Music Business

Music Business/ Touring

Musicians Guide to Online Streaming Part 1

Richard L'Hommedieu gig economy, live streaming, making a Scene, musicians guide to live streaming May 5, 2020

Making a Scene Presents A Musicians Guide to Live Streaming! Let’s face it, we are in strange times. For all intensive purposes 2020 is a wash for touring and the gig economy for the indie artists. In response, many indie artists have turned to online live shows on Facebook, instagram, Stageit etc. On facebook, online […]

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Music Business

Making a Scene Celebrates 6 years!

Richard L'Hommedieu americana, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, music business, roots May 1, 2020

Making a Scene Celebrates 6 Years of Publication! It was May 1 2014 when I launched Making a Scene and since that day it has been one hell of a ride! We have been through 4 hosting services because of the growth of traffic which now averages over 8 million page reads a month! Our […]

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Music Business

Making a Scene To Open Virtual Venue

Richard L'Hommedieu covid-19, gig economy, indie, indie Blues, live streaming, making a Scene, music business, virtual venue April 21, 2020

With the current situation with Covid 19 lockdown and the complete shutdown of the gig economy, we feel it’s important that we do something to support the indie music community. We will be opening our “Making a Scene” Facebook page as a virtual Venue with a May 1, 2, and 3 kickoff show from Noon […]

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Music Business

How the New Stimulus Bill Benefits Musicians

Jess L'Hommedieu musician relief March 31, 2020

How the New Stimulus Bill Benefits Musicians In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, small businesses and the self employed are amongst those who were hit the hardest. With hundreds of concerts, festivals, and gigs postponed or canceled, thousands of those working in the music industry had no clue what was going to happen next. […]

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Interview the Pros/ Music Business/ Performance

Interview with a Pro Evan Lowenstein – Stageit.com

Richard L'Hommedieu corona virus, live streaming, making a Scene, stageit.com March 17, 2020

Making a Scene Presents an interview with Evan Lowenstein CEO of Stageit.com Many indie artists are waking up to a realization that their spring tour schedule is getting cancelled. The CorVid-19 Virus has venues shutting down and cancelling shows, which is especially damaging to the touring artist who makes their living off live performances. Thought […]

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Music Business

How to Define Success as a Musician

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, music business, success as a musician March 10, 2020

How to Define Success as a Musician So many musicians believe that they need to achieve “Stardom” to qualify as a success as a musician. A lot of this mentality is fueled by the celebrity culture both in the media and in the industry. Yes, you want fans and you want to have people come […]

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DIY Booking/ Music Business

Getting a Booking Agent

Richard L'Hommedieu Booking Agent, indie, making a Scene, music business March 4, 2020

Making a Scene – Getting a Booking Agent! If you are serious about being a touring artist, the most important person on your team is your booking agent. The bottom line of all the people on your team, your booking agent is the one that is generating income for you. The booking agent is one […]

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Music Biz Resources/ Music Business/ Music Education Reviews

Education is the Key to Success for the Indie Artists

Richard L'Hommedieu education is the key, indie artists., making a Scene, music education, music industry February 18, 2020

Making a Scene Presents EDUCATION is the Key to Success for the Indie Artist! Let’s face it, the music industry is moving at a break neck speed as is the technology that is driving it. If you want to find success in this industry you will have to dedicate yourself to learn the business as […]

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In The Studio/ Music Business

Building a Grammy Winning Studio!

Richard L'Hommedieu building a studio, grammy, grammy winning studio, indie Blues, making a Scene, recording, recording studio February 11, 2020

Building a Grammy Winning Studio When Billie Eilish won her first Grammy for “Best Pop Vocals” I was in the front row of the “Premiere Show” at the Grammys, the show that is not televised. She was, unfortunately not there to accept because she was on the Red Carpet reportedly shifting through her Swag Bag […]

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Music Biz Resources/ Music Business

So, You Want to Win A Grammy!

