February 24, 2016

Are You Really Ready For Your Next Gig?


"You’re stressed about the number of people who’ll come out to your show. You’re worried about screwing up the lyrics to your new song. You’re pretty sure your bassist will forget his cables.
There’s a lot of stuff to prepare for when you play a show, and it’s easy to miss a few important things."

Get some great advice from a recent blog post on DIY Musician (via TakeLessons) with a handy checklist that will help you nail your next gig! 

http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/musician-tips/musician-checklist-really-ready-next-gig/

9 Guidelines To Think About Before Promoting Your Music Through Websites


"There are so many websites for musicians. Sometimes they look similar to each other, and with so many choices, people are having a hard time deciding which music sites to look at... We know that music websites are only a tool for musicians. But musicians are not tools. Every musician should think about how they will promote their music, what their artwork is going to be, and other things apart from the music itself."


Check out this great new article posted by our friends at Music Think Tank, with important tips and advice on what to do, think about, and have ready when posting your music to an online music service, and how to best use the websites out there to take your music promotion to the next level!

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/9-reasonable-guidelines-to-think-about-before-promoting-your.html

February 18, 2016

Center Stage - Saints Eleven

Saints Eleven's music is a mixture of Country, Americana, Bluegrass, and Rock. It's just a big melting pot of our favorite styles. We call it Texas Country down here.

Get to know this great band in our latest Center Stage feature!

What inspires you to make music? 
Listening to great music or watching a great band live. Hearing a good tune inspires me to write better music.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now? 
The reaction we get from fans. We love it, especially when we meet new fans and they are just really appreciative and excited they got a chance to hear us. We are just as excited and appreciative of them. It's a cool feeling knowing that all the hard work we put into making, what we think is good music, pays off.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a musician? 
Not being heard. Not getting any response from people/companies we try to reach out to. I know that there is a lot of great talent out there and these guys get a ton of music everyday, but it gets frustrating when you don't hear back.

What's one of your all-time favorite recordings? 
Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Texas Flood". Blew me away when I first heard it as a kid.

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead. Family has been my biggest influence really. When we were growing up, we would go visit my Grandparents down by Waco Texas. We'd go to the dancehalls down there on the weekends and I would sit by the stage and watch the band play all night. When we went to my mom's side of the family, there would be my mom's uncles sitting around playing bluegrass tunes on guitars and mandolins....so there is the Honky Tonk side of us and the Bluegrass side of us.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? 
We are currently rehearsing for our third album. We'll be hitting the studio in mid-March with the great Texas Country/Americana artist, Walt Wilkins, down in Austin Texas.

What is your ideal or target audience? 
Anybody who will listen really. We don't really target a specific audience. We just try to put out good music that people will enjoy.

Do you write/compose your own songs? 
Briefly describe your songwriting process.. Yes, I do. Most of the time it's a pretty easy process for me. I'll get inspired by something and sit down and come up with most of the song, then finish it up the next day or two. But then there are those times when I come up with a good first paragraph, then I get stuck and can't seem to finish the song. That's frustrating too, because you think it has great potential in the beginning, the nothing.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay? 
It helps spread our music to thousands of people across the country. 
People who would never have heard us if it wasn't for Radio Airplay.



February 17, 2016

3 Common Home Studio Mistakes


"No matter what genre of music you work in, there are a few pitfalls that can keep any musician from achieving a professional sound." 


Thankfully, our partners at Music Think Tank have some great tips in their recent post, with three common mistakes that you’ll want to avoid when constructing your own home recording studio.

Improve Your Live Sound With These 6 Tips


"Bad sound at a gig can happen for many reasons. The good news is that despite the challenges that come from playing somewhere new, there’s a lot you can do to make your live sound shine!"

Check out this excellent new article from our friends at CDbaby, with 6 great, helpful tips and clear instructions on getting the very best sound quality at your shows!

http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/musician-tips/improve-your-live-sound-with-these-6-tips/


February 10, 2016

3 Memorable Tips For Writing A Chorus


A crucial part of songwriting and perhaps your main goal should be to ensure that the chorus stands out from the rest of your song – it should be able to stand on its own if you were to perform just that part to an audience. 

Check out these three tips for writing top-notch choruses posted by our partners at Music Think Tank to help you write your best song ever. 

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/3-memorable-tips-for-writing-a-chorus.html

4 Creative Ways to Create Superfans For Your Band


"Fan building isn’t just a science, it’s a process. Growing your fan base is also more than merely a quest for a number of followers on your Twitter or Facebook pages. It’s a matter of building solid connections and relationships with real people who support and contribute to your success as a musician."

Take a quick read at this new article from our friends at Tunecore, with great tips and 4 innovative ideas for building up and nurturing your Fan base, and even creating "Superfans" to help boost your overall promotion and take your music to the next level!

http://www.tunecore.com/blog/2016/02/4-creative-ways-to-create-superfans-for-your-band-that-you-probably-havent-tried.html

February 8, 2016

2016 Love Song Contest Winners Announced!

Thank you to everyone who submitted to the 2016 Love Song Contest. We received over 1,400 amazing song submissions this year! 

