First, I got sick right at Thanksgiving and it carried through most of December. Second, I had to address some business requirements for my coaching and writing the 2^nd edition to my career book.

A third reason was to assess and plan what this year is going to look like. More on this later this week.

Indie Music Conference Recap

I spoke at the Indie Music Conference organized by Noel Ramos. It took place at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood and was a great event. The second day of the conference, I attended performance and vocal coach Steven Memel’s workshop. I wrote about that here in Embrace Your Inner Rockstar.

My topic: Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media – can be found here as 4 videos.

That night, the band performed at the IMC showcase. (see photos below). More importantly, I expanded “Team Matt”.

The Team

I am working with Steven Memel on a few things. I am serving as a coach and mentor to him on Online Presence/Social Media. He is working with me on my vocals and performance dynamics. We are mentoring each other on some of the coaching and speaking we both do and can see the huge potential in this relationship.

I also met producer Steven Leavitt at the conference. We connected recently – he is looking for some social media and online presence ideas and guidance – both for his business and some artists he is associated with.. I am seeking a producer’s ear on our recordings.

I am interviewing some people for the role of Booking & Marketing Assistant – both for solo and band gigs.

Photos from the Indie Music Conference Showcase

Australian songwriter, Fiona Porch, attended the IMC conference and showcase. She sent me these photos from the band’s performance. Thanks Fiona.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

My presentation, “Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media” covers some business basics, including both strategies and tools to focus the performing musician on how to best use their time to grow their music business.

You can also download the PDF, by clicking on the image above or the link below.
PDF: Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media (10mb)

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

I wanted a cleaner look – less text and include some active links so that if someone has the PDF, they can click and visit key sites like our Facebook music page or website.

With originals songs that rock you down to the core, danceable pop with hook-laden lyrics, and country ballads to help you drown your sorrows in whisky, the genre is hard to classify but the music easy to listen to.
From the press kit

Check out the updated Electronic Press Kit (EPK) page.

All I Want Is Everything

Copyright © 2011 – Matthew Moran

Behind the Song

In 2009 I had moved back to California. There was some positive movement in a number of critical areas of my life. Music, writing, consulting, etc. But none of it was happening as fast as I would have liked. Isn’t that always the case.

Becky was still in Arizona. During a phone conversation I was frustrated about “things” not happening fast enough. Patience is not a virtue I’ve mastered. I was saying to her, “I just want everything. I want everything now!!”

Becky replied, “All I want is you.” (Everyone say, “aaahhhhhh”)

The next morning at 6:00AM I began texting her to wake her up. I had recorded an acoustic version of this song.

Lyrics

VERSE
She said, Baby I must confess
I’m missing you, yea I’m a mess
I reach out for you and your not here
I call for you and your not there
(chorus)

CHORUS
I hear you saying that you just want everything
Don’t you know I want the same thing too
All I want is everything and baby that means
All I want is you

VERSE
I want the sunlight on your face
To be your storm, your sea, your resting place
To kiss you awake, to kiss you to bed
and a brand new day to do it all again

I want passion that won’t ever end
To be your every lover and your one true friend
I want to fill your mind with fantasy
I want to chain you down, I want to set you free
(chorus)

VERSE:
I want to be your morning & be your night
Be there to make up after every fight
I want the best of you and I want your worst
I want to feed your hunger and quench your thirst

I want your 10 cent and 4-letter words
I want you rational and I want you absurd
I want love that burns hot to the touch
Yeah I want everything, is that too much
(chorus)

Check out this video that demonstrates what they are and how to use them.

This short video shows how it’s done. Enjoy and let others know.

You can see the artistdata website calendar by looking at my show page, here.

ArtistData has a number of other services, including tourbooklets and also blog syndication. Recently purchased by SonicBids, it will be interesting to see how the service evolves.

Here is the video, with lyrics, from a recent performance with the band.

All I Want Is Everything

In 2009 I was making what felt like great strides musically, with consulting work, and in some writing projects. One of these was the formation of a band.

I had moved back to California, Rebecca was in Arizona. We were having our nightly phone conversation and I was complaining about how all these projects were taking too long to get moving.

In true self-centered fashion, I was ranting, “I just want everything! I want everything right now!” (don’t call me Veruca)  I’m sure my language and tone was colored with frustration.

When I took a moment to breath, Rebecca said quietly, “All I want is you.”

Come on everyone, in unison, “Awwww. . . . .”

It stopped me in my tracks. I told her that was one of the sweetest things I’d ever heard. What happened next is subject to debate.

My perspective:
I told Rebecca I thought there was a song in there; the phrase. We ended our conversation, said our goodbye’s and I love you’s and retired for the evening.

Rebecca’s perspective:
I said excitedly, “There is a song in there. Talk to you tomorrow.” At which point I quickly hung up!

You’ll have to make your determination as to which story is most accurate.

I woke early the next morning – about 4:30 or so. By 6:30 I had recorded and uploaded a rough version of this song. I proceeded to text Becky, finally waking her up, and asked her to check her email. I had sent her the song. (I told you I am impatient)

It has become a favorite for both the band and the audience.

