#2 Album,#4 radio #9 top 40...yeah baby!! Keep it up Boyz!

Overlay TV and other cool stuff

Here is a link to a video I modified with overlay TV. Its pretty cool, you can do pic in pic or txt over amy online video.you Can also have links and so on. check it out. Not sure if I posted these yet. If I already did, well here it is again:

http://purchaseviral.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-video-using-overlaytv

and my Squidoo third attempt, the first two did not publish, most likely because i ragged on squeedoo.
http://www.squidoo.com/hotbed

Also here are some cool videos from 5 of my friends:

My friend Maya plays a song she wrote at 3 Am:

http://purchaseviral.ning.com/video/further-west

Jackie directs a zombie promo:

http://purchaseviral.ning.com/video/zombie-prom

And the soft ball team:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIG5_JGUlDk&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcontagioussimplicity%2Ewordpress%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

And santino:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LacSutDlRCg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etinoarts%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

Oh yeah Squidoo, see if they aprove my second try http://www.squidoo.com/lensmaster/new_workshop/squidoosecondtry
and a podcast
http://aroomwithinaroom.mypodcast.com/2009/05/Viral_Marketing_Assignment-205346.html

It's A Hit!

The Midnight Youth Album was released two days ago in New Zealand, and is already #1 album on itunes New Zealand! The single “All On Our Own” moved passed Kings Of Leon to take the #9 spot on radio charts and # 20 on the Top 40 chart! Off to a good start ! The band is planning a big NZ and Australian tour with thousands in attendence, and I’m sure it will be great. This is stikiness in real time folks, jump on board!

One year ago today I was with Midnight Youth on our 2nd to last day of recording, mostly guitar overdubs and some piano. We were marathoning because they were leaving in 48 hours and we still had a bunch of stuff to do. Simon and Nick were working on Guitars at the Buddy Project studio, and I was with Jeremy working on vocals at Goodle string studio. It was a good thing Nick was a talented Pro Tool engineer as well as musician so they could crank.It was hectic but we got alot of work done.

These Guys have come a long way in the last year, if they keep it up they will be a houshold name world wide!

Hear are 5 podcasts...

http://jessierocks.podbean.com/

http://sumlite.podbean.com/

http://web.me.com/mayasolovey/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

http://www.gabcast.com/index.php?a=episodes&id=29532

http://jackieshalackie.podbean.com

High Tech vs. The Simple Life:

High Tech vs. The Simple Life:
The Tipping Point, Aesop, and backwards compatibility.

So I bought an ipod nano since my original ipod fried. This little device seemed simple and elegant. I was looking forward to getting some songs, audio books and podcasts loaded up ASAP!
When I got home and hooked up the USB to my 12” Mac G4 laptop
I was informed by a pop up menu I needed the latest version of itunes in order to use the nano. The computer and itunes recognized the nano but for some reason it would not work with my somewhat recent itunes version. Ok, I thought, I’ll just go to apple and download the latest itunes. After a brief download, I clliked on the installer icon and a new pop up informed me that the new itunes is not compatible with OS 10.3.9 , (panther) I needed at least 10.4 (panther). OK, well the new version of flash doesn’t work with 10.3.9 and it was as bad of time as any to upgrade my system software. So, 24 hours and $150 later I was the proud owner of OS10.5.6. I inserted the dvd and clicked the install Icon. “there is not enough room to install another 11 gig is needed”
Holy shit! Thi system is more than 10x the size of 10.3.9! I have a 40Gig hard drive with less than a gig available. What a pain in the ass, Ok, so I’ll back up the laptop on an external drive and delete a bunch of photos …well that was not enough so I had to start a looking at my itunes library. I actually buy my music so my library is all songs I either paid to download or bought the CD, and it would all have to be re authorized if I erase it. But I had no choice so I wiped the drive and installed the gigantic 10.3.9 onto my laptop. I was able to import my itunes library and re authorize most of the songs and it has been working ok so far. I remember the days when apple products were always backward compatible. WTF?


Meanwhile my black berry track ball stopped tracking, so I cant txt,email or look up phone numbers.

I canceled my data plan and I am about to throw the thing in the river and get a $30 unlimited calls plan from metro pcs and call it a day. Since I moved back into my apartment I did not bother turning cable back on. No phone, TV, or internet. I love it. I am reading again, maybe in a year or so I’ll remember how to spell. I don’t know if Im at a “ tipping point” or a “Snapping Point” but I will blog a twit and my way to canceling con ed and living with candles. I guess I enjoyed the pain so much I decided to do a system and computer upgrade. I wont even get started about transferring my hundreds of plug ins from my powermac g4 to my G5, I think a picture is worth a thousand words…ho right I cant take a picture with my blackberry because the button is broken!!

