www.markhandley.co.uk

www.facebook.com/markhandleymusic

Mark Handley is a passionate Musician and Songwriter,

From Pop, Rock, Reggae, Acoustic. Mark Handley is a no stop Music Maker.

He is Grooving the Mic.

Mark Handley Concern :

I am struggling in ‘” How best to get my music out there to the right people

and heard by the masses ” and ‘’How best to promote my music’’. 

From Mark Handley Website:

Quite how Mark’s Music remains so unknown to the World is a mystery.

This is our advise to Mark To make his music be listened  from the masses.

 Artist Profile Analysis: 

• Music: Pop, Acoustic, Rock, Acoustic
• Concept suggested: Mark the ‘’ Cool Guy ‘’
• Image: Cool clothes, relax style (we suggested that he makes someone do a special hat for him that will make him unique) he must stay real and fresh..

Music Videos: They must be more creative and follow the personality of Mark and the lyrics meaning (Creativity does not means all the time a lot of money) We like this video that have an impact marketing which can be exploited more.

• Alexis Wilkins Singing With Mark Handley 2003 (305 views)
• Golden Windows (286 views)
• Is Everyone in Love With You (205 views)

We have listened other tracks that deserve to have a music video but the list will be long

Website : it will better to Put the video of the song which is promoted via the net on the home page of the website The website of Mark as it is, is actually presented like a catalogue of music so much to listen and it must be more  focused on the song that is promoted. The website is good for music publisher.

Online Promotion Suggestion:

Mark Handley is a musician and singer songwriter, his songs are very personal and have emotional meaning , this is what we suggest  to Mark as Creative Promotion ideas :

• To choose one of his best songs from the album he wants to promote and put it on selected websites, platform in relation with the music style and the selected target market.
• To  create an online promotion campaign around the song title and the meaning of the song and spread this all over the net to have comment on the lyrics and music.  Create engagement around the song and lyrics via social media.

• To create a buzz online with one song first  and then one song at a time, more there is a buzz for one song more People would like to listen to the other songs and Mark Handley will stay on the mind of people.

• To send his music to music publishers (independent) and select which ones to send to , we can see his music via movies and even advert. Know about news movies and film project coming up and propose his music.

• Create business ideas around  the lyrics of the song  and album title (merchandising, games, competition and more).

Before you approach a record label you must understand how a Record label is working as ” Business”  in the words Record label you have ” Record” and ” Label” , the word ” Record ” mean the recording of a music and voice of an artist, and ” Label” is the name of the company.

Sony , Emi, Warner, Universal are Record Labels (but Major because they are big corporations).

So what is the business of a record label ? :

1. Sign and invest in Artists
2.  Market, promote Music and Artists
3. Sell music and live performance

Those are the main points I am going to emphasize on.

**You have independent and major record label.

Independent Record label mean that they do not depend on the Major labels to do business they do it themselves.

An single artist on its own can register himself/herself as a “record label” but that does not mean he/she has all the time the finance, the connection (contacts) and structure to  Market, Promote on the national basis .

So if you want to be part of your friend record label that mean you will be an artist signed on the name of your friend’ company (label) and your friend will use what he/she has most of the time (internet) or whatever connection  he/she may have  to market and promote and  sell music online and then together you can approach established record label to go to an higher level and try to have a record deal.

The major label are big corporations which have the networking (contact) and finance to market and promote an artist on a national or internaltional basis. They can invest higher amount on an artist in this case they are considerated as  investors (bank) which give the artist a loan that the artists will take back from sell and everything your music and name can sell..

The Business of the Record Label

• Sign An Artist = Invest Money in an Artist.

When a record label sign an artist is not only to give the artist a document (contract to sign) but the artist become a project  for the record label: an financial Investment and asset (that can make them make money) They own your music master (copyright) or everything they pay for except if you have purchased yourself.

An Financial Investment means in simple words, they will spend money for your recording, promotion, marketing to make you sell  your music and you as ‘’Artist’’. An Financial investment is also a risk for a record label if they sign an new artist they want to recoup what they had invested.

