tag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:/blogs/news--2?p=6Music Business Etiquette2019-04-22T09:51:27-07:00Aaron Kustererfalsetag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/62594282020-03-23T11:04:04-07:002020-03-23T14:05:10-07:00Understanding Signature Elements: Play your damn part, correctly!Well, these are crazy times we find ourselves in, aren’t they? As I’m sure you’re already inundated with news feeds/posts/articles quite outside your normal reading, I’ll spare you anything other […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084472019-10-28T13:20:33-07:002019-12-13T10:13:17-08:00Throw-N-Go Etiquette: Get your crap off the stage!Let’s face it . . . throw-n-go’s are a necessity for any musician/band in the industry. Don’t know what a throw-n-go is? From music festivals to fairs, any event that […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084482019-10-07T11:19:20-07:002019-12-13T10:13:17-08:00The Misconception About Structure in MusicWhat is the one thing that seems to rise above all other elements in music and primarily sits firmly in its own little shrine? Self-expression While there are many reasons […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084492019-09-30T10:50:13-07:002021-06-28T06:58:37-07:00Self-Check: A Short Pep Talk for the Aspiring MusicianMuch of this blog is focused on how we behave as musicians, managers, music directors, etc and so far I haven’t really focused on the very personal nature of how […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084502019-09-23T07:52:09-07:002019-12-13T10:13:17-08:00Music Directors: Speak Clearly and Be Timely!It would appear that last week’s post on gig preparedness struck a chord with folks, pun most definitely intended (if you haven’t read it, click here). A close friend of […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084512019-09-16T10:49:16-07:002019-12-13T10:13:18-08:00The Pay to Gig Prep Ratio: Why aren’t folks prepared?We’ve probably all heard this argument before: “well, if the rehearsals aren’t paid, then I can’t commit to doing a rehearsal but I can take the gig” or any variation […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084522019-09-10T15:01:12-07:002019-12-13T10:13:18-08:00Dumb Question Culture: Where any question seems to be a dumb questionMany of us were brought up hearing that no question is a dumb question. When we ask questions, we learn, right? While this is true to a point, at a […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084532019-06-03T10:53:21-07:002019-12-13T10:13:18-08:00Working as a Musician: 5 Things That You Must Do (but have very little to do with playing)If there is one thing that I’ve learned over the years, it’s that at the end of the day, the ability to get and hold a gig, has very little […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084542019-04-22T09:51:27-07:002022-09-13T13:40:21-07:00Get Organized! 5 Tips to Keep Your Music Career on Track<p>Wouldn’t life be great if we could just sit and play/create music all day? That is a delightful idea . . . and unfortunately not even remotely a reality for […]</p>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084552019-04-10T19:23:37-07:002019-12-13T10:13:18-08:00Musician-to-Musician Communication: 5 Tips to Improve ClarityThis post could swing about 6 different ways from Sunday and still have tons of things to cover. So, I’m going to stick primarily with communicating musical needs/wants in a […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/60084562019-02-04T09:34:47-08:002019-12-13T10:13:18-08:00Booking Responsibilities: 6 Questions to Ask When Booking a GigBooking gigs is the ever looming (and often challenging) task for most musicians or bands looking to put their music out there and/or make money. If you’re reading this blog, […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/56268532019-02-04T09:34:47-08:002022-01-06T21:53:35-08:00Booking Responsibilities: 6 Questions to Ask When Booking a GigBooking gigs is the ever looming (and often challenging) task for most musicians or bands looking to put their music out there and/or make money. If you’re reading this blog, […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/55972772019-01-15T11:52:31-08:002019-01-15T14:45:15-08:00Chops and Reality: 5 Things to Remember About Working as a Pro MusicianWith the internet these days, it’s easy to find a player (regardless of the instrument) who has a massive pile of chops that they have honed over countless hours of […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/53379452018-07-09T09:39:15-07:002018-07-09T15:17:31-07:005 Tips to Help You Avoid InactionMany talk big, but few walk that talk. Extremely few. I’ve noticed that a tremendous number of people in the music industry greatly enjoy talking about all the stuff they […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/52782882018-06-05T16:15:50-07:002018-06-05T22:45:24-07:005 Tips to Streamline Band PracticeSave for certain walk-on situations, every band/artist/production has rehearsals in one form or another. I’ve seen rehearsals that are extremely organized and others that are more along the lines of […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/51493562018-03-26T16:13:27-07:002018-03-26T20:01:00-07:00#1 Most BS Statement in the Music IndustryI would argue that virtually anyone that works in the music industry has heard this statement at least once if not numerous times. If you are one of the lucky […]Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/48661932017-09-26T10:11:54-07:002017-09-26T13:45:35-07:00Metronome: The Musician’s BaneIf a metronome was portrayed as an animal in a National Geographic special, I think it would read something like this: “The elusive metronome is a discrete predatory species and […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=378&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/48212932017-08-21T16:56:49-07:002017-08-21T19:01:26-07:00Symbiotic Relationships: A Follow-up to Soundcheck 101I am back and moving again on the blog after a busy few months. Here is a follow-up (2 years late) to Soundcheck 101. I wanted to solidify my stance […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=375&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/47103922017-05-15T20:51:01-07:002017-05-16T00:33:32-07:00Positivity: Stories from the Road (video)I figured that I would take a slightly more informal approach to this week’s episode. So, here is a little pontificating on positivity along with a few road stories. Enjoy!<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=370&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46932372017-05-01T20:46:45-07:002017-05-02T01:33:25-07:00Video: 3 Ways to Never Get Hired Again. . . . with a side of cynicism and a dash of sarcasm. Enjoy!<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=362&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46657942017-04-10T14:38:55-07:002017-04-10T15:33:18-07:00Transparency: Why You Need it in the Music BusinessThis week’s post! Hope you all dig it! Do you have thoughts on transparency? Please share in the comments! <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=355&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46493092017-03-28T15:30:39-07:002017-03-28T15:33:24-07:00Video: Most Popular Posts Since 2014Hey everyone, thanks so much for hanging with me this long! You are awesome! As I mention in the video, here the most popular posts since the blog’s start in 2014 […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=340&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46381012017-03-20T15:39:25-07:002017-03-20T17:06:26-07:00Video: 3 Tips to Strengthen your Relationships with fellow MusiciansHere is this week’s post. Hope you enjoy it! Do you have other tips for strengthening relationships? Please share in the comment section!<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=332&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46285762017-03-13T17:39:24-07:002017-03-13T18:16:47-07:00Video: 5 Musician Fails to Never RepeatGreetings! I thought that I would give the video thing a shot this time around. Hope you guys enjoy it! Do you have any musician fails to share? Please fire […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=324&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46188932017-03-06T10:49:54-08:002017-03-06T14:33:15-08:005 Things Never to do on StageThis week’s post is about stage etiquette during a performance. As you might be able to imagine, this list is derived from situations that I have witnessed and/or heard about. […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=313&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/46081782017-02-26T23:15:56-08:002017-02-27T04:06:55-08:00A PSA on Gender: 3 Tips for the Disrespectful Among UsWarning: this week’s blog post may come off as a rant, and for that I apologize. However, I feel it needs to be said (as it has been said so […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=284&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/45983772017-02-19T20:56:31-08:002017-02-20T00:47:13-08:005 Don’ts for Musicians in Recording SessionsHere is a nice, short list for your Monday morning read! There are many facets that we could discuss about recording sessions but here are 5 quick tips that can help […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=267&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/45420222017-01-08T13:18:28-08:002017-01-08T16:06:10-08:00MusicBiz 2017: 5 Basic principles to make your business, more like a business!5 principles to make your music business, more like a business!<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=213&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/42507542016-06-26T18:22:16-07:002016-06-26T20:35:33-07:005 Tips to Combat Negativity in the Music IndustryNegativity. Oftentimes, it stems from insecurity and superiority complexes. Other times, we just choose to wallow in misery because of a bad day. We have all been guilty of this. If you haven’t ever, then you’re lying. It’s very easy to be negative in an industry that is governed by how you look, how good […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=207&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/41645302016-05-03T12:49:54-07:002016-05-03T15:33:42-07:00Guitarists – stop hurting the audience at small gigsOriginally posted on <a href="http://joebennett.net/2014/10/13/guitarists-stop-hurting-the-audience-at-small-gigs">Joe Bennett</a>: <br>An amp stand that angles the cabinet towards your ears. The audience doesn’t know how much one of these can improve their lives. I walked out of a gig last week. The bands were well-rehearsed and the front of house engineers were doing a good job. The venue was great and…<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=206&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/41533972016-04-25T14:32:59-07:002016-04-25T16:32:34-07:00Band Practice: One Big Life Hack to Reduce Rehearsal HeadachesWhile I can’t quite top the simple ingenuity of the Lego life hack (shown) that has probably gone viral (found on Pinterest), I can show how some of the technology of today, when used correctly in a rehearsal setting, can have a similar effect. If we are honest with ourselves, we have probably gone down […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=201&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/41408172016-04-17T18:29:14-07:002016-04-17T20:03:46-07:00The Golden Rule: 3 B’s to Help Your Music CareerWe have all heard this rule a million times: “Do unto others as you would have done to you,” it states. While this is a great rule of thumb, it focuses only on what you do. We can do lots of things that are nice for other people, but can we be nice to other […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=198&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/41296802016-04-10T12:20:54-07:002016-04-10T14:04:06-07:00Gratitude: 3 Tips for Successful Musical RelationshipsI’m going to start this post off by saying a big thank you to all of you for your support of this blog (and on a personal note, the support for me as a musician!). It is appreciated more than all of you know. I enjoy making a difference and helping people and hopefully, this blog […]<img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=192&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/41191022016-04-03T22:00:59-07:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00A Learning Spirit: 5 Tips for Good CollaborationsAfter a lengthy hiatus, I am back! Touring and much-needed time off has kept me quite busy but now I’m ready to fire the blog posts back up. So, let’s dive in . . . I would like to start with a story about a research lesson I learned over the course of probably a […]<img src="//pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=188&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/40176232016-01-31T10:27:21-08:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00Band Practice Part 2: 5 Tips to Hone Your Rehearsal CraftHappy 2016! Yes, I know I’m a little late to the party, the cake has been cut, and everyone has had a piece. So sue me! Just kidding, I have taken a couple month’s hiatus from this blog as I’ve been working on another blog about my work with the military band while on tour. […]<img src="//pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=185&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/39697632016-01-04T02:18:46-08:002016-01-04T02:19:12-08:00A 3-Month Tour in the SandGreetings all! I realize that I have been pretty quiet on the <a contents="Music Etiquette blog" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://musicbizet.com" target="_blank">Music Etiquette blog</a> front but that is only because I have been on a 3 month tour with the Air Force Band and have been chronicling that adventure through a blog entitled <a contents="Sand &amp; Sound: A Tour in the Life of a Military Musician" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sandnsound.