The Benefits of Social Media

I am a little behind in my blogs. I was away at a friends wedding and sang her down the aisle. It was a treat! Oh, she also married Phil Collins's son and I had to belt it out on front of him! For real. The lovely couple then flew a few of us to Bermuda to hang out. It was as far from the "Starving Artist" life as you could possibly get. 

Chapter 4 gave me a lot of insight on the benefits of Social Media. There is an awful lot to think about! So much has changed in the last little while, with the way artists can communicate with the world. I will admit, it is a little overwhelming for someone who doesn't own a computer. The videos from commoncraft were a great help and gave me  a better understanding of how all these networks work together. 

I was completely unaware of the benefits of flickr. I thought is was just a place for pictures. I had no clue it was such a staple in social networking. My plan is to start getting more involved in all of these social network sites by spending a certain few hours a day. We'll see how it goes!

Love and Rock,

Carmen

Webfright!

Yikes! So apparently your website should do two things, help you build a mailing list and make you money.  All my website does for me is stress me out and make me wish I had more money to make a better website! It is time for change. Although my website does have a consistant look throughout, it is quite old and I feel I should be more..in your face. Gigs, tunes, links, news, pics, Bam! Right there. Having a new site is actually one of my goals from Chapter 1. We are currently in album release mode and one of our important tasks is to get the website up to par. I would really benefit from a site that is simple to update and to upload items to. Creating a new website is one of my major goals from chapter 1. 

In the meantime, I feel I can keep up more actively on Facebook, Twitter and Myspace. My team and I have many ideas for attracting more people to the mailing list. I have been very frustrated with Myspace lately. It keeps changing I find it confusing to deal with. I have reached out to a few people who are going to show me the ropes of the new Myspace layout and Reverbnation. There is so much to think about in being 'present' on the web!  I have thought about picking a day or two for each site to update them regularly. 

My record was just mastered last week so I hope to have some tunes to post in the next few days. I can not wait to share these tunes (and treats) with the world!

:)

The Pitch: Foul Ball!

In the "Sounds Like" section on my MySpace page I have entered "Like nothing you've heard before". FAIL. This has been there for years, awesome. Many times I have been told that my sound is very different from the regular "girl with guitar vibe" and I agree. In my own travels and experiences over the last 5 years with my solo project I can honestly say that there isn't any other artist or band doing it the way I do. That used to be difficult for me to say as I was worried I would come off like I was bragging or talking myself up. But, it's the truth. 

Many people have offered their 2 cents over the years. Some say I sound like Janis Joplin which I disagree with whole heartedly. But I do know that I sing with conviction and a hell of a lot of spirit. So maybe that side of the comparison I can accept. Vocally, I have also been compared by many to Jeff Buckley, Bjork, Stevie Knicks, Joni Mitchell and Shannon Hoon, certainly a mish-mash of artists. I have heard a number of times that musically we have a classic Zeppelin vibe and that I have "serious rock and roll balls". Over time someone had even coined the phrase "Red Zeppelin". Ha! What rock band (female lead included) doesn't want to be compared to Led Zeppelin? Everyone loves Led Zeppelin! I have a stellar bassist and drummer backing me up and we get this comparison a lot. I love it, and I know the boys love it to. When we first started playing together I was really shocked at how well they got the idea of what I was trying to do. I wanted a rock band. I wanted the melodies in my songs to float on top of a killer rythym section and a massive, open tuned, low end, gunning guitar sound. I think we've got the hang of it.

So here it is...

Cape Breton Island's live wire Rock Goddess combines remarkable vocal talent (reminiscent of Jeff Buckley and Bjork) with gunning guitar riffs, an empowering live show and a classic Zeppelinesque vibe. 

Celebrate The Wins

It never fails. If something negative happens in my life, I buy a one-way ticket on the "Self-Criticism Train" and enjoy the ride. All the encouraging words, "Something better will come along!” "It wasn't meant to be!” "Move on!” "You're a Rock star! Rise above it!” are easier said than done. Then out of Nowhereville comes a roundhouse of reality in the form of a book about the music business and a blog challenge that could definitely, without question, change my life.

I've been in rock bands for more than half of my life. After 5 years of touring with my solo project, avoiding death several times on the Trans-Canada Highway, playing every bar on the East Coast, touring across Canada and back in the dead of winter and sweltering heat of summer, wheeling and dealing with record labels, my debut album is about to be released. Holy macaroni, it has been a wild ride. This is it! Am I ready? YES! Do I utilize the Internet to my full advantage? NOOOOOOOOO!

When I was informed about this blog challenge I knew that I had to be a part of it. I have so much to learn. Sure, put me on stage in front of thousands and I'll seriously kick ass. But, when the show is over, how do I connect with my fans? Someone once asked me that very question in a meeting. I sat there stumbling over my words until he answered for me, "You don't and that is very selfish of you!” YIKES! Talk about an "ah-ha" moment. The truth hurts, but I love it.

On stage I am a force. I know this because I can feel it and am told it constantly. When I am offstage, I tend to be overly modest and soft spoken especially about my music. I have no idea how to sell myself without sounding like I am "tooting my own horn". I need to get over that! I have a feeling this challenge will help me do just that.

I have always believed in writing down and visioning what you want to happen in your life. I have a "Vision Board", but sometimes it falls off my wall and I let it sit behind my dresser. Not cool! I am also a pro at writing "To Do" lists, unfortunately they should be titled "Things To.... Think About Doing". Argh! With my album weeks away from being released, it's time to derail the "Self Criticism Train" and hop on the "Celebrate The Wins" train. I have had a lot of wins and now it's time to bask in the glory of a life filled with music, amazing people who have always believed in me, and my career that is about to take off. Thank You Chapter 1.

Love and Rock 

Carmen