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DIY music video

How to make a DIY music video

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Making a decent music video with no money, expertise or professional equipment may sound impossible, but it’s not. Although, we will grant you that having at least one of those things will make it easier. That said, money and equipment are no guarantee of success. Imagination, hard work and the creative vision to produce something exciting are much more likely to yield results. Those can be achieved on a budget of nothing except ambition and inspiration. Your DIY music video doesn’t have to look like the trailer for a Michael Bay film, it just has to capture the spirit of your songs. Think small scale yes, but don’t rule out a big impact. Like your music, all your video has to do is connect with people.

DIY music video

1. Rope in your friends

You don’t need expensive professional actors or dancers when you have your mates to call on. They won’t be as versatile or able as professionals, so be sure not to ask too much of them. However, using friends won’t cost you anything, you’ll already have a rapport with them and they’ll have a vested interested in you being successful, so they’ll give it their all. As extras or small parts that don’t require huge performances your friends can serve as admirably as anyone.

2. Use what you have to hand

Don’t set your video in an abandoned aeroplane hangar unless, of course, you have one of those in your back yard. The point is you need to keep in mind what is accessible to you and use that. What do you have? What do you live near? Where would you be able to film legally, safely and without annoying anyone? If you need costumes, head to your wardrobe. Props: look around your house.

Borrow the things you need from friends and family and make cutbacks wherever you can. If you have access to anything unique or interesting that will make you stand out – not necessarily an aeroplane hangar – make that part of your DIY music video. The constraints of having no money or equipment etc. mean you have to be creative – embrace this.

3. Why not try a lyrics video?

Lyrics videos are all the rage, partly, because they’re easy to make and serve a function for the viewer. A beautiful, narrative-driven video with strong choreography and performances is great, but it doesn’t help those who want to sing along. Lots of people enjoy learning the lyrics of songs they love, and your fans are likely no different. A lyrics video is a straightforward DIY music video solution. If you’re unsure how to get started with making a lyrics video check out this guide.

DIY music video

4. Keep it simple and stylish

This refers back to our previous point about using what you have to hand; don’t try to go too big. Your video also has to translate the style and tone of your music and persona as an artist. You’re bringing your sound to life in a visual form.

So, consider your own sound. Is it a gritty, urban sound that conjures images of a concrete jungle, or something more mellow with nature vibes? Decide what images or feelings your music conjures in your mind and then consider how you can capture the essence of those imaginings with the resources you have. It might be straightforward, it might require more creative thinking. Either way, if you accurately depict the soul of your sounds in your DIY music video then an audience will connect with it.

5. Don’t get hung up on what you don’t have

When you realise just how little you might actually have to work with its easy to assume making a DIY music video isn’t feasible. As long as you have a song though, and something to film with – a smartphone really will do these days – then you’re good to go. Let go of what you don’t have and dive into making the most of what you do have. It’s all about vision, creativity and endeavour. If you have those things and are willing to put yourself and your work out there, nothing can stop you.

A DIY music video can be whatever you make of it, so get out there and make it every bit the visual accompaniment your music deserves.

music venues

5 Of our favourite music venues around the world

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The simple fact is that a venue can make or break any gig. This is true for so many reasons too. Poor acoustics, atmosphere or sightlines, alongside extortionate pint prices and toilets from Hell can all ruin a gig. Our favourite music venues however are able to transcend the artists performing in them to become magisterial, beloved spaces with a special place in our hearts. Great venues are the place to create great memories and have been the scene of iconic moments and performances. These venues are both monumentally cool and culturally vital, and this our tribute to them.

music venues

1. The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, USA

The Greek Theatre is probably the most famous and recognisable outdoor music venue in America. With a capacity of roughly 6,000, and a history spanning less than 90 years, it isn’t the most obvious choice for this title. Yet, The Greek Theatre is beloved beyond borders. This is partially down to the names that have performed there: Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Elton John to name but a few.

The design of the venue was inspired by Ancient Greek temples, hence its name. Many refurbishments over the years have also ensured that The Greek isn’t left behind and is still capable of putting on a real show. Therefore, The Greek Theatre remains one of our favourite music venues, perfect for the summer concert season.

See what’s on here.

2. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia

One of the most iconic buildings in the world, inside the Sydney Opera House you’ll discover another of our favourite music venues. The Opera House was built to establish Sydney, and Australia by extension, as a cultural leader. As such, The House has played host to some of the world’s most significant and talented artists since its opening in 1973.

The Sydney Opera House in fact is a collection of multiple performance spaces, under a single, distinctive roof. The two principle arenas within are the Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre. Throughout each year, in its numerous performances spaces, Sydney Opera House presents music, and musicians, of all kinds.

See what’s on here.

music venues

3. Michael’s Cave, Upper Rock Nature Reserve, Gibraltar

St. Michael’s Cave is a deep, tangled network of limestone caves, gouged into the land of Gibraltar. In the belly of this subterranean web is the largest chamber of them all, the Cathedral Cave. Cathedral Cave nowadays serves as an auditorium and is absolutely one of our favourite music venues. Because, you know, it’s a cave. Whether that makes it an indoor or outdoor venue we’ll leave up to you.

