Good morning everyone! Check for updates to our website within the next couple if weeks.

Ladies & Gentleman

I started working on my first semi-audio/vocal track earlier this week.  It is titled "Ladies & Gentleman."  I have a mic, stand, and pop filter that I am still working on getting the technique down that provides the most crisp and easy listening vocals.  I really enjoy adding my own vocals to my songs because it is something I have been wanting to do for a while now.  We talked about getting the Vocal Jam Pack from Apple but I always hesitated because I was confident that I could add my own that would sound specifically the way I wanted for the some I produced.

I also keep thinking about a release date for my next album.  The more I think about it the more it gets pushed back.  I want to put out quality mastered work that I can not only be proud and believe in but others will to.  I would like to release the album by late fall.  I have read that Christmas time is a bad time to release an album because of the season that presents a difficult time to sell a product that is not related to that time of year.  I certainly do not see myself putting together a Christmas album...at least not for now.   We are aslo looking to have a release party a couple of months prior to the actual release.  I am excited about that already.

Once I complete "Ladies & Gentleman"  I will post it on our site and YouTube for your viewing pleasure.   As always constructive criticism is accepted and appreciated.  

Stay Tuned...

BSMG Staff

Audio & Vocals

So yesterday I attended another one-to-one at the Apple store and my primary focus going into this was to get a better handle on recording vocals.  All of my songs except 2, out of 60 or so, do not have vocals.  Out of the two that do only one of them have my own vocals.

I think my next step in this producer evolution is to clearly understand what it takes to record quality vocals.  I know I have the creative mind to draw up lyrics and backgrounds for quality track all I have to do is sit down and do it.  I learned about the correct settings on Logic you need in order to record.  What type of mic is better for recording..and took sometime to set up my own vocal track during the training.

Its kind of funny though...I consider myself to be a highly self-confident person but recording vocals and even singing is quite nerve racking for me.   It really comes down to a self-conscious issue I need to overcome, and I will.  I figure the sooner I get a handle on the recording phase my ability to put out some quality and entertaining lyrics should come and go quite easily.

Once I get the technical side down when dealing with Logic and vocals I will post it on the website and YouTube  I'm always up for feedback so feel free to give me some 'constructive' criticism.  All of the negative mumbo jumbo can be kept at a steady silence.  No one likes a hater.... Just ask Jay-Z (Blue Print 3).

Take it easy everyone.... stay tuned as usual.

BSMG Staff

Window Seat - It's Been Too Long!

I have been busy working on a new track titled, "Window Seat."  No it is not a bite off of Erykah Badu's new song.  Where we live we sit directly across from a MLB stadium and I can see the entire game, hear the roaring fans, and see the obnoxiously loud fire works; as pretty as they may be.  When I initially started working on this track I didn't have a name for it and it just so happens that a game was being played that night and I was watching it (ADD) while making this track.  (Keep in mind I don't put hours of effort naming my songs.  They just comes to me out of the blue.)  Randomly I thought, "Window Seat works for this song."

Back to what you probably want to hear about.....

I received an email from Future Media Concepts (FMC) here in DC.  I already mentioned this in a previous blog but this time the POC sent me an invoice for the 101 course breaking down each day, three days total, of what the course would entail.  The price, if I recall correctly, is approximately $1,200.  It is not the cheapest training I could take but it does provide you with an official 'Apple Level One' certification which adds clout to my Producer resume.  There are a total of 3 training courses that FMC offers and I believe they are all the same price offering 3 days for each.  The cost of the final exam is about $100.

As a Veteran all of this is paid for by the GI Bill.  I pay upfront and the Gov reimburses me.  Once I get reimbursed for the first I will move on to the second course, etc...

My intention is to take the level one course in June.  I am looking forward to telling you all about it.  I'm going to post a sample of 'Window Seat' on our website and YouTube.  Look for it mid to late next week.  My goal is to knock out a new song every two weeks.  Because of the full-time job I have it takes me longer than I prefer but I prefer even more to be realistic about it.

