Greetings and Happy Holidays to All!
I'm working on some collaborations and new projects, so my "solo" band is on a brief hiatus, but we'll be back soon with some new material in 2012.
Keep your heads up, keep light in your lives and i'll see you all very soon!
Felicidades!
A.M.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
You can't make everyone happy all the time... believe me.
Folks,
The title of this post statement is 100% fact. I guarantee it.
All you can do is live for yourself. Do the best you can in life. If that isn't enough... to hell with 'em. I've made some tough decisions in my life. Some i'm proud of, others not so much. But in the end, I know i'll be remembered as a man who stuck to my guns and stood up for what I believed was right.
Everyone has their idea of what someone else should do, or could do. Whatever. You can't have faith in what someone else thinks. The moment you put faith in someone else, you're doomed to failure. As long as you know you did your best, screw them. Leave the haters, leeches, naysayers and critics behind. Do what you believe in.
Because in the end, we are all judged by our own merit. Not by the criteria of others.
Before you criticize someone else, try taking a look at life through their eyes. You never know why a person lives or behaves a certain way without knowing the facts. Walking a mile in someone else's shoes can give you quite a bit of insight.
Words of advice from a wise fool...
A.M.
Friday, October 28, 2011
I should have a lot more than I do. Honestly.
Hey All,
Recently, i've been sorting through old memoirs from over the years. Old pictures, video, fan mail, demos, awards, concert flyers and stuff, and I realized-I did a whole lot of things. Time does truly fly.
It seems I mostly forgot most of the things I've done over the years. After all, I was having one hell of a time doing them. For a guy who didn't have the potential to make it as a recording artist (as told to me by a famous producer in 1994), I sure as heck achieved quite a bit over the years.
Sure, I never got a Grammy or a RIAA award, or got on the cover of big magazines (at least not "big" in the People magazine sense, and not in the U.S. at all) but I had my share of experiences with people who have.
In fact, some of my closest friends and family are in the music, television and film industries. Growing up in the business, I saw many things. Many things I wanted to achieve, and many more things I wanted to avoid. I can recall times aspiring recording artists being taken advantage of (in more ways than one) right before my very eyes. I also can recall seeing a hero of mine strung out on heroin, not looking one bit as glamorous as he did on stage.
Sure, I've had my pitfalls but as an independent artist (for the most part), I did some pretty cool things. Got to travel-Saw so many different places and people, had so many adventures and played some awesome, legendary stages. I'll never forget seeing my name on the marquee after signing my first contract with a booking agency as a solo artist. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I headlined at theaters and played onstage with music legends. All from a guy who didn't have the potential. And when I played all the big shows offered by that "first agency" (legal reasons prevent me from disclosing the company) I got screwed. As in highly underpaid. I should have just rented the venues and sold my own tickets.
Also, I can recall my first time on television for a cable show in NYC. I felt so important. Then I found out later that it was public access and that no one watched the show! But more television shows came to follow over the years. No matter how big or small the show, I was always honored to be asked to appear. By the way, I never received ANYTHING from any ASCAP for ANY of the times my music was performed on television. Or radio either, for that matter. I guess they think I became a member for the prestige, not the money. Or they simply think I can't count. That's another reason I should have more than I do.
All while this was occurring, I was receiving correspondence from around the world like Brazil, Canada, Italy, Peru, Sweden and the U.K. from fans about my music. I was floored, because I didn't know the my music was available everywhere. Apparently, my music was distributed by a distributor who had agreements with other distributors in various other territories.
I was so happy. Until it was time to get the check from the distributors. My label and I would call and call, and always got the distributor's voice mail. No callbacks EVER, as in NEVER EVER. Sent a letter via certified mail, then we received a response-The check would be sent at the close of the quarter. Then it was within 45 days of the close of the quarter. Then it was 60 days... on and on. Till this day, the quarter hasn't closed for that distributor. Some of the others simply closed down shop and disappeared without sending a check or the returning the merchandise back to my label. Incredible. If I just stole some money and merchandise from someone, i'd be in jail. With a company, you get protection under the corporate veil and ZERO personal liability. Now THAT'S what I call capitalism.
