Vegas Dragons @ $50,000!

 The Life Of Brian…

Exactly one week ago, Vegas Dragons became the eighth artist to raise $50,000 on SellaBand. For main man Brian Taylor it was a dream come true to see all his hard work finally pay off. But, as Mr. Taylor assures us, this is only the beginning and more hard work and total dedication will be involved in the coming process. Here’s Brian’s official reaction on reaching 50K and an insight into his future plans:

 

By Brian Taylor

 

Thank you so much for getting Vegas Dragons to $50,000 and for your wonderful comments! It has been a thrilling week. It is an amazing feeling to move to the next phase of the SellaBand journey. Our SellaBand CD will be our third Vegas Dragons album and once again produced by Phil Tweed. With a much larger budget we expect him to really shine. Here is the estimated timeline for the CD.

 

Sept/Oct - Preproduction

I have been writing lyrics, poems and songs for twenty years, so there is a great wealth of choice. I want the songs to cover many diverse and interesting subjects. We will have 12 brand new songs for the CD. The great Phil Tweed and I are in the process of "mapping out" these songs on the computer and arranging them. Phil is a very clever man and an award winning songwriter who adds so much to every song.

 

November - Rehearsal

Once the arrangements are done, the other members of Vegas Dragons (Jeremy Barnes - guitars, Joe Manton - bass, Pete Drummond - drums) will join Phil and I. We will brainstorm the songs to get their input and then we will  rehearse the songs thoroughly. This will save money and will make sure no time is wasted in the studio.

 




December/ January - Recording

We are very excited about entering a world class recording facility. We are looking at a few different studios with www.thegrovestudios.com being the leading contender at this stage. A great studio will really make a difference to the sound and will really be a huge improvement on our first two CD's. We can't wait to put our hearts and souls into the music.

 

February - Mixing

This is a very important stage to get right and $9,000 US has been allocated to mixing the music and really bringing it to life. Mixing is likely to take place at www.redsocks.com.au which boasts many great Australian artists as clients. We hope one day that they will boast that Vegas Dragons were mixed there.

 

February - Film clips

We are hoping to make two film clips which will be included on the limited edition CD. There is no room in the budget for these so I will be working full time during the recording process to pay for these myself.


 

 

 

March - CD manufacture and release

We are hoping to hire a publicist to get some great exposure for the release of the CD in Australia and Europe. We are planning some big events to coincide with the release. We are also hoping to tour as much as possible in 2008.

We really hope that YOU will spread the word too.

We are aware that the sooner the CD is released, the sooner our Believers start making money. However it is really important that the CD be of the highest quality, so we do not want to make the mistake of rushing it. We are aiming for the rock album of the year! We intend to license the masters back to SellaBand at the end of the 12 months so our Believers can benefit from extra revenue. One of our main aims has always been to make a healthy profit for our Believers. Finally, I would like to add to all the artists out there who are trying to make $50,000: Please do not give up on SellaBand. I believe the future is a bright one and we will do our very best to bring many new Believers to this site and help you reach $50,000 too. We are all in this together!

 

 

 Anything for 50K: Brian- Cleaning The SAB Office- Vegas

 

Mandyleigh to work with Top Producer

 

 

Mandyleigh Storm, also known as 'the Seventh One' here on SellaBand, has used the Summer to fly to Europe for SellaBration and to speak to numerous potential producers and studios. After she was introduced to Mick Glossop it didn't take her too long to make up her mind. Now she like to take the opportunity to make the following announcement:

 

By Mandyleigh Storm 


"I am delighted to say that I have made my choice of producer, "Mick Glossop". I feel that he is the best choice for me as a vocalist and as a songwriter. He is a lovely guy and he has been someone around in the era I am most drawn to of late when I am writing songs, late 60`s and early 70`s. Mick has a sterling track record and is well known in the industry. He has worked on 15 Van Morrison albums, as well as with The Waterboys, PIL, The Wonder Stuff etc etc etc. He is a bass player, engineer, and producer. www.mickglossop.com .


I feel producers, musicians and the whole process of making great music (or music that feels great) is all about trusting who you are working with to get the very best out of the finished product. To enjoy and play it for many years... To have this trust in your chosen producer/musicians you are letting them caress your `babies` and mould them into its own beautiful life. For me it is very about keeping a `live` feel in the songs as much as possible, giving a brilliant soul drenched performance and making your listeners feel a part of the story and energy that is going on in each song. From the moment the song starts it should whisp you away, take you on its ride, hurl you down to its end, and you simply wanting more.

 


I am not sure of all the details as yet as we are still in the midst of them but when I know then my Believers will know soon afterwards. I am so excited and I can`t wait to deliver something that I will feel very proud of and then offer it to the world. I am still so thankful to every Believer/friend who brought me to this dream. Love you all."

In an official reaction for the SellaBand Tribune, Mick Glossop responds: "I'm delighted to be working with Mandyleigh on her new recordings for Sellaband. She has an amazing voice and a great selection of material which I intend to utilise to the full to create a remarkable record."


My 50K Plan...

