Second Person’s Second Life


Video for ‘Wood’ is an online smash!


Just when it seemed that people had forgotten all about them, Second Person strike back. In an impressive way. The video for ‘Wood’ (funded by their Believers, remember!) is making waves on YouTube. The video ended up on the homepage of YouTube and generated over 250,000 plays in this weekend alone!. We invited band mastermind Mark Maclaine to write an update...

 

 


By Mark Maclaine


After reaching the $50k our first priority was to make the best album that we could make. We spent months working on each song, building soundscapes
and crafting the right atmosphere for the album as a whole. It was a fascinating project as the music was only going to be half of what we were trying to do. The aim was to put together a set of short films that would
fit together and produce a complete audio-visual experience for the viewer.
At the same time the music had to stand up on its own, but we were aware that things would start to make more sense when the videos had been finished (for example certain sounds in the music would make sense when you saw the visual that would go with them).

Life after The Elements

As interest in the band started to rise it became very apparent that we needed to put a proper team into place, people that could help us get to where we wanted to go. We set about trying to find the right management and in doing this we also managed to find a great PR & Marketing team as well as people to organise things like Film Licensing and live shows. This involved us meeting a large number of amazingly successful people, and by Christmas we had found JML Management, a new company headed up by an ex-record label boss (just like Sellaband!) that had a team team that really believed in what we were doing.
This whole process has taken some time but in the last month or two we've started building up the number of live shows we're doing (including a number of sell out shows in London) and even started interviewing
directors/animators for the remaining four "Elements" videos. We should hopefully be starting the video for "Fire" in the next few weeks, and since it could take a few months we're hoping to get "Earth" started around the same time with other animators.

 

Front Page Feature on YouTube

In the mean time we have settled on the date 11th August for the single release of "Wood", this gives our press team something to aim for as we have a number of shows happening around this time, including one at the world famous arts and theatre gathering The Edinburgh International Festival! As part of our push for this single release our great friends at YouTube decided to feature the video for Wood on their front page over the weekend. This lead to over a quarter of a million people watching the video in just over 24 hours! Although the site couldn't possibly keep our video at the top of the featured list forever, this has been great publicity and we're informed by Sellaband that there has already been an increase in album sales. More than anything, knowing that such a huge people have watched our video in the space of a few days (and it's received 4.5 stars) is fantastic!

Free Track for Believers & Fans

In the time that we spent looking for management, in typical Second Person fashion, we didn't stop working for a second. We were asked to (and did) produce a number of albums for other bands, including one for another Sellaband artist, as well as film score for a new British film which is due out in UK cinemas early 2009. This was an amazing opportunity for us and having never recorded with an orchestra before...well, it was an incredible experience! We even wrote an entirely new Second Person song called "Paper Umbrella" (recorded with the orchestra) and we would like to give away FREE
to all our believers and anyone who has bought the album since. If you would like to be sent a link to download this free track please email:
friends@secondperson.net with your full name, country and either your Second Person believer name or the barcode on the back of "The Elements" CD.



Our believers are incredibly important to us so we'll be offering them a whole host of exclusive free tracks and other stuff over the coming years...it is the very least we can do to say thank you!


Our 50K Plan: Radius


Currently over 50% in budget and well set to become the third Dutch band at 50K, Radius took time out to put their 50K plan together. Concise and dedicated as ever, this is why Johan and the boys think investing in their music is a safe bet...


By Radius



Were we are now/PreProduction:

We have already begun the PreProduction of the album and have put a lot of our own money in it to finish preproduction for 13 Radius tracks now. Six of them you already know and they ALL will be on the album (Next to Me, Liquid Hope, The Sea, Still Water, Higher Ground and Private Girl). For those songs we will only record a few instruments again (drums and vocals). We are satisfied about the arrangements as they are now. But they will be put in a “new” mix. 7 other songs are ready for recording sessions. Some of them won’t be on the album because we are also writing some new songs at the moment. To put ourselves in the luxury position to pick out the best songs for the album. When we finished writing those new tracks we will have around 17 tracks to make a good selection for the album. We will record all instruments at www.studiospitsbergen.nl and are working together with producer/co writer Bauke van der Laaken (Nemesea, Radio Orange).For the vocals we will ask some help of a vocal coach/producer (no name yet). Maybe someone from the UK to get a more international feel and sound. The mixing process will also be conducted at Studio Spitsbergen. For mastering we will go (probably) to the famous Wisseloord Studio’s.”

