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The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Merchandise

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Merchandise is a great way for people to see that you’re out there. It’s advertisement that will interest people, if you do it the right way. You want to make sure that whatever merchandise you use (i.e., shirts, hats, jackets, etc.), it connects with your music and your fans. There are thousands of different kinds of merchandise you can sell, you just have to find what works best for you. With so many ways to download music for free, sometimes merchandise is the only way for bands to get paid. That’s why we put together The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Merchandise.

youbloom presents…

The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Merchandise

In The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Merchandise, we talk about everything you need to bring with you to sell your merch at a show, how you can prepare, what items sell best, common pitfalls, and how you can make the most money selling merchandise at your shows.

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Interview with Emma Lou & The Agenda: Featured Artist from youbloomDublin 2017

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Like many girls born in the 90s, Emma Lou grew up aspiring to become one of the Spice Girls. With one recently released EP and another on the way, Emma Lou & The Agenda prepare to perform at youbloomDublin 2017.
In this interview, Emma Lou talks about how Britney Spears indirectly helped her start her music career, her Disney addiction, and how she met The Agenda.
How long have you been playing music as a band? 

Emma Lou: I started putting ads out for the band around mid 2015 and it all came together pretty quickly. So I guess we were all together and settled by around this time last year so it’s been just about a year playing together as a band.

How long have you each been playing your instruments for?

Emma Lou: Well I’m gonna give the quintessential answer to this question and say that I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember..it’s true, I swear!

What does your writing process look like when making new music?

Emma Lou: Usually it starts with me getting some idea. I’ll be singing away when something comes into my head that I like so I work on a melody and lyrics with my incredibly limited amount of musical knowledge, then whatever I have I bring to guys so we can make something of it and we take it from there.

For someone who has never heard you before how would you describe your sound?

Emma Lou: Amazing…duh

Can you describe what your song “One Good Reason” is about? What does the music video mean?

Emma Lou: One Good Reason is about being treated like crap by somebody in a relationship, c’mon we’ve all been there, and then some time after it all thankfully falls apart, the person who walked all over you comes crawling back looking for a second chance and you’re like ‘hell no…time for a taste of your own medicine pal’. Yeah that’s what it’s about…

What type of musical background do you and your band come from?

Emma Lou: Well the extent of musical background is pretty much singing Britney Spears songs into a karaoke machine in my bedroom all throughout my childhood, then I decided I’d like to give songwriting a go and here we are. Oh, I did write this one song when I was around 8..so I guess it all started from there.

How has social media helped you reach out to more fans?

Emma Lou: Social media is thee best thing for reaching a new audience. I mean the live performances are obviously important but social media is amazing because people can hear your music anywhere at any time online from anybody who feels that they wanna share it. Honestly, if it was the 90’s the only person who would have heard our music by now would be my mam and my nana.

What is the last song you listened to before this interview?

Emma Lou: Emmm…I’m a Disney freak and I always need the Princess soundtrack to start my day so I just listened to ‘A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes’ from Cinderella..and I’m not even sorry.

Do you have any new material you plan on releasing in the near future?

Emma Lou: Oh yes we sure do. We have a new EP on the way due for release March/April ish so keep your eyes peeled!

 

Watch Emma Lou & The Agenda’s music video for “One Good Reason” and don’t forget to see them perform live at youbloomDublin 2017.

Top 10 Home Recording Studio Essentials

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It is no longer news that having a private home studio is fast becoming a trend in the music industry. That being said, owning a home recording studio has several  advantages for prospective song writers, music producers, artiste or composers.

Some of these are:

  • Quick release of the muse
  • Easy conversion of ideas into solid work
  • A stepping stone to a commercial studio

Now that you know how important a home studio is to your career, let’s talk about finding the best Home Recording Studio Essentials.

This list of Home Recording Studio Essentials will include everything you need to create your own economical and effective recording studio that is as close to the real thing as you can get. For starters, pick out a studio design.

 

  1. A GOOD COMPUTER:

The problem with finding the perfect computer for your home recording studio essentials is that there are so many choices.

This may make it easier:

  • If you already have a laptop or desktop, you might as well start up with that
  • If you crave something better and faster, then try buying either a mac or a PC with amazing processing speed
  • If you desire the best, then opt for a mac desktop and cruise your way to good quality

 

  1. AN IDEAL DAW:

DAW simply means digital audio workstation.

Once again, the problem of being overwhelmed by the array of DAWs available comes to play. I advise that you explore as much as possible and discover which works best for you.

Some of the popular names in the game of home recording studio essentials are: pro tools, FL studio, able ton, Presonus studio one, cakewalk sonar, propeller head reason, MOTU digital performer, Steinberg Cubase and logic pro

 

  1. AUDIO INTERFACE

An audio interface performs the function of transmitting music in and out of the computer and is definitely a cornerstone of every list of home recording studio essentials.

 

  1. MICROPHONE AND ACCESSORIES:

When choosing a mic for your home studio, I will advise that you go for the best possible quality within your budget. That being said, just buy what you can afford. Unless of course, you have plans of making professional use of whatever comes out of that studio.

Also, when purchasing your microphone, you must not forget to add a mic stand and pop filter which I consider absolutely necessary. But that’s just an opinion. Feel free to start small and add to your own home recording studio essentials as your music career grows.

 

  1. HEADPHONES:

It goes without saying that these are a complete necessity also. An essential headphone for your home studio will be able to isolate other sounds and noises so you can get the full effect of your music. It is important to note that studio headphones are different from regular headphones. Always buy over-the-ear headphones; usually the bigger brands are a good bet.

 

  1. STUDIO MONITOR:

Studio monitors perform a totally different function from regular speakers. They are built to give you real output while consumer speakers are built to appease the sense of hearing. As with headphones, buying an established brand will keep you happy in your home studio.

 

  1. MIDI CONTROLLER:

I feel this is also a complete necessity not because I am an instrumentalist but because I have learned from experience that making music without one of these while still very possible can be one hell of a ride. If you are a music aficionado like me, then you very well understand the need for creative freedom. (Well that’s what a midi controller offers you)

 

  1. VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTS AND SOFTWARE PLUGINS:

While some folks might dispute the validity of these things on my list, I feel bold to say their presence is well deserved. Consider the virtual instrument a software version of all musical instruments like drums, keyboards, guitar, etc. The software plugins are used as special effects needed to spice up your recording.

 

  1. CABLES:

Naturally, when you’re planning your home recording studio essentials, don’t forget to buy the right type of cables to get your new gear actually working! For a starter, you might just need cables for your mic, audio interface and monitors. Specifically, four cables should be a good start.

 

  1. WORKSTATION:

For professional musicians, your studio is a company and they consider the workstation their office.  That means getting a proper desk to accommodate all of your new gear and a comfortable chair that you can sit in for 8 hours or more a day. Don’t over sweat it, but do not neglect it either. A nice and comfortable chair with an efficient desk that maximizes equipment like the computer, midi controller and audio interface should work just fine. If you find it convenient, you might add the studio monitor to the mix but it is not mandatory.

 

There they are: my ultimate list of home recording studio essentials. With these, you are well on your way to building up your passion and your career. Never become complacent with your home recording studio essentials. Music is a world without barrier and limitation. Always aspire to own your pro studio and gain respect in your field of expertise.

 

 

Top 10 Home Recording Studio Essentials is a guest post written by Emmanuel Chika, a seasoned freelance writer and music producer. He provides musical solutions for people through his creative endeavors.For further information, you can reach him through this website here.

The Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Distributing Music

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A lot of the independent artists who perform at youbloomLA and youbloomDublin ask us what the best way to distribute their music is. Some don’t have the luxury of massive record labels like Sony and Universal to distribute their music for them. For other independent artists, signing to a record label is a possibility, however, they choose to take control of every aspect of their music career instead. This includes choosing how they distribute their own music.  Let’s take a look at all of the distribution channels available to independent artists in youbloom’s Ultimate Independent Musician Guide to Distributing Music.

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youbloom Grad Luke Clerkin: Live at the Apollo Explained

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This post was written by Luke Clerkin, a singer and songwriter from Dublin. He’s a youbloom grad, having played at youbloom Dublin and LA in 2016. He is an accomplished musician who recently released his first EP “Ink Written Messages”. He has supported another rising youbloom star Aine Cahill and will host his own gig in Whelans in Dublin on Feb 22nd. He is heavily involved in the Home Sweet Home campaign to end homelessness in Ireland. Here he tells the story of his experience and the role music played in bringing thousands of people together.

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