bandcamp analysis
October 16, 2009 by Josh · Leave a Comment
If you’re a musician like me, who loves to write and record a lot of songs, but doesn’t really have a way to go out and tour a lot, the internet seems to become your best hope for getting noticed. A lot of artists get noticed through YouTube, and others, like Jonathan Coulton, through sheer word of mouth and good songs. But everyone, including myself, is looking for the next website or service to distribute our songs. Anyone who tours or even plays shows in their hometown knows that CDs are the way to go. Period. Maybe you can gimmick USB drives or something, but the cost to purchase a lot of those vs. the cost to mass-produce CDs doesn’t even match up. Selling someone a CD is just easier than saying, “I have a website … joshuabelville.com. That’s spelled B-E-L-V-I-L-L-E. Also you can check me out on Bandcamp…” etc etc. Believe me, I’ve done (and failed) this before.
So that being said, what is the value of digital distribution? For me, it’s this: Read more
the october ep is out!
October 3, 2009 by Josh · Leave a Comment
cover art by kira lehman
As you know, I’ve been releasing three-song EPs on the third day of every month this year. Well, the October EP is out! You can go here to take a listen (and check out the other months, if you’d like). The art is beautiful and by my friend Kira, and the songs are about trees, a stripper, and some relationship nonsense. Par for the course, I reckon.
If you like these EPs and want to be even more connected, I suggest you download the others, perhaps put a song or two on a mix CD for your friend, casually drop my name at a cool indie party (thus solidifying your hipster status by naming a musician no one has heard of [yet]). You can also donate a few bucks toward my eventual construction of a new CD, which will happen early next year. This CD will be like the JJ Abrams version of Star Trek: a reboot, if you will. But that’s another blog for another time.
Anyway, I hope you like it, and I hope you have a wonderful time doing whatever it is you do in the world. 
