My Interview with the man himself

Well there are so many questions and concerns when it comes to the music industry. Some people go into it expecting to become a star over night and those of you who think like that need to wake up and smell the coffee. Working here at Mia Mind I have learned so much that I didn't know/didn't realize. I am so grateful to have the chance to see 1st hand what goes on in the industry. I asked the boss man here at Mia Mind Music, Stevie B a few questions about his company and the industry as a whole. Here is my interview.

1. How long has Mia Mind Music been around and what made you start up a marketing and promotion company?

MMM has been in business for 25 years. My partners at that time & I had formerly been involved of shopping deals for artists but it was around that time that the major labels "lost the plot to the script", in other words, decided to no longer invest in artist development. Their business model was to now sign artists who had already established a developed marketing picture and to for go the process of taking diamonds in the rough and shaping them into viable commercial entities. This of course was great for the record companies but it resulted in placing the burden of career development upon the artist. Thus, we saw the need to form a company that could assist these musicians in that endeavor.

2. The music industry is a very competitive industry. What advice would you offer for anyone trying to get into this industry?

Plan carefully, don't rush and be prepared to learn from your experiences. Embrace the philosophy that whatever doesn't kill your career will only make it stronger if you learn from it. One of the keys to our success is that we saw the need to offer artists a game plan or road map to developing their careers which is why after we hear what a client's business goals are we begin to lay out a step by step plan and timeline in how to obtain these goals. Remember, you will fail at obtaining some of your goals so be prepared to lose a battle but not the lessons you should learn from it.

3. What are some things an artist should have ready when coming to your company to utilize your services?

Goals. Most of the people who make CDs have given no thought to the why, how and who of the process. 1) Why? Did you make the recording to please yourself or do you want it to fit into the marketplace? 2) How? If you record only to please yourself then just press record and begin to play. But if you record to fit into the marketplace then other considerations and it's a bit more complicated. Like what works in today's market and how do I get my product into the market. 3) Who? That's a stumbling block for many and which is why you need someone on your team such as a promotion and marketing company to bring their experience and expertise to the table to help you in these areas.

4. With your experience in this industry and working with different artist, what would you say are the most common mistakes artist make?

Not planning, rush the project and moving in circles. It goes back to goes again. If you're not sure where you want to go it's unlike you're arrive at your destination. Why place unrealistic timelines on your project if you don't have to. Always build yourself a bit of wiggle room when you layout your plans that takes into account that if something goes wrong or is delayed, which some things more than likely will, then your whole game plan doesn't fall apart. And last, it's not deja vu if it looks like you're still in the same place you were a year ago it's that you probably didn't plot a course that envisioned being someplace realistically different from where you're ending up.

5. The industry is absolutely different then how it was 10 years ago. How has that change affected your business?

Everyone's scratching their heads trying to figure out who to continue to earn a living in the music business, including us. We all use to pretty much rely on record sales and publishing royalties as a way to support ourselves but music piracy has serious diminished the value of said currency and unless we come up with additional sources of revenue to supplement the loss of sales and royalties than we'll continue to see more careers fail over time.

6. What clients have you worked with in the past that have been successful in the industry?

There have been so many that MMM and our affiliates, such as Select-O-Hits distribution, have worked with but I guess if we have to drop a few names we'd include Madonna, Alex Chilton, Master P, Three 6 Mafia, Tommy James, L. A. Starr, The Wrens, Kennedy, Larry "Bud" Melman (aka Calvin Deforest), Men At Large......

7. How can people find out more about Mia Mind Music?

Easiest way is on the web at www.MiaMindMusic.com. They can also email us at MiMiMus@aol.com or call us (212-564-4611-M-F 9 A.M.-5 P.M. EST). So far we've received 23 Gold and Platinum Records and we'll looking for the 24th!

Discover the Indie Music Business

Here are some instructional videos that we here at Mia Mind Music have done on getting into the Music Business and the things that you, the artist should know and should have.
This video is an introdution

This video is Part 1:Once you've done a recording.

Mia Mind Music

If your an independent artist who is trying to get your product out to the people you need successful Marketing and Promotion. Here at Mia Mind we offer numerous services that will get your product out to the audience that you are trying to reach. Such as: National Press coverage, record distribution, video promotion, internet services etc. We do Retail Distribution for your CD through our associates, Select-O-Hits. Select-O-Hits is one of the three largest independent record distributors in the U.S. Visit our website for more information about the company. http://www.miamindmusic.com/

Truth: The streets want their music back

Here is an artist that we here at Mia Mind have worked with. He goes by the name Truth. He is a Hip Hop artist from Brooklyn, New York. His music is real speaking about real life situations that people from the hood go through. To check out more of his music check out amazon.com and itunes. Watch his single Watch your step kid here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h2dKnx2ngY&feature=channel_page This is his video one sheet for more information on where to find Truth's music.

Topic for the week:The recession & the music industry

Please feel free to comment:
With the way the economy is going, people and businesses are cutting back as much as they can. The music industry especially is being hit the hardest. So tell me, Has the recession changed the way you do business in this industry?

The day for Beer, Beer and more Beer

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!
Today is a day for all of our Irish brothers and sisters out there to celebrate heritage, family and lets not forget BEER. Everyone black,white,hispanic go and put on your green and enjoy the day.

New Independent Music All The Time

So here at the wonderful world of Mia Mind Music we have our own online radio broadcast called M3 RADIO. We play only independent artist. We also record a weekly news broadcast starring my girl EmpressRed. Check out new artist on http://www.m3radio.com/index.php
Here's a video that was done for Valentines Day. Very Funny. ENJOY!!!

You need a DOSE of this

OK here's a new and hot R&B group. They call themselves Dose. The group blends classic R&B, Hip Hop & Latino Rhythms. (3 genres that I enjoy very much) Their debut album OVER DOSE will be available in both English and Spanish. Check out their first single Sexy

For All you Jazzy people

If your a fan of Jazz, Blues Rhythm & Blues then you need to listen to this guy, Tom Gavornik. His album Flip It was recorded with Bernard "Preety" Purdie who has also worked with Miles Davis, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin etc. So for all you Jazz heads out there Flip It just may be an album that you should add to your collection. You can check out the album and purchase it on Amazon.com or Cdbaby.com

Welcome to The Adderley Report

This is your girl Lil B bringing you the latest music on THE ADDERLEY REPORT. I've always been a fan of different types of music. There are so many artist out here nowadays that have so much talent and so much potential and no one ever knows. I'm bringing this site to all you music lovers who just want to hear and know about different artist that you wouldn't normally hear about.