The Contester Blog » Music Resources

Music Fans and the Internet Converge

admin — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Just about all established music artists maintain internet sites or their record company does it for them. Some use them as a private connection for fans, by providing continual blog entries. It is a tool to sell 1 or 2 CDs from past years, announce show dates and supply some connection for the fans.

There are hardcore fan sites, particularly for vet bands like the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, who’ve assembled 25 or 30 years worth of fans. True also for musicians who’ve been gone for an extended period of time, you will find many sites for Elvis and others for groundbreaking rockers like Eddie Cochran and Chum Holly.

The most important online phenomenon in the business has been the rise of MySpace and, to a smaller extent, other networking sites like Pandora and Pure Volume. For some bands, MySpace has supplanted the necessity for an individual internet site. By the end of 2005 more than six hundred thousand bands were using MySpace to upload songs and videos, announce shows, promote albums and engage with fans. MySpace has acted on the extraordinary wedding of music, listeners and their site by beginning a record label. Established acts like 9 In.

Nails and Madonna, Wheezer and Depeche Mode have previewed albums and videos on the site, before releasing them. MySpace Music is a prime convergence point for bands and fans. The lead frontman for Dashboard Confessional believes that MySpace is what drove the band’s success, leading to their record contract. What sets MySpace and similar sites like Pure Volume aside from the online presence of established music powers like MTV.com and Rollingstone.com is the inclusiveness implicit in a social network website. All artists are welcome on MySpace, from Christian rockers to death metal thrashers. Also critical is the format : everything on the site is connected to something else. Keep clicking and you are sent to more profiles and search results. Jonathan Buck, guitar player and lead frontman of the group asserts his band’s profile on MySpace has drawn just about three hundred thousand visitors. With that network ready Coppermine doesn’t have to dedicate time and cash to flooding radio stations with CDs or plastering concert posters in town. Record labels understand the Web is the most useful promotional and communications device out there. Radio is more constricted, formats are less and the consolidation in the radio industry has reduced airplay to safe, established acts. When’s the last time you saw a video on MTV, or at a minimum a total one? The Web and its social networking websites became the source of choice for both music and music videos for millions of fans.

Source: One Direction

Irrigation Austin, New York Travel Packages, Septic Certification

admin — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:38:03 +0000

Irrigation Austin
When shopping for irrigation Austin Austin residents realize that they have to decide on a company that’s got equally working experience along with education. By using a business that lacks one or the other quality is just a recipe for disaster and also possibly suggests a lawn that will get ugly a hurry. Taking a look at Austin local people require a provider which is able to present these folks the finest lawn possible that is definitely plush and also gorgeous to enjoy. As a result, it pays that you carry out a small amount of researching and see a provider which can handle all lawn and irrigation necessities you might have, regardless of how large or small a lawn you need managed.

Require a Septic Tank Pumping or other Sewer Connection Service? Want a septic certification to quickly close escrow? Can’t remember how much time has passed since your tankwas last pumped? Has a embarrassing stench appeared recently in your property? Do your showers run out slowly? If you responded yes to any of the above problems, it would certainly be smart to obtain the services of a experienced septic contractor in your county to ensure that your septic tank is operating safely. Septic Certification by Farris Septic – a successfulseptic contractor in Riverside County, California provides Septic Certifications withinSouthern California.

New York Travel Packages
New York travel packages truly are a fantastic relief to acquire for all those going on vacation. While you are seeking New York travel packages, precisely how would your family make sure that you are going to be acquiring the best deal achievable? Considering the fact that there are a range of New York travel packages you could choose, trying to find one which is better normally requires lots of time if you ever do it alone. Even so, you should enlist assistance from the internet and make use of a website which will look through the seas of New York travel packages swiftly in the least bringing you not only a tremendous amount to do with alternatives, but nonetheless , plenty of financial savings in addition.For more resources on New York travel packages, check out http://www.travelocity.com/deals-d8613-new-york-new-york-city-vacations. Copyright 2011.