Richard L'Hommedieu billy eilish, indie, making a Scene, music business January 28, 2020

Making a Scene Goes to the Grammys On Sunday 1/26/2020 I had the opportunity to attend the Grammy ceremonies at the Staple Center in Los Angeles. As every musician, producer and engineer will tell you, this is the one event that is on their bucket list. To attend the Grammy’s is like getting a front […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Creating a Music Video on a Budget – John Pagano Band “Misbehavin”

Richard L'Hommedieu blues, indie Blues, John Pagano Band, making a Scene, misbehavin, Music video, Video on a buget January 19, 2020

Creating a Music Video on a Budget – John Pagano Band “Misbehavin” The world of the Indie artist has changed over the last 20 years. As the market for CD’s and Downloads diminish, it also has been increasingly important for the indie artist to create video content in order to attract any new market. Let’s […]

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Book Reviews/ Music Business

Book review: Ray Benson: Comin’ Right at Ya, or How a Jewish Yankee Hippie Went Country

Rhetta Akamatsu alseep at the wheel, book review, Comin' Right At Ya, making a Scene, Ray Benson January 14, 2020

Comin Right At Ya, Or How a Jewish Yankee Hippie Went Country Ray Benson by Rhetta Akamatsu As he explains in Comin’ Right At Ya, Ray Benson was indeed born a  Yankee, growing up in Philadelphia, He is also Jewish and was a hippie when he formed Asleep at the Wheel 50 years ago. Yet […]

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Music Business

Making a Scene’s 5 Predictions for the Music Industry in the 2020’s

Richard L'Hommedieu future of music business, indie artists., making a Scene, music business January 7, 2020

Making a Scene Presents 5 Predictions for the Music Industry in the 2020’s The 2000’s have brought a huge shift in the music industry that has been driven by technology. Some, like streaming has benefited the consumer while taking a huge dent out the economics of recorded music. Some have made the creation of music […]

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INDIE Blues Scene/ Music Business/ On the Scene

Smoke Free Atlanta Celebration January 5, 2020

Rhetta Akamatsu live blues, making a Scene, smoke free atlanta January 7, 2020

Last Sunday, my husband and I went to Blind Willie’s, a well-loved blues club in Virginia Highlands, to celebrate a momentous occasion: the city of Atlanta is now smoke-free! Yes, thanks to the efforts of the Smoke-Free Atlanta Organization with the enthusiastic support of the Atlanta Blues Society, music lovers can now go to any […]

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Music Business

Making a Scene Year in Review!

Richard L'Hommedieu 2019, blues, indie Blues, making a Scene, music business, year in review December 28, 2019

Making a Scene Year in Review! As we near the end of 2019 it’s time to take a look at the year and what we have been able to accomplish here at Making a Scene! We look at our stats to see if we are truly living up to our mission of being the #1 […]

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Book Reviews/ Music Business

The Professional Songwriter by Louis Anthony deLise

Rhetta Akamatsu making a Scene, music business, music theory, Peter DeLise, songwriting, The Professional Songwriter December 7, 2019

Louis Anthony deLise The Professional Songwriter The Professional Songwriter is a textbook aimed at writers who are dedicated to being successful as a songwriter. It is essential reading for anyone in that position, although it might have been better divided into two books, one about music theory and one about the music business. This is […]

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DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ Marketing/ Music Business

The MICCO Industry Lists Review

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, micco, music marketing, radio lists, Spotify playlists November 26, 2019

As the revenue on Recorded music shrink, it becomes more important for the indie artist to find ways to market their music economically.  The focus for the indie artist is now based on reaching and expanding a fanbase that invests in an artists music! One of the important aspects of this type of marketing is […]

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Book Reviews/ Music Biz Resources/ Music Business

The Perpetual Beginner David Isaacs

Rhetta Akamatsu David Isaacs, making a Scene, music, music instruction, The Prpetual Beginner November 13, 2019

David Isaacs The Perpetual Beginner The Perpetual Beginner is a very different and fascinating type of music “manual,” which is also partially a memoir of the musical life of David Isaacs, a well-respected professional guitarist and teacher. The premise is that anyone who has the desire to play better than they are already can do […]

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DIY Booking/ DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ Music Biz Resources/ Music Business