Music of all genres is performed here, as well as other theatre pieces and the annual Gibraltar beauty pageant. St. Michael’s Cave also hosts the yearly Gibraltar World Music Festival.

See what’s on here.

4. The Cavern Club, Liverpool, UK

The Cavern Club is, quite simply, legendary. Between 1961 and 1963 The Beatles performed there, in their hometown, 292 times. By the time of their final performance there, ‘She Loves You’ had just been released and ‘Beatlemania’ was about to sweep the nation, and the world. Since then The Rolling Stones, The Who, Queen and The Kinks, naming but a few, have rocked The Cavern Club.

Now, The Cavern Club hosts 40 musical acts every week and is as popular as ever. It has also become a hotspot for ‘secret gigs’, with the likes of Oasis, Jake Bugg and The Arctic Monkeys all having performed underground or impromptu sets.

See what’s on here.

5. Sultan’s Pool, Jerusalem, Israel

On a side of Mount Zion, by the historic city of Jerusalem, is the Sultan’s Pool, an ancient water basin. It is thought to date back to the times of King Herod. Nowadays, in summer whilst the basin is dry, Sultan’s Pool becomes one of the most unique venues in the world. The likes of Bob Dylan, Madonna, Tom Petty and Leonard Cohen have performed in the Pool.

This truly is one of our favourite music venues and the epic historical context and dramatic visual majesty of it are good reasons for that. Seeing a great performance in the Sultan’s Pool is an experience not to be missed.

See what’s on here.

What’s so special about your favourite music venues can be a very personal thing. There’s no problem at all with your favourite performance space in the world being the pub at the end of your road. It can be because you have very special memories of that place. Or, your favourite venue could be a world known arena such as Madison Square Gardens. The reason you love it can be the same though. All that matters is that you appreciate the power that music venues have, and their importance in our cultural landscape.

famous session musicians

Top 3 famous session musicians

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Session players are the magicians of the music world. They appear, in abundance, when we need them and then vanish into thin air when we don’t. So, it might come as a shock that these pay-per-session superheroes are responsible for some of the most well-known riffs and baselines in our beautiful industry. In order to show our ultimate respect for these musicians behind the big names, we at Zimrii have thrown together a list of our top 3 famous session musicians, to inspire you to become, employ, or aspire to be.

famous session musicians

Carol Kaye

GIRLS TO THE FRONT. We’ve kicked off this list of session musicians with a great big dose of girl power from the interminable Carol Kaye. She has played bass on over 50,000 records; notably, the Beach Boys ‘Pet Sounds’, Ritchie Valens’s “La Bamba,” Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’,” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Scarborough Fair.” Her career spans more than a decade, which means, essentially; if you’re a fan of a song from the 60s/70s that’s more than a little funky, then you’ve heard her basslines. She doesn’t record sessions anymore, but you can take bass lessons from her over Skype via her website. She’s also been known to send out memorabilia when people purchase her text-books; such as photocopies of her $70 cheque for the mission impossible theme – so, treat yourself.

The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew are second on our famous session musicians list, because Carol Kaye was in them. A loose collective of musicians, they were responsible for thousands of records in the 1960s and 1970s, and so many hits we’d need to write a novel to get ‘em all in. Needless to say, again – if it’s from the 60s or 70s and it’s got you dancing, then the wrecking crew are to blame. They were the go-to for Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” production method – and this produced such tunes as ultimate classic The Ronettes “Be My Baby”.  If you’re interested in their greatest hits, you can view a run-down here. Half their prolific status came from them being a bunch of highly talented, very skilled musicians – half came from them frequently working fifteen-hour days. The money was high, the songs were hits, and the lifestyle was one of old school rock and roll. Check out the 2015 documentary which features clips of the most infamous songs, and behind the scenes footage.

Earl Palmer

In terms of the famous session musician’s hall of fame, then praise from none other than Little Richard surely must elevate you to somewhere near the top. The great master called Earl Palmer ‘the greatest session drummer of all time’. The drummer king of rhythm and blues and rock and roll from 1949 all the way through to 1980 – Palmer also dabbled with The Wrecking Crew. However, like Kaye, he quickly went on to establish a name for himself outside of the crew. Palmer was one of the first session musicians to enter the rock and roll hall of fame in 2000; along with his Wrecking Crew brother Hal Blaine. Famed for his steady pace, he quickly earned himself the nickname of “the metronome”.  Palmer, however, considered himself a mere accompanist, saying “the drums is an accompanying instrument, really. If you don’t know how to accompany then you’re not a good drummer, you’re just a soloist.” Humble guy!

Believe in the power of the people behind you? Found a new love for famous session musicians? You’re nothing without each other! So, make sure you join Zimrii, the innovative music platform that allows you total control of your music business. Using BlockChain technology to register your Copyright and lock-down your ownership; Zimrii uses Smart Contracts and integrated crowdfunding features to help you connect with your audience and earn direct to artist. It’s the twenty-first century music revolution!

