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CONTENTS 3.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
Notes from Homebase: Freedom Warrior Calendar of Events/Featured Event Opportunities Forum Chapter News Chapter News Chapter News Songsalive! Online Song Critique Workshop Songcraft What’s New on Our Website Songsalive! Sampler CD 12 Pro Member Spotlight Get Involved Featured Partner Sponsored Events Sponsored Events Back page
Welcome to the August/September 2012 edition of Songnotes! I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer! We have a fantastic issue of Songnotes for you, starting with a wonderful article full of great advice, “Notes from Homebase: Freedom Warrior” by Songsalive! President, Gilli Moon. Songsalive! is proud to again be a sponsor of the Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter Film & TV and Music Conference, which will be happening October 24-25. We are also promoting The Song Comp 2012 and the International Songwriting Competition (ISC). We encourage all of our songwriters to get involved. You can read about these sponsored events on pages 18 & 19. Please also check out page 6 to see all of our chapter events taking place. Congratulations to our PRO Member Spotlight artist, Kevin Mongelli! You can read more about him and his latest album on page 15. Our Partner of the Month is The ADS Group. See page 17 for information on a 10% discount on their CD manufacturing services! In this issue, you can also find out what’s new on the Songsalive! website on page 13, as well as read the latest news from our chapters on pages 7-9. Read about the latest Songsalive! Sampler CD 12 on page 14 and find out details about new developments in our Songcraft program on page 12. Don’t live near a Songsalive! chapter? Take part in our FIRST Online Song Critique Workshop on August 11th! Find out more on page 11. On the cover of Songnotes this month is Songsalive! member, Jackson Wells, performing at the Songsalive! Nashville Showcase in July.
Enjoy the Rest of the Summer! Mary Lemanski Director of Operations
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Notes from homebase Freedom Warrior By Gilli Moon In my teachings I have discovered there is a common thread amongst Artists and what they are searching for: FREEDOM. Freedom to tour and perform whenever they wanted; freedom to pursue their Artistic dream, without being inhibited by a day job, lack of money or lack of resources; freedom to write songs; freedom to be who they want to be in their lives, and not trapped by past thoughts, fears, people's perceptions, responsibilities; freedom to create and pursue this naturally challenging career with the time it takes to invest in it; and so forth. This desire for freedom, although not necessarily mentioned directly, was definitely the underlying current in the questions I received, and the conversations and discussions that took place. As an Artist, I am constantly exploring freedom in my creativity. I have spent quite a few years studying the path of the spiritual warrior and the essence of being that is the pursuit of freedom. You’ll see by my company name, Warrior Girl Music, and my nick name “warrior girl� that I carry this mantra close to me. "I realize that I am always free to let go and observe my life" - Wayne Dyer Freedom in the music business means the ability to be in control of your own career and at the same time
not be in control of anything, and let the winds of Heaven guide us in our destiny. Let's take a look at the first part of that phrase: being in control.... It's an amazing opportunity to have a sense of freedom with our Artistry, without having to be dictated by companies that are guided by budgets, competition and the commercial machine. Independence from that means you can drive your own career, and be free to create whatever you want - from writing your songs, to producing unique music albums - different, alternative, out of the box - to performing with uniqueness and diversity. Who says we need to be like the formula on radio? Embrace the fact that you can be different from all that. There are enough people in this country who will love your music without you having to be number 1 on radio which is part manipulated anyway. Many bands fall under the radar of so-called "commercial success" (radio play, MTV video rotation, street press, Grammy awards, etc.) yet can have a lifelong, financially abundant career with a huge fan base. This can be done through being totally unique, different and out of the mainstream, by touring extensively, and knowing how to brand themselves on an independent level. Being an independent Artist means you can create what you want, and then allow the right people who love what you do, come to you, rather than create packaged songs to an already saturated market which is commonly referred to as the "lowest common denominator". You have the opportunity to be different... to not just spew out the same ol' music that most of us are tired of hearing. We want something fresh, new, unique. The once loved mp3.com, Napster.com and now XM Satellite radio and
iTunes are true representations that people are ready to hear something new, even if that means going on that arduous search through the Internet waves to find a little piece of unique "gold" So who has the gold? You do. Artists have that divine gift called "imagination" that allows us to be totally different with what we create. So be different. There's an amazing sense of freedom in that. Freedom to discover new sounds, new packaging, new marketing ideas. From the beginning to the end, you have that freedom to do what you want, how you want, no strings attached. Freedom is also about coming from a certain place of non-attachment with our Art. Having "no" control in the process can also be a very liberating thing, and avoids any deflated expectations. Sometimes we have to just "let go" and allow the process of our creations, and our destiny/careers/dreams, to unfold on its own accord. Let's take a look at the writing process for a moment. Writing songs, or creating anything, even a painting, is like tapping into a creative source that speaks to us. We can't force it, or we get blocked. We just have to be open to it. Once open, we can be very prolific. I'm always surprised that my best writing is when I just brainstorm and let the words flow. Sometimes I even "let go" of trying so hard (maybe even turn the TV on or something to take my mind off the pressure), and all of a sudden the song comes to life. How many songs have you written in the car, or doing something completely different? The words can't stop coming at you can they?
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Notes from homebase:
Freedom Warrior (Cont.) In the studio, the Art of production is about the freedom of allowing the song to tell us what it needs. We can't force it. We become the observer... allowing the pieces to come to life, as we merely conduct. Being the observer doesn't mean we no longer care about the process. No, what it means is that we don't let our mind, our thoughts, our emotions or our worries get in the way.
