Studio8 - Uniting the Arts

<center>Feb. 16, 2010 Update</center>

As you can see, I made some changes to my main music webpage ... added some new shows in Dallas, a music player which has all my music from ReverbNation in addition to the links for each album/CD or collection that I had up before, and a new short bio that I created for booking/promotion:

Short Bio: A finalist in both the 2008 & 2009 USA Songwriting Contests, a TAXI Top 10 Pick in July 2008, and highly scored by Music Connection magazine in August 2009, Beth Isbell has been described as "edgy, subversive," "passionate," "innovative," "alternative art at its best" "which redefines 'dark' as a plausible blend of the psychedelic & the acoustic" ... "an artist who is truly one of a kind!"

The quoted material is straight out of Press reviews of my recent CDs!

I just moved to Dallas & have two really cool shows coming up, the first is headlining at Opening Bell Coffee on Friday, February 26 @ 11pm. Show starts at 7pm with some excellent opening acts. Suggested Donation only $5.

Opening Bell has consistently been voted Dallas best coffeeshop & acoustic music venue by the Dallas Observer, D Magazine, etc., and is located at 1408 S. Lamar Street (just South of Downtown on Lamar, around the corner from Bill's Records & Poor David's Pub).
More Info/Details/Directions: http://www.reverbnation.com/show/1820477

These are the opening acts:

7pm Rafe & Jess (Dallas, TX) - a really nice laid back acoustic indie rock mellow pop duo ... http://www.reverbnation.com/show/1820477#/rafeandjess

8pm Meredith Dobbs (Dallas, TX) - a talented local piano/guitarist/singer-songwriter with a very laid back folk-pop sound similar to Sheryl Crow. http://www.myspace.com/meredithdobbsmusic

9pm Teresa Storch (Boston, MA) - I'm really excited to be sharing a stage with Teresa, who is touring out of Boston & is sort of has a folk-rock female jazzy Dave Matthews type sound (her new CD was mastered by the same folks that do his mastering & the mastering for White Stripes) - her music has a very cool East Coast jazzy-funky vibe http://www.teresastorch.com/

10pm Sometime After Band (Dallas, TX) - a cool edgy rock sound. http://www.myspace.com/sometimeafterband

11pm Beth Isbell

The Opening Bell show is going to be a really great night of music ... and will give me a great opportunity to showcase the music I love & do what I do best!

I've also been invited to play at the first ever monthly "Facebook Sunday Showcase Jam" at The Balcony Club in Dallas, Texas (upstairs at the Lakewood Theater in East Dallas near the intersection of Abrams & Gaston Roads) on Sunday, March 7th. My birthday is March 9th, so this will also effectively be my birthday party show, and better yet, ALL DRINKS ARE HALF-PRICE!!! (This is unheard of for the Balcony Club!) and Tommy will also be providing FREE BBQ!!!

In addition to me at 4pm, the line-up for the Balcony Club show features ...

3pm Troll Mallow aka Mr. Troll ... a very good folk rock guitarist
http://www.myspace.com/mistertroll

4pm Beth Isbell

5pm Ray Anderson with Carol Dierking ... electric power blues-rock
http://www.myspace.com/rayzalover

6pm The Sole Poets ... good band with an Eagles/Van Morrison sound
http://www.myspace.com/solepoets

Well, that's the update ... I'm enjoying my new house in Dallas. It's a lot nicer, cleaner & bigger than my old place in OKC. New carpet & paint. The twins love their new room & their new treehouse & the city park right out our back gate. Just finished setting up my new music room - it's been really nice to just walk in & turn on the PA or amp & start practicing - didn't really have the room in my old house - so the new environment has me feeling very creative and made it a lot more fun and enjoyable to practice & even record!

Here's my latest Fanbridge e-mail campaign (sent Feb. 20, 2010):
http://bethisbell.fanbridge.com/campaig ... =110676645

If you want to be included on the mailing list ... either go to the initial post & scroll down & fill out the quick & easy form ... or send me a note with your e-mail address to roxybeast@hotmail.com Thanks!