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/intensity-in-tent-city-beyond-know-your-audience/" target="_blank">Sand & Sound: A Tour in the Life of a Military Musician</a>. The blog is centered on sharing facts and road stories from a tour with the Air Force Band and what an aspiring musician could expect should he or she be interested in pursuing this sort of a gig. I hope you enjoy the blog and please feel free to hit me with any questions you might have! <br><br>Cheers,<br><br>AK<br><br>P.S. Not to worry, I'll be spinning the Music Etiquette blog back up real soon! Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/39034502015-10-18T21:15:23-07:002021-07-04T02:55:01-07:005 Tips for Combating Your Own EgoEgo is a dirty word (usually following “big”) that we all love to throw around when talking about other people but generally refuse to acknowledge the existence of our own. Some are more easily damaged than others but everyone has a threshold that can be burst. Some of the biggest conflicts in music history all […]<img src="//pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=177&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/38448222015-09-06T12:59:19-07:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00Band Practice: 5 Tips for a More Productive RehearsalWhen I was about 13, I had a little church band that practiced about once or twice every two weeks. We weren’t able to do very much but we tried and actually performed a couple of times. Everyone has to start somewhere, right? As I write this post, I think back on that and compare […]<img src="//pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.com&blog=68112903&post=174&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/38129982015-08-09T16:00:20-07:002021-06-08T05:08:18-07:00Hiring Substitute Musicians: Preparing for Success<p>(Disclaimer: This post is geared towards the small bar band/cover band circuit, not the large-scale, pro touring circuit. Please keep this in mind as you read.)</p>
<p>We have all been there, either doing the hiring or being the sub. Sickness, births, deaths, life-altering events, etc, all come up and can severely impact a band’s ability to play a gig. It’s unavoidable and if you haven’t been in this situation yet, just wait. It will happen. The good news is that as long as the band has planned appropriately for these times, then you shouldn’t have any worries. Initially, you should have a list of folks at the ready to call when an emergency strikes and you need a sub. While I’m not going to cover how to hire someone, the individuals on that list should already be cleared by the band. As in, the band is already confident that the sub(s) can do the gig. But, how do you actually prepare for a sub? Here are some tips:</p>
<ol>
<li>Have a clearly defined setlist(s)</li>
</ol>
<p>This may sound like a no-brainer but a close friend of mine (and the person who gave me the idea for this post) recently described a gig where he was hired as a sub and was given a master list to work from, but no actual setlist. Upon arriving to the gig, the vocalist just randomly called songs and they didn’t even play some of the songs that my friend had been told to learn. This is bad juju, folks. Please make sure you provide an actual setlist/song order for the sub prior to the gig. You do not want to waste their time. Furthermore, as much as possible, try to stick to that setlist or at least the same tunes on the gig.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li>Double-check the song keys</li>
</ol>
<p>The reasons for changing a key vary from alternate tunings to vocalist range. Whatever the reason, you need to let your sub know if you are doing the song in a key other than the recorded version. This is especially important if you don’t have a rehearsal with them . . . speaking of which . . .</p>
<ol start="3">
<li>Schedule a rehearsal!</li>
</ol>
<p>Unless there is an extreme time crunch, it is always a good idea to schedule a rehearsal with the sub, especially if you have never actually played a gig with them. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that much more prepared for the show.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li>Record the band</li>
</ol>
<p>If you have the ability to record the band either during a rehearsal or on a gig, do it! We are not talking about producing an album though. All you need is a rough recording of the setlist(s) to give to your sub. This will help the him/her get a picture of what you sound like and also clue them into any special arrangements or small nuances that you may have added to a particular song(s).</p>
<p>There you have it! Hopefully, this will help you and your band better prepare for a substitute player the next time crisis strikes. In all honesty, Murphy is a pain in the arse and you can never be too prepared for things to go wrong. If you lay the groundwork for hiring a sub, it will pay off in the end.</p>
<p>Do you have tips or stories on this topic? Please share in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/141/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/141/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=141&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/38005022015-08-02T19:00:27-07:002021-06-08T05:11:59-07:005 Things to Never Do in Nashville<p>Hey everyone! We are back this week with something a little different. A good friend of mine, Eric Barfield, also authors a music blog and reached out to me recently about a possible blog post swap for this week. I thought it sounded like a fun idea and so we both provided each other with ideas. Since Eric is working in Nashville, I thought it might be really cool to see what he had to say about the don’ts of working there. So, without further ado, here is his take on the things you should not be doing in Nashville.</p>
<p class="p1"><span id="more-138"></span></p>
<hr>
<p class="p1">About a year ago I relocated from St. Louis to Nashville to pursue my career as a musician. Since the move I’ve had to learn a lot quickly (and occasionally painfully) about how to work in the exploding Nashville music scene. Here are my top 5 don’ts for working in this southern town:</p>
<p class="p1"><b>5. Don’t be rude. </b></p>
<p class="p1">In markets like Los Angeles and New York it feels like you can get away with being a bit “forward” or blunt about what you’re thinking and feeling. South of the Mason-Dixon line, southern manners are very important. People just don’t put up with jerks, even if you don’t mean to be one.</p>
<p class="p1">To keep getting called for work, be extra polite and have a great attitude always. Make sure to say thank you, please, and remember to talk with extra respect to anyone you work with. Even if it’s the guy at the bottom of the totem pole.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>4. Don’t constantly self-promote.</b></p>
<p class="p1">It’s easy to seem desperate when you’re constantly begging for work. I’ve heard of people getting passed up for gigs just because they were always free, which could mean they weren’t very talented (not fair, but understandable when you’re working with big budgets and can’t afford to take a chance).</p>
<p class="p1"><b>3. Don’t run down the Country genre. </b></p>
<p class="p1">Even if you hate country music, at least learn to respect the talent of the many musicians that make country music their life’s work. Above all, never, ever complain about the genre. How would you feel if someone said your chosen genre was a cesspool of talentless hacks? Yeah, you probably would think he was a jerk, too.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>2. Don’t think you’re special because you know famous people.</b></p>
<p class="p1">Every successful musician in Nashville that I’ve talked to absolutely refuses to name-drop. I’ve often had lunch with a musician, talked for hours about music, and then learned a week later they were cutting a top 40 artist’s new album.</p>
<p class="p1">The logic behind the name-dropping ban is simple: boasting falls into that southern-manners-deadly-sin category, and it’s just poor form to brag. Also, everybody knows somebody in this town (Nashville’s population is less than a million people, compared to L.A. and New York’s 8+ million), so simply working in close proximity with a star doesn’t necessarily reflect whether you’re top talent yourself.</p>
<p class="p1"><b>1. Don’t be flaky. </b></p>
<p class="p1">This is the cardinal sin of most competitive music scenes, and in a comparatively small town like Nashville (see above) flakiness can literally be a career-breaker. Word travels at lightning speed when someone doesn’t show for a gig, skips a rehearsal without calling, or backs out of any agreement, and it takes years to mend your reputation. There are literally hundreds of talented individuals for each job, and a talent scout only has to make a few phone calls to replace you permanently if you’re being flaky.</p>
<hr>
<p>Sounds like that is pretty cut and dried to me! I would go so far as to say these are probably rules that will help benefit you in some way regardless of what music scene in which you’re working. If you dig Eric’s post here or want to find out more about him, you can check out his blog right here: <a href="http://ericwbarfield.com/blog/" target="_blank">http://ericwbarfield.com/blog/</a></p>
<p>Do you have additional insight on Nashville or thoughts on this topic? Please share them in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/138/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/138/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=138&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/37850162015-07-20T15:12:25-07:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00Musical Tendencies: Know Thyself!<p>Sounds like something out of a Karate Kid movie, right? Well, I’m sure our guitar-sensei, Mr. Fastfinger, would have a thing or two to say about knowing thyself!</p>
<figure data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_127" style="width: 278px;" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="http://www.mrfastfinger.net"><img src="https://musicbizet.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/ffgood_notext.png?w=278&h=300" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Illustration by Mika Tyyska. This image is used with permission only. Usage enquiries should be directed to www.mrfastfinger.net." height="300" width="278" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Illustration by Mika Tyyska. This image is used with permission only. Usage enquiries should be directed to <a href="http://www.mrfastfinger.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.mrfastfinger.net</a>.</figcaption></figure>
<p>(For those that don’t know, Mr. Fastfinger is the creation of the incredible Mika Tyyska. He regularly performs alongside Mika and provides sage advice to guitar players, young and old, alike. Be sure to check them both out at <a href="http://www.mrfastfinger.net">www.mrfastfinger.net</a>!)</p>
<p>Self-awareness resides at the epicenter of our ability to play nice with one another, not only in a musical context, but also in life. Regardless of what instrument you play, we all have tendencies to overcome or shape in our playing. It doesn’t matter how good you are, we all have/had them in some form or another. You will overplay, underplay, rush, lay back too much, accent too much or too little, etc. The list could go on and on. The key here is awareness and that is what separates the amazing players from the average ones. When you hear a pro level player, unless there is something really obvious, you probably won’t notice many mistakes or flaws (everyone makes mistakes at some point but work with me here). One of the keys to their ability is that they know what tendencies they currently have (or did have) and how to curb or shape them. As you could probably imagine, this is extremely important in the context of a group. For example, if the drummer is on a click and the keyboard player is rushing a section night after night, then there might be an awareness problem. For the record, there will always be musical issues to iron out within a band regardless of the level of players present. But, there are a few things that we musicians can do to help prepare ourselves for these situations through getting to know our own tendencies.</p>
<ol>
<li>Are you a rusher or a dragger? Practice with a metronome or jam track!</li>
</ol>
<p>Every musician alive deals with this issue at some point. While different styles of music require focus on different parts of the beat (some lay back, some sit on the front end of the beat), it is absolutely essential to have an awareness of your own tendencies regarding time. It is completely possible to manipulate feel against a metronome (sit on either the front end or the back end of the beat), but it requires a lot of practice and listening. Always be working on it.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li>Are you a bashful player? Work on playing out!</li>
</ol>
<p>For whatever reason, some of us get bashful and play quieter than we should at times. Unfortunately, the end result is that you may not be heard which can be problematic if you have a featured part in a song(s). Focus on playing out and bringing your volume to a comfortable level that works for everyone and suits the song (be respectful!). Own your part!</p>
<ol start="3">
<li>Do you ever overplay? Work on breathing!</li>
</ol>
<p>An easy way to understand this is to think about a horn player. They MUST breath in order to continue playing which means that unless they are one of the freaks of nature that can circular breath for days (it’s really impressive if you haven’t seen someone do it), then they have to stop playing for a second or two when they breath. Applying this mindset to other non-wind/non-brass instruments is really important for two reasons: (1) because it allows the music to breath and have some ebb and flow to it, and (2) because it allows the musician to breath (both mentally and physically) and take a second to think about his/her next solo idea. This is easier said than done and must be practiced. Try playing a measure or two of a solo section and then rest for a measure or two. You’ll be amazed at the way it will change the way you hear the music and craft your solos over time.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li>Do you know what you sound like? Record yourself!</li>
</ol>
<p>In 2015, it seems that nearly everyone has some way of recording, even if it is just to his or her phone. The availability of this technology makes it virtually inexcusable for any musician to not record themselves as it can provide an almost instantaneous and unadulterated snapshot of their playing. Gaining an idea of where you sit on the above items (1, 2, and 3) can easily be remedied by doing this. It can be very humbling and disheartening but it is vital to your growth as a musician. Furthermore, it will help set you up for success before you ever walk into a band setting because you will already have an idea of how you sound. I cannot overstate the value of having that knowledge.</p>
<p>These are just some small tidbits but they can make a huge difference in your playing by striving for self-awareness. Get to know thyself! The more that you can counter/correct/shape your own tendencies, then the more prepared you will be to play with others and most likely, the more other folks will want to play with you.</p>
<p>Do you have additional tips on musical self-awareness? Please share in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/125/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/125/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=125&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/37751892015-07-12T14:30:35-07:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00Tour Management: A Musician’s Quick-Reference Guide<p>Recently, a musician friend, <a href="http://ericwbarfield.com/blog/" target="_blank">Eric Barfield</a>, reached out to me on Facebook and asked if I could write on what I’ve learned through my experience as a tour manager with the Air Force band. I agreed and so without further ado, here you go, Eric!</p>
<p><img src="https://musicbizet.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/concert-desktop-wallpapers-for-background-full-free.jpg?w=300&h=188" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="188" width="300" /></p>
<p>Working as a tour manager can be incredibly rewarding but is an enormous amount of work and is especially difficult when you are also fulfilling a performance role (for smaller bands, a member might also be the tour manager). I can tell you that the more forethought that you put into the tour, the more you will be prepared when things don’t go according to plan. Murphy’s Law states that, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Even the best-laid plans fall through. The key to tour management that I have found is becoming an eternal Murphy’s compensator. Oh, and lots of flexibility. Lots.</p>
<p>(Note: This post is geared towards the planning/execution of a tour minus budgeting. There could be a whole series of posts on tour budgeting, but this one is NOT focusing on the financial aspect as that will be vastly different for each tour situation. Please keep this in mind as you read. Thanks!)</p>
<p>For starters, here is a short list of things that WILL happen at some point during one or more of your tours:</p>
<ol>
<li>The band’s/your gear will be left at an airport or the airline won’t put it on your plane.</li>
<li>The backline company’s gear won’t work or it won’t be what you asked for.</li>
<li>The bus/taxi/plane/gear truck will be late at some point.</li>
<li>The hotel will mess up the room reservations.</li>
<li>You will NOT get much of a <a href="https://musicbizet.wordpress.com/2015/07/05/soundcheck-credibility-killer-101/" target="_blank">soundcheck</a> due to #3.</li>
<li>On international tours, power converters will NOT always be available.</li>
</ol>
<p>The list could go on and on. You may have noticed on the list that there are a few things that would be completely outside your control if they were to happen. That is a key factor to keep in mind when running a tour. As much as you would like to think that you have everything under control being a tour manager (with the best intentions, of course), the reality is that you don’t. No matter how much you plan. But, here is the good news: you can be that eternal Murphy’s compensator to help out when things go wrong. Here are a couple of things off the top of my head that you can control:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Get Organized!</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are going to plan/execute a tour, you must be organized. What does this mean? Create an itinerary for the band and make sure it’s concise and to the point. Include important phone numbers, hotel info, addresses, and most importantly, daily schedule. If your gig is in a different time zone and you have planes to catch, be sure the schedule reflects it correctly. That being said, don’t muddle up the band’s itinerary with any more information than they need (i.e. the sponsor’s phone number. One band point-of-contact is enough and that is you). You should have the rest of information you need organized separately from the band itinerary. Having a band itinerary will put everyone on the same page so there is to be as little confusion as possible.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Think through every step of the tour, before ever taking a step</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>This sits very closely with #1. From you (and your band) piling up gear in the living room before the tour, all the way back to unpacking gear after the tour, you need to go over every step and think about all of the things that could go wrong. Don’t micro-manage the band (i.e. don’t tell them what to pack necessarily), but think in your head about every single step and try to counter the bad outcomes with solutions to avoid them.</p>
<p><span id="more-117"></span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Double-check on the backline</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Depending on how warm and fuzzy you are feeling about the sponsor and backline company, a phone call with a follow-up email (if needed, include the requested gear list) the day prior to a gig is a really good idea. Furthermore, in the event of a gear crisis, check and see if there is a music store or two in the area where you could grab something in the event of an emergency. This is especially true for international tours. If you research prior to your arrival, you can be that much more prepared if something goes wrong.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Know the power situation at the gig site</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>We take power for granted in the US but let me tell you that if you travel abroad, depending on where you go, it can become a big issue very quickly. Big venues generally won’t be an issue, but smaller, non-traditional venues can be iffy for powerful gear (i.e. a church or restaurant). Before you even set foot on the plane, ask about power availability at the gig site. If you are a US-based band, do they have 110-volt power drops on stage? If not, do they have converters available? Keep in mind that while your backline might come from a local company, the gear you are bringing (i.e. <a href="https://musicbizet.wordpress.com/2015/07/05/soundcheck-credibility-killer-101/" target="_blank">pedalboard</a>, keyboard, latest-live-tech-gizmo) might only support 110 volt. That being said, many companies are making their gear compatible with both so that all you have to do is convert the plug. However, don’t leave it to chance. It’s always best to check.</p>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong>Check the foreign driver laws</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>If you are traveling internationally and you require a rental vehicle, or your ride from the airport falls through and a taxi won’t do, then someone may have to drive. Use a lot of caution with this one as driving in another country can be extremely hazardous for someone who isn’t used to it. Check the laws and have a contingency plan for your transportation falling through, whether it includes a band member driving or not.</p>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong>For international tours, make sure everyone has a passport</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>For seasoned folks, this will be a no-brainer, but if you are new to this, it is easy to forget. Enough said.</p>
<ol start="7">
<li><strong>Be prepared to argue, nicely</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>You will have disagreements with not only the rest of the band, but also the sponsor, the hotel, the backline company, and anyone else you come in contact with. Blowing up is not recommended. Tactful, non-expletive, problem solving is usually the best way to go. There will be times where no amount of tact will work. These are times where you get through the show (come hell or high water), draw a line through the sponsors name, have a beer, and never come back.</p>
<ol start="8">
<li><strong>Remain flexible</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>As mentioned earlier, things will go wrong. Being flexible and willing to adapt on the fly is paramount to a tour’s success.</p>
<ol start="9">
<li><strong>Know that you will screw something up</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Everyone does it at some point and that is how we learn. It’s not the fall that counts; it’s how you bounce back and recover. Live, learn, and grow.</p>
<p>This list is fairly broad (off the top of my head) and most certainly not all-inclusive. These are just a few things that can help get you pointed in the right direction for your touring endeavors. I could keep going on and on about the various things to check and re-check. Every time I go out on tour, I’m learning something new whether I’m the tour manager or not! There are books bursting at their seams with information about touring and what to do and what not to do. However, regardless of how much you read or write, there will always be some tour experience that will have you scratching your head wondering, “How are we going to get out of this?”</p>
<p>Do you have questions, comments, additions, or good road stories? Please share them in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/117/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/117/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=117&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/37664262015-07-05T14:01:08-07:002021-06-08T05:06:34-07:00Soundcheck: Credibility Killers 101<p>Anyone who has played a gig has dealt with a soundcheck in most <img src="https://musicbizet.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/id-100108579.jpg?w=300&h=200" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="300" />cases. If you don’t get one, then your first tune is usually what the audio engineer uses to tweak your sound. But, let’s say you get a soundcheck. This time is crucial for you and your band to have a shot at sounding the best you can on stage. It is also a time where you can either build or destroy your credibility with the audio engineer. Now, what would destroy that credibility? Or build it for that matter? Funny you should ask . . .</p>
<p>Before we talk about credibility, there are some things you should know. Unless you are paying the audio engineer (and in the case of many clubs, you aren’t directly), they are not required to make you sound good. Is it their job? Yes. Do they have to do it to the best of their ability? Absolutely not and here’s why: the more you irritate them, the less they will want to make you sound good. Unfortunately, these guys have a thankless job and yet they are some of the most important people in the show. You owe them your respect. Think about these things as we go over some credibility killers:</p>
<ol> <li><strong>During soundcheck, the audio engineer owns the stage! </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Regardless of how excited you might be to play a particular venue (and you should be), the stage isn’t yours, especially during soundcheck. Treat it like your grandmother’s living room. Only, the audio engineer is in charge. When he says jump, you say how high.</p>
<ol start="2"> <li><strong>Soundcheck is NOT personal practice/warmup time! </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>This rule is broken by nearly everyone at some point and is a surefire way to piss off the audio engineer when he/she is trying to get a level on another instrument. Just because your gear is setup and turned on, doesn’t mean you should be playing. Warmups should be done away from the stage unplugged or through a headphone amp (i.e. iRig). You should be playing only when the audio engineer asks you to (See #1). The only caveat here is when the band has clearance to check a song or section as a short rehearsal. This is not something decided by the band though. Always check with the audio engineer prior to making any unplanned noise on stage.</p>