 

musicians

3 Musicians who were in the right place at the right time

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Talent, charisma and determination are undeniably assets required by anyone who wants to be successful in the music industry. That being said, the hand of luck has been known to favourably guide the paths of many musicians’ careers. It doesn’t matter who or how good you are, if you want to get to the top you’re likely to need some luck. As it is, many of the best loved artists of all time were at one stage simply musicians who were in the right place at the right time. How their careers would’ve panned out without the slices of fortune they were served is impossible to say. It should also be said that the lucky break they got should not detract at all from their achievements. These cases do make for  some pretty great stories though.

musicians

1. Eminem

Marshall Mathers, as Eminem was then known, was in a dark and difficult place back in 1997, prior to meeting Dr. Dre. Having been fired from several menial jobs, struggling to support his young family and his debut album ‘Infinite’ having sunk without trace, Eminem felt he only had one roll of the dice left. As it was, this last chance came in the form of the Rap Olympics in Los Angeles. Eminem travelled from Detroit for the battling competition and wound up finishing second.

Following his performance at the Rap Olympics, a copy of the ‘Slim Shady EP’ found its way to Interscope Records and, by extension, Dre. The NWA rapper was initially sceptical. He told Rolling Stone that “in my entire career in the music industry, I have never found anything from a demo tape or a CD.” That was before he heard Mathers’ work, after that, according to Dre, I said, ‘Find him. Now.'” It all happened very quickly after that, Mathers was gone and Eminem was born. The talented young rapper got his lucky break, and the rest is history.

2. Oasis

All musicians who get discovered are lucky to be so. Oasis are no different, but they were particularly lucky to be discovered by Alan McGee. McGee, the head of Creation Records, is a legend in the British recording business. He also happened to be present at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow in the mid-nineties as the Gallaghers & co. took to the stage. McGee’s presence was obviously fortunate for the band, in terms of what it meant for their future. Yet, it was very nearly all so different. As McGee himself told the NME, “I was up in Glasgow seeing my dad and I wasn’t sure I’d even go to the gig. I got there early by mistake. Oasis were on first, before most people arrived.”

Oasis playing that gig at all is also due an accumulation of convenient circumstances. The Manchester lads piled into the back of a van belonging to another band who were on the bill for the Glasgow show. At that point Oasis weren’t scheduled to play but were promised if they came along they’d get some stage time. They were then allowed to open, before most of the audience arrived. They had time to tear through four tracks, including an early version of ‘Rock N’ Roll Star’ and a cover of The Beatles’ classic ‘I Am the Walrus.’ It was their performance of the latter that caught McGee’s attention and a verbal ‘signing agreement’ was made on the spot that night in Scotland.

Less that one year later Oasis’ debut single ‘Supersonic’ was released, soon followed by their album, ‘Definitely Maybe.’

3. Adele

Adele is almost certainly the greatest of the MySpace musicians success stories. In 2006, Adele, fresh from the Brit School, was unknown, with only some demo reels to show for her voice. A friend took these demos and posted them on MySpace to gauge public opinion. Ripples of interest and excitement began to spread on the social media site about Adele’s demos. Soon enough XL Recordings came calling to sign up Adele. So fortuitous did this turn of events seem, Adele initially believed the offer to be a kind of hoax.

Once the deal was made official, Adele was provided the environment in which she could craft her debut record, 19. All of that, and all her subsequent, record-breaking successes, because a friend thought to post Adele’s demos on a now forgotten social media platform.

Hard work and talent have their place, clearly though, we shouldn’t underestimate the power of good luck. There are very, very few success stories out there in any industry – not just for musicians –  in which luck has no part to play. There is of course the theory that we make our own luck though. So, keep chasing your dream and you never know, the harder you chase the luckier you might find you get.

merchandise that sells

The mechanics of merchandise that sells

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A merchandise stand is a time-honoured tradition at any gig. We’re all familiar with the rickety temporary table, cloth thrown over, illuminated by a bedside lamp, lurking in the corner of the room. Usually manned by a partner of the band – an essential component of the tour diary, and a valued member of any band’s entourage. Yet, the look of the thing is pretty much the only attitude that’s stayed the same about your merchandise table. Back in the 70s, it was considered critically uncool – but fast forward forty years, and merchandise that sells can be the difference between make or break in to the bank when you’re on tour.

It’s an intricate and in-depth art, that can often make you feel incredibly overwhelmed. It’s also important you get it right; so that your fans will feel part of your community – even when they’re not plugged into your music. So, we here at Zimrii thought we’d shine more than a bedside light to illuminate the situation; and bring you our guide to the mechanics of merchandise that sells. 

merchandise that sells

So, who are your fans anyway?

First things first, you have to figure out what your audience will ask for. If you want merchandise that sells, this will be heavily linked to the type of music your band plays. If you’re a goth band, then you’re unlikely to sell many white tops. Indie bands are more likely to sell T-shirts over CDs, where electro band fans favour hoodies and physical formats. If your band tends to write songs about history, or politics, make sure you echo this in your design. If you’re a country band, your fans are less likely to purchase shirts with references to alcohol, or hard drugs. Well, you get the idea.

