The intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and music is forging a new frontier in the creative arts. AI-driven platforms have begun to scratch the surface of music composition, performance, and even consumption. From AI algorithms that can generate original compositions to systems that can perform music with emotional depth, the possibilities appear almost limitless.
Releasing singles was a huge part of the strategies of major labels in the past decades, and just as much, releasing singles as an independent musician offers numerous benefits for your musical journey. It allows you to grab attention, build momentum, test the waters, maximize exposure, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Vinyl has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with many people choosing to buy vinyl records instead of CDs due to the unique sound quality, nostalgia, collectability, artwork, and support of independent artists that vinyl records offer. While CDs and digital downloads still have their place in the music industry, many music fans are embracing the physicality and uniqueness of vinyl records.
In the early 2000s, the digipack became the packaging of choice for many indie and alternative artists. These artists valued the digipack's DIY aesthetic and its ability to be produced in small quantities without the need for expensive equipment. This redefined the conceptuality of the album cover designs as well; as seemless designs were back in the game...
Creating a press pack (or electronic press kit, EPK, whichever you call it) requires a solid understanding of the goals and objectives of a musician/music formation/recent release you are promoting. Here are some musts and tips on how to write a press pack for a musician.
Have you ever wondered why albums are with their specific lengths? Was it always like this? When do we call a group of pieces an “album”? How does one decide when an album is finished?
Going solo or as part of the team; it doesn’t matter whichever path you take, there is a high chance you will be collabing with a few outsiders along the way on your career.
Communication skills are the key when it comes to bringing the product (your music) to the highest level possible.
Having an “album cover suitable” photograph and a design that goes well with it requires a different set of tools and skills than the one might need to take, say, a selfie.
Most of us associate seeing the artist on the album cover design to the artist being “known” already. This comes from the fact that the idea of “recognizable” is often paired up with a photographical presentation. Yet this does not have to be the case in the first album of someone that the world doesn’t know yet. It might sound scary to start with a “you” on your first music release, but if that is the path you wish to take, remember that this was one of the most natural ways for anyone to start their journey.
Be that you are an aspiring musician working on releasing their first single, or an experienced recording artist, you will find yourself in moments in your life in which you must make a decision: working by yourself or teaming up with others.
The connection between you and your target audience grows stronger at special times of the year, and sometimes in special years. Important thing is to get ready ahead of time because time runs faster near the holidays. So when releasing seasonal music, independent artists must take a few things in mind.
Since the millennium, the number of stylistic differences began growing exponentially in the album design world. Because today’s independent musicians have the right to produce in all the subgenres without a boss telling “that’s the trend of five years ago, don’t do that.”
There are bands that when we look at their new album cover designs from far away we still get to recognize the musicians without even seeing the band logo. Then there are musicians that each album cover art of theirs look like it has been done by an entirely different army of production artists. Why do they do it the way they do it?
People need connection. Regularity creates connection. Hours spent looking at your content by one person is more valuable than how many people you reached for one millisecond. And for this reason, it is important to have a solid release formula.
We know too many musicians that have been there, asked that. Having active SoundCloud accounts, busy YouTube channels, sharing their music and musicianship positively shamelessly, sharing everything they got, while gulping with the idea of having an artist profile on Spotify, iTunes and other platforms. If you can relate yourself to them, this article is for you.
Audience need to recognize what music you are making in a millisecond. They are good at doing this because it is crucial for them. They go for the thing they can place in their orbit because although we are talking about music, we are talking about identity. And identity starts with first impression; often visual.
Budgeting (of time and of money) was, is and will always be a huge part of the music business. How can it be done though? We have to be our own business manager while being musicians as well.
Retro is here to stay. In fact, retro has been here for a long time, maybe it was there even before you were born, which leads us to the question: “What is retro after all?”
This is a question you should ask yourself many times, when imagining your next album cover art. It will help you reach much quicker to the album cover design you really need.
Once you start catching consciously the differences between Serif and Sans-Serif you begin to notice where you can find more of one font or the other. Their details convey different messages and help the reader to perceive better the written information, be that your band name, or your album title.
Covid-19 era musicians that reached these days already showed that there is strength in creative minds that can’t be pushed aside by the pandemic. But just like in any other frontier, the musicians needed to learn and adapt to the current circumstances...
All the hard work of a musician, if not presented well on media before its actual release, can disappear as fast as it appears. Which is why timelining a promotion strategy is a crucial part of being a succesful musician.
What do you look for when you're browsing through out catalogue? Have you ever allowed yourself to perceive the meanings of the colours of your favorite album art?
What used to be a plain, text-based tag to keep information written down on the LP turned into a stylish, highly fashion-driven artform of its own in only a few decades.
From a simple protective nature to become iconic symbols of music, album covers have shaped our world and minds. They are the visual ID of the musicians!
Where should you publish your music? Releasing it on online platforms is a good idea. What about having also your music in Cassette tape, CD, or LP format?
