Sunday, October 11, 2009
You think you know, but you don't......
It's 10pm and my 3yr daughter just asked for a bowl to vomit in. Awwww life of a rock star !
Monday, October 5, 2009
Perception it's a bitch
I have to admit my wife has some great points. One such point is that music listeners need to hear independent music before they love it. You know
kick the tires around, find a great song, become one with the music and lyrics, connect emotionally with the music/band - then they can become true fans.
That's basically what radio does for commercial music - play it hundreds of times then you love it or hate it. I experience this at Aces shows, for people
familiar with our sound they love what we do. For others they may need to hear it a few times in order to be "sold" on what we're doing.
I've also come to the realization that unless you're a well known band/artist, it benefits you to have a record label's support to get you to the next step. Think of it as before you had a girlfriend or boyfriend. When you don't have one, no one is interested in you. But when you have one people start to think "hmm they
must have something to offer" I've experienced this with job hunting. When I was un-employed no one would talk to me, couldn't get an call let alone an
interview or job offer. It's always the "if this guy was good he'd be hired" syndrome! Of course this is perception, but perception is real. So as a band
on a label we differentiate ourselves from the thousands of other bands with CD's. We don't get the "well if they are so good why aren't they signed"? - again
perception. Think about it, with technology being what it is today, we all know someone or have a family member putting out a CD recorded in their home studio,
doing the graphics with Photoshop, pressing the CD's with Disk Makers and selling online with iTunes or CD Baby. I mean I've seen some very impressive self
released CD's. It's actually great because lots of great music which would have otherwise gone un-noticed is now able to get it's time in the light. But one difference is that getting a booking agent, getting meaningful gigs, getting fans interested in what you do is simply at a different level when you have a label. Now as the music industry continues to evolve, in the short term I feel people think that if a label is willing to invest their money into an artist, than that band is
slightly more justified/professional for your ears and money. This actually came to me after my wife put on a great documentary called "Before the music dies" - an eye opener. Hell I'm just one of the lucky ones who can test this theory! As well as being very honored to be on a label who likes my/our music. - derek
kick the tires around, find a great song, become one with the music and lyrics, connect emotionally with the music/band - then they can become true fans.
That's basically what radio does for commercial music - play it hundreds of times then you love it or hate it. I experience this at Aces shows, for people
familiar with our sound they love what we do. For others they may need to hear it a few times in order to be "sold" on what we're doing.
I've also come to the realization that unless you're a well known band/artist, it benefits you to have a record label's support to get you to the next step. Think of it as before you had a girlfriend or boyfriend. When you don't have one, no one is interested in you. But when you have one people start to think "hmm they
must have something to offer" I've experienced this with job hunting. When I was un-employed no one would talk to me, couldn't get an call let alone an
interview or job offer. It's always the "if this guy was good he'd be hired" syndrome! Of course this is perception, but perception is real. So as a band
on a label we differentiate ourselves from the thousands of other bands with CD's. We don't get the "well if they are so good why aren't they signed"? - again
perception. Think about it, with technology being what it is today, we all know someone or have a family member putting out a CD recorded in their home studio,
doing the graphics with Photoshop, pressing the CD's with Disk Makers and selling online with iTunes or CD Baby. I mean I've seen some very impressive self
released CD's. It's actually great because lots of great music which would have otherwise gone un-noticed is now able to get it's time in the light. But one difference is that getting a booking agent, getting meaningful gigs, getting fans interested in what you do is simply at a different level when you have a label. Now as the music industry continues to evolve, in the short term I feel people think that if a label is willing to invest their money into an artist, than that band is
slightly more justified/professional for your ears and money. This actually came to me after my wife put on a great documentary called "Before the music dies" - an eye opener. Hell I'm just one of the lucky ones who can test this theory! As well as being very honored to be on a label who likes my/our music. - derek
Monday, September 28, 2009
Hello World !
After a very hot day in Santa Rosa at the Handcar Regatta with the family (think the kids overheated) that evening I found out that The Aces record is available world wide at CD Baby, El Toro Records, etc - http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/theaces
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Bye Bye Fender, it's been nice knowing you
Ok – Sky and Derek have upgrade our rigs. Sky has acquired a Meteor Harp amp combo loaded with 2x10” Weber speakers and 1x12" Weber speaker rated at 50W. I’ve acquired a 65 amps “London” head pumping a 2x10" cabinet loaded with Jensen reissue P10R speakers rated at 18W. The London is two channels with one channel voiced after a VOX 15ac and the second channel voiced after an 18W Marshall. A Lo-Fi band stepping into the boutique realm – go figure…. - derek
www.meteoramps.com
www.65amps.com
www.meteoramps.com
www.65amps.com
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sept 1 2009
Well here it is Sept 1 2009 and I’m listening to the Dan Auerback record. If you’re not familiar with Dan, he’s ½ of The Black Keys (who I love) and his new solo record is an example of his songwriting more than The Black Keys raw fuzzed energy.
Personally I’ve been going through a re-birth of sorts with my family which has been going very well – it’s all about balance as the wife says. I have a slight chance today in going over to the Wells Fargo Center here in Santa Rosa to check out Sheryl Crow’s sound check and meet Peter Stroud who not only play’s guitar with Sheryl, but is a partner in 65 amps. I absolutely love the 65 amps partially the London and Lil Elvis model although I lean towards the London. Peter has been using them on the tour and I’m hoping to get a one on one demo of the amp and hear it in a full band situation before I make the decision to purchase the London. Hmm by saying London it sounds like my mind is made up.
