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The Future Sound of Music.

Getting that ‘lucky break’ in the music business has never been easy, but these days it is tougher than ever. Why? Well think about it; just about every possible style of music has already been covered! In fact, true originality is becoming more and more elusive on a weekly basis.

Of course, there are bound to be a few more fresh styles in the years ahead… although it is becoming increasingly tricky for today’s new artists to come up with anything that has not already been done before. And you only have to think about just how many different genres of music we now have at our disposal to see why this is so true…

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Music from a cold climate

There’s a weird phenomenon that I noticed recently; singer/songwriters from Scotland and Canada sound strangely alike. Separated by thousands of miles and huge ocean, they have nevertheless developed a very similar sound. OK, in these days of the internet and online record sales that’s probably not as weird as I’m making it out to be, but why don’t musicians from Scotland sound like musicians from Australia or those from Canada sound like their American cousins in Mexico? My theory – and stay with me on this one – is that they have both developed their similar maudlin, slightly pessimistic style from living in cold countries.

Think about it; those long, dark winters. Nothing to do, except sit round the fire singing songs and waiting for spring to put in an appearance. It’s no wonder that Canadian singers like Rob Moir sort of remind me of Scottish bands like Frightened Rabbit. Both nations seem to have developed the same self-depreciating sense of humour too, which means lyricists are not afraid to take the piss out of themselves if the song warrants it. Canadians and Scots are responsible for some of the most devastatingly witty break-up songs I’ve ever heard!

Of course, I’m just an ex-student looking for London teaching jobs, not a writer at NME, so it’s unlikely that my theory will ever be extended into an entirely new music movement. McMaple perhaps? Or Tartan Beaver? OK, I’m sure a better writer than me can come up with a better name for my musical discovery. Perhaps the same genius who penned the term “nu-metal” to describe that awful marriage of rap and guitars that made a star of Fred Durst. The number of Canadian musicians already living and working in the UK would suggest that they see us as like-minded and likely to appreciate their work. I say they should head north to Edinburgh, Glasgow or even Aberdeen where they’ll be welcomed with open arms!

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New Markets and DIY for Real Musicians

The entire music industry is in the middle of a paradigm shift. Even five years ago, in order for a new bad to make it, they would look to being signed by a record label. The label would record and distribute and the band didn’t have to do much. The truth of the current situation is that the market share for cd sales is very low. Bands no longer make their money by selling their music so everybody needs to think of a new way of doing things.

The current thought is that the live gig is the place where money is made. This is true for the big names, where people will pay serious money to see their favourite act live. For an unknown band, this is often more difficult. New musicians have got to look at making the most of new media to find a place in the spot light. My band is currently working with a small home brew game developer to create a series different channels for musician to interact with gaming. This varies from sound tracks for computer games to a indie rock and roll version of guitar hero. While cd sales may be flat, the release of the R4i with its capabilities for home brew games as well as films and music to be played on consoles has opened up a realm of exciting new possibilities.

If you are a musician like me, who yearns for the good old days when all we had to do was play our instruments, show up and be brilliant, then you might as well get a day job and join a covers band. Musicians need to get into the thick of marketing themselves. You tube is another great option, and many a new band has built a reputation and an income simply from creating and publishing music videos on youtube. Musicians are embracing you tube as a way to forge an independent existence that is stable and possibly lucrative. There is a wide range of possibilities that include doing covers to get more hits and then using that as a platform to promote original songs. Once a band is generating hits, they can sign up with a variety of different advertising schemes that can help generate income based on the number of hits that the video receives. The rant in the video above is great and shows how many musicians feel these days.

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A Complete Look at the Gilmore Girls

This show stories a day to day life associated with Rory Gilmore, the 16-year-old outcast, together with the girl’s 32-year-old mother Lorelai. The basis of the show is Lorelai bringing up the girl’s girl, who’s going to be exactly the same age she was when Lorelai became pregnant.

