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As we get closer to the end of the year, the rate at which new albums are coming out is going to be falling down and a new touring season is picking up. But, as the months get colder and the days get shorter, as we spend more time inside and with friends and family, […]
The post 10 Albums From 2022 To Revisit As We Enter The Slow Winter Months first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 10 Albums From 2022 To Revisit As We Enter The Slow Winter Months appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
You might recognize Chris Padinas the man who has hit over half a million music streams on Spotify alone. This is definitely no joke, especially for someone who has not been in the industry for as long but Chris has definitely achieved much more to be recognized for. Chris Padin’s first attempt at taking […]
The post Here’s Why You Need To Know About Chris Padin-a Respected Member Of The EDM Community first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Here’s Why You Need To Know About Chris Padin-a Respected Member Of The EDM Community appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Clammy hands. Racing heart. Nerves completely haywire. All of these are commonplace among a packed room of networkers. Believe it or not, if you’re one of the many who break out in a sweat at the idea of walking into a room full of strangers and making yourself known, you’re not alone. In fact, I’d […]
The post 3 Ways To Network Like A Boss first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 3 Ways To Network Like A Boss appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Machine Gun Kelly is primed to add “first-ever arena sellout” to his self-dubbed Mainstream Sellout status with a massive, 52-date North American and European tour starting this summer. Get tickets here, and read on for more info including pre-sale dates. What Is Machine Gun Kelly’s Next Tour? The “Mainstream Sellout” tour kicks off in Austin, […]
The post How to Get Tickets to Machine Gun Kelly’s “Mainstream Sellout” Tour first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post How to Get Tickets to Machine Gun Kelly’s “Mainstream Sellout” Tour appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Few acts have been at the forefront of modern dance music like Showtek has been for over a decade. The production duo of Dutch brothers Sjoerd & Wouter Janssen have been through many cycles of the dance music industry. From their early days producing UK hardstyle tracks, to their massive mainstage anthems like “Booyah,” “We […]
The post Showtek Talk Surviving the Pandemic, New Music, Artist Growth and Personal Moves [Interview] first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Showtek Talk Surviving the Pandemic, New Music, Artist Growth and Personal Moves [Interview] appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Behind The Scenes
learn more about Lilvzexy approach in new genres for example hyper pop.
Published on March 11, 2022
Lilvzexy is an artist and songwriter who has created a distinctive and unique sound that sets the bar higher in terms of exploring different ideas and genres, […]
The post Lilvzexy Announce Newest Single With A Dope Description Behind The Scenes first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Lilvzexy Announce Newest Single With A Dope Description Behind The Scenes appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
If you’re anything like me, you jump at the chance to grab your notebook come January 1st and start writing out all your biggest dreams, goals, and desires. You delight in dreaming big for the future and the adrenaline of all that’s to come simply consumes you. Or, perhaps you fall into the other camp […]
The post 3 Micro Goals Every Musician Should Have For A Successful Year first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 3 Micro Goals Every Musician Should Have For A Successful Year appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
This review is part of our coverage of the 2022 SXSW Film Festival. The Pitch: How far can a startup run on vibes alone? Turns out, it’s however far $47 billion gets you, at least in the smoke-and-mirrors valuations of VC culture. After all, that’s the magic number WeWork CEO Adam Neumann (Jared Leto) and his […]
The post Jared Leto & Anne Hathaway Take On WeWork first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Jared Leto & Anne Hathaway Take On WeWork appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Sofi Tukker are back & taking 2022 by storm with new & exciting music to grace our ears and the highly anticipated announcement of their incoming full studio album WET TENNIS dropping April 29th. The first releases to the WET TENNIS album include the super danceable and highly catchy, ‘Original Sin’ and now their most […]
The post Sofi Tukker Talk New Album, ‘WET TENNIS’ and Global Tour [Interview] first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Sofi Tukker Talk New Album, ‘WET TENNIS’ and Global Tour [Interview] appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Hi The Band Sebastian! How are you? I am blessed and excited to be speaking with you. Where are you from? I am from Yorba Linda, CA which is located in North Orange County, adjacent to Disneyland. When did you start music? I started studying music at 4 years old when I began piano […]
The post Interview With California Artist The Band Sebastian first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Interview With California Artist The Band Sebastian appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
What exactly is a mistake in music? Some mess-ups are big and undeniably embarrassing, like putting the capo on the wrong fret of the guitar during a live show. Others are more subtle, like a singer mumbling through a line of lyrics during a vocal recording take, or an overeager drummer consistently falling ahead of […]
The post How Mistakes Bring Character To Your Music first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post How Mistakes Bring Character To Your Music appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
After a busy week of tour announcements, the time has come for tickets to go on sale. Here’s the latest in the live concert landscape and how to lock in tickets.
Phish are returning for their annual spring and summer tour. Bauhaus are reuniting and touring the US for the first time in over sixteen years. The Chicks are hitting the road in support of their first album as a group in over fourteen years. Get all the details on these tours and more below.
It’s been fourteen years since The Chicks released an album, so the group won’t be wasting their shot at touring Gaslighter. The country trio is set to embark on a 27-city headlining tour and will be bringing along Patty Griffin and Jenny Lewis for select dates. Lock in seats via Ticketmaster.
Phish are set to return to the road for their annual spring and summer tour. The outing includes multi-date runs at familiar stomping grounds, including Noblesville, Mansfield, Bethel, Atlantic City, East Troy, and Commerce City. They’ll also play shows in Philadelphia, Hartford, Raleigh, and Toronto. Get your tickets now via Ticketmaster.
Metallica: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster While most of Metallica’s currently confirmed tour dates are outside America, the band recently announced a pair of summer stadium concerts with Greta Van Fleet and Ice Nine Kills. The concerts are set to take place at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York on August 11th, and at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on August 14th. They’re billed as Metallica’s only US summer stadium shows of 2022. Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster.
Bauhaus: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Goth rock purveyors Bauhaus have announced dates for their first US tour in 16 years. They’ll play headlining shows in Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Tempe, and New York City, with post-punk trio Automatic coming along in support. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Danzig has announced a Spring 2022 US tour featuring support from Cradle of Filth and Crobot on all dates. The two-week jaunt will include one special show in Ontario, California that will find Danzig performing 1990’s Danzig II: Lucifuge in full. Get tickets via Ticketmaster.
Greta Van Fleet: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Michigan rockers Greta Van Fleet have expanded their upcoming “Dreams in Gold Tour” with 42 new North American shows taking place this fall. Get tickets via Ticketmaster.
The Offspring: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster The Offspring have announced the “Let the Bad Times Roll Tour,” an 18-city spring jaunt taking place where they’ll be joined by Radkey and Blame My Youth. The tour comes in support of the the band’s most recent album of the same name. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
CHVRCHES: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster CHVRCHES are returning to North America for a string of 2022 tour dates in further support of last year’s Screen Violence. The latest leg of their ongoing trek kicks off in Mexico City on May 13th following a festival appearance at Atlanta’s Shaky Knees. Get tickets via Ticketmaster.
Belle & Sebastian: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Belle and Sebastian have unveiled a string of US tour dates including a pair of June co-headlining dates with Japanese Breakfast, as well as a rotating cast of supporting acts including Los Bitchos, Tennis, Thee Sacred Souls, and Divino Niño. Kicking off in Asheville, North Carolina on May 24th, it will make subsequent stops in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City before wrapping up in Boston on June 18th. Get tickets via Ticketmaster.
Rise Against: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Rise Against will hit the road this summer with The Used and Senses Fail. The tour kicks off July 15th in Las Vegas and runs through an August 18th show in Detroit. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
Toronto punk band PUP have added additional stops in the midwest and east coast to their 2022 North American tour, which now stretches into June and features Oceanator in a rotating support slot that already includes Cloud Nothings, Sheer Mag, and more. They’re also set to play at Coachella and Shaky Knees Festival in April and May. Lock in tickets via Ticketmaster.
Feist has announced the US debut of her new live residency MULTITUDES with dates in Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Stanford. The limited capacity, in-the-round production promises a string of intimate, immersive shows. Find tickets on Ticketmaster.
