Day 203 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #16) "Annie could be the most hard-working woman on the indie music scene today." - George Radai, Deep End Productions. I promise to post blogs here, sharing some daily activities of all the work I do to get there until I win, and when I do, YOU can say you followed me all the way!
Yep, I DID get that iMix done - it's called GREAT GRRL MUSIC! Please look it up in the list of iMixes! Planning on making more when I have more free time.....................????????????????? So, I noticed on that Artist X thingy that Artist X is not really doing any better when it comes to improving his success. With all the marketing stuff there is out there that artists need to be doing, how can anyone get it all done??? I can totally understand how he's not doing any better. There's not time to get all the stuff done that any one artist has to get done.
Anyhoo, so I am finishing up those press kits tonight, making posters for the TX gigs, and also have to start burning more CDs for Plein Air on Friday. My fabulous boyfriend is helping me sell CDs and getting info to people... having a person to do your merch is crucial. I need Tshirts!!!!!!! I guess I should have some made, but I can't decide on a design. Maybe the Kiwi Cafe artwork would work well if Jesse Engelbrecht would get the stuff to me!
Anyhoo, Artbeat and TX is creeping up on me real quick-like! Better get back to work!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 200
Day 200 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #15)
I was up til 5am after discovering a new music site: www.thesixtyone.com... just over 12 hours later I already have 22 listeners for the Shut Up Marie stuff I posted, and I can't keep up with all the "hearting"! I am not one to miss any sleep, though. I slept happily until 11:30am when I took my 3rd phone call today... Don't people know that musicians rarely get up before noon????
Anyhoo, so other activities today - making 20 press kits for Theo to mail out, including creating the cover, re-vamping my bio, and other press kit stuff (like updating the listing of venues played,) all the Artbeat Thank You letters (FINALLY - what a slacker!!!) Getting these killer pamphlets printed, although that happened last night/this morning. I think I kept Theo awake.... I know I woke him up a few times. He's still crashing on my futon and I am not sure when he'll be able to get a place of his own, but he's a great guy and he can stay as long as he needs to if it were up to me!
Working on bookings for Shut Up Marie & for my solo & duo projects too... might have something for the duo in Nov., and working on an opening bill for Shut Up Marie (opening for my cover band Unnatural Act!) at the Penny Road Pub in South Barrington, IL. Good thing I have no problem singing all night long thanks to my amazing vocal coach Kelli Ann of Who Knew!!! Woo-hoo!!! The Musician's Atlas is what we're using to find venues and we'll be using it to find all the other stuff we need when the album is done.
Also studying this Artist X Music Marketing Project... trying to see how a guy who has a full-time job and is married would have the time to do all the stuff they recommend for him to do! Should be interesting to find out how the whole thing ends! My goal by the end of my workday today is to create one iMix for iTunes... a strategy recommended by one of the chapters in the project. I might be able to figure out how to get that done before I have to leave for the meeting with Artbeater Steve Daubs at 7:30 tonight!!!!!!!
Wish me luck!!!!!!!
Keeping loading your gun!!!!
:)
Annie
I was up til 5am after discovering a new music site: www.thesixtyone.com... just over 12 hours later I already have 22 listeners for the Shut Up Marie stuff I posted, and I can't keep up with all the "hearting"! I am not one to miss any sleep, though. I slept happily until 11:30am when I took my 3rd phone call today... Don't people know that musicians rarely get up before noon????
Anyhoo, so other activities today - making 20 press kits for Theo to mail out, including creating the cover, re-vamping my bio, and other press kit stuff (like updating the listing of venues played,) all the Artbeat Thank You letters (FINALLY - what a slacker!!!) Getting these killer pamphlets printed, although that happened last night/this morning. I think I kept Theo awake.... I know I woke him up a few times. He's still crashing on my futon and I am not sure when he'll be able to get a place of his own, but he's a great guy and he can stay as long as he needs to if it were up to me!
Working on bookings for Shut Up Marie & for my solo & duo projects too... might have something for the duo in Nov., and working on an opening bill for Shut Up Marie (opening for my cover band Unnatural Act!) at the Penny Road Pub in South Barrington, IL. Good thing I have no problem singing all night long thanks to my amazing vocal coach Kelli Ann of Who Knew!!! Woo-hoo!!! The Musician's Atlas is what we're using to find venues and we'll be using it to find all the other stuff we need when the album is done.
