Tip Jar: Mark Maxwell . . . “If You’re in a Band”If there is any one human being that knows about the trials and tribulations of living a musical life it is Mark Maxwell. The 50-something lead vocalist for Louisville, Kentucky band The Crashers and owner of Maxwell’s House of Music in Jeffersonville, IN grew up in a musical family. His father Marvin was a drummer in Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars and also owned a music store. And his older brother Max is a 30-year veteran of the Louisville music scene and drummer in The Crashers as well.“I was around a lot of good people and met some interesting players that worked with my dad,” recalls Maxwell on his formative years. “I had no choice but to fall into this thing. I worked in my dad’s music store at 18 years old. And for 40 years I’ve worked in a music store and played in original and cover bands.”Being immersed in the music world, Maxwell garnered a ton of experience that he wanted to share with his customers and his immediate music community at large. He had developed a strong business sense as well as a creative one as a vocalist and guitarist. Undoubtedly, a major turning point in his musical career happened 16 years ago when he formed The Crashers.“We’re just a fun cover band that is comprised of the same six guys who started it,” says Maxwell. “The best thing we did was, when we got together, we sat around a table and got to know each other. We knew we were good players, but could we live with each other for the rest of our lives? Once we determined that, we discussed what were our goals? And then we came up with these lofty goals and hit each one within three and a half years.”Over the years The Crashers have become one of the premier cover bands in the Louisville area, warming up for major acts, playing lucrative municipal, private and corporate events and doing feature shows in Mexico and the Caribbean. The affable singer and front man has learned a lot along the way and wanted to simply pay it forward.About six months ago Maxwell consulted with his store videographer about the notion of starting a series on their website offering tidbits on aspects of being in, and running a band, that would help other established and musicians in their town. “Everybody knows The Crashers in Louisville and we’ve built one of the most stable businesses in this town,” says Maxwell. “And everybody started doing the same thing we were because I kept saying this is what you oughta do.”So, Maxwell began posting 30 to 60 second videos on maxwellshouseofmusic.com that soon got added to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and throughout the social media universe. The series is called If You’re in a Band and features Maxwell casually positioned in various sections of his store nonchalantly extolling tips on musical performance, practice methods, audience interaction, marketing, etc. Initially, as with anything new, there was some push back from the public. But then the tide began to quickly turn in a favorable direction.“After about a month or so of me posting these videos the world started biting in,” says Maxwell. “People from Hawaii, Colorado, Canada, Israel, New Zealand and Australia started buying into, and loving, the series. And once that happened, all of the naysayers in town, for the most part, had stopped.”If You’re in a Band comes out every morning 8 a.m. Monday-Friday EST. And, despite the phenomenal success that Maxwell has personally had through his band and related exploits as a music merchandiser, he humbly maintains his motivation for doing the series and offering real world advice comes from a place of empathy, and is organic and real.“We’re just a local music store that is solid in our foundation in what we’re trying to do to help musicians,” says Maxwell. “We’re here to help you get to wherever you need to go, with whatever gear and whatever ideas. I never once say you should buy this drum set, guitar, bass or amplifier. But this is the big key. When you don’t try to do something and you just do it for the right reasons, which was just to share this with my little town, things blow up! I never tried to sell anybody anything. But it’s the algorithm that connected with musicians and brought everyone here.”Maxwell is living proof that if you remain dedicated to your craft, develop a game plan, keep open lines of communication fluid with your band mates and keep dreaming big anyone can attain whatever level of success in the music business, or life for that matter, they want to achieve.