Promoting Independent Music

How does one go about promoting independent music in New York's Capital Region? I'm still learning myself. Here are some resources that are doing the teaching.

ALBANY INDIE MUSIC RESOURCES

CRUMBS: Capital Region Music.
Props to founder Ron McClamrock and present webmaster Jeff Hochberg for this resource. Everything you ever wanted to know about Albany music. Bands, venues, radio, discussion boards, calendars - all bases are covered here. No doubt.

Sara Ayers: D.I.Y. Recording and Promoting.
Sara makes beautiful music by following the rules of do-it-yourself. She's kind enough to share her expertise. Thanks, Sara.

Valerie Delacruz: Getting the Media's Attention.
My pal Val gives up the goods on working the Albany media - including contact info for local music writers.

The CD Release Party: Val and Bry Talk Shop.
Culled from an exchange between Valerie and me on the MusicThoughts e-mail discussion list. No hard rules here, just testimonials and perspective.

Promote This!
Send an e-mail to Norman Kee for info on his promotional services for independent musicians.

PROMOTION TIPS

CDBaby.net: Tips on Promoting and Marketing Your Music
Does all good promotion advice on the Internet eventually lead back to this guy? Well... yes. Here's tips on promotion, touring, the college market, and CD sales. Also: check the main page at CDBaby.net for even more good indie stuff.

Nicole Blackman's Press Kit Tips.
Nicole Blackman: The Interview.
I stumbled onto this advice on promotion from publicist/songstress Nicole Blackman about four years ago, and it totally changed the way I think about music promotion. And wouldn't you know that Derek Sivers was behind this one - back when CDBaby was just a sparkle in his eye.

Discmakers.com: Marketing Tips
Exhaustive information on distribution, press kits, radio promotion - and case studies, too.

MusicThoughts: E-Mail Discussion List.
Sign-up for this e-mail discussion list and talk to your independent music peers about promotion, the music industry, touring, radio, and resources. Founded by CDBaby's Derek Sivers, whose frequent musings are themselves worth the price of admission (wait - did I mention that it's FREE?).

Indiebiz.com.
Dave Hooper of Kathode Ray Music has a wealth of resources at Indiebiz.com: there's good info for free and much much more if you sign up for a full membership. A great investment.

GetSigned.com
A misnomer: the more you read and learn from this site, the more you'll realize "getting signed" ain't the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - it usually creates more problems than it solves. The solution? Do it yourself.

ONLINE SALES

CDBaby.com: The Store
CDBaby.net: The Artist's Place
I can't say enough good things about CDBaby. If you're interested in selling your independent CDs online, this is the place to go. Created by an independent musician for independent musicians. Thanks, Derek.

MP3 SITES - FREE WEB SPACE

MP3.com

Riffage.com

IUMA.com

There are many many many many sites like these out there now, but you get the idea. The ones listed above with allow you to set up free pages to upload your band info and MP3 audio files - and even a means to sell your music online. Sounds too good to be true. And yet it is true. (While you're at it, check out MP3.com's Albany page.)