“If a warrior is to succeed at anything, the success must come gently, with a great deal of effort but with no stress or obsession.” ~Carlos Castaneda Being open to a different path Let's take a look at career projections. I always talk about defining success on one's own terms, rather than the commercial model. I also remind myself and others that even though we can have all these big dreams, and create plans.... it will never turn out the way we planned... and that's a great thing. We may project a certain future for ourselves, but ultimately, the universe, destiny, fate, whatever you want to call it, has other plans. These plans are part of the divine mystery of "why we are here" and as Artists we can respect that because it's all about creativity in the end, and all about freedom. By not being so attached to certain outcomes, we will never be let down. Instead, we will be offered wonderful gifts, which is part of the magic and mystery of it all.
I had an “aah haa” moment with an Artist recently. She had a one-on-one session with me and we were talking about how she wanted to leave her day job, as a social worker, and go into full time music as a touring and performing Artist. But she didn’t know how to transition from earning a strong salary as a social worker, into the music world where she was currently making no money doing coffee houses and the like. She also wondered if she was talented enough to compete in the music business and couldn’t really figure our her competitive advantage (her talent + uniqueness). Still, her passion is music and she really wanted to transition over. I asked her, “what do you sing about?”. She responded, “about relationships, my truth, and sometimes the stories of the kids I counsel through my day job.” I offered a suggestion to perhaps explore some of the venues and outlets through her work, where she could perhaps perform to the kids, or the parents or other social workers, and thereby taking a different path (rather than the traditional music venues) to sing at. This was an ahh haa moment. Her eyes lit up and she started to smile. For the next half hour we brainstormed all of these ideas about how she could build some shows in her arena, where she could sing positive songs that would help in healing and be therapeutic. She saw visions of herself singing at schools, and even to general adults about abuse prevention, and various strong topics that she wrote about. She no longer felt blocked in not knowing how to access traditional venues, and realized she knew way more opportunities in her work field, than she realized previously, as to get her music out here.
In 30 minutes, this Artist became free. She freed herself from the bondage of her expectations of having to pursue her music career like everyone else, but instead find her own path, a different path, and quite possibly a more abundant and higher purpose path. With discipline comes freedom The book, “The Way of the Warrior” talks about the warrior who sets aside all distractions such as self pride or the desire to waste time or energy on the mundane. “Eliminate the unnecessary”, with a Zen perfection of “free-mindedness”. With freedom from distraction, the warrior becomes “emancipated to pursue perfection in all things”. For us, the Warrior Artist, that means to cut away, like a sword, all that doesn’t serve us, in order to pursue excellence as an Artist, and have the freedom to do what we want. This takes an incredible amount of discipline. How can we find freedom to create, pursue our career, and manage all the business side of music along with being the Artist? How can we find the time to be free, unconfined by the walls of a day job, financial burdens, so many hours in the day, the multitude of tasks we need to get done as a creator, and a business person? It means that we need to adopt discipline in our day to day lives, in order to accomplish it all. In my view, that means practicing, on a daily basis, some very important and effective warrior THINGS. Here are mine:
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Notes from homebase:
Freedom Warrior (Cont.) o Clear the clutter, and the superfluous from your life- all that is unnecessary. That may mean as simple as getting your desk in order, to something complex and life changing as a job you don’t like doing, or projects that are wasting your time. Focus, instead, on what DOES serve you, that is part of your broader dreams and goals in life: and focus/zone in on them. o Remove the obstacles, both external and internal. Perhaps you live too far away from the hub of the city you want to perform in. Work towards moving. Need some money? Get a job. In a sour relationship? End it. o Find clarity. Get really clear with who you are and what you want. This can take years. By doing the exercises in the first half of this book, I hope you get clear a lot quicker. Finding clarity also means getting specific. If you want to increase your financial yearly wealth (so you can do the things you want to do), get specific on how much that is. $50K? $100K? $1mil? How much do you want? Write it down.
o Feel inspired. Finding the inspiration in your day to day process is so important. Lose the stuff that doesn’t inspire you, and move towards things that do.
a universal law, then you’ll understand that you don’t have to FORCE your success to come to fruition…. Most of the time, you just have to get out of your own way and let it happen, its own way, when the timing is right.
change or affect in this world? Mine is a commitment to inspire passion, creativity, freedom and love in each and every one of us through my songs that I write and perform, as well as the stories and teachings I offer.
o Trust that all will be taken care of speaks similarly to the above point, with the added notion that you need to trust in your path, your instincts, your gut, and that everything happens for a reason and it will ALL BE OK.
o Take the path least traveled - no struggle - with the least resistance: We are here for a good time, not a hard time. I like finding the path of least resistance (that doesn’t hurt me or others, or make me feel like I’m on a rollercoaster ride), yet at the same time be a DIFFERENT ROAD. I don’t want to live someone else’s life. I want to live MY life, and it’s a unique life. How I emulate that as an Artist will actually make me UNIQUE and therefore a marketable Artist, with music that people will want and shows they will want to watch. BE DIFFERENT, and try new ways to navigate this amazing journey that is your life.
o Seeking no one else's approval but your own – I repeat this notion throughout this book because it’s important. Listen to others, learn from others, take feedback and advice. But at the end of the day, you are the ONLY one to approve of what you want to do and the choices you make. This is YOUR life and it will be different to anyone else’s path (you are unique). o Do whatever it takes to make it happen: this is very much about pursuing excellence on a daily basis. You want to not only do your best, but you want to do what it takes (within your reality and with proper reason without hurting anyone else to make it happen). You have to be willing to defend your vision and dreams to the world, and stand by it with conviction. Nothing else matters.
