Marc Gunn is Celtic Geek songwriter from Austin, Texas with a strange affinity for ballads, Irish drinking songs, acoustic Alternative Folk, podcasting, Sci Fi, and cats.
Friday, May 09, 2008
The Gift of Cat Love Now on iTunes
CD Baby loves me! They said so. They also told me that The Gift of Cat Love is now iTunes. That is the cool three-song single I released to preview Whiskers in the Jar. The CD features "What Shall We Do With a Catnipped Kitty", "Danny Boy", and "Molly Malone... The Cat's Perspective/Planxty Hewlett".
If you have the CD or have downloaded the songs for free, please post a review on CD Baby and iTunes for me. Those reviews help others iTunes and others to realize just how cool it is. Thanks! :)
Student Days, Whiskers in the Jar and Exclusive MP3s (Coming)
Just done with Student Days at Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. It went well. Michelle Hedden is playing bodhran for us all weekend, and it's ton fun having rhythm. At the end of the day, I went and played some cat songs for fans and the Queen. I don't ever play those songs so it's a bit of a shame in my mind. Course that also means I had trouble remembering them. But I worked through most of them.
Then I got back to the hotel and learned that Whiskers in the Jar is at last in production. W00t! Not sure how long it'll take to get it out to me, but quicker is better!
I also setup a Fan Collector Widget from ReverbNation (below) and uploaded some songs to that site. I think I'm gonna setup some exclusive MP3s there too, since it gives the option. The site has a Lot of cool features. Now I just need to figure them out.
I had a really vivid dream last night. I don't quite it except it had to do with my music career. And what's really weird is I still feel like reliving that dream... even though I can't remember it.
*shakes head* Ugh!
Now I'm uploading "Gypsy Rover" to ReverbNation. I'm tossing the idea of moving my Marc's Musings mailing list over there, because a lot of bands seem to like the site. I'm still not entirely certain I'll be able to use it, but I'm considering it.
I'm also just about ready to go pick up Andrew and Michelle. The Brobdingnagian Bards will be a three-pieces this weekend at Castle Muskogee with drums.
A while back, I was looking at this painting in the National Gallery of Art in D.C.. It was a painting depicting an Venetian casino. The plaque read that these rooms were typical places for gambling and lasciviousness. Patrons would come in costume with masks to hide their nature in true Venetian style. The painting struck me hard, "What a great idea for a Renaissance festival?"
Since then I've done a lot of brainstorming (though I can't remember the name of those "casinos") on this idea. Today, I met with a friend and the idea grew a wee bit more.
So picture it a moment--a Renaissance, mask-themed event with live, bawdy music and Renaissance gambling (for prizes). Add to it a wee bit of faire-style acting, with almost like a murder mystery dinner. Does that sound as much fun to you as it does me? Would you come to Austin for an exciting night of music and entertainment if I put something like this together?
Later this summer or possibly in the Fall, I hope to record my next studio album with Rich Brotherton, who also produced Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers. The concept behind this album is the fusion of traditional Irish music with American folk and blues. The title--How Irish Music Saved Civilization.
I'm really excited about this album, the chance to work with Rich again and the fusion of musical styles... I'm psyched. I don't entirely know what tracks will be on the album, except "Lil Bit of Love", but I do have a nice list of songs that I am working on.
The trouble right now is $. I looked at my finances today, because I wanted to record a three-song single to promote the Civilization album. But boy are finances tight. I still owe nearly $7,000 on Whiskers in the Jar, plus hundreds on several other CDs. Money is tight.
One of the reasons I compiled Going for Brogue and What Color Is Your Dragon? was to raise money for this new CD. Unfortunately, it looks like I will have to be patient and recoup some money before I release a single. And certainly before I record a full album.
Meantime, I am practicing a lot to prepare for this new CD. It will be awesome... Now I just need to recoup some mullah!
Busy day. I can barely remember it. I cleaned, did laundry, practiced, watched some movies, and I made biscotti... or attempted to. I'll try them out tomorrow and see how good they taste.
I also realized that one of the cats pissed on some pillows and such. Oh, and I published a Cat Drinking Tails newsletter announcing Whiskers in the Jar. I just realized I forgot to tell my readers that the new CD is done. I also had to resend a new master of the CD, because there were scratches on the first one. Another delay, grr. So much email to go through.
I am home lounged in front of the TV watching Music & Lyrics. Tiziano climbed up onto the couch, circled and plopped down leaning against me to hinder my ability to refill my bourbon. Torre is crouched quietly on the other side of the couch.
I love coming home. My weekend at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival was fun, but exhausting. I must confess too much so. I feel wiped, and we head back on Thursday for a Three day weekend. That will be touch methinks. But it's hard to complain when I had the joy of spending time at Mother Pockets Soup Kitchen with the whole family. And family they are. I love that group. Such kind, good-hearted people, they take away the stress and worries of the world by being.
Our shows went great. I got to meet my friend Emilee's new baby (stunningly cute!). We hung out with our Monkey, and played music better than ever. Aside from the physical exhaustion, it was a good weekend. And there are three more to go! :)
Hmm? Did I let the cat out of the bag and shouldn't have?
A while back a published a CD. It served two goals. It was a test project and it was a CD to publish some bawdiness. After mentioning it for Going for Brogue and on the latest Renaissance Festival Podcast, I've seen a surge of CD sales. I'm not sure I really want that. The CD is a little foul mouthed and bawdy to a small degree. I like what I did, but I put the best, most family-friendly songs on the Brogue CD. Not to be cryptic or enticing, but I published the album under a different name for a reason. So unless you're into skankiness, don't bother. And I prolly will publish another album under that name in the future, because it gives me an outlet for something different.
I'd love to see more pics of people with my solo CDs, T-Shirts, Celtic Cat Wooden Mug, whatever. If you have any fun pictures of those, post them on Flickr or on Myspace. Or what about doing a special video with my CDs that you post on YouTube?
Once you've done something, post a comment here where your picture or video is at and I'll send you a free live CD of mine.
I'm used to criticism when it comes to my music marketing tips. I've was really aggressive in the past. No where near as much now. But I decided to go back and read that book. I still stand by all those tips.
This ebook and all my articles are educational tools designed to build character that will lead to success. Sort of like Bob Baker's Artist Empowerment Podcast and stuff. Not all these tips are for everyone right now. To illustrate this, I'll repost my reply:
Thanks for the feedback. I understand your point, but I have a different philosophy which not everyone understands. It's the concept that if you give selflessly, you will receive. That article is designed to educate musicians on ways to give selflessly. I am an idealist and I look at the greater issues, not sales of CDs, but the betterment of humanity. Putting on a great show or showing your love and respect for you fans is part of that goal.
You see, to be successful in any business, you have to respect they people who support you. And the way to do that is to learn how to respect people. It's not an intuitive part of human nature. People naturally want to be greedy or to take care of themselves.
As an example, a few years ago, I decided to selfishly donate a percentage of CD profits to non-profit organizations. My goal was to publicize the donation and thereby attract media to build my fan base. The problem was I didn't publicize it.
Instead, I gave away money. I turned those donations into a habit. Now I regularly give away a few thousand of dollars a year to non-profits. And the most unexpected thing happened... I did not profit from the publicity. Instead, I profited internally, spiritually, I got thank you letters from organizations who said how much they appreciated my donations.
The same thing with the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine. It began as an ezine to promote MY band. But eventually, I stopped promoting MY band selfishly and started promoting other bands. Then I started the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. All of a sudden, I got fan emails from people telling me how much they appreciated me sharing this great music with them!
The point I'm trying to make is that on the surface those tips may seem like "selling out". But they are not. "Selling out" is a state of mind. If you do not agree with them and you are an artist, don't do them. Because THAT is selling out. But to read those tips and realize that by doing so you will make other people feel good, to ingrain those tips into your heart so the next time you see a "fan", you give them a hug, because you learned to CARE about them. That is not selling out. That is improving your social conscience. And I believe that that is good for humanity.
I don't know if I made my point or not. But I do believe that if you act a way that you think will benefit you, you will learn one day not to "act". It will become a part of your nature. And then you ARE that person. And hopefully, that person is better than the one that started.
I know I have a Lot of faults that still need correcting, but that is the opportunity of life.
I'm all packed and ready to go to Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. Going to pick up Andrew in a few minutes. Meanwhile, I'm passing time watching Buffyand doing some web updates. I added Going for Brogue to the CD special atWhiskers in the Jar ordering site.
I also signed up for ReverbNation. A number of bands that I know and respect use the site. So I'm going to give a run and see what it can do for me.
Whoa! Time for a breather. *sigh* It was a busy day. I decided to take a break from recording What Color Is Your Dragon? to get other stuff done:
Renaissance Festival Podcast #94 posted, an ezine was sent out, and I redesigned the podcast website. It looks a lot cleaner... maybe too clean. Let me know what you think?
- Marc's Music News - Going for Brogue and more New CDs - Last Chance for an Ireland Tour - My Blog Could Save Your Life
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Marc's Musings
Greetings amici,
Texas, having beautiful spring days, who would've thought?
Every time I stepped outside after the big thunderstorm last weekend, I was amazed. The weather was delicious, cool, and lovely. The only problem is I haven't been out to enjoy it. I had a lot planned and not enough time to do it. But the results are getting me excited
MARC'S MUSIC NEWS
Thanks to my acupuncturist, I am at last feeling great. My sinus problems are all gone, and my motivation kicked in over the weekend.
You see, I've had several CDs that I planned to finish this spring. The first and most important was Whiskers in the Jar: Irish Songs for Cat Lovers. It is at the printers as we speak and should arrive by the end of May.
The second was a CD called, What Color Is Your Dragon? Folk Music with Delusions of Grandeur. It's a CD that I've been recording over the past year and releasing as singles on the MarcSongs Podcast. There were a couple songs that still needed recording. So I kept putting it off... until this weekend. The music is now recorded! I hope to mix it this week.
The third was a last minute decision. It's a an album of Irish songs and sea shanties that I recorded over the past few years with an Irish accent for my Irish-Song-Lyrics.com website. It's called Going for Brogue: Irish Pub Songs Songs and Sea Shanties with an Accent (go fig!). That album was my big accomplishment for the weekend. I remixed it, and sent it off to the printers. You can now pre-order a copy, and you should have it by the time I make it to Ireland in June.
MARC GUNN LIVE! Speaking of Ireland, we came to a big decision. This year's Brobdingnagian Bards Tour of Ireland is the last tour we're gonna do. Quite sadly, this is the second year we're losing money on it. While we have a great time, we're still indie musicians and can't afford to take big losses. So that's it.
That said, we do have four more spots available on this year's tour. This trip will be a one bang up party that you don't want to miss. So if you're interested in going AND you can afford it, email me ASAP. Right now, the trip lists for $2600. But if you let me know immediately, I'll knock off $100 from the price until Monday.
Meantime, we're heading back to the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival this weekend and the next three. This will be our last engagement before we fly off to Ireland.
READ MY NEWS AT MARCGUNN.COM. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!
Okay, maybe it really won't save your life, but I hope you'll enjoy it! hehe! :)
I made a big change a couple weeks ago. I decided to start using my homepage blog more. In the past, I blogged on Livejournal or Myspace quite regularly. Both are great websites, and I haven't abandoned them. But I feel I can offer more when it's coming straight from my homepage. I have a new RSS feed which will allow you to add my blog to your newsreader--http://www.marcgunn.com/blog.xml .
That said, there's a LOT of news I posted in the past week as I made updates to my website. I reorganized my CDs and merchandise page to make it easier and more accessible. There are some questions that need answering (here and here) and much more. You can even get email updates of blogs. Lots to do. I hope you'll be a part of my community.
--- Thank you for interacting with me. Please drop me a line and say hi. Slainte! - Marc Gunn
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Do Marc's Musings ever inspire you? If so, there's something you can do. Help me out. Pass the inspiration on. Share with others, and I'll keep sharing songs.
Marc Gunn is Celtic Geek songwriter from Austin, Texas with a strange affinity for ballads, Irish drinking songs, acoustic Alternative Folk, podcasting, Sci Fi, and cats.
The world is dominated by massive organizations that strangle the life out of the independent arts. You can stop it at the source. Your good will and support of the arts through kind donations, purchases, and friendly word of mouse will make your feel great!
How would you like to have live music from Marc Gunn in your home? You can with house concerts.
House Concerts are intimate musical performances held in private homes, usually without a sound system to an audience of 20-40 people. It is a fantastic way for you to hear my music live and interact with me in a relaxed social setting.
Your job is to Promote the Event to as many people as you feel comfortable having in your home. Send email or postcards to all of your family and friends and to people you know are interested in Celtic and folk music. Then watch as you become the envy of them all, in hosting this fun and light-hearted show.
Duration is typically two hours long with two sets of 45 minutes and one twenty minute break between sets.
Admission to the house concert typically requires $15 donations from attendees. It is a good idea to have someone collect money from attendees. Donations should yield between $300-600 for the evening's entertainment.
It is best to take Reservations for the house concert. Overbooking will insure that you have a full house even if someone cancels. As this is technically a private event, please do not put your address on flyers.
Many hosts serve Food and Drink, but this is not required. BYOB is quite acceptable. Chairs should be acquired for each of your reservations. You can rent them from party supply companies for as little as $1-2 a chair.
Lodging may be requested if I am coming from out of town. If I fly in for a house concert, I may also request Travel to and from the airport.
CD Sales are the lifeblood of all musicians. It's very important to have a table to sell CDs and frequently, it helps to have someone sell the CDs during the intermission or after the show.
House concerts are amazingly fun and rewarding. They do require work, but the feel-good rewards will last a lifetime.
For additional information on how to host a house concert, or have a question? Please email me.
Concerns were just typical...will there be enough food, wine, etc.... until party time when the what if no one shows up thing hits... It was pretty much a perfect night though. Lots of friends, good food and music...gods, the music just wonderous. I still can't believe it happened...you were sitting in my living room playing all the stuff I listen too, live! And the jamming! When can you come back? --Val Dodd
It was a wonderful event, and words fail to express the excitement and spirit of the whole evening! The Bards were magnificent in every way, and I urge ANYONE to consider hosting a house concert. People were throwing money at me; I issued ribbons tied to people's wrists as they paid, and I had NO ONE out of over 60 people attending who failed to track me down and pay the gate. It was a great way to kick off out preparations for the 5th year of the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, and I am grateful to Andrew and Marc for making is such a rambunctious and fun event. If you DO want to host a concert, email me and I'll be happy to share details of what made it work. --Jamie H.
