General Music Chat

Sorry Chip,
We are all a little slow around here so if you want direct answers you gotta ask direct questions like:

"I am considering placing my songs on Reverbnation radio or XXX net online station to get more exposure. It costs $50/month. What do you guys think? Is it worth it?"

I still say no, it's not worth it. I think RN or XXX make money and you lose money as sure as a Vegas casino. To me it is another twist on an old game... A form of Payola or Pay to play and I personally think it stinks. Others will surely disagree.

History of payola
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/rea ... -the-1950s

Reverbnation makes posting / sharing music via social medias easier.

It's advertisement, nothing more.

Re: Reverbnation

They at least offer opportunities for artists that can lead to much more than just advertising. I don't think anyone is saying you'll become successful using them but I found this excerpt in their Q&A forum...

"Hundreds of ReverbNation artists' songs have been featured in movies, commercials, television shows, and video games - all earning the artists money.
Thousands of ReverbNation artists have participated in opportunities brought to them by ReverbNation. "

I've seen more from their site also "Ourstage" has monthly song competitions for cash and prizes and they lowered their monthly subscription.
I should add they have been accused by some subscribers of vote padding...

Just to be clear, I have no specific beef with Reverbnation or any other site. My beef is with pay-to-play in all it's forms. I do think the quote below oversells the website though and the language is pretty slippery. I have several friends who's " songs have been featured in movies, commercials, television shows, and video games." And their music is also on Reverbnation. They use RN to park their music because it is easy and convenient, and were discovered independently long before RN existed. A coincidental link between using their site and having their work produced commercially. RN was not a key to their success.

I think it is possible to be discovered on RN just as it is possible to be discovered on Youtube. I just don't know of anyone who has had that experience.

"Hundreds of ReverbNation artists' songs have been featured in movies, commercials, television shows, and video games - all earning the artists money.
Thousands of ReverbNation artists have participated in opportunities brought to them by ReverbNation. "

J7
From my searches over the past 3 years those two have been the only ones that seem to offer some opportunity for your dough. I have no real firsthand experience with either other than parking some of my tunes on their free sites. But they do promote the winners of their competitions, contests etc... They're probably the best of the worse. But as I said before especially with OurStage most artists have broadcast quality recordings they submit.

Just to be clear, I have no specific beef with Reverbnation or any other site. My beef is with pay-to-play in all it's forms. I do think the quote below oversells the website though and the language is pretty slippery. I have several friends who's " songs have been featured in movies, commercials, television shows, and video games." And their music is also on Reverbnation. They use RN to park their music because it is easy and convenient, and were discovered independently long before RN existed. A coincidental link between using their site and having their work produced commercially. RN was not a key to their success.

I think it is possible to be discovered on RN just as it is possible to be discovered on Youtube. I just don't know of anyone who has had that experience.

"Hundreds of ReverbNation artists' songs have been featured in movies, commercials, television shows, and video games - all earning the artists money.
Thousands of ReverbNation artists have participated in opportunities brought to them by ReverbNation. "

This is why I maintain that RN is ( for my use ) not more than advertisement.
I do not consider paid advertizement the same as "play to play".

I payed for my equipment, I paid for my skill in time ( such that it is ), I buy T-shirts & business cards.
I view these sites in the same way.

I figure if I get "discovered" it won't be my doings anyway.
Just along for the ride.

As Jahva said. I also "parked" some of my music there for a while but later opted out.

Why do musicians join music sites anyway?

To get people to listen to their music?

Or to listen to hear yours?

Everyone that I know listen to music on YouTube. There are only a gazillion professional grade musicians on there. Fat chance of getting anywhere even if you are pro grade. So maybe we should just enjoy the few scraps thrown our way.

If you aren't a teen prodigy with a sugar daddy backing you , you don't stand much of a chance of making it regardless. But there are also some downsides to all of this so one should still exercise caution.

Hi...My name is Crip.... I like holding hands....long walks on the beach...watching the sunset... drinking pina coladas...snuggling...and farting... Hope to connect with all you lovely ladies and show you a real pleasant time.... Thank You!

Hey Kerry, I tried playing Cupid for you with a gal on Facebook. Told her to come to one of your shows and become a groupie! Stranger things have happened.

ME, paying for the right to be heard? I don't need to prove anything to anybody. Now, as a marketing tool I'd be willing to use Jango to see what people around the world think, but PAYING somebody to be heard. KISS MY ASS.

How much you make depends on if you want to do original music or covers. I make twice as much playing covers as I do our own music, but I enjoy doing both. Both bands are in demand - The Farleys have a show every week in September. I'm trying to keep the cover band to twice a month.

Dude, I envy you. Wish i had a schedue EXACTLY like that but KC isn't nearly as open to originals as Detroit, much more conservative audience. And there's far to many bands here for the few venues still having live bands, so it's a buyer's market for the owners.

Playing every week gets old Bob. I originally only wanted to play out once a month with both bands but it's hard to say no when someone requests your band. Things will slow down after Thanksgiving.

Playing gets old ?

Dayum . . .

Chip,
I've thought about using Reverbnation and it's tools/options but I don't have "real quality" recordings to offer. And most artists have a finished product to present.
And I don't think much of the pay to play radio offerings out there that just seems silly to me. I would rather my songs collect internet dust than pay for 100 fans on some internet pay to play scam. It's like saying "here's a dollar please listen to my song."
I've not read or heard of it being very helpful to anyone using those services...
but Reverbnation has a pretty good track record. Even if you have to pay for the good subscription to play.
My .02.

SMACK!!!

Have you lost your mind?
Your music is definitely good enough and well recorded enough to deal with reverbnation.

I guess you haven't heard of some of the other crappy ones on RN.

Do you need an url or you want to take my word or it?
(Warning your ears will thank me, but I got some urls to punish you with if you need convincing) lol

Jango is pretty cool really. Like I think I mentioned they had adds in between songs sometimes, but it's nice to have a station on with my kinda music when I'm doing things. It's also a pretty useful tool to see how your mixdowns sound online compared to others too.
Keep well Fisherman - Chippy
http://www.jango.com/music/Chipfryer?l=0

I'd be willing to use Jango to see what people around the world think, but PAYING somebody to be heard. KISS MY ASS.