Of course this was a few years back (pre-iTunes era) and when people still actually bought CD's to some extent. When I did finally get with some decent distributors (for example, Juno Records), the sales dwindled and though I did actually move some units, the sales volume isn't quite what it used to be. Yet another reason I don't have more than I do.
Maybe if some of those deadbeat businesses/organizations actually paid me what I deserve maybe I wouldn't have to struggle not to be a deadbeat myself. You know, Aaron Morales DOES have bills. I should call them and say, "It would be nice to receive some of the money you made off selling my music so I can pay my bills. After all, i'm sure you used your share of the money to pay your expenses and operating costs. Now can I have my share, so I can pay mine?"
Of course, like other guys in the music business, i'll have to keep a lawyer on a retainer to chase after all the companies. I should compile a list of all the companies who don't pay up, but it would be far easier to name the few that do.
Until next time...
A.M.
Recently, i've been sorting through old memoirs from over the years. Old pictures, video, fan mail, demos, awards, concert flyers and stuff, and I realized-I did a whole lot of things. Time does truly fly.
It seems I mostly forgot most of the things I've done over the years. After all, I was having one hell of a time doing them. For a guy who didn't have the potential to make it as a recording artist (as told to me by a famous producer in 1994), I sure as heck achieved quite a bit over the years.
Sure, I never got a Grammy or a RIAA award, or got on the cover of big magazines (at least not "big" in the People magazine sense, and not in the U.S. at all) but I had my share of experiences with people who have.
In fact, some of my closest friends and family are in the music, television and film industries. Growing up in the business, I saw many things. Many things I wanted to achieve, and many more things I wanted to avoid. I can recall times aspiring recording artists being taken advantage of (in more ways than one) right before my very eyes. I also can recall seeing a hero of mine strung out on heroin, not looking one bit as glamorous as he did on stage.
Sure, I've had my pitfalls but as an independent artist (for the most part), I did some pretty cool things. Got to travel-Saw so many different places and people, had so many adventures and played some awesome, legendary stages. I'll never forget seeing my name on the marquee after signing my first contract with a booking agency as a solo artist. Sometimes it's hard to believe that I headlined at theaters and played onstage with music legends. All from a guy who didn't have the potential. And when I played all the big shows offered by that "first agency" (legal reasons prevent me from disclosing the company) I got screwed. As in highly underpaid. I should have just rented the venues and sold my own tickets.
Also, I can recall my first time on television for a cable show in NYC. I felt so important. Then I found out later that it was public access and that no one watched the show! But more television shows came to follow over the years. No matter how big or small the show, I was always honored to be asked to appear. By the way, I never received ANYTHING from any ASCAP for ANY of the times my music was performed on television. Or radio either, for that matter. I guess they think I became a member for the prestige, not the money. Or they simply think I can't count. That's another reason I should have more than I do.
All while this was occurring, I was receiving correspondence from around the world like Brazil, Canada, Italy, Peru, Sweden and the U.K. from fans about my music. I was floored, because I didn't know the my music was available everywhere. Apparently, my music was distributed by a distributor who had agreements with other distributors in various other territories.
I was so happy. Until it was time to get the check from the distributors. My label and I would call and call, and always got the distributor's voice mail. No callbacks EVER, as in NEVER EVER. Sent a letter via certified mail, then we received a response-The check would be sent at the close of the quarter. Then it was within 45 days of the close of the quarter. Then it was 60 days... on and on. Till this day, the quarter hasn't closed for that distributor. Some of the others simply closed down shop and disappeared without sending a check or the returning the merchandise back to my label. Incredible. If I just stole some money and merchandise from someone, i'd be in jail. With a company, you get protection under the corporate veil and ZERO personal liability. Now THAT'S what I call capitalism.
Of course this was a few years back (pre-iTunes era) and when people still actually bought CD's to some extent. When I did finally get with some decent distributors (for example, Juno Records), the sales dwindled and though I did actually move some units, the sales volume isn't quite what it used to be. Yet another reason I don't have more than I do.