Stereolab: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Stereolab are picking up where their pandemic-shortened reunion tour left off with a 22-date fall trek, returning to North America September 6th in Nashville, Tennessee. The jaunt then swings through the southern United States and up through California — including a stop at the inaugural Primavera Sound Los Angeles — before continuing into Vancouver and on to the midwest and east coast. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
GWAR have announced the US leg of their 2022 “Black Death Rager World Tour.” Crowbar, Necrogoblikon, and The Native Howl will support the run. The outing kicks off May 19th in Fort Wayne, Indiana, before wrapping up on June 17th in Reading, Pennsylvania. You can buy tickets via Ticketmaster.
Halestorm: Get Tickets via Ticketmaster Halestorm have announced a headlining Spring 2022 US tour in support of their upcoming album, Back From the Dead. They’ll be joined on the road by Stone Temple Pilots, Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH, and Black Stone Cherry on select dates.
Tickets for the headline tour are now available via Ticketmaster.
The post Phish, The Chicks, Bauhaus, Greta Van Fleet, and More first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Phish, The Chicks, Bauhaus, Greta Van Fleet, and More appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
The French natural DJ and Producer Kevin Krissen took the Asian EDM scene by storm. Creating and experimenting with music since a young age, Kevin is incredibly gifted and is certainly one of the biggest artists based in Vietnam at the moment.
Amassing over half a million streams on Spotify only, Kevin is regularly bringing fresh songs to his audience. With a strong-rooted musical talent and a vibrant love for festival-ready songs Kevin often receives support from DJs all around the globe, proving that his tracks are not only successful on the online platforms but are also proven winners at the clubs and festivals. Kevin has released songs with world-renowned labels like Hardwell’s imprint Revealed Recordings.
With outstanding stage experience under his belt, Kevin played with EDM global acts such as Sick Individuals, Kaaze, Dyro, Borgeous, Moti, MAKJ, Maurice West, and Lil Jon to name a few; and played in legendary gigs, including several Ultra Music Festival events: Ultra Countdown Singapore in 2018, Ultra Countdown Japan in 2019, Ultra Countdown Korea in 2019, Ultra Korea Mainstage and other first-tier festivals like Asia Music Festival in 2020 and Space Music Festival in 2021.
Kevin’s experience doesn’t stop there, he was a resident at the now-closed Envy Club, a #72 DJ MAG Top 100 Clubs, and is currently one of the main residents of Station One Club, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Incredible releases and breathtaking live performances are what made Kevin Krissen a household name in Vietnam and in the Asian community, he is undoubtedly one of the most thrilling artists to follow in 2022.
We sat down with Kevin to ask a few questions many of his fans want to hear the answer to:
You’ve had an incredible experience in Vietnam so far, can you name a few highlights from your career?
My biggest accomplishment yet was playing at Ultra Korea on the Mainstage for sure. I was one of those guys that would watch these big festivals and dream of one day being able to perform in one of them, it was a dream coming to reality. The moment I saw my name in the lineup was an unforgettable memory, and certainly one that I will cherish forever.
My second biggest achievement was to sign a song on Hardwell’s imprint, Revealed Records. This was one of my goals since the beginning, and to be honest I still have only have positive things to say about Revealed.
The third biggest achievement for me is to be able to perform. I just feel very grateful every time I step on the stage. Especially when I play with incredibly talented artists, it is very inspiring!
What is your biggest goal?
Well, you would probably guess as this is the thing that most artists dream of doing. My goal is to play at Tomorrowland Belgium, Mainstage!
What are your main influences on music?
I’m all about festival music. I love everything about it, the way it sounds, the way it makes people go crazy and enjoy themselves… I just can’t get enough of the atmosphere and I want to share it with as many people as possible.
Check out Kevin Krissen’s latest release “Black Hole”, featuring Basstian and Robbie Hutton:
The post Kevin Krissen conquers Vietnam and prepares to take on the World first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Kevin Krissen conquers Vietnam and prepares to take on the World appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Every time you release a new single or album, you’re not just giving people music to listen to. Music has a unique ability for forging powerful connections between artists and listeners. And, believe it or not, these connections can happen whether you’re an artist big enough to sell out arenas or are releasing your first couple of singles and are unknown to most listeners. Your next song could easily be a huge source of comfort, understanding, and visibility for the people who hear it.
How an unguarded creative process builds authentic connections in music Why do people listen to music? This is an incomprehensibly large and complicated question to ask when you stop and think about it. Music serves countless different purposes in cultures around the world ranging from marking holiday traditions to getting crowds excited for sporting events to celebrating births and grieving deaths. But there’s something especially intimate and special about a person listening to their favorite artist in their car on the way to work or on headphones while they walk their dog. This kind of listening is intensely personal, and you could argue that it forms a unique and vital relationship between a listener and the creator(s) who made the music.
On a personal level, music has a deeply profound impact on not just hardcore music fans, but most human beings. A teen-aged boy gets dumped by his first girlfriend and listens to the same couple of songs dozens of times to get him through his heartbreak. A 35-year-old workaholic relies on her favorite playlist to help her relax after a long week in the office. Listening to calm, meditative music is integral in the self-soothing process of a war veteran struggling with PTSD. The roles music plays in our lives are as diverse as each person listening, which essentially means that the points of connection are endless.
As a music-maker, you have the unique opportunity to give people something profound each time you release new music, and this is true whether you make emotionally charged music or not. All sorts of music ends up finding its way to listeners and connecting with them in different ways, but your best chance at making music that truly resonates with people is by creating from a place of unguarded authenticity. Doing this means making music that you want to make and not creating work you think the world wants you to make. It means writing music that’s shaped by your preferences, curiosities, and experiences and doesn’t seek to sound like someone else.
Get unbiased fan feedback on your songwriting, production, and more with brand new Crowd Reviews
It sometimes takes a lot of work to make music that comes from an honest and open mindset, even if you’re a successful songwriter with lots of experience. Sometimes the baggage of expectations makes it easier for songwriters with a fresh perspective to create than seasoned music-makers. But regardless of your background, the only way to resonate with audiences is to make a lot of work, share it, do your best to make sure it gets heard, and see what happens. Creating as much music as you can gives you the time and space you need to create authentically.
Aim to be yourself, not to please A weird and frustrating thing about songwriting is that you’ll probably write bad songs if you obsess too much over creating the kind of music you think people want or need to hear. It might sound like corny advice, but the more you focus on being yourself when you make music, the easier it will be to create work that’s human and accessible. When a new popular style of music or artist emerges, there are always artists who try to capitalize on the trends by imitating what they think will make them successful. It takes much, much more work to create music that’s truly authentic to you and your experiences, but you’ll end up finding more success working this way if you’re seeking to form real and lasting relationships with your listeners.
Music has a profound talent for letting people know they’re not alone. The experiences that shape your music might feel totally unique to you, but they are actually opportunities to relate to and connect with your audience.
Patrick McGuire is a writer, musician, and human man. He lives nowhere in particular, creates music under the name Straight White Teeth, and has a great affinity for dogs and putting his hands in his pockets.
The post How Music Makes Listeners Feel Seen And Understood first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post How Music Makes Listeners Feel Seen And Understood appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Bonnie Raitt has readied her 21st(!) album, Just Like That… Ahead of the project’s April 22nd release day, the singer-songwriter has shared first single “Made Up Mind,” and announced a massive, eight-month tour.
Raitt recorded Just Like That… last summer with collaborators old and new. Longtime bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson and drummer Ricky Fataar return to their posts, while new additions Glenn Patscha and Kenny Greenberg lend keyboards, backing vocals, and guitar. George Marinelli, Raitt’s longtime guitarist and songwriting partner, also returns for the track “Livin’ for the Ones.” Raitt produced the album herself in collaboration with engineer Ryan Freeland.
“On this record, I wanted to stretch,” Raitt said of Just Like That… “I always want to find songs that excite me, and what’s different this time is that I’ve tried some styles and topics I haven’t touched on before.”
It seems impossible that one could break new ground 50 years into their career, but “Made Up Mind” remains fresh with a stomping groove punctuated by feisty guitar licks. In the lead single, Raitt, voice as strong as ever, sings of “The quiet behind a slamming door/ The break of our heart that won’t break no more” with the kind of self-assuredness that only a woman long prepared for a breakup can boast.
Out on Redwing Records and distributed by ADA/Sub Pop, Just Like That… is available for pre-order on CD, standard black vinyl, and special edition teal vinyl. Starting in March, Raitt will celebrate the album in an extensive tour of the US. See the album’s artwork and tracklist, and Raitt’s full list of tour dates, below, and get tickets via Ticketmaster.