 

About the album

It will be an album containing 12 or 13 tracks, a full album!  So far we got:

  1. Liquid Hope
  2. Next to Me
  3. Still Water
  4. Higher Ground
  5. The Sea
  6. Private Girl
  7. Dream Again
  8. Another Song
  9. Land of Sunshine
  10. Stronger
  11. Connected
  12. Right Now
  13. Learning to Live


We also will make a video, to be included on the Limited Editions CD’s. We’ve  already got some connections to make this happen. Next is a real challenge: we will try to consult a famous DJ for making a remix of one of our tracks. ‘Next to Me’ could be a good one, but there are more who could sound great in a remix. In this case, we are thinking to attract an A&R manager with good connections in the Dance scene. We got good connections for the artwork and will try to launch more things at the same time. Like a new website and other promo stuff like flyers and posters, all NOT coming out of the 50K but of our own pockets. 
After we hit the 50k
We will start immediately with the recording sessions and will have worked out EVERYTHING before the day we hit 50K. So our album will be ready soon after hitting 50K. As a matter of fact, we are as good as ready with only a few details to figure out.

 

So this is were your money goes:

Studio:
*recording
*mixing
*Vocal coach / producer
*Mastering
*DJ
Artwork/Promo:
*Booklet design, graphic work, logo, CD concept.
*Photographs
*Video
Copies/Distribution:
*Postage worldwide
*CD digipack incl. Numbering
*Mechanical Rights
Extra:
*Travel costs


If you got some questions and/or ideas; just pm us. It is very important for us that you all are satisfied and do believe this can work out! Thank you for paying attention.”


 

Q & A: Banshee Celtic Band (1)


Everything about them seems to be unusual: their name, their music, their image. And now they have also taken the opportunity to answer the Tribune Q + A questions with unusually long answers. They are Banshee Celtic Band from Poland and they have definitely something to say...

 

 


Who are Banshee Celtic Band?

Banshee is a group of six people excited about celtic culture and celtic music. Our understanding of it lies in combination of traditional sounds of the Celts with modern arrangements and strong rhythmic base. We put much energy and commitment in what you know as ‘Banshee’. The pursuit of music is not our only way to feel accomplished but it's exactly the music that let us free the energy. It is freed at the concerts, along with all
the effort we put in creating it, all the hopes and dreams we want to share. But no big words are needed here because it's simply all about having a great deal of fun and being passionate about it.”

Where does a Polish band find the inspiration to play Celtic Folk music?

“It doesn't really matter where you're from when it comes to music - almost every kind of it, including folk music. The important thing is how do you find inspiration at all to play? And that we can answer without any hesitation: feelings, dreams and the overpowering urge
to share all of them with the rest of the known and unknown world. As simple as that.”


How did you find out about SellaBand and what made you join?

“We learnt about SellaBand from one of articles in Polish paper; it must've been one of those few items that could be spotted in the press after Julia Marcell’s success. When we signed up we knew little about what was it all about. To back it up we can only say that from December '07 till February '08 we earned an astonishing sum of $300. Yipee.”



Any regrets so far?

“No, we don't have any regrets. Well, maybe except that we didn't find SellaBand earlier. We met most wonderful people here - both Believers and Artists - and this alone would be enough to sign in. We're honored to call some of them our friends.”

What are your ambitions?

