Well, I am comin' back up in the world of music PR! After being approached by Mojoceratops and working out a deal with them, I was then approached by Philly-based singer/songwriter Dani Mari. If you know me well enough, you've heard me talk about her plenty already but now that I'm her publicist, you're gonna hear me talk about her a lot more!
I'll share more about her (and my work for her) in due time, but right now, check out her music: http://www.reverbnation.com/danimari
And trust me when I say that being Dani Mari's publicist is gonna be really DIFFERENT. In good ways, I predict.
The Mojoceratops project will officially get underway before long, don't worry.....
Watch this space for more news!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The way to go/New clients
If you've been reading this blog lately, you know that I've been feeling like music PR has been pushing me out. The trials and tribulations of the past several months, brightened only by occasional rays of hope, really got me rethinking this career path and considering new directions in the music business and in life in general. I kept coming to the conclusion that I am a music publicist, dammit -- that's what I know how to do and what I feel I should be doing at this point. It's definitely not the only thing I should be doing with my life, work-wise or otherwise, but it is a niche I should remain in.
Not coincidentally, once I came to this conclusion, things started to look more promising for me as a music publicist than they had looked in a long time. I am in talks with a few artists I've known for a while, but as always, mum's the word until everything is official. In the meantime, I have a new band on my client roster!
I literally have a NEW band on my client roster. Mojoceratops played their first gig not even four months ago! My campaigning will officially get underway in the coming weeks, which should give you enough time to buy a new pair of dancin' shoes and re-learn the art of getting your groove on. By the way, their bass player BJ Felsted used to play in Bad Apples. Yes, my former clients Bad Apples! Small world, huh?
Check out Mojoceratops: http://www.mojoceratops.net/
And stay tuned for updates.
Not coincidentally, once I came to this conclusion, things started to look more promising for me as a music publicist than they had looked in a long time. I am in talks with a few artists I've known for a while, but as always, mum's the word until everything is official. In the meantime, I have a new band on my client roster!
I literally have a NEW band on my client roster. Mojoceratops played their first gig not even four months ago! My campaigning will officially get underway in the coming weeks, which should give you enough time to buy a new pair of dancin' shoes and re-learn the art of getting your groove on. By the way, their bass player BJ Felsted used to play in Bad Apples. Yes, my former clients Bad Apples! Small world, huh?
Check out Mojoceratops: http://www.mojoceratops.net/
And stay tuned for updates.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Bad campaigns are occupational hazards.
You might have been able to sense my frustration following the disastrous Heather Maloney campaign (ahem), but it had been so long since I'd run a disastrous campaign that I forgot one simple fact of PR: no matter how good a publicist is, some campaigns just suck!
Like the Downtown Harvest campaign in which I wrote a very specific press release for a show and began promoting it, only to find that the supporting acts, and thus the nature of the show, kept changing for reasons unknown to me. And amidst all the resulting confusion, I was able to get only one writer interested in covering the show -- but he couldn't make it because the show was set to run too late!
Or what was supposed to be an oh-so-important campaign for The Josh and Pete Band, in which no one could seem to get show info from the venue in time, but I had to start the campaign. After I'd been promoting for a while, the venue listed the show -- without The Josh and Pete Band! A decidedly unfunny comedy of errors ensued between the venue and the band while I had to switch from "urgent" to "dormant" until the mess was settled. By which point, of course, the campaign was dead.
Smaller, but equally unsettling, developments can be expected as well. Like the writer who was expected to cover the Audible Eye show -- but she never showed up. Or the carefully-booked, precisely-promoted Laura Cheadle show onto which someone (most likely from the venue) belatedly tacked on an ill-fitting extra act who was not the least bit welcome.....but it's not like we had any say in the matter!
When things go well in this line of work, it's wonderful. But every field sucks in some ways, right?
Like the Downtown Harvest campaign in which I wrote a very specific press release for a show and began promoting it, only to find that the supporting acts, and thus the nature of the show, kept changing for reasons unknown to me. And amidst all the resulting confusion, I was able to get only one writer interested in covering the show -- but he couldn't make it because the show was set to run too late!
