The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Esperanza Spalding

http://soulyotrosalimentosdelalma.blogspot.com/2010/11/entrevista-esperanza-spalding.html

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Esperanza Spalding

Unique, musically clever, inventive and other synonymous terms have been used throughout the existence of this blog.  The terms have been used to describe the various artists that we have showcased.  As we continue our search for transcendent musical artists we have discovered yet another spectacular talent.  The Transcendent Music Movement is pleased to present musician, vocalist, composer and bandleader Esperanza Spalding.

Early Life

            There is a lot to be said about Spalding’s life prior to her professional career.  She was born in Portland, Oregon in a single-family home.  She was raised by her mother and experienced many hardships that spawned from an economic deprived upbringing.  Many lessons were learned from her humble beginning and much gratitude for her mother’s hard work was the result.  Her childhood quite possibly contributed to her atypical education experience, which is something that solicits much surprise.  Spalding left high school at the age of 16 with a GED.  She attended college at Portland State University and then Berklee College of Music.  At Berklee she had great success, graduated in three years and became a member of the faculty at the age of 20 as an instructor.  Her musical talents began to pave a path for her that she probably never imagined. 

The Music

            After viewing an episode of Mr. Rodger’s Neighborhood an interest in music was sparked in four-year-old Spalding.  Spalding is quoted saying, “it was definitely the thing that hipped me to the whole idea of music as a creative pursuit.”  As a young child she became a member of the Chamber Music Society of Organ.  This was a community orchestra that she became a member of after teaching herself to play the violin.  Later she was exposed to the bass, the instrument that she fell in love with and soon mastered.  Esperanza Spalding found herself performing with various bands playing music from classical to hip-hop.  She travelled and performed with well-established artists furthering her name on the professional circuit.  In 2008 she released her first solo recorded album titled Esperanza.  The album had tremendous success and from there she only moved on to higher heights.

Accolades

http://deepbrownkinks.blogspot.com/2011/08/frolove-esperanza-spalding.html

            Spalding’s first album earned her “the best selling album by a new jazz artist internationally in 2008.  Other accolades ensued.  She also was invited, as a guess to perform on multiple well know television shows.  This exposure and the success of her first album positioned her perfectly for the release of her second album. Spalding’s second album, Chamber Music Society, earned her a host of awards to include a Grammy.  She earned the award for Best New Artist over artist including Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.  Amidst touring all over the world she recently completed a new album.  The album was released in March of 2012.  This album is spectacular and it reveals her growth and musical progression.  The TRANSCENDENT MUSIC MOVEMENT endorses this truly TRANSCENDENT artist and recommend her album Radio Music Society to all of our readers.

Transcendent Music Movement Presents: The Digital Landscape in the Music Industry

Transcendent Music Movement Presents: The Digital Landscape in the Music Industry

Digital production, marketing and distribution all seem to be on their way to eclipsing traditional methods.  New technology and new relatively inexpensive tools are making these efforts more prevalent and available for artists’ use.  Artists are utilizing computer software with simplistic functionality to produce their own music.  They are using marketing tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube and other social and personal websites to market their creative content.  Finally, digital distribution is impacting the music industry as a result of consumers increasingly choosing to purchase download their audio files digitally.  All of these tools have been impacted by the digital landscape in the music industry and we will take a look at each of them.

http://www.homemusicproduction.com/home-studio-setup/bitten-by-the-apple/

Production

Digital production of music has led to an increase in the amount of new music being produced.  Music has become so much easier and more inexpensive to create.  This has become the case predominantly due to the increasing capacity of computers and their software.  D.J., artist. and producer Moby said in an interview that, “Many artists choose to compose and record at home, opting to pay a few hundred dollars for solid recording software rather than employ the costly services of a professional studio.”  This truth is exactly the trend that has shifted the music industry.  It is because of the new technologically advanced digital production tools now available.

Marketing
Marketing music in today’s digital age is a new trend also.  The Internet has become a new frontier for marketing efforts in virtually every industry.  The music industry has not been exempted.  Digitally marketing music allows promoters to use a new marketing channel to reach their customers.  The company Digital Music Marketing works to market and promote music online and on mobile devices.  They work to make music accessible online that leads to online music distribution.