Maybe if some of those deadbeat businesses/organizations actually paid me what I deserve maybe I wouldn't have to struggle not to be a deadbeat myself. You know, Aaron Morales DOES have bills. I should call them and say, "It would be nice to receive some of the money you made off selling my music so I can pay my bills. After all, i'm sure you used your share of the money to pay your expenses and operating costs. Now can I have my share, so I can pay mine?"
Of course, like other guys in the music business, i'll have to keep a lawyer on a retainer to chase after all the companies. I should compile a list of all the companies who don't pay up, but it would be far easier to name the few that do.
Until next time...
A.M.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Exclamation point!
Hey Guys,
I've haven't been doing many updates lately. I know I said i'd try to keep my fans (yes, both of you) and others in the loop.
I've working incredibly hard at a few things (non-musical) to get certain aspects of my life on track. It is extremely difficult to maintain a music career when you have certain state/government agencies trying to get at "riches" that you don't actually have. The state in which I reside is particularly notorious for hounding individuals for so called debt that they don't actually owe. I could publish excerpts of a particularly amusing piece of correspondence I received from the state, but i'll spare you the details.
Despite my personal issues, I have been working on music. I have over two dozen new songs ready to be recorded, and i'm currently working with some fantastic musicians to make an awesome record.
I haven't exactly settled on a producer yet, being that I know quite a few (both famous and not so famous), choosing one will not be a major issue. After all, it is MY music and I know better than anyone what I should sound like.
Which brings me to another point-Why in the heck do most new rockers in my genre sound the same? Hasn't it all been done enough? I mean seriously, I see all these youngsters from all over (particularly Sweden) trying to do the 80's thing, but without putting a unique spin or identify on it. It's pure annoying. If I wanted to hear the 80's bands, i'd do just that-listen to one of the 80's records! You can't do Motley Crue better than Motley Crue...
If anything else, I always tried to do my own thing. Honestly, I probably hurt my record sales by doing that. I've seen many bands over the years get acclaim and success for copying a formula instead of being original. Indie rockers are producing FAR more original material that anything in my genre.
To be honest, I have a formula... it simple. I'll even tell you all how it works. First, I don't record ANYTHING I can't play live (i.e. no keyboards if I don't have a keyboard player, no songs with 35 guitar tracks). If I can't hit a note, I don't use Auto-Tune or any other device to "fix" it. I don't even do punch ins. I record EVERYTHING in one single take, mistakes and all. Anything else is just dishonest and lying to the fans. And in my opinion, against the true spirit of rock and roll.
Second, I use different recording techniques. Sure, I've recorded records with the guitar plugged straight into a Marshall, mic'd with a SM-57 but there are other ways of getting a guitar sound. For instance on "Everything Will Be Alright" I used a couple of old Fender and Supro amps, with some ancient effect pedals on the solo. And mic'd the amps with whatever AKG mic was laying around in the studio. The bass was recorded through an ART SGX guitar preamp. Some may think i'm mad, but hey-At least my stuff sounds different, not like every other band who uses presets on a Pro Tools plug-in.
And third, I listen to all kinds of music. I can't tell you the last time I listened to one of the 80's bands. Honestly, I listen to more old R&B, blues, punk, Latin, classical and jazz music than hard rock. That is what I think is why new "hard rock" bands sound so similar. If all you do is listen to your own genre of music, you can't help but recycle the same music, as that is all you know. I grew up during the 80's, so I was naturally influenced by the music of that area, so I don't need to listen to that everyday.
Fourth (and finally), I don't follow "conventional" theory when making music. Sure, I know it inside and out. My first instrument was classical piano (starting at age six-I was my teacher's best student), I was a paid worship musician playing everything from hymns to contemporary gospel, and a studio guitarist/producer for more years than I can remember. But I NEVER let my "experience" stop me from experimentation. Sometimes, i'll throw a sharp or flat note over a chord to give it "character", or use an inversion instead of a straight chord. Or i'll record vocals through a guitar pedal with a cheap mic. You can never be truly different if you think within a box.
So with that, i'll get off my soap box. Until next time...
A.M.
I've haven't been doing many updates lately. I know I said i'd try to keep my fans (yes, both of you) and others in the loop.
