Radio Distribution

A&R Exposure Distribution

Movie Music Supervisor Distribution

Music Critic Distribution

PHASE IV - BUZZ PHASE

Continue regional live performances (3-5 a month)

Conduct Regional on International Tour (100+ shows & cities)

Continue to build a regional buzz around your music

PHASE V - NEGOTIATION PHASE

Review offers as they are received

Negotiate a fair deal on your behalf with a qualified Music Lawyer

PHASE I - PRODUCTION PHASE

First let's start with the basics. There are 3 basic phases to musical  production. Possessing an Industry standard production, or CD is how it all starts, but if any of the 3 phases are not done properly your production can be doomed before it even hits the presses.

RECORDING Everything must be recorded in a hi-quality studio environment; complete with sound proof room & an engineer who is fully qualified to mic, record all musical events and performances in a proper manner.

MIXING After the recording phase it's on to what I believe is the most critical of the 3 phases: mixing. Mixing must be done by a highly qualified & experienced professional that knows the right levels ratios, instrumentation frequencies, plug in effects, & overall  tricks of the trade to best fit your style of music. I've learned that the most effective mixers are the most creative. Mixing is where all the hard decisions get made. In the end your music will be only as as good as its mixer.  

MASTERING After a good mix, it's on to the most mysterious phase - mastering. Mastering is a post-production processes that includes editing, sweetening, EQ matching and limiting, song sequencing, ISRC Code Designations,  & dozens other tools to create your finished CD. Beware of mixers out there that say they can master. Katavi Arts has the resources necessary to ensure your production passes through each phase of the recording process adequately & professionally. In the end this will deliver a professional grade CD that is a solid representation of you as an artist.
 

MASS PRODUCE CD If you want your CD to end up in the CD player of an A&R Rep it must pass through a series of quick the visual tests first. No exceptions. The CD package itself must look professional from top to bottom. It must be non-amateurish and possess no red flags whatsoever that may indicate otherwise. It must possess a Barcode, professional CD paint on the CD itself, professional grade artwork and layout, photographs, wrapped in cellophane, etc. A band pic is highly recommended to display your overall visual marketability. If your CD does not have any of the above items it could end up in the round file within seconds.

PHASE II - PRESENTATION PHASE 

PRESS PACKS So you now have a solid CD in hand. The response a week after your release party is overwhelming. You are delivering a solid live presentation 3 to 4 times a month at many hi-quality venues around the area. You are building a strong local fan base, and generating a positive regional buzz around your music. You are witnessing thousands of fans downloading your music on your website and My Space Page. You are selling hundreds of CD's a week. Now what? Ask yourself one very important question. Are you documenting all these successes anywhere? All of the above in conjunction with a solid Press Pack builds your case or signing power. It also conveniently puts all your efforts in perspective for the A&R Representative. In some cases writing a solid press pack is just as important as having a good musical production. Most A&R's I know sometimes can review hundreds of "1 Sheets" in one sitting, so your Press Pack has got to say the all right things in a clear and concise format. Katavi Arts has the resources available to build your Press Pack, URL, or My Space Page in a way that builds your case for signing power.     

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "1" SHEET I've actually seen A&R's skip the more detailed Press Packs and go right for the "1 Sheet". This sheet has all the "cut to the chase" important information like CD Reviews, concert reviews, download numbers, ticket and live draw numbers , CD sale numbers, Radio airplay info, etc. This is the meat and potatoes of what you do. A good "1" Sheet screams signing power, and ultimately shows your money making potential to the labels.   

INTERNET PRESENCE Internet Presence along with Online Social Networking is one just one of the things A&R Representative look at when evaluating money making potential in a band or artist. A strong internet presence, and socially networking shows that your not only beating the street, it shows your working hard getting both your name and music out here for the world to see

PHASE III - DISTRIBUTION PHASE

KATAVI DISTROS So how does this pumped up Press Pack & "1" Sheet get into the right hands. Katavi Arts has an extensive registry listing hundreds of contacts necessary to get your music recognized by all the right people. Our vast distro plans include distribution to Radio, A&R Representatives, Movie and Film Supervisors, and even Music Placement. We have achieved alot of success in the past from our "Local Scene" Compilation Distro's to thousands of radio stations around the country. I know many radio program managers who look for these "best of" compilations in the mailroom. It's also one of the best ways to get your Independent music heard on the radio outside some garage band format. Katavi Arts has extensive registries listing thousands of radio stations, A&R Representatives, & Movie and Film Supervisors, Music Placement Companies, etc all designed to get your music recognized. 