If you find you struggle to picture this, it might help you to create a fictional person based on the fans you’ve seen at your shows. Why does this person like your band? What makes them come to see you over and over again? Why do they always buy your merchandise? When you slot yourself into the mindset of this fan, you will start to understand their motivation, what you can offer them from your merch stand, and how to make merchandise that sells.

Spend money to make money

In the past, professional-grade merchandise was inconceivable for small bands. Due to machinery costs being sky-high; many DIY bands turned to screen printing in order to supply T-shirts. Thankfully, this is something that has been revolutionized by trusty technology; and, in part by merch trailblazer’s Awesome Merch. Thanks to their grass-roots, holistic attitude to merchandise production you’re now able to order short runs of pretty much any merchandise you could ever want (and a whole lot more that you didn’t know you did).

With merchandise, it’s always a spend money to make money scenario. With Awesome Merch, you’re able to order smaller runs of T-shirts (the smallest is 10), but this will still cost you around £100. Thing is, you’ve got to spend money to make money. Most of your fans will pay between twelve and fifteen pounds for a shirt, so that’s a profit of £5 per shirt. Times ten, that’s £50 you’ve made for the band. Times twenty, that’s £100. Your profit will increase exponentially, incredibly, but you need to shell out to begin with. It’s also a good idea to set up a seperate band bank account and re-invest the money you make back into your band. This also means you can take card payments, as there are many small business bank accounts that will offer you a card reader at a low price.

Variety is the spice of life

Now you’re ready to invest; you’ve found your target audience, and you know what you’re going to sell first – here comes the most important bit: the design. If you’re lucky enough to have a talented graphic designer in the band, call on their skills. If not, it will be worth you finding an artist to hire. Remember to keep it on brand; and make sure you create designs that catch the eye across the room – otherwise the point of your potential free advert space is lost.

Once you’ve established a little capital, it’s time to have fun with reinvestment in your band. Here’s where you can really unleash your creativity. Got a song about fire? Put the lyrics on a lighter. Radioactivity? Glow in the dark T-shirts. Are you a DIY, punk band? Consider releasing your album on tape. Older audience? Everyone needs a T-Towel. Younger audience? Branded USB sticks. Make sure to jump in on any in-jokes between you and your audiences, memes or catchphrases that arise. If you’ve got the cash, create special T-shirts for one show only. If your items are limited edition, you’ll find long-term fans return to grab these exclusives. After all, when you sell merch – you’re not just touting merchandise that sells, you’re selling access to your community.

Ready? Why not post a link to your merchandise? Then join Zimrii, the innovative music platform that allows you total control of your music business. Using BlockChain technology to register your Copyright and lock-down your ownership, Zimrii uses Smart Contracts and integrated crowdfunding features to help you connect with your audience and earn direct to artist – cutting away the outdated middleperson. It’s the twenty-first century music revolution!

storm your encore

Storm your encore: the ultimate guide

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Encore! Encore! If you’ve been put under the seductive spell of a band you adore, at the end of their set, you’ll know the magic of the encore. But can you remember where you first learnt this fantastic French phrase? Nope, neither can we. Encores are so entrenched in society, that it seems they’ve always been there. So, what are the rules when it comes to encores? If you’re about to pop off on tour, and are ready to sum-up this socially-expected setlist staple – never fear. We, at Zimrii, present the ultimate guide to help you storm your encore. 

If you’re a music lover (and of course, if you’re here on our Zimrii blog, we’ll assume you are) you’ll know there’s no better burst and release of emotions than when you watch your most-loved-in-the-world band on stage. We bet this was the reason you started a band, right? There’s actually lots of scientific evidence that music, whether you perform it or listen to it, strengthens our social bonds. So, now that you’re in the perfect position to decide whether or not you should play one – we know you’ll want to storm your encore. So, there are a few things you must consider first. 

storm your encore
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

So, where did it come from?

First, a brief history of the enchantment that is the encore. In a shock that’s not-quite-as-big as the translation of the Lion King into; encore is actually a french word, meaning “again”. So when you yell encore, you’re literally just yelling “Again! Again!”. Because of this, you’d think that the tradition started in France, but, you’d be wrong. In fact, these days in France, they yell “BIS!” instead of encore. Confusing. It’s generally thought that the encore began in the classical music days, when the world began to see composers and musicians as trailblazers, heroes and people of interest – but you can actually trace the encore back as far as the operas of Ancient Rome.

How do I know if I should play an encore?

Of course, modern ones (especially when you’re looking to storm your encore) come with their own set of rigid rules. There are a whole load of dos-and-don’ts, but we’ve gathered the most important. We’ve even organised them into bullet-points for you. 

  • DON’T – Play an encore if you’re not the headline band. No-one will book a support band who’ve previously upstaged the headliners. You’re here to make friends, and fans; not to be Ziggy Stardust.
  • DO – Save your punchiest, most popular songs for last. We’ll go into further detail about this further down, but safe to say – they’ll have the biggest impact.
  • DON’T – Milk your applause too much. You want to find a balance between applause and intrigue. Put it this way; there’ll be time for refreshments – there won’t be time for the toilet.
  • DO – Let the audience know they’ve pulled you back out. You’re there for them, after all.
  • DO – Run to time. These days, curfews and time-limits exist. Stick to them. Gone are the days of epic encores. If your plan is to play an encore – leave some space for it at the end of your set; or face the plug being pulled on your sound.
  • DON’T – Go back out if the venue say no. It’s their house, after all. Most venue promoters know each other, and it’s a sure fire way to get your band blacklisted.

