TheOrchard.com

A new kind of record company

The Orchard first contacted me via email at missionman@geocities.com. That was my old email address, and the primary way to contact me concerning Wakefire Records.  They did not know about UMMusic.com.  They wanted me to sign up with them.  I'm going to register with them.  In a few months, I'll do a follow up article and let you know how they have done for me, and any other artists I talk to who use them.  They do have  a small fee for that service, but if they can do what they say they can, the fee is well worth it.  Read the information about TheOrchard.com in this article, and you'll see why.   

    The Orchard was co-founded by Richard Gottehrer, whose stellar career includes writing number one songs such as "I Want Candy" and "My Boyfriend's Back", producing chart-topping acts including The Go-Go's and Blondie and co-founding Sire Records, which boasts some of the most influential artists of all time including Madonna, Talking Heads, The Ramones and The Replacements. 

    The Orchard is a new era record company that primarily sells music through new retail channels and is offering artists the opportunity to make their music available worldwide via the Internet. New and  developing artists and record labels will now have the chance to sell their music on the racks of the already formidable internet stores, such as CDNow.com, Amazon.com, Music Boulevard, and Total E. These stores are extremely difficult to get into on your own, just like getting on a top 40 radio station is very difficult on your own.  If they can put your CD in these stores, then that service alone is worth their fees. 

    There are at least six reasons why The Orchard is a different kind of record company.  These reasons are enough for me to join with them.  Reason six I think is my favorite.  With a non-exclusive agreement, an artist can join a label who also offers a non-exclusive agreement.  For example, if I sign someone with Wakefire Records, I will sign them to a non-exclusive agreement so that they may sign with The Orchard as well.  The reason this is advantageous should be fairly obvious.   As a small record label, my resources are limited to what I know, and more importantly, who I know.  I don't know the right people to get on Amazon.com or CDNow.com.  At least, not right now.  By signing with TheOrchard.com as well, I have more resources available to me.  It's like signing with two record labels at the same time that way. 
Here are the six reasons:
1. They split all income with their artists/labels 70/30 in favor of the artist/label.
2. They make all of their albums available in the major online record stores.
3. They make all of their albums available to traditional record stores through the largest One Stop Distributor in the world.
4. They never make judgments.
5. They give their artists the opportunity to develop and grow.
6. They offer a NON-EXCLUSIVE agreement.

    Their timing is excellent, in my opinion.  They open up on November 1st.  The internet is constantly expanding, and in the very visible future a lot more business will be conducted online.  There are many reasons for this.   1)  With the size of the internet now, you are more likely to find what you are looking for.  For example, you can go to hundreds of stores and not find the Mission Man "Intro To My Mind" CD.  If you look in a search engine under altavista under "Mission Man"  you will find my old website, where you can still buy the CD, and hear soundclips from the CD.  2)  The internet is more convenient, especially with the increased use of credit cards in today's society.   You don't have to leave your home, or shower, or get dressed anymore to buy a CD.   3)  Computers, and the internet, are getting faster and easier to use.   They are no longer complicated machines that only very intelligent people can use.   Get on any chatroom on the web, and you'll see that average people have certainly figured out how to use this wonderful technology.   4)  The internet is also cheaper than a real store because there's much less overhead, and by buying direct from a record company, or an online CD store, that money is saved directly by the consumer.  All of these reasons combined make TheOrchard.com's timing very good for what they want to accomplish.  I'm certainly going to use them to try to sell my CDs.

    Onto their charges.  They have a one time fee of $22.  For that one time charge, you receive your own UPC symbol, a web page on their site with your name, contact info, band photo, and a brief description.  You can receive the following additional services for an additional fee.

Tour Dates - $7, Press Clippings (up to 4) $7, Sound Clips - $25, Additional photos - 2/$5,    Full Length Bio - $5, Individual member pages - $7 each, Link to Other sites - $10.  Contact them for info on Streaming Video and Web-Site Design as well.

