As a former writing major, I know all too well the faults of bad criticism. It makes the writer feel bad, it makes the commenter look inconsiderate, and it doesn’t help the writing improve. In songwriting, something you’ve poured your heart and soul into, it’s especially uncomfortable to receive harsh criticism. The wrong things get attacked, and the…
With months and sometimes even years going into the creation of a new body of work, it’s an understood expectation that artists put together some sort of marketing plan in anticipation of their album release. And once your music is available, it feels like the weight of the world is officially off your shoulders. However,…
This coming Thursday, it’s all about the band at Black Bear Bar in Williamsburg. There will be amazing music, interesting conversation, and top-notch networking, all focusing on navigating the ins and outs of running an amazing band in today’s music landscape. We’ll have an hour of conversation on DIY band management followed by music from The Brighton Beat,…
So many important things happened out in the world of music this week, and we weren’t about to let a single one slip by unnoticed. From opera in living rooms, to the demise of mail-order music, to a fond harkening back to that time when Dave Matthews Band spilled poop on everybody, we’ve got all of the…
Sergio Carrasco, Malik Fakiri (Faki), and Ariel Utin are the co-founders of La Leche, a Brooklyn-based production company that hosts the “Hangover Sessions” — an intimate and inspiring performance series on Saturday afternoons. I caught up with Ariel recently to ask about some of her most memorable performances, how to write songs listeners love, and how to cultivate a…
Andy on my Facebook page suggested I write about finding inspiration — and what better way to start a blog about music and creativity than the very starting point of creating music. Today I want to talk about three different ways to approach finding inspiration, and in my next few posts I’ll go into detail with some tips and…
Every once in a long while, I’ll write a song where the whole arc — from conception to gestation to delivery — will feel gloriously pointed and true. I will be struck sideways with joy and awe over how exactly this gift of a song has communicated my truest, subtlest heart. But if you’re going to make…
Welcome to our weekly recap of the best of the musical internet. Summer is an awesome time for music. While the rest of the entertainment industry takes sun-drenched breaks, the northern hemisphere (sorry, chilly Chile) is abuzz with all kinds of outdoor shows and festivals. This week we saw more of Lenny Kravitz than we expected, a lovely show of…
Exploring the nostalgic secret world of railfans and the universal lessons to be found in a life spent recording the sounds of passing trains.
A jam session can be one of the best ways to build your network. My jam session in Brooklyn, Playground Sessions, brings together so many people on a regular basis. That session has sparked countless collaborations and performance opportunities. So here’s how you can go about starting your own. Step 1: Find a Space This…
