AirPlay Direct Signs Up 2,000th Radio Station Member Account
On January 27th, 2008 AirPlay Direct hit a very important company milestone as we approved our 2,000th radio station member account.
AirPlay Direct also has over 9,400 artist / record label members, with current membership spanning 90 countries globally. And to date AirPlay Direct has delivered over 1,300,000 digital packages on behalf of our members saving them over $13,000,000 in the process.
“I am very pleased at the on-going and exponential growth AirPlay Direct is experiencing. 2008 is going to be a very big year for AirPlay Direct as the music industry continues to evolve and embrace digital delivery as never before.”
Robert Weingartz, CEO / AirPlay Direct
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Robert Weingartz
rdw@airplaydirect.com
AirPlay Direct Reaches A Very Important Company Milestone
On January 27th, 2008 AirPlay Direct hit a very important company milestone as we approved our 2,000th radio station member account.
AirPlay Direct also has over 9,400 artist / record label members, with current membership spanning 90 countries globally. And to date AirPlay Direct has delivered over 1,300,000 digital packages on behalf of our members saving them over $13,000,000 in the process.
“I am very pleased at the on-going and exponential growth AirPlay Direct is experiencing. 2008 is going to be a very big year for AirPlay Direct as the music industry continues to evolve and embrace digital delivery as never before.” Robert Weingartz, CEO / AirPlay Direct
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
The Media Guide Sits Down With Airplay Direct’s Ceo Robert Weingartz
Much has been written about the upheaval that is engulfing the recorded music industry and while the causes, mistakes and mis-calculations have all been well documented there has been little in the way of solutions. When loss of corporate revenue becomes the central issue the first and most sensible reaction is to drastically cut costs. Other than payroll the largest consumption of budget in the recording industry is the manufacturing, packaging and shipping of promotional product to radio, press and media. Figure out a way to cut or even eliminate those costs and you’ve made a major leap in the right direction. Robert Weingartz and a dedicated group of industry veterans at AirPlay Direct have done just that. By pioneering the direct digital distribution of music to radio, AirPlay Direct offers a technologically advanced, user
friendly solution to the high cost of manufacturing, packaging and shipping promotional music and press kits. We had the pleasure of a Q&A with Founder and CEO of AirPlay Direct, Robert Weingartz to discuss the future of the business, indie artists and the dynamic landscape we all try and navigate.
MEDIA GUIDE: What exactly is AirPlay Direct?
Robert Weingartz: AirPlay Direct is a new, revolutionary, efficient and cost effective way to securely deliver your “broadcast-quality” music and electronic press kits to radio stations and music industry professionals around the world. AirPlay Direct is an easy to use digital file transfer system that was developed to streamline radio / artist promotion activities for today’s music industry. AirPlay Direct’s FREE services replace the unnecessary time and expense of putting together and sending out costly hard copy artist packages and press kits via snail mail.
MEDIA GUIDE: What prompted you to build this company?
Robert Weingartz: A few years back in the beginning of 2005 I was working a new release to radio domestically and there were a lot of requests coming from international stations requesting hard copy artist packages. Quite honestly, most of the artists I was working with just could not afford to send a package to everyone that requested one. There was a lot of discussion in the industry at the time about how digital delivery was going to affect the promotion side of our business. Major labels were already using digital delivery for radio promotion purposes. I saw a real need for a service that would support the global independent music community in this manner and AirPlay Direct was born.
MEDIA GUIDE: The digital delivery of content to radio stations and press seems to make perfect sense in a world where more and more music is being purchased digitally…how have the labels responded so far to the new technology?
Robert Weingartz: It is no secret that the music industry paradigm is rapidly changing; more and more, industry professionals and content providers alike rely upon digital methods of obtaining and distributing music, especially in the business-to-business realm.
