New music from a guy you've never heard of.

  • Thread starter Thread starter kurfu
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kurfu

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After a year and a half of not getting enough sleep, I've finally completed my new CD--fifteen songs written and performed by yours truly. I'd really appreciate if you would take a minute to head over to my website and have a listen to a song or two. Maybe you'll even get inspired to buy a copy of the CD... Which would then in turn inspire me to write some more stuff! ;)

www.johnpbarton.com

Recorded using nTracks.

I'd appreciate some honest opinions on the music, and the website as well.

Thanks for your time!

-John
 
John,

To me, it seems you've worded your post more as an advert than as a genuine appeal for advice towards improving your site/music. Even if your sole purpose of posting is getting hr.bbs'ers to buy your music, I would be more subtle about it.

As far as the website, I'm just being honest in saying it needs some work. The graphics and pictures seem amateurish, the content is thin and the old stuff looks downright sloppy.

My advice would be work on a maintaining a sleek consistent theme throughout the pages and add content! Your bio reads like you just got lazy and decided to stop writing... Maybe slap up a lyric page and a "meanings" page where you discuss how the songs came to be written. Engaging content is sure to be appreciated by your biggest fans. Another good idea is to post a monthly calendar providing an obvious place to check where you can be seen live. That's a trick to create repeat visitors. Give your audience a reason to come back to your page next week to see what's new.

I can't listen to music at work so I can't comment on that aspect. I'll try to give it a spin when I get home.

All the best,

miles
 
Thanks for the feedback miles. You're not too far off base--of course I'm trying to make some noise about my music. I figured that this might be a good place, full of like-minded people. Just to have people listening is satisfying, to sell would be wonderful! ;)

I guess I've spent so much time with my nose buried in the music, lurking here and at a few other forums, etc... that I really don't know where to start when it comes to the marketing part. Make sense? Doing everything myself has been quite overwhelming... I dunno... Sorry if I've come across as crass--not my intention at all.

The graphics on the website--the sketch on the main pageis supposed to look like a rough drawing. As for the layout of the rest of the site--I'm not really much of a web designer, so my goal was to keep it as simple as I could.

Ever try to write about yourself in third-person? It's just plain wierd. heh.

Again, I appreciate your commets and hope you enjoy the music!

-John
 
No prob, Kurf.

And I didn't mean the front page image. That's the coolest part of the site!:D

What I meant was having a fixed logo for your music at the top of your page, navigation buttons on the side that remain constant and feature your interesting content, and a consistent color scheme in the background and in the fonts. You could use the sketch behind your name as your logo in the corner or centered on the top.

And I know what you mean about pouring everything into the music. It's a bear sometimes but just think, most people are vegging out in front of the TV when you're doing your second job? If nothing else, it makes you a more interesting person.

btw, I still haven't had a chance to listen to the tunes. will do when I get home.
 
Heh... My sister asked me if I drew it in kindergarten... I think she missed the point. ;)

I like your idea for a logo, I'll play around with the two images and see what happens. I like the courier font because it lines up well when you make lists, maybe I'll just use that throughout the site.

TV?!? I turned off my cable two or three years ago, and still don't miss it. I do watch DVDs, but *no* regular TV. It's such a waste of time, and so passive. ugh.

Thanks for your continued input!

-John
 
I just updated the website using some of your suggestions... Consistant font throughout, logo thingy at the top of each page, and scaled back on the colored cells in the most of the tables. Thanks again!
-John
 
Website overhaul

Okey Dokey...

Based on stonepiano's advice. I've _completely_ re-done my website.

Since it appears that ya'll have some decent advice to offer, I'd appreciate some feedback on whatever comes to mind.

Thanks!

-John
 
Before I get jumped...

The first update I did on 11-05 was minor, but the current update is major, which is why it appears that I'm repeating me previous post.
 
I like the scetch logo of the guy. I would do the "Enter" word in writing like that so everything blends well. Even the writing on the site could be like that....kind of to get away from Courier. :)
 
I never thought of that... Probably because my handwriting is worse than my drawing! ha!

Not a bad idea, though.

Thanks.
-John
 
The website is clean and nice, easy to navigate, I have no complaints. Besides the main thing is the music and I listened to all three of your songs that you had on that site.

The technical aspect of your recording was superb. The instrument and vocal quality is just as good as anything I have heard professionally. Just curious as to what type of setup do you have? Is it an elaborate recording studio or did you do all this with a simple setup?

Forgive me if Im wrong but from what I heard you were going for the "country music" genre? If so the tunes and your voice fit in well. To tell you the truth country music is the only genre Im not fond of but there no way I cant recognize the difference in vocal performance between a good and bad country singer. You definitely fit in to the good category. Nice tone, balance, pitch and range. Your voice is distinctive enough in the three song so you don't fall under the category of a "one tone" singer. Your song writing is also good, I like the subjects your songs are about. If my ears were more fond of country music I would listen to your songs regularly. Anyway all you country fans should check out these songs.

Overall I would rate your songs a 9.5 for this type of songs. Good work keep it up.
 
Hi Griffon, and thanks for taking the time to post such an in-depth opinion!

Country?!? I've never heard that comparison before, but I suppose the songs are a mix of "folk" and "rock"... All I need is a fiddle, a slide gee-tar, some songs about monster truck rallies, and I'll be set. ;)

I'm gonna have to put up some more samples soon...

Thanks again!
-John
 
kurfu said:


Country?!? I've never heard that comparison before, but I suppose the songs are a mix of "folk" and "rock"... All I need is a fiddle, a slide gee-tar, some songs about monster truck rallies, and I'll be set. ;)


-John
Click to expand...

LOL thats what I added in the "forgive me if Im wrong." The catagory people think an artist might fall under might be way off from what his music really is. I was just going by what I heard but I guess the correct term for your music would be "folk rock"?
 
I didn't see the site before you changed it, but it looks really good now, I think. I too really like the little guy drawing.

The music is very well played and sang. But it seems like the vocals could be brought forward a bit more IMHO...
I'm no expert, but if you'd like to improve from the recording aspect (not that it's bad at all), you should post a tune or two in the clinic.

BTW, after hearing your music and seeing the meager little setup you used I have decided to sell all my shit and give up.:( :p
 
griffon - I have not clue what category the music falls into. I just play whatever style is in my head at the time. ;)

subtractor - don't sell your shit.... just squeeze everything you can from what you have. My setup works because I only need to record one thing at a time... POD for guitars, SansAmp for bass, Fruity for drums, and a StudioProjects C-1 for vox. Nothing to it. :)
 
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