Economics of putting out a "record"

My friend Mark Samuels runs Basin Street Records out of New Orleans, LA. He published this amazingly candid blog post about the economics of creating and promoting music for his artists:

Basin Street Records blog post: Advanced Label Economics

Mark's blog really helped me understand why I plunk down $16 for CDs or $10 for digital downloads so frequently. Be sure to read the comments, as Mark also answered my question about digital distribution.

Anyway go out and listen to live music this weekend, and be sure to buy the artist's CD, as you are supporting an industry that needs your help to continue to produce innovative art.

Revivalists and Rebirth Brass Band

Had a fun night out with some friends Saturday night to dinner and then Smith's Old Bar for some music.

The opening band was a high energy rock/funk band from New Orleans called the Revivalists. Their sound was REALLY smooth, and they kept the audience bouncing with their high energy tunes.

The Rebirth Brass Band came out pretty late (after 11 pm) but their set did not disappoint. They brought the New Orleans brass funk that keeps the the crowd bumping all night... If you ever want to boost your energy, go out for a night on the town with Rebirth!

Ingrid Michaelson - not just made for TV

My wife, a good friend, and I had the pleasure of seeing Ingrid Michaelson open up for a few other bands here in Atlanta at The Loft a few weeks ago. You may have heard her songs on either an Old Navy commercial or from an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Even though she has had some commercial success, she is no sell out. Ingrid was a breath of fresh air. Her music is catchy yet still slightly quirky. You can listen and purchase Ingrid Michaelson's music here:

www.IngridMichaelson.com

Here is a picture of my wife and me with Ingrid (wearing glasses) right after her performance:


Photo by Laura Ashley

Basin Street Records

When I was living in New Orleans in the mid and late 90's (right after college) I went out to hear a lot of local live music. I became good acquaintances with Mark Samuels who ended up founding and running Basin Street Records. Mark has many qualities that we all should emulate: he is passionate, caring, conscientious, ambitious, and humble. Mark's wife passed away several years ago in a tragic car accident, and Mark has been steadfastly raising his three children while building Basin Street Records into (in my opinion) the pre-eminent New Orleans music label. To add to the challenges already posed to Mark's life, the failure of the levees in New Orleans brought over 5 feet of water into his home and flooded out his office on Canal street as well as his parents' home. Mark moved himself, his children, and his parents to Austin, TX. Here is a picture from Mark's first blog right after Huricaine Katrina in front of his gutted Lakeview home:

(photo courtesy of BasinStreetRecords.com)

Mark is finally back in New Orleans with his family, but I know it was a long and very challenging road to get back. You can read about many of the details in Mark's blog.

Over the years, Mark and his colleagues at Basin Street Records have slowly put together a roster of some of the best local New Orleans artists:

Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers

Los Hombres Calientes

Irvin Mayfield

Jason Marsalis

Dr. Michael White

Henry Butler

Jon Cleary

The Headhunters

Theresa Andersson

I have been fortunate enough to be personally introduced to all of the Basin Street Records artists, and I can tell you that they are all appreciative of working with a label so committed to their success. You can hear an interview I did with Irvin Mayfield back in 2003 when he was headlining the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

Basin Street's focus has been on New Orleans based Jazz, Blues, Funk, R&B and Rock. Basin Street artists have won a slew or awards including Billboard Music Awards, WC Handy Blues Awards, a bunch of CDs in the Top 10 radio charts, and have even received a Grammy nomination!

You can find out more about Basin Street Records at their Web site:

http://www.basinstreetrecords.com/

You can find Mark Samuels' blog at :

http://basinstreetrecords.blogspot.com/

Samantha Lane - honest eloquence through music

I have known Samantha since our days together in college, and I always knew that when she headed to California, she would find fame in movies, music and/or art. Someone with this much talent, brains, and beauty is a rare find. This first solo effort from Samantha really highlights all three facets of Samantha's best attributes:

1. Talent - Samantha skillfully wrote all of the tunes on this album and deftly sings and performs them with feeling and grace.

2. Brains - Samantha found the best musicians to back her up, the best production to put out an increadibly professional sounding and looking recording, and even assembled a beautiful Web site -
http://www.SamanthaLane.com/

3. Beauty - Samantha's music will make you smile. Great beauty makes you appreciate that you are alive, and this album will make you feel happy that you are able to experience great beauty.

Here is the review I wrote when the album was first released:

Samantha Lane's first full-length release, "Find A Way" is filled to the brim with sophisticated but truly honest lyrics and the power of a purely soulful voice. All of the songs are originally written and drawn from the intimacy of everyday life and skillfully performed with grace by Samantha and her talented band. It is easy to root for Samantha as you journey with her through the full spectrum of human emotions and back again. This album will keep you humming, toe tapping, dancing, and certainly thinking even after your speakers turn off.

Samantha won Honorable Mention for the song “Mother Mary” in the 2007 CMT Nashville Songwriter’s Association International Contest! Keep up the great work Samantha!

If you have not heard Samantha's first solo album, you should definitely check it out at:
http://www.SamanthaLane.com/


(photo courtesy of SamanthaLane.com)


photo by Joy Peters
(courtesy of SamanthaLane.com)

Help neglected kids create beautiful music!

A friend just told me about a great new charity based here in Atlanta called Let There Be Music. The mission is to provide children that have been abused, negelected, or abandoned an opportunity to learn to play music. This worthy group believes the gift of music gives all people a powerful means for expression and building self confidence, and I agree whole heartedly with them. I encourage you to support this charity by donating an instrument (I am giving them an old coronet of mine), teaching music lessons, or sponsoring a child. You can find out more about this worthy cause or leave them a message of support here:

http://www.LetThereBeMusic.org/

Ward Williams of Jump, Little Children - first solo album

An old friend friend of mine (from our days at the same junior high school in Winston-Salem, NC) graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts as a cello major. He went on join the popular Charleston, SC band - Jump, Little Children. Jump released seven highly popular albums and consistently sold out medium sized venues around the southeast and beyond from the mid 1990s to 2005. The band mates have gone their separate ways, and most of them have been working on solo projects. Ward Williams (cello and guitar) moved to Brooklyn, NY, and released his first solo album - Ward Williams.


I have to say that when I first heard Ward's first solo album, I thought it was more of the pop-tinged style that made Jump so popular with the teenage and college set, but once you "peel the layers of the onion" you find a much richer musical experience. Ward's album has a variety of different styles from straight up pop to country to folk. Ward has proven with this release that he is versatile, and his real musicianship shines through. I particularly like the use of his signature instrument - the cello on most of the tunes.

I encourage you to check out the album yourself at: http://www.wardwilliams.net/


You can also buy the album or listen to clips here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/wardwilliams


Here is a photo of Ward from his Web site: