February 27, 2015

Radio Airplay Top 10 Artists/Songs (Week 8 2015)


Top 10 PopScore Artists (Week 8 2015)

Top Band on Jango This Week
 
The Sleepovers - Crazy Town
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Citizen of the World - Open Your Eyes
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Jasmine Crowe - Black Widow
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Idrise - Ride Or Die (Tommy Gunz ft. Idrise)
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Excluded Opportunities - Mixed Emotions
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Black Paisley - Autumn
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Frank Right - Thinking About You
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
OG GIBBZ - For the Zoes
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
DJ Kane - Sin Tu Amor
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Bethany Becker - Right Place Wrong Time




Top 10 PopScore Songs (Week 8 2015)

Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Melissa Weinstein - Get over yourself
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Patrick Joseph - Bound To Break
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Kid Skrillex - Catch Fire
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Ike Picket - The Takers
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Citizen of the World - Done
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
DUCHAMPS - Precious Child
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Digital Summer - So Beautiful, So Evil
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Kilvey - Corner Comes Creeping
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Kaylon - Evidence
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
O The Architect - We Used To Wonder


Radio Airplay Top 10 Artists/Songs (Week 7 2015)


Top 10 PopScore Artists (Week 7 2015)

Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Victoria Trinetti
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Vicky-Anne
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
504Gully
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Kataztrofee
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Saving Abel
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Rainy and The Dust
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Black Paisley
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
B.B.S. Fresh
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
William Montes
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Vacant Youth Kings




Top 10 PopScore Songs (Week 7 2015)

Top Band on Jango This Week
 
The Sleepovers - Crazy Town
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Citizen of the World - Open Your Eyes
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Jasmine Crowe - Black Widow
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Idrise - Ride Or Die (Tommy Gunz ft. Idrise)
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Excluded Opportunities - Mixed Emotions
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Black Paisley - Autumn
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Frank Right - Thinking About You
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
OG GIBBZ - For the Zoes
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
DJ Kane - Sin Tu Amor
 
Top Band on Jango This Week
 
Bethany Becker - Right Place Wrong Time


February 25, 2015

Center Stage - Gasmilk

http://www.jango.com/music/gasmilk 
Our new Center Stage artist Gasmilk is the solo project of producer/engineer Brian Lee White. Hailing from Oakland, California, Gasmilk crafts punchy pop landscapes around razor witted lyrics that command a sing-a-long. Having spent the last 10 years developing a career as a professional composer and engineer, working in almost every segment of music production, Brian's written music for video games, television shows, commercials that annoyed you, and a bunch of of artists you've probably never heard of. Seeking more than a simple footnote in a nonexistent digital liner, Brian is stepping out from behind the mixing board to dance on top of it, and Gasmilk wants to make every day a casual Friday. Gasmilk’s debut EP, “Beautiful Things” is out now.

Describe your sound in one ramble-on sentence
Gasmilk makes fun electronic pop jams with a bit of neon nostalgia thrown in for good measure.

What inspires you to make music?
Listening to other music. As someone who just loves listening to music of almost any genre, from any time period, I am constantly hearing things and thinking, “I love that idea/sound/texture, I want to try something like that!” You have to get your tastes and preferences from somewhere and part of what comes out is always going to be pulled from a continuous running total of everything you’ve ever experienced and been moved by in some way. Sometimes I just sit in the studio all day and do nothing but listen to music, not checking emails or browsing the web and passively listening, but actively listening to music and doing nothing else.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
The ability for musical ideas, genres, scenes, etc., to spread instantly across the internet, then split and morph into all kinds of unexpected directions. The idea of sharing independent music via the internet is now very mature and there are countless outlets to accomplish that. Of course you get a lot of static when anyone and their dog can self publish content, but I would rather wade through the static and allow the masses to self curate via their own unique tastes and preferences than live in some sort of walled garden alternative.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a musician?
Getting paid a fair wage for your work has to be any artist or musician’s biggest challenge these days. I could go on for days about how the system is rigged and why the common misconception that, “artists can make a ton of money touring so they don’t need royalties” is a total fallacy, but then I just sound like a angry bro mad at the world, so I won’t go there. I work as a composer and produce commercial content for a living, so I can afford to support my artist alter ego and have no expectation of quitting my day job anytime soon, but in a world of shrinking physical resources (e.g. land, water, food, components to make your smartphone) I don’t think we are doing the best job of promoting the value ethereal content, that ideas are worth just as much, or maybe even more than something you can hold in your hand. But hey, I give my EP away for free,  who am I to say what the right way forward is?

