Full quality web-release provides environmentally sound and cost-effective means for emerging independent artists
The Internet, Worldwide, October 8, 2009 –Following the underground success of their 2007 debut, The Etiquette of Prejudice, Experimental Post-Rock band Groove Manifest is announcing the release of eight new tracks as an EP titled Welcome to the Kingdom. The project will be available for free download (both mp3 and aiff versions!!) beginning January 8th, 2010 at the band’s website, http://www.groovemanifest.com.
Visit GrooveManifest.com now to enter to win the merch prize package!!
Anyone get approached by Hitt Music Group? Save your money, they are a total scam. I have been contacted by them many times. I was weary at first due to the vague wording and the $400 upfront fee. I have been reading other blogs and have found that many others have experienced what I just did.
I wasn’t planning on signing up with HMG because of the registration fee and I would only really want licensing submissions through them, not any of the other amenities they claim but apparently do not deliver. I am glad I stuck to my instincts and the words of fellow musicians by not wasting money with HMG.
I was recently sent this email,
“Hi,
Here is a new film we’re working on that you should look at. It’s going to be a big movie, so the exposure would be huge!
Details: Feature Film / Drama
Synopsis:
Vulvus, Viago and Deacon, are vampires that live here, among us. They are real vampires; undead, immortal creatures who stalk the night and hunt for the blood of humans, preferably virgins. But in night to night life we see that they are much the same as us, experiencing the same difficulties that life (or eternal life) throws at us, especially when it comes to living together in a flatting situation. While we are witness to many of the horrible and and abominable aspects of Vampire life, such as hunting and feeding on humans, vampire rivalry and fighting werewolves, we are also invited for the first time ever, to view the way these immortal beings deal with keeping a clean house, rostering jobs week to week, shopping, going out to a bar, meeting people and trying to fit in. The only thing that seperates these characters from the rest of us is that they have fangs, drink humand blood, and sleep in coffins.
The executive producers of this project are responsible for well over 100 million dollar in US Box Office dollars.
Submission deadline: 8/1/2009
Give me a call if you’re interested!!
Respectfully,
Dax Hunter
A&R Specialist
Hitt Music Group
7039 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA. 90028
323-924-7064 Direct
www.hittmusicgroup.com“
I then cut and pasted the synopsis into google search. Literally one site shows up, www.whatthefolk.net/shadows.html
This film was released in 2006 and is a mockumentary done by the creators of Flight of the Conchords. The synopsis is almost verbatim (one or two words changed).
I advise every musician to stay clear of Hitt Music Group. TOTAL FRAUD!!!!
Independent Musicians Beware!
Lynch’s Dark Night exhibit
July 19, 2009
Just went to view Lynch’s Dark Night of the Soul images at the Michael Kohn gallery in Beverly Hills. I’ve looked through the book already though I was unaware of today’s destination until our arrival. I had a feeling we would be checking out art, but the choice of exhibit was a great surprise.
Pretty chill atmosphere. I would have done better with the music nudged up a bit more. My favorite photo’s are the horse and hog in the field (very surreal, the proportions of the horse remind me of some Dali sketches from a London museum), and the girl @ the grill with the plastic flamingo off in the background (crisp, clean photo with a hint at the grit).
Overall a solid exhibit with groupings of four like pieces lined across or squared, I think 64 in total, throughout two rooms. I say it is worth the trip… close street parking, free entry, provides a nice adjunct to an evening’s outing or a relaxing interruption to a day’s monotony. Showing through August 15th.
P.S. new Groove Manifest material coming soon!!!!
Next Post
April 17, 2009
New Look and Album artwork on Web!
February 18, 2009
Re-vamped the overall look of the Groove Manifest website. And for the first time album artwork is up for viewing as well!
http://www.groovemanifest.com
Leave a comment/review and join the mailing list…
New music to be posted soon!!!
Enjoy
-GM-
Money Making Music – a response…
November 20, 2008
This is my response to Why music can’t ‘just be free’ - http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/pda/2008/nov/18/digitalmusic-digitalmedia
I think copyright law is still valid, though individual deals need to outline the circumstances clearly and be worded in such a way that is of practical use in today’s music business. Music should be free to the masses. Music should be sold to business entities that are using it’s powerful emotion evoking properties to sell their own products or services.
