1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:08,791 --> 00:00:11,054 [woman] It's been a rough ride lately for the music industry. 4 00:00:13,143 --> 00:00:16,538 Record sales have dropped by over 50 percent in the last decade 5 00:00:16,581 --> 00:00:18,931 threatened by the rise of digital downloads. 6 00:00:18,975 --> 00:00:20,977 The music industry - what is happening? 7 00:00:23,197 --> 00:00:26,113 [man] The record store is the victim of a changing world. 8 00:00:27,114 --> 00:00:31,292 Digital technology ran competing music stores out of business. 9 00:00:31,335 --> 00:00:34,295 Over the last 10 years we've seen almost complete flip-flop 10 00:00:34,338 --> 00:00:36,645 where CD sales have come steadily down. 11 00:00:36,688 --> 00:00:38,864 Nobody wants a physical copy of anything anymore. 12 00:00:38,908 --> 00:00:41,563 [man] Nobody wants to buy a record when you can get it for free. 13 00:00:41,606 --> 00:00:43,521 I mean technology has definitely been a game-changer. 14 00:00:46,220 --> 00:00:50,876 After 32 years an Albuquerque record store is closing its doors for good. 15 00:00:50,920 --> 00:00:52,922 [man] Off The record, is just the latest casualty. 16 00:00:52,965 --> 00:00:54,924 [reporter] The Royal Garden Records is closing. 17 00:00:54,967 --> 00:00:57,883 [woman] The popular area record store will soon be silent. 18 00:01:00,234 --> 00:01:05,021 When they come it's great and when they slow down, it's a whole another level. 19 00:01:05,065 --> 00:01:06,849 I don't know if we'll make any money tonight. 20 00:01:06,892 --> 00:01:09,025 It's all about hustle at the end of the day. 21 00:01:09,069 --> 00:01:11,462 It just comes down to who's hustling harder. 22 00:01:14,074 --> 00:01:15,249 You gotta embrace this. 23 00:01:15,292 --> 00:01:17,077 Game hustle, I ain't gonna make no money. 24 00:01:29,741 --> 00:01:33,615 Like mid-to-late 2000s the industry went through 25 00:01:33,658 --> 00:01:36,705 like this insane like trimming of the fat period. 26 00:01:36,748 --> 00:01:40,578 All the bigger companies buying up the smaller labels, Capitol Records, they're in L.A., 27 00:01:40,622 --> 00:01:43,146 they thought that was going to be turned into like a parking lot. 28 00:01:43,190 --> 00:01:46,323 Then, you know, like 20 years ago you performed a showcase, 29 00:01:46,367 --> 00:01:49,631 like, even pitched your own music directly to a person, they sign you, you go on tour, 30 00:01:49,674 --> 00:01:53,200 you make a little money, that way you do a record, they throw that, you make some more money. 31 00:01:53,243 --> 00:01:57,682 I feel like it used to be that, you know, people would work on making a great record. 32 00:01:59,684 --> 00:02:01,947 They would tour and they would promote the record 33 00:02:01,991 --> 00:02:04,167 just hoping that they would sell a lot of units. 34 00:02:04,211 --> 00:02:08,215 The tour money or merch money was like a bonus on top of how many units they sold. 35 00:02:08,258 --> 00:02:12,349 And so that was when like CDs were like 17 bucks a pop 36 00:02:12,393 --> 00:02:14,395 and you made some money back in those days. 37 00:02:14,438 --> 00:02:19,182 I remember thinking how am I gonna get my band's CD at Best Buy 38 00:02:19,226 --> 00:02:21,445 because that's where people buy CDs. 39 00:02:21,489 --> 00:02:26,146 It used to be in the '90s that you couldn't know when an artist was releasing an album, 40 00:02:26,189 --> 00:02:30,454 you couldn't know when an artist was coming to your city unless they were on MTV or TRL, 41 00:02:30,498 --> 00:02:33,196 unless they were on BET Rap City "Tha Basement." 42 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:36,025 The only way to know what your favorite artist was doing 43 00:02:36,068 --> 00:02:39,289 was either to listen to the radio or to watch TV. 44 00:02:39,333 --> 00:02:42,597 Anybody in this building [inaudible]. 45 00:02:42,640 --> 00:02:44,773 [audience cheering] 46 00:02:44,816 --> 00:02:47,341 Back in the MTV days it was so special. 47 00:02:47,384 --> 00:02:52,128 I think that that kind of engagement, getting into the living room of people's homes 48 00:02:52,172 --> 00:02:57,699 and people actually seeing these songs come to life in such a big way was really incredible. 49 00:02:57,742 --> 00:03:00,658 During the TRL days it was a different time in-- in music, 50 00:03:00,702 --> 00:03:04,271 you know, music videos were three days long, they were like mini movies 51 00:03:04,314 --> 00:03:06,447 and millions and millions of dollars spent. 52 00:03:06,490 --> 00:03:09,972 And now you have people just shooting videos on their phone and knocking things out 53 00:03:10,015 --> 00:03:12,888 in two hours and, you know, it's just-- it's just a different time. 54 00:03:12,931 --> 00:03:17,936 But it is forcing people to be a lot more, you know, hands-on now. 55 00:03:17,980 --> 00:03:22,637 I was on a show called "American Idol" and I made it to the top ten of that show 56 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:29,948 and I just remember, "Man, somebody is making money right now and it ain't me." 57 00:03:29,992 --> 00:03:33,082 So before the internet there were certain gatekeepers 58 00:03:33,125 --> 00:03:35,954 that dictated who broke and who didn't. 59 00:03:35,998 --> 00:03:41,090 And with the introduction of Napster, it completely changed everything. 60 00:03:42,047 --> 00:03:44,833 [phone dialing, internet connecting] 61 00:03:44,876 --> 00:03:47,575 [reporter] College students are making good use of the internet. 62 00:03:47,618 --> 00:03:53,755 The latest software makes it a bit too easy for students to access their favorite tunes. 63 00:03:53,798 --> 00:03:57,715 And when Napster was really hitting, I'm sure music executives were sitting 64 00:03:57,759 --> 00:04:02,067 in their high-rise luxury executive suite scratching their heads 65 00:04:02,111 --> 00:04:04,287 trying to figure out where all the revenue went. 66 00:04:04,331 --> 00:04:06,681 The labels, they were caught with their pants down. 67 00:04:06,724 --> 00:04:10,206 They were caught operating a business model that was obsolete. 68 00:04:10,250 --> 00:04:14,297 What happened was the Steve Jobs of the world really saw what consumers wanted, 69 00:04:14,341 --> 00:04:18,606 they really wanted to be able to pick and choose which song they wanted to listen to 70 00:04:18,649 --> 00:04:22,610 and they bypassed these labels and they created a business model, 71 00:04:22,653 --> 00:04:25,526 but it is exposing artists to people 72 00:04:25,569 --> 00:04:28,137 that they never would have been exposed to in the '90s. 73 00:04:28,180 --> 00:04:33,447 It's allowed for them to be discovered and them to capitalize on that discovery. 74 00:04:33,490 --> 00:04:39,496 I think the big businesses are probably trying their best to adapt to what's going on 75 00:04:39,540 --> 00:04:42,804 and probably a lot of the labels are cutting some of the fat, 76 00:04:42,847 --> 00:04:46,373 but I feel like they're all kind of scurrying around because it's different than it used to be. 77 00:04:46,416 --> 00:04:48,897 I think we're in a confusing era for sure. 78 00:04:48,940 --> 00:04:51,203 I don't really think anybody knows what they are doing. 79 00:04:51,247 --> 00:04:54,642 You can have conversations with label executives and they're still just like, 80 00:04:54,685 --> 00:04:56,470 "Oh, we're just trying to find the next big thing." 81 00:04:56,513 --> 00:04:58,559 Nobody knows what that is. 82 00:04:58,602 --> 00:05:01,257 [reporter] Streaming has reshaped the music industry. 83 00:05:01,301 --> 00:05:03,868 It's also been a major catalyst for growth. 84 00:05:03,912 --> 00:05:08,220 [male reporter] Streaming is the only part of the music industry seeing revenue growth. 85 00:05:08,264 --> 00:05:12,790 It used to be hard to make sure your CD is in distribution and all that and now 86 00:05:12,834 --> 00:05:16,707 you could put a song out and it could be streamed 60 million times. 87 00:05:16,751 --> 00:05:19,231 We all know what that is. It's Spotify, it's Apple Music, 88 00:05:19,275 --> 00:05:22,800 it's iTunes, it's-- it's Pandora. It's all these things. 89 00:05:22,844 --> 00:05:26,761 Spotify and streaming is the new label in a sense. 90 00:05:26,804 --> 00:05:29,938 They have power to put it in people's ears. 91 00:05:33,463 --> 00:05:37,424 I think Spotify is a gateway to find music. 92 00:05:37,467 --> 00:05:39,382 I use Spotify to listen to my music. 93 00:05:39,426 --> 00:05:42,385 Primarily how I consume music, it would definitely be through Spotify. 94 00:05:42,429 --> 00:05:45,345 -Spotify. Yeah. -Spotify. Yeah. 95 00:05:45,388 --> 00:05:47,608 Definitely my favorite one, Spotify. 96 00:05:47,651 --> 00:05:50,741 Spotify streams is how we measure fan success kind of now, 97 00:05:50,785 --> 00:05:52,569 just how many likes and how many streams. 98 00:05:52,613 --> 00:05:54,658 For better or for worse, that's the world we live in now. 99 00:05:54,702 --> 00:05:57,487 I think Spotify plays label roles. 100 00:05:57,531 --> 00:06:02,405 I mean playlisting, streaming, all of that, that's where your royalties are coming from 101 00:06:02,449 --> 00:06:04,755 but they're minuscule at this point. 102 00:06:04,799 --> 00:06:10,457 So, a label is a bank, and is Spotify a bank, yet? No. 103 00:06:10,500 --> 00:06:15,766 But do they help dictate if an artist is successful in streaming? Absolutely. 104 00:06:15,810 --> 00:06:19,509 I am just as guilty of-- of streaming as anybody else. 105 00:06:19,553 --> 00:06:22,382 I use all of them, you know, it is a huge convenience. 106 00:06:22,425 --> 00:06:25,167 It takes a lot less to get somebody to stream something 107 00:06:25,210 --> 00:06:27,212 than it does to get them to buy it. 108 00:06:27,256 --> 00:06:31,216 [reporter] The problem, streaming services don't pay musicians very much. 109 00:06:31,260 --> 00:06:34,698 When I first started transferring over my numbers or transferring from people 110 00:06:34,742 --> 00:06:37,309 buying the music to streaming it, I was pretty nervous. 111 00:06:37,353 --> 00:06:40,965 How do we make this work? I don't-- like, what happens if iTunes 112 00:06:41,009 --> 00:06:43,925 decides to stop selling music? Like, what do we do? 113 00:06:43,968 --> 00:06:46,971 [reporter] Time to say bye-bye to iTunes. 114 00:06:47,015 --> 00:06:50,279 Apple has announced plans to kill off the iTunes app. 115 00:06:50,322 --> 00:06:52,499 [man] The streaming services have taken over. 116 00:06:52,542 --> 00:06:56,416 Today's industry, too, it's like you-- you release music with the expectations 117 00:06:56,459 --> 00:06:58,679 that's not what's gonna pay the bills. 118 00:06:58,722 --> 00:07:01,551 You release it knowing that that's not gonna be your main revenue stream as a band. 119 00:07:01,595 --> 00:07:05,337 Releasing music right now is solely for the purpose of getting in front of people. 120 00:07:05,381 --> 00:07:07,035 Yo, thanks for being here for us. 121 00:07:07,078 --> 00:07:08,993 I mean this is your first Phangs show, right? 122 00:07:09,037 --> 00:07:11,256 -[audience] Woo! -Okay. 123 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:14,564 I barely make money on music anymore, which is crazy. 124 00:07:14,608 --> 00:07:18,655 I've never print, like, made physical music ever as Phangs. 125 00:07:18,699 --> 00:07:22,790 I don't have a CD, a cassette, a vinyl, like, never ever have I had it. 126 00:07:22,833 --> 00:07:26,663 What's wild is that nobody even asks for it. I got a merch table. 127 00:07:26,707 --> 00:07:28,839 Nobody even says like, "Hey, do you have CDs?" 128 00:07:28,883 --> 00:07:31,538 because it doesn't matter anymore, unfortunately. 129 00:07:31,581 --> 00:07:37,326 You know, you need to stream thousands and thousands of times in order to make a dime 130 00:07:37,369 --> 00:07:41,112 in this business anymore because everybody grabs their music for free. 131 00:07:41,156 --> 00:07:44,028 You can go on Spotify and pay, what is it, 9.95 a month 132 00:07:44,072 --> 00:07:46,509 and get any music any time anywhere. 133 00:07:46,553 --> 00:07:52,123 Where does that leave the artist? The artist gets $0.0084 per stream. 134 00:07:52,167 --> 00:07:54,169 You're not making a dime in this business anymore. 135 00:07:54,212 --> 00:07:57,520 That's why you see all these big acts going out there and touring constantly. 136 00:07:57,564 --> 00:08:00,175 They can't make money selling their music. 137 00:08:00,218 --> 00:08:02,177 Thank God we have day jobs. 138 00:08:02,220 --> 00:08:04,484 Right now, I'm selling cars for a living. 139 00:08:04,527 --> 00:08:07,487 Before that I was an operations manager for plumbing, heating, air-conditioning company. 140 00:08:07,530 --> 00:08:11,839 I am an electronics engineer, work on cell phones. 141 00:08:11,882 --> 00:08:14,624 I'm a kayaking tour guide. 142 00:08:14,668 --> 00:08:19,411 -We all have day jobs. -Yeah, I'm currently on lunch and have to go back after this. 143 00:08:19,455 --> 00:08:22,240 I mean I'd love to quit my day job because that's-- that was the whole goal 144 00:08:22,284 --> 00:08:25,113 since I was 17 years old doing this, you know. 145 00:08:25,156 --> 00:08:30,684 So right now, I bartend Friday and Saturday night. 146 00:08:30,727 --> 00:08:34,252 The goal of 2019 is for me to not have to have a day job. 147 00:08:36,167 --> 00:08:38,474 Yeah, so, fingers crossed. 148 00:08:38,518 --> 00:08:40,955 What up, what up world? This is your homeboy WordPlay T. Jay 149 00:08:40,998 --> 00:08:42,957 and I'm back with another video for you. 150 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:45,873 This time around I'm gonna talk about six reasons 151 00:08:45,916 --> 00:08:48,179 you should release your music for free. 152 00:08:48,223 --> 00:08:50,051 Why your music should be free. 153 00:08:50,094 --> 00:08:52,880 Should all music be free? 154 00:08:52,923 --> 00:08:57,232 I think music is the best and purest human invention 155 00:08:57,275 --> 00:09:00,148 and I think it should be for all, open for all. 156 00:09:00,191 --> 00:09:01,497 -[reporter] Okay. -And free. 157 00:09:01,541 --> 00:09:03,543 Easily, music should definitely be free. 158 00:09:03,586 --> 00:09:07,459 I think music could-- could one day be free. 159 00:09:07,503 --> 00:09:11,115 I mean if it's free-- if it's free somewhere, it'll be paid somewhere else, you know-- 160 00:09:11,159 --> 00:09:12,856 -I think-- -Like if streaming was totally free, 161 00:09:12,900 --> 00:09:15,598 people would still pay for shows, you know, or some-- 162 00:09:15,642 --> 00:09:18,296 somehow the money will shift somewhere, like. 163 00:09:19,341 --> 00:09:24,302 I think we need to be okay with that being the reality 164 00:09:24,346 --> 00:09:26,522 because it's gonna be free. 165 00:09:26,566 --> 00:09:32,180 In-- in 10 years we won't be selling music, we will be giving this shit away. 166 00:09:32,223 --> 00:09:35,183 So the interesting thing with radio and streaming 167 00:09:35,226 --> 00:09:38,534 is that the perception is music is free, 168 00:09:38,578 --> 00:09:41,798 so people start to believe that it should be free. 169 00:09:41,842 --> 00:09:44,627 We've kind of devalued music. 170 00:09:44,671 --> 00:09:47,630 It's phenomenal from the listener's point of view 171 00:09:47,674 --> 00:09:50,372 to have access to all the music in the world. 172 00:09:50,415 --> 00:09:54,115 But the music just doesn't mean as much. 173 00:09:54,985 --> 00:10:00,121 Music is so powerful and, unfortunately, I think it's undervalued. 174 00:10:00,164 --> 00:10:06,214 And, you know, the amount of work and time, effort, heart, you know, passion 175 00:10:06,257 --> 00:10:09,870 that we're putting into the music and then the little we're getting in return, 176 00:10:09,913 --> 00:10:13,700 it's unfortunate that I don't think songwriters, creatives, 177 00:10:13,743 --> 00:10:16,485 artists are getting what they deserve. 178 00:10:16,528 --> 00:10:18,269 It's like damn diddum... 179 00:10:18,313 --> 00:10:21,055 I'm putting in a lot of work for a little money but- 180 00:10:23,013 --> 00:10:25,537 but what else would I be doing, you know? 181 00:10:26,451 --> 00:10:31,805 [man] Musicians only get 12 percent of the 43 billion dollars the music generated. 182 00:10:31,848 --> 00:10:34,111 Where does the money go? 183 00:10:34,155 --> 00:10:38,855 I think something needs to happen where that money is being shifted into the artists' hands 184 00:10:38,899 --> 00:10:44,556 and the people that are creating the music because without us there is no music. 185 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:49,213 I feel like streaming is kind of confusing because I have so many different conversations 186 00:10:49,257 --> 00:10:54,392 with people, I think a lot of people are upset that we don't make money off streaming. 187 00:10:54,436 --> 00:10:59,354 I feel like there's so much mystery about streaming, about how it makes money. 188 00:10:59,397 --> 00:11:01,443 And what are the royalties even called. 189 00:11:01,486 --> 00:11:04,794 I keep hearing like there's a publishing royalty, there's a master royalty. 190 00:11:04,838 --> 00:11:06,840 And then I hear there's some other third royalty 191 00:11:06,883 --> 00:11:09,059 that I don't even know how to get to or how to reach it. 192 00:11:09,103 --> 00:11:12,802 It's just so strange how-- it's-- it really is the Wild West because 193 00:11:12,846 --> 00:11:15,979 it's just a new thing that none of us really understand how it works. 194 00:11:16,023 --> 00:11:20,984 I really do feel like we're at the beginning of the-- of the shift in the music- 195 00:11:21,028 --> 00:11:23,291 of what will become the new music industry. 196 00:11:23,334 --> 00:11:25,206 Anything goes, like, however you get your music out there, 197 00:11:25,249 --> 00:11:28,513 whoever you get it to, there is no defined path. 198 00:11:31,038 --> 00:11:35,042 [reporter] President Donald Trump today moved the music industry into the 21st century. 199 00:11:35,085 --> 00:11:39,568 He signed the Music Modernization Act, legalizing the landmark 200 00:11:39,611 --> 00:11:42,049 copyright reform for songwriters. 201 00:11:42,092 --> 00:11:46,836 The goal is to ensure songwriters receive pay for the products that they produce 202 00:11:46,880 --> 00:11:49,883 when you're listening to them on streaming services. 203 00:11:53,234 --> 00:11:59,066 The Hatch-Goodlatte Music Modernization Act is a landmark bill. 204 00:11:59,109 --> 00:12:04,245 They've been looking for it for many, many years to protect the intellectual property 205 00:12:04,288 --> 00:12:08,771 and creative genius of America's incredible musicians. 206 00:12:08,815 --> 00:12:14,516 Our royalty laws haven't been updated for 110 years prior to the Music Modernization Act. 207 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,823 So the fact that technology came about, 208 00:12:16,866 --> 00:12:23,307 streaming came about, and still there had been no royalty law increases to any of that. 209 00:12:23,351 --> 00:12:29,574 Music Modernization Act took a huge problem in the industry and solved it, 210 00:12:29,618 --> 00:12:33,100 at least is at the very beginning stages of solving those problems. 211 00:12:33,143 --> 00:12:36,146 And there's been so much talk about regulation 212 00:12:36,190 --> 00:12:40,020 as far as like the actual monetization of streaming. 213 00:12:40,063 --> 00:12:42,065 Like, with a stroke of a pen tomorrow, you know, what-- 214 00:12:42,109 --> 00:12:43,806 even the advances that we've made, 215 00:12:43,850 --> 00:12:46,417 and streaming monetization could go away. 216 00:12:46,461 --> 00:12:49,725 You really can't only rely on your live check. 