What's one of your all-time favorite recordings?
“Get up” by James Brown

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
My Dad, since he encouraged me to play and write music in the first place and introduced me to really great music at a young age. Max Martin, because I think he has changed the way people think about modern pop production and arranging. Neil Young, because his music taught me to preserve and cherish imperfections in the performance, which is a huge contrast to today’s “fix every little thing” digital production workflow.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it.
My EP, “Beautiful Things” came out last summer, so that’s available now. I recently scored a video game that’s coming out this spring called Massive Chalice. It’s not “Gasmilk” scoring the game per say, it’s me and my composition partner Brian Trifon (aka Trifonic), but it’s a really cool soundtrack and worth checking out. I’m sure I’ll put out more Gasmilk music in 2015.

What is your ideal or target audience?
Anyone who likes fun electronic pop music and doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

Do you write your own songs? Briefly describe your songwriting process.
Yes. Usually songs will start with a melodic idea in my head, maybe it’s a lead vocal melody or just a cool riff. A lot of times these ideas come to me in the shower, for whatever reason, which can be kind of wasteful because we are in a drought here in California. Once I have that little idea, I will start working out the production and let the arrangement evolve from there. I usually start to write the lyrics at that point and record a scratch vocal to vibe to. With Gasmilk, I am doing all the writing, recording and production at my studio by myself, so it can be a very isolating experience, but that is sort of the whole idea behind the project. Since I am always collaborating with other creatives in my professional life, the writing and arranging can sometimes be a compromise between many individual’s esthetic goals, when it’s just me, I am free to succeed or fail all by myself, it’s a good creative exercise.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
Like I mentioned earlier, while the era of the self publishing artist is amazing, there can be a lot of static out there and attracting an audience who might be into what you’re doing can be difficult. Radio Airplay helps my music reach fans that I might not otherwise be exposed to, and gives the little guy an edge in an otherwise crowded marketplace. I also love that artist’s are rewarded with more plays when fans like your music.

Do you have an interesting story about you, or anything extra you'd like to add?
When I was in 5th grade, a D.A.R.E. officer came to our class and told us a cautionary tale of a guy who consumed cocktails of gasoline and milk in a 1:1 ratio. I'm 99% sure he was making it all up, drinking gasoline would probably kill you, but I have been joking with friends about this disturbing mystery beverage we called “gasmilk” ever since. So that’s where the name came from.

“Beautiful Things” EP (currently a free download) at http://gasmilk.bandcamp.com
Gasmilk on Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/gasmilk
Production company: http://www.finishingmoveinc.com

Center Stage - Lunatic Wolf

http://www.jango.com/music/lunaticwolf 
Get to know our newest Center Stage band Lunatic Wolf- A contemporary folk-rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. The band was formed in 2012 by Gavin van den Berg and Richard Oldfield who had been writing music together since their high school years. van den Berg and Oldfield explored various musical directions together, before settling on their current sound which has been likened to groups such as Death Cab for Cutie, Noah Gundersen, Mumford & Sons and Sufjan Stevens.
                   
Lunatic Wolf's debut release "To the Adventure" was recorded at High Seas Studios in Johannesburg and was co-produced by Gavin and Jacques du Plessis (producer for Wrestlerish, Desmond & the Tutus, Shortstraw). The album captures the duo's transition to adulthood, exploring themes of growth, childhood nostalgia and the end of life and love. 

Describe your sound in one ramble-on sentence
Alternative Folk-rock that evokes feelings of childhood nostalgia, sentimentality, romance and drama.

What inspires you to make music?
The ability to be able to communicate and express our thoughts, emotions and feelings in a way that we are not always able to do.
What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
The thought that people can “connect” with our music and draw inspiration from it.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a musician?
Finding the hours in a day to do all the things that we would like to do!

What's one of your all-time favourite recordings?
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours.

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
My Dad, for the folk influence he has imparted on me.
Ryan Adams, for the ability to compose hits with such ease.  
Conor Oberst, for just having a way with words.

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us? Tell us about it.
Our new album “To the Adventure” has just been released and is available through most online digital retailers and through the Lunatic Wolf online store. We are currently exploring the possibility of recording and producing a new music video through online collaboration.