o Have personal freedom as the goal: it’s a lifelong journey, o Use discipline as a tool for personal freedom: use my time but freedom is truly an amazing place to arrive to, either far management exercises, build your priorities, understand what away in the future, or little glimpses of it on a daily basis. it means to be organized. o Create change, within and without: your mission, if you o Keep it simple. Too many things, desires, wants, tasks, choose to accept it, is to create change in YOUR life (grow as projects, avenues, ideas, create too many distractions, lost a human being and transcend to a higher awareness of opportunities, missing arrows: don’t let your head get too yourself) as well as CREATE CHANGE in others. This is fuzzy. Just keep it simple. You can do it all – but you can’t do where having a life mission comes into play. Through your it all at the same time! Artistry, you have the responsibility to create a SHIFT around you (consciousness, thoughts, etc.). Think about what you o Being one with the universe and its timing might sound write about, sing about or create about. What is it that you esoteric and airy-fairy, but if you believe in a higher power, or WANT TO SAY? What is your STORY? What do you want to
All of these sound easy in writing. The reality is, it’s a life long journey of practicing Warriorship. I’m still a baby at it, and that’s ok: I’m a lifelong Artist so I have all my life to pursue my Warriorship, my excellence, and my Artistic passions: that’s why I say I’m “LIVING MY DREAM” because my dream is in the process of doing and learning it all.
-Gilli Moon
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Saturday, August 11 11:30am Chicago Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop 2:00pm First Songsalive! Online Song Critique Workshop Tuesday, August 14 6:30pm Las Vegas Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop 7:00pm Grass Valley Songsalive! Showcase 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic
FEATURED UPCOMING SONGSALIVE! EVENT
Sunday, August 19 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, August 21 7:30pm Orange County Songsalive! Showcase 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, August 26 7:00pm Orange County Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, August 28 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Saturday, September 1 7:30pm David Harvey and Songsalive! Presents Songwriter Showcase Monday, September 3 7:00pm Nashville Songsalive! Showcase Tuesday, September 4 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Wednesday, September 5 6:30pm Long Island Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Friday, September 7 7:00pm Songsalive! San Francisco First Friday’s Song Circle Showcase
SONGSALIVE! NEW YORK SHOWCASE & OPEN MIC WHEN: EVERY TUESDAY!!! TIME: Starts 8:30PM WHERE: AMERICAN TRASH 1471 First Avenue (Btw. 76th and 77th Streets) New York, NY 10075 http://www.nycamericantrash.com/
COST: $5 Suggested Donation. Open to the public. Come support original music in an intimate setting! See our Events page at www.songsalive.org for more details
www.songsalive.org/events.htm for Calendar and Upcoming Events www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm for details on our Chapters.
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Opportunities Forum SONGSALIVE! OPPORTUNITIES
Participate and find opportunities in our Forums as a Songsalive! Pro Member. SONGSHOP - Get song leads where music business professionals (record labels, publishers, film producers and music supervisors) hunt songs from the Songsalive! song pool. GIGS, JOBS & MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES - Listings of cool gigs, jobs and music opportunities posted by Songsalive! staff as well as members themselves. SONGCOLLAB -an opportunity for Pro Members to work/collaborate with other Songsalive! members from around the world on new song ideas and music projects. SONGCHAT - Members, have your say. Speak out, shout out. Tell it like it is! Find collaborators, other members, talk about songwriting, the biz, and speak your mind! SONG CRITIQUE - Critique other members songs and add yours for critique. (See below for a professional critique)
Opportunities Forum - Gigs, Jobs, and Music forum All Styles of Music Wanted + 80s for TV Placement by LA Music Catalog Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Blues, and Gospel Songs Wanted for Nashville Album UK publisher looking for Rock, Blues, Hip Hop, and Folk Music Electronic and Pop Material Wanted for Publishing Company Pop/Dance Songs Needed for Up and Coming US Artists And last week... Music Needed for Agricultural Documentary Songs Needed for a Feature Documentary Music Needed for Rock Climbing Documentary Composers to Score Electro-Orchestral Music
AND MANY MORE!!!
LATEST POSTS: Songsalive! Songshop - get song leads and pitch your songs forum Composer Needed Immediatel​y For Network TV Series - deadline September 1st Period BG Music Needed For Girls Baseball Documentary - Deadline December 1st Rock Songs Needed Immediately For Placement - Deadline October 25th Music Publisher Seeks Songs for Film and TV Licensing Roster- Deadline August 20th Trailer Library Seeks Unique Epic Action Music ASAP - Deadline August 14th
PRO MEMBERS ACCESS - GO TO: http://www.songsalive.org and click on BACKSTAGE / then FORUMS / then Songshop or Opportunities. Direct link: http://www.songsalive.org/forums/ (Pro Member log in required)
Visit our Songsalive! Forums for more information on these opportunities: www.songsalive.org/forums/
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CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
June David Harvey & Songsalive! Presents Showcase – The June David Harvey and Songsalive! Presents Showcase in Los Angeles had a great audience and four great artists performed: Lisa Turner - whose emotional rocking songs and ballads rocked the room, Jeff Zacharski, one of the best young songwriters around and co-winner of the best country song for the Durango Songwriter's CoWrite with a hit songwriter contest for the Santa Ynez CA songwriters expo, Lisa O'Kane - one of the most powerful songwriters and voices in Americana and Country, and Paul Zollo one of the top music journalists and author of the seminal "Songwriters on Songwriting" and "Conversations with Tom Petty'. The audience loved it! And joined in clapping and singing along of many of the songs. A great night of Song! Songsalive! Long Island June Workshop – The June 6th Songsalive! Long Island Songwriters Workshop was one of the BEST and definitely the most attended workshop as well. There were 12 people who showed up and about 4-5 people who came out from the article that was written up in the Newsday newspaper. We had 9 people present a song and everyone seemed to really like the atmosphere and over all feel of the workshop. We even had a 7 year old play a little song he wrote. I mean it's great to see how music just brings people together because the youngest person at the workshop was 7 and the oldest was 82. It's great to see the spark in everyone's eyes knowing that everyone has similar interests and that their voices can be heard through their own original music! Looking forward to the upcoming months!