217 00:12:49,769 --> 00:12:53,816 In order to make money in anything, I think you have to have a strong enough reason 218 00:12:53,860 --> 00:12:56,732 as to why you even want to pursue it. 219 00:12:56,776 --> 00:12:59,387 That-- I think that should be the basis of it because 220 00:13:00,257 --> 00:13:04,348 regardless of what you're going through, if you have a strong enough reason to compel you 221 00:13:04,392 --> 00:13:06,350 to move forward, you're gonna find and make money. 222 00:13:06,394 --> 00:13:09,876 Now specifically, as far as strategies and music, it's so many opportunities. 223 00:13:09,919 --> 00:13:11,312 ♪ I'm compelled by a purpose 224 00:13:11,355 --> 00:13:13,314 ♪ I truly understand What it means ♪ 225 00:13:13,357 --> 00:13:15,838 ♪ When your spirit and your morals are aligned with your dream ♪ 226 00:13:15,882 --> 00:13:18,232 ♪ The little that you have Become more than you need ♪ 227 00:13:18,275 --> 00:13:20,887 ♪ And the times that you laugh Are worth more than the cream ♪ 228 00:13:20,930 --> 00:13:24,325 I think, ultimately, as a artist, man, it all-- to me, what I've experienced, 229 00:13:24,368 --> 00:13:28,242 it comes down to your product, what is-- what's the value of your product, 230 00:13:28,285 --> 00:13:29,983 why am I investing in your product. 231 00:13:30,026 --> 00:13:32,028 That all comes down to the connection with people. 232 00:13:32,072 --> 00:13:34,552 Like, somebody believes in your message and they believe in what you're doing, 233 00:13:34,596 --> 00:13:36,685 they're gonna pay you. 234 00:13:36,728 --> 00:13:38,905 If they believe that you're gonna have something that's going to touch the world 235 00:13:38,948 --> 00:13:42,691 or it touches them, then they'll pay you, they'll give you their funds for you to be sustainable. 236 00:13:42,734 --> 00:13:45,172 You know, I feel like you-- you have to adapt. 237 00:13:45,215 --> 00:13:48,523 I mean it's always waves of this and that, you know. 238 00:13:48,566 --> 00:13:52,962 I have learned to budget my money over the years, you know, because some years 239 00:13:53,006 --> 00:13:55,922 with any kind of entertainment you don't know what you-- you're getting into, you know. 240 00:13:55,965 --> 00:13:57,532 Some years you're gonna make a whole lot of money. 241 00:13:57,575 --> 00:13:59,882 We've got Paul McDonald in the building. 242 00:13:59,926 --> 00:14:03,581 He's got a brand-new album called Modern Hearts. 243 00:14:03,625 --> 00:14:05,627 [McDonald] In some years you're not gonna make hardly anything. 244 00:14:05,670 --> 00:14:09,152 Yeah, we're not making much off streaming, 245 00:14:09,196 --> 00:14:14,941 but at the same time while that changed, social media kind of came into play. 246 00:14:14,984 --> 00:14:17,204 You know there's so many ways you can market things. 247 00:14:17,247 --> 00:14:20,772 I'm in DC celebrating the release of my new single 248 00:14:20,816 --> 00:14:22,862 "Separate Us" with my new friends. What's up, guys? 249 00:14:22,905 --> 00:14:25,038 [audience] Woo! 250 00:14:25,081 --> 00:14:26,604 [Thompson] If you're putting out good music 251 00:14:26,648 --> 00:14:29,520 and you have good content and you're creating a following, 252 00:14:29,564 --> 00:14:34,874 there's so many ways to monetize that in a way where you can, you know, create a career out of it. 253 00:14:34,917 --> 00:14:37,050 ♪ So try to tell me Something I don't know ♪ 254 00:14:37,093 --> 00:14:39,008 ♪ See I need to go Pop the GoPro ♪ 255 00:14:39,052 --> 00:14:40,749 ♪ See any more likes On my photos ♪ 256 00:14:40,792 --> 00:14:43,099 ♪ But tell me how to rap That's a no-no, I'm so... ♪ 257 00:14:43,143 --> 00:14:48,670 The monetizing piece comes more from, you know, the merchandise and the touring, the live shows, 258 00:14:48,713 --> 00:14:52,848 licensing and getting songs in commercials and TV shows and movies 259 00:14:52,892 --> 00:14:56,156 and just being creative with ways of finding those different avenues. 260 00:14:56,199 --> 00:14:59,028 I just released a new single, it's called "Golden Nights." 261 00:14:59,072 --> 00:15:00,856 It's on all music platforms. 262 00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:03,946 Go get that [Expletive Deleted] right now. I love you guys so much. 263 00:15:10,170 --> 00:15:11,301 Check it at first. 264 00:15:13,651 --> 00:15:16,306 You have to be a businessman as an artist today. 265 00:15:16,350 --> 00:15:19,309 You can't just be a great musician anymore. 266 00:15:19,353 --> 00:15:22,443 It's tough because I don't have a business degree. 267 00:15:22,486 --> 00:15:25,315 I feel like every musician has like a side hustle. 268 00:15:25,359 --> 00:15:30,059 Our money is made through physical sales of CDs and merch and then live shows. 269 00:15:30,103 --> 00:15:34,281 The tours were to promote the album, but now the music is put out to promote your tours. 270 00:15:34,324 --> 00:15:37,675 So all our money right now is made in live music, which is good for us 271 00:15:37,719 --> 00:15:40,461 because we love playing live and we take pride in being a live band. 272 00:15:40,504 --> 00:15:44,030 We've been on the road for about two months now and this is an amazing live performance. 273 00:15:44,073 --> 00:15:46,554 So thank you guys so much for riding with us tonight. 274 00:15:47,990 --> 00:15:49,949 Touring is kind of where all the money is. 275 00:15:49,992 --> 00:15:52,168 Everybody's always gonna pay for tickets. 276 00:15:52,212 --> 00:15:54,388 That's never gonna be something that's free because the artists are just gonna not- 277 00:15:54,431 --> 00:15:56,129 not...not do it. 278 00:15:56,172 --> 00:15:59,175 There's artists like Bob Dylan that are still touring to this day. 279 00:15:59,219 --> 00:16:01,351 Tom Petty, literally, toured to the day he died. 280 00:16:01,395 --> 00:16:04,528 The show and the performance, to me, 281 00:16:04,572 --> 00:16:06,922 that's where you want to put your heart and soul into 282 00:16:06,966 --> 00:16:09,098 because that's what's gonna sell tickets. 283 00:16:09,142 --> 00:16:12,710 That's what's going to put people in the seats and make them actually buy merchandise 284 00:16:12,754 --> 00:16:16,453 at your show that you're going to be able to put more money in your pocket. 285 00:16:25,636 --> 00:16:27,290 [man] So what is it we're doing right now? 286 00:16:28,552 --> 00:16:30,511 Right now just checking on stuff. 287 00:16:30,554 --> 00:16:33,427 We released like a 288 00:16:33,470 --> 00:16:35,777 funny shirt that I made on my phone 289 00:16:35,820 --> 00:16:39,172 -of Tom, my drummer that plays with me live. -[drum playing] 290 00:16:39,215 --> 00:16:42,001 They sold out like pretty quickly. 291 00:16:42,044 --> 00:16:45,482 And so, I ordered more just to come on to the tour now finally. 292 00:16:46,831 --> 00:16:49,704 -All of this is 20 and this is 40. -Okay. 293 00:16:49,747 --> 00:16:53,229 I barely make money on music anymore and that's crazy because I- 294 00:16:53,273 --> 00:16:57,625 I have to figure out other lanes for it, I have to make money elsewhere. 295 00:16:57,668 --> 00:16:59,844 -Can I get one of these shirts, please? -Yeah, what size? 296 00:16:59,888 --> 00:17:01,237 Uh, large. 297 00:17:01,281 --> 00:17:04,371 My biggest moneymaker is merchandise. 298 00:17:04,414 --> 00:17:06,373 Twenty, awesome. Thank you so much. 299 00:17:08,201 --> 00:17:10,594 There you go. And it's 40. 300 00:17:10,638 --> 00:17:14,033 It's this every time, it's like a chaos, like the best chaos. 301 00:17:15,469 --> 00:17:16,861 This is the last of these. 302 00:17:16,905 --> 00:17:18,559 -Okay. -Here's the large. 303 00:17:18,602 --> 00:17:22,084 They just come up and they buy like a few shirts and a poster. 304 00:17:22,128 --> 00:17:23,781 I really like the new merch a lot. 305 00:17:23,825 --> 00:17:25,479 I have a lot of his merch though. 306 00:17:25,522 --> 00:17:27,611 -[man] Do you? -I have a lot of merch. 307 00:17:27,655 --> 00:17:31,224 Merch is a lot but it's good to like meet everybody, it's cool. 308 00:17:31,267 --> 00:17:33,182 -Alright, I appreciate it. -Yeah, thank you, man. 309 00:17:33,226 --> 00:17:34,836 -Have a good Christmas. -See you, dude. 310 00:17:37,404 --> 00:17:40,320 Hope you are doing well! I wanted to shoot you a quick update to let you know 311 00:17:40,363 --> 00:17:42,496 that it looks like "Run with the Giants" is gonna make it 312 00:17:42,539 --> 00:17:44,411 in tonight's episode of "The Grind." 313 00:17:44,454 --> 00:17:47,283 "Run with the Giants", which is all my new stuff, which is exciting, 314 00:17:47,327 --> 00:17:52,114 and, yeah, I'll have to figure out how to watch that tonight. 315 00:17:52,158 --> 00:17:55,204 Sync is just licensing. 316 00:17:55,248 --> 00:17:58,164 When people license music to put in their TV shows 317 00:17:58,207 --> 00:18:01,384 or their commercials or the promos or the trailers, 318 00:18:01,428 --> 00:18:05,823 they have to get a license from you and pay you before they use it, which is amazing. 319 00:18:05,867 --> 00:18:08,739 It's one of the new songs from the new record. 320 00:18:08,783 --> 00:18:11,742 I'm like-- I feel like it's gonna be really cool. 321 00:18:11,786 --> 00:18:14,093 [Emily] It's gonna be really great exposure too. 322 00:18:14,136 --> 00:18:16,965 It's the biggest portion of my income. Licensing is- 323 00:18:17,008 --> 00:18:20,795 is definitely at least 80 percent, if not more. 324 00:18:20,838 --> 00:18:22,710 -Awesome. -[Emily] I'm excited. 325 00:18:22,753 --> 00:18:25,582 Yeah, alright. Well, we'll wait for the next one. I'll call you then. 326 00:18:25,626 --> 00:18:29,020 -[Emily] Okay, sounds good. Congrats, Sam. -Thanks, Emily. 327 00:18:29,064 --> 00:18:30,718 -[Emily] Bye. -Bye. 328 00:18:32,633 --> 00:18:33,677 Pretty cool. 329 00:18:35,288 --> 00:18:37,812 I would say that one of the coolest that's happened lately 330 00:18:37,855 --> 00:18:42,382 is we landed a Samsung commercial and they used my song "Wolves." 331 00:18:42,425 --> 00:18:46,212 And, usually, they have, you know, a lot of voiceover, people talking, 332 00:18:46,255 --> 00:18:48,431 and you can kind of hear a little bit of the music behind it, 333 00:18:48,475 --> 00:18:50,477 but they, literally, had no talking, 334 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:57,092 just my song being the voice of this Samsung Galaxy J6+ commercial. 335 00:18:57,136 --> 00:19:00,835 We landed a song in an international Spider-Man trailer 336 00:19:00,878 --> 00:19:02,793 for Spider-Man Homecoming. 337 00:19:02,837 --> 00:19:08,321 I've had my songs used in shows like Riverdale, Quantico, 338 00:19:08,364 --> 00:19:11,019 The Rookie, Ninja Warriors. 339 00:19:11,062 --> 00:19:14,022 That's been such a game-changer for me as an independent artist 340 00:19:14,065 --> 00:19:17,417 to continually land these things that are on TV shows. 341 00:19:17,460 --> 00:19:19,680 I don't really do a ton of touring right now. 342 00:19:19,723 --> 00:19:23,292 It's not because I don't want to but it's because when I started weighing out touring 343 00:19:23,336 --> 00:19:28,863 versus making more music and allowing it to land on shows, 344 00:19:28,906 --> 00:19:31,866 the amount of fans that are coming from those interactions are a lot. 345 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:38,133 If my music is in the next Marvel movie, 346 00:19:38,177 --> 00:19:40,831 I don't have to pay for a bunch of streaming dollars. 347 00:19:40,875 --> 00:19:43,573 Everybody watches the Marvel movies, so they'll know from there. 348 00:19:43,617 --> 00:19:48,274 I can kind of help to build this thing that's not only going to build my band 349 00:19:48,317 --> 00:19:50,276 but it's also gonna kind of fuel the dream. 350 00:19:52,452 --> 00:19:55,106 Tiger Drive is a band that's all about connecting with the people around us 351 00:19:55,150 --> 00:19:57,631 through the music that we make. 352 00:19:57,674 --> 00:20:02,244 I think the hard part about that is though you can easily get kind of stuck in writing music 353 00:20:02,288 --> 00:20:06,074 that doesn't mean anything, you know? I mean you can-- you can get stuck writing music 354 00:20:06,117 --> 00:20:09,512 about whatever the pitch is or whatever the movie is about. 355 00:20:09,556 --> 00:20:13,299 So I think that's where you kind of have to find the-- the, like, happy medium. 356 00:20:13,342 --> 00:20:17,999 It's like always being yourself and refusing to write music that is not you. 357 00:20:20,393 --> 00:20:23,091 [McDonald] I make records for myself and then 358 00:20:23,134 --> 00:20:26,790 most of the shows will pick up these songs just if it fits. 359 00:20:26,834 --> 00:20:32,448 I guess probably the biggest one that folks would know is like the Twilightseries. 360 00:20:32,492 --> 00:20:34,711 Breaking Dawn Part 2 was a big movie. 361 00:20:34,755 --> 00:20:39,673 I had a song in the credits of that film, and they shot a big music video, 362 00:20:39,716 --> 00:20:43,242 they'd intertwined with the footage and stuff. So that was a big-- a big thing. 363 00:20:44,678 --> 00:20:49,378 One of the first placements that I had gotten that was like super, like, huge 364 00:20:49,422 --> 00:20:53,904 blessing was in show placement 365 00:20:53,948 --> 00:20:55,863 with a song called "Meet Me on the Battlefield" 366 00:20:55,906 --> 00:21:00,128 and it was just like a simple piano vocal in a show called Containment. 367 00:21:00,171 --> 00:21:02,391 And they played nearly the whole song. 368 00:21:02,435 --> 00:21:04,263 So it was not only like 369 00:21:04,306 --> 00:21:08,484 a blessing, financially, on the back end but 370 00:21:08,528 --> 00:21:11,574 it was also like a great exposure opportunity to- 371 00:21:11,618 --> 00:21:16,275 for people to hear my music and then kind of search like, "Oh, who is that?" 372 00:21:16,318 --> 00:21:19,713 It was an opportunity that opened our eyes. 373 00:21:19,756 --> 00:21:24,021 There was a lot of potential to kind of take it and run with it and so we were like, 374 00:21:24,065 --> 00:21:27,329 "Okay, we've got to move and continue to release stuff 375 00:21:27,373 --> 00:21:32,291 and continue to give people content so we don't lose the momentum that we just received." 376 00:21:32,334 --> 00:21:38,297 It's a great platform to be able to both have your music heard and financially sustained. 377 00:21:44,477 --> 00:21:49,046 [man] This is the sixth annual gala. 378 00:21:49,090 --> 00:21:52,659 We have a fabulous program for you tonight. 379 00:21:52,702 --> 00:21:55,923 We have a performance from Tribal Hop. 380 00:21:55,966 --> 00:22:02,451 Route that I'm fine that is more lucrative is doing corporate and private gigs. 381 00:22:02,495 --> 00:22:07,369 They're more personal, you can get really involved in certain grassroot movements 382 00:22:07,413 --> 00:22:12,418 that are going on and build a solid relationship and foundation with these companies. 383 00:22:12,461 --> 00:22:15,029 -I can't-- what do you think when you play? -[giggling] 384 00:22:15,072 --> 00:22:21,644 So today I'm out here gearing up for a wonderful show with Three and a Half Acres, my client. 385 00:22:21,688 --> 00:22:26,127 They deal with healing arts and, yeah, they're just gonna make things happen. 386 00:22:26,170 --> 00:22:33,134 Featuring Harlem's own, the one and only Ms. Farrah Boulé! 387 00:22:33,177 --> 00:22:35,397 [singing] 388 00:22:39,227 --> 00:22:44,406 So these type of shows are the most lucrative where you can be an artist, 389 00:22:44,450 --> 00:22:47,975 do your own original music, no covers, 390 00:22:48,018 --> 00:22:54,416 simply by aligning with a brand or company that matches your style. 391 00:22:54,460 --> 00:22:56,592 How is everybody feeling tonight? 392 00:22:56,636 --> 00:22:57,985 [all] Whoo! 393 00:22:58,028 --> 00:23:01,249 ♪ And then wish me all That so I can breathe ♪ 394 00:23:01,292 --> 00:23:04,078 ♪ I gravitate across To the heat ♪ 395 00:23:04,121 --> 00:23:07,037 ♪ When that flame boulle Is at its peak ♪ 396 00:23:07,081 --> 00:23:13,174 It aligns with my music because I am deeply rooted in the healing arts. 397 00:23:13,217 --> 00:23:16,569 My music is pretty much mantras. 398 00:23:16,612 --> 00:23:18,353 ♪ When life is done 399 00:23:18,397 --> 00:23:20,268 ♪ Then life will leave 400 00:23:20,311 --> 00:23:25,099 I just want to be able to express myself and be free within my own art. 401 00:23:25,142 --> 00:23:32,149 So I just found people who are in alignment with me and my message and magic happens. 402 00:23:32,193 --> 00:23:34,891 ♪ I like to navigate The high sea ♪ 403 00:23:34,935 --> 00:23:38,112 ♪ So I ride the waves Before it rides me ♪ 404 00:23:38,155 --> 00:23:40,897 ♪ I gravitate towards affinity 405 00:23:40,941 --> 00:23:44,161 ♪ Sitting watching time While time watches me ♪ 406 00:23:44,205 --> 00:23:50,603 It's all about aligning and being true to yourself. 407 00:23:50,646 --> 00:23:53,606 Thank you. I am Farrah Boulé. 408 00:24:00,700 --> 00:24:04,834 Yeah, I mean I think it's amazing that anybody can release anything at any time. 409 00:24:04,878 --> 00:24:08,534 If I just feel like putting a song out, I could have a song out in two weeks 410 00:24:08,577 --> 00:24:11,798 and do it all by myself having nobody's hands in it and if it's online. 411 00:24:11,841 --> 00:24:13,974 I mean like I've written songs on a plane. 412 00:24:16,019 --> 00:24:21,503 My iPad, I have this program called iMaschine and I can throw my headphones in 413 00:24:21,547 --> 00:24:25,942 and make a beat there and then I can freestyle in the little mic on my headphones 414 00:24:25,986 --> 00:24:28,815 and I have a little demo like, you know, five-hour flight to L.A. 415 00:24:28,858 --> 00:24:32,862 But now it's to the point where we can work in my house or his basement 416 00:24:32,906 --> 00:24:37,171 and three of us can put a single together and have it released in six weeks. 417 00:24:37,214 --> 00:24:40,000 We can just do everything from from-- from the phone, you know, 418 00:24:40,043 --> 00:24:41,523 and just straight up upload it right there. 419 00:24:41,567 --> 00:24:45,962 You have to not only be a songwriter and good on stage 420 00:24:46,006 --> 00:24:49,923 but, you also have to be somewhat of a producer to make it today. 421 00:24:49,966 --> 00:24:54,057 You need to be able to bring something of quality from your laptop. 422 00:24:54,101 --> 00:24:57,408 [S. Luna] Nowadays, you know, with people on their computers 423 00:24:57,452 --> 00:24:59,759 and on their phones making music, 424 00:24:59,802 --> 00:25:03,806 that's amazing because they don't have to spend that money and they can be really creative. 425 00:25:03,850 --> 00:25:09,290 At the same time, I do believe that, you know, there is a different type of artistry 426 00:25:09,333 --> 00:25:12,075 and I think it is fun that if you can create a beat on your phone, 427 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:14,556 well, it is fun to actually get into a studio 428 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:17,777 and actually create that beat live and not just on an app 429 00:25:17,820 --> 00:25:21,650 that probably 500 other people are creating the same thing. 430 00:25:21,694 --> 00:25:25,480 People have so many different opinions about the way music is made now. 431 00:25:25,524 --> 00:25:29,266 Some of the most amazing music of the world came from live sessions 432 00:25:29,310 --> 00:25:31,399 of just a guitar and a vocal. 