StreetcredMusic: The Mastor, Ms. Castor..OpEd, What Are You Doing?

Plumbers think they are among the most important people in our lives. They have a point.
What would we do without clean water to drink, water to flush, water to wash with?
We just turn that 'magic' knob and voila!!

Electricians think they are very important to the world, they give us heat, light, and easy cooking options, all we have to do is plug into that 'magic' place to get the flow.

...and teachers, well they think they above all are most important, after all we intrust our children to them, so they can unlock all the 'magic' that comes from being a kid.

They are all correct in thinking they are a major cog in the wheel we call society. ..
And I'm sure they all realize that they are all in this together, plumbers need electricity, electricians need water, and they all learned their trades from teachers.

Musicians? songwriters? well jump in, (this society) see where the tide takes you.  The above occupations have several things you will never have. A steady pay check, health care, some kind of pension plan or 401K, and reasonable job security. Or, they can hang out a shingle and go on their own.

You as a music maker have only one option, go out on your own. Of course you can work for someone else, get a day gig, we know all that. (bills) But, how long to you have?
Are you still following the steps they gave you in music school? Nothing is the same as it was then, your phone, TV, the way we get music, communications as we know them have changed drastically, so has the music business.

The top five earners in music over the last two years (no names, uknow them) they are being blasted at you on all forms of media 24/7...well 65+% of their income has come from overseas gigs and 'merch'. What?
Yeah, your music is great, so what. Are YOU marketable? They have armies of writers producers and they will first look for a body that has appeal to their 'customers'. You know the people who just go to a concert for the status of being there. They want a show not only music, that's both the audience and the promoters.
Do you put on a show? Are you exotic, unique enough that I would buy something of yours?
How many people who can give you the opportunity to break out have you personally approached?

Fun room of Nikki Yanofsky

Or are you perfect?
You know those little “imperfections” you hear in someones voice when they’re getting choked up? We like to call them mistakes now and we edit them out. We recycle a lot of the same sounds.
This creates an almost Stepford Wives effect in music. Gone are the jagged edges. Those jagged edges provoke thought. Thought that could lead to a change of opinion. Thought that could melt a cold heart. Today, everything is perfectly mixed. Perfectly mastered. Perfectly edited. Perfectly subdued.
.....and you pay to have it done...
     ...Bye, Bye..

Twitter: Rita Castor

previous posts...By me on StreetcredMusic

StreetcredMusic: HeSaid~SheSaid, Sinatra 100 years, with Svetlana Shmulyian.

Just a few months until we celebrate the centennial of 'The Chairman of the Board', Frank Sinatra.
....here's another of my 'HeSaid~~SheSaid' looks at the American Songbook.

Here's Frank's version:  Enjoy, 'The Wee Small Hours of the Morning'

Sinatra and Judy Garland 1940's

                            
Here is one of New York City's most popular Jazz/Swing vocalists Svetlana Shmulyian.

You can see her Monday Nights, in NYC at  The Back Room Speakeasy

                     Here is Svetlana and the Delancey Five with their version::
                                    Video: 'In The Wee Small Hours'
                              
                                         ****************************************

 "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is a 1955 popular song composed by David Mann, with lyrics by Bob Hilliard. It was introduced as the title track of Frank Sinatra's 1955 album In the Wee Small Hours.
 It was composed by Mann and Hilliard during a post-midnight session at Hilliard’s New Jersey home. Mann was about to depart for New York when Hilliard insisted he remain to try some impromptu songwriting. Mann reluctantly agreed and eventually came up with the tune, to which Hilliard quickly wrote a lyric.

Follow me:: Pete Carma

StreetcredMusic: Angel/Diva Update, Yula Beeri, Greta Panettieri

Two of my favorite people in Orion's Arm, have been very busy and have released some wonderful music these last few months, behold....
All this work has been done independently, outside the corporate structure of the music business.
....and it's a credit to not only their talent, but to their leadership and dedication, to getting their messages out, to our delight.

Yula Beeri

Aside from being founder and President of TheHiveNYC, a 24/7 commitment, she fronts 4 bands, has a CD in the works now for Yula & The eXtended Family. BUT, a previous CD, with Kiss Slash Crooked Smile, released a year ago, 'Ethereal Dance' is now being followed up with 'single' videos.