Just Like That… Artwork:
Just Like That… Tracklist:01. Made Up Mind
02. Something’s Got a Hold of My Heart
03. Livin’ for the Ones
04. Just Like That
05. When We Say Goodbye
06. Waitin’ for You to Blow
07. Blame It on Me
08. Love So Strong
09. Here Comes Love
10. Down the Hall
Bonnie Raitt 2022 Tour Dates:03/28 — Modesto, CA @ Gallo Center for the Arts
03/30 — Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino04/12 — Rochester, NY @ Kodak Center
04/13 — Syracuse, NY @ Landmark Theatre
04/15 — Albany, NY @ Palace Theatre
04/16 — Hampton, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
04/18 — Burlington, VT @ Flynn Center for Performing Arts
04/22 — Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino — Premier Theater
04/23 — Portland, ME @ Merrill Auditorium
05/20 — Tulsa, OK @ The Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort
05/21 — Memphis, TN @ Orpheum Theatre
05/23 — Little Rock, AR @ Robinson Center
05/26 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
05/27 — Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
05/29 — Knoxville, TN @ Tennessee Theatre
06/01 — Charlotte, NC @ Ovens Auditorium
06/03 — Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
06/04 — Columbia, SC @ Township Auditorium
06/07 — Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
06/10 — Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap
06/11 — Vienna, VA @ Wolf Trap
06/15 — Philadelphia, PA @ TD Pavilion at The Mann
06/17 — Boston, MA @ Leader Bank Pavilion
06/18 — Lenox, MA @ Tanglewood
06/21 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
06/22 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theater
06/24 — Selbyville, DE @ Freeman Arts Pavilion
06/25 — Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion
07/19 — Cincinnati, OH @ Andrew J. Brady Music Center
07/20 — Huber Heights, OH @ Rose Music Center
07/22 — Detroit, MI @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
07/23 — Interlochen, MI @ Interlochen Center for the Arts
07/26 — Madison, WI @ Overture Center for the Arts
07/27 — Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia Festival
07/29 — Waite Park, MN @ The Ledge Amphitheatre
07/30 — Sioux City, IA @ Orpheum Theatre
08/02 — Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Theater
08/03 — Cedar Rapids, IA @ McGrath Amphitheatre
08/05 — St. Louis, MI @ Fox Theatre
08/06 — Kansas City, MI @ Starlight Theatre
08/09 — Salina, KS @ Stiefel Theatre
08/11 –– Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
08/13 — Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
08/14 — Boise, ID @ Outlaw Field at the Idaho Botanical Garden
08/17 — Walla Walla, WA @ Wine Country Amphitheater
08/19 — Seattle, WA @ TBA
08/20 — Seattle, WA @ TBA
08/22 — Bend, OR @ Hayden Homes Amphitheater
08/23 — Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheater
08/26 — Portland, OR @ McMenamins Edgefield
09/17 — Napa, CA @ Oxbow RiverStage
09/18 — Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre
09/20 — Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre
09/22 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Bowl
09/24 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
09/27 — San Diego, CA @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
09/30 — Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
10/01 — Tucson, AZ @ TBA
10/04 — Albuquerque, NM @ TBA
10/05 — El Paso, TX @ TBA
10/07 — San Antonio, TX @ TBA
10/08 — Dallas, TX @ TBA
11/02 — Austin, TX @ TBA
11/04 — Houston, TX @ TBA
11/05 — New Orleans, LA @ TBA
11/08 — Jackson, MS @ TBA
11/09 — Birmingham, AL @ TBA
11/11 — Savannah, GA @ TBA
11/12 — St. Augustine, FL @ TBA
11/15 — Melbourne, FL @ TBA
11/16 — Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ TBA
11/18 — Sarasota, FL @ TBA
11/19 — Clearwater, FL @ TBA
- = w/ Lucinda Williams
** = w/ Mavis Staples
The post Bonnie Raitt Announces New Album, Shares “Made Up Mind”: Stream first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Bonnie Raitt Announces New Album, Shares “Made Up Mind”: Stream appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
After two long years off, Ultra Music Festival is finally set to return March 25-27! After relocating in 2019, UMF is returning to its longtime home at Bayfront Park in the heart of downtown Miami. Fans from around the globe will be treated to unforgettable performances from some of the most elite DJ talent in the world including Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, Kygo, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Carl Cox, Illenium, KSHMR, a yet-to-be revealed secret guest, and so many more.
Whether you’re making the trip to downtown Miami for the tenth time or the first time, there’s a lot of boxes you have to check off before heading to the festival. We’ve got you covered here at Your EDM with this handy dandy Ultra 2022 Survival Guide. We’ll give you all the inside info on the best ways to get to the venue, where to stay in Miami, what to bring with you, tips for how to best enjoy the festival, and how to score some sweet exclusive merch as well. Without further ado here is your Official Survival Guide for UMF 2022.
Getting to the Venue One of the coolest things about Ultra is its location in the heart of Downtown Miami. No need to take a shuttle or drive an hour to get to the venue, you can either take public transportation or just walk (depending upon where you’re staying). Get your MetroRail pass and you can take the free MetroMover and be dropped off right at the steps of Bayfront Park. Hours will be extended on the Metro to make sure that festival attendees can get home safely. Click here for more info on Miami MetroRail.
If you are staying farther away from Downtown Miami you can always take I-395, but expect delays. If you’re staying in Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach you can hop on the Brightline and it will drop you off at Miami Central Station, a quick walk from Bayside Park. Trains depart hourly and service runs until 1 AM.
You can also be that person and take a water taxi (boat) to Ultra. You’ll dock in nearby Bayside, but Ultra recommends public transportation. Do not take your own personal boat (if you have one) to Ultra!
Where to Stay Ultra just shared this map of hotels in the area, all provide easy access to the festival by Miami MetroRail. Click here for a list of all the hotels in Miami and its surrounding areas that Ultra has partnered with. No one’s stopping you from booking an Airbnb, but do so at your own risk, an Ultra verified hotel is the best way to go.
What to Wear Miami is a fashionable place, but for festivals, the best way to go is function over fashion. Miami has warm temperatures with lots of sun, and very high humidity. Wear loose fitting breathable clothing and be prepared to sweat. Wear comfortable sneakers/athletic shoes, you will be dancing all day and walking and on your feet without many breaks, now is not the time to break out large heels or go super casual with flip flops. You’ll want actual shoes. You probably can’t go wrong with bright colors. Dudes, this is your opportunity to rock that Hawaiian shirt.
For those ready to take their fashion to the next level, Ultra has teamed up with iHeartRaves for a very special Ultra Styled collection. These are not everyday fashions, these are designs strictly made to help you look the best and most unique you can at Ultra (or other festivals for that matter.) Order online or pick some merch up at the store that will be onsite at the festival.
What to Bring Ultra is a festival that wants you to pack light. So long as all you’re bringing are your wallet, keys, sunglasses and some earplugs, a fanny pack is the route to go. If you need to bring more, you will need a clear bag that is no more than 13 x 17. You can also bring hydration packs that are not backpacks, they are Ultra’s recommended way to stay hydrated. Sorry, you can’t bring your hydroflask. Ladies, you can bring a small clutch bag.
Aside from the clear bag policy, one thing that is unique to Ultra is that there are no totems allowed. Do bring your flags and represent where you’re from or which label/artist you’re repping. Just don’t attach it to a pole. Lockers are also available onsite, order in advance to avoid lines at the festival. Click here for more info on Ultra’s bag policies.
How to Have the Best Time Ultra is a massive festival and is also a great place to check out artists and stages you might not be familiar with. The Ultra mainstage is legendary, but check out the Resistance Stage, catch a set inside the mega structure. The Live Stage will also feature some of the biggest names in dance music including KSHMR, Madeon and Alison Wonderland, they’d be on the main stage at any other festival. The Worldwide stage will be home to Armin van Buuren and A State of Trance on Friday. Other artists to catch there include Jauz b2b NGHTMRE, Seven Lions, Zeds Dead and more. The UMF Radio Stage has also been home to tons of great stage takeovers. Some of the top labels in music will be showcasing talent there as STMPD and Gud Vibrations will be hosting Friday and Saturday respectively. Hardstyle fans rejoice as Dirty Workz will be taking over on Sunday.