Songsalive! Chicago June Workshop – On June 9th, Songsalive! Chicago had an amazing workshop at the Beat Kitchen. There were 8 people in attendance, and two people shared their songs for the song critique portion of the workshop. In the second half, Andy Mitran, our guest speaker, talked about the ins and outs of music licensing and how to generate several flows of income with your music. He also spoke about his experiences as a composer for Oprah Winfrey, The Price is Right, and other shows. Everyone was raving about what a fantastic workshop it was! Songsalive! San Francisco June Showcase – Songalive! is running a San Francisco showcase series every first Thursday of the month, currently held at Velo Rouge Cafe in San Francisco, CA hosted by local artist Katie Garibaldi, which features Songsalive! members performing outstanding original acoustic music. The most recent showcase took place on June 7th where local San Francisco singer/songwriter Kevin Barnard was the featured performer, and the guest host was Steven Andrew Kacsmar, a local SF artist as well. Steven Kacsmar opened up the showcase with a short set of his songs solo acoustic. Kevin Barnard closed out the night with a wonderful set of music, featuring a guest singer and poet on two of his songs. It was a full house at Velo Rouge and the showcase ended with a fun jam with Steven and Kevin. Songsalive! Nashville June Showcase – Happy to report that our showcase on June 4th, the rebirth of songsalive in Nashville, went extremely well. People took a lot of interest, performers were amazing, and we are starting off on the right foot again with top notch music and positive buzz. Lorna Flowers was fantastic in supporting our showcase.
Songsalive! Los Angeles June Workshop – The June Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop launched it’s new location with long time songwriter Alan Roy Scott who shared his observations on how the music publishing landscape has change over the past 25 years and not to ignore international co-writing opportunities. We had a solid turnout for his workshop which focused on how more than ever, the songwriter has to wear not just the creative writer hat but a business hat as well. We were able to video Alan’s presentation for future Songsalive! online education.
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
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CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Orange County June Showcase – Two familiar faces came back to give us some heavy blues and punchy guitar here in Orange County, as Gil Hager and Mike V took to the stage at Sam Ash Music Store. Mike V joked that the theme of the night was "big guys wearing hats and guitars". First up though was Gil Hager, back from Hawaii and here to give us his bear growl and flashy Taylor guitar. Unafraid to try out some new songs and then to bring out some familiar favorites for his fans in the crowd. Then Mike V came along (with his handy bass player and back-up vocalist) for a very professional set of bluesy bluster and sweet folk songs. Simply put, the crowd left happy and energized. How come the blues make you feel good? Songsalive! Las Vegas June Workshop – Hot stuff here in Las Vegas! We had an intimate meeting, but quality nonetheless. We shared all the new member benefits and talked about utilizing these awesome new tools. We had a guest drop in, Joi, who sang back-up vocals with Aretha Franklin's song "Ain't No Way". She had some cool stories to share, and we look forward to her visiting us again. Next month, I will be hosting a vocal workshop with tips and tricks to make your demo sound better. Songsalive! Nashville July Showcase – Amazing grace-notes in Nashville! We had traditional country, Americana, folk, pop cross over, indie and gospel! Such is the way it is here at Rooster BBQ in the heart of Music City. Great food, great service and a beyond great show. Songsalive! Grass Valley July Showcase - A great time was had at the July Songsalive Showcase in Grass Valley. The show featured Mike James with his strong social commentary music and cool voice. He brought friends and put on a good show. I played a little percussion on a few of the songs which added to the fun!
Songsalive! Orange County June Workshop – Our guest speaker from May, Matt Moran, was postponed until June -- and we were happy to have him this month at the Songsalive! Orange County Workshop. He's always an engaging performer and a great cheerleader for people getting their music out in front of the public as often as possible. Much of the crowd from last month returned, along with some new faces, which made for a lively group listening to Matt's presentation. First up though came the song reviews. Kip Corley started off with a somber but soulful number about hidden fears and silent strength. Jeff Vanags followed up with a jazzy torch song about (simply put) desire. Michael Vanags was up next with a soulful, simple love-song that was easy to sing along with. And Steve Finch ended the song critique section with a rhythmic song that more than one person commented sounded like Tom Waits. After the songs it was time for Matt Moran to take the floor. His main topic of discussion this time around was a new organization of performers that he and Byrnes (of The Fallen Stars) have put together. The idea is for performers to take care of many of the organizational and promotional activities necessary for a good gig for each other, and thus get around having to depend on pay-for-play schemes that benefit the venue more than the bands. I ended the evening by pointing out how Songsalive could very well perform much the same function for its members, with folks in the organization acting as a 'street team' for each others' performances.
