Check out the WB site to see a hot new video featuring trueAnthem's own Ultraviolet Sound. They put on a slammin' performance of O.C.D., setting a room full of WB fanatics on fire.
The video provides the backdrop for the fall TV preview trailer "The WB: It's TV Online!" and features confetti and all. UVS frontwoman Sarah struts in some killer green stilletos to kick off their performance. We wouldn't expect anything less from our favorite hipsters!
Download O.C.D. and 10 other tracks from Ultraviolet's Adidas sponsored trueWidget today!
"I just can't stop--I'm a freak. I just can't stop--moving my body!" - Ultraviolet Sound, O.C.D.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Free music widget madness continues: Electrocute, Hope, Stephen Speaks
What would a Wednesday be if we weren't bringing you more free music? As promised...
Electrocute: If their tiger tights and adorably quirky outfits don’t pull you in, your eyes will be peeled watching them squish tables full of cake in between their toes on their “Bad Legs” video. Writes PlugInMusic.com: “a word of warning: they only look innocent.” This saucy duo landed in Los Angeles via Australia, writing electro punk that has generated two million MySpace plays. Catchy tracks have helped the ladies land coveted TV and movie placements (“Uh Oh” was featured on the Grey’s Anatomy season finale) and songwriting credits for megastars like Tom Jones and Britney Spears. Enjoy six free tracks from these wild ones on the rise, brought to you by Guitar Center.
The online music community has been hooked by Los Angeles artist Hope’s acoustic soul tunes. Reminiscent of Sade or Corrine Bailey Rae, the young vocalist has quickly amassed over 10 million plays on MySpace. This week, trueAnthem brings you her full album for free, in partnership with Simple Green. Her arrangements offer a beautiful minimalist approach, with soft acoustic guitar, piano and rhythms supporting smooth, breathy vocals. Hope has been busy recording for her upcoming Atlantic records release so catching her live these days is a rare treat. In the meantime, enjoy these tasteful, healing tracks. Check out "The Rain Don't Last"...a perfect lullaby for a Wednesday afternoon.
Oklahoma based acoustic rock/pop band Stephen Speaks launches a trueWidget this week with sponsor 3J Workshop. The guys were psyched to pair with one of their favorite clothing bands for their 11-track release “Symptoms of Love.” They’re actually wearing a 3J Workshop shirt on their album cover…and looking pretty sexy, we might add. The band keeps up a busy national touring schedule, feeding their impressive fan base--2000+ plays a day on MySpace, totaling over 4 million so far. Not bad for an indie band. Writing and recording for over a decade, brothers Dain and Rockwell Ryan’s hard work has paid off. Now let’s see what happens with the extra power of a trueWidget!
Electrocute: If their tiger tights and adorably quirky outfits don’t pull you in, your eyes will be peeled watching them squish tables full of cake in between their toes on their “Bad Legs” video. Writes PlugInMusic.com: “a word of warning: they only look innocent.” This saucy duo landed in Los Angeles via Australia, writing electro punk that has generated two million MySpace plays. Catchy tracks have helped the ladies land coveted TV and movie placements (“Uh Oh” was featured on the Grey’s Anatomy season finale) and songwriting credits for megastars like Tom Jones and Britney Spears. Enjoy six free tracks from these wild ones on the rise, brought to you by Guitar Center.
The online music community has been hooked by Los Angeles artist Hope’s acoustic soul tunes. Reminiscent of Sade or Corrine Bailey Rae, the young vocalist has quickly amassed over 10 million plays on MySpace. This week, trueAnthem brings you her full album for free, in partnership with Simple Green. Her arrangements offer a beautiful minimalist approach, with soft acoustic guitar, piano and rhythms supporting smooth, breathy vocals. Hope has been busy recording for her upcoming Atlantic records release so catching her live these days is a rare treat. In the meantime, enjoy these tasteful, healing tracks. Check out "The Rain Don't Last"...a perfect lullaby for a Wednesday afternoon.
Oklahoma based acoustic rock/pop band Stephen Speaks launches a trueWidget this week with sponsor 3J Workshop. The guys were psyched to pair with one of their favorite clothing bands for their 11-track release “Symptoms of Love.” They’re actually wearing a 3J Workshop shirt on their album cover…and looking pretty sexy, we might add. The band keeps up a busy national touring schedule, feeding their impressive fan base--2000+ plays a day on MySpace, totaling over 4 million so far. Not bad for an indie band. Writing and recording for over a decade, brothers Dain and Rockwell Ryan’s hard work has paid off. Now let’s see what happens with the extra power of a trueWidget!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
30 Seconds to Mars speaks out
Some of you may have seen 30 Seconds To Mars frontman Jared Leto’s response to fans about the lawsuit brewing between the band and their former record label, EMI.
