Kirby vs Kirby: Can I take on Northern Michigan?

Kirby vs Kirby: Can I take on Northern Michigan?
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We share a similar name, we both play acoustic guitars, we both rock some
seriously killer facial hair. But in a battle to the death, I think the chair
manufacturer from North Michigan takes the cake.

While listening to the playback on some new demos I’m working on for the next EP, my Itunes vigrously scoured through its server brains to come up with any artisits matching the name KIRBY in its database. And to my not so overwhelming surprise, there he was, in all his moustachiness glory. An artist already going by the most rightous name of “Kirby”.

An acoustic artist/custom chair manufacturer, Kirby (www.kirbymusic.com) has already solidified the use of the most amazing name since Achilles, Skeelo and Bush. Even those three can barely compete.

How DARE he!

Call me self rightous here, but I think I get to use the name. Then again the look of “diddler-esque” love in his eye while he embraces his wood…en guitar cast sever doubt as to weather or not I even deserve to share the same name as him, weather it be first or last in use.

Oh, I’m just jealous I’m sure, and I can only assume Kirby is a great guy, but where the hell does that leave me? I’m considering a name change, its only a small nominal fee and a few forms at the Ministry of… whatever Ministry does that. But I think a new performance name is in order.

If you have any suggestions, I’m all ears. So far my favs are: Lady Lovegravey, Kirbilicious or Jeff.

Either that or we as a collective organize and plot to make Michigan the next Province. We’ll mass on the boarder with our cunning and wit at hand… maybe a pocket knife or two and at first light we over throw the North Michiganers, take Kirby hostage and force him to change his name to Kevin.

Oh well, maybe I’ll just go as “The Artist Formerly Known as Kirby”

More Than Music: Do You Actually Buy from Bands These Days?

More Than Music: Do You Actually Buy from Bands These Days?

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I’ve been chatting lately with various artists, producers, fans, pirates (YARRRR!!!), the homeless etc. about the current state of the music industry and where we are headed.

I’ve been lucky enough to have run into some great people but most noteably with Mike Turner (Formerly of Our Lady Peace, Producer & Owener of Pocket Recording Studios – Evans Blue, Bury The Bully etc.). It was a complete fluke and I’m not a starfucker, but he wrote Starseed…and Naveed is a fucking killer album, but I digress.

He said “You pretty much have to look at the CD or Album now as a promotional tool for the artist. Its no longer a commodity and you can’t bank on it for an income.” – Not Verbatim

I couldnt agree more, I download & pirate music, but I also offer my music for free, I buy shirts from bands, concert tickets, posters.

I have firends at online distribution companies who tell me about these GREAT new promos their running instores and online to help stimulate sales … but essentially one person can pay for… and everyone else can just copy it.

I think its a great time for innovation in the music industry but also scary as hell when you want to make a living from it. And I think too many large companies are losing perspective on what to SELL to the people who want they have.

So my question is, what do you guys expect from bands/artists?

What makes you want to actually fork over some cash for something, especially when you KNOW you can go online or copy it from someone.

Do BONUS DVDs really help? Special Websites?

What gets you going about a band outside of their tunes?

Because the sad reality is its more then JUST the music now.