Also studying this Artist X Music Marketing Project... trying to see how a guy who has a full-time job and is married would have the time to do all the stuff they recommend for him to do! Should be interesting to find out how the whole thing ends! My goal by the end of my workday today is to create one iMix for iTunes... a strategy recommended by one of the chapters in the project. I might be able to figure out how to get that done before I have to leave for the meeting with Artbeater Steve Daubs at 7:30 tonight!!!!!!!
Wish me luck!!!!!!!
Keeping loading your gun!!!!
:)
Annie
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Day 199
Day 199 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #14)
Wow, lots has happened since my last blog only 20 days ago - the biggest thing is I am sick and tired of not having a bass player for my band, so I am learning how to play bass! Yep, Paul McCartney did it when the Beatles (or the Quarrymen?) needed a bassist! Why can't I? So far so good, we've had at least 3 rehearsals with me on the bass, and things are starting to sound pretty good. I keep saying to myself, "If only I had learned the bass years ago when I first thought of it... think of where I'd be now." But the fact of the matter is: Yes, I thought of picking up the bass years ago, and my singing suffered. I think it was that lifetime decision I made to give everything up 3 years ago to live out on the road - it got me singing 3, 4, 5 nights a week... my vocal chops HAD to improve. Now I can kind of let the vocal part go and concentrate on the bass. Lots of these songs I have sung hundreds (thousands?) of times and they are kind of in my blood... especially those early songs from when I first started writing like the "Kiwi Cafe" and "Girl of Secrets." This new instrument has been keeping me pretty busy, so my activity level when it comes to all the biz stuff is a little low right now. But I am enjoying all the stuff CDBaby founder Derek Sivers has to say! He wrote about a very cool project all indie musicians should know about: The Indie Artist X Music Marketing Plan. You can actually follow this plan YOURSELF if you are a musician/starving artist (LIKE ME!)!!!!!!!! Here's a summary of the project: http://gigdoggy.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/the-indie-artist-x-music-marketing-plan-on-the-go/
I can only hope I have the inclination to follow these steps put forth by the experts involved.
Also these past few weeks, I found 2 local recording studios for the new album. Need to visit & get some demos, but they both come highly recommended. I'll keep you posted!
Still waiting on the Kiwi Cafe artwork from Jesse Engelbrecht, I would have loved to have that ready to rock for this Friday's Plein Air show, but it looks like that's not going to happen. UGH!!!
Totally excited about Shelby Keefe in the Artbeat show for October. She's a trip and a half! I have to get on the appetizers for that show... I have been slacking a little since my Pop moved... There's always something going on there that I have to deal with.
So, that's my story for today. Oh, I FINALLY saw the Jersey Boys in Chicago this weekend! What I great show and now I need to buy all the Four Seasons records I can get my hands on!!!!!!!
Peace, Love & Light!!!!!!!
Annie
Wow, lots has happened since my last blog only 20 days ago - the biggest thing is I am sick and tired of not having a bass player for my band, so I am learning how to play bass! Yep, Paul McCartney did it when the Beatles (or the Quarrymen?) needed a bassist! Why can't I? So far so good, we've had at least 3 rehearsals with me on the bass, and things are starting to sound pretty good. I keep saying to myself, "If only I had learned the bass years ago when I first thought of it... think of where I'd be now." But the fact of the matter is: Yes, I thought of picking up the bass years ago, and my singing suffered. I think it was that lifetime decision I made to give everything up 3 years ago to live out on the road - it got me singing 3, 4, 5 nights a week... my vocal chops HAD to improve. Now I can kind of let the vocal part go and concentrate on the bass. Lots of these songs I have sung hundreds (thousands?) of times and they are kind of in my blood... especially those early songs from when I first started writing like the "Kiwi Cafe" and "Girl of Secrets." This new instrument has been keeping me pretty busy, so my activity level when it comes to all the biz stuff is a little low right now. But I am enjoying all the stuff CDBaby founder Derek Sivers has to say! He wrote about a very cool project all indie musicians should know about: The Indie Artist X Music Marketing Plan. You can actually follow this plan YOURSELF if you are a musician/starving artist (LIKE ME!)!!!!!!!! Here's a summary of the project: http://gigdoggy.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/the-indie-artist-x-music-marketing-plan-on-the-go/
I can only hope I have the inclination to follow these steps put forth by the experts involved.
Also these past few weeks, I found 2 local recording studios for the new album. Need to visit & get some demos, but they both come highly recommended. I'll keep you posted!