“Being in a band is more like playing chess than checkers,” says Maxwell. “And I think most of the bands in the world are playing checkers—meaning I get one, you get one. It takes a moment to realize that the first move you make affects the eighth move you make, or the third move affects the 12th. So, if you can stop and readjust the way you make these moves it will change your thought process on how to run a band. And I don’t see a whole lot of people doing this.”The series If You’re in a Band is on all social media platforms. But to go to the source, visit maxwellshouseofmusic.com.The post Tip Jar: Mark Maxwell . . . “If You’re in a Band” first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Live Review of Vanessa Collier in Durham, NCThe Blue Note Grill  Durham, NCContact: nick.losseaton@gmail.comWeb: vanessacollier.comPlayers: Vanessa Collier, vocals, sax, guitar; Ben Rice, guitar; Justice Guevara, bassMaterial: Blues, blues, and more blues was Vanessa Collier’s calling card this evening. With her perfectly stylized sax playing, she opened a can of whoop-ass and kicked it effortlessly off the stage, and in the process gave a nod to her Texas roots: Ben Webster, Charlie Parker, Pamela Hart and she seems to have jumped into Joyce Spenser’s skin a little bit. Playing all original material, she had no trouble moving through her new record, which she touted with thoughtful and memorable narratives. She introduced each one to this adoring crowd: “Sweating Like a Pig, Singin’ Like an Angel” was a crowd favorite, as was “Wild as a Rainstorm,” both climaxing into blues oblivion driven by her melodic and punchy sax. Ben Rice on guitar provided tasteful, in the pocket fills that left room for her soaring vocals and complemented the smoldering, low-to-the-ground groove.Musicianship: If you were looking for flashy, over-the-top blues-Magoo nonsense, there’s no place for it on this stage, on such a rare and enchanting evening. Collier’s ensemble was a study in near-perfect musicianship, effortless  playing and, with grace and occasional homage to that distant animal Roberticus Johnsonasaurus Rex, she brought the goods, had the near capacity crowd on their feet and hyper-groovin’ to her well-executed original material.  Her rhythm section was as tight as a drum, and sounding shiny and new, like they had been together for decades, without the cobwebs. Standout lower-register magic-man Justice Guevara and his knee-level slung bass (in the style of Dee Dee Ramone and Dusty Rhodes) gave a visual clue, that no matter where we are in the musical spectrum, we owe so much to the blues, a sound style that scratched out its existence over the eons to emerge as this uniquely American music.Performance: This was as sophisticated a performance as it gets. This quartet—with Collier out front calling the show—was a slow-burn study in how to pace a performance, work an audience into a near frenzy and deliver a set of original material that was engaging as much as it was breathtakingly professional. The sound was excellent, very well mixed, there was little if any downtime between songs and the whole experience flowed like Crown Royal poured over #2 sandpaper: smooth with a little bit of grit!Summary: Every now and then, a Texas sax player steps out enough to make her own mark, blaze her own trail and build an impressive resume in a relatively short space of time. Vanessa Collier is an artist who will be with us for a long time since her talent and writing seem to have no bounds and the sky’s the limit for this remarkable cyclone of sound, sax and song.The post Live Review of Vanessa Collier in Durham, NC first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Last Week in DIY and Independent Musician NewsLast week, our tips and advice for the independent, do-it-yourselfers out there covered SoundCloud AI, how to find the right booking agent for you or do it yourself, how to spot. Continue reading
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Music Industry News Last WeekIt was a busy week by any definition, and the music industry news was no exception with new Live Nation lawsuits, a closer look at fair use in AI, and. Continue reading
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Top 25 New Music Critiques 2024Music Connection offers a variety of ways for unsigned artists to receive recognition for creating exceptional music. Each month, for example, our New Music Critiques area spotlights the recordings of a dozen unsigned recording artists. The cream of the 2024 crop is here on the pages before you. 25 remarkable recording artists, plus 20 Top Prospects who are too good to be overlooked. Unsigned recording artists of all genres are welcomed to sign up for a free critique at musicconnection.com/reviews/new-music-critiques.WRENE . . . 8.6Web: wrene.bandcamp.comStyle: Avant-popPARIS PALOMA . . . 8.4Web: parispaloma.co.ukStyle: Folk-popVENDELA . . . 8.4Web: YouTubeStyle: Alt-popVELVET HALO . . . 8.4Web: velvethalomusic.comStyle: Soft popFERAS ARRABI . . . 8.3Web: ferasarrabi.comStyle: Progressive rockNATALIE JEAN . . . 8.2Web: natalie-jean.comStyle: Country-popSIESKI . . . 8.2Web: sieski.comStyle: PopTHE REQUISITE . . . 