Right, I spoke to my band! We’re gonna do it!

Brilliant! Now, make sure you make it count. There’s an art to the encore that we can’t deny. These days, it should be considered an extension of your setlist; so if you have a few tasty hit-tracks, leave your fans without one or two of these songs. This will do a couple of things; one – get them to scream for more, two – get them to stick around.

No-one wants to miss your Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Nirvana’s most famous encore at Reading Festival in 1992 infamously included seven songs; Dumb, Stay Away, Spank Thru, Love Buzz, The Money Will Roll Right In, D-7 & Territorial Pissings. Whilst you probably won’t have time to play seven songs, Kurt’s format is a good one to follow. Slower hit, faster hit (or cover), ultimate counter-culture significant banger. Basically, you want to end with a crowd that jumps up and down. One that can’t deny the spirit of the music.

Do this and you’ll storm your encore. Who knows, it could end up as infamous as your show!

Ready? Post a link to your show, below. Then join Zimrii, the innovative music platform that allows you total control of your music business. Using Blockchain technology to register your Copyright and lock-down your ownership, Zimrii uses Smart Contracts and integrated crowdfunding features to help you connect with your audience and earn direct to artist – cutting away the outdated middleman. It’s the twenty-first century music revolution!

what a distributor can do for you

What a distributor can do for you

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It’s no secret that the music world has been revolutionized by technology. Gone are the days of the record swap, of mixtapes pulled from the radio, of even – we hate to say it – cover art. With digital music streaming services, and their ability to index every song ever released; record stores and CD sales inevitably declined. Thus, record labels had to rethink their process. If everybody was streaming music online, then surely they had to catch up. Queue the distributor, and the distribution deal. As a consequence, digital distributors also arose – shunning hard formats all together in place of online only availability. So, if you’ve just recorded your own music, and are at a loss as to how to proceed,  we at Zimrii are going to break down exactly what a distributor can do for you, and why we believe in a Blockchain encrypted digital future.

what a distributor can do for you

Old school distribution deals

Can you remember the last time you went into a record store? If the answer is no, then – you’re not alone. They’re harder to find, and even when you do – the prices on the fronts of the CDs might seem extortionate.

With less money earned from record sales, many labels don’t want to pay for bands studio process. In this case, they might offer you a distribution deal. The procedure required to get a distribution deal isn’t much different than a record deal, you send a demo to the distributor; they listen, they write back. The difference here, is that they won’t usually pay the money it costs to make the album (unless, of course, you have an M&D deal – but we’ll confess, those are on a downward spiral), but what they will do is get it into the stores. If your dream is to walk into HMV and see your CD there amongst the crowd, then, what a distributor can do for you, is get your music in the record shops.

In the past, physical distribution deals were used by larger artists to gain complete control over the music process – think Prince’s Paisley Park Records, which was distributed by Warner Brothers. Artists who could fund their own releases made up names of record labels, so if you ever see an ironic record-label name in brackets; that’s probably the artist themselves (you’d be hard pushed not to imagine the purple one in this colour). Thing is, unless you’ve got a fortune that’s akin to royalty, without the cash to fund expensive promotion and someone you employ to do your PR; you’re probably not going to end up with much profit from your album in store.

However, if your fan base is mostly younger, online, download in its nature – then you might be wondering what a distributor can do for you, if they’re a physical one. Truth is, physical distribution deals can often be more trouble than they’re worth. If you want your music heard, you need to put it where your fans are. Online.

So, what, you ask, was the solution to this? Enter the digital distribution revolution…

Digital distribution

It’s a fact that digital distribution sells the best. More than half of the revenue artists gets is from digital sales and royalties (and that’s when they don’t even catch up for months). This figure is on the rise, eternally, and will always be one that grows. We are firmly in the age of digital content, and music has never been easier to download, share, stream and sample.

In a contrast to physical distribution deals, digital couldn’t be more different.

Digital distribution was born from the idea that music should be openly and readily available for anyone, easy to access online. Generally there’s no selection process, or pitches – you simply sign up, pay a yearly fee, and upload your tracks to the world. This allows you ultimate control – you can put your tunes right in the lap of the fans. The digital distributor will put your songs everywhere and generate your unique ISRC number, upload your artwork to stores, and let these places know when your music is to be released. They’ll also put it up for pre-order, if you select the right option. 

In short, it’s ultimate independance and control over who hears your music; and the power remains entirely in your hands. Cool, huh?

But what’s the catch?

Whilst more profitable than physical distro, digital distro still suffers from two small problems. Royalties, and copyright. Despite requirements for your music to be uploaded 28 days before release, to get it in all stores – royalties will still take two to three months to come through. If physical distro goes out the window, and digital distro sours to great heights, then there has to be a solution to this, right?