132 songs were chosen by our panel of judges to appear in our Independent Valentine's Day '16 station on Jango.com. Out of those, we chose our favorite 10 submissions. 

The Top 10 Love Song winners received 1,000 play credits added to their Radio Airplay accounts, exclusive promotion in our weekly newsletter and social media outlets, and placement in the Jango.com Love Songs station. 

Congratulations to our winners and thanks again to all who entered their music! 

Top 10 

Ariel - Had Me At Hello
Ships Have Sailed - If Only 
Fool's Chaos - Winter Paradise
Stacey Randol - No Vacancy 
FRANK & FRIENDS - You're My Lady
Daniel Pittenger - La Da Da
Kennedy Noel - Then Came the Fall
John and the Time Traveling Bicycle - Love is Love
Jae Jin - Ain't About Love
Austen Ledley - Meant to Be

Overall Winners added to the Independent Love Songs '16 station on Jango.com

Ariel-Had Me At Hello
Samantha Gibb-Hold Her In Your Hand
Steve Young UK-Hold Me Close
Lou Armagno-Love Dance
Lyndle Kearns-Crazy for You
Grace Denny-Give Me Love
Dr. FeelGood-Make Me
Ships Have Sailed -If Only 
Fool's Chaos-Winter Paradise
Stacey Randol-No Vacancy 
FRANK & FRIENDS-You're My Lady
American Legacy Jazz Band-The Anniversary Song: Happy Anniversary
The Root Doctors-Free
The Root Doctors-Someday
Miss Mikaila-Sweet Poison
RAURA-Neon Lovers
Cord Progressions-Diamonds and Tin
Kevin Stokley-Stoned
June Bisantz-You're Mine, You
Kennedy Nöel-Then Came the Fall
Nancy Hubanks-Gone
Rick Raynes-Priceless
Daniel Paul-Round Again
Megan Schroder-Is It Just Me
Sean McMorris-Together
Olivia Faye-Catch Me I'm Fallin'
Jen Stackpole-Over You
Moxy and The Influence-Bella's Song
Adam and Darcie-Deep In Me
Steven Garcia-Just Want to Hold You
Michael Tracy-Tell 'Em That Too
Tim Walker-Lullabies
Sean Reyes (Official)-Wasted Breath (Drumstep Remix)
Skyline Hotel-Oh My Dear
THE GARDIS-Nothing at all
Zac Nelson-Life Is Wonderful
Teleguitarslinger-Smile Baby Smile
Lelia Booker-Burns-Coming Back To Me
Billy Gilman-Wishing You Were Here
TONEAGE collective-Love is
Sara-Forgot all the Words
Brian Stormm-I Fell In Love With You
Veil (Cody Gill)-Midnight
John and the Time Traveling Bicycle-Love is Love
Jae Jin-Ain't About Love
Maggie Baugh-Heck of a Story
Single Girl, Married Girl-Eight
ACIDIC-Miles from Home
Jerry Kennedy-When You Came By
Shadow Flag-Letters
Hannah Bethel-You Wanna Be My Man
Torelli and the Fuse-Hey Girl
Stephen Costantino-All For You
BogdanO-Pentru Ea
Daniel Pittenger-La Da Da
Brenda Burch-Sparks Will Fly
Jay Dirks-Lost In A Love Song
Logan Tudeen-Already Gone
Chris Kemson-Sleep On It
Austen Ledley-Meant to Be
RockaBilly Roach-Simple Love Song
Hit n Run-Come on Down
JOEL CAGE-NO SECRET
Chris Palmer-I’ll Find You Again
M&U Soundproject-Hold me in your arms tonight
N"Lyss-Kiss No Tell
Sound of Lighthouse-Music & Rhyme
Ruth Resuello-Brightly
CafeNihililste-Polly and John
Denim Wedding-To the Moon
Kate Diaz-Locks
Kelsey Lewis Music-Naive
Happenstance-Love Will Bring You Back 
Fiagro-Let Me Wrap You
David Harbaugh-Without You
@IAMPrettyLyon-“WHY" Prod. by Nickebeats1738
Todd Herfindal-More Than I
Nicole Eitner and The Citizens-Slow and Tight
Candice Artist-Some are the loving kind
Lindsy Says-Headlights
Fi-Shut Up
Trevor McSpadden-Somebody's Gonna Cry Tonight
Chasing Colors Minneapolis-Airplanes
Jenn Clark-So Through
Doug Hamer-Woodlands
Attack Cat-Remarkable 
Chaser Eight-Moving On
TWOWHEELEEL-MELODY
Kevin Burgess-Together In A Song
Jamie Alimorad-Rock Me To Heaven
Janine Jkuhl-Tempted
Herban Empire-Fading Memories
twelve a.m. flowers-Always Falling
John Tracy-You
PowerPlay FYI-The Power Of Love
Peggy Clinton-You'll never have
Staci Smith-Like a Thorn
Kayland-Butterflies
HighBrass-Last Time
Different Moon-Call My Name
PAR`a`DIGM-ALL I HAVE
The Scenic Sound-You & I
Julien Kelland-Skinny Love
Shannie Ross-The Break Up
Brannon-I Love You
Megan Zurkey-Undeserving
Charlie Russell-Love Calls
Cadence Kid-Ecstasy
Jules Pollifrone-Heart on My Sleeve
Melissa Robertson-My Heart's On Fire
Birds of the Sun-Oceans
Prince Avian-Leave it be
Skylar Kaylyn-In My Head
Jennifer Hayes-In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
james lee stanley-I Can't Cry Anymore
Last Day Rising-Say Goodbye
Will Dodson-Where there's a will
The Acoustic Medicine Show-Loving you
Cathy Vaughan-Anymore
Kenny Young-Simple Things
Stereomaid-In A Lifetime
Ward Axe-She
Richard Gilbert-Nothin But A Dream
KRlive-BE MY GIRL
DOWNTOWN DOUG-The Coast
Tim Kirker-Everything Changes
Just Say PLZ-Still Wuz Myne
Claiming Neptune-Let Me Let Go
Loretta Lee-To Be Alone With You
Conway Seavey-Here for Good
BGK (Bad Girl Kimoe)-Sandbox
J-MATIC-Genuine Love