8.2Web: SpotifyStyle: Pop-punkNO LOVES . . . 8.2Web: noloves.comStyle: PunkX . . . 8.2Web: instagram.com/theofficialxStyle: R&BORAYVIA . . . 8.2Web: SpotifyStyle: R&BJOSÉ JAMES . . . 8.2Web: SoundcloudStyle: R&BJOHNNY STANEC . . . 8.2Web: johnnystanec.comStyle: AmericanaFIIZ . . . 8.2Web: linktr.ee/fiizmusic Style: ElectropopGORDON GOODWIN’S BIG PHAT BAND . . . 8.2Web: bigphatband.comStyle: JazzMAGALI, A CULT . . . 8.2Web: SpotifyStyle: ElectropopRGB . . . 8.2Web: listentorgb.comStyle: PopCASII STEPHAN . . . 8Web: casiistephan.comStyle: Soul-rockKATELYN TARVER . . . 8Web: katelyntarver.comStyle: Singer-songwriterCAITLIN MAHONEY . . . 8Web: caitlinmahoney.comStyle: Indie-popLUCIE TIGER . . . 8Web: SpotifyStyle: CountryHER LEATHER JACKET . . . 8Web: herleatherjacket.comStyle: Pop-punkMIKKI . . . 8Web: SpotifyStyle: AlternativeDOWNTOWN MYSTIC . . . 8Web: downtownmystic.netStyle: Rock ’n’ rollBRENDA RUSSELL . . . 8Web: brendarussellofficial.comStyle: R&BThe post Top 25 New Music Critiques 2024 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Amazon Music’s audiobook bundle to WMG’s subscription streaming growth… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe biggest stories from the past week – all in one place…
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Venue Booking Contacts made easy with Booking-Agent.ioNew platform Booking-Agent.io solves two mjor problem for artists and managers trying to book a tour: what are the right places to play and how do I contact the person booking it.
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Live Music Society grants to small venues top $1M in 2024The Live Music Society, a non-profit that helps small U.S. music venues, has awarded 34 new Toolbox grants. This year’s Live Music Society grants are the largest in the organizations history.. Continue reading
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Johnny Marr talks artist development and the record industry’s future as he partners with Epidemic SoundJohnny Marr tells MBW about his new artist development partnership with Epidemic Sound
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Community Record Labels offer musicians an alternativeAs independent music stakes a larger and larger claim in the industry, smaller DIY record labels, known as "community labels," are providing the personal touch.
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Gifts Under a Grand 2024Boss Katana Artist Gen 3 1 x 12-inch 100-watt Combo AmplifierThe BOSS Katana Artist Gen 3 leads the charge of BOSS’s revamped line of Katana amplifiers, taking the series to fresh new sonic heights complete with the company’s evolved Tube Logic technology. This 100-watt, 12-inch combo amplifier is equipped with a sweeping sonic arsenal of six amplifier voices (including a new Pushed voice), six voice variations, and the Gen 3 addition of a Bloom switch to sharpen up your sound. boss.info $599.99 Fender Player II Stratocaster HSS Electric GuitarThe Player II Stratocaster HSS is a stage-ready guitar with contemporary updates to power your performance and inspire your playing. Features include a contoured alder, chambered ash or chambered mahogany Body, modern "C" neck profile, and 9.5“-radius maple or rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges. fender.com$929Roland JUNO-D6 61-key SynthesizerFeature-packed and ready to rock, Roland’s next-generation JUNO-D is a sleek synthesizer that’s ideal for working keyboardists who need instant access to a vast library of professional-grade sounds in a lightweight, budget-friendly instrument. Powered by Roland’s flagship-class ZEN-Core engine, JUNO-D provides a massive arsenal of sounds for instant deployment—plus the expansion opportunities of Sound Packs and Wave Expansions on Roland Cloud. roland.com$899.99Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard Copper IridescentThe Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1955 Les Paul Standard was inspired by one of Joe’s rarer finds: a 1955 Les Paul Standard he nicknamed “The Brown Thing.” The original axe is a prime mid-’50s specimen, boasting typical Les Paul Standard specs, including P-90 pickups and a custom iridescent finish. epiphone.com$849Radial Nuance Select Studio Monitor ControllerThe Nuance Select is Radial’s flagship studio monitor controller, offering a sleek and ergonomic design with extremely low distortion for complete transparency. The result is a pristine signal path for seamless switching between two audio sources and two sets of powered speakers. radialeng.com$699.99Walrus Audio Mako MKII ACS1 Amp and Cab Simulator PedalEquipped with true-to-life amp models, pro-designed cab IRs, and truckloads of performance-ready features, the Walrus Audio Mako MKII ACS1 packs a full-fledged guitar rig into a compact, easy-to-use a stompbox. The MKII ACS1 contains Fender-style