Making a Scene Reviews the Indie Bible 20th Anniversary Issue

Richard L'Hommedieu indie music promotion, making a Scene, Music promotion, The Indie bible November 10, 2019

Making A Scene Presents a Review of the 20th Anniversary Issue of THE INDIE BIBLE!  It has been 20 years since Dave Wimble put out the first issue of The Indie Bible! Since that first issue, he has made it his mission to provide the Indie artist with a valuable resource to help them promote […]

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DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ Marketing/ Music Biz Resources/ Music Business

Making a Scene Reviews The Indie Spotify Bible

Richard L'Hommedieu Indie Spotify Bible, making a Scene, music marketing, playlist marketing, Spotify November 6, 2019

Making a Scene Presents a Review of the Indie Spotify Bible! There is not doubt that Spotify has become a major influence in the music industry. For the Indie Artist, this has been a double edge sword, while streaming has taken a large chunk out their revenue of recorded music, it has also opened up […]

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Making A Local Scene/ Marketing/ Music Business

Text Marketing for the Indie Artist

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, music marketing, Text Marketing September 29, 2019

Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Ben Flores of JookSMS.com  People are addicted to technology. According to a poll, 50% of smartphone users admit they are addicted to their phones, 80% say they check their phone hourly and 72% say they feel the urge to immediately respond to texts. This is the dopamine effect. […]

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Music Business/ On the Scene/ Performance

LIVE Music Survey

Richard L'Hommedieu Live music, making a Scene, Survey September 28, 2019

Making a Scene Presents the LIVE Music Survey We have a new reality in the music industry today. The new music consumer no longer looks at music as a commodity to purchase, but more as something they have unlimited access to. This has affected the whole industry but nowhere is it more evident then with […]

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INDIE Blues Scene/ Music Business/ On the Scene

Independent Blues Award Nominations open for 2020!

Richard L'Hommedieu awards, blues, IBA, independent blues awards, indie Blues, making a Scene September 17, 2019

IMPORTANT!! PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU ENTER ANY NOMINATIONS The independent Blues Awards celebrate the diversity and power of the music that is created by those artists that acknowledge their inspiration and roots are in the blues. These awards will represent not only those “touring” artists who work within the established blues community, but embrace working artists […]

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INDIE Blues Scene/ Music Business/ On the Scene

2019 Independent Blues Awards!

Richard L'Hommedieu independent blues awards, making a Scene September 3, 2019

The Results are in for the Making a Scene 2019 Independent Blues Awards! We at Making A Scene are excited because this year we had a fantastic diverse selection of nominees. Now, of course we have to do things a little different than any of the other “Awards” out there. We want to celebrate not […]

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Music Biz News/ Music Business

ASCAP Responds to the Closing of Streamlicensing.com

Richard L'Hommedieu August 28, 2019

We recently reported on the closing of Streamlicensing.com  Now ASCAP Responds to allegations made by the former owners of Streamlicensing! Recently, ASCAP learned that the StreamLicensing.com service has shut down. We are writing to inform all StreamLicensing Broadcast affiliates that the owners and operators of the StreamLicensing service have not been transparent with its customers, […]

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Gear Reviews/ Hardware Reviews/ Music Business

Top 10 Wireless Guitar Systems under $200

Tony Hossri gear review, making a Scene, wireless guitar August 6, 2019

Top 10 Wireless Guitar Systems Under $200 Guitar cables…let’s face it, they can be annoying. I like to think of them more like a leash that consistently gets tangled up. The good news is, these easily tangled inconvenient leashes (guitar cables) are relatively cheap. Especially if you’re in the earlier days of a startup band, […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

20 Tips on Creating High Quality Music Videos on a Budget!

Tony Hossri Budget, indie, making a Scene, Music video July 23, 2019

20 Tips on Creating High Quality Music Videos On A Budget! In the abnormally over-saturated social media and music age, the chance for an unsigned artist or band getting recognition by releasing a song without a video is little to none. Unfortunately, most high-quality music videos released from famous artists start at $20,000 and goes […]

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DIY Radio/ Music Biz News/ Music Business

Streamlicensing.com Has Closed it’s Doors!