Here are links to the Facebook fan pages of all the other artists on the bill for next Friday 2/26 at Opening Bell Southside! , Peace, Beth

7pm Rafe & Jess
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rafe-and- ... 3575939319

8pm Meredith Dobbs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Meredith- ... 9869942364

9pm Teresa Storch
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa-Storch/30391805443

10pm Sometime After
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sometime- ... 7056198642

and I'm at 11pm ... Beth Isbell
http://www.facebook.com/bethisbell

Hope you can make it, should be a great show & a really fun night of music!

your music, Mr. Troll´s one, drinks and asado... wow!! I sure would have been there if I lived in Dallas!!! Gracias for the link to other musicians, I´ll also listen to them!. Great to know that you´re feeling good in your new city, and best wishes with the show!

Thanks Arcadia! I wish you were here too!

Here's the link to the first ever Toxic Pilgrim Music Show!!! ... it's only about 7 minutes ... check it out:

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/4944247

As you can tell, I had a lot of fun making that crazy little video, other than my head being completely plugged due to having a cold! But hopefully, I will feel much better Friday! So come hear the "unplugged" me (ha!) on Friday rocking the house at Opening Bell in Dallas, TX, 7pm!

I've been playing around with my new song - She's Not Catholic ... revised the first verse & added a bridge ... probably not enough time to get it ready for Friday's show, but soon ... anyway, here are the new 1v lyrics ...

<center>I met a girl, bur she didn’t like me
We had sex, but I lost
All her friends, think I’m a psycho
All my friends are JUST FUCKED UP!

I don’t know where the money goes,
But what I know is she’s not catholic
And every time that I pet her fish
My head’s screaming she’s not catholic</center>

Here's a very easy link/form to sign up to my e-mail list! ...

http://bethisbell.fanbridge.com/

Get the latest news, show info, discounts on CDs & merchandise, & other free stuff!

REMINDER: Come out & help me celebrate my birthday at the First Ever Monthly Facebook Showcase Party at The Balcony Club (upstairs @ Lakewood Theater near Abrams Rd & Gaston Rd) on Sunday, Mar. 7th with Troll Mallow 3pm, Beth 4pm, Ray Anderson & Carol Dierking 5pm, & the Sole Poets 6pm ... with 1/2 price drinks & Tommy's Free BBQ!

<center>Here's the Line-Up:

3pm Troll Mallow (aka Mr. Troll)
http://www.myspace.com/mistertroll

4pm Beth Isbell with Kelly Tomlinson & Carol Dierking
http://www.studioeight.tv/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=16212

5pm Ray Anderson with Carol Dierking
http://www.myspace.com/rayzalover

6pm The Sole Poets
http://www.myspace.com/solepoets </center>

Recorded this tip for a friend's speech at SXSW ... not that anyone should listen to me! , ... But it is a good tip, short, cute & very helpful!

http://www.vimeo.com/9866058

New Song ... She's Not Catholic ... reminds me of Pulp Fiction for some reason ... this is just a working draft of the song I put together with an acoustic guitar (not that you can tell) so the rest of the band could learn the tune, but still very cool!

http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_3489043

Beth's E-Mail List - Sign-up here: http://bethisbell.fanbridge.com/

Hey, thanks for signing up to my e-mail list so we can stay in touch & I can let you know when & where we're playing next, so first step is to just confirm this message so you'll get any messages, you can always unsubscribe in one click, so your choice! , Here's some additional places you can talk to me:

Here's my e-mail: roxybeast@hotmail.com

and more importantly, here's my facebook page, which is where I usually post new songs or show info or just talk & laugh with everybody ... so if you're on facebook, send me a friend request & you'll be in the loop , ... http://www.facebook.com/bethisbell

My Main Music Site (I post everything here & news, etc. here too):
http://www.studioeight.tv/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=16212

Reverbnation also has all songs & sometimes free mp3 downloads: http://www.reverbnation.com/bethisbell

Or MySpace ... http://www.myspace.com/bethisbell

Ok, so enough of that, I post show info on any/all of those sites so pick your favorite ... it was nice to meet you tonight & I sure hope you'll let me play for you again sometime! ,

Peace,
Beth Isbell

the "She´s not catholic" title made me smile! . The expression "no es muy católico/a" it was common in the old people´s speech here when they would try to say: "it´s not enough ok", "it´s dubious", "it´s not trust-full at all", "it´s weird" for a thing, a person or a situation. Long time since I didn´t listen to it!. Wild song!!

And great to know that you had a happy birthday, Beth!!

<center>Derek Sivers
SXSW: The Tao of the Music Conference

Summary of Video Advice on How to Succeed at a Music Conference</center>

Start by reading this article & watching this video clip of Derek’s talk on the Tao of the Music Conference – Best Tips on How to Succeed at a Music Conference:

http://sivers.org/sxsw

Then check out the following advice from contributors & watch any videos of interest:

Big Kenny: Be nice to everybody, you never know where your first record deal will come from … maybe the guy you give a ride to see music or let sleep on your couch.
http://vimeo.com/10307560

Ari Koinuma: Find a way to visually communicate who you are & what you have to offer & to invite others to experience it or assist you.
http://vimeo.com/10283719

Sunspot: Divide & Conquer. As a band, split up at the conference – separately, you have a lot more opportunities to make more good helpful meaningful contacts.
http://vimeo.com/10287812

Maury Rosenberg: After your showcase, go around the room & introduce yourself.
http://vimeo.com/10286384

La Famos PR: As a group, split up, circulate often & make contacts, then go around the room one last time together and introduce your colleagues to the people you just met.
http://vimeo.com/10284347

Tim Ferris: When meeting people, skip the what do you do, … instead try to make a personal connection, get them to share their personal stories, be self-depricating, & ask if there is anyone at the conference they think you should meet, and/or just buy them a beer.
http://vimeo.com/10288104

Jeff Kaye: Focus your energies on someone else, help them with their problem/issue, and they might repair the favor in a way that ultimately helps you reach your goals.
http://vimeo.com/10285486

Sven Hansen: The people you meet at the conference are your guests, treat them as such.
http://vimeo.com/10287997

Duane Levi: Focus on people who are genuine & have substance, not those who just like to talk. Be aware, and able to separate the fake from the real.
http://vimeo.com/10283998

Larry Weintraub: Forget about the past. Instead just learn, watch, study, ask. Get & be better. Study what those who are better than you are doing and then do it better.
http://vimeo.com/10286029

Jody Whitesides: Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder, be open to suggestion & harsh critiques. They can be opportunities to build helpful relationships.
http://vimeo.com/10285822

Cat: Show up, go to as many meetings and events as you can, have fun, you have a tremendous opportunity get targeted career advice from top industry professionals.
http://vimeo.com/10283828

Randall Williams: Find your niche - the thing you do that nobody else does or few others do, do it really well, then leverage everything you can to help other people with it.
http://vimeo.com/10287561

Richard Danjolell: Smile for the cameras, the picture they take, may get used in a sxsw marketing campaign & get you noticed & create more opportunities next year.
http://vimeo.com/10287661

Tom Salta: Follow up! If you meet someone interesting at the conference or give them a CD/promo, send them an e-mail or otherwise follow-up the next week.
http://vimeo.com/10288220

Wendy Parr: Ask questions, learn, follow-up with the people you gel with, follow-up with an e-mail after the conference with a reminder of what you had in common.
http://vimeo.com/10288461

Greg Rollett: Get personal, do your research, find out who is on the panels & connect with them, don’t just hand a CD, hand them a CD & letter addressed to them personally
http://vimeo.com/10284246

Craig Crawford: After the conference, remember to actually follow-up with the people you meet by letter, etc., and try to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship. http://vimeo.com/10283943

Jim Bianco: Music conferences are about opportunity, so say yes to everything! And you will create more opportunities to get your music out there & make things happen.
http://vimeo.com/10285654

