College gigs are the stepping stones to the bigger scene. However, if you talk to a few people who have followed this path, they will eagerly tell you what a painful process it is. It is true that booking college gigs can be painful sometimes, but not if you follow the guidelines given below.

The first step is to put together a promo package or an EPK. Secondly, you need to get in touch with the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), The Association for the promotion of campus activities (APCA) or a booking agent that is associated with the above mentioned organizations. The third option, hiring a booking agent, could be costly if you are an emerging artist or a band.

Once you submit an application form to NACA or APCA via their website for a fee, you will be granted membership. Thereafter, the journey becomes a bed of roses because these two organizations will guide you through every step of the way. If you are concerned about the financials, it is a good idea to check their official websites for membership fees, validity period and renewal fees.

Read the entire article “How to Book College Gigs” in the Band ToolBox here.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career.  Enter the Band Toolbox here.

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

NEW MUSIC SEMINAR (NMS) HAS FINALIZED PROGRAM FOR LA EVENT

The New Music Seminar (NMS) has finalized the program for this year’s seminar, one day after the Grammys. Network with the leaders in today’s music business. It includes Presidents of major label record companies, CEO’s of major tech companies, branding and licensing companies showing artists how to best promote their music and how to get gain the most exposure to make more money.

The program includes 15-18 Minute segments on “How Artists Can Make More Money”, Movements on “How to Maximize fan Relationship Income” and “How to sell tickets in multiple markets” in order to make REAL Money in the music business. The industry has changed and no other conference helps artists in obtaining their goal of financial freedom.

The New Music Seminar does, in addition to the program and the networking, it includes giving away the NMS New Music Business Guidebook, with over 100 pages filled with facts, forms, promotion and marketing tips, contact information, useful websites and other valuable information.

For the best networking of any conference register now! REGISTER NOW AND GET FREE THE NMS NEW MUSIC BUSINESS GUIDEBOOK FROM NMS NYC 2009 IF YOU REGISTER BEFORE FEBRUARY 2ND IN ADDITION TO THE BOOKLET FOR NMS LA 2011.

For more information go to www.NewMusicSeminar.com and enter secret code NMSLANMT2377 after clicking on the Partner’s discount for your 2 for 1 discount registration courtesy of The Music Tip Sheet.

Volunteer For NMS

Click here to download the volunteer form.We at the New Music Seminar are always looking for volunteers to join the revolution of the new music business with us. We are currently looking for volunteers to help out for the NMS Los Angeles conference taking place the day after the Grammys: February 14-16, 2011. These volunteers will help us immediately in coordinating promotion and organizing the production of the event by working hand-in-hand with the NMS Team. This position has been acknowledged as an internship credit by most music business universities.

Since the early 1980s, NMS volunteers have gone on to run major record companies, agencies, management companies and become leaders in the music industry for over three decades. By becoming an NMS volunteer, you are joining a legion of others before you as part of the NMS family that will help you in building your position in the industry and give you a unique advantage over others to network. There is no better way to meet your future employers or business partners than by becoming an NMS volunteer and working on an event that is creating the NEW music industry.

Please fill out and email the completed form to ella@newmusicseminar.com

NMS PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING TO ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ACCEPTED:

1. A letter from the Executive Directors Tom Silverman and Dave Lory as a reference for your future employers. Please check with your local university for internship credit as NMS has been accredited by other music business programs across the US.

2. Free admission to the New Music Seminar and the NMS New Music Business Guidebook, filled with promotional and marketing tips, dos and don’ts, useful facts, forms, web sites, blogs and other valuable information to help your career as an artist, manager, agent, label or in any other areas of the music industry you chose to enter into. Each volunteer will have time to enjoy the seminar as well as working at this important event.

3. An opportunity to learn and work as a team in putting on a successful event and showcases.

4. Each volunteer will receive a complimentary breakfast and lunch during the 2 to 3 days at NMS that you are working.

Click here to download the volunteer form.

Our long time friend Ronny North will be all over NAMM again this year.  If you are there, go say hi and tell him Hothouse Studios sent you. 