Music Buffs Will Pay for Legal Music on the Internet

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:17:07 +0000

It doesn’t just give them music on a busy schedule but lots of flexibleness.

Owning an IPOD means unlimited digital music to fill your soul. You can fill it with songs from CDs you own, from online music websites which offer free downloads or exchanges, and from Apples own invention iTunes for as little as 99cents. But the battle that rages in the music business is about copyright protection and loss of income. The look of the IPOD is such that it promotes legal purchase and downloading of music around the world. In 3 years IPOD owners have acquired one bn. songs from iTunes stores world over. It’s not just purchasers who benefit.

Artists can decide to distribute their music world wide thru iTunes. Any artist who hasn’t confirmed a contract with a major or independent record label can present their music to the world by approaching Apple associates like iFanz.com or CCBABY.com.

The artist stands to gain as he will get 91% of the earnings. The IPOD may be employed for at least music. IPODs can contain alignment material for newbies entering school, scholars can use IPODs to download educational course material, notes together with audio books. IPODs are for folk on the go, you can store music as well as videos and take off. If you’re the owner of CDs you can load them onto the IPOD or use music from iTunes or other web sites.

The music is pure, doesn’t skip, and it’s yours. IPODs have changed the guidelines of the music biz. Digital technology has taken music forward but has made issues with enforcement of copyright and generation of money. There are issues of music swapping, free downloads, robbery, and CDs being borrowed from libraries and burned or copied to be used on IPODS and PCs. The future appears unlimited and experts forecast that giants like Amazon.com will launch by end 2006 digital distribution of music and pictures. With the boom of the Earth Wide Web, gurus expect the web music biz to show striking expansion in the following 4-5 years. The Net is a key distribution point for music and music downloads and subscription services are predicted to surpass sales of CDs. PricewaterhouseCoopers guess that digital music will be responsible for over 40 percent of US music sales in 5 years. Therefore while IPODs and the new avatar that music has taken will be sweet to music fanatics and customers it is certainly sour or a real challenge to many giants of the music world. And now thanks to the successfulness of IPOD and iTunes, the industry is recognizing that music buffs will pay for legal music on the internet. IPODs have transformed music and literally the industry has changed “tracks.”.

Source: music videos

Musical Keyboard Is Awfully Helpful for Music Directors and Song Writers

admin — Sun, 01 May 2011 10:24:59 +0000

There are types of keyboards available in the market with varied features and functions. All of these musical keyboards fall under classes like MIDI controllers, digital pianos, arrangers, conveyables, synthesizers, work stations and organs.

Each kind of keyboard caters different wishes and one need to grasp his actual wants completely before picking the sort of keyboard. MIDI controller keyboards come with different sundry number of keys like twenty-five and 88. They also include reply factors like speed delicate, weighted and aftertouch. There are 2 broad classes of Digital Pianos like Console Pianos that are used at home and cartable stage pianos serviceable for stage performance. Almost all of the features are same in both types and changes are only in their designs and sizes.

These elements highly influence the standard of music generated by them. Arranger is a musical keyboard which is awfully helpful for music directors and song writers. Conveyables are like organizes but intended for amateurs.

Prepares and conveyables can be connected with computers using USB and other sorts of connectivity so as to upload and download songs and related software. Synthesizers are another sort of musical keyboards that produce sound. Almost all of the present models use pre-recorded sounds for making music where as the analogue synthesizers produce music manipulating electric signals. Sample based synthesizers are literally capable of manufacturing assortment of other musical instruments like organ, strings, piano, etc. Workstations are largely arrangers with more reinforced features required for song recording. These keyboards are fitted with hard drives, multi-track recording devices, and lots more helpful features that help the pro composers to provide top of the range music. Unlike standard analogue models, present organs use digital models with features like pitch bend, modulation, and sound effects. This gives perfect desired results.