Jim Powers: Focus your energy on putting on your best show even if you’re not feeling well, something inevitably goes wrong, or only 20 people show up. You may get signed.
http://vimeo.com/10285702

Panos Panay: Develop your voice & find your own audience. Meet everyone & follow-up. You’re at the big dance, now muster up the courage to go ask someone to dance!
http://vimeo.com/10287435

Lou Paniccia: Document everything. Video your showcase, but also film your trip to sxsw, film band at the hotel, film rehearsals, film your experience, then edit & post it!
http://vimeo.com/10286194

Alyse Black: Think more long term, focus on building long-term relationships.
http://vimeo.com/10283683

Joe Laviolette: Be choosy, don’t give your cd or merch to everyone, only give to those who are genuinely interested or ask for it.
http://vimeo.com/10285839

Meg Okura: Over-prepare for your showcase, then go with the flow, be ready for anything. Be rehearsed, professional, on-time, but also spontaneous& able to adapt.
http://vimeo.com/10286466

Tshaka: Talk to everybody in the city the conference is located, not just those at the conference, you never know who you will meet that may end up sponsoring your band.
http://vimeo.com/10288424

Marina V: Wear interesting clothes or outfits which might help you get noticed or spark an interesting discussion.
http://vimeo.com/10286234

Trevor Roark: If something goes wrong during your showcase, perform as if nothing has happened & continue to give it your best.
http://vimeo.com/10288329

Tina Shafer: Listen, connect on a personal level, & then follow-up.
http://vimeo.com/10288179

Thaddeus Rex: Ask questions, especially if you’re in a panel or with lots of people, it will get you introduced to everyone at once & start dialogues.
http://vimeo.com/10288032

Suz Doyle: Be inventive. Example: create chocolate bars with your picture/bio on them
http://vimeo.com/10287954

Ron Irizarry: Connect with the people you meet after your show on a personal level.
http://vimeo.com/10287783

Greg Spero: Give, give & give some more. Offer to give your talent/services to someone you connect with & they may provide you meaningful career connections.
http://vimeo.com/10284281

Robin Bennett: Play as many times as you can & be on the lookout for free pizza!
http://vimeo.com/10287724

Robert Van Horne: Always be prepared by having something that represents you to hand out & say thank you!
http://vimeo.com/10287682

Jessica Paige: If you admire somebody, don’t be afraid to let them know.
http://vimeo.com/10285634

J Sider: Spend more time asking questions about what the person you’re talking with thinks or is doing, listen to and learn from their answers.
http://vimeo.com/10285969

Jennifer Vazquez: Sign up for mentoring sessions, even if you have to pay for it, google & research your mentor, and then be sure to follow-up with them after the conference.
http://vimeo.com/10285588

Paul Cullen: Find your own niche – something that sets you apart from everyone else. Find ways to define, market & promote or cross promote that niche.
http://vimeo.com/10287505

Nikc Miller: Take a video camera, video your experience & folks you meet, get their contact information. When you get home, edit it together, post it & let them know they’re in the video & send them links. Great way to promote & create new fans.
http://vimeo.com/10287171

Mikhail Tank: Communicate with everyone to find what’s right for you – be open minded, connect & meaningful connections will result.
http://vimeo.com/10287144

Jenn Ashton: Call or ask someone what you can do to help them – offer yourself out! It may result in a great opportunity, but if nothing else, it just feels good.
http://vimeo.com/10285540

Ranj Singh: Do not hesitate to talk to people … just do it.
http://vimeo.com/10287614

Mike Lawson: Be open to ideas or products that are even outside the path you think you’re on, because they may be the idea or create path you’re supposed to be on.
http://vimeo.com/10287034

Mick Flores: Carry press kits everywhere … and please & thank you go a long way.
http://vimeo.com/10286661

Tori Sparks: Consider putting on an impromptu or guerilla show, spread the word, and you might create new bookings and fans for yourself.
http://vimeo.com/10288281

Michael Puskas: Present yourself succinctly & to the point, don’t judge a book by it’s cover, be open, every person is a prospective lead & please be sure to groom yourself.
http://vimeo.com/10286598

Mario Sevayega: The best connections are the musicians you meet & friends you make.
http://vimeo.com/10286354

Lenedra Carroll: Ask if you can play for someone & have your guitar ready.
http://vimeo.com/10286075

El: Create business magnets, list website only, create the door you want them to enter.
http://vimeo.com/10284021

Beth Isbell: Find the lawyers! In the music biz, the lawyers often control the A&R and make the deals--find out where they’re meeting, introduce yourself & ask them for advice http://vimeo.com/10283745

Julie Shephard: Don’t be afraid to stand up in front of a crowd & ask questions. Be honest & open in asking for help/suggestions. You might end up with the right answer.
http://vimeo.com/10285989

Jon Goldman: Always try to be nice, helpful, & willing to go out to get the food!
http://vimeo.com/10285950

Cort Delano: Do something outside the box, like singing at a yoga class
http://vimeo.com/10283922

Charles Alexander: Do research & personalize the pitch to the person you want to connect with, take personal USB flash drives & while listening to the panels, copy songs & promo, & even a personal letter, to the USB drive based on what they’re interested in. And then hand them a personalized promo & music package tailored to their interests.
http://vimeo.com/10283905

Bill Pere: The most success comes to those who are there to learn & network.
http://vimeo.com/10283800

John Batdorf: Go see the most popular acts & study what they’re doing right. Then apply those lessons to improve your own show.
http://vimeo.com/10285875

Jody Friedman: Find a way to be different & make yourself stand out. Pass out some chocolate with your CD. Create a reason for people to seek you out.
http://vimeo.com/10285755

Jim Vilandre: Always be open to possibilities, be interested in what others are doing.
http://vimeo.com/10285730

Giuliano Baglioni: Take the laid back approach. Talk about something other than work. Always leave a good impression.
http://vimeo.com/10284214

Ellie Lawson: Get an e-mail address & follow up with them after the conference.
http://vimeo.com/10284093

John Mazzei: Engage in targeted networking, have a killer demo & your chops ready.
http://vimeo.com/10285896

David Sherbow: Be nice to everyone & treat everyone with respect, even the drunk guy, because his uncle may be head of A&R for the label that produces your next EP for free.
http://vimeo.com/10283982

Elana James: You just never know who’s paying attention to you even when you aren’t paying attention to them.
http://vimeo.com/10284061

Andrea Nardello: Go out there have fun, be social, and good things will happen
http://vimeo.com/10283688

Adriel Luis: Give out flash drive with your music & promo on it. Try to give out promo that is compact, innovative & indispensable.
http://vimeo.com/10283630


Finally, one of the videos, reminded me of a personal experience I recently had at one conference I attended by being friendly, outgoing (despite normally being shy), wearing outlandish rainbow hippie outfits & polka dot hat landed me an interview and performance on local TV in the city in which the conference was being held, also in being filmed performing by one of the conference board of directors with the footage being posted on the conference site to promote the conference, and by following up on contacts made there, I was asked to provide business marketing ideas & advice to the head of a major label. My advice is be interesting in everything that you do, ask, say, wear, hand out, or perform at the conference. Peace, Beth http://www.reverbnation.com/bethisbell or http://www.myspace.com/bethisbell

A fan & new friend Johnnie Pegues recently posted this comment on her FaceBook page after seeing me play ... we only just met & this was the first time she ever heard me perform ...
I think it's a bit much & it makes me blush, but still very very cool ...

"Those of you who know me well will know that I am a music person, blues in particular. I am telling you tonight that I have, in my life, carried guitars for two musicians......one belonged to Buddy Holly, the other was tonight for Beth Isbell. There are many pedestrian and so-so blues people out there.....Beth is extraordinary. If you truly appreciate blues, Beth Isbell is your avenue to reality." Johnnie Pegues