February 4, 2016

Center Stage - Kaspa


Meet our newest Center Stage artist, Kaspa. The hip hop artist was born & raised in Massachusetts, and has been writing and recording since he was a young teenager. 

He's been heavily influenced by the culture since his first N.W.A. cassette tape, and what was always a passionate hobby for him finally became an opportunity to put together a professional & mature project titled, "Found My Way." Found My Way is a very personal glimpse into his life filled with real life experiences. 

Get to know Kaspa and what he's got planned for his promising music career. 


Describe your sound in one ramble-on sentence
I'm not really sure how to describe my "sound" everything I write is a piece of who I am. It's a personal release for me to help get things of my chest. I pretty much use it for self therapy to be honest.

What inspires you to make music?
My past, my future, life in general I suppose. Sometimes I'll just hear an instrumental and have an immediate idea for a concept or just need some sort of release from things going on at the time.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
I love getting a general idea for a song and just having it all come together. Something coming out just how, or even better, than you had anticipated. Awesome feeling!

What are the biggest challenges you face as a musician?
Probably to have to constantly come up with new ideas and not feeling like you're recycling or repeating yourself. Also trying to grow as an artist and feel like you are  constantly moving forward.

What's one of your all-time favorite recordings?
I'd have to probably go with "One of a Kind." Just because it's a great explanation of who I am. "Afraid of the Dark" is also a favorite as it's such a personal song.

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
Both of my parents for sure! My father was very much into music and my mother always wanted me to find a way to open up. As far as other musicians, I've always loved story tellers and artists who just put it out there. Joe Budden, Em, Lupe ect...

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it.
I do! I'm currently working on a second album entitled, "Everything I Am." I've tried a few new things on this project but I'll always stick to my own personal struggles and life stories. It's the reason I make music.

What is your ideal or target audience?
I don't think I have one. Anyone who wants to listen I guess! Haha. Anyone who can find it relatable.

Do you write/compose your own songs? Briefly describe your songwriting process
I do write all my own songs. Like I said it's like therapy for me and it can come pretty sporadically. I've pulled over into a parking lot before and written a whole song just because it was just flowing. Once I start a song I usually like to finish the whole thing. I like to keep the same mood. 

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
I like that it allows independent and small artist to be heard! And that people can do that free of charge! There's a very wide audience and it's awesome. I'm not looking to make money off what I do, I just want the chance for people to hear it. You give people that chance.




February 3, 2016

The Key To Effective Rehearsals And Being Prepared For Your Next Gig


"Do you know how you can get more control over your music career? Actually having a plan of action and some goals to reach... Sure, you might get lucky. But lucky people also win the lottery and those chances are slim as well. Do you know what’s better than being lucky? Being Prepared."

Check out this great new article posted by our partners at Music Think Tank, all about how important it is to be prepared, rehearsed, and ready for every gig, recording, and opportunity to take your music to the next level!



http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/the-key-to-effective-rehearsals-and-being-prepared-for-your.html

6 ways to keep fans coming to your gigs


"If you’re an indie musician who plays mostly local and regional gigs, you know that most audiences start getting fatigued if you play too many shows too frequently. And this trend gets amplified if you haven’t yet built up a huge catalog of songs. So how do you keep your live show fresh and exciting and keep people coming out?"  
This great article by our friends at DIY Musician has some awesome ideas to try to keep your fans coming back. Check it out!