"The Pack"

Esperanza Spalding Holding her Grammy

Independent Music got a huge boost with this year’s Grammy award for Best New Artist as unsigned artist Esperanza Spalding beat out the well-know artist Justin Bieber, as well as the high-profile artists Drake and Florence & the Machine.  Living in Los Angeles, the home of the Grammy’s, I caught a story on one of our local television stations about Esperanza Spalding.  As it turns out, this lady is quite talented and has taught herself to play many instruments; but ultimately settled on playing the double bass at the age of 16.

Winning a Grammy is a remarkable accomplishment and one that few artists ever experience, let alone an independent 26-year-old jazz bassist and singer.  In fact, according to the report I watched on ABC News, Esperanza Spalding’s Grammy for Best New Artist was the first time ANY Jazz artist has won the Best New Artist category.

As a huge supporter of a collection of Independent artists known as “The Pack”, I was quite impressed and excited with Esperanza’s Grammy.  Why?  Because her success proves that an artist DOES NOT necessarily need to be signed with a big label or have corporate ties to succeed.  What I did learn, however, is there were a few key ingredients that may have helped her win.  You see, Esperanza is a musical prodigy and through the years, she has acquired some famous fans and many critics have applauded her music.

“Esperanza first started playing when she was just 4 years of age and within on year, at the age of 5, she joined the Chamber Music Society of Oregon, in the United States. At the age of 20, she became the youngest faculty member at the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

While she won the best new artist award this year, she’s been around for a while. “Esperanza,” her 2008 album, spent more than 70 weeks on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and was the most successful internationally selling debut that year. She recorded her first album, “Junjo,” in 2006. ” (ABC News, February 14, 2011)

50K Music Magazine is all about supporting independent music and since I have the same passion, 50K Music Magazine and I thought it would be a natural fit to team up and help promote the  indie artists we support. Personally, I am looking forward to this new collaborative effort.  It’s a win/win for everyone and with a little creativity and a lot of hard work…who knows, one of the artists we support may be on that stage one day…holding a Grammy.

Anyone who knows me understands the passion I have for “The Pack”.  I am proud of these artists; but completely devoted to them as well.  They are all exceptionally talented, intelligent, and super hard-working artists who all deserve out support.

Beginning in November of 2010, Radio Enkhuizen out of the Netherlands started playing music by “The Pack” on a regular basis and just last week, another radio station, Vixen FM, The Fox’s Den Radio ProgrammeVixen 101 FM out of England welcomed their music, as they played songs by 9 of the artists.  Next week, they will play music by the other artists. Additionally, I’ve submitted a couple of CDs to NPR radio from the United States…the world’s largest radio station and a HUGE supporter of ALL music.  Next, I’ll be shooting for Los Angeles radio stations…which would be the ultimate prize!  People in Los Angeles spend a great deal of time in their cars and because of this…radio is a major part of the LA lifestyle.

It’s all about reaching out to as many people as possible; because if the music is good, people will not only request it…they will buy it.

To everyone who supports independent music…thank you!  Collectively, we can all make a difference…it’s our choice.

-Wolfman

Independent Artists…their music is their own. No labels dictating their sound or their lyrics. The music they produce, comes from within…it’s their being, their soul.

They bring us some of the best music on the planet and they do it not for money or fame, but because it is what they love and wish to share.  So when others find time to support and help them, it’s a gift that keeps giving.

The 50K Music Magazine has started a special project to help promote independent musicians – The 50K MUSIC Squad.  Much like “The Pack“, The 50K MUSIC Squad will promote indie artists comprising a wide range of genres.  The artists in the 50K MUSIC Squad represent Kompis’ favorite music and I am thrilled to see that he has included our own Fleur Jack!

Kompis will focus on helping the members with their album-raising projects on Sellaband, AKA Music, and other sites.  He will also run special promotional activities on social networking sites such as Facebook, and will create profiles for each member on the 50K Music Magazine web site.

This is a wonderful idea and I am happy to see independent artists getting his promotional help.  I encourage all to visit his site and meet the 50K MUSIC Squad!

Cheers!

Wolfman

The February 2010 issue of the $50K Music Magazine is featuring articles about Angie Arsenault, Gisel de Marco, LeeAnn Casey, and Lindy Waldeck.  Angie Arsenault is gracing the cover this month with a wonderful picture taken from her “Once Upon a Dream” album and the write-up about her is a very insightful piece about her musical journey, news about her album, and her current fund raising project on Sellaband.

Gisel summarizes everything that has happened since she hit her budget goal and when we can expect to receive her debut album.  You can feel the excitement and energy in Gisel’s answers.

LeeAnn talks about how her short time on Sellaband has been an uplifting experience, a little bit about her background, and some insight in to the studio she will be recording her debut album in.

In Lindy Waldeck ’s article, she explains how she was drawn in to music and some insight into her fund-raising experience for her upcoming Jazz (and more) album financed by believers from Sellaband.

All of the articles are nicely written and you will learn a lot about each of these artists.  I encourage you to read it, if you haven’t already.

Cheers!

Wolfman