If a Record label decide to invest money in an artist is because they can see your potential as an ‘’Artist’’ but the most important they can see that you can sell and there is a market there for you as an ” Artist”or  they can create a concept with you (a product) to enter this market or you reply to a demand in an existing music market.

 Investing in music is the core mission of record companies,” says [IFPI] boss John Kennedy. “No other party can lay claim to a comparable role in the music sector. No other party comes close to the levels of investment committed by record companies to developing, nurturing and promoting talent.”

A record label is not here to make you enjoy yourself on the stage but they are there to make money with your music and you as an ”artist”. So be aware about this..So have a mind of businessman when you approach them.

**Relation between Record Label and Artists

When you ask artists what they think about record labels they always put down the records label because of what they have heard about artists’ bad experience but they do not make an effort to understand what a record business is and what to do when they approach them.

Understand the business is the key to understand how to approach a record label and deal with them.

**How to attract the Attention of A Record Label?

 Be prepared:

• Work your Artist Profile (image, lyrics, music, concept) read my post about this.
• Make a buzz with your music online and on live. (The record label must hear about your music and yourselves via radio, magazine, press, and more) Your Artist name and music must be everywhere online and present in your music genre local Market.
• Have a real fan base (read my post about this)

Make your proof:

• Do all you can to sell your music and keep the records (your sell online or physical or live music tickets)

 Do a Market Research

• Make a research about record labels and choice the ones you want to work with  (independent or major) and think about why you want to work with them ?
• Analysis how they market and promote their artist and what is the results in terms of sell.

Case Mr Chimpunk must he go to major or independent label?:

• Choose the record label which sign artists which does the same genre of music of your music or/and looking for original talents.
• If your music is special and original (out of the box)
• Make sure that there is something in you as ‘’ Artist’’ that will interest the record label. (sell and market opportunity ect) think business.
• Check how many artist they have signed in the month, year, in the past and who are they?
• Analysis how they promote and market their artist (marketing strategies and check the results in terms of sell.)

**Have  professional creative Promotions tools

• Your Myspace, website, blog, facebook ect.. Make them creative and in a way to sell them to the record label. (you are a product which must convince and impact those who listen to your music and read about you )
• Have a Strong Fan base (real fans who love your music not just pass buy)

**Remember you are a ‘’product’’ Sell Yourself!.

• Learn how to sell yourself and your music as a ” product”
• Your lyrics, yourself (personality),  your image all is a ”product” in itself.

Think Strategy:

• Ask yourself How to get to the music industry and be signed by a record label..do i have to choose the normal way (send music, cd) or by ways related to the music industry which lead to a record label for example Lady gaga start as a songwriters.

If A record label decide to sign you now you have to have a lawyer to read the contract (if you can afford it) or  someone who can help you to understand the contract and know about music business. Do not forget to know about Copyright and publishing business too.

Any help and comment about this post. Groov’With Me now or email me

Michellegalas@groovearthrecords.com

© February 2012 Michelle Galas

www.radioworks.co.uk. “At any given time, 20% of Web users are also listening to the radio’’

So what is the difference with the fm radio? and how to get noticed with so much artist online..What will make people listen to your music more than another artist’s music? First, let’s see what you must do before email your music to an online radio. Let’s remind us what is the business of a radio.

The first aim of a radio fm or online  is not only play your music, but above all have an audience, and traffic in order to attract advertisers and make revenue from advertisement. More they have an important audience more that will attract potential future advertisers. That is why it is very important you select what kind of radio you send or email your music to if you have a strong fans base.

You have radio and radio.?

Some radio have business model which is radio without being radio for example www.jango.com which process consist on you put your music after a hit pop star music for example lady gaga so if people listen to your music and become fans that mean that your music is similar to the same sound (music) of lady gaga. That can be good for you as “Artist” that will show you that people who like Lady Gaga music like also your music. Jango.com is not free you must pay and choose your package.

But the aim of a radio is to make people listen to new music and discover new artist with original music not listen the same music and artist that they are already listened everyday..isn’t it.!! above all the mainstream artists.

