Record Labels in Today's Music Industry

Ben CarrollBecause I have lots of experience with them, I'm always getting asked how to attract the attention of record labels. If you've ever asked then you know I normally don't really answer, or I skirt around that particular question. I've decided to finally give my two cents, here's what I have to say on that subject:

These days labels are pretty much only interested in bands that already have things going on. They want to see that you're out there playing packed shows & that you are selling cd's & downloads and have a large online network via things like Facebook/YouTube/ReverbNation & a mailing list. (If you don't have an email list, stop reading this right now and go start one.) That's really the only way to get the attention of a label in the current state of the music industry...they'll come knocking only after you've already gotten yourself to a point where you are doing well enough to not really need them anymore.

I suggest

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How to KILL IT On-Stage!!! Can Stage Presence be developed?

One of the most common questions I get is on Stage Presence...how can it be developed? What can I practice to get my stage presence tighter? How can you teach someone stage presence? I get this question over and over in hundreds of variations.

Stage presence is one of those things that really starts to develop when what a person is playing becomes almost second nature. It's kind of like the walking and chewing gum thing...haha. My guess would be that if you are having trouble with your stage show you may need to get the songs down even tighter so you don't have to concentrate on what you are playing quite as fully and that will free you up to move around a bit more comfortably. Personally I like to

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