Tune In...
Turn off your cell phone.
Turn off your radio.
Turn off your internet connection.
Turn off those negative voices in your head.
Turn off your innermost critic.
Turn off all distractions.
Tune into a higher power.
Tune into your inner child.
Tune into the important work that you have been putting off.
Tune into a good book.
Tune into your creative side.
Tune into your next conversation.
Tune into the other persons feelings.
And here is how people will know you actually care...
Stay tuned.
It's not your record or album or EP that will make your career as a musician happen. It is actually your Tour, or lack of one that can make or break your career.
It has been the secret weapon for creating music careers for years. From Elvis, to The Beatles, to Beyoncé and Drake. It is their tours that make their careers really take off.
They have all put in their 10 000 hours. So should you.
So as Steve Blank, the Godfather of the lean start up entrepreneur movement would say, "Get out of the building"
For most artists that can be translated as "Get out of your bedroom."
Yes!!! It's official.
With a month and a bit to go, Now I can proudly announce that Dynisty Entertainment in association with Hemingways are proud to bring you Matthew Mole Live.
I have already expressed my admiration for Matthew as an artist. And now we get to bring him back to East London shores, with a bigger stage and a bigger sound.
More details on the event to follow but for now enjoy your festive Season. If you are like me and are still scrambling for a gift or two, always remember that music is the gift that keeps on giving. And nothing beats a shared experience.
To book your tickets early for the 2015 show click here
Merry Christmas & have a Happy New Year!
Sssh!
As the popular Bob Dylan song goes; The times they are a-changin'...
As the year draws to a close, it seems we all feel compelled at this time to feel some nostalgia and think back on the ups and downs of the year.
I usually prefer looking forward and thinking about what the future holds. But it would be a missed chance not to think of all that 2014 has brought.
Even in our small little town of East London there have been some small, yet significant changes that have taken place.
For example, I recently heard the news of Numbers closing its doors - Numbers has been a popular night club that has been serving the city for decades. Growing up as a kid it was often where the "Cool kids" would go and hang out. Even to its very end, it was still able to attract some of the most popular local Dj's and artists in South Africa.
Sadly, it will be an end of an era.
Another era that draws to a close in 2014 is that of VideoLand. The 'For Sale' sign outside its doors sealed its fate. A once popular video store that you could get nearly any DVD you were looking for, even the very niche movies and series has ended up closing its doors in 2014. VideoLand shutting down is really a sign of the times with Internet downloads and alternative forms of entertainment a common place.
To add to this interesting conundrum of a lack of good quality entertainment in our city, Ster-Kinekor cinema was also shut down at Vincent park shopping center. Leaving Hemingways as the only place to catch the latest movies on the big screen.
This really got me thinking:
What is there for people to do in this town?
What can young people do for fun?
With these questions in mind, 5 months ago my team and I began working on a project to help bring some fun and excitement back into our little city.
Our planning and preparations have paid off!
And 2015 looks set to start with a bang! And I would really like to share those moments of fun and excitement with you.
So in just a few hours I will be happy to make the announcement about this project on my next blog post.
We've kept this a fairly guarded secret project but now it's time to let the cat out the bag:)
Goosebumpily - Is that even a word?
But that's what I feel every time I hear their voices. The Pentatonix are simply Amazing!
You know what will be playing in my house this Christmas.
Mary, did you know - Is a good reminder of what Christmas is about.
2015 TOUR DATES (CITIES & VENUES LISTED BELOW) -- http://ptxofficial.com/tour BUY "THAT'S CHRISTMAS TO ME" http://smarturl.it/PTXtctmiT?iqiD=YT | BUY "MARY, DID YOU KNOW?" VIDEO http://smarturl.it/PTXMDYKiTv BUY PTX VOL III http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3?IQId=yt | BUY PTXMAS http://smarturl.it/PTXmas?IQId=yt | BUY PTX VOL I http://smarturl.it/PTXVol1?IQid=yt | BUY PTX VOL II http://smarturl.it/PTXVolume2?IQid=yt STREAM THAT'S CHRISTMAS TO ME http://smarturl.it/PTXmasSp?iqiD=YT STREAM PTX VOL III ON SPOTIFY: http://smarturl.it/PTXVol3Spot?IQid=yt STREAM PTXMAS http://smarturl.it/PTXmas1Sp?IQid=yt | STREAM PTX VOL I http://smarturl.it/PTXV1Spotify?IQid=yt | STREAM PTX VOL II http://smarturl.it/PTXV2Spotify?IQid=yt Join our Patreon Fan Page!!
You can work with people you don't like. Heck, I've done it before. It was not pleasant and I would not do it again if given the choice. I was surprised that we were able to not kill each other and get work done. Honestly, I was even surprised that we could accomplish the things we did.
Many factors can contribute to this:
Are the two main factors that spring to mind. As the saying goes: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
But if you don't have trust. Forget it! Walk away from the deal immediately.
All it takes is for the other party to show up late for a meeting, take your parking space and sit in your chair and all bets are off.
However, when you are in a situation like that there are a few things that you need to remember.
Which leads me to my last point. Try and have a sense of humor about it. The people who are also suffering along side you because of this person could end up being some of your best friends.
But the bottom-line is without trust as a foundation stone, you've got nothing to build on. Walk away as soon as possible.
The Big Bang
We often have this big bang approach to things. It's ALL or NOTHING.
I am either a full time musician or I'm not.
I either have 10 million to start my new business venture or I won't.
I either have six months of free time to write my book or I won't.
But what about the small spaces in-between?
The little changes that add up and multiple into big things over time. The small wins. The small sales. The things that may excite you to see working even if nobody else understands it.
Add those together, string those wins in a line and then you'll get your big bang. The overnight success that took 10 years to make.
As a popular saying goes: "Some friends of mine went to business school, I started a rock band (Guess who had more fun?)."
It has been quite a whirl wind learning experience putting a band together.
The things you learn about business, people and your craft is totally heightened. One thing I'm certain of is that working with a team takes you to a level that you could never reach on your own.
There are enormous highs and ridiculous lows when dealing with people in any setting. And when you link that to the passion and drive of musicians, you get some pretty interesting results. And I can't wait to share those with you.
But before we get there, we need your help. Yes! YOU.
We recently had our band logo designed by the exceptionally talented lead lady of SmallTalk Graphic Design, Celize Kriel. I was thrilled with the results and even though I had my favourite logo that I could easily see printed on T-shirts and banners, the reality is I don't intend to be the only person wearing the clothes. So I thought it would be best to ask what you thought would make a cool design?
I first heard the phrase being used when GodFirst Church ran a sermon series on the story of King David, the biblical hero who had an amazing journey with God from a Shepard boy to young soldier and then eventually becoming King of Israel. The thing that stuck with me so prominently was the title. Soldier.Lover.Poet. Three strong characteristics that resonate with most men. I wanted to call my next EP that but the band members thought it would be a cool band name.
After trying it on, I must admit it kinda sticks (Like super glue). So we have narrowed our logo designs down to these four designs. I know which one is my favourite but ultimately you can help us decide on our final band logo. Help us decide and stand a chance to WIN a T-Shirt with our newly minted logo.
Questions in the sky
People say there is no such thing as a stupid question.
But if God in all His infinite wisdom, majestic power and might was to grant you the answer to one question.
And you look up and ask: "Hey God, What's the time?" That would be a stupid question...
We often underestimate the power of asking good questions. When the truth is, Good leaders ask Great questions.
Questions have the ability to steer us in the right direction, if we are brave enough to seek the answer.
I must admit, I've been intrigued with this concept of the 80/20 Principle for a long time.
If you haven't heard of it perhaps you should read up about this Pareto Principle in more detail. It could just be the answer to the question you never knew you have been asking.
“Conventional wisdom is not to put all of your eggs in one basket. 80/20 wisdom is to choose a basket carefully, load all your eggs into it, and then watch it like a hawk.”
- Richard Koch