The response has been positive but mixed based upon the size of the label, their geographic location and genres of music they work with. As I mentioned, all the major labels and major independents have been utilizing digital delivery at some level for promotional purposes for awhile now. The smaller labels that release the more progressive genres of music have embraced the digital delivery solution and rely on it as a part of their daily, on-going promotional process. Genres such as Rock, Pop, Dance, Electronica, Urban, etc. Other genres such as Blues, Jazz, Americana , etc. have been slower to adopt the
technology, but the number of artists and labels in these genres that have decided to get on board with digital delivery has been accelerating rapidly over the past year and is growing exponentially at this point.
AirPlay Direct’s membership now includes over 8,900 artist & record label members and over 1,900 radio tation members around the world. AirPlay Direct’s professional membership currently spans 90 countries lobally.
MEDIA GUIDE: What has been the response from radio regarding getting their music digitally?
Robert Weingartz: The response from radio has been much the same as the response by labels. It ppears to be based upon their geographic location, size of the station and the genres of music they work with. International stations that are starving for content have embraced digital delivery as a way to gain access to domestic artists and labels that have no budget to send out hard copy artist packages internationally. They have also been excited about the ability to receive “broadcast-quality” music in a couple of seconds versus waiting 2 weeks to receive a package. The same is true for forward thinking domestic radio stations looking for fresh, new Indie music from international artists and record labels.
More and more the global radio community is understanding the huge financial drain physical packages and mailings place on the already strained budgets of independents… the very artists and labels they support. They are also recognizing the convenience and efficiency of digital delivery. It really is just a matter of time before I expect that we will hit the “tipping point”.
Quite frankly, when there is content that the stations really want and the only way to get it is digitally, they make the jump and embrace the technology. For example, when we made the announcement that AirPlay Direct had the previously unreleased Gospel record “Farther Along” that Willie Nelson recorded with his sister Bobbie, the label was inundated with requests from radio for hard copy packages. The label told all the stations that there was no budget for hard copy packages, but that the “broadcast-quality” music had been made available to radio exclusively through AirPlay Direct…we had over 100 radio stations register with our service in 24 hours. This record has become one of the most downloaded CDs
on AirPlay Direct to date.
MEDIA GUIDE: Can you talk about the economic advantages to both record companies and independent artists in regard to moving their product digitally?
Robert Weingartz: The economic and speed to market advantages for artists and record labels is overwhelming and undeniable. As we all know, the time and expense of putting together and sending out costly hard copy artist packages is a drain on manpower and financial resources. In today’s music industry, it is a totally unnecessary waste of time and money.
In a time of shrinking revenues from recorded music sales, the best way to put more money on your bottom line is to cut costs and improve efficiencies in your manufacturing, promotion and distribution processes. To date AirPlay Direct has now delivered over 1,000,000 digital packages on behalf of our members, saving them over $10,000,000 in hard costs in the process. By utilizing AirPlay Direct’s FREE services and digital delivery platform artists, record labels and music industry professionals have cut their costs, grown their global distribution footprint and increased their speed to market. These valuable savings in financial resources can then be re-purposed for other critical needs such as radio promotion, PR, tour support, etc.
And how about the piece of mind that comes with knowing that your music was tracked and delivered to the intended recipient all of this in a matter of seconds. No re-sends or CDs ending up on e-Bay for $3.00.
MEDIA GUIDE: One obvious advantage I see is the environmental impact of eliminating packaging, mailing envelopes etc…has anyone approached the advantages from an environmental aspect?
Robert Weingartz: More and more we see artists and industry professionals taking a very strong look at how they might re-think their processes and approaches to the industry in a way that would have a positive eco-impact. Examples are bio-diesel for touring, recycled products being used for packaging and merchandising purposes, etc. It is important to realize the long-term issues we face with respect to the health of our planet and environment, and the responsibility we have to future generations. I am very proud of AirPlay Direct’s track record and eco-friendly solution to the issue of CD and packaging waste in our industry. By utilizing AirPlay Direct’s digital platform artists, record labels and music industry
professionals have cut their costs, increased their speed to market and contributed to the health and well being of our planet it just makes sense. There is no simple answer to the global eco-problems we face, but AirPlay Direct is excited to be a part of the solution on a daily basis.
MEDIA GUIDE: What are the major obstacles AirPlay Direct is encountering while moving the industry in a completely new direction?