433 00:25:31,442 --> 00:25:36,186 And, but at the same time there's beauty in record-- recording like your voice 434 00:25:36,230 --> 00:25:39,929 on a voice memo and then putting effects onto that and making that 435 00:25:39,973 --> 00:25:42,932 the drum sound for a song, I think that's crazy. 436 00:25:42,976 --> 00:25:45,282 It's easier to make music, you know, everyone can do it, 437 00:25:45,326 --> 00:25:46,327 a whole lot of more people can do it. 438 00:25:48,155 --> 00:25:50,679 It allows kids who not only couldn't afford to go into a big studio 439 00:25:50,723 --> 00:25:53,900 with a big board and the whole deal to make music and be creative. 440 00:25:53,943 --> 00:25:55,641 And I do think that's really cool. 441 00:25:55,684 --> 00:25:58,339 Back in the day when you'd go into a record shop, 442 00:25:58,382 --> 00:26:01,429 it was already kind of like "These are the best the best." 443 00:26:01,472 --> 00:26:04,388 There wasn't a bunch of kids in the garage creating stuff 444 00:26:04,432 --> 00:26:07,261 and getting it dropped on in the same stores. 445 00:26:07,304 --> 00:26:11,831 Like and now you have so much music out there and you don't need that many tools 446 00:26:11,874 --> 00:26:14,311 to make records anymore. 447 00:26:14,355 --> 00:26:19,055 Artists and songwriters 20 years ago didn't have voice memos on their phone. 448 00:26:19,099 --> 00:26:21,362 Not even 20--10, 15 years ago. 449 00:26:21,405 --> 00:26:24,191 And when they were recording, they were recording to tape and if they messed up, 450 00:26:24,234 --> 00:26:27,411 they had someone there just specialized to splice tape. 451 00:26:27,455 --> 00:26:30,371 So, you couldn't even afford to record back then unless you were really killing it. 452 00:26:30,414 --> 00:26:36,116 So like it just blows my mind like when people, you know, they choose to complain 453 00:26:36,159 --> 00:26:40,511 about where we're at today because really we are so lucky 454 00:26:40,555 --> 00:26:42,557 and there's so much at our disposal. 455 00:26:42,601 --> 00:26:45,212 ♪ Why'd it never cross my mind 456 00:26:45,255 --> 00:26:47,606 ♪ It's been right here All this time ♪ 457 00:26:47,649 --> 00:26:51,261 ♪ So I'm gonna stay here In this moment ♪ 458 00:26:54,395 --> 00:26:56,223 [man] Twenty-five- to thirty-minute set. 459 00:26:56,266 --> 00:26:57,441 [A.J.] Okay. 460 00:26:57,485 --> 00:26:59,313 -[man] That's easy. -[A.J.] That's cake. 461 00:26:59,356 --> 00:27:01,141 -That's cake. That's cake. -[man] Oh, there's an adapter right here. 462 00:27:01,184 --> 00:27:04,231 So we have that song that we played at the last show, "Gasoline". 463 00:27:04,274 --> 00:27:08,104 The vocals on there were just kind of scratch, so I was thinking we should try to get 464 00:27:08,148 --> 00:27:10,672 a couple more to play with if that's cool. 465 00:27:10,716 --> 00:27:11,891 Yeah. 466 00:27:11,934 --> 00:27:14,633 ♪ I made it on the gasoline 467 00:27:15,721 --> 00:27:18,245 ♪ Lit this fire black As kerosene ♪ 468 00:27:19,681 --> 00:27:23,032 ♪ Got to jump Like a trampoline ♪ 469 00:27:23,076 --> 00:27:25,948 ♪ Too reality to make believe 470 00:27:27,210 --> 00:27:28,864 -Hey. -It's pretty good. 471 00:27:28,908 --> 00:27:31,475 -Alright my brother. Yes, Sir. -That's for sure. That was good. 472 00:27:31,519 --> 00:27:34,348 I know a ton of people that I have to pay for studio time. 473 00:27:34,391 --> 00:27:37,699 Nilo's opened up his home, create this project. 474 00:27:37,743 --> 00:27:39,527 And we're super excited about it. 475 00:27:39,570 --> 00:27:42,486 You're really seeing, you know, talent emerge from everywhere, 476 00:27:42,530 --> 00:27:45,446 you're not relying on major labels anymore to find talent. 477 00:27:45,489 --> 00:27:47,535 People are making music in their bedroom. 478 00:27:47,578 --> 00:27:49,668 They're making music all over and becoming, you know, 479 00:27:49,711 --> 00:27:52,366 international sensations and superstars. 480 00:27:52,409 --> 00:27:56,065 So, to me, it is-- it's an exciting shift and I think that's just what happens 481 00:27:56,109 --> 00:28:00,591 in life, in general, nothing stays the same in the music industry, it's no different. 482 00:28:00,635 --> 00:28:04,552 So now, like, it's-- it's possible to pump out 483 00:28:04,595 --> 00:28:10,558 good-quality, major label quality music out of a home studio with the right equipment. 484 00:28:10,601 --> 00:28:15,476 Just never know what can happen these days with just a computer and yourself. 485 00:28:15,519 --> 00:28:18,784 I mean it's pretty incredible what can happen now in the box. 486 00:28:18,827 --> 00:28:22,135 You don't need a full-on studio anymore. 487 00:28:22,178 --> 00:28:24,354 So this is my home studio. 488 00:28:24,398 --> 00:28:29,490 It's the cool place to come and create new songs or come up with ideas. 489 00:28:32,928 --> 00:28:38,151 Welcome to my home studio where I fit everything I need to do into one room. 490 00:28:38,194 --> 00:28:42,895 I have a whole home studio that's kind of my personal factory. 491 00:28:42,938 --> 00:28:46,246 I have a vocal booth where I record my own vocals. 492 00:28:46,289 --> 00:28:50,772 I also have a video set up for me to do my cover videos. 493 00:28:50,816 --> 00:28:53,993 And I also work on fashion here as well. 494 00:28:54,036 --> 00:28:57,910 This is an outfit that I did for my Alien music video. 495 00:28:57,953 --> 00:28:59,738 [singing] 496 00:29:00,913 --> 00:29:05,961 I even have a rehearsal space where I have floor-to-ceiling mirrors, 497 00:29:06,005 --> 00:29:10,836 I have a microphone, DJ lights, a mixing board, my in-ear system, 498 00:29:10,879 --> 00:29:14,056 and I practice like it's a real show. 499 00:29:14,100 --> 00:29:18,191 It's awesome because you really never know what your schedule is gonna be 500 00:29:18,234 --> 00:29:20,497 or when inspiration is gonna strike. 501 00:29:20,541 --> 00:29:25,328 So I love having this room where I can do whatever I need to do whenever I need to do it. 502 00:29:25,372 --> 00:29:27,548 ♪ I am just an alien 503 00:29:29,202 --> 00:29:32,292 One cool thing about this band is we have a studio in our basement, 504 00:29:32,335 --> 00:29:34,860 and we record all of this stuff ourselves now. 505 00:29:34,903 --> 00:29:37,645 This is the first song that's come out of that process. 506 00:29:39,212 --> 00:29:40,779 [singing] 507 00:29:45,696 --> 00:29:51,006 As far as our sound goes, we are a DIY rock band through and through. 508 00:29:51,050 --> 00:29:52,703 [singing] 509 00:29:56,664 --> 00:30:00,015 This is our home studio, and this is where we rehearse, 510 00:30:00,059 --> 00:30:03,845 this is where we record, where we write, where we hang out. 511 00:30:03,889 --> 00:30:07,196 It all really happens in here and it takes all of us. 512 00:30:08,589 --> 00:30:14,856 [singing] 513 00:30:14,900 --> 00:30:19,426 Personally, I always romanticize these bands that would make these crazy albums 514 00:30:19,469 --> 00:30:23,865 just spending a lot of time in the studio where time wasn't as big a factor. 515 00:30:25,301 --> 00:30:29,566 Building this space was sort of about building that environment for ourselves 516 00:30:29,610 --> 00:30:32,613 where we could kind of get lost in what we were doing 517 00:30:32,656 --> 00:30:37,618 and not worry about taking too much time like really go on the full journey. 518 00:30:37,661 --> 00:30:39,750 [singing] 519 00:30:39,794 --> 00:30:43,537 Having the free space and free time to really be able to do that 520 00:30:43,580 --> 00:30:45,582 is really part of the magic for us. 521 00:30:45,626 --> 00:30:47,367 [singing] 522 00:31:00,771 --> 00:31:04,384 So there're so many people that are-- that are releasing music all the time 523 00:31:04,427 --> 00:31:08,954 but still then like we're seeing 40, 50, 60 people daily, 524 00:31:08,997 --> 00:31:12,740 it's barely even skimming the surface, there's a lot of saturation out there. 525 00:31:12,783 --> 00:31:15,874 For bands that would never get out there in the past now have a chance to, 526 00:31:15,917 --> 00:31:18,659 but at the same time there's a lot more competition. 527 00:31:18,702 --> 00:31:23,142 I tell my oldest son like don't even worry about this shit that I've been trying to do 528 00:31:23,185 --> 00:31:26,885 for 20 years to get right like don't even get involved in it. 529 00:31:26,928 --> 00:31:29,626 There's too many people doing it right now, it's oversaturated. 530 00:31:29,670 --> 00:31:34,718 I think for me even as just a listener trying to figure out 531 00:31:34,762 --> 00:31:37,504 what to listen to is exhausting. 532 00:31:37,547 --> 00:31:40,768 I think with the-- with the higher saturation you have to constantly 533 00:31:40,811 --> 00:31:42,813 out of one side of your mind when you're writing 534 00:31:42,857 --> 00:31:44,859 and when you're in the studio producing you have to think, 535 00:31:44,903 --> 00:31:48,297 do I love this? Does this represent who I am as an artist? 536 00:31:48,341 --> 00:31:52,693 And the other side you have to think, are the masses going to love this? 537 00:31:52,736 --> 00:31:54,956 I mean there's millions of people trying to do the music. 538 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:59,178 They have this same technology that you have because of the way it's built as well. 539 00:31:59,221 --> 00:32:00,962 They kind of have the same chance that you do. 540 00:32:01,006 --> 00:32:04,487 It's gonna make the best kind of filter to the top. 541 00:32:04,531 --> 00:32:07,099 People can like or dislike a track and they never hear it again 542 00:32:07,142 --> 00:32:08,752 or they hear it more regularly. 543 00:32:08,796 --> 00:32:12,800 So what the world really wants to hear is gonna end up rising 544 00:32:12,843 --> 00:32:17,152 while what they don't really like goes back to the bottom a little bit. 545 00:32:23,071 --> 00:32:27,902 I would say this is the old school hustle because this is the original hustle. 546 00:32:27,946 --> 00:32:30,252 This is the OG hustle. 547 00:32:30,296 --> 00:32:35,954 And you do this back in the day before social media so people can know where to find you. 548 00:32:38,826 --> 00:32:40,654 It's time for the lazy man right here. 549 00:32:40,697 --> 00:32:44,397 Lazy man, you expect someone to come save you. You gotta save yourself. 550 00:32:44,440 --> 00:32:45,789 [man] Do you have a SoundCloud? 551 00:32:45,833 --> 00:32:47,443 Oh, I don't really have a SoundCloud. 552 00:32:47,487 --> 00:32:49,097 I got the street cloud. 553 00:32:53,406 --> 00:32:57,062 The hustle, you gotta embrace it. 554 00:32:57,105 --> 00:33:00,587 You got to learn the process at a hustle because you learn so many different things 555 00:33:00,630 --> 00:33:03,024 pertaining to like developing your skill level. 556 00:33:16,690 --> 00:33:18,300 Man. 557 00:33:18,344 --> 00:33:20,476 What I'm doing out here basically is chasing the dream, man. 558 00:33:20,520 --> 00:33:25,699 This bucket, this amp, this microphone is how I project my perspective onto the world. 559 00:33:25,742 --> 00:33:28,180 ♪ Passing a thought through My mind as I write them down ♪ 560 00:33:28,223 --> 00:33:30,660 ♪ About where I wanna be Probably a year from now ♪ 561 00:33:30,704 --> 00:33:33,272 ♪ Accomplish something That's overwhelming That's so profound ♪ 562 00:33:33,315 --> 00:33:35,839 ♪ Bring tears to my momma's face And that'll make her smile ♪ 563 00:33:35,883 --> 00:33:38,407 My particular hustle is that I busk. That's how I started. 564 00:33:38,451 --> 00:33:41,671 For those who don't know what busking is, that just means you come perform live 565 00:33:41,715 --> 00:33:44,283 in front of like different-- anybody. 566 00:33:47,199 --> 00:33:49,288 ♪ Comments like I'm going to the stores Never stop ♪ 567 00:33:49,331 --> 00:33:51,942 ♪ And I'm gonna do it Every single day Look out forever rock ♪ 568 00:33:51,986 --> 00:33:55,772 ♪ And I see the people going on They say that I'm off my rocker But I'm not to chase my dream ♪ 569 00:33:55,816 --> 00:33:57,078 ♪ Get there by any means 570 00:33:57,122 --> 00:33:59,820 Freestyling provides freedom. 571 00:33:59,863 --> 00:34:02,257 ♪ Opportunity dawg, 'cause all These people be confusing me ♪ 572 00:34:02,301 --> 00:34:04,520 ♪ I got to do it dawg 'cause I'm sick of all these eulogies ♪ 573 00:34:04,564 --> 00:34:05,913 ♪ People just don't know What they're doing ♪ 574 00:34:05,956 --> 00:34:07,958 ♪ That's why I make the Music for the queens ♪ 575 00:34:08,002 --> 00:34:11,049 ♪ Got to get it in Thank you for the dollar I must thank you sister ♪ 576 00:34:11,092 --> 00:34:13,094 ♪ Look I'm thinking About tomorrow ♪ 577 00:34:13,138 --> 00:34:16,054 First of all, you have to have an amazing amount of confidence in yourself, 578 00:34:16,097 --> 00:34:20,188 you have to develop a skill level to where people can interact with you 579 00:34:20,232 --> 00:34:23,583 that don't know you and be willing to even stop and paying the attention to you. 580 00:34:23,626 --> 00:34:26,629 Man, I got started doing this probably about two years ago. 581 00:34:26,673 --> 00:34:29,545 The first time I came out, I had a bucket and it said "poetry" on it 582 00:34:29,589 --> 00:34:33,767 and I just set it down and I performed on the trolley station. 583 00:34:33,810 --> 00:34:35,856 I got like $30 that day. It was dope. 584 00:34:35,899 --> 00:34:38,989 You know what I mean? Way to have faith to keep coming back out here. 585 00:34:39,033 --> 00:34:42,689 My wife pushed me out here and was like, "You know, you give it 50 percent you get 50 back. 586 00:34:42,732 --> 00:34:45,387 You give a 100, you get a 100 back." So I was like, man, 587 00:34:45,431 --> 00:34:47,650 if she's supportive and she want me to be out here, I think I'm gonna do it. 588 00:34:47,694 --> 00:34:51,001 ♪ It's hard to maintain At the top I'm going to aim Regardless of the fame ♪ 589 00:34:51,045 --> 00:34:52,612 ♪ Well, I got to make change 590 00:34:52,655 --> 00:34:55,049 ♪ While I make a change I just do it for my daughter ♪ 591 00:34:55,093 --> 00:34:59,662 And I started on Rose Street, one of the busiest places probably in America, 592 00:34:59,706 --> 00:35:02,056 well, 'cause this is one of the biggest tourist cities. 593 00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:06,147 Now, this is when I need y'all guys to participate. Don't hurt them now. 594 00:35:06,191 --> 00:35:09,933 I've appointed you and I need a word from you guys, okay? 595 00:35:09,977 --> 00:35:12,806 And I'm gonna incorporate that word when I rap, okay? Is that cool? 596 00:35:12,849 --> 00:35:14,982 The only thing is I don't use any profanity. 597 00:35:15,025 --> 00:35:16,462 I hope that it doesn't offend anybody. 598 00:35:16,505 --> 00:35:18,377 I like to keep it clean. 599 00:35:18,420 --> 00:35:22,032 Obviously, it's then I decided to make a full-time commitment to it. 600 00:35:22,076 --> 00:35:25,079 But it really happened for me just trying to find an outlet for my music 601 00:35:25,123 --> 00:35:27,560 and using the resources that was around. 602 00:35:27,603 --> 00:35:30,345 ♪ Man, Harlem, every single day Now I go in smilin' ♪ 603 00:35:30,389 --> 00:35:31,825 [singing] 604 00:35:33,696 --> 00:35:36,873 Y'all are probably gonna see me very, very soon. 605 00:35:36,917 --> 00:35:40,094 I got faith we will be probably seeing you very, very soon. 606 00:35:40,138 --> 00:35:41,443 ♪ --and I tell them hello 607 00:35:42,314 --> 00:35:43,402 [woman] Whoo! 608 00:35:44,316 --> 00:35:46,187 ♪ -Put your bat -Just like that ♪ 609 00:35:46,231 --> 00:35:47,406 ♪ -Just like that -Just like that ♪ 610 00:35:47,449 --> 00:35:49,147 ♪ -Just like that -Just like that ♪ 611 00:35:49,190 --> 00:35:51,192 ♪ Just like that Just like that ♪ 612 00:35:51,236 --> 00:35:52,106 Hold on. 613 00:35:58,156 --> 00:36:02,377 We put more out music for a small donation, anywhere between a penny 614 00:36:02,421 --> 00:36:04,597 to a million dollars. You know what I'm saying? 615 00:36:04,640 --> 00:36:08,818 So we independent artists are just trying to do the right thing for our families. 616 00:36:08,862 --> 00:36:11,081 You know what I'm saying? You got people out here with ten kids 617 00:36:11,125 --> 00:36:13,127 taking care of their family. 618 00:36:13,171 --> 00:36:18,654 I'm right now making like almost $110,000 a year selling my music alone. 619 00:36:18,698 --> 00:36:22,223 So we're just out here networking, trying to do our thing, 620 00:36:22,267 --> 00:36:24,007 get this money, you heard? 621 00:36:24,051 --> 00:36:26,053 And you'll see all the guys here putting the CDs in their hands. 622 00:36:26,096 --> 00:36:30,840 They're just giving-- some of them are blank CDs, some of them are legitimate CDs 623 00:36:30,884 --> 00:36:32,625 and then they're just ripping everybody's money out, 624 00:36:32,668 --> 00:36:34,192 nobody's gonna listen to like crap anyway. 625 00:36:34,235 --> 00:36:36,324 Show me love, bro. Anything. Anything, bro. 626 00:36:36,368 --> 00:36:39,066 -I just-- I just-- -A small donation from your heart. Anything. 627 00:36:39,109 --> 00:36:40,546 Let me sign it for him. Let me sign it for him. 628 00:36:40,589 --> 00:36:43,070 -Let me sign it for him. -Don't be like that, bro. 629 00:36:43,113 --> 00:36:45,072 Do a dollar. Do a dollar. Do a dollar. Do a dollar. Do a dollar. 630 00:36:45,115 --> 00:36:46,378 -Flat out. -Turn out. 631 00:36:46,421 --> 00:36:48,902 You know, again it's all hustling out here. 632 00:36:48,945 --> 00:36:53,385 Even now I've been out here 20 years and I have a country album, I have a rock album. 633 00:36:53,428 --> 00:36:56,779 Every single person I take a picture with, I give them my card, I sign it, 634 00:36:56,823 --> 00:37:01,219 says my music's on iTunes so you can download the music. 635 00:37:01,262 --> 00:37:05,048 Even with that going on, we probably get five hundred to a thousand downloads a month 636 00:37:05,092 --> 00:37:06,659 which isn't a lot. 637 00:37:06,702 --> 00:37:08,922 But also, people just don't associate me so much with music, 638 00:37:08,965 --> 00:37:11,490 they see me out here on the street and assume it's not that. 639 00:37:11,533 --> 00:37:13,796 To me, it's more about a persona. 640 00:37:13,840 --> 00:37:18,192 ♪ I'm The Naked Cowboy Here with InstaBAND ♪ 641 00:37:18,236 --> 00:37:23,023 ♪ Surviving the streaming Revolution if we can ♪ 642 00:37:25,155 --> 00:37:27,636 If you don't understand how this stuff works. 643 00:37:27,680 --> 00:37:30,683 If you've not signed up for Instagram and Snapchat, 644 00:37:30,726 --> 00:37:32,467 this is not a waste of your time. 645 00:37:32,511 --> 00:37:36,079 We live in a mobile-only world, you just don't realize it yet. 646 00:37:38,473 --> 00:37:41,215 [man] Mobile phones are literally taking over the world. 647 00:37:41,259 --> 00:37:44,697 The smartphone is a beautiful thing. 648 00:37:44,740 --> 00:37:46,176 Phone is life. 649 00:37:46,220 --> 00:37:49,136 Being able to create content on the spot is incredible. 650 00:37:49,179 --> 00:37:51,617 [man] Let's say next week you don't have your smartphone. 651 00:37:51,660 --> 00:37:53,488 Oh man, it could be crazy. 652 00:37:53,532 --> 00:37:58,363 I'm probably on my phone five hours a day whether I want to or not. 653 00:37:58,406 --> 00:38:00,539 There! I can't believe my phone's not even on me now, 654 00:38:00,582 --> 00:38:03,063 I feel like so dis-attached from it. 655 00:38:03,106 --> 00:38:07,589 My phone is probably the most important tool I use 656 00:38:07,633 --> 00:38:09,461 in music right now, which is kind of crazy. 657 00:38:09,504 --> 00:38:11,419 Maybe even above a guitar. 658 00:38:11,463 --> 00:38:14,161 You know it's like I pull out my phone when I'm wanting to write lyrics. 659 00:38:14,204 --> 00:38:18,383 So I'm pulling out my phone when I'm wanting to post a video showing me in the studio. 