Still waiting on the Kiwi Cafe artwork from Jesse Engelbrecht, I would have loved to have that ready to rock for this Friday's Plein Air show, but it looks like that's not going to happen. UGH!!!
Totally excited about Shelby Keefe in the Artbeat show for October. She's a trip and a half! I have to get on the appetizers for that show... I have been slacking a little since my Pop moved... There's always something going on there that I have to deal with.
So, that's my story for today. Oh, I FINALLY saw the Jersey Boys in Chicago this weekend! What I great show and now I need to buy all the Four Seasons records I can get my hands on!!!!!!!
Peace, Love & Light!!!!!!!
Annie
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 179
Day 179 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #13)
This past weekend was great - Saturday U.A. played Russ' backyard party "Katzenjammer" (Russ plays guitar for Unnatural Act) and then Zoo Ala Carte on Sunday and it was great to hang out with Melissa's (best friend from college) family for the rest of Sunday afternoon! Was supposed to meet with Steve Daubs Sunday night to get a full update about his trip to the Ukraine and also talk about the Oct 9th Artbeat, but I was way too tired after my full day Sunday.
Scott Berendt is hooking me up with a song on the Buck's local artist CD compliation featuring songs from bands who play in the Atrium at the Bradley Center before Bucks games. I played there last January with my acoustic cover trio and Scott is supposed to hook me up with another gig like that this year. I dropped off my CD to Scott yesterday morning so I hope to hear from him later this week.
Anthony just talked to a bass player for the new project. Anthony and I met today to work on songs at his house and things are moving along with that project. Kind of in a new direction? I did e-mail another bassist from Craigslist this morning, too. We're trying to get into the studio to record a 4-song demo, but now we are not sure what songs to include on the demo. Changes in direction are making for some frustration but we ARE moving forward.
Also today I dropped off some promo materials for myself (solo/duo/trio) and for Unnatural Act for Johnny B. to get some bookings for us, perhaps at Rookies in Oconomowoc. We might have a few sweet & well-paying gigs in Sept. if he can pull it off. I need to check in with him tomorrow to find out more details on these gigs... he's supposed to meet with these folks tomorrow.
This morning I emptied out a big box. Believe it or not, I still have unpacked boxes here (I moved in a year ago), but that's because some of the boxes contain kitchen stuff & other stuff which I do not need to unpack here. Unpacking is still happening also due to the organization I desire. I can't seem to unpack everything at once, it gets too disorganized. But since I cleaned the hell outta this place last week, it feels sooooooooo much nicer, there is more room, and the energy is better. I hope to unpack & organize one box every morning until I am done. I think I can do that and be done in a week or two. Wouldn't that be fabulous?
Also last night, I visited my Pop. He and I played Connect Four. He liked that game.
Tomorrow night is orientation for JustFaith, through Three Holy Women Church. I am really looking forward to that project, and I hope I don't have time conflicts with it.
Well, have a great night and I'll see you again soon!!!!!
This past weekend was great - Saturday U.A. played Russ' backyard party "Katzenjammer" (Russ plays guitar for Unnatural Act) and then Zoo Ala Carte on Sunday and it was great to hang out with Melissa's (best friend from college) family for the rest of Sunday afternoon! Was supposed to meet with Steve Daubs Sunday night to get a full update about his trip to the Ukraine and also talk about the Oct 9th Artbeat, but I was way too tired after my full day Sunday.
Scott Berendt is hooking me up with a song on the Buck's local artist CD compliation featuring songs from bands who play in the Atrium at the Bradley Center before Bucks games. I played there last January with my acoustic cover trio and Scott is supposed to hook me up with another gig like that this year. I dropped off my CD to Scott yesterday morning so I hope to hear from him later this week.
Anthony just talked to a bass player for the new project. Anthony and I met today to work on songs at his house and things are moving along with that project. Kind of in a new direction? I did e-mail another bassist from Craigslist this morning, too. We're trying to get into the studio to record a 4-song demo, but now we are not sure what songs to include on the demo. Changes in direction are making for some frustration but we ARE moving forward.
Also today I dropped off some promo materials for myself (solo/duo/trio) and for Unnatural Act for Johnny B. to get some bookings for us, perhaps at Rookies in Oconomowoc. We might have a few sweet & well-paying gigs in Sept. if he can pull it off. I need to check in with him tomorrow to find out more details on these gigs... he's supposed to meet with these folks tomorrow.
This morning I emptied out a big box. Believe it or not, I still have unpacked boxes here (I moved in a year ago), but that's because some of the boxes contain kitchen stuff & other stuff which I do not need to unpack here. Unpacking is still happening also due to the organization I desire. I can't seem to unpack everything at once, it gets too disorganized. But since I cleaned the hell outta this place last week, it feels sooooooooo much nicer, there is more room, and the energy is better. I hope to unpack & organize one box every morning until I am done. I think I can do that and be done in a week or two. Wouldn't that be fabulous?
Also last night, I visited my Pop. He and I played Connect Four. He liked that game.
Tomorrow night is orientation for JustFaith, through Three Holy Women Church. I am really looking forward to that project, and I hope I don't have time conflicts with it.
Well, have a great night and I'll see you again soon!!!!!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Day 175
Day 175 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #12)
Today was a bad day 'cuz my boyfriend and I broke up. Lots of energy drained today, and I am sad.
That's one thing you need to know about moving your career forward. Do not stay in unhealthy relationships or unhealthy friendships. They DRAIN you, and Lord knows, indie artists need LOTS of energy in order to compete in this crazy business. Not that this relationship was particularly unhealthy, but it was unhealthy for a lot of last year. This year, it was really quite healthy, but it just didn't work out after all. It was ultimately about those deal-breakers, you know. Like, some people don't want their boyfriend or their girlfriend to maintain close friendships with the ex or ex's. Yep, that's a deal-breaker for me. I don't think there's anything anyone can say to convince me that it's perfectly fine & healthy if your boyfriend's best friend is also his ex.
Anyhoo, so I also ended up with a nasty allergy attack today, so not much was done today at all. I did get a phone number for a recording engineer that comes highly recommended by my friend Brian Douglas who works at Cream City Music. Brian also plays in a band called The Black Saints. I hope to see them soon!!!!!
Also just got another possible tips gig for Austin... it showed up in my MySpace in-box about an hour ago! It's pretty awesome how the energy starts flowing back to you: Putting out positive energy => more positive energy right back atcha'. Putting out negative energy => more negative energy right back atcha'! I am trying to keep the positive energy flowing and flowing with a nice, strong current. Breaking up with the boy who wants to remain best friends with his ex is probably a good move in that direction.
So, I need to get some rest. I also screwed up my back yesterday moving my P.A. head before doing my morning stretches. Gotta be more careful!
Have a beautiful night!
Today was a bad day 'cuz my boyfriend and I broke up. Lots of energy drained today, and I am sad.
That's one thing you need to know about moving your career forward. Do not stay in unhealthy relationships or unhealthy friendships. They DRAIN you, and Lord knows, indie artists need LOTS of energy in order to compete in this crazy business. Not that this relationship was particularly unhealthy, but it was unhealthy for a lot of last year. This year, it was really quite healthy, but it just didn't work out after all. It was ultimately about those deal-breakers, you know. Like, some people don't want their boyfriend or their girlfriend to maintain close friendships with the ex or ex's. Yep, that's a deal-breaker for me. I don't think there's anything anyone can say to convince me that it's perfectly fine & healthy if your boyfriend's best friend is also his ex.
Anyhoo, so I also ended up with a nasty allergy attack today, so not much was done today at all. I did get a phone number for a recording engineer that comes highly recommended by my friend Brian Douglas who works at Cream City Music. Brian also plays in a band called The Black Saints. I hope to see them soon!!!!!
Also just got another possible tips gig for Austin... it showed up in my MySpace in-box about an hour ago! It's pretty awesome how the energy starts flowing back to you: Putting out positive energy => more positive energy right back atcha'. Putting out negative energy => more negative energy right back atcha'! I am trying to keep the positive energy flowing and flowing with a nice, strong current. Breaking up with the boy who wants to remain best friends with his ex is probably a good move in that direction.
So, I need to get some rest. I also screwed up my back yesterday moving my P.A. head before doing my morning stretches. Gotta be more careful!
Have a beautiful night!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Day 165
Day 165 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #11)
What's going on? I am blogging every day now! Oh, my, there must be some mistake!!!
No, no, my friend, there is not. I am actually keeping FOCUSED... remember, I was having BIG trouble with that not long ago! Just read yesterday's blog and I honestly have to admit I am surprised how well I am keeping focused!