<ol start="3"> <li><strong>The audio engineer doesn’t care about your amazing solo</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Yes, it might be amazing but his job is to blend you with everything else. If the only thing you do during soundcheck is noodle, then he isn’t getting an accurate representation of your sound. Run through your main patch changes along with the varied styles of playing you will have during the set. Make sure your patch levels are balanced and ask him if he is getting what he needs from you. Furthermore, don’t play any longer than he asks you to.</p>
<ol start="4"> <li><strong>Once your volume is set at soundcheck, don’t turn it up</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>There is nothing worse than engaging in volume wars with not only the audio engineer but everyone else on stage. This is especially true if other individuals on stage are using in-ears. Furthermore, if you piss off the audio engineer bad enough, he may just hit mute on your channel. Seriously, it takes next to no effort on his part and you won’t know the difference until it’s too late. It’s generally better to just keep your volume at the same level unless you clear it with the audio engineer.</p>
<ol start="5"> <li><strong>Don’t get an attitude with the audio engineer. </strong></li>
</ol>
<p>These guys don’t deal well with entitlement or diva-like behavior. They don’t have time for it and it is never justified to behave this way. Yep, that amazing tone you crafted might sound great in the studio but it may not work live. Be prepared to make adjustments during soundcheck and understand that he/she isn’t doing it to cramp your style. They are doing it because the band has to blend in order to sound good.</p>
<p>This list is certainly not all-inclusive but it gives you a good idea of how you might want to behave at soundcheck. Your (or your band’s) credibility hinges on the respect you give to those that you work with.</p>
<p>Do you have other pointers for soundcheck? Please share in the comments below!</p><br><a href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/113/" rel="nofollow"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/113/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=113&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/37110162015-05-19T15:52:48-07:002017-01-14T13:15:44-08:00Masterclass Alert! <div>I will be performing and teaching a masterclass at the Main Street Music Club and Coffee Bar in Festus, MO on Saturday, June 20th. If you are in the area, I would love to see you! Come on out and bring your friends!<br><br>You can RSVP to the event on Facebook here: <a contents="https://www.facebook.com/events/898955356792968/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/898955356792968/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/events/898955356792968/</a><br><br>Click on 'Masterclass Alert' to see the event flier.<br><br>Aloha,<br><br>AK</div><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/9cd5493bbde893909a50ca7800af63cdba217a7b/large/event-advertisement-800-x-800.jpg?1432075903" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><div> </div>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36427522015-04-05T19:49:52-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Wet Blankets (and how to get rid of them!)<p>Let’s set the record straight: wet blankets suck! Just the thought of a soggy blanket wrapped around me is repulsive. It is stifling, chilling, and drags you down. A blanket is supposed to make you feel all damn fuzzy inside and a wet one does the exact opposite. Now that we have that out-of-the-way . . . a wet blanket isn’t always literal. It can also refer to a stifling person that drags you down into the muck and mire where they occupy time and space. It’s probably safe to say that all musicians have dealt (or are currently dealing) with these individuals at one point or another. True achievement will be extremely difficult if these problems go on unchecked. Rising above it can be hard but it’s not impossible.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it isn’t always obvious when someone is a wet blanket. They come in many different forms. I have dealt with some that claimed to be friends and so I bought into their filth-spewing for a while. Many times it seemed like wisdom but after a while, that same wisdom began to buckle and weaken. Eventually things hit the fan and I couldn’t take it anymore. I started to realize that I had been duped by a wet blanket. Here are some warning signs to watch out for:</p>
<ul>
<li>They are in a constant state of criticism. Nothing is ever cool or good unless they say it is. Anything you bring up is obviously not cool enough, could be a lot better, or is just plain wrong in their eyes.</li>
<li>They tear apart what they are unable to achieve. This is usually a sign of insecurity and jealousy. Dead giveaway for a textbook wet blanket!</li>
<li>They could always do it better.</li>
<li>Being happy for someone else is a foreign concept to them.</li>
<li>They act as though their standards are the only ones you are supposed to live up to (we are not talking about parents here).</li>
</ul>
<p>You are probably starting to see a trend. Furthermore, I’ll bet that if you haven’t already thought of someone who fits this description, you will run into someone this week that falls into this category. They are everywhere and in every field of work! So, once you recognize that you have a wet blanket problem, what do you do?</p>
<p>Cast it off, I say! Depending on the situation, this is easier said than done. However, regardless of situation, there is always a way. Here are some tips on casting off a wet blanket:</p>
<ul>
<li>Create distance between you and that person(s). The further away you are (physically or mentally), the harder it is for them to have an effect on you.</li>
<li>Listen to your gut. If you have an underlying sensation that they really don’t have your best interests in mind, do what YOU know you should do, not what they tell you to do.</li>
<li>Explain to this person that you would rather they not advise you anymore and that you would rather find your own path (This is situation specific. Use your best judgement.). Be advised that if you use this tip, there will most likely be pushback. They will think that you are turning your back on them or they will say that you are arrogant. At all costs, try to ignore this behavior and stick to your guns.</li>
<li>Kill them with kindness. Refuse to let them get you down. If you continue to rise above their foolish behavior, eventually they will just fall by the wayside. This sounds clichéd, but many times it is way better than exploding on the person. You maintain your self-respect, and they end up looking ridiculous in the process.</li>
</ul>
<p>At the end of the day, these wet blanket people are just unsavory for anyone. Regardless of when you realize that someone is dragging you down, it’s never too late to cast them off. To close, I think I will let someone who is well versed in snarky, step-off statements that could easily be directed at wet blankets:</p>
<p><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="474" height="297" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IqP76XWHQI0?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p>Please let me know your thoughts and share your own wet blanket stories!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/110/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/110/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=110&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408182015-02-09T12:09:19-08:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Just let me work! Micro vs. Macro<p>We have all been there . . . that “musical director” or “bandleader” telling everyone how and what to do at every turn. It gets to the point where you second guess everything because you feel as though they will most likely override any decision you would ever make. Honestly, after a while, you start asking yourself, “What is the point anymore?”</p>
<p>Dealing with micromanagement in any setting isn’t fun, however, in music … it can get downright nasty. We have talked about ways to manage your fellow musicians when you are in a position of leadership in past posts. But what if you are a <a title="Playing your part: Being a cog" href="https://musicbizet.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/playing-your-part-being-a-cog/">cog</a> in the wheel, and you’re working underneath someone who refuses to let a product breathe and tells everyone else how to do their job? Let’s discuss . . .</p>
<p>While I’m sure psychologists have traced the roots of micromanagement to some kind of OCD problem, it seems that a good deal of the issue lies in the desire for power and lack of trust. Power in a musical setting has to be handled with the greatest of respect because in many professional circles, everyone is an A-lister and can play/work at a pro level. Micromanagers do not have this respect nor do they care to. In their eyes, leadership is telling folks what to do on every level. Plain and simple. No opinion counts except for their own. While the following may seem like bad advice, the one good thing about micromanagement is that you have plausible deniability. As long as you do what you’re told, when it blows up in their face (and it will), it rests completely on their shoulders, not yours. Short of firing someone (not always an option) or bringing it to a higher level, there isn’t always a lot you can do. The positive thing is that folks like this don’t last very long, especially in music. People that refuse to let music and its musicians breathe eventually fail miserably. What goes around comes around.</p>
<p>In contrast, what about macro-management? Everyone is familiar with the micro version but I don’t think macro is discussed nearly enough. This form of management involves looking at the product or goal in broad strokes, harnessing the abilities of your folks, and understanding/respecting the individual and what they bring to the table. A good macro-manager will shape the group environment to ensure the goal is reached without hand-holding. This type of environment also fosters trust between group members as well as trust between the members and the leader. Unlike micromanagement, it is transparent and can be behind the scenes of an extremely high performance group of people. I would venture to say that in most cases, the best groups you will ever be in will be managed in this way. There will be a defined goal to which you will be able to contribute your abilities, and when that goal is met, everyone wins. Above everything, your abilities will be respected and utilized as a contribution to the product.</p>
<p>Here is the truth though, I have been in both of the above situations and you will find yourself in both at some point as well. The key is to adjust accordingly for the situation you find yourself in, and learn from it. Always learn and remember those lessons when you are in a leadership position.</p>
<p>I would love to hear about your band/music management stories! Please share and discuss!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/108/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/108/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=108&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408192015-01-12T11:56:26-08:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00“Carry on my wayward . . . actually no, stop it now!”<p>I absolutely love that song from Kansas! However, that is the exact opposite of what I want certain folks to do when they are in a band with me and continue down a road of mediocrity. Before I continue though, let me be painfully clear: This is not a post about bashing other people, degrading them, or teaching someone a lesson. This post is about correcting issues to make sure the product you are crafting is of pristine quality.</p>
<p>Now, you might say (and I’ve heard this many times), “just fire them and find someone else.” As much as I would love to do this in certain cases, that is not always an option. Depending on where you are at in your musical career/life, this might be an option. But when you are in a corporate music setting (working for an entity much larger than just the band you’re in or in charge of), firing someone can actually be rather difficult or even impossible at your level. So what do you do?</p>
<p>The 5-year-old in me is screaming all kinds of not-so-nice things at the moment to fix the situation. However, that rarely helps the problem and usually creates more of them. To make these problematic scenarios better, the 5-year-old has to shut up and the adult has to go to work. If you are the musical director or group leader, then there are some things you can do to help make the situation better. If you are a band member, then you can tactfully suggest some of these same things to the group leader to help correct whatever issues are present. Here they are:</p>
<p>1. Talk to the person causing issues. Come prepared and you can even write out some things to say if speaking off the cuff isn’t your forte. Be clear and concise about what the problem is but do not attack the person. Encourage them to come up with a solution that you both can live with. Try to include them in the decision-making process to rectify the issue.</p>
<p>2. Use the commonality of music to your advantage. Hopefully, you both want a good product and you want the band to succeed. Direct all critiques and criticism towards the betterment of the show as opposed to just making it a personal assault.</p>