660 00:38:18,426 --> 00:38:23,170 I'm pulling out my phone when I am posting about a new licensing thing that happened. 661 00:38:23,213 --> 00:38:25,215 It's kind of the new computer. 662 00:38:25,259 --> 00:38:26,739 It's kind of the new everything. 663 00:38:26,782 --> 00:38:30,482 I use my phone a lot and I don't know 664 00:38:30,525 --> 00:38:35,051 how I would do as much as I am doing without things like a cell phone. 665 00:38:38,664 --> 00:38:40,622 [Germany] I do everything on my phone. 666 00:38:40,666 --> 00:38:44,626 I book on my phone. I do like all of my graphics on my phone. 667 00:38:44,670 --> 00:38:46,280 I make t-shirts on my phone. 668 00:38:46,324 --> 00:38:48,848 I also use my phone for setlist on stage. 669 00:38:50,110 --> 00:38:53,679 Like, literally, everything is on my cell phone, which is crazy because that's the future 670 00:38:53,722 --> 00:38:58,205 but at the same time, like, the music future is so tough 671 00:38:58,248 --> 00:39:00,120 that you have to be able to do those things. 672 00:39:00,163 --> 00:39:02,035 It's a-- it's a little crippling. 673 00:39:02,078 --> 00:39:04,385 I mean I, literally, while I am doing this, I have my phone behind me 674 00:39:04,429 --> 00:39:07,562 and it's just like going off because I leave all my notifications on- 675 00:39:07,606 --> 00:39:09,999 on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook. 676 00:39:10,043 --> 00:39:14,177 Yeah, so just like sat down and grabbed my phone and, I mean right now it's already like 677 00:39:14,221 --> 00:39:17,529 this is all Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat. 678 00:39:17,572 --> 00:39:23,099 All of that just happened like while we were just sitting at the arcade machine for a minute. 679 00:39:23,143 --> 00:39:26,929 I have to be engaged in order for people to care about it. 680 00:39:26,973 --> 00:39:29,367 That's the only way that they want to care about it is if the if they- 681 00:39:29,410 --> 00:39:34,937 if they feel like it's a firsthand avenue to me. And so, I live on my phone. 682 00:39:34,981 --> 00:39:38,376 That's more than half of my job, yeah, as a musician. 683 00:39:38,419 --> 00:39:43,119 [man] What's the longest period of time you-- you are like totally without your phone? 684 00:39:43,163 --> 00:39:45,121 Uh, when I go to sleep. 685 00:39:45,165 --> 00:39:46,949 I'll sit on my phone all day. 686 00:39:46,993 --> 00:39:50,518 It's like my job because I am just a DIY like independent artist. 687 00:39:50,562 --> 00:39:53,303 So I run everything by myself. So when I'm on stage, 688 00:39:53,347 --> 00:39:56,350 it's the moment that like I don't think for a second. 689 00:39:58,004 --> 00:40:01,573 There's a bunch of ways that like I promote the music that 690 00:40:01,616 --> 00:40:04,576 people probably didn't do even five years ago. 691 00:40:04,619 --> 00:40:07,579 I mean, the internet is where people live now. 692 00:40:07,622 --> 00:40:09,885 Social media is like everything. 693 00:40:09,929 --> 00:40:11,321 It's crazy like 694 00:40:11,365 --> 00:40:17,023 the stock of a song compared to a retweet is huge. 695 00:40:17,066 --> 00:40:20,896 Getting a song that-- that can have a lasting value versus something that can 696 00:40:20,940 --> 00:40:24,552 have lasting and repostable value on the internet, 697 00:40:24,596 --> 00:40:26,598 it's crazy, and trying to balance that. 698 00:40:26,641 --> 00:40:31,037 So we spend like, I'd say, half of our time on social media, half time practicing. 699 00:40:31,080 --> 00:40:34,780 Social media is honestly half of what you do-- half of the band now. 700 00:40:34,823 --> 00:40:39,001 He just did like a solo set the other night at a cafe and just 'cause he put it on Instagram, 701 00:40:39,045 --> 00:40:40,612 a lot of people showed up to see him. 702 00:40:40,655 --> 00:40:43,353 So it's-- it's a changing world but it's amazing for bands. 703 00:40:43,397 --> 00:40:44,833 It's a lot more opportunity now. 704 00:40:44,877 --> 00:40:48,054 I think man having a smartphone for me to my career is- 705 00:40:48,097 --> 00:40:51,536 I hate to say a necessity- but it's becoming so-- it just makes it easier. 706 00:40:51,579 --> 00:40:54,321 In the music world, things move really fast. 707 00:40:54,364 --> 00:40:57,237 So you can have an opportunity that you have to capitalize on immediately. 708 00:40:57,280 --> 00:40:59,195 You know everybody got a smartphone. 709 00:40:59,239 --> 00:41:01,589 ♪ I say it once again Look my name is Ray Wimley ♪ 710 00:41:01,633 --> 00:41:03,983 ♪ I'm having fun when I be chillin' plus I'm Fooling with my friends ♪ 711 00:41:04,026 --> 00:41:06,899 I cipher through so much material online on the internet 712 00:41:06,942 --> 00:41:10,642 that I haven't posted and I know this is clips of me everywhere. 713 00:41:10,685 --> 00:41:13,993 So just because I'm not directly filming something 714 00:41:14,036 --> 00:41:17,779 doesn't mean that it doesn't get distributed to people all over the line. 715 00:41:17,823 --> 00:41:22,349 So the game nowadays and the aspect I like of it is the internet because 716 00:41:22,392 --> 00:41:26,396 you have this amazing ability to touch people all over the world. 717 00:41:26,440 --> 00:41:32,533 What that creates is even less excuses for you not to be the way you want to be. 718 00:41:32,577 --> 00:41:37,233 What I think lacks now is the personal interaction between audience and the performer 719 00:41:37,277 --> 00:41:40,976 because you still need that organic connection beyond the computer screen. 720 00:41:41,020 --> 00:41:44,240 Use every advantage you have. Like if I could make a connection and meet somebody, 721 00:41:44,284 --> 00:41:49,289 that's something I can use to be in a position of where my music blows up. 722 00:41:49,332 --> 00:41:50,682 ♪ Common sense, man 723 00:41:50,725 --> 00:41:52,248 ♪ I gotta feeling I know This on the block ♪ 724 00:41:52,292 --> 00:41:54,250 ♪ The HS on his bag as They rock him in the car ♪ 725 00:41:54,294 --> 00:41:56,122 ♪ The cell phone Canon On the camera ♪ 726 00:41:56,165 --> 00:41:58,167 ♪ We gonna take it far The 25th right ♪ 727 00:41:58,211 --> 00:41:59,908 ♪ That's his best I'm loving this festival ♪ 728 00:41:59,952 --> 00:42:02,476 Man, I know this only take one song, 729 00:42:02,520 --> 00:42:06,001 nowadays one moment, one video that could change your life. 730 00:42:06,045 --> 00:42:09,048 ♪ My man Ray said The mic is on y'all I did it 'cause know ♪ 731 00:42:09,091 --> 00:42:12,704 ♪ I'm Common Sense I lost it Going I came back home sort Of liked New Orleans ♪ 732 00:42:12,747 --> 00:42:15,620 ♪ The way to freestyle yo And keep homeboy ♪ 733 00:42:15,663 --> 00:42:19,580 A viral video could be somebody's grainy footage, that shot of a phone 734 00:42:19,624 --> 00:42:22,714 and it just strikes the chord and millions of people will share it. 735 00:42:22,757 --> 00:42:24,803 Watch out and check out the video. 736 00:42:24,846 --> 00:42:27,588 ♪ --reality as we go into A whole another level That's why I got to say ♪ 737 00:42:27,632 --> 00:42:31,244 ♪ Man it's on my heart For people that's around I thank you for vibing in ♪ 738 00:42:31,287 --> 00:42:33,463 ♪ Welcome to the town for real 739 00:42:33,507 --> 00:42:36,162 Leave comments what you think about what Common did right here. 740 00:42:40,340 --> 00:42:44,300 [Common] What a ride, man. Thank you all, man. This is a blessing. 741 00:42:46,172 --> 00:42:50,959 [S. Luna] Everything is like now these social pages of like, you know, making these artists. 742 00:42:51,003 --> 00:42:53,353 These artists try and open up the world and- 743 00:42:53,396 --> 00:42:56,878 and that's really, I think where the biggest promotion comes from is like Instagram. 744 00:42:56,922 --> 00:43:01,404 [man] Instagram was a startup idea whose beauty was in its simplicity. 745 00:43:01,448 --> 00:43:05,234 Take a single photograph of where you are or what you are doing, 746 00:43:05,278 --> 00:43:07,759 share it in real time with the people in your life 747 00:43:07,802 --> 00:43:10,979 and give them an easy button to push to show they like it. 748 00:43:11,023 --> 00:43:15,984 I love Instagram. 749 00:43:16,028 --> 00:43:19,858 I do love a good Instagram because I love pictures. 750 00:43:19,901 --> 00:43:25,254 I love having the visual and just kind of getting a window into somebody's life 751 00:43:25,298 --> 00:43:28,170 and to also share a window into your own. 752 00:43:28,214 --> 00:43:32,827 I love having the visual piece with music and just feeling like you're 753 00:43:32,871 --> 00:43:37,658 a part of somebody's life in a small way. So, I'm a fan of the Instagram. 754 00:43:37,702 --> 00:43:40,356 [Aquaducks member] Everybody's experienced negativity online. 755 00:43:40,400 --> 00:43:45,057 It seeps in every aspect, but I found at least that Instagram 756 00:43:45,100 --> 00:43:48,800 is a place where people want to feel good and post the good things that are happening. 757 00:43:48,843 --> 00:43:52,760 I think it's really true that a picture speaks a thousand words 758 00:43:52,804 --> 00:43:55,328 and you really do get that through Instagram. 759 00:43:55,371 --> 00:44:00,028 I've actually been starting this new thing where every day I am posting 760 00:44:00,072 --> 00:44:03,336 a really positive inspirational quote. 761 00:44:03,379 --> 00:44:07,383 I think I can really represent my brand visually on Instagram 762 00:44:07,427 --> 00:44:11,910 and also just interact with people which is awesome. 763 00:44:11,953 --> 00:44:15,565 I'm not one of the guys that's-- that's constantly on my Instagram feed 764 00:44:15,609 --> 00:44:18,177 going like "Check it out, man, I'm here hanging out." 765 00:44:18,220 --> 00:44:23,138 You know, it's just not my personality to be all up in my own business 766 00:44:23,182 --> 00:44:24,923 showing the world that kind of stuff. 767 00:44:24,966 --> 00:44:27,665 But when I'm in the studio or creating and stuff or playing shows, 768 00:44:27,708 --> 00:44:31,581 it's a nice tool to get in front of your people and say, "Hey, what's up? I'm doing this, 769 00:44:31,625 --> 00:44:34,149 this and this," like I don't need to show you what I'm cooking today 770 00:44:34,193 --> 00:44:35,847 or when I'm washing my clothes. 771 00:44:35,890 --> 00:44:38,850 You know it's not a reality show here that I'm trying to do. 772 00:44:38,893 --> 00:44:41,896 I rather would be working on the art and let the art speak for itself. 773 00:44:41,940 --> 00:44:45,595 But a lot of times people say that's not enough, you know, with-- with what you're doing. 774 00:44:45,639 --> 00:44:49,295 But I do think that it can be enough, you know. 775 00:44:49,338 --> 00:44:52,385 So, yeah, I'm focused on making the records and the music. 776 00:44:52,428 --> 00:44:56,781 And I think if you make great music, you really don't have to worry about that stuff. 777 00:44:56,824 --> 00:44:58,434 The music can speak for itself. 778 00:45:01,437 --> 00:45:04,353 ♪ I can be all you need 779 00:45:04,397 --> 00:45:06,965 ♪ I can be all you need 780 00:45:09,315 --> 00:45:10,708 Alright. 781 00:45:10,751 --> 00:45:14,233 And we are live. 782 00:45:14,276 --> 00:45:16,278 -What's up? -Yo, what's up guys? 783 00:45:16,322 --> 00:45:19,020 It's time for another edition of "Give Monday Some Riespect." 784 00:45:19,064 --> 00:45:21,588 Thank you so much as always for joining us tonight. 785 00:45:21,631 --> 00:45:23,416 So we do Facebook Live every single Monday. 786 00:45:23,459 --> 00:45:25,592 "We call it Give Monday Some Riespect." 787 00:45:25,635 --> 00:45:28,160 It's our way of checking in with the fans and letting them know what's coming up. 788 00:45:28,203 --> 00:45:31,206 If you guys have any questions for us, any song requests, 789 00:45:31,250 --> 00:45:34,557 write them down below and we'll-- we'll play them for you. 790 00:45:34,601 --> 00:45:37,778 We love this experience we have with you guys, checking in every week. 791 00:45:37,822 --> 00:45:40,955 That's why we do this. We love to hear what you guys have to say. 792 00:45:40,999 --> 00:45:42,957 They'll be the first to hear new music. 793 00:45:43,001 --> 00:45:44,785 We give them sneak peeks on that. 794 00:45:44,829 --> 00:45:47,179 We like to say in the comments like those who are watching from-- 795 00:45:47,222 --> 00:45:52,184 and like last week there was someone from Alaska watching, there's someone like overseas. 796 00:45:52,227 --> 00:45:54,316 Yo, hello from Denver. 797 00:45:54,360 --> 00:45:56,101 Hello from California. 798 00:45:56,144 --> 00:45:58,451 Alabama in the house. 799 00:45:58,494 --> 00:46:01,193 -We got Alaska watching us tonight. -Hell, yeah. 800 00:46:01,236 --> 00:46:02,847 [Kevin Ries] So cool that everyone is coming-- 801 00:46:02,890 --> 00:46:05,327 -Yeah. -You know, connecting on this social media platform. 802 00:46:05,371 --> 00:46:07,199 [singing] 803 00:46:12,421 --> 00:46:15,816 Interacting with the fans I think is so important because they're the ones who are buying 804 00:46:15,860 --> 00:46:18,210 the tickets to your show, it's they are the ones who are listening to your music. 805 00:46:18,253 --> 00:46:20,821 So, they can help us plan a better show. 806 00:46:20,865 --> 00:46:23,041 [Kevin] We have a tour coming up. 807 00:46:23,084 --> 00:46:25,695 What song do you want to hear the most? So we'll put that in the setlist, you know, 808 00:46:25,739 --> 00:46:28,568 so it's cool to, you know, reach out and get that give and take 809 00:46:28,611 --> 00:46:30,788 with the fans to get feedback, I like that a lot. 810 00:46:32,093 --> 00:46:33,965 It's a brand-new song right there. 811 00:46:35,140 --> 00:46:37,795 Thank you so much for joining us. That's it for tonight's episode. 812 00:46:37,838 --> 00:46:40,145 We're the Ries Brothers. We love checking in with you guys. 813 00:46:40,188 --> 00:46:41,668 We'll see you guys again next week. 814 00:46:41,711 --> 00:46:43,888 -So, remember, much love and Riespect. -Riespect. 815 00:46:45,106 --> 00:46:49,763 I think social media is awesome. I also think it's very flawed. 816 00:46:49,807 --> 00:46:54,246 You should use it as a powerful tool to connect with people 817 00:46:54,289 --> 00:46:57,205 and remember that there are people on the other side. 818 00:46:57,249 --> 00:47:00,165 It's not just this digital abyss. 819 00:47:00,208 --> 00:47:02,645 And I think the more that you can create a dialog 820 00:47:02,689 --> 00:47:05,648 as an artist, I think that's really important. 821 00:47:05,692 --> 00:47:11,829 And I think that you have an opportunity to use a platform to connect authentically. 822 00:47:11,872 --> 00:47:15,484 Otherwise, you know, here you are as an artist who you really are 823 00:47:15,528 --> 00:47:17,312 and who you are presenting to others. 824 00:47:19,662 --> 00:47:22,709 [woman] Social media is a constant in most of our lives, but experts now suggest 825 00:47:22,752 --> 00:47:26,713 that excessive use of social media may pose a risk to our mental health. 826 00:47:26,756 --> 00:47:29,150 [man] Does spending too much time on social media 827 00:47:29,194 --> 00:47:32,240 actually increase loneliness and depression? 828 00:47:32,284 --> 00:47:37,376 Because I kind of grew up in the era of Instagram and all those things coming out, 829 00:47:37,419 --> 00:47:40,770 I think it really hurt me as an artist at the beginning 830 00:47:40,814 --> 00:47:43,991 because you're constantly just comparing yourselves 831 00:47:44,035 --> 00:47:46,864 and you used to only be able to compare yourself to people's sounds really. 832 00:47:46,907 --> 00:47:50,432 Once we got Instagram and everything like that, you are comparing yourself to them 833 00:47:50,476 --> 00:47:53,522 physically, you're comparing yourselves to their personality 834 00:47:53,566 --> 00:47:56,090 and like every single tiny thing about them. 835 00:47:56,134 --> 00:47:58,179 You're like, "Oh, people, obviously, like that." 836 00:47:58,223 --> 00:48:00,529 They have a lot of followers, they are famous 837 00:48:00,573 --> 00:48:03,271 or they're on tour, they're all these big things. 838 00:48:03,315 --> 00:48:06,971 That kind of took a toll on me in a bad way because that started affecting my music 839 00:48:07,014 --> 00:48:09,321 when I started comparing myself to being like, 840 00:48:09,364 --> 00:48:12,324 "Oh, maybe I should be more like that." So I started making music that was more like that. 841 00:48:12,367 --> 00:48:14,413 It's the same thing with Instagram followers, you know, 842 00:48:14,456 --> 00:48:17,372 like people have a lot more followers, it looks a lot better. 843 00:48:17,416 --> 00:48:20,767 But it doesn't really mean it's a skill thing or they are better at a craft. 844 00:48:20,810 --> 00:48:22,856 It's a mix of a ton of different things, I feel. 845 00:48:22,900 --> 00:48:26,164 ♪ Just gotta focus On my own breathing ♪ 846 00:48:26,207 --> 00:48:29,428 ♪ I'm not perfect But I'm getting well ♪ 847 00:48:29,471 --> 00:48:32,170 ♪ See, I love you, But I love myself ♪ 848 00:48:33,258 --> 00:48:34,999 ♪ So much stress on my brain 849 00:48:35,042 --> 00:48:37,088 ♪ I just want to find a place Where I maintain ♪ 850 00:48:37,131 --> 00:48:39,220 ♪ And everybody's Really having fun ♪ 851 00:48:39,264 --> 00:48:42,180 ♪ That's my main aim All the time watching I'm holding hands with my son ♪ 852 00:48:42,223 --> 00:48:45,705 I look at it-- it's like since the world's attention span is kind of short, 853 00:48:45,748 --> 00:48:48,229 it provides just enough. 854 00:48:48,273 --> 00:48:53,800 And they have all different type of tools to engage your audience with a long time, short time. 855 00:48:53,843 --> 00:48:59,023 So right now, I am just getting in my zone freestyling, coming up with bars off the top. 856 00:49:00,067 --> 00:49:02,200 Then I record it and post it on the Gram. 857 00:49:02,243 --> 00:49:03,418 I mean it's like: 858 00:49:05,116 --> 00:49:06,726 ♪ Man, life is so amazing 859 00:49:06,769 --> 00:49:09,163 ♪ Every single day when I rap is so contagious ♪ 860 00:49:09,207 --> 00:49:11,557 ♪ Looking at the man in the Mirror going through phases ♪ 861 00:49:11,600 --> 00:49:13,994 ♪ Looking at the fake man These are the ages ♪ 862 00:49:14,038 --> 00:49:18,694 On the street I used to ask for words, like, people to give me words, anything on their mind 863 00:49:18,738 --> 00:49:21,262 and I used to incorporate that into my-in my rapping. 864 00:49:21,306 --> 00:49:22,829 What's your favorite food? 865 00:49:22,872 --> 00:49:24,483 -[woman] Chicken. -Chicken. 866 00:49:24,526 --> 00:49:25,788 Chicken. 867 00:49:25,832 --> 00:49:28,139 ♪ Chicken. Chicken. 868 00:49:28,182 --> 00:49:30,228 It just made sense. 869 00:49:30,271 --> 00:49:34,928 Okay, well, people can text those words and I could show them how I freestyle. 870 00:49:34,972 --> 00:49:38,105 ♪ Man, peace, you know, We need it in the world Like the two fingers ♪ 871 00:49:38,149 --> 00:49:40,586 ♪ Every single day I come And spit, you know, What my mind lingers ♪ 872 00:49:40,629 --> 00:49:42,370 ♪ On what it means To be a better man ♪ 873 00:49:42,414 --> 00:49:44,677 ♪ InstaBAND moving In the building They record the man ♪ 874 00:49:44,720 --> 00:49:48,681 It very well translated what I was doing on the street to online. 875 00:49:48,724 --> 00:49:50,204 ♪ Look I really gotta believe 876 00:49:50,248 --> 00:49:51,771 ♪ That's fire Underneath the leaks ♪ 877 00:49:51,814 --> 00:49:53,947 ♪ Every single time I speak Dawg, never obsolete ♪ 878 00:49:53,991 --> 00:49:55,296 We better take it outside, Joe. 879 00:49:56,210 --> 00:49:57,603 What's your name, Sir? 880 00:49:57,646 --> 00:49:58,908 [man] Well, obviously I was just having a good time. 881 00:49:58,952 --> 00:50:01,085 Oh, yeah, my bad. I was rapping. 