To sign up with TheOrchard.com, and for more detailed information, plese print out, read, and fill out the following form which will be sent to you via email, provided by TheOrchard.com.  Be sure to let them know that you read about them here.  Once you have read the form, then I think you will know everything you need to know to make a decision on whether or not to invest the small one-time fee, and the shipping and handling costs of the package you send them.  If you aren't sure even after reading their form, and this article, come back to Underground Music Monthly again around April for the follow up article on them.  There I will let you, the reader, know how smart the investment was, including details on how many copies I sold with them, how much money that made me, etc.  I will also include any information other artists who sign up with TheOrchard.com give me as to their successes or failures with the company.  I hope for all involved that they are successful. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this article.  If any of you sign up with TheOrchard.com, email me, and keep me posted as to what they have done for you.

StarVoice Offers Much To Indie Music

    StarVoice began late last summer with an idea from Gina Scott (their director of literature and music), when she saw there was a great opportunity in chatroom advertising for music artists and labels. She searched out the most promising of all the chatroom designers to come up with a system, and they held a little contest between themselves to see who could do it. Ryan won hands down, and StarVoice now uses his adaptation of the best aspects of all other chatrooms plus some that are their own inventions. Their chatrooms offer html inputs, so pictures, links, font changes and many other things are available to the chat people, which makes it very pretty and interesting. Their music walls currently contain over 700 music files, including archived favorites and late breaking releases from the labels, plus demos from unsigned artists.

    StarVoice hopes to bring together new musical and literary talent with publishing opportunities and with the public. They offer free space to new musicians and writers. They also offer free opportunities and inexpensive sponsorships for record labels. 

    They do this through a synergistic combination of chatrooms and music, which allows a very high exposure rate to groups that would never be noticed. As the chat people search each other out, the music and literature offerings are available on the left panel.  Results include quick notification of chat users when new music is posted, as the chat people inform one another. Special new postings are shown on the quick loading text marquee just below each chatoom's title.

    They also have sponsorships available for record labels and literary publishers. Prices vary according to type of sponsorship. Independent labels are intentionally very inexpensive so that they can achieve more exposure for a tight budget. StarVoice has demo listings free of charge for unsigned artists.  There is a CD of the Week feature in multiple genres are free for all record labels, as well.  Another feature of the StarVoice website is that CyberCompilations will be posted monthly featuring Real Audio Streams and pictures from the best bands of the month which did not get CD of the Week awards.

    So far, StarVoice has been very successful at what they are doing.  They entertain over 300,000 hits per day on more than 2000 chatrooms and music walls. Chatrooms include 30 countries in multiple languages and font setups, including Japanese and Thai script fonts.

    StarVoice Music has some major goals for themselves, and to me, appear to be on their way to accomplishing those goals.  In November, StarVoice will offer 99¢ SoftCD Singles.  These features will come from both record labels and unsigned artists, and will offer quick purchase and download of CD-quality music. Contact music@starvoice.com for details.   After that, they may do some merchandising.  Then they'll try full hard CDs, and eventually they want to go into the movie distribution business as it develops on the internet... but that is probably years away.

Finally, here is the information on who they are:

StarVoice is a cybercorporation based in Dallas, Texas. Offsite offices include our Music and
Literature Center in Utopia Texas and our Chatroom Operations Center in Energy, Illinois.

President:
Edward W. Scott

VP Operations:
Ryan Vinson

Director of Literature and Music:
Gina Scott

Director of Technical Operations:
Justin Scott

Art and Special Effects
Global Artistic Corp.

StarVoice proudly boasts special assistants in 6 states in the US and in 4 other countries

More Changes at Underground Music Monthly

    Underground Music Monthly is taking major steps forward to help independent musicians as much as possible, and give the quality in online magazines you deserve as a reader and likely a musician working hard to make it in the industry.  Last month we had the addition of Rachel Miller to our staff.  This month she does more, including the cover page.  Carrie Wagner has also joined on, and reviewed two CDs this month.  I hope this brings more interest to the reader than just my writing does.  Variety is really important in almost all aspects of life, and Underground Music Monthly is no exception. 