<p>Let’s take a pause for a moment. You might say, “Wait, that’s it?? That’s the only advice you have??” To that I say, it really depends on what your position within the band will allow. Furthermore, it will depend on how much power you actually have. <em>NOTE: Please do not confuse what I’m saying here. You should not be power-hungry but you should be aware of what you can and can’t do. </em>Your position will determine what you are able to do about the issues. In many cases, the two suggestions above are about all you can do short of firing the person (which may not be an option). But in some cases (few but some), you can’t fire them but you can take action that will hopefully curb their problems and get them back on the right track. Here are some scenarios:</p>
<p>Scenario 1 – Bad rehearsal technique. They can’t focus, and they are disruptive. Solution? Mandatory 1-on-1 rehearsal with the musical director until they improve. If you are the MD, then this requires some extra time on your part but how far are you willing to go to get a pristine product?</p>
<p>Scenario 2 – Can’t/won’t prepare for rehearsals and gigs. Couple the solution from Scenario 1 with removing them from the gig(s) until they correct their behavior. The caveat here is whether or not you can do the gig without them. If you can, then this solution is for you.</p>
<p>Scenario 3 – Zero work ethic. This is a tricky one because for me, I find this behavior intolerable. In my opinion, there are very few fixes for work ethic short of firing someone and explaining to them in detail why. However, if the firing is still not an option, I would do several things. First, I would begin documenting the results of the behavior (this could mean recording rehearsals and gigs, writing a dated memo, etc.). You will need leverage if you have to take this issue to a higher authority within your organization. This can be used in tandem with any scenario and is a good practice if there are repeat issues with an individual. Second, the fix from Scenario 2 can be fairly effective to jar someone’s vision into focus if they want to perform but lack the work ethic to prepare.</p>
<p>Many of you are probably reading this post thinking, “I hope I never ever find myself in this sort of situation!” The unfortunate truth is that you may very well find yourself in this situation depending on where your path as a musician takes you. Dealing with wayward band mates is always a challenge and can be downright maddening at times but the key is to always keep a level head. Always be pushing towards a solution. Don’t drown yourself in the problem.</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/103/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/103/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=103&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408202014-12-01T23:01:23-08:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Why should I have to cater? (Adapting your communication)<p>What we have here is a failure to communicate!</p>
<p>Communicating to your bandmates can be a challenge at times especially when addressing issues. I have failed to communicate time and again and I hope that through each experience I get a little better each time. A while back, we talked about perception and self-awareness and how they affect communication, especially in the case of being in a leadership position, such as musical director. In the process of being self-aware, you have to pay attention to everyone else and their needs as people in a group setting. Not everyone will have the same needs. Some needs will be met by default and others will take some more effort.</p>
<p>I mentioned the word ‘cater’ in the headline for today’s post. Often times it can feel like we are ‘catering’ to our peers/bandmates if we alter what we are doing to meet their needs. This really is not the case though in most normal situations. Remember the post about being in a <a title="Being in charge: A Service Position?" href="https://musicbizet.wordpress.com/2014/07/07/being-in-charge-a-service-position/" target="_blank">service position</a>? If you are in a leadership position, then you need to make every effort to meet your band’s needs. Every group/person is different and I won’t get into how far you need to go with the service element, but we can discuss a couple of things to keep in mind while communicating:</p>
<p>1. Being blunt – This type of communication will not work for everybody. The ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ mentality can be rough on some people. If being a little more kind or less forceful with your speech nets good results and a better product, then it might be time to adopt that type of communication for those people who respond well to it.</p>
<p>2. Feelings – Adults can get their feelings hurt. As much as we would like to think that everyone in a band is on the same page and understands that if we have to fix something then it’s okay, this isn’t always the case. Many, many people deal with a large amount of insecurity. Communicating to an insecure person can be one of the most challenging things to do in a band environment (or anywhere for that matter). Some people will shut down, some will get on the defensive, and others will continue like nothing happened but harbor their frustration inside. Each of these situations have their own challenges and they aren’t easy to work through. However, paying attention to verbal and nonverbal cues can help you see how they might be responding to your communication style. This might seem like a ‘duh’ statement, but it is easier said than done.</p>
<p>3. Individual needs – Everyone’s needs are different. An amusing example is that while you might be God’s gift to singing, your band mates might not want that much of you in their monitor mix because it overshadows what they need to hear to play the song well. Each member of the band needs certain things and this includes what they need from you as a musical director. Simply asking them what they need from you can go a long way to strengthening your communication with the band.</p>
<p>Now, it’s your turn! How do you communicate with your band? Is there a musical director-type position in your group? If not, how do the members communicate with each other? Please share your answers in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/100/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/100/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=100&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408212014-11-24T10:32:48-08:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Get your crap together! (Or a post about work ethic)<p>I have wanted to scream that at people I have had to work with in the past. In most cases, I haven’t said exactly what is on my mind but the temptation is great. I digress . . .</p>
<p>Work ethic is something that we don’t always notice until it’s gone, especially if you are used to working with people who stop at nothing to be prepared or complete a task. Those people are highly sought after and unfortunately very few. What is it about these individuals that typically makes them so valuable and attractive? You guessed it: Work ethic.</p>
<p>Simply put, work ethic is the drive to accomplish something. In a band/music setting, good work ethic is indispensable. However, clashes can happen when there are other individuals present who don’t have a good work ethic. It can be maddening! I have been in this situation many times. Some of the situations I have run into are things such as an individual just deciding to not learn their parts, picking and choosing what they will perform . . . during the concert, and thinking that they don’t have to learn something because they have already “made it.” These situations are tough to handle. What do these people lack? Work ethic (among other things)!</p>
<p>Understanding yourself is part of the key to working out these situations. There are various types of motivations/drives. Personally, I am intrinsically motivated. Satisfaction is gained from having done my best to accomplish a task at the highest level possible. My conscience won’t allow for anything less. Being motivated in this way makes it very difficult at times to deal with work ethic situations. I have to step outside myself and really try to see what where the other person is coming from. I typically try to use a mirror to show an individual their musical product and then explain why there are issues. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Every situation is different and I am constantly learning how to better manage people.</p>
<p>What is your motivation? How would you handle someone who lacks work ethic?</p>
<p>Share about yourself and then share how you would handle a work ethic issue in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/98/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/98/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=98&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408222014-11-09T19:56:14-08:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Blindspots: Moving beyond the road<p>From the time we start driving, blindspots become the check/balance of any move we make while behind the wheel. Most of us probably remember our parents constantly yelling about them when we were learning to drive. Regardless of how long you have been driving, chances are you still check your blindspots before making any move on the road. Why? Because you know that if you don’t, you gamble with the possibility of a serious accident. But, what does driving have to do with playing nice in a band?</p>
<p>We carry blindspots with us throughout our lives. They are little quirks, reactions, and verbiage that are specific to us as individuals. Generally, we aren’t very aware of them and rarely (if ever) check them to make sure that we don’t hurt or offend someone. When described as little quirks, they seem harmless. However, they can be disastrous in certain situations. We might get frustrated with someone else for something they are doing, or they might get frustrated with us for something that we are doing. In either case, when these things aren’t brought out into the open, what started as a ripple can turn into a typhoon of anger, perceived prejudice, and even hatred. This is where communication is vital to resolving these situations (funny, I think we’ve discussed this before).</p>
<p>The tendency when someone brings up a blindspot to you (or you bring one up to someone else) is to get on the defensive. While natural, this must be combatted because conflict resolution will be ineffective when tensions are high. Regardless of which side you are on, maintaining a cool head is key. Proper, non-antagonistic verbiage should be used when bringing up another’s blindspot (i.e. I feel like, It seems like, my perception is). Launching a full-scale assault will not work. Plain and simple. Your goal is not to burn a bridge but to prevent it from being blown to pieces. On the flip side, when someone brings up one of your blindspots, critical listening is important. Give that person your attention and make sure that you try to understand where they are coming from. This can be very hard at times, especially when their argument might be fueled by frustration. In any case, do your absolute best to hear them out.</p>
<p>Once both parties have voiced their opinions, then suggestions should be brought forth to help/prevent future occurrences from getting out of control. Sometimes, merely bringing an issue to a persons attention (or having it brought to your own) is enough to correct it. Other times, further action is required. Being as how every situation is different, I won’t give any examples here but any constructive suggestions are better than nothing. Look for ways to improve the situation and as a general rule of thumb, look inside yourself first.</p>
<p>Please share your thoughts in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/96/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/96/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=96&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408232014-11-04T00:50:01-08:002021-07-04T01:34:53-07:00Mistake Makin’ Time (and how to grow from it)<p>Deep inside we all know that we are perfect and never, ever make any mistakes. We are never, ever sarcastic either. I digress . . .</p>
<p>Sooner or later, no matter how good you are (or think you are) and regardless of how well you think you can lead or follow, you will make a mistake. It might be a small one or it might be an “oh sweet lord, I actually just did that and everyone saw it” type of mistake. Regardless of how big or small that mistake (or mistakes) might be, you have a golden opportunity to learn and grow from it. However, your first course of action is to correct it/acknowledge it/or in some cases, ignore it. Regardless of how you might need to respond, afterwards you have a chance to reflect on what you did or didn’t do. It is during these moments that you can evaluate where and how you messed up and as mentioned earlier, grow from the ordeal. Ask yourself these questions: What did I do (or didn’t do)? How could it have been avoided (if possible)? What can I do in the future if it comes up again? Can I respond better next time?</p>
<p>Asking yourself these questions focuses your mind on the problem but then moves onto the solution and helps to formulate a contingency plan should things go wrong again. While relatively simple in theory, the seriousness of the issue will cause the process difficulty to vary greatly, especially when it comes to managing people. Introspection is the key and the more comfortable you can get with looking inside yourself and working out solutions, the easier problem solving/correction becomes.</p>
<p><br><a href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/93/" rel="nofollow"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/93/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=93&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" /></p>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408242014-09-28T13:00:13-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Resolving conflict for someone else?<p>Conflict is healthy to a point but too much of it can get toxic and ultimately degrade the end-product in a band. What happens when conflict becomes so toxic between two individuals that they won’t even acknowledge each other in a rehearsal? More importantly, how does one rectify this sort of situation?</p>
<p>Several years ago, I was working as musical director for a small group and at some point along the way, a nasty tension developed between two of the vocalists. Rehearsal became excruciating due to one’s refusal to acknowledge the other and when words were spoken, they were extremely rude. This became problematic for me as the musical director because the product of the group was starting to suffer due to bad attitudes and rehearsal time being waisted on coaxing individuals into performing. Let me be the first to say that the problem isn’t just going to go away in many cases. It will only get worse if gone unchecked. I’m sure there are at least a few people who will read this and think, “well it’s none of your business what goes on between those two people.” Actually it is my business. Not the specifics of their problems, but rather the effect their “business” has on mine. I have a serious problem when rehearsal time is waisted and results in degraded performance. How might one deal with this kind of issue?</p>
<p>The best answer I can give (and the same one that was given to me by a close mentor prior to tackling the above scenario) is address it head-on. Think about what you are going to say prior to the discussion. You could even make a short outline to help keep yourself on track. It is also very important to realize that your goal here is not to solve their personal issues. Rather, the goal is to help them understand that the problems have to be left at the door. This can be very difficult for some, but it will definitely separate the pros from the amateurs. During the conversation, I would caution against any sort of verbal assault as that can put people on the defensive. Accusations or taking a side can also add fuel to the fire. Try to keep the rehearsal productivity/end-product the focal point. Ultimately, even with all the respect and diplomacy in the world, some people will still get frustrated and possible walk out. Your task is to keep moving forward in those situations and not lose your cool. That could move right into another post . . .</p>
<p>I would love to hear your stories! Please feel free to share in the comments below!</p>
<p> </p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/84/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/84/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=84&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/31764492014-09-08T01:53:52-07:002014-09-08T01:53:52-07:00New Music Biz Etiquette Post: Source SouringIt's been a while but now I'm back at it! Ever had a credible feedback source go sour? Read on to find out how to deal! <br><br><a contents="Music Business Etiquette: Source Souring" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://musicbizet.wordpress.com" target="_blank"><strong>Music Business Etiquette: Source Souring</strong></a><br><br>Thanks so much for the continued support! <br><br>Aloha,<br><br>AaronAaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408252014-09-07T20:10:09-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Source Souring<p>For all of my readers, I’m sorry it has taken me this long to write another post. Between tours and side work, I haven’t had an abundance of time to think lately. Luckily, things have died down a bit so it’s time to dive back in full force. Thanks for sticking around!</p>
<p>Who likes to learn out there? I know I do, and we should all like to learn. After all, being a lifelong student of your craft is one of the best paths to be on in this industry. One of the ways I learn, is through talking to and studying other people/players. I love to bounce ideas off of trusted sources that will give me real feedback and what I need to hear (and not necessarily what I want to hear, which helps with growth). But what happens when a source turns sour? A person that you were once enamored with becomes hard to handle because any deviation from their advice (which may not be the gospel truth) causes them to call you out as wrong and foolish. This sort of situation has caused me to lose sleep and I’ve allowed myself to get extremely angry and stressed out over it. So, how do you remedy this sort of situation?</p>
<p>There are people out there who are unable to see beyond their own wisdom. While their wisdom can be completely legit, if you start skirting the outer edges of it or you choose to do something different, they can get feisty. Continuing to go to individuals like this is similar to a dog forgetting about the buried electric wire at the edge of the yard. He gets excited and tries to run to the street but then gets shocked. These sources can continually set you back and prevent you from really attaining your full potential. However, do NOT confuse this “source souring” with being told something that you don’t want to hear. It has to do with your source failing to recognize that there can be more than one way of doing things.</p>
<p>When you find a source like this (or one that was previously good but then turns sour), it’s usually best to quietly back away and stop bringing things to them. This can be difficult if you both are friends, but it’s necessary to preserve the friendship and your own sanity. Bringing the issue up to them can be volatile and can end in disaster. Please keep in mind that this topic is incredibly subjective and every situation is different. The key is to evaluate your source and yourself and make the best decision you are able.</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/78/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/78/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=78&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408262014-07-13T17:00:28-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:002 Legs + Determination = Independence<p>There are times in everyone’s life where we come to the realization that we have two legs and with enough determination, we can stand on our own. Obviously, this is easier said than done and can be very scary at times but in the end, we are usually better of for it. Before continuing, I am not condoning flying solo as relationships (both personal and professional) are extremely essential to success. Rather, being able to stand on your own before leaning on anyone else is a valuable skill.</p>
<p>(NOTE: As this is an etiquette blog, the concepts mentioned in this post are more geared towards encouraging physical action as opposed to verbal action. For example, standing on your own does not mean verbally assaulting people that have caused you problems. More appropriately, it means to shift gears and make things happen for yourself. It can be accomplished with little to no verbals. Please keep this in mind as you read.)</p>
<p>A few weeks ago, I reached out to Saima, an avid supporter of this blog, for her learning experiences within the music industry. She had a lot to share but one of the things that stuck out to me the most was /is her willingness to learn. Check out the following:</p>
<p><em>“This is the first time I’m a band member + MANAGER. I’ve arranged for the venue of our upcoming gig a month from now, and know about the finances: How much the sound costs, how much the venue of our choice costs…. The managerial side requires effort, but it’s essential to know all this (if you’re starting a band of your own) and not be dependent on anyone, which potentially does end up in disagreements, and the resulting setbacks.”</em></p>
<p>Taking some of these first steps can be very hard but it forces you to learn. In reality, we should all maintain a desire to continue learning from our experiences despite difficulty. In Saima’s case, this is a real-time learning experience. The pressure can be more intense but the lessons learned are that much more ingrained. However, how does one get to this point? What can make someone want to undertake the business side? Read on:</p>
<p><em>“Most of these artists I worked with are big names in my country, and I worked with them for free as exposure was a perk, and I was too awestruck to ask for anything. But then they start holding you back musically, AND exposure-wise. . Little things like these result in lack of peace and trust, and start affecting your music. I cannot compromise on music, so the only way used to be out. All the unpleasant experiences combined, gave me the push to take a step on my own. It won’t be smooth sailing I know, especially at the start, but I’m satisfied with the way things are going so far.”</em></p>
<p>In many cases, the determination and 2-legs discovery happens after events such as those that Saima mentioned above. Anyone who has worked with a bigger artist/group/company has probably fallen for the “starstruck” feeling of getting to work with a big name (even just for exposure), all the while ignoring their own needs and then only realizing after the fact that they have been used or screwed over. There isn’t anything wrong with working for free or working for exposure, but it has to be kept in perspective. I have personally had to learn this same lesson from a number of different scenarios involving “exposure” work. I share Saima’s sentiment that the bad experiences can give you the push to step out and succeed on your own. Finding your legs and the determination can be hard, but the payoffs are immense.</p>
<p>What lessons have you learned? Please feel free to share in the comments below!</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/71/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/71/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=71&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/36408272014-07-07T11:07:14-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Being in charge: A Service Position?<p>A few weeks ago, I wrote about professionalism and what it means. I would like to continue that topic with a short discussion about how leadership should be more service-oriented within a band.</p>
<p>Service-oriented? What does this mean? It’s very simple actually. Imagine a waiter in a restaurant. They deliver everything to you and check back continually to see if you need anything. Oddly enough, this isn’t too different from being a musical director. Yes, you direct and orchestrate the music. However, your job is to write/deliver charts, converse with band members on musical issues, and ultimately make sure your band has everything they need (musically speaking) to ready the end-product. When handled correctly, this position is not so much about directing as it is about tending to the band’s musical needs.</p>
<p>A musical director friend/mentor once told me that he asked the vocalists in his band: What can I do to help you? This simple question has stuck with me and has helped to shape my perspective on the various leadership positions within a band. When you look at your band mates as people to assist versus people to direct, the vibe can change drastically. Keep in mind that every situation is different and will require different skills depending on the type of people you are working with. Some people require more direction and others require less. Dynamic leadership is absolutely crucial to being successful. But regardless of situation, if you keep your perspective centered on service to your band mates, the payoffs are incredible.</p>
