Popkomm interviews with exhibitors
2008-10-17
Last week, I went to the PopKomm Music Conference in Berlin, Germany.
Since I had no real business need to be there, I tried to be the eyes and ears of my musician clients, bringing my video camera around to every company that was exhibiting there, and asking them questions from a musician's point of view.
So, here are the edited videos from 10 companies that seemed worth talking to - and the URL for each.
Whether they can help you directly or not is up to you, but I hope you find it interesting, either way.
Wow, I wasnt able to go while I really wanted to. Thanks for bringing me up to speed!
Wow Derek! I think I saw you guys while you were at the ReLab station. Very cool software indeed.
thanks derek i'm email vip getting booked in europe--or should i say not getting booked in europe is one of my bigger problems in music
thanks stew
Derek, thanks always been too busy to make it over to this, thanks for posting, a few of these companies I already work with, but others are new, yay!
Hey Derek
Funny you should send this now as it is almost on topic. What is the music conference for ROCK? Apollo Heights is a great all black rock band that has an ecellent album with 6 tracks produced by Robbie Guthrie and smart guest appearance by Mos Def. Where can I send them? At ptresent I am at the Amsterdam Dance Event where we are meeting booking agents etc. I'd love to know the equivalent for rockers in Europe. Popkomm while cool is not quite the ticket for them. Unless I misjudged.
Very cool! I've been thinking more and more about marketing my music outside the US, and this was very a very good way to get my brain back on that track.
Very good stuff, especially VIP-Booking (kinda like an exclusive version of OnlineGigs.com), ArtistXite (certainly plan on signing up for this one), and PhonoNet.
Thanks, Derek!
Hi Derek,
Great video interviews (and I love the Vimeo display!)
All these companies are very clever and I'd like to learn more about each one.
One thing I'd like to see in the future is info on registering with international performance rights organizations, and/or info about how international licensing is being handled. For example, I think Pandora still cannot be utilized outside the USA, mostly due to international licensing complexities. Hope I didn't go too off track here. The whole 'Europe' theme reminded me about these issues.
None of the sites were germane to my niche which is Jazz Guitar. If you could look at my site, perhaps I could communicate more effectively with you on the state of the business as I see it.
Thanks Chuck Anderson
Derek,
Thanks for going to Popkomm and picking the plums for those of us that didn't go...a lot of interesting info here...golden!
Derek,
Thanks for all the great info,,,this opens up new avenues for us Indies..
thanks again,,
Debbie Elliott
Derek,
Thanks for valuable information - I shall explore it in detail.
Thanks for looking out for the musician.
Very Cool Derek!
Thanks for passing this on to me! I played a lot of gigs in Germany with my old US Army band when I was in the Army in the late 70's, and that band is talking about having a reunion here in the United States next year so I was really interesed in Vip-Booking! I will pass this information on to our manager!
Hi Derek: Very interesting stuff. The most beneficial for me is V.I.P. Bookings. Much love!
This type of stuff is awesome. I am an info junky. So, keep it up. PLEASE?!
Very cool!
PhonoNet & ArtistXite in particular. We're in the planning phase to push sales of Vougan's "Mind exceeding", and both of these sites show some serious potential. Of course, Sonxs is another sure-fire way to gain some exposure.
I will definitely add some of these links to the resources section of the website.
Thanks Derek!
Derek this very useful information that I can really use, Thanks for your vision.
Derek... What great work you've done... PhonoNet is an excellent resource... Thanks...
Hi Derek,
Thank you for the e mail. It is very useful for bands. I am
a co-owner of Jacilyn Music. We
have a web site on C D Baby with 38 alubms listed. My
partner does play some show dates solo
but mostly we just write and enjoy
our web site. Milton is very young
compared to me. I'm 83 and still
write songs. I'll never live long
enough to record even my best songs.
Our music is somewhat dated and varied. styles ...country, gospel, christian, easy listening, children's, patriotic, blue grass,
instrumentals, comic, names and old pop. Milton Wooldridge, my partner has just released an album
"Sidemen". It is doing very well.
I appreciate your taking time to fill me in on all the opportunities. It takes all my energy to write and maintain my web site on C D Baby ...
Many thanks for all your advice and
consideration.
May your life be filled with music,
friends and love..
Frances V. Long
www.jacilynmusic.com
Be Happy Music is way to do it!!!
I thank you on to soming.I Think it soming we can use.I miss you from not beening at cdbaby it seam like thing has slow down.What ever you come up with im on the team Sir Charles
Derek thanks very much for this info.I'll try checking out a couple of things.James Van Buren
Grettings D the bertus,and the widget good look.The info you provide is great i looked over all of it and some i can use.Hey D what online radio stations are n0.1 for indie artist thanks.SB
very interesting , thanks Derek
Absolutely wonderful information, that keeps us all up to speed. Thanks so much for sharing with us all.
Thanks for sharing this great info. Stay cool! Drew
Just having made a very unusual Jazz Christmas CD (no smooth shit) with soulful vocals & serious bob blowing, the two vidclips that interested me were:
PhonoNet.de
ArtistXite.com
--Lee McClure
Thanks Derek,
I remembered I had uploaded tunes to artistxite when sonicbids had a contest
with them and never finished, now i can!
Thank for the info the time spend look at your videos is well worst it. I see I have lot of work to do.
great stuff. thanks for some new leads there.
cool : )
Very good job Dareck. The information is very important in the music.
Thanks
Apolo
Hi Derek!
Great info as usual.
Thanks a lot
Hi Derek,
Thanks for the helpful info. Being a jazz/gospel artist I'm sort of "outside the box" but a couple of the resources might be useful. Everything you write is well-worth reading.
Thanks for sharing...
Thanks derek this information was great. Keep me informed of any other promotions that can help me grow my business.Derek why? aren't you at cd baby any more.Thanks james
Dear Derek
I have had some experience with a German download area called Cultureload The set up is simple and easy and they are very helpful I have found in the past German companies in general to be very good and I like there attitude and quick response I felt this was a way of getting into the European market but only partially successful
I am much more interested in selling my songs and song writing now but i have been at a bit of a lose as to how to go about it
I tried to listen to your interview with SONGLINK but like all the interview the downloads were totally distorted when i tried to listen to them so i am none the wiser I will try the link though.
I just think it's great that you send us all this information and it is very very reassuring to know that you care enough to take this much trouble on our behalf it really makes a difference THANK YOU
THE VERY BEST REGARDS GORDON
Really good work Derek!!!
I'm interested to Phononet, Bertus and Musikwoche...I hope their work can give a help to my musical attitude.
Thanks...Piero
Cheers Del !.
42 Carrot ;) aha.
Although i am only 15, this information is great in helping me for the future, thanks V.much !
x
Thanks, Derek! I've just begun thinking of moving into the world market. My niche is stress management and wellness. Given the world economy woes, this sounds like a good time to move on it. I welcome any suggestions you have.
Jane
Thank you,exellent report, too much,very important for do new contacts, thank you again...
Derek, thanks for the info. I will do my best to put it to use. Again thanks and God bless.
Thanks for your work and sharing all these infos with us!
Hello Derek,
Once again, you are the man! Freedom and Whiskey has sold more music in the European market than in the U.S. through cdBaby. We had been trying to figure out how to target the European markets more. You have givin us some very usefull contact information and several places to start.
Thank you!
aside from building a website and having a baby ,i have a new cd! i have read parts of your booklist notes,which are great,and just looked at the phonet interview.thanks for being there for us derek,already i am stuffing an envelope to get product off to germany ! will read more soon,yers geo
Thanks once again Derek.
Lots of interesting info.
ArtistXite and Relab sound helpful.
I agree, a general price from Relab would be nice.
Thank you for the helpful info. I will be looking forward to more interesting notices in the future
THANK VERY MUCH DEREK... FINALLY, AN E-MAIL WORTH OPENING. I HAVE LIVED IN EUROPE FOR ABOUT TWENTY YEARS;BUT I HAVE BEEN BACK IN AMERICA FOR THREE YEARS AND HAVE HAD ENOUGH. I RECENTLY WROTE A NEW CD BY MYSELF AND CONTACTED MY MUSICIANS AND WANTED TO GET BACK ON THE ROAD IN EUROPE MAYBE YOU CAN HELP
Thank you for your all work Dareck.
Very interesting.
Thanks Derek for all the useful info.
Derek you are such a genius! I really admire you! Don,t know how you can do so much! It is hard for me to keep up. Anyway, this information was very helpful. Especially having my songs played on the radio station here in europe. Don't want to get long winded but i have so much to say to you. If there is anyone that can help New Artist and Music groups become successful, it you! So please keep doing what you are doing since you departed from CD Baby. I am an American who live and work for DOD here in Germany. If i known that you were visiting Berlin I would have went out of my way to meet you. I live three hours away from Berlin. Thanks again Derek for all you do! You are a great and very intelligent guy! Clarence
hi derek,
great link, thanks! -- i signed up for artistXite which seems like a very cool concept.
best,
-todd lerner
Thanks a lot Derek! See You soon!
First CDbaby now this. D. Sivers is the F*ck*n MAN!!!!
What's up Derek; Man I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this info. My CD seems to be doing better in Europe than in the states when it comes to online sales. This also helps comfirm that Europe is still into old school r&b and soul. That is reassuring for a 50 year old indie recording artist. I will definitely get ahold of you to utilize some of these services. Thank you so much again, take care.
Tony Fields
Hey Derek
thanx a lot for your good work...Keep on doing!!!!!!
Marco
Thanks Derek.
some great leads there!
All the best.
Derek, Thanks for the mini tour of PopKomm!! Always wondered what that was all about. Moreso thanks for caring about all us crazy music types without charging $ : ) Peggy Lea
Good job Derick.
this is the kind of help a brotha needs to get our music to some oversea ears
Hey Derek!
Thank you very much for all those useful infos!
Thanks to you tomorrow I'll meet Daniele from "ForEars" in Florence! Funny, huh?
I've send an e-mail to VIP-Booking, too! We'll see!
Ciao from Italy!
Luca
Lots of very useful info. Thanks for your efforts, for sure.
Guy
Hey man how's it goin?!!!
Thank you!
Really appreciate the info.!!. our band would like to tour Europe..
My computer's kind of slow loading so played the fill in the blank game..."We send the.."..SONGS!..
"directly...." TO THE....
Very to happy to get the information!
Rachel
Peace Derek, this info was very informative and is much appreciated. It would be amazing to be able to include the international crowd. There is such a huge appreciation for music internationally. My group is a hip-hop based group from Texas and we have always heard that international fans really support true hip-hop. Keep up the good work Derek, and thanks again for being so informative.
Thanks Derek for the info: I really like the ArtistExite company it gives your fans a way to promote their favorite artist and earn some revenue for it at the same time. Thats a very interesting business model with monatary incentives for your fans to help promote. I like it.
Derek,
As always, thats for the info. It's valuable. Cheers
Jahi
Great idea...I am so taken with the simplicity of the site SONXS, for example, will visit them, We love that you posted these videos Derek. They are helpful, and interesting too. Thanks for traveling and being our eyes and ears overseas.
Awesome. I am so glad you were able to do that. It helped me a ton.
Derek, you never cease to amaze me with info and methods to help the indie writer.
Is the Popkomm always in Berlin and in October every year? And can I get cost and contact info to sign up for it next year? Thanks.
Glenn Erickson
Derek,
The Popkomm info is very impressive.
Thanks.
Bill Donati
Ciao Derek Sivers
Rock on !!!
From Italy
Jean Paul
Thanks derek right now im not ready for europe , but i will have to get ready because most of my jazz cd sales on napster/apple / are from germany france italy. but do you know how i could get my cd to some of these people.
Very interesting! I always appreciate you "bothering me" about ways to help my career. Cheers!
Thanks Derek!
-dj frane
How nice to see one of my distributors Bertus from Rotterdam The Netherlands, giving some interesting inside information about the company and the future of music distribution.
Is distribution changing? Sure, although vinyl records are somehow still popular to sell. It even won from the cassette. And wouldn't be an idea to avoid illegal downloading, if major record companies start pressing more vinyl records instead of CD's? Think about it...
Great job Derek!
Satiesh Mathoera
Mental Recordings
Hey Derek,
Great idea to include people involved in the European Music Industry.
Here's something interesting for those planning on touring europe:
There's a band in my town who found it relatively easy to book a tour in the U.K because they said they were from Canada.
To the U.K Promoters/Club owners, it gave them a new angle to promote to their audience. Instead of another Liverpool band, a band from Canada was coming.
Cheers,
Hoover
NewRockstarPhilosophy.com
I didn't mind this bit of infomation, the computors not my friend first thing in the morning, so frankly I dont know why I bothered it! I like learning intering things about the industry.
Thankyou Derek
I read it and take it in later in the day, when I'm swimming or walking.
Hi Derek,Imagine the musical revolution if we could clone you!I know you have been working towards the camerman interview style for a while and my guess is we shall be networking more and more intimately as these replies filter through as a giant workshop response.
Derek, thank you very much!
This is very helpful , not only to me but to everybody in the music
industry!
Bobby Boyd
Derek, you've done it again! I will be going to Relab to learn more about that and also the price for the "free" software. PhonoNet sounded impossible, but I have seen you work miracles so I'm inclined to believe anything now when you speak. I still need to wrap my brain around the concept and take it slow. I could be concerned about the Euro dollar, or the exchange rate. Nevertheless, thank you a million times for going out of your way and sharing such incredible information.
Derek I also meant to leave my website: http://www.carthan.com
Peace & Blessings,
Chuck
very good info, the phononet seems to be more of what i`m interested in, great job getting that info.this is a opportunity to get your music overseas, i`m going to get right on it.thanks
This is a cool link, I have relatives in Italy, I sell in the Nordic Region, and I'm a big fan of Finnish Folk music.
Derek,
excellent stuff. vip-booking looks like one to investigate for the band side of things, whilst, as a songwriter it was superb to hear firsthand the distinction between Taxi and Songlink. based in the uk, it would seem Songlink gives me more inroads into the vast European market on my doorstep.
well done, mate.
great to have a pair of eyes and ears you can trust.
jonzip
Dear Derek, A lesser man would go off into the sunset after finding success and indulge in life's pleasures selfishly. You are out there thinking about how to help musicians find success. This is much appreciated by all those who write back including me. Thank you for all the useful information. I am checking several of these leads out. My 4 albums are on CD Baby and they have sold in Spain, France, Canada, England, Japan, Germany and the USA. Thanks for the concepts and your generosity.
Marc Vee
thank you derik you seem to know exactly what i need. If only i can get my package to them now. That would be great!!
Thanks, Derek for all the info. I'm going to look into the phononet.de when we complete my present project. You do a awesome job of keeping us musicians on the one!!!!
Dear Derek,
Thank you very much for sending these videos to all of us who couldn't afford going. You did a wonderful job to gather the info from all these companies. I hope you'll negotiate with them to get our music on their lists, the same way that you did for other partners that you work with so far as you are so good at what you do.
May God bless you and protect you.
It is done beautifully. You did great job. Thank you, Derek!!!
Seeing the latest for what's out there keeps me interested and motivated. Thanks for the link Derek.
Thanks for all the good info. I've being out here in the street grinning for more than 15 years trying hard not to lose my faith, in trying to get plugged with a major label. This music business is my air, passion and a healer to my soul. I got to get in. Knowledge is power and I'm trying to get in where-ever I can fit in. I want to be know world-wide not just in the USA or my home town Chicago. Keep up the good work and may God continue blessing you for all your hard work.
Severe
Hi Derek it's always good to here from you,thanks for the links as I will be checking them out in there entirety if you come across some really good contemporary gospel sites as thats all the music I do now please let me know again thanks
Hi Derek,
Great information. I was surprised to see my old friend Peter Briggs, of VIP-Booking, I'll get in touch with him. Here in Sweden there's a company called Promosys who is supplying music to radiostations and journalists.
Best wishes,
HA
PHAT as always Derek! May you never run out of new musical and life vistas to trailblaze!
Going to look into some of these to feel out their interest in violin-led funk/jazz vibes!
Darrell
DPC
very interesting...
thanks derek
As usual, Derek, you continue to find incredibly useful resources! Thank you for using your time and talent to bring new tools to all of us!
Being able to access this kind of information through a trusted source (you!) really fuels the marketing fire while saving so much time and money by being able to sidestep the spam merchants! Thanks for ALWAYS passing along such great opportunities, contacts, ideas, and insights. You are one of the most professionally generous souls on the planet!
Hi Derek,
thanks again for the very interesting videos/info. which offers new [for me] insights.
Respects.
OZ
This is Awesome! You are a inspiration, the way you give back by helping people like my friends, and me with all this invaluable information!
Just want you to know that i appreciate what you are doing! And say Thanks!
Respectfully,
George Winters
Great stuff Derek.At the present I am exploring different sounds through simple compositions.This has made me think more and more about getting out of the production centre, and play live.I feel more and more that you have to be able to play music with people.Software is great, but some how this is going further away from the human soulful element.This is how it is for me at the moment.
Thank-You Derek
I am Touring up in Canada,when I get more time to look into everything more ,It looks like there is going to be Alot of info I`ve been looking for Here.
R STAVELY COUNTRY
Wow! You are all over the place. Would love to get into the European market. I perform for many Europeans at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach...very appreciative of your work and info. Keep it comming.
hi Derek
very interesting and productive
thank you so much
I will learn more
all the blesings from jerusalem
yehuda glantz
Thanks Derek, I've been told that my material will have a better response from Europeans.
Thank you Derek. I have contacted two of the companies you sent me, and hope to try to launch my bossa nova music in Europe. Any other thoughts on where to sell bossa?
thanks again for your thoughtfulness.
I also enjoyed your speech at Berkelee, and I keep a stone with the word focus in front of me as I work. Distractions are the rule here in the US!
Derek:
I have to echoe what one other person wrote; "it is great to get this type of information from a trusted source "you"". This information you bring is of stellar proportion. I don't know where I could have gone to seek out what you have delivered in one blow. Thank you so much for what you do.
Regards,
ATC "Dre"
Hi derek This is really cool man I need link like this. Thanks Prilly
I Think Phono Net is a real cool
thing and im going to look into it
for sure. Thank You.
Hi Derek,
Thank you very much!
All these informations for free... Just for us...
Thank you a lot!
thanks derek...I wish there was an interview for every booth...!!! Wouldn't that be helpful! Thanks for offering the 10! You really do make a difference. Thanks again.
Thanks Dereck:
I prayer is that my spiritual poetic C.D. will travel to other countries because it is a true healing C.D. please tell me what to do next. I am read to do this.
Lena
hi derek:
i didn't have time to read all of the links; however i am very impressed with your findings of the european market! i intend to explore it further!
thank you for your continued support!
"PRINCESS" ELEKTRA MADELAINA!
Thank you, Derek! This is definitely a job well done! Very useful information, presented in a simple and straight-forward manor.
Derek,
Thanks for sharing this. It's a very good material!
Regards,
Rogerio Maudonnet
Derek, Albert thomas Byrd has just focus and you are magnificently out of sight, you sure your name isn't Jesus. What you are doing is the greatest thing that can happen to a talented person like myself, where do i signup for your successful love train. I can't hear the video because of my bad speakers, but i can see that it is the right direction for me.
thanks D!
this will definitely help
SLUT SISTER over seas!!!
Hey Derek, This is very cool. Tell me want I need to do.
Thanks Alot Pal When I Make It To The Top I'm Gone To Thank You One Day In Person
Thank you for the tip on ArtistXite--have been looking for one of these lately, and I just might be using this one!
Jerry
HI DERECK
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO, I KNOW IT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL
GREAT JOB.
MARCO
MYSTIC WARRIORS
Hello Derek,
What a goldmine of info, I havent absorbed it all yet, but I'm pumped! Thanks Man!!
All the Best,
Mark
Dear Derek,
Thanks for the information, it will be very useful. Already there's some very interesting things I gonna look into.
Again Thank,
Early Clover
Hey Derek just wanted to say thanks for all you do, for all your time and for all your support!
George
how do we get our product into these markets. an radio play?
Hi Dereck,
The info that you posted is great.
I could feel your warm hearted motivation and wisdom. Why not go one step further, you may act as our music ambassador. recommend the music that you have confidence with. And we would be very happy to sign a profit share agreement with you.
Best regards!
Gong-Qian
Derek... as always, simply incredible. You remain my #1 music/philosophy guru. What a total luxury to sit here in my little remote Montana town and get the best of Popkomm right here... incredible.
Thank you so much.
Was watching the Bertus video and got this epiphany about my music product and what to do with it...
wonder how many of your friends that happens to? Something you send them jogs their brain and a very simple, overlooked idea forms as the solution to an overworked problem. That's what happened to me yesterday, and again, thank you,
mon guru.
Steve Hulse
thanks Derek, always informative and helpful. I appreciate all your info. Sincerely, tony powers
I was a student at Universitat Heidelberg from 1961-1962. I played folk music at the Prince Karl . Germany was the start of my musical career. See cd baby.com/david barr .
Derek has a lot of good stuff!!! www.cdbaby.com/all/honeybrownmusic
Hi Derek, I know I've said this many times before, but I have to say it again. "You're the best".
You really understand us musicians and you always do your best to help us get our music out there.
One Love! Trevor Reid
thank derek as i always say you rock
Thank you for caring about "the little guys." Great information.
Greetings Derek,
Many thanks for your Amazing help. The Video interview is very useful. I feel very inspired by it. Many thanks for having gone to Berlin and to be considerate enough to share you findings with us.
I wish you and Staff well.Please keep up the good works.
I am most Grateful to you for such very valuable Help.
Your Friend,
Arkk.
Hi Derek,our friend and musician.Thanks for sending us these great ideas from popkomm.songlink,ive known 'bout for years but, never tried but i will.Artistxite is another one.There's something for everybody here,to suit every need.Thanks,for giving us your time.Pete
Hi Derek .Thats a lot of quote about what ever your trsveling camera does. Well my cd aready playing Germany and Israel I always asked where they came from when Ijamm with the boys in Waikiki strip a group of boys from Israel want to buy 6 cd for 5 dollar I crack up they said when they get back they will join the Israel army so igave them 6cd for free they said shalom .yes let me know how much to fly to Europe or .net thanks Le,waiana Iam still practismy type amen
Hi Derek
Thanks for putting all that together as it's valuable information about those European companies
Hi Derek,
Was great to meet you at Popkomm an thanks for posting this, although the sound is rather distorted unfortunately. However I've had a few responses already which is nice, despite my awful photo clip on this page!
Cheers from London,
David
WE ARE WITH IN EVERY TERMS OF DUTY,WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TOWARD OUR CARRIER ,THANKS FOR EVERY SERVICES.
WE ARE WITH YOU IN EVERY TERMS OF DUTY,WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS TOWARD OUR CARRIER ,THANKS FOR EVERY SERVICES.
exspore every avenue!!, you da man derek, thanks Home boy!!
Derek--Man ! you have done a remarkable job by video of the Berlin conference people. As others have all ready said, you have gone beyond our expectations. For that we owe you a debt of gratitude. Make a safe return. I am going to share this with a friend. Ted
GREAT INFO....THANKS DEREK.YOU FIND THINGS I WOULD NEVER THINK ABOUT.THANKS AGAIN FOR THINKING
OF US.
Thanks Derek,
For everything...your a God send,I'll always keep you in my loop.
Peace
Gerald
Once again you have gone and covered miles of footwork and information gathering and saved the independent artist a lot of time and money. We would be years behind without your dedication. Thank and God bless.
Hey Derek.Thanks for the info.Very interesting & curious.I would like some advise on how to get my music heard more in Europe & Asia.Also is it better to get noticed by International Record label's rather than U.S. Record label's.If so How?.
RAGENEO: not better to get noticed by any region over any other, unless of course it's a region where you'd like to spend a lot of your time.
Thank you again Derek for the wonderful resources you provide unselfishly.
You're great thanks for choosing me your information is on time for me; just need to know how to go about using the info. distribution is what i need, so sell my music to who ever you need to it's so ready!! From the concrete garden i rose.cdbaby.com/snow
Hi Derek
Nice videos you’ve got from Popkomm! Very informative. I picked out two addresses to help me come further with my songwriting career!
Regards and many thanks
Peter
Derek,
Thank you for all this work, very informative and helpful.
Do you have any suggestions for just songwriters that want to sell their very avante guard style and protect their works?
Thanks Derek. Great info. Thank you for what you have done to keep us informed. Keep me posted.
Thank you for the information on European contacts. I'm still planning on a tour this year. Please keep me posted on other contacts.
Emyna
thanks for the info very interesting.
kenny