I thought I’d give everyone the update on Ronny’s NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) schedule for this week. He’s looking forward to seeing everyone at his performance when he headlines the NAMM kickoff event on Jan 12^th, 2011 at the Hilton at the Anaheim Convention Center and at the show every day.

He also has some cool new RN stickers and promo 8×10′s to sign… when you see him at the show just come up and ask for one, if you want him to sign a photo, not a problem.  As most of you know Ronny is always up for getting his picture taken with everyone at these events so if you wanna get a shot together with Ronny, so not a problem. All you have to do is ask. It was great taking photos with everyone at the R-n-R Gangstar Pre NAMM party on Friday. 

Ronny will also be doing several actual signing events at the show with special promo shots he had made especially for the sponsors he is signing for (see info below).  If you are so inclined you can get all three 2011 RN NAMM promo shots at the show and have your own RN picture collection….

Here’s the info for Ronny North’s NAMM appearances:

• Jan 12th – Headlining the NAMM kickoff event  at 10pm at the Hilton (Open to public, free admission, No NAMM Badge needed),

In NAMM (Anaheim Convention Center) Jan 13-16th, NAMM Badge needed ):

• Dean Markley ( Hall B booth 5710) I’m signing at the booth on 1/13,1/16 (1pm),
• R-n-R Gangstar Apparel (Hall D booth 2586) I’ll be signing/playing 1/13,1/14 (12 pm)
• Brace Audio ( Hall B booth 5894) playing /signing 1/13 (10am) 1/14,1/16 (11am)…

See you there…..

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Call Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Let Music Fill the Air

This holiday season all of us here at Hothouse Studios want to celebrate and share our peace and joy with everyone by wishing you and all those you love the greatest holiday season ever, full of good cheer and thanksgiving.

We are thankful to all of you who supported us throughout the year and made us the #1 neighborhood rehearsal facility in Southern California.  We are grateful for your allegiance and look forward to our continuing relationship.

 We are committed to providing you with our time honored service and support. 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

California Jamming Band

On Camera Rehearsal

If you are familiar with the Movie School of Rock, you can imagine how an on camera rehearsal could benefit a band.  This type of rehearsal is pre-planned, with someone bringing in the video camera.  If possible, a TV should be brought in as well to watch the video right afterwards.  What are the benefits of doing an on camera rehearsal?

Ø  It’s an official dress rehearsal which includes being dressed. 

Most bands don’t do “dress rehearsals” that include being dressed for the part but if you are videotaping, even if just to review everything, the clothes should be included.  You never know when you will need filler for a music video later! 

Ø  The moves you think are cool may not be/you think you are moving and your feet are glued to the floor.

Another big reason for the on camera rehearsal is to make sure everyone looks good jamming out.  Many times, a band is into their music and it looks great but occasionally you will have that one band with that one guy that is over the top and insane compared to the rest of the band, like Jack Black’s character in School of Rock, for example.

Ø  To Avoid Clichés

There are so many “rock” clichés that avoiding them all is impossible.  With that said, trying to avoid some of the egregious ones is an important part of your presence.
By videotaping, you can tell whether you or your band mates are doing anything too weird and zany.  Often times, you will do things and not even realize it while on stage. 

Read the entire “On Carmera Rehearsal” article here in the Band Toolbox.

Hothouse Studios is more than a top notch rehearsal facility, we are a music career learning center and the Band Toolbox has over a 100 articles in it on various subjects relating to succeeding in your music career.  Enter the Band Toolbox here.

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Giving thanks is good for your health. Decades of research has shown that adults, who feel gratitude more often, have better social connections, optimism, and energy.

On this Thanksgiving Day we take time to appreciate all of the good things we have in life.

With our sincere gratitude we thank all of you, the incredible people in the Hothouse studio community.  Thank you for filling the studios with your magnificent music.  We wish you all a successful life.  May your hearts and home be full of divine blessings on this Thanksgiving Day and thereafter!

Hothouse Studios continues our commitment to Giving You, the most creative, friendly and professional rehearsal facility in the world.

The Staff at Hothouse Studios
Wishes you and yours a wonderful holiday.
Thank you for your business!
Don, Kirk and Richard

Pictured here: Joe | Shem | Richard | Doug | Burleigh | David | Chris

Friday, Ambrosia locked out “the auditorium” and it was like a bit of heaven dropped by for the day.  The guys showed up for rehearsal one at a time which was perfect, cause I got to personally greet Shem, David, Burleigh, Chris, Joe and Doug as they arrived.  They were all so gracious and welcomed me into their group. 