When I talk about Radio online it is the radio that do not have Fm but exist only online, some Fm radio such as ”Capital Radio” has their website too so Now the next step for you is to think about what kind of radio you want to have your music play on.

Ask yourself this question:

Do you want to have your music play on radio to get only exposure or do you want also that the radio contribute to your reputation as an ”Artist” and” Music” and go over only play your music (propose you interview, allow you to advert your music ect..), and how are you going to make this happen?

Some Tips Before you email your music to an online radio:

1. Register You  as “Artist” at PRS :

It is important that you register at PRS (Performing Right Society) www.prsformusic.com PRS will collect your royalties each time your music will play on online or even fm radio..

  2.  Copyright your Music and Lyrics :

It is important you copyright your music and lyrics so you have a proof of the music,  lyrics belong to you and you are the original author. Visit a website such as www.copyright.co.uk or have a Lawyer in Music Business or Copyright (if you can afford it).        

 3.  Do a deep research :

Research the online radios which are playing your genre of  music and have a huge daily, monthly traffic. You must also know who is the main Dj or/and radio programmer or who decide what music must be played on the radio or not? how they select the music which must be played and why how to submit the music? What kind of song they are playing ? what the songs are talking about? or do they play only mainstream artists such as Rihanna for example?

 4.  Protect your Music (Mp3 File):

If an online radio accept to play your music make sure that your music (your mp3 file) has all the data’s info included in the file itself, such as (name of the artist, date of the release, record label name, songwriter name and date the song has been written, music producer name, ISRC Number)  you can do that via logic or check the software you use to record your music so PRS can trace your track and collect your royalties from the radio.     

5. Show your interest to the radio:

Once your music is playing on an online radio. Show the radio that you do not use their platform just to get exposure but make “business’’ with them ,if you have a website, blog or other link them to the radio, promote the radio to your fans that will attract more traffic to the radio. Show the radio that you are interested by their business. for example, Promote the radio with a film or in your music video and more do not need to have a lot of money to film a small advert to promote the radio just mention their name can be grateful and make publicity for them . Use your Creativity (do not need huge money to do that)..Use your brain

6-Update your Artist Profile all the time (impact your fans):

According to www.radioworks.com ”57% of those who listen to the radio while online say that they have checked our things on the internet after just hearing about them” www.radioworks.co.uk If they check about something they hear about that’s mean that as an Artist you must really work on your Artist Profile  (Music, image,  message, promotion tools) to a  have strong presence and make a buzz online enough to attract the attention of your future fans that will lead them to visit your website and listen to your music on the radio.

So What Now.. Do you want to have your music on  Online Radio ? Do you have any question, issues and more do not hesitate to email me Michellegalas@groovearthrecords.com Start to Groov’With Me.

©2012 Michelle Galas

I have bolded the part mentioning “that has a similar appearance to some subject usually a physical object or a person.  The Music Business in general finds in advance an image for an artist before to promote him/her. Why That?

If The Music Industry considers the artist as a “Product” to sell, a product must have a package that cover the content which is in our case the music and personality of the artist.

For example Nicki Minaj, Adele, Rihanna and Emimen have they own unique image . You wonder now how they create those image ? what criteria  have been selected to be the most appropriate for the artist , this is what we are going to analyse now..

Nicki Minaj image is similar to the “Barbie doll”. Why give a female rapper/hip hop such an image..you wonder?. Hip hop, Rap lyrics are not like before (talking about the life in the street, the difficulties of everyday life) but it has became more commercial and talk about topics such as Love, Money, and Party. Nicki Minaj’s image is related to her main target market (black, white ladies who like to buy accessories, jewellery, Shoes ect .)

When you watch Nicki Minaj she is like a doll, changing dresses and looks all the time and she behaves like a doll too, she is like a Woman /girl.

If to have an image is to look like someone else. Nicki Minaj is the black Barbie doll. Why such image ? because if you are like a doll you have to change style all the time so you have to consume items . So be a fan of Nicki Minaj and you will spend money in eyeslashes, shoes, dress. Polish nails ect……

When the Music Business creates an image sometimes they create it thinking  first how they can make money with every items the artist will wear (clothes, shoes, polish nails ect..) they have two options create it as also (Lady gaga) or make deal with established Brands and use the artist personality to promote the brand..in this particularly case, An image is not only (what you look like) but How you can sell items via your artist personality..

Niki Minaj Barbie’s Image is a Doll but not really a “Doll’’.   With the rebellion image of Rap, hip hop music,  you can not do whatever you want with Nicki Minaj She is rebellious..(like the black ladies of the hood)..

In the word Minaj you have the subliminal word ‘’ Menage’’ when you say in French ‘’You do the Menage’’ it is like you say I am putting my life in order, I make a revolution, do not mess with me. So Nicki Minaj is rebellious but nice like a doll (look like a doll).

Another interesting Image case or no image at all. Miss Adele

No oufit, no specific look, Adele looks like near my neighbour. She is not slim but big physically so she does not fit to the stereotype. So what’s wrong?? Nothing at all..

Adele’s image is just ‘’herself’’ because what is important for her is the lyrics she is singing.. She is like the soul singer in the year 70. With all the commercialisation of the music and the artist, some people want to refind the real music and lyrics, do the main target market of Adele are not adult?? no no everyone like Adele (gays, lesbians ect..) so what is her image formula? The image of Adele is to be natural and to be like me and you. She makes me think to Etta James.. The soul Diva, the only think she is ‘’White’’ opps that bring something different in the Music Industry image policy..May be that has been done in purpose who knows ?:

“I have seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down. And i don’t  want that in my life. I have insecurities, of course but don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me., My life is full of drama and i won’t have time to worry about something as petty as what i look like. I do not like going to the gym. I like eating fine foods and drinking nice Wine”. Adele

What about this artist , Tinie Tempah.

It is a pat answer, but Tinie does genuinely seem to view himself as a new kind of unifying pop star. Did it make a refreshing change to see a black man on the front of a newspaper for the right reasons? “I never really think about race, because it was just about the music for me,” he replies. “Music has no race. It appeals to everybody.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/feb/13/tinie-tempah-interview-brit-awards

The image of Tinie Tempah is the image of the Pop star, with clean suit, his image is like the nice boy of the town, mixing various genre of music. Why not ?? Tinie Tempah is not about the look it is about the music and the look just support it.. Posh, nice black guy….singing “ Pass Out “

So what about You now:

How to find an image which  fit your music and personality?

• You must ask yourself who do you want to be? (look at you in a mirror)
• What do you want your image be for people?
• What do you want to do with your image as business?
• What are you going to use to create your image ? (outfit, accessories ect..)
• What image you want people see when they watch you perform and sing, within your interview?
• Do you want to look like as an existing artist and which one ? and Why ?
• You must decide if you want to be you or play a game and be a character?

An image reflect yourself (the real you) or can show you someone else not you..(after the make up) it is up to you to decide what mirror you want to use..

Groov’With Me and give me your comments..

Email me if you need any help for to find ideas to market and promote your music. michellegalas@groovearthrecords.com

©01/2012 Michelle Galas

What does that mean ”Music Genre”? According to Wikipedia A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musicalsounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music. It is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are often used in an undifferentiated way.

We can retain from this definition (musical sounds) when you listen to music today such as well known artist as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and more you can notice that in their music there is a mix of sounds that can make you think about Dance, R&B and other music influences.

When you listen to Rihanna music via her last album “Loud’’ it is a mix of music sounds and genre from rock to reggae to dance, R&b. An artist as Rihanna can not be described as R&B artist only, Some artists are labeled “R&b Singer’’ by the way they sing but not by the music genre they sing over. So it is not really relevant to call the artist music R&B , when the music is not R&B but dance. They label the artist R&B because he or she is black . R&B is coming from Black Origin.

