Dual Processor Mac off to get fixed....

The brain of our recording studio, the dual processor Powermac has been disassembled. The logic board, processor module, video card and RAM have been shipped to a place in California for repair.

Not the biggest news but that dual pross box is missed.


Brad

A New Mode

Time for a little reflection on the state of music. As an indie act one of the big challenges is connecting with the audience. On stage this is not difficult. The audience is present and is exposed to not only the music but also the band's persona. Playing clubs gives the audience the ability to see the set up and tear down also the chance to talk with band members.

Online it is another matter. The connection comes from exposure, interviews, press, marketing and promotion and the access to music. Yet still there is also a personality that emerges thanks to the intimacy of the internet. For instance you are reading the actual words I am typing into this blog. We are connected in that way. BLogs and sites like Myspace offers musicians and fans unprecedented interaction...it is like a giant dormitory. You can stop and visit freely and people are more open to interacting with new faces. Bands to are opening up more and being more personal with potential fans.

The music industry is struggling with this intimacy. Carefully packaged images are still successful but we have seen artists emerge from the internet that have completely bypassed the major label starmaking machine. Big packaged images set the performer far apart from reality and still have a large appeal for fans due to the celebrity that forms from the image. However the end result is "cookie cutter" corporate image and fast recycling of the same tired personas. The music industry is about taking new images and replicating them to maximize profits from the "next latest thing". But the harder the industry tries to maintain the image making model the wider to door is left open for other modes of operation.

Listeners have changed how they listen to music as well. Listeners are placing less importance on the album and focusing on the song more. Mp3 players, online playlists, iPods, internet radio have acclimated the music fan to "random play". As the listeners habits have changed so to has the artist. Albums are becoming more diverse, artists are freer create music that is not beholden to any particular genre.

That is a struggle. Because to write and create what pleases the artist is still perceived by the "old school" music industry as unfocused. The Neil Young lawsuit for a "Young not making a Neil Young album" is an example. That perception is wrong. Take for instance our album, "Strip Mall Heaven" as a album it does range across genres and requires a fairly wide range of musical taste to appreciate. However if the same music was packaged and released in multiple sets of 3-4 songs each and different picture can emerge.

An interesting model. Artist development in the 60's through the 70's was a multiple album deal spanning multiple years. This same concept will apply it is simply condensed. Now it can be a two year three release 12-14 song deal. Same concept just streamlined. The new Warner record company is doing just that. Cordless records was recently announced and it strikes me as a very intriguing business model that could potentially be the key to tipping the music scales to favor all online digital media distribution models.

What does that all mean for the future...well it is already being seen an EP is launching bands more frequently now....we may not see the CD as a media format go away anytime soon but we will see more releases, more often with fewer songs on each released at a lower cost with the bulk of distribution coming digitally.

Strangely enough music fans are more inclined to purchase 3 songs for $5 rather than 12 songs for $12. It seems the fans not so much concerned about the money but more of the intellectual capital required to get through an entire 50-70 minute CD. Fans are more willing to give 9-12 minutes to a band initially because they know it will be over soon. Call it the escape clause in the listener contract. The full length album is simply more demanding on the listener and it may be asking to much of today's listener.

Hot Band Marketing Tips

Everyone knows that bathrooms are the best place to market your band. I know when I see a band sticker on the bathroom walls or even in the urinal...I think "How cool is that." I then seek out the band and buy their CD and other merch. If it's good enough for a filthy bathroom, its good enough to wear for sure. Any band that puts a sticker in the urinal make me want to shake their hand and say "..awesome job bro that is so classy".




Here is some examples of band marketing worthy of Rock and Roll Confidential found at The Klinic in Madison. I am sure the bands will ensure a return gig with a well place bathroom sticker. Lots of respect here...notice how they don't overlap. These bands are true to the "scene".

I can't wait to get our stickers and start doing some "marketing".

Klinic Show

Here we are at the Klinic in Madison...

Thanks Jen for taking the snap.

Soul Amp is on iTunes

Our album "Strip Mall Heaven" is now available on Apple's iTunes music store.

