Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 50

Thread: Releasing Your Very Own Prog

  1. #1

    Releasing Your Very Own Prog

    Anyone not currently in a prog group ever feel the temptation to release some prog of your own? I've just finished recording my first "epic" and am thinking of taking the plunge to expand the project to a full album. Anyone had any experience with this?

  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by The Elf King View Post
    Anyone not currently in a prog group ever feel the temptation to release some prog of your own? I've just finished recording my first "epic" and am thinking of taking the plunge to expand the project to a full album. Anyone had any experience with this?
    YES...actually. it is fun. it took off..and now working on the follow up.

    best of luck! let me know if you would like to know more...

    patric

  3. #3
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    I thought I had already commented here. I guess not.

    Releasing music, if you are not prepared to back it up by playing out is usually a disappointing experience. Of course if you have just written the next Close to the Edge you may find it an amazing journey. But somehow I think even a Close to the Edge wouldn't even be well received in today's market. - I guess by that I mean todays non-market. Some people find it very rewarding to release new music - for sale. Most find themselves in an echo chamber of silence. It is what it is.

    I tried in 2005. Thought I'd written a great piece of music. Wrong. It was almost average. Not easy to swallow, but the truth. If you want my honest opinion, I do not think its worth the effort. If you want the hyped version, it Yeah man! come on board! you're gonna do great!

    People like you who consider releasing new prog are a dying breed. If you feel "called" to do it, If you feel you must, you probably should, because you'll never know until you've tried. I just dont have anything particularly encouraging to say. Whatever you do, start with a limited pressing that you can afford to pay for, and be prepared to hang on to it for years. Dont skip a vacation or sacrifice your kids college money to put anything out. When you pay for that release, consider the investment gone. Its not likely you'll get it back. If you do, great! I for one, will buy it if you put it out and I hear about it. I love underdogs.

    If you are going to support it by playing shows, and you have a way to get booked, I think that's a game changer. You can sell your CD - or whatever at the shows that is how its done. Basements of ex-musicians are filled with boxes of disks they will never have a use for. If you do better than that, then wow, let me be the first to congratulate you.

    Just my 4 cents worth.

  4. #4
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Divided Snakes of America
    Posts
    1,981
    Make the album if that is your passion I say. I may do the same at some point but it will be a personal work with no expectation of recognition. As long as I am proud of it that's how I would measure success. Cheers!

  5. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    416
    I've been recording music in my home studio, built around a Tascam DP-24SD. I was thinking of releasing some of my songs as downloads through Bandcamp. I have no expectations of making significant money or reaching a large audience. I record music because I enjoy it. And reaching even a few people (other than my friends) would be nice.

  6. #6
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    Quote Originally Posted by Soc Prof View Post
    I've been recording music in my home studio, built around a Tascam DP-24SD. I was thinking of releasing some of my songs as downloads through Bandcamp. I have no expectations of making significant money or reaching a large audience. I record music because I enjoy it. And reaching even a few people (other than my friends) would be nice.
    I agree with your sentiments. Composing music is the greatest Video game/past time ever. When it comes to releasing it? - That's an entirely different game and involves - at least for me, a lot of disappointment. Especially in the current environment (circa 2005) In 2001 I re-released a couple albums of my 80's band that had only been available on Vinyl - and it was like the proverial "selling pot to middle schoolers" (which I have never done! - for you FBI/DOJ blokes who are spying on me...)

    Anyway, I listened to the advice of people who had bought it, and decided to try a new "reunion" album - What a unique idea that no one has ever thought of before! So in 2005 I released a third album - All the other band members were smart enough to tell me they weren't interested in doing it, so I kind of "borrowed" our collective fame and did it solo. Well, one person of a 4 piece band is going to make music that's different isn't it? Anyway, Karma spanked me, and the thing just failed spectacularly. Then in 2008, a label said " let us give it a try..." well, that didnt turn out very good because I had to manufacture another 3500 units. (cha-ching!) all that fundage I had bilked from the previous releases - It wasn't a lot, but it was something - gone, and then some. Some very bad things seemed to be happening as a result of me being "hopeful"

    1. My CD was loaded on Pirate Bay and many free downloads ensued
    2. The label wound up going under after a few years - after I recieved one check for 168.00 - not blaming anyone but myself.
    3. I had to buy back the remaining 400 cd's at a dollar each, plus postage. Or the disks were jsut going in the trash (Irony?)

    Conclusion:
    4500 units - self manufactured
    + 168.00 in royalties
    + Bakruptcy of CSV distribution Europe
    + $0 in download royalties (Sold at LEAST 200+disks at label, but never a single download???)
    + buying back my own inventory
    ----------------------------------------
    BIG MISTAKE

    Lesson learned: If you want to dream, dream small. I loved producing original music! I have never stopped producing music. But "releasing" music IMO - is just not a happy experience. You get very little positive out of it. I think I have a handful of responses to my music and those are absolutely worth solid gold, but I've realized I may have received the same amount of satisfaction by just giving it away. I may have saved myself enough to take my Family to Disneyland.