Or what was supposed to be an oh-so-important campaign for The Josh and Pete Band, in which no one could seem to get show info from the venue in time, but I had to start the campaign. After I'd been promoting for a while, the venue listed the show -- without The Josh and Pete Band! A decidedly unfunny comedy of errors ensued between the venue and the band while I had to switch from "urgent" to "dormant" until the mess was settled. By which point, of course, the campaign was dead.
Smaller, but equally unsettling, developments can be expected as well. Like the writer who was expected to cover the Audible Eye show -- but she never showed up. Or the carefully-booked, precisely-promoted Laura Cheadle show onto which someone (most likely from the venue) belatedly tacked on an ill-fitting extra act who was not the least bit welcome.....but it's not like we had any say in the matter!
When things go well in this line of work, it's wonderful. But every field sucks in some ways, right?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Holy Maloney!
Can baby say, "Epic fail"?
With this Heather Maloney campaign, I started off getting surprisingly little interest, finding in the process that tech snafus had ruined the formatting of my press release and may have thus sabotaged my efforts. Bloody but unbowed, I sent out a corrected press release and gained a tad more traction. Still not getting enough interest, I contacted friends of mine outside of the media who had shown an interest in Heather, hoping they'd come to the show and/or help spread the word. I gained a little more traction. One week before the show, I sent out a reminder to my media contacts and got an offer for an interview. Now we were cooking! But when I asked Heather's manager if she was available for the interview, he wrote back not only that she was unavailable, but that....
HER SHOW HAD BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY!
That's right, Heather's show this Thursday at Roosevelt's is NOT HAPPENING until God knows when.
Leading me, of course, to have to send out retractions and make amends with everyone who had expressed an interest.
Remind me, why do I want to stay in this line of work?
With this Heather Maloney campaign, I started off getting surprisingly little interest, finding in the process that tech snafus had ruined the formatting of my press release and may have thus sabotaged my efforts. Bloody but unbowed, I sent out a corrected press release and gained a tad more traction. Still not getting enough interest, I contacted friends of mine outside of the media who had shown an interest in Heather, hoping they'd come to the show and/or help spread the word. I gained a little more traction. One week before the show, I sent out a reminder to my media contacts and got an offer for an interview. Now we were cooking! But when I asked Heather's manager if she was available for the interview, he wrote back not only that she was unavailable, but that....
HER SHOW HAD BEEN POSTPONED INDEFINITELY!
That's right, Heather's show this Thursday at Roosevelt's is NOT HAPPENING until God knows when.
Leading me, of course, to have to send out retractions and make amends with everyone who had expressed an interest.
Remind me, why do I want to stay in this line of work?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Heather Maloney press release
This Heather Maloney campaign is one of my more formal ones, so I've decided to write a proper press release:
On her second album, Time and Pocket Change, Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Heather Maloney continues to explore a broad musical palette while retaining a strong basis in country-tinged folk. Whether whispering, lilting, or soaring, her vocals always deliver honest emotion without needless theatrics. As The Times of Trenton put it, "Her songs are personal. Her passion is contagious. Her lyrics go beyond surface level and penetrate the core of humanity that we all try so hard to embrace, yet at the same time, ignore."
Heather has been gradually establishing a presence in the Philly area, having already played at MilkBoy, Burlap and Bean, PSALM Salon, and Upstairs at World Cafe Live Philadelphia. After performing at the Philly Rising Open Mic, she won both Weekly and Monthly Standout Performer, earning her a spot in the yearly best-of showcase and competition to be held in 2012. Her next Philly show will take place on July 21st as part of the new music series in Room VII at Roosevelt's, located on the corner of 23rd and Walnut Streets. Show details to come.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Presenting Heather Maloney! But first...
Yes, I've got a new client! But first, let me say that The Warm Guns campaign was more of a success than I can represent through mere examples of publicity. Cheesy as this may sound, PR is not just a promotion business -- it's a people business. And when all was said and done, not only did I promote The Warm Guns, but I hooked them up with people who were highly impressed by them, really came through for them, and may open up exciting new doors for them in the near future. Sometimes, I just love this line of work!
Now, as for my new client, I am happy to announce that I will be promoting the Massachusetts-based Heather Maloney in Philadelphia. Heather is a singer/songwriter who explores an ever-expanding range of styles while retaining a strong basis in folk and country. If you want to listen to either or both of her two albums:
http://heathermaloney.bandcamp.com/
and for general information:
http://www.heathermaloney.com/
And wouldn't ya know it, like The Warm Guns, she's playing in Room VII at Roosevelt's! Roosevelt's at 23rd and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia, of course, on July 21st. Show details to come.
