CONTENTS 3) Calendar of Events/Featured Event 4) Forums & Community 5) Chapter News 6) Chapter News 7) Songsalive! Songcraft 8) Pro Member Spotlight
9) Get Involved 10) Featured Partner
Hello! Spring is here and summer is on it’s way! This year is sure flying by fast already. Another issue of Songnotes is here for you. We have lots of May & June chapter events coming up which you can read about on page 3. We also have a couple Songsalive! Sponsored Events coming up: the Driven Music Conference this month and the Independent Music Conference (IMC) in October. Find out more information about them on pages 11 & 12. Congratulations to Songsalive! PRO Member Spotlight artist, Juice! You can read more about her and her unique folk/rock on page 8. Our Partner of the Month is Bandit A&R Newsletter. If you want to make money off of your music, find out more about Bandit A&R on page 10. We have a new Songcraft video for our PRO members with songwriter, author and songwriting business guru, Paul Zollo. Find out more on page 7. On the cover this month are Songsalive! Team Members, Jessica Akintunde, Danielle Carter, and Mike V at the Songsalive! booth at the Durango Songwriters Expo.
Have a Great Start to Your Summer! Mary Lemanski Director of Operations
11) Sponsored Event 12) Sponsored Event 13) Back Page
2
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tuesday, May 14 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Thursday, May 16 7:00pm Grass Valley Songsalive! Showcase 7:30pm Orange County Songsalive! Showcase Sunday, May 19 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, May 21 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, May 26 7:00pm Orange County Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, May 28 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Tuesday, June 4 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Tuesday, June 11 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic
Sunday, June 16 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop
FEATURED UPCOMING SONGSALIVE! EVENT SONGSALIVE! ORANGE COUNTY SHOWCASE WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013 TIME: 7:30PM WHERE: SAM ASH MUSIC STORE 14200 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683
COST: FREE PERFORMANCES BY: Liz Nash Michael Plishkin
www.songsalive.org/events.htm for Calendar and Upcoming Events www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm for details on our Chapters.
3
Forums & Community 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.
LATEST POSTS: Songsalive! Songshop - get song leads and pitch your songs forum Portugese, French, & Hindi Vocalists Wanted BG Music Needed ASAP For New Health App Instrumental Rock Music Needed ASAP For TV Shows/Promos
Opportunities Forum - Gigs, Jobs, and Music forum Columbia, MD Company Seeks Video Production Intern BMI Seeks Director Editorial & Executive Communications in L.A. And last week... Gospel Tracks Needed For New TLC TV Series New Website to Match Original Music to Movie Opportunities Artists and Bands' Videos Needed for New Music Television Series Bluegrass Songs Wanted for Songwriters Showcase Language Learning Program Searching For Spanish Male Vocalist AND MANY MORE!!! PRO MEMBERS ACCESS - GO TO: Log on to Songsalive.org and click on BACKSTAGE / then FORUMS / then Songshop or Opportunities. Visit our Songsalive! Forums for more information on these opportunities: www.songsalive.org/forums/
Community 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! Including: Songchat Songwriter Discussions Song Critique Discussion Lyrics-Only Critique Discussion SONG CRITIQUE - Critique other members songs and add yours for critique.