    Not only have we increased our staff, but our technology as well.  In the article on Seasons Of The Wolf, you'll have the first video clip ever offered on this site.  Enjoy.  The cover was hand drawn by Rachel, and scanned into the magazine.  The actual piece of artwork is more impressive than can be shown on a computer screen.  If you didn't take the time for the cover to fully load, please give Rachel respect enough to look again and wait this time.  The imagery ability has increased with new hardware, and therefore the magazine is more entertaining.  The main goal is still to educate, and pool together as many resources as possible for the independent musician, but there's no reason to make it boring in the process. 

    The letters to the editor and letters to the artists sections still exist, but I did not get any responses for them this month, so they are not included in this issue.  If you have any questions for me, or any of the artists or website developers featured in the magazine, please feel free to email me.  In the subject, include either "Letters To The Editor" or "Letters To The Artist" and then ask the question in the body of the email. 

    As always, I'm open to any suggestions you as readers may have.  Without reader response this site is based only on what I think should be on it.  There are those of you out there who will know something I don't, or will come up with an idea that I don't.  I will give full credit to the person(s) idea(s) I implement unless that person wishes to remain anonymous. 

    I am still working on gathering information for independent distributors.  I apologize for the delay in this aspect of my site, but the research I'm doing for it will make the section worth the wait.  I expect to finish the section by the end of October.  Certainly by the end of the year.   The other new sections will be completed by the end of the year as well.  My list of studios will be much more comprehensive by the end of the year also.  The Book-A-Tour section will be the only section that may not be done by the end of the year.   There is a lot of research to be done for that section, just as there has been done for the distributors.  If any of you use the distributors section as a resource, please let me know of any information I should know about the distributor(s) you choose so I can include that for readers' future information. 

    I do believe that covers everything new for this month.   Underground Music Monthly and UMMusic.com will continue to grow and hopefully serve you better as every day passes.  Thanks for your time in reading this article.

Seasons Of The Wolf is aptly named

    From the moment I opened the package from Seasons Of The Wolf and saw this:

I knew Seasons Of The Wolf had put a lot of thought and time into every aspect of their music.  They obviously spent a lot of effort on the graphics just for the beginning of a press kit for their next CD.  SOTW is not taking for granted any part of the process of making it in the music business. 

    Seasons Of The Wolf members also aren't taking any chances.  They registered with ASCAP and had their CD manufactured by Discmakers.   I'm not completely sold on ASCAP myself because I want complete control of my recordings, but the money ASCAP can bring from a popular recording is worth it for most bands.  Apparently, ASCAP was worth signing up for with SOTW.

    The band decided to spend the extra money to go with the industry masters with the most experience, Discmakers.  For those who can afford Discmakers, it is definitely worth the money.  As part of being prepared with Discmakers, they have a barcode on their CDs for easier tracking.

     Going with Discmakers certainly has worked for Seasons Of The Wolf.   The cover, though black and white, is very graphical as well, and probably represents the mood and music better in black and white anyhow. 

    As I open the cover to the press kit, I read and I see a brief biography of the band.  It reads:

    SOTW began in October 1988 with Barry Waddell, Wes Waddell, and Dennis Ristow as founding members, but was not completely developed into a working act until July 1994.  Phaedria Rubio joined up in late '91 and Wayne Hoefle joined in late '94.  So that is where the story really begins with recordings and live shows.  After finally getting the first EP length CD packaged and released on a small scale in 1996, SOTW has achieved world wide recognition on their own without the support of an outside label and distribution company.  By networking with several small underground distro's and metal 'zines throughout the world and establishing three web sites, SOTW has gained over 5000 true fans who have purchased the first self titled CD.  Approximately 200 radio stations have been serviced with the current CD and several of those stations have SOTW songs "Victim of Darkness" and "October Moon" added to their play lists.  Most of these stations are in the New England States and in Europe.  In the fall of 1998 SOTW will release a new full-length album titled "Lost In Hell" and will market it to over 500 loud rock radio stations in the US and Canada through their own label "Earth Mother Music."