And I may have yet another new client to announce soon, but as always, mum's the word until the deal is sealed.
Now, as for my new client, I am happy to announce that I will be promoting the Massachusetts-based Heather Maloney in Philadelphia. Heather is a singer/songwriter who explores an ever-expanding range of styles while retaining a strong basis in folk and country. If you want to listen to either or both of her two albums:
http://heathermaloney.bandcamp.com/
and for general information:
http://www.heathermaloney.com/
And wouldn't ya know it, like The Warm Guns, she's playing in Room VII at Roosevelt's! Roosevelt's at 23rd and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia, of course, on July 21st. Show details to come.
And I may have yet another new client to announce soon, but as always, mum's the word until the deal is sealed.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Warm Guns - Volta Reminder and Rebroadcast
Remember that the Volta Radio interview is coming up at 3 PM. Listen at http://www.voltaradio.com, and if you miss it now, it will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, July 5th at Cindy's usual time, 7:30 PM Eastern Time!
Come on out to Roosevelt's at 23rd & Walnut tonight. The Warm Guns are on at 10. Nordic Chinnuts open the show at 9. It all happens in Room VII.
I have an exciting new project on the horizon, which I will announce in the coming days!
Come on out to Roosevelt's at 23rd & Walnut tonight. The Warm Guns are on at 10. Nordic Chinnuts open the show at 9. It all happens in Room VII.
I have an exciting new project on the horizon, which I will announce in the coming days!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Warm Guns - A Public Relations Mystery
I don't know who's responsible for this. I submitted the show info to Philadelphia Weekly, but this is not quite what I submitted. I'm trying to find out who's behind this, but whatever the answer may be, this is nice:
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/events/122898536.html
Remember to see The Warm Guns this coming Wednesday, and tune in to Volta Radio before you do! (See my previous blog entry if that last sentence doesn't make sense to you.)
In other news, I may or may not be doing Philly promo for one or two other out-of-town acts in the very near future. Either I've found an exciting new direction or this field really is pushing me out. I should know soon.
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/events/122898536.html
Remember to see The Warm Guns this coming Wednesday, and tune in to Volta Radio before you do! (See my previous blog entry if that last sentence doesn't make sense to you.)
In other news, I may or may not be doing Philly promo for one or two other out-of-town acts in the very near future. Either I've found an exciting new direction or this field really is pushing me out. I should know soon.
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Warm Guns on Volta Radio!
Remember how last May, you heard The Josh and Pete Band, Bad Apples, and The Escape on Volta Radio? And how Cindy did an awesome job of interviewing these bands and spotlighting their music? Well...
The Warm Guns are getting the Volta treatment!
Tune in on Wednesday, June 22nd for a special 3 PM show! http://www.voltaradio.com
And remember to see The Warm Guns in person that night at Roosevelt's, 23rd and Walnut Streets here in Philadelphia. It's part of the new music series in Roosie's Room VII. 8 PM!
The Warm Guns are getting the Volta treatment!
Tune in on Wednesday, June 22nd for a special 3 PM show! http://www.voltaradio.com
And remember to see The Warm Guns in person that night at Roosevelt's, 23rd and Walnut Streets here in Philadelphia. It's part of the new music series in Roosie's Room VII. 8 PM!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Happiness is The Warm Guns!
The Warm Guns are an indie roots-rock band from Austin, Texas who are currently touring in support of their brand-new debut album, Something In The Night. The band is fronted by singer/songwriter Ricky Stein, who previously recorded and toured under his own name. I am promoting The Warm Guns in Philadelphia to coincide with an intimate show they will be doing in Room VII at Roosevelt's, 23rd and Walnut Streets here in Philly, on June 22nd. Show details to come, but meanwhile, check out The Warm Guns:
http://www.reverbnation.com/thewarmguns
and check out Ricky Stein's previous work:
http://www.reverbnation.com/rickystein
And remember: don't mess with Texas!
http://www.reverbnation.com/thewarmguns
and check out Ricky Stein's previous work:
http://www.reverbnation.com/rickystein
And remember: don't mess with Texas!