Lucia Iman

A new series, in which an artist gets the opportunity to share his/her/their plans for  making a SellaBand album. This week it’s Lucia Iman who, although she has yet to reach 50% in budget is already making up her mind about her upcoming SellaBand album..

 

 

 

By Lucia Iman 

 

“I'm thrilled to be planning ahead for my album and to be sharing some of it with you. As far as the overall vision, I've been playing with the idea of creating a "concept" album, in the vein of Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd or Björk albums, and in my case, I'm faced with the task of merging different styles into one. So maybe it'll be more like the start of a journey. Regarding composition, I'd like to blend an acoustic-lyrical foundation with jazz and world influences and some electronic nuances. I'd also really like to hail to my roots by doing a traditional Spanish track. It seems like a hard job, but thankfully I have artists to look up to, that through encompassing an amalgam of sounds have contributed to groundbreaking works. I know this is only the beginning, and to me, the most important thing is to be able to fully express myself, and to evoke something unique and moving in my listeners. And that will be the bottom line of the album.

Looking at the budget, I'd like to be able to produce at least one video to go with a song, but to me the music goes first…Promotion is definitely a crucial aspect for the success of the album. Performing live has always been very important to me, and I think touring will be great to get the word out, along with merchandise, etc. (yey, I have my own t-shirts now!!), so hopefully we can fit this in. The image and presentation go along with promotions (interactive website, album cover)…(I'm already working ideas for the cover!) I know it's a lot, but we'll figure it out step by step.

 

 

 

I would love to add collaborations to this album…there's so much talent around here, it's just too tempting to let that opportunity slip!! I'm also currently speaking with several producers to start looking at the direction of this work.

On a last note, I'd like to say I cannot wait to make all my believers proud with an album they'll love and feel they're a part of (you're all part of my journey guys/gals!). This will be a well thought out, and no doubt a successful CD. A dream come true and a way to show my appreciation to all the wonderful support and encouragement I get from you all. Onward we go! Love ya all.”




Q & A

Angie Arsenault

While the SellaBand phenomenon is catching on in the USA, slowly but steadily we must add, their northern neighbours seem to remain indifferent to what we have to offer. Perhaps this can now change, because after 'policeman' Jesse David, we now have a second Canadian aritst flying the SellaBand flag in this beautiful country. And determined to reach $50,000 she is too, so please read on...

 

Who is Angie Arsenault?

She is a French speaking Acadian who grew up in a quiet little village in Prince Edward Island, Canada.  She is a girl who has been cradled by the sounds of music since she can remember, in a family of traditional musicians.  She is a person who finds solace in writing and performing music; a sensitive being (maybe too much at times; she cries at the movies…it’s so embarrassing!).  She is a being who always tries her best to be kind.  That’s moi!

How would you describe your music?

Many people have written to me saying how much my music soothes them, calms them.  On the other hand, others tell me they cry helplessly every time they hear certain songs of mine!  My music can be soft and smooth, and then dark and intense.  For me, writing music is freedom of expression and it allows me to explore different sides of my personality that I may not show very often.  Some words that connect with my music are: Sophisticated Smooth Mysterious Hard Heavy Emotionally Complex Bittersweet Melodies Empty Rooms Cold Hearts Dreamy Longings Fleeting Nuances Dark Piano-Drenched Pop Alternative Classical Country…

What were your expectations when you joined SellaBand?

Well, I have to be honest and say that I wasn’t really sure what to expect in the beginning.  I mean, I understood what Sellaband was about and really loved the concept.  However, at the time, I was so busy working on my music and getting my website up along with My Shattered Windows video series, that I lost track and didn’t put enough effort into my Sellaband profile.  That all changed over the course of the summer and now, I am on Sellaband practically every day!  The idea of artists getting together with their fans to make music is…sorry for the lack of a better term but, Awesome!  It is heart warming to get so much support from people all over the world and connect with them. Also, I love keeping track of other artists that I like, wishing them well on their journey.  The bonus here to my own surprise, is that I am also making friends in the Sellaband community.  It’s just great!

You are our leading Canadian artist. What's the musical climate like in your country?

Canada is fertile ground for seeds of good songwriters. Of course, I will seem bias here but I can truly appreciate the long list of well respected artists that have come out of Canada such as Jonie Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Michael Bublé, Sarah McLachlan, Alannis Morissette, K-os, Metric, and the list goes on.  This makes for a very inspiring climate for creation with the bar placed very high.  The indie scene is pretty big here, lead by break-out bands such as The Arcade Fire and The Dears. Often overshadowed by our neighbours to the south, Canadians are sometimes seen as a quiet group of people who reflect a lot and if there is any noise making, it comes from a deep place and takes you by surprise!!!

 

How much time of your time do you dedicate to SellaBand?

Initially,  I would check my profile now and then, but now I’m on pretty much every day, showing my respect and appreciation to my Believers and chatting with them and other friends on the site.  Lately, I have been putting some ideas down on what I’d like to add to my profile as well as advertising SellaBand on my website, on myspace and in live performances.  Oh, that reminds me, please stay tuned for my next video from My Shattered Windows… you’ll understand why. ;-)

What are your ambitions?

