The Folgers Jingle Contest is supported by famous multi-platinum recording artist, Gavin DeGraw. “The Folgers Jingle has inspired many special and unique versions over the years and we are thrilled to partner with Gavin DeGraw for the third Jingle Contest,” said Maribeth Badertscher, Vice President, Corporate Communications, The J.M Smucker Company.  The jingle has changed over time by various singers, and now, it is time for a fresh face to share his or her talent to coffee drinkers and non-coffee drinkers alike. Entries must be in English and no more than six individuals may participate in the video. More information and updates can be found on www.Folgers.com/Jingle.

This post was sponsored, but opinions are my own

Whether you’re a music lover, or if you want to treat your school or community to a good show, planning a music festival is both exciting and exhausting.  Assuming that you already have a list of local bands and musicians put together that you’d like to attend the show, here are some other items that you may want to consider so that your festival goes off without a hitch.

Finding a Location

Depending on why you’re throwing the festival (for a school?  For a charity?) you may be able to find some indoor or outdoor space for free, or for a discounted rate.  Schools will often throw music festivals on their grounds or inside of their gymnasiums, while cities and municipalities or counties will often lend a local park to the festival free of charge if it’s for charity. If it’s for neither, try going to a local realtor and ask them for their own recommendations.

Get The Necessary Permits

While looking for your perfect location, keep in mind that you’ll likely need to secure permits for drinks, food, construction (i.e. stage construction) and entertainment.  Not every town may require this type of licensing, but the more urban you are, the more likely you’ll need permits for your event.

Managing Your Guests

You don’t want just anybody coming to your festival, especially if you have ticket sales or are using donations to a charity as an entry fee.  Trying to keep track of who’s coming and going can always be a challenge for any event, but there are now some fantastic visitor management software programs out there that can make visitor management a breeze.  Look into Magicard systems and think about creating visitor badges, especially for any VIP guests.

Organize Tickets

People always try to forge tickets, especially if the festival has a good line-up of artists. So, if your festival promises to be a success and is drawing a lot of attention, it’s in your interests to get a professional ticket printing company like Kalamazoo Secure to handle your tickets. Although this will cost more than simply printing out your own tickets, it’ll be invaluable in preventing fraudsters from essentially stealing from you and all the hard work you put into your festival.

Hire Security

Whenever you have a large gathering of people that aren’t your direct friends and family, it’s always a good idea to have some sort of security crew in place in case something happens – especially if you plan on having alcohol at your event.  Just the presence of some burly security folks can be enough to keep your event safe so that everyone can have fun without getting hurt.

Find A Sound and Lighting Crew

Every music festival needs a great sound and lighting crew.  Nothing can ruin a festival faster than having the speakers blow or the lights go out mid-performance.  Having a sound and light crew on hand will help you prevent such disasters, and they can also set up each music act properly and take down the equipment after each show for you.

I hope your event goes well. One last piece of advice; please don’t copy Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World 2; simply booking them won’t ensure they’ll come. Remember to hound and badger all of the bands, and to remind them on a regular basis. This is the only way to ensure that they don’t flake out at the last minute.

]]> http://musicforemotion.com/how-to-plan-your-own-music-festival/feed/ 0 http://musicforemotion.com/archie-roach-seen-at-sydney-festival/ http://musicforemotion.com/archie-roach-seen-at-sydney-festival/#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2013 23:58:47 +0000 admin http://musicforemotion.com/?p=696 Sydney Festival 2013 has various artists visitors can check out and listen. Already, some shows have sold out such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Darkside, and Nicolas Jaar; luckily, there are still many amazing, fantastic musicians to choose from. One musician in particular, Archie Roach. Archie Roach has lived a rough life that has molded him into the artist he is today.