4
CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Chicago March Workshop – Songsalive! Chicago hosted their first workshop of 2013 on March 9th at the Beat Kitchen. There were 13 people in attendance, including the guest speaker. We listened and critiqued 4 songs. Everyone gave positive, constructive criticism about each song. In the second half, our guest speaker was composer, Aaron McEvers. He discussed “Arranging and Use of Horns/Strings in Songwriting.” He played several song examples, ranging from sparse to dense arrangements of strings and/or horns (brass), and talked about the various arranging techniques that were used in each piece of music. He also gave us several tips to keep in mind when writing for strings and horns. Great first workshop of 2013! -Mary Lemanski Songsalive! Attends the Durango Songwriter’s Expo – Songsalive! attended the Durango Songwriter’s Expo at the Marriot Santa Ynez from March 1st - March 2nd. The conference was filled with great music, many songwriters, and amazing panel sessions. A couple of our own team members were able to perform at their Open Mic on Friday Night. The conference provided a lot of information and necessary tools for songwriters to gain. We are glad we went and hope to be there next year! -Jessica Akintunde
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
Songsalive! Los Angeles March Workshop – The March Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop series continued the 2013 season Sunday in North Hollywood at The Cahuenga General Store with guest speaker ASCAP/NARAS songwriter, David “Cat” Cohen, whose topic ”Defining Your Genre, POV and Marketing Your Brand” was borrowed from his book “SONGWRITING FOR YOUR ORIGINAL ACT”. We had 11 songs submitted for review and we squeezed them all in in the allotted time. His topic was geared more to the marketing aspect of songwriting. Knowing the artist, knowing the genre of material, and knowing yourself in order to provide a clearer picture of the song and it’s intentions. Know your demographic, who you’re writing for. Cat also emphasized how the industry has changed over the years to where there is more specialization and a wider range of musical audiences out there but that artists tend to be more self contained, writing their own material. Country is the one arena that tends to remain “open” to songs. He encouraged songwriters to write to someone or about someone in their lyric approach and to start out strong in order to grab the listener and keep them. Engage the listener. Don’t assume an industry professional will listen through to the bridge for the payoff unless the song keeps his attention. Cat also mentioned additional avenues of placement are TV and movies as well. He passed handouts that summarized songwriting tips contained in his book “Songwriting For Your Original Act”. -Rik Lawrence Songsalive! Orange County March Showcase – A pair of performers who recently moved to Los Angeles (and who recently joined Songsalive!) traveled a bit to neighboring Orange County for our monthly Songwriter Showcase in March. Eric Roberts, most recently from Nashville, Tennessee, started things off with a set of songs that were somber, compelling, and very short — so much so that we let him have a few extra! We felt guilty getting him off the stage so soon! After that opening Thadeus Gonzalez — late of the Bay Area hard-rock band Electric Sister — took to the stage and wow’d the crowd with some fancy guitar work and a knock-you-off-your-seat voice. Wow! After the show there was a great crowd of people hanging around and networking, which is always terrific to see. -Rod O’Riley
5
CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Orange County March Workshop - Our planned guest speaker for the March Orange County Songsalive! Workshop, Moses Avalon, was unable to join us, so instead we concentrated on reviewing each other’s songs. It actually turned out to be a good thing, because we had tons of songs to review! This was one of our biggest workshops in recent memory, and lots of people brought cool songs to present. Host Rod O’Riley started things off with a goofy little number about coming to terms with your mortality — or not. Kip Corley was up next with a spooky story-song about love and dark magic on the bayou. Steve Finch presented as straightforward a 50’s-style love-that-girl rocker as you’ve ever heard, with his trademark strong vocals too. Jesse MacLeod gave us a strong balladeer’s love song that had everyone commenting about his voice, too. Doug Hansen presented a collaboration song-sketch on ukulele. Kate Albright (returning after a long hiatus, yay!) showed us a well-orchestrated song about going for your dreams that just about had the whole room giving her a standing ovation! Newcomer Sherif (he found out about us from his frequent appearance at the Sam Ash Music open mics) gave us a bluesy and soulful love song with his typical strong vocals and guitar playing. Gil Mosard returns with two different versions of a philosophical life and love song. And finally there was Tom Sullivan with an honest-to-goodness honky tonk song that ended everything on a high note. -Rod O’Riley Songsalive! New York March Showcases & Open Mics – March was a really good month for the NYC Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic. Talent has been very strong with great turnouts! The assistant to a very high profile producer recently came by, and the place was packed and lots of amazing artists performed. 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! -Dan Schteingart www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