Yula, Stefano Baldasseroni, drums,  Asi Spector, guitar Kiss Slash Crooked Smile

Here are the two videos just released::  The title tune, 'Ethereal Dance'

 and just released a wonderful tune, 'This Is How I Learned To Lie To The People I Love'

WHAT!! THIS JUST RELEASED 2DAY!!!! VIDEO::'Dot X'

>>so congrats to Yuli and all at TheHive creatorium!! Gonna be a great summer!
                    *****************************************************
The Diva, Greta Panettieri on the heels of a Book/CD release of  'Under Control' and several videos from that CD...Greta and her 'bakers' ('Greta's Bakery') are celebrating a second printing of her CD
'Non Gioco Piu' a 21st Century interpretation of Mina classics.

The Diva, Greta Panettieri

Greta has been touring Italy, a stint in NYC, Barcelona, and will be at The Blue Note in Milano,
July 5th....with a new release..just out today Jule 3d! enjoy, 'C'est Irreparable'

In addition to all that accomplished as an independent, here are some other GREAT video releases of the last few months....  Here is, 'Brava'        Here is, 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You'

These two wonderful artists are giving us so much music...you can see all their other projects on the links below::Support your 'indie' musicians.

Greta music page :: Greta here:

Yula, here..KSCS       and of course, here, TheHive


Follow me:: Pete Carma

StreetcredMusic, 'SheSaid-HeSaid' Sinatra 100 Years, and Chicago's Kimberly Gordon, "That's All"

Just a few months until we celebrate the centennial of 'The Chairman of the Board', Frank Sinatra.
....here's another of my 'HeSaid~~SheSaid' looks at the American Songbook.

Here's my friend from Chicago, Kimberly Gordon who interprets the classics like non other, a unique style with a great range, sultry, sexy and so enjoyable to see live....

"That's All" video here!

Kimberly Gordon, Chicago

Kim performs regularly around the Chicagoland area, and she writes for several publications there.

Me and Kim, The Green Mill, Chicago

                             ***********************************************

 Then there is the other guy, 100 years later, ....his tunes as the lover, heart broken are all classics,

Sinatra:: Video, "That's All"

1970

1943, WWII

Here's a link to Sinatra v Lara Bello, a previous, 'SheSaid--HeSaid'



Follow me:: Pete Carma

StreetcredMusic: Greta Panettieri, 'Sold Out'

Pete!...."they had to tell people to go away"..."we have to do another show"
....when I get messages like that from her, it warms my heart.
....when I hear her sing, it takes me back to the night we first met, and how much of a mark she made on me that night, with her talent and her smile.

We met spring of 2010, NYC

I remember a couple of years ago she told me about an idea she had, it involved doing an album of songs originally done by Mina. I flipped out. I told her I though this would be something great for her career. Now a year after it's release, that CD, 'Non Gioco Piu' is in it's second printing.

In addition, in the last 18 months Greta and her wonderful band Greta's Bakery, have released another work, the CD, 'Under Control', and an illustrated book 'Viaggio in Jazz'....which documents Greta's coming to NYC as a young woman to pursue her career. So that and several entertaining videos of songs from those works..She has toured all of Italy, and New York City, in the last two years, and this week is in Barcelona....It's long over due this 'overnight' success.

Book illustrations by::Jasmin Cacciola, Edizioni Corsare

 Video:: 'Under Control'

So glad for Greta and all involved, great people, and they make 'musical' things happen.

Video:: 'Brava'

The 'one & only' Diva

Everything is available here:: Greta's Store

FB Page  of Greta.

follow me:: Pete Carma

Streetcredmusic: Pete Carma, 'My2cents' Indie Artists: Why Are You Not Selling Merch?

Having been in the business world, rat race if you will, for 52 years, music for just 5 as an observer...
and investor...

I see only 1% of the artists I know selling merchandise other than their music. AND since the selling of CDs or EPs only brings back a profit if you sell out, would it not be cool to get a 100% mark up or more on some 'merch'?

I know it's an up front expenditure, so is going to see Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, or The Stones.
Tickets, drinks, food. One event like that could get you enough 'merch' to bring in 400/500 bucks.
....and it won't spoil like the warm beer you drank, to support the millionaires, and billionaires who promoted the 'concert' you almost saw, but you could catch it on that big screen they provided for you.

Nikki Yanofsky

 Some info:: 'Merch' for you career is deducible. 'Merch' never goes bad. It sells when you are asleep, your store is open 24/7....So what's the down side? You have a web site ADD a 'store' page that includes 'merch'.

At gigs... Get a credit card reader for your phone....have an informed, polite person at you merch table at all times, you should be there B4 and after the show, go there straight from the stage.
Have PRICES on everything....give a tee shirt, if that's what ur selling to the bartender, doorman if they will wear it...tell your fans they will get a 'door' discount if they wear your shirts to your gigs...

Or.....never mind. Let the venue make all the $$ off your work.

follow me:: Pete Carma

StreetcredMusic: Conjuring Up A 'Tempest' at The HiveNYC

Once again TheHiveNYC is giving New York City a wonderful, cultural event, come June.
A nonprofit arts space overflowing with young creators, they will conjure up a classic, Shakespeare's "The Tempest".

They are now giving us all a chance to contribute, and to help fund this wonderful event, that will run every Wednesday and Friday in June. They are not asking to make a profit, they just want to make expenses. (space, utilities for that space, sets, dry ice, transportation, printing programs, etc.)

Contribute: HERE!

I was at at recent rehearsal, here is some info on the production::
The director will be Kate Szekely, who will also play the role of Prospero, her most favorite role.
The score will be done by Yula Beeri. There will be a cast of 11 very talented young people. A movement and vocal director, a choreographer, and Ariel will be played by Emilly Ben Ami.

Director, Kate Szekely:: "This will be a really collaborative production, I'm taking everything the actors can give me, and making it into an organism that self builds".

                                          Opening night is June 3d!!

Here are Director, Kate (r) and Yula watching Kelly McAuliffe. 

Yula Beeri, (Kelly McAuliffe), and director Kate Szekely, at TheHive.

  The Tempest
                                                 

Director Kate, 3d from left, with part of the cast.

A message from the cast~~~By Video

The fund raiser will run for another 5 weeks, please if you can, no matter how small, help a totally nonprofit Arts Space, TheHiveNYC, bring this classic to us all!

Contribute here:: The Tempest          ... Get TheHive, news letter:: HERE

follow me:: Pete Carma

StreetcredMusic: Sinatra Documentary, Cient'anni

I watched the documentary on Frank Sinatra, all four hours of, "All or Nothing At All".
It was good.

I didn't need the history lesson it provided. I was a Sinatra fan, saw him live many times, and knew most of it, but still enjoyed the footage and the quotes from his peers. I met Sinatra on three occasions, Atlantic City, Vegas and at the United Nations. Had a conversation with him for several minutes at the UN, while waiting for the Secretary General, Kurt Waldheim, to arrive for a photo op.

I though the most insightful comments in the film came from Mia Farrow. She was open about him and her, and from what I know of her that's what I expected.

Sinatra & Mia Farrow

I want to caution all the young independent musicians/vocalists out there about viewing this film.
Some of you may think it science fiction, while others may take it as a devastating blow to your dreams.
You see this documents how back in the day, if you had talent, the powers to be would seek you out.
Producers, movie people actually went out looking for talent. The film tells of Harry James the #1 band leader of the time driving to New Jersey to see Sinatra, and signing him on the spot.
He didn't ask how many 'likes' do you have.. are you on twitter.. make an EP and then call me.

Today the people in power have to be sure you are a merchandise machine that they can profit from,  from day one. Nobody sticks their neck out for you.

Sinatra 99 years ago.

It also showed that you could at one time, actually get access to the people in power just by knocking on doors...and you could speak out about issues, inequality, politics, unfair labor practices, AND
people would like you for it. That's something that is so missing in artists today.
Most artists seem to be content with the corporate conveyor belt to get them, well nowhere ...Sooo
This film may not be 4U.

This is the tune Sinatra told me was his favorite:: 'Don't Worry Bout Me'
      ...after saying there were many.

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Pete Carma