We at Zimrii believe in change. That’s why we set up our vision of an ideal music future, Zimrii. Using cutting edge BlockChain technology (a read-write record that you can’t edit, only add too); we’ve brought you a platform that not only acts as a source of digital distribution; it uses smart contracts, fan engagement and global copyright. All in real time, so you get the money you deserve in minutes, not months. It’s basically our vision of the perfect answer to what a distributor can do for you. We hope you’ll jump on board with us and revolutionise your music. We think you deserve it.

subgenre of interest

21 Musical subgenres you might not have heard of

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Music is one of the most important parts of our culture. Even if you’re not a self-confessed music mogul, then you’ll love a good old sing along to a classic (‘We Will Rock You’, anyone?) So, it follows, that as the ease with which recording and sharing music grows, so do musical subgenres. At Zimrii, we’re into wonderful and wild subgenres, so we thought we’d bring together twenty-one of our favourites that you might not have heard of. 

Aggrotech

Aggrotech is a form of electro-industrial that has features of hard trance music. Our first musical subgenre, it has a techno bass drum and oscillator sounds. Aggrotech surfaced in the mid-late-1990s, and is the dark, aggressive, transgressive cousin of techno.

subgenre of interest

Sludge Metal

Sludge metal combines doom metal and hardcore punk. It’s loud, heavy, distorted, and focused on the creation of a dissonant sound.

subgenre of interest

Brostep

Brostep is the LADS musical subgenre of the music world. It’s dubstep, as played by your brother’s mate who’s played a little too much Call of Duty. And its focus is on its ability to create a filthy and disgusting sound. We’re going to need a shower.

subgenre of interest

Deep Discofox

Not just the pretty girl from your high-school disco; Discofox is a musical subgenre that evolved from the popularity of the Discofox dance in German Euro-discos of the 70s and 80s. Think Studio 54, Saturday Night Fever, disco beats and roller disco vibes.

subgenre of interest

Grindcore

Grindcore combines the most devious parts of your musical nightmares, winning the nastiest of the nasty crown. Untuned guitars, screams instead of vocals, and a high-speed tempo all feature; and this subgenre of interest is not for the faint of heart.

subgenre of interest

Shoegaze 

Moving away from metal, Indie subgenre shoegaze (so called by critics due to the singer’s tendency to stare down at effects pedals on stage) is next. It’s pretty much the polar opposite, and combines ethereal vocals, dreamy, effects laden flanged guitars and atmospheric soundscapes in which you slowly swim.

subgenre of interest

Nerdcore 

Nerdcore is exactly like it sounds. Hip-hop, but with themes of interest that you might consider “nerdy”. Think songs about spaceships, literature and Dungeons and Dragons. It’s also delivered what we at Zimrii consider the single best rap about Edgar Allan Poe. High praise, indeed; Lenore.

subgenre of interest

Steampunk

Keeping again, with a visual theme is Steampunk. A sci-fi fantasy genre, set in a world that favours an alternate history, drawing on 19th century British Victorian era where steam power has had a continued use – Steampunk music addresses historical and political issues at the time, or just focuses on the power of good ol’ cogs and steam.

subgenre of interest

Visual Kei

Taking this concept around the globe is Visual Kei. What cogs and steam are to Steampunk; frilly dresses, lace, and androgyny are to Visual Kei – and Japan. Visual Kei music is heavier than you’d expect, with catchy choruses that echo Western Glam-Rock gods.

subgenre of interest

Wizard Rock

Wizard rock bands are inspired by, you guessed it, their love of Harry Potter. It has a classic rock sound, paired with lyrics about the Harry Potterverse. Therefore, the band will often play in their house colours. So, before you see them, don’t forget to get your sorting hat on.

subgenre of interest

Chap Hop

Can you guess where this is going? Chap hop is hip-hop, but for those with more refined tastes. Gone is the social commentary and heavy beats, replaced with violins, the tea duel, and a dance where you bob up and down. I say!

subgenre of interest

Pirate Metal

Ok, so, we reckon you’ve got the hang of concept bands now. Do you want to guess what Pirate metal is? No, not fool’s gold. Or, rum for that matter. Its people dressed like pirates with kick-ass guitars and wenches no doubt called Polly – because dramatic irony isn’t dead.

subgenre of interest

Unblack Metal

If you’re looking for the Orphic Hymn to Hermes, you won’t find it here. Unblack Metal musical subgenre seeks to subvert the cliche of devil-worshipping black metal by giving god the chance his own rock anthem. After all, you can’t believe in one without the other, right…?

subgenre of interest

Bitpop

Nostalgic for retrogaming? Ever wish you could live your life inside the tetris soundtrack? The musical subgenre Bitpop has you covered. The answer to your 8-bit earworms, Bitpop is made entirely on the chips of old 8-bit and 16-bit games consoles.

subgenre of interest

C-86

It’s storytime now: once, many moons ago, in 1986, the NME was the ultimate in music reporting. They thought it would be nice to release a cassette tape of new bands they loved, who were signed to independent record labels. The tape primarily featured bands with power-pop structures (that’s the bit that makes your heart leap) and jangly guitars; and a musical subgenre heralded by awkward boys with floppy hair was born.

subgenre of interest

Ectofolk

Like C-86, Ectofolk evolved way back when mailing lists were still cool. This sound grew out of the long forgotten ‘Ecto’ mailing list. It’s ethereal, ghostly folk, the kind you’d not find out of place echoing through a dark cottage in the middle of the night when no one is home…

subgenre of interest

Solipsynthm

Solipsynthm is your best-friend’s-beau-who-went-travelling-on-his-gap-yah’s favourite type of music. It is truly the sound of the hipster elite, and uses a solo laptop on a voyage of lonesome electronica. It’s sparse, weird, and wonderful.

subgenre of interest

lowercase

Along the same lines, then, is lowercase. This electro, single laptop genre focuses on giving volume to ambient, incidental sounds. The whurr of a fan, the clicks of the keyboard, and the sighs of your co-workers. It can bring you a great sense of focus in-the-moment, just give it a miss if you’re misophonic.

Krishnacore

Taking the prize for the second most improbable subgenre of interest is Krishnacore. Punk music; but with Hare Krishna values. If you think that the anger of punk has no place with peace then you’re mistaken. Punk music has long had ties with social and political change, and Krishnacore paved the way to the mindfulness revolution we see everywhere today.

subgenre of interest

Zydeco

Zydeco was made for dancin’. It hails from Louisiana, and features a tempo quicker than a horse can gallop, accordion, and scrub or wash-board (to play). It was developed by Creole musicians so they would have music to dance to when they got together socially, and packs one hell of a blues punch.

subgenre of interest

Burger-Highlife

Of course, we left the best for last. Burger-Highlife. Jazzy horns and an abundance of guitars from Ghana fuse with German disco and funk to create this truly unique style. Ghanaian immigrants to Germany in the late 70s and early 80s came up with it. They brought their musical styles to the culture of that decade in Deutschland. Lecker! Shame you can’t eat it. It’s lunchtime and we’re kind of hungry.

subgenre of interest

Got a favourite music subgenre of interest? Tell us what! Then why not join Zimrii, the innovative music platform that allows you total control of your music business. Using BlockChain technology to register your Copyright and lock-down your ownership, Zimrii uses Smart Contracts and integrated crowdfunding features to help you connect with your audience and earn direct to artist – cutting away the outdated middleman. It’s the twenty-first century music revolution!

start your own podcast

How to start your own podcast

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Rejoice! Edison Research have proved that podcasts are here to stay. If you’re familiar with them, you’ve probably already eagerly raced through This American Life, Mysterious Circumstances and S-Town. So, it follows that at some point, you’ll begin to think you could start your own podcast.

The good news is you don’t need much to cast your voice into the net. At its core, your podcast will survive on your information, and your unique personality. So, what next? To help, we’ve put together a list on how to start your very own podcast.

start your own podcast

Choose your topic

If you’re going to give yourself a voice, you’ve got to figure out exactly what you want to say. These days, you’ll find podcasts on every subject imaginable. But don’t let that get you down! That abstract hobby you’ve had since you were small? It now has a voice. Be sure to make this as niche as possible, for example – a podcast about blues music will not do as well as a podcast about the early buccaneers of bluegrass, pre-1950. The beautiful thing about the internet is that it connects us from all corners of the earth; so, trust us, no niche these days is too small. What makes your podcast perfect, and you unique? If it’s that you’re discussing retro bluegrass whilst sipping on a fine vintage whiskey, let your listeners know. The more obscure, the better!

Get the right equipment

We all know that a bad worker blames their tools, but in the podcast world, getting the right microphone is key to sound success. Very few podcasts can pull off the low budget, late night radio feel. Unless you’re aiming to create a surreal sensation, then when you start your own podcast, steer well clear of grainy, low-quality sound.

These days, they make microphones with USB connectors. You simply plug your piece in, and get to recording. With spoken word, it’s probably best you also invest in a pop-shield to help you reduce bumps and thuds on the recording. Unless, of course, you want your listeners to jump out of their skin.

Get the right software

The most sensational piece of Software to use when you start your own podcast, is the mighty Audacity. Much loved and much heralded for many years, it’s simple interface and drag-and-drop ability helps it to be simple, smart and help you reach success. There are other options, like GarageBand, and Adobe Audition – but these require payment; so, you’re only best using these if you’re seeking radio-safe audio quality.

If your podcast is one which you fly solo, then a single microphone will do. Audacity will only support single track recording, which works with one-person-bands, but if your show involves Skype collaborations or interviews, then you’re going to need to get creative. Software like MP3SkypeRecorder or Pamela will record your Skype sessions, allowing you to collaborate without the cost of flights.

Record

What’s true of writing is also true when you start your own podcast. No, not write drunk, edit sober (although, you may like to have a glass of wine to loosen your nerves), it’s just hit the record button, relax, and start chatting. The best podcasts are those that express the strong spirit and perfect personalities of the hosts alongside their passion for their chosen subject matter. Try and imagine a friend in the room with you. No matter how much you record, you can always edit, re-record, or chop out pieces of information that should remain precious, or private. What we’re saying, is go with the flow.