Also make sure to download the Ultra Passport app to register your wristband and set your lineup once set times are released. Here’s an official map of Ultra to help you navigate your way around the festival grounds. Explore and step outside of your comfort zone, you might just happen upon a killer set and have a new favorite artist to check out.
How to festival responsibly If you’ve been to a festival before, you know what to do. If not, it’s common sense; pace yourself, stay hydrated, know your limits, take breaks and rest your body. Leave no trace, it’s one of the things that Ultra is stressing the most. Ultra is doing its part to engage the community and raise awareness about keeping the ecosystem clean. On top of taking care of your litter, Ultra is asking that attendees respect the plant and animal life in and around the festival. Attendees can also take recyclable items to the festival’s EcoVillage for rewards. Find out more about the festival’s sustainability initiative, Mission: Home, here. Officials at Ultra are also aware of the looming Coronavirus threat, read all about the precautions officials are taking here.
Tickets are still available for Ultra Miami here. We’re less than five weeks away from what promises to be one of the biggest and best installments of the festival to date.
The post Your EDM’s Official Ultra Miami 2022 Survival Guide first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Your EDM’s Official Ultra Miami 2022 Survival Guide appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! For our readers who do not know your backstory, what is your background and what eventually brought you to starting NetReputation? My background includes significant experience in digital services innovation, consulting, and online marketing, as well as business operations, management, and development. I’m also what you’d probably call a serial entrepreneur. I’ve built and run several successful businesses during my lifetime, though I take the most pride in what we’ve done at NetReputation, particularly over the last several years. We’ve transformed what was once a modest ORM operation into a leader in the digital services space, and have achieved remarkable growth and market reach in just 3 to 4 years’ time.
Before NetReputation took off in 2015, I was managing a successful logistics firm that was growing fast. We were consistently exceeding performance benchmarks and delivering high rates of customer satisfaction, but we were also struggling to overcome harmful reviews online. No matter what we did, we just couldn’t shake them. So, we started seeking out solutions. After not really finding anything robust or practical enough, I started to map out a plan that would actually help companies deal with unfair reviews and negative content. I knew there were other businesses out there coping with the same issues, and I felt like I was in a position to do something about it.
That brought NetReputation into the fold. It was born not just from personal experience, but from the realization that other entrepreneurs could use a way to defend and protect their brands on the internet. We wanted to give local companies the chance to fight back, and I think we built a good reputation service suite for doing so.
What has been your most memorable experience so far since starting NetReputation? It’s hard to pinpoint just one. Honestly, there have been so many instances of clients just absolutely stunned by the results they’ve seen, that they’re almost speechless. After fighting against fake reviews or battling with negative articles online for so long and having virtually no recourse, they’re finally rid of those thorns in their side. They can now connect with customers and start building the trust they need to grow their business, and even though we’ve seen it so many times, it never stops being rewarding.
Every time we get to help a client overcome an online obstacle and achieve their goals, it’s memorable. It sticks with you and creates a real sense of pride in what you do.
Of course, seeing NetReputation pop up on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing company list the past few years has also made a big impression. Of all the accolades we’ve pulled in lately, the remarkable growth we’ve accomplished really stands out. And it all starts with the dedication of our amazing team. I couldn’t imagine a better support staff than the one we have now.
What has been the biggest challenge in running NetReputation? It may not seem like it, but Google and review platforms are constantly changing. They’re always making updates and evolving processes, and those shifts often have enormous consequences for online content and for people, brands, and businesses around the world. Our biggest challenge has always been staying a step ahead of those changes, but it’s also our biggest strength.
We invest heavily in innovation because delivering consistent results demands it. We are always seeking better, faster, more cost-effective ways to eliminate harmful content and help our clients succeed. I’ve said it before, but innovation is in our DNA, and it’s that forward-thinking approach that keeps us going and fuels our success. We relish it and don’t rest until we’ve given each client what they need to pursue their online goals.
What are three misconceptions about the process of improving one’s online reputation? Here are three common misconceptions I think many have about the reputation repair process:
That it’s easy. Removing malicious items and repairing search results in a robust, meaningful way isn’t easy and isn’t done overnight. Online reputation management campaigns take the work and collaboration of a team of specialists, including experts in content removal, SEO, content creation, content promotion, and more. Without carefully-crafted strategies, research, and months of hard work, achieving a stronger, more positive reputation and brand for the long run is often impossible.
That it’s just about removal. Online Reputation Management (ORM) involves more than just content removal. From managing online reviews and tracking new mentions to creating, posting, and promoting optimized content, ORM is a multi-faceted, multi-layered process that requires many tasks and numerous techniques to deliver lasting results. Removal is crucial, but it’s also just a fraction of a larger, much more complex process.
That you can fix it and forget it. Many believe that once you remove a bad review or push a search result off of page 1, the repair process is over and you can simply move on. The truth is much more complicated. While getting bad results off the web or out of sight is important, keeping them off takes constant monitoring and vigilance. In many cases, it also takes a robust content and SEO firewall to ensure it doesn’t come back to haunt you. Either way, the idea that ORM is a one-and-done process is essentially a myth.
For someone looking to improve their online reputation, what suggestions do you have? Start by searching yourself online. Often a simple Google search will reveal quite a bit about how you look, as well as the impression you’re giving friends, family, colleagues, managers, companies, and anyone else researching your background on the web. And trust me, they ARE searching.
Once you know what those first ten results show, take steps to manage and remove the info that is already in your control. People often post embarrassing or unwanted items on personal blogs, personal websites, social media profiles, and other self-created assets. And if they’re appearing in search, it’s up to you to comb through those assets and delete the items you don’t want others to find.
For items found on third-party websites, you may have to do some digging to learn about the removal process, or if removal is even possible. If not, suppression is likely your best bet, and creating positive, Google-optimized assets (blogs, profiles, etc.) is the most effective way to push those negative items out of sight.
Of course, the entire ORM process can take a lot of time, effort, and resources to be successful. For those without the time or expertise to tackle such an extensive effort, I would recommend seeking the help of an ORM professional.
Take control of your reputation today by visiting www.netreputation.com
The post A Quick Chat With Adam Petrilli, CEO & Founder Of NetReputation first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post A Quick Chat With Adam Petrilli, CEO & Founder Of NetReputation appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
You can already picture it. Stepping onto the stage and looking out into the audience, you dream of seeing hundreds—no—thousands of faces staring back at you, screaming with excitement as you take the stage, singing every word back to you. An audience that feels the same way about your music as you feel about your favorite band’s music.
It’s the dream.
And honestly, it’s well within your reach.
But there are a few things you need to line up first, and among the most important is to have a live show that has people wanting to come back for more every single time. How do you do that?
Build up the hype—before and after the show Most people need to see the same thing an average of 7 times before it really sticks—before they truly take notice. That’s why we’re often inundated with the same ads over and over again, because advertisers know this. And it works.
Your business (that’s your music career)—and the way you promote things is no different. You need to remind your audience of what’s coming up, as well as what they’re missing if they choose not to take that step. And you need to do this over and over again. Just be sure you’re doing it in a way that actually builds hype instead of spams.
For instance, I don’t want you to post the same show flyer and write “come to our show” 10 different times. That’s not getting anyone to your show. Instead, I want you to find creative ways to get the word out.
Before a show this looks like:
- Stories where you casually mention the show coming up as a part of something else you’re talking about “IE: today we got pizza and went to the party store to get some awesome supplies for our show on Saturday.” then you show the supplies, mess around with it for a bit, have fun, and move on. You make it part of the conversation, not the focus.
- Ask other bands (preferably those on the bill) to do a post or a story talking about what they are most looking forward to this weekend—have them include mention of the show. Again, part of the conversation, not the focus.
- Do a post asking fans to submit or vote on what song you should play at the show—then re-share, add your thoughts/text/etc
For hype after the show:
Ask your fans to take photos and/or videos of you performing, share it to social media and tag you, and then after the show, share it to your own social media.
Even if you have a small audience and only a few people do this (or you ask your merch person or friend to do it the first few times) it’s a great way to build anticipation for the next show and show people what they’re missing.
Let your personality shine Listen, I have all the respect in the world for artists getting on stage and baring their soul to the world in front of others. It’s not easy. But if you’re going to do it, then do it. Don’t get up there and half commit by singing your songs but remaining stiff as a board, or not talking, or being afraid to show any ounce of personality. That makes for a boring and unremarkable show.