Distribution

iTunes, Amazon, Myspace, , Rhapsody and many other online retailors of digital music have become house hold names for consumers to purchase music.  These retailors have catered to the desires of consumers to access digital formats of music.  IODA is the independent online distribution alliance.  They provide independent artists the tools needed to distribute their digital music content through online and mobile retailors.  Their service also acts as an analytics tool in that it gathers detailed information about those who purchase your work from the respective digital music retailors. 

Digital production, marketing and distribution of music are all essential parts of the music industry.  They represent an industry shift to the desires of clients.  They also represent the music industry adapting to new technological advances.  These things are great for the creative arts, both from a consumer perspective and an artist’s perspective.  These digital and technological advances are sure to continue to transcend the music industry, as we know it today. 

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: The Black Keys

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Black+Keys/+images/58154643

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: The Black Keys

One summer day as I was watching television, a commercial came on and completely grabbed my attention.  It was not the car that being advertised, but it was the music on the commercial that really captivated me.  The song was Tighten Up by The Black Keys.  After further review, I realized that I had discovered a gem. The Transcendent Music Movement presents The Black Keys.

The Black Keys are one of the most electrifying musical groups gracing stages across the world and making records in today’s popular music culture.  Their combination of blues, soul and psychedelic rock, as last.fm describes it, makes the group very attractive to a wide audience of listeners.  Their pleasantly unique sound is very exciting and is mostly due to their pioneered instrumentation.  I do not claim to be aware of every artist and band’s work but I am sure that most people would agree that there are very few bands that offer a sound even remotely similar to The Black Keys.  Particularly in modern popular music, there are not many groups who can balance making music that appeals to a large audience and still remain true to the roots of classic blues and soul.  They sufficiently and amazingly managed to incorporate a traditional blues and soul sound in to their progressive rock style.   

 

The group consists of a Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney.  Dan is the lead singer and guitar player.  Patrick is the drummer and they have other varying contributing musicians.  The duo hails from Akron, Ohio.  These guys had really humble beginning launching their music career from Akron.  The group has labored long and hard and has truly earned their respect in the music industry.  They released their first album in 2002 and created great music that was used in movies, video games, TV shows and commercials.  It was not until 2010 that the band recorded an album in a legitimate studio.  The album was Brothers, which included Tighten Up.  Tighten Up was the song that I heard on that Subaru commercial.  The song was also used for the 2011 FIFA soundtrack.  Apparently, it really because popular from a viral YouTube video called Dancing T-Rex.  After increased popularity and their album’s incredible success, The Black Keys found themselves winning three Grammy’s. 

http://www.last.fm/music/The+Black+Keys/+images/51463261

Recently they released their sixth album, El Camino.  This album is sure to continue in the exponential success of the Akron, Ohio band.  The steadfastness and perseverance of The Black Keys is extremely commendable and their story is an encouraging one.  The Transcendent Music Movement will continue to support the unique work of this great band.  We look forward to them continuing to create TRANSCENDENT MUSIC.

http://www.theblackkeys.com/product/el-camino-cd

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Wale and his Self-Publishing and Distribution Efforts

http://thisbeatgoes.com/tag/wale/

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Wale and his Self-Publishing and Distribution Efforts

Musicians increasingly are finding value in self-promotion and self-production.  These activities have become prevalent particularly in the advent of home music production software and Internet publishing and distribution tools.  Tools such as MySpace, iTunes, CD Baby, Reverbnation and others are some of those mostly used for self-promotion or publishing.  One newly popular Hip Hop artist who earned a recording deal using these tools is Washington D.C. native Wale.