July David Harvey & Songsalive! Presents Showcase – The July David Harvey and Songsalive! Presents Showcase in Los Angeles had a full audience and four great songwriters performed: Linda Geleris, Ernest Troost, Deanna Pino, and Zachary Provost. We added a new spoken word segment at the end of the intermission featuring Dylan Brody, who is an author, storyteller, and humorist who is a blooger for the Huffington Post, and who tours the country doing his unique performances. The audience was equally mesmerized, clapping and singing along, and enthralled. The showcase only keeps getting better and better!
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
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CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Long Island July Workshop – This month's Songsalive! Long Island Songwriters Workshop on July 11th went well again. Five people presented their songs and the workshop went over well for everyone. Two girls, who are lyricists, presented a song they wrote together, and it was their first time creating music to their lyrics. It was really cool to hear! There is a lot of interest in this group and everyone supports and encourages one another! The Long Island chapter is doing very well and is continuing to grow from month to month, especially since the Newsday article that was written up last month. There seems to really be a strong sense of community within the Long Island songwriting community, and it's a great thing to see! Songsalive! Las Vegas July Workshop – It is excessively hot here in Las Vegas. Our attendance was low, but we had a quality meeting. I gave a presentation on basic vocal techniques and outlined some tips on working with vocals in the studio. We went over the handouts and practiced some of the ideas. The three other attendees shared ideas they have used in the studio to produce powerful vocals. Mac light presented a new song he wrote and we shared constructive ideas. We are looking forward to next month, August 14th at Guitar Center 6:30pm. Songsalive! New York July Open Mic & Showcase – The New York open mic is going well. Summer is in full swing, and a lot of artists are coming through that don't usually come during the Fall/Winter/Spring due to school/travelers/work, etc. A lot of really great talent is out there. We had an artist from Australia - Eleanor Ng, who was great and brought a really good crowd. The New York chapter has a consistent following for open mic every Tuesday at American Trash, deemed as one of the best in the city! Workshops are also held to form a communal environment for songwriters, where ideas can be heard, admired, and improved!
Songsalive! Chicago July Workshop – Songsalive! Chicago had another wonderful workshop at the Beat Kitchen on July 14th. There were 9 people total in attendance, and six people shared their songs for the song critique. In the second half, we worked on a songwriting exercise. Everyone was given a list of 50 songwriting prompts. We chose one about three wishes. Everyone wrote down three wishes. We each came up with a verse with our three wishes, and two people came up with a bridge and chorus. By the end of the workshop, we had written lyrics to an entire song. Songsalive! Los Angeles July Workshop – The July Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop has found it's new groove at the new location, Cahuenga General Store/Cafe in north Hollywood. This month we had just under 20 songwriters gather to receive a professional song critique and listen to Songwriter and Writer Guru Paul Zollo. He has interviewed so many great artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman and copious others and he has some very successful published books about these stories. So his topic was about Songwriters on Songwriting, and he gave the songwriters useful tips based on his interviews with these Greats. We also FILMED Paul's talk (as we have done for several speakers already this year), and the videos will be available in Backstage as part of our new program, Songcraft, for all Pro Members to access VERY SOON! See, it doesn't matter where you live, you can maximize your membership with us. Songsalive! Orange County July Showcase – More familiar faces back on our stage at Sam Ash Music in Westminster, California, and it's been a while for both of them so it was keen to have them back! Laura Suarez opened up with her driving acoustic blues and her knock-the-barn-door-down voice, which always amazes people and didn't disappoint this time. Jimi Yamagishi followed up, always a skilled performer and an engaging presence on the stage. This time around he premiered some new material, including songs that were touching and songs that were, well, downright silly! Songsalive! Chicago July Showcase – The Chicago chapter of Songsalive! continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We hosted a phenomenal showcase at the Heartland Cafe on July 26th. Captain Ambivalent started the show with his funny and clever lyrics and awesome accordion playing. He has a very unique style of music, which he calls "oom-punk," and everyone seemed to enjoy it immensely. Val Leventhal also performed. She wowed people with her beautiful voice and wonderful bluesy folk rock songs about life and the human experience. She brought a friend along, who played incredible blues harmonica. It was an excellent showcase!
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
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Songsalive! Online Song Critique Workshop First Songsalive! Online Song Critique Workshop Sat Aug 11 - now free for Pro Members - Join us! Are you a songwriter willing to take your songs to the next level? Workshop your songs to be the best they can be, and get them out to the world. Open to all songwriters, composers, musicians, singers and music lovers, this is your chance to develop your songwriting in a supportive and intimate environment, meet invaluable music industry experts, network with fellow members. Songsalive! runs songwriting/song critique workshops in various chapters around the world. But it can be hard for a songwriter to attend if you don't live near the chapter (believe me, I grew up on a mountain surrounded by forest in the middle of nowhere!) So we decided to develop an Online Songwriting Workshop where songwriters can attend from anywhere in the world to receive feedback on their songs. Details on how to prepare will be sent separately once registered. Gilli Moon, President WHEN: Saturday August 11, 2012 START TIME: 2:00pm PST / 4:00pm CST / 5:00pm EST – runs for 2 hours. For global participants, check your time here: www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ WHERE: ONLINE. You will need access to the Internet with your computer, speakers and mic. COST: $FREE ! for Pro Members (grab the discount coupon in Backstage on our website); $5 for non-members. REGISTER FOR THE SONGSALIVE! ONLINE SONG CRITIQUE WORKSHOP HERE : http://www.anymeeting.com/songsalive - have your discount coupon ready before clicking the Paypal link to complete registration. RSVP in advance mandatory to participate. All our events are at http://www.songsalive.org/events.htm
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SONGCRAFT First Songsalive! Songcraft Video Session:
Songsalive! Songcraft LEARN FROM THE MASTERS Songsalive! is proud to present a brand new program for songwriters and composers: Songsalive! Songcraft Learn the songwriting craft and biz through Videos and One-on-One sessions with our select master teachers. 1. Songsalive! Songcraft Video Sessions: Pro Members, you can now watch videos of our Workshop Guest Speakers' talks online FREE. Topics include songwriting structure, lyric writing, songwriting opportunities overseas, publishing, producing, getting songs placed in Film and TV, and so much more. Miss a workshop, or don't live near one of our chapters? Now you can listen to some of our Guest speakers wherever you live in the world, at the time that's convenient to you.
2. Book a one-on-one consultation with our Master Teachers and Mentors: Learn their expertise with a face to face, phone or Skype session, by purchasing a reduced rate than their normal standard rate. Read about our participating Mentors/Master Teachers and more about Songsalive! Songcraft at songsalive.org go Programs (direct link www.songsalive.org/songcraft.htm)
Our Songcraft Videos and discounted consultations are only available for our Pro Members. Join today on our website to access the Sessions Backstage.
Songsalive! Presents Clay Drayton - How to write Picturesque Verses Platinum Album Motown Hit Songwriter, Clay Drayton has been involved in the music industry for the past forty years. In the late seventies he toured in and out of the U.S. as Music Director for Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne Warwick). He performed in major venues that included Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theatre and the Stardust Lounge in Las Vegas. He was a songwriter on staff at Motown Records/Jobete Publishing for seven years. While at Motown he wrote, arranged, produced and played on songs for Diana Ross, The Supremes, the Jackson 5, Jermaine Jackson, David Ruffin, Ta Ta Vega, G.C. Cameron, High Energy and others; he also wrote the opening jingle for radio station KDAY. He has earned gold & platinum records to his credits on Diana Ross, The Jackson 5, High Inergy, and Lenny Williams (lead singer for Tower of Power). Clay’s song “The Life of the Party” is included on the CD entitled “Michael Jackson’s 50 Greatest Songs.” After leaving Motown, Mr. Drayton signed with 20th Century Fox Music. Clay has been president of his own music publishing companies; Claytam and Troytiaco. He is a member of ASCAP, the National Association of Recording Industry Professionals (NARIP) and a voting member for the Grammy Association. Clay is currently teaching a Professional songwriting class in Los Angeles, CA, he speaks at music schools and conducts Professional Songwriting seminars nationwide. Pro Members, Log in to Backstage and Watch Now Or book a one-on-one consultation with Clay Drayton, or our other Songsalive! Mentors including John Braheny, Paul Zollo, Alan Roy Scott, Gilli Moon and Linda Bonadies. More added monthly.
Upcoming Songsalive! Songcraft Videos added this month: Alan Roy Scott - How Music Publishing Has Changed, and Global Songwriting Opportunities Paul Zollo - Inside 'Songwriters On Songwriting' - a journey into the heart of songwriting wisdom from Sammy Cahn to Bob Dylan and beyond. Not a Pro member? Join at www.songsalive.org go Join. More about Songsalive! Songcraft at www.songsalive.org/songcraft.htm
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WHAT’S NEW ON OUR WEBSITE 6 Months on From Our Website Overhaul So, 6 months on since we upgraded our website, where are we now? Songsalive!® is the leading international non-profit organization (public benefit charity) - run by volunteer songwriters, dedicated to nurturing, support, education and promotion of songwriters and composers worldwide. Through our grassroots international efforts, we’ve put a stamp on what “global community” truly is and it’s the type of community that is definitely needed in this ever changing music business where songwriting can be a very isolating experience and career. Back in 1997 when we started, there were very few artists on the Internet, let alone music organizations. There were very few websites, period. Songsalive! was one of the first truly global communities, bringing songwriters and composers together from all around the world. We were one of the first to provide educational services and support for songwriters and composers on a global level, and we've stuck with you through unbelievable changes in the music business and economic times at large. WE ARE STILL HERE. Our website, since '97, was an informational portal to access resources about songwriting and the music industry. In 2007 we became an 'adolescent' so to speak, and were able to offer a membership portal where members could log in and access the Backstage (exclusive member educational content). What was always missing was a true, robust online community for our members, to engage, network, collaborate and learn online, no matter where you live in the world. With the advent of social networks, such as MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, and the population's desire to engage online in an easy, social manner, our mission has been to bring our website and online experience to the level of such, and at the same time still offer exclusive backstage educational content and personal support. In September 2011 through the sweat and dedication of our volunteer team, we upgraded our site, we created this 'brave new world'. It's like Facebook, but even better. It's just for SONGWRITERS! This is unique. Not only can you now engage with each other on our website (add friends, update status, music, and pics), but you can learn through our website: attend an online song critique workshop, chat with other songwriters from different nations, and download songwriting learning content from our backstage portal. We have done it. The first of its kind. And we are proud to create this new online learning and support experience for songwriters. Now, in 2011, we've come of age, and we've found a way to provide it all to you through our new online community website. Our mission: to become the largest social network for songwriters and composers worldwide, and continue to be the largest songwriters' membership organization worldwide*, delivering online social interaction, backstage exclusive content, and personal attention & support, in an easy, fun, way to engage, network and share. Welcome to Songsalive! 2.0. Watch our video on how you can maximize your career through Songsalive! and our website: www.songsalive.org/memberbenefits.htm
Advanced Member Search We have expanded the search features for members to include GEO Location based searching via our new Advanced Member Search. Simply go to the Members page (under Community) and you can search for other members that have been GEO Tagged. Thus it is now possible to search for members based on distance. This feature will only display members that have been geo tagged. Current members will need to update their location to show up for GEO based searching. Go to your Profile to update this. Search members http://www.songsalive.org/members.htm
Not a Pro Member yet? Join here: http://www.songsalive.org/join.htm Member benefits here: http://www.songsalive.org/memberbenefits.htm
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SONGSALIVE! SAMPLER CD 12 OUT NOW!!!