Songsalive! Orange County April Showcase – It was time for a pair of veterans to take the stage this time in Orange County, California, as RD Girard and Kip Corley joined us for an evening of fine guitar playing and soulful singing at the Songsalive! OC April Showcase. Both gentlemen were in fine form, RD’s songs tinged with Blues and Americana while Kip’s were reminiscent of 1970’s singer-songwriters and “The Laurel Canyon Sound”. Interestingly, both performers premiered songs they noted had been put through Songsalive! workshops, or had been co-written with other Songsalive! members, or both. It warms the heart to know that all of our efforts are producing such great effects! The songs were terrific. -Rodney O’Riley Songsalive! Springfield, IL April Workshop – The Springfield, IL Chapter of Songsalive! hosted a songwriters workshop on Saturday, April 27th at The Pharmacy. Three people shared songs and received positive feedback. All the songs shared were of extremely high quality. The topic of the second half was “Getting a Song from Your Mind to Market.” Mary Lemanski talked about goal setting and how Songsalive! can help songwriters reach their goals. She also discussed 52 steps (1 a week for a year) you can take to get your song from your mind to market, as well as 12 steps (1 a month for a year) to take to improve your e-Marketing efforts. Everyone seemed to learn something new and said that they would be back and would invite others. Looking forward to our next workshop in July! Songsalive! Grass Valley April Showcase – The April Grass Valley Songsalive! showcase at my studio, Alta Sierra Music Center, was fun for all. The showcase featured Sandra MacDougall and NewGlowBox. NewGlowBox started with their clever, harmony rich, songs. They are good songwriters and very friendly. I played the 2nd set and explained SA benefits. Then a drop in surprise guest Michael Kessler played some of his song which were used in the Doogey Hauser TV series! Last up was Sandra with her memorable songs. -Michael Gregory
6
Songsalive! Songcraft LEARN FROM THE MASTERS Songsalive! is proud to present a brand new program for songwriters and composers: Songsalive! Songcraft, and today we have our 4th video uploaded for you to watch from anywhere in the world!
Learn the songwriting craft and biz through Videos and Oneon-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. Our Songcraft Videos and discounted consultations are only available for our Pro Members. Join today on our website to access the Sessions Backstage.
This Month’s Songsalive! Songcraft Video Session: Paul Zollo – Inside 'Songwriters On Songwriting' - a journey into the heart of songwriting wisdom from Sammy Cahn to Bob Dylan and beyond.
Lauded songwriter, author and songwriting business guru, Paul Zollo is a wonderfully creative chameleon. In the span of a day he may go from being one of the most respected rock journalists (interviews with Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, etc., author of many books) to hanging his wonderful street photography in a gallery to crafting songs that range from Angelyne to UFO's to Halloween. A longtime journalist who has contributed to the L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Variety, Billboard and many other publications, he's the former editor of SongTalk magazine, and current Senior editor of American Songwriter magazine. He's also the chief editor of Bluerailroad and the author of several books, including Songwriters On Songwriting [Da Capo],Conversations with Tom Petty [Omnibus] and Hollywood Remembered [Taylor Press], which is an award-winning narrative and oral history of Hollywood. But his music, performance and songsmithing, we think, takes the cake and that is why we are honored to hear his words of wisdom.
Read about our participating Mentors/Master Teachers and more about Songsalive! Songcraft www.songsalive.org/songcraft.htm
7
PRO MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations Juice on being featured as our Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight Artist!
We are all excited about Juice being chosen for the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight!!! You too could be featured by Songsalive! ... to 16,000+ subscribers on our mailing list, social networks and members. Join as a PRO MEMBER and find out more under Backstage.
JUICE Interview excerpt “Writing gives me that release. That extra good feeling of being able to put all of my thoughts and feelings into words and onto paper. Being able to write things in a way so that people understand who you truly are is a magnificent gift.“
Read the CD Review by Songsalive! and Interview with Songsalive! in the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight blog Also featured on our HOME PAGE and Members Page: www.songsalive.org/members.htm
I Was In Single Review “Singer/songwriter, Juice's latest single, "I Was In," is not your typical folk/rock tune. The song begins with a catchy acoustic guitar hook and melody that have enough pop influence to stay in your mind long after the song has finished playing. Juice also has a voice that is instantly endearing, and her lyric are thoughtful and well-written. “
8
Join The Songsalive! Team Volunteer Positions Open: 1. Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator 2. San Francisco Chapter Coordinator 3. College Interns
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
Advertise your services Songnotes
Sponsor us or become a partner
in
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. San Francisco Chapter Coordinator As the Songsalive! San Francisco 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.
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.