The band found recent experiences with the label so horrifying that they are citing a loophole in CA law to get them out of their contract early. We can only imagine the band’s frustration. After nine years with the company and two million records sold, they’ve apparently “never been paid a penny.” They’ve actually been told they are still 1.4 million in debt, and that the next record’s profits would be used to pay off the “old supposed debt.” On top of all those financial debacles, Leto describes how they’ve had to watch the severe restructuring of the label after its recent takeover and the firing of over 2000 employees, including all staff they’d come to know and work with.
Not surprisingly, the label’s response to the band’s decision is an unnecessarily publicized lawsuit for the “the ridiculously oversized, totally unrealistic and pretty silly (but slightly clever) sum of $30,000,000.” We wouldn’t expect any less from a panicked, litigation-happy major label (or as Leto refers to it, “regime”).
30 Seconds to Mars certainly isn’t the first act that’s had to endure a long, public battle with their label. You may recall Prince’s temporary name change and album entitled “Emancipation”—both products of his tumultuous 18-year relationship with Warner Brothers. It’s no surprise, then, that as technology develops and the traditional industry model crumbles, big artists like 30 seconds to Mars are choosing to explore new business models.
MTV News explored the changing landscape in an article last year. Citing Madonna, Radiohead, and Trent Reznor as a few of the bigger artists that have been forging the way, the article explains how for an established band with several albums on their belt, the major-label set up might not be necessary. While a label contract used to be viewed as a source of prestige for a band, enough successful artists are making it on their own (or on independent labels), that the paradigm has shifted. Labels are attempting to make major changes to keep up with the technology, but artists, the author states, are one step ahead: “They've figured out that technology has given some of the power back to them." The Madonna-Live Nation deal proves that even for a world famous act, a record company is no longer required in the days of digital downloads and P2P file sharing.
At trueAnthem, we’re obsessed with employing our technology expertise to help artists survive in the new music economy. So far, we’ve seen our viral widgets and brand partnerships work surprisingly well for both emerging and established artists. With nearly 75% of artists coming off their labels in the next two years, we’re excited to see just how much music we’ll be able to deliver to you. As always, we strive to bring it to you how you like it (free), while still ensuring that the artist gets paid.
The band found recent experiences with the label so horrifying that they are citing a loophole in CA law to get them out of their contract early. We can only imagine the band’s frustration. After nine years with the company and two million records sold, they’ve apparently “never been paid a penny.” They’ve actually been told they are still 1.4 million in debt, and that the next record’s profits would be used to pay off the “old supposed debt.” On top of all those financial debacles, Leto describes how they’ve had to watch the severe restructuring of the label after its recent takeover and the firing of over 2000 employees, including all staff they’d come to know and work with.
Not surprisingly, the label’s response to the band’s decision is an unnecessarily publicized lawsuit for the “the ridiculously oversized, totally unrealistic and pretty silly (but slightly clever) sum of $30,000,000.” We wouldn’t expect any less from a panicked, litigation-happy major label (or as Leto refers to it, “regime”).
30 Seconds to Mars certainly isn’t the first act that’s had to endure a long, public battle with their label. You may recall Prince’s temporary name change and album entitled “Emancipation”—both products of his tumultuous 18-year relationship with Warner Brothers. It’s no surprise, then, that as technology develops and the traditional industry model crumbles, big artists like 30 seconds to Mars are choosing to explore new business models.
MTV News explored the changing landscape in an article last year. Citing Madonna, Radiohead, and Trent Reznor as a few of the bigger artists that have been forging the way, the article explains how for an established band with several albums on their belt, the major-label set up might not be necessary. While a label contract used to be viewed as a source of prestige for a band, enough successful artists are making it on their own (or on independent labels), that the paradigm has shifted. Labels are attempting to make major changes to keep up with the technology, but artists, the author states, are one step ahead: “They've figured out that technology has given some of the power back to them." The Madonna-Live Nation deal proves that even for a world famous act, a record company is no longer required in the days of digital downloads and P2P file sharing.
At trueAnthem, we’re obsessed with employing our technology expertise to help artists survive in the new music economy. So far, we’ve seen our viral widgets and brand partnerships work surprisingly well for both emerging and established artists. With nearly 75% of artists coming off their labels in the next two years, we’re excited to see just how much music we’ll be able to deliver to you. As always, we strive to bring it to you how you like it (free), while still ensuring that the artist gets paid.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New trueArtists launching this week: Grove Hill, Mirage, and Rich Price!
If you’re on your way to Vegas this month, you’ll definitely want to be spinnin’ Grove Hill’s “I’m Delirious” en route. The brother-sister duo’s personality filled power pop will get you in the mood as you head for those black jack tables. The young act recently left their hometown Ohio to hit the LA scene and will be releasing their debut EP this fall. This week’s trueWidget introduces six fresh, power pop tracks that are ripe for a movie soundtrack. Download away baby...
This Wednesday also delivers fresh tracks from Ohio born hip-hop artist Mirage. Revolutionary fitness product maker Perfect Pushup spotted Mirage’s promise and jumped on the opportunity to sponsor the downloads of this charismatic rapper. With over two million MySpace views, we can’t wait to see Mirage’s viral popularity spin to new heights, bolstered by the power of his trueWidget.
Finally, we bring you the latest from Rich Price. We’re not the first to realize the magnetism of Rich's voice…you may have heard his breath stopper track “Turn Off My Heart” all over MTV recently. trueAnthem is indeed the happy beneficiary of another artist off his major label contract. Once signed to RCA and Geffen, Rich found the independent route a better match. He's now going viral with 10 tracks (including two tA exclusives!) ready for free download off his trueWidget. He’s got some of our favorites there…be sure to check out “Breakup Breakdown,” “Queen B” and the yet unreleased “From the Top.”
For the musicians out there, Rich has thoughtfully posted his song progressions on MySpace, so whip that guitar out of the closet and get playing. This Oxford educated singer-songwriter has lived all over the world, and has a special talent organic arrangements and quality lyrics. We leave you with a short sample from Rich:
"It's the breakup breakdown again/You lose your mind if in love you never win
You close the door but still it comes right in/It's the breakup breakdown again...
But all I wanna do is cover you like a blanket/And pour my heart for you and be sure that you drank it." – Breakup Breakdown
This Wednesday also delivers fresh tracks from Ohio born hip-hop artist Mirage. Revolutionary fitness product maker Perfect Pushup spotted Mirage’s promise and jumped on the opportunity to sponsor the downloads of this charismatic rapper. With over two million MySpace views, we can’t wait to see Mirage’s viral popularity spin to new heights, bolstered by the power of his trueWidget.
Finally, we bring you the latest from Rich Price. We’re not the first to realize the magnetism of Rich's voice…you may have heard his breath stopper track “Turn Off My Heart” all over MTV recently. trueAnthem is indeed the happy beneficiary of another artist off his major label contract. Once signed to RCA and Geffen, Rich found the independent route a better match. He's now going viral with 10 tracks (including two tA exclusives!) ready for free download off his trueWidget. He’s got some of our favorites there…be sure to check out “Breakup Breakdown,” “Queen B” and the yet unreleased “From the Top.”
For the musicians out there, Rich has thoughtfully posted his song progressions on MySpace, so whip that guitar out of the closet and get playing. This Oxford educated singer-songwriter has lived all over the world, and has a special talent organic arrangements and quality lyrics. We leave you with a short sample from Rich:
"It's the breakup breakdown again/You lose your mind if in love you never win
You close the door but still it comes right in/It's the breakup breakdown again...
But all I wanna do is cover you like a blanket/And pour my heart for you and be sure that you drank it." – Breakup Breakdown
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Even more free music: DW Drums launches two trueAnthem artists
Referred to by one blogger as “Blondie on crack,” Los Angeles rockers Killola are kicking off a US tour this September to celebrate the release of their trueWidget. After forming in 2003, the punk-pop outfit, fronted by charismatic vocalist Lisa Rieffel, rode the MySpace wave into L.A. club stardom. Killola has proudly mastered the do-it-yourself ethic demanded by today’s music industry, funding all recording, releasing a live DVD and booking a huge UK tour. Their promotion has paid off, with over 6000 people stopping by daily to hear their music on MySpace. We’re excited to watch Killola's exposure skyrocket with their DW Drums trueWidget release!
With an energetic live show, Minneapolis based This World Fair brings epic alternative pop arrangements that have quickly won them thousands of national fans. “They've just got that magic sound, the one that everyone wants to hear…” wrote blogger Mike Minehart. Chris Kalgren’s melancholy melodies and vocal style are reminiscent of Coldplay or Augustana…and most definitely…ready for the big time.
With an energetic live show, Minneapolis based This World Fair brings epic alternative pop arrangements that have quickly won them thousands of national fans. “They've just got that magic sound, the one that everyone wants to hear…” wrote blogger Mike Minehart. Chris Kalgren’s melancholy melodies and vocal style are reminiscent of Coldplay or Augustana…and most definitely…ready for the big time.
trueAnthem launches first event widget for Icer Air 2008
This October, Icer Air 2008 descends on San Francisco’s for a fourth epic year. The event is a one-of-a-kind action sports, music and lifestyle experience featuring big air skiing, snowboarding, skate, BMX, freestyle motocross and headliner music acts. We’ve designed them a sexy widget where you can download sweet video montages of previous years’ action, along with music tracks and links to buy tickets or merch. Check out the incredible footage from the event’s inaugural year held on Fillmore Street and get psyched for Icer Air 2008!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
New FREE music this week! Bag of Toys, The Distance, Brian Chartrand
If you’re in a groovin' mood, check out San Francisco based four-piece Bag of Toys. The guys craft surf-inspired, acoustic guitar based tunes designed to make you want to “sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy the imaginary sand in between your toes.” The band has quickly built a national following, with their music featured on a commercial for Microsoft’s Zune media player and on Bay Area trend-setting radio station KFOG. On their Jet Set sponsored widget, you can hear all songs from their debut album Nooner…and a song from their 2008 release. For those in the Bay, head down to beautiful Chrissy Field this weekend, where they’ll be keeping the energy up performing for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life 24-hour event!
Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, The Distance bring you high energy hardcore with melodic runs, punk angst and catchy rock hooks. They guys have been recording and national touring machines for the last several years. They can even fill you in on stories from the “old days”—imagine touring without cell phones, GPS and the web! Their hard work has paid off, leaving with them with an enviable fan base (approaching three million views on MySpace). Free from past record label encumbrances, the band is psyched to release three new tracks with an Initium eyewear sponsored trueWidget and watch their viral power magnify.
Finally, Brian Chartrand celebrates the release of his updated Ivar Pack trueWidget including three new tracks. Citing influences like Van Morrison and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Brian's latest project is a collaboration with two other talented singer-songwriters: Rich Price and Greg Naughton. Each is brilliant on their own…together, they’re magic. We’re confident you’ll love their soulful acoustic guitar and deep harmonies on tracks like "What I Am Looking For". You can catch Brian in his Arizona home this fall, where he’s playing a series of winery shows.
Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, The Distance bring you high energy hardcore with melodic runs, punk angst and catchy rock hooks. They guys have been recording and national touring machines for the last several years. They can even fill you in on stories from the “old days”—imagine touring without cell phones, GPS and the web! Their hard work has paid off, leaving with them with an enviable fan base (approaching three million views on MySpace). Free from past record label encumbrances, the band is psyched to release three new tracks with an Initium eyewear sponsored trueWidget and watch their viral power magnify.
Finally, Brian Chartrand celebrates the release of his updated Ivar Pack trueWidget including three new tracks. Citing influences like Van Morrison and Crosby, Stills & Nash, Brian's latest project is a collaboration with two other talented singer-songwriters: Rich Price and Greg Naughton. Each is brilliant on their own…together, they’re magic. We’re confident you’ll love their soulful acoustic guitar and deep harmonies on tracks like "What I Am Looking For". You can catch Brian in his Arizona home this fall, where he’s playing a series of winery shows.
A band perspective on ad-supported music: “There’s no such thing as selling out anymore…”
Hot off a showcase at Las Vegas’ Amplify music festival, we took a moment to chat with trueAnthem artist Ultraviolet Sound as they made their way to San Diego. This “Freak 4 the Beat” tour has UVS on the road with fellow So Cal band Electric Valentine, who they plan to release a collaborative EP with trueAnthem this fall. Unlike artists of previous years, the band isn’t slacking off in between dates. Instead, they’re packing in recording work at their favorite studios like Vegas’ “Odds On” and perfecting tracks on their mobile rigs. The gang took a break to give us their latest feelings on UVS’ Adidas sponsored widget release and promoting music with the trueAnthem model.
tA: Why trueAnthem?
UVS: The basic concept is genius--bands can now make a living on their art. I get my music for free, finding it online, downloading...Everyone wants to be able to do this. They filled in the missing piece for us. Within 90 days we had 50,000 downloads with our first sponsor Initium Eyewear. I don’t think we could have gotten that exposure on our own. With the state of the music business, this was the obvious choice. To be able to still be paid and provide free downloads for the fans, we just jumped right on it.
tA: How did you release your music before trueAnthem?
UVS: For our first EP, we tried selling on our own. We weren’t able to get it out to as many people as we have with trueAnthem. Before that, I was signed to a major label…spent three years of my life making a record, and then having the label closing and never being able to release it. I got a little bit more careful about my future endeavors. trueAnthem seemed ideal. It’s the way music is going.
tA: Do you feel like you took anything good away from the major label relationship?
UVS: I met Joanna (trueAnthem Chief Creative Officer), who brought us in to trueAnthem. I also wrote with a lot of the top songwriters out there. But I felt like the label had a lot of artists to manage and some fell by the wayside. It made me cautious about record labels in general.
tA: Why were you not cautious about trueAnthem?
UVS: The concept is amazing. They’ve found a way to pay the artist. And you can still be in charge of your own destiny. You can still spread your music across the Internet for free, and you’re getting paid. It seems like common sense.
tA: How did you feel about inserting audio ads into your songs?