I have always been a dreamer.  I still can’t understand how I did so well in school as my teachers often had to come snap their fingers in my ears for me to stop drifting away in thought!  I think I protect myself to a certain extent by trying not to focus too much on the result but rather on the journey… but that doesn’t say anything about my ambitions because in that perspective, the sky is the limit and I work hard to attain all of my goals.  It is my goal to take my music around the world and today’s market is a global one easier to access because of the internet and sites such as SellaBand!!! So if these dreams of mine do come true, it will be a lot of yummy icing on the cake!  And I love all that is (and who is) sweet!!!

Are there any other SellaBands you particularly like?

It seems I’m discovering more and more artists every week and I’m trying to find more time to listen as it is so much fun to hear new music. There are so many deserving of a Sellaband album, and some of the artists that really trigger something in me are Julia Marcel, Lola Perin, Frölein da Capo, Bim, Francis Rodino Band, Lucia Iman (Mr Green), Sarah’s Smile, Daniel Ward-Murphy and Jon Robert.  I haven’t heard them all so I’m still discovering too.

Why should people Believe in Angie Arsenault?

It’s hard for me to say what people should or should not do (there it is eh, the Canadien thing again!), but one thing I know is that I do believe in myself and in my music and I am a very dedicated person. People should trust that feeling they get when they listen to my songs but whether they tickle your fancy or not, that can be a question of personal taste. I have over 50 songs written, and too many in the works to even count which are all hoping to be chosen for a Sellaband album! So if you’re asking if I’m the real deal, well, I would have given up already if I feared the amount of work it takes to get anywhere in this industry…I’ve had my ups and downs in all my years of performing and I’m still going forward and I learn something new everyday.  I’m here for the long haul.  So let’s ride! À l’aventure mes amis!!  xx

 

Community Singing

A place to announce special gigs, collaborations, etcetera. For inclusion in this section, please write to: info@sellaband.com.

 

Songs From Soho

A very special initiative by none other than Daniel Ward-Murphy has caught our attention, this week:

 

 

“You are invited to attend a very special event where I will record and film an extended live set of songs at a legendary London recording studio! On Saturday 6th October myself and my band will be spending the evening in the Soho studio (home to artists such as Marc Bolan and David Bowie) with producer Tony Platt, where we will be recording a lengthy set 'as live'.  I am very pleased to be able to invite some of my believers to join us to see this process 'as it happens'.  Wine and finger food will be provided, so you can relax, watch the proceedings and see the underbelly of a recording studio in action. There will also be an opportunity to ask me and the band any questions you may have as well as chat to like-minded music lovers.

Apart from being a fun evening, this event will deliver live recordings of songs which can be used on SellaBand to propel me to that 50k and give you a great album as soon as possible.  There will also be the opportunity to use video footage for limited edition CD extra content. Unfortunately, there will be room for a maximum of 25 Believers only, so we are offering entry on a first come first served basis - if you would like to come, please send me a personal message as soon as you can.  I will confirm the final guest list for the evening on my page once the places have been filled.  

As you can imagine, the studio and producer hire comes doesn't come cheap and whilst every effort has been made to keep costs to a minimum, all I ask is for a £15 contribution from each attendee to go towards costs (including wine/food). As an extra gesture of appreciation for this contribution attendees will also receive MP3's of the audience's 3 favourite tracks from the night (as voted by you!).  I will also try to sort out a venue for post-event drinks, so the party can continue for those who are interested.

 

Please book early to avoid disappointment, but please be sure that you can make the date if you do ask for a spot - there's only space for 25 Believers and we want to make the process as fair as possible."

There are only a few places still available’ for Songs from Soho, so contact Daniel asap if you want to attent this unique event.


Adam’s Apples

The best of this week’s new artists on Sellaband.

 

 

The MüVs

Hot guitar/bass/drums self-styled “popular beat combo” that feature high on London’s hiplist and live scene. Often retro but always fresh sounding with plenty of smart writing and some sensationally “out there” lyrics - think Rolling Stones meets the Streets. Will go far.
Playlist: Chav Song.

 

Insomnia

This is a band led by Lily's producer Pablo Garcia with fellow musicians picked from the cream of New York’s Latin scene. The vocals and instrumental performances are nothing short of sensational. And although the writing may not be to everyone's taste, there's no denying the quality and talent here.
Playlist: La Espera.

 

LiTtLe jOy bOx

Indie poppers built around the ‘cute’ vocals of YYY. Original, fun and thoughtful with that feeling of something lurking just beneath the surface. Maybe it's the just the “little bits of joy that can fit into but also outside of a box” - I'm looking forward to hearing more.
Playlist: sOn oF dOg

 

Dave Patrick

Rox Clayton Scott’s guitar player emerges as an artist in his own right with three songs from his own project. Tasteful throughout with excellent guitars and a surprisingly pleasant vocal personality. Engaging and professional - should find plenty of supporters here.

Playlist: Trouble.

Feedback or anything else: Adam@sellaband.com