    I feel like I owe some of you who are considering this - this lesson I have learned - My way of paying Karma back.

    BUT!!! You will NEVER know if you don't try... keep it simple. I don't think anyone "made" anything off my experience,
    I have no lingering hostility towards anyone or anything, though I do have to say I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE STEAL MUSIC and then say they feel no shame for it. There is a special place in hell waiting for you - Right there next to other thieves and child porn sex fraks.

    Whew... I need a xanex.

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Sussex, England.
    Posts
    3,094
    You have to do it for your own enjoyment and don't expect any commercial success. You'll find tons of great music on Bandcamp that has sold 5 copies. Yes indeed, Close To The Edge if released today could be totally ignored or at least would only sell a max of a few thousand copies if backed by a record label. In recent times Steven Wilson is the only proggy artist who has found success and that is because he has strived for wider crossover appeal - and it took him the best part of 20 years to do it!

  8. #8
    All Things Must Pass spellbound's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Eastern Sierra
    Posts
    3,114
    If you love something, set it free, release it. If it doesn't come back, was it really prog?
    We're trying to build a monument to show that we were here
    It won't be visible through the air
    And there won't be any shade to cool the monument to prove that we were here. - Gene Parsons, 1973

  9. #9
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    Maybe it just is "progressing" away from you...

  10. #10
    I keep composing and put my music on internet. I'm not good in the promoting thing, and live playing isn't my thing as well. I have sheet-music available of my latest stuff, for anyone interested in playing it.

  11. #11
    Jazzbo manqué Mister Triscuits's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Utopia
    Posts
    5,390
    I've been trying to drum up some reviews of my latest album, with almost no success. Even the dedicated avant music websites tend not to respond. With the huge amount of music out there, it's really hard to get any attention at all these days.
    Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
    https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
    http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx

  12. #12
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Divided Snakes of America
    Posts
    1,981
    ^^^

    Yeah that sucks. I know I'm pissing into an ocean, but I checked out the snippets from Paleozoic and it's up my alley and will be part of my next Wayside order.

  13. #13
    Jazzbo manqué Mister Triscuits's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Utopia
    Posts
    5,390
    ^ Many thanks!
    Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
    https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
    http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx

  14. #14
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    16,529
    Does it cost anything to put music up on Bandcamp? I don't think so - I think Bandcamp just gets a reasonable cut of sales. As someone mentioned above, there's a TON of interesting music on Bandcamp that probably hasn't sold a lot of copies, and you can buy for a buck. I actually search for the bargains there, in the genres I'm interested in, and I've bought a load of music. It has also led to me becoming a fan of some pretty obscure artists, and buying more expensive albums.

    I definitely think worrying about releasing music before recording it is putting the cart before the horse. Just let yourself create, and worry about the selling part later.

    Mister Triscuits, I'll check out your new album! It's a different world now that, for example, Expose isn't coming into our homes in a printed version - that's how I found most of my music back in the day.

    Any chance of putting the album on Bandcamp?

  15. #15
    Jazzbo manqué Mister Triscuits's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Utopia
    Posts
    5,390
    Quote Originally Posted by JKL2000 View Post
    Any chance of putting the album on Bandcamp?
    Although it is available for download/streaming at various sites, I really want to encourage people to buy the physical release (preferably the vinyl edition) as the artwork is meant to be part of the experience.
    Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
    https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
    http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx

  16. #16
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    16,529
    Quote Originally Posted by Mister Triscuits View Post
    Although it is available for download/streaming at various sites, I really want to encourage people to buy the physical release (preferably the vinyl edition) as the artwork is meant to be part of the experience.
    I don't have a turntable. I prefer Bandcamp because you can buy the CD and also stream the music from their app and download it too.

  17. #17
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    Quote Originally Posted by JKL2000 View Post
    I definitely think worrying about releasing music before recording it is putting the cart before the horse. Just let yourself create, and worry about the selling part later.
    Bang on! Create music for yourself, not for a perceived audience. Its that particular journey that's important. It's the most fulfilling too. For old bands Like Zeppelin - ya know the old school guys, they kind of had to do what fans wanted. If you play to that, you find out quick that fans have no allegiance to you. That model doesnt work anymore.

  18. #18
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    416
    I'm involved with the Colorado Art Rock Society, and I notice that a lot of the members are continuing to release physical CDs of their music: The Other Side, Stencil Forest (new CD coming soon, supposedly), Jamie Krutz (ditto), Every Waking Hour (ditto), Singularity. AFAIK, none of these acts are expecting large sales figures.

    I've also noticed a lot of CD-R releases on CD Baby. I assume these have lower production costs than conventional silver CDs?

  19. #19
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Sussex, England.
    Posts
    3,094
    Quote Originally Posted by Mister Triscuits View Post
    I've been trying to drum up some reviews of my latest album, with almost no success. Even the dedicated avant music websites tend not to respond. With the huge amount of music out there, it's really hard to get any attention at all these days.
    Hey Mister Triscuits, your music sounds really good.

