Holidays and happy-hour from Aidan Moffat

A Christmas-themed video from Aidan Moffat (of the scottish indie rock band, Arab Strap).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub3gkwAeLQs


Now who's thirsty?

The Opera of the Phantom

They call themselves The Phantom Band...

Some shows have seen them play with a giant, smoke breathing wolf head, others, with a Stairmaster onstage so audience members can work-out during their set. Early photos of the band pictured them with bags over their heads. It's all part of their mystery and sense of the bizarre. How can you not love a band like that and that sounds SO good? Read the article!

-The Phantom Band releases CHECKMATE SAVAGE January 27th, 2009 on Glasgow label Chemikal Underground-

Jump for Jazz(ish)

The world fusion music movement has spawned many intriguing new musical hybrids. Mariah Parker's SANGRIA blends the driving rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East India.

Win a free autographed copy at music discovery site FlyFi!

Scalloped fretboard guitar anyone?

Matthew Montford has made a name for himself on an instrument that would make most people hungry. Improv meets passion in his latest release, SEVEN SERENADES FOR SCALLOPED FRETBOARD GUITAR



“The sparkling presence and sustain you hear is not an amplified acoustic with a lot of reverb, but a scalloped fretboard guitar. Matt’s the only person I know who can play one. Most rock musicians I’ve mentioned it to seem shocked that it even exists.’” – Jello Biafra, (seminal punk rock singer, Dead Kennedy front man turned spoken word activist, politician, mail recycler) ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES RECORDS

Finally it's out!

We feel like we've birthed this video but it's finally here!

AMERICAN PRAYER SONG on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZ...

RINGTONE
http://www.myxer.com/CHANGE or text "CHANGE" to 69937 to get your "American Prayer" ringtone

FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SONG
http://www.myamericanprayer.com

LIST OF GUESTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Dave Stewart
Forest Whitaker
Amy Keys
Macy Gray
Jason Alexander
Colbie Caillat
Whoopi Goldberg
Joss Stone
Buju Banton
Ann Marie Calhoun
Barry Manilow
Linda Perry
Cyndi Lauper
Sergio Mendes
Herbie Hancock
Mike Bradford
Margaret Cho
Cindy Gomez
Speech
Joan Baez
Daedelus
Pamela Anderson
Peter & Gordon
Sierra Swan
Nadirah X
Perez Hilton

New Industry Email List

Join our Industry Email List

The Cat's out of the bag!

Christian Audigier has joined forces with legendary rocker and record producer Dave
Stewart, best known for his work with Eurythmics. Together Dave and Christian
will co-design and produce "Rock Fabulous," the collection. A creative
collaboration that will embody Dave's rock and roll lifestyle and his passion
for music with Christian's explosive ability to engineer globally distributed
brands. Together they will re-define the rock and roll lifestyle through their
common love for music and fashion.
 The Rock Fabulous philosophy is about staying true to your dreams and
aspirations. It's making a statement with your attitude, a visceral and visual
language. It's about being brave enough to say, "I rock and I'm proud of it."
It's about remembering who you are or, who you once were.
 The Rock Fabulous World will encompass a broad spectrum of products from
perfume to motorcycles! Initially the Collection will include high end men's
and ladies' embellished tee shirts, hoodies, headwear and track jackets, as
well as a group of "premium couture" fashion pieces. Everything will "Rock" a
combination of distressed, hand-printed, metallic foil art, hand-set crystals,
and accent hand-stitching. An edgy interpretation of luxury that reminds one
of what it means to rock life to its fullest.
 The Rock Fabulous Collection will make its wholesale debut in January of
2009 and will be in stores for Fall of 2009. It will be available in better
specialty stores and department stores worldwide.
 Rock Life. Rock Family. Rock Fabulous.

Dave Stewart's Songbook out tomorrow 8/5 but preview here

Intern speaks out

Our very own H. Anne Lightly gets to vent on the Synthesis blog. See what she has to say HERE

Be Our Friend!

Wanna stay up to date? Be in the know? Be our friend join us on your favorite social network

Facebook

MySpace

Imeem

Yay Friends!

Are you Rock Fabulous?

I know you are! We're working with Dave Stewart and will give up some more info soon.....

Can't wait to find out? Join our group on Facebook

Under Aged and Over Talented

When Branden Steinekert (Rancid/ex-The Used) first discovered Return to Sender in 2005, the under-age three piece had already been playing together for years. Opting to control their future, the band signed with LA-based indie, FiveOne records and their fitting debut, The Grand Exposure, will introduce the masses to one of Utah’s favorites. The release hints at everything from shoegazing post-rock, 80’s Brit-pop, and gritty hardcore; still, Return to Sender remain grounded in a style of rock that is hard to find amongst today’s scene darlings.

