Spotlight weeks

For the next two weeks I'm going to be posting spotlights, interviews and reviews of all different artists I feel deserve recognition. What's cool about this week is it will all be people I either know personally or have developed some type of relationship with them or someone close to them via music collaborations of some sort.

if you are someone or know someone that I should include, let me know and i'll consider adding them to this as well...

-Rumorz-

Listen to 'Em: The Grouch

Most recognize the West Coast for it's chucks, dickies, and the Hyphy movement, but make no mistake; they got some lyricists! Introducing The Grouch, a dope hip hop head who stresses the importance of good lyrics, and everything else comes second. He teamed up with producer Eligh of his Living Legends crew on his most recent work, and has been blending a lot of the feel good old school hip hop with a new twist to it. For those sick of mainstream hip hop and looking for something a little more unique but still with it's roots, check out The Grouch.


Listen To: The Bay featuring Murs
Artsy

The Grouch Myspace
The Grouch and Eligh Myspace

8 Reasons to Release a Follow-up EP

Here is a great article by Brian Hazard I found on MusicThinkTank.com, a great site for music advice and basic discussion on the music industry for indie artists. Now if I could only take that damn advice and get my album out. More on that issue later this week...



You've just released the album of your life. The songs are honed to perfection, the production is top notch, and you found your true voice as an artist. How can you possibly top it with your next release? I suggest you don't even try.

Instead, follow it up with leftovers. You may call them outtakes, b-sides, or even rejects. You can come right out and admit that it's not your best stuff. Your fans will still want it, and some will delight in what they consider hidden gems.

This week I released Second Thoughts, a companion EP to my latest album, The Thought Chapter. It features the four original songs that didn’t make the album, plus six remixes of album tracks. Enough fans requested a physical release to justify a limited edition of 100 CD-R copies, signed and numbered in cardboard jackets. My graphic designer friend Todd LeMieux did the layout as a favor, and the discs in printed jackets cost $262 shipped from Disc Makers. More than half were sold as pre-orders at $10, and I suspect the remainder will sell in the next few months. The EP has taken in $100 in digital sales from my own mp3 store in three days, and will generate income for years on iTunes, Amazon, and the rest.

My first follow-up EP only came out on Tuesday, but I already consider it a success. Here are eight reasons to try it for yourself:

1. A better album. The most important benefit is that it forces you to record more songs than you need for the album. Knowing you'll have a few extras gives you the freedom to take chances, and relieves the psychological pressure to make every song a hit.
2. Revive your album promotion. A follow-up can renew interest in your album just as the hype begins to fade. I waited five months after releasing my album, but your timing should coincide with a natural lull in your promotion. Depending on how far you want to take it, the follow-up could spawn a new series of blog posts, press releases, or even a tour!
3. Show off the album in a new light. The follow-up pays homage to the album by demonstrating that you included only your best material. It invites fans to compare the songs that didn't make it to the songs that did, which can spark discussion on forums and blog comments. Even if they disagree with your decisions, they gain a deeper appreciation of the songs. After all, not every album is worthy of a sequel!
4. Stimulate sales of your back catalog. Whenever I release something new, sales of my back catalog pick up. In this case, a number of fans ordered the album and EP together. You might consider a combo offer for die-hards, like bundling the EP with a t-shirt.
5. Fatten up your discography. Some fans want to own everything you produce. Every couple of months someone asks how to buy all my albums at once. In that case, bigger is better! Even if you've only got one album, the follow-up EP dodges the whole issue of the "sophomore slump" by making your second release deliberately subordinate to your first.
6. Stay in touch with your fans. Before this album, I essentially disappeared for five years, while my mailing list declined from 1,200 to 500 subscribers. The follow-up EP shortens the perceived album release cycle and keeps you connected with your fans.
7. Provide a better return on your investment. You've already spent the money to record the songs. You can get great remixes for free by running a contest at Acid Planet or Remix Comps. If you go digital only, you just have to pay for mastering (you might consider me for the job), and maybe graphic design, though you can get away with using a slight variation of the album cover.
8. Expand your stylistic range. Though music sales are hard to come by these days, there is still money to be made licensing your music for film and television. My music falls between the cracks in genres, but now I've got legit club and trip hop mixes of my songs. If remixes aren't your thing, you can release acoustic or even instrumental or a cappella versions.