Source: Cheryl Cole

Stuff You Should Do when Visiting London

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 04:46:42 +0000

There is never a boring moment when on holiday in London, 1 of the most well-liked global cities in the globe. The city boasts historic charm joined with bustling modernity that every traveller will find invigorating.

The list of things to determine and do in London is inexhaustible; these attractions are so culturally well-known and historically unique that no other place within the world can offer what London has to offer. London prides itself as a metropolis of culture and modernization. As 1 of the top financial hub within the globe today, London was also the centre of science, innovation, arts and music for centuries.

For 1, tourists going to London must watch a West End display. Branded as the Theatreland, West End will be the main theatre district of London offering musicals and plays at 40 theatre venues. Long operating exhibits for example Les Miserable, Phantom from the Opera, Cats and Blood Brothers to name just some, have captured the hearts of millions of tourists to London. West Ends rich tradition goes way back to the 16th century following the English Reformation when the number of theatre buildings were slowly created to accommodate the rising cultural demand for plays, operas and later, musicals. People at West End are often spoilt for options; you will find about 80 musicals and plays running concurrently with showings every night and daytime matinee shows on weekends.

West End Theatre tickets can be purchased on-line or at the theatres box office. Guests can furthermore enjoy a great evening of delicious dining and entertainment by purchasing inexpensive dinner and show packages, which come with meals either prior to or following the performance as well as theatre tickets. Exhibits at West Ends are performed by professional and celebrity casts, accompanied by great musical scores and world-class staging and props.

Guests to the metropolis should also visit the evergreen points of interest which are so uniquely London, such like the clock tower that houses the Big Ben, the Tower of London and London Bridge too also the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. These iconic venues are symbolic narration from the grand centuries of Englands past too as the wonderful and occasionally tragic stories of its fantastic kings and queens. For followers of Englands most well-liked and modern princess, a visit to Princess Dianas memorial at Kensington Palace is a must.

The latest attraction in London, the London Eye is certainly worth a ride. The planet’s highest observation wheel that stands at a height of about 443 feet (135 metres), gives guests an incredible panoramic view from the metropolis of London up to 25 miles (40 kilometres) and beyond.

A visit to London isn’t complete without visiting the above attractions and not forgetting, walking the busy streets of London and meeting the fantastic variety of its population who has merged into the life and pulse of this fantastic city.

Discover inspiration for exhibits to determine and West End Theatre Tickets at http://www.lsbo.co.uk

Whats on at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:52:08 +0000

The Mayflower offers an incomparable late summer and early autumn collection that contains large budget performances of Oklahoma, Les Misérables, and the Magic of Motown, along with two runs of Faulty Towers the dining experience, and a whole host of other performances and specially themed evenings. The Mayflower is special in being the initial successful theater organization in Southampton. The reasons for this no doubt to do with its phenomenal and cutting edge range of shows that are constantly on. This year is no exception, since the Mayflower features a great number and range of exciting productions, varying from large musicals and plays, to intimate comedic one man or woman acts to specifically themed events. In the interesting category of major name, large budget musicals and plays, the Mayflower provides a variety of classics and newly popular offerings. Included in these are Oklahoma, Les Misérables, and also the Magic of Motown. Oklahoma, that stars Marti Webb and Mark Evans, is playing Tuesday the seventeenth via to Saturday the twenty-first of August. This specific touring version from the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical is produced by the creators from the huge hits Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, South Pacific, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Everyone in the family is certain to love the story famously set within the Western Frontier of America taking location within the time of conflict between the cattlemen and farmers. The Mayflower is also proud to welcome the twenty-fifth anniversary production of Les Misérables, which is the world’s longest running musical in recent history. It is going to be in the Mayflower for only three weeks, from Tuesday, August 24th through Saturday, September 11th. The brilliant all new cast is led by London’s West End and Broadway star John Owen Jones, who has been recommended by the New York Post since the really finest Jean Valjean since the days of Colm Wilkinson, and also graced through the West End stars such as Gareth Gates who plays Marius and Earl Carpenter who plays Javert. Lastly in the category of large spending budget stage musicals is the Magic of Motown, featuring the greatest Motown live tribute concert ever. In this beautiful production, music of Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves and scores of others is featured. This show boasts literally dozens of stunning costumes, a gorgeously choreographed cast, and fully thirty-six memorable hits from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. It will play one night only, on Tuesday, September 14th. For 1 man comedians and acts, the Mayflower outperforms once again. Jethro will carry out his Too Late To Grow Up display on Thursday, September 16th. Sean Lock will perform his signature Lockipedia on Saturday, September 18th. Lisa Williams, the internationally known psychic and clairvoyant, will appear on Sunday, September 19th. A special gift in the coming months is Faulty Towers, the Dining Experience. This popular and long running television show turned touring musical makes two stops as the initial appearance rapidly sold out. It runs in the Mayflower from Tuesday October 12th through Thursday October14, too as from Thursday October 21st via Tuesday October 26th. Lastly, two seasonal themed events is going to be presented in the coming months. The Ghost Hunt and Buffet Evening will take place on Friday, September 24th, while the murder mystery Better by Nun happens on Saturday, October 30th. Once again, the Mayflower demonstrates its uncanny capability to keep the crowds in Southampton on its way back for more. Find out much more info about what’s going on in the Mayflower Theatre