I know it can feel scary on stage and off to truly let your personality shine, but think of all your favorite bands, the ones whose live shows you never miss—are they going through the motions, trying not to stand out or are they baring it all up there, with a like-it-or-not attitude? Which one is more memorable?
Looking for your next gig? Search ReverbNation Opportunities today.
Get your audience involved I can’t tell you how many shows I’ve been to where there’s no audience involvement and it is a huge missed opportunity. I get that it can feel a little awkward and you don’t know what to say, plus you don’t want to come off gimmicky, but trust me on this one—audience interaction is a must.
I don’t mean to point at someone and say “hey, you aren’t dancing!” and I don’t even mean doing something as overdone as “how we doing tonight Wisconsin?!” but you have to have a dialogue with your audience if you want to keep them paying attention and engaged.
A few ways to do this are:
- Ask them to shout out the answer to a super simple question they can ask without thinking. IE: “where can we get a great slice of pizza around here?” or “Jonny and I were just debating this and you can see I have on stripes and he has on polka dots—which one is better?”
The idea is to get them involved, shake things up and break up the night, and build a repertoire. Especially if they’re new to your music, breaking up these songs they don’t know with a little banter, can really help them stay engaged.
- Ask them to clap along. I know it seems a little gimmicky but it WORKS.
Practice, Practice, Practice You know how you practice your instrument? Well you also have to practice your performance as a band. When you get together for rehearsals, especially before a show, don’t just run through the motions to make sure you know the song. Spend time talking about how you can make this a better live experience for your fans. If you want to have parts where you talk to the audience (like above) then figure out where in the show you’ll do that, and add them to your practice routine.
If you want there to be some synergy and interaction between you and the other band members (which I think there should be, because when the audience feels like the band actually likes each other and is having fun, they have more fun), then practice that as well until it feels more natural.
You can’t expect these things you’ve never done before to just come naturally in the middle of a show, you have to practice them for a little while until you get more comfortable and can improvise. But for now, it really is ok to practice and learn as you go,
Play every show like you’re at Madison Square Garden The golden rule. Whether you’re playing to 5 people or 500, you should be performing like you’re playing your dream venue every single time. Not only because the people there came out and paid to see you and you owe it to them to give it your all, but because you never know who’s watching, and on top of that, you can do with all the practice you can get.
The bands who have seen massive success didn’t get that way because they phoned it in on performances they deemed unworthy of their best energy—they got that way because they gave it their all every single time, no matter what, and they knew that would only make them and their live show better.
Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR. She loves baked goods, a good book, and hanging with her dog Sawyer.
The post 5 Live Performance Hacks To Help You Stand Out Every Time first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 5 Live Performance Hacks To Help You Stand Out Every Time appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Chris Stapleton has extended his long-running North American headlining tour, “All-American Road Show,” with dozens of new dates through 2022.
While the trek kicks off on March 17th at the Houston Rodeo, the 25 added shows include stops throughout June, July, August, and October in cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Cleveland, Detroit, Tampa and New Orleans.
Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” will also feature a long list of special guests throughout its run, including appearances by Willie Nelson, Yola, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, Elle King, The Highwomen, Mavis Staples, George Strait, and more. Tickets for the latest round of shows go on sale next Friday, Feb. 25th, at 10 a.m. local time, with various pre-sales for the country star’s fan club in the days before. Book your seat here.
Throughout the latter half of 2021, Stapleton collaborated with both Taylor Swift (on Red (Taylor’s Version) vault-track-turned single “I Bet You Think About Me”) and Adele (on the bonus track duet version of No. 1 single “Easy on Me”). He also covered Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” for the band’s The Metallica Blacklist charity compilation.
Meanwhile, the singer is currently nominated for three awards at the upcoming 2022 Grammys, including Best Country Album (for 2020’s Starting Over), Best Country Song (for “Cold”), and Best Country Solo Performance (for “You Should Probably Leave”).
Chris Stapleton 2022 Tour Dates:
03/17 — Houston, TX @ Houston Rodeo
03/18 — Durant, OK @ Choctaw Casino
03/19 — Durant, OK @ Choctaw Casino
04/08 — Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
04/09 — Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
04/20 — Toledo, OH @ Huntington Center +&
04/21 — Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center +&
04/23 — Lexington, KY @ A Concert for Kentucky – Kroger Field †%&
04/28 — London, ON @ Budweiser Gardens ‡
04/29 — Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre ‡
04/30 — Montreal, QC @ Centre Bell ‡
05/05 — Regina, SK @ Brandt Centre ‡
05/06 — Saskatoon, SK @ Sasktel Centre ‡
05/07 — Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre ‡
05/11 — Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place ‡
05/12 — Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome ‡
05/14 — Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena ‡
06/02 — Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena +^
06/03 — Ridgefield, WA @ Sunlight Supple Amphitheater +^
06/04 — George, WA @ Gorge Amphitheater +^
06/09 — San Diego, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre #^
06/10 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Forum #^
06/11 — San Bernardino, CA @ Glen Helen Amphitheater #^
06/16 — Bakersfield, CA @ Mechanics Bank Arena +^
06/17 — Sacramento, CA @ Toyota Amphitheatre +^
06/18 — Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre +^
06/23 — West Valley City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre ‡^
06/24 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena ‡^
06/25 — Denver, CO @ Ball Arena ‡^
07/07 — Cleveland, OH @ Blossom Music Center ‡°
07/08 — Detroit, MI @ Comerica Park °§!
07/09 — Charleston, WV @ Charleston Coliseum ‡°
07/21 — Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino ‡
07/22 — Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center ‡°
07/23 — Chicago, IL @ Wrigley Field **=^
07/28 — Huntsville, AL @ The Orion Amphitheater ‡°
07/29 — Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP ‡°
07/30 — Kansas City, MO @ GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium ††
08/17 — Canandaigua, NY @ CMAC ‡°
08/19 — Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center ‡°
08/20 — Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion ‡°
08/25 — Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater ‡>
08/26 — Saratoga, NY @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center ‡>
08/27 — Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium ‡>
09/02 — Snowmass, CO @ Jazz Aspen Snowmass
09/03 — Snowmass, CO @ Jazz Aspen Snowmass
09/04 — Snowmass, CO @ Jazz Aspen Snowmass
10/06 — Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center ‡>
10/07 — Saint Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center ‡>
10/08 — Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum ‡>
10/13 — Jacksonville, FL @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena ‡>
10/15 — Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live ‡>
10/20 — Little Rock, AR @ Simmons Bank Arena ‡>
10/21 — Bossier City, LA @ Brookshire Grocery Arena ‡>
10/22 — New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center ‡>
10/27 — Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena ‡>
& = w/ Yola
† = w/ Willie Nelson
% = w/ Sheryl Crow
‡ = w/ Elle King
+ = w/ Margo Price
^ = w/ Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
= w/ Dwight Yoakam
° = w/ Madeline Edwards
§ = w/ Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
! = w/ Marty Stuart
** = w/ The Highwomen
= w/ Mavis Staples
†† = w/ George Strait
= w/ Morgan Wade
The post Chris Stapleton Adds to 2022 “All American Road Show” Tour first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Chris Stapleton Adds to 2022 “All American Road Show” Tour appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
It’s no secret that elrow parties are considered to be some of the best, most creative, and downright wildest parties in house music. Rightfully titled as the ‘World’s Wildest Immersive Party’, elrow is going bigger and better than ever this year, making their highly anticipated return to NYC, this time taking over The Great Hall at Avant Gardner. The celebrations begin on Saturday night, April 9 for nine and a half hours and then reopen for part two Sunday daytime, April 10 for ten more glorious hours.
This year’s elrow will deliver an immersive, unforgettable experience like none other to New York for a weekend-long twisted take on the infamous “street party in a jungle” carnaval celebration. So far, only Saturday’s lineup has been released and it’s a big one, featuring what are sure to be sensational B2B sets between Jackmaster & Skream, Latmun & Ben Sterling, and Local Singles & Poolhaus. Repopulate Mars head honcho Lee Foss is also joining the lineup, along with house legend Riva Starr and the exciting breakout house/tech house artist, Tini Gessler.
This is the first time the international party purveyor presents New Yorkers with their special two day Sambowdromo Do Brasil themed fiesta. Sambowdromo Do Brasil has always been one of elrow’s most popular themes, with its hedonistic Carnaval energy, outrageous outfits, and outlandish interactive performances. Attendees can plan on encountering locals including drummers, dancers, otherworldly creatures, stilt walkers, and native townspeople bearing welcoming gifts.