I'm convinced that the follow-up EP has lots of benefits and few drawbacks. What do you think? Anything I've overlooked, pro or con? Let's discuss it in the comments.

In a future post, I'll reveal my plans to turn the follow-up concept on its head for my next release.

Fav 5

On random nights when me and my friends are chillin getting drunk or whatever we do at college we often end up talking about which famous people it would be fun to just chill with for a day. So I compiled a list of the five celebrities that make my top 5 in terms of hanging out with. Oh yeah, the one rule is if you're a dude, you can't pick a hott chick just cuz u wana bang her or something, it has to be someone you'd want to chill with all day on a friend basis. That means if you say Jessica Simpson, I know u dudes are lying your ass off. Women, same with you, I know you don't admire Mathew Mchonahay (not even going to attempt to look up how to spell that correctly) because he is a great actor...



5. Dave Chappelle
I don't care if he went crazy or not, he's a funny dude. It would be dope to just hang out with this dude for a night and see if any of those crazy trips he talks about during his stand up ever happen.


4. Hugh Hefner
Any dudes fantasy life would be to be him obviously. From chillin at the mansion to the one or two good looking girls he knows, it'd be a good day. And if I can still get it up to get with women when i'm his age, never mind hot women 40 years younger than me, I'll be satisfied.


3. P.Diddy
I don't see me and Diddy as ever being good friends, but to chill with him for a day and see how big he lives would be dope. You this dude gets the best of the best in everything, and won't take no for an answer. I picture going out with him for a night basically being the shit. VIP everything, limos, fine women, and plenty of celeb cameos.

2. Conan O'Brien
This dude is hilarious. I'm actually finding myself going to sleep earlier lately since he has been off the air for the last few months while Jimmy Fallon transitions into his spot. Basically this dude can make a rock funny, so hanging out with him would be non-top entertainment.

1. David Beckham
No homo, but dude has the world on his nuts. It'd be crazy to walk through the streets of London or anywhere in the world for that matter, and see how he gets treated. He mine as well be royalty. Soccer fans of both sexes love you, and women would love you if you were a janitor. Can't picture a better life.

Jamie Foxx hates Miley

Jamie Foxx recently went off on Miley Cryus on his radio show. Not that I love Miley Cyrus, but I think it's sort of funny how at the beginning of the clip he acts like he doesn't know who she is. Come on Jamie. Stop lying. I don't care who you are, if you are up to date with pop culture even the slightest bit, it would be impossible to not know who Miley Cyrus is. And as a musician and actor, he would definitely be in that category. He does go on to say some funny shit about her though, so take a listen.

Listen to 'em: The Script

Here is a dope band out of Ireland. There sound is pretty much R and B/soul/hip hop based, and they really got some hot shit. They re for fans of Jason Mraz to Everlast. I can't stop listening to this one song of theirs called "We Cry" so I decided I should post it and let people know about this group. Although they have had some success in a somewhat mainstream sense, they are far from a well known band. Check em' out and enjoy.


tracks you need to hear: The Man Who Can't be Moved, We Cry

MUSIC FOR FREE?

For anyone interested in music, but especially artists, the topic of free music is almost always going to come up throughout your career. Since the days of Napster artists have been trying to defend the rights of their music, and companies have spent time trying to find ways to get music for free. The internet can be seen as a very important thing both positively and negatively for the music industry. It has basically eliminated actual CD's and the stores that provide them. Not only that, it has given people the impression that they should get music for free, and music sales have dropped dramatically.

This is all stuff I'm sure you have heard before, but I want people to really think about it. Musicians are now making the majority of their money off of ring tones and tours, and barely anything off the actual music they create. If you just think about that, it's pretty strange. Musicians are now more than ever just "entertainers" as opposed to artists. It's weird when you make your name by creating music and writing lyrics but you get paid for performing not for the rights to the thing you created. I can't really think of another industry like that, but I know there are not many business's or products that work that way.