NOTE: Distribution selection is based solely upon the goals of the artist in question. Not all of the above distributions apply to one single package.

PHASE IV - BUZZ PHASE

LIVE EXPOSURE Taking your musical act live is an important part of getting you operation noticed. If you deliver a solid live presentation 3 to 4 times a month at many hi-quality venues around the area you are building a strong local fan base, which will generate a positive regional buzz around your music. This can lead other important things - like thousands of fans downloading your music on your website and My Space Page, the sale of thousands of CD's a week. Sending your Package to many professional booking agencies around the area is also important. These agencies need a pool of local acts for up coming show slots. At times many of these slots need to be filled at a moments notice so having your contact information available on their speed dial is how opportunity presents itself. It's also a great way to get within their network and ultimately build a reputation for yourself as an artist. 

REGIONAL TOURING Conducting your very own Regional Tour is a highly coordinated effort. The good news is there are many experienced Touring Agencies that can assist you with all the logistics involved. These companies can help you organize your very own regional tour. Various price packages are available based on your experience level, draw potential, and other factors. It certainly helps if you have an established fan base, a finely tuned live performance, with full live support, sound crew, and an experienced Ban Manager. t's also safe to say if you don't have some of the aforementioned, then you have no business contacting them as you are still in your developmental phase. Be sure to check out the Booking Agencies near your specific city or Locale first and foremost.

NETWORKING Successful networking during these tours with other touring artists or bands, Booking Agencies, Prominent Tour Promoters, Managers, and A&R Representatives is absolutely critical in rendering professional success one day. A&R's are extremely elusive and will often times attend a live show unannounced. But if an A&R is happy with what he or she sees there they will introduce themselves almost immediately. Don't get complacent. Play every live show like it's that important.  

PHASE V - LEGAL REPRESENTATION & NEGOTIATIONS

LEGAL REPRESENTATION Having a proper legal representation in your corner during negotiations with either a label or an A&R Representative is vital in protecting your best interests as an artist. There have been hundreds horror stories regarding bands or artists who have been taken advantage by labels simply because they didn't know the particulars of their legal contract. The end result can equal to you doing whatever, whenever, however for whoever at whatever the price. Katavi Arts has a team of music lawyers prepared to negotiate with any label that wishes to establish a dialogue with you. This is a critical endgame phase and when done properly protects your best interests.

Katavi Arts has the right to deny service to any artist. 

Doing all the right things in the Music Business is how you build success, exposing it to the right people in the industry is how Independent music become professional. This is our mission.

yours musically,

 Facilitator of Operations

 Executive Producer

 A&R Representative

 Syndicated Music Critic

 Talent Buyer & Tour Coordinator

 Band Manager

 Commentator of BIZ TALK

 Guitarist for Seven Against Thebes

 E-mail  rhodesm@wavecable.com

 Office  (360) 509-1779

INDIE MUSIC DIGEST Cyrus Rhodes is also owner of INDIE MUSIC DIGEST a popular webzine designed exclusively for Independent Artists. Services include CD Reviews, Song Reviews, Artist Interviews, Referrals, & much much more.

INDIE MUSIC DIGEST

BIZ TALK WITH CYRUS RHODES  Over the years I have seen firsthand what it takes to be a successful artist, musician, or band. There’s a lot of valuable information I’d like to share with you via my “BIZ TALK“ & "GIGS & BEYOND" columns. From the top 10 things A&R Representatives look for when signing new talent, to the worst months to release your CD, to how to choose a mixer, to how to book a gig, etc. Whatever the subject matter, whatever your experience level, BIZ TALK covers it. BIZ TALK offers straight forward, candid discussions about all things related to the music industry. At the end of the day I'm an advocate for the Independent Artist, and it's my motivation for creating BIZ TALK. 

BIZ TALK ESSAYS BY CYRUS RHODES

Cyrus Rhodes is a syndicated music critic for the following webzines: