Heeeeey, I’m sitting in the first panel of Remix Hotel L.A.: Building Your Team: All You Need to Know About Artist Management & Promotion. Hank Shocklee is hitting the ground running, saying that people assume that they’re going to make music, play shows and become famous. But there’s a lot more to it. Promotion is key. The panelists include managers, radio promoters, marketing-firm owners, etc. Hank asks, “What’s the difference between marketing and promotion, and what’s more important?” One panelist says that marketing is targeting a specific audience, whereas promotion is more generalized, such as blanketing with flyers, for example. But the overall consensus is that marketing is the plan, and promotion is how you carry out the plan. Another guy said, “Labels are attracted to brands.” Hank asks, “How do we create that brand? MySpace is ridiculously overrated. I got a bunch of hits on it. It doesn’t translate to anything.” In other words, creating a brand is a whole lot more than having a MySpace page. In coming up with a brand, it takes a lot of time to develop: t-shirts, radio, publicity, touring. Hank says that you have to hone in on what you’re offering. Way interesting: Hank said it’s incredibly outdated to look for a record label nowadays. All the big artists are not really artists: They’re corporations. They’re doing clothing lines, tours, acting, etc. So they’re creating an entire brand. The harsh reality, Hank says, is that, “Nobody gives a shit. I’ve seen it, heard it all…. So that’s where your promotion starts.” Sounds a little hopeless, but his point was that you have to push yourself by any means possible in a jaded world. One panelist says, “You have to pick a niche and stick with it. But when you’re just starting out, you can’t be everywhere. You have to build your team.” Another panelist suggests starting a financial plan at the same time you’re creating your promotion plan. There are a lot of good ideas flying around, and I wish I could bottle them, but my brain can’t capture it all fast enough. Sorry if my report is a little disjointed. Just too much really good advice in too short a time. Fortunately, we’re filming all these panels, so you can watch a lot of the action online as early as later tonight. Okay, Josh Gabriel’s Apple Logic demo is coming up in a half hour. On to the next thing…. Kylee
Yes, you read that right. Sinbad is here at Remix Hotel. He came out last year; he’s apparently a fan of our lovely magazines, Remix, Mix and Electronic Musician. And he loves the hands-on aspect of Remix Hotel, gettin’ all up in all the gear’s business ‘n’ stuff. Also? That dude is really, really tall. I mean, yeah, I’m really, really short, but seriously, I feel ridiculous next to him. But hey, I’ll get over it, okay? [Sniff.] And another thing? The man is NICE. He’s been a gracious, friendly guest. What a supercool dude.
Right now we’re gettin’ ready for Hank Shocklee’s first panel of the day at 5 p.m. And let me tell ya, we are frickin’ psyched. So come down here and get all frickin’ psyched with us, okay? You know you want to.
Remix Hotel L.A. is here! Registration just opened, and we can’t wait to see all your lovely faces here. We’re gearing up for our Keynote Q&A tonight at 8 p.m. with 9th Wonder. You don’t wanna miss this!
But before that, Apple is presenting a Master Class with Josh Gabriel from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Apple Room, DJ Revolution will be spinning in the M-Audio/Digidesign Room at 6:30 p.m. and DJ Rhettmatic from the Beat Junkies will be spinning in the Rane Room at 6 p.m.
And don’t miss Hank Shocklee’s awesomely informative panels, including Building Your Team: All You Need to Know About Artist Management & Promotion from 5-6 p.m., and Mixtape vs. Radio DJs from 7-8 p.m.
There’s so much more going on…but ya gotta be here. So get your sweet buns down here and check out all the action.
Check into prices for most classes on music software, and you’ll find price tags running into the hundreds of dollars, even for 1-day seminars–or at least $50 for an instructional DVD. Not so at Remix Hotel! Here you can sit in Apple Logic Pro 8 classes for NOTHING, which is the magic word for many musicians out there.
Apple Logic Pro 8 is just one part of the massive Apple Logic Studio bundle (also including Mainstage, Soundtrack Pro, Compressor and more) that just hit the streets at the ridiculously low price of $499 (Logic Pro 7 alone cost $999). So whether you’re already a Logic user or just thinking about getting into the popular DAW, Remix Hotel LA’s free Logic classes are a stupid value and can show you all the ins and outs that to get you using the program like a pro. What’s more is that these classes are taught by actual employees of Apple–certified Logic experts–so you know that you can ask any question and get top-shelf advice.
Classes take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Start the day by signing up for classes between 2-3 pm (early arrival recommended). The classes range from an overview–”What’s New in Logic Pro 8″–to very in-depth Master Classes from celebrity teachers. You must register as a Remix Hotel VIP to attend Apple’s VIP Master Classes, which take place at 6:30 pm on Thursday (Josh Gabriel), Friday (DJ Rap) and Saturday (T-Pain). Other Logic classes include: “Mainstage–Performing Live with Logic Studio,” “Producing Beats with Logic Studio,” “Expanding into Audio Postproduction with Soundtrack Pro” and “Instruments and Effects in Logic Studio.”
GCI Technologies– Gemini, Cortex & iKEY Audio –has just announced that DJ Jacquie Jack & DJ Journey will perform in the GCI room–Room 137–Remix Hotel Los Angeles 2007.
A favorite in the Los Angeles area, Jacqueline Finnan, aka DJ Jacquie Jack, aka “Dirty Vinyl Pusher,” will be spinning on Gemini CDT-05 combo vinyl/CD turntables.
Also, DJ Journey will showcase his ability to blend diverse beats and mix musical genres from across the board on his “club tested and studio proven” Gemini TT-04 turntables.
Attendees will also have a chance to win free gear from Gemini, Cortex and iKEY Audio as part of a GCI Giveaway Raffle.
