Today Ryan and I recorded a new Sunset Bros song! It’s called “Dirty Talk.”
Relying too much on proof distracts you from the real mission—which is emotional connection.
Seth Godin - Too much data leads to not enough belief
I think this one sentence sums up one major problem with the music industry in breaking new acts.
This industry is full of facts and figures: Soundscan, BDS, Pollstar, etc, etc.
Facts are nice. I mean it’s nice to know what is and what isn’t selling, or what is and what isn’t reacting at radio. But trusting that information too much, too soon, doesn’t give the artist and fans time to make that emotional connection that inevitability breaks an artist.
Think back to Berry Gordy and Ahmet Ertegun - when they started their labels in 50s/60s, they didn’t have this kind of information to study. They couldn’t judge a “hit” on numbers like iTunes downloads or BDS radio plays. They just had to believe the song was a hit and then get it to people and let them decide, based on an emotional connection.
All of the classic acts like Elvis, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, etc, etc, created a certain emotion with fans that still lives today. The emotion keeps them relevant.
Having managed an act on a major label, it’s amazing how fast they start looking at Soundscan sales and comparing that to ticket sales at venues and how much they spent making the album. If these numbers don’t add up fast enough, you’re gone.
Information is good but it can’t take the place of emotion in art. That emotional reaction is what labels should be pursuing, not the X factor in the music business algebraic success equation.
(via hartleymanages)
Sam Fink - Sing To Me, Caitlin Rose
Yes, as in my artist, Caitlin Rose.
This was written, performed, recorded and uploaded to youtube from Sam to Caitlin.
I’m used to posting videos of Caitlin performing…this is the first video I’ve posted of someone performing to her.
If we ever get to do a Caitlin Rose session we’re totally calling this guy in to make her feel awkward (and maybe duet).
New Lake Fever Session debuts today! Thanks to Elvis Perkins in Dearland and American Songwriter for helping make such a great piece of work.
Partytown Hospital - A Very Partytown Hospital Christmas, Too!
Download for free on Bandcamp.
Recommended for anyone wondering what a John Zorn holiday album would sound like.
We Own This Town: Volume 30: Best of Nashville
I compiled a lengthy list of artists for the We Own This Town year end Best Of podcast and have unleashed it upon the world today. Get familiar with many Nashville acts that you may have missed out on all in one sitting!
if you want to know what happened in Nashville in 2009 musically (minus the Kings of Leon/Paramore/Jack White obvs) then check out this podcast. wonderful.
We worked with a number of these artists and will work with many more of them in 2010. Great listen.
New session launched today - Live at Next Big Nashville 2009. Check it out!
Caitlin Rose is “band of the day” on the UK’s Guardian website.
Click through for whole article…
“This tambourine-toting 22-year-old is true to the spirit of country artists like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.”
New We Own This Town podcast ready for consumption. Go download it or stream it.
Glossary frontman Joey Kneiser releases free solo album - The All-Night Bedroom Revival. It’s available immediately for your procurement and enjoyment. Get it here.
New Lake Fever Session is up! From the AMA conference this year. Enjoy!
Spoon’s Transference. Yes please.
New Spoon record on the way.. talk about a dream Lake Fever Session!
From the desk of Tugboat Productions: Footage shot during the Southern Girls Rock ‘N’ Roll Camp in Murfreesboro TN this summer. These girls rock!!!
FREE Music:
I’m happy to announce the return of De Novo Dahl back to theory 8 (my label) today by giving away three new songs on Bandcamp.
DND and I spent a couple of years surfing the waves of a certain major label that did not work out too well at all. Since then the band has been recording new music and asked me to release it. I could not have been more excited.
The three new songs are part of the City Driver single.
I’m excited about the direction. Personally, 1918 is my new favorite track.
Stream the new songs or download for free via Bandcamp.
Let me know what you think!
We’ve finally released the session video for The Features “Thursday”! It was a performance of epic proportions and we could not be more pleased with how it turned out. Thanks to everyone who swarmed the studio to make it such a great time and thanks to the band for writing music that continues to be completely enjoyable. Watch it now!
New session debuts today from Travis! Fran and Andy were fantastic to work with and the session shows it. Watch it now!
Kurt Vile - Childish Prodigy - Matador
My friends just started a blog where they review everything on post it notes. And I mean everything, including coffee.
Recommended following!
The Nobility re-releases The Art of Building a Moat with new artwork.
If you haven’t heard the song Mathematics, you haven’t lived.
Caitlin Rose - Sinful Wishing Well live at Monolith
Courtesy of My Old Kentucky Blog’s Sirius/XM radio show.
We Own This Town Volume 28 is now available. Lots of Lake Fever Session friendly artists and some new offerings you need to hear. Go download it.
Join our mailing list to be notified the moment our new sessions go live. We also plan on offering a few additional goodies further on down the line and you'll be the first to know about them. There's no downside here, only benefit.
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The Black Hollies» View Session -
Elvis Perkins In Dearland» View Session -
Live at Next Big Nashville 2009» View Session -
Americana Music Association: Live at Lake Fever» View Session -
Travis» View Session
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Feb22Brendan Benson and Ashley Monroe» Official Site
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Mar01The Non Commissioned Officers» Official Site