I'm stoked. Now how does one get a blurb on the front page of iTunes...?

New Studio New Beginning

We've dismatled the "Cat Box" studio. With little fan fare our home for the past 18 months has been turned over to my daughter for her band's hang out and rehearsal space.

Soul Amp has new digs in West Allis. We are building the studio up now. We've moved the gear over and still have to move the recording equipment and from fixtures. The new space is larger and more sound proof...less stinky and drier.

With that we are now laying plans for the next disk. We are winding up our gigging in December and are taking a "house: gig at The House of Guinness (HOG) in Waukesha while we write and record the next album. We'll be playing the 2nd Thursday of the month starting in December. So the next date is December 8.

We'll be giving away CD-Rs of pre-production songs as we build up a catalog for the next album. Playing the HOG on regular basis once a month gives us the a place to break in new songs nad we get the whole night. We play 3 full sets. Open up and jam and try different instumentation.

We'll still take any cool gigs that I might book. I'd still like to get to CHicago and Minneapolis before the new year is too old.

We'll that's the score for now. Come to the HOG....we'll be their.

November 10 - Madison

We'll be returning to The Klinic on thursday November 10th. The Dammitheads from Racine and Jeff Caissie from Madison will be joining us.

Spooky - Main Stage - 29th

We'll be at the Main Stage fronting Standing Noise as they rip through all of Led Zep II.

We are wearing a "sound costume".

We're gonna to a "jam-band" type set...and toss in a few songs. Should be fun.

CDBaby Restocking Inventory

Hey folks. We've sent more disks out to CDBaby to replenish inventory after this past weekends gig in Milwaukee. The article at OnMilwaukee.com has emptied our inventory at CDBaby.com so hang on more are on the way.

Brad

First Press!

On Milwaukee.com has written an article on us and has given the first press for "Strip Mall Heaven".

We are totally stoked.

Read it here.

House of Guinness - October 20

Be there will be fun. Starting around 8:30-9.

House of Guinness
354 Main Street
Historic Downtown Waukesha, WI

http://www.houseofguinness.com


For Immediate Release

Soul Amp plays Waukesha's House of Guinness - Thursday October 20th. 9 p.m.

One would not expect a traditional Irish pub known for it's depth in presenting international touring Irish bands to host a local non-Irish rock band particularly one that plays all original music. But when it comes to rock it is hard to pin down Soul Amp. Soul Amp is known for their songwriting and eclectic performances that run the gamut of indie pop, adult album alternative, rock and Americana. Toss in a little jam or two and even a raucous pop punk tune you have a enjoyable evening of music from one band.

The Waukesha three piece of guitar, keyboards and drums has shown they can adapt to a variety of venues from coffee houses to hard rock venues across south east Wisconsin, drawing on a music catalog of dozens of original songs, flexibility and a keen stage awareness.
The band's debut album "Strip Mall Heaven" released on their own label is a sampling of the many songs written, recorded and produced by singer/guitarist Brad Odland and keyboardist Mike Fisk. The disk has challenged recent reviewers to pin this band down but find that there doesn't have to be any pigeonholing required to enjoy the finely crafted songs and improvised excursions from this atypical band. Waukesha native and veteran drummer Mike Netteshiem completes the trio.

More about Soul Amp visit the band's website at

http://www.soul-amp.com

House of Guinness is located at 354 W. Main street in historic downtown Waukesha.

http://www.houseofguinness.com

Purevolume - Rock 102.1 "The Scene"

Bit of news...

I set up a profile and we've been accepted to Purevolume.com In a few days you can play two tracks from Strip Mall Heaven there.

Also we got a play of "Seeing Jimmy" on Milwaukee's Alternative 102.1 thanks to DJ Kramp and his show "The Scene".

Bands looking goet some air time on Milwaukees premier Alt Rock station should send recent releaases to:

The Scene c/o Brian Kramp
102.1 Milwaukee's Alternative
2979 N. Mayfair Road
Milwaukee WI 53222 USA

And here is another plug for October 15th....
Also don't forget about October 20th at the House of Guiness in Waukesha. That is going to be an earlier show and will be a up close and intimate evening of music. We'll be doing some jams in addition to our songs and we'll be mixing it up a bit on the intstrumentation quite possibly. All in all it will be a nice all Soul Amp show.

