Dave Anderson

It's been about 6 years I reckon since I lived in the beautiful beach side city of Perth, and whilst growing up there I don't think I had enough of an appreciation for music to warrant an opinion when it comes to picking the best music venue's.

I had a brief conversation with Bourby, who moonlights as my viola player, as well as music motivational advisor and she suggested we get together for an initimate acoustic evening.

I'm a big believer that the venue is an essential ingredient in setting the mood of the gig. Some venue's will just ooze a special performance, such as the the Vanguard in Newtown, or the Basement in central Sydney. These venue's are extremely difficult to get into because of their popularity amongst musicians. So much so that I'm even trying a 'live at the chapel' type gig at a local venue. (I'm still in planning!).

So I'm keen to come back and play something really intimate, with some decent seating and great ambience. I'm a big fan of Mojo's in Freo and have looked into the Norfolk Basement. Little Creatures is out of the question as it's not a bookable venue.

What do you guys think? What's the best venue in Perth? What about the best blank canvas that we could hijack for a night with plenty of wine, cheese, and candles! Or should we stick with trusty Mojo's?

Labels: Blog, Music Strategy, Perth, Venues

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 Jo says...
Might I suggest 'Double Lucky' in Leederville. DeVilles in North Bridge. The Floreat(Band Room). Possibly the venue under His Maj not sure of format and food but worth a try. Or The Subiaco Theatre....might be nice.
Thursday, October 09, 2008 1:41:00 AM  

 James says...
I second the "Double Lucky" idea - could work for your night (although not sure about the acoustics of the venue)...otherwise, I'm fairly certain the Llama bar can be booked for such a gig and allows for food. Other options include unde the Maj and the Norfolk basement.
Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:55:00 PM  

 Helen says...
I completely agree with Double Lucky!! I saw some live music there and it was great! Also you could try the Bakery in Northbride.
Thursday, October 09, 2008 2:25:00 PM  

 Bourby says...
Never been to Double Lucky, but will check it out! Did a CD launch for Freya Hanly at Freo Arts Centre in their courtyard under the stars and thought that was pretty awesome last night! But might be nice to go for a cafe setting with food. Harvest in Nth Freo, Barchetta in Cott or even Wild Fig (North Beach). Downstairs at Lux is OK too. The room in Clancy's in Freo is good too - we'd work well there.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 6:07:00 PM  

 Dave Anderson says...
Rang Double Lucky...seems like a cool place, 120 people, 50 sit down. Like the sound of it. Hopefully we can play there.
Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:48:00 PM  

 

Wouldn't it be awesome to reach the summit. To spend days upon days mastering your art, putting your heart on the line, and having people stand and cheer. Maybe I'm just growing a little too jaded or maybe I think in this digital age there is a work around for everything. What am I talking about? Triple J Unearthed of course!

I put my music up on the site quiet late in the piece was keen to see how it would grow. Build it and they would come I thought. Well for anyone who has read the book 'The Tipping Point' you'll know that you need a ground swell for things to tip exponentially. Oh who am I kidding...any high school graduate could tell you that.

Anyway I put my stuff up there and I'd painfully log in to see zero listens. How could people be so harsh I thought. Perhaps they haven't found me? Ok then. What if I streamed all day everyday. Surely I'd reach the summit right? Nope! Not event close. Ok what if I streamed all day every day, on 5 computers running two browsers all day, everyday for a week. What would happen then?

Well aside from my internet eventually being shapped...I reached number 30 in the charts. This suggest to me that the system isn't working off unique id's. It suggest to me that their are bands out there smarter than me working the system. Or there really are heaps of people listening to these unknown bedroom artists all day every day all over Australia.

Goes to show. You might think your a smart ass, but there is always a bigger smart ass out there!

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Learnings, Music Strategy

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I've been struggling recently trying to find good new music. I don't have the patience anymore to stand in JB Hifi scouring through all the crap that manages to gravitate to the front of the racks. Don't get me wrong JB and Fish are two of the best stores around and my regular haunt for purchasing new CD's, I guess my direction when I get there is just lost. I'm one of those people that has to go in with a plan. So I've been wondering what the plan is.

I turned to my Twitter buddies for some advice and lastfm was thrown back at me as the saviour to all my problems. Ok...maybe just this one. I had tried Lastfm a few times but couldn't manage to remember my login, couldn't recover it etc etc. You get that with a name like David Anderson.

Anyway I'm in now, and I have my CD uploaded. Although a heavy metal alter ego of Dave Anderson has his stuff on there as well. We share the same page. Virtually busking in the tunnel. It's up to the audience if I get top bill so please if your around 'love me' or 'add me' or 'play me' or whatever it is you have to do.

But this has got me wondering...how am I going to get paid? I guess it's not as bad as the radio stations who must be wondering, what am I going to do when internet streaming is commonplace in the hand and in the car?

Content has always been king, but the ownership of the content is owned by everyone, and no longer regulated. Royalties mean jack. These kids aren't going to buy music when it can be streamed for free. No wonder record companies are sh--ting bricks.

I guess this is why so much focus is back on the gigs. Better go practice.

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Learnings, Music Strategy

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I'm stumped. I've read the music industry is on it's knee's but the digital revolution will save us. Someone f%&ken tell the consumers then. When was the last time you bought a CD? Oh it's ok to share music because bands have enough money right?

Doesn't matter, you'll get a break. Myspace for instance that's awesome for being found isn't it? I've fallen into the 'quick better check how many hits I've had today'. Sure as hell didn't sell any CD's today, but mint I have 6 listeners.

Did you know you can also fake hits on myspace? Some idiots actually pay quite a lot of money for this. I had a crack with some free program and you know what happened. I had all these people wanting to be my friend.

You can actually tell who has fake hits on their site. Post a comment. Something really clever, and link it back to your normal website which shows your referer's. If their myspace doesn't show up, and they have 100 song listens a day then you can be pretty sure their aren't real people looking at their site. There's not real people on there anyway. Just other bands. Doing the same thing...trying to get their stats up...and around and around and around we go.

So how am I going to be heard when everyone is shouting "look at me, look at me". Give my CD away for free apparently. No one buys music these days anyway right. Apparently I'll make money touring. Really. Doesn't help when the last venue I played at hasn't paid me. We had about 100 people there that night. That's not bad, the venue was nearly full. Tickets were $10 and their were 9 musicians. Yep...I'll be able to retire in no time. I suppose if I played a few times a week and could charge $20 or more then I'd be ok. But where do I play? How do I get gigs when promoters only promote their own? It's a catch 22.

So if everyone gives away their music then the perceived value of what we are doing is devalued. And then their is just more noise. Myspace, youtube, facebook, lastfm, iphones, blogs...noise, noise, noise.

If anyone needs me I'll be lighting a campfire in my backyard, with a bottle of wine and some real friends. Better send a facebook invite.

This blog post was inspired by "Music Think Tank". He writes a hell of a lot better than me so go have a read.



I guess we are damned if we do and damned if we don't right.

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Learnings, Music Banter, Music Strategy

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 James Richmond says...
Many may cringe at the mention of developing a coprorate sponsorship promotional strategy.... however considering employing a promotional strategy whichs builds affilliation and sponsorship with products/services which have a good brand fit.. is surely the way the music industry will move, more and more so in. packaged commercial pop is certainly no stranger...but how about the indies??

Some ideas could be broadly leveraged from the hiphop community... like :


Run-DMC - "My Adidas"

Back in the day, of course, things were different. Run-DMC unintentionally started the trend of corporate sponsorship with "My Adidas," an ode to the rappers' favorite sneakers. Following the success of the song, Russell Simmons invited company executives from Adidas to attend a Run-DMC concert at Madison Square Garden in 1986. Simmons promised his brother, Reverend Run of Run-DMC, that they could get an endorsement deal if they took off their Adidas sneakers and held them up during the performance.

When the Adidas execs saw the crowd's enthusiastic reaction, they began to grasp the power of product placement in music. For the next four years, a sponsorship deal worth $1 million annually guaranteed that Run-DMC would never be seen without their Adidas. While Chuck D and KRS-One believed in the revolutionary political power of hip-hop, Simmons viewed the movement in terms of marketing. "The hip-hop community is the biggest brand-building community in the world," he said.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 8:14:00 PM  

 Dave Anderson says...
Hey mate,

Completely agree with you. Just need to ensure that it's us indies who are getting exposure to the brands rather than the usual suspects.

