Services

I have recently applied for a NSW Entertainment Industry Manager's License issued by N.S.W. Dept of Industrial Relations. When my license arrives will be officially managing Sophie Serafino and the Mike Price Band.

You can see from our studio page that we have quite a good recording studio. It is adequate to record most bands for either demo or release quality material. I also have a certificate in Arranging & Composition from the Sydney Conservatorium Access Centre so I have the skill to do arrangements for songs including vocal harmonies, strings and horns; and generally 'polish' the songs. We can also arrange for some world class session musicians to play on your recordings if required. This is not really a 'studio for hire' but a full production service.

If you want to work with me I really don't need your money so I would be looking on "points on the release" deal rather than cash up front. I am very interested in how you would market the material we will produce together.

READER FEEDBACK - E-MAIL WE HAVE HAD IN RESPONSE TO OUR SITE
I have put in the bad responses too. I found them funny.

Took a look at your page and studio - all looks great, so much help for up and coming artists who are a bit green. You are obviously a good guy.

Cheers

Kevin Malpass

From: Andrea
Sent: Tuesday, 30 September 2008 3:58 PM
Subject: Your site

Hi

I teach music business at TAFE. Teach to both students who are doing music business stream & those doing music stream, with the ones studying music full of misconceptions about the industry.

Came across your site while browsing & love it. It is the type of plain speak that I use in class & exactly what the industry needs. You have put a lot of people on the right track.

Well done.

Andrea

From: eden altman
Sent: Thursday, 31 January 2008 8:44 AM
To: info@digitalharmony.com.au
Subject: "why play live"

Thank you for this great piece of information. I am in a band signed to an indy label who have just hired a new label manager to on-sell us. she is kicking my ass to get a real presentation together about my band. marketing, marketing, marketing is her rant. your essay has given me hope and solidified something i've been feeling about gigs on the road for a long time. music biz is torture.
all the best,
Eden

From: Edward ******
Sent: Sunday, 18 November 2007 9:48 PM
To: info@digitalharmony.com.au
Subject: Dude- you ROCK

Thanks for the most clear, and usefull info on being a successful muso....

good on you for sharing!- I am a singer songwriter, (amatuer) who is thinking about expanding into the music world - and your advice will be my foundation. ie- record a cd in my home studio, and sell the bugger to all and sundry. I do believe live gigs on the web will be one of the new waves! And I must get a loop machine for my solo work. And sell a few old effects boxes on ebay (you're right, the tone all comes from the fingers- it always amazes me how different my guitar sounds when someone else plays it)

I decided about 4 years ago I wanted to work for myself (I am a veterinarian)- and about 3 years later decided to learn about marketing.... Up until then, I wondered why i wasn't making any money (DUH)....

Then, this year, after last year only just grossing enough to be considered a business by the tax department (but making a loss), I have passed that landmark already, and am consistantly making profits... so I would at least have a good handle on the small business side of things. Still haven't got a web site up, that is the next challenge.

A few more things you might like to put on your website- a very important skill I didn't see you mention in the starting a band- communication/people skills- so vital to everything in my personal success has been learning and developing this (my main key is to ask people all about them, anything I can think of- the more you ask someone about themselves, the more they like you! strange, but so, so true) I could write a little about this for you, if you like! email and ask me , if so.

And also, from personal experience, heavy use of any drug is not consistent with success in life.

I like your investment advice!- and I will be buying some gold, as well- very sensible- I'm only just getting to the place where I have anything to invest- had chronic fatigue for about 3-4 years about 8 years ago, kinda meant I had to start again with it all. (life , I mean)

Anyway- if you'd like to listen to a couple of my chunes, check out www.triplejunearthed.com/edwardbassingthwaighte

be well, be happy, thanks for a fantastic resource (I am about to forward a link to yr site to our folk club email list, as well)

cheers for now, ed

kellykaos@hotmail.com
(Kelly, what makes you think I haven't been successful in life? Taking advantage of ... musos"? Haven't you noticed this information is free? I am not asking anyone for any money or anything else. Other people appear to have found some value in it. - Regards, Mark Ellis.)

Hi Mark - thanks for your PopTarts support and your feedback - very much appreciated. I did visit your website and it was impressive. I actually teach Music Business (Marketing) one day a week at TAFE (my many and varied past mistakes in the industry are part of my qualification to do this!) and the advice I offer is very much along the same lines as yours - I don't think you're cynical, just honest!

G'day Mark, Thanks again for the last article it was printed in the Bandwagon for the month of Feb. Excellent response as your articles are getting quite popular up here in the north amongst the musicians. We will always accept so keep sending them ...

Hello Mark,
I'm just responding to your public invitation for some feed back. Firstly the Drum Media... I only get it for the ads, all else in it is sheer crap.... then I read your article in the latest edition. Man that was so good I cut it out and pinned it up in my studio. Went to your website and found it a wealth of information, straight to the point, tell it like it is. Congratulations on a job well done. Do I have your permission to place a pointer to it in website's "Lynx" page?

Cheers,
CJ
www.shantali.com

Wow man, I am blown away by the information you're "putting out there" to help the little people make the right moves to pave their way into the music industry.

As the "wife" of a singer/ songwriter/ guitarist, I thought it was my duty to get their demo heard by the A&R people, knowing well how an unknown band may just as easily get lost in the flood of other hopeful's CDs.

Man, After reading only 2 subjects on your website (Recording Contracts and Start Band), I am inspired to shift my focus from what "I" can do, to how I can support the band to make their way into the live scene, and develop a name for themselves.

From: Ladeda Sings
Sent: Wednesday, 4 July 2007 3:35 PM
To: info@digitalharmony.com.au
Subject: Why Are you Still Hanging Around

Cool site. I loved the mistakes page, very funny. Thanks for all the sweet free info and I'm sure there are heaps of others thanking you as well. Keep the free world rockin.

gday mark
this site is nothing short of sensational buddy-where were you 2 years ago when i embarked on my fruitless journey.
unfortunately it is so good I am fairly close to throwing in the towel right now!! anyway-a good reality check.
are you still playing in a band? or just specialising in management?
gotta get back to reading your site!!
cheers
nevene jayatilaka

Hi Mark

Have read through your website and like the honesty and reality check it provides.

Kind regards

e (edwardo)
Listen to current internet hits by going to
www.mp3.com.au/e
Email:edwardjohnfilm@aol.com