Here is the new artwork for Leeds based indy rock band Little Vegas Lies 
After doing their logo redesign early last year it was a great pleasure to finish the year designing their new EP The Domino EP.
Little Vegas Lies on Soundcloud
New CD album artwork for Little Vegas Lies
February 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
An overview of CD packaging
August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
CD cases and packaging are an often overlooked consideration in the release process. Here are a few options to think about.
CD cases.
- Jewel case – Standard old school chunky look or the new sleek modern.
- Digipak – Great for the special edition or limited single you want to really grab attention and look special.
- Simple card sleeve or plastic wallet – A great option for small demos, promos and free gig gifts.
CD artwork, booklets and inserts.
Printed card and paper parts of the package include:
- J card inserts for CD single cases.
- Booklets & cards for the front and inserts for the back tray of standard jewel cases.
- Digipack packaging.
This is where most people want to get the help of a professional designer and artist. The cover of your CD and artwork is the first thing customers/fans see and it is this that will help attract new fans to your music. To understand the design process of a professional designer I wrote out my usual design rout here
All printers and duplication specialists with print facilities will use templates for the artwork print process so even if you are using an outside source for your album artwork and design make sure you use the right template usually downloadable from the printer/duplicators website.
Remember colours on your graphics can come out different to your original artwork, so make sure that all copies and proofs are approved by all first! If the run is radically different to the agreed proofs you should be able to get it redone free.
On body art work for your CD
On body artwork for your CD always gives the finished product the professional look all bands should be striving for.
This is basically the same rules as the booklet and insert printing, remember to follow templates, and as always it is best to get a professional to do the work for you or at lease check over and proof the work prior to sending off to the printers.
Check out some CD album artwork and design by ASYLUMseventy7
and Get committed to creative Music design!
Band promotion on Twitter
February 28, 2011 By 1 Comment
Twitter is a great promotional tool, and a useful way to get new fans and traffic to your gigs and other web presences. Following these 10 tips and hints to get your band promotion rocking on Twitter!
Make your bio interesting
Make your bio interesting, this doesn’t mean try to fit your bands life story into the allowed 160 character bio allowance (this is 20 more than a standard Tweet) You are trying to get peoples attention and show them why you should be followed. Maybe try using a strong lyric from one of your best songs or an interesting profound message.
Use a relevant Background image
Make your background interesting, try using a good design featuring a band photo or base it around your latest CD release. *If you are doing this yourself I have made a useful Twitter background template to help you lay out your design here >>> http://www.asylumseventy7.co.uk/blog/2010/11/customize-your-new-twitter-layout
Spread the word
Now let the world know you have a new outlet for your gig info, band updates and general rantings For example, you could also add your Twitter URL in your site’s Footer, so it will appear at the bottom of every page of your website. Also add your Twitter URL and follow me message to any other online presence you may have: FaceBook, Your Blog, YouTube, MySpace, Bebo, Tumblr, etc (For example: “Follow Me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ASYLUMseventy7 “) Don’t forget about your email signature as well!
Remember your URL
Twitter has a space for you to add your website’s URL to your profile. This doesn’t mean you have to use the main page of your website, you could use your Myspace, facebook or maybe the gigs, contact, bio or blog page of your site.
Try to use keywords in your tweets
Phrasing in your tweets can be important for SEO . Try to start your tweets with a keyword/phrase to theme each message. Don’t fill your tweets with keywords and search able phrases ignoring the interesting relevant info your followers are looking for.
Make your Tweets retweetable
By having interesting and useful Tweets as well as keeping the character limit down, allowing for retweeting space. This means leave room for your followers to add RT @YourHandle in front of the tweet and maybe add a short comment as well.
Tweeps love links
Add links to interesting and relevant things such as gig dates, other interesting events, news updates of your favorite/influencing bands.
Run a Twitter Contest
Contest are great for getting engaged followers. These can be run really easily and simply, giving away a prize (such as, sticker, T-shirt, CD etc) for Retweeting the competition or promotion is just one commonly used idea.
@ people/band/labels/venues/promoters
It may sounds obvious, but if you want the attention of a certain twitter account/person (or Tweep) try Retweeting a post of theirs or mentioning their Twitter name often brings you up on their radar.
Be aware of basic Twitter etiquette.
Be polite to people and follow these 5 tips
- Reply back to people asap.
- Don’t use Auto DMs.
- Don’t swear.
- Don’t just tweet your own stuff and Credit people using Via @whoever.
- Follow back, this way people can direct message you and feel more welcomed to your band/twitter presence.
