HAMMERHEAD BLOG

So you’ve just released your debut CD. The response a week after your release party is overwhelming. You are delivering a solid live presentation 3 to 4 times a month at many hi-quality venues around the area. You are building a strong fan base locally, and generating a positive regional …

For a thousand dollars, you should be able to get at least 30 hours or recording time at $30 an hour. Unless of course you want a Basketball Court, Hot Tub, a chef and your own private suite. Recording Studios – Everything must be recorded in a hi-quality studio environment; …

Music Festivals and Conferences are a great place for artists to come together, share their ideas, their music, their performances, and have fun doing it. Not only will you have fun, but you will have an opportunity to showcase your music, while meeting other artists and other prominent people within …

Many bands have learned the power of “word of Mouth” via an effective Street Team. Street Teams’ are a powerful promotional tool that has been adopted industry wide as a standard line item in marketing budgets by entertainment companies, record labels, the tech industry, corporate brand marketers, new media companies …

The road crew (or roadies) are the actual technicians who travel with the band on tour, and handle all aspects of the live production and all logistical support associated with a live show. I’m here to tell you being a roadie is back breaking work, that requires consistency, vast technical …

Pin-pointing the exact time of year that A&R Representatives are most likely to sign new talent is not easy. however one thing is certain: there’s usually not many signings during the fourth quarter (October through December). During this period, most company’s financial budgets for new projects have likely been accounted …

If you were an A&R and you needed a band where would you go look? This is probably the most important paragraph in this entire package, because knowing where the A&R looks for talent is the key to putting it under their noses. It is also the foundation this strategy …

What do A&R’s look for in new talent When you think about the 5 M’s think also about the A&R’s carreer. A&R reps look for artists who have potential hit songs, a signature sound, a marketable image, long-term career potential (i.e., youthfulness and adaptability) and a great live show, & …

A&R reps also look for artists who are proactive and possess a strong work ethic. In other words Motivation. Will the members of the band continue to work hard at creating own opportunities once they get signed or will they rely entirely on their label to do everything for them? …

It’s important to note that A&R’s also rely heavily on referrals from established bands, record label scouts, friends and relatives of industry executives, reputable producers, managers, attorneys, and publishing companies as well. In other words their friends and networking. Putting your music smack dab in the middle of the A&R’s …