Friday Is The New Tuesday For The Music Industry Album Release Schedule

It's now Friday folks, for all future music releases, according to Betty White

Change is afoot and maybe some of the folks that are driving forces within the music industry, stumbled onto a plan of attack. Well not actually, as they are just copying release schedules similar to the movie industry. None the less, the traditional release dates for new music will soon be shifting to Fridays. 

Hellbilly Music Fest For Hannah

Hellbilly Music Fest For Hannah

Get ready for a day of good music and a lot of fun for a good cause. We're having a benefit for Hannah Anderson and her family. This beautiful little 4 year old girl was just diagnosed with Leukemia. Let's do everything we can to help them out... and have just a little bit of fun at the same time. We're planning a noon start time and we'll go until there is no more fun to be had and no more money to be raised. 

Rusty Knuckles Custom Leather Banjo Straps Now A Feature Item At Banjo.com

Banjo Buck Thrailkill and a good variety of our custom straps being sent out to Banjo.com

Huge thank you to Banjo.com for our first major wholesale account with our custom banjo straps that are tried and true and now also shipping worldwide.

Black Eyed Vermillion - Box Of Pine Official Video and Coffin Raffle Giveaway

Black Eyed Vermillion - Box Of Pine Official Video and Coffin Raffle Giveaway

The time is now folks, here is the official video for Black Eyed Vermillion's - Box of Pine. Knowing that we like to spike the punch a bit and make this an extra special release, with every purchase of the cd or package deal from our store page, click here you are entered into a raffle drawing to win a handmade Box Of Pine coffin with a custom belt buckle. There is only one coffin and only one will ever be made, so get in while the gettin's good. View the process video below.

Your name will only be entered in the drawing by purchasing the cd or package deal from our webstore. The drawing will take place during SXSW of this year, when Black Eyed Vermillion will be playing a series of shows deep in the heart of Texas.

Order your copy of the album, to win the custom Box of Pine coffin

Check out the hand made coffin giveaway.

Box of Pine handmade coffin

Open the coffin and use as a display or a stash box

Also included within the coffin is a custom Black Eyed Vermillion belt buckle and one of our prized Wolf teeth

Black Eyed Vermillion Process Video Build For The Pine Box Coffin Giveaway

Black Eyed Vermillion Process Video Build For The  Pine Box Coffin Giveaway

Always in need of a new challenge, check out the mini Pine Box Coffin we built as a giveaway for Black Eyed Vermillion's new single - Box Of Pine

Share this video:
http://youtu.be/YvbxB0YvkEI

Custom Guitar Strap for Kalyn of Coaltown Dixie

Custom Guitar Strap for Kalyn of Coaltown Dixie

Every custom strap we create and ship out is extremely important to us. Whether it be one of our clean and classy straps from our guitar or banjo line or a high end custom one. Each strap is meticulously crafted and built to last. If a piece of hardware fails and or you need some help on keeping the leather in good condition, don't hesitate to ask for help. Huge thanks to Kalyn for allowing us to craft this custom guitar strap for her and looking forward to seeing the ladies in Coaltown Dixie take the stage quite soon!

Shaping An Aluminum Front Fairing For A Buell Race Bike

Shaping An Aluminum Front Fairing For A Buell Race Bike

Our english wheel is being put through its paces. After completing the wire frame to help shape out the style of the fairing, now it's time to get the aluminum rolled into the right shapes. Glad to have Mopar Rob over and helping out on the front fairing from time to time, on the Buell race bike.

Motobunny Will Be Recording Live Show On StageIt March 1, 2015

Motobunny is set to conquer in 2015

On March 1, 2015, at 5pm PST...MOTOBUNNY takes the stage live online in concert exclusively on Stageit.com. Presented by Six01 Studio, the band will perform their entire upcoming album...and you all need is an internet connection and a ticket (go to stage Stageit.com and make any donation to get one). This show will not be archived so tune in or miss it forever.

Thank You Itunes For Blocking Sound Alike Cover Songs

Pomplamoose equals cover song hell

It is no thanks to shows such as American Idol and The Voice that drown mainstream music and mass culture with a litany of cover songs by individuals that think they are bound for stardom. Yes, there are some shining examples of individuals that have used that forum as a way to be heard and kudos to them for having honed their talent and craft. What propels artistry forward though is a unique talent and a new approach. Crazy thought here, maybe write your own song and create a real fan base.

The bigger fallout and issue that indie musicians face is the amount of music being created as a whole. Trying to decipher what is a great new track and what is a cool new artist to check out, gets tough when cover "artists" are spiking the punch and trying to game the system. As an indie label we are working to do whatever we can to cultivate a fan base for the great bands on our label that we choose to rally behind. Thankfully Itunes understands the big picture and that music is a reflection of our culture. Weeding out the hacks and maybe making things a bit less cluttered is indeed a step in the right direction.

Read more on Digital Music News

"For a long time artists and labels have found ways to game iTunes. And fool the public. Apparently, iTunes customers have accidentally downloaded “tribute” versions of songs they thought to be the original. Some of these “tributes” sound awfully close to the originals and come with confusing titles.

iTunes most recent Style Guide states that for cover or “tribute” songs, they will no longer accept any song title or artist name with the original artist name listed. Like “Problem (Originally performed by Ariana Grande)” or Artist: The Billy Joel Tribute Band. And the cover song cannot sound too similar to the original recording or it will be blocked. So all you YouTubers out there, you’re going to have to get a bit more creative with the production of your covers.

iTunes states for track titles: “Do not use phrases such as “Originally Performed By,” “In the Style of,” “Tribute to,” or “Cover of.”

