BANDCOCKTAIL.COM

Website: http://china.musicdish.com

By Eric de Fontenay (Founder & Publisher)

A growing number of Western music companies are dipping their toes into the Chinese market, hoping to increase opportunities for independent artists in one of the most dynamic and treacherous music markets ever. We’ve already reported on Australian-based Cowbell Digital Music, which launched a Chinese portal earlier this year. Now, Berlin-based 88tc88, which took advantage of the global attention on SXSW 2010 to introduce its Web-based translation service, is enabling Western bands and musicians to access and sell to Chinese music consumers.

The service tackles a basic problem with going global: If people can’t search your band name or song title in a browser or search engine, you don’t truly exist in that market. Considering the fact that searching the internet is the #1 way Chinese consumers access music, having your information accessible in Mandarin is key. This is not just true for Mainland China. Citizens of Taiwan and Singapore predominantly speak Mandarin, while countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam have significant Mandarin speaking populations.

I spoke with Thomas Reemer, founder and chairman of 88tc88.com about their partnership with Shanghai Synergy Culture & Entertainment Group to launch the service, and how to avoid Chinese censors and monetization in the face of piracy.

Q. How did a Berlin-based company like 88tc88 come to focus on the Chinese market?

A. I have been traveling to China since December 2006 every three months, for longer periods each time. A business colleague who has been an advocate in promoting China since 1996 took me with him. At the time, we were working on several projects together, technology based, music based, content based. I had a huge hunger for China, and was always fascinated by the unbroken history of adaptation, art, and greatness.

Q. In my experience dealing with the Chinese market, translation tools can be useful, but imperfect as they often do not convey the sense of what is being said. This can be particularly true for band names or album/song titles. How does your service address these hurdles? How important is human intervention in the process?

A. It’s very important — hence our team in Beijing who will lead and keep up the quality. Though Chinese is a very literal language, means very direct. We told our translators to go with what is common, and common is the phonetic translation of band names, not the meaningful translation. This is, however, different with the lyrics. The requirement by the authorities is that if it goes to approval, it needs to be manually translated. They want to get the sense of it. That is important. Our language students are disciplined and well educated. They love their jobs because it puts them in touch with new music.

Q. The Chinese government has long required that all information (titles, lyrics,…) be translated and approved by the government before entry into the market.

A. That is correct. An approval process can only be initiated by a Chinese publisher who wants to release the material from the West. This simply means that not everyone can try. You need that partner, and we have found a great partner, Shanghai Synergy Culture and Entertainment Group (SSCEG) who is endorsed by the Chinese government as the leading music record label and publishing house for Chinese music industry.

Q. Does your service cover government approval?

A. Yes it does. From September on, we will offer this digital release opportunity from 88tc88.com. You should have your translation done prior to that, however, to get the process in motion much quicker then. Although there is no guarantee of approval, once the process has been put in motion, it cannot be reversed. If you follow the rules, you will be approved.

Q. What are some of the ‘red flags’ musicians should be aware of in that approval process?

A. There are 4 golden rules: no sex, no violence, no religion, and nothing related to social unrest. Of course, these things are everything that an indie artist aspires to and eventually wants to stand for. But a release is worth a try, as the Chinese people understand Western music very well. Considering the massive challenges that the Chinese government faces every day, it is no surprise that they need to control the speed in which things change.

Q. You mention providing digital distribution. What platforms will you use to promote your artists and bands? How will you help Chinese consumers find western music on these platforms?

A. Our partner SSCEG will soon launch an innovative digital platform called artistgogo.com. It will introduce various types of international music with interactive software packages to encourage consumers to not only enjoy, but utilize music. The digital platform will be providing its services to their clients such as China Unicom (the second largest mobile service provider in China), Sina.com (the largest portal) and others to their vast membership.

Q. Considering the fact that overwhelming, music searches lead to pirated downloads, might translation be a double-edged sword due to the lack of legal outlets?

A. No, it is the right thing to do. First of all, 88tc88.com will help to increase the number of released Western indie artists in China. Luckily enough, SSCEG is providing the technical and promotional solution through their aLMS system, an operating system developed by a-Peer Holding Group, which is a US technology company. The whole deal is about making it right. Trumping Baidu through transparent accounting and sales, through mobile carriers like China Unicom. It is about putting ad based attempts out of work as they just clutter the offering and don’t make money for artists.

Q. In the same vein, you note that “monetization is then maintained through concerts, appearances, sponsorships and partnerships,” something I agree with totally. But how realistic is this for most independent artists?