Songsalive! Sampler CD 12
Songsalive!, the largest internationally based non-profit organization supporting, promoting and educating songwriters and composers, has created CD Samplers since 1997 as a platform to showcase songwriters and their songs to the world. Every year, our CD Samplers have attracted songwriters from the four corners of the globe. This year, Songsalive! Cd Sampler 12 showcases songwriters from across the USA, Australia, and Germany - 14 International Songwriters with a total of 19 original songs. Songsalive! supports all genres and styles of music and composition, and feature the very best from around the Globe. Produced by Australian, Hollywood based singer/songwriter and Songsalive! President, Gilli Moon, and Los Angeles respected artist advocate and community builder, David Harvey, the Songsalive! CD Sampler 12 will be exhibited and hand-delivered carefully to music business professionals - at music conferences, festivals, and through radio stations, print media, and our hand-picked music industry list. ***It's all about the songwriter and the song*** Songsalive! has been making compilation CD's of songwriters' compositions since 1997 with three main aims: - exposure of great songwriting talent and songs to the world's music markets - a way for songwriters and the music industry to connect directly with no middleman - a unique promotion of independent songwriters seeking placement of their songs, rather than 'artists' seeking fame. Songsalive! CD Sampler 12, is available now, as a promotional only compilation. Music industry and media are welcome to be considered for a free sampler with desired opportunities for the songwriters involved. CONTACTS, DETAILS & LISTEN: Visit http://www.songsalive.org/cdsamplers.htm for more details on the Sampler and the songwriters involved. You can also hear the songs online. Contact gilli@songsalive.org if you are a media or industry representative to get your review copy.
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PRO MEMBER SPOTLIGHT We are all excited about Kevin Mongelli being chosen for the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight!!!
Congratulations Kevin Mongelli on your new CD and on being featured on our Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight!
Fort Lonesome You too could be featured by Songsalive! ... to 16,000+ subscribers on our mailing list, social networks and members. Join as a PRO MEMBER at www.songsalive.org/join.htm and find out more under Backstage.
KEVIN MONGELLI Interview excerpt" I have been so pleased at the progression of opportunities available for independent musicians. That sector is clearly growing which has allowed my music to be heard around the globe."
Read the CD Review by Songsalive! and Interview with Songsalive! in the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight blog or at www.songsalive.org/blog.htm Also featured on our HOME PAGE www.songsalive.org and Members Page: www.songsalive.org/members.htm Check out Kevin’s Songsalive! Profile page and listen to his music at http://www.songsalive.org/profile/Kevin-Mongelli/
Album Review "Kevin Mongelli's album, Fort Lonesome, captured my attention the first moment,... the first note. I love the piano, being a pianist myself. The first song that was provided to us, "Darker Days", really captures the essence of the title: it's moody, evocative, emotional and deep. I almost cried as the keys crescendoed about half way through, taking me down into my darkest and inner most secret cave of longings and dreams. Wow, what a pianist, and what a composer..." Read more of his review and other MEMBER REVIEWS at www.songsalive.org/blog.htm
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Join The Songsalive! Team
GET INVOLVED "Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds." - President William Jefferson Clinton
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Sponsor us or become a partner Contact us at www.songsalive.org/contact.htm
Volunteer Positions Open: 1. Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator 2. Helpers at all our Chapters 3. College Interns Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator As the Songsalive! Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator you will manage the monthly Workshop event (1) and showcase event (1) . You will be the visible ambassador for Songsalive! You will heighten our presence in the community and will be charged with maintaining and growing a vibrant membership. You will also manage a team of volunteers that carry out specific roles. Helpers at all our Chapters We are always looking for volunteers to help our Chapter Coordinators at all our Chapters. Current Chapters looking for volunteers include Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco CA, Grass Valley CA, Chicago IL, Las Vegas NV, New York NY, Long Island NY, and Nashville TN. To get involved email mary @ songsalive.org and also visit the Chapter Groups and make direct contact with the Coordinators. We can't wait to hear from you! College Interns As a non profit 501 c)3) charity organization, we are always open to College Interns and you can officially build credit. We are 10 years old community of songwriters and composers. This is the perfect opportunity for current students or recent graduate, looking to build his/her resume, or a musician who wants to give back to the community. As part of this team, as a member of this organization, you would be helping us with various Internet and street promotions, including our online communities, as well as interacting with the community at our events and doing street promotions. We want innovative, smart, and internet savvy people, who want to get involved in a fast growing community. If you are that person, contact mary@songsalive.org
Apply at www.songsalive.org/volunteer.htm