cleans, Marshall-flavored crunch, and Vox-flavored chime, plus three additional high-gain models, putting a total of six fan-favorite sonic options at your feet.  walrusaudio.com$449.99Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio InterfaceThe fourth-generation Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 offers a significant upgrade over previous generations, boasting updated mic preamps, RedNet-derived AD/DA conversion, Auto Gain and Clip Safe features, a Dynamic Metering display, and more. This 18-in/20-out USB-C audio interface includes guitar-friendly hi-Z inputs, a custom-designed headphone amp, loopback, Focusrite's acclaimed Air Mode, and enough outputs to accommodate two sets of studio monitors or your favorite piece of outboard gear. focusrite.com$649.99Fender Player II Jazz Bass Fenders Player II Jazz Bass radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it's primed for today's players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5”-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil J bass® pickups offer sweet highs, growling mids and seismic lows that elevate any genre. fender.com$799.99JBL IRX OneBoasting legendary JBL fidelity and performance, IRX ONE utilizes concert line array-inspired directivity control, resulting in a custom-tuned, C-shaped array. Featuring six 2” high-frequency drivers, the array delivers rich clarity, a wide sweet spot and seamless front-to-back coverage. The advanced 8” woofer features a bass-reflex design that ensures low-frequency response down to 40 Hz. jbl.com$699Alesis Nitro Max Mesh Electronic Drum SetNitro Max raises the bar for both beginner and more advanced drummers, delivering an authentic playing experience with ultra-quiet Alesis mesh drum heads, all in a compact design. Featuring 32 different kits from the renowned BFD drum sample library, Nitro Max offers seamless play along with music streaming services via Bluetooth, a host of built-in learning features, and three months of Drumeo for unlimited lessons.  alesis.com$399AEA R92 Ribbon MicrophoneOffering a classic ribbon character in the form of a near-field, the dual-tone R92 functions as a versatile creative tool with innumerable possibilities. Similar in sound to the AEA R84, but with a more pronounced midrange and minimized proximity effect, the R92 performs brilliantly when up close to brass, guitar amps, kick drum, and percussion. aearibbonmics.com$989Universal Audio Enigmatic '82 Overdrive Special Amplifier PedalBuilt on powerful dual engine processing and world-class UAD modeling, Enigmatic ‘82 Overdrive Special Amp gives guitarists the mythical "D style" tube tones made famous by John Mayer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, Joe Bonamassa, and Carlos Santana. uaudio.com$399Audigo Wireless mic and iOS appAudigo is the first of its kind integrated solution—a high quality midside smart microphone, an audio+video iPhone app, and bundled cloud services that create a streamlined mobile multitrack recording solution that works anywhere your creativity strikes—not to mention can effortlessly increase the overall audio quality of iPhone videos. audigolabs.com$449Arturia KeyLab 61 mk3 61-key Keyboard ControllerArturia’s KeyLab mk3 is an advanced MIDI controller designed to meet the demands of professional use and integrate seamlessly with software and hardware instruments. With a pro-grade semi-weighted keybed, touch-sensitive controls and innovative creative features encased in a durable, high-quality construction, discover a keyboard built without compromise that musicians can rely on at every turn. arturia.com$549The post Gifts Under a Grand 2024 first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Believe unveils new leadership structure in MENA regionLiliana Abudalo appointed Head of Label & Artist Solutions, MENA and Celine Hitti named Head of Artist Services, MENA
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Warner’s ADA appoints Rasti Sryantoro to head up Indonesia, Arisa Maruekatat to lead Thailand, inks deals with DPM, GMM Music“Expanding our operations in Indonesia and Thailand is a crucial step in our strategy to empower artists and elevate their music on the world stage"
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Bandsintown’s Fabrice Sergent joins NIVA Advisory BoardBandsintown's Fabrice Sergent joins the NIVA Advisory Board expanding on the collaboration that launched the innovative Live Independent certification and marketing initiative earlier this year.
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Music Streaming Fraud Guide For ArtistsMusic streaming fraud is a growing issue that can derail a career. Learn how to recognize, prevent, and protect from fraudulent practices with this music streaming fraud guide for artists.. Continue reading
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