A. Artists don’t stop making music in the first place just because of Madonna and U2 who are wildly more successful than they are. The same principle applies to China; don’t ignore it. If there are tools available to spread your music, use them. If they are packaged as well as 88tc88.com, just go for it. China is an even greater level playing field for independent artists as it is just beginning to develop a solid understanding of all sorts of Western musical culture and has a huge hunger for the world and what it has to offer. Of course, the Top Ten are the Top Ten worldwide, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. And as an independent artist, you don’t care about the Top Ten anyway, do you?

Q. In working with Shanghai Synergy Culture & Entertainment Group, the subsidiary of Shanghai Media Entertainment Group, you are taking a very different strategy from Google which took a more go-it-alone approach?

A. That’s right. China is all about partnerships and trust. Going it alone doesn’t work anywhere, so why would we be so arrogant to think we can build that skyscraper alone? We humbly realize that this is a joint effort and it will only work as a partnership. With reliable and powerful partners like SSCEG, we will be able to achieve a lot for the artists.

Q. Do you have any advice for music companies considering entering China?

A. As with anything outside your 30 mile radius of life � be open, accept that things are handled differently in other countries. Have a thirst for knowledge for and an interest in other cultures and people. Try to learn how to communicate with them, even try to learn their language (yes that is hard, but worth it the moment you can speak with people directly). That’s my general advice. If you want special advice on media related approaches, well, contact me anytime.

No doubt that the Jersey Boys is one of the most famous and demanded shows of Broadway from a few years. The show has drama, inspiration and best musical astounding. The Jersey Boys is one of those musical shows that you must see. This incredible group of all seasons is the best source of fun for music lovers. You have to make one thing sure that is you buy the Jersey Boys Tickets as soon as you can because the other fans will not leave them for you. If you are not a fan of Jersey, you should listen to them once and I assure there is no way you will miss any other show while if you are an old fan, you can not miss out the best smash hit. The musical opened in Wilson theatre soon got the days of success, when they told the story of four seasons with the smashing hit. The testimonial from Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi was all that the fans wanted. The musical was spread in Broadway like wind and soon started to move all over USA. Now the tickets are available in all the major cities of USA.

Jersey Boys Tickets – Opportunity of Witnessing Fun Onstage

As being the most famous musical band from years, Jersey Boys is the show that you shouldn’t miss. This is the right time when you can get the tickets because otherwise it will be too late as the fans will buy the tickets once they will know about it. The Jersey Boys first appearance was seen in 2005 but still they are rocking. Make sure you get you buy Jersey Boys Tickets to have the best fun time of your life. The online seats can be the best source of incredible selection for Jersey Boys in the Country. The prices of tickets that you can pay are cheap and the schedule can be seen when you are buying online. The other benefit you get is that you can check for the best seats to sit and secure websites can make the purchase better.

Jersey Boys Tickets – Loads of Talents

The Jersey boys had an immense acclaim since it started. The time of 2006 was the golden period fir the band as they won four Tony awards that included Best Musical, Best Lightning design, Best Featured Actor and Best Actor. The music band is based on one of the best rock and roll band of early 60s. The dramatic story can be told in their documentary and their songs such as Bye Bye Baby can only be enjoyed if you buy Jersey Boys Tickets. No doubt that the show can be spectacular fun for people of all ages and you also have to make sure that you are buying the concert tickets because a time will come when the fans will not leave the tickets for you. You have to be sure that you are buying the tickets well before time to get the enjoyment for your lifetime. This is the best way in which you can have a great time.

Few people understand just how difficult it is for young emerging music artists to sustain their craft, let alone make a living at it.  The world is full of talented musicians, singers and rappers who struggle every day to get their music heard and who have no real economical distribution channel for reaching the masses.  The internet should have made it easier, but in fact it’s become harder than ever to rise above the noise of the millions of artists trying so desperately to be heard.

We’ve all heard the endless stories of struggling artists living out of their cars and working dead-end jobs just to support their passion.  As many as I’ve heard, and continue to hear, I can’t help but wonder about those that weren’t so lucky.

I’m not talking about those who lacked the talent.  I’m talking about those gifted artists who just couldn’t afford to keep it going and who ultimately faded away into oblivion.   Truth is, the world will never know just how many incredible and truly gifted artists we’ve missed out on simply because they couldn’t financially sustain themselves long enough to “make it”.  Let’s face it, talent doesn’t always dictate who will sell music and who won’t.

Could it be that the Fans are the solution!

For years fans have devoutly supported the music industry not only by purchasing music, but by providing the single best marketing machine on the planet.  Nothing, since the beginning of the recording industry, has resulted in more album sales than the simple act of one person exuberantly telling another about a new artist they heard or a new album they just bought.  The general public has always been directly responsible for the success and failure of any artist.

That’s why I find it so incredibly hard to understand the thinking of the Recording Industry Association of America.  The RIAA has filed more than 35,000 copyright infringement lawsuits since 2003.   Just when they should be embracing the fans, they’re instead choosing to treat them as pariah.