Give us your two cents -- save moola

Answer our short, ten question survey and receive $100 off a Marketing Service.

Click Here to take survey

Introducing Jennie Laws

Who is Jennie Laws?
Official Website

"In a word,...Brilliance...Timeless, warm, soul stirring. How music was always intended to be."

- Glenn Lewis

"I hear a delicate sensuality with every heartfelt melodic choice Jennie Laws makes in her vocal performances. I love this girls voice. The song writing/production is honest and unpretentious. A homage to the glory days of soul music. I look forward to watching the world embrace this amazing artist ! " - Eric Benet

Ghostface

http://www.reverbnation.com/ghostfacekillah

750K plays in two weeks....

Now that's what a front page feature on Youtube will do for you!

Lawson is on the front page of YouTube this morning! Check it out! 240K views and climbing.. How DOES he move his fingers so quickly?

MOGWAI

Can't get enough Mogwai? Neither can we. That's why we're spreading the love and we're offering multiple chances for you to win an autographed copy of Young Team (the Re-issue).

Synthesis.net
Goombah




Lovingly augmented, sonically enhanced reissue of the Glasgow outfit's coruscating 1997 debut.

After a brace of critically acclaimed singles and a host of incendiary live shows, there was a palpable sense of anticipation over the release of Mogwai's debut long player. Arriving over 10 years ago, little has happened since to diminish its impact: stylistically at odds with what was rapidly becoming the fag-end of Britpop, Young Team was an obstreperous exercise in dynamics and fury the unapologetically avant-garde nestled alongside tracks of poignant, delicate beauty.

All in all this new, deluxe incarnation of Young Team has now become its definitive version: available in 2CD and limited edition, it's an added value replacement for those owning the original and a tooled-up, double-dunting jaw-dropper for those fortunate enough to be hearing this album for the very first time.

Partial Client List

Labels:
Scion/Toyota
K Records
Infinita Records
Cartouche Music
Megaforce Records
Sym-metric Records
Chemikal Underground
Ninja Tune Records
FiveOne Records
Gemini Sun Records

Artists
Mogwai
Peter Buffett
The Blow
Ghostface Killah
45 King
Lawson Rollins
Jennie Laws
Bad Brains
Ghislain Porier
Matters and Dunaway
Return to Sender
Johannes Linstead
SonicBloom

BlinkerActive Label Services

Custom Campaigns
Your priority releases deserve a custom, comprehensive campaign. Our approach is different: we recognize that your needs are unique and we adjust our efforts to create the most effective promotional strategy.

Our clients expect more than a sales bump. We gear a significant part of each campaign towards branding, raising visibility and expanding an audience for the long term. We look forward to exceeding your expectations.

Custom Campaigns Crafted Upon Request

Sample of Our Service Toolbox

Digital Identity Package:
Ensure your digital identity is on par with your music with professionally designed digital marketing material. Includes web banners, dynamic digital one sheets and download cards.

Digital PR:
Work with relevant blogs and podcasts , placing music directly in the hands of fans and taste-makers. Includes editorial placement, streaming audio/video, and promotional mp3 downloads (pre-cleared by participating clients). Service an extensive and expanding database of music,entertainment and related lifestyle websites to secure editorial coverage (reviews,
interviews, features, etc.) and newsletter placement.

iPhone Application Development:
Includes streaming music – direct buy-link, fan wall, photo gallery, social network profile integration, videos, show info and more.

Social Network Marketing:
Establish and maintain the digital identity on Facebook, Myspace, YouTube, Twitter, iLike, Reverbnation and other relevant sites.

• Keep sites updated
• Build community
• Promote for editorial within sites

Digital Retail Marketing:(included for IRIS distributed labels)
Lobby for features, artist playlists, listening parties, single of the week, developing artist programs, newsletters, label profiles etc

Video Promotion:
Seed promotional video at select video sites including; Youtube, Mevio, Muzu etc to generate interest.

Email Blasts:
Enables you to deliver your new music to over 14,000 influential music industry insiders and tastemakers as you begin solicitation, or reintroduce a record with a follow-up push.

Contesting:
Schedule, administer and advertise web contest to generate buzz and increase opt-in lists.

Request More Information and Pricing

Contest Administration and Advertising

Schedule, administer and advertise web contest to generate buzz and increase opt-in lists.