882 00:50:01,128 --> 00:50:02,695 He was over here dancing. 883 00:50:02,738 --> 00:50:04,566 We was just feeling the vibes, man. What's your name, Sir? 884 00:50:04,610 --> 00:50:05,959 -Wayne, man. -This is Wayne. 885 00:50:06,003 --> 00:50:08,179 My name is Ray, I'm a freestyle artist, man. 886 00:50:08,222 --> 00:50:10,398 I just want to say keep dancing. 887 00:50:10,442 --> 00:50:12,487 You gotta have a connection with your people. 888 00:50:12,531 --> 00:50:16,143 And from that point on, like an artist or any type of craft you're validated in 889 00:50:16,187 --> 00:50:18,276 whatever you're doing because you know that you have a fan base 890 00:50:18,319 --> 00:50:20,104 that's supportive of what you're doing. 891 00:50:20,147 --> 00:50:23,498 So, someone asked me the other day what my greatest accomplishment 892 00:50:23,542 --> 00:50:25,544 in music has been thus far. 893 00:50:25,587 --> 00:50:29,461 And, honestly, it's every time I get a letter from someone saying that 894 00:50:29,504 --> 00:50:31,637 the music has saved them. 895 00:50:31,680 --> 00:50:33,639 So I just had another fan message me 896 00:50:33,682 --> 00:50:36,381 that's going through something really tough in their life 897 00:50:36,424 --> 00:50:41,342 and that my music could be there for them through that time. 898 00:50:41,386 --> 00:50:45,520 So I'm just sending him back a message of support and positive vibes. 899 00:50:45,564 --> 00:50:50,090 Connecting and being there for your fans is huge and it's incredible 900 00:50:50,134 --> 00:50:54,442 that social media allows us to do that on a more personal level. 901 00:50:54,486 --> 00:50:57,837 And my fans are the fuel that keep me going 902 00:50:57,880 --> 00:51:00,840 and pushing forward in this really tough industry. 903 00:51:01,928 --> 00:51:05,627 I feel like interacting with your fans on Instagram or- 904 00:51:05,671 --> 00:51:11,242 or Twitter, it just kind of takes down that veil between "I am this crazy 905 00:51:11,285 --> 00:51:14,114 way up person here and they're down there and they can't reach us". 906 00:51:14,158 --> 00:51:18,118 It's like it's-- it kind of becomes equal and you can talk with people. 907 00:51:18,162 --> 00:51:21,817 And it's kind of cool because you talk about your music but then they also feel, you know, 908 00:51:21,861 --> 00:51:24,864 a closeness because we're almost like-- we're almost buddies, we're just talking. 909 00:51:26,126 --> 00:51:29,129 What's up, Jeff? How you doing, homie? 910 00:51:30,043 --> 00:51:31,566 We're nothing without fans. 911 00:51:31,610 --> 00:51:34,569 So, I mean it's a-- for me that's a no-brainer, right? 912 00:51:34,613 --> 00:51:38,182 Like, I have been offered by certain companies to run our social media 913 00:51:38,225 --> 00:51:42,229 but to me that my whole brand is being transparent and it's me 914 00:51:42,273 --> 00:51:45,711 and it's my story and it's what I've been through and my struggles. 915 00:51:45,754 --> 00:51:50,933 And so when people reach out and DMs, I'm the one talking to them, I respond to everyone. 916 00:51:50,977 --> 00:51:53,414 Oh, Sammy, what's up homie? 917 00:51:53,458 --> 00:51:57,026 It's so important to me like we are nothing without our fans. 918 00:51:57,070 --> 00:51:58,593 We live in the studio. 919 00:51:59,681 --> 00:52:03,903 Yeah, it's my home studio. Welcome, everyone. No big deal. 920 00:52:04,773 --> 00:52:10,562 Once you pass that 4000-marker Instagram followers, the money just comes rolling in. 921 00:52:10,605 --> 00:52:14,174 I'll spend hours every day speaking with people in DMs 922 00:52:14,218 --> 00:52:16,481 and there's people who reach out to me, 923 00:52:16,524 --> 00:52:19,788 you know, come out to a show and they say like, "Yo, I've been struggling with depression, 924 00:52:19,832 --> 00:52:23,052 anxiety or suicidal thoughts and your music's helped me." 925 00:52:23,096 --> 00:52:27,709 I give my number out 'cause it take away everything else on this world, 926 00:52:27,753 --> 00:52:30,277 we are human beings and we have to support and love each other 927 00:52:30,321 --> 00:52:33,019 and that's the most important thing for me at the end of the day. 928 00:52:33,062 --> 00:52:36,718 So that's just a no-brainer, like, of course, I'm answering every single person on there 929 00:52:36,762 --> 00:52:39,547 and saying thank you and showing my gratitude for them because 930 00:52:39,591 --> 00:52:41,810 once again, we are nothing without them. 931 00:52:41,854 --> 00:52:44,552 I love you guys so much. I hope you have a beautiful day. 932 00:52:45,727 --> 00:52:47,555 Hit me up if you need anything. 933 00:52:47,599 --> 00:52:50,863 I'm grateful for all of you, you incredible people. 934 00:52:50,906 --> 00:52:52,821 Peace. 935 00:52:52,865 --> 00:52:54,997 Like you're so lucky. Like, if people are taking the time to be like, 936 00:52:55,041 --> 00:52:57,261 "Hey," like, "I'm interested in this" or like, 937 00:52:57,304 --> 00:52:59,828 "Hey, I just wanted to let you know that, like, I can't wait for you to release music." 938 00:52:59,872 --> 00:53:02,266 That's like all we're doing this for really. 939 00:53:02,309 --> 00:53:06,226 That's all you want out of anything you do is for one person to feel that way. 940 00:53:06,270 --> 00:53:09,751 So I feel like for the rest of my career and life I would never, like, 941 00:53:09,795 --> 00:53:13,233 not respond or not want to, like, have that conversation with that person. 942 00:53:13,277 --> 00:53:16,671 Like, I don't know, that's why we do this crazy thing and put ourselves through the ringers. 943 00:53:16,715 --> 00:53:21,633 So I just got a message from somebody that said "I'm crying in my room. 944 00:53:21,676 --> 00:53:24,244 Then "Life of the party" came on and I started smiling 945 00:53:24,288 --> 00:53:26,246 and singing along and now I feel better. 946 00:53:26,290 --> 00:53:27,987 You're just amazing". 947 00:53:28,030 --> 00:53:29,249 It's really sweet. 948 00:53:32,078 --> 00:53:35,255 Today we're gonna talk about how to brand yourself without selling out. 949 00:53:35,299 --> 00:53:39,172 Actual things that you can do today so that you can get your branding handled. 950 00:53:39,216 --> 00:53:41,696 Branding is everything. 951 00:53:41,740 --> 00:53:43,742 [man] Find yourself, know your audience. 952 00:53:43,785 --> 00:53:45,961 Figure out what your brand is. 953 00:53:46,005 --> 00:53:48,964 Thinking of ways that fall into your personality, 954 00:53:49,008 --> 00:53:51,271 that fit well, that are authentic, 955 00:53:51,315 --> 00:53:54,709 that are good memorable things about your brand. 956 00:53:54,753 --> 00:53:56,276 Fashion. 957 00:53:56,320 --> 00:53:58,452 Technology. 958 00:53:58,496 --> 00:54:00,237 Music. 959 00:54:00,280 --> 00:54:02,500 Welcome to Lounge. 960 00:54:02,543 --> 00:54:06,895 I know that people judge you in the first second of seeing you 961 00:54:06,939 --> 00:54:11,422 and there's no way I could tell you anything about myself in that amount of time 962 00:54:11,465 --> 00:54:14,207 through-- through words or even music. 963 00:54:14,251 --> 00:54:18,864 But the aesthetics of an artist can tell you so much 964 00:54:18,907 --> 00:54:21,475 about who they are in the world they're creating. 965 00:54:31,877 --> 00:54:34,271 It's so backwards to what it used to be. 966 00:54:34,314 --> 00:54:36,490 You had to build a platform out of your brand. 967 00:54:38,492 --> 00:54:40,799 I view it as like a mountain. 968 00:54:40,842 --> 00:54:45,151 You have to build this mountain and on the top of it you can put like your flag at the top, 969 00:54:45,194 --> 00:54:47,371 and your flag is your music. 970 00:54:47,414 --> 00:54:50,330 But no one's gonna see that flag if you don't build the brand first. 971 00:54:50,374 --> 00:54:54,856 But I think that that's the most important thing is building this mountain and this brand 972 00:54:54,900 --> 00:54:58,904 that people want to even climb on to in order to get to the top and see 973 00:54:58,947 --> 00:55:00,601 that flag or hear that flag. 974 00:55:00,645 --> 00:55:03,343 I've been very lucky with the internet with just, 975 00:55:03,387 --> 00:55:06,651 you know, aesthetics and building-- building a world. 976 00:55:06,694 --> 00:55:09,218 ♪ Well I guess It's always been you ♪ 977 00:55:13,179 --> 00:55:15,355 ♪ Well I guess It's always been you ♪ 978 00:55:21,666 --> 00:55:23,494 How are we doing? 979 00:55:23,537 --> 00:55:25,278 You just set her down dude when you get there, when you slide her. 980 00:55:25,322 --> 00:55:26,366 Yeah, we did. 981 00:55:27,367 --> 00:55:28,934 I'm turning, I'm turning. 982 00:55:32,633 --> 00:55:34,331 One, two, three. 983 00:55:34,374 --> 00:55:35,201 Beautiful. 984 00:55:36,768 --> 00:55:41,860 Branding is I believe it's just as important as the music 985 00:55:41,903 --> 00:55:45,211 because if you have really good music 986 00:55:45,254 --> 00:55:48,257 but your brand is something that people don't want 987 00:55:48,301 --> 00:55:54,568 to be a part of or something they can't grab, then they're just not gonna stick around. 988 00:55:54,612 --> 00:55:57,745 Getting them to feel that they are a part of Kid Politics, 989 00:55:57,789 --> 00:56:00,095 they have to buy into our brand as a band. 990 00:56:00,139 --> 00:56:06,406 And social media, particularly Instagram for us, is like the way that we show who we are, 991 00:56:06,450 --> 00:56:11,368 what we're doing, what we stand for and really get people involved, you know, in us. 992 00:56:11,411 --> 00:56:17,025 My favorite thing about the next day of the show after the show is like looking at the posts 993 00:56:17,069 --> 00:56:19,419 that we're tagged and the next day just like waking up like, 994 00:56:19,463 --> 00:56:21,029 "Hey, we did something cool last night." 995 00:56:23,205 --> 00:56:24,642 That is better than all. 996 00:56:24,685 --> 00:56:26,948 Right. 997 00:56:26,992 --> 00:56:29,168 It's cool to see what people saw like, you know, 'cause it's different from our view, so. 998 00:56:29,211 --> 00:56:32,476 I mean I think there's like a competition, it's like a new competition of like 999 00:56:32,519 --> 00:56:36,654 can you be really good at music and can you be what's good at branding. 1000 00:56:36,697 --> 00:56:40,309 Okay, so normally on show day kind of like make some post story-wise 1001 00:56:40,353 --> 00:56:44,705 letting people know what we're doing, like, leading up to us playing like little promo stuff. 1002 00:56:44,749 --> 00:56:48,448 And then show days, like this is us loading in so people can kind of see like 1003 00:56:48,492 --> 00:56:50,711 what happens before the show. 1004 00:56:50,755 --> 00:56:55,020 Probably make another post doing whatever happens next and then maybe kiddo get like 1005 00:56:55,063 --> 00:56:57,544 a cool, like, side stage post of us actually playing. 1006 00:56:57,588 --> 00:57:00,242 It's all about the brand. I mean, 1007 00:57:00,286 --> 00:57:03,420 if you're just gonna try to sell music, 1008 00:57:03,463 --> 00:57:05,465 without a brand I don't think you have a prayer. 1009 00:57:05,509 --> 00:57:06,640 That's all there is to it. 1010 00:57:06,684 --> 00:57:08,686 I have music and we can sell music. 1011 00:57:08,729 --> 00:57:12,559 We also have oysters and we also have Naked Cowboy Wine. 1012 00:57:12,603 --> 00:57:16,215 ♪ Go to Naked Cowboy that wine 1013 00:57:17,216 --> 00:57:18,957 ♪ That's the place to go 1014 00:57:21,873 --> 00:57:25,790 I mean branding is important. You have to define what your brand is. 1015 00:57:25,833 --> 00:57:28,488 For me it's "Stay youthful, be grateful, always love." 1016 00:57:28,532 --> 00:57:32,797 It's important to stay on brand but at the same time it's important to just be yourself. 1017 00:57:32,840 --> 00:57:38,193 And I don't let the brand, you know, control who I am or how I act. 1018 00:57:38,237 --> 00:57:40,239 We're not being anything else but ourselves, 1019 00:57:40,282 --> 00:57:42,720 so it's not like we ever really have to think about being on brand. 1020 00:57:42,763 --> 00:57:45,940 My name is Stealing Oceans. These are some of my best friends behind me. 1021 00:57:45,984 --> 00:57:48,465 We are grateful to be here. We are gonna give it our all tonight, 1022 00:57:48,508 --> 00:57:51,903 so we want you to give your all to us. Can we do that? 1023 00:57:51,946 --> 00:57:53,861 [crowd cheering] 1024 00:57:53,905 --> 00:57:58,518 I was actually offered a sponsorship from an alcohol company. 1025 00:57:58,562 --> 00:58:02,261 Makes no sense 'cause I haven't had a drink of alcohol in over three years. 1026 00:58:02,304 --> 00:58:05,264 You know, for me mental health is a-- is a really important subject. 1027 00:58:05,307 --> 00:58:09,268 ♪ This anxiety is killing me 1028 00:58:09,311 --> 00:58:13,751 How can I include mental health in, you know, creating content? 1029 00:58:13,794 --> 00:58:17,711 My hope is that we start to create awareness, we create a big wave 1030 00:58:17,755 --> 00:58:22,673 and maybe we can spread, you know, we-- we can start a community around self-care and-- 1031 00:58:22,716 --> 00:58:26,415 We play a lot of, you know, suicide prevention shows, 1032 00:58:26,459 --> 00:58:29,506 you know, stuff to do with mental health or giving back to the community. 1033 00:58:29,549 --> 00:58:31,856 For us, that's-- that's our brand. 1034 00:58:31,899 --> 00:58:35,773 If we take care of ourselves, we put ourselves in position to take care of lot of people. 1035 00:58:35,816 --> 00:58:39,254 It's just who we are. It's what we believe in. It's what our values are. 1036 00:58:39,298 --> 00:58:41,996 So it's pretty simple for us to-- to stay on brand. 1037 00:58:42,040 --> 00:58:45,304 People say they can't control their inner thoughts, but you can live with gratitude 1038 00:58:45,347 --> 00:58:48,350 every day and I promise you it's gonna make your life so much better. 1039 00:58:49,569 --> 00:58:53,399 There are so many different things that you can do now as an artist 1040 00:58:53,442 --> 00:58:55,662 to establish your strategies. 1041 00:58:55,706 --> 00:58:59,840 We have to be a businessman and an artist at the same time and a social media guru and-- 1042 00:58:59,884 --> 00:59:00,754 Oh, yeah. 1043 00:59:00,798 --> 00:59:02,190 It's just a constant hustle. 1044 00:59:02,234 --> 00:59:06,107 It all depends on how hot and cool your product is 1045 00:59:06,151 --> 00:59:08,196 at the time whatever you're making. 1046 00:59:08,240 --> 00:59:11,112 All the stars have to align anyways when-- when something turns and blows up 1047 00:59:11,156 --> 00:59:13,245 this extravagant thing. 1048 00:59:13,288 --> 00:59:15,334 [man] Paul McDonald was great on American Idol. 1049 00:59:15,377 --> 00:59:17,945 -He was. Paul McDonald to everyone. -Cheers, y'all. 1050 00:59:17,989 --> 00:59:22,080 Trends go like this, but on occasion if you're staying straight and doing your thing, 1051 00:59:22,123 --> 00:59:25,823 you know, you'll hit every few years and-- and be cool again. 1052 00:59:25,866 --> 00:59:30,001 And then-- and that cool moment will allow you to float for the next few, then you got a career. 1053 00:59:30,044 --> 00:59:32,481 ♪ Yeah, I want to get high 1054 00:59:33,352 --> 00:59:35,572 ♪ And I want to get stoned 1055 00:59:35,615 --> 00:59:37,617 What's up y'all? My name is Paul McDonald. 1056 00:59:37,661 --> 00:59:39,619 Check out my new album Modern Hearts. 1057 00:59:39,663 --> 00:59:41,360 You're watching B-Sides. 1058 00:59:45,451 --> 00:59:51,805 [Adara] In this world that is oversaturated with music at this point, 1059 00:59:51,849 --> 00:59:55,635 the first 10 seconds are absolutely vital 1060 00:59:55,679 --> 00:59:59,596 to make sure someone doesn't swipe to the next song and skip it. 1061 00:59:59,639 --> 01:00:02,686 And it's so accessible now that I mean you can listen to three seconds a song, 1062 01:00:02,729 --> 01:00:05,036 you don't feel it, you can get something else like immediately. 1063 01:00:05,079 --> 01:00:08,256 You had to, like, put a record in and listen the whole thing 1064 01:00:09,693 --> 01:00:11,346 and figure out if you liked it, you know. 1065 01:00:11,390 --> 01:00:13,740 Give the band more of a chance. 1066 01:00:13,784 --> 01:00:16,395 They can actually thumbs-down it like, they will just never play your band or that person again. 1067 01:00:16,438 --> 01:00:18,527 You're rejected, yeah. 1068 01:00:18,571 --> 01:00:21,618 You're writing a song to get on new music Friday, then it's the battle of, like, 1069 01:00:21,661 --> 01:00:25,404 can I last the first five seconds without it getting swiped. 1070 01:00:25,447 --> 01:00:27,362 So like can I be interesting out the gate. 1071 01:00:27,406 --> 01:00:30,017 And I think for a lot of artists it can become disheartening 1072 01:00:30,061 --> 01:00:36,241 to look at your art as a product that has to be pushed and exploited. 1073 01:00:37,764 --> 01:00:42,769 It's really important for artists to be able to draw a line and separate that, 1074 01:00:42,813 --> 01:00:45,337 so that they can focus on making art for art, 1075 01:00:45,380 --> 01:00:50,516 so that it's true and authentic, but then pushing it in a very business way. 1076 01:00:51,517 --> 01:00:52,692 Hey, guys. 1077 01:00:52,736 --> 01:00:55,782 I am so excited because it's almost here. 1078 01:00:55,826 --> 01:00:58,785 October 2nd the Alien music video comes out. 1079 01:00:58,829 --> 01:01:02,920 I can't wait to share this work of love with you all. 1080 01:01:02,963 --> 01:01:04,443 Love you guys. 1081 01:01:04,486 --> 01:01:06,227 Keep going and stay positive. 1082 01:01:08,403 --> 01:01:12,146 [man] How can you keep reaching a bigger audience? One word: playlists. 1083 01:01:12,190 --> 01:01:15,236 So what are the best ways to get into Spotify playlist? 1084 01:01:15,280 --> 01:01:18,370 Get added to that first Spotify official playlist. 1085 01:01:18,413 --> 01:01:20,633 It really is all about the play listing. 1086 01:01:20,677 --> 01:01:22,069 Who gets put into the playlist? 1087 01:01:22,113 --> 01:01:25,159 What is the algorithm looking for? 1088 01:01:25,203 --> 01:01:28,032 How do I get on a playlist? I don't know. Like, 1089 01:01:28,075 --> 01:01:31,165 I just hope that the music reaches enough people and causes enough, 1090 01:01:31,209 --> 01:01:34,691 like, ruckus to get people added on some playlist. 1091 01:01:34,734 --> 01:01:38,651 Playlisting is the new game for independent artists right now. 1092 01:01:38,695 --> 01:01:42,437 The more playlists you get on, the more your streaming numbers go up 1093 01:01:42,481 --> 01:01:45,919 and the more companies and brands start to pay attention to you. 1094 01:01:45,963 --> 01:01:48,182 It really can open up a lot of doors for an artist. 1095 01:01:48,226 --> 01:01:52,665 And if you can get someone to put you on a bigger playlist, you now skipped a huge step, 1096 01:01:52,709 --> 01:01:55,059 you know, so some of those parameters are like a really big deal. 1097 01:01:55,102 --> 01:01:59,193 I mean, even the streaming platforms are-- are looking at are people listening to you 1098 01:01:59,237 --> 01:02:01,587 or not and then that's helping them decide 1099 01:02:01,630 --> 01:02:04,590 whether or not they're gonna put you on the bigger playlist. 1100 01:02:04,633 --> 01:02:06,853 Those can grab huge followings, too. 1101 01:02:06,897 --> 01:02:10,727 There's lots of people now who build up a huge following for a playlist 1102 01:02:10,770 --> 01:02:12,729 and actually they're able to sell it. 1103 01:02:12,772 --> 01:02:17,081 There's even companies and labels that will buy a playlist off of you. 1104 01:02:17,124 --> 01:02:22,042 For us as a DIY band, getting into those playlists, breaking into them, 1105 01:02:22,086 --> 01:02:26,090 reaching the people who run them is how we get our music out there. 