I am running MyBandStock with Bobby and Brian from Los Angeles – they are moving here very shortly. There’s also about 3 other people that I REALLY to move out here too…*cough* jakeschwartzdavesuchanekjasonspencer*cough* so we’ll see. I am sooo stoked to get life moving out here!

I have set up our LA office in studio city on 10928 Ventura Blvd in Studio City and am stoked to get everyone working in there. We are among the Would Work Sound folks that do amazing audio work for Music, TV, and Film! It’s cool that we’re not in some lame office in some “business” area of the city right now. We’re in the heart of a recording studio.

We are about 95% sure that we are moving into a house by Santa Monica / Wilton. It’s not in the BEST area but it’s super close to La Descarga, one of the coolest “speakeasy” rum bars in LA, and is close in proximity to Hollywood and Silverlake. Which is cool.

Loving life,
Drew

We are working towards a dream that is real, and you have helped us get here. Today, we are so thankful for your gratitude.

====================================
A ride it has been, a ride it will be

My dreams come true with this oversized check,
This person wrote it, knowing: they may never get it back.
He believed and he saw,
A passion so raw,
And he will not regret this act.

It’s raining in Michigan, but I don’t care.
The West Coast is calling, and we’re so prepared.
Days and nights,
Nights and days,
We’ve have made this happen,
and we bleed Blue and Maize.

Through debt and fortune we will fight to succeed,
to change an industry that is so in need.
It’s been one thousand and eleven days of thought,
Today I begin.
Today, I have won.

…But tomorrow, we work.
We have so much to do.
Thank you to everyone that has supported us through.

Drew Leahy
===================================

I want to thank everyone that has touched the MyBandStock organization: and there are so many people. Whether you have put valuable time in, supported employees, got one of us out of debt or helped pay rent, visited the site, tronned/noobed our site, given valuable criticism, called up the press, or wear our t-shirt, you have impacted me and the people who work for MyBandStock in a way that I cannot explain.

Thank you again. We will keep you posted

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Drew Leahy might get stuck in traffic, but it’s clear that he’s a man who never stops moving. We caught up with the Brighton native and co-founder of the exciting new Ann Arbor-based internet startup MyBandStock.com, and he was enthusiastic and more than eager to trumpet his new venture and its future. Leahy and his partners want nothing less than to be at the forefront of what the music business is becoming. It’s no secret that the old business models that governed how music was produced and sold are fading into the past, and its been far from clear what will come next. MyBandStock.com is an entirely new way for artists to connect with their truest fans, and Leahy believes it to be nothing less than revolutionary.

But what is MyBandStock? It’s hard to sum up in a few words, though Leahy has found a way to try. “It’s MySpace meets frequent-flyer miles for the music industry,” he said. That doesn’t say it all, but it captures the idea — the concept of MyBandStock is to combine the social networking aspect of enormously popular sites like Facebook with the idea of fans being personally invested in their favorite artists. That is where the “stock” part of the name comes in. By registering with the site, logging in frequently, and being active, as well as by purchasing merchandise and content, fans will earn “shares” which will give them influence and access to exclusive content by the artists they are interested in. “You’re not buying actual stock,” Leahy said. “You’re not making money. But you’re being rewarded for being a part of that community.”

Leahy sees this as an evolution of and an improvement on the old notion of a “fan club.” Traditionally, fan clubs were a way for artists to connect with their fans, but Leahy argues that they didn’t accurately reflect the true audience for a musical artist’s work. “Inevitably, there’s only a handful of people who want to be in a fan club,” he said. “Because they’re that crazy.” But MyBandStock lowers the threshold of direct involvement for a generation of music fans for whom social-networking tools are second nature. “We’ve created a system to gain access,” he said. “There’s nothing else like it right now. By being active ‘investors’ in an artist, members will not only have access to things like exclusive performances and inside views of the recording process, but may get a chance to influence their favorite artists in return.” Eventually, top investors will be able to meet with the leadership of the site, and with the artists as well.

“I really want artists to feel like this is the best way they can engage their fans and give them what they want,” Leahy said. “The artists are our clients.” From a business standpoint, it benefits musicians to have an accurate reflection of who their real audience is. But it’s clear that Leahy is also motivated by a love of music itself, in all its forms. “I experience something really cool with my favorite artists,” he said. An economist might say that Leahy is trying to create an “efficient market,” and he agrees — “Efficient and beautiful.”

Ann Arbor’s MyBandStock Corporation is located at 210 S. Division, Suite 420. For more information, visit www.MyBandStock.com

http://www.lefsetz.com/

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Yo dudes-

I’m forwarding this to you guys because all of you have serious talent and I love you. Pay special attention to the last 3 lines, but check out this email article.

I grew up thinking that the way you made it big was by being “found” somehow. Luckily, that isn’t the case anymore. It’s how long can you stay in the game while continuing to innovate new music.

Just remember that YOU make yourself in this industry today.

Do people like you? Can you quantify it?

The business doesn’t really care about the music you make – they care about bodies and revenue, and whether you sound ENOUGH like MGMT or Vampire Weekend or As I Lay Dieing or Mayday Parade to be able to play with the big boys.

But the fans care. You can reach them, because of the net, and the fact you’re talented and creative and make awesome music.

Just thought I’d share.

Bob’s email:
What if conventional wisdom isn’t conventional?

………..

They tell us people like the beat-infused Top Forty. They tell us the best way to make a star is on TV, preferably “American Idol”. They tell us the major labels’ model has to be protected. But IS THIS TRUE?

Everything’s up for grabs. It no longer matters what Rush Limbaugh says, nor the RIAA. Everyone’s questioning what’s fed to them, they’re dong independent research and coming to their own conclusions.

Like:

1. Physical formats are dead.

2. Music is overpriced.

3. The concert ticket game is rigged.

4. Today’s acts suck.

But, but, BUT you say, CDs still sell and…

You’re making the same mistake the mainstream press did. You’re paying attention to the fading minority. Or as Henry Ford once said, “If I’d listened to customers, I’d have given them a faster horse.”

Market research doesn’t tell you where the future lies. Steve Jobs didn’t ask people whether they wanted an iPad, HE MADE IT!

Market research said no one would rent videos, and then everybody did. Market research says people don’t want to rent music, but if you don’t think the Spotify/streaming model will triumph, your head is truly up your ass.

It’s just a matter of when.

Now is the time to take the ball and run it up the middle.

Now is the time to create truly great music, not worrying about what gatekeepers say, taking it straight to the public.

There’s no center.

Doug Morris just isn’t that powerful.

Nor is Lucian Grainge.

And whatever power Irving Azoff has is limited. He doesn’t control music distribution. He may have a bit of a corner on live exhibition, but that’s just a piece of the puzzle.

It’s a whole new world! Doesn’t matter what the fat cats, the usual suspects, those who once had power, have to say. Not a whit.

It matters what the Web constituency has to say.

Yes, people still listen to radio, but there are people who still buy CDs, DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO THE FADING MINORITY! That’s like trumpeting Sarah Palin for President. She can’t win. Numbers will tell you this. But the mainstream media likes the story. But she’s just about irrelevant.

And I’m not saying the Democrats are princes, but when Obama and Pelosi finally grabbed the ball, stopped pussyfooting, challenged their critics and ignored naysayers, they got something done!

Stop listening to those who say you can’t. Their opinion is worthless. Doesn’t matter if the A&R guy doesn’t like your music. Doesn’t matter if radio ignores you either.

It comes down to this, DO THE PEOPLE LIKE YOU?

Do they?

Numbers don’t lie. How many fans have truly downloaded your music? How big is your mailing list? How many Twitter followers do you have? If none of these numbers are large, either you’re the worst marketer in creation or you suck. Or both.

But if you’re good, now more than ever, it’s your time. People don’t care about the chart. They don’t care about what the mainstream says. They care about what their friends and trusted filters say. They’re making their own decisions. Play to them, they’re the only ones who count.

Mybandstock.com – The Music Revolution from MyBandStock on Vimeo.

Love this guy. I really dig what Topspin is doing with direct-to-fan marketing.

LA was awesome – I had a great mix of meetings with industry professionals and time in the sun.

I got to meet Jill Sobule, an indie musician who raised 75k from her fan base with really fun perks and contribution levels. She was a total gem and was very enthusiastic towards Mybandstock. Viva La Music Revolution!

I finally got to meet Jennifer Lyneis and Mikiel Houser of UE3 Promotions, which was totally awesome. Jen is consulting a bit with Mybandstock and is going to play a key role in promoting one of our large artists (TBA). They are very very focused on independent artists and brands, so we’re excited to build on a relationship.

Hanging out at Evan Frankfort’s studio (Would Work Sound)  is always a blast. He gave me and my girlfriend a taste of one of the new Liz Phair tracks, which featured his dog Hank, among many other “commentators”. It was great fun. He recommended a band called Nico Vega that I listened to. It was totally rocking.

I also went to the “Promenade” in Santa Monica, which was pretty fun… ohhhhhhhhh the irony.

Mybandstock is still looking for some early stage investors. If you’d like to see a business plan / prospectus, please let me know!

“High-Court Nominee Adopts RIAA Stance”

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/06/high-court-nominee-adopts-riaa-stance/

At first, I really annoyed by this. I was like, seriously, how can these people back such a crooked and nasty group of people. I am totally against the RIAA and what they stand for.

Then the business side of me kicked in said, “Shhh. These guys are only making your life easier!” One more reason for artists NOT to sign major record reals, one more reason for fans NOT to buy records. One more reason for artists and fans alike to realize that record labels are not a necessary intermediary. Buy stock and keep these labels off the streets!

“A Future where all kinds of attention-based revenues (i.e. not just advertising-as-we-knew-it but revenue sharing of flat-rate offerings, next-generation ‘2.0′ advertising, up-stream selling and marketing, sponsorships and branding, linking and referring, etc) will very likely surpass copy & unit-sales revenues. A Future where many content creators of all kinds, in all locations, and within all levels of accomplishment will make more money based on what their brand stands for, based on their fans aka users having real, meaningful experiences with or through them, and based on who pays attention to them, when and where.”

Meaning  – selling CD’s is not going to pay rent, put food on the table, or put gas in your tour guzzler. Rather, artists will be making money based on “performance based works”, like getting your songs onto MTV or the Travel Channel, playing shows in bigger venues, or having enough hits on your Myspace to snag a  sponsorship from . In essence, even though fans aren’t making tons purchases, they still have to care enough to come to your shows, support you, and visit your media outlets. Sure, you will always be able to sell Tshirts and (some CDs), but you cannot rely on this revenue stream entirely.

Be a remarkable artist and make music that people love. Do something different. Make a statement. Get attention.

I think one of the biggest considerations for any musician or company or brand to consider is their story. There are three questions that you should ask yourself before spreading your music, brand, or story.

1. Why does anyone believe in me? (talent/success/ambition)

2. Is it unique, and if it is not, is that the point? (honestly!)

3. Where are we going with this? (road to success, major milestones, “where will I be in 5 years”)

Most people have careers and hobbies. It just so happens that some careers are some people’s hobbies. But it’s very easy to confuse and blur the line between what you do as a hobby, and what you do as a career. It just so happens that making a career in music is really really hard, and you’ve  heard this time and time again. There are plenty of people that do music on the side, for fun, or to make some cash here and there.

Find out which one you are.

If music is going to be your career, you have to have a story. Whether your a music education major, a clarinet player, or a rock musician, it’s very important to know and understand where you came from, what you are doing now, and where you are going.

So what is your story?