<p>How do you view leadership positions within a band?</p><br> <a rel="nofollow" href="http://feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/gocomments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/68/"><img src="//feeds.wordpress.com/1.0/comments/musicbizet.wordpress.com/68/" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a> <img src="https://pixel.wp.com/b.gif?host=musicbizet.wordpress.com&blog=68112903&post=68&subd=musicbizet&ref=&feed=1" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/30284082014-06-20T04:05:41-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00LIVE CHAT ON FACEBOOK<br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/305964272896592/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming" target="_blank"><strong>CLICK TO GO TO THE EVENT PAGE!</strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/00b93d0de7b8325a7d6467cb61e08c956585281a/original/facebook-chat-promo.jpg?1403262274" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/30078772014-06-11T00:55:20-07:002014-06-17T21:10:10-07:00Fireflies Press Release<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large"><strong>Aaron Kusterer and Jennifer Batten Announce New Single ‘Fireflies’ (Owl City Cover) Out June 21, 2014</strong></span></div> <br>As a follow up to their last single together, The Melting Pot, Aaron Kusterer and Jennifer Batten have collaborated again to record a guitar-centric version of Owl City’s Fireflies. As a bonus, Batten and Kusterer are also releasing a companion music video.<br> <br>When asked about the project history in a recent interview, Aaron stated, “Jennifer told me at one point that she really liked the song Fireflies . . . it kind of grew on me. So I thought, let’s just do this.”<br> <br>“While making my own arrangement, I wanted to be sure to give a tip of the hat to the original,” said Aaron when asked about the guitar-centric nature of the cover. “You’re not going to find a lot of fast guitar playing in this thing.”<br> <br>The Fireflies cover will drop in the US on June 21st along with the companion music video. The video will be available worldwide via YouTube. European download release dates to be determined. <br><br>You can read more on the project and get a sneak listen of the track on the <a contents="Fireflies Info Page." data-link-label="Fireflies Info Page" data-link-type="page" href="/fireflies-info-page" target="_blank">Fireflies Info Page.</a><br><br>www.AaronKusterer.com Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/30017052014-06-08T15:08:03-07:002014-06-08T15:08:03-07:00Quick sneak listen<strong><span class="font_large">Check out this short video promo for the Fireflies cover feat. Jennifer Batten to get a sneak listen to the track! </span></strong><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="4zV_nsRqV50" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/4zV_nsRqV50/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4zV_nsRqV50?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/29247192014-05-06T17:44:23-07:002017-01-14T13:15:43-08:00Fireflies to be released June 21st!Yep, you got it! Fireflies + music video will be released on June 21st via the interwebs! Hope you all enjoy it! - AK<br><br>Click the image to head over to the Fireflies info page!<br><a contents="" data-link-label="Fireflies Info Page" data-link-type="page" href="/fireflies-info-page" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/3701ad281cc520b3a917771802c40bc2b10d7c73/medium/fireflies-release-promo-05may.jpg?1399418345" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></a>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/29247182014-05-06T17:42:24-07:002014-05-06T17:42:24-07:00Music Biz EtiquetteIn the wake of an article I recently perused, I felt inspired and decided to start up a new blog focused on the do's and don't's within the music industry and more specifically, functioning within a band. I have learned (and am learning) quite a bit regarding this topic and would love to share so others may learn too. If you feel so inclined, here is the link: <br><br><a contents="http://musicbizet.wordpress.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://musicbizet.wordpress.com" target="_blank">http://musicbizet.wordpress.com</a><br><br><br>Enjoy! <br><br>AKAaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/29158422014-05-02T11:57:39-07:002014-05-02T11:57:39-07:00Fireflies Interview Part 2: Top 40 to Guitar-centricHere is Part 2 of the Fireflies Interview. Enjoy! <br><br>AK<br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="-OSx9c3xk9U" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/-OSx9c3xk9U/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-OSx9c3xk9U?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/28944872014-04-24T03:04:14-07:002014-04-24T03:05:08-07:00Interview: Aaron on working with Jennifer Batten - Part 1<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="G6lJY_o2tWs" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/G6lJY_o2tWs/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G6lJY_o2tWs?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/28944862014-04-24T03:02:56-07:002014-04-24T03:02:56-07:00Footage from the Petaluma show!Hey folks, the show at The Phoenix Theater on April 19th was a great success. I had a lot of fun with it and the people were just awesome! Here is the first of a few clips from the show! Enjoy!<br><br>AK<br><br>PS - If you dig the song, you can purchase it right <a contents="HERE!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-melting-pot-single/id827255979" target="_blank">HERE!</a><br><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="F4GZ2UEKBi4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/F4GZ2UEKBi4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F4GZ2UEKBi4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/28674422014-04-13T15:03:09-07:002014-04-13T15:03:37-07:00Petaluma Show Info<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aaron.kusterer/posts/10202821665017022" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aaron.kusterer/posts/10202821665017022">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aaron.kusterer">Aaron Kusterer</a>.</div></div>4:28Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/28589082014-04-09T21:36:21-07:002017-01-14T13:15:42-08:00Rocking for Music Education!I'm excited to announce that I will be performing at The Phoenix in Petaluma, CA on April 19th helping to raise money for local and global music education! Also performing that night will be The Honey Toads and Outside Ordinance. Tickets are $8, but as a special bonus, you can bring an instrument and get in for free! Tickets are available for purchase HERE. I'm super excited to join these guys on stage and rock out to help out! Hope to see you there!<br><br>AK<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/00130dbb5e6fa39b705bdbb81ab21552f9bb7787/medium/img-7724.jpeg?1397104520" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" />Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/26904892014-03-05T00:11:37-08:002014-03-05T00:11:37-08:00News!!!Aloha! This is Aaron here and whether you're here from Facebook or just stopping by from somewhere else on the inter webs, you are in for a treat. I have had the extreme fortune of working with some absolutely amazing players in the past and the powers that be have seen fit to grace me with some incredible individuals yet again! While I can't say what exactly we are working on just yet, I can say that it is almost complete! I am very excited about this project and without further ado . . . let me intro the band:<br><br>-<a contents="Jennifer Batten on guitar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jenniferbatten.com">Jennifer Batten on guitar</a> (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck) If you haven't already heard her work on The Melting Pot, it is attached to this post. She is a killer player!<br>-<a contents="J.K. Kleutgens on bass" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.humanbase.de/user/kleutgens.htm">J.K. Kleutgens on bass</a> (Cirque du Soleil)<br>-<a contents="Troy Griffin on drums" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://about.me/troygriffindrum" target="_blank">Troy Griffin on drums</a><br><br>All of these guys are just absolutely incredible and I am honored to be able to work with each of them! Check back often for updates on this new project! Until then . . . <br><br>Ciao,<br><br>AK5:23Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/22817002013-12-24T00:04:30-08:002013-12-24T00:18:43-08:00Happy Holidays!Well it is that time of year again, folks! During my holiday festivus and relaxation, I like to recap on this past years events. Lots of cool things happened such as the release of The Melting Pot with Jennifer Batten, and Outlands by Blaze Conspiracy. Working with Jennifer is always a pleasure to work with and a killer friend. I also had a blast putting together Outlands with fellow musicians, Joey Concepcion, Anu Gunn (Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Season 1), Scott Dalhover (Dangerous Toys), Sam Bam Koltun, Barry Dunaway (Ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Pat Travers), Chad Clark, Peter Hodgson (iHeartGuitar.com), Ben Christopher, and Dylan Doherty. Really happy to have worked with you guys! <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4955638463097&set=a.2592105376247.124823.1663036024&type=1" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> </div></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4955638463097&set=a.2592105376247.124823.1663036024&type=1">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aaron.kusterer">Aaron Kusterer</a>.</div><br>In addition, whilst doing these reflective sessions, it is of the upmost importance to possess the proper beverage. <div id="fb-root"> </div><script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202045276767801&set=a.3808052334161.148571.1663036024&type=1" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202045276767801&set=a.3808052334161.148571.1663036024&type=1">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/aaron.kusterer">Aaron Kusterer</a>.</div></div><br>There is entirely too much that happened this year to contain within one post but it was all awesome and I am so humbled by the continued support that you all offer up! Thank you! <br><br>There are lots of new things coming with this new year! Get ready and stay posted! <br><br>Aloha,<br><br>AKAaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/22005572013-12-09T22:32:35-08:002013-12-09T22:32:35-08:00Christmas Album updateDue to some unforeseen circumstances, the Christmas album will not be released this year. We had to make some tough decisions but we are looking at releasing it for next Christmas. Stay posted for other news coming soon! <br><br>Cheers,<br><br>AKAaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/17818802013-10-04T02:15:32-07:002013-10-04T12:42:03-07:00October Update! Aloha! I’ve been quiet for a bit and with good reason! Things have been spinning up quickly out here in the islands and the studio is in full swing . . . <br>I am currently tidying up a collaboration with St. Louis based jazz guitarist, <a contents="Matthew Von Doran" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.matthewvondoran.com" target="_blank">Matthew Von Doran</a> entitled ‘Wishing Well.’ This particular tune takes a bit of a different direction and I’m really excited to let you all hear it! My rhythm section for this tune is made up of <a contents="Darryl McEachin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://about.me/darryl.mceachin" target="_blank">Darryl McEachin</a> on piano (US Air Force Band), <a contents="Philip Bynoe" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.philipbynoe.com" target="_blank">Philip Bynoe</a> on bass (Steve Vai Band), and <a contents="Troy Griffin" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://about.me/troygriffindrum" target="_blank">Troy Griffin</a> on drums (Dukes of Surf, US Air Force Band). These guys are all killer and I’m so humbled to be able to work with them.<br> <br>Whilst doing some tidying, I’m also kicking off another collaboration with my guitar buddy, <a contents="Jennifer Batten" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://jenniferbatten.com" target="_blank">Jennifer Batten</a> (ex-guitarist for Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck)! I will release a few more details later on but we are working on something a tad different than our last project together (The Melting Pot) and I think you guys will really dig it! I’m still putting together the group for this recording but I do know for sure that Troy Griffin is returning for it. So awesome to have him on board!<br> <br>Last but not least, December is quickly approaching and if one wishes to do a Christmas album . . . then you have to face the dire facts that Xmas will be ringing in your ears much earlier than normal. Not all Christmas music has to be annoying and in fact, a good friend of mine, <a contents="Eric Barfield" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://ericwbarfield.com" target="_blank">Eric Barfield</a>, contacted me recently about the prospect of collaborating for a Christmas record. Since I haven’t ever really put out any Christmas tunes, and because I love working with Eric, I figured it would be a lot of fun and to go forward with the idea. So at the moment, I am up to my eyeballs in Christmas arrangements and balancing that with all of the projects already mentioned. Loco! More info to come on this album . . . might even release a teaser at some point.<br> <br>Well, that should do it! I can’t wait to put out some new stuff for all of you! Thank you so much for your continued support!<br> <br>Cheers,<br> <br>AK<br> Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/14736122013-08-25T10:38:35-07:002013-08-25T10:38:35-07:00Missed the Interview? Catch it HERE!If you missed the KZOO Radio interview, you can check it out right here! <br><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F107083798" width="100%"></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/14448932013-08-23T19:47:53-07:002020-01-21T22:11:44-08:00Live on KZOO AM1210 Japanese Radio in Honolulu, Hawaii!Hey everyone, if you are in the Hawaii area around 9 PM (HST) tonight, tune in to KZOO radio AM1210. I just did an interview today with Greg MacDonald I think you all will really enjoy it. Little history, little music! Hope you enjoy! 5:23Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13884392013-08-12T19:02:18-07:002013-08-12T19:02:18-07:00ApologiesHey everyone, <br><br>I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the awesome support that you continually show! You guys rock! I regret to inform you that for the moment, Language of Emotion is not available as a download. This should be rectified within the next few weeks and I will keep you all posted on when it is next available. However, there are hard copies available for purchase right <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store">HERE</a> on the website. Thanks so much for your patience! <br><br>Aloha,<br><br>AaronAaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554342013-06-22T22:00:00-07:002013-06-22T22:00:00-07:00On The Science Fiction Show!While in San Francisco working on some show booking with my friend, Michael Wistock, I was fortunate enough to be invited by him to be a guest on The Science Fiction Show (I wrote the theme, There's Something in Here for the show). We had a great time! Expect SciFi, tunes, and lots of banter! For younger listeners and those easily offended, this is an adult show so please listen with caution. Enjoy! <br><br>