1106 01:02:26,133 --> 01:02:30,311 We have got our songs on playlists and trying to get people to just 1107 01:02:30,355 --> 01:02:32,313 put on the playlist in the middle of the night. 1108 01:02:32,357 --> 01:02:35,055 Gotta beg people, "Hey, buddy, you know, put me on-- put me on your playlist 1109 01:02:35,099 --> 01:02:36,535 and play it tonight. 1110 01:02:36,578 --> 01:02:38,798 Thirty streams of "Get in Line" just two nights ago 1111 01:02:38,842 --> 01:02:41,801 because I've got all these people streaming the music 1112 01:02:41,845 --> 01:02:44,630 while they're sleeping, put the volume down and just let it go. 1113 01:02:44,673 --> 01:02:50,549 Just so we can get the traction so we can get curated by-- by those- 1114 01:02:50,592 --> 01:02:54,640 those companies like Spotify so they put us further up in the queue. 1115 01:02:54,683 --> 01:02:59,906 So with social media, it's showing different aspects of your life, your personality. 1116 01:02:59,950 --> 01:03:01,995 I'm really dorky into wrestling. 1117 01:03:02,039 --> 01:03:06,217 [Stoneman] And then your fans are latching on to different elements of that. 1118 01:03:06,260 --> 01:03:12,049 At that point, you become relatable, so you could then in turn like expand on that. 1119 01:03:12,092 --> 01:03:16,270 The one thing that we understand and, you know, we've-- we've learned from studying and, 1120 01:03:16,314 --> 01:03:18,838 obviously, Gary Vee, he's been a huge inspiration for us 1121 01:03:18,882 --> 01:03:21,014 with his whole idea of "Document, Don't Create." 1122 01:03:21,058 --> 01:03:24,931 Letting go of trying to create these perfect pieces of content 1123 01:03:24,975 --> 01:03:28,805 for social media rather than just documenting what you're doing. 1124 01:03:28,848 --> 01:03:31,764 And not being afraid to just be in front of the camera all the time 1125 01:03:31,808 --> 01:03:33,461 and the more you do it, the more comfortable you get with it. 1126 01:03:33,505 --> 01:03:36,725 Yo, stay tuned to InstaBAND, the movie. 1127 01:03:36,769 --> 01:03:40,817 I will talk about why I broke up with Khloé Kardashian. 1128 01:03:41,818 --> 01:03:45,125 And just creating content that gives people, you know, bird's-eye view into what 1129 01:03:45,169 --> 01:03:47,780 we're doing on a daily basis is really important. 1130 01:03:47,824 --> 01:03:50,957 This time night one blueprint video shoot. 1131 01:03:51,001 --> 01:03:53,090 This is going to be an amazing video. 1132 01:03:53,133 --> 01:03:56,093 It's not like back in the day where there was big, you know, the Michael Jacksons 1133 01:03:56,136 --> 01:03:59,574 and the Princes of the world where they were kind of untouchable, you know. 1134 01:03:59,618 --> 01:04:02,534 They just kind of appeared when they wanted to appear and people saw 1135 01:04:02,577 --> 01:04:05,189 what they wanted them to see of their career, 1136 01:04:05,232 --> 01:04:07,844 but now it's an expectation of artists, 1137 01:04:07,887 --> 01:04:11,935 especially, if you're trying to be mainstream, to be known very, very well. 1138 01:04:11,978 --> 01:04:15,503 You have to document like every part of your day is, you know, it's the demand. 1139 01:04:15,547 --> 01:04:16,417 People want to see it. 1140 01:04:16,461 --> 01:04:17,854 -I took one-- -Hey! 1141 01:04:17,897 --> 01:04:19,594 -What are we doing? -I don't know but we're cooking. 1142 01:04:19,638 --> 01:04:20,987 -We're cooking. -We're just baking now. 1143 01:04:25,513 --> 01:04:29,082 On top of that, you know, millennials are running socials 1144 01:04:29,126 --> 01:04:31,737 and Gen Z babies are all running socials 1145 01:04:31,780 --> 01:04:37,612 and our BS meter's high, so you have to come in authentically or it's- 1146 01:04:37,656 --> 01:04:40,180 we're gonna spot it from a mile away. 1147 01:04:40,224 --> 01:04:43,053 Yeah, this just sounds like everything out-- that's out right now. 1148 01:04:43,096 --> 01:04:46,578 He writes the same way on every track. You can almost predict it sometimes. 1149 01:04:46,621 --> 01:04:50,712 It's also important as an artist to be authentic in yourself so that 1150 01:04:50,756 --> 01:04:55,979 people watching you can realize that they can be their authentic self and be loved for it. 1151 01:04:56,022 --> 01:05:00,070 So I think it sends a really good message if you're unique and true. 1152 01:05:00,113 --> 01:05:06,032 Being authentic is really the unicorn in the game, 1153 01:05:06,076 --> 01:05:07,729 you know, authenticity. 1154 01:05:07,773 --> 01:05:11,472 So if you're authentic and you're putting forth the work 1155 01:05:11,516 --> 01:05:13,866 and you're handling the business side of it, 1156 01:05:13,910 --> 01:05:16,086 I think everything's just gonna fall into place. 1157 01:05:16,129 --> 01:05:18,784 Ray Wim-- Wimley is next, alright. 1158 01:05:18,827 --> 01:05:20,612 He's that good. 1159 01:05:20,655 --> 01:05:23,615 Being authentic and transparent is probably the most important thing 1160 01:05:23,658 --> 01:05:29,012 in my brand because, you know, you can't hide anything anymore. 1161 01:05:29,055 --> 01:05:30,535 I think that's what a lot of people don't understand. 1162 01:05:30,578 --> 01:05:32,667 It's not so much about getting on. 1163 01:05:32,711 --> 01:05:35,148 It's more about being true to self and being transparent especially in hip-hop, 1164 01:05:35,192 --> 01:05:37,324 everybody is just not a gangster. 1165 01:05:37,368 --> 01:05:40,284 I'm sick of seeing some of my favorite artists have mental breakdown and collapse 1166 01:05:40,327 --> 01:05:42,025 because they feel like they got to keep up with the image. 1167 01:05:42,068 --> 01:05:44,853 When I first started in the music industry I thought, 1168 01:05:44,897 --> 01:05:46,638 you know, I had to put on this persona. 1169 01:05:46,681 --> 01:05:48,074 You know, I was working in hip-hop, 1170 01:05:48,118 --> 01:05:50,990 so I had to have a certain swag or act a certain way. 1171 01:05:51,034 --> 01:05:54,776 But it wasn't until I kind of stripped out all the way and I just started being myself. 1172 01:05:54,820 --> 01:05:57,562 ♪ Walk out on the stage Like what up I'm not Macklemore ♪ 1173 01:05:57,605 --> 01:05:59,868 ♪ But you're like I've seen a white guy Rap like that before ♪ 1174 01:05:59,912 --> 01:06:02,697 ♪ Screw the comparisons I ain't embarrassing myself ♪ 1175 01:06:02,741 --> 01:06:04,786 ♪ And I know you like My rhymes like all-- ♪ 1176 01:06:04,830 --> 01:06:10,096 And I just kind of let people in on my daily routines and so, you know, that 1177 01:06:10,140 --> 01:06:14,231 translates to when we're in the studio, you know, recording Last Christmas. 1178 01:06:14,274 --> 01:06:16,450 We're back in Bellville. 1179 01:06:16,494 --> 01:06:18,191 [music sounds] 1180 01:06:20,977 --> 01:06:23,805 -Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas guys. 1181 01:06:23,849 --> 01:06:24,981 Oh what's up dude? 1182 01:06:25,024 --> 01:06:26,983 Cold, cold coffee. 1183 01:06:27,026 --> 01:06:29,986 -Back at it again? -Yes, Sir. 1184 01:06:30,029 --> 01:06:32,205 ♪♪♪ 1185 01:06:34,860 --> 01:06:35,992 How you doing homie? 1186 01:06:36,035 --> 01:06:38,820 Just relaxing on Patty's shoulder. 1187 01:06:38,864 --> 01:06:41,214 -[chuckling] -Christmas spirit. 1188 01:06:41,258 --> 01:06:44,913 Christmas spirit, everybody. Love you guys. Peace. 1189 01:06:47,003 --> 01:06:50,702 So it was a little 15-second Instagram, I was just staying in touch with everyone. 1190 01:06:50,745 --> 01:06:52,834 It's nice. 1191 01:06:52,878 --> 01:06:56,273 I'm on Instagram the whole time, on Instagram live letting our fans kind of have 1192 01:06:56,316 --> 01:06:59,450 a bird's-eye view of us working on the song. 1193 01:06:59,493 --> 01:07:03,628 Not only do they love seeing that process, 'cause most of them have never been in a studio 1194 01:07:03,671 --> 01:07:05,934 like this or understand how that process works, 1195 01:07:05,978 --> 01:07:08,720 but it also gets them excited about the content we're working on. 1196 01:07:08,763 --> 01:07:10,461 Brian, you want to sing out this one? 1197 01:07:10,504 --> 01:07:12,071 [Brian] I mean, if you want me to. 1198 01:07:12,115 --> 01:07:13,072 [guy] I want to hear your beautiful voice. 1199 01:07:13,116 --> 01:07:14,856 [Brian] Oh my goodness. 1200 01:07:14,900 --> 01:07:17,120 I just wrote this like four hours ago. I didn't sleep last night. 1201 01:07:19,426 --> 01:07:21,994 -Oh, hey, Brian. -[giggling] 1202 01:07:22,038 --> 01:07:23,430 ♪♪♪ 1203 01:07:30,133 --> 01:07:32,613 We don't look at it as like a marketing scheme, we look at 1204 01:07:32,657 --> 01:07:34,398 as like, yeah, this is-- this is what we're doing. 1205 01:07:34,441 --> 01:07:37,444 We want to share a piece of us with you because we're proud of it 1206 01:07:37,488 --> 01:07:39,925 and we're excited and we're really hyped on what we're making. 1207 01:07:40,839 --> 01:07:42,797 ♪ I was excited 1208 01:07:42,841 --> 01:07:44,886 ♪ I bought this diamond 1209 01:07:44,930 --> 01:07:47,759 ♪ And I was gonna give to you 1210 01:07:47,802 --> 01:07:50,153 ♪ 'Cause if it were up to me 1211 01:07:50,196 --> 01:07:52,242 ♪ It'd be you and me 1212 01:07:52,285 --> 01:07:54,331 ♪ Lovely sweaters Together forever ♪ 1213 01:07:54,374 --> 01:07:58,291 ♪ Never thought it Could get me better Then you left me crying ♪ 1214 01:07:58,335 --> 01:08:00,032 ♪ Nowhere to begin When it begins to snow ♪ 1215 01:08:00,076 --> 01:08:02,339 ♪ I think about us Underneath the mistletoe ♪ 1216 01:08:02,382 --> 01:08:04,471 ♪ Well, that night you called me Over in the blistering cold ♪ 1217 01:08:04,515 --> 01:08:06,821 ♪ Because you got sick from Eating too much cookie dough ♪ 1218 01:08:06,865 --> 01:08:09,215 ♪ Next day you left me waiting 1219 01:08:09,259 --> 01:08:11,957 ♪ Like you were Snowflaking on me ♪ 1220 01:08:12,000 --> 01:08:13,567 ♪ Now one thing You'll never see ♪ 1221 01:08:13,611 --> 01:08:16,396 ♪ Is a gift from me Under the Christmas tree ♪ 1222 01:08:16,440 --> 01:08:18,050 Be yourself as an artist and-- 1223 01:08:18,094 --> 01:08:20,531 and let the light shine through on that and, 1224 01:08:20,574 --> 01:08:23,577 you know, people are gonna love the authenticity at the end of the day. 1225 01:08:25,536 --> 01:08:26,841 Yeah, that's it. Yeah. 1226 01:08:26,885 --> 01:08:29,583 Yeah. It feels good. 1227 01:08:32,499 --> 01:08:34,066 [phone ringing] 1228 01:08:34,110 --> 01:08:38,940 So October 26th, I have a show for "Sell your Souls." 1229 01:08:38,984 --> 01:08:42,161 It's gonna be with k-os, Logan Garrett and kill- 1230 01:08:42,205 --> 01:08:46,296 Kid Politics, and swipe up for the ticket link and I can't wait to see you there. 1231 01:08:46,339 --> 01:08:48,994 Social media is so important. Instagram is so important. 1232 01:08:49,037 --> 01:08:53,390 It is really cool to be able to talk to people from across the world and be able 1233 01:08:53,433 --> 01:08:59,526 to constantly just be involved with people who for some reason are interested in my craft. 1234 01:08:59,570 --> 01:09:01,615 And I think that's like a beautiful thing. 1235 01:09:01,659 --> 01:09:03,530 [phone notification] 1236 01:09:03,574 --> 01:09:06,185 [man] So how important is your phone in your life and in your career? 1237 01:09:06,229 --> 01:09:09,536 Um, it is too important. 1238 01:09:09,580 --> 01:09:14,541 Unfortunately, it takes up a lot of time and a lot of attention. 1239 01:09:14,585 --> 01:09:20,112 I try to separate time of the day to do that so that it's not constantly 1240 01:09:20,156 --> 01:09:22,419 just a part of my life and I like to separate, 1241 01:09:22,462 --> 01:09:24,769 like, either like an hour in the morning 1242 01:09:24,812 --> 01:09:28,816 that I get back to everybody or I post something or I'm involved and then I just put it away, 1243 01:09:28,860 --> 01:09:33,212 or I just don't let myself open up those apps unless there's something important 1244 01:09:33,256 --> 01:09:35,214 because it is so consuming. 1245 01:09:35,258 --> 01:09:38,391 And you never want to be the person who's posting things and having to write 1246 01:09:38,435 --> 01:09:41,960 a interesting thing about yourself while you're at dinner with your friends. 1247 01:09:42,003 --> 01:09:47,835 I try to be on there as much as I can to interact with my fans 1248 01:09:47,879 --> 01:09:53,928 without losing side of what I'm supposed to be doing, you know, because that-- that's a drug. 1249 01:09:53,972 --> 01:09:57,193 When that phone-- you can be on your Instagram, on Facebook 1250 01:09:57,236 --> 01:10:01,327 and just kind of feed off the comments because a lot of people are negative. 1251 01:10:01,371 --> 01:10:04,983 So try to stay away from all that kind of stuff. 1252 01:10:05,026 --> 01:10:09,509 So a lot of artists have options now. 1253 01:10:09,553 --> 01:10:11,381 There is a whole label route 1254 01:10:11,424 --> 01:10:14,601 and then there's an entirely different blueprint for an indie route. 1255 01:10:14,645 --> 01:10:18,823 One of the positives was too just having to the public that knighting 1256 01:10:18,866 --> 01:10:21,347 of like "You're signed" you know, and-- 1257 01:10:21,391 --> 01:10:24,263 and having that perception of like you're doing well. 1258 01:10:24,307 --> 01:10:29,137 And you know, here I am signed to a record label but I'm-- I'm working valet on weekends. 1259 01:10:29,181 --> 01:10:31,575 But the good things were too, I mean, we'd make a music video 1260 01:10:31,618 --> 01:10:34,665 and spend 50 grand and it didn't come out of my pocket, you know. 1261 01:10:34,708 --> 01:10:38,886 We made a record and we could spend a hundred and fifty thousand dollars on a record. 1262 01:10:38,930 --> 01:10:41,280 Now artists to me, should be independent 1263 01:10:41,324 --> 01:10:45,763 because the freedom of expression you have, the grassroot promotion, 1264 01:10:45,806 --> 01:10:48,374 the connecting with your fans, that-- to that first time 1265 01:10:48,418 --> 01:10:51,159 you want-- you got a microphone in your hand and everybody is there 1266 01:10:51,203 --> 01:10:52,683 from the tone that you did, 1267 01:10:52,726 --> 01:10:56,252 that you didn't have to, like, make industry-standard. 1268 01:10:56,295 --> 01:10:59,516 You know, I'm a big fan of Nipsey Hussle, he rightly said, 1269 01:10:59,559 --> 01:11:01,822 "Turning up my hustle is how I give myself a raise." 1270 01:11:01,866 --> 01:11:03,824 Like all of these people that was independent. 1271 01:11:03,868 --> 01:11:04,956 Like look at Jay Z, for example. 1272 01:11:04,999 --> 01:11:07,175 That has to be the greatest example. 1273 01:11:07,219 --> 01:11:09,003 Yes, be independent. Be your boss. 1274 01:11:09,047 --> 01:11:12,311 If you have resources and connections and you figure out how to move, 1275 01:11:12,355 --> 01:11:14,618 you can make things happen. 1276 01:11:14,661 --> 01:11:18,012 You can partner with a label, but I think you should take matters into your own hands. 1277 01:11:22,365 --> 01:11:23,801 -We have an idea. -Yes. 1278 01:11:23,844 --> 01:11:26,020 -Music video wise. -Hit me with it. 1279 01:11:26,064 --> 01:11:30,590 I mean having Starstruck there, you know, they're first and foremost my management team 1280 01:11:30,634 --> 01:11:33,985 and then I-- I do have an artist development deal with them. 1281 01:11:34,028 --> 01:11:39,077 They help me with, you know, booking any sort of contracts and then also with, 1282 01:11:39,120 --> 01:11:42,515 you know, we have an in-house videographer that we do music videos with. 1283 01:11:42,559 --> 01:11:44,561 So this is for the Christmas cover that you'll are doing? 1284 01:11:44,604 --> 01:11:48,478 We figured, like, since we're doing it, just knock out a music video too. 1285 01:11:48,521 --> 01:11:49,522 Real loose. 1286 01:11:49,566 --> 01:11:51,219 -Love it. -Real loose, real funny. 1287 01:11:51,263 --> 01:11:53,396 Just kind of getting a bunch of good shots. 1288 01:11:53,439 --> 01:11:57,791 They give me the reins to-- to run everything and they trust my plan as an artist. 1289 01:11:57,835 --> 01:12:00,141 Well, dub green-screen Christmas video. 1290 01:12:00,185 --> 01:12:01,969 -It's easy. -We could do this soon. 1291 01:12:02,013 --> 01:12:04,798 It's been incredible because, you know, obviously this facility here 1292 01:12:04,842 --> 01:12:07,018 is one of the nicest in the country. 1293 01:12:07,061 --> 01:12:08,889 So, yeah. It's great for shooting here. 1294 01:12:08,933 --> 01:12:10,587 We just recorded the song. 1295 01:12:10,630 --> 01:12:14,417 Now let's come over here and make the green screen music video. 1296 01:12:14,460 --> 01:12:19,378 And to be able to use it, you know, at our disposal is-- is incredible. 1297 01:12:19,422 --> 01:12:22,773 Dustin came to our show by accident here in Nashville. 1298 01:12:22,816 --> 01:12:27,255 And-- and he filmed us performing our new single "On My Wave" 1299 01:12:27,299 --> 01:12:31,521 that's coming out in November and so we're working on a mix of the live footage 1300 01:12:31,564 --> 01:12:32,957 and behind the scenes BTS stuff. 1301 01:12:33,000 --> 01:12:35,046 -The candid stuff. Like on the road-- -Candid stuff. 1302 01:12:35,089 --> 01:12:36,743 To make a music video for it. 1303 01:12:39,180 --> 01:12:43,054 It's easier these days to become, you know, successful and not have to lean 1304 01:12:43,097 --> 01:12:46,536 on any sort of label and-- and give away so much of what you're making. 1305 01:12:46,579 --> 01:12:48,929 -You were-- you were kind of like, you were on that wave. -Yeah. 1306 01:12:48,973 --> 01:12:51,279 -That's the wave we were on. -Float away. 1307 01:12:51,323 --> 01:12:55,240 -Throwing deuces to the drama, baby. -Every day. 1308 01:12:58,025 --> 01:13:02,421 [woman] Now when you think of country music, New York City probably doesn't come to mind, 1309 01:13:02,465 --> 01:13:05,772 but the Big Apple has always had a great country music scene 1310 01:13:05,816 --> 01:13:08,558 and HER & Kings County are living proof. 1311 01:13:08,601 --> 01:13:10,647 From my band, we were in New York City. 1312 01:13:10,690 --> 01:13:15,347 We took one trip to Nashville and, literally, we played one show, we got- 1313 01:13:15,391 --> 01:13:16,783 started touring with Kid Rock. 1314 01:13:16,827 --> 01:13:19,003 We ended up signing with Warner Brothers. 1315 01:13:19,046 --> 01:13:22,223 [man] We got the entire band HER & Kings County, brand new act, 1316 01:13:22,267 --> 01:13:24,617 just got signed to Warner Brothers. Congratulations! 1317 01:13:24,661 --> 01:13:27,011 -[all] Yeah! -Nice. 1318 01:13:27,054 --> 01:13:30,667 [S. Luna] Which we thought was great. Now we can just sit back, but we were completely wrong. 1319 01:13:30,710 --> 01:13:34,975 So they gave us $100,000-oh, no, they gave-- I'm sorry, that was our advance. 1320 01:13:35,019 --> 01:13:38,370 That's right, $100,000 in my pocket, don't ask. 1321 01:13:38,414 --> 01:13:43,244 They gave us $250,000 to make a record. 1322 01:13:43,288 --> 01:13:45,377 Now, we said, 1323 01:13:45,421 --> 01:13:47,814 "Well, we've been making records our whole life as a band, 1324 01:13:47,858 --> 01:13:50,600 we can make this record for like five grand. 1325 01:13:50,643 --> 01:13:54,473 Can you give us the rest of that money because we were a band of six members?" 1326 01:13:54,517 --> 01:13:58,129 And Warner Brothers said, "Absolutely, not. 1327 01:13:58,172 --> 01:14:01,698 You have to spend $250,000. 