Robert Weingartz: When I first launched AirPlay Direct in 2005 the number of professional issues and major obstacles was overwhelming. It has been a very big undertaking to serve, and also help to educate the professional independent music community regarding the evolutions, advances and opportunities taking place in our industry.
But fortunately, once disruptive technologies are now being seen more and more as resources and digital “smart-tools” that are very powerful in the hands of an informed, experienced and motivated artist or industry professional.
I believe AirPlay Direct was ahead of the curve, part of the future in 2005. But today, we are a part of the everyday professional business landscape in the newly emerging digital music industry.
If you do not have an effective digital strategy for promotions and sales in today’s global music industry, you are way behind the professional curve and may soon become extinct.
The professional methods and distribution channels that made the music industry great in the past, will not serve us very well where we are going now. Our industry is in a state of re-definition and it has come down to the survival of the fittest… evolution. Only the most innovative and forward thinking minds will emerge profitable and successful when the dust has finally settled.
Having said that, as the industry has become more educated on the benefits of digital delivery, our mission has become increasingly easy over the past year and the professional obstacles are falling away rapidly at this point.
MEDIA GUIDE: How do you see the independent musician benefiting from a global access to this technology?
Robert Weingartz: Beyond the obvious financial and speed to market benefits we have already covered, there is wonderful opportunity here for indie artists and labels to really educate themselves on the business as a whole, and on the professional processes of radio promotions and PR / media campaigns.
The major labels will always have an advantage with financial resources, industry experience and deep relationships. But we live in the information age and via the internet Indies now have a global reach and access to limitless quantities of educational material and professional information on the music industry. Properly motivated, educated and informed artists can leverage this knowledge with the use of existing digital “smart-tools” like AirPlay Direct to close the gap, advance professionally and help to truly level the playing field for themselves.
MEDIA GUIDE: How have press and other media embraced the technology?
Robert Weingartz: Oddly enough, over the past few years the press and media have been resistant to digital packages for music review and feature purposes. But as we have come to understand their needs more and shape our services to their purposes, we are starting to see more rapid acceptance and use of digital technologies.
MEDIA GUIDE: Predict, if you would, the future of digital delivery…at what point do you see this as becoming the industry standard?
Robert Weingartz: I am very optimistic about the music industry as a whole in 2008 and the role that AirPlay Direct will play. I believe that 2008 just may be the year that the music industry finally comes to terms with itself, stabilizes and then figures out the equation on how best to partner with our artists to serve our common goals; as well as the needs, wants and preferences of our common clients… the music consumer.
Digital delivery is already the standard for the majors and most of the major independent labels. I believe that by the end of 2008, the majority of indie artists and industry professionals globally will be on board with digital delivery for promotional purposes. Again, I believe that if they are not, they may not be around for much longer… you must evolve or you will fade away.
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
AirPlay Direct Member Scores Major Film/TV Placement
AirPlay Direct member and Bolero Records recording artist Armik recently had a very big song placement in the hit TV show, “Ugly Betty”. The song was “Little Drummer Boy” from Armik’s “CHRISTMAS WISHES” CD. The show was aired on KABC, Channel 7, on Thanksgiving Day, prime time, 8:00pm CST / 9:00pm PST. Needless to say this placement has created tremendous exposure for Armik, as this hit TV show airs in 50 countries worldwide.
Bolero Records had this to say about the placement, “The whole process that led us to this great opportunity was simple and free. AirPlay Direct issued a film & TV music call that we responded to by using their free DPK / Digital Press Kit submission platform. Once our music had been reviewed and approved by AirPlay Direct they introduced us to their film & TV partner MusicSupervisor.com . The rest is history… it really was that simple. Many thanks to AirPlay Direct for creating this free and easy to use platform that creates such wonderful opportunities for Indie musicians.”
