What DO I do?

When people ask me what I have been up to I'm often a bit stuck, so I thought it would be a good idea to highlight some of the things that I do aside from strum around Hampshire. Some of it may appeal some may not.




My website has pretty much all the info in it but I'll break down some things here.



You can download and buy cds of my music here http://nicktann.bandcamp.com// some of it is free but the new stuff is £3 to download & £5 for the physical cd.



I have Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nick-Tann/128598242167?installed=1&fb_page_id=128598242167 for me and my music



I produce a weekly podcast, it's like a radio show but on the web. You can listen to it by clicking on the iTunes button on the top of the page here http://isthisthingonpodcast.blogspot.com// I play great music that other independent artists send me, have a bit of a chat, do the odd interview plus some other bits & pieces. If you know someone who might want their stuff, there are instructions on the link.



I run an event called Pure Acoustica, its a thing where artists play in venues without microphones and amps. You can see that here http://www.pureacoustica.com/



I have a small consultancy business where I help people including other musicians, promote themselves using the internet http://www.nicktann.co.uk/advice1.html





If you are interested in coming to see me play then this is the page that has all my gigs listed http://www.nicktann.co.uk/Gigs1.html


There are a few more projects I'm working on but I don't want to swamp you with info.

Give it away, now?

So the mantra for many independents is "Give it away, because later they'll pay".
If you don't know what I am talking about, let me explain

Many independent artists chose to give their music away free, usually download only, in exchange for the email address of the person that bought it. The thinking behind this is that once you have seduced your fan with free music, they will fall in love with you and purchase your next release.

Lets assume, for a moment, that this is the correct and proper way to go about it. At what point do you start to charge?

Lets now question the giving away of our precious talents. Many of us record at home so the actual cash outlay of producing a track (or podcast for that matter) is nought. Uploading to sites such as the beloved Bandcamp is also, nought. So on a strictly financial basis we are not out of pocket by giving these things away.

To avoid this becoming a discussion just about music, I would extend the "talents" to poets and writers.

Some may mention that old chestnut "Time is money" which, I believe, is balls and not worth clouding this already foggy issue.