Mel StirlingFirstly…I apologise! It has been quite a while since my last blog post. However, as you continue to read, I’m sure you’ll forgive my tardiness. Indeed, I’ve been a very busy bee these past few months and I have lots of news to share with you.
So what have I been up to…let’s see, released an EP, released a music video, booked a gig at one of the most iconic venues in West Hollywood (despite not having a band at the time), auditioned band members, finalised the band line-up and rehearsed before peforming at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go on the Sunset Strip. Needless to say…it has been a very hectic few months.
Let me walk you through all this in a bit more detail. The Standing to Fall EP is finally released and available on most digital music platforms including iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and Google Play…basically wherever you listen to tunes you will be able to find it. So please have a listen, let me know your thoughts and share with others if you think they’ll like it.
Releasing the EP was quite a mission as the process for ensuring your intellectual property is protected in the United States is complicated. There is a registration process with the Copyright Office and a multitude of other organisations that collect different types of digital, mechanical and performance royalties. I understand how artists who don’t have a mind for business and administration miss out on potential revenue. It’s a minefield and unfortunately there is no one-stop-shop to ensure music royalties are collected from all sources in the United States.
After a lot of research, I decided to release the EP via TuneCore’s distribution and publishing service. Although TuneCore charge an annual fee to keep product live in digital stores, it deducts less from artist royalties so in the long run if you’re aiming to be successful (which every artist should) TuneCore is the best option for independent musicians wishing to retain maximum ownership. I’m not really one to impart advice but be prepared to invest in yourself and your music. Nothing is free and if you’re in this to make money…then I suggest you persue another calling. You will spend more than you make and may never receive any returns. Needless to say the ROI is almost non-existent so be prepared to work another job to fund your music because scoring a million dollar recording contract these days is highly unlikely.
To promote the EP’s title track, I finally released the Standing to Fall music video. The video was directed and edited by my talented husband, Christian Stirling, and features compelling performances by Australian actors Beau Jones and Kristy Ellen Jackson.
Please check out the video and share if you dig it. It’s a little dark (surprise, surprise) but I think it suits the vibe of the song.
So I probably did things a bit backwards but hey…who cares…there’s no right or wrong way to navigate through this business. I wanted to play a big show to officially launch the Standing to Fall EP but I hadn’t recruited band members yet…no worries…when the Whisky a Go Go asks you to play a slot you just say OK and figure out the logistics of pulling it off later. This is not usually my style but it certainly pushed me into overdrive to get things happening quickly!
First things first, I put out the call for musicians and got a huge response. To my surprise, lots of musicians loved the material and wanted to be involved so I had the luxury of selecting the best players with personalities I felt would mesh well together. Funnily enough, despite being based in Los Angeles, there are no native Angelinos in my band. The line-up turned out to be quite international including drummer Victor Singer from France, lead guitarist Edi Roque from Brazil, bassist Amito Hoshino from Japan and cellist Jody Stark from Texas.
August 31 marks the day I achieved a lifelong ambition – perform at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go! Since opening in 1964 the Whisky a Go Go stage has been graced by music legends including Led Zepplin, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix and, as I write…Green Day are performing with Weezer and Fallout Boy. It was a tight turnround for my new band members (just four rehearsals before the show) but everyone did an amazing job learning the songs and I’m pretty sure the crowd couldn’t tell it was our first show together.
Of course, like any live performance, there were a few little mistakes and mishaps (like a chronic case of dry mouth and the kick pedal falling apart three songs into the set) but overall the gig rocked and the punters seemed to like us. For those who missed the show, you can watch it on YouTube.
Told you I’ve been busy. So what’s next! Well…more rehearsal, more shows and another music video to promote the Standing to Fall EP. All the while still juggling a full-time job, marriage and number of other side projects…hmmm…do you think I need a manager?