I know Levi's have developed their own record label locally supporting local live music. Jack Daniel's also...however I'm not a fan of the 'put your music on a website sponsored by us' get your friends to vote and we'll give you $5k like Tooheys Extra Dry.

Here is a another great blog on the topic: http://www.unsprungmedia.com/unsprung_wisdom/2008/8/25/brands-investing-in-unknown-bands-ten-things-brands-should-c.html

I'd be best to aim for a wine brand I think. mmm...wine and music.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 10:14:00 PM  

 

I've been stuck wondering where and when my next gig might come about. I've released my album, had some really good reviews, and aside from this have had no luck in contacting promoters/managers for support opportunities.

I'm itching to play...

I was wondering how I get my music out to my audience when opportunities seem so hard to come by. I was then thinking that a lot of people come to my gigs, have a great time (we'll that's what they say) and then tell me they haven't been to a gig in ages.

I drive past the markets everyday and it's always so nice in the sun. Then I get thinking that my audience in fact are not all gig goer's they are coffee shop drinking, Friday night at the pub drinkers, and saturday morning market stall goers.

Given this I've decided to branch out and contact my local markets as a starting point.

The first three that came to mind where:
- Glebe Markets (I think they already have music)
- Paddington Markets
- Balmain Markets

So I've shot them all an email. Let's see if I get a gig! Any other suggestions are most welcome! Oh yeah might be back at 3Weeds in Rozelle soon as well.

Labels: Blog, Learnings, Music Strategy

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 Dave Anderson says...
Sweet. Paddington markets called and said ok to this Saturday. 10am - 1ish. Should be fun.
Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:08:00 PM  

 Dave Anderson says...
3 from 3. I got a reply form all 3 markets and they are all keen to have me down to play. Hopefully I can sell some CD's and get some interest in my gigs.
Friday, August 15, 2008 8:04:00 AM  

 

Myspace is doing it's best to reinvent itself with a number of new changes. Most probably would have seen the new profile page layouts and the ability to tag photo's.

There are a number of rumours abound that Myspace is also going to be opening a music store to rival iTunes.

In the short term the most recent change is the ability for indie acts to advertise on the site. Based on google ad words essentially your ad will be placed around myspace, directed at those you want to see it, linking back to your profile page. You pay per click not impressions.

Here is some comments from Myspace:
"Your ad will run on MySpace and be targeted to the users that you have chosen. Your ad will continue to run until your campaign has reached the maximum spending limit or the scheduled end date you have set for the campaign.

"You do not pay for your ad to simply appear on MySpace. You are only charged when someone clicks on your ad."

How much does it cost?
"The minimum spend for a campaign is only $25. You only pay when someone clicks on your ad and visits your profile (.25 cents for each click). You tell us how much you're willing to spend upfront, so you'll never spend more than planned."

Wanna read more or sign up.

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Music Strategy

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I almost fell into the trap of over stressing my launch. Where I was so worried about press, online, distribution etc etc that I almost forgot to have fun. You can get yourself pretty wound up worrying about everything or you can just let the music speak. I constantly remind myself of what is important, and it's simple...writing and playing.

Derick Silvers from CD Baby spoke about success and attitude recently. Definately worth a look.

Labels: Blog, Learnings, Music Strategy

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I've spent the past 2-3 months crafting my press release to ensure it covers the right angles and represents me appropriately. So far so good, with two pieces of coverage in the first mail out.

The West Australian ran a piece:
Song writer returns home

And OZ Music Scene wrote a review:
Wish It All Away Review

What I have learnt is that it's really important to break all the information down into different area's. i.e I've just released my album, I'm about to tour, and I need to let people know who I am and what I'm about.

A few key paragraph's on each section can really help the journalist. The key I suppose is to make life as easy as possible for them. Contact details, images etc etc should all be easy to find. I guess it needs to say something to. What's different about you? What set's you apart from the thousands of other songwriter's out there?

