Opening acts in music

  So I have ventured into the studio as a producer and into the real world as a Booker, promoter, and manager.  So far it has been good but there have been things I have seen that worry me about the underground music scene.  First off I had a few opening acts for the T.O.N.E-Z show I am booking in Lubbock ask how much I was charging them to perform.  My first question was Why would I charge you to perform?  The answer I got was "that's how it is done around here"  Well I cannot accept that!  Now that I am managing Draztik the Terrible I see the cost involved in making an album, mixing, getting guest spots, etc.  If you are an opener for any tour unless it is a huge name in the business you should not have to pay someone who is making money off you in ticket sales anyway, that is them screwing you over royally. 
  Another promoter on facebook posted some rules to proper promotion here is just a few:

1. BOOK YOUR LOCAL ACTS (SUPPORT ACTS) TO PROMOTE THE SHOW AND SELL THOSE TICKETS.

2. MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT ON YOUR TICKETS FOR YOUR SUPPORT ACTS TO MAKE A DOLLAR OR TWO OFF OF IT. (i.e.: SELL TICKETS AT 7- LET THEM KEEP 2 OFF EACH TICKET. ALL COMMISSION. NEVER PAY DIRECT, UNLESS THEY HAVE A KNOWN NAME LIKE SAID HEADLINER OF TOUR).

3. JUST BECAUSE SAID ARTISTS NAME IS ON FACEBOOK OR ANY OTHER MEDIA SITE SAYING THEY ARE GOING ON TOUR AND HAVE FLIERS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, NOR THE NAME IN THE MARQUEE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN ALL THE FANS KNOW THAT ARTIST IS COMING TO TOWN. MOST PROMOTION IS DONE WORD OF MOUTH AND VIA FLYER. HARD WORK AND DEDICATION MAKE A SHOW.

4. DO NOT HAVE ARTISTS PAY ON TO THE SHOW, UNLESS ITS OK-ED WITH THE TOUR. THERE'S NO WORK IN THAT. OR IT MEANS DOUBLE FOR YOU. THAT ALSO JEOPARDIZES YOUR SHOW BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO PROMOTION BEHIND IT. THAT'S WHY THIS BUSINESS IS CALLED "PROMOTIONS"

So looking at those rules why on earth would any openers feel like they should pay to play.  You are not only helping the Booker/promoter by performing but you will be helping promote as well.  That is a huge deal because the promoter alone cannot bring as many fans as when the openers are getting something for their hard work and getting the word out.

  The other problem I have encountered is other promoters.  Why if I have a show I am booking in the same city on the same day am I all of the sudden "stepping on your turf" or "starting something" there is plenty of groups/artists/acts that all Bookers and promoters can make money.  And if a group promised you they would do your show in planning but eventually agree to my show because yours is not going anywhere that is an issue for you and them to work out, why am I involved?  I am new to this business but am learning quickly that while I may occasionally get stepped on because I am honest in my dealings does not mean I am a doormat.  So any promoter that thinks I am I hate to say you will be in for a shock when I not only take your shows and openers but run you and your BS out of town.

Opening acts deserve better treatment.  Just because I would like to make money does not mean I can screw people who are helping me over.  So please all you up and coming acts, don't sell yourselves short.  If a promoter wants you to pay $200-300 to do a 20 min set and another promoter will give you a 20 min set for nothing and let you keep a buck or two on the tickets you sell, make the right choice.  It's time we take back the underground.

We are all family but that does not mean all people in the game can be trusted.

MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus

Show at Jakes April 21, 2012

For those people thinking ICP will be at Jakes on April 21 I have some bad news.  I am booking and promoting the show and I have no knowledge of them making an appearance there.  Once again ICP WILL NOT be performing at Jakes on April 21!

The show is Headlined by T.O.N.E-Z and Mars.  It is going to be one hell of a show.  But in fairness to the family I do not want anyone buying tickets under false expectations.  This Mini Gathering will mark the first time that T.O.N.E-Z has made it down this way and we want the show to be hype and fun but not at the expense of the family.  So there you go.  Hope to see you all at the show.  Tickets are on sale now here:

http://tickets.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=66275&eid=75103

VIP's will get a free T.O.N.E-Z CD and get to meet the madman himself from 4-6 pm the day of the show!

We are also having a contest at the show to find the hottest girl in the club.  The winner as selected by the crowd will win $100!!  How fresh is that, we could all use money right now!

Thats all fam.


MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus

T.O.N.E-Z and Mars Lubbock show Final details

The show is finally done and all I got to do is promotion!  Tickets will go on sale this Saturday at 10 a.m.  Here is the info: 

T.O.N.E-Z with Special Guest Mars tickets for the Lubbock show go on sale this Saturday at 10 am here:
http://tickets.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=66275&eid=75103
Pick em up only $15 for GA and $25 for VIP access.  VIP gets you a free CD and a meet and greet the day of the show.  Pick em up this weekend!!

So there you go.  As of right now we also have a special guest who will perform as well but I can't say for sure until the final details can be knocked out.  T.O.N.E-Z is a cool dude who deserves much love from our family.  We are also having a Hottest girl in the club contest at the show!  Any girl that gets a ticket for the show can sign up for the contest and have a oppotunity to win $100!  The crowd will be doing the judging so come out dressed as sexy as possible and get yourself $100 it's that easy.

The openers are going to be:

The DRP
Draztik the Terrible
Sik Made Killas
Black Project Productions
Worldz Kollide
Doddy B and J-Trilla of S.K.S. Productions

Thats it for info homies.  I look forward to meeting all of you at the show.  Hit up the VIP cause T.O.N.E-Z is going to be fresh as hell to hang with before the show.  Keep it real Fam.

Juggalotus

T.O.N.E-Z Concert announcement

  I can finally say that West Texas is about to get schooled by none other than T.O.N.E-Z live and in person!  The final touches for ticketing will be done this week and then I can officially give you guys the link to order your tickets.  Here are the details of the show:

T.O.N.E.-Z
April 21, 2012 8:30 pm
Jakes Backroom
5025 50th St # A
Lubbock, TX 79414

Tickets will be $15 General Admission and $25 for VIP

VIP tickets will include T.O.N.E-z "Best Of Underground Collabs 2008-2011" CD, autographs and meet and greet with T.O.N.E-Z from 4-6 pm the day of the show.

As soon as tickets are available I will post a new blog with the link and final details of exactly what will be included with the VIP tickets.  This is huge news as T.O.N.E-Z has never been to our part of this country for a show.  You do not want to miss the opportunity to see this Emmy Nominated artist live!

More info to come.

MMFWCL,

Juggalotus

Mars Interview

The day has finally arrived!  This is the Mars interview I did when the Low Down and Dirty Tour came through Lubbock, TX. 

Enjoy:

I hope to have a transcript of the audio up here soon.  There are more interviews on the way and also a solid review of T.O.N.E-Z V-Day giveaway CD and the new Subnoize Souljaz Underground Collabos the next few weeks.

Keep checking back for those and keep doin what you do.

MMFWCL,

Juggalotus

New interview and big news!

  It has been 10 days since my last post.  All I can say is I have had a lot going on!  Thats good and bad.  I have hit the studio with Draztik the past few weeks and we have been making magic.  With his rhymes and my ears we have been lighting stuff on fire. 
  I have also been working with T.O.N.E-Z to see if we can get him down here to the southwest for a show.  Lets just say that if all goes well Lubbock will be hit hard with freshness.  For those that don't know check out my interview with him here.  As for when and where that is still to be determined.
  This week be on the lookout for my exclusive interview with none other than Mars!  I hope to have it posted later in the week.  Also be on the lookout for all my interviews coming soon.
  I hope to have more music reviews coming soon.  If there is any CD's you want me to preview or even free releases let me know.  I know T.O.N.E-Z has a free valentines mixtape coming out on Sunday so look for the review of that next week as well.  If there are any people in Lubbock, TX that know of a venue that hold around 250 people let me know so I can check them out for the upcoming show.  Also any rappers in the area interested in opening for that hit me up so I can check you out.

  Non music news has been slim at best.  I am still looking forward to the summer movie release of Batman.  I am loving the new 52 Detective comics.  Great story line and awesome artwork. 
 
  The Gathering of the Juggalos is coming in August.  Draz is hopefully taking me to the show.  If so I will have pics/reviews/and a full write up of our weekend. 

Thats all I got for now just wanted to drop in and give a quick update.  Look for the Mars interview this week and keep your eyes peeled to the blog for more freshness!

MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus

Kung Fu Vampire Interview

Ok so the Bay Area Vampire himself Kung Fu Vampire took time to sit downand answer a few questions for the family.  Without further delay here is what he had to say:

Juggalotus:  For the new fan of your music, can you give us a quick breakdown of your career and where it all started?
KFV:  7th grade I was watching two kids rappin’ on the school yard, 1 white 1 black and they had a huge crowd around them flocking and jocking.  Me being a total music fan Hip Hop and metal I would watch. Bu the 2nd time I crowded around that circle I was thinking to myself “these guys suck, I could rap better than them and I don’t rap” So i started rapping and making beats. But prior to that my hip hop 101 began at 5 years old when I use to break-dance, I was damn good and won a contest at 7 years old at the Weinershnitzel across from the ghetto ass apartments we lived in.

Juggs:  What musical influences made Kung Fu Vampire who he is today?
KFV:  The Doors, Metallica, Kurtis Blow, Talking Heads, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Scarface

Juggs:  What music would we be surprised to find on your Ipod?
KFV:  One of my all time favorites, Steely Dan, but my whole theme in life is to expect the unexpected with me, so there is a bunch of stuff on my ipod that would leave your face sideways.

Juggs:  Do you think your music has a positive influence on your fan base?
KFV:  YES: as an outlet for anger and releasing toxins at a concert by sweating in the mosh pit. No: for the fact that I’m no Positive Influence musically. That being said i think it is obvious that we are classy and take pride in family and friends. People are wonderful, i am a humanitarian and a conversation with me after a performance should leave you in good spirits.

Juggs:  Of all the artists in the underground scene who do you think would best translate into a more mainstream fan base?
KFV:  I don’t know if anybody has really come from the underground and made it to mainstream, I know its talked about often but i never see it. Some people get known faster cuz they sound like something familiar that they have heard before. When your sound is cutting edge people don’t identify with you as an artist as quickly so the rise to popularity takes longer, making someone truly underground.

Juggs:  Can we expect to see you hitting the stage at the Gathering in the future?
KFV:  I played the Gathering the last two years and it was better the 2nd time. If they ask me to do it for a third, i will be there.

Juggs:  It is common knowledge that Twiztid loves comic books, are there any favorite comics or guilty pleasures we should know about you?
KFV:  Not a comic reading fan but i like writing graphic novels and short stories. I have had a Kung Fu Vampire comic book on the back-burner for years now.

Juggs:  What artists either main stream or not would you like to work with in the future?
KFV:  I really don’t care anymore about doing songs with people. If anything I wanna work with some of the Funk Legends that are still alive. I’d like to work with Prince as well as maybe Metallica and of course the remaining members of the Doors.

Juggs:  A lot of rappers started in battles. Did you participate in any rap battles growing up?
KFV:  Never Battle rapped, back when I was coming up in the rap scene it was about Freestyle contests, basically showing your skills but now directed at a rapper but just really good lyrics and getting the crowd to love you. I use to kill those left and right for a short period of time but I am mainly an artist who likes to make music to vibe out to for decades to come.

Juggs:  Do you have any superstitions?KFV:  I feel like the world will treat you how you treat the world.  That’s about it. Treat people with respect and fairness.

Juggs:  What advice would you give someone trying to break into the horror core/underground rap genre?
KFV:  The obvious advice would be to not try to break into that scene, just do you and if it’s wicked enough the fans will come to you. Stop trying to imitate ICP, it’s pathetic.  Make up your own shit.

Juggs:  By embracing the Juggalo community your open yourself up for haters. Have you had any experience with that since working with Juggalos?
KFV:  More love than anything, I don’t like Haters but we need them to create balance, I don’t think constant praise is healthy for artists. I get occasional haters that don’t understand my style or unique presentation.

Juggs:  What are your feelings on Juggalos being added to the F.B.I.’s gang list?
KFV:  It’s seriously bad and the FBI is a joke for even doing this. They are really out to lunch on this one.

Juggs:  How did you get hooked up with Twiztid for the Slaughterhouse tour?
KFV:  Monoxide from Twiztid liked my video and music and asked someone to get a hold of me to bring me on the tour.

Juggs:  What can we expect from KFV in 2012?
KFV:  New album, possibly two albums. Huge tours and to expect the un-expected.

Juggs:  Any final thoughts for the Family?
KFV: Stick together, for most of us family and people like us is all you have. Support what I do if you feel it, i represent you and the struggle. I have been making and releasing music for 20 years and just now getting praise, it takes a life time. Stay true to your dreams and slow down on the Faygo, its bad for you, and as a Vampire, I wanna see you Live so we can be friends forever.

Respect,
Kung Fu Vampire


Once again much love going out to KFV for taking time out his busy schedule to hook us up.  It gave us a nice glimpse into his world. 


MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus