1
CONTENTS Notes from homebase > 3 Calendar of Events/Featured Event 4 Upcoming Guest Speakers 5 Songsalive! Opportunities 6 Songsalive!/Songnet Holiday Party 7 Chapter News 8 More Chapter News 9 Congratulations!!! 10 Songsalive! News/On Our Forums 11 Songsalive! Backstage 12 Member of the Month 13 Featured Partner 14 Get Involved 15 Back page
Welcome to the November 2011 edition of Songnotes! Hope all is well for you as we head into the holiday season! Speaking of holiday season, the Songsalive!/Songnet Holiday Party is on November 29th at The Mint in Los Angeles. Check out page 5 of Songnotes for more information! Please also check out page 3 to see all of our Songsalive! events taking place this month, and page 4 to find out more information about John Braheny, guest speaker for the November Los Angeles Workshop. Applications are still open for our Songsalive! CD Sampler 12. The deadline has been extended to January 4, 2012, so be sure to apply! As always, we are also looking for members to perform at our various Songsalive! Showcases. Our Member of the Month is Tracy Woody, whose new CD is entitled “The Sweet Beat of Love.� Our Partner of the Month is Disc Makers. In this issue, you can also read event reviews from each of the Songsalive! Chapters, as well as find out about features on our website. Congratulations to our Songsalive! members whose photos were chosen to appear on the cover of the new Indiebible! On the cover of Songnotes this month is Songsalive! member Kaitlin McGaw, performing at the San Francisco Showcase in October. If you have any questions or comments about Songsalive!, feel free to email me at songsalivepr@gmail.com. Have a great month! Mary Lemanski Communications Manager
Songnotes is designed, edited and published this month by Mary Lemanski. We tend to spread the workload around each time.
2
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tuesday, November 8 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Saturday, November 12 11:30am Chicago Songsalive! Songwriter Song Critique Tuesday, November 15 7:30pm Orange County Songsalive Showcase 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Thursday, November 17 8:00pm Songsalive! Chicago Showcase Sunday, November 20 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop Monday, November 21 6:00pm Las Vegas Workshop Tuesday, November 22 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic
FEATURED UPCOMING SONGSALIVE! EVENT SONGSALIVE! CHICAGO SONG CRITIQUE WORKSHOP WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2011 TIME: Starts @11:30 am WHERE: Beat Kitchen 2100 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60618 www.beatkitchen.com COST: Free for Pro Members. Non-members pay a cover donation of $5. Our guest speaker is Andy Mitran, a composer and Professor Andy from the world famous, “The Bozo Show.” He will be discussing, “The Business of Music Composition.” He has worked for Oprah for the past 6 years, and has music currently airing on the Dr. Oz show, Nate Berkus, Let's Make a Deal, Keeping up with the Kardashians, Martha Stuart on Lifetime and several shows on the OWN network. More info on Andy Mitran at www.songsalive.org/speakers.htm
Sunday, November 27 7:00pm Orange County Workshop Tuesday, November 29 7:00pm Songsalive!/Songnet Holiday Party @ The Mint Los Angeles 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic www.songsalive.org/events.htm for Calendar and Upcoming Events www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm for details on our Chapters.
See our Events page at www.songsalive.org for more details
3
UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS Los Angeles Songsalive! Song Critique Workshop WHEN: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011 TIME: Starts @12:00 noon – 3:00 PM WHERE: The Finnish Center 10701 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 COST: Free for Pro Members. Non-members pay a cover donation of $10. GUEST SPEAKER: John Braheny TOPIC: “Are Song Structures Flexible or Set in Stone?” What's the value of song structures? Are they really rules? Are they the same in every style? Can you break the rules if you're an artist? Can you stretch them in live performance? Though an understanding of song structures can make or break the commercial potential of a song, if you learned there were only 3 or 4 structures that are acceptable, you may have more creative latitude than you think!
John Braheny John Braheny is a top consultant for songwriters and writer/artists. He was one of 5 nominees for "Best Music/Performer/Artist Development Executive" in the National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP) "Best In The Biz" list for 2011. The author of The Craft and Business of Songwriting, which has sold over 80,000 copies (now in its 3rd edition), he co-founded and ran the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase - a non-profit organization that for 25 years provided a weekly showcase and early exposure for writers including Diane Warren, Warren Zevon, Wendy Waldman, Stevie Nicks and thousands more. He's a consultant and screener for Taxi, the worlds leading indie A&R company and has interviewed more than 600 songwriters and industry pros. A unique perspective! More info at www.johnbraheny.com. 4
Opportunities SONGSALIVE! OPPORTUNITIES
GET ON THE NEXT SONGSALIVE! CD SAMPLER!!!
