So why is it so hard to get a cd reviewed around here? I released a cd back in November, have sent it to every local publication, did the usual follow-ups, even had my promoter make some calls (so I'm not blowing my own horn, as it were) and have yet to get 1 response. I'm getting plenty of feedback from other musicians and fans (even complete strangers), but those responses don't mean shit on the "bio".

So who do you guys send your stuff to in order to get a review? I'm not talking about some guy who's gonna tell me how much he loved it, or how great it is....I'm just looking for an honest write up.

Maybe the local press just doesn't think you need it? You're fairly/relatively established, it's kinda taken for granted that the cd is good. I think a good amount of local reviews are:
1. friends
2. trying to help out a band that doesn't have a promoter or fans, don't tour.
3. genre specific (and maybe they don't feel qualified to critique a genre they don't know well. I know I wouldn't have a yardstick to judge it by other than: "good")

So let me get this straight.....I can't get a review because I am too established? Or I am not friends with the right people?
Have you seen my bio?....I've got NO PRESS-NONE-ZILCH. I have one quote that was something a close family friend said.
And in what part of the world am I so established that every one has heard my cd? I mean other than my own back yard?(OK so my beagle did give it 3 barks and a long howl, but still)

What about national publications? Who takes open submissions from unsigned/indie artist? I recently sent one to "Singer" magazine, but I'm not expecting to hear anything about that for a few months, if at all.

Not to sound like I'm bitching at you Levi, I just don't get it.....I've been told that this cd contains some of my best work EVER, and yet I can't get even one local rag to say ANYTHING about it. It is kind of discouraging.

I'm not saying I have it "straight" at all, or that those are good reasons either, I was just speculating. From what I'd heard ("on the street") I would have just assumed you did have press. By established I just meant that you are getting shows, and out of town shows, which relatively is good. So yeah, I dunno, I'm sorry. That's crazy.

NO don't get me wrong Levi, I appreciate everything that I have gotten with respect to the cd,(the gigs, the showcases, the stupid little political dinners) I just can't seem to get any one to write a decent review.

And I appreciate you responding, as you are one of the respected/honest musicians in this scene.

quote:

Have you seen my bio?....I've got NO PRESS-NONE-ZILCH. I have one quote that was something a close family friend said.

Not to sound like I'm bitching at you Levi, I just don't get it.....I've been told that this cd contains some of my best work EVER, and yet I can't get even one local rag to say ANYTHING about it. It is kind of discouraging.

Weekly Alibi
V.14 No.47 | November 24 - November 30, 2005

"Jasper Brown gets Down—Little Kiss recording artist Jasper Brown will release his debut CD on Saturday, Nov. 26, at a semi-private party on the 200 block of Cornell. Edith Grove, The Backseat Rockers and others are set to perform next to Jasper—so if you haven't gotten an invite, I suggest you start making some phone calls. Or just buy the album. Jasper's The Plan is nine original tracks of Americana, folk and slack-rhythm rock that spirals out from the spare beauty and desolation of his Southeast New Mexican upbringing. Give it a few spins, and you'll be saying "she's got a thing for Jesus" in that same gentle tremolo of his. Look for the album any day now on the Little Kiss website (www.littlekiss.com) and www.cdbaby.com."

quote:

Originally posted by SquawkJockey:
...Little Kiss recording artist Jasper Brown will release his debut CD on Saturday, Nov. 26, at a semi-private party on the 200 block of Cornell...

I guess not owning a semi, of being very private kept me out of the loop....

ok...my bad....the alibi was kind enough to give a review for the cd release party....and a pretty good one, might I add. I guess I didn't really take that as a cd review as much as imformation about the party...And again let me say that I am gratefull for everything that the Albuquerque scene has done for me. So let me apologize for overlooking those guys and say that I didn't mean to come off like whining little....well you know.

Mr. Black....the parking was extreeeeeemly limited as you can imagine. It was pretty hard to fit those 45 rigs with trailers on Cornell street without interferring with the Frontier's business. But the next time we do such a party, I will make sure that there is room for black and all the little marias that would care to attend.

P.S. the little kiss web site is www.littlekissrecords.com

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jasper:
...Mr. Black....the parking was extreeeeeemly limited as you can imagine. It was pretty hard to fit those 45 rigs with trailers on Cornell street without interferring with the Frontier's business. But the next time we do such a party, I will make sure that there is room for black and all the little marias that would care to attend...
QUOTE]

Aw shucks! That is right kind of y'all. All us Black Maria's, large and small, would be stoked
to attend an event such as that. And if you do have us over, don't be surprised if some of us show up with (*gasp*) acoustic guitars. (Provided it's that sort of an affair.)
Hang tough Jasper. sometimes it takes the rest of the world a little time to catch up with us folks here in the 505.
(I almost can't believe I wrote that last line!)

i'm guilty as fuck for not reviewing submitted CDs. no excuses, i suck.
in fact i probably have about 15 local discs from the past year i've never covered, most of 'em freebies.
after eight years, i took an extended break from writing any zine stuff for almost six months.
anyway, now that miss jamie has created a killer new website, i want to get caught up on the CDs there soon-- although its probably too late to do much good anyway.