UVS: Initially, we were nervous and didn’t want to annoy the fan with an ad. After we got hooked up with such a dope brand our perspective changed a little and we were excited about the concept—we could give away our whole album for free....what else can you ask for!
We started getting creative with the ads and having fun with it…making them more of a genuine shout out rather than a corporate vibe. It doesn't have to be robotic and boring. We didn't get negative feedback, and actually had people responding positively. It's a way to actually speak to the fans—we want to thank Adidas for helping us put the album out for free. It gives us another connection with the fan. They get to hear Sarah's voice.
tA: How has it changed your revenue?
UVS: The amount of downloads that we have gotten so far through trueAnthem has been amazing. I don't think we could have done that on iTunes alone. And it works with our other publicity. When we were featured on Perez Hilton, two million people were exposed to us, and then had the opportunity to get our record for free.
We've found people still want to buy the music without the ad. On iTunes, you might just buy your favorite song. On trueAnthem, you hear them all. Then a lot of true fans can still go buy the songs. You have options: you can download it for free with the ad, then go back and buy it without.
tA: What have you done before trueAnthem to get your music out there that didn’t work?
UVS: Mostly selling it on our MySpace and at shows...which works but not even close to the level that tA does. With trueAnthem, you don't have all the middlemen and politics. We like selling it off MySpace, right off our page, but the reality is only a hard-core fan is going to spend the eight bucks to get it. trueAnthem is the only company that has really taken action in getting us out there.
tA: What about trueAnthem has surprised you?
UVS: Our widget really is viral. It does actually keep spreading from the one original one. The technology…how it allows the music gets passed through people, through the widget. There was nothing like this we could try in the past, other than “preview the album, click here to buy now”. Only some of the people would actually find our music.
tA: So why Adidas as a sponsor?
UVS: Why not? They are the most classic brand ever. Especially with music. I’ve been wearing it since I was little. Sarah’s first concert was Beastie Boys and Madonna in 1986 and we all love Adidas. I think everybody in hip-hop was sporting Adidas in the 80s.
tA: Are there other brands you’d like to work with?
UVS: We really love American apparel and music brands like Gibson. But Adidas was just us.
tA: Tell me more about the music video you are doing with in collaboration with them.
UVS: We are doing a video with OCD with a lot of dancing. We're filming all our friends across the country…in LA, NY, Vegas…dancing. Adidas is going to hook up all the dancers with gear. We're giving the fans a really fun video to watch that will also available on trueAnthem for free download.
tA: What would you say to people who dislike the audio ads?
UVS: I would just say to that person…you have full right to feel it’s annoying. But I would ask that person: Do you like downloading music for free? And they might say, “no I like to buy my music.” Then I would tell them, great trueAnthem sells it too, without the ads. Other people are annoyed because they want the music for free. I would ask them what they do for a living. They say, “I cut hair”…how would they feel if I asked them to come to my house and cut my hair for free? People are used to getting music for free, so they’re annoyed that there is a four second ad. But they can buy it without the ad if they like the music.
tA: One blogger wrote, trueAnthem is “next nail in the music labels’ coffins.” What’s your reaction to that statement?
UVS: Labels have been screwing over artists forever…what comes around goes around. In the way that the world is evolving, with music and artists taking it into their hands to reach the fans, I think trueAnthem is maybe a couple of nails in there. That is, only in regards that the major label business model stays the same. If their business model was great, and artists were getting what they want and fans were getting what they want, there would be no trueAnthem.
tA: Tell me more about how they paired you with Adidas. Was it like a matchmaking process? Did you consider other brands?
UVS: Yeah. We told them we want a brand that we can connect with, that our fans would get why we teamed up with that brand. Joanna knows our music really well so we just trust her. The staff there get it…that the fan and the band go together with the brand. For the band to feel good about it, the band wants to know that the brand is something they can relate to. If they said Michelin Tires is going to sponsor your album, we’d say no. But Adidas is awesome and I rock Adidas all the time. If the ad is going to lead into the music it should be something the artist is passionate about. trueAnthem understands what the band’s fan base is. They analyze the band’s demographic well and find a brand that would make it work.
tA: What specific feedback have you received from fans on the ads?
UVS: Even if our fans appreciate getting it for free, they are wondering if it will be available without the ads. People are willing to pay for it without the ads--the true fans. The point is making those fans.
We’ve gotten a few negative emails. But whenever you’re doing something cutting edge and revolutionary, there are always haters. For the most part, the numbers really show that it’s successful. 95% seem to like it. For the other 5%--maybe those people have a problem, and the problem is not the ads!
tA: Do you see any downsides to the trueAnthem model? Do you think it’s selling out?
UVS: I don't think there's such a thing as "selling out" anymore. Back in the day, the label, artist or company or whatever would try to change you for your paycheck. Now, it's just smart--A. cause we want to make a living and B. cause we want to get some exposure. If you're an artist just for the sake of art and don't want to make any money, then you'd be selling out. But if you want to make art and make a living, it's different. Artists who license their music aren't selling out. It's not selling out. It's being successful, which is great.
We knew people would complain about the ads. We got spoiled with so much free music, free downloads. Now, we have this new model.
tA: Do you aspire to be on a traditional label again?
UVS: There is no telling what opportunities will come. We definitely want to continue putting records out with trueAnthem and continue to do a lot of touring. We know that it can still be beneficial to be with a label depending on the specific deal. We aren't ruling out any options.
tA: How can you envision the trueAnthem model working for well-established acts coming off a label?
UVS: If you have a huge fan base, trueAnthem helps you put out your records directly to your fans and be in control through the whole thing. You connect with your fans and they all get it for free. No one has to worry about that marketing.
If you’re someone like Nine Inch Nails or Radiohead, you’re giving out your album for free anyway. Pay what you want is pretty much the same thing as free. Trent Reznor wrote an article about his release…the vast majority got it for free. You have to question--is exposure more important than selling albums? It’s more important to get people to listen…to get 100,000 people to listen to you music than sell 10,000 albums. If I were a big artist, I would do it. Hillary Duff might leave her record label…if she were on trueAnthem, she would sell and have more creative control.
tA: Before working with trueAnthem, were you guys able to sustain yourselves with you music sales?
UVS: No. Definitely not. The band has been together two years. I imagine it would take about that amount of time to really begin to sustain yourself. But trueAnthem just made it happen. We aren't all buying houses now or anything, but we're excited about the future. It only builds and gets bigger from here.
tA: Why trueAnthem?
UVS: The basic concept is genius--bands can now make a living on their art. I get my music for free, finding it online, downloading...Everyone wants to be able to do this. They filled in the missing piece for us. Within 90 days we had 50,000 downloads with our first sponsor Initium Eyewear. I don’t think we could have gotten that exposure on our own. With the state of the music business, this was the obvious choice. To be able to still be paid and provide free downloads for the fans, we just jumped right on it.
tA: How did you release your music before trueAnthem?
UVS: For our first EP, we tried selling on our own. We weren’t able to get it out to as many people as we have with trueAnthem. Before that, I was signed to a major label…spent three years of my life making a record, and then having the label closing and never being able to release it. I got a little bit more careful about my future endeavors. trueAnthem seemed ideal. It’s the way music is going.
tA: Do you feel like you took anything good away from the major label relationship?
UVS: I met Joanna (trueAnthem Chief Creative Officer), who brought us in to trueAnthem. I also wrote with a lot of the top songwriters out there. But I felt like the label had a lot of artists to manage and some fell by the wayside. It made me cautious about record labels in general.
tA: Why were you not cautious about trueAnthem?
UVS: The concept is amazing. They’ve found a way to pay the artist. And you can still be in charge of your own destiny. You can still spread your music across the Internet for free, and you’re getting paid. It seems like common sense.
tA: How did you feel about inserting audio ads into your songs?
UVS: Initially, we were nervous and didn’t want to annoy the fan with an ad. After we got hooked up with such a dope brand our perspective changed a little and we were excited about the concept—we could give away our whole album for free....what else can you ask for!
We started getting creative with the ads and having fun with it…making them more of a genuine shout out rather than a corporate vibe. It doesn't have to be robotic and boring. We didn't get negative feedback, and actually had people responding positively. It's a way to actually speak to the fans—we want to thank Adidas for helping us put the album out for free. It gives us another connection with the fan. They get to hear Sarah's voice.
tA: How has it changed your revenue?
UVS: The amount of downloads that we have gotten so far through trueAnthem has been amazing. I don't think we could have done that on iTunes alone. And it works with our other publicity. When we were featured on Perez Hilton, two million people were exposed to us, and then had the opportunity to get our record for free.
We've found people still want to buy the music without the ad. On iTunes, you might just buy your favorite song. On trueAnthem, you hear them all. Then a lot of true fans can still go buy the songs. You have options: you can download it for free with the ad, then go back and buy it without.
tA: What have you done before trueAnthem to get your music out there that didn’t work?
UVS: Mostly selling it on our MySpace and at shows...which works but not even close to the level that tA does. With trueAnthem, you don't have all the middlemen and politics. We like selling it off MySpace, right off our page, but the reality is only a hard-core fan is going to spend the eight bucks to get it. trueAnthem is the only company that has really taken action in getting us out there.
tA: What about trueAnthem has surprised you?
