Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I had a Q & A with writer Sheryl Nance-Nash the other morning for an article she's writing about 'how songwriters make money'. After laughing out loud (so many jokes, so little time), we started discussing the topic seriously and I actually had quite a bit of knowledge to impart. Sure I fall closer to the left on the "Starving Artist------Lady Gaga" continuum, and sure my first cd isn't even 5 months old, but there I was, dishing out info on music licensing, social networking strategies and corporate partners.
The trouble is, with the current state of the music industry, nobody knows how to "handle all of that stuff" anymore. The old methods are no longer successful or profitable. The music industry has gone all topsy-turvy. For example: The NPR music website is now a "major player in the indie rock scene" (whaa?) while the world's fourth largest record company, EMI, couldn't afford it's own Grammy Party this year.
Already successful musicians like Thom Yorke of Radiohead call the whole industry a "Sinking Ship".
Typical creative type, to think we are the only ones suffering. The whole world is changing. It's the Digital Revolution yo (which means much more than the miniaturization of objects). Here is our opportunity for creativity. It's very much an artistic endeavor, to move forward where there is no set path. Like modern day explorers, we are.
So, how do songwriters make money? There are endless possibilities. The only generalizable advice is: 1) become amazing at what you do, and 2) get a business partner (:high five: Jason Shafton).
Sunday, April 4, 2010
I know, I know- it's only been a little over 2 months since my first record came out... But I'm one of those insatiable artists that's addicted to CD Release Parties (hah) so I've started working on a new album. You may have even heard a couple of the new songs if you've been at my most recent shows ;) Although the album is only in it's beginning stages, I can tell you the finished product will be a warm, dark, rhythmic EP (5 or 6 song album), that dives into sounds I didn't even know existed when we wrote "Heartforward".
It's both inspiring and daunting to be so new to the art of songwriting, but all in all the creative process is a fun head trip so I've decided to churn out these latest ideas whilst living in an 1866 hotel converted to lofts for artistic types, in the middle of nowhere, 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean, for a month. Not. fucking. bad. eh?
Most mornings, I wake up to the rooster, stumble down a spiral staircase, jump in the car for a soft, 7 mile wind along the ocean cliffs to the nearest town. I drink some coffee in the sun and eavesdrop on the old men grouped outside the store-fronts, talking loudly about the day's news. Hop back in the car and sing my most recent musical brainstorm to the waves as I travel back home, to soak up some more sun on the deck while trying to extend catchy chord progressions into full length songs.
I can't wait to share it all with you :) Send me some creative vibes, OK?
love,
cam
PS Here are some pics of the new digs:
It's both inspiring and daunting to be so new to the art of songwriting, but all in all the creative process is a fun head trip so I've decided to churn out these latest ideas whilst living in an 1866 hotel converted to lofts for artistic types, in the middle of nowhere, 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean, for a month. Not. fucking. bad. eh?
Most mornings, I wake up to the rooster, stumble down a spiral staircase, jump in the car for a soft, 7 mile wind along the ocean cliffs to the nearest town. I drink some coffee in the sun and eavesdrop on the old men grouped outside the store-fronts, talking loudly about the day's news. Hop back in the car and sing my most recent musical brainstorm to the waves as I travel back home, to soak up some more sun on the deck while trying to extend catchy chord progressions into full length songs.
I can't wait to share it all with you :) Send me some creative vibes, OK?
love,
cam
PS Here are some pics of the new digs:
Friday, February 26, 2010
Not to step on your sense of agency or anything, but I've decided to make you a do-gooder.
For a limited time, you can earn some brownie points with the cosmos when you purchase a physical copy of my "Heartforward" album here on my website.
Without spending any extra money, you can send 20% of your purchase price to charity! Feel a thrill of goodness rush down your spine as you choose which noble cause to support. The world will thank you AND you will receive a shiny new Camaron Ochs album in your mailbox.
Fonkoze
www.Fonkoze.org
Hands down the most sustainable way to help Haiti. Supplying Haiti's poorest with the tools needed to pull themselves out of poverty featured in Newsweek.
Contra Costa Children's Chorus
www.ChildrensChorus.org
A local non-profit devoted to children's music education, leadership skills and cultural awareness through music. The end result? Well-equipped human beings.
Amazing, right? So hurry up and get yourself a cd here on the website so you can finally one-up that guy at work that plants trees in his free time.
For a limited time, you can earn some brownie points with the cosmos when you purchase a physical copy of my "Heartforward" album here on my website.
Without spending any extra money, you can send 20% of your purchase price to charity! Feel a thrill of goodness rush down your spine as you choose which noble cause to support. The world will thank you AND you will receive a shiny new Camaron Ochs album in your mailbox.
Fonkoze
www.Fonkoze.org
Hands down the most sustainable way to help Haiti. Supplying Haiti's poorest with the tools needed to pull themselves out of poverty featured in Newsweek.
Contra Costa Children's Chorus
www.ChildrensChorus.org
A local non-profit devoted to children's music education, leadership skills and cultural awareness through music. The end result? Well-equipped human beings.
Amazing, right? So hurry up and get yourself a cd here on the website so you can finally one-up that guy at work that plants trees in his free time.
Monday, January 25, 2010
..an album!!!
Holy frijoles, I had the BEST time on Saturday. The club was packed past capacity! Some of our best friends couldn't even get in! I am SO sorry for those of you that were outside, there will definitely be more shows to come and I will do a much better job of warning people about possible sell-outs. The Red Devil Lounge staff said that our turn-out was "as good as it gets", which basically means I can out-sell washed-up 80's rockers. Ye-yah!