Wale was born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin.  His parents are Nigerian immigrants who raised their son in Washington D.C.  When Wale became of age he attended college.  He transferred schools twice before dropping out and pursuing his career in music.  Wale worked hard developing as a locally recognized artist.  He first got commercial exposure with one of his tracks being played by a local DJ over the radio.  This type of word-of-mouth promotion resulted in him earning national recognition from Hip-Hop magazines and others.  With Wale realizing his potential to become a national recording artist, he began to consider other promotion artist.  Wale did this by promoting mixtapes and by creating a commanding MySpace presence. 

http://www.killerhiphop.com/wale-bait-remix-lyrics/

Wale’s MySpace presence could arguably have been the single most contributing factor that led to his popularity.   In the spirit of self-publishing and distribution, Wale and his team used the methods as a means to another end.  Even those who have great success self-promoting and distributing, a recording contract with a major recording label is usually still a sought after goal.  Wale captured the attention of several major recording labels before Interscope Records signed him to a recording contract.  He has obviously transferred the responsibility of publishing and distributing his intellectual property had been transferred over to his recording company.  A major recording deal offers the artist leverage and greater distribution power.  Now Wale is working with Maybach Music Group accomplishing the same.

The record labels use their resources to publish and distribute Wale’s work.  This is incredible leverage for the artists.  In Wale’s case, he does not have to worry about using his personal assets to record and promote himself.  The major recording companies also have the capacity to have your music reach every corner of the planet using both conventional and online mediums.  Wale has done a great job of first working hard for himself, particularly with his self-publishing and distribution efforts.  From that hard work he gain the attention of recording companies to take on the burden of those efforts.  Now he is an internationally known Hip-Hop artist creating TRANSCENDENT MUSIC thanks to his pioneered self-publishing and distribution efforts.

Transcendent Music Movement Presents: David Ratner

http://replinrhoades.com/attorneys/

Transcendent Music Movement Presents: David Ratner 

Transcendent Music is seeking to launch a new company with a product line that will require patents, trademarks, and other types of intellectual property.  We talked about a few potential intellectual property liabilities that this company might face in our last blog, The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Legal Liabilities that will Effect Transcendent Music’s New Product Line.  Recently we identified potential legal counsel in order to better analyze those liabilities as well as other factors to enhance our business plan.  The attorney we discovered is a leader in entertainment and intellectual property related law in the state of Colorado.  The Transcendent Music Movement is pleased to present David Ratner.

http://replinrhoades.com/

Attorney Dave Ratner is licensed and practices law in the state of Colorado.  Mr. Ratner is a partner of the entertainment and intellectual property law firm, Replin Ratner & Rhodes, LLC.  Their office is in the mile high city of Denver, Colorado.  Ratner began work there following a successful career as an artist manager and business consultant.  Ratner graduated from the Ivy League school, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.  Upon graduation he worked as a tour manager and then started his own band management firm.  This experience helped Mr. Ratner to realize the value of sound legal counsel, particularly in the entertainment industry.  He found himself negotiating contracts on behalf of his bands and working extensively with attorneys during his time as a band manager.  He learned from those experiences that there was a lot more he could offer to guide and protect the creative process by pursuing a legal degree.  Dave Ratner decided to go to law school at the University of Denver following five years of priceless band management experience.  Ratner did not consider his experience a prerequisite to success in his field of law, but he did agree that it gives him an extra level of credibility with many of his clients.

Dave Ratner is now having great success as an attorney serving the needs of many clients in the Denver area.  His clients include authors, designers, artists, small business owners, entertainers and many more.  Ratner acknowledged the fact that Denver was not the most amicable place for the typical entertainment industry clients, such as those related associated with music and film.  However, he said that it is still a place with a large number of entrepreneurs across the spectrum of creative arts that require similar representation.  Many of his clients are entrepreneurs so he does a great deal of work related to asset protection, employee agreements, intellectual property valuations, and other work related to properly forming and operating a small business.

Attorney Ratner encouraged me to really take a meticulous look at every relationship that the business enters in.  This includes business-to-business relationships, employee relationships and even client relationships.  To further his point, he expressed the importance of proper documentation that clearly states the expectations of all parties involved.  In a manufacturing company he advised drafting employee manuals that included nondisclosure agreements and the like.  He also strongly advised framing my budget to include legal costs.  This would help any small business to avoid pitfalls and get started on the right path, exclaimed Ratner.  Transcendent Music’s new company will consider and apply the nuggets of knowledge that Mr. Ratner graciously provided.  We are thankful to him and on behalf of the TRANSCENDENT MUSIC MOVEMENT; we wish him continued success in his quest to provide expert legal guidance and representation to all involved in the creative arts.