Chat with you soon....

BSMG Staff

Stop..... Lawyer Time

Guess what the best circumstance is to consult a lawyer?

When you don't need one!

Myself and Eric Emerick, BSMG COO, setup a meeting with an entertainment lawyer in Rockville, MD.  We always felt like we were heading in the right direction; however, there was always this gut feeling of needing reassurance.  We wanted reassurance that what we were doing was not only a sound investment but a protected investment.  The lawyer was kind enough to provide us with an initial consult at no charge.  He didn't break down the entire record label development process but at this point it was enough to keep us moving in our current direction until BSMG begins branching out to create formal business relationships.

We went into the meeting with a list of questions and came out with even more answers.  When you meet your lawyer make sure they are sincere and get excited about what your label is doing.  This is something I never thought about until I walked into his office and he gave us just that; respect, appreciation, and professional encouragement.

The lawyer was kind enough to tell us, what appeared to be legit, horror stories of mistakes labels/artist have made by not seeking legal council.  Lawyers are not cheap but they will save you future headache and financial heartache.  The point of this entry is to let everyone know that it is ok to say, "I don't know what to do?" and not be afraid to ask for help.  



Keep reading..... Thanks for the support!
BSMG staff

Discovering Yourself - Trip-Hop/Down Tempo House

As a producer/artist co-running a record label, the fundamental characteristic of my productivity is based purely off of creativity.  To the laymen ear that may sound inspring but to the more experienced something is missing.  I've been reading this awesome book, mentioned in a previous post, on how to start an independent record label.  After redirecting our efforts solely on the label and my own music I have began to emerse myself into what is known as House and Trip-Hop music.  In the book it discusses the best way to get the most effective understanding of not just your musical genere/specialty but also the entire package that comes along with it.  This includes the local club scene, related magazines, origin, blogs, networking events, and even podcast.    


Being from the small state of Delaware, which I haven't lived in for over a decade, I cannot recall a time where House/ rip-Hop music was a term we used to describe music.  House music itself started in the mid 80's in Chicago which is the timeframe I grew up in but it apparently had not yet made its way to the tiny state of Delaware.  With that said my ignorance to the multitude of musical genres and sub-generes; trip-hop, lounge house, deep house, etc, prevented me from getting the most out of not only my music but our label and over all investment.  For those of us who base their approach to business on creativity itself are selling ourselves short.   The lesson in all of this is take your craft and your business serious.  As some very wise man once said, "Knowledge is power."  At the very least being informed can only help and never hurt you. 


To elaborate on the above, as embarrassing as it is to admit, I now know and am able to identify the genre of music I produce; mix of Trip-Hop & Down Tempo House music.  For the longest time, up until about 24 hours ago, I called it dance, hip-hop, and lounge productions.  Being creative and being informed are two very different things and not only understanding but knowing the origin of your music is incredible asset.  


(See links below for more info on the many styles of house music and podcast you can get on iTunes) 


iTunes - Properly Chilled - Down Tempo Music: The podcast is free and it offers an eclectic sound of low key beautifully produced tracks.  


Wikipedia - Click Here - House Music; Click Here - Trip-Hop




As always we appreciate your support.  Stay Tuned!  

Web Design?

  On Thursday of this week we are meeting with an associate of ours who works at a local cafe right outside of Washington DC.  During a night out we ran into this gentleman and he mentioned that he especially enjoyed our website design and layout and would be interested in what we could do for him.

We have been playing phone tag for the past couple of weeks but it looks as if we have a firm date nailed down and should catch up with him on Thursday.  We'll keep you posted and let you know how the meeting works out.

Delayed Video Blog - But it is up now....

  We want to apologize for not getting our video blog up sooner as stated in our last blog posting.  Our latest video blog is being uploaded to our website as I type.  Enjoy and we will be in touch.