Rocco Deluca Show

Last week I was off to see Rocco Delucca at the bowery ballroom. It was a great time and Rocco put on a great show. His bluesy style and electric feedback was really intense and he had the audience enthralled for he entire show. After the show we went to a local watering hall to have some drinks and talk about the show and music in general. I spoke to Rocco about his slide style and found out he makes his own slides! He actually takes some hot wax on a string and melts the top off of wine bottles. (still trying to find out the vintage of choice but based on the tone it must be red)

Rocco’s Drummer Ryan Carman totally rocked with some heavy grooves and wide dynamics. There is no bass player ,just electric dobro and drums with three amps creating sort of a feedback triad which Rocco moves about to ride the feedback as part of the sound and performance. We had a long discussion about Bohnam and Moon among other great drummers and bands.

The folks at Ironworks Records were supper cool. As a producer who specializes in artist discovery and development it was refreshing to meet Kiefer Southerland , the record man, and talk about lost art of artist development. Ironworks has it right and I have enormous faith in Kiefer’s leadership and vision. In 20 years I would not be surprised if Ironworks is responsible for the careers off future legends. Most labels lack the patience and consistence required to break an artist and develop a career.


Over al a great nigh, I will show up again when Rocco is back in town and I look forward to checking out the other Iron works Artists!

http://www.roccodeluca.com/

Save Yourself!!!!!

Had to chance a recording session today because of some computer problems. I was resetting some software and lost power right in the middle and now my entire system is screwed . I will likely have to restore the system which if that is the case I’ll have to buy a new computer. One song file from a\ client will not open now and may have been corrupted. We ueually back up after every session but may not have last session which was a vocal session. It would be a total drag if we cannot load the session, I need to try it on another machine with digital performer.

If I can load it on another machine I will be stoked, but I will not have a chance to do that until tomorrow. NOTE TO SELL : ALLWAYS BACK UP!!!!! I’ll see if I can save Myself!
Speaking of ….
Tonight I am off to see Rocco Delucca & the Burden at Bowery. They have that song “Save Yourself” which I think is pretty Rockin’ reminds me of a Chris Cornell? Zep vibe, and the band sounds tight. I look forward to hearing them live! I will post about it latter.`

Check out the video:

Save Yourself!!!!!

Had to chance a recording session today because of some computer problems. I was resetting some software and lost power right in the middle and now my entire system is screwed . I will likely have to restore the system which if that is the case I’ll have to buy a new computer. One song file from a\ client will not open now and may have been corrupted. We ueually back up after every session but may not have last session which was a vocal session. It would be a total drag if we cannot load the session, I need to try it on another machine with digital performer.

If I can load it on another machine I will be stoked, but I will not have a chance to do that until tomorrow. NOTE TO SELL : ALLWAYS BACK UP!!!!! I’ll see if I can save Myself!
Speaking of ….
Tonight I am off to see Rocco Delucca & the Burden at Bowery. They have that song “Save Yourself” which I think is pretty Rockin’ reminds me of a Chris Cornell? Zep vibe, and the band sounds tight. I look forward to hearing them live! I will post about it latter.`

Check out the video:

So I’ve been blogging about Midnight Youth a lot. Now they played a kik ass show in NYC last week and we had a great after party at Norwood House hosted by director Guy Quinlan who is directing the video for the Midnight Youth song “ Learning To Fall “.I am planning a US mix of the song with a string arrangement by Jesse Pynigar and myself . Jesse worked with film composer Howard Shore on Lord Of The Rings and many other projects. The parts are really cool and I can’t wait to get the players together. We may use some Suny Purchase Orchestra players on the recording!
I’ve posted some photos that Midnight Youth Documentary filmmaker and photographer
Michael Humphrey took while we were recording the album.












I am in the market for a new car and I test-drove the all-new infinity G37 coup.
It was pretty sweet and the folks at Pepe infinity were nice. The car was surprisingly stiff and bumpy at slow speeds but handled well on the highway. I was not blown away by the timing of the 6 speed transmission and in manual mode I found the Farrari inspired paddles not worth the effort. In the end It would be hard for me to rationalize a car that gets the same mileage as my 1998 ford explorer. 18 mpg city!

MIDNIGHT YOUTH TONIGHT At 9:30

All On Our Own, viral video

Sorry About The Video Fiasco Tonight

I wanted to show you all a live video of the band Midnight Youth I've been talking about for the last week , but there was a mix up and the video got pulled before I could show it because it has not yet been released.... In any case, check out their website and email me if you want to go to the show. I was going to get a bus from purchase to the club and planed to see how many people would go, but without the video it was kind of pointless. You can hear some of the tunes on there sight or on the player on my blog. If 20 or more people want to go I will get a bus.
If not have a great SPRING BREAK!!!!!

