Why You Should Go Pro

The biggest frustration that can happen for an up and coming artist is to not be able to afford or get access to all the necessities they need to branch out. How do I make sure my song is quality music? Where do I get the equipment to make my music video? What if I can’t afford the equipment?

These are just some of the questions running through the head of an independent artist. It’s like college all over again. You go through this process with a goal to be successful and you end up defeating the purpose by paying your way through it and finishing with nothing. You win some, you lose some.

Well good thing, Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media is here to help. From music production to promotions and marketing, you can start your brand from scratch and receive the publicity it deserves. At Pro Music Records, we provide the assistance to market your brand. Our dedicated team of professionals can customize your promotional package and create you a music video representing your style. Check out our YouTube page for some of our work and video inspiration at https://www.youtube.com/user/proentertainmenttv.

Also make sure to drop by at our marketing page to educate yourself on the steps on how to promote your brand! Start your transition as an up and coming artist here: http://www.promusicrecords.com/marketing.html.

New Video: Common & John Legend - "Glory"

Congrats to both Common and John Legend on their big Golden Globe win! Today they drop their new visuals for "Glory" from the new movie Selma in theaters now. 

Do you have a band?  Are you ready for a music video?
Pro Entertainment Media and our film and video production division, are pleased to serve you in the visual presentation of your select songs.  Allow our award-winning team to create a quality, unique, HD visual picture that will showcase your musical talents and fully personify you and your music.  How much your music video will ultimately cost depends on your production goals. Let us customize a package to meet your needs!  Call us at 818-971-9301 today for a quote!

YouTube News

YouTube News

A band called Walk The Moon released a song this year called "Shut Up and dance" the music video now up on YouTube, is fun, simple, and refreshing.  It's the perfect pick me up on a rainy day.  Do yourself a favor and watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JCLY0Rlx6Q&list=PLW9J35yUmMBKqtP3fKvzy23AEiLBbIvsq

At Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media, we have a team of professional videographers specializing in music videos.  You can check out some of our work on our personal YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/proentertainmenttv. We are a team of artists ourselves who enjoy helping other artists. Our pricing is always set in the intentions of other artists.  We're all just trying to do the same thing you are, which is to share our talents with the world.  

What better way to start the new year than with a new music video show casing your new work.  If you are an artists looking to shoot a music video check out our website at: promusicrecords.com.  If you are an artist who still needs mastering done on a song, we can introduce you to our producer.  We would love nothing more than to be that helping hand you've been looking for and get your music were into the hands of the right people.  Take that next step, get your professional video ready for the new year! 

10 Simple Rules of Songwriting:

Do Not Be A Perfectionist

Write as much as you possibly can.  Have songs constantly going out.  As stated in the title, do not be a perfectionist.  The idea is to improve over time, not to sit down and instantly have the song flowing out of your mind onto your paper.  Give yourself the time and freedom to experiment without pressure.  This way you will develop the creative side of your brain instead of the over analytical part.  

Get Feedback Often

Be fearless with your songs.  It IS okay if you write a terrible song.  What’s not okay is trying to convince everyone that it’s a wonderful song.  That just makes you look bad.  Allow people to give you their honest opinions.  Take note, and start to learn what actually works.

Hot And Cold

I am talking about combining opposites such as spiccato and ligatto (short and long). When you have long held chords, try a shorter or snappier vocal line. Have a funky bass line? You might want to opt for a simpler, more solid guitar part. It’s simple stuff, but worth thinking about when writing or producing.

Learn To Unlearn 

As you learn to write songs we naturally analyze what works and what does not work.  We absorb new chord structures and develop an obsession for doing things the correct way.  This is great for improving song writing, but somewhere along the way you may lose the ability to invent something new.  Don’t be afraid to break the rules.  If it sounds good to you then do it.  Bring your own unique flare to the song.  

The Disadvantage of Talent 

It’s okay to fail because thats how you learn what works or more so what doesn’t work.  You do not have to start out with a load of born talent.  If this is something you love doing.  Bring that passion and love to your song writing and then, just like anything else you can become one of the best talents in the industry.  Believe in what you do.  Own it or else no one else will. 

See The Bigger Picture

Once you have the technical knowledge you need to write music, try to develop the part of your brain that can listen to and analyze the whole picture rather than simply focusing on tiny details.
You should be able to hear what is needed to make your songs work.  Does it need more emotion? More energy?  Is the vocal melody boring?  If you were only the listener and not the writer would this song catch your ear after the first listen? In focusing on the whole picture you are able to find the answers quicker by being honest and brutal with yourself. 

Say It Differently

We all know that there are common lyrical themes in music.  I would guess that the topic of love is the most widely used lyrical theme.  Using tried-and-tested themes can be a good thing, but you should always try saying it differently.  Bring your own unique flare to the situation of the song. 

Simplicity Is Key

So many musicians agree that the best songs are the simplest, yet they cannot seem to write simple songs themselves?  It’s like a musicians curse to assume that complicated means better.  Get used to writing simpler songs that have more hooks and adhere to common (natural) arrangement structures.

 Working With Others

Even if you don’t like working with others, try it! You will see that in most cases more creative brains put together (not too many) are usually better than one.  Working with other artists forces you to move away fro your comfort zone and potentially write better songs.  This also allows opportunity for in put from other artists.

Take Breaks 

Have you ever worked on a song for hours upon hours and been completely disappointed with the end-result?  It happens! Doing anything creative can lead you down a road of endless ideas that without breaks will cause you to walk down the most frustrating of roads that possibly leads to complete kayos.  So give yourself a break, relax, and enjoy what you are creating.   
Now, can’t wait to hear your song playing on the top ten! Own it! 

The 2015 Grammy Nominees:

This Friday (December 5, 2015) “CBS this morning” unveiled the 2015 Grammy Nominees! 

Best Urban Contemporary Album:

Sail Out, Jhené Aiko

Beyoncé, Beyoncé

X, Chris Brown

Mali Is…, Mali Music

GIRL, Pharrell Williams

Best Rock Song:

“Ain’t It Fun,” Paramore

“Blue Moon,” Beck

“Fever,” Black Keys

“Gimme Something Good,” Ryan Adams

“Lazaretto,” Jack White

Best Rock Album:

Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams

Morning Phase, Beck

Turn Blue, The Black Keys

Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Songs of Innocence, U2

Best Country Album: 

Dierks Bentley

Eric Church

 Brandy Clark

Miranda Lambert  

Lee Ann Womack.

Best New Artist:

Iggy Azalea

Bastille

Brandy Clark

HAIM

Sam Smith

Song of the Year

“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor

“Chandelier,” Sia

“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift

“Stay With Me” (Darkchild version), Sam Smith

“Take Me To Church,” Hozier

Best Rap Performance

“3005,” Childish Gambino

“0 To 100/ The Catch Up,” Drake

“Rap God,” Eminem

“i,” Kendrick Lamar

“All I Need Is You,” Lecrae

Best Alt Music Album

This Is All Yours, Alt-J

Reflektor, Arcade Fire

Melophobia, Cage The Elephant

St. Vincent, St. Vincent

Lazaretto, Jack White

Best Rap Album

The Marshall Mathers LP 2, Eminem

Because The Internet, Childish Gambino

The New Classic, Iggy Azalea

Blacc Hollywood, Wiz Khalifa

Oxymoron, Schoolboy Q

Nobody’s Smiling, Common

Best Country Solo

“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church

“Invisible,”Hunter Hayes

“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert

“Something In The Water,” Carrie Underwood

“Cop Car,” Keith Urban

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX

“Sky Full Of Stars,” Coldplay

“Say Something,” A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera

“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj

“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry feat. Juicy J

Best Music Video

“We Exist,” Arcade Fire

“Turn Down For What,” DJ Snake featuring Lil Jon

“Chandelier,” Sia

“Happy,” Pharrell

“The Golden Age,” Woodkid feat. Max Richter

Record of the Year:

“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

“Chandelier,” Sia

“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith

“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift

“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor

Best Pop Vocal Album: 

Ghost Stories, Coldplay

Bangerz, Miley Cyrus

My Everything, Ariana Grande

Prism, Katy Perry

X, Ed Sheeran

In The Lonely Hour, Sam Smith

The 57th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 8, 2015. More nominations will roll out throughout the day and we’ll keep you in the loop as they do. But you’ll have to wait until tonight’s one-hour “A Very GRAMMY Christmas” special to find out which releases are up for Album of the Year.

If you’re "Grammy Nominee worthy" but have yet to be discovered, See promusicrecords.com.  We work with artists who aren’t quite ready for the hollywood scene and still need mastering, music videos, bios, etc.  all the way to artists who already have their work ready to go.  We work on placing songs to get your name out there, and help to get you making a living off of what you love doing.  We also work on getting artists signed.  Now, check us out, and lets get you to the next Grammys! 

