Music on Myspace

Subject: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 May 06 - 09:41 AM

A reviewer from Ireland suggested I consider creating a Myspace profile for my music, and use the space for networking among the music world. I looked into it and decided it was worth a try.

It looks like a great place for displaying your music wares, for connecting with other music business folks and for making new connections. I'm pretty new to it - but it looks promising.

I've put up basic background info, a few photos, contact information. And I've also posted on my profile, a few full length, hifi MP3s - one of which (for the moment) is downloadable (is that really a word)?? I've heard some great tracks from other musicians - and once again, this is a quick way to display your wares, if you're looking to do such a thing. I don;t see it as a "retail" tool, but more "business to business" - if that's not an oxymoron when talking folk music!

I just thought I'd pass it on. You can check out my profile and see for yourself. If you do, look at the full list of my friends on the bottom right of the profile and you'll probably find the space of someone else you know! Here're quick links to a few:

Alasdair Fraser
Natalie Haas
Tim O'Brien
Beth Patterson
Stompin' Tom Connors

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 06 May 06 - 11:56 AM

Yes - there are loads of UK folkies doing it - scores of them can be found in my Friends box for example. Just take note of the small print when you upload tracks - you are, effectively, handing copyright to Rupert Murdoch! (Credit to Countess R for pointing this out in another place :-)

Start here and scroll down for lots of great folk musicians

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Amos
Date: 06 May 06 - 12:20 PM

Beautiful page, Jed. And man, you do have them singing ways about you, and sweet stuff it is too!

A

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST
Date: 06 May 06 - 12:25 PM

Great voice Jedand Tom.
The kind of music I love.
Beer

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 06 May 06 - 12:26 PM

Jed,
I thought i would not recognise anybody but i did,thankyou for the website.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 06 May 06 - 07:36 PM

Looks great, Jed! I love your music. All I've heard is what's on the Mudcat CDs, so I need more! Thanks for the link. I'll be listening and sending other folks your way, as well!

KT

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: mandotim
Date: 07 May 06 - 02:04 AM

Fantastic stuff Jed! We've just joined the MySpace pheneomenon as well. It's amazing what networks of people you suddenly get connected to. The only slight downside for me is the quality of the mp3 music is nowhere near CD, but it's fine for giving a flavour of what your music is like. Bit on the Side have four tracks from the new CD on MySpace at Bit on the Side
Come and have a listen, and add us to your friends!
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,sorefingers
Date: 07 May 06 - 03:47 AM

Thanks Jed!

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:15 PM

Hey - cool to meet Mudcatters on Myspace! Here I was thinking I found something new!!

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: muppitz
Date: 07 May 06 - 05:38 PM

I have a myspace page and am being berated by certain individuals (both of which have posted above!) to put up some music.
Guys, I don't have any, but if you can put me on to someone who can sort it out for me for pennies (I am poor!), I'll be more than happy to oblige!

muppitz x

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Anne Lister
Date: 07 May 06 - 06:01 PM

I'm there, too ...could always use more friends!

Anne (Lister)

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Grab
Date: 08 May 06 - 08:36 AM

One problem with MySpace is that they only let you put 4 songs on, and you only get one page.

Tagworld just has a limit of 1 gig for everything, and you can have umpteen pages if you want to set them up. Their system of page creation (drag-and-drop inside the web browser) is very cool too.

One disadvantage of Tagworld is that its player doesn't work on Firefox - it plays everything speeded-up, so you get the "Smurfs on helium" effect (as a friend described it to me). Other than that, it's well worth using.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 08 May 06 - 08:39 AM

Smurfs on helium sounds like fun...
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: rich-joy
Date: 08 May 06 - 09:02 AM

... and then there's this article which points to another side of Murdoch's MySpace :

"My Space is the Trojan Horse of Internet Censorship"
by Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones
Prison Planet.com - March 16 2006

read more at : http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/march2006/160306myspace.htm


... be interested to know if any 'catters have experienced a downside ...


Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 03:47 PM

I've refreshed this thread in hopes of encouragihng all Mudcatters with a Mypsace to profile to identify themselves and link their page - so we all know who the Myspace Mudcatters are. This can help both Mudcat awareness to the world at large ... and help Mudcatters communicate on Myspace.