Another Example recently Jason Derulo mentions that his music is not black even if he is black (skin color)

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/derulo-my-music-is not-black-music

Don’t Wanna Go home music style is a mix of caribbean reference (jamaican),  Don’t Wanna Go home”   has been produced with strategy for music marketing purpose. The track use a sample which come from  Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” is a traditional Jamaican mento folk song, the best-known version of which was sung by Harry Belafonte and Dance track  Robin’s ”Show me love’‘. UK music population is composed by Jamaican population and  UK is also listenning and buy Dance Music.

Lyrics from the Harry Belafonte’s Version

Day-o, day-ay-ay-o

Daylight come and me wan’ go home

Day-o, day-ay-ay-o

Daylight come and me wan’ go home

“Don’t Wanna Go Home“, was released on May 20, 2011. It landed the number-one spot in the UK and in the top five in Australia.^[14] Derülo plans to embark on an eight-date UK tour in support of the album in February 2012, including a show at Wembley Arena on March 1.^[15]

Another Example  JLS mentioning in the Voice Magazine that they are not a

black band but JLS.(voice-online.co.uk)

http://voice-online.co.uk/article/were-not-black-band-were-jls

What I understand after reading this article is the music industry wants to make us view the artist not by the skin colour but by the music Genre only .It is like you JLS tell to the listeners “We can do any genre of music’’, we do need to be white to make Dance or Rock music, we can do any genre of music, Music is Music” Or it is because of a marketing reason to make the artists be more international and please to any target market (black and white).

The target market is changing and people ears have changed. Internet allows people to listen to music from all over the world. Record labels have understand this and wants to target more audience so the artists can reach any target market (The World) and they can make more revenue.

When an artist change his/her musical direction that can shock the audience but also that can make it very interesting in terms of music market..Mr Pitbull from Hip Hop to dance music, this switch is most of the time due to the music market and what genre of music is sold on the market.  To remain in the game some artist must change musical direction and follow the evolution of the music and sound.

”Instead of speaking to the block, I rather speak to the globe so the block can go, ‘Oh wait a second, there is a whole lot more out there,’ ” Pit explained. “And that’s where the respect and credibility comes into play. You can’t buy that and no record can buy that.” Pitbull

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667094/pitbull-planet-pit-album.jhtml

Have the suit make Pittbull be a ” Hip Hop clean guy” look nice and clean ” Dance”

Dj are dominated the music market now (David Guetta for example) and commercial Dance electro music mixed with other genre of music is on the top in the chart nowadays with some exception as Adele with  acoustic, pop music has created a real storm in the chart making people come back to the importance of the lyrics more than the music. So after this :

How to promote your Genre of music

1. First choose what genre of music you want to do or sing over

If you can not define the music you want to do and tell yourself (I want to play with sound and create my own original stuff) you cannot avoid to use existing genre of music because whatever the sound software you will use, you have already the bass, drums programmed in a specific genre of music that gives the style of the music.

1. Make sure that your select your target market properly Check the culture of the music you have chosen and what people listen to and why   ?
2. Create your Artist Profile around your genre of music (Voice., lyrics, live performance, image)….
3. Make sure that you place your music in music online platform where your target market
4. Send your music to Record label signing your genre or music.
5. Be Creative and try to innovate the genre of music.
6. Check the music sale and which artist is on the top chart with the same genre of music, analyze it.

Whatever the genre of music you will choose people will judge too the way you sing (voice) so if you sing as a R&B singer on Rock Music some people will say it is original some other people will say that does suit your voice in this case People will judge you as a ” Singer” not the music style. This is what put confusion in the Music Genre today. The Music Industry Call Hip Hop Pittbull who sing on Dance Music, Pittbull does not rap on the music but sing but because he is originally a  hip hop artist they define the music by the artist. What a really musical mess!! but interesting mix of genre of music

What do you think guys !!

Visit our website www.groovearthrecords.com or email me michellegalas@groovearthrecords

©12/2011 Michelle Galas

What  does mean really to do something new in  the Music Business today? When most of the artist want to imitate existing Artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, When record labels request artist similar to Lady Gaga, where is the creativity in that? When most of the music producer want to imitate a music producer such as Timberland or other…and do the same beats or quite similar..?

