I am proud to say that our song Love Will Know has been selected as Number 1 on ModernBeats Song Submit Top 20 for the month of February. This site features talent from all over the world.
What does this mean, you ask? Well, Song Submit can't guarantee your music will get placed, but it is a music-forwarding and music industry connection service. It connects many musicians, songwriters, and music producers directly to music executives who can then, and have been, advancing many musicians careers.
When your music is selected by Song Submit, it is forwarded directly to Record Label A&R and Music Executives where it is guaranteed to be reviewed & considered for placement. Song Submit's music industry network includes contacts to Def Jam Records, Capital Records, Universal Records, Columbia Records, Island Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music, plus Radio Program Directors, Film/TV Music Supervisors, and Music Publishers for NBC, FOX, HBO, commercials, films, and TV shows.
Yes, there are those negative people who believe that getting your music into television and film is just not that simple but not everyone gets selected, and not every selection gets placed. For those sceptical, negative people, it may help to know a little bit of the history of ModernBeats because they have been in business for 12 years, starting in sound design. Over the years, ModernBeats sound libraries started to be used across many hit urban singles/records. Naturally, ModernBeats clientele accumulated and started to include many professionals in the industry such as top music producers, hit songwriters, film/tv music supervisors, major record label a&r, Hollywood music publishers, production music boutiques, and more. Eventually, the clientele of ModernBeats sound libraries became Song Submit clients who wanted to find and connect with up-n-coming, undiscovered, or unsigned talent to help expand their businesses while also advancing and building the careers of the musicians signed and placed via Song Submit.
So, take a look at www.modernbeats.com/hit-talk/category/song-submit-top-20/
and check out Figures At Dawn of Canada in the Number 1 spot with Love Will Know.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Remember The '70's?
Back in the ‘70’s, when I was a tweenie, there was a band called Heart.
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson led the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too. They were the first women in rock to do this. Heart topped the charts in the ‘70’s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” and so many more. They continued topping the charts through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits.
The band showcased the Wilson sisters’ enormous talents as musicians and singers. Listening to those same songs today brings back many memories of growing up in the ‘70’s, some good and some bad. Either way, I have carried their records, tapes, and CD’s with me for years, and now they reside deep in the basement, in a box labelled “Rock Music”.
But that’s not the end of the story because nearly 35 years after their first big hit, Ann and Nancy Wilson were back in the Billboard Top 10 in 2010 with Heart’s “Red Velvet Car” album, and a Top 5 DVD (“Night at Sky Church”). The Wilson sisters have also achieved success individually. Ann Wilson sang on songs that were both chart successes and motion picture themes, like “Almost Paradise” from Footloose, “Best Man in the World” from Goldenchild, and “Surrender to Me” from Tequila Sunrise. Nancy Wilson composed and performed the scores to a half dozen motion pictures including the award winning “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous.”
The band originally got their start in Seattle. During the 1970s they moved to Vancouver, British Columbia because one of the band members, Mike Fisher, found out he was to be drafted by the United States Army. When the US government declared amnesty for all American Draft Dodgers, the band then moved back to Seattle.
The music by Ann and Nancy Wilson and their band Heart has sold more than 35 million albums, sold out arenas worldwide, and found its way into radio, motion pictures, television, and associations with branded sponsors. Where are they today? Heart is currently touring in the United States. Their next live show just happens to be February 25, 2012, in Anaheim, California. After that, it’s on to Oakland and Texas and ……
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson led the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too. They were the first women in rock to do this. Heart topped the charts in the ‘70’s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” and so many more. They continued topping the charts through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits.
The band showcased the Wilson sisters’ enormous talents as musicians and singers. Listening to those same songs today brings back many memories of growing up in the ‘70’s, some good and some bad. Either way, I have carried their records, tapes, and CD’s with me for years, and now they reside deep in the basement, in a box labelled “Rock Music”.
