for a continual artistic block party.

Evidently you don’t have to be a professional to join in either, that’s part of the ecosystem too, those coming up the ropes can learn from those who are a little farther up the line.

I’ll give you a bullet list of some of the things they offer here in a second. I obviously can’t give every detail here, so you’re encouraged to check them out for yourself, but when asked about cost, Amanda said…

“There will always be a free version. As StudioVox develops new features and functionality we will offer Pro and Pro+ membership packages. As well as a’la cart features.”

Although StudioVox is currently in a private beta phase, don’t get the idea you can’t jump in, you certainly can and are encouraged. They are looking for your input to make it the best place they can for artists. Private beta just means they’ll email you an access code, sort of like a special club pass which takes less than 30-seconds to get. Once you have the code, you log in, and you’re ready to sign on. They’ll be running in private beta until the end of June where they’ll drop the access code and switch to public beta for a few months.

Have we been missing out on the networking benefits of an artistic ecosystem as this while spending precious time trying to put it all together ourselves? A question I’m asking myself then is, "Will this one-stop-shop model boost songwriting careers for those who immerse themselves in it?" And of course, what of those then who don’t?

You can take a look around and decide for yourself, they’re at www.studiovox.com

Here’s some of the stuff they currently or will soon have for you, check it out.

• Ability to find co-writers through a searchable database
• Find artists in other fields to collaborate with on projects
• Search for industry pros—agents, managers, publishers, supervisors, etc.
• Find and communicate with fans
• Provides a place for fans to discuss your tunes, shows, etc.
• Provides artist web pages with biography, portfolio, followers, etc.
• Blog your news or thoughts with a place for comments from others
• Lets you message your fans and pro contacts with upcoming events
• Post integrated updates to your social media accounts all at once
• Share your profile with over 300 bookmark sites such as Dig, Delicious, and StumbleUpon
• Find or post jobs, collaborations, equipment, etc.
• Create private or community collaboration groups for working on projects together
• RSVP event invitations to your fans and contacts
• Post and keep track of events with an event schedule
• Sell merchandise in the on-line store*
• Press release distribution*
• Set up download distributions of your music to iTunes and many other distributors*
• Release advanced tickets to shows*
• An E-commerce feedback system to let purchasers feel secure*
• Use Fanalytics to look at fan activity*

*Coming soon

There’s more, check them out at www.studiovox.com!

*****

Brad Dunse is a performing songwriter based deep in the country's heartland reflecting sensitivity of daily living in his songs. Writing primarily in Folk, Country, Pop, or Americana, he occasionally writes CCM. Co-writer of The Wall, a tribute to Viet Vets receiving major market airplay, he's also received airplay on NPR, local public, independent, and web radio. He is a freelance writer, is board member of Minnesota Association of Songwriters, been member or involved in ASCAP, NSAI, SongU and other organizations. You can visit his web site at WWW.BRADDUNSEMUSIC.COM as well Add As Facebook Friend or Follow Him On Twitter.

"ON SITE" FEATURED ARTICLE(S)


Why Songwriters Should Be Fearless Singers!
- by Beth Lawrence

Who better to share your music with the World, than you? If fear of singing, or fearing that you don't sing well enough is holding you back, fear no more! You don't have to be perfect - just be a great storyteller. This article will give you some great insight on the road to uncovering your unique brand, and sharing it with the world, fearlessly!

*****

How To Make Your Music Career Highly Profitable And Stable
- by Tom Hess

You don’t need to be a big time rock star to make good money in the music business. However, in order to become financially free in your music career, you will need to take a very different approach than the one that is taken by most musicians. You will need to approach your music career as both a “musical artist” AND as an entrepreneur.

Classifieds & Useful Services

THE 11th EDITION OF THE INDIE BIBLE IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The Indie Bible shows you where to get your music reviewed, your songs played, and your CDs sold. Now in its Seventh Edition, The Indie Bible has 330 pages of valuable contacts and music-related articles.

