Changing the Music Biz

Here's What IMA Winners, Finalists & Judges Have To Say:

Dirtfoot

www.myspace.com/mydirtfoot, Shreveport, LA

1) In 2009 will you be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
More. Our music depends on the live experience. We also have a new album to promote.
2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick Mortar Retail (B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing
(C) Gigs.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
Hopefully with our new album, we will have more online sales along with gigs and brick and mortar.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
$15-$20.
5) The ideal song price?
$.99 - $1.59.
6) The ideal album price?
$15.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
I expect to see a revival of live music. I think people are growing tired of the homogenized "Disney" experience and want something real. This is taking place politically, environmentally, health wise, everywhere.
8) If you were 'Music Czar' - How would you change the industry?
I would turn the focus on talent. While it's easy to make a dollar on a pretty face, let's honor and reward those that have talent and promote musicality vs. the quick buck.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
Lawrence, KS has been very good to us. The midwestern people are very open to our style of music along with the openness of the town.

Richard Jankovich

Michael Smith Event Music, smitheventmusic.com

2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick Mortar Retail
(B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing
E – Licensing – hands down, we make more money selling our songs to brands and movies/TV shows than to consumers.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
I expect it to continue in this direction for the entire future of music – I believe that the consumer-funding model will be extinct within the next 10 years.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
$10
5) The ideal song price?
Free for people, $10K minimum for businesses
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Survive – but still suffer. It’s harder and harder to get people out of doors to do anything.
8) If you were ‘Music Czar’ - How would you change the industry?
Sensible copyright regulations which favor artists instead of record labels. All the Copyright Regs are lobbied by RIAA and their cohorts – none of the money from PROs and SX gets to actual artists and this is a major problem. Labels are not looking out for anyone’s best interest except their own and a healthy music program would take into account all the interested parties: labels, publishers, artists and content-users like digital download stores, background music providers, licensing companies, etc.
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
Well, I hate to admit that I am not an album guy any more. So I will list my favorite singles of 2008.
Xiu Xiu - “Under Pressure” with Michael Gira – Amazing, cacophony and beauty!
Does It Offend You, Yeah? - “Dawn Of The Dead” - Pure 80’s retro bliss but not corny or cheesy – like a forgotten Echo & The Bunnymen track I wish I heard when I was in high school. Is that a steel drum? I love it!
David Byrne and Brian Eno – “Strange Overtones” – Totally unexpected and a fantastic, cynical pop song.
The Hold Steady - “Constructive Summer” - I tear up everytime I hear the line “where’s the ghost of Saint Joe Strummer...”
Hercules and Love Affair with Antony - “Blind” - the most complete and perfect collaboration between house music and an unlikely singer.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
Hands down...My Bloody Valentine at the Santa Monica Civic Center. Wow...

Marlon

Velvet Code, www.myspace.com/velvetcodeband, New York, NY

1) In 2009 will you be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
More. Building fans and becoming profitable is all on the road.
2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick & Mortar Retail (B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing
Gigs and Licensing.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
3) We will have more success with Digital Downloads as we have just finished our album.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
$12-$15 and include a CD.
5) The ideal song price?
99 cents.
6) The ideal album price?
$7.99.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Survive.
8) If you were 'Music Czar' - How would you change the industry?
I have a few ideas but they are under NDA.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
South Hackensack NJ, Tucson, AZ - NJ is our best fan base, but Arizona is a West Coast haven for our kind of music.
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
1.The Killers - Day & Age - it's a good blend of 80s influence, electronic madness and still the essence of what is The Killers.
2. The Presets - Apocalypso - Absolutely fantastic record with a great message that I relate to - great percussion programming.
3. Innerpartysystem - Self Titled - Amazing new band that rocks the house live too - great electronic programming.
4. Hyper Crush - The Arcade - "Boom Box" is one of the most fun songs of the year for me. Good production.
5. Velvet Code - Black. Blue. Blind. - I have to put our album in there. Although not released yet, it introduces you to the new era of electronic synth pop - goodbye Shiny Toy Guns, hello Velvet Code.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
Mindless Self Indulgence - wherever they played. The Hyper Crush tour with Chronic Future and The Medic Droid, and Innerpartysystem's tour with Kill Hannah.

Mat Martin

hobopop productions, UK

1) In 2009 will you be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
The same as 2008 - it is hard to do more touring than we already do in the UK, and it is our biggest source of income. We expect to do more work overseas in 2009.
2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick & Mortar Retail (B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing?
Gigs.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
I expect it to remain the same for us, with perhaps an increase in the % that downloads represent for us. We also sell quite well through online mail order retail.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
For our shows, in pounds - between £7 and £12.
5) The ideal song price?
Under £1.
6) The ideal album price?
£10 on the nose, a little less for a download.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Just survive, I think, because of the culture of "free music" which is pervading the industry and the global recession having an effect on how much people are willing to spend on tickets and albums. It will definitely survive, though!
8) If you were ‘Music Czar’ - How would you change the industry?
I would remove all music czars from their seats of power.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
A nywhere promoters work for us properly, without a preference for any specific places, and with a preference for arts centre / theatre type venues. Playing in Europe is generally much better than playing in the UK, because artists are treated with more respect and their needs are considered more fully. Specific favorites include St. George's in Bristol, UK, Palacio Euskalduna in Bilbao, Spain & the Pony Bar in Hamburg, Germany...
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
I don't think I have 5 favorite records from 2008, but recent favorites include Kirsty McGee's The Kansas Sessions, Gren Bartley's Carry Her Safe, Tom Waits' Orphans, Devon Sproule's Keep Your Silver Shined, all for the same reason - that they put quality original music ahead of commercial interest and give us some integrity, and are full of great writing and playing.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
Without a doubt, Tom Waits at the Edinburgh Playhouse; also, Devon Sproule with band at Middlewich Festival, and with Paul Curreri at Buxton Opera House. Also, James Philips in my house, and the Hobopop Collective's album launch for The Kansas Sessions from Kirsty McGee at Nexus in Manchester, including the performance from Quiet Loner.

