Comments on: Houston’s Local Music Press 2010, Part One

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:05:40 +0000

Dang, just noticed one odd thing that my OCD won’t let me avoid commenting on.

When Lance talks about “paying off” Ojet Recs, I *think* he’s talking about sending $$$ to Mark Caperton, the guy who ran the label back in the day, for the releases he put out of Lance’s stuff. ;^) Could be wrong, but I don’t think Lance was actually one of the Ojet owners proper — it was primarily Caperton & Gram Lebron’s baby, if I remember right…

By: matthew

matthew — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:15:13 +0000

Sara, I considered including all of the press’ email contacts for the public but decided that would be an invasion of privacy. If the bands are serious there are simple ways to obtain your contacts through this site and each’s media outlet.

Thank you for posting 29-95.com’s process for getting heard and written about. I’d like to see more local press comment on this process so bands can understand the differences between each outlet.

By: matthew

matthew — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:12:53 +0000

Brittanie, the new feature, Magnolia City Mixtape, is a needed one. I’ve mentioned the need for a piece like this before with respect to the music community and also with Houston’s startup community. There are so many conversations, events and other decisions that are made between musicians and entrepreneurs that contribute to larger stories of success and innovation. We need to be able to report that vibrancy to readers so that they can understand the thought process for creation but also understand the toil and time commitment for the creation process itself. Glad to see that Houston Press and Houstonist’s Rock Talk have started to turn the lens towards that grassroots action.

By: Sara Cress

Sara Cress — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:56:10 +0000

Thanks for compiling this list, Matthew.

Easiest way to reach us at 29-95 is the following ways:

Email: info@29-95.com

Physical address: 29-95.com, 801 Texas Ave., Houston TX 77002, Attn: Sara Cress, 5th floor

That’s where you should send CDs. If you would like a particular writer to listen to the disc, just note that somewhere in your package and I’ll make sure it makes it to the correct person.

Some thoughts on sending discs:

You don’t have to email to ask if you can send a CD before you send a CD. Right now I have more than 1,000 unread emails in my inbox; your email will get read, just not right away. Just send the thing and don’t wait for approval.

I actually prefer to have a disc rather than a digital version, that way I can take the music with me rather than listening at my desk, which isn’t something I can do often.

I never need two copies of a disc.

I do not need a huge press kit with folders, printed photos and a bio. Since the dawn of the Internet, no one has needed that stuff; it just goes in the garbage eventually. Spend your money on something more useful.

A letter or note accompanying the disc is appreciated and professional. A post-it note that says, “Thanks.” is at least better than nothing. If you send me a ripped disc with no information on the disc and no note, you’re doing it wrong.

Your disc isn’t going to break in the mail, so earth-unfriendly packaging is a waste. Just use a thick paper envelope.

A follow-up email, or even two, to ask if I received and/or listened to the disc is completely appropriate and appreciated. If you’re still asking me two months later if I’ve listened to the disc: I have, and I’m not writing about it.

I hope this is helpful!

Sara
http://www.29-95.com

By: Brittanie

Brittanie — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:41:45 +0000

Just to echo Craig’s sentiment…

We’ve started a new feature on the Rocks Off music blog at the Houston Press called Magnolia City Mixtape.

It is basically a catch-all for any Houston-related music news. Think of it as the Houston music scene’s gossip or society column.

It’s a great place for news about your band that might not be big enough for a full story: you’re working on some new songs, or you posted a live video to your Facebook page, or you’re looking for a new drummer, or you’re doing a split 7-inch with another band. Whatever. It’s also a good pool for the stories we want to cover but don’t have a lot of time to devote to.

So, y’all — send us your stuff!