Onopa on Saturday

We're playing Onopa Brewing (http://www.onopabrewery.com) this coming Saturday Oct 15 with Dallas Orbiter (http://www.dallasorbiter.com/) and The Willis ( http://www.myspace.com/thewillis). Show starts at 10 PM. Be sure to check out the music on these bands' websites. They rock.

Onopa's address:

735 E Center St
Milwaukee, WI

Here's a map:

Interactive Map

See ya there!

Hey Douchebag! Your Band Sucks.

I ran across this site the other day

Rock and Roll Confidential

It is a humbling place to visit for any new band. It is a site celebrating all that is bad in local rock music scenes everywhere. You know mullets, brickwalls, railroad tracks, bad metal. They should rename the site "whatnottodoinarockband.com"

After you stop vomiting and questioning every last thing you have done, make sure you view the RRCTV video's. Specifically episode two with Phraap. Because the vast majority of rock and roll is exactly what those bands are and we all have some level of douchbag in all of us...(ewwwww yuk....I can't believe I just typed that...lol)

Funny thing is the spirit is there....misguided as it maybe, as schlocky as it is you can't help but be drawn in by the band's dedication to underachievment. Lucky for the band who find themselves under the eye of RRC as it may be the only modicum of fame they will grasp. It makes one wonder just what defines success? A big contract? Millions of dollars...or simply to play a decent show, get paid, make a album or two and maybe touch a few people along the way...(hey don't go there...). I know for us it is simply do what we do and move on. Maybe sell a few disks here and there and write some decent songs that at the end of the day you can still stick in the CD player and listen to once in a while. I know I have boxes of old recordings, song ideas that every once in a while I take out and listen to....and ask myself...."What the hell was I thinking?" As M2 puts....it's the "horror" part in "for the glory and the horror" that is rock and roll. It is inescapable for any band to avoid. There will always be the horror you just have to cope with it...learn to accept your inner "douchebag"....(oh man I am cracking myself now.) That is what this blog and our podcast is all about. Call it a movement...a large, foul and uncomfortable hard rock movement as bands are exposing themselves more and more on the internet in attempts to climb above the fray. (how about that imagery...)

So maybe the band Phraap is perfectly comfortable with their stoned and drunk douchebag rock and roll status...so it's okay to laugh with them and maybe take a pull too. It's all part of the show.

One thing is for sure....I am glad we didn't use the brickwall pic....though I must admit...this one could make the hall of douchebags....

Brad

P.S. - If you are thinking of submitting us...don't bother I already did.

The quest for reviews....

This is from Splendid Zine.

It is the CDs they threw away....many unopened. Unassigned or awaiting review.

I am sure this is the same at every magazine and places where artists are looking for reviews. So just sending a disk is not really enough.

There are forty-seven million other bands clogging inboxes.

Listening to SomaFM's "Indie Pop Rocks" channel on iTunes Radio it becaome painfully clear just how much really great music is made everyday.....

persistence.

that is all.

Oshkosh ROCKS! Part I

What a show at the New Moon last saturday. Than ks to a booking "snafu" we ended up on six act bill. Due to a lost calendar the New Moon owner booked three acts when The Willis's front man had already lined up four bands. The result? One great show with lots of diversity. then hitting the Reptile Palace and some rehersal studio's for after parties...Oshkosh was a shit load of fun. Great audience, cool people and great music.

First up...Soul Amp at ten to eight.



Then Old Seed came up but we didn't get a pic of him so here is one from his website and some info and his website is here
I chatted with Old Seed between sets and he's been traveling all over the world playing his Neil Young meets Dylan, meets John Prine singer songwriter show. He's got a depth and genuine soul...we donated our cut of the door to his bus ticket to Winnepeg.

After Old Seed came The Collective. We did not get pix of them either but they were sporting viola and cello. I'll edit with more info on them. They were also quite good.

Then Southerly, a singer songwriter who Old Seed thought was like Nick Drake and Elvis Costello.



Again another most excellent set. We got his disk as well....signed too. All the acts we got thier disks except Willis...they didn't have one out yet.

Then Those Royals....Punk slightly Emo type band from Milwaukee, loud and very tight....they played a great energetic set.





Then the most awesome The Willis...





After the show broke up we headed off to the Reptile Palace....that will be in part two...



Photos by Vanessa, Brad and M1.

CD Is On CDBaby

Well all the pieces are coming into place now. We are getting the disk out into stores around SE Wisconsin. Making contacts for wider regional distribution and the media campaign has started with mailings to regional and national publications for review. We have also started a Radio campaign focused at regional indie and college radio. With the occasional commercial station that has a indie show like WJJO in Madison.

Over the coming weeks and months we'll be expanding the exposure of this disk in an ever widening circle. Our goal is to sell 10,000 disks by this time next year. We are at the very start and it is a long haul to get to that mark, but anything is possible.

The whole CD thing is just one part. Digital distribution is going to be important as well. iTunes, eMusic, Napster and a host of other online pay for download sites are on the list and we'll be maintaining our online presence with Podcasts, this blog and our MySpace site.

Right now "Strip Mall Heaven" should be in the listening kiosks at Atomic Records in Milwaukee. So if you are there make sure you stop in and you will get a chance to preview the entire disk.

Brad

The Klinic Gig

We made our first "road gig" as Soul Amp this past weekend. We played at the Klinic Bar in Madison. the Klinic is on Park Street near campus of UW. Neat place actually and rather good sound.

After loading gear, we piled into m2's truck, with me riding "bitch" in the middle. Being the small one you know. Had a couple of errands to run so we left Waueksha at 5:30. Got to Madtown at 6:30 and stopped at WORT radio to drop a disk off. WORT is one of the coolest Radio stations. Like WMSE Milwaukee and KFAI in Minneapolis the station is a community radio station with lots of cool music. So needless to say it was a "must stop".

We went in a dropped a disk to a very nice woman, she put it in the station manager's box and asked us about the band.




WORT's cool sign.



M2 and Brad standing outside WORT Radio in Madison.

After that we headed to State street to put some disks on consignment at The Exclusive Company Wisconsin's largest indie record chain. (I think). We walked right past the store and ended uphaving a brat and beer at State Street Brats. On the return trip down State we found the store and placed 5 disks with them. I am checking in what it will take to get in all their stores.

Then on to the Klinc...

And there we are...our name almost in lights....



Marqee at Klinic



M2 and Brad heading in.

Gig went well. Johnathon Kuss and the Corporation had apparently cancelled and we played two sets infront of PINE. A cool EMO like rock band. We had a good time. Loaded out and watched Pine. Suggested they get over to madPlanet and play some all ages shows. They would do well. Intereting note. Madison has a smoking ban in effect for all bars and restaurants now. It was amazing. First time ever for me to play a gig and not smell like smoke afterwards. However there were times when half entire audience would get up and walk outside for a smoke. They said "we can still hear you..".



The stage at the Klinic.

We played pretty good. Thoguh the second set was hit or miss as we hadn;t counted on playing a second set. But they loved us...and we had fun. Sold ONE disk and covered our gas with our cut of the door. Trevor made sure we had plenty of beer for playing another set...

Disk Availability

Disks are at Cosmic Records in Waukesha now,

CDBaby account is being set up. We have to send them some disks via snail mail so it will be a week or so before it is available.

Atomic Records has agreed to handle a few as well. We'll be dropping some disks to them in the coming days.

Right now best bet is at gigs or to bump into one of us in Waukesha at SPrizzo on wednesday's. We ussually hit the feed bag there before rehersals.


Brad

Strip Mall Heaven is Here!

The CDs arrived from the manufacturer on Tuesday. They look great. We'll soon post information on where they can be purchased (locally and online).

See you at the Klinic gig in Madison tomorrow night (Friday, 9/2... we go on at 9 PM)