Like all the seasoned players that rehearse here, set up was a breeze. The guys are completely organized and through planning and practice they know exactly how to set themselves up.  Mixing the sound board was cake because they told me exactly what they needed.  Preparedness it’s a characteristic I’ve noticed in all the successful people I meet. 

When the music began it was like listening to the stereo.  Each song alive and breathing, each note precise, each vocal harmony on the button, each song so balanced.  I left the door to the hallway open all day so I could enjoy the music.  

During rehearsal breaks I really got to meet everyone.  The conversations were like the ones I have with my childhood friends, so easy with no pretense. Joe and I even talked about our families from Spain that was very a very cool connection. 

Everyone that dropped by noticed the quality of the songs and the musicianship and asked me “who is that in the studio”.  For the privacy of the band I always just say “some real professionals aren’t they awesome”. 

It’s amazing how fast time passes when you’re listening to good music while you work and I was sad to see the guys leave at the end of the day.  It sure seemed like Burleigh could sense this and he assured me they would be back because the guys told him they loved place. He even gave me a hot off the press, one of kind Ambrosia T-Shirt. I was stoked. 

Thank you guys for the friendship. 

• Joe Puerta — vocals, bass, guitar
• Christopher North — keyboards (primarily Hammond organ and Chamberlin), synthesizers, backing vocals
• Burleigh Drummond — Drums, percussion, vocals, bassoon
• Doug Jackson – guitars, backing vocals
• Shem Von Shroeck – vocals, percussion, guitar, bass
• David Cutler-Lewis – keyboards, synthesizers

Learn more about Ambrosia at their artist page here.

I had an amazing experience Thursday night.  I went to watch Messenger, one of our favorite bands that rehearses’ here, perform at a restaurant/bar called the Sunset Room in Hacienda Heights.  I had a blast!

Messenger’s two hour set began with Melinda solo on acoustic guitar performing original material and covering some of her favorite songs.  She had the crowding mesmerized.

The band took the stage and the sounds of Messenger filled the club.  The crowd loved their music and loud applause ended every song.  Patrons got up and started dancing and the place was hopping with energy.  Messenger put on a dazzling show.

Watch an exclusive video and learn more about Messenger at their artist page at Hothousestudios.com.

The Sunset Room is a throwback to a better time when music venues didn’t make the band pay to play.  Here is the amazing part…the Sunset Room pays the band to be the live entertainment for their patrons.  That’s right, they pay the band.  They know the value of live music   

The Sunset Room offers an upscale ambience with a laid back vibe.  They have a well rounded menu and every Thursday emerging bands take center stage and the dinner crowd is there enjoying their meal and the live music.  I just loved it.

I’ll be mentioning the Sunset Room to all the bands that rehearse here at Hothouse Studios as the venue to play.

Offer Extended! Ends Monday, May 3

Through Monday night, use Coupon Code PLAY at checkout or when you call 800-217-0948 to instantly save up to 15% (maximum $500 discount) on your entire order of $100 or more! Thousands of products qualify, so act now and take advantage of these instant savings before they’re gone!

Take advantage of Hothouse rehearsal studios affiliation with Musicians Friend and save big with this weeks special discounts.  For the past six years Hothouse Rehearsal studios has offered discounts to the people in the bands that rehearse at our facility.  Come join our rehearsal community and Save, Save, Save… 

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is always looking out for your welfare with discounts, promotions and just spreading positivity.  Find out how here.

For an First Rate
Audio | Video | Rehearsal Experience
Go to Hothouse Studios
“Where Music Grows”

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios, 11823 Slauson Ave., Unit 41, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, USA  562.945.1300

Alex has been part of the community of musicians and artist that rehearse here at Hothouse studios since we opened back in October of 2003 and it is an honor that year after year Alex uses studio 1 (the auditorium) to shoot his “drum lesson” for Modern Drummer Magazine.  Thank You Alex!!! 

Alex has been in rehearsing so look for a new video soon.