Blog: Musicgoat

We've all heard the accusations, especially with older religious groups, that Rock n' Roll is the Devil's music. We've shrugged that off over the years and even evangelical Christian Rock groups have taken to the sound. But they not have been far off the mark if you believe in legends and have an open mind. If you are a music lover, musician, and are open minded, I invite you to take the time and listen to a legend. The legend of the beginning of Rock and Roll! Robert Johnson was a poor, African American man, born [...]

Do you remember 1987? If not, do you wish you did? Then you need to listen to this podcast. Joe, Greg and I play a few tunes from that year, discuss some of the movies that were big (and are still relevant today) and revisit a few other pop culture topics. Click here to listen to Social Blend now . Related posts: The Halloween Podcast: CRANIUMELODY XI - Social Blend 176 Social Blend 144 Podcast: CRANIUMELODY 1986 [...]

In the music business, you need to strike while the iron is hot, and take your chances when you get them. You never know when a once in a lifetime opportunity will present itself, and when it does, you need to be ready to step up to the microphone and rock it. You need an artist management company who knows how to function in the fast paced world of the music business. Best Kept Secret The best kept secret in the music business, though, is that, more often than not, "once in a lifetime" [...]

photo credit: B Rosen At a time when music is gradually perceived as a streamed commodity for most listeners (as opposed to the traditional ownership model which peaked in the era of CDs), we think there is room for new initiatives that will reinvent a sustainable ecosystem for both the end-user and the artist. We've just launched a GLOBAL musical social network bringing together private hosts of house concerts and solo artists. The idea of house concerts has been around for a few years but there have been few attempts [...]

photo credit: rick When I heard about Google Music and read a few stories (below), I figured I would jump in with both feet and get in while the gittin is good. Hell, maybe even snag some new listens before everyone and there mother has their tracks streaming and up for sale. Here are a few quick observations I had when researching and signing up for Google Music. My Observations The good... No middle man. Just you and Google Google is SUPER conscience about [...]

Image via Wikipedia Led Zeppelin has gone down in history as one of the biggest bands of all time. I'm here to convince you that they are, in fact, the greatest of them all. Remembered as the biggest band of the 19702s, Led Zeppelin gained iconic status through their electrifying live shows. Over time, their popularity hasn't waned, and they are still one of the most popular bands today. Only reuniting a handful of times, they have remained true to their legacy and will be forever remembered [...]

Are you thinking about having a custom album cover done for your next release? Well then you are going to want to read this. I sat down (virtually) with Jennifer Paganessi of JL Album Art (and latest Musicgoat partner) to pick her brain about the importance of album covers, why she is passionate about them and why you should let her do yours. Oh and she even reveals some of her favorites from the past andpresent (one may surprise you). Musicgoat: Can you give [...]

To keep you posted on the whole Google Plus Page thing, I have a few things for you to check out. I came across a great resource on how to create your Google Plus page as well as another post outlining some of the things you can't do with Google Plus Pages. How To Get Started With Google Plus Pages For Business Yeah it says business but if it makes you feel better, pretend it say musicians or bands or whatever. Either way, Christopher Penn puts out top shelf info on [...]

photo credit: craigCloutier One of the reasons I started this blog was to share music. To be honest, I have been horrible at it lately. Today that changes (at least for today). Besides, Soundcloud makes it so damn easy to share and embed music that there really isn't an excuse. Chief Ghoul Today, check out Chief Ghoul from Chicago. Distorted acoustic guitar, distorted haunting vocals and I am really diggin on this. To be honest I wasn't crazy about the production at first but the songs quickly made [...]

• Chief Ghoul - In My Time Of Dyin'
• Chief Ghoul - The Way

photo credit: Vectorportal The term 'rock star' tends to evince a different image depending on who you ask. Me, I imagine a hard-drinking, guitar-shredding womaniser who can turn a subdued crowd of spectators into an exigent stampede. I picture Axl Rose, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain. I don't think of The Beatles or The Who, though many will. Images of a tongue-wagging Gene Simmons or microphone-raising Freddie Mercury are what pop to mind. Yes, it's fair to say rock star is a polarising term. There is rock royalty of course, many of whose members huddle [...]