You have the answer right here in front of you. The interweb. With maybe an hours worth of work you can find 100 places to submit to for review. Some of them better then others, but all of them do it just to get free CDs it seems.

What I do is mine some bands that are similar to me and see where their press came from then submit there too.

I didn't start this thread to point any fingers at the local publications by any means. I actually wanted to know where I could send my CD's for review. Preferrably one that takes submissions from unsigned/indie artist and is not genre specific.

As far as the captain....no you don't suck...from what I have read/heard you are "tha man" when it comes to the Albuquerque scene. Actually I think what I heard was "a band isn't shit in the Albuquerque scene, until the captain has noticed them."(maybe not a direct quote, but you get the idea)
And the alibi has been GREAT when it comes to press. I will forever be know as the "alt-country troubador" by many of my associates, thanks to a write up they did for Jenny Gamble's Acoustic showcase a couple of weeks ago.
Thanx for that little tidbit there Dandee, I'll look further into the online sites that I had kind of written off before.
And finally Mr. Black.....be careful what you say....I may hold you to that acoustic black maria set. I think that would be a huge shock to the system, which I am always in favor of.

Thanks for letting me rant.....now I will go back to reading the forums, instead of starting shit.(even if that wasn't my intention)

quote:

Originally posted by Jasper:
...Mr. Black.....be careful what you say....I may hold you to that acoustic black maria set. I think that would be a huge shock to the system, which I am always in favor of.

Thanks for letting me rant.....now I will go back to reading the forums, instead of starting shit.(even if that wasn't my intention)

Well Jasper, we too are all about shocking the system and shaking up the status quo. People might not realize it, but we are complex, multi-dimentional men....many facets and unknown sides are shielded from public view and scrutiny.....but we are not hippies. Just really lazy....

quote:

Originally posted by Jasper:
Actually I think what I heard was "a band isn't shit in the Albuquerque scene, until the captain has noticed them

oh jesus.
that's just hogwash although i appreciate the vote of confidence.
most of the bands here on rocksqueak could tell you i've never seen or heard them and they seem to getting along quite well without me, thank you.

unlike the local music press, i'm not open-minded in coverage. my rag is a zine and my old-school definition of zine implies bias, opinion and in my case blantant nepotism.

although i'm sometimes red-faced about liking a band i'd previously blown off, i mostly know what "genres" i don't like and see no reason to cover them out of mis-placed notions of fairness just so i can write an unfavorable review.

as far as "the Albuquerque scene", there isn't just one.
i mean, there should be one overall to support each other and share info or whatever but go to any club on any night and you'll see many varied groups (cliques?) that make up their own "scene":
-metal and /or hard rock
-folk/alt.country/twang
-garage rock
-plain ol'rocknroll
-etc
then there's bands who are more "pro" in their attitude as far as promotion or ambition and those who want to make it but only in their scene/circuit.
or, how many types of "punks" can you find? dozens it seems!

my taste in music is broad (at least in my record collection but not always who i wanna go see) and i'm always surprised when i introduce local musicians who have both been around for years but don't know each other because they (professionally at least)have different musical tastes.
i may shamelessly promo some friends but i made friends with many bands because i liked their music in the first place.

quote:

Originally posted by captain america:
...my taste in music is broad...

What I think the good Capt. is trying to say is that he really only cares about bands with "broads" in them...

huh.
then why do i like you guys?
...
hey! you callin' me queer?!
odd maybe but ...

quote:

Originally posted by captain america:
huh.
then why do i like you guys?
...
hey! you callin' me queer?!
odd maybe but ...

...because we have long hair like a girl? Our pouty lips? The mood swings? Naw....you like us because......uh......ummm......because we rock and love rock??
Damn, you know, you liking us is actually quite perplexing....

And that sure as hell wasn't me that called you "queer". I mean, I know and have seen your lady friend------whooo-eee! hubba-hubba! (no disrespect intended, Ms. C.C. California!)

i concur whole-heartedly.
careful, though, mr black. i may have to defend CC's honor with verbal fisticuffs.
ha!

A few places that I liked were 75orless.com and cokemachineglow.com