PERFORM AT A SONGSALIVE! SHOWCASE
Songsalive!, the largest international non-profit organization supporting songwriters and composers, is now accepting submissions for its twelfth compilation CD Sampler aptly called Songsalive! CD Sampler 12. The Songsalive! CD Sampler series is a cost-effective, high-profile medium for songwriters to reach the music industry worldwide.
Songsalive! Showcases are around the world and are the best kept secret in discovering the latest talent. Perform at a Songsalive! Showcase near you or on your tour.
Pro Members get a discount to apply.
APPLY NOW www.songsalive.org/showcaseapp.htm (Pro Members click on Backstage)
The new submission deadline is Jan. 4, 2012 The new notification deadline is Jan. 12, 2012. More information at www.songsalive.org/ cdsamplerapplication.htm Got Questions? Visit our FAQ Page at www.songsalive.org/cdsamplerapplication.htm to get answers and contact us. General Details about the CD Sampler at www.songsalive.org/cdsamplers.htm
www.songsalive.org/programs.htm
More details about Showcases on our Programs page www.songsalive.org/programs.htm or find a Chapter Group near you and see their Showcase details www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm Songsalive! Member, Rich Driver performs at San Francisco Showcase
5
Songsalive!/Songnet Holiday Party Jingle! Jingle!
It’s a packed house every year, with extraordinary talent, and once again we are rockin’ our way into the holiday season.
Want to perform? Go to Showcase App www.songsalive.org/showcaseapp.htm (Pro members only: deadline Nov 10) Thanks to Songnet for rockin’ it with us: www.thesongnet.org
Tuesday November 29, 2011 Original songs, 20 ARTISTS performing, Raffle and PRIZES. Also celebrating a Pro Member CD Launch for J.Walker, with his album "Ambitions of a Writer" (rhymecology.com) And "2011 Song of the Year Award" announced. Santa might make an appearance! @ THE MINT 6010 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 cross street Crescent Heights Doors open at 7pm. Show is from 7.30pm till midnight Easy street parking and affordable valet too. $5 donation requested. RSVP encouraged to let us know you're coming! http://www.songsalive.org/events.htm BOOK YOUR DINNER TABLE by calling 323-954-9400 (Mention Songsalive! Holiday Party/29 Nov). GREAT FOOD! Or just hang at the bar. Come in costume and you could win a prize!!! Win our RAFFLE worth over $2000, filled with songwriting and music resources, and cool stuff. WOW!
6
CHAPTER NEWS OUR CHAPTER NEWS
REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS Songsalive! Los Angeles October Showcase – The Los Angeles Songsalive! showcase at Hallenbecks on Oct. 1st. had a great night of music with some of the best Songsalive! Songwriters in town. This was an evening featuring wonderful original songs from Dean Dobbins and Sabrina and. Craig Each of the artists premiered new and old songs to the delight of all who came. Songsalive! Long Island October Workshop – The Long Island Chapter is doing well, and everyone who has attended the workshops within the past 6 months have gained a lot of valuable information. On October 5th, our guest speaker, Dave Kellan, was very informative and covered a lot about being a full-time musician and what it takes to keep doing it. He shared his knowledge and experience with us and we all had a good conversation. We’re having a few guest speakers in the months ahead as well. So I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds… www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
Songsalive! Chicago October Workshop – On October 8th, Songsalive! Chicago hosted a very informative workshop. Five people shared their songs, and we even had time for 2 people to share a second song. Everyone had great pointers and advice, and our group of members is very supportive of each other. In the second half, Mary Lemanski talked about "Internet Marketing for Songwriters." She discussed the 5 P's of traditional marketing and how they apply to the Internet. Next, she described several Internet terms that everyone should be aware of. She gave 9 steps for setting up and marketing your website, as well as things NOT to do with you website. She talked about what makes a website search engine-friendly and gave everyone a list of 20 websites for songwriters to promote their music. Interesting workshop! Songsalive! San Francisco October 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 October 6th, and featured Rich Driver and Kaitlin McGaw from the Bay Area. Rich played a great set of original acoustic music, which he dubs "California roots pop." Oakland-based singer songwriter Kaitlin McGaw showcased her wide mix of genres on electric piano accompanied by percussion and bass. All performers gave Velo Rouge's packed house a terrific concert full of great music and laughter.