While I absolutely do not support the violation of copyright law or the violation of the rights of artists, it seems that suing the very goose that built their golden egg is not only counterproductive, but just plain foolish.

I remember when buying a new album was like an event.  I would go to the record store and browse the aisles admiring all of the album covers and after finally making my selection, I’d pay an actual person at an actual checkout counter.  When I got home I’d tear the plastic wrapping off and listen for hours while reading the liner notes.

Today’s typical music purchase has no tangible feeling or similar emotions that we felt or associated with buying music years ago.  You simply click a few buttons and bam, you’re listening to it on your ipod. No liner notes, no human interaction.  It’s no wonder illegal downloading is so prevalent.  It almost seems like a victimless crime. It’s just you and your computer.

The hard question is; how do you make the act of illegally downloading music seem as wrong as putting a CD under your coat and walking out of a store?

Perhaps a better tact to supporting Indie Music and preserving the sanctity of the artist’s copyrights is to embrace the fans!

Why not a plan that makes fans a part of the process? One that creates a dynamic that’s less retailer/consumer, but more like a partnership. If illegally downloading music meant stealing from not only the artists, but from other fans or themselves, would they be less likely to Kazaa? Would they begin to police themselves and others?  If you had some ownership in an album or song, would it bother you if someone else obtained a copy illegally?   I think that it might, and that’s why I believe that it’s a social experiment worth exploring.

Don’t get me wrong, no plan would ever completely eliminate piracy and illegal downloading.  Even in the times long before MP3’s, there was theft, but I think embracing the fans in a way that gives them a vested interest in preserving and protecting the music, would be a huge step in the right direction.

I firmly believe that fans finally deserve to be rewarded for getting behind their favorite artists and spreading the word about the music they love.  While at the same time, and just as passionately, I believe that music artists deserve to be compensated for providing us with their heart and soul in the form of recorded sound.

If indie music artists want to promote and sell music in a manner that’s safer and more economical, things will have to change.  It’s time for a paradigm shift in the way Independent Music is promoted and sold.

Empower The Fans!

Howard Archer

EFCMag.com

EmpoweredFanClub.com

Having a consistent and deliberate music promotional and marketing campaign is probably the most important thing you can do to increase the odds of your band or artist being recognized and successful.

Myspace music promotion and online music marketing is the key to any band and artists success. If your looking to promote your band or artist and get your Myspace music player to have a higher song play count and major label type music promotion you have many more opportunities available today than could of been imagined just a few years ago.

Increase your myspace song plays and views using a do it yourself Myspace Plays increaser software to have total control of your music promotion for your band or artist.

If you’re an artist or band, music promotion is a area of you must focus on.

Creating great music is crucial, but the music business is just that… a “business”. The competion for potential fans is greater today than ever before. Promotion is the key to the success of any aspiring artist or band.

Talent will get you noticed, but promotion is what sells CD’s, digital downloads, gets you loyal fans and gets people to your shows.

Hiring a professional promoter can help jump-start your career. There are also services like TuneBoom Pro that will handle certain key areas such as Myspace Promotion. This is perfect as you might find taking care of your own promotion does not leave you enough time to actually be the artist. And for those that do have the time they even offer software to help you do it yourself.

Whether you use a myspace plays and views increaser software or a service to do it for you make sure that they have many “promotion packages” for aspiring indie artists and also experience working with many major artist’s, labels and managers.

if you’ve already recorded your music and offer your music as a digital download or CD, and if you’re ready to perform live on a regular basis it is crucial that you take a proactive role in your music promotion. Use them to increase and get more myspace music and video plays and promote your page so new fans will find you.

How do you get exposure to the largest audience on a reasonable budget? Myspace music promotion is the most effective tool a band can use to get a viral buzz started. By building up your Fans/Friends and having a active Myspace music player you will have a greater chance of getting noticed and standing out from the crowd.

It is important that potential fans and important music executives and venue booking agents do not come to your page and see a low myspace music player play count or they will get the impression that you do not have many fans and that you are not marketable.

Also make sure to keep all your fans informed of your performance schedule and other band info by using the “bulletin” feature and the section to post your upcoming shows.

This is a exciting time for the indie artist and band. You now have the exact same tools available to you that the todays top artist and major labels use..In fact by using TuneBoom Pro you are using the same service and company they use and they also offer new affordable promotional packages.

Get your artist and band noticed now by using these exciting proven promotional strategies and packages.

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If you focus on achieving all the above you will have a strong opportunity to get more fans to notice you as well and venues to book you and important music executives and insiders. If your looking to get attention and get noticed and signed by a record label these strategies are your tools to getting you to stand out.