But that’s not the end of the story because nearly 35 years after their first big hit, Ann and Nancy Wilson were back in the Billboard Top 10 in 2010 with Heart’s “Red Velvet Car” album, and a Top 5 DVD (“Night at Sky Church”). The Wilson sisters have also achieved success individually. Ann Wilson sang on songs that were both chart successes and motion picture themes, like “Almost Paradise” from Footloose, “Best Man in the World” from Goldenchild, and “Surrender to Me” from Tequila Sunrise. Nancy Wilson composed and performed the scores to a half dozen motion pictures including the award winning “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous.”
The band originally got their start in Seattle. During the 1970s they moved to Vancouver, British Columbia because one of the band members, Mike Fisher, found out he was to be drafted by the United States Army. When the US government declared amnesty for all American Draft Dodgers, the band then moved back to Seattle.
The music by Ann and Nancy Wilson and their band Heart has sold more than 35 million albums, sold out arenas worldwide, and found its way into radio, motion pictures, television, and associations with branded sponsors. Where are they today? Heart is currently touring in the United States. Their next live show just happens to be February 25, 2012, in Anaheim, California. After that, it’s on to Oakland and Texas and ……
Monday, January 23, 2012
Musicians and Hearing Loss
Would you believe that there is a Rock and Roll Hard of Hearing Hall of Fame? Well, there is and some of the official selections are Pete Townshend - Guitar (The Who), Jeff Beck - Guitar (Yardbirds), Eric Clapton - Guitar (Yardbirds), Mick Fleetwood - Drums (Fleetwood Mac), Phil Collins - Vocals (Genesis), and Bono - Vocals (U2). Supposedly, Bono, actually got his nickname, “Bono Vox”, from a hearing-aid store in Dublin called Bononavox Hearing Aids.
Another artist with hearing loss is Black Eyed Peas singer/producer Will.I..Am. He has come out to say that he is currently suffering from tinnitus, a condition in which he constantly hears ringing in his ears. He says that there is always a beep there every day, all day, and that silence is painful for him. This drives him to write music at all hours of the day because music is the only thing which eases his pain.
One of my favourite musicians, Phil Collins, has left the music scene because of health issues. One of the major reasons is that his hearing has diminished over the years. He wears a hearing aid in his left ear. Unfortunately, his hearing loss impacts his ability to perform.
Surprisingly, this problem is not limited to Pop/Rock musicians. You might think that classical music is calming but orchestra sounds often reaches dangerous sound levels of 110 or 112 decibels. They experience the same loss of hearing as pop/rock musicians but it is caused by the onslaught of the percussion, horns, reeds and string sections.
It appears that hearing loss in musicians is more common then I thought. In extreme cases, severe hearing loss could mean an end to a musician's career.
And then again, some musicians with severe hearing damage, like Peter Townsend, who was the guitar player and primary songwriter for The Who, continue to compose. With a career that spans more than 40 years, he now has computer systems in his studio, assistance from younger forensic engineers and mastering engineers to help him with any high frequencies that are out of his range. According to his blog, July 2011, he actually said, "My hearing is actually better than ever.”
Another artist with hearing loss is Black Eyed Peas singer/producer Will.I..Am. He has come out to say that he is currently suffering from tinnitus, a condition in which he constantly hears ringing in his ears. He says that there is always a beep there every day, all day, and that silence is painful for him. This drives him to write music at all hours of the day because music is the only thing which eases his pain.
One of my favourite musicians, Phil Collins, has left the music scene because of health issues. One of the major reasons is that his hearing has diminished over the years. He wears a hearing aid in his left ear. Unfortunately, his hearing loss impacts his ability to perform.
Surprisingly, this problem is not limited to Pop/Rock musicians. You might think that classical music is calming but orchestra sounds often reaches dangerous sound levels of 110 or 112 decibels. They experience the same loss of hearing as pop/rock musicians but it is caused by the onslaught of the percussion, horns, reeds and string sections.
It appears that hearing loss in musicians is more common then I thought. In extreme cases, severe hearing loss could mean an end to a musician's career.