I struggled with that part the most! I guess the key things for me were:
- I didn't start gigging till I was 23, and only by my flat mate's egging me on
- I was motivated by my cousin (Stu MacGill) to move to Sydney and record an album
- My album is completely self funded and marketed.
- I write emotional songs, and prefer seated venue's than pubs. I guess this is like branding really...I try and always play venue's that are like that so people get a similiar experience.

Anyway I just got back from FBI Radio, and I was amazed at how many CD's were handed in without press information and without a bio! I mean we are musicians so we are not sure of writing ability (unless it's an instrumental album) so always put information on there. The best thing about that was that mine was surely going to stand out.

Oh and it also pays to have know your audience, and by that I mean the journalists audience. Don't send singer/songwriter stuff to a dance journo! Thankfully I'm yet learn that one from experience, I guess it's just common sense.

Anyway hopefully I'll get some more coverage soon and hopefully you will to!

Here is a great site to help you write a press release
- Bob Baker's Indie Music Blog

If you haven't already subscribed to this site you need to:
- New Music Strategies

Labels: Blog, Learnings, Music Strategy

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I did a fair bit of research when releasing my album Wish It All Away to find out how I can get it on iTunes. Apple apparently doesn't deal direct with artists because of the shear number of applicants so I read that it was best to go through a digital distributor.

If you look around the web you'll find two that stand out - CD Baby and Tune Core. I was leaning towards CD Baby until somebody told me that their album doesn't actually appear in iTunes.

Pretty important factor right.

So I went with Tune Core. I have to say it was so easy. I thought this was going to be really difficult, but it took 24 hours to upload to the site, and it was on iTunes within 4 weeks. Half the time quoted.

The album is also available on other digital sites like Amazon.com and Napster.

So now it's out there. Go on buy it, don't rip it.

Labels: Blog, Learnings, Music Strategy

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 Dave Anderson says...
The only annoying thing so far, is that I can't see how many album's i have sold on itunes. It takes 45 days, which is annoying as I'm doing heaps of promo and I want to see how we are going!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:18:00 PM  

 

I read a great blog post this morning from the mob I'm using for my digital distribution Tunecore, titled - DIY Guide to studio vocals.

Recording the vocals in the studio is one of the most important things you do in the recording process. When I went in to do mine Phil, my producer said "let's just lay down some masking vocals and then we can re-record". As this was one of my first time's in a proper studio I wasn't sure if it was a ploy by Phil so that I relaxed and sang naturally or if we were actually going to redo vocals.

As it turned out we used pretty much all the original vocal take, without re-recording. In fact I think the vocals we did on the last few tracks were probably worse because I was trying overly hard knowing that we had pretty much used original takes.

The main lesson I took out of this was to just relax and be yourself when recording your vocals. The other is to work with an expert, or if your doing it yourself, learn from an expert first. It will save you a lot of time!

Labels: Blog, Music Strategy

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I've been changing my mind every week as to whether or not it's worth releasing a single prior to the album. More so should I release it at no cost and hope it get's around enough to warrant more interest in the forthcoming album.

I have two songs in mind for pre release.

Love is Gone is sounding fantastic and we are currently shooting a video for it with digital guru's Charles Clapshaw and D'arcy Hooper ofThe Furnace. This would probably be my first choice, until recent circumstances led to me writing "Song For Charmaine".

With the passing of a friend, this song was written at the very instance that tragedy struck (although I didn't know it at the time) and also just after.

The words "Sometimes I wish that I could, fly so high I could, never comeback down, I could, never touch the ground beneath me". For those that know the circumstances around Char's passing these words have an earie meaning.

It is for this reason that I think this should be the single. It's a delicate topic, but for me it would give me huge pride to share my emotion of a time that I would prefer to forget. Sometimes it's nice to let the emotion out rather than hold it in. I just wish for those that suffer to do the same.

