10 Apps Ozzy Ozborne’s bassist uses

by Mrs. Gunn

This is a reblog from Chris “Seth” Jackson’s blog, http://howtorunaband.com/10-iphone-apps-that-ozzy-osbournes-bassist-uses, edited.

 

10 iPhone Apps that Ozzy Osbourne’s Bassist Uses

This is a guest post by Blasko, Ozzy Osbourne’s bassist and band manager at Mercenary Management.

Blasko's top apps for a band's phoneWith the myriad of apps to choose from these days, which ones are the most useful to the the young musician types? Beats me, but here is my top 10. Oh, and who am I? My name is Blasko. I play bass for Ozzy Osbourne. I manage bands atwww.mercenarymanagement.com. I blog atwww.bloganddestroy.net.

1. Lock Box – My life online has become all about UN and PW’s. On a regular basis I access multiple sites, whether it be Facebook, Amazon, Priceline, etc. and all of which I have different UN and PW’s for. I use Lock Box to keep all my stuff straight. Oh yeah, it’s FREE!

2. Things – I am a student of the GTD process,Whatever ya wanna call it, for me it is imperative to have some sort of “to do list” system. Between management, personal and band responsibilities I use Things to keep my organized. Even though I wish this app was sync-able in the cloud, I do like it’s user friendliness and I also need something that is compatible with my lap top, iPhone and iPad simultaneously.

3. xFeed – RSS readers are essential to my time management. There are so many sites like Blabbermouth, Mashable, Hypebot, etc. that I need to read everyday to stay connected. The xFeed app enables me to skim the headlines without actually having to visit 100 sites a day.

4. Amplitube – For all guitar and bass players I found this app to be essential. In addition to the iRig, you can just plug right in to your iPhone or iPad and jam away. Try out different tones and amp combos, play along to songs, or it’s a great tool for learning new songs. I have our whole live set in iTunes and I use it to warm up for gigs. This will set ya back a few bucks, but totally worth it in my opinion.

5. Instagram – My new favorite social network! Follow me @blasko1313

6. Pandora – This is easy and FREE! Kinda like having your own personal radio station. I also really dig the music discovery element.

7. Facebook / Twitter – These are essentials for bands / musicians. You have to be connected.. BOTTOM LINE! Twitter is easy to get a grasp of and works well in the mobile platform. Facebook is an obvious necessity but I am not totally hyped on their app just yet.

8. Phoster – All bands should get hip to this app. You can make posters for your gigs or events or whatever in seconds.

9. iBooks – I try to read as often as possible and iBooks make’s it easy to breeze through a chapter almost anywhere. My most recent purchases / recommendations – Bringing Metal to the Children by Zakk Wylde, I’m Awesome by Jason Ellis and Why I Failed in the Music Business by Steve Grossman.

10. Pushup Warrior – It can be a challenge to stay in shape on the road and apps have made it much easier. This is a good one that can be done just about anywhere. The pushup is the best exercise and this app makes them fun as well as challenging. Compete with your friends!

Learn more about Blasko at his blog, Blog and Destroy. While you’re at it, check out Mercenary Management.

 

 

Category : Promoting 101
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Phoster

by Mrs. Gunn

A new app that helps you make a band poster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s a link to other picture apps:

http://www.findappslike.com/Phoster-076603693

 

Category : Promoting 101
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Muscle For Your Hustle: What Every DIY Musician Needs to Know

by Mrs. Gunn

This is great! Only .99 at 

http://www.lulu.com/product/ebook/muscle-for-your-hustle-what-every-diy-musician-needs-to-know/18485300

 

Category : Blog, Music 101, Promoting 101
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Fundraising for albums – what’s your opinion?

by Mrs. Gunn

Recently, artists began creating Kickstarter and fundraising websites for their album projects. The concept of fundraising and websites like Kickstarter have been a godsend to the artistic community because they allow people to fund projects that otherwise would not be backed by record labels or other corporate ventures. This frees the artist to do whatever they want –  without having to worry about being profitable. The problem comes, when EVERYONE is doing it. Sometimes, people start a project, realize they need help and then plead with friends/family to help them cover the costs. The availability of these types of fundraising websites also allows artists to put out albums/films/whatever before they are famous, with virtually no fan base and very little experience. There is often a great burden put upon an artists’ family, friends, and acquaintances to make their “dream project” come true.

At the same time, Artists need an outlet to be free to do their thing. A lot of times, the Kickstarter can be a litmus test – do people want to see this happen? If so, it will be successful. Why not use the internet as the “Great Leveler?” If you think you have a great product, and people want it, then why not make it available with some  rewards attached?

The other side of the fundraising dilema is this: people don’t buy music anymore. People have come to expect it to be free, because they can find it on their computer for free. A cultural shift has occured: if  people buy music, they do so to support the artist, not to hear the music. Gigs have replaced plastic circles, and singles have replaced albums. The same will happen to films as computers and networks become bigger and faster. And at the rate of our congress, nothing is going to be done to stop the avalanche of free media – and perhaps nothing should be done, in the name of freedom and privacy.

This post is not intended to lament the music industry. It is what it is. Musicians and artists need to move on. And so, the concept of a fundraiser, when framed in the big picture of a declining economy and album sales, becomes an important issue.

As an artist, it is highly uncomfortable to ask for money.  “Do you really want to give me that? Are you sure?”  At the same time, if you believe in your product, why not? Capitalism will determine it’s viability, profitability, and success. Fundraising gives artists the ability to produce projects that would not be profitable and thus would never be created. And sometimes, just sometimes, the stars collide, and an idea is highly successfull; read: makes money.

How many Kickstarters have you been invited to lately? How does the concept of fundraising affect your view of the artist and the project? What fundraisers have been successful, in your opinion? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Category : Distribution 101, Promoting 101, Recording 101
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