Rise of the Bedroom Producer is a short documentary that to try to explore the impact of the high number of new producers getting involved in the British dance music scene.

Featuring Interviews from Lynx, Macca and Foreign Concept.

Macca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaccaDNB
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/maccadnb

Lynx
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LYNX/9058930843
Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/detailrecordings

Foreign Concept
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/foreignconcept
Soundcloud: http://www.soundcloud.com/foreignconcept

CONTACT:
Email: mo@motapro.co.uk
Web: motapro.co.uk

I’ve got three awesome links for you guys to check out.

First is a true game changer.  Pensado’s Place is a web show featuring platinum mix engineer and his engineer Herb Trawick interviewing some of the greatest engineers, producers, songwriters, and music industry leaders in an hour long web show.  Nearly 100 shows deep, there is plenty of knowledge to improve your sonics!

Check out Pensado’s Place in the latest episode below (featuring MixedByAli ) .

Next is an article from Matthew Weiss (care of theproaudiofiles.com). Mr. Weiss is a mixing engineer and producer with a great portfolio and great knowledge to boot.

How to Build Your Career as a Music Producer

theproaudiofiles.com/music-production-career/

1. Define what success is for you

2. Swallow your pride and get a budget

3. Form a team

4. Get out there

5. Be persistent

6. Get really f’ing good at what you do!

Check Matthew Weiss out at http://weiss-sound.com/ and more great info at theproaudiofiles.com

Finally, below is an article from Daniel DR Ford, an extraordinaire producer whose interview with Slate Digital I shared HERE)

Who owns the Masters? Information every young musician or studio owner should know.

http://drfordmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/who-owns-masters-information-every.html

As Always please share, comment, retweet, and join the conversation!

I’m a BIG reader.  This is part 1 in a series on books that I humbly believe should be required reading for Music Biz Wiz Kids.

Let’s be honest, the music industry is changing at an ever increasing faster and faster rate with new services, legal aspects, power players, artists, bands, labels, movements, and trendsetters coming and going every week.  So for the most up to date news, it’s best to keep an eye on sites like HypeBot and MusicThinkTank.  However, a good great book will pack information and wisdom by the pound!  If you are not a reader or do not consider yourself a reader, you are doing yourself a serious discredit.  So start reading!

Here is a reading list of books that will make you a true Music Biz Wiz Kid.

(Click the title to head on over to Amazon to buy the books for yourself!)

Confessions of a Record Producer by Moses Avalon – When the original edition of this book came out over 10 years ago, it made a stir.  Mr. Avalon put into the book real world numbers and case studies about how money is made in the music business – the players, the winners, the losers, the nitty gritty details in dollars and sense.  It’s the only book that tells the real story of how artists and producers get screwed over and how they can protect themselves. …………………………………………………………………………………………………

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman – A must have for anyone in the music business – young or old, just beginning or highly experienced in the industry.  Almost every Music Business 101 course makes this required reading.  And for good reason too.

“If I had to recommend only one music business book for someone who wanted to break into the music industry, this would be it. Donald S. Passman’s All You Need to Know About the Music Business is one of what I refer to as the Holy Trinity of music business books.” – Randi Reed of MusicBizAdvice.com ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mastery by Robert Greene – I read this cover to cover in less than 4 days.  No, its not strictly about the music business but what Robert Greene talks about this is (at the same time) easily applied to a career in music and much much bigger than that. Robert Green does what many authors have tried to do, but only a handful (or possibly none) have done before- Reveal the secret of true mastery and genius. “The secret, Greene maintains, is already in our heads. Debunking long-held cultural myths, he demonstrates just how we, as humans, are hardwired for achievement and supremacy.” – Amazon Book Description ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene – 48 Laws of Power is the modern day Machiaveli “The Prince.” Using enthralling examples from history, Robert Greene dissects the rules of power that govern kings, businessmen, con artists, leaders, and emperors.  Readers can easily take the knowledge and apply it to what they do in the music business (or any other business for that matter).  This book is not only a fascinating read on its own, but even more powerful when you understand that many powerful people in music and entertainment- everyone from Will Smith to 50 Cent- swear by this book like the Bible. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris- In the future, everyone will be self-employed.  Get a head start on everyone else by reading Tim Ferris.  From designing your ideal lifestyle to becoming more productive and effective to starting an online business that make money- this book packs a lot of useful information, but more importantly Mr. Ferris gives practical advice and step by step actions you can take to achieve success and join the New Rich.  Well why read this if your in the music business?  Why not?  It will open your mind, expand your horizons, and start you on the path of designing the life you want inside and outside of the music industry.  …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – This little book was another eye opener.  Its short and sweet, but what Austin Kleon does in this book is tremendous.  He breaks down commonly held assumptions about what it is to be creative and how to be creative.  Rule #1 – Question Destroy your concept of originality!  It’s baloney.  Nothing has been original in a long time. Start stealing from the best like artists do – pick and choose from your inspirations what works for you and test it out with trial and error.  I’ve personally given this book to artists, writers, poets, designers, musicians, bands, artists, etc… Highly recommended for anyone who is a creative.