UVS: Our widget really is viral. It does actually keep spreading from the one original one. The technology…how it allows the music gets passed through people, through the widget. There was nothing like this we could try in the past, other than “preview the album, click here to buy now”. Only some of the people would actually find our music.
tA: So why Adidas as a sponsor?
UVS: Why not? They are the most classic brand ever. Especially with music. I’ve been wearing it since I was little. Sarah’s first concert was Beastie Boys and Madonna in 1986 and we all love Adidas. I think everybody in hip-hop was sporting Adidas in the 80s.
tA: Are there other brands you’d like to work with?
UVS: We really love American apparel and music brands like Gibson. But Adidas was just us.
tA: Tell me more about the music video you are doing with in collaboration with them.
UVS: We are doing a video with OCD with a lot of dancing. We're filming all our friends across the country…in LA, NY, Vegas…dancing. Adidas is going to hook up all the dancers with gear. We're giving the fans a really fun video to watch that will also available on trueAnthem for free download.
tA: What would you say to people who dislike the audio ads?
UVS: I would just say to that person…you have full right to feel it’s annoying. But I would ask that person: Do you like downloading music for free? And they might say, “no I like to buy my music.” Then I would tell them, great trueAnthem sells it too, without the ads. Other people are annoyed because they want the music for free. I would ask them what they do for a living. They say, “I cut hair”…how would they feel if I asked them to come to my house and cut my hair for free? People are used to getting music for free, so they’re annoyed that there is a four second ad. But they can buy it without the ad if they like the music.
tA: One blogger wrote, trueAnthem is “next nail in the music labels’ coffins.” What’s your reaction to that statement?
UVS: Labels have been screwing over artists forever…what comes around goes around. In the way that the world is evolving, with music and artists taking it into their hands to reach the fans, I think trueAnthem is maybe a couple of nails in there. That is, only in regards that the major label business model stays the same. If their business model was great, and artists were getting what they want and fans were getting what they want, there would be no trueAnthem.
tA: Tell me more about how they paired you with Adidas. Was it like a matchmaking process? Did you consider other brands?
UVS: Yeah. We told them we want a brand that we can connect with, that our fans would get why we teamed up with that brand. Joanna knows our music really well so we just trust her. The staff there get it…that the fan and the band go together with the brand. For the band to feel good about it, the band wants to know that the brand is something they can relate to. If they said Michelin Tires is going to sponsor your album, we’d say no. But Adidas is awesome and I rock Adidas all the time. If the ad is going to lead into the music it should be something the artist is passionate about. trueAnthem understands what the band’s fan base is. They analyze the band’s demographic well and find a brand that would make it work.
tA: What specific feedback have you received from fans on the ads?
UVS: Even if our fans appreciate getting it for free, they are wondering if it will be available without the ads. People are willing to pay for it without the ads--the true fans. The point is making those fans.
We’ve gotten a few negative emails. But whenever you’re doing something cutting edge and revolutionary, there are always haters. For the most part, the numbers really show that it’s successful. 95% seem to like it. For the other 5%--maybe those people have a problem, and the problem is not the ads!
tA: Do you see any downsides to the trueAnthem model? Do you think it’s selling out?
UVS: I don't think there's such a thing as "selling out" anymore. Back in the day, the label, artist or company or whatever would try to change you for your paycheck. Now, it's just smart--A. cause we want to make a living and B. cause we want to get some exposure. If you're an artist just for the sake of art and don't want to make any money, then you'd be selling out. But if you want to make art and make a living, it's different. Artists who license their music aren't selling out. It's not selling out. It's being successful, which is great.
We knew people would complain about the ads. We got spoiled with so much free music, free downloads. Now, we have this new model.
tA: Do you aspire to be on a traditional label again?
UVS: There is no telling what opportunities will come. We definitely want to continue putting records out with trueAnthem and continue to do a lot of touring. We know that it can still be beneficial to be with a label depending on the specific deal. We aren't ruling out any options.
tA: How can you envision the trueAnthem model working for well-established acts coming off a label?
UVS: If you have a huge fan base, trueAnthem helps you put out your records directly to your fans and be in control through the whole thing. You connect with your fans and they all get it for free. No one has to worry about that marketing.
If you’re someone like Nine Inch Nails or Radiohead, you’re giving out your album for free anyway. Pay what you want is pretty much the same thing as free. Trent Reznor wrote an article about his release…the vast majority got it for free. You have to question--is exposure more important than selling albums? It’s more important to get people to listen…to get 100,000 people to listen to you music than sell 10,000 albums. If I were a big artist, I would do it. Hillary Duff might leave her record label…if she were on trueAnthem, she would sell and have more creative control.
tA: Before working with trueAnthem, were you guys able to sustain yourselves with you music sales?
