Boardride is Better Than MusicRide
Posted by Robin | Filed under boardriding, music
No, you can’t compare the two. Instead, best practices prove that these two can compliment each other.
But here’s my story. I used to skate and surf since 1992; and I used to be in a self-financed band for years. These activities take more than half of my life. My background was 15 years in independent music industry, 2 years at managerial level in Boardriding-related fashion industry and a master degree of entrepreneurship management.
So I used to work at Volcom Indonesia at 2002 in Bali, and I used to own and run my music management company back in Bandung while I took a graduate business degree range from 2003 - 2006. Since late 2006, me and my family moves to Bali, to work for my old boss here at City Surf, a boardriding-related fashion retail chain. So I have experienced working at both industries.
In music industry, I initiate to sign 2 bands to the biggest major label in Indonesia, Sony BMG while also initiate to sign endorsement deals with Electric Sunglasses, Quiksilver and Volcom.
However, I can see that Sony BMG differently treated bands than Volcom treated their athletes.This is a simple and rather dummy example but please imagine this in other practice. Sony BMG doesn’t even call you back on hung up calls while Volcom will call you back instantly. I can’t understand this. Bands and artists are the source of income for music labels while athletes are mostly cost cows for boardriding companies. But how could they treat their money like that?
So I come to a conclusion that Boardriding companies treat their stakeholders better than music companies. I think that’s why music industry are at flaws and will continue to suffer from their idiocy. Fat music executives shall prepare their coffin.
Surf Dog Records
Posted by Robin | Filed under company, music, surfing
This is a cool surf influenced music company, Surf Dog Records. A description of the company from their press release:
Surfdog Records is an independent record label founded in 1993 by Dave Kaplan, an artist manager since 1985 when he signed his first major client, the British reggae artists UB40. Located in Encinitas, CA, Surfdog is one of five cornerstones of a broad-based entertainment group that also includes our companies: Dave Kaplan Management, Surfdog Music Publishing & Licensing, Surfdog Entertainment Marketing (SDE) and Surfdog’s Java Hut.Niels Schroeter is Surfdog’s General Manager and oversees the staff and operations. Niels has over 21 years of music industry experience, 17 of which have been with Surfdog/DKM.
The label’s passion for music includes an eclectic array of genres spanning rock, big band swing, reggae, punk, Latin, folk, rockabilly, comedy, hip-hop and, in the early years, even a release of crazy cosmic galactic rock n’ roll by the Venice Beach icon, roller-skating/turbaned Harry Perry!
Surfdog has released over 65 albums by artists such as Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Butthole Surfers, Slightly Stoopid, Richard Cheese, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Gary Hoey, Wylde Bunch, and many more. We are also proud to have released several sountrack albums, including “The Endless Summer II” and “Step Into Liquid.” Surfdog artist’s music has been prominently featured in numerous motion picture films and television shows.We are also very proud to be an ocean-conscious label and our three MOM: Music For Mother Ocean releases contributed to the biggest donations ever in Surfrider Foundation’s history. For the MOM albums, Surfdog assembled the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Sublime, James Taylor, Rage Against the Machine, Snoop Dogg, Jimmy Buffett, No Doubt and many more, to gain worldwide attention for these classic cd’s as well as for the protection and preservation of our planet’s oceans.
Our classic Surfdog “stick-guy,” along with our tropical, Kaua’i-like office complex near the cliffs of the world-class reef break Swami’s, help contribute to our non-corporate vibe. Beware if we’re ever out at a “board meeting!” And if you’re ever in the area come by to check out our local hang-out, Surfdog’s Java Hut on Coast Highway 101 serving up killer smoothies, coffee, grindage, and ‘Froogies’!!
If you want to know more, you should check out their site here.
Karl Alvarez (Descendents, ALL, Lemonheads) Suffers Heart Attack
Posted by Robin | Filed under donation, music, punk
Important news from PunkNews.org:
Legendary bassist Karl Alvarez recently suffered a heart attack. Alvarez is the veteran musician of notable acts including All, The Descendents and The Lemonheads.While Karl is recovering, mounting medical bills are causing problems and some of his friends have set up a fund to help raise some money to offset some of those costs. You can click here to help.
Picture of Karl originally taken from the his MySpace benefit page. Hope you get well soon…
