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Picking genres
October 12, 2018
1:58 pm
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Any advice about figuring out how to classify your band's music, particularly in that moment when you're uploading your newest EP to CDBaby and they ask you to nail it down? We're soulful, folk-ish optimistic blues music with a lot of jazz and world music influence. I wonder what genre is easier to compete in if you're aiming for chart placement or -- if not -- what to take into consideration if you could go in multiple directions.

 

THANKS for your advice!

October 13, 2018
12:58 pm
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One thing I do is listen to the artists I take most influence from and I sound the most like, and see how they're classified.

October 17, 2018
4:45 pm
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Hey Lindsay, Like Eyvindur touched on, this is mostly just a matter of asking yourself what you sound like, who you are most similar to, and what audience you are most likely to appeal to and then selecting a logical genre. I will say that Blues and Jazz are more obtainable chart positions that folk or Americana (for example), but you do really need to be certain that others would agree that you actually sound like blues or jazz. Long story short, I really wouldn't sweat it too much.

Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.

May 16, 2019
11:56 pm
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Lindsay Bellows said
Any advice about figuring out how to classify your band's music, particularly in that moment when you're uploading your newest EP to CDBaby and they ask you to nail it down? We're soulful, folk-ish optimistic blues music with a lot of jazz and world music influence. I wonder what genre is easier to compete in if you're aiming for chart placement or -- if not -- what to take into consideration if you could go in multiple directions.

 

THANKS for your advice!  

I have no advice but just wanted to say I have the same issue, I hate categorising my music as I don't write with this in mind but I realise it is something that needs to be done to get any sort of listen.

May 17, 2019
12:40 pm
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Hey Jonny, 

If you're looking for feedback on your stuff, try posting some links. Happy to offer some feedback.

Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.

May 17, 2019
11:39 pm
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Lindsay sorry to hijack your thread.

John thanks man for offering to listen to my stuff it would be very helpful to know what the outside world think of it in a sense of genre here is a link http://drom-music.com/

Any feedback on the site would be cool? 

Thanks jonny

May 21, 2019
1:11 pm
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Hey Jonny,

To me your music instantly strikes me as Trip Hop. Targeting artists like Massive Attack would be one of the first places I'd start. You might start researching the genre and learning the words used to describe the genre, and how journalists write about some of the larger artists. Take from what you find and apply some of the language and concepts to your own music. That is admitadly just a quick take, but it feels very on point to me.

If you're not familiar with artists like massive attack here is a track that aligns quite closely to some of yours (in my opinion).

As for your website, it looks nice, but I think you would benefit from an MMM style website if you are going to engage in direct to fan marketing.

Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.

May 21, 2019
8:08 pm
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Nice one John, I am completely aware of the Trip Hop genre as I am from where it all started but I didn't think my tracks sounded really like that just a hint, maybe an influence so its great to get someone I don't know to point me in the right direction. Already started on the MMM website. Thanks John.

June 7, 2019
11:29 am
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Hey Jonny, just realized I never replied to this. My pleasure. Hope things are going well.

Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.

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