Richard L'Hommedieu internet radio, making a Scene, music business, radio June 15, 2019

Streamlicensing.com, one of the largest licensing companies for small web broadcasters and internet radio, has suddenly ceased all operations yesterday. The sudden loss of this resource will hit the small webcaster fairly hard. Streamlicensing collected royalties from small webcasters for the music they stream which is paid to record companies and artists. This is essential […]

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INDIE Blues Scene/ Music Business/ On the Scene

2019 Independent Blues Awards Voting Starts NOW!

Richard L'Hommedieu blues, independent blues awards, indie Blues, making a Scene May 27, 2019

Making a Scene Presents the 2019 Independent Blues Awards! Congratulations to all the nominees! The 2019 Independent Blues Awards nominations are now in and ready for you to vote on. We do things a bit different than other awards in that we give you the opportunity to explore and experience artists and music you may […]

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DIY PR/ Marketing/ Music Business

Creating Your Image

Richard L'Hommedieu image plan, music consumer, music marketing May 7, 2019

Let’s face it, the music industry has changed as has the music consumer. For almost 20 years we have been in the digital revolution, where music consumerism has transitioned from physical products to digital streaming. You can bitch and moan about it, but the reality is, we are NOT going back to the good ole […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Creating a Music Video on a Budget

Richard L'Hommedieu blues, DIY music video, JP Blues, jpblues, making a Scene, music, Music video, video production April 23, 2019

Creating a Music Video on a Budget One of the most effective marketing tools a band can have, especially in the digital age, is a good production Music Video. Now, I’m not talking about taping some live gig somewhere in bad light with lousy (or questionable Sound). What I am talking about that MTV style […]

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Marketing/ Music Business/ Touring

Merchandising your Band! -UPDATED

Richard L'Hommedieu band merch, band shirts, band t-shirts, branding, making a Scene, Merch Table, merchandising you band, t-shirts April 7, 2019

Merchandising Your Band Merchandising your band can make all the difference between just getting by and generating a good income on the road. Even if you are a local band, a good merch  table, can sometimes bring a gig from the red into the black. I once knew a band in NY whose Merch table […]

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Music Business/ Touring

Road Tips for the Touring Musician (and those who want to be)

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, so you want to tour, Tips for the Touring Musician, Touring April 7, 2019

INTRODUCTION If you are serious about creating a career as a musician or a band, the one thing you will have to come to terms with is the fact that the job IS on the road and performing. It’s not about radio airplay or CD sales (Both of which are used to support a Tour) and there is no […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Gina Coleman and Misty Blues Band Releases a Music Video “Hear My Call”

Posted by Editor April 1, 2019

Making a Scene Presents An Exclusive Premiere of Misty Blues Band “Hear My Call” Gina is a graduate of Williams College.  She began singing in 1990 on a dare by her co-workers and hasn’t turned back since.  She began performing in a duet, The Siblings.  Gina shortly started her own duet, Cole-Connection, which blossomed to […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Marketing to the New Music Consumer

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, music marketing, new music consumer, social media marketing March 20, 2019

Making a Scene Presents Marketing to the New Music Consumer! On September 9 1957 Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and a marketing phenomena was born. What followed was a blitz of TV shows, Movies, Fan Magazines and merchandise that propelled this memphis truck driver to become the King of Rock. The image machine […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Using Instagram for Self-Promotion – Tips for the Session Musician

Jennifer instagram, making a Scene, marketing, music business March 18, 2019

Using Instagram for Self-Promotion Instagram is a fantastic platform for reaching out to people and promoting your music. Through Instagram, you can get more work and support as a solo or session musician. So we’re laying out some tips that we hope could help you in this department when you’re using this app. Link to […]

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DIY PR/ Marketing/ Music Business

The Single Release and the Indie Artist!