7
MORE CHAPTER NEWS OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! New York Weekly Showcase & Open Mic – NYC's Best Open Mic at American Trash is going strong. Last week on October 18th, we had a talent scout come by from "America's Got Talent". He invited a few people to private auditions that weekend, and one got their tape sent to California. NYC's Best Open Mic welcomes Songsalive! members at American Trash. Members get to perform first, and get an extra long set! Great crowd, good times, and amazing talent!
Songsalive! Orange County October Showcase – At the Songsalive! Orange County Showcase on October 18th, we welcomed back John Stowers, whom we haven't seen perform around the OC since the NAMM show in Anaheim last January. Always a thrilling performer, even with just his own voice and acoustic guitar, he impressed everyone who had seen him before and especially those who hadn't. And speaking of the NAMM show, one of the Hilton Anaheim's crew (where our Songsalive show was hosted) brought along his full band: Gus Graf, and the band Union Hobos. Simply put, they rocked, and Gus' lead vocals are a virtual hurricane. The crowd went wild. Both John and the Hobos sold CD's to eager buyers after their performances.
Songsalive! Las Vegas October Workshop – The Songsalive! Las Vegas Workshop on October 17th was great! We had a nice evening. Dave Skrock announced that his movie script and music for the movie was picked up by a very large producer, and they will start filming the movie next spring. Very exciting for him! We discussed if anyone was going to TAXI and who would report back on activities taking place there. There are about 3 or 4 us planning on attending. Fun workshop!
Songsalive! Los Angeles Music Song Circle & Picnic – The October Songsalive! Music Song Circle and Picnic in Los Angeles was held on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Sherman Oaks / Van Nuys public park. Songsalive! members and members of our Songsalive! Meetup group attended and everyone shared great songs and food. A wonderful time on a wonderful Indian Summer Afternoon!
REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm 8
Big Congratulations to our Songsalive! Members who made it to the cover of the upcoming – INDIEBIBLE - The all in-one resource for recording artists!!! Congrats to: Kaye Reznick Steven Archdeacon gilli moon J.Walker (featuring Andy Catt) Kay Pere Mike V Rodney O’Riley Linq Kathleen Blackwell Katie Garibaldi Merrill Amos Susan Picking Walter Ehresman
All of the above Artists are Songsalive! members. While the new cover won’t be revealed until the new year (sorry for those who can’t wait) we do encourage anyone who wants to get the current Indiebible at a discount at our special url http://www.indiebible.com/sa
9
SONGSALIVE! NEWS What's New On Our Website? New Article by BMI Communications
5 Things Songwriters Can Do To Move Their Careers Forward As a new songwriter, you may be overwhelmed by all there is to do when it comes to moving forward in your career. I’d compare the approach of this article to eating the elephant one tiny bite at a time. In other words, by being patient, organized and methodical in your daily work as a songwriter, you’re guaranteed to make steady progress in your career. If you follow the suggestions below, the results won’t be immediate, but when you look back after six months or a year, I think you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve accomplished. 1. Do One “Business” Thing Every Day. This is the musical equivalent of eating your vegetables. They may not taste great but they’re good for you. It’s the same with the business side of music. We all know how much more fun it is to play the guitar, sing and even write compared to making phone… 2. Join/Start A Songwriting Group. Getting yourself to write on a consistent basis can be a real struggle. Writing is emotionally draining and tough for most of us to do in a vacuum. Ironically, I’ve found that even we creative types like assignments when it comes to our writing. By joining a songwriting group where you’re required to bring in a new song or a rewrite of an old song every week, you’ll have the additional motivation of being held accountable by more than just yourself. It really does work. If you’re not aware of any existing songwriting groups in your area, make it a point to get to local writer’s nights and reach out to other writers about starting a group. By simply showing up every week and doing the work, you’ll find your songwriting muscles getting stronger no matter whether you agree with all the group’s suggestions or not. (You could start a Songsalive! Chapter..)
ON OUR FORUMS PRO Members, log in an read the Latest Member opportunities listed in our Forums: Songsalive! Songshop -"Lots of feeling" song needed for male artist -Katy Perry and Lady Gaga style songs needed -Lady Gaga style song needed
Music Opportunities -Get on the next Songsalive! CD Sampler -Audition for a Record Deal and a Gig at Kona Music Festival -LA: Volunteers needed to teach kids music classes
To access opportunities www.songsalive.org go COMMUNITY > FORUMS
Read entire article www.songsalive.org/wiki.htm (go Backstage/Wiki/Articles) Pro Members only
10
SONGSALIVE! BACKSTAGE
Get Promoted
(PRO MEMBERS ONLY) Pro "Member of the Month" Feature
Apply to Showcase
How would you like to be featured and promoted through Songsalive! ?