Vinyl records hit the mainstream market during the 50s and 60s rock n' roll revolution. When vinyl records were the principal music medium, the collectors were dye-hard fans of the bands at the time - mainly the younger generation that would have gone to the concerts of the bands. Little did these folks know how things would be 50 years down the line... Down The Line Now, thanks to the internet, you can browse online vinyl record marketplaces, sat in pretty much any location of your choosing, be it your bedroom, an airport or [...]

Looking for some under rated or obscure tunes to get you in the spirit of Halloween? Well then you have come to the right place. Listen to Greg, Joe and Terr as they spin and discuss music from bands like Misfits, White Zombie, Still Corners, Public Image Ltd, Kalmah, Godsmack, and Murderdolls. Click here to listen now! Related posts: Listen To This New Cover Songs Podcast: CRANIUMELODY X - Social Blend 174 Social Blend 144 Podcast: CRANIUMELODY 1986 [...]

Dear Songwriters and Composers, I'd like to invite you to share your unique songwriting talent with me for my new project, Sirenstories. My goal is to post 1 new song-and information about the songwriter-each week for 1 year at http://www.sirenstories.com (Occasionally there will be a post about a book, book trailer or other creative project on the site.) INSTRUCTIONS: FIRST: UPLOAD *YOUR SONG to the Sirenstories group on SoundCloud http://soundcloud.com/groups/s irenstories SECOND: PLEEEEASE make this easy for me [...]

What does it sound like when a bluegrass band covers Van Halen? Or when Ozzy Osbourne covers the Bee Gees? OR when a jazz band goes thrash? OR, and this is could be the craziest of them all, a Crash Test Dummy puts a spin on Britney Spears? There is only one way to find out and that is by listening to the latest addition of the Social Blend Craniummelody episode . And, for all of you who like a little talk mixed with your music, we talk in depth about the merits of cover [...]

A lot has been spoken about concerning indie artists and the 'Long Tail', but with the introduction of more advanced in-home studio software, the gap has been widening into a chasm that so many artists fall into and can sometimes never return from. The Long Tail The Long Tail is a term that was first coined by Wired Magazine editor Chris Anderson. It is actually a very simple concept that describes the phenomenon of the online environment. It operates on the principle that 20% of the artists earn 80% of the music income and 80% of [...]

Google Plus Music Marketing Circle If you are a band or musician looking for some great music marketing resources to follow on Google Plus, look no further. Here is a link to my Google Plus Music Marketing Circle . All you need to do is click on "Add Circle" and you will automatically have your own circle filled with all of the great music marketing gurus I've come across. Oh and if there is anyone I missed, let me know in the comments below so I can add them. [...]

photo credit: neate photos Vocal Warm Up by Musicopoulos turns your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad into the most powerful and versatile tool for your voice! Create as many warm up playlists as you like! Each warm up can be created for whatever range you like, included any exercises you like, play them in any order you like. This isn't just a bunch of MP32s for you to sing along to, the app actually creates the music based [...]

Image via Wikipedia Did you see all the changes Facebook is making these days? It is just another reminder for you and I about how little control we have over our content outside of our own website and mailing list. It also made me start thinking about how you and I could move some of the Fanpage dwellers over to our mailing list. Here is what I did: 1) Craft a Message I wrote a simple message about why I want them to get [...]

Image via Wikipedia Did you see all the changes Facebook is making these days? It is just another reminder for you and I about how little control we have over our content outside of our own website and mailing list. It also made me start thinking about how you and I could move some of the Fanpage dwellers over to our mailing list. Here is what I did: 1) Craft a Message I wrote a simple message about why I want them to get [...]

Looking for a quick and simple way to offer your fans some merch (or even make your own custom swag)? No problem. I have an simple solution for you to get a band merch store up and running fast. Check it out. Here is a Musicgoat store that I whipped up a in about an hour using a site called Zazzle. Zazzle Dazzle... I went with Zazzle because they seem to cater to musicians and artistic types plus - and this is a big plus - they give you a commission [...]