What is your ideal or target audience?
Women, aged 18-34, who live in South Africa and enjoy listening to Mumford & Sons. At this stage, this is what the data is telling us. :)

Do you write your own songs? Briefly describe your songwriting process.
We have an initial key focus on basic chords, structure, melody and lyrical direction. Lyrical direction is very important to us as it sets the tone for the rest of song. From there we flesh out our ideas, taking our time and working through as many ideas as possible. Our songs go through various iterations and the stronger ideas generally become something more concrete.  This was the basic approach to the songs that you hear on our debut album “To the Adventure” and is the approach that we are currently taking with our new material.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
Radio Airplay allows us to profile our target audience in an extremely cost-effective manner. The site’s reporting capabilities then allow us to put our music in front of this audience, ensuring that we get the most “bang for our buck”!

Youtube video





               
           
       

Start building a career

 
"Every band has to start somewhere. Many groups playing the world’s largest stages today started in small clubs in and around their hometowns - But when you're at the very beginning, with no fanbase or connections whatsoever, how do you cut through the noise and get people to notice you?"  

Sonicbids recently posted a great article with tips on how a band with no fans or connections can get moving and start building a career.

Check it out here: http://blog.sonicbids.com/how-a-new-band-with-no-fanbase-can-start-building-local-buzz

Your social media image make-over


In order to help get your social media posting for 2015 off to a great start, Reverbnation posted a very handy guide that will get your photos, videos and graphics noticed; and maximize your fan engagement at the same time.

http://blog.reverbnation.com/2015/01/29/get-visual-in-2015-infographic-makes-sizing-images-for-social-media-easy

February 18, 2015

Post Gig Checklist


Playing shows is one of the best promotional opportunities a band or artist has, but once the show's over there's still work to do: some tasks need to be taken care of while you're still at the venue, while others should be completed in the following days. 

Our friends at Sonicbids recently posted a great checklist of things you should always do after every gig, no matter how big or small.

Click here for more info: http://blog.sonicbids.com/5-things-you-should-always-do-after-playing-a-gig

Booking your first gig


In a recent blog post on the DIY Musican page, renown rock band manager Steve Rennie discusses how to book your first gig-because the reality is that nobobdy is going to call you to offer you a gig; especially if you are first starting out. 

So go make the call! - Click here for more advice on how to get that first gig booked: http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2015/02/booking-first-gig

February 11, 2015

Put down your phones: Get creative

"No amount of social media activity can ever substitute for writing a great song." So is it time to stop marketing your music? Our partners at DIY Musician recently posted an article which emphasizes the need for bands and artists to put down their phones and laptops, and spend more time being creative and writing great songs. 

Learn more here: http://diymusician.cdbaby.com/2015/02/time-stop-marketing-music-social-media

Fans: Building Relationships


"Anyone can build views and likes, but it takes specific, consistent, and authentic actions to garner the attention of fans who will actually keep engaging with your work on a regular basis." Our friends at TUNECORE just posted a great list of smart, extra things you could be doing to maximize your active Fans base and overall promotion -- written by music marketing strategist W. Tyler Allen. 

Check it out here: http://www.tunecore.com/blog/2015/02/6-ways-build-personal-relationships-fans-probably-havent-tried.html

Center Stage - Todd Herfindal


Our newest Center Stage artist, Todd Herfindal has been wrangling the jangle out of rootsy power pop for years now as singer, guitarist, bandleader, producer and all around good guy. Most are completely unaware that he is also a platinum-certified songwriter and guitar player. 

Whether he’s turning up a guitar or sitting in a co-write, he always brings laughs, plenty of heart and an unstoppable faucet of melodies.

Todd’s latest twelve-song solo record, RIGHT HERE NOW, gives about as pure a statement of the people and sounds in Todd’s life that he could possibly offer. It’s a sonic guidebook for an Americana-style ramble around the deep indie music backstreets of Los Angeles and San Francisco, with a side tour of sonic shimmer territory that only a former staff writer/producer for Peer Music (the largest independent music publisher) could show you right.

The album is equal parts rock, roots, pop, Americana and alt country with chiming guitars, soaring melodies, heartfelt lyrics and a warm, harmony-laden sound that will give your home a new coat of paint and your lady an idea. California power pop fans will recognize old friend Rich McCulley in many songs, both as co-writer and guitarist.

