I have kind of a strange New Year’s Eve tradition: I make a list of everything I’d like to be free of. Then, I burn it. And then I flush it. Double catharsis.
On that note, I thought it might be handy to have a list of the Top 10 CUT THROUGH THE NOISE posts of 2009 to not burn/flush and to hopefully (!) reread/re-forward.:
1. Content Is Not King
It’s YOUR job to identify and celebrate your fans, to turn them into super-fans; your brand runs on super-fans.
2. The New Free
Free is dead. Over. Overdone. We killed it.
3. Size Matters
It’s not the length that matters… it’s how you use it.
4. I’m Broke But Here’s $100 Anyway
Sell me a shared experience. Not only will you get my money (even when I don’t have it to give) but also free publicity (as I brag to all my friends).
5. Everyone’s a Lazy Idiot (Including Me)
Newsletters, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc… if you’re still pooh-poohing any of these, wake the fuck up.
6. My Mom Wants Your Fans
If you don’t have me at RT, somebody else will. And that somebody could very well be my mom. Or your mom. Or Joe the Plumber.
7. When You Don’t Ask, the Answer Is Always No
Not asking is like leaving money lying on the table.
8. Lefsetz Is Wrong
The way you make me feel about your product handily trumps the actual product. In a heartbeat.
9. Think Outside the Tribe
Other than your music, what else do your fans have in common?
10. My English Major Beat the Crap Out Of Your Rockstar
Not only do you have to make great music, you have to learn how to write about it.
Happy New Year!
xo
12/28/09 | Comments (0)Tags: Bob Lefsetz, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Fans, KATE BRADLEY, MASOKO SOCIAL, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Seth Godin, shared experience, The New Free, The Value of Emotional Value, Tribes, Twitter —
Generally, we stick to music here on the OUTLANDOS blog. But once a month, we digress. The idea being that if we share the same taste in music, we likely share the same taste in other stuff, lifestyle stuff. It’s kind of like what we do with THE DAILY DOSE; by associating music with “other stuff” — in this case wine and cheese — it adds a greater value to the music, an expanded aesthetic experience. So that’s the theme for IN SHORT, monthly recommendations of “other stuff” that we think you’ll like, will perk your interest or at the very least make you chuckle. Hence, a review of 2009, the Top Five:
1. Fans
It’s a recurring theme around OUTLANDOS HQ, not only the power of fans but also what to do with it (more on that next week). But for now, just again touching on the idea that We can help.
2. Boxed Wine
Been trying it out this year and I can honestly tell you, it’s not bad. As in, good. Especially for a table wine around the house. And both cheaper and environmentally more friendly with 4 to 6 bottles of wine condensed into one box. Less waste. Black Box is our current fave, if you can find it.
3. Razor Saver
Yes, you can actually sharpen the razor blades you shave with instead of plunking down 20 or so bucks for new ones. It saves a ton of money and it’s environmentally friendly. I bought mine about 3 years ago and I think I’ve purchased a total of 20 blades since… and I mean individual blades, like a couple of 10 packs. It’s totally awesome, idiot-proof and it’s $12. Everyone needs one of these.
4. Breakfast at Sulimay’s
It’s bunch of older folks reviewing new music, most of which is alternative. They are insightful and at the same time hilarious. You will pee your pants. You likely also go and buy some of the stuff they recommend.
5. Autotune the News
The only way to get your news. These guys compile a montage of current stories and autotune the voices so it’s kind of like CNN meets Broadway meets Cher. Ridiculously brilliant.
xo
12/22/09 | Comments (0)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, IN SHORT, KATE BRADLEY, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:
1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up 
Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick. |
2. Chris Velan, Solidago
Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner. |
3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent
A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits. |
4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas
Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot. |
5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory
Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck. |
6. Contramano, Contramano
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. |
7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear 
The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style. |
8. Passion Pit, Manners 
A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth. |
9. Gary Yerkins, Compass 
Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem. xo |
Tags: Bob Marley, Cheap Trick, Chris Velan, Contramano, CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, David Bowie, Echo and the Bunnymen, Fountains of Wayne, Gary Yerkins, Gerry Rafferty, Gidgets Ga Ga, Glasvegas, Jason Lehning, KATE BRADLEY, Michael Miller, Mike Gent, NOW PLAYING, OUTLANDOS MUSIC, Passion Pit, Paul Simon, Pete Droge, Robert Cray, Roman Candle, Steely Dan, Steve Forbert, Strawberry Alarm Clock, Supertramp, The Bees, The Figgs, The Jackson 5, The Silver Seas, The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Wilco —
Guest post this week from Michael “Mick” Flores of my new fave band, Gidgets Ga Ga, self-described as a “Midwestern powerpop trio with grit, wit, spirit and musicality. Imagine The Replacements getting jumped by The Beatles and The Monkees then molested by The Who & Nirvana.” I couldn’t have said it better. Take it away Mick…
Dear 7-year-old Me,
I’m writing this letter to you because you are 7 years old and you don’t know what life has in store for you. So I am going to fill you in on some things.
I’m still knocked out by the musical tsunami I heard in the basement. You know exactly what I am talking about. When you heard that song for the first time. It still happens to you when you hear it.
Music was and still is the answer. Music is your call. You will never have a doubt that music is calling your name. You were scratching before it was cool and an art form. (Note to self: scratching a record with a needle makes it skip!)
Remember when Mom gave you your first guitar? It was really a gift to Mom from Dad for Valentine’s Day. Mom wanted to learn how to play but it was too hard on her fingers so she did what any good mom would do. She gave it to you. Remember her handing it over and looking you in the eye when you told her you wanted to be a musician? And her words of wisdom as she handed it to you were: “That’s great son, just remember musicians suffer and a musician’s life is a hard life. Great musicians have to suffer and you have to suffer to make great music. You my son, have not suffered enough.” So you said what any smart-ass kid would say and told her, “Let the suffering begin!” Needless to say, that guitar wasn’t any kinder to you than it was to Mom. It was a lot harder on your fingers as they blistered, peeled and bled out.
I still admire the fact that Mom has a deep understanding of the heart and soul of artists and musicians. Although she was not a musician herself, she sure knew how to enlighten you as an aspiring one. She still does to this day. She taught you how to hear the tinge of sadness in the happy music you listen to, never letting you forget how that emotional duality is what makes a great song great. The lyrics, the melody, and the music working in unison to create songs that live on forever. Out of all the advice she has given, this was the most useful and absolutely true.
So, dearest 7-year-old Me, you’ve learned and continue to learn so much. But the below list might make your musical journey easier, so refer to it. The order of the list is unimportant as each item is of equal importance. Print this list. You will need to, Grasshopper, if you want to walk the toilet paper.
- Never give up.
- Balance is essential. Be the moderation man. Too much is never enough and not enough is sad.
- Never give up.
- Wear clean underwear just in case you’re in an accident.
- Wash, rinse, repeat!
- Never give up.
- Please and thank you never go out of style. Be grateful.
- Never give up.
- Spinal Tap is required movie viewing for all musicians.
- Remember Stompy Joe!
- Never give up.
- Never use a house vocal mic. It’s like using someone else’s hanky. Live healthy!
- Never give up.
- Choose your bandmates wisely. Seriously — this is way important.
- Never give up.
- Beware of hired guns and those who carry them.
- Never give up.
- Patience; great things happen in their own time. Remember the harder you push, the more you may elude the very things you seek.
- Never give up.
- We are nothing without love. Money can’t buy you love (except in Vegas and it’s a wee bit expensive). You will never have to pay for it.
- Never give up.
- Happiness is our own creation and we choose to create it.
- Never give up.
- Make peace, get a piece.
- Never give up.
- Great songs are the ones you want to finish. Always serve the song.
- Never give up.
- Have as much fun as you can and get caught having it.
- Never give up.
Sincerely Yours in Rock & Roll,
— Me (that means you!)
12/7/09 | Comments (1)Tags: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, Gidgets Ga Ga, KATE BRADLEY, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, OUTLANDOS MUSIC —