I've working incredibly hard at a few things (non-musical) to get certain aspects of my life on track. It is extremely difficult to maintain a music career when you have certain state/government agencies trying to get at "riches" that you don't actually have. The state in which I reside is particularly notorious for hounding individuals for so called debt that they don't actually owe. I could publish excerpts of a particularly amusing piece of correspondence I received from the state, but i'll spare you the details.
Despite my personal issues, I have been working on music. I have over two dozen new songs ready to be recorded, and i'm currently working with some fantastic musicians to make an awesome record.
I haven't exactly settled on a producer yet, being that I know quite a few (both famous and not so famous), choosing one will not be a major issue. After all, it is MY music and I know better than anyone what I should sound like.
Which brings me to another point-Why in the heck do most new rockers in my genre sound the same? Hasn't it all been done enough? I mean seriously, I see all these youngsters from all over (particularly Sweden) trying to do the 80's thing, but without putting a unique spin or identify on it. It's pure annoying. If I wanted to hear the 80's bands, i'd do just that-listen to one of the 80's records! You can't do Motley Crue better than Motley Crue...
If anything else, I always tried to do my own thing. Honestly, I probably hurt my record sales by doing that. I've seen many bands over the years get acclaim and success for copying a formula instead of being original. Indie rockers are producing FAR more original material that anything in my genre.
To be honest, I have a formula... it simple. I'll even tell you all how it works. First, I don't record ANYTHING I can't play live (i.e. no keyboards if I don't have a keyboard player, no songs with 35 guitar tracks). If I can't hit a note, I don't use Auto-Tune or any other device to "fix" it. I don't even do punch ins. I record EVERYTHING in one single take, mistakes and all. Anything else is just dishonest and lying to the fans. And in my opinion, against the true spirit of rock and roll.
Second, I use different recording techniques. Sure, I've recorded records with the guitar plugged straight into a Marshall, mic'd with a SM-57 but there are other ways of getting a guitar sound. For instance on "Everything Will Be Alright" I used a couple of old Fender and Supro amps, with some ancient effect pedals on the solo. And mic'd the amps with whatever AKG mic was laying around in the studio. The bass was recorded through an ART SGX guitar preamp. Some may think i'm mad, but hey-At least my stuff sounds different, not like every other band who uses presets on a Pro Tools plug-in.
And third, I listen to all kinds of music. I can't tell you the last time I listened to one of the 80's bands. Honestly, I listen to more old R&B, blues, punk, Latin, classical and jazz music than hard rock. That is what I think is why new "hard rock" bands sound so similar. If all you do is listen to your own genre of music, you can't help but recycle the same music, as that is all you know. I grew up during the 80's, so I was naturally influenced by the music of that area, so I don't need to listen to that everyday.
Fourth (and finally), I don't follow "conventional" theory when making music. Sure, I know it inside and out. My first instrument was classical piano (starting at age six-I was my teacher's best student), I was a paid worship musician playing everything from hymns to contemporary gospel, and a studio guitarist/producer for more years than I can remember. But I NEVER let my "experience" stop me from experimentation. Sometimes, i'll throw a sharp or flat note over a chord to give it "character", or use an inversion instead of a straight chord. Or i'll record vocals through a guitar pedal with a cheap mic. You can never be truly different if you think within a box.
So with that, i'll get off my soap box. Until next time...
A.M.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Revitalized and ready to go!
Greetings,
Just a quick post to let you know what's going on in the world of Aaron Morales-Working on the next batch of tunes to follow up my single, "Everything Will Be Alright"-My drummer Ryan "Ryno" Rodriguez and I are laying down the groundwork for the next record, and things are looking bright.
Also on the horizon-new management and endorsement deals, a promo tour to Europe and more. Stay tuned for updates...
In the meanwhile, if you haven't already picked up a copy of my latest release, the #1 bestselling single, "Everything Will Be Alright," you can do so at the following link:
Everything Will Be Alright by Aaron Morales on MP3 and WAV at Juno Download
Thanks to all who have purchased the single and supported me thus far-I am deeply grateful for the support!