Featuring talented songwriters from around the globe, the Songsalive! Showcases are the best industry secret, a great happening all around the world. Songsalive! Showcases are a very cozy, intimate and acoustic environment where media and music industry representatives often drop by to check out the latest talent. Showcase your music and support our Songsalive! national and international live events and showcases presenting songwriters and artists of original music. Showcases are conducted globally. Showcase your music and support our national and international live events and showcases presenting songwriters and artists of original music. Showcases are quality entertainment songwriter performances around the country. All members are eligible to perform at a Songsalive! showcase based on availability, schedule and of course, your talent!
Build your online presence with us,as the Songsalive! Member Of The Month.
Go Get 'em www.songsalive.org/backstage.htm
Here's what you get: -Promoted as Member Of The Month on our home page, Members Page, plus printed in our Songnotes Magazine and spread across our social networks (+16,000 subscribers). Along with,... -A MUSIC/CD REVIEW by one of our chosen professional journalists, and featured as above. -A special INTERVIEW with Songsalive! featured as above. -Get your MUSIC FEATURED on our home page music player.
Or click on Backstage from any page at www.songsalive.org 11
MEMBER OF THE MONTH We are all excited about Tracy
Woody being the
Songsalive! Member of the Month!!! 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.
TRACY WOODY
Interview excerpt: "I have listened to many great influences through the years like Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole, Marvin Gaye, and the list goes on and on there's just so many inspirational singers that keep you motivated in a positive thinking pattern." Read the CD Review by Songsalive! and Interview with Songsalive! in the Songsalive! Member Of The Month 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
Congratulations Tracy Woody on your new CD and on being named, Songsalive! Member of the Month! THE SWEET BEAT OF LOVE Album Review Tracy Woody recently released a four-song EP entitled The Sweet Beat of Love. The songs are a mixture of heavy disco dance beats coupled with 90's high energy. The title cut really connects. There are two versions of the song on the EP. The un-remixed version is strong and compelling and hits the mark on both the lyrical content and the melodic backbeat. It is fast paced and would be a great addition to your Zumba workout. The remix of the title cut is still good, although at a slower rate. Both songs are worthy additions to the EP. Read more of her review and other MEMBER REVIEWS at www.songsalive.org/blog.htm
Tracy's song "Sweet Beat Of Love" remix is also featured on our home page RADIO STATION
12
FEATURED PARTNER SONGSALIVE! PARTNER OF THE MONTH: DISC MAKERS Songsalive! annouces a special Partner: Disc Makers, for your next CD project. Get special attention through Songsalive! under our Songsalive! Studio Partner Program. Disc Makers is our CD Manufacturer of choice for their super quality, great service, and fast shipping. By going through our Partner Referral service, you get a catalog, free articles to download (including a free guide to Making A Great Master) and a commemorative plaque of your CD project, thanks to our referral. Please quote REFERRAL NAME "SONGSALIVE" as your referring Studio. (You can also give them this number though not necessary: CT02771647). TO CREATE YOUR ORDER: Contact By Phone: 1-800-468-9353 / By Email: info@discmakers.com / or website: www.discmakers.com/songsalive More about our Songsalive! Partners at http://www.songsalive.org/link-directory.htm (Pro Member access only). Choose from 100 awesome partner discounts to maximize your songwriting and music career.
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.
13
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
Advertise your services
in
Songnotes
Sponsor us or become a partner Contact us at www.songsalive.org/contact.htm
Volunteer Positions Open: 1. Songsalive! Web Coordinator - iCoordinator 2. Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator 3. Los Angeles Workshop Coordinator 4. Songsalive! Business Development Manager Songsalive! Web Coordinator - iCoordinator To update and maintain our website and social networks content, look and feel, as well as engage our members and new, potential songwriter members, to interact in our organization through blogs, social networks and our website. Los Angeles Chapter Coordinator Manage the membership, programs, events, and team for the greater Los Angeles area. Los Angeles Workshop Coordinator As the Workshop Coordinator of the Los Angeles Songsalive Chapter you will manage the monthly Workshop event (1) that takes place currently in North Hollywood, and handle all duties leading up to the workshop and post the workshop. 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. Songsalive Business Development Manager Manage our Partnerships, sponsorships and music industry relations for the benefit of our members and organization.
Apply at www.songsalive.org/volunteer.htm
14
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/community.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
15