I am certain there is a way of commonly identifying Mudcat on the profile - a way that is upfront but not "in-your-face" - maybe a simple link listed among the band credits - or something.

any ideas?

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 04:00 PM

maybe a simple way to commonly associate Mudcatters is to list www.mudcat.org as one our influences ... say the last one on the list?? I'll try it.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 04:28 PM

I think that's it. I just added to my list of influences on the band page, "www.mudcat.org"

I think that will be a simple enough way to get a few curious Myspace surfers to look at this place ...

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Pauline L
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 05:05 PM

Thanks for posting. I love your music.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: dwditty
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 09:36 PM

I'm there too - and influence by Mudcat.

dwditty

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 12:58 AM

I've had some sucess with the Myspace Page I created back some time ago - and so we have decided to expand our coverage and break down the Civil War music projects from the Celtic projects. The original profile is still as it was (for the time being) - but a new Civil War Music page has been added.

Kim C's song Stonewall of the West which is included on CROSS OVER THE RIVER has been well received on Mypsace. Several folks have attached it to their Profiles and left comments on the song! Thanks for letting me record it Kim!

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Liath
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:01 AM

Yes, I'm on there too - signed up about a month back. Think my url is
www.myspace.com/traditionalharp (I'm on as Liath Hollins, Traditional Harpist)

I'll take a look at everyone elses stuff when I get in later :-)

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Hamish
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 08:20 AM

I'll certainly catch up with all the links above asap (where "p" just isn't, right now!). But in the meantime, I'm at www.myspace.com/hamishcurrie

Cheers!

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: vielleuse
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 08:36 AM

My lot are here, although I'm not really a mudcatter, I just look in here sometimes.

www.myspace.com/saltandblue

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: John Robinson (aka Cittern)
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:28 AM

http://www.myspace.com/julieellison

Plenty of catters in the friends list!

The page was reviewed by 'Play' magazine, who said:

"Fans of anyone from Bert Jansch to Joni Mitchell will find shades of what they like here. The swift, tight finger picking that entwines with the dark tones and emotional edge of her voice invite comparisons like these, but it seems unfair when you think what other special, and highly individual, qualities are at work here."

'Play' magazine is the house mag of the Sound Control chain of music shops in the UK and the review generated a huge response. Maybe other catters can submit their myspace pages for review?

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Scoville
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 09:35 AM

I don't have/need a music page, but I've certainly FOUND some great musicians on there that I'm not sure I would have otherwise.

Non-musically, I've run into some high school and college buddies that I never thought I'd see again, so it's been fun.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Dave4Guild
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 02:23 PM

I'm there!
I think it's great!
http://www.myspace.com/davenbrenda

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,Sarah (Barnsley)
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:27 PM

Oops - just wanted to add Myspace is great for the club - one of the most successful methods of gettng new people through the door, especially the under 30's.

hopefully meet you in myspace soon!

Sarah BFC

http://www.myspace.com/barnsleyfolkclub

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 06 - 12:49 PM

Bit suprised that only Barnsley FC has posted here. There are lots of folk clubs and festivals with myspace pages ...

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 08:18 AM

Even I got on here!

The college I work at doesnt allow access tho'![to myspace]

Ray

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,Dg
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 08:23 AM

Mine is;

www.myspace.com/davidgunn

Not a lot of trad stuff on there at the moment, but I should be recording some soon!

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,Jack Campin
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 09:25 AM

What are the Murdoch-free alternatives?

I've only looked at that shit by accidentally following links without looking closely enough - NO WAY IN HELL would I want anything to do with Murdoch's empire.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GLoux
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 10:21 AM

Run of the Mill String Band

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: r.padgett
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 12:54 PM

What do you mean Jack? I think I have lost the plot

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 18 Sep 06 - 01:22 PM

I also have a Myspace page. It's good to see that Myspace is actually useful.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Rich_Kelly
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 09:23 AM

Hi Everyone,

I've been a long-time lurker to this forum. I make up 50% of a musical duo playing folk songs around Connecticut, USA and its environs.

Myspace, while geared largely for a younger set, has been helpful in making contacts and getting a few gigs.

My page is here.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: rhyzla
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 09:51 AM

ok me too


mine space

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 11:15 AM

Great to see and hear so many MUdcatters, esp. after reading some negative stuff about copyrights, etc. in other threads about myspace. Do any of you have any experience or know anyone who has any experience with how well classical music does on there? I am thinking of recommending it to my brother for his original compositions.