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FEATURED PARTNER Songsalive! Partner of the Month: The ADS Group Songsalive! preferred CD Manufacturer. 10% off. The ADS Group is excited to introduce ourselves as a proud sponsor of Songsalive! What a great organization that supports, promotes, and educates songwriters and composers worldwide! Since many of our customers make up this group we are very excited about helping in any way we can so excited, in fact we will give 10% off to any Songsalive! members. We work with a lot of entertainment companies and record labels, B2C, B2B, publishers and more. The ADS Group team is comprised of about 150 employees and we function like a family. Every job, no matter how big or small, gets personalized attention. If we were to work together I will be personally involved in each one of your projects. That is a promise I keep to all my customers. Our goal is to become an integral partner to you and your business. I believe we will accomplish that by offering the total breadth of our competitive ISO certified and fully licensed services to you. Our services include: • DVD and CD/CD-ROM replication About the Songsalive! Partner Directory: • Package sourcing (sleeves, mailers, jewel cases, retail standards, etc) Discounts to our friends’ products, promotions, resources, services and events to help • Art design services you with your songwriting career. • Blu-Ray and Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Packs Music resources, books and directories / Online websites and services for marketing, • Digital download service with custom branded download cards promotion and social networking / Artist development, production and training / Music • Web streaming platforms Licensing (Film, TV, Ads, Games and A&R contacts / Music creation, sales and distribution / Songwriting learning and writing tools / Legal Services / Sponsored • Distribution and fulfillment Events • Videotape duplication in NTSC, PAL and SECAM formats • Macro vision anti-copy protection Behind the Songsalive! Backstage, you can access 100 exclusive discounts, only for • Open and closed captioning services our Songsalive! Pro members. http://www.songsalive.org/backstage.htm for all Pro • Video digitizing and editing Member exclusives, or access the Partner Directory here: • Flash memory and diskette duplication http://www.songsalive.org/link-directory.htm • Full service HD video production • Interactive E-Book production Go Pro today! Join Songsalive! on our website at • DVD authoring and pre-mastering using the versatile Sonic Solutions systems http://www.songsalive.org/join.htm. For Songsalive! discount, click on Partner Directory in Backstage, or direct link: www.songsalive.org/link-directory.htm
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SPONSORED EVENT Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter Film & TV and Music Conference October 24-25, 2012 W Hotel Hollywood
The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard join forces to deliver a cutting-edge, two-day seminar on the role of music in film and television. Now in its 11th year, this Conference offers attendees the unique opportunity to learn from, network and expose their music directly to the best music supervisors, composers, directors, music editors, songwriters and producers in the business. The event also provides a dynamic forum for the exchange of ideas - featuring roundtable discussions, and other networking cocktail parties and sessions. Songsalive readers get 15% off the current registration rate. Use promo code SONGSALIVE12 when registering at www.filmandtvmusicconference.com.
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SPONSORED EVENTS THE SONG COMP 2012 OVER $55,000.00 IN CASH AND PRIZES! The overall prize winner in The Song Comp will receive $20,000 in cash and prizes. Prizes include $3000 cash from APRA, musical instruments, a publishing deal, studio time, music tuition, digital recording equipment, website design/hosting and much more! See who the judges are on the site. We have quite a few industry heavyweights listening to the songs. Each section winner receives cash, plus period membership of Songsalive! Australia* and Song Central, recording time, and/or recording hardware/other prizes.
Entry fees per song: Normally $35, but by using Registration Code TSC2012 it's only $30. Songsalive! Pro members - get a further discount and submit a song for only $20! To get this registration code for this amazing discount, go BACKSTAGE to the Partner Directory and get the special Pro Member only Registration Code. ) Submit your song at www.thesongcomp.com Download the Brochure for extra info here Entries close August 15
INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION (ISC) Deadline:September 20th. Now is your chance to enter what the NY Times calls “the songwriting competition to take note of,” and for a chance to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a Grand Prize of $25,000 cash and over $25,000 in prizes. Renowned for having the most prestigious judges of any music competition in the world, ISC’s judging panel is comprised of high-profile recording artists and influential music industry professionals. Included are Tom Waits, Jeff Beck, Nas, Martina McBride, Robert Smith (The Cure), Derek Trucks, Janelle Monae, Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic Records), and many more. For entry information and a complete list of judges, www.songwritingcompetition.com
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BACK PAGE The Songsalive! Community
Make sure you're on our Discussion Groups/Lists eNotes - free weekly discussion list where the art and business of songwriting meet online. Regular posts from our partners - music business professionals offering opportunities, plus up to the minute posts from our program SONGSHOP (looking for songs). Songchat - free weekly discussion list to self promote! Dedicated to self-promotion, gig and music news, plus interaction with songwriters and composers around the world.
Our Social Networks Facebook Group LinkedIn Songsalive! Video Blog on YouTube MySpace Twitter
Access ALL at www.songsalive.org/groups.htm
Confirm your email address: Please confirmed your email address on the site to continue with your membership. It's important that you either: a) click on the link within the email you may have received, or b) go to the website and LOG IN with your username and password (which may then ask you to confirm your email address).
Update your profile There are hundreds and hundreds of other songwriters, artists and music business professionals waiting to meet you! Update your profile on the website with some info about you, some pics, and even use our integrated music player, where you can show off up to 10 of your own songs! Pro members can also create their own blogs, groups and add videos. Woo hoo! Songsalive! exists because of the songwriters and composers community at large. We feed it, and we feed off it. We are all about community. Get involved today! JOIN A CHAPTER GROUP - READ AND CREATE BLOGS - COMMENT ON BLOGS - ADD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS - FIND OTHER MEMBERS.... Have FUN! ACCESS: All at www.songsalive.org Join as a Pro Member today!
Contact us with questions www.songsalive.org/contact.htm usa@songsalive.org – USA/World general inquiries membership@songsalive.org – for the obvious songsalivepr@gmail.com ONLY for Songnotes questions. Looking for Songsalive! Australia? Go to www.songsaliveaustralia.org.au
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