Basement Jaxx Impress Crowd at Live Show

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:11:34 +0000

Sunday nights seem to be the new night to go out in Swindon. Just two weeks ago Lily Allen and Calvin Harris got music fans on to the dance floor and last night Basement Jaxx did the same at the Oasis.

After playing to a packed tent at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Swindon in May, Basement Jaxx were named as many people’s highlight of the whole event.

However as all the sets on the day were so short, people were left wanting more, and fans in the crowd last night were delighted they had come back to rock Swindon once again.

Ravneek Bains, of Old Town, was there with her friend Hannah Simmons. She said: “It was my first time seeing Basement Jaxx – they were amazing.

“I had a brilliant night and my favourite part was the finale when they played Good Luck.”

The evening opened with support act Speech Debelle, who won this year’s Mercury Music Prize, with backing band The Therapists, who were outstanding. But the crowd didn’t really warm up until Basement Jaxx played their second song Romeo.

Described on clickmusic.com as a mixture of Notting Hill Carnival, Mardi Gras and Ibiza all rolled into one, there were high hopes for the evening and Basement Jaxx did not disappoint, playing their hits Oh My Gosh and, my favourite, Raindrops, which really got the crowd moving.

Michael Jackson Album Still Selling Well despite Death

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:47:14 +0000

Seven weeks since his death Michael Jackson continues to dominate record sales, though his competition lately has not been very strong. Once again Mr. Jackson’s “Number Ones” (Epic) was the best-selling album in the United States last week, with 98,000 sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan. His other titles, particularly Michael Jackson Thriller and “The Essential Michael Jackson,” also continue to rack up significant sales; in total, about 3.7 million Jackson albums have been sold since his death on June 25.

The best-selling new album last week was “Live on the Inside” by the country duo Sugarland, which was released by Mercury Nashville through an exclusive retail deal with Wal-Mart. It sold 76,000 copies, enough to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s standard album chart, the Billboard 200. (Most Jackson titles are too old to qualify for it.) The next five spots on the chart are a photo finish, with each title scoring between 44,000 and 45,000 sales. Vol. 31 of the pop compilation series “Now That’s What I Call Music!” is No. 2, and another country group, Gloriana, is No. 3 with its new, self-titled debut album, on Warner Brothers. The Black Eyed Peas are No. 4 with “The E.N.D.” (Interscope), the Kings of Leon’s “Only by the Night” (RCA) is No. 5, and Daughtry’s “Leave This Town” (RCA) is No. 6.