The reason I decided to post about this is because as of a few days ago thanks to Google, China will now be receiving free music. That's right, they never have to pay for music again. That is crazy because as a musician, that means the window for making money off music is closing dramatically. I believe that hurts the hip hop industry more than anything. Hip Hop music is by far the most available genre of music online for free, and it is also the least popular form of music live. Bars usually don't book indie rap artists as often as they do rock acts. This means that as music becomes completely free, if you are not performing, indie artists will be unable to make anything off their talent. That's some scary shit to think about.

What you guys think about this issue?


peep some articles on it: Fox News

Seattle Times

BudgetBallerz.com

The first time I really started rapping was around the end of eighth grade when I was on a school trip down to Washington D.C., and in the back of the bus me and my friend Chris "Digits" Lamar freestyled the whole trip. He was the first person that I really did music with. We started making songs and formed a little group called the Klip Artists. As you probably know, we eventually went our separate ways when I continued to pursue music and he went on to other things. Regardless he was always one of the most motivated people I've ever met. and determined to succeed. The reason I mention this story is because Digits has continued to be an Enterprenuer and recently him and another friend from high school of mine (Nakware Howard) came up with one of their best ideas to date: BudgetBallerz.com

The concept of Budget Ballerz is simple; basically a site dedicated to the normal person who cannot afford to rock the fairly expensive Ed Hardy and Gucci products. The site focuses on a budget of 50 dollars or less, and carries almost any product you can think of within that price range, along with the links to the sites to find what you are looking for. So for those tryna ball on a budget, this is a site worth checking out. The great thing about this site is that it is still in the early stages and is making imporvements daily. There are new updates every day and the site has been gaining in success rapidly. If that doesn't get you there, I will be recording a song for Budget Ballerz some time late spring for the site, so atleast visit the site, get a feel for it so when I post the song you know what I'm talking about!

visit: BudgetBallerz.com

Listen to 'Em: Iconn

Iconn is a rapper outta Jacksonville, Florida who got one hell of a grind. This dude is great at networking and has made his presence on the internet known. A while back I recorded "There Go Them Dudes" with him, a track which came out pretty dope. Anyone who is a fan of DZK should check Iconn out because he has a similar "take the beat hostage" type of attitude on the mic, and doesn't take any prisoners when he's finished. Recently he has been hittin' the bar scene in the Jacksonville area ripping up shows and spreading his music throughout Florida. Check dude out he got swag.


Must Listen to: Patron, There Go Them Dudes, Monster

Iconn's Myspace

SEND ME YOUR SHIT

What's goin on peoples? A few people have asked me how to get there music on the Souled Out Show site in a feature, and basically, if you got a new album coming out or are an up and coming artist, holla at me! As you can tell I don't just post hip hop! So, send me a link to your shit and if I like it and think other people deserve to hear you, I will give the review or feature. I want this site to be a launching pad to help get other struggling artists heard who deserve the recognition.

-Rumorz-

Listen To 'Em: Nico Vega

Since Gwen Stefani has pretty much abandoned her rock roots there hasn't been much competition for artists like Hayley Williams (lead singer of Paramore) for the top spot in women lead singers. Thanks to the recent emergence of Nico Vega, she might be getting a little worried. Aja Volkman (lead singer) and her two band mates have been creating some waves in the underground rock scene as of late, and their release of the self-titled album Nico Vega has been making some serious noise (literally and figuratively). From watching videos of the performances, it seems like Aja is an incredible act to see live. Nico Vega is not for someone who doesn't like real rock, but if you can mess with some heavy-soulful-electronic type of rock, then I suggest you check them out. They are a breath of fresh air in the rock scene, and I have not heard such a unique band since System of a Down.


Must hear: Burn Burn, Million Years, Beast

Can't Someone Tell 'Em?