With Sambowdromo Do Brasil, elrow excels at conjuring the sights and sounds of an exotic jungle, making audiences feel like they’re in a magic forest surrounded by all kinds of wild animals and vibrant colorful costumed people where tons of confetti from giant air guns are likely to fill the air at any given moment with dazzling, multicolor explosions that compliment the larger-than-life artwork and set design.
Here’s what Michael Julian, head of elrow, had to say about it:
“We are so hyped about our Brazilian street party theme coming to New York! This is a very special weekend for us, as, in addition to the usual Saturday show, we debut a 10-hour Daytime Sunday edition, which is elrow’s original format, for the very first time in the United States.“
Grab your ticket to elrow here!
The post elrow Returning To NYC For Two-Day Extravaganza Ft. Jackmaster B2B Skream, Lee Foss + More first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post elrow Returning To NYC For Two-Day Extravaganza Ft. Jackmaster B2B Skream, Lee Foss + More appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
East Bay indie-rock outfit Greg Hoy & The Boys recently released an imaginative cover of ZZ Top’s “Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell,” and are preparing to hit the road in May.
Talking about his decision to cover the song, Hoy says, : “Part of the reason this song spoke to me is the breakup of lots of things. I’ve advanced that to the idea of accepting loss and that everything isn’t permanent.”
Hoy’s career includes working in the tech industry, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording producer, and label owner. Greg Hoy & the Boys is not your typical band. Their line-up revolves, depending upon location, and their adventures are expansive. For example, while touring across the US in a ’73 Airstream last Autumn, the group filmed a documentary of their adventures and observations on retro-rock music for a web series called Limited Mileage.
The music video for “Sure Got Cold After the Rain Fell” depicts Hoy living out of his ’73 Airstream, haunted by memories of his ex-lover. The feel and mood of Hoy’s version of the song is enveloped by aching melancholy and longing.
Muzique Magazine spoke with Greg Hoy to discover more about the band, the way the song developed, and what he wants listeners to take away from his music.
Who is in Greg Hoy & The Boys and which instrument do they play?
A fun question, and often changing. The Northern CA Boys are Jason Slota or Dennis Galway on drums, with Nate Fink, Mark Nichoson, Brandon Essex, or Ian Miller on bass, and me. The recent US tour version is me plus David E. Richman (NYC) or Jungle Jim Chandler (Denver) on drums, and Vicky Warwick (LA) on bass. In Minneapolis, Steve Sutherland will often play drums, It’s Tom Emmerling, Paul Labrise, and Ray Vasko in and around Pittsburgh and the Midwest. There are also some friends in NYC for east coast gigs. I keep the band fluid so I can book shows and see who’s available. It also keeps things interesting both on stage and in the van!
What motivated you to cover ZZ Top’s “Sure Got Cold After The Rain Fell?”
We toured the ‘Cacophony’ LP in the fall of 2021 not long after ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill passed away. Many sound people at clubs were digging back through ZZ Top’s first albums. We particularly enjoyed the folks we met at Westport Saloon in Kansas City, MO (now closed I believe). They were playing ZZ’s first few records between the soundcheck and gig. “Sure Got Cold” is just a gem. It’s an outsider, slower track for ZZ Top – kind of like “Hot, Blue, & Righteous” or “Have You Heard?” And it’s lyrically very mature considering Billy Gibbons was probably, what, 23 or so when he wrote it?
My personal life experienced a lot of loss at the end of last year. I lost my father to age (90) and one of my best friends and bandmates passed away with cancer. There is also a larger feeling of loss in the world right now: systems, trust, control of our planet’s health. The ZZ Top song became a tribute to all these things. Jason and Ian – the rhythm section on the track and in the video – were on board to track it. My dear friend Lara Hope remotely did her background vocals in upstate NY, and it was the icing on the cake.
Talk us through your mindset approaching the song?
Jason and Ian first nailed the drums and bass. Then it was up to me to bring it on home. My home studio is well-equipped, and I knew I wanted that classic hard stereo chorus guitar sound that Billy Gibbons basically invented in the ‘70s. I set up two 5-watt tube amps in different corners of the studio and mic’d them up. The real problem is I could not get the rhythm guitar track to sound great! You realize how much of the power comes from the fingers of the player, so to speak. After a week of failed takes, I went to our 1922 Steinway and worked out the rhythm part that’s on the recording. Then the guitars fell into place, and I even got some of that classic stereo chorus guitar sound on the track during the solo part.
Who directed the video and where was it shot?
The storyboarding was done by me. Then my pal Will Toft operated the camera and added a lot of creative ideas. We shot the video at and around my house (and Airstream) up in the hills of the East Bay here in California, as we call our area. The road is mostly private, and during the pandemic lockdowns, it became my family’s little haven for fresh air and dog walks. I’m glad it’s captured forever on video.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
Great question! Music has always been so many things to me. It was therapy before I knew about therapy, and it’s a window into other people’s stories and lives. A magical moment happens the first time you hear, say, The Beatles sing about a glass onion, or Public Enemy talk about Arizona, or Amy Winehouse going to rehab. It’s a feeling that we’re all in this boat together. Music is also an escape, a familiar friend, an agnostic passenger to help get through this thing called life. Being a songwriter is helping continue that tradition. And it helps ya dance.
With everything that happened during the pandemic, was your creativity affected?
My lean-in on the pandemania became planned, sometimes forced creativity — literally! I had a goal to make something every day. Some days it was a cover song video for a Facebook group I’d joined. Some days it was writing songs. Some days it was recipes. The ‘Cacophony’ LP was recorded in June 2020 smack dab in the middle of it all. A well-appointed, large recording studio is actually a great place to socially distance (I highly recommend Tiny Telephone in Oakland, CA).
How did you first get into music? What sparked the interest?
Music enveloped my home environment growing up. My mom belonged to mail clubs that would send LP records every month. As the youngest child, my siblings had extensive vinyl record collections. We’d go from The Beatles to Led Zeppelin, Etta James to Johnny Mathis, the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ soundtrack… all things melodic, and rhythmic. My dad loved John Philip Sousa’s marches and would put them on loudly Sunday mornings to wake everybody up! My older siblings played instruments in the marching band. Somewhere, there’s a picture of a 2-year-old me in a drum major outfit. I was vaccinated by a phonograph needle one summer break, as David Lee Roth once sang. It made me realize how music brings us all together.
Which artists in your opinion are killing it right now?
So much great new music out right now, and you should definitely listen to new things! The Jo Jo Man band out of England puts out awesome songs. Anything Jim James and My Morning Jacket gets added to our LP collection. The Bye Bye Blackbirds out of Oakland, CA, make incredible records. Röyksopp keeps threatening to retire however their new singles are incredible, especially the one with Alison Goldfrapp. Anything my friend and fellow Boys’ bass player Ian Miller does is worth your ear time — of late, Interesting Times Gang and STRANGELIGHT. Gaspard Augé ‘Escapades’ has been on constant rotation. Nikki Lane! Caley Rose, Lindsay Dragan, Jackson+Sellers… more great new music than hours in the day, really.
Who would you say inspires you?
Inspiration is everywhere. We just got a new bird feeder and this larger blue-headed one just keeps getting fatter on it. Good for you, Blue.
What can your fans expect in the next six months? New music? Live gigs?
Last week, I bum-rushed four Neil Young covers to Spotify called ‘Old Man and The Cinnamon Girl.’ There’s a 10th-anniversary remix and remaster of the album ‘Hair of the Mouth’ coming out in March along with a new video. Then there are 15 or so songs in various states of completion for some EPs for the rest of the year. We’re touring California in May as a 5 piece which I’m excited about. It will be the first tour I’ve ever done where I’m just going to sing and not play guitar. I’d better get to work on my splits and cartwheels.
Follow Greg Hoy Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify
The post Interview: Talking With Greg Hoy Of Greg Hoy & The Boys first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
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What success means in music will inevitably be completely different for each of us, but we won’t get to where we want to go with our music if we don’t do the work as serious musicians. Whether you’re working towards becoming a professional songwriter or just want to write and rehearse enough songs to play a live show at a local venue, you’ll need to put in plenty of work to reach your goals. The trouble is that we often let excuses keep us from pursuing music the way we wish we could. These are four common ones to look out for that artists often cite when they talk about what’s keeping them from succeeding.
I don’t have enough time Let’s start with a major excuse that every musician on the planet can come up with at some point in their lives. Most musicians are not full-time professionals, and even the ones who are still lead busy lives. Time management is a skill you have to learn if you want to be a serious musician. Life will always get in the way of your music if you don’t plan ahead whether you have a demanding non-musical career, kids, or even just a romantic relationship. “I don’t have enough time” is really just code for “I don’t prioritize my music and schedule time for it.” If you love music and want it to be a part of your daily life, schedule it. Two hours a week is better than zero hours, so business is not an excuse.
I’m not good enough This excuse keeps countless artists from being brave enough to pursue music. There’s this idea in music that you’re either good at it or not, whether it’s singing or writing songs. This is truly a very small percentage of the time. The vast majority of musicians have to spend years mastering their instruments, developing their songwriting skills, and building confidence and expertise. If you’re not good enough, you need to work harder and put more time into what you do as a musician. Overnight success stories are great marketing tools but they don’t reflect reality. By focusing on the work in music, whether it’s showing up to band practice or finishing your first EP, you’ll get closer and closer to reaching your goals.
Get unbiased fan feedback on your songwriting, production, and more with brand new Crowd Reviews
I have no one to play/create with This can be a tough challenge, especially if you’re a serious musician living in a rural area or if you don’t know any other like-minded musicians. Some of us do just fine creating alone, but others truly thrive when they have other musicians in their lives to collaborate with. Every situation is different, but many musicians can now find and work with one another remotely, and there are loads of examples of successful artists that have worked this way. But if you’re looking for musicians locally to play with, you need to make a real effort to find people before you throw in the towel and say there’s no one available. You might need to be patient and flexible, and if it’s been a goal of yours for years to start a band and you can’t find anyone where you live, it’s probably worth being open to relocating to a place that better fits your needs.
I haven’t been successful in music yet This excuse plagues experienced musicians. Music is a career where you can do everything right and still fail, so this makes sense. However, if you love music and want it to be in your life, coping with failures or just the idea that nothing tangibly successful has happened with your career yet is something you have to do. The joy of creating and performing music has to be enough of a reward to keep most people going in this position.
Some excuses are valid, so consider this if you’re having a hard time doing what you want with music. But whatever the situation is, you’ll have to learn to prioritize your work, manage your time and expectations, and continue working in challenging circumstances if you want to pursue music creations and performance over the long term.
Patrick McGuire is a writer, musician, and human man. He lives nowhere in particular, creates music under the name Straight White Teeth, and has a great affinity for dogs and putting his hands in his pockets.
The post 4 Common Excuses Keeping Artists From Pursuing Music first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 4 Common Excuses Keeping Artists From Pursuing Music appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Ho99o9 (pronounced “horror”) have announced their new album Skin, produced entirely by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. They’ve also shared the lead single, “Nuge Snight,” as a preview.
The record comes out on March 11th, prior to Ho99o9’s spring US tour. The 22-date outing kicks off April 15th in Los Angeles and runs through May 14th in Houston. Get tickets via Ticketmaster.
Ho99o9 previously offered up the Barker-produced single “Batteries Not Included.” At the time, the genre-defying duo of Yeti Bones and theOGM promised news on a new album soon, and they’ve followed through.
It turns out Barker produced the whole album. Instead of steering Ho99o9 in a new musical direction, he has instead bolstered the band’s harsh aesthetics with a hi-fi touch that only adds to the brutality — as can be heard on “Nuge Snight.”
Part metal, part industrial, part hip-hop, it’s no surprise Ho99o9 have gotten the attention of acts such as Korn and Slipknot — both of whom have tapped Ho99o9 as tour support.
Slipknot’s Corey Taylor is even making a cameo on the upcoming album on the track “Bite My Face.” Other notable guest appearances include Bun B of UGK fame and Saul Williams.
Following their headlining run, Ho99o9 will link up with Slipknot and Cypress Hill for the second leg of the Knotfest Roadshow Tour. You can get tickets to all upcoming dates here.
Watch the video for Ho99o9’s new song “Nuge Snight” and see the lavish album art (created by Jesse Drexler), the LP tracklist, and all tour dates below.
Skin Artwork:
Skin Tracklist:
01. Nuge Snight
02. Battery Not Included
03. The World, The Flesh, The Devil
04. Bite My Face ft. Corey Taylor
05. Slo Bread ft. Bun B
06. Protect My Bitch Pt. 2
07. Speak of the Devil
08. Skinhead ft. Saul Williams
09. Lower Than Scum
10. Devil at the Crossroads
11. Limits ft. Jasiah
12. Dead or Asleep
Ho99o9’s 2022 North American Tour Dates:
04/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex #
04/16 – San Jose, CA @ The Ritz #
04/17 – San Francisco, CA @ August Hall #
04/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room #
04/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar #
04/23 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater #
04/25 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater #
04/26 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean #
04/27 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary #
04/29 – Washington D.C. @ Songbyrd #
04/30 – New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom #
05/01 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall #
05/02 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts #
05/03 – Durham, NC @ Motorco #
05/04 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (HELL) #
05/06 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Respectables #
05/07 – Orlando, FL @ Henao #
05/09 – Nashville, TN @ Exit/In #
05/10 – Memphis, TN @ Growlers #
05/12 – Dallas, TX @ The Loft #
05/13 – Austin, TX @ SS Oblivion @ Cheer Up Charlies #
05/14 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar #
05/20 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center ^
05/21 – Providence, RI @ Dunkin’ Donuts Center ^
05/22 – Manchester, NH @ SNHU Arena ^
05/24 – Albany, NY @ MVP Arena ^
05/26 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre ^
05/28 – Québec, QC @ Videotron Centre ^
05/29 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre ^
05/30 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage ^
06/01 – Cincinnati, OH @ Heritage Bank Center ^
06/02 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena ^
06/04 – East Troy, WI @ Alpine Valley Music Theatre ^
06/05 – Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center ^
06/07 – Bonner Springs, KS @ Azura Amphitheater ^
06/09 – Colorado Springs, CO @ The Broadmoor World Arena ^
06/11 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center ^
06/13 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena ^
06/14 – Ridgefield, WA @ RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater ^
06/17 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Garden Arena ^
06/18 – Chula Vista, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
= headlining dates with N8NOFACE
^ = supporting Knotfest Roadshow
The post Ho99o9 Announce Travis Barker-Produced Album Skin and US Tour first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Ho99o9 Announce Travis Barker-Produced Album Skin and US Tour appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
House music luminary Robert Owens introduces his brand-new single/lyric video, “Be Ready,” with house vocalist Pepper Gomez.
Talking about how he came to collaborate with Pepper Gomez and her label, Wake Up! Music, Robert explains, “One chat with Pepper Gomez over the internet and I felt I was in touch with a kindred spirit, I felt an unconditional beauty, which triggered the writing on the tracks (‘Be Ready’ and ‘I’m Awake’). I’m very grateful for moments in life when lyrics start because of a conversation with someone that you feel is a beautiful individual inside out and thoughts for words on a track are secondary – not taking anything away from the work each amazing musician has done on the beautiful tracks… We work hand in hand as a family and I’m sending each of you love forever.”
While Pepper shares, “You know this all started as a pipe dream. In my heart and love of House Music, there has never been a doubt who is the best and to me, that has always been Robert Owens! Oh, my goodness – I love everything about him – his sense of melody, rhythm, the richness of his voice, his way of expressing, and of course, his lyrics. I’ve listened to him countless times. When you listen to someone enough, they become a part of you.”
Singer-songwriter, producer and DJ Robert Owens soared to prominence when he and Chicago producer Larry Heard formed Fingers Inc., releasing the ground-breaking “Tears” with Frankie Knuckles and Satoshi Tomiie.
Later, as a solo artist, Robert released a series of hits, including “I’ll Be Your Friend” and “Mine to Give,” both of which topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. Since then, Robert has collaborated with a dazzling collection of producers such as Damian Lazarus, Coldcut, Roy Davis Jr., Marshall Jefferson, Soul Clap, Gina Breeze, Alinka, and Steve Bug, on labels like Ninja Tune, Boy Noize, Circo Loco, and HE.SHE.THEY.
On her part, Pepper Gomez began writing poetry in the fifth grade. Later she was a studio vocalist and wrote lyrics for her brother, Bruce Gomez. While in college working on a doctorate in clinical psychology, she started helping other bands with photo concepts and lyrics.