Peace,
Aaron
Just a quick post to let you know what's going on in the world of Aaron Morales-Working on the next batch of tunes to follow up my single, "Everything Will Be Alright"-My drummer Ryan "Ryno" Rodriguez and I are laying down the groundwork for the next record, and things are looking bright.
Also on the horizon-new management and endorsement deals, a promo tour to Europe and more. Stay tuned for updates...
In the meanwhile, if you haven't already picked up a copy of my latest release, the #1 bestselling single, "Everything Will Be Alright," you can do so at the following link:
Everything Will Be Alright by Aaron Morales on MP3 and WAV at Juno Download
Thanks to all who have purchased the single and supported me thus far-I am deeply grateful for the support!
Peace,
Aaron
Friday, August 12, 2011
In sadness... R.I.P. Jani Lane
Greetings,
Today, I write this post with a heavy heart. Mainly because I learned about the death of Jani Lane this morning. For those who don't know, Jani was best known as the lead singer/songwriter for the band Warrant.
The reason his death has such an impact on me, isn't because I knew him (at least not personally), but because he influenced me to become a full-time musician. Despite my teenage years of angst, listening to punk and thrash metal, it was Warrant (with Jane Lane) who originally planted the seed. That seed blossomed into a lifelong ambition to make a living in the music business.
Few people know that it was because of a trip to Six Flags Great America amusement park as a kid, I decided to pick up the guitar. My first album was Def Leppard's "Hysteria," and at the time my cassette collection contained releases by Britny Fox, Bon Jovi and similar artists. Despite being an aficionado, I had no desire to perform music whatsoever.
Sure, I took piano lessons-but that idea was not my own. I only did it because my mother prompted me to. I had no interest in music other than learning what was required for me to advance in my piano classes.
That one fateful day I went to Six Flags Great America with a local church group, little did I know at the time that I would be changed forever by the experience. When we arrived, I did what the average adolescent does-Ate lots of junk food and went on all the rides. But while I was doing so, I kept hearing a buzz in the air about bands performing at Six Flags, one of which was Warrant. At that point in life, I had never heard of them. But whoever they were, people seemed to care that they were there.
Anyway, I continued on my merry way, going from ride to ride when I overheard loud cheering and girls screaming. Lots and lots of girls screaming. Intrigued, I walked towards where the sound was. There was a gated off section, lots of people in and out-just buzzing with activity. An older guy says to me, "Hey kid, you want to check out the show?" I looked up at him and said, "Ok, sure." He walked me into the crowd and close to the stage.
That's when I saw what would change my life forever. I saw Jani Lane onstage with an acoustic guitar strapped on and singing to a sea of beautiful, admiring women. It was something about his charisma, his talent, his style that seemed to have had the audience tranquilized. At that young age, I knew that he had something really special-His singing ability and stage presence was powerful, almost like magic. And as Warrant played through the song ("Heaven"), something inside of me changed. It was like losing my virginity, for lack of a better comparison.
After witnessing such a spectacle, I walked away from the stage with a new purpose. I didn't even have an interest in the rides, hot dogs and cotton candy anymore. I just kept thinking to myself, "I need to learn how to sing and play a guitar so I can do that! I want to be just like him!"
When I returned home, I told my parents that I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I wanted a guitar. My birthday was coming up in two months, and for my ninth birthday present, I received a Harmony acoustic guitar. I taught myself how to play, using the knowledge I learned from piano lessons and applying them to the guitar. In one year, I went from blistered fingertips to twelve hour practice sessions every single day.
Fast forward to today, more than twenty-something odd years later, i'm working on tracks with my old friend, bassist Rick Robledo (of Simply Slang) in Chicago, to take with me to Nashville to record the follow up to my #1 bestselling single, "Everything Will Be Alright."
Needless to say, Jani Lane has had more impact on my life than many people ever knew. It just makes me wonder-If I never witnessed Warrant live that day at Six Flags Great America, would I ever have become a singer and guitar player? Or would I be a doctor or lawyer, like my mother always wanted me to be? I guess i'll never know...
In other news-Ironically, in just a couple of weeks, I will be performing at the very same Six Flags Great America that I saw Warrant over twenty years ago. R.I.P. Jane Lane-May I inspire someone out there the way you inspired me.
Today, I write this post with a heavy heart. Mainly because I learned about the death of Jani Lane this morning. For those who don't know, Jani was best known as the lead singer/songwriter for the band Warrant.
The reason his death has such an impact on me, isn't because I knew him (at least not personally), but because he influenced me to become a full-time musician. Despite my teenage years of angst, listening to punk and thrash metal, it was Warrant (with Jane Lane) who originally planted the seed. That seed blossomed into a lifelong ambition to make a living in the music business.
Few people know that it was because of a trip to Six Flags Great America amusement park as a kid, I decided to pick up the guitar. My first album was Def Leppard's "Hysteria," and at the time my cassette collection contained releases by Britny Fox, Bon Jovi and similar artists. Despite being an aficionado, I had no desire to perform music whatsoever.
Sure, I took piano lessons-but that idea was not my own. I only did it because my mother prompted me to. I had no interest in music other than learning what was required for me to advance in my piano classes.
That one fateful day I went to Six Flags Great America with a local church group, little did I know at the time that I would be changed forever by the experience. When we arrived, I did what the average adolescent does-Ate lots of junk food and went on all the rides. But while I was doing so, I kept hearing a buzz in the air about bands performing at Six Flags, one of which was Warrant. At that point in life, I had never heard of them. But whoever they were, people seemed to care that they were there.
Anyway, I continued on my merry way, going from ride to ride when I overheard loud cheering and girls screaming. Lots and lots of girls screaming. Intrigued, I walked towards where the sound was. There was a gated off section, lots of people in and out-just buzzing with activity. An older guy says to me, "Hey kid, you want to check out the show?" I looked up at him and said, "Ok, sure." He walked me into the crowd and close to the stage.
That's when I saw what would change my life forever. I saw Jani Lane onstage with an acoustic guitar strapped on and singing to a sea of beautiful, admiring women. It was something about his charisma, his talent, his style that seemed to have had the audience tranquilized. At that young age, I knew that he had something really special-His singing ability and stage presence was powerful, almost like magic. And as Warrant played through the song ("Heaven"), something inside of me changed. It was like losing my virginity, for lack of a better comparison.
After witnessing such a spectacle, I walked away from the stage with a new purpose. I didn't even have an interest in the rides, hot dogs and cotton candy anymore. I just kept thinking to myself, "I need to learn how to sing and play a guitar so I can do that! I want to be just like him!"
When I returned home, I told my parents that I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I wanted a guitar. My birthday was coming up in two months, and for my ninth birthday present, I received a Harmony acoustic guitar. I taught myself how to play, using the knowledge I learned from piano lessons and applying them to the guitar. In one year, I went from blistered fingertips to twelve hour practice sessions every single day.
Fast forward to today, more than twenty-something odd years later, i'm working on tracks with my old friend, bassist Rick Robledo (of Simply Slang) in Chicago, to take with me to Nashville to record the follow up to my #1 bestselling single, "Everything Will Be Alright."
Needless to say, Jani Lane has had more impact on my life than many people ever knew. It just makes me wonder-If I never witnessed Warrant live that day at Six Flags Great America, would I ever have become a singer and guitar player? Or would I be a doctor or lawyer, like my mother always wanted me to be? I guess i'll never know...
In other news-Ironically, in just a couple of weeks, I will be performing at the very same Six Flags Great America that I saw Warrant over twenty years ago. R.I.P. Jane Lane-May I inspire someone out there the way you inspired me.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Welcome!
Greetings all,
After days of debate and consulting with other professionals in the music business, i've decided to expand my online presence. A recent conversation I had with a Chicago-based promoter (who shall remain nameless) prompted me to look further into this matter.
Basically, I was offered a gig then the offer was withdrawn because I lacked "likes" on Facebook and had a low presence online. According to this promoter, Facebook "likes" determine your ability to draw a crowd. Obviously, I find that to be utter crap, as I personally know of quite a few bands who have never recorded or released a single piece a music, never done a live show, but they have hundreds (even thousands) of "likes" on Facebook. And on the other side, I know of several legendary and amazing artists who barely have an online presence, and they still play to packed houses consistently. Remember, it was only a while back before The Beatles catalog was released online for the first time on iTunes, so presence on the internet means nothing if you have a market for your music, whether its online or not.