To be new and original what does that really mean? That means to create something that nobody has done before in the past or in the time of our ancestors (why not?) but we are never sure because when you think a song or music is new you always discover that  most of  the music or the songs have been made for example in the 70 or 80 and the artist or music producer have  just use a sample of it to make it more modern in the taste of today market and society.?

So when you read that an artist is doing something new or a music producer has created a new sound,  that’s mean that you have never saw or listen to it before in your time and the society you are living now, but that does not mean most of the time that they have not existed before.

To do something New today in the music business,  

• is to make new music  which is different from what is played  in the chart, on radio (innovative music)
• Be inspired 100% ,  do not have any influence of any artist or music producer at all that you have listened before when you creat your music or song.
• To be free From the ”norms”.
• To talk to your target market in another ways that other artists have done before.
• To create, create, create with no outside influence.

So if you take the example of Beyonce (Singles Ladies) and Bjork (who is really new and creative ?).  The video of  Beyonce has been influenced by artists from 70 and use to create something new (is that creativity) or copy ?

Or  recently the video ” Countdown ”

Why copy  another version of a  past music video choregraphy ??  it is for Marketing publicity or other purpose? Who knows why record label practice such things. Do they really like to go to court and be sued all the time  or  they have the authorisation of the Original author to do that ?? Who knows ??

Another Example of Creativity:: Bjork ..

Bjork has used technology (apps) to release her new album (is it creativity ?)  http://therandomfact.com/bjork%e2%80%99s-biophilia-album-is-a-landmark-in-the-music-industry/229907/

Bjork uses Extravaganza outfit and create new styles (Clothes) technologic video, new sound (music) ect..is it creativity?

Creativity = To use something and make it very unusual this what is to be creative.   Art is creativity. Music and lyrics must be creative and make people dream , entertain or alert about something in today society.

What about  “You’’ how can you be Creative ?  You must think out of the box  that mean to not imitate nobody and  be “You”, be real and use what you have to make impressive and have an impact on the eyes of your viewers within your video, look, image or ears of  your listeners. (your music).

Creativity must become from your own imagination.  Have crazy and innovative  ideas that nobody have this is creativity…That can be in your music or via your look (style).. But some of you will tell me imagination can be influenced by existing states and fact (music, lyrics) and market research that you have made and then from those you decide to create something else and say (you have created something New) but in this case  it is not really new but have been influenced or referenced.

To be creative is to not fear to be different and do something not like everyone.

I will tell you to be Creative is to have your head free from the  “normal’’ from what is going on out there and create.  To be creative does not all the time cost, you can be creative with what you have (clothes, music, lyrics) ect and make it different that the way people use it , view or see it.

Tell me know what you have done recently that you can call Creativity ?/.. Do not have any ideas or clue to start something.

Visit our website www.groovearthrecords.com or email me michellegalas@groovearthrecords

©10/2011 Michelle Galas

But how  can you sell your music ? you will ask me when no one want to pay for music and download music for free or share it all over internet ?. If you are not well known As Lady gaga or Chris Brown and just do some live performance time to time in some venue  for free and sell some CD, How can you earn a real living. Well, why not make your music make business for you ? how to do that ??

How to start ?, just ask yourself how your music can be sold as a product?  What you must ask yourself are :

• Why do you make music for? Is it for fame only?, to make money? to impact the society.? To make future business?
• How can your music help people?
• How your music can make a change in the society and/or your community?
• How can you solve problem with your music.?

You will tell me for example that  you do music to make people dance, enjoy life or talk to people so how  you can make business with that ?  To make business with your music is not to sell the music only to your  fans but to also think partnership or other to make the music become the product to sell. Then you will ask me ”How can you make music to resolve the problem of the world if you are not signed or have a promotion company, team working with you? I will tell you Yes you can do something yourself.

How come? For example introduce your music  to business competition as for example Jennie Walker and/or use your music to help an existing business in your area.

Jennie Walker’s career soars as she was recently one of the winners for British Airways Face of Opportunity contest with her small business pitch around her title track song “Night Flight To London” from her debut album of the same name. To learn more about Jennie, check out her website at www.jenniewalker.com

You just have to have ideas to make your music be part of what you do as business or activity or even hobby.