I am a musician. I am not bothered by any individual downloading my music for free and giving it to all his/her friends. However, when that material is being used during a tv commercial or in a movie, where others are making money through the use of my creation, I demand compensation. That is where money is to be made in music right now. Not in selling to listener’s who use music as a means of transcendence and enjoyment. But in selling to the people who use music as a tool for personal profit.
Charge the people who are using it, give it out for free to those who only wish to experience it.
New GM Album Review @ Prog4You.com!
July 6, 2008
Check out the latest review of Groove Manifest’s album, The Etiquette of Prejudice from 07/08 @ http://www.prog4you.com/cd-reviews-07-08/Groove_Manifest.htm
Support Independent Art
-GM-
Industry Forthcomingz
February 6, 2008
Music is free. And the future of the industry will rely on this. Music is and will continue to be used as a marketing tool. This appears on the surface to not be the worst thing for musicians. Money is there to be made. But at what costs?
The industry as we have known it is crumbling. Songs will be given to consumers for free when other products are purchased. For instance, Verizon and Universal lined up a deal that will give free songs with the purchase of a new phone. Consumers are not directly paying for the music. The artist and Universal get paid with a percentage of the cost of the phone. I see this as another step in the wrong direction in regards to the art of sound. When the goal is to monetarily benefit, the art is being compromised by ulterior motives. This results in a deterioration of the quality and progression of music as a creative art form. It simply becomes aural marketing. Fucking Lame. Musicians need to not settle on the ‘diner’ standard that is currently dominating the scene. Songs that are 3:20 long, pop form, and bland to fit into as many tastes as possible. Doesn’t actually satisfy peoples’ tastes, doesn’t offend them either. Stand up to the suits and make music for the love and art of the craft, not for recognition and market value. Aural marketing is killing the sound of real music.
Groove Manifest – Review @ Morbid Outlook
November 11, 2007
Check out this review of Groove Manifest’s album, The Etiquette of Prejudice, @ http://www.morbidoutlook.com/music/inrotation/2007_10_inrotation.html
the New Music Model
May 10, 2007
The new music model is based off of the general cirumstances under which i will buy music. i download songs for free and if i like them i buy them or the album to support that artist in making more music that i will hopefully enjoy as well. Giving away your music (full versions of entire releases) via the internet and inviting people to support by either purchasing an actual cd, merchandise or just by making a donation is the basic outline. For new artists this gives exposure and a non-corporate fan-friendly image as well as an opportunity for fans to support with any amount they are able to or feel like giving. The music and concept speak for themselves and hopefully fans will step up and support. It is an alternative to the current standard business model for music that sacrafices the variety and quality of the artistic content to focus more on image and sales. Unfortunately there is a lot more of the ‘image and sales’ being pushed (both legally and illegally) over music based on it’s content.
‘The radio companies…control thousands of stations nationwide, including Clear Channel Communications Inc., Infinity which now operates as CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting Corp., Cox Radio Inc., Cumulus Broadcasting Inc., Pamal Broadcasting, and Entercom, Emmis Communications Corp. and ABC’
Under a tentative settlement with the Federal Communications Commission, four of the largest radio station owners have agreed to pay a total of $12.5 million to resolve claims that they accepted cash and other incentives in exchange for playing songs.
Some people i’m sure wouldn’t care if a bribe was all it took for them to become ‘famous!’, but making money and making art are completely seperate things and i think the art deserves the airwaves more than the money.
Record companies are obsolete when it comes to the music. They base music releases on business models. Why are we allowing businessmen to dictate the artistic content of our creative mediums? Who needs a record contract/company in order to write, record, and distribute music throughout the world with all the technological advancements of recent years? Let the music and what the artist is saying stand on it’s own. More and more people are downloading their music, legal or not. Support independent art and pirate corporate releases. Attend shows at venues that do not require pay-to-play. We need to take back control of the corporate domination of public airwaves.
