Conference Report: DIY Convention,
Hollywood CA, February 2006
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YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE - TOURING
Moderator: Noel Ramos, InterMixx
Panelists:
Kat Parsons, songwriter
James Leach, SESAC
Chris Fletcher, author
Dave Richards, ClickPop Records
Jason Muller, The Nervous Return
As I said before, touring is the best way for bands and artists to build
their fan base and sell CD’s. The best advice I heard was to take on
manageable goals and to start with a familiar market where you are and
slowly expand out from there. Patience s a virtue when trying to grow your
reputation and play bigger and better gigs. They also said that is better to
have one great gig than 5 so so ones.
KEYNOTE: A Conversation With.... Peter Himmelman
Moderator: Ethlie Ann Vare
I have to say that what Peter had to say really inspired me. I’ll
paraphrase, but the one thing that he said that hit home was asking the
question “What can you do to sustain your faith in your music?” I am still
working on answering that one.
HIDDEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR SONGWRITERS
Moderator: Mike Todd, ASCAP
Panelists:
Tyler Bacon, Position Music
Michael Eames, Pen Music Group
Marc Ferrari, MasterSource Music Catalog
Rich Goldman, RipTide Music
Matt Kierscht, Quiet on the Set
Bob Kaminsky, RipTide Music
This is another panel that I wished could have lasted longer. They talked
about licensing, and choosing people you trust to get your songs in the
hands of people who can use your music. They also talked about how to
present your music to make it easy for those people to find you and use your
music.
INDEPENDENT RECORD LABELS AND ARTIST RIGHTS
Moderator: Anita Rivas, Attorney
Panelists:
Joe Escalante, The Vandals/Barely Legal
Brian Zisk, Future of Music Coalition
Rory Felton, The Militia Group
Ron Gertz, Music Reports Inc.
This, in my opinion, was the most important panel--and the topic that
confuses most artists. Actually, we just don’t want to deal with this stuff
at all. The panel talked about the importance of copyrights, and how you
make sure you know where your music is being used. Your songs are how you
make a living, and this panel talked about how to make sure your rights are
being protected so that you can make a living. This was another panel
that could have lasted all day.
In conclusion:
I left this conference with a lot of business cards and ideas about my
music, and film and games. My head was filled to brim with lots of stuff,
and it will take me awhile to assimilate everything that was said. I asked a
lot of questions and took a ton of notes. I liked the way things were
organized and flowed throughout the two days of the conference. I would
recommend going to the next DIY Convention to anyone who wants to learn,
schmooze and find ways to move their music career forward whatever they are
doing. I found it a lot less overwhelming, and more intimate than some other
conferences I have been to. I am sure will be using what I learned in some
of my future columns.
Live long and prosper.
Keith Kehrer
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