Labels: Blog, Music Strategy

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I read this morning that Radiohead's ploy to bypass the record company and sell their new album Rainbow's had paid off nicely. The band had not devulged how many downloads had been downloaded, reports from the UK suggested 1.2 million fans "bought" the album on the first day of sale. It was alleged that fans paid on average $9.20 which despite the fact it's about half of what itunes would have sold it for, is still significantly more profitable than a record company model.

But where does this leave indie bands?

Yes, we can and do do exactly the same thing. But for emerging bands the record company can act as the facilitator between a finished album and the hands of the consumer. I guess it's horses for courses really. If your big enough like Radiohead and have a good enough PR strategy you can get enough publicity so that even non fans will find their way to the band website and purchase. I mean I read about their new album in the Sydney Morning Herald, and on radio, and in local press.

So I guess it's not so much how it's sold and where. It's ensuring people find out about it. Lilley Allen wasn't found on Myspace. She was found by a record company, and their PR strategy was the 'we found her on myspace' theory. And then the Foo Fighters writing a lyric-less ballard about the Beaconsfield miners. They found their way into every paper in the country.

So when my album comes out. It would have cost me about $10k to produce, not to mention the blood, sweat and tears in writing, rehearsing and agonising. I may not be able to sell it for $10 unless I have a pretty good publicity stunt behind it. Any ideas?

Labels: Blog, Music Strategy

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An interesting phenomenon has been going on in the past week. The www.wotnext.com.au film crew have been out and about at Woo Jam and at my Hopetoun gig last night. Firstly at Woo Jam, somebody must have got news that a film crew was going to be there as the place was jammed full...no spots left for yours truely to play.

Then last night. It was fairly quiet in the pub. Brendan McLean, opened the evening with some theatrical inspired songs that would make Tim Freedman proud, if not concerned that he is about to be super seeded.

We were up next...

Then a great band called Lover finished the night.

Now if this is Sydney's premier indie music venue for local bands then this city might as well shut up shop and move to Melbourne. Not a punter insight despite the fantastic music on offer.

Is it a lack of communication or are people more interested in downloading snippets to their mobiles? Would you rather a webcast so you can watch it when ever you want in your pj's, sipping your coffee?

I'm all for the advent of technology but let me share with you the one thing you won't get online. Normal human contact and conversation.

For instance
The bar tender last night, he works in Marketing Comms, for a theatre company. Turns out he used to write for Rolling Stone but there wasn't much money in it. He liked my last song the most. He also said I was special because not many people drink Cascade Premium.

Taylor, she's a friend of a friend of mine. She works in finance and is also passionate about singing. She has been attending Classical Opera classes for nearly 2 years and thinks her teacher is brilliant. She thought I could open up a bit more which is a good observation (felt the sound was too loud last night to let rip).

Charles, he has some new ideas for my film clip...he always has new ideas which is great. He thinks the Hopetoun is the best bar in Sydney. I never realised how much he liked music.

Basically what I'm getting at is you won't experience much if you don't talk to people. If you want to be distant then move to an island. One with high speed bandwith I'd suggest.

Good luck.

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Music Banter, Music Strategy

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I guess it would have made sense to have had a video of some sort rather than a static picture but what's done is done. Anyway...I thought music video's were dead. I guess I was put off by overgrown kids talking up Avril Lavigne video's with stupid hair cuts, shocking accents, and questions that a year 4 would cringe at. Yes MTV and Video Hits is who'm I'm slagging off.

But...then...the mobile evolution kicked in. I mean we all need something to view whilst waiting for a bus, sitting in a meeting, or um....taking a lavatory break. So it's refreshing to see a website that is promoting 'unsigned' music www.wotnext.com.au. Normally I'm reserved about these sites that act as though they are promoting but are yet offering fake hope, but to see a friend's band The Falls on top the charts is super.

So...the lovely Monique from wotnext.com.au and who also happens to come from Perth (have we all left?) emailed me and said she liked my stuff (ok I did say I'm not overly swayed right?) and she wants a video. So I'm recording this weekend.

What do you think? Are video's are waste of time. I only really watch DVD's of artists not video clips, but I guess if they are easily accessible, and I'm um...needing to go to the mens...then you never know. You could just be watching me....that's a strange thought.

Labels: Blog, Commentary, Music Banter, Music Strategy

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