Midnight Youth US NYC Show March 25

Midnight Youth US NYC Show March 25

Check Out Video!!

Check out this newest viral video for All On Our Own. talk about sticky, last year they were playing in front of forty to fifty people a night. now they are drawing up to five thousand!


DON'T MISS THE SHOW AT JOE'S PUB MARCH 25Th! The only NYC show!!

I've been getting everything set up for the Midnight Youth show in NYC March 25Th at Joe's Pub.
we are also shooting a video for Learning To Fall, one of my favorite songs on the album. director Guy Quinlan http://guyquinlan.com is shooting around NY. There will be a classic band on the roof scene, and i will have to supply some amps and a drum kit for the props. The first single and video has done well in NZ #2 video and radio play. the letter will be released in Australia any day now. Check out the live footage of "All On Our Own".

My studio is finally shaping up. Here are some photos! ... my project room.....











Here is Spin Recording Studio A...this is the room i track all Drums, Piano, and mix... it has an SSL G series console that was origionaly Dr. Dre's. the piano came from the famous bearsvill studio's and meatloaf's " Bat Out Of Hell", one of the best selling albums of all time, used this piano.

Rant:Constructive eviction, semi volatile organic compounds, nuisance odors, hotels, sublets and other subjects I never intended to be an expert on.

Rant:Constructive eviction, semi volatile organic compounds, nuisance odors, hotels, sublets and other subjects I never intended to be an expert on.

Let’s start with “Constructive Eviction”. This is the legal term used when your landlord (in my case co-op corporation) has caused or allows to be caused an unreasonable nuisance or other situation that makes your house or apt un-inhabitable. If you can prove there is in fact this condition the landlord is responsible for your relocation costs and you may withhold rent (as long as you notify the landlord in writing) until the matter is resolved.
When there was an oil delivery Jan 9th we evacuated our Apt due to overwhelming oil vapors. The odor did not dissipate after several days and we knew it was a problem. A letter to the board about my “Constructive Eviction” set the remedy in motion. The manager of the building minimized the situation and calls the oil odor a “fragrance”. He ordered an air test which showed above background levels of Benzene (a petroleum based nero toxin) and other petroleum based compounds. The environmental consultant said that the levels were not above OSHA guidelines so the apt was “inhabitable”. Well, Osha has standards for gas stations and oil drilling rigs, but not for bedrooms and it is not a standard I am comfortable with. So that brings us to Nuisance laws. If the odor is an unreasonable and there is evidence that it exists then the cost of repair falls onto the liable party as well as relocation expenses.
To make a short story long, the DEC and my own environmental consultant made recommendations of how to fix the problem (it took a month to get the management to recognize there was a problem). The board agreed on the steps and orders it done by Feb 25 so that we can move back in. I was told all the steps have been taken, the odor was neutralized and the apartment had been cleaned by Restoration Company. So we moved out of our sublet and arrived to our apt which now had a different overwhelming odor. It seems nobody felt it was necessary to inform us that they were not done, and the Epoxy the used to seal the tank room below our apt was still wet. They also left the wet rollers and buckets right outside our window and garbage bags full of wet epoxy downstairs. The cleaning crew did in fact wipe down the walls of our apartment and left evidence in the form of wet rags left on an antique leather air loom chair. The shit job they did was unfathomable. So off we went to our home away from how the double tree, and luckily we were able to get the same sublet back. All of this I had a nasty chest cold and cough. So to look at the glass half full I am now and expert in all of this stuff and we are off to St. Lucia for spring break, hopefully we will have a home to come back too!

Fire Fire! Dinner?

So with my insane schedule this week, I had allocated a block of time Wed to post my blog and link up etc. As I was writing I heard a bunch of fire trucks. I sort of filtered it out and kept writing (I do my blog in word fist because my internet connection in this sublet is slow). I got a phone call and was distracted while the smell of smoke kept getting worse and worse.

The trucks, horns and sirens were still coming. I started to feel a little dizzy but I was not sure if it was the smoke or the double dose of Robitussin! In any case I thought I ought to look out the window and see what’s going on. Holy Crap! I better get out, the street was filled with fire trucks and smoke this was the real deal. I have had this cough for two weeks now and this was not helping.