Now for The Aces, we’ve slowly been revving things up and will need to start getting our ace in gear. Word from El Toro Records is our record has come in from the pressing plant and is getting ready for distribution. So what does this all mean? While I have goals I’m not absolutely sure how this will all unfold. Sure the traditional way is to release a record, get some publicity behind it and then hit the road. Well it’s not that easy these days. First there needs to be balance with family life and there needs to be a clear sense of direction for the band. It’s no longer jump in the van and play every bar/club from California to Maine. While that does define touring, it does not define a successful tour. I’d prefer us doing a "supporting act" roll for an already established band to get maximum exposure and experience. There’s not only the so called “road” experience, but there is an aspect of learning to adapt to different venue’s night to night, the aspect of 5-7 nights of shows in a row and driving, working with different personalities in the venues, learning to fine tune your sound and get the best sound possible out of unknown sound systems, learning how to keep reigns on your money (that’s right I want to make money to support my family, career and band), how to keep the energy and emotional state positive (wheat grass anyone) and keep four personalities from getting frustrated with each other. This is why I feel we need to be in a position for success while still taking some chances/risks. I’d also fool myself and the band if I think our core fan base is blues. While we’re rooted/influenced in the blues, we’re not a blues band we can appeal to fans of other genres (rock, blues, punk, alt, roots, etc). Some of our songs show that we’re not that type of band and I feel our songwriting can evolve. Believe me I’ve been though this before when I was in my 20’s with Mitch Woods (well the driving across country and playing bars/clubs) so I’m familiar with what it takes – that’s why I’m setting my expectations higher – putting this out in the world on what I want to do so I can make the right connections and the universal can make things happen (e.g. luck).
So we’ll see how this unfolds over the next say 3 – 9 months. And yes I’d love for the band to hit the road and show what we have domestically and internationally. It should help us build our internal relationships as well as grow our songwriting. And the sheer possibility of meeting great smart & creative people along the way is inspiring to me.
Oh BTW The Aces have entered into the Independent Music Awards too. Looks like I have to fix this layout too.
All the best – Derek Irving
Personally I’ve been going through a re-birth of sorts with my family which has been going very well – it’s all about balance as the wife says. I have a slight chance today in going over to the Wells Fargo Center here in Santa Rosa to check out Sheryl Crow’s sound check and meet Peter Stroud who not only play’s guitar with Sheryl, but is a partner in 65 amps. I absolutely love the 65 amps partially the London and Lil Elvis model although I lean towards the London. Peter has been using them on the tour and I’m hoping to get a one on one demo of the amp and hear it in a full band situation before I make the decision to purchase the London. Hmm by saying London it sounds like my mind is made up.
Now for The Aces, we’ve slowly been revving things up and will need to start getting our ace in gear. Word from El Toro Records is our record has come in from the pressing plant and is getting ready for distribution. So what does this all mean? While I have goals I’m not absolutely sure how this will all unfold. Sure the traditional way is to release a record, get some publicity behind it and then hit the road. Well it’s not that easy these days. First there needs to be balance with family life and there needs to be a clear sense of direction for the band. It’s no longer jump in the van and play every bar/club from California to Maine. While that does define touring, it does not define a successful tour. I’d prefer us doing a "supporting act" roll for an already established band to get maximum exposure and experience. There’s not only the so called “road” experience, but there is an aspect of learning to adapt to different venue’s night to night, the aspect of 5-7 nights of shows in a row and driving, working with different personalities in the venues, learning to fine tune your sound and get the best sound possible out of unknown sound systems, learning how to keep reigns on your money (that’s right I want to make money to support my family, career and band), how to keep the energy and emotional state positive (wheat grass anyone) and keep four personalities from getting frustrated with each other. This is why I feel we need to be in a position for success while still taking some chances/risks. I’d also fool myself and the band if I think our core fan base is blues. While we’re rooted/influenced in the blues, we’re not a blues band we can appeal to fans of other genres (rock, blues, punk, alt, roots, etc). Some of our songs show that we’re not that type of band and I feel our songwriting can evolve. Believe me I’ve been though this before when I was in my 20’s with Mitch Woods (well the driving across country and playing bars/clubs) so I’m familiar with what it takes – that’s why I’m setting my expectations higher – putting this out in the world on what I want to do so I can make the right connections and the universal can make things happen (e.g. luck).
So we’ll see how this unfolds over the next say 3 – 9 months. And yes I’d love for the band to hit the road and show what we have domestically and internationally. It should help us build our internal relationships as well as grow our songwriting. And the sheer possibility of meeting great smart & creative people along the way is inspiring to me.
Oh BTW The Aces have entered into the Independent Music Awards too. Looks like I have to fix this layout too.
All the best – Derek Irving
Monday, August 17, 2009
Record coming soon !!!!!!!
Looks like our El Toro Records release will be ready around December. So this means we'll be thinking how or if we want to use a publishing. Also we entered "You're Gonna Lose" and "Mr Highway Man" into the 2009 Independent Music Awards. Results will be Jan 2010.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Quick blast
Tune into KSRO 1350am or KSRO.com today (friday) at 5pm to hear The Aces live in studio. Then next week it's our Lo Fi Explosion show at The Last Day Saloon on July 30 at 8pm - burlesque, fuzz guitar and exploding amps - FUN ! - derek
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