The Indie Bible: 8th Edition

Price: $34.95

David Wimble's 8th edition of The Indie Bible is a 330-page directory and guide book for independent artists, listing over 4,000 publications that review albums and over 3,000 radio stations that provide airplay, as well as services to help artists distribute, promote and sell their music. The 8th edition also offers motivational articles, industry insider information, resources for songwriters and a directory of publications that provide regional press opportunities. Information is sorted first by type of service (publication, radio station, CD vendor, etc.) and then under the subheadings of music genre and geographic location. This method of organization allows artists to find the services and publications most appropriate not only to their particular sound, but also to their local audience. The Indie Bible offers contact information for numerous merchandising companies, in addition to identifying new ways for bands to connect with their fans. With countless sector-specific articles covering everything from current legal issues to mp3 streaming to in-house publicity, as well as offering advice on how to deal with the rejection of the music business, The Indie Bible is more than a mere directory; it is a truly comprehensive guide to overcoming the obstacles of creating music as an independent artist. It is available for purchase at www.indiebible.com, as well as at most Borders, Barnes & Noble and Sam Ash stores.

www.indiebible.com

Thomson Course Technology (www.course.com) has long been a publisher of successful IT, internet and music technology guides. Their most recent publications focus on the active, recording independent musician, and offer insight into several significant focus areas. These comprehensive and clear guides, written by some of the industry's best minds, provide step-by-step instructions for achieving success in the arenas that matter most to today's changing music market. Practical advice about the latest products, instruments and recording equipment are also included. So if you're looking for ways to reach out to your fans through MySpace, improve your musicality and professional value as a studio vocalist or start your own home recording set-up, the following titles are certainly worthwhile.

MySpace for Musicians

By Frances Vincent

In the ever-growing microcosm of MySpace (now tallied at 200,000,000+ users), it is difficult for a musician to stand out from the pack. To try and help alleviate this problem, <I>MySpace for Musicians<I> by Frances Vincent has entered the scene, offering a comprehensive look into the ins and outs of the booming social network. The book addresses issues ranging from commenting to blogging, from friends to managing your music, all in hopes of helping the average band, soloist, or entertainment-affiliated company harness the awesome promotional and marketing power inherent in the MySpace digital community. The book acknowledges that anyone can create a MySpace page, and then delves beyond the basics and attempts to truly explain how to promote and market your music in the most effective manner.

Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career

By Simon Cann

Simon Cann, author of Sample This!, has introduced his most recent effort, Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career. With the expansion of digital technology and the drop off of the CD market, Cann recognizes that the disappearance of obsolete business methods has in turn generated new opportunities within the music industry. In Building a Successful 21st Century Music Career, Cann presents methods for establishing a foundation in today's musical culture, and how to build upon this fundamental base. The book covers significant money-making areas such as publicity, music promotion, establishing and maintaining a fanbase and even perfecting your product. For the fledgling musician, this book hits all the bases, from start to finish, including addressing your motivations for choosing a career in music to the pros and cons of signing a record deal.

The Professional Studio Vocalist

By Claytoven Richardson

Veteran vocalist Claytoven Richardson, who has recorded with a number of big names in the industry throughout his career, offers a look into the skills and knowledge necessary for becoming a successful recording artist with The Professional Studio Vocalist. The informative guide aims to help talented singers learn how to work constructively in and profit from the studio setting. A diagnostic quiz at the opening of the book helps determine individual strengths and weaknesses in general music knowledge, and the following chapters focus on pertinent issues, including self-promotion, finding studio work, attitude and professionalism and the technical aspects of studio technique.

The Ultimate Personal Recording Studio

By Gino Robair

In The Ultimate Personal Recording Studio, Gino Robair, senior editor at Electronic Musician magazine, integrates information from a number of sources, including articles from his own publication, in order to create an inclusive, easy-to-understand guide to establishing and making the most of a personal studio set-up. The first chapter helps in defining specific goals, after which point the reader can move on to the detailed gear checklist offered in chapter two. With sections detailing different types of studio microphones, patch bays and effects, and outlining recording techniques for specific instruments (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums, piano and synth), this book works to ensure that even the most technologically clueless can achieve their studio goals in the digital age.