Indie Artist Showcase 101

Last night I went to an indie artist showcase. 2 things happened while I was there. I was reminded why I stopped going to indie showcases was the first. The second was, I was reminded why I go to them. I'm not going to name the showcase or where it was. What I will do is speak on some of the things that irked me. Showcases are nothing new and there are some very simple rules to follow to protect the integrity of your name/event and keep people coming back.

1. RSVP aka Let me see if anybody is even coming.

If you send out an e-mail saying that people can RSVP for free entrance, be sure to actually compile and monitor the list. If you have a limit to the RSVP list, say so. Also notify guests who RSVP after your cutoff via e-mail 2-4 hours before your scheduled start time. It's more professional. It's the courteous thing to do. It's thoroughly annoying when a guest reads that entrance is free with RSVP and then he/she arrives at the venue and is charged. It makes you look like a lying douche bag. (Which you probably are if you didn't do what I'm talking about.)

2. Raffles aka The dangling carrot trick.

If you SELL raffle tickets and you claim there are prizes to be won. Everything that you listed should be drawn for whether your crowd is 10, 100 or 1000. You should also set a finite time for the raffle to happen. People don't stay for long showcases so thinking that holding the raffle until the end will keep people around is just stupid. What you will do is limit your raffle ticket sales to next to nothing. Not raffling off what you said you would is false advertising and, more importantly, bad business. Saying you have X number of Y to raffle off and none of it actually was makes you look like a lying douche bag. Trying to lie and say that some of it was is proof that you are. Especially when the person you're lying to was there from the time the show started to the time the last person performed.(Ahem.)

3. Performance Order aka Why is this dope performer playing to a crowd of 5?

Indie artists need help. Showcases serve the purpose of helping small acts gain exposure. However, there are still some rules to who performs when. If you have no fan base and could only convince your Mom and three cousins to come support you; Sorry, you're opening for whoever showed up on time or closing for whoever is left. Show order should move from a hum to a roar. It's completely stupid for an artist that has toured nationally and brought two backup dancers to be waiting around for hours to perform for a tired and listless crowd of 15. He/She should be in the middle of the show helping to ramp the energy up. If you can't figure this out as a promoter, you're doomed. (Get your $#!7 together!)

4. Hosting aka Wait.....what?

You can't do it all. Even if you can, you shouldn't. You can't be 1 of 3 hosts and performing. Have one host that is knowledgeable, engaging and good at keeping the show moving. Having 3 and 4 hosts swapping in and out at random completely wrecks the flow of the show. Definitely don't get up on stage to co-host and then break out into 16 bars. Come on, Son! How am I supposed to take you seriously as an artist when you can't just be an artist? (Neeeeext.)

These are just 4 simple rules to follow. This is NYC. There are a million other showcases out there. Truly separate your event by being above and beyond the competition in guest experience. Especially when you are attempting to start a periodic event. Abuse your guests and artists and your event won't last beyond 3 iterations.

Tell 'em Rox said that!

Bueller Da Don - "I Get It" Audio

The DCG boys never stop working! 'Audio Mall' is only 2 months old and Bueller is already nearing the realese of his solo project, 'Cruise 2 Fame.' Every Friday in between now and November 29th Buell will be release new songs to ramp up anticipation for the album.

First in the series but 2nd leak from the album, "I Get It" is a complete 180 from the previous leak. No word on whether this song is on the album or not. Click below to listen:

Bueller Da Don - "I Get It" by RoxFontaine

Madison - 'Vanilla Sky'

Madison is probably the most dangerous artist you've never heard of. Dangerous because he's lyrically gifted enough to outshine your favorite rapper ... whoever that may be. Dangerous because his musical direction is Euro infused melodic fancy without the auto-tuned rap ballad styling of Drake. Dangerous because he has the ability to be an overnight success.

Everything that Madison is starts with his voice. He has a tonal quality that commands attention at his first utterance. It's a special kind of power and control that's almost preacher like. A captivating sound like that of Tupac. This is not to say that Madison is all style and no substance. Once the voice draws you in, you are exposed to the pristine delivery Madison posseses. His lyrics are incredibly witty, personal and truthful. "Me and my Pops wasn't speakin', and every day that we didn't my soul got weakened." and "Lost here in my thoughts. All this privacy that I've gained thanks to all this s**t that I've lost. And if these 4 walls could talk, they'd probably drown me in my own f*****g sorrow." are just two great examples.

I know what you're thinking: "Not another emo rapper!" Not at all. There is a big difference between self loathing and self exploration. This record is a collection of songs that are, seemingly, pieces of an incredible dream.

There is no stumbling here or question of who Madison is as an artist. This is not the "feeler" that 'The Pro Log' was. This is the definition of. Mark my words ... Madison is long gone. Click the download link below and turn your eyes and ears toward the Vanilla Sky.

Click Here to Download

Madison on twitter

Collette - 'Coco by Request' (Deluxe Edition)

I first met Collette a few months ago at an event hosted by DJ Commish. We talked a little bit about our respective crafts and we kept in contact shortly thereafter. That also happened to be the same day she was featured on Soul Bounce again. It was our plan to collaborate on something but it still has not yet come to fruition. Blame me for that one.

Here we are just about to close out 2011 and 'Coco by Request', a release specifically for die hard Collette fans, is now taking a second tour as a deluxe edition. This time via South Carolina based indie label Sounds Familiar Records. Established fans of Collette got to request their favorite songs and the soul singer put together an EP of the most fitting selections. Prospective fans were treated to a truly unique experience and exposed to the great talent that is "Coco."

This new deluxe edition features all of the original songs from 'Coco by Request' plus some new remixes. Collette put the "stanky stank" on this record and further defines herself as a talent to watch in the R&B arena. Her ear for melodies and harmonies is fantastic and is supported by strong vocal ability. From soulful R&B riffs and runs to Scatting, Collette has got it all and knows how and when to showcase her abilities. It's a truly impressive collection of songs that I strongly recommend you check out.

The EP is available for purchase on all major digital outlets but I have some free samples for you below.

Collette on twitter

Cee-Lo Green - "Anyway" Lyric Video

Forget T-Pain. This is the real rapper turned singer. Well, not so much that he turned singer but you know what I mean. Gearing up for the re-release of 'The Lady Killer' , this official lyric video released this morning for fans to rock out to.

As is his norm, Cee-Lo gives an incredible vocal performance over an alternative pop tune. His range is amazing and he's always so soulful. It's a surefire radio hit so expect to hear this one a lot whether you want to or not.