Changes to the site

Just got back from a well deserved vacation. There’s nothing like being at the shore during a heat wave. You get hot, just hop into the pool or ocean. Thank god I wasn’t at the day job during the 100+ heat. We are required to wear long pants that don’t “breath”. Of course they are light brown so when you sweat like a pig, it looks like you pissed yourself. That’s a nice corporate image for the customer.

I’d like to start with two changes we recently made with the website.

Change 1 – I’ve decided to use You Tube for our video footage. Website charges are based upon storage and bandwidth. Videos take up a lot of booth. Just like My Space, You Tube is free. As far as I can tell, you can upload any amount of videos as long as they are under 10 minutes long. What I like about You Tube is the ability for anyone to link the video to their My Space page or website. To the right of the video are the linking codes that you can copy and paste. In the past bands would direct link to the video file and “steal” our bandwidth. I see a huge opportunity using You Tube for exposure to our local and regional bands. I just have to spend more time seeing how everything works. Click here to see the videos added.

Change 2- Our Online Radio Station has relaunched. I got an email from Dan a few weeks ago stating OSHRadio would be shutting down. At the time I didn’t know Crazy John would try and salvage the station. I strongly feel there is no better way of getting local/regional music out to the masses, than thru a radio stream. Currently we have 44 bands for a total of 2+ hours of music. The station is one shuffle mode so you never get the same order twice. I’m impressed with the order that does play when I listen. What I really like is the ability to minimize the window and still be able to listen while working on your computer. We use the services of Live 365 and it is not free. The monthly charges are taken from our PayPal account. I’ve decided the station would be supported by the public/bands. If you like this feature it is up to you to make a donation to keep it going. No support means no more station. We do enough for free supporting local music, this one is up to you. Click here for the station. Click here to make a donation for the station.

My last article I pointed out the need of monetary support to keep various medias that support local music going. I got a ton of emails agreeing with my comments, yet no donations from those that emailed. So I wonder what they read. Maybe I’m just kidding myself thinking we are a valuable resource in exposing the public to local music in Central PA. Maybe that’s my sign to start a new direction for the website.

Twisted Tuesdays have been off the hook!!! I’m glad to see the shows still doing well after all these years. Last week was a good example of what the shows are all about. Fink’s Constant opened the night with their unique sound. What impressed me was that most the people there were not there to see Fink’s. However by the 2nd song the girls were shakin’ there asses and the crowd was focused on the stage. I’m sure the band got some new fans and hopefully those that saw them will talk about the band to their friends. During the night I had people coming up to me asking if Fink’s was from Central PA and saying that although it wasn’t their “preference” of music, they enjoyed the set. Next up was The Masquerade. This was only their second show playing out. Maybe it was nerves, perhaps the $1.00 drinks, but they just didn’t seem to play to their potential. Leo even came up to me after the set and said “we sucked”. Personal I didn’t think they sucked. I saw lot’s of potential from the band. With some practice and a few more shows under their belt, The Masquerade will rise to the top in no time. Closing the night was A Utopian Skyline. The band just recorded a CD and this was their Pre CD Release Party show. I’ve known Aaron for many years and this guy just seems to tweak every one of his bands to a new level. Sceva was his last band. Just like Sceva, Aaron has taken Utopian Skyline to a new level. The band has a very unique sound and is far from the cookie cutter bands that litter this area. Their new CD is off the hook and is a must have for any fan of local music. I was told the band sold over 25 CD’s before they even played. Hopefully they sold a few more after their set.

This is what Twisted Tuesdays are all about. Mixing up the bands, giving bands the opportunity to play in front of new faces and putting on a flawless show to those who come out for the shows. I love when someone comes up to me a says “that was an awesome show” or “who are those guys, they kick ass”. If you have yet to see a Twisted Tuesday event, I invite you to come out and see for yourself.

August 15th we have another “threesome” show featuring The Trews, they played Jubilee Day, Lotus Blue and Agents of the Sun. Sure to be a kick ass show!!!! Click here for the Twisted Tuesday show schedule.

Finally I’d like to make an observation. I’ve mentioned this before, but haven’t seen many take the advice. If you are a band playing out you MUST have something to pass out to the crowd. You would think this would be Band 101, but it isn’t. 500 quarter page flyers cost less than $10.00 at Office Max to make. EVERY band should have 2 types of flyers. One with just band info listing their website and/or My Space webpage “for more info and show schedules”. Two, a flyer with your show schedule. If you don’t have many shows lined up, lay out the first flyer, if you do, lay out both flyers. I don’t know of any venue that will NOT allow bands to place flyers around the bar. In fact this should be part of your show set up. Get the amps and kit on stage, sound check and then place a few flyers around the venue before you run off for food or drinks. Since April, I would say that less than a handful of bands have placed flyers around the Hardware Bar the night they play. WHY? In my opinion it’s a very simple promotional tool that should be mandatory with any band playing out. Don’t assume people will remember you’re My Space page or website address the next day after a night of drinking.

Well that’s all for now. Time to do a bunch of site updates and rip some new tunes for the radio station.

Lator Gators - BigJim