Lorelai has worked the girl’s way up to taking care of a nearby motel where Rory part-times after school and the two possess a relationship that’s more sister/sister than mother/daughter. ’Gilmore Girls’is More

Apple And Music publishers Looking To Ink Cloud Streaming Deal

According to a recent news report, there are big things on the horizon for iTunes users. Major music publishers and Apple have been in talks about streaming music through a new cloud service on iTunes.

Apple is quite close to acquiring all the licenses it needs to debut the cloud streaming service later this year. In fact, reports from technology sites such as CNet say that the service will be previewed at the Worldwide Developers Conference that takes place in More

Metal and young people

I have recently rediscovered my love of heavy metal. It’s amazing what a few beers; an iPod on some speakers and a great mate can do for you on a night in. There is so much great stuff from a bit of nice rock to full on thrash metal. One of my main rediscoveries was that of the band Deep Purple that my friend claimed to me was really musicians band and he’s very right to be honest. Deep purple More

Preview: Glee At The 02

The cast of the hit Fox Tv show Glee is taking a trip over the pond to perform a live concert in Dublin at the O2. The O2 is a state of the art concert venue in the Dublin Docks. The show was scheduled for two performances but the concert is so popular, the concerts sold out in minutes, two additional shows had to be added to accommodate all of the “Gleeks”in Ireland. The show previously performed four concerts in the United States to rave reviews.

The starts of the show, Dianna Agron (Quinn), Chris Colfer (Kurt), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina), Lea Michele (Rachel), Amber Riley (Mercedes), Darren Criss (Blaine), Harry Shum, Jr. (Mike), Mark Salling (Puck), Naya Rivera (Santana), Heather Morris (Brittany), Kevin McHale (Artie), and Chord Overstreet (Sam) will perform singing and dancing numbers for this sold out concert.

The exclusive Ireland concert was the idea of Glee creator Ryan Murphy and will feature some of the best numbers performed during season 1 and season 2 including, “Toxic”, originally by Britney Spears, “It’s My Life”, originally by Bon Jovi, “Empire State of Mind”, originally by Jay-Z, “My Life Would Suck Without You”, originally by Kelly Clarkson, and “Don’t Stop Believin’”, originally by Journey.

Glee and I Love All Access has provided for special ticket packages, for those lucky enough to get tickets, that includes parties, autographs, the best seats available, and a lot more.

Glee is the number one show among adults 18-49 and boasts 16 million downloads, one Platinum record, two Gold records, and 19 Emmy nominations. With all of the success the show has had, the four performances at the O2 are sure to be a hit. If you were unable to get tickets for the show, make sure to grab a CD and DVD and have your own concert at home with your friends.

Now after you work with Enigin and have your energy saving needs solved you should go catch the Glee show chances are good you will have lots of fun.

Image is everything

These days, making it in the music industry isn’t just about the songs you write or the way you sing. Record labels are just as interested in what you look like and what you wear! Look at two of the biggest female solo artists around at the moment, Jessie J and Florence and the Machine. I doubt either of them would have been so successful if they hadn’t cultivated the right image. Jessie J has actually been making music for More

Image is everything

These days, making it in the music industry isn’t just about the songs you write or the way you sing. Record labels are just as interested in what you look like and what you wear! Look at two of the biggest female solo artists around at the moment, Jessie J and Florence and the Machine. I doubt either of them would have been so successful if they hadn’t cultivated the right image. Jessie J has actually been making music for More

Got to talk about my new car!

The new hybrid Jazz from Honda has just been launched and car lovers couldn’t wait to feast their eyes on this hybrid during its introduction at the Paris motor show earlier in the year. The manufacturers of the New Jazz Hybrid, which is an improvement of its predecessor, the Civic hybrid, hope that this new car will make its mark in the hybrid world and revolutionizing the driving experience. Although the finer specs of the new Jazz hybrid have still More