Apply for these and other Songsalive! positions at www.songsalive.org/getinvolved.htm
9
FEATURED PARTNER Songsalive! Featured Partner: Bandit A&R Newsletter Are you and your music good enough to hit the charts and make real money? Do you just need to find the right Label, Publisher, Producer or Manager to make things happen for you? If this describes you, The Bandit A&R Newsletter will introduce you to new people in the US, UK and beyond to pitch your demo to every month! Bandit constantly researches which are looking to sign new projects, so the newsletter is full of information about people and companies that are READY NOW TO CONSIDER SIGNING YOUR MUSIC OR TALENT! Receive a special 10% discount on subscription for the Bandit A&R Newsletter. Plus get the current copy FREE! For more information on Bandit A&R Newsletter, click on Partner Directory in Backstage.
About the Songsalive! Partner Directory: Discounts to our friends’ products, promotions, resources, services and events to help you with your songwriting career. Music resources, books and directories / Online websites and services for marketing, promotion and social networking / Artist development, production and training / Music Licensing (Film, TV, Ads, Games and A&R contacts / Music creation, sales and distribution / Songwriting learning and writing tools / Legal Services / Sponsored Events Behind the Songsalive! Backstage, you can access 100 exclusive discounts, only for our Songsalive! Pro members. www.songsalive.org/backstage.htm for all Pro Member exclusives, or access the Partner Directory here: www.songsalive.org/link-directory.htm Go Pro today! Join Songsalive! on our website at www.songsalive.org/join.htm.
10
SPONSORED EVENT DRIVEN MUSIC CONFERENCE Fort Lauderdale, FL May 16-19, 2013 May 16 - 19, 2013 the Driven Music Conference arrives in Fort Lauderdale at Hyatt Regency Pier 66 and Revolution Live continuing to successively connect artists and music fans with the most accomplished professionals in the music world. Artists of all genres will be in the position for a chance to advance their careers at panel discussions led by Van's Warped Tour Founder Kevin Lyman, Ron Burman (signed Nickelback), Atlantic Records Radio Promotion Manager Johnny Coscia, Mayday Parade Manager Josh Terry, Warner / Chappell Music A&R Marc Wilson, top managers, top producers, top agents and more.
For more information on these and other Songsalive! Sponsored Events, visit www.songsalive.org/sponsoredevents.htm 11
SPONSORED EVENT Independent Music Conference (IMC) October 19 - 23, 2013 Los Angeles, CA Songsalive! members can save even more with a special discounted early-bird registration rate for the Independent Music Conference. Visit the link to take advantage of this great offer, and pay only $55 per person! The Independent Music Conference is a highly effective learning and networking environment which has been presented nationwide in Philly, Dallas, Charleston, Los Angeles and Northampton to date. Now in its eleventh year, and planning the 14th event, the IMC is still the only music conference in the nation specifically for independent musicians. The IMC focuses on empowering musicians to achieve indie success, helping them achieve their goals as entrepreneurial business owners through the presentation of educational seminars, workshops, panel discussions, mentor sessions networking opportunities, performance instruction, evaluation and critique, and live performances.
For more information on this conference and other Songsalive! Sponsored Events, visit www.songsalive.org/sponsoredevents.htm 12
BACK PAGE The Songsalive! Community
Make sure you're on our Discussion Groups/Lists
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).
eNotes - free weekly discussion list where the art and business of songwriting meet online. eNotes is all about opportunities: songwriting, songwriting & music business and all that pertains to the Update your profile song and the songwriter. We post relevant opportunities as well as There are hundreds and hundreds of other songwriters, artists and music business articles, resources and special events that will help our members professionals waiting to meet you! Update your profile on the website with some info about maximize their songwriting careers. Plus up to the minute posts from 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. our program SONGSHOP (looking for songs). We also encourage Woo hoo! posts from our subscribers of the above, as well as tasteful selfSongsalive! exists because of the songwriters and composers community at large. We feed it, promotions including upcoming music and songwriting events, and and we feed off it. We are all about community. Get involved today! JOIN A CHAPTER songwriting discussions. GROUP - READ AND CREATE BLOGS - COMMENT ON BLOGS - ADD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS - FIND OTHER MEMBERS.... Have FUN!
Our Social Networks Facebook Group LinkedIn Songsalive! Video Blog on YouTube MySpace Twitter
Access ALL at www.songsalive.org/groups.htm
ACCESS: All at www.songsalive.org Join as a Pro Member today!
Contact us with questions www.songsalive.org/contact.htm info@songsalive.org – 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
13