Songcrafters... what can we do?

[64Guitars]

I agree with Hilary, quite often the fests are too much "narrow"

It's important for the fests to have a specific focus. That's the only way to make them challenging and inspiring. If you don't like a festival theme, I think that's all the more reason to try recording something for it because it's an interesting challenge to create something you like out of something you don't like.

I don't think the current Post-Punk Fest is narrow at all. There are 164 artists in the list of post-punk bands!! That's a lot to choose from, considering that our Covers fests often only allow 1 to 6 artists. If you think the Post-Punk Fest is narrow, then I assume it's because you're not a fan of post-punk music or the artists in the list. But I think that's a good thing because it makes it challenging. And you don't necessarily have to perform the song in a post-punk style. You could re-interpret a post-punk song in a jazz style, or a folk style, or in whatever style you like. The only requirements of the fest are that the song is by an artist on the post-punk bands list and that it was released between 1978 and 1984. That gives you a huge number of songs to choose from.

Over the years, I've occasionally got the impression from various comments and festival suggestions that some members would like to have very broad festival themes so they can post whatever they like and it would automatically be included in the festival jukebox. But what would be the point of that? There's no challenge. There's no inspiration. And the Latest Songs jukebox is pretty much the same thing as a "post whatever you like and it will automatically be included in the festival jukebox" festival, except that the songs drop off after a week. My point is, you can always post whatever you like and it will automatically be included in the Latest Songs jukebox. What would be the point of a festival that was essentially the same thing as Latest Songs? So I don't think broadly-themed festivals are a good idea.

so why not give more options instead of two?

It's a lot of work to create and maintain two festival jukeboxes so I have no desire to increase the number of jukeboxes at this time. Sorry.

I mean, there are months (like the current ones) where I know for sure I have absolutley nothing to say/play...

You just have to try to be more creative in your approach to the festivals and challenge yourself to try something you wouldn't normally try. That can be very interesting, fun, and educational. Step outside your comfort zone.

And don't forget that we currently have three ongoing festivals. So if you absolutely don't want to participate in Psychedelic Fest or Post-Punk Fest, then why not record something for YuleFest?

[Pete C]

Good point there 64 - I've often felt that some Festivals are too narrow but then again I've made an effort sometimes and done a Disco number, wrote a Country song, Reggae...etc.  It is good to have a challenge and go outside your musical comfort zone.

[Hilary]

I wasn't thinking there would be more banners I was thinking that you could have a multibanner incorporating the top 3 fest choices. I don't want to create more work for anyone but there's only been 1 submission so far and we are nearly halfway through the fest.

Alfredo - you have a special pass to be on a Traditional Fest in perpetuity (without the banner)

[Hilary]

I listen to quite a lot of music on this site and let's face it the 2 current fests aren't my thing - on these occasions I usually dip into an old fest to listen to something.

[T.C. Elliott]

So, I'm a lurker. I only participate a little bit (and feel a little guilty about that.) I do try to be helpful whenever possible. I agree with 64Gs that with the decline of using recorders that the site has less original appeal to a lot of people. There are tons of sites out there but I came here and love this place for two reasons. 1. the knowledge base of Boss (and other brand) recorders is second to none (at least that I've found/in my opinion.) and 2. the people here have always been awesome. So few sites can boast such an encouraging culture as this place.

That being said, I wonder if there are things we could do that would generate initial interest in the site. It seems that I agree with 64 that people tend to come here for recorder information/interest/help and stick around because of the people. I'll spitball a few things just for discussion.

A review board. Review plugins, daws, hardware, software, instruments etc., - Of course it does no good to have a dedicated review board with no reviews. It would take at least a couple of prolific people (or lots of people participating) in making it a resource. But reviews often drive traffic.

A tutorial board. As already mentioned, there are some wonderful teachers here and some have already done how to videos. But having some dedicated to the site (and also shared elsewhere) might be good synergy. It'll get traffic to the site and maybe it'll get traffic to the videos. It could be how to play... how to mix... how to record... how to use some of the items reviewed in the review board.