Michael Sherry and 7 Orange ABC did a spectacular job warming up the crowd. By the time my band and I took the stage, the whole venue felt like a good friend's house party. It was so much fun playing for you all. I wish I had taken a picture from the stage, cause it was quite a sight to see: so many good people clappin and singing along while sippin on their 'Heartforwards' or PBRs tucked in 'cam keeps it poppin' cozies :) DJ Jon Hrabko finished off the night for us as we danced and hit the bar one last time.
The best part was being able to give so many of you a copy of the album. I love sharing my music with you all. For those of you who couldn't make it, you can buy your copy right here on my website. (Soon it will be up on iTunes, Rhapsody, and possibly in a few stores in Canada... I'll keep you updated!)
This cd and the release party turned out better than I ever imagined only because I have an amazing family working side by side with me, supporting me and inspiring me. I can't thank these people enough for their creativity, hard-work, patience and love:
Jason Shafton, Jack Shafton, Helen Shafton, Lisa Shafton, Jeremy Shafton, Mark Aling, Michael Sherry, Gabriel Sherry, Jillian Ochs, Mark Ochs, Sharon Ochs, Hamilton Ulmer, Patrick Shipp, Cathy Shipp, Stu Shipp, Emily Bergen, Roger Bergen, Nancy Bergen, Julia Bergen, Andrea Poetzsch, Carolyn Poetzsch, Fred Poetzsch, Miranda Pace, Gigi Ouf, Danielle Weaver, Nick Corcorran, Dave Vanderploeg, Roberto Hernandez, Paradigm Speakers, Nathaniel Olvera, Odin Amador, Andrea Holland, Greer Shively, Josh Knox, Brian Rabben, and Zach Blackburn.
Thank you to everyone who came to the show!!
See you at the next one...
Holy frijoles, I had the BEST time on Saturday. The club was packed past capacity! Some of our best friends couldn't even get in! I am SO sorry for those of you that were outside, there will definitely be more shows to come and I will do a much better job of warning people about possible sell-outs. The Red Devil Lounge staff said that our turn-out was "as good as it gets", which basically means I can out-sell washed-up 80's rockers. Ye-yah!
Michael Sherry and 7 Orange ABC did a spectacular job warming up the crowd. By the time my band and I took the stage, the whole venue felt like a good friend's house party. It was so much fun playing for you all. I wish I had taken a picture from the stage, cause it was quite a sight to see: so many good people clappin and singing along while sippin on their 'Heartforwards' or PBRs tucked in 'cam keeps it poppin' cozies :) DJ Jon Hrabko finished off the night for us as we danced and hit the bar one last time.
The best part was being able to give so many of you a copy of the album. I love sharing my music with you all. For those of you who couldn't make it, you can buy your copy right here on my website. (Soon it will be up on iTunes, Rhapsody, and possibly in a few stores in Canada... I'll keep you updated!)
This cd and the release party turned out better than I ever imagined only because I have an amazing family working side by side with me, supporting me and inspiring me. I can't thank these people enough for their creativity, hard-work, patience and love:
Jason Shafton, Jack Shafton, Helen Shafton, Lisa Shafton, Jeremy Shafton, Mark Aling, Michael Sherry, Gabriel Sherry, Jillian Ochs, Mark Ochs, Sharon Ochs, Hamilton Ulmer, Patrick Shipp, Cathy Shipp, Stu Shipp, Emily Bergen, Roger Bergen, Nancy Bergen, Julia Bergen, Andrea Poetzsch, Carolyn Poetzsch, Fred Poetzsch, Miranda Pace, Gigi Ouf, Danielle Weaver, Nick Corcorran, Dave Vanderploeg, Roberto Hernandez, Paradigm Speakers, Nathaniel Olvera, Odin Amador, Andrea Holland, Greer Shively, Josh Knox, Brian Rabben, and Zach Blackburn.
Thank you to everyone who came to the show!!
See you at the next one...
Monday, January 11, 2010
It all started around 645am with a trip to Bakesale Betty's on the way to the airport. Mmm scones beat the early morning blues everytime :)
After an impromptu rehearsal at the gate (much to the other passengers' enjoyment) and 90 minutes worth of baby screams on the flight (much to everyone's extreme un-enjoyment), we arrived in VEGAS!!
Quick recap: Paradigm Speakers asked us to play a private event they were hosting at CES (Consumer Electronics Show). It was a rough year for most businesses, only a few companies hosted live shows this year, but Paradigm values music so much that putting together an event like this was a very high priority for them. We were so fortunate to be in contact with them, having used their products to create the "Heartforward" record.
Back to the story: Paradigm had sent limos to pick us up from the Vegas airport (!!) so Em, Drea and I took one limo over to the Venetian to get our hair and make-up done in a Paradigm suite on the 30th floor.
After checking out the Paradigm Booth (They were blasting my new cd through their gorgeous speakers all weekend!) the boys met up with us for a little room service before mic check.
The sound system for this show was phenomenal. Which helped calm a few nerves before going on stage. Overall the set was the best we've ever sounded ;) I even played electric on You & My Electric Guitar (the same electric I wrote the song on and about).There were colored light sets on either side of the stage, washing us over in alternating colors while we played each song. Can't wait to see the video of it.
So yeah it was just awe-some. Everyone said incredibly great things about the show afterward. Canadians especially seem to dig the folk/pop stuff :) I admire a lot of Canadian musicians, so I'll take that as a big compliment.
Of course, after a hard day at the office, we took the rest of the weekend to relax... and by relax I mean hit the clubs, gamble and smoke cigars. Thank you, Las Vegas!
