Category Archives: Industry

Watershed Featured on NPR Today

Posted on July 1, 2012 by

NPR’s Weekend Edition is featuring a story about Columbus rock veterans Watershed today.   Joe Oestreich’s recent book Hitless Wonder: A Life in Minor League Rock and Roll serves a launching point for describing the band’s continued efforts at chasing the dream, including the recent new album launch and their ongoing tour.  Audio for the story will be available on the NPR site after 12ET. From the story:

“I’ve got a 2-and-a-half-year-old son and a 3-month-old daughter, and my wife is at home with both of them, single parenting, right now,” he says. “On the one hand, everyone says, ‘Follow your dream,’ and we’re doing that, but is that in fact admirable? Some days it seems kind of pathetic. Maybe we should just pack it in and go home, but, at this point, I think it’s just too late. This is what we do.”

Besides, Gawel adds, “If you love what you’re doing, and you still feel passionate about it, why would you stop?”

 

 

Posted in Columbus, Industry, Interviews, Music

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MTV2 Launches New Show “Hip Hop Squares” ft. Ghostface, MGK & More

Posted on March 30, 2012 by

MTV2 is launching a new show called Hip Hop Squares on Tuesday, May 22nd at 11pm ET/PT. Obviously its a flip of the Hollywood Squares concept. Ghostface, Mac Miller, Bam Mageria, Nick Cannon, MGK, DJ Khaled , Biz Markie, Kat Graham, Fat Joe,LaMarr Woodley and more are scheduled to participate in the human Tic- Tac-Toe game. The show will be hosted by Hot 97′s Peter Rosenberg.

Peep the trailer for Hip Hop Squares here.

Apply to be a contestant here.

Posted in Industry, News, Wes Flexner

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CMC Hosts Health Care Reform Workshop With National Advocate

Posted on May 5, 2011 by

Image courtesy of Future of Music Coalition

Think the cost of health insurance really sucks? Think no insurance sucks more? Heads up: The Columbus Music Co-op continues a string of educational programs and workshops this weekend by hosting Alex Maiolo from the Future of Music Coalition, a national non-profit organization working for as a proponent of musicians at “the intersection of music, law, technology and policy.” Maiolo is an accomplished musician in his own right, as well as an advocate, writer, recordist, and contributor to Tape Op magazine. It’s his day job, however, that will form the basis for Sunday’s (May 8th, 2-4 PM) presentation at the Jazz Academy (Lincoln Theater, 769 E Long Street). Since 2005 Maiolo has been working on the FMC’s Health Insurance Navigation Tool (H.I.N.T) program, which directly assists the 33% of musicians who are without health insurance in finding affordable coverage. Programs such as H.I.N.T were part of the inspiration for the CMC’s own CMAP program which provides medical grants to Franklin County musicians. If you would like to hear more about H.I.N.T or CMAP, or the state of the insurance industry as it applies to the self employed, you are encouraged to attend. The presentation will focus on musicians, but is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited so please RSVP through the Jazz Academy here.

In typical CMC fashion, it’s not all work- there’s a party involved too. Saturday May 7th at Kobo, there will be a CMC Volunteer Appreciation Party and New Music Showcase (Alert New London, New Tooth and Energy Clinic!). Details can be found on the Facebook event page.

Posted in Columbus, Industry, Music

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Curren$y Signs with Warner. Doing Mixtape With Alchemist. Announces Tour Dates.

Posted on February 1, 2011 by
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The video above has Curren$y performing in Columbus at the end of last year, Curren$y announced today that he is signing to Warner/Asylum.
The New Orleans emcee released two Pilot Talk albums last year on Dame Dash’s imprint BluRoc which sold a total 70,000 units, and allowed him to tour the nation a couple times.
Curren$y will release his 5th and 6th albums the Muscle Car Chronicles and Pilottalk 3 on Warner/Asylum. In the immedate future, Spitta will do mixtape with the Alchemist(producer of Ghostface,Eminem, Nas) entitled Covert Coup which will be sold on I-tunes 4-19 just in time for 4-20. Curren$y has a national tour lined up in support of Covert Coup. .

Tourdates after jump
Continue reading →

Posted in Industry, News, Wes Flexner

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The Black Keys Certified Gold in the United States of America.

Posted on January 11, 2011 by

Earlier this week, Billboard Magazine did a feature on the Black Keys. They stated at press time the Keys were at 481,000 sold. Well, it looks like the Black Keys hit the Gold mark in the USA for 500,000 records shipped.

In sports people often argue about stats put up during expansion seasons vs seasons with less watered down competition.. They  argue about rule changes, and in general, the style of the game and  how can one judge one record vs. another…

So it kinda begs the question, What does a gold record mean in 2011?

I don’t think I even have to explain that this is a dying industry. Didn’t Souljah Boy do like 8,000 last week?

Posted in Industry, News, Wes Flexner

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Dipset Working With Dr. Dre?

Posted on October 1, 2010 by

Well, I guess my theory that Dipset will be part of a new launch of Roc-a-fella is completely off. It looks likes rumors of Dipset on being on Interscope might be a reality?
Jim Jones tweeted today that they just got out of the studio with Dr. Dre?

interesting that appherently as rich as Dre is, he only owns one Nautica shirt, and wore it to both Jay-z and Dipset record sessions?

