As in any creative profession, songwriters often struggle with writing new and interesting content that will make a splash with fans. Inspiration (like so many things in the music business) takes work, so we here look at seven songwriting blogs that might help get the creative juices flowing. __________________________ Guest…
Author archives: Guest Post
Pick An Original Band Name Or Pay The Price: Meet AUTOPILOT
While picking a band name that’s cool and interesting to fans is ideal, perhaps almost more important is selecting a name which hasn’t been used already been used by other artists (past or present), and which doesn’t defy any attempt to Google it. Here we look at the consequences of…
What Artists Can Take Away From The Success Of Lizzo [VIDEO]
No other artist is having quite as good a year as Lizzo, who is cleaning up by virtually every metric of musical success, from a host of song placements to a sold out tour. While it may seem sudden, this success is the result of years of meticulous planning. Here…
How To Copyright Your Original Music and Why You Need To
As a creator of original music, it is essential that you take the necessary steps to properly protect your work, particularly given what a litigious environment the music industry tends to be. Here we look at the proper channels to follow in order to ensure your compositions are secure. __________________________…
Ipecac Recordings On 20 Years Of Music Business Success [INTERVIEW]
A rare feat in a challenging industry, Ipecac Records has managed to successfully turn a profit during each of its twenty years in operation. Here, founders Mike Patton and Greg Werckman sat down to with The Orchard to discuss the label’s origins and what the future might have in store…
What To Do When A Fan Posts A Video From Your Show On Instagram
While some artists may be strongly opposed to fans posting footage of their concert on Instagram (as they certainly have the right to be) other artists love the idea, seeing it as a source for free promotion. Indeed, if you discover such footage, there are a number of things you…
Katy Perry ‘Dark Horse’ Verdict: End Of The World Or Hand In The Cookie Jar?
In the wake of a recent Federal Jury verdict which resulted in the songwriting team and label behind "Dark Horse" paying out millions of dollars, Stephen Carlisle takes an in-the-weeds look at just how similar the offending song and the Plaintiff’s track "Joyful Noise" really are. ______________________________ Guest post by…
Tour Diary: What I Learned On the Road w/ Heavyweights Of Metal, Mushroomhead
In this piece, Gideon Waxman recounts his recent experience doing a run of shows with his band Familiar Spirits in support of heavy metal band Mushroomhead, recounting what he took away from the experience and what other young bands can do to capture these career-opening opportunities. _______________________________ Guest post by…
Fans Want To Know Your Narrative: Crafting A Story For Your Music Career
When it comes to marketing your music, it can be easy to get lost in the excitement of album launches, interacting with fans, and posting on social media. All these elements are certainly important in cultivating a successful career, but it’s important to also spend time developing a compelling bio…
Japanese Music Sales Dragging, But It Could Be Good News
While the US is well established as the largest music market in the world, number two, Japan, is perhaps less well known. Recently, the island nation’s music sales have seen a bit of slowdown, however. Still, this may not be a bad thing for the music industry overall. _________________________ Guest…