Lee Jarvis 2.0: October 2008

October 29, 2008

'Getting a break'

Does it still happen? Well.....

It may SEEM like someone gets a lucky break now and then, but trust me, that particular gig where the (insert national newspaper) reviewer pops along and likes what they hear – that’s because it’s your 1052nd gig and they are there because you’ve contacted them through the whelm of social networking sites. They checked out your UK Music Jobs profile (which is in all your signatures) before replying, which was up to date with info, press shots, new music and carefully crafted branding. Someone in their office had actually heard of you already because you are always chiming in on (insert blog) with insightful comments and linking back to your own regularly updated tour blog. Their friend had won free tickets to your last gig that you’d offered to the local radio station (along with a CD and biog for the specialist genre DJ there).

Here’s the good news, and the bit to focus on. Your career is now in YOUR hands....

Read the full post here:
http://uk.music-jobs.com/blog/index.php/music-industry-career-advice/getting-a-break

Guns N' Roses album finally released!

...I reported the leaks on Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Chinese Democracy’ album recently, and now it’s finally getting a timely full release. The recent official statement from Best Buy and Geffen Records gave us a street date of November 23rd for CD, vinyl LP (with a free digital download) and digital album versions...

Read the full post at http://ping.fm/3T9Ws

October 28, 2008

Anti-Inspiration?

Well, I'm sure every artist will agree that for every day that you are awesomely inspired, you will also hit a serious wall.

Today has been really tough. Musically and otherwise. And yeah, some songs you listen to just make it tougher, but you know you've got to get through it and that sometimes you like the songs that hurt, so the only thing you can turn to is the music. Ironic? Maybe. F*cked Up? Definitely.

There's one artist who's albums have never left my side since I discovered him 13 years ago. What was a 12 year old white kid doing listening to Neo-soul when his whole school was only into Blur? I have no idea, but this guy's music speaks volumes to me, and never fails to stir emotions, those that hurt and those that heal. So, it's always a roller-coaster, but I conquer my walls with some help from D'Angelo...

Hurt: One Mo' gin
(I miss your smile, your mouth, your laughter)

flash music

Heal: Spanish Joint
(Serene but in need of feelin free, letting go and landing on my feet,
brushed the dirt off my back, no time flat, gonna be a good thing)

October 22, 2008

Inspiration

So... I'd not even attempted to make some beats for about a month now for one reason or another. After a couple of weekends partying and a lot of soul-searching, I thought I'd give it a crack the other day: I spent about 28 of the last 48 hours on a completely new EP, that's now finished and ready to shop.

All those times I've had the free time to put in, I've felt a bit lost. Then all of a sudden this came from nowhere, and now I'm behind with my studies, I've been going to bed at 5am, and I think it's safe to say I have somewhat neglected my personal hygiene. But I just had to write these tracks! It was just pouring out of me, everything I'd wanted to say through that dry spell.

I think it's strange how you can find inspiration in the most unexpected places; new people, old memories, random trips to the coffee house. When it hits you, you know you're writing / composing / painting is going to be deep and meaningful.

Not that my stuff is in the same league as this, but I thought I'd leave you with a clip from an artist called Sia Furler, whom I was introduced to by a good friend this year. I can't help but think that her singing is so full of emotion, that there is something monumental inspiring her up on stage. Maybe she's been through one heck of a heartbreak; it's that same kind of 'loved and lost' stress in her voice that Ella Fitzgerald used to have. A truly haunting and moving singer.

Edit: I found this clip instead where I *think* she says 'I wrote this when I was sad' at the beginning. 'Sad' doesn't even begin to cover it.

October 17, 2008

New UKMJ Blog: Giving your music away

I’ve been thinking some more about my post last week, debating how much you actually earn from selling your music online these days. Coupled with the news that’s been finally weaned from Radiohead’s ‘In Rainbows’ Album and the fact that the more forthcoming Trent Reznor’s figures on Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Ghosts I-IV’ album, I thought I’d blog further on the topic of what you can earn by giving your music away.

Read the full post here

October 14, 2008

Blogtastic!

I've decided to get my personal blog page here up to date, there's a lovely new picture of me (>>>) and some snazzy looking links on the right hand side now.

As you can see, most of my posts here have been linked from my weekly blog posts over at UK Music Jobs, and the occasional status update from my social networks. Well, it's about to get a whole lot busier....

I will soon be blogging from the US, and with that move, I also venture into two new websites, US Music Jobs and Media Match. These weekly blogs will continue along the music industry /social networking / music marketing / digital music revolution line of attack, and then also see me venture into similar aspects of TV and film freelancers.

Also, not liking to give myself any spare time, our much loved and recently neglected Moochin website is getting an overhaul, and I will post weekly on there with gig news / record releases etc.

The best way to stay up to date and keep in touch will be to subscribe to this main blog, either as an RSS feed or as an email update. Of course, I look forward to many of you posting comments on here or any of the above projects I'm working on :)

Toodlepip!

Lee.