“We are very excited as a company to be able to offer these tremendous and valuable opportunities to our AirPlay Direct members. Armik is a genuine and talented artist and we are glad to be able to contribute to his professional success as a member of our community.” Robert Weingartz, CEO / AirPlay Direct
A little about Armik and Bolero Records:
Bolero Records is your source for passionate music! World renowned Nuevo Flamenco guitarist, Armik began this independent record label in 2002 based in Southern California. Since it’s commencement, Bolero Records has introduced several Billboard Best Selling New Age chart topping releases. Our catalog is home to some of the world’s most talented recording artists. Armik’s internationally acclaimed recordings have sold over a million units worldwide.
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
For more information on Armik and Bolero Records please visit www.bolero-records.com
For more information on MusicSupervisor.com please visit www.MusicSupervisor.com
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
AirPlay Direct Inks Exclusive Radio Show Distribution Deal with “Big Kev”
AirPlay Direct is pleased to announce a new exclusive radio show distribution deal with Americana/Roots radio personality Big Kev.
Big Kev is the Co-Creator, Co-Producer and host of the “Living Room Series” and the “It’s Motel Time Again” radio programs that currently air on numerous stations. Both radio shows are Co-Produced by the Artist Development Co Op. www.artistdevelopmentcoop.com
Well known and respected in the Americana music field, Kevin “Big Kev” Ploghoft has been in the radio industry for over 20 years and is currently the Talent Coordinator and Content Consultant for WXLV-Roots 90.3 in Schnecksville, Pa., and also serves as Music Director for Regional Roots Radio.
The “Living Room Series” was created to put the artist in a comfortable setting to speak freely and perform as though they were sitting in their own living room with their friends and family. The results of which are inspiring.
The “It’s Motel Time Again” series started at the Americana Music Association’s Music Conference in a small motel room studio in Nashville TN. These are short interviews and performances with top artists in the Americana format, that are not only fun… but enlightening.
Both of Big Kev’s radio shows are now available exclusively on AirPlay Direct as “broadcast-quality” downloads for syndicated programming on your station.
Listen to and download Big Kev’s “broadcast-quality” radio shows at http://www.airplaydirect.com/BigKev
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
AirPlay Direct Taps Music Executive Roger Smith
Radio Programmers Newsletter: January 3, 2008
AirPlay Direct is pleased to announce our sponsor for the January edition of our Radio Programmers Newsletter, BigFatCat PR. BigFatCat PR is a national PR & Artist Management company that caters to the music industry.
AirPlay Direct’s digital delivery services are always free to our members thanks to wonderful sponsors like BigFatCat PR. If you are an Indie artist, record label or an entertainment services firm and are looking for a reputable PR / Media / Management firm, we highly recommend BigFatCat PR.
The foundation of BigFatCat Management and Public Relations www.bigfatcat.net is passion. We exist because music inspires us, makes us take mouth-wide-open breaths of life and accompanies our every exuberant, waking moment. Of all the things in this world, it is music that, to me, inspires the most passion. It’s borne out of inspiration, creativity, emotion, desire; it arouses the same things in those who listen—I mean really listen, letting the words and melodies wash over them, soaking into every pore. I believe such passionate endeavors deserve to be marketed with equal fervor.
BigFatCat PR is offering a complimentary 15-point consultation for all interested AirPlay Direct members. For artists that BigFatCat PR feels they can help… they are also offering an AirPlay Direct member discount of 20%. To learn more please contact Laura at laura@bigfatcat.net .
Throughout the months of January and February, AirPlay Direct will be running our FREE to enter “All Things Digital AAA / Alt. Rock” artist contest. The Grand Prize package will include:
• A recording studio package for a master quality EP (5 songs) from Offensive Tie Music Group ($10,260 value)
• An 8 week national College radio promotion campaign from the Planetary Group ($3,000 value)
• A 12 week national PR / Media campaign from BigFatCat PR ($2,100 value)
• A “featured” live performance slot at PLAY:STL Music Festival & Conference (value… priceless)
• A 3 month “box ad” on www.playbackstl.com ($500 value)
• A “Featured Artist” advertising / promotion package from AirPlay Direct (a $1,500 value).
