Continued . . .

So where was I? Oh yeah . . . talking about a few of the little things that indie artists deal with in making, designing and releasing a record. Now I've already laid out two of them (Flow and Artwork), which brings us to ...

4 - CD Sticker. Here's where the band/label gets the chance to say something like "Featuring the New Hit Single Blah, Blah, Blah" or something like that, in a space about the size of a quarter. The single is not a hit yet? Doesn't matter. Like Mom always said, "There's nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking." Also, if the new artist has any friends in more established (i.e. famous) bands, this is where they could have them provide a little quote.

This is what's commonly referred to as ‘positive spin'. Makes you look like you're already in the club. But you gotta be careful here. I remember back when Maroon 5 first came out, they had a sticker with a blurb from one of the guys in the band Phantom Planet. Cool, but also made me think, "Are these guys gonna sing beachy TV show theme songs too?"

4a - Parental Advisory Sticker. Excuse the language, but f%&k yeah, let 'em slap one on there too! Two, if they'll fit. This might get your music banned from Wal-Mart, but that's okay, ‘cause there's approximately seven billion other outlets out there that will still retail it. (Which also, by default, leads us into Uni's Math Lesson For The Day: Bans=Good Press. Simple, I know, but important nonetheless.)

5 - Lyrics. Do you include them, which drives up the cost of manufacturing the CD booklet (and ultimately comes out of your pocket), or do you just say, check them out at the official website? Hmmmm. My vote? If you can afford it, do it. If you can't afford it, try to do it anyway. There are few things on this earth better than having a crowd singing your song back to you.

6 - CD Extras. Video included, cool. Flip over DVD side, even cooler. Link to website, MySpace or some other place where you can find useless information about a band you're not even sure you really like yet, that's questionable . . . but we might do it anyway.

7 - Thanks In-Liner Notes. Thank everybody. And I mean everybody. Family, friends, religious figurehead of choice, the receptionist at the label, etc. Heaven help you if you leave someone out, or else suffer the "after all I've done for you" bit. Make up people if you have to. You're starting a wave here. Building an empire. If possible, think up cool nicknames for people who don't have them. It makes everything sound more like a circus, which, when it comes right down to it ... it is!

But hey, for me, for now, the first Red Carpet Rats' record is done. That's the good news. The bad news is now a single has gotta be picked. And I'm not worried cause, hell, it's only my whole life/career/future that depends on it, right? Then if all goes well, and units move, before I know it, I'm gonna have start the process all over again.

It's like they say, you have your whole life to write your first record, and then you've got about six months to write your next one. Which is tough, unless you're Ryan Adams, who seems to need about 40 minutes. Or you're Axl Rose . . . who seems to take about 40 years. Mr. Brownstone, out!

Coming Soon . . . MySpace Invaders

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Dean   |2007-11-19 19:06:52 I totally agree about the bonus track thing. Once I learn it's there I have to wait or work to get to it (unless I snip it with a wave editor). Oh yeah, and the surest way to have your friends show your CD to all their friends is to thank them in it! Reply 0   0

Nathena   |2007-11-14 11:51:27 Love part two! When's the next installment!?!?[smiley=wink] Reply 0   0

The Fox   |2007-11-14 09:55:59 [smiley=wink] Reply 0   0

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