  20. #20
    Jazzbo manqué Mister Triscuits's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Utopia
    Posts
    5,390
    Quote Originally Posted by Steve983 View Post
    Hey Mister Triscuits, your music sounds really good.
    Thank you!
    Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
    https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
    http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx

  21. #21
    Member spiderfeathers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    110
    Quote Originally Posted by spellbound View Post
    If you love something, set it free, release it. If it doesn't come back, was it really prog?
    Make it free too, if it's digital anyway. Especially if you listen for free.
    Last edited by spiderfeathers; 02-16-2018 at 02:28 PM. Reason: dbag

  22. #22
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    If you dont, who will?

    Of course, (IMO) if you were to get your post count up a little more, it would be very helpful for you. This community is pretty patient with its own established members, as far as self promotion goes, Most of us dont do it, and some of us have been here for a looong time. but joining merely to dump leaflets advertising yourself and show little interest in other things is a solid no-no. Clearly (IMO) that's not you(Jun 2016 gives you decent cred in my book) I was stunned that my post count was so low, but as I recall, we all were at zero for a good number of years - am I right about that?

    About the only thing you can be certain of is people can smell a:

    "hello all you music fans!! were a new band and have just released the greatest Rap album ever!!! check us out at www.douchebagisaband.com" thanks guys! great site you have here!!! - LATER!!"

    (joined: Feb 16, 2018 - Posts 0)

    "It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever" when it comes to promotion...

  23. #23
    Man of repute progmatist's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona
    Posts
    3,809
    Quote Originally Posted by Soc Prof View Post
    I'm involved with the Colorado Art Rock Society, and I notice that a lot of the members are continuing to release physical CDs of their music: The Other Side, Stencil Forest (new CD coming soon, supposedly), Jamie Krutz (ditto), Every Waking Hour (ditto), Singularity. AFAIK, none of these acts are expecting large sales figures.

    I've also noticed a lot of CD-R releases on CD Baby. I assume these have lower production costs than conventional silver CDs?
    CD-Rs are very time consuming to produce. The burn process is snail-paced compared to simply stamping out professional CDs, even with a multiple drive burner. It does save some money however...investing your own sweat equity rather than paying someone else to do it. Not the mention a mastering CD burner is extremely expensive, as well as each blank mastering CD to go with it. Master CDs are essential for professional CD production.
    "Well my son, life is like a beanstalk, isn't it?"--Dalai Lama

  24. #24
    Jazzbo manqué Mister Triscuits's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Utopia
    Posts
    5,390
    Besides being cheaper per unit, CD-Rs may be the only option for producing a small run. The manufacturers I've looked at require a minimum order of 300 units for glass-mastered ("replicated") CDs; smaller orders are available as burned ("duplicated") CDs.
    Hurtleturtled Out of Heaven - an electronic music composition, on CD and vinyl
    https://michaelpdawson.bandcamp.com
    http://www.waysidemusic.com/Music-Pr...MCD-spc-7.aspx

  25. #25
    Member Yodelgoat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Tejas
    Posts
    1,065
    Replicated CD's are actually quite affordable, if you think you might sell 500-1K - which is certainly possible if you work hard and have an exceptional product. I think you can get 500 for around 1.20 each at Nationwide. They have sales where you can get 500 for around $600 - not bad, and that's not a lot to risk. But its the "undetected" expenses that can really kill you. Postage seems to really take a bite out of you. Miscelaneous printing, little things here and there and you are up around 2 bucks a CD. to me anything approaching a grand is major money. I imagine I am not the only one who feels that way.

    I have heard very good things about Mister Triscuits music... I think he is an exception who should be releasing his music. There is definitely a respect for his work, here at PE. I'm glad to hear he is doing OK with still selling units. If he can get Vinyl sales going, the markup for that is pretty impressive - or so I've heard. Just having Vinyl will get you into just about any mortar music store these days. Guitar Center is selling Vinyl! I still have a few factory sealed units of our 1984 album I have thought about taking there. They'd probably just rip me off though. At one time our first album was selling for 150 on ebay, - well it was for sale for that. I then released the album on CD and the price crashed big time!

    Anyway Triscuits - Are you really having problems getting people to take your promos in exchange for a review? I thought people had full time gigs asking for promos and promising a review. - Of course sometimes they will just take your promo and sell it on ebay as "still sealed". Wonderful what some human beings are capable of...

    I hope you find people willing to do reviews. it would be too bad if good, established artists had trouble finding someone who can do that. I used to read a lot of reviews, but I have kind of stopped over the past few years. I dont know why. Some of the reviewers are full of shit, to be honest. But I'm sure there are still some good ones out there. Someone with your rep ought to be able to find some qualified reviewers. I have a long list I have compiled from 2005-2008 of who NOT to send demo's to, if it would help. Chances are they have changed emails and addresses, or have hopefully died of some really awful disease.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •