As the music business continues to evolve, artists must learn to adapt. Finding the right plan for your next release is key, and today, we will help you figure things out.
The way we consume music is changing, so we must rethink how we release it. The days of people turning to albums for entertainment are gone. Today’s music fans expect everything to be available all the time at a moment’s notice. Those searching for new music seek out singles above all else. If they like what they hear, those same listeners will look for the rest of that artist’s catalog in time. That idea applies to new music from established artists as well, but only to an extent.
The first any artist should do is set goals. What do you want to accomplish with your next release? Be specific and reasonable with your answers. A good example of release goals would be gaining 1,000 followers and earning 10,000 streams.
Once your goals are set, release the song you believe is most likely to accomplish that goal and do everything in your power to make that track succeed. Create a music video, promote to your mailing list, create memes, and do anything you can come up with to reach your goals.
At some point between four and eight weeks after the track’s release, take time to review your goals and whether or not you achieved them. If the answer is no, choose another song and release that track. You should repeat the promotional efforts of the first song, as well as any new ideas you may develop.
When you achieve your goals, then you should move forward with plans to package songs together. You can pair your popular single with two to three additional tracks and release that material as an EP. That way, you can continue to capitalize on the momentum of the single while giving your current fans something new to enjoy.
That plan may not necessary for more popular musicians. Artists with sizable followings have to be accessible to new listeners while also keeping their more devoted fans engaged. These artists may see more value in sharing EPs over singles, if only because their audience is hungrier for content than those of musicians just getting their start.
In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell answers one of the most common viewer questions by presenting multiple paths to success. The key to getting ahead is a combination of knowing yourself, your audience, and what you want to accomplish. If you can understand all that, then you are already miles ahead of your competition.
Depending on where you live it may be hard to tell, but summer is fast-approaching, and with the rising temperatures comes an avalanche of new music competing for your attention and blog coverage. We cannot and should not tell you how to run your blog, but if you’re the kind of writer looking for the best of the best to share with your audiences then we know of a few upcoming releases you should definitely keep your eye on. These records criss-cross genres, but each one adds something special to the global music community that we believe is worthy of coverage.
Also, just so you don’t start believing we claim to have final say over everything that is good or bad, please know we are always in the market for new discoveries ourselves. It’s rare that more than a day or two passes without someone pitching us new music, and we do our best to hear everything that arrives in our inbox. If you know of a great record on the horizon that is not mentioned in the list below, please comment and add your suggestion. We will definitely make time to listen, and who knows? Maybe you will be responsible for kickstarting the development of future blog content down the line.
Anyways, here are our picks for the must hear albums of June 2016:
Gates – Parallel Lives (June 3)
There are few bands in modern alternative music with as much potential for mainstream success as Gates. Their music speaks to something bigger than themselves, and with each listen to their Sophomore LP we find ourselves falling deeper in love with their sound. There are some bands whose talent cannot be denied, regardless of your personal preference in music or genres, and Gates are one of those acts. The only problem is, nowhere near enough people know their name…Yet.
Beartooth – Aggressive (June 3)
If there is one band with a Warped Tour background poised to become rock and roll mainstays in 2016 it’s Beartooth. Everyone in the rock world already knows this to be true, including Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor (who recently expressed his love of the band in the media). Aggressive is a far more focused effort than the band’s debut, but it has the same chaotic tendencies that made the group an underground sensation. Caleb Shomo is a beast on vocals, and his unabashed approach to songwriting adds a layer of sincerity to the band’s music that just isn’t found in rock today.
Garbage – Strange Little Birds (June 10)
A band that certainly needs no introduction, Garbage are continuing to redefine their sound with the release of Strange Little Birds. Fans have long wondered if the group would return, and with that question came concerns that any new material might spoil the work the band released around the same time we all feared for the impact of Y2K. We’re happy to report Strange Little Birds is quite possibly the band’s strongest record, and it has hooks that will stay stuck in your brain for weeks to come. If you need more proof of our love, make sure you find time to read this week’s Monday Motivation post.
Empty Houses – Daydream (June 10)
Love Motown, but wish there were some young artists making that classic sound work in 2016? Empty Houses are about to become your new favorite band. Comprised of vocalist Ali Shea and two former members of pop-rock favorite Fireworks, Empty Houses have been carving a unique place for themselves in the world of pop since their formation in early 2015. The band’ Sargent House records debut blends classic genre sensibilities with the perspective of people living in the now. This is the kind of record that makes you want to fall in love, and we doubt it will leave our stereo anytime soon.