Posted in Industry, Wes Flexner

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Kanye Issue of the New XXL is Mos Def a Classic

Posted on September 28, 2010 by

New Issue of XXL is classic. Especially if you pay attention to Kanye’s, and Mos Def’s career closely.

Continue reading →

Posted in Industry, Music, Wes Flexner

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Columbus Music Co-op Hosts Legal Workshop + drinks & music

Posted on April 29, 2009 by

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The fine folks at the Columbus Music Co-op have had a busy winter with all kinds of happenings, but spring has sprung, the Parking Lot Blowout is on the distant horizon, and a few other events are emerging from the CMC winter chrysalis. First one is happening this Thursday the 30th at The Shelf, where they’ll be hosting a workshop titled “Legal Issues for Musicians” lead by attorney and co-owner of All Hail Records Tony Clark . You got questions about whether you should be signing with Universal or Sony? RIAA or ASCAP? Or maybe just about how to establish copyright and digital music distribution? I really have no idea if Tony is gonna help you out with your major deal, but I’m betting this is an awesome place to get some fabulous free info on legal matters large and small, and a few of your basic questions answered.  The workshop is from 7-9 PM on Thursday- shoot ‘em an email to let ‘em know you’re coming.

As is the case with almost all the CMC events, this serious business is tempered with a healthy dose of fun. The evening will kick off just downstairs from The Shelf with a happy hour at the Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails, complete with the ladies of the CMC spinning a couple hours (5-7PM) of all local music. I swear a few Commit To Be Lit drinks will make all the legalese magically comprehensible. After the legal workshop, The Shelf space will transition from courtroom to concert hall as it is filled with the dulcet voices of Dan Spurgeon (Bush League All Stars) and Sean Gardner’s solo project Winter Makes Sailors. Music should go from about 9 to 11. If you didn’t get enough booze at Tip Top, bring your own to The Shelf for the show, along with a couple bucks for the performers.

Disclosure: I’m a board member of the CMC

Posted in Columbus, Industry

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Dandy Warhols Still Rule O.K.

Posted on May 21, 2008 by

O.K., the title is a bit misleading. I love the Dandy Warhols — even though I refuse to admit the existence of Odditorium — and have bought just about everything they’ve ever put out right down to the self-released Black Album/Come On Feel The Dandy Warhols package. I’ve easily spent hundred of dollars collecting import singles for unreleased tracks and remixes. But that was back in the days when that was the only way to get those tunes … now I wold just pay 99 cents for the song I didn’t have and save the other nine bucks.

So I was excited to hear the band was releasing it’s latest, …Earth to The Dandy Warhols…, under a remarkably forward-thinking subscription model. For a set price you would get the album as an immediate download, a physical CD once it was released, a screen printed poster, and any b-sides released in the next year. That is all pretty cool, right? The only problem is that they want $34.99 a year for the whole package. For me, that’s pretty steep, even when you include a healthy mark-up for materials and postage, though I’m sure plenty of folks would be more than happy to pay that. Good for them.

What I think would have been a better solution would be to offer the disc and music subscription for something closer to $15-$20, even allowing a lower tier for folks that wanted to go digital only. What do you think, am I being to stingy or am I right in thinking the band might have been better off offering a variety of packages to their fans?

Either way, I’m pleased to see them making a go of it without a Major label, and commend them for at least trying something new, even if it is out of my price range for disposable income these days.

Posted in Industry, Music, Tankboy

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The Chicago anti-promoter ordinance must not pass.

Posted on May 12, 2008 by

In Chicago they’re trying to shove through a new ordinance that would force independent promoters to purchase a “promoter’s license” and insure their events even if they’re promoting an event in a venue that’s already insured. This would put me out of the promotion business. Local blogs and fanzines would no longer be able to book a bill at places like Double Door, The Empty Bottle, Schubas, Metro, or Hideout. Fundraisers would cease to exist.

And I’m just thinking of the live music community … if this thing passes the dance scene in Chicago will basically disappear overnight.

Chicagoist — the local Chicago website I write for — writers Marcus and Lizz have written about this situation much better than I have, and Jim DeRogatis’ daily updates have proven invaluable.

If you are reading this and live in Chicago LET YOUR ALDERMAN KNOW HOW MUCH YOU DISAPPROVE OF THIS … TODAY! RIGHT NOW! RIGHT THIS SECOND! And be sure to mention that if they DO vote for it, they’ve lost YOUR vote when they run for re-election.

If you don’t live here, well, wish us luck … or your band / DJ crew / hip-hop group might have a much harder time finding a gig next time you come through town.

UPDATE: The Chicago “anti-promoter” ordinance has been tabled for “further research” so there will be no vote on it tomorrow. Independent promotion is safe in Chicago for now, and I think it’s entirely due to the strong and immediate response from the music community. I’ve been told this is 100% sure to still come to a vote — possibly within the next month — so folks need to keep the pressure up on Chicago aldermen!

Posted in Chicago, Industry, Music, Tankboy

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