Something To Learn From CellPhone Carriers

Wow, it’s been too long since my last article… will try not to do that again…
Okay, I suppose I shouldn’t speak for all cellphone companies, but in past experience I’ve seen cellphone companies offer fantastic incentives to join their network.  They’re offering huge discounts on the handsets, at times even free, very attractive talk and data plans, etc.  We all know the catch is that they want you to sign a contract with them for …

Amanda Palmer On Interacting With Fans (my pre-SXSW Interview)

Hi everyone.  So as I mentioned before, I moderated a panel at SXSW 2010, called “Too Much Information – Is Interacting Killing Rockstar Mystique?”
The goal was to have an open conversation about the strategies and various ways that artists are using social networking tools, and how it affects their fanbase, and their perceptions.  Is there such a thing as too much sharing?
The panel ended up being a ton of fun, and I think we had …

You Are Not An Aspiring Musician

I heard a radio commercial the other day, extolling the virtues of the electronics and audio store’s vast selection of headphones. “And for the aspiring musician on your list… we have the… blah blah blah.”
“Aspiring musician”…. that phrase gets tossed around a lot, but what does it mean? It seems to me that it’s something someone calls you if they don’t think you’re very successful at the moment. It’s almost offensive really. …

Your Input Needed! SXSW 2010 & Communicating With Fans

I’m excited to say that my panel topic has been accepted into the upcoming SXSW 2010 program, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to moderate this discussion.  Thanks to everyone who voted for it earlier this year!
In October I gave a talk on Communicating With Fans at the Halifax Pop Explosion Festival and Music Matters Conference.  I’ve received a lot of great feedback from that talk, and it prompted me to turn it into …

UStream.TV App for iPhone

On Dec. 9 of last year, the free (ad-supported) live-streaming site UStream.tv released a live video-broadcasting app for iPhone.  I’m sure the data-charges for using it could potentially get really out of hand if you used it over your 3G network, but if you’re within range of a free wifi network there are some really interesting things you could do with this.

broadcast live from backstage before a show, interact with the fans in the audience, …