And then again, some musicians with severe hearing damage, like Peter Townsend, who was the guitar player and primary songwriter for The Who, continue to compose. With a career that spans more than 40 years, he now has computer systems in his studio, assistance from younger forensic engineers and mastering engineers to help him with any high frequencies that are out of his range. According to his blog, July 2011, he actually said, "My hearing is actually better than ever.”
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Blast From The Past!
Whatever Happened to Luba?
If you were a fan of Canadian music in the 1980s, you may remember a singer/songwriter named Luba.
Her single, "Everytime I See Your Picture”, was in the Number One spot on singles charts in 1983. Her first gold single was the song, "Let it Go”, and stayed at the top of the charts for over 40 weeks, eventually reaching the Number One position in 1984.
As a Canadian recording artist, Luba was quite successful but she was never able to break into the U.S. market. In the 1990s, Luba withdrew from the music industry due to professional and personal problems.
You may be wondering, whatever happened to Luba? Well, apparently, she left Canada in 2007 and now lives in the Caribbean Islands. She released a new single in 2008 and another in 2009 on her own record label and is currently attempting to make a comeback.
In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, July 20, 2011, she expressed how much the music industry has changed and how fame is fleeting. After four albums, numerous music awards, and three consecutive Juno Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, she was somewhat amazed to find that in today's music industry no one would even return her calls.
And yet, she continues to work on new music and look for her next big break.
If you were a fan of Canadian music in the 1980s, you may remember a singer/songwriter named Luba.
Her single, "Everytime I See Your Picture”, was in the Number One spot on singles charts in 1983. Her first gold single was the song, "Let it Go”, and stayed at the top of the charts for over 40 weeks, eventually reaching the Number One position in 1984.
As a Canadian recording artist, Luba was quite successful but she was never able to break into the U.S. market. In the 1990s, Luba withdrew from the music industry due to professional and personal problems.
You may be wondering, whatever happened to Luba? Well, apparently, she left Canada in 2007 and now lives in the Caribbean Islands. She released a new single in 2008 and another in 2009 on her own record label and is currently attempting to make a comeback.
In an interview with the Montreal Gazette, July 20, 2011, she expressed how much the music industry has changed and how fame is fleeting. After four albums, numerous music awards, and three consecutive Juno Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, she was somewhat amazed to find that in today's music industry no one would even return her calls.
And yet, she continues to work on new music and look for her next big break.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Home Studios
Trying to create a home studio is exciting but also a time consuming task based on all the available technology at your disposal.
For some time now, I have been probing the brains of my friends and acquaintances for information as if they were alien abductees lying on a metal slab. After taking what valuable information I could, I then proceeded to research computers, widgets, gidgets, and gadgets on the internet. However, I only became more confused by the vast selection from which I could choose. Naturally, after narrowing down my decision, I realized that the technology I desired the most was out of my reach financially. It became a question of either “get what you can afford” or “wait until you can afford it”.
Yes, I would like to set up my home studio immediately. I dream of getting the melodies, which have been taking up half the space in my brain for years, orchestrated into real, concrete songs, but according to my computer addicted son, if I am going to do it then I might as well do it right.
Word to the wise, never get your teenager involved in your business. Suddenly, the technology you seek is not big enough or bright enough or advanced enough. They will lead you down the garden path to the most expensive set of equipment you can imagine. The 21.5” LED screen is now pathetic compared to the 27.5” LED screen where the images just pop out at you and scream “Buy Me!” Your teenager’s enthusiasm is contagious and can be very dangerous.
Ultimately, I opted for the “wait until you can afford it”, and will continue to save my pennies one by one until I am ready to purchase. In these economic times, I don’t think it is wise to throw hard earned money into something just because I want instant gratification immediately, now, today.
For some time now, I have been probing the brains of my friends and acquaintances for information as if they were alien abductees lying on a metal slab. After taking what valuable information I could, I then proceeded to research computers, widgets, gidgets, and gadgets on the internet. However, I only became more confused by the vast selection from which I could choose. Naturally, after narrowing down my decision, I realized that the technology I desired the most was out of my reach financially. It became a question of either “get what you can afford” or “wait until you can afford it”.