UVS: No. Definitely not. The band has been together two years. I imagine it would take about that amount of time to really begin to sustain yourself. But trueAnthem just made it happen. We aren't all buying houses now or anything, but we're excited about the future. It only builds and gets bigger from here.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Vote for trueAnthem!
We at trueAnthem HQ are pretty excited about our product's potential to help artists succeed in the new music economy. To our delight, others are starting to take note. We've been nominated as a finalist for The Industry Standard Innovation 100 Awards!
The Standard wants to hear from YOU before they decide the top leaders...so head to the polls and vote for tA in the widgets category today!
trueAnthem brings you new music WEDNESDAYS!
We at trueAnthem know that Wednesdays are hump days for most of us hard working folk. At 7am on a Wednesday morning, Friday seems just too far away. Don’t fret! From now on, you can count on trueAnthem to get your Wednesdays rolling. We’ll be releasing new free music each week featuring our favorite emerging artists.
This Wednesday, look out for a new trueWidget from Rhode Island’s Matt Hartke, brought to you by Body Glove. This smooth singing songwriter has been called “the pick of destiny” by Rolling Stone, and opened for the likes of G. Love, Colbie Caillat, and The Beautiful Girls. We (along with over 21,000 MySpace fans) have been loving his acoustic-driven, surf inspired tunes.
For the country fans, we bring you an exclusive trueWidget from the Drew Davis Band. This charismatic foursome is best heard live. This summer, they’ll be rocking huge venues around the country while supporting trueAnthem artist Hootie and the Blowfish’s Homegrown tour. Can’t be there in person? We bring the action right to you online with recordings of these epic live shows.
This Wednesday, look out for a new trueWidget from Rhode Island’s Matt Hartke, brought to you by Body Glove. This smooth singing songwriter has been called “the pick of destiny” by Rolling Stone, and opened for the likes of G. Love, Colbie Caillat, and The Beautiful Girls. We (along with over 21,000 MySpace fans) have been loving his acoustic-driven, surf inspired tunes.
For the country fans, we bring you an exclusive trueWidget from the Drew Davis Band. This charismatic foursome is best heard live. This summer, they’ll be rocking huge venues around the country while supporting trueAnthem artist Hootie and the Blowfish’s Homegrown tour. Can’t be there in person? We bring the action right to you online with recordings of these epic live shows.
Ultraviolet Sound helps you sport the latest adidas Originals!
For all you hipster Ultraviolet Sound fans, we are thrilled to announce their new collaboration with adidas Originals. Yep! trueAnthem is ensuring that you will be headed back to school with the latest music and threads. For the course of their “New School of Thought” campaign, Adidas is offering a 30 discount to all Ultraviolet Sound fans. Want to cash in? Check out UVS’ new trueWidget. First, you’ll be able to download eleven free songs, including the new release of the “Ooh I Like It” remix with DJ Larry Tee. Then, you’ll be able to check out all the new shoes, clothes, and accessories from adidas Originals with your insider-only discount.
Be sure to let your friends know about this sweet deal by posting the widget across your MySpace, Facebook and other social networking pages. For those out West, you can catch Ultraviolet Sound live as they cruise through Utah, Nevada, and California over the next two weeks! Also, keep an eye out for the upcoming UVS video where they’ll be mixing it up in their favorite gear by adidas Originals.
Be sure to let your friends know about this sweet deal by posting the widget across your MySpace, Facebook and other social networking pages. For those out West, you can catch Ultraviolet Sound live as they cruise through Utah, Nevada, and California over the next two weeks! Also, keep an eye out for the upcoming UVS video where they’ll be mixing it up in their favorite gear by adidas Originals.
trueFans can still get music how they like it: FOR FREE.
It’s a bad idea to try to please everyone…but in the new music industry, we need to have a way to get music to fans without letting the artists starve. At trueAnthem, we’ve thought hard about how to satisfy all parties involved…and we’ve found a way to make it work.We’ll be working with your favorite brands to get music to you how you want it—readily available, spread-able and free. Our brand supported trueWidgets will bring you the latest music from both emerging and established artists. You’ll hear a short intro recorded by the musician before you stream or download tracks…afterwards, the music is all yours.
We love the fact that we get to hear the artist’s voice. And we especially love the fact that you can enjoy the music while still supporting your favorite band.
By embracing the trueAnthem model, you join a growing legion of trueFans—those who can’t live without music, but want to ensure that while the old recording industry model may be sinking, great music will continue to be created and shared for generations to come.
We love the fact that we get to hear the artist’s voice. And we especially love the fact that you can enjoy the music while still supporting your favorite band.
By embracing the trueAnthem model, you join a growing legion of trueFans—those who can’t live without music, but want to ensure that while the old recording industry model may be sinking, great music will continue to be created and shared for generations to come.
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