Also, do you use it mostly to sell CDs, get gigs or what? Sorry if this is too basic or obvious.:-)

Thanks a bunch! GLoux, really enjoyed the Italian waltz.

kat

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Rich_Kelly
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 12:02 PM

katlaughing, the copyright wording was a mess. I'm happy it's been modified. The intent of the original wording, as I understand it, was to grant myspace the right to offer your songs as downloads and/or streamed from your myspace page. If you post music, myspace needs your permission to allow someone else to listen to it.

Personally, I've been on myspace since last November. I haven't sold a single CD through it, but I have been contacted by a couple of venues for gigs. Once or twice, the arrangement was great. Equally, though, the person contacting me turned out to be someone fairly young who happened to work at a venue and really had no authority to negotiate dates, fees, etc. Just be careful who you're interacting with.

Myspace, through it's enormous popularity, has put me in touch with other musicians, people who have become "fans" (as much as that applies in folk music) and venues. Very little of this has translated into anything financial, but it is fun.

Providing your brother does some networking, there are a few composers of orchestral music. It's not as popular as emo, grunge or whatever the latest round of 3-chord shouting is called.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: dwditty
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 01:52 PM

MySpace is Here

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Brakn
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 05:35 PM

Above read "take note of the small print when you upload tracks - you are, effectively, handing copyright to Rupert Murdoch!"

Explain??

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Kaleea
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 06:06 PM

I am giving serious thought to getting a website-possibly through yahoo, so that I may offer my services & recordings available for purchase online. I noticed that even the most basic yahoo site-$12 a month-has paypal. Is there any truth to the rumor that myspace is going to allow people to sell cd's on their myspace sites? Or do some people have a regular site & a my space site these days?

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST,Dave le Forsh
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 07:01 PM

this guy is good :)

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 12:08 AM

Kaleea,
   I don't know about others, but I have a regular website and a Myspace page (and a soundclick page and several others). Any web presence is good. The more (at minimum cost) the better.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 12:33 AM

What do you mean Jack? I think I have lost the plot

I can't speak for Jack but, R Pagget, but Myspace is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Each to thier own but it's not an organisation who I would like to be supporting. They seem to be doing very nicely out of Myspace (see here).

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: JedMarum
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 01:09 AM

I didn't join Myspace to sell CDs. It's a bit of see and be seen, sort of thing; hear and be heard. I know I have sold CDs to Myspace people, but I wouldn;t expect to do that in large numbers. It's mre about networking. Seeing what other folks are doing. Meeting new folks, seeing what they're up to. One more resource for finding my way through this maze!

I have hooked up with some folks for shows, though - and that is much more important to me. I can also use the site to send people to for promo purposes - they can hear clips. I can change the clips as I liek. They can see pics and videos ... they can sort of "kick the tires" before they even respond to me, if I'm cold calling a venue or promoter, that's a big advantage.

it's been good for me.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 06:31 AM

from http://www.disobey.com/ghostsites/

relevant section copied

MySpace.com: An Empire Based on Spam?

I've called Myspace.com "the bastard son of the Globe," but the analogy might be better served by likening the site to Spam, according to a muckraking expose written by Trent Lapinski which appeared in ValleyWag this week.

According to Lapinski, "MySpace was actually created by executives whose backgrounds are anchored in spam and mass marketing, and who are tied to investment scandals" and the site's phenomenal growth is due to nothing more than the "re-imagining and repackaging of spam."

Myspace.com seems untouchable right now (some studies put its popularity ahead of Yahoo's), but if Lapinski is on the money, it's a castle built on sand.

Subject: RE: Music on Myspace
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 20 Sep 06 - 02:14 PM

Few trends on the web last very long. This is one of the very few sites I've found that has some staying power.

   Myspace is, admittedly, a promtional and networking site. When it dies three more will take its place. One or more of them will become the place to be seen for a while then it, too, will die and the cycle will repeat. It's harmless enough as long as one doesn't take it too seriously going in. I tend to look at it as just one more site that will pop up when someone does a web search.

    I have also found it useful for finding out what sorts of venues and festival exist in other cities. It's a pretty good market research tool.

Stephen Lee