Welcome to episode 10 of The Music Biz Weekly, a weekly podcast co-hosted by Michael Brandvold and Brian Thompson.
Each week Michael and Brian will discuss the latest events in the music business and music marketing events and techniques.
This week’s episode, May 20, 2011 – What do fans really want? Albums, Singles, or EPs. Commentary on Bob Lefsetz, Customer Service and Monitoring Your Brand.
This week’s episode discusses a recent article by Bob Lefsetz, Albums.
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About Michael Brandvold:
Michael Brandvold is a freelance music industry consultant based in Northern California. Having launched Michael Brandvold Marketing to leverage his years of experience to provide direction to large and small clients in the areas of online & social marketing as well as e-commerce and customer acquisition and retention.
Gene Simmons of KISS first tapped Michael’s skills as a pioneering online marketing strategist to launch and manage all aspects of Kissonline.com’s multi-million dollar enterprise, including their ground-breaking VIP ticket program.
Michael has also managed the online efforts for Motley Crüe, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna and Britney Spears to name only a few.
About Brian Thompson:
Brian Thompson, Managing Partner for Thorny Bleeder Records, is a Vancouver based music industry entrepreneur, record label owner, artist manager, marketing consultant, radio promoter, publicist, web designer, blogger, and industry speaker.
Formerly the corporate head of music buying and marketing for a large national music retail chain, Brian has since moved on to become a well respected voice on the convergence of artist development, music marketing, social media, and technology.
Interesting podcast. It’s such a massive topic for an ever-changing industry and, what seems to be, a situational circumstance. Each band has their own particular approach to the “business.” I assume the Lefsetz article and the podcast is directed at fledgling/indie artists. However, I feel a bit seasoned as an artist (mainly salt, no pepper) and came to this same crossroads in meeting with my producer for my upcoming album. I was facing the question: singles or EP?
Depending on the producer (as every man, woman, and child with a Mac and Pro-Tools seems to deem themselves), I feel that both directions can be advantageous. Singles are great to not have to drop a ton of cash but it seems like it’s difficult to gain momentum as an artist based on a 3 or 4 minute song. They are a quick way to gain exposure but, these days, it seems like they have to be accompanied with a video of some sort. EPs are a great way to thematically partition your music and, hopefully, have an overarching statement. As the average attention span for an album seems to be around 18 to 22 minutes, if they’re timed out just right they can leave the listener wanting more. I’ve had several fans tell me they listened to the album and wished it had one or two more. I kind of like that.
Right now the name of the game for me is exposure. I have the marketing, merchandise, etc. So, with the advice of the producer in consideration I’ve decided to record an EP (having enough songs for an LP) and just release singles from that. That way I have a physical product to sell at shows that also has enough time for the producer and myself to make a collective statement musically.
Another thing. In regard to releasing things like a single a month. it’s difficult for the indie artist to find time/money to meander into a studio and hone it and release it as well as doing marketing/promotion/travel/gigs but that’s for another discussion.
I do think this is an interesting topic and I’m glad you guys brought it up. I also feel like your discussion was well-informed. Thanks for putting it out there!
Neil I really appreciate your comments coming from the artist perspective.