My winning pitch to British Airways included the idea of having my album “Night Flight to London” on their onboard entertainment and their High Life inflight magazine. I see inflight entertainment as a unique way to gain exposure for new music and the statistics I have read about just how much usage these systems receive, really support the use of the platform.

Of course you can not solve the problem of the entire world.  Do not think about the world yet but start small to do something, to solve the everyday problems of people around you.

Do not have any ideas or clue to start something. Visit our website www.groovearthrecords.com

©09/2011 Michelle Galas

This topic is often mentioned in the ”Women” music department more than the Man one. Most Female Artists have started to perform with their clothes on and suddenly  (i will say after some years.) you see them perform without ”clothes”. So you wonder if you too as An ”Artist” you must be near naked (show your body) to sell your music.??

First, You must ask yourself :

• What is your Artis’s image concept.?
• is to be sexy is part of your image concept ?
• What do you want your fans perceive of you as a person?
• Do your music genre is following this image of sexy girl (Dance, Rock, Rnb)?
• Do you have a body to be sexy.?

It is not because you are a Woman that you can be sexy?? Sexy does mean only show your body, Sexy means to dress sexy, to act Sexy . Sugababes, Rihanna,Christina Aguilera,Lady Gaga in my opinion are dressed sexy (show their body) but they are not sexy ladies,  they do not have sex appeal !!. Pink yes (that is my opinion guys)

When you ask people if they find an artist sexy or not ?,  you have various opinions and the most  interesting  ones are those of Men about females artists not women about male artists.Why that you will wonder? Because Sex is more related to Women than Men in the Music Industry.

50cents is one of the men, is he sexy? feel free to let me know!! or Mr Chris Brown showing his penis?  do they do this for Marketing purpose by creating stories to fill the magazines, the media and/or  increase the internet visitors on the artist website facebook ect..

You must ask yourself :

• if Be naked will make your fans be more attracted by your body and person than your  music itself?.
•  if People will love you for your body not for you as an (Artist) ?

If your songs (lyrics)  have powerful impact on the society and your Personality  is Sexy (your are beautiful, have a nice body,face) and attract the men (they can stay without stopping look at you) this for the Female Artists and are a model for the Female teenagers. You are beautiful (nice body, nice personality) this for the Men Artists and are a model for the young male teenagers so Your are a Sexy Artist.

But most of the female artist use the fact that ”They are sexy” as a way to make revenue with photos from magazine, merchandises. But be naked is also use to make people worship you as a ”Woman” or ”Man” it goes over the fact that you are a singer and performer.

To be beautiful (nice beauty, nice face)  can attract more business towards you (brand deal such as perfum, clothes) or be an actor  or actress in a movie (you look good) !

There are some exception like the Singer Songwriter Adele who just focus everything on her music (the Music Industry can not tell her to be naked to be famous) she is big as a person, you can not see any photo of her all body it is very rare except if you go to see her perform live.  

Adele has an concept image anti-sexual. Her music and lyric are to make people listen to and pay attention! she is not in a commercial field policy. She is a Singer and want to have an image of a Singer using her voice to sing not her body.

Following “Team Adele”’s triumph at the top of the Guardian’s Music Power 100 list, XL founder Richard Russell has spoken to the broadsheet about how Adele has the potential to change the way women are seen in the music industry, commenting,

“The whole message with [Adele] is that it’s just music, it’s just really good music. There is nothing else. There are no gimmicks, no selling of sexuality.

But being big can not stop some artists to show their body, Beth Ditto from the band ” Gossip” is a good example, why that, she is lesbian and her music is quiet electro, pop her image is extravangaza and she wanted to show to people that even if you are big you can be beautiful naked (she wants to break the rule of sterotype in the music industry)..

What about you today ?