1328 01:14:01,741 --> 01:14:04,483 It won't go into a separate account if you don't. 1329 01:14:04,527 --> 01:14:08,095 We will make sure that that money gets spent." 1330 01:14:08,139 --> 01:14:11,272 We had stuff on iTunes and they actually pulled it off. 1331 01:14:11,316 --> 01:14:13,884 So all of a sudden now, you are on a major label 1332 01:14:13,927 --> 01:14:16,930 and what you put out independently, they want off. 1333 01:14:16,974 --> 01:14:19,803 They didn't want anybody to know some of those songs exist 1334 01:14:19,846 --> 01:14:22,283 because now you're this new branded being. 1335 01:14:22,327 --> 01:14:25,286 They take you off the road so you can write a record. 1336 01:14:25,330 --> 01:14:27,941 Well, then they're not gonna put you back on the road until, 1337 01:14:27,985 --> 01:14:30,640 you know, your record is done, and they find a single. 1338 01:14:30,683 --> 01:14:35,514 So now you're off the road for two and a half years writing this massive greatest hit 1339 01:14:35,558 --> 01:14:38,648 of your life and the record that Warner Brothers put out on us, 1340 01:14:38,691 --> 01:14:41,738 they own all of it until they make their million dollars back. 1341 01:14:41,781 --> 01:14:47,004 So, I'll never see a penny from that because of all those lobster dinners they bought us 1342 01:14:47,047 --> 01:14:49,136 and, finally, you know, we decided 1343 01:14:49,180 --> 01:14:52,096 we have to do what we want to do and we're not doing that. 1344 01:14:52,139 --> 01:14:55,621 And we wanted to just, you know, keep our souls. [chuckles] 1345 01:14:55,665 --> 01:14:59,582 So, we parted ways with our label with Warner Brothers and couldn't be happier. 1346 01:15:01,497 --> 01:15:04,195 ♪ Chain reaction 1347 01:15:04,238 --> 01:15:06,545 ♪ Chain reaction 1348 01:15:06,589 --> 01:15:09,679 ♪ Satisfaction 1349 01:15:09,722 --> 01:15:11,550 ♪ Chain reaction 1350 01:15:11,594 --> 01:15:14,205 What up everybody? Welcome back to Nashville Unsigned. 1351 01:15:14,248 --> 01:15:15,989 This is the band Her. 1352 01:15:16,033 --> 01:15:19,384 You were on a major at one point, you got off of a major 1353 01:15:19,427 --> 01:15:22,648 and now you're doing bigger things than you ever have. 1354 01:15:22,692 --> 01:15:23,997 We're now making money. 1355 01:15:24,041 --> 01:15:26,086 Exactly. 1356 01:15:26,130 --> 01:15:29,481 [Tinnesz] You know, you grow up dreaming of signing to a record deal. 1357 01:15:29,525 --> 01:15:33,050 You know, it's-- it's like in all the movies, it's everything that you hope for. 1358 01:15:33,093 --> 01:15:36,183 When it happened, I didn't realize it was just the beginning. 1359 01:15:36,227 --> 01:15:38,403 It was like, "Okay, now we can start." 1360 01:15:38,446 --> 01:15:41,493 And it was like two years from when we signed our record deal 1361 01:15:41,537 --> 01:15:45,758 to actually even putting out any music because the record label had to have 1362 01:15:45,802 --> 01:15:49,936 a single do well enough to feel comfortable releasing a full project. 1363 01:15:49,980 --> 01:15:52,243 They take a lot of control of what you're doing. 1364 01:15:52,286 --> 01:15:55,594 They tell you what kind of songs you can put on a record, 1365 01:15:55,638 --> 01:15:57,596 whether you can put your face on the album, 1366 01:15:57,640 --> 01:16:00,251 or whether you should not put your face on the album. 1367 01:16:00,294 --> 01:16:02,862 I think the more we learn about the music business, 1368 01:16:02,906 --> 01:16:06,649 the more we realized that we were never going to recoup. 1369 01:16:06,692 --> 01:16:08,955 The system wasn't made for us to recoup. 1370 01:16:08,999 --> 01:16:15,048 The system was made to keep us in this financial slavery-type thing. 1371 01:16:15,092 --> 01:16:18,661 I mean, it was developed before we ever showed up on the scene, 1372 01:16:18,704 --> 01:16:20,358 so there wasn't anything we could say about it. 1373 01:16:20,401 --> 01:16:22,665 We had something to sign. 1374 01:16:22,708 --> 01:16:26,799 It's how people have always done it and we knew what we were getting into when we did it 1375 01:16:26,843 --> 01:16:30,977 that we would probably never recoup, but I had no idea of what the master made. 1376 01:16:31,021 --> 01:16:32,892 It's just not something that people really talk about 1377 01:16:32,936 --> 01:16:34,807 because they don't normally own their own. 1378 01:16:34,851 --> 01:16:38,811 So when I started owning my own masters, it changed the game. 1379 01:16:38,855 --> 01:16:41,684 I can put on music whenever I want, however I want to. 1380 01:16:41,727 --> 01:16:45,165 So I got something in the mail that I am super stoked about. 1381 01:16:45,209 --> 01:16:49,866 We hit a hundred thousand subscribers on YouTube. I can't believe it. 1382 01:16:49,909 --> 01:16:53,434 When you do a lot of sync music or you're an independent artist, 1383 01:16:53,478 --> 01:16:56,655 you know, you're not getting like the number one radio chart plaques 1384 01:16:56,699 --> 01:17:00,616 or getting the whatever plaques, the selling gold plaques, or platinum plaques. 1385 01:17:00,659 --> 01:17:02,182 This is the kind of stuff you get. 1386 01:17:02,226 --> 01:17:04,750 You get the hundred thousand subscribers on-- on YouTube. 1387 01:17:04,794 --> 01:17:10,800 Having been part of a label system and seeing the amount of money that they are taking 1388 01:17:10,843 --> 01:17:13,759 and when I transferred over to being independent, I was like, 1389 01:17:13,803 --> 01:17:16,849 "This check has my name on it and it is a full amount." 1390 01:17:16,893 --> 01:17:20,940 It's just a good feeling. Maybe it's less but it's all mine and that's better. 1391 01:17:20,984 --> 01:17:23,682 I have two EP's and they're gonna come out soon 1392 01:17:23,726 --> 01:17:25,553 and are called "White Doves" and "Warplanes." 1393 01:17:25,597 --> 01:17:28,687 -And I hope they come out soon and make plans for it. -[man] Whoo! 1394 01:17:28,731 --> 01:17:33,213 This is the era where the mid-tier band has more power than ever. 1395 01:17:33,257 --> 01:17:37,827 They are able to reach their audience and compete with national acts, 1396 01:17:37,870 --> 01:17:39,959 but really do it on their own terms. 1397 01:17:40,003 --> 01:17:42,483 There is an in-between like where you're not starving 1398 01:17:42,527 --> 01:17:44,398 and you're not making a million bucks, 1399 01:17:44,442 --> 01:17:48,185 but you are sustaining a living, you know, you're able to pay your bills 1400 01:17:48,228 --> 01:17:52,406 and I think that's kind of what I've managed to do over the past decade. 1401 01:17:52,450 --> 01:17:54,713 I've kind of been in that spot. 1402 01:17:55,888 --> 01:17:59,413 I think the-- the middle-tier bands and artists 1403 01:17:59,457 --> 01:18:02,939 are definitely coming out and they're really creative. 1404 01:18:02,982 --> 01:18:05,376 No handcuffs; you could do what you want to do. 1405 01:18:05,419 --> 01:18:07,421 The ones that on the top are stifled. 1406 01:18:07,465 --> 01:18:11,730 Like they can't do certain things that I feel like the middle-tier can. 1407 01:18:11,774 --> 01:18:15,081 So it's a weird place. You kind of want to be in the middle tier 1408 01:18:15,125 --> 01:18:17,605 and make a lot of money because once you get to that top tier 1409 01:18:17,649 --> 01:18:20,043 and make a lot of money, you can't do a lot of things. 1410 01:18:20,086 --> 01:18:23,133 You can be an artist without a record deal and be successful. 1411 01:18:23,176 --> 01:18:26,049 There's organizations around, around that- 1412 01:18:26,919 --> 01:18:29,313 that help out artists that don't have a label. 1413 01:18:32,838 --> 01:18:37,277 What up everybody? Welcome back to the Nashville Unsigned podcast. 1414 01:18:37,321 --> 01:18:40,716 We are back covering all things digital and music news 1415 01:18:40,759 --> 01:18:43,066 and resources for the independent community. 1416 01:18:43,109 --> 01:18:47,200 Nashville Unsigned is a digital magazine label services 1417 01:18:47,244 --> 01:18:49,420 and lab events company for independent artists. 1418 01:18:49,463 --> 01:18:54,033 So we practically take the label services, build out an artist from start to finish, 1419 01:18:54,077 --> 01:18:58,255 promote them on the digital magazine through articles, video-- 1420 01:18:58,298 --> 01:19:01,954 You just dropped a new album "Let the Kids Play. " 1421 01:19:01,998 --> 01:19:04,130 --a podcast-- 1422 01:19:04,174 --> 01:19:08,265 Today, we're kinda talking about our Instagram secrets and how to utilize those. 1423 01:19:08,308 --> 01:19:11,529 --and then also promote them through our live events. 1424 01:19:11,572 --> 01:19:13,836 We're kind of a new-age anti-label label. 1425 01:19:13,879 --> 01:19:17,927 We like to think we have a super hyper focus of the best of the best 1426 01:19:17,970 --> 01:19:19,885 of the indie scene from all genres. 1427 01:19:19,929 --> 01:19:23,541 Our goal is to help get them visible and make their brand 1428 01:19:23,584 --> 01:19:26,065 look as though they know what they're doing. 1429 01:19:26,109 --> 01:19:28,720 -You guys are awesome. -Aw, we love you. Love you so much. 1430 01:19:28,764 --> 01:19:31,244 -We are Nashville Unsigned. -We're out of here. 1431 01:19:31,288 --> 01:19:33,246 ♪ I'll be chilling every time By the building ♪ 1432 01:19:33,290 --> 01:19:36,510 ♪ On Canal Street by the wild Green across from me ♪ 1433 01:19:36,554 --> 01:19:40,819 [reporter] On Canal Street is where New Orleans rapper Ray Wimley got his big break. 1434 01:19:40,863 --> 01:19:45,693 During Essence Fest, rapper Common came out and free-styled with him. 1435 01:19:45,737 --> 01:19:48,958 [woman] And that video went viral getting even more support from Common 1436 01:19:49,001 --> 01:19:50,916 and mayor LaToya Cantrell. 1437 01:19:50,960 --> 01:19:55,616 This last year when you came out and filmed me, things have been incredible 1438 01:19:55,660 --> 01:20:00,926 with going viral and being able to rap with, you know, one of my favorite people. 1439 01:20:00,970 --> 01:20:06,018 It's one of those things that if you were about to hustle and you were about the grind, 1440 01:20:06,062 --> 01:20:09,935 and you were about really affecting people and you see it coming 1441 01:20:09,979 --> 01:20:14,113 to fruition like that-- it's undescribable. 1442 01:20:14,157 --> 01:20:18,074 It not only does it validates you it validates anybody that had any doubt. 1443 01:20:20,163 --> 01:20:23,296 So I have a lot of opportunities based off of recent exposure. 1444 01:20:23,340 --> 01:20:26,125 Common brought me out to a couple of his shows. 1445 01:20:26,169 --> 01:20:28,432 ♪ Common says gotta let Love please breathe ♪ 1446 01:20:28,475 --> 01:20:32,566 ♪ I know that this kinda hard So many are so deceived Can we come together dawg ♪ 1447 01:20:32,610 --> 01:20:34,568 ♪ Nice, on this-- 1448 01:20:34,612 --> 01:20:37,180 I've gotten to go to LA. I've gotten to see different cultures. New York. 1449 01:20:37,223 --> 01:20:42,620 Chillin'. The fam, right here. And we're in New York City. 1450 01:20:42,663 --> 01:20:45,144 I got opportunity to perform on Jimmy Fallon. 1451 01:20:45,188 --> 01:20:48,365 Please welcome, Ray Wimley, everybody! 1452 01:20:50,541 --> 01:20:53,065 [woman] Check this, Ray! I know! 1453 01:20:53,109 --> 01:20:55,807 And then that went viral. Did your life just change? 1454 01:20:55,851 --> 01:20:59,202 Yeah, I thought it was gonna be a lot of people outside my house after it was over with, 1455 01:20:59,245 --> 01:21:01,030 but that ain't happened yet, so. 1456 01:21:01,073 --> 01:21:04,903 I also had opportunity to go back to my old school 1457 01:21:04,947 --> 01:21:07,863 and they was like, "Man, we love what you did. We want to put you on. 1458 01:21:07,906 --> 01:21:12,519 We want to give you some proper exposure for your old school, since you're an alumni of UNO." 1459 01:21:12,563 --> 01:21:14,695 ♪ Man I just want To float right now ♪ 1460 01:21:14,739 --> 01:21:17,307 ♪ Been a long day When the world get ugly ♪ 1461 01:21:17,350 --> 01:21:18,830 ♪ When life give You lemons, right ♪ 1462 01:21:18,874 --> 01:21:20,876 ♪ You're supposed To make lemonade ♪ 1463 01:21:20,919 --> 01:21:22,965 Being at this school, like how much it meant to me that was a big blessing. 1464 01:21:23,008 --> 01:21:28,318 I was like, "Wow!" My recent success, man, is making me feel validated. 1465 01:21:28,361 --> 01:21:32,017 That's the biggest thing I can think about because when you set out and you have a goal, 1466 01:21:32,061 --> 01:21:34,933 and you have a dream, and you have an intention, you got ups and downs, 1467 01:21:34,977 --> 01:21:37,022 you got peaks and valleys, and you have doubts. 1468 01:21:37,066 --> 01:21:42,245 And you have that flame that's so bright that people can't douse that. 1469 01:21:42,288 --> 01:21:44,334 A lot of people have been reaching out to me and this has been great. 1470 01:21:44,377 --> 01:21:48,642 I've been able to, like, kick back and let some of the-- the blessings flow in. 1471 01:21:48,686 --> 01:21:51,950 Like they say, "When it rains, it pours. "And I feel like it's definitely pouring right now. 1472 01:21:51,994 --> 01:21:58,826 Yeah, it's crazy. I think "Play with Fire" just as of yesterday hit 28 million streams. 1473 01:21:58,870 --> 01:22:03,005 I remember like not even a few, you know, six months ago 1474 01:22:03,048 --> 01:22:07,357 I was at like 600,000 plus listeners and things have just kept growing. 1475 01:22:07,400 --> 01:22:11,491 It's really cool, I mean, to have all those streams with no label 1476 01:22:11,535 --> 01:22:14,320 and no touring is kind of wild. 1477 01:22:14,364 --> 01:22:17,280 I was like, "Man, I'm gonna have to start doing some shows." 1478 01:22:17,323 --> 01:22:20,587 [singing] 1479 01:22:20,631 --> 01:22:23,851 ♪ Coming in like fire 1480 01:22:23,895 --> 01:22:27,116 ♪ Look out we're striking 1481 01:22:27,159 --> 01:22:30,119 ♪ What you say? Let's go 1482 01:22:30,162 --> 01:22:33,513 I had a show last night at the Mercy Lounge. 1483 01:22:33,557 --> 01:22:37,343 It was kind of my first real show, like, putting on a show. 1484 01:22:37,387 --> 01:22:39,998 I have been out of the live game for a while, like, I told you. 1485 01:22:40,042 --> 01:22:43,959 So it was weird kind of getting back on the bike and putting together a real show. 1486 01:22:44,002 --> 01:22:48,224 And I almost feel bad that I'm not performing for people who are fans of the music 1487 01:22:48,267 --> 01:22:51,749 because I know they want to see it live and they want to experience it. 1488 01:22:51,792 --> 01:22:55,100 And I guess if I'm honest with myself I want to do that, too. 1489 01:22:55,144 --> 01:22:57,189 That's why I got into this. I want to connect with people. 1490 01:22:57,233 --> 01:23:01,933 ♪ We will overcome 1491 01:23:01,977 --> 01:23:04,153 Playing the show, I'm just realizing like 1492 01:23:04,196 --> 01:23:06,764 "I don't need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. " 1493 01:23:06,807 --> 01:23:10,550 Like maybe there's something in the middle here where I can tour with purpose. 1494 01:23:10,594 --> 01:23:14,772 I can use some of these tools that I have now to just be more intentional. 1495 01:23:14,815 --> 01:23:18,254 Maybe instead of just saying I'm never gonna play live, maybe it's more like, 1496 01:23:18,297 --> 01:23:21,039 I'll just be more intentional with how I play live. 1497 01:23:21,083 --> 01:23:23,781 ♪ We will overcome 1498 01:23:26,479 --> 01:23:28,829 Thanks, y'all. 1499 01:23:28,873 --> 01:23:34,444 Everything that's been happening independently has kind of drawn a lot of people coming to us. 1500 01:23:34,487 --> 01:23:39,623 Like me and my manager Dave, we went to New York to meet with ADA Warner. 1501 01:23:39,666 --> 01:23:43,931 They are some of the same people that launched the Macklemore -Thrift Shop thing. 1502 01:23:43,975 --> 01:23:49,241 And we walk in to this meeting and it ends up being a boardroom filled with people. 1503 01:23:49,285 --> 01:23:55,073 I realize I am no longer selling myself to them, they're selling themselves to me. 1504 01:23:55,117 --> 01:23:57,423 It's kind of just the tables are turned. 1505 01:23:57,467 --> 01:24:00,339 And I told them what I wanted to do. What I wanted first single to be 1506 01:24:00,383 --> 01:24:03,081 and here's my pictures, here's my album artwork. 1507 01:24:03,125 --> 01:24:09,392 So they kind of came to us with a single song with a full record attached. 1508 01:24:09,435 --> 01:24:14,440 And so, they basically released the first single to radio and released a full album behind it. 1509 01:24:14,484 --> 01:24:17,617 And that's it. There's no options, there's no additional anything. 1510 01:24:17,661 --> 01:24:19,228 They don't own you forever. 1511 01:24:19,271 --> 01:24:21,839 It's just kind of this one record deal. 1512 01:24:21,882 --> 01:24:26,017 If you were to ask me before like you did, I would say, "I don't-- I don't love labels. 1513 01:24:26,061 --> 01:24:29,107 I don't love the idea of that, you know, I want to be fully independent." 1514 01:24:29,151 --> 01:24:33,024 But there are some global things that a label can get your music out to 1515 01:24:33,068 --> 01:24:36,941 and as long as you own the Masters and you can control the release schedule, 1516 01:24:36,984 --> 01:24:43,121 and you can do it in a way that you know what is great for you as an artist then it's okay. 1517 01:24:43,165 --> 01:24:46,951 I'm really excited about that. I feel like I'm just-- I'm focused on making music 1518 01:24:46,994 --> 01:24:48,605 and making the best music possible. 1519 01:24:48,648 --> 01:24:53,131 Although streaming is upon us, records are still being sold, 1520 01:24:53,175 --> 01:24:56,221 which a lot of people fail to realize right now, 1521 01:24:56,265 --> 01:25:00,095 but vinyl is at an all-time high than it's ever been. 1522 01:25:01,139 --> 01:25:03,968 [woman] While most music nowadays is digital, 1523 01:25:04,011 --> 01:25:07,145 an old style of listening to tunes is celebrated one day a year. 1524 01:25:07,189 --> 01:25:10,017 [Amber] Real music lovers are gonna love this. 1525 01:25:10,061 --> 01:25:13,195 [woman] Stacks of rare records are just waiting for them in shops all over the country. 1526 01:25:13,238 --> 01:25:15,980 [reporter] Vinyl record enthusiasts are gathering once again. 1527 01:25:16,023 --> 01:25:20,027 [man] Many shops packed with lines wrapped around the stores. 1528 01:25:20,071 --> 01:25:22,073 We got here around 12:30 a.m. 1529 01:25:22,117 --> 01:25:25,729 [woman] This Saturday is "Record Store Day." 1530 01:25:25,772 --> 01:25:27,426 [man] So is this the calm before the storm? 1531 01:25:27,470 --> 01:25:28,949 That's right, they're out there waiting. 1532 01:25:28,993 --> 01:25:30,908 They'll come for it in a little bit an orderly fashion. 1533 01:25:30,951 --> 01:25:32,170 You'll see. 1534 01:25:32,214 --> 01:25:33,867 [screaming] 1535 01:25:53,017 --> 01:25:55,237 Today is International Record Store Day. 1536 01:25:55,280 --> 01:25:58,240 It's the biggest single day of the year. 1537 01:25:58,283 --> 01:26:00,938 Record Store Day is basically our Super Bowl. 1538 01:26:00,981 --> 01:26:04,289 The independent record store Super Bowl. 1539 01:26:04,333 --> 01:26:05,812 It's just about music. 1540 01:26:05,856 --> 01:26:07,031 It's just about records. 1541 01:26:07,074 --> 01:26:08,554 It's just about exclusives. 1542 01:26:08,598 --> 01:26:10,600 People make a pilgrimage almost. 1543 01:26:10,643 --> 01:26:13,124 Got to go to all the record stores. 