The goal is to find the way under people's roofs; people who consider music an important part of their lives but also those who look for its tranquility only from time to time. We want to raise the bar as high as possible, with no fixed limits, to have it motivate us to even more intensive work. We believe we can tear off the label of ‘niche music’ from our sound and make it for the top not only in Poland but be heard around the world, as well. People we meet at our concerts and all those we share our thoughts with let us believe that it is within reach.”

Continue column 2


 

Tattoo You!


Summer Competition 2008: Do it the Brian way...


Attracting Believers to make a top notch album, is the basic philosophy behind the SellaBand concept. One of the first self marketeers on our Platform was and still is Vegas Dragon's Brian Taylor. Like a true guerilla marketeer avant la lettre Brian put a SellaBand tattoo on his arm in order to attract the attention of new Believers. (And to express his love for the in his view revolutionairy concept) We invite all of you this Summer to do it the Brian Way and win Gift Parts with it.

 

He's called Mister Sellaband by some, an idiot by himself, whatever, what would SellaBand be without Brian? Don't be afraid, we won't ask you to visit a real tattoo studio and have SellaBand under your skin for life. This month, a number of SellaBand albums will be sent out to Believers. To begin with Vegas Dragons and Maitreya. All the packages will include a few fake, removeable tattoos with the SellaBand logo printed on them. Later this month we hope to be sending out Confused5 and T-ka albums with them as well (tbc). Also,  visitors of Sellabration 2008 will get them too. Use the tattoo (s) yourself, hand them out to your little nephew, your favourite collegue, or if you don't like them, to the neighbour you hate.;)



WalterM  guest at the office today, doing it the Brian way


What to do with it? It's up to you, be creative! This Summer you'll be able to have your own photo studio, ad adgency, contemporary art gallery, moviestudio, or whatever you can think of. The only thing we ask you is to use visual material with a SellaBand Tattoo on your own body or from someone you know.
The situations? Make a picture when you go for a job-application interview, or meeting your mother in law for the first time accompanied with a funny quote. Use the artwork for a party-invitation, a flyer, or use your photoshop-skills and make a pro advertisement which can be placed in a magazine straight away. Grab your hand held camera and have street interviews with people on the SAB-concept, or make a funny commercial, videoclip or even a SAB- mini movie. The Secret Life of MaWa or Rocking around the Trolls ;) Doesn't matter, as long as we see a bodypart with the tattoo. Always thought you'd be a Picasso in disguise? Why not projecting the pic on linnen and compile a top notch piece of art. The sky is the limit, and keep in mind these are only examples. 


Brian doesn't need a sticker...


On September 1, we will judge all contributions, and the winner will get 50 Gift Parts to be spen on artist(s) of his/her liking on Sellaband, number two 25 Gift Parts and number three will receive 10 Gift Parts. We'll put up the technical details up in the following weeks as the names of the jury. One thing is for sure though, in it will be Brian (president) and Dolly (as Sellaband-representative) and we're looking out in the meantime for some experts from the media, entertainment and/or marketing-advertising world. 

 

Adam's Apples

 

The Dirty Ts

 

An English singer/guitar player, Japanese bassist and American drummer currently recording and touring in Japan and playing fast and noisy sexntrucksnrocknroll! Lots of good fun and in the wake of Electric Eel Shock might just have legs here.
Playlist: I Just Want To Watch You Want To See Me

Hillary Deveaux

 

Sassy and commercial sounding R&B from this talented young Bahamian medical assistant who writes, sings, acts and models. Could be a great collaboration partner for the right producer out there too. Deserves a shot.
Playlist: Here I Come

Keith Mosley

 

Likeable Munich based quartet in a loose Rolling Stones/John Mellencamp style. They have a very long way to go but with a good producer tightening them up and a lot of hard work, who knows? And who is Keith Mosley anyway?
Playlist: To The Bone

Atheen

 

Fine UK singer and keyboard player with good songwriting skills - the excellent “Waited” points to some untapped potential here. The more experimental “A Little Intrigue” doesn't quite match it, and the guitar fueled rocker is just confusing. But “Waited” is terrific.
Playlist: Waited

 

Q & A Banshee Celtic Band (2)

 

Would you agree that your success on SellaBand is proof that this platform is not only for mainstream artists?