You are a singer songwriter who want to make it, you are not famous so do you need to be sexy (show your body) to attract the attention of the Music Industry?/ well is up to You to decide !! You must define your image concept first, what do you want to be a ” Barbie” that people will like for her body or do you want to have the full package (voice, body,music,lyrics and a brain (business minded artist)?) Yes what you need to do is to work on your Artist Profile. If you are a woman why not be sexy but make sure  you know why you have  chosen to become sexy?/ To sell music or to sell your Body ?

It is your turn to tell me what do you think now. Groov’With Me.

Any questions and helps you may need to find a Strategy to market your music email me Michellegalas@groovearthrecords.com

©08/2011 Michelle Galas

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Bob Marley is the Reggae prophet singer songwriter and the international image of Jamaica, you can not mention the name of Bob Marley without thinking about his country Jamaica. When an Artist has achieved so much and he is able to move his country with his music and lyric this is very powerful.  

 Why use the name of an Artist Name such as ” Marley” as a Label for a drink?, What the difference with another drink such as Coca Cola ?. Marley’s Mellow Mood drink advert message is following the image of Bob Marley and who he was (a rastafaria man) which is represent the peaceful man  (oh oh smoking weeds) without forgotting his deep spiritual lyrics. The slogan of Marley’s Mellow Mood  is ” Reduces Stress & Relieves Tension” ”All Natural relaxation” When you drink it you will feel cool and relax as if you was listening  and thinking toBob Marley’s Music. What a good marketing strategy.

The legacy of Mr Bob Marley is assured for life anyway (he is a legend)..The drink is arriving in a period of economic tumultuous time People need to relax and forget their every day problem so why not drink (Marley) drink.

What about  You.? Why not become the ambassador of a new drink ? Why not use your music  to promote a start up product ? Why not have your image and name on the Label, ? but do not forget in order to achieve this you must first build your fanbase to have more credibility and a loyal following. 

Why do you think Marley’s Family has chosen to go in the beverage business  because they know that Bob Marley has an international fanbase and they know that  if they put on a market a drink they will have a follow up and surely consumers because of the legacy of Bob Marley.  Bob Marley’s music and name  is known  from generation to generation all over the world.

You do not need to wait for to be as popular as Bob Marley, You can start with your local business or look for a start up business who want to launch their products and use your music to help them to promote their drink and in the same time promote you as an artist. Be creative and Business minded.

Any questions and helps you may need to find a Strategy to market your music email me Michellegalas@groovearthrecords.com

©08/2011 Michelle Galas

However did you think about what people buy as music genre  not listen but buy? Did you think to give your music a concept,  a mark? What do you want your music express ?  and what do you want your fans think and feel when they listen to your music and lyrics ? What is your Mark musically?

As LMFAO in an article of Metro on Thursday 21 July 2011 they describe they music concept as follow ‘’ Our Parties are based on the fundamentals – The Music and the Girls-.

When you listen to their music it’s a music which make you dance and want to have a party.

Or the singer songwriter BjorK who has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk. Her voice has been acclaimed for its distinctive qualities. 

Those artists have found their  Musical concept and mark. When you hear the name of Bjork or LMFAO you know what to expect musically before you switch on your radio, mp3 or ipod you know what you are going to listen  as songs and music.

To find your Music Style:

• Decide what kind of music you want to do or you really like ?
• Check what music genre people buy not  only listen to (make your market research)
• If you want to be unique (play with the sounds) but have a base musical (Pop, Rock , Rnb  etc…) and play around it so you can have a base that people will recognise (think about what genre of music people buy)
• Make your Artist Profile (image, name ect..)  and lyrics meaning be in relation with your music.
• Create a new commercial Sound but promote it with a huge Artist Profile (image, looks, ect..) such as Black Eyes Peas.

Your musical genre must be a mark and your identity that will make people and your fans identify you. Your music style is your unique selling points. Like Black Eyes Peas they have their own style of music (futurist and experimental) with a base of Dance or R&B.

Be Creative and do not hesitate to create new sounds but do not forget to make sure that in your creativity there is something that people will always recognize as a musical base.

It is your turn to compose, arrange and produce good creative and commercial music. Groov’ NOW

©2011 Michelle Galas