    That's quite an impressive accomplishment for any band.   The hard work they have put into the business aspect of their music has really paid off, just like it should. 

    Of course, they didn't forget the most important part, the quality of the music itself.  They beginning the album very smoothly, and immediately the listener is lured into their dark world.  Once the music has really sunk in, they begin with the vocals and the lyrics.  Vocally, there is an edge like any hard rock/heavy metal vocals, but unlike most vocals in metal bands, they are done just right.  You can feel the angst and pain in the vocals without causing angst and pain to your ears.  Musically, they combine traditional metal instruments, such as guitar and drums, with technology via a keyboard.  The integration of the keyboard with the traditional instruments is best heard at the beginning of "Misty Shades of Green."  You can hear the integration by clicking on the songtitle from the image below.  The song is not only well done musically, but it's lyrics are very metaphorical and deep.  I'll leave it up to the listener as to the meaning of the song, but I will reveal that the imagery invokes an emotional and thoughtful response like all really good songs do.  As opposed to "Misty Shades of Green," which starts with the keyboard and then integrates traditional metal instruments, "Long Cold Winter," starts with traditional metal instruments and then integrates the synthesizer.  Like "Misty Shades of Green," and every other song on the CD, the music and vocals are of high quality.  Also like "Misty Shades of Green," the images invoked by "Long Cold Winter," are vivid, and you can definitely feel the agony suffered by the singer.  If you are interested in hearing any of the EP, please click on the songtitle of the song you want to hear below.  The soundclips are all approximately 30 seconds each.

    One last note about Seasons Of The Wolf.  They have even released a video in VHS format.  While the video is not as impressive as the rest of Seasons Of The Wolf, it does display their onstage presence, and their ability to integrate traditional metal instruments, and the more technologically advanced synthesizer.  You can learn more about the band by going to their website at http://members.aol.com/bloodtree

Stone Pyramid's "On The Run" has admirable variety

- by Rachel Miller

    "On The Run," Stone Pyramid's contribution to music as we know at first suggests nothing usual to the potential buyer. The album is cloaked in a picture collage of old friends and good times, a welcoming sight. The first track begins with the ramblings of a distantly familiar D.J. who chimes in with the tune from a chase scene in the Beatles 1965 classic movie-Help! The album's title, "On The Run," now conjures memories of the McCartney solo effort, delightfully named "Band on the Run." It's plain to see this group has for the most part a strong and stable set of sixties Lennon/McCartney influence.

    The vocals... well, let's talk about the vocals. The voice of the lead singer is grinding and passionate to the extreme. As he croons it's almost as if he loses all regard he kept for the quality of his sound and bursts forth in a way only true fans hold dear. The words themselves are intricate, lovely, and for the most part, easily related to your last break up.

    The instrumental variety in the album is admirable. The artists play and combine waning riffs with sensitive piano to create a few soft rock ballads, the kind of thing your mom over hears as she passes your room and concludes happily to herself you've managed to acquire some taste. The "taste" though slowly descends into more moving, expressive louder songs, with a hard backbone of bass that would have any one running to grabble to the volume control and turn it up to maximum kick ass.

    The overall feeling is up lifting, it's a drinking buddies album, it's what you play on the headphones on a car trip to Florida with the folks, and all around versatile feel what's happening with polished garage bands today. Good groove, real feel, and total loss of control combine to make Stone Pyramid.

KZNet compilation has some good and...

Well, I wouldn't say bad, but some of the songs are better than others.  The first track certainly gets you moving.  It's called the Original Electronica Mixxx.  When I hear it I feel like I'm in a dance club, grooving to the music, getting crazy with the disco ball as the only source of light.  It's 3 in the morning, and I don't know really what's going on, but I'm having a good time.  At the same time, I could be in my car, driving along, bobbing my head and first, and then moving my whole body in time with the music.  I keep doing that for all 16 minutes and 50 seconds of the first track before I realize how much time has passed and I'm onto "Let's Do It Again" by Brad Roodt.  The beat keeps me moving like I did to the first track, but the music is a little more repetitive, as are the lyrics.  The simplistic "Let's Do It Again" being repeated in an airy synthetic voice. 