Includes:

• iPod Nano Prize
• Multiple Opt-Ins for database building purposes (i.e. band, label, partner company, etc.)
• Inclusion in Synthesis Myspace contest page
• Promotion to Synthesis Myspace friend-base (80k plus)
• Banner run on Synthesis.net (468x60) to promote contest for the entire contest run

Contest details:
Includes purchase of iPod Nano for prizing
Contest runs 30 days
Rules/implementation
Multiple Opt-Ins allowed for database building purposes (i.e band, label, partner company etc)
Inclusion in Synthesis Myspace contest page
Promotion to Synthesis Myspace friend-base (80k plus)
Banner run on Synthesis.net (468x60) to promote contest for the entire contest run

Digital Identity

Create an identity and brand for each release that’s as impressive as the music.
Includes:
2 web banners
Dynamic One-sheet / EPK View Sample Mogwai EPK
1000 download cards


Digital Identity details:

1. All designs come with one revision included in the package. Additional revisions charged an hourly rate of $60/hr
2. EPK / One-sheet is a dynamic three page PDF that includes your audio embedded with text and images. It's a one-sheet on steroids.
3. Download cards can be given out or sold during shows. Includes design, content hosting and redemption.
   
   We require the following:
   

• 4-7 artist photos
• Cover art
• Release information: Artist, Title, UPC, Release date
• Contact info
• Artist bio: 500 word max
• Release information (press, tour dates, etc). 800 word max
• 2 mp3s (96kbs - under 4 minutes per track)
• Please include all relevant text that you want included. Text will not be edited or checked for errors.

New Release Packages

Introduce your release the right way by supporting it with one of our affordable marketing packages

Emerging Artist:
Introduce your new artist using grass roots and viral digital marketing. Generate insider hype with an email blast to our exclusive industry network. Establish dominant and consistent presence in social networking communities. Rapidly grow an active fan base with contest promotions and free track giveaways. Build web presence with features across relevant blogs and industry publications

Established Artist:
Leverage existing fan-base to generate additional exposure and buzz. Reward loyalty with exclusive VIP content. Secure digital reviews at blogs and industry publications, seed free track through lifestyle sites, podcasters and email blasts. Obtain high profile retail features and positioning to drive sales. Use contesting to grow mailing lists.

Catalog Release:
Continue the momentum for a priority catalog release. Utilize mobile and web based contests to grow mailing lists. Remind taste-makers and industry insiders about the success of your release with a targeted email blast showcasing a dynamic one-sheet .

Request More Information and Pricing

Email Blasts

Enables you to deliver your new music to over 13,000 influential music industry insiders and tastemakers as you begin solicitation, or reintroduce a record with a follow-up push.

$600
$500 IRIS Labels

Radio Servicing

Ultimate College package:
This package includes a MINIMUM of 300 College radio stations across the
country. These stations generally have multiple DJs who program many styles
of music into their individual shows. Many of these stations have Block
programming, which includes several hours of a certain style of music each
week, including Alternative, Rock, Acoustic, Americana, AAA, Metal, Dance,
Reggae, Hip Hop, Jazz, Urban, Electronic, and more.

The Top 100 (Format) Radio package:
One hundred of the Top 100 BDS/Mediabase monitored in a format. If there are NOT 100 Monitored radio stations in a format, non-monitored stations will be included to bring the total to 100 stations.


Send My Music

Digital Retail Marketing

Lobby for features, artist playlists, listening parties, single of the week, developing artist programs, newsletters, label profiles, etc.

Digital PR

Digital PR (2 month min)

Work with relevant blogs and podcasts, placing music directly in the hands of fans and taste-makers. Includes editorial placement, streaming audio/video, and promotional mp3 downloads (pre-cleared by participating clients). Service an extensive and expanding database of music,
entertainment and related lifestyle websites to secure editorial coverage (reviews,
interviews, features, etc.) and newsletter placement.

Indie Feed

IndieFeed Your Fans

Curated by industry specialists and with over 150k subscribers to-date, Indiefeed regularly ranks at the top of the iTunes charts. Indiefeed had over 2.6 million unique downloads in December 08'. Each Indiefeed podcast features ONE song.

-iTunes Featured Music Podcasts

1. Submit track(s) for consideration
2. Download submission form

Submission is FREE. Pay nothing up front.

If selected, Indiefeed will feature your song and direct listener traffic to your website of choice. There is a one-time fee of $200 per track; which you pay ONLY if selected. This direct-to-consumer promotion is a uniquely targeted method of engaging new fans across a wide spectrum.

IndieFeed Channels Include:
Hip Hop
Electronica
Indie Pop
Blues
Dance
Alternative/Modern Rock
*Each genre has over 150K subscribers

The Details:
- There is NO LIMIT on how many tracks you can submit, but keep in mind that you will be financially responsible for all tracks that are used.
- Once a track is selected for an episode, it will be removed from further consideration.