Go to your local karaoke bar and be a star

For Karaoke tracks, they make a slight exception and will allow the original artist name in the track title only if it is clarified as “Originally performed by… (original artist name).” And “Karaoke” may not be used as the artist name unless it is the legal entity like “The Karaoke Kangaroos.” However, the song must clearly be marked (in the song or album title) that it is a karaoke version. “Karaoke” or “Instrumental version” may be used. And “Karaoke” must be the primary genre.

iTunes has already hidden most karaoke versions in search results. Unless you explicitly type the word “karaoke” along with the song you’re searching for, those versions will not be displayed.

The only exception iTunes makes for cover songs is to include the artist name in the album title. But, the album title cannot START with the artist name.

Acceptable: A Tribute To Bob Segar

Unacceptable: Bob Segar Tribute

They will not accept popular song lyrics as titles like:

Artist Name: Because You Know

Album Title: I’m All About That Bass

Track Title: No Treble

iTunes is actively starting to “clean-up” their store. So, even if your songs are currently showing up, they may not very soon.

Worth noting that Spotify and YouTube accept virtually any song, artist or album title. They have very little restrictions. Anyone can just skip a song on a streaming service. No harm no foul. iTunes must have been getting hit with complaints and returns from customers. In a time when their revenue has been dropping significantly and consistently for the past couple years, iTunes is looking for any edge to slow down the sales decline and hold onto their (legacy) customers."

 

Don’t expect to see this album to be visible on iTunes for much longer:

So You Want To Win A Grammy Award...

So You Want To Win A Grammy Award...

Let's face it, you can rant and rave all you want but the Grammy awards are a popularity contest. If a certain artist is pushed to win maybe it is because they have had more attention throughout the year or their demographic is that much more prolific and able to get the artist more in the spotlight in a variety of ways. This could simply be name recognition alone or maybe even just word of mouth with those who might happen to be on the Grammy voting committee. How else would have Tenacious D won in the best metal category for covering a classic rock track, doh!

Would The Real Rusty Knuckles Please Stand Up

Enjoying using our name, Revelry MFG.?

Dearest manufacturers, screen printers or folks that enjoy using our hard earned company name, we own the copyright to "Rusty Knuckles" per the United States Trademark Office officially effective as of January 2009. Glad you like the name and we enjoy royalty checks for all sales, along with fine Cuban cigars and Panamanian Rum. Now cut us a check for any sales on this particular item and then cease and desist manufacturing said item. Yours truly, the real Rusty Knuckles and all the bands and folks that encompass this company.

Moto Borgotaro Is Run By Peter Boggia And We Dig His Straight Shooting Approach

Moto Borgotaro Is Run By Peter Boggia And We Dig His Straight Shooting Approach

We did motorcycles in every shape and capacity and especially if you are the one wrenching on them. It doesn't matter if its a chopper or a sport bike, but whether or not you have injected your own personality into the machine and made it your own. Watching a seasoned mechanic such as Peter Boggia, talk through some of the design ideas, but done in a begrudging manner further points to an individual that is defined by his work and letting it speak for himself. This vibe and mentality is what sets him apart and defines his character. We couldn't enjoy watching this short film anymore, so we had to play it a few extra times to really enjoy that sexy Moto Guzzi.

Stevie Tombstone Is A Roots Rock Renaissance Man

Stevie Tombstone Is A Roots Rock Renaissance Man

"It’s probably fair at this point in his career to call Stevie Tombstone a Renaissance man. After all, he’s going from purveying greasy, revved-up rockabilly with his band The Tombstones to revealing a keen songwriter’s eye (think John Hiatt-meets-Todd Snider) with a penchant for stripped-down acoustic accompaniment.

He’s taken on songwriting and production tasks for a variety of artists, including Joshua Morningstar, Black Eyed Vermillion and Tonya Watts, and he’s recently added “label owner” to his resume with the Altco Recordings imprint.

Will The Streaming Revolution Save The Music Industry?

Will The Streaming Revolution Save The Music Industry?

"Do streaming services like Spotify and Pandora hurt musicians? Artists, established and aspiring, can flow both ways on the debate, but there’s no denying that the new model has had a dramatic impact on the industry and its profits. Hari Sreenivasan reports, from PBS.org"

Stevie Tombstone and Dale Watson, On Air At WDVX 89.9, The Blue Plate Special

Stevie Tombstone and Dale Watson, On Air At WDVX 89.9, The Blue Plate Special

If you are in the Knoxville, TN area do yourself a favor and come out to a live taping at WDVX 89.9 FM tomorrow for a Blue Plate Special live radio show. On the bill is Altco's own Stevie Tombstone with Banjo Buck Thrailkill, along with Dale Watson.

Great New Videos From Lord Dying and Venom

Great New Videos From Lord Dying entitled Poisoned Altars

Our hats are off to Relapse Records for continuing to put out great music, while also creating a style to some of their videos with a few of the bands. Whether it be great visuals from Iron Reagan, to now Lord Dying and the almighty Red Fang, there is a great vibe to their tunes and the way they approach everything. 

Next up is Venom with a lyric video for the track Long Haired Punks, from their new album about to be released. Dive over to their site and get on the pre-order tip!

Rusty Knuckles American Roots Embroidered Patch

Rusty Knuckles American Roots Embroidered Patch

One of our brand new patches in the shop is our classic wrench knives logo and now being offered up in Black with Silver embroidery. This patch also has one of our favorite mantras on the bottom, "American Roots". At 3.5" wide and 2.375" tall, The Rusty Knuckles patch is ready for business! This patch is sure to be the perfect addition to any hat, jacket, vest or piece of fabric you can find in your closet to stitch it on.

Purchase yours now