I don't want to say much in this post. I don't want to promote this wackness. You guys are free to have your own interpertations of this song, but I wanted to post this to show how pathetic the rap game is now. You have some of the "best" rappers out on a track with the biggest joke of a rapper on the planet. And if you listen to each verse, I think you can actually hear the rappers getting worse by trying to do a song on the level of soulja boy. Besides Jadakiss (who only has an 8 bar verse), this track is pathetic.

Album Review: "Not As Far" -Three Legged Fox

Hailing from the Philly area is Three Legged Fox; with the follow up to their solo debut "Ideas" entitled "No as Far". TLF teamed up with producer Chris DiBeneditto at Philadelphonic Studios who also produces G. Love & Special Sauce and Slightly Stoopid. Guest appearances on the album include OG from Slightly Stoopid, Mark Boyce from G. Love & Special Sauce, Jacob Hemphill from SOJA, and the horn unit from John Brown's Body. Think O.A.R. meets Dispatch with a little bit of Bob Marley thrown in, and you've got the soothing sounds of Three Legged Fox on this album. And with summer right around the corner, this album bleeds feel good reggae notes and blues riffs all sewn together with the vocals of frontman Kyle Wareham.

Personal favorites include the amazing Soul Thief which contains a sick chorus along with great guitar work by lead guitarist Mike Brody. The title track Not As Far lives up to the "a title track has to be hot" idea which I and many music lovers believe should always be true . Another must listen is the bluesy Back Again with emotionally compelling lyrics and from-the-heart singing. They even throw in a touch of Southern Rock/Country with Easy Way sounding like a new age Lynyrd Skynyrd track. The great thing about this album is how they use the instruments as a voice instead of just background noise behind a good vocalist. Even with a talented guitarist in the group they find a balance between both the instruments of Brody and the voice of Wareham.

As a whole, the album is very complete. Feel good tracks, a few deeper emotional songs and plenty of talent show this up and coming band is more than a group of guys with some good connections;they've got skills, and potential. As the title of the album may suggest, though relatively unknown to the mainstream fan, TLF is not as far as it may seem from breaking through into the industry, so don't be suprised if you see them opening up for some of your favorite acts by the end of 2009.



Lyrics: 8/10
Music: 9/10
Production: 9/10
Re-listenability: 8/10
Overall: 8.5/10

P.S. Special thanks to JZ for the album...keep doing ur thing.

For booking info Contact:

Josh ZimmerManager/Booking Agent
Phone: (302) 494-2614
Fax: (302) 525-4392
Email: josh@threeleggedfoxlive.com
Three Legged Fox
http://www.threeleggedfoxlive.com/
www.sonicbids.com/threeleggedfox
www.myspace.com/threeleggedfox

Talent Shows, Priests and Fox's

For those who came out to the show last week I appreciate it. It was a pretty good show overall despite my performance being a little lackluster due to some technical difficulties haha. But yea, I still pulled out third place in the show despite the judges being a priest, professor and heavy metal fan. So i'll take it. My friend Stephanie Walker came in second so I can't complain about not placing higher. I'll post some of her stuff later on this weekend so look out for that.

In other news, you guys may remember I posted a Listen to 'Em section about Three Legged Fox a few weeks ago. The other day their manager hit me up with a nice message telling me how he had came across my review, and gave me a copy of their new album "Not As Far" which just came out. The last two days I've been listening to it non-stop, and tomorrow I plan on posting a review of the album, so check it out and go cop that album! So thanks to "the real JZ" for that, and if anyone else has albums they want me to review, if it's hott, i'll post something about it.


stay tuned,
Rumorz

Anno Domini Beats Presents: Secret Archives vol. II

Anno Domini Beats' second album the Secret Archives Vol. II is coming out soon and they just released the promo video for it. It features a bunch of dope artists including: Kool G Rap, Randam Luck, Reef the Lost Cauze, Lost Soulz, Choo Biggz, Outerspace, EQ, SCI-Development, Hard Target, Doap Nixon and of course me!

look out for that , and check out the promotional trailer!