I snapped a few photos with my blackberry and I now realize I need to clean the lens. Seems the laundry mat went up in smoke, everyone got out. I am glad I picked up my laundry yesterday!
No More Laundry Mat :(


Being forced from home.... oh well what to do? Dine! Had an amazing dinner at this Mediterranean tapas restaurant that was quite reasonable. Fabulous food and presentation, stylish décor and impeccably clean. It’s called Presta , on Lexington btwn 31 and 32. Gary is the Maître d'.

I have Midnight Youth coming to the US in March; we have a big show at Joes Pub on March 25. We are trying to get them a record deal in the US and rest of world and so far the response has been great! alot of the "Big Fish" have been responsive. I will have to miss a few days of the New York time because it conflicts with my vacation. There are some great travel deals out there!

Serendipity is opportunity!

I ‘ve been thinking allot about how to bring together my blog, my life, and the Culture Shock Project. Well.. the common link is Music so how can I connect the dots? Hummmm… music…purchase ….culture shock….I produce music….purchase has a lot of music students…..in fact I have one musician in my Culture Shock group…Santino…he is the assistant director of the orchestra….so he knows lots of players…..Hummmm…In fact he plays Tuba…..what a coincidence, I need a Tuba Player on the Midnight Youth record I am producing for Warner Brothers Records…Maybe he would like to play… Hey Santino wana play tuba on this record …check out the track….. “OK” ….cool lets do it soon .. …“ OK ,I’ll send you some dates”…. Hey you know any string players? I need Violin, Viola, Cello on another song… “ yea, we have some pretty amazing players at purchase” …cool hook me up with the best players it will be a great opportunity for them to get credit on an internationally released pop/rock record!

So that’s how I began to connect the dots. Dan, also in my Purchase College Culture Shock group, is studying recording and he may record the tuba! We will likely record at my studio in LIC, but we may try to do it in the campus studio. Get more Purchase College action in there!

If you have not yet checked out the Midnight Youth Letter Video and their webpage go to http://www.midnightyouth.com. They will be in the US in March and we are playing Joes Pub on March 25th!

Hopefully we can pull this recording together before my deadline so it will give me more Purchase College stuff to talk about. When the album wins the Grammy and a bunch of Purchase College students have some credits, we will have our viral marketing class to thank! It will be a great example of how networking works and how serendipity can turn into opportunity!

Culture Shock

I am glad I am working on the Culture Shock team. I hope to bring some mobile marketing to the effort . I think there is alot our group can bring to the event.

I recorded Bass Clarinet, Sax, and Flute on one of the Midnight Youth Songs. I need Tuba and Trombone. I think I have the tuba covered! If any of you bonezmen want to record on an international album let me know. I NEED TO GET THIS DONE THIS WEEK!

Go to http://www.midnightyouth.com and check out the band.

The Moral of the story..Check email

Yesterday I whined about my 8:30 am Mon morning class and the homework sent by email on thurs. Sun I was up till 3 doing the assignment ( as Fri and Sat were booked up ) up at 6:30 to be ontime, only to find no professor.....the moral of the story, check your purchase email before class if you commute!

Midnight Youth #1 video

Check out this band I discovered last year at MIDEM (Cannes) and brought to NYC where I put them up in my studio developed and produced their album which is coming out on Warner Brothers Records in NZ and AUS next month. They will be in NY in March and I will keep you all posted about the show (and after party!).
Check out the video now # 1 video in NZ!
http://www.midnightyouth.com

The Long and Winding Road....

When I was a Jr. in college I had the opportunity to join Esquire Records as a Jr. Partner and in house producer and songwriter with a path to Director of Talent Development. It was a dream job and a blank canvas. I took the opportunity and never looked back.
I have since had many exciting jobs in the music industry including recording engineer, producer, songwriter, tour manager and studio and business consultant. I have owned and operated Hotbed Music which is a talent development and production company for several years. Hotbed has given me the opportunity to work with some amazing talent and to help advance their progress. Some, you have heard of, most, you never will.
A few years ago I got involved with a start-up company called txttunes. I worked closely with the CEO to help establish a presence in the US and used my industry contacts to help advance our business plan.
Txttunes offered mp3 downloads to pc, purchased using a cell phone account. We developed the product into a viral widget- based direct sales and marketing tool. Most people had never heard of a widget in 2006, so we had our challenges. It was a phenomenal experience and I got to meet many players on the vanguard of social media and cutting edge ecommerce and marketing. Also, I interacted with many leaders in “the changing of the guard” of the ailing and archaic music industry.
My interests have broadened considerably. That’s what led me to Purchase. I can complete the degree I started, learn in specific areas that are of interest to me personally and professionally.
Technology has always revolutionized business. Understanding of the digital landscape, social networking, value propositions, and multiple revenue streams are now prerequisite for an artist’s commercial success. That’s what led me to this class…