LYRICS:

All I Want Is Everything
Copyright © 2009 – Matthew Moran

VERSE:
She said, Baby I must confess
I’m missing you, yeah I’m a mess
I reach out for you and your not here
I call for you and your not there

CHORUS
I hear you saying that you just want everything
Don’t you know I want the same thing too
She said, All I want is everything and baby that means
All I want is you

VERSE:
I want the sunlight on your face
to be your storm, your sea, your resting place
To kiss you awake, to kiss you to bed
and a brand new day to start it all again

I want passion that won’t ever end
To be your every lover and your one true friend
I want to fill your mind with fantasy
I want to chain you down, I want to set you free
(chorus)

VERSE:
I want to be your morning & be your night
Be there to make up after every fight
I want the best of you and I want your worst
I want to feed your hunger and quench your thirst

I want your 10 cent and 4-letter words
I want your rational and I want your absurd
I want love that burns hot to the touch
Yeah I want everything, is that too much
(chorus)

WHAT’S INSIDE: Upcoming shows – 9/23 – Ventura, CA – 10/16 – Palmdale, CA Jim Pipkin’s upcoming show Demo CD’s being sent out

Thursday, September 23, 2010 – Ventura, CA (8:00PM)
The Red Cove
1809 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001 – Map
I’m performing with my band. 1 hour (plus a couple minutes of music).
FREE! – 21+ and over…

Saturday, October 16, 2010 – Palmdale, CA (7:00PM)
Butler’s Coffee – 7:00PM
40125 10th Street West, Palmdale, CA 93551- Map
This is a coffeehouse with a commitment to promoting and showcasing live music. I’ll be one of two performers. The other will be Shay Astar.

A couple of days ago I spoke for the LA Chapter of Songsalive! The topic was technology and strategies to treat your music business more like a business. During the workshops, a lot of material was covered but at the Songsalive! meeting and during the tour, a common theme popped up. FREE Samples!

I had just completed a mini-tour involving 5 workshops and 5 performances over 10 days or so. On the way back I stopped back over in Utah and had coffee with my friend Marc. He had hosted a house concert for me to start the tour.

As we talked he said I should have a FREE CD with my songs and asking for people to spread the word. He’s right. He told me to look up the book FREE: The Future of a Radical Price by Chris Anderson (The Long Tail). Turns out, you can get the unabridged audio for. . . free?

During the workshops across the country and by no less than 3 people at the Songsalive! workhshop, I was asked variations of this question.

Should I put FREE 30 second music samples online?

My response was varied…

How many albums of previously unknown artist have you purchased based on 30 seconds of music?

Are you more interested in $10 or 10 fans?

A 30 second sample isn’t really FREE, is it?

Would you buy your music based on a 30 second clip? Come to think of it, would you buy your music based on a 2 minute clip? (that’s a tough question).

Of the first question, one person responded that they occasionally purchased new music based on samples. I’m certain they were lying – mostly to justify their heels in the ground position that they never need to offer their music for free. It’s their product for God’s sake. You wouldn’t expect a grocery store to give you something for free?

I would but that’s a discussion for another day.

CD Baby, Amazon, and Others

A closely followed and associated question was how they could put their music for sale online…(Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, etc.)?

The notion that many of these performers have is that by being available on these websites and having 30 second clips of their music, they are going to start making money! Whether they admit or not, they want to, hope to, dream to, make big money! If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be so determined to pay to put their songs online – without any radio play, exposure, or marketing.

The idea of being “discovered” is intoxicating. The idea that the web makes it easy to be discovered is the silver-bullet.

Unfortunately, these musicians, many others, and myself at times, is placing the value in the wrong column. Which brings us back to my initial premise…

Music is Cheap! Fans are Priceless!

When I performed at the house concerts and the venue in Vegas, I was asked by several people at each venue if I had a CD. I am in process of recording a new CD and re-recording the tracks from last year’s CD, so I did not press more of last year’s CD. In fact, I had left my t-shirts at home and had NO CD’s with me.

That was a big mistake. Almost un-forgivable. People wanted to take me home with them and now I am not there to consummate our relationship. I’ve heard the consummating the relationship is the funnest part and I missed it!!!

I am in process now of creating a CD with a smattering of songs from last year’s CD, working demos of this year’s CD, and some additional songs – acoustic workings of new and old tunes.

I’m going to also have some recorded narrative explaining the songs and telling the story. I have a spindle in front of me with 100 CD’s. It cost me about $20. I have a CD burner and I have black and white labels. The labels list the songs, my website, my facebook page, and ask the listener to connect. To get on the mailing list. To pirate my music and spread it around.

I’m making a sign that says

“1 CD = $10.

2 CD’s = $0
If  you promise to give 1 CD away”

The CD label also says, “If you like what you hear, copy this CD and then give it to a friend. If you don’t like what you hear, give it to an enemy!”

I will ask that people who listen and enjoy consider a Paypal donation to cover future FREE CD’s distribution.. the cost of the CD and the cost of mailing them out.

The truth is, my music is valuable to me. And it is thankfully, valuable to a few others. But, for me, until some type of critical mass is reached – and maybe not even then – passionate listeners (AKA fans) are the most valuable commodity. I am happy to buy them with my music. It is a fair trade.

What about you?