SXSW

Pick the Panels at SXSW 2012

The FMC team gets very excited for SXSW Music Festival each year — Austin Texas rules, and we don’t get enough chances to hang out there. For the past couple of editions of SXSW, the conference dabbled in crowdsourcing programming ideas with it’s Panel Picke r, and just like last year, FMC is throwing its hat into the ring with what we think are some killer panel proposals. As of Monday, August 15 at 3 pm, YOU can vote for your favorite ideas (and ours, while you’re at it). read more

Differing Opinions on How to Make Money as a Musician

We recently came across three articles aiming to put into perspective how musicians can earn a living through music. Unsuprisingly, there are differing opinions about whether some of the activities listed are valid or preferable ways to make money (don’t worry — holding up a liquor store is not one of them). read more

FMC at SXSW '11!

It’s that time of year again! South By South West 2011 is around the corner and FMC is ready for, um, WINNING. If you’re at SXSW through March 15-20, be sure to track us down.

We’ll be all over the music portion of the Austin, TX event, with public talks, presentations and rock shows galore. The following is a batch of noteworthy SXSW ’11 panels, where FMC staff, boards and buds will cover pretty much every aspect of today’s music biz. And speaking of music, FMC’s very own Jean Cook will once again be performing with any number of bands throughout the festival. Catch her if you can!

FMC at South by Southwest 2011

March 15, 2011 - March 20, 2011

It’s that time of year again! South By SouthWest 2011 is around the corner and FMC is ready for, um, WINNING. If you’re at SXSW through March 15-20, be sure to track us down: Michael Bracy bracy [at] btbv [dot] com Jean Cook jean [at] futureofmusic [dot] org Alex Maiolo alex [at] futureofmusic [dot] org Chris Naoum chris [at] futureofmusic [dot] org Casey Rae-Hunter casey [at] futureofmusic [dot] org Kristin Thomson kristin [at] futureofmusic [dot] org read more

Alex Chilton of Big Star: Another Artist Without Health Insurance

You may have heard that Big Star leader Alex Chilton passed away on March 17 — a few days before a scheduled appearance at SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Chilton was the premier architect of a musical style that came to be known as "power-pop," and his work with Big Star influenced tons of acts, from Cheap Trick to R.E.M. to the Replacements to Wilco. Though the band didn't sell a ton of records when they were originally together, they left an indelible mark on rock 'n' roll, and their legacy looms large over pretty much anyone with a guitar and half a sense of melody. (Chilton had a whole sense. And then some.) read more

SXSW: Hot panel picks for Friday, March 19

Still with us? Here's today's hot picks for panels down at SXSW in Austin, TX:

11:00 AM Adult Rock Music Meeting Lots of great AAA radio folks on this panel, including NPR's Bob Boilen, MPR's Jim McGuinn, and WXPN's Bruce Warren.

11:00 AM CLE 1 - Music Policy, Legislation, and Food Fights Folks from the NMPA, AFTRA and SoundExchange will talk about legislative issues.

11:00 AM DIY or Sign with a Label A2IM's Rich Bengloff will be joined by all sorts of cool indie label folks. read more

SXSW: Hot panel picks for Thursday, March 18

It's day two of the music portion of SXSW. Here's our hot picks for panels today:

12:30 PM Does Rock and Roll Belong in a Museum? LA Times pop critic – and FMC advisory board member - Ann Powers will be joined by Jim Henke, Lauren Onkey and rocker Lenny Kaye.

02:00 PM Mentor Session 3 Sign up for a consultation with FMC's Alex Maiolo. *Alex is in Austin all week and is interested in meeting with managers, label folks, nonprofit organizations, even full bands, to talk generally about health insurance. Set up a meeting by emailing alex@futureofmusic.org. read more

SXSW: Hot panel picks for Wednesday, March 17

It's day one at SXSW Music, and Team FMC is on the ground in full force. Seeking guidance? Here's our hot picks for panel discussions happening today:

11:00 AM Successful SXSW: The Tao of the Conference FMC friend and CD Baby founder Derek Sivers will lead the way.

11:00 AM Evolution of Concert Booking and Programming Artist managers Mike Martinovich and Ian Montone will join promoters and booking agents for what's sure to be a lively discussion.

12:30 PM Caution Before Signing Includes FMC advisory board member -- and awesome artist attorney --John Strohm. read more

The Internet is Punk… Barbershop Punk

It’s been a few days, so let’s talk internet!

First up, we’d like to thank all of you who have taken the time to write a comment in the FCC’s Open Internet proceedings. And guess what? The Commission actually pushed back the submissions deadline for reply comments to April 8, so if you you haven’t yet filed, you can use our musician/fan/indie label-friendly comments tool to do so.

As we love reminding you all, keeping the internet open as a platform for everyone — musicians included — is one of the major policy issues of our time. By filing a comment, you can be a part of this historic proceeding. read more