A downtrodden life of petty crime, homelessness, and alcoholism led him to the possible way of finding redemption. He found inner strength and has risen into success with many songs including “Top of the Hill” and “Big Black Train”. “You have to let go of the pain and get on with life,” said Roach  “Forget your troubles for awhile and get up and dance. It’s a celebration of life and good medicine straight Into the Bloodstream.” Other musicians that will join Roach are Radical Son, Emma Donovan, and Vika and Linda Bull. The show will be on January 25 at 8pm at the State Theatre. For more information on the performance or any other music acts, please visit the music section of of the Sydney Festival website, http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au.

This post was sponsored, but opinions are my own

There has recently been a rise in self-taught DJs and producers making it big on the music scene, with Simon Cowell announcing that DJs are the next rock stars.

Artists, such as Swedish House Mafia, Avicii, Madeon, TEED, Unicorn Kid, and Skrillex are all making big names for themselves in the charts and the clubs.  Below is a run-down of 3 of my favourite bedroom Djs/Producers.

MADEON

At 18 years of age, Madeon is actually younger than Justin Bieber, and his desire to start programming beats and manipulating samples came after he watched Daft Punk’s 2003 film Interstella 5555.  Soon after he was studying the production skills of studio master Stuart Price and lapping up The Beatles back catalogue; it was then that he set his heart on what he wanted to do.  His first release, ‘Pop Culture’ was released via YouTube, which featured samples from 39 songs mixed on the fly; it instantly became a sensation and reached over 6 million views in a couple of days.  This led to his first proper live-gig being in front of a packed crowd at Coachella festival.

BOY 8-BIT

Boy 8-Bit is a unique breed of bedroom DJ, as he actually started making music using an old Amiga computer; hence the name Boy 8-Bit.  He started off listening to 80s hair metal and MOR-rock, but also cites Chicago, Foreigner, Rainbow and Mr Mister as some of his influences.  The music that he makes revolves around anthemic techno/house, which is centred upon powerful, heavy stomping rhythms and bass-y synthesiser riffs.  One of his most recent releases, ‘We Move By Night’ manages to create a groove that could only be described as a bass-clarinet.

BURIAL

Burial is the DJ name of William Bevan, a highly elusive electronic producer from London.  He creates music that contains elements of dubstep, UK garage, ambient and house music.  His seminal debut album was released in 2006, which was named The Wire magazine’s album of the year.  Burial’s second album, Untrue, was also highly praised by the media, and earned him a Mercury Prize nomination.  Surprisingly, Burial managed to remain anonymous until 2008, despite being critically acclaimed in the media.  His most famous song, ‘Archangel’, makes heavy use of crackle, shuffling and distorted vocal sampling.

If you fancy yourself as a budding DJ, then there are a host of tools available to help you get started, such as Ableton and Logic Pro.

Unless you are extremely lucky, it will be difficult to get your music noticed at first.  However, there is a myriad royalty free music sites, such as Beat Suite, who are always keeping their eyes and ears open for new talent.  They are happy to receive demos from any aspiring musicians, composers and artists, irrespective of whether you’re a professional composer, producer, or bedroom DJ/musician.  This is an excellent way of getting your music noticed, as a lot of the music is featured in the production and media industry.

]]> http://musicforemotion.com/the-rise-of-the-bedroom-dj/feed/ 0 http://musicforemotion.com/music-as-emotional-guide/ http://musicforemotion.com/music-as-emotional-guide/#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2012 09:01:53 +0000 admin http://musicforemotion.com/?p=682 During life, there are numerous tiny sayings that people use to have a point or aid explain their feeling at that time. These types of idioms, as they’re often called, are helpful tools if put into use at the proper time and in the proper way. Similarly, music might have exactly the same effect. Think about situation in which you felt in certain manner and got in a car or slapped on the head phones, then volume up the music. A person looks for a tune that matches your feeling, one which says it all, in a lot of words. It is a normal reaction, and one which apparently many people get as well.

What is behind this action might have a lot of understanding. But, without being too scientific about it, you can get feelings and emotions which are tapped into creating a sense of achievement. For instance, you might want to feel in certain manner now, therefore, you start looking into a song that talks for you; it expresses your feelings. When you attain this frame of mind using the help of a tune, you’ve achieved what you attempted to do. It might seem a little far-fetched or fairly crazy, however, you will see that it’s much truer than it may seem.

For most of my entire life, it has been something which I truly paid no focus on, till I began realizing that my feelings were leading my steps. Although this is not really a good method to make choices, allowing my heartstrings become the puppeteer, there’s certain healing value not to keeping in fury, stress, or some other self-defeating sense. Getting rid of this kind of feelings really does miracles for reducing stress and any panic which may exist.

Certainly, this isn’t guidance or a prescription for fixing emotional fluctuations. These ideas are simply expression of individual findings and concepts that evidently had some effect on my own experiences. Nonetheless, I’ve come across this same reaction to how other individuals were feeling and after that relied upon songs to complete the remaining work. How come this happen to anyone when they appear to be going through particular heights or greater emotions?

Study along many fronts implies that music has effects on areas of your brain that might help or impede particular process of contemplating. Music indicates great effect on college students and just how they study. Inserting some good info on studying styles, popular music is one element which will help students that need some type of sound to enable them to focus. Not every music can help in this way; it generally might be a particular genre which has the very best and most successful impact. Even at special occasions, mainly music for wedding events, all sorts of feelings and thoughts is going to be overflowing inside the bride’s heart.

Musical impact has its own advantages and its downsides. Clearly, if a person uses certain radical or badly encouraging notes to motivate and improve negativity, this isn’t a great usage of music and its contagious tunes. Essentially, option is crucial with this circumstance. As in everything regarding life, the options made by anyone would be the greatest guide to their own success. Therefore, in this instance, the music choice, if made depending on emotions, is important in its engagement to the feelings you might feel in times of unhappiness or pleasure.

Music is viewed as particular characteristics such as, melody, rhythm, pitch, and frequency. And every style of music is yet again feature by particular levels of these mentioned attributes. A music with lots of rhythm express enjoyment whilst a soft tune expresses enchantment. Yet again, a tune furthermore states sadness. For example, Latin music is mainly presented by rhythm and specific style of melody. Latin music and songs are reflection of Bohemian way of life that greatly matches Latin tradition.Variance in rhythm and melodies results in reflection of different types of emotions. Western Classical music leads us to a specific thing common about human feelings. It can make us achieve a transcendental phase of our mind. But most of the composers think that feelings presented through music is one thing very abstract and differs based on the distinct thought of many people. Among the noteworthy classical western music composers was, Ludwig Van Beethoven, who has given the world lots of masterpieces even though getting disabled with hearing problems at quite young age (28). He is thought to be the founder of Romantic period of classical western music. Classical music from the East or particularly Indian native Classical music includes a range of areas and types. Even so the 2 main parts are Hindustani Music coming from Northern India and the Carnatic Music coming from Southern India.

Each one of the tunes are called “Ragas”. The melodies found in each one of these “ragas” displays different emotions based on specific points during the day. The Indian Classical music is principally mono-phonic, it’s primarily based on a one line of tune and it has to be sung at a particular rhythm. Any kind of change from the above principle is recognized as an error. Even Folk music and songs delivers a specific thing concerning the lifestyle and culture of a certain area. To be more precise, it usually narrates certain widely used folk stories of that area. Once words are put in a melody, it turns into a song. But, music may also be solely instrumental where a person gets fulfilment from the melody only. Stunning sounds of violin, pianos, guitars, expresses feelings with no words. Music may show nearly all of person’s emotions. It expresses romance, joy, ecstasy, and also pathos, agony, and sorrows. Remarkably, a simple song that is sung from your heart offers us much more fulfilment when compared to a complicated one that is usually relying on human artefacts. Perhaps it is an explanation why pop music and rocks may also be very popular nowadays. It’s also very correct that likings for certain type of music mostly are determined by the temperaments of people. This is why some choose delicate tunes while some just like hard rocks. It could be fairly argued that music isn’t just a manifestation of feelings, its emotion by itself. Music with no emotionally charged message is much like vacuum. It is similar to a flower with no essence.