Go Viral

Every musician longs to know how to go viral with their music.  It’s a completely creative process that is different every time.  The “magic” process is hard work.  It’s all about you, and the vital energy you put into your promotional outreach should be of the same intensity as the passion that you are putting into your music.  With that, there are a few core principles that can significantly help independent musicians.

Live in The "Now"

Rather than cripple yourself by thinking of how much you have to do before you can be successful in the future, focus on the now.  What can you start doing TODAY, right now, that will push you further towards your goal of success.  It’s great to be a dreamer.  I am one myself, but, when you think too far into the future it can become much like your same dream of winning the lottery.  The practical details get lost and we end up discouraged, defeated, and far more likely to quit. 

I get it, you want to get in Rolling Stone but, do you ignore the hundreds of independent publications who would be more willing to help you?  

Also, do you want to be signed to a label when you haven't even played outside of your circle of friends and family, advertised your social media, or made any press noise? While it’s completely fine to have an end goal, your primary focus should be on the steps to getting there and not the outcome.  Do you really want to get noticed in Rolling Stone?  Well, then look at all of the very small tasks you need to be taking care of to make that happen from advertising to search engine optimization to PR outreach, to radio, to licensing, and more.  Do all of this one step at a time and suddenly your path to success isn’t so overwhelming.  Don’t forget the reason you started this journey in the first place.  So yes, it takes a lot of work, but don’t become so overwhelmed with the final destination that you forget to enjoy the journey.  

Personalize, Ask for Advice

When you reach out to anyone, whether it be an industry professional, a company, a blogger, or anyone you respect, it is important to personalize your messages with genuine opinions on their work.  Save a draft e-mail as a template and adjust a few sentences every time.  Ask for their advice or expertise rather than asking for help.  Often with the advice will come a helping hand. Always stay humble. Don’t be needy.  Nothing is worse to someone who is busy with a million other offers on their table than a desperate beggar.  Be confident and show that you can stand on your own two feet. Mention that you want to learn and let your music speak for itself.  Not everyone has to love your music.  With time and effort the right people will want to lend a helping hand on your project.  

Music Scene

When you release your music professionally, you are a business owner.  You’re not just an artist.  Its critical that you get your mind out of the music scene by constantly keeping up with the business aspect of the music industry.  Remember that this is always changing so keep up with it by either hiring help or research, read books, etc.  This will give you ideas that you will never find within the indie artists sphere, and many more of them are more applicable than you’d realize.  Think outside the box. 

Get popular, Not Instantly Rich 

Be everywhere for everyone, regardless of income.  Music listeners have become increasingly segregated.  Some only discover new music through Rdio, Spotify, etc.  Some people browse iTunes or CDBaby.  Others look to underground music websites, music discovery platforms and torrent blogs.  Do not horde your music waiting for 99 cents. Popularity is the most critical goal for independent artists.  Money follows popularity.  Remember that.  

No Such Thing as a Big Break

Yes, sorry to break it to you, but, there is no such thing as a “big break” in the idea that fame and success happen over night.  

Artists you are just hearing about have actually been around for years. 

Shocking, isn’t it?  Believe it or not, the artists who are on mainstream radio right now didn’t just start making music a week ago.  Most of the artists who create a big name for themselves have been doing their own thing for years-sometimes 5-10 years of performing independently.  No one “makes it” over night. 

A “big break” is actually a slow build

If the average artist truly understood this, they would take their day-to-day pursuits much more seriously.  Every big goal is the sum of a ton of small goals.  Exposure doesn’t just drop out of the sky for you.  It involves countless days of hard work. Even when you feel your small goals are too small, they’re not. Let one build upon the other and you’ll start to see things come together.  Your “big break” is a series of many small successes.  

It is all about who you know. 

Many artists hate the word “networking”.  I get it, it can be consuming and feel like you’re giving up on the idea of getting by with your pure talent.  But, how can you expect your talent to “break out” if the people holding the key to your door aren’t hearing what you’ve got?  You need to show up! These people need you just as much as you need them.  Remember this and believe in yourself.  With dedication and hard work your art will bloom. The right people will see this, and can help you get to the top.      

Could Pro Music Records be the key to your unlocking your door to success?  Check us out today at promusicrecords.com.