Mid City Meddler
How'd Ya Get So?
Two years ago I wrote about my fantastic trip to LA, where I recorded a new CD. I hoped the album would be available by Christmas of 1999. Then, in July of 2000, I expressed controlled frustration at the fact that, one year later, I had finally received a few finished tracks. Not a week has gone by in those 100+ weeks that a few people haven't inquired on the status of my "new" project. That's a whole lotta times to have to repeat the same response while making it sound fresh. "Just a few more weeks....The producer got married, had a baby, left the country....I have no idea what's up." Of course I considered doing other recordings here in Louisville while anticipating the release of "How'd Ya Get So?" but I didn't. Instead, I just waited and whined silently. See, if I was a true hustler, I would have already recorded ten or twenty other tunes, shopping my wares and handling rejection, like songwriters are supposed to do. Instead, I opted for groceries, material things and the luxury of paying bills on time. There are at least two types of musical artists - the ones that starve, work infrequently and live a lifestyle of partying, arguing with band members and complaining about lack of success while doing little to further their venture short of showing up to gigs and renting equipment. Oh, and having some angst-filled attitude. The other extreme, the true hustler, sticks it to you constantly. He/she tries to be a part of every music event that pops up, from Riverfront concerts to the Harvest Showcase. They are cutthroat ruthless. They hold no conversation without talking of their latest scheme to get a deal. They make you listen to half-written songs while playing acoustic. They claim to have written a thousand songs, each somehow acclaimed. This type rarely goes fishing. I guess I'm somewhere in between, because after a while you can just get sick of hearing yourself talk.
Putting out an independent "retail ready" recording consumes both time and money. There's pre-production, studio hours, CD artwork, layout, typing up lyrics, credits, registering copyrights and publishing. Then, how many will you have duplicated and from which company? Do you need a barcode? Will you be selling online, in stores, at shows or all of these? Do you have a website? How about record label interest - or is that something you want? Pricing, decisions. Damn, and you just wanted to write a good song. And where will you get the money? If you're angsty A, you probably won't. If you're ballbustin' B, you've had the money all along, probably from a backer.
It's been two years and I actually have the completed, mastered CD in my possession. Pre-duplication stage. I can't wait to see what I'm going to do next.
Although last month's column was a repeat, I got several email responses, which I appreciate. Cheryl, from the band "Most Wanted" wrote to assure me there were possibly more female musicians around town than I was aware of. Her band, for example, contains no dudes. Here is a link to their nice-looking website: http://geocities.com/most_wanted_band/schedule.html.
I also received notice from a 19-year-old student named Gregg Albert that he thinks Louisville is lacking in original sounding acts. He's a singer/lyricist who plays guitar and bass. Although he listens to all genres of music, from rap to jazz, he wants to form something with more "balls and power" behind it, unlike the typical evil sounding hardcore groups. That's what Gregg wants. If you'd like to contact Gregg, let me know and I'll have my ISP contact his ISP for thee. Yo, B!!
Meanwhile, share your band / Mid-City info with me.
And try not to stay TOO focused!
(heart)
Muff
502.485.1989 / mufalata@iglou.com