Check it out here: <a href="http://ec.libsyn.com/p/f/2/3/f231c5c3985e0be9/ep-59_scifishow_130612.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01cf8537d0ce5be2c2&c_id=5799694">The Science Fiction Show - Episode 59 feat. Jason Tudor, Michael Wistock, Keith Houin, Austin May, and special guest Aaron Kusterer</a><br><br>
AK<br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554352013-06-18T22:00:00-07:002013-06-18T22:00:00-07:00Long Time No See . . . Aloha!!! It's been a while since I've been on here and shared really anything. I've been quiet but I've been busy! Aside from enjoying the island a little more than usual, I have been in the studio working on several different projects both for myself and a few other people. At the forefront is a little work with jazz guitarist, Matthew Von Doran (<a href="http://matthewvondoran.com">www.matthewvondoran.com</a>), Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai band), and a few of the guys from <a href="./audio.cfm">The Melting Pot</a> recording with Jennifer Batten. At the moment, I'm not going to divulge too much about this project but rest assured it is a little different than the usual. <br><br>
I've also been working on several tracks with a few of the players from the Air Force Band here in Hawaii and it has been a blast recording with them. Live studio tracking is absolutely awesome! It has (and is) a huge treat to be able to work with these guys and record some music together. <br><br>
Tomorrow, I'm headed out to San Francisco to hang out with my friend, Michael Wistock, advance a gig or two, and teach a few lessons. <br>
Stay posted for new things and big ideas. :-) Until next time . . .<br><br><br>
Cheers,<br><br>
AK<br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554362013-03-19T22:00:00-07:002017-01-14T13:15:42-08:00PreSonus!Now endorsing PreSonus Audio gear! Just received an 1818VSL from them and it kicks major butt! Started using it last week on a new collaboration. Stay posted for info! <br><br>
Great stuff guys! Happy to be working with you! <br><br>
AK<br><br><a href="http://www.presonus.com"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/841b5ef49c08f389058402b411d17a5dc1e1158e/original/presonus_logo.jpeg?1375896078" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="85" width="500" /></a><br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554372013-02-10T22:00:00-08:002013-02-10T22:00:00-08:00GTRMix BlogHey everyone, <br><br>
I have just launched a new blog revolving around mixing from the corruptive viewpoint of a guitarist. :-) The musical paths we choose shape us and provide their own perspective which can be a good thing. However, if it is not kept in check and well balanced, it can be detrimental to even the best song when one is trying to cut their tracks in his/her studio. I just wish to share what I have learned (and continue to learn) on this subject and hopefully in turn assist other aspiring artists and musicians. Hope you enjoy it! <br><br><a href="http://gtrmix.blogspot.com/#sthash.cgL0pprR.dpbs">GTRMix </a><br><br>
Cheers,<br><br>
AK<br><br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554382013-02-07T22:00:00-08:002013-02-08T22:00:00-08:00Post NAMM Wrap UpHey everyone, these past several weeks have been crazy! The post-NAMM biz just kept coming! Always a good thing. Now I'm finally able to get on here and update you all. The NAMM show was great and I couldn't be more excited to have met so many awesome people. It's amazing how much a fresh perspective and a boost of energy can help propel you forward. Anyway, I digress . . . <br><br>
I managed to find some good gear and some potential additions to the studio along with a series of plans for collaborations in the future. More to come on those! The coolest thing I found was a new line of guitar amps from Phil Jones that I find to be just absolutely killer. They weigh almost nothing and just scream. Designed to be predominately clean and then externally effected, they push way more air than their size would suggest. They are still in production at the moment but I will definitely be looking into getting one! <br><br>
'The Melting Pot' feat. <a href="http://www.jenniferbatten.com">Jennifer Batten</a> has been released! So far, so good! Thanks so much for all of your support. It really means a lot! <a href="http://www.facebook.com/anugunn">Anu Gunn (VH1's Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, Season 1)</a> hosted an online press conference for Jennifer and I on the day of the release (January 22) and it was an absolute success. I couldn't be happier with the result. The outpouring of support across the different social media platforms was awesome and there was some excellent conversation. You can read a full transcription of the press conference <a href="http://www.facebook.com/musicianinterviews">HERE</a>. I met some wonderful people thru that release and one of the standouts was Marisa Gates of the <a href="http://www.thewimn.com">Women's International Music Network</a>. She is a big fan of Jennifer's and wanted to chime in on the discussion. After the conference, and upon hearing the song (The Melting Pot), she emailed me asking to host the song on their site. I am absolutely honored and can't thank Marisa and <a href="http://www.thewimn.com">TheWIMN.com</a> enough for putting it out there. It was an absolute pleasure to have Jennifer on the track with me! She has really paved the way for more women to rock the world. You rock!!!<br><br>
To back track a little, The Blaze Conspiracy project I produced has been released and is doing well. You can check it out right here on <a href="http://noisetrade.com/blazeconspiracy">NoiseTrade</a>. To kick off the release, Anu Gunn and I hosted a press conference on facebook with Barry Dunaway (formerly with Yngwie Malmsteen) to take questions and talk about the project and it was a huge success! You can read the full transcription of the press conference on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/musicianinterviews">Musician Interviews</a>. Here are the other artists involved with the project: <br><br><a href="http://joeyconcepcion.net">Joey Concepcion</a><br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Storm-of-Perception/223223247599">Dylan Doherty</a><br><a href="https://twitter.com/SamBamKoltun"> Sam Bam Koltun</a><br><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ben-christopher/49/504/402"> Ben Christopher</a><br><a href="http://iheartguitarblog.com"> Peter Hodgson (iHeartGuitarBlog.com)</a><br>
Scott Dalhover (Dangerous Toys)<br><a href="http://www.chadclark.com/index.shtml">Chad Clark (L.A. Session Drummer, feat. Modern Drummer Magazine)<br></a><br>
Well, that about wraps it up for now. Definitely more to come in the future! Thanks again to everyone out there for your continued support and attentive ears. It means more than you know! Until next time . . . <br><br>
Aloha,<br><br>
AK<br><br><br><br><br>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554392013-01-21T22:00:00-08:002017-01-14T13:15:42-08:00LIVE Chat feat. Aaron Kusterer and Jennifer BattenTHE MELTING POT FEAT. JENNIFER BATTEN IS NOW AVAILABLE! In celebration of this release, head over to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aaronkusterer1">www.facebook.com/aaronkusterer1</a> today @ 7 pm EST for a live text chat with Aaron Kusterer and Jennifer Batten, hosted by Anu Gunn (VH1's Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp Season 1)! You won't want to miss this! <br><br>
As a special bonus, the first 5 questions submitted PRIOR to the chat will receive a free download of 'The Melting Pot' through www.aaronkusterer.com! Be sure to submit through <a href="http://www.facebook.com/aaronkusterer1">Aaron's Facebook fan page</a> NOW! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/0b5a53077e73c8b3e8e39951c30fdcfa4ce5726f/large/FB-JB-AK-Press-Conference.jpg?1375896078" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="222" width="600" /><br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554402013-01-06T22:00:00-08:002013-01-06T22:00:00-08:00Skype Guitar Lessons!Hey everyone, I will now be offering Skype guitar lessons! Check out the '<a href="./lessons.cfm">Lessons</a>' tab for more details! <br>
Have more questions? Just email me at <a href="mailto:aaron@aaronkusterer.com">aaron@aaronkusterer.com</a>. I would love to hear from you!<br><br>
Cheers,<br><br>
AK<br><br><br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554412012-12-30T22:00:00-08:002022-05-11T11:21:22-07:00Our 4th player . . Special Guest, Jennifer Batten!Please allow me to introduce my 4th player, and extra special guest on The Melting Pot, Jennifer Batten! I have known Jennifer for about 3 years now and I must say that you will not find another individual who is more complete as a player and person than her. She is awesomely talented and just an incredible person to know and work with! An absolute sweetheart off-stage and a force to be reckoned with on-stage, I think all of you will really dig what she throws down on this upcoming single! Can't wait to release it! <br><br>
Don't forget the date! January 22, 2013 on <a href="http://www.digital-nations.com">Steve Vai's Digital Nations</a>! <br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/af0e7e28600f60049208067455fad7236bde5f24/medium/JenniferBattennoname2011_HiPhiEnt_056.jpg?1375896078" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="450" width="300" /><br><br>
Here is her bio:<br><br><i> The buzz on Jennifer Batten rose from the guitar underground, and the guitar magazines promptly began chronicling her savvy musicianship and highly original approach to the electric guitar in print.<br><br>
At one point Batten was in 6 different bands, playing everything from straight ahead rock, to metal,fusion, and funk. A major turning point came when she was selected from over one hundred guitarists to play in Michael Jackson's highly skilled band which toured the world for one and a half years playing for over four and a half million people. Jennifer wasted no time after the” Bad” Tour's grand finale, diving into work on her own album with renown producer (and Stevie Wonder guitarist) Michael Sembello. The stunning results can be heard on “Above, Below, and Beyond”, the title appropriately describing the interesting diversity within. With this debut release, the world at large learned what all the excitement was about.<br><br>
Shortly after the record's release in the spring of '92, she was asked again to join Michael Jackson for his upcoming "Dangerous Tour". In January '93, she joined Jackson to partake in Superbowl XXVII's half time entertainment which aired to one and half billion people in 80 nations. It was the largest audience in television history.<br><br>
She completed her second solo record "Jennifer Batten's Tribal Rage~Momentum," just before she was again asked to join Michael Jackson for his 2 year world tour supporting his double album "HIStory" in 1997.<br><br>
Jennifer's Tribal Rage project took a much different direction than her first record and is heavily influenced by world music. It is a hybrid of rock and very exotic sounds, including African percussion, Australian didgeridoo, Caribbean steel drums and Scottish bag pipes.<br><br>
In the spring of 98 Jeff Beck asked Jennifer to join his band. They joined forces for 3 years on the CD’s "Who Else", and “You Had It Coming” which were both supported by world tours.<br><br>
Other guest appearances include CD's with Carmine Appice, Michael Sembello, Carl Anderson, Carina Alfie and several rock tributes.<br><br>
Jennifer has authored two music books and has just released her third solo CD/DVD entitled “Whatever”. With this 3rd effort, she’s ventured into electronica, vocal samples, and film. She’s supporting this release with a multimedia one woman show, playing guitar in synch with films projected onto a giant screen. The companion DVD includes over 90 min of art films, previously unreleased music videos, interviews, commentary, and an innovative guitar lesson.</i><br><br>
For more info on Jennifer, head over to <a href="http://www.jenniferbatten.com">www.jenniferbatten.com</a>! <br>
(Jennifer Batten appears courtesy of <a href="http://www.lionmusic.com">Lion Music</a>)<br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554422012-12-03T22:00:00-08:002017-02-02T02:23:20-08:00Conceptual Guitar Lesson!In answer to a question I was asked in an interview with Peter Hodgson (<a href="http://iheartguitarblog.com">IHeartGuitarBlog.com</a>), I give you conceptual guitar! Watch the vid for a good barrage of philosophizin' straight from the studio! Enjoy!<br><br>
AK<br><br type="_moz"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_ADRKj3G9u4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Aaron Kusterertag:aaronkusterer.com,2005:Post/13554432012-08-08T22:00:00-07:002017-01-14T13:15:42-08:00Digital Nations Release!'Language of Emotion is now available on <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/aaron-kusterer/id411016239">iTunes</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Language-of-Emotion/dp/B008UZ9QJ8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1344550376&sr=8-9&keywords=Aaron+Kusterer">Amazon</a>, and <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0BK7JIC8pX78jOnVD03RLn">Spotify</a>!<br><br>
Just in!!! My artist page is now live on Steve Vai's <a href="http://www.digital-nations.com/">Digital Nations</a>! Head over to check it out!<br><br><br><a href="http://www.digital-nations.com/artists/dn-artists/aaron-kusterer/"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/55819/ad6601d1e84f640c74ef2251444e6f37fe536913/medium/LoE-Cover-Small.jpg?1375896077" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="300" width="300" /></a><br type="_moz">Aaron Kusterer