John Pfeiffer

The Aquarian Weekly, NJ

3) How do you anticipate music sales will change in 2009?
Digital Downloads now face an 8% tax increase but they still remain the way of the future.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
$30-45.
5) The ideal song price?
99 cents.
6) The ideal album price?
$9.99.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Live Music is in a deep cycle right now. It will thrive in 2009.
8) If you were 'Music Czar' - How would you change the industry?
I would immediately close most satelite offices, concentrating on a grass roots approach with online sales and offices in New York and L.A. only.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
New York City. Why? Come on...
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
The Felice Brothers - Great approach, fresh and vibrant style.
The Boxmasters - Billy Bob Thornton is a bad ass. And it shows in his music. Great covers of the Beatles and The Who.
Arlan Feiles - Come Sunday Morning. Lush, thinking-man's folk. Makes Bob Dylan look like he's getting old.
Daniele Luppi - An Italian Story. Groovy, trippy Sixties lounge a la your vespar.
Ry Cooder - I Flathead. Ry Cooder completes his California trilogy (which began with 2005's Chavez Ravine and 2007's My Name is Buddy) with
I, Flathead, an album of music by the fictional musician Kash Buk and his band the Klowns, characters in Cooder's 95 page novella.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
Levon Helm at his house. The ramble with The Boxmasters in New York State.

Terry Tompkins

Mad Dragon Records, Philadelphia, PA

1) In 2009 will you be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
Definitely more….technology has provided more resources to record, distribute and promote music. Almost 60,000 record are released a year & this newly found independence has led to a plethora of touring acts on many levels. So, even though the economy (recessions, cost of gas/living/value of dollar) has all gone through the roof, the only way to connect with a fan and make it last is through a live performance. There will be no shortfall in 2009.
2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick & Mortar Retail (B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing
Research suggests that digital downloads will gain more than a 50% market share by 2012. I think it will happen sooner. iTunes is the #1 retailer in the US (including physical/big box stores) – more digital is inevitable, especially for indie labels.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
See above….
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
Depends on the act and the room.
5) The ideal song price?
Free to 99 cents.
6) The ideal album price?
In ten years we will have to use "album" with an asterick. Makes me sad.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
It will thrive because of connections to fans.
8) If you were ‘Music Czar’ - How would you change the industry?
Add a tax to ISP and make all music free.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
Philly, because of the diversity of the scene.
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
Fleet Foxes are still in heavy rotation after 6 months of listening. Ditto for My Morning Jacket.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
The Police final concert at M.S.G. - it was amazing to finally see them for the first time ever on their last show. And Hoots & Hellmouth: almost any show is mindblowing…gotta see to believe.

Eric Wilson

www.myspace.com/ericandhisonlyfriend, Texas

1) In 2009 will you be touring (A) MORE (B) LESS (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
I plan on touring more in 2009. I've been on hiatius for a few months due to some throat problems, for one. Also, I have some new band members that are excited to get going.
2) This year, where did you sell more music: (A) Brick & Mortar Retail (B) Digital Downloads (C) Gigs D) Publishing (E) Licensing
I'd say I made most of my music income from gigging and Internet sales.
3) How do you anticipate this will change in 2009?
I don't think it will change, except I believe I will make more next year as I gain more exposure.
4) What is the ideal range for ticket prices?
I'm comfortable paying $5 for unknown, $25 for up-and-coming artists, and $50 for a huge band.
5) The ideal song price?
Ideal song price, in my mind, should be anywhere from a dollar to two dollars.
6) The ideal album price?
Ideal album price, in my mind, should never exceed 15 dollars.
7) Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
I think live music will thrive with the introduction of so many new festivals. I refuse to believe that live music merely "survives." There's always a demand for good live shows.
8) If you were 'Music Czar' - How would you change the industry?
If I was Music Czar, I would change the avenues which an artist has to take to be heard on national radio. The radio tells people what to listen to, and most people are too lazy to go seek out new artists, thus giving the radio the most control over exposure, and why I would control that first.
9) What are your fave towns & venues to gig? Why?
Most towns in Texas are very welcoming, as well as towns in the northwest. At the moment, I'm cool with venues that hold about a 300 max capacity...at the level I'm at currently, it keeps people focused on the stage without feeling like the place is empty.
10) Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
#1 - Low Vs Diamond - Low Vs Diamond - Incredible. Enough said.
#2 - Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend - Fun album...possibly a flash in the pan, but still great.
#3 - My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges - Great festival band...huge sound.
#4 - T.I. - Paper Trail - I don't even like Rap/Hip-Hop...but this is a great album.
#5 - Eric Wilson - The Twenties - Shameless self-promotion.
11) What were your favorite concerts of 2008?
Coachella, CMJ Fest, SXSW, Low Vs. Diamond at the Troubador.