The origins of music festivals date back to when records began, with groups of people gathering to celebrate music in all its glory. Since then festivals have got bigger and bigger and since music genres and niches have evolved so much – it has opened a new realm for events. Festival goes vary between free spirits who see the hedonistic and artistic side to the event to music fanatics who are at the forefront of the latest music and bands/artists.

Here’s a breakdown of the main events you may have missed, and may have time to attend in 2012:

You’ve missed:

South by South West – Forget music festivals where only 2,000 people attend, South by South West (SXSW) has 2,000 up and coming bands and artists playing, stock music producers, with a number of established artists also playing to bring in the ticket sales. It took place in March and every year is one of the most covered festivals of them all. Located in Texas, SXSW had sets from Fiona Apple and Andrew Bird amongst others. It’s a great platform to get your band noticed too if you’re unsigned.

Coachella – This is one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the world, up there with Sonar in Spain and Glastonbury in the UK. Unlike a lot of festivals it takes place over two separate consecutive weekends and features some of the biggest rock names around. Located in California you are almost guaranteed great weather and a relaxed west coast atmosphere. Big acts that played in 2012 include Radiohead and Black Keys among hundreds of others. Beautiful people and beautiful weather come as standard.

Electric Daisy Carnival – Not all festivals are about big stage rock bands as the Electric Daisy Carnival proves – giving focus to electronic music and DJs championing specialist genres and unheard of producers. The event is not specific to any location and has a new home every year with New York being the destination for 2012, a first for EDC. Headliners for 2012 included Benny Benassi amongst others.

Still to come:

Lollapalooza – Taking place in August, Lollapalooza has been an integral festival in the development of rock music since 1991. Nowadays the mix of music is far more eclectic with artists such as Muse, Deadmau5, Coldplay and Eminem all playing on the 20^th anniversary show. 2012 is set to be another big year for the Chicago based festival, and it’s not too late to try and get hold of a ticket.

Electric Zoo – September holds Electric Zoo, a festival dedicated to new, edgy and boundary pushing electronic music. Located in New York this attracts a number of famous DJs and producers such as Calvin Harris and upcoming stars such as Rusko. Expect new talent on the line up too as electronic music is always evolving and becoming something new.

Austin City Limits – This event takes place in Texas, so is a great one to visit if you missed SXSW earlier in the year. With a number of popular artists playing every year this is a festival for those who prefer music a little more mainstream for those big sing along anthems. Expect artists such as Stevie Wonder, Coldplay and Kanye West playing if you want an idea of who will be rocking the stage. It takes place in October so you have plenty of time to make the necessary arrangements to get going.

This list has been compiled by http://us.audionetwork.com/ – a specialist in stock music for the professional and creative industries. The US brand of Audio Network has offices in New York and always looking for new recording talent.

]]> http://musicforemotion.com/americas-top-music-festivals/feed/ 22 http://musicforemotion.com/find-the-best-music-for-meditation/ http://musicforemotion.com/find-the-best-music-for-meditation/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:06:52 +0000 admin http://musicforemotion.com/?p=661 In particular facets of your meditation program you need to play meditation music that can support change your brainwaves and enables you to put on an in-depth calming condition. The kind of meditation music favored may differ among students and instructors of meditation. The one fundamental concept would be that the meditation music provides particular bests for each minute to assist improve your notion. Once you find proper rhytm, grab your meditation supplies and start practicing. After a while just listening the beats and rhytm can lead you to totally new state of mind you never visited before…
At some point over time music in the Baroque period had been regarded as an ideal meditation audio, but when you don’t much like the music you’re hearing when looking to reach that ideal state of mind you will simply impede engaging in your hypnotic condition rather than improve it. Simply what does this suggest for you now? This means that you’re going to need to test meditating to some wide range of music to discover the mediation music which works for you.