After winning the Columbia College/AEMMP Records’ music contest, she found herself in a recording studio laying down tracks for an underground dance hit. Pepper followed by connecting with DJ Matt Warren and his label, Sunset Records, and singing for Miguel Garcia (“Shake It”), Tony ‘Boom Boom’ Badea (“Face the Music”), Mario ‘Smokin’ Diaz (“Fusion Dance”), and on Matt Warren’s Billboard-charting “Way to My Heart.”
In 1988, with her Ph.D. in hand, she started a behavioral health company. In 2017, Pepper launched her record label, Wake Up! Music, which continues to expand.
“Be Ready” opens on low-slung, thrumming house layers riding a deliciously pushing rhythm. Sweeping strings add luxurious textures as darting horns infuse vibrant accents. The walking bassline pulses with fat tremors as crème de la crème, silky, posh vocals imbue the lyrics with voluptuous sensations, like the Siren calling to Odysseus.
Oh-so-right, “Be Ready” parades the bewitching momentum and swanky sonic surfaces of house music.
Robert Owens Facebook | Spotify
Pepper Gomez Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
The post Lyric Video Premiere: Robert Owens Unveils “Be Ready,” Featuring Pepper Gomez first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post Lyric Video Premiere: Robert Owens Unveils “Be Ready,” Featuring Pepper Gomez appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
If you’ve heard it once you’ve heard it a million times—having a good EPK can be the difference between getting the opportunity or not. So why then does it seem like so many artists lack such a fundamental piece of the puzzle?
As a publicist, I see this a lot. Artists with incredible music and all the dreams in the world, but no real vehicle for how to get there. Even before the internet, having a press kit was essential to an artist’s success and now that we live in the digital age, it’s even more important to help you stand out.
Now is the perfect time to revamp that EPK and get it up to par so that as soon as you begin seeking new press placements, booking your next tour, or reaching out to festivals, you have everything you need to stand out.
So, what should every EPK have?
A strong bio This one is important—if you’re not a good writer, hire someone who is. I have seen a lot of poorly written bios by artists who think it won’t matter if their music is good enough, but this isn’t the case. Your bio is your first impression. For anyone who doesn’t know you, it’s a look into who you are and what you’re all about. The way you craft that narrative and tell that story—the story of you—is going to be the difference between if they get past the first listen or not.
Ready for a tiny bit of tough love? What sets a band apart these days is not just the music. It’s the story. It’s the reason behind the question “why should anyone care?” You may have great music, but so do 100 other bands who are all vying for the same opportunity. If you can’t tell me in your EPK or pitch why I should care or why your story is more compelling, then it’s on to the next.
Press release The press release and the bio are basically siblings. Two different pieces of writing, two different opportunities to shine. Assuming you have something to announce ( a new single, video, album, huge show, etc) you’ll want to craft a press release around it. Like your bio, this should be professionally written and really dig into the narrative of the thing you’re releasing. What inspired it? Is there an interesting story that goes along with it? Why should anyone care that you made this piece of music? What can you tell them that will help them connect to the deeper meaning?
Don’t forget to include a quote! Quotes go a long way in adding that human connection and relatability.
When it’s time to spread the word about your music, it’s time to look at Promote It
Quotes Beyond the quote in the press release itself, I suggest always having one short (2-3 sentence) and one long (4-6 sentence) quote about whatever it is you’re currently promoting, and uploading that as a PDF to your EPK. That way, press have instant access to the quotes to use in their articles, as well as insight into what went into the making of the song. It helps them do their job better, while getting to know you better.
Hi-res (professionally shot) press photos Just as your bio and press release are your written story, your photos are your visual one. That’s why it’s so important to have these professionally shot. While you can shoot some pretty incredible photos on an iPhone and they’ll be fine in a pinch, I do not recommend relying on quick iPhone photos for any length of time.
Here’s the thing—your photos are the first visual representation of your music that people will see. If they look awkward, or the lighting isn’t great, or you look uncomfortable, or it’s low res, that leaves a bad impression. Plus, it’s just fun to show your personality through your photos! You can really have a lot of fun with it, bringing the music and its message to life through your photos. Have fun!
Still not convinced? Here are a few reasons to invest in professionally shot photos:
*they’re hi-res, which is what you’ll need for not only a digital press packet (your EPK) but any physical print outs. If a festival is going to pick you up they’re going to want a professional photo not an iPhone one
*Taking photos of yourself is hard. It’s just awkward, right? But a trained photographer who has worked with artists will know how to alleviate that anxiety to get the perfect (relaxed) shot. They’re trained professionals which means that they will make sure you look like the most authentic version of yourself.
One more tip—always include the photo credit when sharing your photos. You can do this by typing it in the filename of the photos or a PDF labeled “photo credit”
Album artwork Your most recent album or single artwork should always be included in your EPK, with any associated credits. It seems obvious but you’d be surprised how many EPKs I’ve seen without this!
MP3 and WAV files Always have an MP3 and WAV version of your song or album available for listening or downloading, depending on who you’re sending your EPK to. For instance, some outlets and online radio will want to be able to download the song directly, so having that at the ready for them will help expedite the process.
And that’s it! Those are the essentials of an EPK. I know it might seem like a lot, but if you just take a solid hour or so to plan out all of these things, you’ll have it covered in no time. Plus, your EPK, while it will change over time (such as new photos over time, adjustments to the bio, etc) it is a key part of your career that’s worth the investment of time and money. It sets the foundation for everything up front and is the first impression you need to gain new opportunities.
Have fun with it, and get excited for all the opportunities you’re preparing to come your way!!
Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR. She loves ice cream, reality TV, and hanging with her dog Sawyer.
The post 6 EPK Must-Haves appeared first on ReverbNation Blog.
The post 6 EPK Must-Haves first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
The post 6 EPK Must-Haves appeared first on Free Noise Pod.
Miami-based alt-rock band Lochness Monster released their second EP, Working for a Future, on February 3, via Venemusic. Self-produced by the band, the EP was recorded at Rain Cat Recordings and Bull Productions.
Speaking to the EP, guitarist/songwriter Justin Shaner says, “We pushed ourselves more during the songwriting process on this release and made sure we tried every avenue possible until the song sounded its best in a live environment. The vibe I get from this release is it’s authentically us but hard to classify into a genre, and each song is like the yin to the others yang.”
Vocalist Bruce Donaldson says, “The journey we took working on this collection of music is one that has been challenging and rewarding for me in many different ways. It gave me an opportunity to express emotions and feelings from my life in a way that I feel others can connect with their own journey through life. My intention is that people find a message of hope and perseverance in the melodies and lyrics and also that they can find themselves in the story. I hope they can let go for a moment…and breathe out.”
Along with Shaner and Donaldson, Lochness Monster is made up of Rene Rivera (drums), and Federico Carradini (bass).
Shaner put the band together in 2015, followed by the release of Lochness Monster’s debut album, Fables, a year later. Produced by James Paul Wisner (Dashboard Confessional, Paramore, and Underoath), Fables entered the Top 20 on CMJ. Lochness Monster followed with their self-titled EP.
Work on the new EP, Working for a Future, began in 2019 and was held captive by the onset of the pandemic, which obliged the band to devise new ways to record.
Encompassing four tracks, the EP begins with “Glass Jar,” rolling out on slightly strident guitars topped by Donaldson’s high tenor, imbuing the lyrics with dreamy textures. Edgy guitars, shimmering and jangly, infuse the tune with sumptuous prog-rock flavors.
“Running Away” travels on gleaming, austere guitars, simultaneously low-slung and luminous. As the harmonics take on chunking heft, the tune swells with resonance. Perhaps the best track, “Atlas” features a throbbing rhythm supporting glossy, cutting guitars as Donaldson’s oh-so-right voice gives the lyrics delectable sonic timbres.
Vaguely reminiscent of Queensryche, “Pendulum” opens on flickering guitars atop a tasty snare sidestick. An iridescent bridge precedes the guitars taking on heavier washes of sound as Donaldson’s superb voice infuses the lyrics with intense passion.
Lochness Monster has it going on! Highlighted by opulent guitars and finessed drumming, the music converges into rich, lustrous layers of superlative alt-rock.
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify
The post EP Review: Lochness Monster Drops ‘Working For A Future’ first appeared on Free Noise Pod.
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