Got the Artbeat THANK YOU's out, got the Des Moines e-mail list updated, in communications with booking for MOTOR, and sent an e-mail to the guys about rehearsing for the 21st at the Coach House. Sent the CD to Jesse for the cover artwork, and Theo is, AS I WRITE, building that database of the Midwest venues. Good thing Ralph and I are not working together since he would not be happy doing the work that Theo is doing to get us BOOKED... building that database, sending out e-mails, follow-ups, etc. Is it really the job of an intern to do that sort of stuff WHEN YOU HAVE NO INTERNS???
We've already got venues from IL, IA, WI, & MN asking about rates & avails. Not bad, "Intern-Boy"!!! And what I like about the online database we are using to build our own is that there is ALOT of information on each record for each venue. Capacity, genres, lots of contact into including MySpace links, percentage of cover bands vs. original bands booked, it's AMAZING!
Next BIG project: Working on cleaning out my e-mail in-box. Turns out that the girl who books bands & artists for MOTOR already contacted me earlier this summer and I never got back to her! Can you imagine that? Her e-mail got LOST in my in-box! NOT GOOD!!! Boy, does that make me look like a disorganized flake, or what??? So, I am doing my best to get rid of 200-300 e-mails out of my in-box every night. (No, Honey, you really don't want to know how many are in there right now.) I hope I can do it. It will still take me a long time to clean out my in-box, but I now know the secret: FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!!!
Also started submitting for more Sonicbids opportunities. I guess since we got the GAP one, I should keep the good energy flowing!
Gosh, it seems like a lot got done today. It really does help - this blogging thing. You should try it!
Peace, Love, & Light!!!
:)
Annie
What's going on? I am blogging every day now! Oh, my, there must be some mistake!!!
No, no, my friend, there is not. I am actually keeping FOCUSED... remember, I was having BIG trouble with that not long ago! Just read yesterday's blog and I honestly have to admit I am surprised how well I am keeping focused!
Got the Artbeat THANK YOU's out, got the Des Moines e-mail list updated, in communications with booking for MOTOR, and sent an e-mail to the guys about rehearsing for the 21st at the Coach House. Sent the CD to Jesse for the cover artwork, and Theo is, AS I WRITE, building that database of the Midwest venues. Good thing Ralph and I are not working together since he would not be happy doing the work that Theo is doing to get us BOOKED... building that database, sending out e-mails, follow-ups, etc. Is it really the job of an intern to do that sort of stuff WHEN YOU HAVE NO INTERNS???
We've already got venues from IL, IA, WI, & MN asking about rates & avails. Not bad, "Intern-Boy"!!! And what I like about the online database we are using to build our own is that there is ALOT of information on each record for each venue. Capacity, genres, lots of contact into including MySpace links, percentage of cover bands vs. original bands booked, it's AMAZING!
Next BIG project: Working on cleaning out my e-mail in-box. Turns out that the girl who books bands & artists for MOTOR already contacted me earlier this summer and I never got back to her! Can you imagine that? Her e-mail got LOST in my in-box! NOT GOOD!!! Boy, does that make me look like a disorganized flake, or what??? So, I am doing my best to get rid of 200-300 e-mails out of my in-box every night. (No, Honey, you really don't want to know how many are in there right now.) I hope I can do it. It will still take me a long time to clean out my in-box, but I now know the secret: FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS!!!
Also started submitting for more Sonicbids opportunities. I guess since we got the GAP one, I should keep the good energy flowing!
Gosh, it seems like a lot got done today. It really does help - this blogging thing. You should try it!
Peace, Love, & Light!!!
:)
Annie
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day 164
Day 164 of ANNIE B.'s D.I.Y. MAGAZINE (Post #10)
Hello, Hello! Working today on getting all those long-overdue THANKS YOU's out to all the Artbeaters! Also need to send out that e-mail to all the new Des Moines fans from our show last Friday. Did sell a few CDs but I will be happy if we get paid better next time since we did not even get paid expenses (and that was actually part of the deal). But we did really have a GREAT time on the drive out - lots of laughing and bonding. The three of us work well together in the rehearsal studio, and now that I know we can get along fine on a 6-hour small-car drive, that's really a good sign. The show was great, not a HUGE crowd, but a decent crowd... again, sold some CDs, collected some e-mail addresses... moving forward in Des Moines!