Yes, I would like to set up my home studio immediately. I dream of getting the melodies, which have been taking up half the space in my brain for years, orchestrated into real, concrete songs, but according to my computer addicted son, if I am going to do it then I might as well do it right.
Word to the wise, never get your teenager involved in your business. Suddenly, the technology you seek is not big enough or bright enough or advanced enough. They will lead you down the garden path to the most expensive set of equipment you can imagine. The 21.5” LED screen is now pathetic compared to the 27.5” LED screen where the images just pop out at you and scream “Buy Me!” Your teenager’s enthusiasm is contagious and can be very dangerous.
Ultimately, I opted for the “wait until you can afford it”, and will continue to save my pennies one by one until I am ready to purchase. In these economic times, I don’t think it is wise to throw hard earned money into something just because I want instant gratification immediately, now, today.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Cats and Dogs
Sometimes, as I go about my day, things occur that amuse me.
Yesterday, I was sitting in a veterinarians office, with my sick dog, bored to tears.
The waiting room was packed, as usual, and time was slowly ticking by. I found
myself starring into the eyes of an evil looking tabby cat. You know the look, the one
that says, “I’ll be taking over the world soon, and there’s nothing you humans can do about it”.
First of all, I don’t have a particular fondness for the feline species and I guess you’d say that I’m more of a dog person. A dogs eyes are full of love and respect for their master. On the other hand, a cat will look at you with an air of superiority and distain. They try to give the appearance of being more intelligent than their human counterparts, which in some cases may be true, and you can’t trust a cat because first chance they get they will trade you off for a bowl of meow mix.
Getting back to the waiting room, I stared down the evil feline and began studying the owners and their pets. There is a theory, supposedly, that people resemble their pets and there it was, as plain as day, sitting across from me, a perfect example. A short, stocky gentleman with jowls and loose skin was sitting slumped in a chair with an overweight bulldog lying at his feet. My first thought was that they could have been brothers or even twins. My second thought was about where I fit in with this theory, since my dog was a pug.
Yesterday, I was sitting in a veterinarians office, with my sick dog, bored to tears.
The waiting room was packed, as usual, and time was slowly ticking by. I found
myself starring into the eyes of an evil looking tabby cat. You know the look, the one
that says, “I’ll be taking over the world soon, and there’s nothing you humans can do about it”.
First of all, I don’t have a particular fondness for the feline species and I guess you’d say that I’m more of a dog person. A dogs eyes are full of love and respect for their master. On the other hand, a cat will look at you with an air of superiority and distain. They try to give the appearance of being more intelligent than their human counterparts, which in some cases may be true, and you can’t trust a cat because first chance they get they will trade you off for a bowl of meow mix.
Getting back to the waiting room, I stared down the evil feline and began studying the owners and their pets. There is a theory, supposedly, that people resemble their pets and there it was, as plain as day, sitting across from me, a perfect example. A short, stocky gentleman with jowls and loose skin was sitting slumped in a chair with an overweight bulldog lying at his feet. My first thought was that they could have been brothers or even twins. My second thought was about where I fit in with this theory, since my dog was a pug.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Number 9 Recording Studios
This week, I would like to take a short walk down memory lane.
It’s been a few years since we recorded our first album, Figures At Dawn.
I remember how excited we were to have our songs on vinyl. We meticulously
recorded and mixed our tracks at a small recording studio called Number 9.
George Rondina’s Number 9 Recording Studios has grown into a thriving business
with an impressive list of clientele. Graphic and web design, recording courses, and
pro audio rentals are just a few of the many services that Number 9 offers. You can
check out the website at http://www.number9.ca/ and even take a virtual tour of the
facilities. It is a great example of how hard work and dedication pays off.
On behalf of Figures At Dawn, I congratulate him on his success now and in the
future.