1544 01:26:13,168 --> 01:26:15,779 [man] Vinyl isn't the most popular way to get your music, 1545 01:26:15,822 --> 01:26:20,697 but it still has its fans who say nothing compares to its sound and feel. 1546 01:26:20,740 --> 01:26:24,179 The reason why I would buy a vinyl it would be the physical feeling of it. 1547 01:26:24,222 --> 01:26:26,833 I think it's a different feeling when you listen to a vinyl. 1548 01:26:26,877 --> 01:26:33,100 So discovering the warm sound and non-compressed of vinyl, it's amazing to me. 1549 01:26:33,144 --> 01:26:38,105 I like the crate digging experience, finding things, or something finds you. 1550 01:26:38,149 --> 01:26:42,022 To have that physical thing in their hand is extremely important to a lot of people. 1551 01:26:42,066 --> 01:26:45,678 You have this piece of art that's put together by an artist, you know, 1552 01:26:45,722 --> 01:26:48,899 the whole package, liner notes and artwork on a vinyl record, 1553 01:26:48,942 --> 01:26:53,120 and just having that personal thing, your collection, that you can share with other people. 1554 01:26:53,164 --> 01:26:57,212 On top of that, you know, the-- the sound quality is much better. 1555 01:26:57,255 --> 01:27:02,173 You know and the listening of it is more active as opposed to like a passive listening 1556 01:27:02,217 --> 01:27:03,479 of listening to something on streaming. 1557 01:27:05,655 --> 01:27:07,700 So, you have to pick up the needle and put it down and then go to the next track 1558 01:27:07,744 --> 01:27:09,180 or flip the record. 1559 01:27:11,269 --> 01:27:13,228 Remember when everyone thought "Books are going away. We're gonna have a Kindle. 1560 01:27:13,271 --> 01:27:15,273 And we're never gonna read a book ever again." 1561 01:27:15,317 --> 01:27:16,883 I think it's the same thing. 1562 01:27:16,927 --> 01:27:19,321 There's always going to be an independent small store. 1563 01:27:19,364 --> 01:27:25,196 Vinyl I think is now being twisted and sold as merch, like a collector's edition. 1564 01:27:25,240 --> 01:27:28,504 So being able to sell vinyl records now, I think is 1565 01:27:28,547 --> 01:27:32,203 a throwback modernized way of selling albums. 1566 01:27:32,247 --> 01:27:35,380 You know, I have a new record coming out and streaming it 1567 01:27:35,424 --> 01:27:37,077 is the last thing on my mind 1568 01:27:37,121 --> 01:27:39,471 as much as actually printing it to vinyl 1569 01:27:39,515 --> 01:27:41,995 and then being able to sell it on vinyl. 1570 01:27:43,258 --> 01:27:47,871 [McCormick] It's amazing to me how much vinyl we are selling these days 1571 01:27:47,914 --> 01:27:50,134 and it's mainly to the younger folks. 1572 01:27:50,177 --> 01:27:54,269 And it's because their fathers or grandfathers told them to be sure. 1573 01:27:54,312 --> 01:27:59,448 And you visit the Ernest Tubb Record Shop because they did in the earlier years, you know, 1574 01:27:59,491 --> 01:28:04,235 and they come in and see our racks and racks of vinyl. 1575 01:28:04,279 --> 01:28:07,107 You know, a lot of these bands now, it's smart. 1576 01:28:07,151 --> 01:28:10,894 They realize the importance of this collectible thing. 1577 01:28:10,937 --> 01:28:16,334 Here on Record Store Day, I see young kids going in there and buying vinyl 1578 01:28:16,378 --> 01:28:18,336 and they don't even have a record player. 1579 01:28:18,380 --> 01:28:20,817 They just want to have it because they like the band. 1580 01:28:20,860 --> 01:28:23,080 I got some, um, some cool records. 1581 01:28:23,123 --> 01:28:28,477 He's the one who told me that we needed to come because he's now into vinyls 1582 01:28:28,520 --> 01:28:30,174 and maybe he'll start a collection. 1583 01:28:30,217 --> 01:28:32,350 [Stoneman] People are still wanting to collect these things. 1584 01:28:32,394 --> 01:28:35,353 So there's a huge following for vinyl collection 1585 01:28:35,397 --> 01:28:38,225 and I don't think that's going anywhere anytime soon. 1586 01:28:38,269 --> 01:28:39,488 If anything, it's going up. 1587 01:28:39,531 --> 01:28:42,186 The future is unpredictable still. 1588 01:28:42,229 --> 01:28:44,188 I think there's gonna be a significant amount of people 1589 01:28:44,231 --> 01:28:46,277 that still want the physical media, 1590 01:28:46,321 --> 01:28:51,195 but there's also a huge amount of people that want the convenience of streaming 1591 01:28:51,238 --> 01:28:53,806 and I'm in the party of wanting both. 1592 01:28:53,850 --> 01:28:58,289 This business changes so much on a monthly-- on a weekly basis that, you know, 1593 01:28:58,333 --> 01:29:01,248 five 10 years from now I have no idea where we'll be. 1594 01:29:01,292 --> 01:29:06,384 I mean, there's so many apps and new startup companies and different ways to get music. 1595 01:29:06,428 --> 01:29:08,386 The future is independent, you know. 1596 01:29:08,430 --> 01:29:11,520 The future is an independent, like, you have to go to do this on yourself, 1597 01:29:11,563 --> 01:29:15,306 your team gets built around you as opposed to you joining a team that tells you what to do. 1598 01:29:15,350 --> 01:29:17,395 I think it's really an opinion. 1599 01:29:17,439 --> 01:29:22,400 I mean, I think the future of the music industry hopefully is 1600 01:29:22,444 --> 01:29:26,491 the artists taking back kind of more what's theirs. 1601 01:29:26,535 --> 01:29:29,625 Now we have the power and we're able to put our music out 1602 01:29:29,668 --> 01:29:31,975 and have people hear it around the world. 1603 01:29:32,018 --> 01:29:36,240 So, hopefully, that will lead to some more fair practices in the future for artists and, 1604 01:29:36,283 --> 01:29:41,288 hopefully, in the end it will benefit record labels because happy artists make better music. 1605 01:29:41,332 --> 01:29:45,728 I see music in the future becoming artists' calling card. 1606 01:29:45,771 --> 01:29:47,904 Here's my music, book me. 1607 01:29:47,947 --> 01:29:50,210 Well, here's my music, follow me. 1608 01:29:50,254 --> 01:29:53,344 Check me out, follow me, I have a show coming up. 1609 01:29:53,388 --> 01:29:55,651 I'll keep you-- just send me a message so that I know it's you. 1610 01:29:55,694 --> 01:30:00,612 So, what I really, really, would love for the future is that we can have more of the live 1611 01:30:00,656 --> 01:30:04,268 experience of seeing artists on stage, playing live, 1612 01:30:04,311 --> 01:30:06,444 singing live, putting their heart out there. 1613 01:30:08,751 --> 01:30:13,451 I mean the future of music I think that it's just gonna be about experiences. 1614 01:30:13,495 --> 01:30:18,282 The festival world is such a huge thing right now because girls can put on a flower crown 1615 01:30:18,325 --> 01:30:22,155 and go to Coachella and experience music in a place. 1616 01:30:22,199 --> 01:30:24,767 The songs are almost the soundtrack to that. 1617 01:30:24,810 --> 01:30:28,205 The live experience is I think still what sells a lot of people 1618 01:30:28,248 --> 01:30:31,556 and as we've seen throughout history 1619 01:30:31,600 --> 01:30:34,472 entertainment is still always the expense 1620 01:30:34,516 --> 01:30:37,170 that people are willing to spend their money on. 1621 01:30:37,214 --> 01:30:40,086 I mean we're seeing a huge rise in music festivals. 1622 01:30:40,130 --> 01:30:42,349 They're popping up left and right. 1623 01:30:42,393 --> 01:30:46,615 There are more music festivals now than there ever has been in a calendar year. 1624 01:30:47,572 --> 01:30:51,794 When you're going into festivals and live shows that full experience 1625 01:30:51,837 --> 01:30:56,494 from the decorations, to the light shows, to the vendor booths, 1626 01:30:56,538 --> 01:30:59,149 you're getting to dress up and be a completely different human. 1627 01:30:59,192 --> 01:31:01,891 You're getting to meet people that share a common love. 1628 01:31:01,934 --> 01:31:07,897 You get to actually like not be yourself for a night and get lost in the music 1629 01:31:07,940 --> 01:31:11,988 and share moments with people that you'll never meet again. 1630 01:31:12,858 --> 01:31:15,905 It's just a full-on experience and takes you into another world 1631 01:31:15,948 --> 01:31:18,516 outside of the world we currently live in. 1632 01:31:18,560 --> 01:31:21,650 This is honestly a dream come true for all of us. 1633 01:31:21,693 --> 01:31:26,393 This is our first ever, major festival and we are so grateful to be here. 1634 01:31:26,437 --> 01:31:28,570 Our biggest asset is our live show. 1635 01:31:28,613 --> 01:31:32,704 Being in front of people, you know, I talk about my message, my story 1636 01:31:32,748 --> 01:31:35,533 so much in the live show and people connect with that. 1637 01:31:35,577 --> 01:31:39,015 And I truly believe that having a platform as an artist is so important 1638 01:31:39,058 --> 01:31:42,279 to just spread love and positivity 'cause we need that more than ever today. 1639 01:31:42,322 --> 01:31:46,370 And we made it to the first show on the road. 1640 01:31:46,413 --> 01:31:48,198 Vancouver tonight, y'all. 1641 01:31:49,155 --> 01:31:53,072 Oh, man. On stage, it feels-- it's cozy up there, you know. 1642 01:31:53,116 --> 01:31:54,683 It's like-- it's my favorite place to be. 1643 01:31:54,726 --> 01:31:57,337 It's an immediate connection with an audience, you know. 1644 01:31:57,381 --> 01:32:00,079 That's-- that's my favorite thing about performing. 1645 01:32:00,123 --> 01:32:04,475 The highlight of what we want to do as a band is-- is found on the stage. 1646 01:32:04,519 --> 01:32:07,565 Just seeing people sing our lyrics with us, there's nothing like it. 1647 01:32:07,609 --> 01:32:10,002 There's nothing like that adrenaline and just connecting with people. 1648 01:32:10,916 --> 01:32:13,484 Thank you so much. People should be nice. 1649 01:32:13,528 --> 01:32:19,098 Experience is key because things fluctuate like CDs, vinyls, you know, 1650 01:32:19,142 --> 01:32:20,404 Spotify is king right now. 1651 01:32:20,447 --> 01:32:22,188 Spotify could be gone in 10 years. 1652 01:32:22,232 --> 01:32:25,496 What won't be gone in 10 years is people's love of the experience. 1653 01:32:25,540 --> 01:32:28,804 People's need for that human connection on the stage. 1654 01:32:28,847 --> 01:32:30,849 I think that is what's moving the music business right now, 1655 01:32:30,893 --> 01:32:34,810 is the live show, the club show, the theater show, or the festival. 1656 01:32:34,853 --> 01:32:37,247 It's something that you can't reproduce at home. 1657 01:32:37,290 --> 01:32:41,773 There's this incredible feeling you get when you look out and people from all walks of life 1658 01:32:41,817 --> 01:32:43,209 are at this show together. 1659 01:32:43,253 --> 01:32:44,602 You just can feel it. 1660 01:32:44,646 --> 01:32:46,604 Everyone's having a great time and you are, too. 1661 01:32:46,648 --> 01:32:50,652 It's just this beautiful energy that that you've all created together. 1662 01:32:50,695 --> 01:32:54,917 These people that are so different, but in this moment we're all the same. 1663 01:32:54,960 --> 01:32:59,182 And that's so beautiful about a live show because it is people from all walks of life, 1664 01:32:59,225 --> 01:33:01,314 but in that moment we're all the same. 1665 01:33:02,620 --> 01:33:05,797 Guys, we got a couple more left again. We're a Forest Fire Gospel Choir. 1666 01:33:05,841 --> 01:33:08,887 Whatever part of your journey you're on as an artist, 1667 01:33:08,931 --> 01:33:11,411 I think most of us get here because we love music. 1668 01:33:11,455 --> 01:33:15,633 That's why we get into this and the more that you can hold on to that love 1669 01:33:15,677 --> 01:33:18,462 that's just gonna be your center for everything. 1670 01:33:19,506 --> 01:33:26,122 Man, the most important thing is the love of the music. 1671 01:33:26,165 --> 01:33:31,170 And my first initial thought was not, "Hmm, music. 1672 01:33:31,214 --> 01:33:36,828 I can make some money off of this." I was like, "Hmm. Damn, this stuff sounds incredible. 1673 01:33:36,872 --> 01:33:38,830 How do you make this stuff?" 1674 01:33:38,874 --> 01:33:41,398 From there, everything else is secondary. 1675 01:33:41,441 --> 01:33:45,663 So, if you have a love for what you do and you protect what you do, 1676 01:33:45,707 --> 01:33:48,666 then naturally that'll illuminate and that'll inspire, like, 1677 01:33:48,710 --> 01:33:50,581 to help grow the next person. 1678 01:33:50,625 --> 01:33:53,540 I want to make the world better and I got an opportunity to do that. 1679 01:33:53,584 --> 01:33:55,760 I want to make sure that y'all understand it. 1680 01:33:55,804 --> 01:34:00,678 That y'all, like, say y'all viewers are so valuable to me. 1681 01:34:00,722 --> 01:34:03,550 Just thank you, guys. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 1682 01:34:03,594 --> 01:34:06,771 I appreciate everybody who've been helping me out. Thank you. 1683 01:34:10,819 --> 01:34:13,996 I feel like I write my music and create new music for performance 1684 01:34:14,039 --> 01:34:18,957 and for the fact that I want to be there and be like be performing this to people 1685 01:34:19,001 --> 01:34:20,742 and, like, I love that energy. 1686 01:34:20,785 --> 01:34:23,658 As in that we officially sold out my first headlining show ever. 1687 01:34:24,963 --> 01:34:31,274 As long as I have that energy and I can feel that love and be in that environment, I'm good. 1688 01:34:31,317 --> 01:34:36,975 It comes down to making the music and being happy making music and finding happiness 1689 01:34:37,019 --> 01:34:39,282 in all of those moments even when they're stressful. 1690 01:34:39,325 --> 01:34:41,632 And, for me, I'm gonna do it either way. 1691 01:34:41,676 --> 01:34:45,854 You know, I'm gonna create music and I'm gonna create art whether I'm making money or not 1692 01:34:45,897 --> 01:34:48,683 because I'm not making money doing it right now and I still love it. 1693 01:34:48,726 --> 01:34:52,991 It's about the music, it's about the journey, it's about connecting with people, 1694 01:34:53,035 --> 01:34:56,647 it's about the branded people who message you and they say, "Heard your song." 1695 01:34:56,691 --> 01:35:00,738 Come on. What else is there? That's all that matters to me. 1696 01:35:02,044 --> 01:35:06,178 My hope for the future, what I see in the future is just continuing to grow the community 1697 01:35:06,222 --> 01:35:09,616 that we've started to build, which is, you know, it's based on love and positivity. 1698 01:35:09,660 --> 01:35:11,793 And, you know, we've created a community of people. 1699 01:35:11,836 --> 01:35:14,143 It's like a family. 1700 01:35:14,186 --> 01:35:17,799 The energy and the positivity that we have together, it's infectious and people see that. 1701 01:35:17,842 --> 01:35:20,627 Thank you, Stealing Oceans. We love you. 1702 01:35:21,977 --> 01:35:27,025 You know, for me, the future-- like I just hope that I continue on this path of using 1703 01:35:27,069 --> 01:35:30,202 the platform that I'm continuing to grow, in a positive way 1704 01:35:30,246 --> 01:35:33,075 that it creates positive change in the world. 1705 01:35:33,118 --> 01:35:36,556 And, yeah, and stay youthful, be grateful, always love. 1706 01:35:36,600 --> 01:35:37,732 Ey! 1707 01:35:37,775 --> 01:35:42,998 Music is the sole driver in humanity. 1708 01:35:43,041 --> 01:35:46,653 We party with music, we play sports with music, 1709 01:35:46,697 --> 01:35:50,788 we cry with music, we make food with music, make love with music. 1710 01:35:50,832 --> 01:35:57,752 Music is always involved in everything and I think that if us as artists, 1711 01:35:57,795 --> 01:36:04,410 if we can remember that and not get so caught up in all of the other crazy BS, 1712 01:36:04,454 --> 01:36:08,327 if we can stay focused on trying to make the best music, 1713 01:36:08,371 --> 01:36:10,852 have the best message possible for the youth 1714 01:36:10,895 --> 01:36:15,421 and give people a way to feel, I think we're gonna be just fine. 1715 01:36:19,861 --> 01:36:23,778 Hey, guys, just a quick update. I'm currently in L.A., right now on a reggae trip. 1716 01:36:23,821 --> 01:36:27,564 I officially signed my publishing deal in October, so I am no longer bartending. 1717 01:36:27,607 --> 01:36:29,914 Um, but we're here doing sessions 1718 01:36:29,958 --> 01:36:32,656 and I have some of these labels that I'm really excited about. 1719 01:36:32,699 --> 01:36:34,745 So thank you for being part of this journey. I love you. 1720 01:36:34,789 --> 01:36:37,008 I appreciate you and I look forward to the future. 1721 01:36:37,052 --> 01:36:41,056 We just signed a deal with ADA Warner and they're putting out, "Play with Fire" 1722 01:36:41,099 --> 01:36:44,755 on the radio and even before anything happened at radio, 1723 01:36:44,799 --> 01:36:47,323 it went RIAA certified gold. 1724 01:36:47,366 --> 01:36:50,413 So, I just could not be more excited about what's going on. 1725 01:36:50,456 --> 01:36:55,113 And it's truly been such an incredible year of creativity and exploration 1726 01:36:55,157 --> 01:36:58,290 and our whole team were so excited to be getting ready 1727 01:36:58,334 --> 01:37:00,553 to release our first full-length album. 1728 01:37:00,597 --> 01:37:04,079 And we're so excited to share it and so thrilled for all that's to come. 1729 01:37:04,122 --> 01:37:07,125 We're currently on tour with Iration and we got signed with Paradigm Talent Agency. 1730 01:37:07,169 --> 01:37:10,825 We got a new record coming out this summer and we'll be on tour all Summer and Fall. 1731 01:37:10,868 --> 01:37:13,523 -Check our dates at riesbrothers.com. Much love. -Whoo! 1732 01:37:13,566 --> 01:37:18,876 I am releasing a two-part album this year as well as some new music videos 1733 01:37:18,920 --> 01:37:24,273 and probably the coolest thing of all, Martin guitars made me this new custom piece. 1734 01:37:24,316 --> 01:37:26,841 I'm in L.A. I moved here a couple months back. 1735 01:37:26,884 --> 01:37:28,494 I'm so grateful to be here. 1736 01:37:28,538 --> 01:37:32,585 It's a very, very, very creative environment, very inspiring. 1737 01:37:32,629 --> 01:37:36,198 It feels good to be surrounded with family out here, people I love 1738 01:37:36,241 --> 01:37:39,854 and, most importantly, I am making the best music of my life, 1739 01:37:39,897 --> 01:37:41,899 so I can't wait to share with you guys. 1740 01:37:41,943 --> 01:37:44,423 For now, stay youthful, be grateful, always love. 1741 01:37:44,467 --> 01:37:46,730 Hey, it's the infamous Her. 1742 01:37:46,773 --> 01:37:50,908 We're currently in the studio making a new album and we just plan on keep on keeping on 1743 01:37:50,952 --> 01:37:53,128 rockin' and rollin', baby. 1744 01:37:53,171 --> 01:37:58,002 Yo! This is Phangs and I'm in Columbus, Ohio, and I'm about to play a sold-out show 1745 01:37:58,046 --> 01:38:01,005 and it's been a crazy year with a bunch of music 1746 01:38:01,049 --> 01:38:03,094 and I'm excited to keep doing it even more. 1747 01:38:03,138 --> 01:38:05,183 Oh, we're still hustling. Yeah. 1748 01:38:05,227 --> 01:38:09,144 Still trying to make it happen. Still working really hard. Still writing songs. 1749 01:38:09,187 --> 01:38:11,233 And you know, hey, we still got our day jobs. 1750 01:38:11,276 --> 01:38:13,017 We still have our day jobs. 1751 01:38:13,061 --> 01:38:16,020 People that are supporting me, to everybody that's in my corner. 1752 01:38:16,064 --> 01:38:18,153 I'm just so appreciative, man. 1753 01:38:18,196 --> 01:38:21,765 I'm just overwhelmed with all of the joy and the positivity that I'm receiving. 1754 01:38:21,808 --> 01:38:25,638 And it just helps me keep going and it helps me keep thriving as a person. 1755 01:38:25,682 --> 01:38:27,379 ♪♪♪ 1756 01:38:38,042 --> 01:38:39,130 [music ends]