Anyhoo, got an e-mail from Kandall Polster (welder artist from the last Artbeat) who is helping me get a show at the Harley Museum restaurant, Motor. Also got hooked up with a gig at Momo's in Austin through a contact there - John Doughty. Scott Berendt also hooked up a gig at the Coach House since he double-booked himself. (Oops!) But it feels REALLY good to be getting offers and calls now instead of always having to solicit the gigs, make the cold calls, etc etc etc. I guess hard work really DOES pay off!!!
New this week: my artwork for The Kiwi Cafe being done by Jesse Engelbrecht (gallery artist from the April Artbeat). His sketchwork would be PERFECT for the Kiwi Cafe album cover, so we are to talk about it tonight over the phone. (TOTALLY excited about putting out the album the way it should be, instead of burning copies for my shows every time!)
Also, I am no longer working with Ralph from Active Artist Management. I guess that's no surprise, since we have been butting heads since almost Day One. He is a good guy, but I know that we do not belong working together.
Thank goodness the dry songwriting spell over the last 3 years or so seems to be FINALLY OVER! Those 3 new songs we started working on at rehearsals are definitely worthy additions to the set!
Theo started e-mailing venues all over the Midwest last week so the band can start building a regional following. So far, we have been getting a pretty good response, but there is a great need to build an online database that we can use to communicate all activities, and find people's e-mail addresses quickly, since I notice that most responses do not indicate the venue/town they are representing. ANOTHER project!!!
I ALSO need to start working on contacting publishing companies for "What Do You Do"... since that song just does not seem to fit in with what we are doing right now. When I am going to find time doing that, I am not sure... but I hope to fit in in somewhere soon!!!!!! Anyone who is interested in interning for a record label based out of Milwaukee, please give a shout: anniebbaby@gmail.com. I know a LOT about the music business and I know how to make things happen, but with everything we've got going on, it can't all be done by just a few people! We need interns!
Have a beautiful day and NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!!!
Hello, Hello! Working today on getting all those long-overdue THANKS YOU's out to all the Artbeaters! Also need to send out that e-mail to all the new Des Moines fans from our show last Friday. Did sell a few CDs but I will be happy if we get paid better next time since we did not even get paid expenses (and that was actually part of the deal). But we did really have a GREAT time on the drive out - lots of laughing and bonding. The three of us work well together in the rehearsal studio, and now that I know we can get along fine on a 6-hour small-car drive, that's really a good sign. The show was great, not a HUGE crowd, but a decent crowd... again, sold some CDs, collected some e-mail addresses... moving forward in Des Moines!
Anyhoo, got an e-mail from Kandall Polster (welder artist from the last Artbeat) who is helping me get a show at the Harley Museum restaurant, Motor. Also got hooked up with a gig at Momo's in Austin through a contact there - John Doughty. Scott Berendt also hooked up a gig at the Coach House since he double-booked himself. (Oops!) But it feels REALLY good to be getting offers and calls now instead of always having to solicit the gigs, make the cold calls, etc etc etc. I guess hard work really DOES pay off!!!
New this week: my artwork for The Kiwi Cafe being done by Jesse Engelbrecht (gallery artist from the April Artbeat). His sketchwork would be PERFECT for the Kiwi Cafe album cover, so we are to talk about it tonight over the phone. (TOTALLY excited about putting out the album the way it should be, instead of burning copies for my shows every time!)
Also, I am no longer working with Ralph from Active Artist Management. I guess that's no surprise, since we have been butting heads since almost Day One. He is a good guy, but I know that we do not belong working together.
Thank goodness the dry songwriting spell over the last 3 years or so seems to be FINALLY OVER! Those 3 new songs we started working on at rehearsals are definitely worthy additions to the set!
Theo started e-mailing venues all over the Midwest last week so the band can start building a regional following. So far, we have been getting a pretty good response, but there is a great need to build an online database that we can use to communicate all activities, and find people's e-mail addresses quickly, since I notice that most responses do not indicate the venue/town they are representing. ANOTHER project!!!
I ALSO need to start working on contacting publishing companies for "What Do You Do"... since that song just does not seem to fit in with what we are doing right now. When I am going to find time doing that, I am not sure... but I hope to fit in in somewhere soon!!!!!! Anyone who is interested in interning for a record label based out of Milwaukee, please give a shout: anniebbaby@gmail.com. I know a LOT about the music business and I know how to make things happen, but with everything we've got going on, it can't all be done by just a few people! We need interns!
Have a beautiful day and NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!!!!
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