If you enjoyed this article please comment, share, like, subscribe, and join in on the conversation!

Until next time,

Share Knowledge. Spread Love. Make Music.

Rick Goetz, of MusicThinkTank and MusicianCoaching, writes a truly inspired and informative article that I had to share with my fellow Wiz Kids!  In the article, he talks about the misconception about what it truly takes to be successful (perpetuated by media like “Behind The Music.”  In short, it takes grit (patience, persistence), solid business knowledge, marketing your personal brand, setting goals, building a community, and networking. 

So Without Further ado here is a link Mr. Goetz’s article.

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-forget-about-the-music-industry.html

For more about the author, Mr. Goetz, go to http://rickgoetzconsulting.com/

http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-forget-about-the-music-industry.html

How It All Started

Why Mark Twain Matters

The Pressure to Succeed

How To Build Your Network Part 1 (Part 2) (Part 3)

David Foster’s Priceless Advice for Songwriters

Advice from David Dr. Ford

Must Watch TV: Inventing David Geffen

Why Zig Ziglar Matters Rip 1926-2012

Drumma Boy Interview

Why Most Indie Music Groups and Labels Fail (Part 1) (Part 2)

YouTube cancels billions of video views after they had been ‘faked’ by music industry

The world’s biggest recording companies have been stripped of two billion YouTube hits after the website cracked down on alleged ‘fake viewers’.

Universal, home of Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber, lost a total of one billion views in the video site’s biggest ever crackdown on artificially inflated figures.

Sony was second hardest hit, with the label behind such stars as Alicia Keys, Rita Ora and Labrinth losing more than 850million views in a single day.

The dramatic cuts came as YouTube conducted a crackdown on fake views, but music industry sources have blamed it on housekeeping related to the migration of their videos across different channels.

The unprecedented move left Universal with just five videos on the site – none of which were music – and Sony with just three.

‘This was not a bug or a security breach. This was an enforcement of our viewcount policy,’ YouTube announced. Read more here

From all of us at MusicBizWizKids.com

6.)Taking Everything Personally

I heard a great piece of advice that has stuck with me for a long time-

“Once you stop taking anything personally, can you truly start to live.”

When you take things personally, you see everything as a personal attack on you. Most of the time, this is merely in your head- But by doing so, you anticipate and expect people to attack you personally … as a result you begin to see everything as a personal attack and react aggressively- attacking others personally. This is a vision cycle and a self fulfilling prophecy- Break the cycle and make a pledge to take absolutely NOTHING personally- Only you can decide who offends you! Make the choice! 

7.)Not taking Responsibility aka The Blame Game
We’ve all seen it before- the ball is dropped and everyone’s looking around, pointing fingers. Like #6 above, this is a vicious cycle that must be broken. If it is a team/collective unit/label you are trying to form, everyone is responsible for the success of the group- From the leader to the interns. Make a commitment to not allow for any excuses or complaining or blaming! It will only spread negative energy and infect everyone!

8.)Poor Communication

Just as in any personal relationship, Communication is essential in any business. For whatever reason communication breakdowns occur and small issues easily blow up into monstrous problems. Key people in the group are left in the dark on basic issues/ideas/goals. Everyone must be on the same ‘bus’- if they are not on the right bus, STOP and kick them off FIRST before you continue moving forward. Do not compromise on communication- make things clear, concise, and so easy even a 6 year old can understand it without confusion. Make sure open lines of communication are kept so any issues can be heard about early and dealt with before they grow.

9.)Desperation

Oftentimes in new ventures, there is a very tight budget – both in the business and personally for those committed to making the startup work. DO NOT allow your financial state, no matter how meager, to force your hand in making irrational, dangerous, stupid decisions (see #10 below). Stay committed to the bigger picture. If you have to eat rice and beans for 5 years to make it – commit to eating them and take pride. Pay your dues without resorting to begging, needless borrowing, or stealing.  There is no Honor among thieves and if you steal with a thief expect him to steal from you very soon.
10.)Encourage Creativity and Embrace Change
David Foster spoke at the BMI songwriter Awards, giving a speech on advice for Songwriters (http://musicbizwizkids.com/2012/10/22/david-fosters-priceless-advice-for-songwriters/). He said to make every decision as if you have $1 million in the bank already.  Do not allow money or the desire of money or fame or sex to blind you from making great art. Learn to be schizophrenic – separate your mind into art and money. When art is being made, money is no object and a non-issue. When it’s time to make money, do worry about selling out – that’s the point ! You want to be sold out of your art/music/t shirts etc. Furthermore, do not hold on to the past and what may or may not have worked in the past – Change and uncertainty are the only constants in this universe and when you embrace that truth you will not only destroy fear but achieve greatness.