Such as writers that discover motivation inside the music they focus on, the identical may be accomplished by the meditation individual. Mediation music isn’t restricted to just what others sense is the best item to attain your goals. Lots of people that meditate to music take pleasure in hearing Jazz, Gregorian chanting, nature sounds, guitar items, Indian sitar audio, as well as powerful rock ‘n roll. Many of us are people with style which vary from one end of the big music range to another. Since all of us find particular music being more desirable to us than the others, it’s crucial that we realize that ideal mixture of meditation music for our research.

Meditation music must have one component inside regardless of what style you like which is known as ‘binaural beats’. Binaural beats are music beats which pattern with the song that can be the same note during but they are somewhat away or away from melody with the remainder of the structure. These types of beats are that which you train your brain to pay attention for and the greater you turn out to be at achieving this, the simpler it will be to go by the beats and allow your thoughts put on a meditative condition.

It’s a type of ‘brainwave entrapment’ so when you are looking for meditation music being an aid in meditation it might be an emphasis for the thoughts. Binaural beats help slow your mind down from the waking state – or Beta state – to some condition of really calm mind – the Alpha state. Those who have perfected meditation will go in to the even further Theta condition that edges on getting sleepy or perhaps sleeping without having to be mindful of it after they focus on the proper meditation music.

Another good example on how to get focus and “flying” mind is to built your own meditation garden when will instead of music you listen natural sounds like bird twitting, water sounds and wind waves…

]]> http://musicforemotion.com/depressing-facts-about-popular-music/feed/ 12 http://musicforemotion.com/royalty-free-music/ http://musicforemotion.com/royalty-free-music/#comments Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:20:00 +0000 admin http://musicforemotion.com/?p=640 Music is said to be the soul of one’s mind and body. Every game has graphics accompanied by acoustic piece of track, and every film has background music to entertain and retain the viewers. In many public entities, famous tracks are widely used to make a romantic environment for customers to enjoy- radio stations, restaurants, and weight loss clubs are few vivid illustrations to mention. They play music publicly after purchasing public performance rights and royalty-free music and in return they pay handful amount of money to the composers of the music. Many people being unaware of Royalty music are not frightened to use the music into their advertising campaigns, productions, films, and videos, which can induce them to pay hundred or thousand of dollars to the particular artist (whose track is used without license or payments) or the composer( who has copyrighted his music). Every single piece of music is copyrighted that means you can’t use it without a license or paying the royalty to the artist whose music is to be played in your production or corporate marketing.  Question now is how to be able to synchronize the music in your TV, series, films, or production while going for least-expensive expensive sources to get music or is there really a way to save money on this?  The answer to this predicament is opting for royalty-free music and buying the paid-version in order to get full privileges to use it anywhere without restrictions.

Royalty free music refers to a single piece of music or a certain number of music tracks that can be bought for the money taking license under your hold and getting rights to use the music innumerous times without having to provide the royalty to the composer or artist. Once, you purchase the tracks, you have legal right to use them as long as you desire; and you aren’t bound to pay any kind of royalty ever again to the composer since you have already acquired the license to the music, which ultimately makes you qualified for using the music to an infinite time period. It’s completely on your discretion to coordinate the music as the background score of the movie or for videos on the internet or for video games. When you buy a royalty-free music license from the music library, it’s true that you don’t have to pay fees to the composer for using his/her music in your visual or audio content, but this is not always the case, sometimes you have to pay to the compose every time when you his/her particular music track or album. The adverse part is that the amount of fees gets increased when you are inclined to use the music for broadcasting anything or present it on public in connection with your personal production or visual or audio creation. The misconception about royally free music is that once the buyer gets the royalty-free license; he is unconstrained to connect it elsewhere either in production or public show, and unfortunately this isn’t very true. The buyer is always liable to pay the composer or composers depending on for how long the music will be played or how many times it will be synchronized? Good news is there are an array of music libraries and websites offering royalty-free music online. You have broad options and choices, and sky is your limit. It’d be best if you audition a track prior to finalizing it for production and getting a royally free license, because there might be the least costly track available for you with the same quality and excellence. You just need to browse properly and find it out.