“How could we not? Sure, it's a little bit harder to swim near the banks of the river and not being carried away by the mainstream, but we are constantly assured by new people talking to us, writing us, listening to us that the celtic spirit is definitely out there.”


Where would you say, does BCB work best, on a live stage or in a studio?

Live stage, no doubt about it! Live audience is the best motivation for us. When we see people having fun, dancing, singing -  we thrive. We played couple of times for a silent (in a movie theater) and invisible (dark room, cosy seats;) ) audience and it was just horrible. But those are ups and downs of life, aren't day?”

 

Why should people Believe in Banshee Celtic Band?

“We gathered our thoughts a couple of months ago and made up something we call 'best reasons to believe in Banshee'. We strive to convince everybody that besides arranging and playing the music we also have a clear vision regarding our future - on SellaBand and beyond - not to waste the investment and trust our believers put into Banshee. Don't call it a 50K plan, it's just our approach to music and business coming together at SAB. So, without futher ado, that cleverly clever plan of ours is:
1) *Our music.* We are a unique band. There are not many Celtic bands around and we take this rarity seriously. We work hard to create songs that exemplify our genre and appeal to a wide range of people. We test our new music often through live gigs to sharpen our skills and gauge interest. However, even if you aren't a fan of Celtic music,
don't rule us out. Our CDs will work perfectly as gifts.”

2) *Our skill.* We are a professional band of 6 musicians and many of us play more than one instrument, so there is no need for us to hire additional session musicians when we get to the studio. As a result, we can record on a smaller budget, allowing us to use more of your investment for production, promotion, and extras for the LeCD.



3) *Our experience.* We have extensive studio experience and understand that every single hour costs money. Because we have already learned the ins and outs of recording, we won't waste the budget learning how a professional studio works. We also have experience organizing, negotiating, and promoting our own gigs. As a result, we know how and when to get our name out so that we can sell our music and ultimately, earn you a return.



4) *Our fan base.* We have an established fan base in Poland. We play approximately 50 gigs and 10 festivals each year with an average attendance of 200 people and sales of up to 80 CDs per event. This fan base will grow as we branch out through the rest of Europe.

5) *Our timing.* We realize that after hitting $50K we are going to have a very small window by which we can harness the attention of television, radio, and print media. It is essential that we use this opportunity wisely and we are already putting together a promotions plan that will be ready to launch immediately after we earn our full budget.

6) *Our ability to market ourselves.* We have constructed a Polish language website, where we sell 10 CDs per month, and are in the process of completing an English language website. In addition, we sell CDs and promote Sellaband at concerts, and we provide steady updates to our fans. Our mailing list consists of a few hundred people already.



7) *Our infrastructure.* We have an already built infrastructure. On locations where we have previously played, we will not only play again, but we are forging long-term partnerships. Five of our current venues have already committed selling our CDs and are considering pre-purchasing them via Sellaband.

8) *Our partnership with you locally.* We think the partnership principle on SellaBand is very important and are proposing deepening it by helping you sell your CDs locally, such as through Irish Pubs, we will utilize our similar experiences to walk you through the best
process for partnering with those venues.”

Any special tactics to reach the 50K sooner rather than later?

“The first thing that comes to mind is ‘being creative’. We have a lot of ideas and new ones are constantly being born. For instance, the latest one is a "listening session". On the upcoming Saturday, 9:00 PM CET, we invite you all to go to this link and listen to a recording with one of our latest concerts. There will be 17 tunes to listen (above 1 hour of music) and there will be also us waiting in a chat room. So feel free to ask us any questions you like or just have an idle conversation while listening to Banshee playing live. The rest of our ideas can be found on a recently open 'SellaBand Corner', a part of our website: www.banshee.art.pl/believers .”