This contest is FREE TO ENTER and very simple. The only three requirements to enter are that you must be an AirPlay Direct artist / label member (free to join), your music must fall into the AAA/Alt. Rock genre and you must submit your AirPlay Direct DPK to office@airplaydirect.com prior to the official entry deadline of February 22nd. Whether you are an indie artist or a well established record label with a roster, pick your best songs, you can submit from 1 to 3 tracks per artist. Please make sure to note that you are submitting for the AAA/Alt. Rock artist contest. Deadline for submissions is February 22nd. The winner will be announced and “Featured” in the March Radio Programmers Newsletter, as well as in a company press release to all media outlets.
A little about the Offensive Tie Music Group:
Offensive Tie Music Group www.offensivetie.com is a full service artist development company made up of production and publishing businesses as well as a state-of-the-art recording and sound design studio. Our goal is to help each artist bring out their greatest work by highlighting their strengths and complementing their abilities. We strive to maintain artistic integrity while helping build sustainable music careers for our clients. Each artist can pick and choose which services best suit their needs: something as intensive as co-writing a project from inception through release, or anything as laissez-faire as having us press the record button. Most recently, Offensive Tie was joined by Rotary Records, a recording studio and small record label in Western Massachusetts. Rotary Records just completed construction on a new recording space filling 3,500 square feet in a restored 200 year old church, complete with a five room apartment available on the first floor for clients who travel.
The management/production team at Offensive Tie has over 25 years in combined experience in the music industry. We are musicians ourselves who have studied with Elliot Scheiner (REM, Foo Fighters), George Massenburg (Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Journey), Leanne Ungar (Billy Joel, Leonard Cohen), Mark Wessel (Yo-Yo Ma, O-Positive), Richard Evans (Tower of Power, Natalie Cole), Daniel Moretti (Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennet) and Mirek Kocandrle (Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, The Drifters).
A little about the the Planetary Group:
The Planetary Group www.planetarygroup.com is an artist development firm based out of Boston, with satellite offices located in New York and Los Angeles. The radio department at Planetary focuses on getting their clients airplay on College, Triple A, and Specialty Radio. Planetary also helps their clients by setting up in studio performances and interviews with radio stations while our clients are on tour. The company also has a publicity department that caters to helping artists gain exposure through national and regional press campaigns. This involves doing campaigns for record releases, national and local tours, as well as local CD release parties. Publicity mainly focuses on print and online media, but also utilizes other television and radio outlets to help maximize exposure. Planetary also has a new media department that
involves utilizing the internet to further promote and publicize their clients.
Recent clients include Ween, Interpol, Cloud Cult, Bloc Party, The Apples in Stereo, the Polyphonic Spree, Kings of Leon, Jen Lekman, Dean & Britta, Robbers on High Street, Bayside, Albert Hammond Jr., and Peter, Bjorn & John.
A little about BigFatCat PR:
The foundation of BigFatCat Management and Public Relations www.bigfatcat.net is passion. We exist because music inspires us, makes us take mouth-wide-open breaths of life and accompanies our every exuberant, waking moment. Of all the things in this world, it is music that, to me, inspires the most passion. It’s borne out of inspiration, creativity, emotion, desire; it arouses the same things in those who listen—I mean really listen, letting the words and melodies wash over them, soaking into every pore. I believe such passionate endeavors deserve to be marketed with equal fervor.
To me, it’s all about turning friends new and old on to music that can change their life—color their mood, inspire their art, awaken their creativity. It’s about making connections, making things happen, making a difference. It’s about working with bands and artists I believe in, and then sharing that belief and passion with others.
A little about PLAY:stl :
The second annual PLAY:stl Music Festival & Conference www.playstlfest.com will take place September 18-20, 2008, once again centered on the Delmar Loop in St. Louis , Missouri . The music festival will feature 90 acts over three days at venues including Blueberry Hill (both the Duck and Elvis Rooms), Cicero ’s, Vintage Vinyl, and more. The conference portion is geared toward musician education and networking, with panels featuring industry professionals discussing such topics as recording & production, booking & touring, promotion & publicity, and the business of music. Artist submissions will open via AirPlay Direct in early 2008.
A little about PLAYBACK:stl :
Founded in 2002, PLAYBACK:stl www.playbackstl.com was in print four and a half years before going web-only in late 2006. A venture of passion, PLAYBACK:stl has long striven to illuminate talented and deserving artists. With music and entertainment coverage including comics, film, books, art and more, the site is an outlet of discovery and influence. More than just a collection of words, PLAYBACK:stl has long been involved in booking shows and hosting events, drawing attention to the music community and independent artists.
A little about AirPlay Direct:
AirPlay Direct www.AirPlayDirect.com is a new revolutionary, efficient and very cost effective way to securely deliver your “broadcast-quality” music and electronic press kits to radio programmers and music industry professionals around the world.
AirPlay Direct is an easy to use digital file transfer system that was developed to streamline radio/artist promotion activities for today’s music industry. AirPlay Direct’s FREE digital services replace the unnecessary time and expense of putting together and sending out costly traditional artist packages and press kits via snail mail.
Airplay Direct’s Featured Radio Programmer For January
Listen to and download Big Kev’s “broadcast-quality” radio shows at http://www.airplaydirect.com/BigKev
Well known and respected in the Americana music field, Kevin “Big Kev” Ploghoft has been in the radio industry for over 20 years and is currently the Talent Coordinator and Content Consultant for WXLV-Roots 90.3 in Schnecksville, Pa., and also serves as Music Director for Regional Roots Radio.
Big Kev is the former Music Director of WDVR-FM in Segeantsville, NJ (2002-2007) and is the Cocreator, Co-producer and host of the Living Room Series radio program that airs on numerous stations. The Living Room Series is Co-Produced by the Artist Development Coop. Big Kev’s Living Room Series is now available exclusively on AirPlay Direct as a “broadcast-quality” download for syndicated programming on your station.
Airplay Direct’s Featured Artists For January
Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/MerleHaggard
In a career spanning more than 40 years, country music legend MERLE HAGGARD has found a new direction to explore with THE BLUEGRASS SESSIONS, in stores. HAGGARD’s first-ever foray into bluegrass - to be released by bluegrass luminary Del McCoury’s McCoury Music label - features a duet with Alison Krauss on the HAGGARD-penned classic “Mama’s Hungry Eyes.” Merle’s first single from the record “Wouldn’t That Be Something” is currently available to radio on AirPlay Direct.
Joined by a savvy cast of musicians (including Marty Stuart on guitar and mandolin), HAGGARD recorded THE BLUEGRASS SESSIONS at Ricky Skaggs’s Tennessee studio in two days of intimate “living room style” sessions, as Stuart explains in the disc’s liner notes. “Each take became a performance. Merle’s singing was totally inspired,” Stuart writes. “In fact, he got to the point where he didn’t even go into the control room to listen to playbacks. There was no need. All of us knew what we were doing was right.”
Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/SusanTedeschi
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Susan Tedeschi is part of the new generation of blues musicians looking for ways to keep the form exciting, vital and evolving. Tedeschi’s live shows are by no means straightahead urban blues. Instead, she freely mixes classic R&B, blues and her own gospel and blues-flavored original songs into her sets. She’s a young, sexy, sassy blues belter with musical sensibilities that belie her years.
Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/AQUEFRIGIDE
Tragical Solid Solo Theatre Noise Project, this is the music synthesis coming from the rotten artist’s mind of BRE BESKYT DYRENE, established musician of the Underground scene of Rome. Distorted riffs, anguishing atmospheres, dark and unstable screams, melting into an original sound.
Produced, recorded and engineered at Subsound Records in Rome, Italy and mastered at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland by Mika Jussila, “Un Caso Isolato” is the long awaited stunning debut album of Aquefrigide!
Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/YARN
Yarn’s organic blend of acoustic country music has the warmth of old vinyl, the soul of Gram Parsons and the lyricism and profound musicianship that only comes from each member’s dedicated musical journey. This newly formed Brooklyn based band has used their songwriting, guitars, mandolins and shining vocal harmonies to capture a passionate following throughout the East Coast.