Music industry and publishing must-read books
February 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
There is a lot more to making it in music than being able to play a good riff, sing a strong note or bash out a catchy beat.Here are some top must read books on the industry, publishing, business and some must have contacts to help you find what you need…
- Industry
Working in the Music Industry: How to Find an Exciting and Varied Career in the World of Music by Anna Britten (Paperback - 29 May 2009)
The Music Management Bible by Music Managers Forum (Paperback - 4 Aug 2003)
Music: The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals by Ann Harrison (Hardcover -7 July 2011) (Pre order at time of publishing)
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman (Paperback - 31 Jan 2008)
This Business of Music Marketing & Promotion (This Business of Music: Marketing & Promotion) by Tad Lathrop (Hardcover - 1 Oct 2003)
How To Make it in the Music Business by Siân Pattenden (Paperback - 9 Aug 2007)
- Publishing
The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing by Randall D. Wixen (Hardcover - 1 Jan 2010)
Making Music Make Money (Berklee Press) by Eric Beall (Paperback - 30 Nov 2007)
Music Publishing by Ron Sobel and Dick Weissman (Paperback - 31 Aug 2007)
Music Publishing: The Real Road to Music Business Success by Tim Whitsett
- Business
Music: The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals by Ann Harrison (Hardcover - 1 May 2008)
Making Music Make Money (Berklee Press) by Eric Beall (Paperback - 30 Nov 2007)
- Useful
Musicians’ and Songwriters’ Yearbook 2008: The Essential Resource for Anyone Working in the Music Industry. By Jonathan Little (Paperback - 31 Jul 2007)
The Unsigned Guide The UK’s leading music industry directory. The Unsigned Guide is an essential tool for unsigned bands, emerging songwriters, musicians, music managers and music students.
50 tips for band promotion
January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Band promotion is one of the keys to success in the music industry, you need to get your band out there and heard by potential fans, promoters, managers, labels etc…
Here are my 50 top tips to promoting your music!
- Follow and get the @unsignedguide for lists of venues, promoters venues and help
- Join Myspace, start a Myspace group, start a band fan group/profile to support the main band page.
- Do the same with facebook
- Do the same with Twitter
- Regularly change your profiles avitar
- Network a lot, add friends, comment and @ people
- Tell your fans and followers about your website and social networks
- Join relevant forums and interact
- Start a blog and keep it up to date with your activities, good practis stories new songs etc
- Get a proper website and use your bands name for the URL
- Use your URL and social network URLs everywhere and on everything, CDs t-shirts, stickers etc..
- Start a street team to help promote your band and upcoming gigs.
- Start a mailing list.
- Take part in #MusicMonday on Twitter.
- Give away something for free.
- Give away exclusive material in return for joining a group.
- Run competitions where you give away merch in return for promo activity such as RTs.
- Sell cheap CDRs of your gigs.
- Make a video and put it on Youtube or VimioLook for keywords related to your genre and use them on your Website.
- Start a e-newsletter about your band and/or genre.
- have a facebook Share button on your site
- Have a tweet this button on your site
- Keep it all local to start with, and from this grow your fanbase out.
- Design your fliers with a striking image/artwork and the minimum of legible text.
- Brand your band!
- Make an PDF Promotion Package.
- Optimize your band websites front page
- Link to other bands from your Website and blogs.
- Write a controversial and or political song.
- Ask your fans to retweet, share and talk about your music, blog, site etc
- See if your local record/music shop will give away your free CD/demo.
- Make a Shared promo CD with other local bands of the same genre
- publish your lyrics and tabs in a blog or eBook.
- Trade links with other bands and appropriate websites
- post fliers and posters around your town in local shops and venues
- Dress for your music genre
- Give away band t shirts to popular and cool members of your fan club to wear when they are out and about.
- Get some good band photos
- Get a strong band logo
- Look around for E-zines as well as Magazines looking for content.
- Ask your Myspace fan page to target venues, music magazines, other bands, promoters.
- have a lot of photos of fans, gigs, practising, nights out even, let the fans know you.
- Sell your band with your personallities, so have member band Twitter accounts too.
- Sell your music online.
- Ask friends, fans and family to text your gigs and releases.
- Make a link page with with reviews
- Let people know the kinds of events/gigs you’re happy to play next to your contact information.
- Search the web and Myspace for similar bands, make friends.
- Network with other similar bands for gig swops.
- Follow me on Twitter @ASYLUMseventy7 I usually retweet and help out where I can