Bandcamp compilations - This probably won't generate a lot of traffic on it's own, but it might be useful for our members referring people. I can see it working two ways. One is an open call to all members to be included in an on-line, digital only compilation release. The idea is that word would get spread around the internet that if you join and submit a song it will be included in the compilation. I would suggest a minimum level of involvement as a prerequisite. (So many songs posted on boards, or total posts or a combination.) Basically all the jukeboxes could already be a compilation. But going forward there would need to be high quality WAV or FLAC versions for the bandcamp idea. (Alternately, you could do soundcloud or something with just mp3's. )  There are also a few issues with this idea. Are there quality standards and if so, who decides? (Personally, I say no. Just don't include anyone that isn't actually a part of the community.) Will it be free or pay what you want or a set price. I suggest pay what you want with the proceeds going to run the site. But it'd be a lot less messy for free downloads. No-one can get mad about how the money (what little bit there would be) is used.

 Bandcamp cont'd. - Of course that by itself might not generate a lot of traffic, but it'd be a helpful tool in talking about the site. The key is if someone (or a few people) would take the time to try and get blogs to review the comps or have an account to add all of it to spotify to make a huge SC playlist (or several smaller ones.) And it's work regardless of how you look at it. Someone taking on that responsibility is taking on quite a bit.

Comment more. Everyone loves comments. I know I'm guilty of not listening as much as I should and then not commenting when I do. I always ensure that I give more than I get, but that is a flimsy excuse for not being consistently active. But if every post gets several comments then new members will both feel the culture of commenting and appreciate lots of comments. Maybe this suggestion should be to comment on as many new members posts as possible even though we know they may not return the comments. It's a keep the fish on the hook strategy that doesn't always work, but I think is worth a shot.

Word of mouth. I often talk about how much I like this place and include it in forum threads asking about good communities to share music. But there are tons of alternatives and it takes a while to see what makes this place special. And there are now Facebook groups that write and record a song to a weekly or biweekly challenge that never existed in the past. So it's more important to spread the word, especially since there are less searches for Boss Recorder help that used to draw people in.

I dunnae, just a few thoughts. Many of which are probably impractical.

[Mike_S]

I agree with 64Gs that with the decline of using recorders that the site has less original appeal to a lot of people. There are tons of sites out there but I came here and love this place for two reasons. 1. the knowledge base of Boss (and other brand) recorders is second to none (at least that I've found/in my opinion.) and 2. the people here have always been awesome. So few sites can boast such an encouraging culture as this place.

A few good ideas T. C...

One thing that I have thought for a while is... if Songcrafters is aimed primarily at BOSS recorder users in the search engines, would it make sense to broaden that audience a little in terms of Keywords,  Meta Tags, etc that the site is using to be indexed under... so as well as being high up in a search for say "BOSS Recorder Tech Help" or whatever we rank high for at the moment... we could try to rank higher for a term like "Share Your Original Music", "Music Making Community"... these are probably not the right terms, but just examples?

Again, just thinking out loud...

[pjd1]

Hi Gang "Lurker also" but i do drop in everyday for a look see, i have recently purchased a Tascam dp24 which is a wonderful machine IMO , i might also say that i have a BR8 , BOSS micro , and a BR800 , which i have enjoyed without exception , the reason i bought the tascam was to try and stimulate me into finishing some of the music i have put together last year , i posted them here last winter , but i have yet to post something new as a follow up, SC is a outlet for all of us to get our music heard , i have just dropped of the wagon for some reason,like a lot of the muso,s on here , some good ideas for the forum in theses posts , maybe some kind of a "spruce" up maybe involved , young blood is always a good idea to listen to there music and thoughts , and some kind of link to the recording muso,s out there in the in the ether , but i feel the whole vibe of SC would change, the site has got most aspects covered in one way or another , i will watch this thread and the ideas that float to the top
Paul

[Burtog]

Hello everyone!

Not been on in ages and just dropped by, still not recording anything at present, nowhere to do it since moving 2 yrs ago. Stiil have the gear tho and a plan to sort in the future.

I have been reading this thread, would it help if for example if Songcrafters had its own Twitter account so the word could be spread that way?

[Burtog]

Oh, another potentially bad idea but what about this site e-mails us to remind us of the votes for the festivals etc, a prompt to get back. I dont know how these things work so its probably a duff idea but just thought I would mention it.

[Mike_S]

Hello everyone!

Not been on in ages and just dropped by, still not recording anything at present, nowhere to do it since moving 2 yrs ago. Stiil have the gear tho and a plan to sort in the future.

I have been reading this thread, would it help if for example if Songcrafters had its own Twitter account so the word could be spread that way?

or Facebook to spread the word too?