“The band’s textured, bluegrass-tinged Country is at once accessible and affecting. Frontman Blake Christiana’s singing voice is the aural equivalent of a broken-in pair of jeans-rugged, homey, and dependable. Among this bevy of top-notch bluegrass musicians, mandolinist Andrew Hendryx’s thoughtful, articulate playing emerges as a crucial part of the band’s sound. Though Yarn’s jam band roots are manifest at times, the instrumentation never preens or overpowers; Christiana’s masterful songwriting shines through in each song.
Listen to and download “broadcast-quality” tracks at http://www.airplaydirect.com/DanaLaCroix
Three albums, songwriting credits for a recent John Turturro film and touring activities covering Canada, Europe and the US have brought Dana LaCroix recognition as one of today’s most promising singer/songwriters. With a solid background in roots and folk music and a youth spent listening to the great pop and R&B artists of the 70’s and 80’s, LaCroix combines lyric sophistication with simple, catchy melodies, creating songs that are at once thoughtful and accessible.
With her brand new EP, Faith In You, LaCroix brings new aspects of her vocal and songwriting talent to light. A departure from her debut CD, the country and blues-tinged, Pride, Faith in You bespeaks a stylistic versatility that stretches from poignant acoustic ballads to driving, bass-heavy pop tunes.
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
For more information on the Offensive Tie Music Group please visit www.offensivetie.com
For more information on the Planetary Group please visit www.planetarygroup.com
For more information on BigFatCat PR please visit www.bigfatcat.net
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
For more information on PLAY:stl Music Festival & Conference please visit www.playstlfest.com
For more information on PLAYBACK:stl please visit www.playbackstl.com
“All Things Digital AAA/Alt. Rock” Artist Contest 2008
Throughout the months of January and February, AirPlay Direct will be running our FREE to enter “All Things Digital AAA / Alt. Rock” artist contest. The Grand Prize package will include:
• A recording studio package for a master quality EP (5 songs) from Offensive Tie Music Group ($10,260 value)
• An 8 week national College radio promotion campaign from the Planetary Group ($3,000 value)
• A 12 week national PR / Media campaign from BigFatCat PR ($2,100 value)
• A “featured” live performance slot at PLAY:STL Music Festival & Conference (value… priceless)
• A 3 month “box ad” on www.playbackstl.com ($500 value)
• A “Featured Artist” advertising / promotion package from AirPlay Direct (a $1,500 value).
The Grand Prize Package is valued at $17,360.00…!
This contest is FREE TO ENTER and very simple. The only three requirements to enter are that you must be an AirPlay Direct artist / label member (free to join), your music must fall into the AAA/Alt. Rock genre and you must submit your AirPlay Direct DPK to office@airplaydirect.com prior to the official entry deadline of February 22nd. Whether you are an indie artist or a well established record label with a roster, pick your best songs, you can submit from 1 to 3 tracks per artist. Please make sure to note that you are submitting for the AAA/Alt. Rock artist contest. Deadline for submissions is February 22nd. The winner will be announced and “Featured” in the March Radio Programmers Newsletter, as well as in a company press release to all media outlets.
A little about the Offensive Tie Music Group:
Offensive Tie Music Group www.offensivetie.com is a full service artist development company made up of production and publishing businesses as well as a state-of-the-art recording and sound design studio. Our goal is to help each artist bring out their greatest work by highlighting their strengths and complementing their abilities. We strive to maintain artistic integrity while helping build sustainable music careers for our clients. Each artist can pick and choose which services best suit their needs: something as intensive as co-writing a project from inception through release, or anything as laissez-faire as having us press the record button. Most recently, Offensive Tie was joined by Rotary Records, a recording studio and small record label in Western Massachusetts. Rotary Records just completed construction on a new recording space filling 3,500 square feet in a restored 200 year old church, complete with a five room apartment available on the first floor for clients who travel.
