:: a digital artist agency

Why should we talk? Because of something we fondly call AMOS (at least for now :-).

Independents Day 08

Support independent artists and independent music! For a limited time only, available July 4th through July 6th, you can download and save all the songs from the ID08 U.S. digital album, burn an audio CD, copy the music to your iPod and even print the artwork. It's automatic, right from this page -- just click the album below!

Proceeds raised by this event will be split between A2IM, WIN (the Worldwide Independent Network), the Recording Academy's charity MusiCares, and a special fund that supports those working to create their own independent label groups in regions like the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. A2IM is a non-profit organization of independent music labels dedicated to protecting and advancing the place of independent labels in the national marketplace.

Independents Day 08 U.S.

$8.99 (MP3)

Worth watching.

Interview with Dave Neupert (?) from M80 Interactive Marketing

Worth reading.

The 20 Things You MUST Know About Music Online by Andrew Dubber

1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly

Is the Tipping Point Toast? by Clive Thompson

In our own words.

I'm on MySpace and Facebook. Why do I need an official artist site?

by Steven Pennington

In a time when social networks dominate our online attention, the need for an official artist site seems to be thrown into question. Let me be crystal clear. I believe an official artist site is absolutely essential for every independent artist. First, your music. Second, your website.

10. Professionalism Have a proper domain. MySpace is not your website... Use high-quality photography. Get a web designer who understands design - not just code. The 20 Things You MUST Know About Music Online by Andrew Dubber

Social networks

Social networks and other online music communities will come and go in the natural ebb and flow of what's hot and what's not. One thing, however, will forever remain constant. You will have one...and only one...official web address that new and old fans alike can rely on. A place over which you have total control and which does not look like any other artist's page. A place which should be the most fully actualized visual and communal expression of your music...of your unique image and personality...of your artistry.

Believe me...I get it. You're an independent band or musician. Having profile pages on all the social networks is absolutely a must. No doubt about it. MySpace, Facebook, PureVolume, ReverbNation, MOG, Fuzz, GarageBand, Last.fm. On and on. These networks offer one of the best, most cost-effective ways to promote yourself. Used properly, they help identify your target audience and make it extremely easy for fans to discover you and spread the word.

Social networks are the online equivalent of going curbside...passing out fliers and/or promo CDs to fans at the local concert of a popular band who has a similar sound and style as you. Hopefully some of their fans will take notice and give your music a listen. In other words, social networks are all about hooking new fans.

True Fan Model

So you hooked a new fan. You got them to hear a few of your songs. What next? You know...the critical work of engaging that new fan, interacting with them on a regular basis, and forging a deep, long-term relationship with them. Getting them to really like you. Turning them into a customer that buys everything from you, whether it be music, tickets to a show, or cool new merch. In other words, converting them from a social network "friend" into a "True Fan". And you only need 1,000 of them.

A True Fan is defined as someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. They will drive 200 miles to see you sing. They will buy the super deluxe re-issued hi-res box set of your stuff even though they have the low-res version. They have a Google Alert set for your name. They bookmark the eBay page where your out-of-print editions show up. They come to your openings. They have you sign their copies. They buy the t-shirt, and the mug, and the hat. They can't wait till you issue your next work. They are true fans.
To raise your sales out of the flatline of the long tail you need to connect with your True Fans directly. Another way to state this is, you need to convert a thousand Lesser Fans into a thousand True Fans.1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly

Official artist sites

This hard work of turning a new friend into a True Fan is most effectively managed from your official site...supported by promotion across the social networks. Why? For many reasons. But, most importantly, your official site is where you capture and own all the data. Not the social network. Not the retailer. But you...inside your very own customer database. It's fantastic when a fan visits your Facebook page. But do you know when that was? Do you know which song they last streamed or downloaded...so you can send an email to encourage them to buy the album? It's fantastic when a fan clicks through your Last.fm profile to iTunes to purchase your most popular track. But do you know who they are? Wouldn't it be better if they purchased that song directly from your official site so you captured their contact information? Then you could include them in your email reminder about a new show within 25 miles of their address.

4. Customize A tailored solution at best, or at the very least a bespoke kitset approach to your web presence is crucial. An off-the-shelf number will almost guarantee your anonymity. The 20 Things You MUST Know About Music Online by Andrew Dubber

As Andrew Dubber rather bluntly states, "Hear / Like / Buy. It's the golden rule. People hear music, then they like music, then they buy music. It's the only order it can happen in. If you try to do it in any other sequence, it just won't work." Let new fans "hear" your music anywhere it's most convenient for them, or where a friend or someone they trust turns them onto you. Hopefully they'll "like" it. But after they've sampled your music, make sure you give them incentives to go from there to your official site. Across the social networks, offer your fans an exclusive track. But make it a link to your official site where they actually download it. Ask them to join your mailing list or register to receive the song. Now you have their information in your database and you can begin the process of turning a "friend" into a True Fan.