Who are you?

Next, you’ve got to think of a name. Make it something short and snappy, but that is also searchable. Sure, your podcast will have tags, but it’s also going to get way more hits if it has the name of what you’re talking about is in the title. In the great sea of podcasts, make it easy for your listeners to find their fish. Also, create an icon that catches the eye. Remember, it’ll be displayed one inch by one inch on a mobile phone – so, keep it bright, simple, and brilliant.

The host with the most

So, next, you’ve got to find a host – a place online that’ll store your audio files, create an RSS feed, and offer you other fun add-ons like a podcast website and SEO tools. As you can guess, there are many different hosting packages, all built to serve your unique podcasting needs. Some popular choices are PodBean, Podomatic, Lybsyn, Soundcloud and Fireside – and for this one, you’re just gonna have to do some groundwork. Trust us though, if you’re on the hunt for a specific set of conditions, then there’ll be a way to get them.

ITunes

There are a whole host of libraries you could submit your polished podcast too, but the one with the widest range is iTunes. Click here to check your tags meet the iTunes spec, then copy your podcast RSS url. Download iTunes, and locate the “submit a podcast” link. Hit next, and your podcast will be reviewed by a team of real-life people somewhere in-between 24 hours and two weeks. It’s a good idea to have three or more episodes up, as this will give you a better chance of being validated.

Ready to start your own podcast? Post a link to your show. Then join Zimrii, the innovative music platform that allows you total control of your music business. Using BlockChain technology to register your Copyright and lock-down your ownership, Zimrii uses Smart Contracts and integrated crowdfunding features to help you connect with your audience and earn direct to artist – cutting away the outdated middleman. It’s the twenty-first century music revolution!

Album artworks of 2017

5 Of our favourite album artworks of 2017

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When your favourite artist drops their latest album, quite rightly you just can’t wait to get into the music. Beyond that, to some, the rest of the album is just packaging. In some cases, that’s quite the right attitude to have – after all, there’s some pretty shoddy album art out there. However, to ignore the relevancy of album artwork is to dismissively consign the likes of the Abbey Road, Dark Side of the Moon, and London Calling sleeves to the side of your record player without a second glance. We’d argue that that kind of behaviour is simply criminal. Album artwork has thrown up some of the most important and impressive artworks of all time. Many of which have become iconic cultural symbols in their own right. Last year was a bumper year for genuinely excellent cover work. So, without further ado, here are our favourite album artworks of 2017.

1. The National: Sleep Well Beast

Sleep Well Beast is the 7th studio album by American indie rock outfit The National, and its cover features first in our list of favourite album artworks of 2017. This gorgeous shot, taken by Graham MacIndoe, of The National guitarist Aaron Dessner’s New York barn/recording studio is utterly captivating. British design firms Pentagram over saw the album’s art direction and have produced a great overall visual product – which was rewarded with a Grammy nomination for ‘Best Recording Package’. See the cover in all its glory here.

Album artworks of 2017
The National/4AD

2. Father John Misty: Pure Comedy

Edward Steed, celebrated cartoonist for The New Yorker, is the artist responsible for this most arresting of album covers. Resembling a grown-up ‘Where’s Wally’ scene, this cover is a morass of zany, satirical depictions of myriad modern life situations. Every time you look at this sleeve you’ll see something new, and it’ll delight you each time. See the cover in all its glory here.

Album artworks of 2017
Sub Pop/Bella Union

3. Lorde: Melodrama

“Nighttime attitudes” was the given definition for the theme and stylistic tones of Lorde’s 2017 album, Melodrama. This informs the content of the album, and the spirit of the “nighttime attitudes” sentiment is equally encapsulated by the artwork. The album cover is the work of the artist Sam McKinniss. His intimate, blue-lit portrait of a sleepless Lorde is the perfect visual accompaniment to the music. See the cover in all its glory here.

Album artworks of 2017
Lava Records/Republic Records

4. Tyler, the Creator: Flower Boy

Tyler, The Creator’s album Flower Boy was officially released with two covers; one the work of the rapper himself, the other a piece by the artist Eric White. It is the latter example which makes our list. The peach sky, rolling hills, giant bumblebees that obscure the artist’s face and distant sports car all combine to create a startling image that asks more questions that it attempts to answer. All that does is make us want to listen to the record more – surely, the highest praise any album art can receive. See the cover in all its glory here.

Album artworks of 2017
Columbia Records

5. Logic: Everybody

Sam Spratt’s dense, overwhelming artwork for Logic’s album, Everybody, has drawn praise as a modern Sgt. Pepper. Inspired by Paolo Veronese’s 1563 masterpiece The Wedding Feast at Cana, Spratt’s work is a barrage of cultural references and figures with some connection to Logic. Of all our favourite album artworks of 2017, this is perhaps the most ambitious, and it pulls it off. See the cover in all its glory here.

Album artworks of 2017
Visionary Music Group/Def Jam Recordings

We can’t wait to see what great album artworks 2018 inspires – after the album artworks of 2017, it has a lot to live up to. We hope to see the standard of album artworks growing from strength to strength, with musicians and artists taking more and more risks.

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