Stream it right here!
Towns Van Zandt Record Release THIS WEDNESDAY!
Doing any kind of official Towns Van Zandt tribute in Austin is like earning an entire Merit Badge en route to Eagle Scout. Truthfully most folks have never heard much of his music outside of “Pancho and Lefty,” but his legend looms large. And for good reason.
It’s a big deal to be asked, so thank you Chicken Ranch Records for asking.
The Event is THIS WEDNESDAY, and yes, it’s old school to promote via a Website or Blog, but we here at Alpha Juno only have Instagram, this blog, and word-of-mouth.
YouTube Streaming link incoming ASAP.
CD’s and Patronage
You need something physical to sell at shows, to give to record stores, to impress your granny, or to prove to yourself (or your wife) that you are a real-live musician.
Coffee mug? Too nerdy.
Maybe a ‘pocket’ koozie? Please no.
Cassettes are a bit niche.
It’s really down to CD’s, even though plenty of folks have no CD player at home. Actually many folks have cars with no CD player. Worst of all, most folks have no phone w/ a CD player. Everybody streams. Everybody.
Today’s question is: what’s the right thing to do? Do you load up your hands with something that’s going in s**t drawer #11, or do you do you ting and sell? And what are you selling?
This brings up nothing but more questions: What are you in it for? Legitimacy? Money? Job? Are you down with by-any-means-necessary? Are you pumping an old model?
Before you sell CD’s to fans you have to ask yourself: why would they want one? If that answer is no, is there then something that I have that’s of value to my current and future fans. And today, that seems like a tough question to answer. But the solution is poking it’s head out. Finally. (Especially in a current world where there are few-to-no live shows.)
What works and connects? The oldest of schools method: patronage.
People are giving to musicians with no expectation of anything physically in return. As a matter of fact they’ve already taken a partial share of whatever it is you do. If you have their attention you have them. All you have to do is show them the way. 1,000 people paying $1.50 a-month moves the needle. A lot.
The new-olde way seems like a lot more fun than the old way. I’m going to try some new-olde ways.
Stick with the blog to follow my journey.
-jd
How to Put On a House Concert, Introduction
House concerts are not ehe future. They are the now.
Friends and I are putting on neighborhood house shows during all this COVID mess. 30-something shows later we’ve paid out over $30K.
IG page here.
We’re in Austin, and it’s easy to find talented musicians who want to work, but it’s easy anywhere and will work when you try it.
First you need a PA and someone who knows how to work it. If you do not know how to work one, only invite musicians who know how to work one. Sometimes you need a PA. Sometimes artists have one. You can also rent one.
Bose are easy. Keep it very simple.
What I’m getting at here is that there are very few barriers when putting together a show like this. So no need to make them (excuses) in their absence.
TWe have found the following to be true evry time:
_Folks really like seeing music this way
_ People love showing off their pads
_Having Musicans at your house really impresses the neighbors
The vibe for this kind of thing is very strong. People like or like to like live music and they want to help. They know they are helping and have accordingly given generously
It is the now.
Step one tomorrow: How to Schedule a House Concert.
-jd
Why the Zoom L-12 Works: 5 Reasons
The mighty Zoom L-12! Thoughts below.
- All the Sub mixes.
Send the drummer a click? Yes. Hear my vocals dry and in all their pitchy glory but with plenty of reverb out front? Yes (I guess.😬). - Save a bunch of mixes.
I have a playing-solo mix, an in-the-studio mix, a playing-with-a -drummer-only mix …
If you use tracks or loops live you need to be looking at this mixer. - It’s a really great DAW interface.
Seriously. I was not expecting this. Real convenient. I actually just put my UA Apollo in the drawer/ to-maybe-sell pile. I use it with Ableton. - Sounds great.
It is very transparent, and it will only sound great IF you spend some time with it. And not even that much time. - It’s light.
If you are a gig’ing pro or you rearrange your home set-up a lot (daily?), which should be everyone reading, this is huge. Real livable.
Easy-to-manage wall wart. Etc. - Bonus:
Record every show and roll tape the next morning. How was the the gig really?
Great for practice too. 8 gig cards hold a lot, and how many of those do you have sitting around?
**Also, you can go semi-old-school and occasionally step away from the DAW.**
I shopped around for a year. Real satisfied. Please ask questions etc.
-jd