When Radiohead changed the rules and let fans name their own price for In Rainbows, where did they do it? On their official site - www.radiohead.com. When Trent Reznor went even further and self-released Ghosts I - IV...a brand new 36 track instrumental collection, where did he do it? On his official site - ghosts.nin.com. There's no reason you can't do the same...with the right platform.

20. Forget Product - Sell Relationship The old model of music business is dominated by the sale of an individual artefact for a set sum of money... The new model is about starting an ongoing economic relationship with a community of fans. The 20 Things You MUST Know About Music Online by Andrew Dubber

Don't forget - you're a small business

One final comment. As an independent artist busting your ass to turn a passion into a career, you must realize you're operating a small business - that of being a professional band or musician. Instead of having an office, you have an official site. When you look at it this way, your site is far more than a promotional page. Your official site is also your most important business address.

:: All the beats...\m/.

Some of our work.

HIJK: HIJK is an independent "art pop" band from Oakland, CA. Their new AMOS-designed, AMOS-powered website goes live in a few weeks! Until then, visit their current site and watch their new video for "Paper Boat."
"HIJK, with their new album The Pen and the Letter, is an apt example of what should have sprung forth from the late '90s hardcore scene. The band, who had previously been named Hijack the Disco, uses dueling vocals, choppy guitar riffs, and melodic verses to make pleasant adrenaline-fueled rock music. Opener "Alibi" shows how the Oakland outfit uses all these ingredients to create a sound which urges you to stop buying mediocre Modest Mouse albums and start listening to something new." PopMatters

Roy Rogers: Roy Rogers is one of the premier slide guitarists performing today. With eight solo recordings, he has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and 6 Grammy credits as the producer of John Lee Hooker and Ramblin' Jack Elliott releases.
"Many guitarists dabble in slide guitar, but the number of modern masters can probably be counted on one hand - Roy Rogers is surely one of them..." Guitar Player

Chophouse Records: An independent label owned and operated by Jason Newsted, former bass player of Metallica. Started in 1991 from his home recording studio as an outlet for musical collaborations and side-projects with many luminary musician friends. Projects included Echobrain; Sexoturica; IR8; Godswallop with Andreas Kisser and Carl Coletti; Tree of the Sun with Scott Reeder, Devin Townsend, and Dale Crover; and Quarteto da Pinga with Robb Flynn, Andreas Kisser and Tom Hunting.
Echobrain: It started in 1990, in a sleepy little town in Northern California. Sixth-grade drummer, Brian Sagrafena, approached a 7th grader who he had heard played bass named Dylan Donkin. He asked him if he wanted to come over to his house after school and jam. Dylan agreed and they've been playing together ever since. In 2002 they released their debut CD as Echobrain with Newsted playing bass, and toured the U.S. Insider Note: Echobrain is featured in Metallica's documentary "Some Kind of Monster."

Sexoturica: In March 1995, following closely in the steps of "Colossus" and intent on keeping the Chophouse iron hot in between busy touring schedules, Newsted and Tom Hunting of Exodus invited incredibly talented metal guitarist Andreas Kisser of Sepultura into the Chophouse fold, for one solid day of pure raw music. The result is three full bore classics; "Zone of Death," "Alone," and "Dead Soul at Sleep." Three metalheads staying true to their roots.

IR8: In October 1994, Newsted joined forces with 22 year-old guitar virtuoso of Strapping Young Lad, and legendary Bay Area metal drummer Tom Hunting of Exodus to form the infamous IR8 project. The uber metal trio set the precedent for the work ethic of the Chophouse with 100 hours of labor over six days to give birth to the mighty "Colossus" (the Chophouse anthem), along with the thrash metal tracks "Black on Black" and "Nothing."

Voivod: Respected. Influential. Always amazing. Voivod is possibly the most creative band to master the metal form. Voivod was one of the first thrash bands from Canada to gain popularity outside of their home country. Beginning in the early '80s, their main goal was to be different from anyone else, and thus they incorporated odd musical tempos and futuristic story lines into their songs, often dealing with technology taking over the world. Voivod opened the way for other Canadian thrash bands and for metal bands with their unique styles of performing and writing.

Pit Pony Records: An independent label started by AMOS co-founder Steven Pennington. Signed a digital distribution deal with IODA and released the debut album of UK garage-rock band Moco in North America. Before having played a single show in the US, their album moved up the CMJ college chart to #117 and their song "Moco Loco" was chosen by KCRW's Nic Harcourt for placement in an episode of ABC's TV series "Life As We Know It."

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