    Then I move on to probably the best individual track on the compilation.  It's called "My Cosmic Garden."  The song tells a story of life on other planets through various soundbits of the media, and does it well.  The music gets you moving like you were on the first track, with an original sound, which is hard to do with electronica.  What amazes me, however, is how Rolanoid goes from "My Cosmic Garden" to his self title song "Rolanoid."  "My Cosmic Garden" is a wonderfully constructed song with a well told story and original music.  However, the same artist comes through on the next track as quite repetitive.   The beginning is really great because the music really is very dynamic and original, and the Whoopi Goldberg soundbyte "I always think that God sends you a pebble before he sends you a brick" is greatly symbolic.  That's where the good part of the song ends however.  After about 25 seconds, it sounds like the first 25 seconds were just looped 6 or 7 times. 

    After Rolanoid is done, we move onto Toine.  Toine is more bass oriented in their electronica.  They come on with a pulse pounding bassline and nothing else, and continue with that objective.  After a while other instruments are thrown in, mainly of the percussion variety.  There are also some cool little sound effects they throw in, including a distorted voice that ends up just sounding like music.   Very cool stuff there.  At least with "Anubis."  Then Toine really outdoes themselves at the beginning of "Crooning."  The first song to not have your head bobbing in the first 10 seconds, but definitely with some really fresh beats.  The instruments are all distorted, and then Chewbacca busts on the scene with his famous roar.  Interesting effects, and diverse music make them the big winners on the CD.  Continuing in the winning spirit, they show their range of musical talent in "Quartz Attack."   The track is melodic, and makes you feel like your sitting by a still, calm, beautiful lake.  That lake doesn't stay still very long, but the music stays diverse and interesting.  

    Next up is Travis with an untitled song.  With very rapid bass beats, it has the best possibility for going cross-platform with it's music.  With slight changes, I could rap to the music Travis lays down.

     Finally, Tribe Pulse rounds out the individual artists' tracks.  It begins without music, but just a speech about journeying to space.   The most dramatic track on the CD, "Destination Moon" is definitely worth checking out as well.  The emotions build as the music comes in, and after about a minute, you can't keep yourself from dancing in your chair.  All in all, the compilation CD has some really fun, get up and dance, high-energy kind of music.  Some of the songs do a really good job at telling a story as well.

I also have some background information on KZNet.  It's last minute, but here goes.

KZ Net Radio www.kznet.co.za  was "born" in May '98. It is South
Africa's first Net Radio Show so they are very excited about their venture. KZ Net comprises of three main figures/partners viz. Garth Whittaker - DJ; Rob Fisher - MD; Mac Engelbrecht - Producer. On KZ Net Radio they have focused on Promoting/Exposing unsigned Bands, Software/Internet Tips, Comedy, Hits from 60's - 90's etc.

Two of the Bands that they have featured on KZ Net Radio have since been signed to various Indie Labels in South Africa and are currently in Studio recording their debut albums!!!

Mac Engelbrecht is also involved with guys and girls who are composing various Electronica Styles as Showcased in the DEMO CD that I reviewed, and, according to Mac, the standard is really HOT!!! He's also starting to network with Club DJ's around the world.  They are exchanging their original music for airplay all around the world!
Needless to say for KZNet and Mr. Engelbrecht, Exciting Stuff!!!

If anyone would like some of their mixezzz, original music (any style) or
information aired on KZ Net Radio they can contact Mac Engelbrecht via e-mail:
macangel@kznet.co.za or post demos to:
The Producer
KZ Net Radio
P.O. Box 70410
Overport
4067
South Africa

This service is 100% FREE!!! They support unsigned bands and musicians.