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Legal Liabilities that will Effect Transcendent Music’s New Product Line

The Transcendent Music Movement Presents: Legal Liabilities that will Effect Transcendent Music’s New Product Line

This year, Transcendent Music has begun work on its first product line.  Launching this product is going to be a huge step for the startup.  The business plan surrounding the product has elements of several industries.  The two primary industries are entertainment and manufacturing.  The business plan is to develop both a line of percussion instruments and smart technology that enhances previously existing percussion instruments.  Three legal liabilities that will impact the business plan are compliance with manufacturing and trade regulations, the products trademark, and its patented technology.  The guitar manufacturer Gibson, the band the Velvet Underground and technology company Apple, all recently dealt with those liabilities respectively, in one way or another.

http://www.libertarianrepublican.net/2011/08/feds-raid-non-union-gibson-guitar-again.html

Gibson Guitar Corporation has been a prominent name in guitar manufacturing for years.  Countless well-known guitar players have played their guitars as well.  Much of what makes Gibson guitars so popular is derived from the high quality components used in manufacturing their guitars.  However, The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. Justice Department has authorized several raids of the Gibson factories, “seizing guitars, wood and electronic records.”  The Justice Department is citing The Lacey Act of 1900 to justify their raids and their investigation of criminal activity.  The Lacey Act, as amended in 2008, was enacted to regulate the trade of wildlife, fish, wood and other plant products.  Gibson allegedly imports wood that violates the export laws of the countries from which their fine woods are supplied.  The Lacey Act also covers the violation of any laws in another country with regard to wood or other plants.  I do not have a strong opinion on the matter considering I do not have all of the facts.  I believe however that it is extremely important to be well informed on the laws that govern other countries that you do business with.  In particular, it is important to know those that deal with the product or service you are dealing with.  Leonard Krause a consultant is reference in the article suggesting that businesses hire legal professionals in the countries they do business.  He goes on to explain that there are not many U.S. attorneys who know the laws in other countries, to further his point.

http://www.collegedj.net/2012/01/11/music/velvet-underground-files-suit-over-rights-to-iconic-banana-image/

The Velvet Underground filed suit against The Andy Warhol Foundation.  In the 60s Andy Warhol designed an album cover for the band the Velvet Underground.  The band claims that the album cover design became synonymous to the band.  Andy Warhol has since sought to license the design.  Eriq Gardner reported in his Billboard article  “After reading reports that the Warhol Foundation planned to license the design for ancillary products associated with Apple's iPod and iPad, the band made moves to put a stop to such activity.”  Apparently neither party registered the design.  The Velvet underground is arguing that many consumers will associate the album design with the band and the band does not want to be associated with such products.  This is very much so understandable and it shows the importance of registering trademarks.  Once the product line’s logo is designed we will seek to register it.  We will do this prior to it becoming representative of the product.  This way the logo will be privy to the protection of the law.  It will have legal standing to discourage issues like the ones between the Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol.

http://www.maclife.com/article/columns/law_apple_secret_deals_dismissed_patents_and_appeals_denied        

          Apple for sometime now has found itself in a battle over patented technology.  Apple has accused other companies of infringing on their patents and vice versa.  Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. filed suit recently resulting in an injunction on Apple.  Reuters reported Motorola as saying that they were, “suing Apple for infringing six of its patents involving technologies related to wireless antennae, software, data filtering and messaging.”  Though the injunction has since been lifted, infringements of this sort can lead to legal ramifications that can destroy the accused company.  The lesson learned is to avoid violating the registered patents of other companies.  Secondly, it is important to properly register any patent worthy technology or device invited as a part of or therefore an invented product. 

          TRANSCENDENT MUSIC is extremely excited about developing its new product line.  The lessons learned from the above companies as cited in these articles are sobering though.  There are a lot of details involved in any business adventure.  You have to be conscious of the laws and regulations that govern every aspect of your business.  It is more important that you adhere to them though.