I on the other hand have toured, produced and recorded with everyone and their mother for the past 17 years or so. And i've got the SoundScan sales to prove it. But honestly, I never gave a damn about the internet. It's good for email and surfing, but i'm not into soliciting people to "like" my music that don't do it voluntarily. To me that's like being the homeless guy who walks up to your car during rush hour offering to wash your windows for spare change.
Maybe i've become a rock & roll relic and just don't have a clue. After all, when I first got into the music business, we were still using analog reel-to-reel tape in the studio, and editing meant cutting the tape with a razor and taping the ends together. And going in the studio still meant actually booking time at a recording studio equipped with rackmount hardware and patch bays, with a professional engineer tracking your session, not going into your closet by yourself with a laptop, Pro Tools and a USB microphone. And promoting was doing an interview on a college radio station and handing out flyers on campus. Damn, i'm giving my age away, but i'm telling you... it was better back then. The good bands who worked hard stood out and made it, and the crap bands who didn't bother simply disappeared. Now whoever has the most followers on Twitter and "likes" on Facebook are considered the "cream of the crop." Too bad many of them suck and are musically illiterate. Auto-Tune and sample libraries have destroyed musical integrity and creativity in my eyes.
But I digress, quoting REO Speedwagon-i'm going to roll with the changes... One friend taught me about tagging on Facebook recently, and another gave me input on how to effectively maintain contact with fans via the internet. This is my first step to doing so, and I promise to give it a fair shot.
Until next time... Aaron Morales 2.0 is in effect.
After days of debate and consulting with other professionals in the music business, i've decided to expand my online presence. A recent conversation I had with a Chicago-based promoter (who shall remain nameless) prompted me to look further into this matter.
Basically, I was offered a gig then the offer was withdrawn because I lacked "likes" on Facebook and had a low presence online. According to this promoter, Facebook "likes" determine your ability to draw a crowd. Obviously, I find that to be utter crap, as I personally know of quite a few bands who have never recorded or released a single piece a music, never done a live show, but they have hundreds (even thousands) of "likes" on Facebook. And on the other side, I know of several legendary and amazing artists who barely have an online presence, and they still play to packed houses consistently. Remember, it was only a while back before The Beatles catalog was released online for the first time on iTunes, so presence on the internet means nothing if you have a market for your music, whether its online or not.
I on the other hand have toured, produced and recorded with everyone and their mother for the past 17 years or so. And i've got the SoundScan sales to prove it. But honestly, I never gave a damn about the internet. It's good for email and surfing, but i'm not into soliciting people to "like" my music that don't do it voluntarily. To me that's like being the homeless guy who walks up to your car during rush hour offering to wash your windows for spare change.
Maybe i've become a rock & roll relic and just don't have a clue. After all, when I first got into the music business, we were still using analog reel-to-reel tape in the studio, and editing meant cutting the tape with a razor and taping the ends together. And going in the studio still meant actually booking time at a recording studio equipped with rackmount hardware and patch bays, with a professional engineer tracking your session, not going into your closet by yourself with a laptop, Pro Tools and a USB microphone. And promoting was doing an interview on a college radio station and handing out flyers on campus. Damn, i'm giving my age away, but i'm telling you... it was better back then. The good bands who worked hard stood out and made it, and the crap bands who didn't bother simply disappeared. Now whoever has the most followers on Twitter and "likes" on Facebook are considered the "cream of the crop." Too bad many of them suck and are musically illiterate. Auto-Tune and sample libraries have destroyed musical integrity and creativity in my eyes.
But I digress, quoting REO Speedwagon-i'm going to roll with the changes... One friend taught me about tagging on Facebook recently, and another gave me input on how to effectively maintain contact with fans via the internet. This is my first step to doing so, and I promise to give it a fair shot.
Until next time... Aaron Morales 2.0 is in effect.
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