Love Will Know was one of the songs that Figures At Dawn originally recorded
at Number 9 Recording Studios. You can hear our recent remix on our website
at http://figuresmusic.com/ or click on the link below.
Love Will Know (Break It And Dance! Mix)
It’s been a few years since we recorded our first album, Figures At Dawn.
I remember how excited we were to have our songs on vinyl. We meticulously
recorded and mixed our tracks at a small recording studio called Number 9.
George Rondina’s Number 9 Recording Studios has grown into a thriving business
with an impressive list of clientele. Graphic and web design, recording courses, and
pro audio rentals are just a few of the many services that Number 9 offers. You can
check out the website at http://www.number9.ca/ and even take a virtual tour of the
facilities. It is a great example of how hard work and dedication pays off.
On behalf of Figures At Dawn, I congratulate him on his success now and in the
future.
Love Will Know was one of the songs that Figures At Dawn originally recorded
at Number 9 Recording Studios. You can hear our recent remix on our website
at http://figuresmusic.com/ or click on the link below.
Love Will Know (Break It And Dance! Mix)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sound 29 Studio
For the past 18 months, we've had the great pleasure to work with an extremely talented recording engineer and producer - Peter M. Junior - from Budapest, Hungary. Aaron and I are very pleased with the results of his efforts and we think of Peter as a new, "virtual" member of Figures At Dawn (FAD). The remixes he has produced for our group add a fresh, new perspective and sound to our current signature songs. We look forward to his ongoing creative input as a member of FAD as we collaborate on our new material as well.
Technology has come a long way over the years. It has opened up a whole new world of collaborative music making with just the click of a mouse. Aaron and I welcome our new FAD member and invite you to check out his amazing Sound 29 online mixing, mastering and remix production studio. Have a listen to Through The Fire. It's well worth your time and you’ll hear why we're so impressed by his talent.
03 - Through The Fire (Ancient Glow Mix)
Technology has come a long way over the years. It has opened up a whole new world of collaborative music making with just the click of a mouse. Aaron and I welcome our new FAD member and invite you to check out his amazing Sound 29 online mixing, mastering and remix production studio. Have a listen to Through The Fire. It's well worth your time and you’ll hear why we're so impressed by his talent.
03 - Through The Fire (Ancient Glow Mix)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Epica - 04 - Cry For The Moon @ Wacken 2009
Can opera be sexy?
Well, yes it appears that it can be.
Take one very hot singer, make sure she can sing opera, and throw her into the middle of a heavy metal band. It can either end up as a recipe for disaster or a fine gourmet meal in a high class restaurant. You could liken it to trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
There are many analogies that I could use to describe this music genre, but on the whole, it either appeals to you or not. There are a number of these bands in Europe which fall into this category called Symphonic Opera Metal. To name a few there is Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Therion, and Epica. Some of these bands come from countries like Holland, Italy, and Finland.
Even after studying classical music and opera for many years, I for one am not particularly fond of the majority of these singers and bands. Consequently, I will show you one example of this genre then move on, probably forever, to something completely different. For now, I invite you to view the video by Epica, “Cry For The Moon”.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Within Temptation Running Up That Hill HD English Lyrics + Subtitulado
Few female vocalists ever reach a status where their voice, style, and music influences other musicians. Such is the case with Kate Bush.
The first single from her 1985 album, The Hounds of Love, was called Running Up That Hill. Since that time, this hit song has been covered by the alternative rock band Placebo, dark wave act Faith and the Muse, gothic metal band Icon & The Black Roses, the band Chromatics, recording artist John Forte from the Fugees, symphonic rock band Within Temptation, and the list goes on.
The most recent cover of this song was recorded by the band Track and Field and was used in the sci fi TV series Warehouse 13, proving that a good song never goes out of style.
It’s fascinating to listen to each artist and compare their varying interpretations of this song. I personally prefer the original sung by Kate Bush and the cover by Within Temptation. It is a valuable lesson in how a vocalist or band can take a song and make it their own.
Sue
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)