Nahko and Medicine for The People – HOKA (June 10)
Our friends at SideOneDummy are releasing this record, but Nahko and Medicine For The People are not your typical S1D band. HOKA is a very grounded, very organic release that relies on acoustic instruments and nature metaphors to convey its message. The results are an entirely heartwarming and often whimsical musical experience that feels intended for summer road trips without a destination. It’s the kind of record you put on when you want to get lost, and it’s the only company you’ll need on your journey.
I See Stars – Treehouse (June 17)
Now five albums deep into a career many thought would die with the downfall of Myspace, I See Stars have long proven their critics wrong be continuing to push themselves and their fans in new directions. Treehouse is a culmination of everything the band has done in the past, with pop-friendly hooks and mosh pit ready guitar work, but it also points to where they may go in the future. Not many bands can claim to have the confidence to do whatever they desire with each new release, but there is a palpable amount of self-assurance running through Treehouse that makes us root for I See Stars continued success. If tracks like “All In” and “Mobbin’ Out” don’t get your heart racing we highly recommend seeking medical assistance as soon as possible.
Sherwood – Some Things Never Leave You (June 17)
There was a time not that long ago when we thought we may never heard from Sherwood again. That was before the band launched a Kickstarter in 2015 to fund a new album, of course. That promotion lead to an avalanche of love for the group being expressed from all corners of the Earth, and the band quickly gained the funding needed to continue their musical endeavors. Some Things Never Leave You picks up right where the band left off with unique pop-rock songs that feel fragile while carrying a heavy emotional payload. Where one song might make you feel happier than you can remember being for quite some time, another will no doubt bring you to tears, and the ability to criss-cross the emotional range like that is part of what makes Sherwood such a wonderful group to follow. We are barely halfway through 2016, but this record is a definite contender for our favorite album of the year. If not number one, then almost certainly in the top 5.
Avion Roe – In Separation (June 17)
We’ve been promoting the debut full-length from Avion Roe since the band’s vocalist appeared on Inside Music back in January. In Separation is the result of years of hard work on the alternative rock underground, and in our opinion it’s one of the best debuts of 2016. Whether you’re looking for something to scream at the top of your lungs in times where you need hope, or if you’re seeking a soundtrack to keep you company when you’re feeling down, In Separation is the answer. Avion Roe could very well be the biggest band in ‘the scene’ at this time next year. Do NOT sleep on them.
DJ Shadow – The Mountain Will Fall (June 24)
DJ Shadow is forever a legend in our book. …Endtroducing is one of our all-time favorite albums, and we still believe he has an even better release in him. We have yet to hear The Mountain Will Fall in full, but our faith in his ability to deliver incredibly original and undeniably catchy music is strong.
Rae Sremmurd – Sremmlife 2 (June 24)
We don’t know if anyone could have predicted the rise of Rae Sremmurd. In a world where every new rap act feels like an imitation of an already notable name, the duo known as Rae Sremmurd exist in a lane all their own. The group’s business is built atop easy-to-learn, bass heavy material, and the early released from Sremmlife 2 shows there is plenty of that in store on this release. Will it be enough to push the group further into the spotlight? We’re not sure. What we do know, however, is that there will not be another hip-hop release this summer that sounds anything like this record.
Depending on where you live it may be hard to tell, but summer is fast-approaching, and with the rising temperatures comes an avalanche of new music competing for your attention and blog coverage. We cannot and should not tell you how to run your blog, but if you’re the kind of writer looking for the best of the best to share with your audiences then we know of a few upcoming releases you should definitely keep your eye on. These records criss-cross genres, but each one adds something special to the global music community that we believe is worthy of coverage.
Also, just so you don’t start believing we claim to have final say over everything that is good or bad, please know we are always in the market for new discoveries ourselves. It’s rare that more than a day or two passes without someone pitching us new music, and we do our best to hear everything that arrives in our inbox. If you know of a great record on the horizon that is not mentioned in the list below, please comment and add your suggestion. We will definitely make time to listen, and who knows? Maybe you will be responsible for kickstarting the development of future blog content down the line.
Anyways, here are our picks for the must hear albums of May 2016:
The Obsessives – My Pale Red Dot (May 6)
It is incredibly hard to summarize the sound of The Obsessives in a paragraph, let alone a single sentence, but their music can best be likened to carefree indie punk with often gut-wrenching themes. The band’s latest EP is a testament to their ability to take a wealth of diverse influences and channel them into something entirely unique. There is no other group in the world that could write or perform the way The Obsessives do, and this release sets the bar extremely high for everything they may do in the future.
Astronautilus – Cut The Body Loose (May 13)
If you have yet to listen to Astronautilus on our podcast, what are you waiting for? The Minneapolis based emcee is set to release his label debut for SideOneDummy Records this month, and we’ll be the first to tell you it is a serious contender for our favorite record of 2016. Cut The Body Loose celebrates the human spirit and mankind’s unique ability to accomplish pretty much anything we set our mind to. It’s the inspirational rap album to end all inspirational rap albums, and it’s coming out on one of the most punk labels in existence today. Don’t sleep on this record.
Pierce The Veil – Misadventures (May 13)
There are very few bands in alternative music today who are able claim they have maintained a singular narrative throughout the career, but Pierce The Veil can. The California rock act has been teasing the release of their fourth studio album for the better part of two years and the wait finally ends later this month. So far, early singles like “Texas Is Forever” and “Circles” tease a diverse offering that pushes the lyricism and technical prowess of the band. Whether or not it can top their other records remains to be seen, but we certainly hope it will.
Modern Baseball – Holy Ghost (May 13)
Modern Baseball are to pop-punk in 2016 what The Wonder Years were back in 2010. Having ascended through nearly every rung of the alternative underground as if they were propelled by jet fuel, the band is now in a place where mainstream publications are knocking on their door. Still, the material that makes up their third full-length is perhaps their most personal offering to date. The record addresses mental health, religion, and the stress distance places on relationships with an unabashed sense of realism that can shake you to your core. This makes for a challenging listen, but also a rewarding one, and at just twenty-eight minutes in length the album makes repeat listens incredibly easy to justify.
Head Wound City – A New Wave Of Violence (May 13)
This band features both Jordan Billie and Cody Votolato of The Blood Brothers. Do we really need to say more? Head Wound City has been a force for raw rock and roll goodness since the mid-2000s, but their musical output has sadly been pretty minimal. That changes this month when A New Wave Of Violence arrives in stores, and our hopes for the record could not be higher. Those who loved Billie and Votolato’s work with Blood Brothers will not be disappointed by this group’s sound, but those who disliked the band may find something to enjoy as well. This is not a knock-off as much as it is a variant that was inspired by acts that a lot of older alternative and hard rock fans still care about.
Tiny Moving Parts – Celebrate (May 20)
Minnesota rock purveyors Tiny Moving Parts have been in a league all their own since day one, and their latest record, Celebrate, cements their place as kings of the indie rock underground. Ripe with finger tapping, riffs, and hooks that just won’t quit, the third album from TMP features their longest and most creative songs. That said, the album barely cracks thirty-minutes in length, so though the songs are longer the nonstop party vibe of previous records is still present. There are no radio cuts on this record, but the band’s songwriting has taken an ever-so-slight turn toward the more accessible that should help them recruit a new group of devoted fans without alienating longtime supporters.
Hit The Lights – Just To Get Through To You (May 20)
2016 marks the ten-year anniversary of Hit The Lights’ debut album arriving in stores, and the band is celebrating their success by releasing a one-of-a-kind acoustic EP that features reworked version of classic songs, as well as a new track called “Lighthouse” that is sure to become a fan favorite. It seems every pop-punk band eventually reaches a point where they feel it necessary to release stripped down versions of their biggest hits, but in the case of Hit The Lights the changes made actually give you a new appreciation for the material. Even seemingly disposable songs, like the infectious and utterly empty “Drop The Girl,” feel more important when presented in a new light on this record.
Pup – The Dream Is Over (May 27)
It is quite possible that The Dream Is Over will be the best rock and/or punk album you hear all year. If Pup were a single US citizen and not a group of cool dudes from Canada we would call for them to be elected as president because that is how much we believe in their message, their music, and the endless fun that runs through everything the do. Listening to this album is akin to throwing the greatest party known to man, only there is no cleanup and the risk of nursing a hangover the next day are much lower. If a better collection of twenty-something anthems exist in 2016 we have yet to hear them.
Half Hearted Hero – Isn’t Real (May 27)
New England is no stranger to producing unique punk bands, and Half Hearted Hero are the latest exports from the area to earn national attention. After listening to their new record it’s not hard to understand why either as the group delivers catchy hooks and toe-tapping melodies with skill well beyond their years. It doesn’t hurt that the band spent the better part of a decade being a popular regional act, but they do not let their humble beginnings define who they will become in the future. Isn’t Real offers the promise of an alternative scene where the best music is held in higher regard than who can generate the most clicks, and we cannot wait to see where the band finds themselves once the world hear the art they have created.
Thrice – To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere (May 27)
It’s 2016 and we’re about to hear a new album from Thrice. Not a single, or an EP, but a complete full-length record filled with songs most of the world has never heard. If you had told us even a year ago this would be happening we probably would have scoffed in your face, but here we are and our excitement is through the roof. We have only heard as much of the record as the rest of the general public, yet we are convinced this will be one of the band’s best albums to date. Even mediocre Thrice is better than most bands at their absolute best.
