Entrepreneurship in Music Series: 001 The Cardboardbox Project Co-founders Aaron Seligman & Jonathan Achtman The Cardboardbox Project is a direct-to-consumer merchandiser who has eeked out a niche in both online and at-show sales for artists like Arcade Fire, Sigur Rós, Stars, Alexisonfire, Half Moon Run, The National, the list goes on.…
+ Welcome to Soundfly! We help curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it. Subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly. By Jack McCarthy The art of songwriting is a noble one. The task of storytelling through music, whether fictional or inspired by events in one’s life, is…
As an artist, performer, band member, bandleader, or however you want to label yourself and your pursuits, you are a company. Congratulations! The good news is that you are chief in charge of your destiny. The bad news reads much the same way. You are your business. Meaning you are now solely responsible for carving…
As a bandleader, it’s your job to cover all the bases — run rehearsals, plan shows on the road, arrange practices — and yes — execute a killer merch table. These 10 square feet of retail are your gateway to making a lasting impression and some extra dough for the band. It’s an opportunity to…
By Dillon Riley As a young band starting out in a local scene, securing gigs and building a following can seem like a daunting task. While social media platforms, online streaming, and word-of-mouth certainly help level the playing field, creating buzz around your new project is still an uphill battle in this or any other era…
Remember Captain Planet? If not, I recommend taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the eco-friendly super hero. The point is, he had this amazing team of friends who brought different powers to the table that allowed them to start tackling crises before the big guy even showed up on the scene. Well, I’m going…
As DAW and recording technology gets ever better, musicians can collaborate in ways they’ve never imagined… which leads to a whole new host of problems.
+ Welcome to Soundfly! We help curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it. Subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly. Electric guitars play a big role in nearly every type of music these days, and the amplifier is a huge part of the equation. Guitar amps might seem complicated, but…
James Bauman of the DIY New Brunswick venue Mount Moon discusses community building and running a music venue in a house basement.
Ah, the sacred American dive bar. What is it about these dingy, sketchy venues that keeps bands and fans coming back time and time again for decades? Somewhere hidden beyond the wasted clientele, the PBR-drenched floor tiles, and the pernicious odor of vomit, urine, and cigarettes, lies an unmistakable authenticity and camaraderie we just can’t…
When it comes to playing an instrument, I have close to zero credibility. Outside of being able to tear up a dance floor and the two-and-a-half weeks I gave playing the keyboard a (somewhat) earnest shot, I’m not the most qualified. That’s why I have so much respect for my clients and stick to my…
Antoine “Fats” Domino, Jr., one of the early pioneers of a musical style that came to be known as rock ‘n’ roll, whose iconic voice and boogie-woogie piano playing helped inspire entire eras of brilliant songwriting, passed away on October 25, 2017. He was 89. With his flat-top haircut, rotund figure, and buoyant personality, Domino…
You know the sound from songs like “Strawberry Fields Forever” but now, dive inside the Mellotron and discover why it’s incomparably unique.
Make the most of your local scene as a musician, grow your fanbase, and, maybe most importantly, get involved with your artistic community.
If you’re a drummer, warm up your hands and fingers before playing to prevent injury and increase dexterity. Use these exercises to do just that!
Welcome back to Soundfly’s weekly interview series, Incorrect Music, curated by guitarist, singer, and composer Lora-Faye Åshuvud (of the band Arthur Moon). In this series, we present intimate conversations with artists who are striving to push the boundaries of their process and craft. “Our songs are just a little more intricate than the typical picture that comes…
+ Welcome to Soundfly! We help curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it. Subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly. The roots of field recording go all the way back to early 1900s when pioneer musicologist John Lomax began recording cowboy songs in Texas. His son Alan…
Here at Soundfly, we’ve set out to create the most effective learning model possible. Sometimes that means going against what everyone else is doing.
Halloween is right around the corner! Are you ready? Got plans to perform live or throw a listening party somewhere? As with any holiday, the opportunity to do a little something special for your fans is not to be overlooked. In fact, Halloween is prime time for breaking routine, having a little fun, and connecting…
When you’re DIY touring on a shoestring and performing in new cities every night, keep these five things to keep in mind.
Welcome back to Soundfly’s weekly interview series, Incorrect Music, curated by guitarist, singer, and composer Lora-Faye Åshuvud (of the band Arthur Moon). In this series, we present intimate conversations with artists who are striving to push the boundaries of their process and craft. Queens Village’s Akinyemi (this name means “fated to be a warrior” in Nigeria’s Yoruba language) is an up-and-coming rapper whose…
Finding even a small amount of success in music takes not only sacrifice, but also a whole lot of pain. Everything from the hours of practice it takes to get a certain part of a song just right, to the spinal reconstruction you’ll want after sleeping on floors night after night on tour, to the…
On-stage banter can be one of the most memorable parts of your set. Talk to your crowd like a pro with these tips for upping your banter game.
+ Welcome to Soundfly! We help curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it. Subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly. One of the most significant tragedies in the history of rock ‘n’ roll, and certainly one of rock’s very first serious tragedies, happened on February 3rd, 1959.…
Welcome back to Soundfly’s weekly interview series, Incorrect Music, curated by guitarist, singer, and composer Lora-Faye Åshuvud (of the band Arthur Moon). In this series, we present intimate conversations with artists who are striving to push the boundaries of their process and craft. Richmond, Virginia’s Kenneka Cook credits her early explorations in arranging to the loop pedal, which she started experimenting…
