Our Mission - To help you achieve success in the Music Industry
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. Katavi Arts is a production company - yes, but we also provide a host of other services to bands and artists like studio recording, mixing, mastering, Music Review Distribution, Radio Distribution, A&R Distribution, Movie Music Supervisor Distribution, Music Placement Distribution, URL & Press Pack development, legal representation, & talent buying, and booking, and much more. Let Katavi Arts & it's vast network of professionals help you achieve success in the Music Industry by putting it all together for you.
So what is success in the Music Industry?
While there are no guarantees in any profession you pursue there are a number of factors to consider when presenting your music to those in the industry that can make your dreams become a reality. If done properly the end result can really change your life, or at least help you to quit a day job. Some factors to consider are; a great attitude, a good marketable sound & image, good writing and playing abilities, an industry standard production, legal "camp" or representation, & above all a solid presentation all your musical successes. Positive exposure of all this to the right people is where things can get interesting. These people have the resources necessary to take your independent operation to the next level. Katavi Arts helps you do just that.
Phase I - Production Phase
Record CD
Mix CD
Master CD
Mass produce CD
Phase II - Presentation Phase
Develop Press Pack & "1" Sheet
Develop URL & My Space
Phase III - Distribution Phase
Distribute music to CD baby
Katavi Arts offers several distribution plans
A&R Exposure Distribution
Radio Distribution
Internet Radio Distribution
Magazine Distribution (reviews)
Music Critic Distribution (reviews)
Movie Music Supervisor Distribution
Film & TV Music Distribution
Commercial Music Distribution
Music Placement Distribution
Phase IV - Buzz Phase
Continue regional live performances (3-5 a month)
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
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
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 .
Phase III - Distribution Phase
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.
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.
Our A&R Exposure Pack includes your music, press pack, "1" sheet, a formal letter with personal invite to attend one of your future performances. Katavi Arts also follows up each package with a formal phone call & e-mail correspondence to get your music noticed. Above all its a professional representation of you as an artist. Most of the A&R's I've been in contact with welcome these kinds of professional packages & give each one a fair & honest assessment.
Music reviews are a great way to pump up the "1"Sheet. If an A&R Representative reads about 50 great reviews listed in the standard bullet format they will want to investigate to see what all the hype is all about. Getting Independent music reviewed is not easy. KATAVI ARTS has a list of hundreds of Independent online & paperback magazines that will give your Music a fair & honest music review , many free of charge.
Phase IV - Buzz Phase
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.
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
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.
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.
Katavi Arts has the right to decline its services to any artist.
yours musically,
Cyrus Rhodes
Producer, Artist Agent, CEO
KATAVI ARTS (360) 509-1779 - Office