The 11th Edition of the Indie Bible contains:
4200 publications around the world that will REVIEW your CD!
3400 radio stations around the world that will PLAY your songs!
500 vendors and services that will help you to SELL your music!
200 sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3 files!
500 helpful resources and sites where you can PROMOTE your band!
52 articles that will help your career to MOVE forward rapidly!

Listings include web, e-mail and physical address, as well as phone and fax numbers.

Click here for details and to order online.


LYRICIST VERSION 3: THE SONGWRITER'S BEST FRIEND

Lyricist is the first-of-its-kind word processor designed specifically for musicians, songwriters, and poets. The software includes a Rhyming Dictionary, Thesaurus, Album Categorization, Chord Charting, Chord Generator, Song Arrangement, and On-Line Copyright Link.

The new version 3 release adds support for "Piano Style" chord symbols, Nashville Number System, and Transposition features - all in one easy-to-use package - and all for only $54.95! (That's $5.00 off to all Muse's News readers who purchase from the review link at www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html!)

This tool will revolutionize the way you write and organize your writing.
Be the best songwriter you can be and purchase Lyricist today!


THE SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITER MOTIVATION & MEDITATION AUDIO

Inspired by the songwriter's journey, and through understanding the principles talked about in "THE SECRET", this audio program is specifically created for the songwriter based on those findings. Through Power of Thought and Understanding the Law of Attraction, you will have the tools, knowledge & ability to create the thoughts, experiences, and circumstances to be a phenomenally Successful Songwriter. Included is a guided meditation that is as passionate as it is empowering!

Muse's Muse Visitors - Enter Promo Code: 42567 for Discount.
http://www.songwritermotivation.com/

Limited Introductory Offer of $12.95 for Digital Download Discounts for CD, and CD/Digital Download Combo shown on ordering page.


ADVERTISING RATES:
For Classifieds: US$50 Max. 7 lines (though I do make exceptions), where a line = 65 characters including spaces and punctuation. All contracts must be prepaid. Write to: editor@musesmuse.com.

Click here for Newsletter Sponsorship rates and other advertising opportunities.

Contact Info & Credits

Jodi Krangle, Editor: editor@musesmuse.com

The Muse's News is a free monthly newsletter for and about songwriters. Subscribers are welcome to recirculate or reprint The Muse's News for nonprofit use as long as the appropriate credit is given and the ENTIRE text of the newsletter is included (including credits and information at the end of each issue). Others should contact me at editor@musesmuse.com. All articles copyrighted by their authors.

Back issues and other information will be available here.

The Muse's News is part of The Muse's Muse, a web resource for songwriters.

For further information, send your e-mail to:
adinfo@musesmuse.com - How to place a classified ad, pass on market information or sponsor The Muse's News.
info@musesmuse.com - How to subscribe or end your subscription.
editor@musesmuse.com - To submit articles,reviews,ideas,etc.

SNAILMAIL: Please contact me first at editor@musesmuse.com


Back issues of the newsletter can be read here or in an archive at the National Library of Canada ecollection.

 

Click here and go to the middle of the page to change your subscription - or click the links below.

Help For Newcomers
Help for Newcomers
Interactivities
Interactivities
Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources
Berklee Music Resources
The Muse's News
Organizations
Entertainment Cyberscope
Articles
Newer Articles
Past Columnists
Past Columnists - After March 2007
Market Information
Songwriting Contests
Chat Logs
Songwriting Books
Regular Columnists
Columnists
Spotlights
Spotlights
Services
Services Offered
About the  Muse's Muse
About Muse's Muse
Subscribe to The Muse's News, free monthly newsletter for songwriters
with exclusive articles, copyright & publishing advice, music, website & book reviews, contest & market information, a chance to win prizes & more!

Join today!



Created & Maintained
by Jodi Krangle


Design:


© 1995 - 2016, The Muse's Muse Songwriting Resource. All rights reserved.

Read The Muse's Muse Privacy Statement