The album also features other old friends and new kindred spirits such as co-writer and Nashville wunderkind Will Kimbrough (The Jayhawks, Gomez, Emmylou Harris); drummers Paul Griffith (Sheryl Crow, Todd Snider), DJ Bonebrake (X, The Knitters) and Tommy Rickard (Linda Perry, Scott Weiland); bassists Taras Prodaniuk (Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Richard Thompson) and Greg Boaz (Dave Alvin); keyboardist Carl Byron (Anne McCue, Michelle Shocked).

Todd’s songwriting and guitar have landed on co-written songs like Alesha Dixon’s “Let’s Get Excited” on her certified-platinum UK Warner/Asylum album “The Alesha Show” (with over 3.4 million YouTube, Last.fm and Myspace combined plays). His label Single Recordings is a happy home to many underground bands and writers. Todd’s mellower side-project The Meadows, though currently undergoing renovations, is still a pop fan favorite with placements all over television and film and positive reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone. And there are those who still raise lighters at the mention of his early bands like Single and Blue Sky Roadster, which led the indie rock soundtrack in the Bay Area for many years.

Todd is currently writing songs for a “darker, more blues-influenced rock vibe” and looks forward to rolling out some singles and then his 3rd solo album.


Describe your sound in one ramble-on sentence
California classic, anthemic "can't get it outta my effing head"-pure-heartland-rock- for now people

What inspires you to make music?
All the amazing layers to people, life. My wife, and lovely 4 month baby girl. The songs and melodic ideas that seem to invade my head.

What aspect of making music excites you the most right now?
Change. Assuming different personalities in music and lyric etc. Trying new emotional vibes in songs and seeing what happens creatively. I record and produce my own music so I have a natural love of the studio recording process.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a musician?
Being able to make a consistent living as a music artist. I admit I'm luckier than some. I also do music production work as a mix or mastering engineer as well as guitar session gigs. This alongside film/tv song placements here in LA, but I gotta be honest, it's very challenging to tour, given how expensive it is to live on Los Angeles, and how hard it is to get any wide exposure as an indie artist. It also stinks that in general, digital downloads have shrunken due to low-royalty-paying streaming becoming so popular. You know, same ol' same

What's one of your all-time favorite recordings?
"Baker Street" - Gerry Rafferty

Name three people who have influenced your music, and tell us why- Living or dead.
-John Lennon - because there is and never will be. . another artist like him. From "She's So Heavy" (yes I know that's Beatles) to "Imagine" take your pick.
-Tom Petty - just listen to the greatest hits. One amazing hit after the next, and watch the 3 DVD retrospect for proper mind-blowing.
-Neil Young - are you kidding me? get outta here

Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you'd like to share with us?
I co-wrote an album with a new artist named Bevin Hamilton. She's got an amazing voice and has got this American-Gothic-Rock thing going on that is really epic and dramatic. Producer James Michael is currently recording her upcoming release. Can't wait.

I recorded, mixed and mastered the album "The Slow Down" by Martin Kaplan who also co-fronts a band called Lost Pilgrims. His stuff has got a real Ryan Adams vibe, but maybe with a voice that's closer to baritone. Some cool, more country-ish tracks on this one.

I just landed two songs in the UPTV movie Paper Angels. One of those songs "Christmas Star"  appears in Radio Airplay's 2014 Holiday channel.

What is your ideal or target audience?
I suspect that it's new rock, Americana, classic rock and singer-songwriter fans.

Do you write your own songs? Briefly describe your songwriting process.
Melody/music first. Then lyrics. I co-write a lot. I often save little song snippet ideas on my phone, but they usually always end up turned into songs, either on my own or with one of my trusted co-writers.

What do you like the most about Radio Airplay?
That it's real exposure for the music. And that you can make legitimate fans. This can only be a good thing.

Do you have an Interesting story about you you’d like to tell us about?
My van was stolen from out in front of my old practice space. The cops found it later that night, broken down in the road nearby. The battery was dying and the thieves stalled it out and it wouldn't re-start. My drummer told the cops that all the dents were from the car thieves (actually, they were from my girlfriend at the time). I salvaged the car with insurance. They paid me it's value. I bought back the car from them for $400 and bought a shit-load of recording gear with their $, which was my first recording rig that eventually morphed into the studio I use now. Who says you can't take a drummer anywhere?