The management/production team at Offensive Tie has over 25 years in combined experience in the music industry. We are musicians ourselves who have studied with Elliot Scheiner (REM, Foo Fighters), George Massenburg (Billy Joel, Dolly Parton, Journey), Leanne Ungar (Billy Joel, Leonard Cohen), Mark Wessel (Yo-Yo Ma, O-Positive), Richard Evans (Tower of Power, Natalie Cole), Daniel Moretti (Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennet) and Mirek Kocandrle (Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, The Drifters).
A little about the the Planetary Group:
The Planetary Group www.planetarygroup.com is an artist development firm based out of Boston, with satellite offices located in New York and Los Angeles. The radio department at Planetary focuses on getting their clients airplay on College, Triple A, and Specialty Radio. Planetary also helps their clients by setting up in studio performances and interviews with radio stations while our clients are on tour. The company also has a publicity department that caters to helping artists gain exposure through national and regional press campaigns. This involves doing campaigns for record releases, national and local tours, as well as local CD release parties. Publicity mainly focuses on print and online media, but also utilizes other television and radio outlets to help maximize exposure. Planetary also has a new media department that
involves utilizing the internet to further promote and publicize their clients.
Recent clients include Ween, Interpol, Cloud Cult, Bloc Party, The Apples in Stereo, the Polyphonic Spree, Kings of Leon, Jen Lekman, Dean & Britta, Robbers on High Street, Bayside, Albert Hammond Jr., and Peter, Bjorn & John.
A little about BigFatCat PR:
The foundation of BigFatCat Management and Public Relations www.bigfatcat.net is passion. We exist because music inspires us, makes us take mouth-wide-open breaths of life and accompanies our every exuberant, waking moment. Of all the things in this world, it is music that, to me, inspires the most passion. It’s borne out of inspiration, creativity, emotion, desire; it arouses the same things in those who listen—I mean really listen, letting the words and melodies wash over them, soaking into every pore. I believe such passionate endeavors deserve to be marketed with equal fervor.
To me, it’s all about turning friends new and old on to music that can change their life—color their mood, inspire their art, awaken their creativity. It’s about making connections, making things happen, making a difference. It’s about working with bands and artists I believe in, and then sharing that belief and passion with others.
A little about PLAY:stl :
The second annual PLAY:stl Music Festival & Conference www.playstlfest.com will take place September 18-20, 2008, once again centered on the Delmar Loop in St. Louis , Missouri . The music festival will feature 90 acts over three days at venues including Blueberry Hill (both the Duck and Elvis Rooms), Cicero ’s, Vintage Vinyl, and more. The conference portion is geared toward musician education and networking, with panels featuring industry professionals discussing such topics as recording & production, booking & touring, promotion & publicity, and the business of music. Artist submissions will open via AirPlay Direct in early 2008.
A little about PLAYBACK:stl :
Founded in 2002, PLAYBACK:stl www.playbackstl.com was in print four and a half years before going web-only in late 2006. A venture of passion, PLAYBACK:stl has long striven to illuminate talented and deserving artists. With music and entertainment coverage including comics, film, books, art and more, the site is an outlet of discovery and influence. More than just a collection of words, PLAYBACK:stl has long been involved in booking shows and hosting events, drawing attention to the music community and independent artists.
A little about AirPlay Direct:
AirPlay Direct www.AirPlayDirect.com is a new revolutionary, efficient and very cost effective way to securely deliver your “broadcast-quality” music and electronic press kits to radio programmers and music industry professionals around the world.
AirPlay Direct is an easy to use digital file transfer system that was developed to streamline radio/artist promotion activities for today’s music industry. AirPlay Direct’s FREE digital services replace the unnecessary time and expense of putting together and sending out costly traditional artist packages and press kits via snail mail.
AirPlay Direct… go straight to the source!
For more information on the Offensive Tie Music Group please visit www.offensivetie.com
For more information on the Planetary Group please visit www.planetarygroup.com
For more information on BigFatCat PR please visit www.bigfatcat.net
For more information on AirPlay Direct please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com
For more information on PLAY:stl Music Festival & Conference please visit www.playstlfest.com
For more information on PLAYBACK:stl please visit www.playbackstl.com