Richard L'Hommedieu Indie artist, making a Scene, Playlists, single release March 5, 2019

IS Your Single Release “Making A Scene”? The buzzword in the indie industry seems to be the Single Release. Many artists believe that the “Single” is the pathway to that elusive hit in the streaming playlist world. I will be honest with you, there is nothing further from the truth. Let’s take a look at […]

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DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ Music Business

How Spotify’s Gatekeepers Are Turning Listeners Into Fans (Or Not)

Sam Chennault making a Scene, music fans, Spotify, Spotify playlists February 26, 2019

Making a Scene Presents “How Spotify’s Gatekeepers Are Turning Listeners Into Fans (Or Not)” Editors Note: No matter where you stand on the streaming of music, the fact remains this is the new reality in the music industry. The main income stream of the musician is at live performances and the task for the Indie […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Creating your Brand

Richard L'Hommedieu branding, Create your brand, making a Scene February 12, 2019

Establishing your brand has always been part of creating a successful music career. Today it may be more important than ever. Now I can hear some of you already! “We(I) Let our(my) Music do the Talking, I don’t have to create a Brand!” Nothing can be further from the truth in today’s music industry. Before […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

Understanding the New Music Consumer

Richard L'Hommedieu making a Scene, music business, music consumer, Spotify, youtube February 6, 2019

Making a Scene Presents Understanding The New Music Consumer Introduction My frame of reference as a music consumer has always been that tactile experience of holding the physical product in my hands. I would read the liner notes, look at the pictures and would have a sense of ownership of the music. With each change […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

How to work your Instagram Account using your Laptop/Desktop!

Richard L'Hommedieu instagram, making a Scene January 9, 2019

Making a Scene Brings you a Simple way to use Instagram on your Laptop/Desktop! One of the fastest growing social media platforms right now is Instagram. Unfortunately in order to post or use this new social media resource you are restricted to using your phone to administer and post to your account. Which is fine […]

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Music Business/ Touring

11 Tips For Musicians To Save Money on Tour

Tony Hossri making a Scene, save money on tour, Touring December 28, 2018

Making a Scene Presents 11 Tips For Musicians To Save Money on Tour A penny saved is a penny earned, and the hardest thing to do when your instrument is used to profit that penny. Traveling in general is already costly enough as it is. On a conservative estimate from my experience, a one day […]

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Music Biz Resources/ Music Business

Making a Scene – A Year in Review 2018

Richard L'Hommedieu 2018, Indie artists and the fans that love them, making a Scene, year in review December 26, 2018

Making a Scene has a simple mission! To be the #1 Resource for the Independent Artist and the Fans that Love them! For the Independent artists we pride ourselves on bringing great content that is designed to help them stay informed on the latests developments in the music industry and as well as articles that […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

John Pagano Band Releases Video Edited Entirely on an IPhone!

Richard L'Hommedieu indie Blues, making a Scene, Music video December 13, 2018

Making a Scene Premieres “Make You Shout” Video from the John Pagano Band The John Pagano Band has been known to use innovative techniques to create their music videos. They have perfected the “Video on a Budget” mentality down to a science and are continuing to explore ways to create great video content for their […]

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Music Business/ Performance

7 Ways to Build Speed on the Guitar

Nicholas Rubright Guitar Speed, making a Scene December 6, 2018

Building speed is an important part of improving your overall guitar technique. Even if you don’t want to shred, being able to play faster can help your accuracy and timing for more complicated parts you might need to play. Many of us who primarily play electric guitar (myself included) think of speed as an important […]

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DIY Booking/ DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ Music Business

The Indie Bible – In Depth Review

Richard L'Hommedieu DIY Music, independent musician, indie bible, making a Scene, music marketing, music pr December 5, 2018

The Indie Bible Bundle Since 1999 the Indie Bible has been publishing the most recognized and encompassing guide for the independent musician available. In the past I have purchased the Indie Bible in printed form, but now with the 18th edition available as a digital only version, I decided to take the plunge and purchased […]

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Music Biz Resources/ Music Business/ Performance

Dubset – Clearing Mixtapes for DJ’s and Rap Artists!

Richard L'Hommedieu Dubset, making a Scene, mixtape, Rap December 4, 2018

Mixtapes have long been the lifeblood of hip hop. But most artists fell outside mainstream distribution channels, because of the licensing and copyright issues involved. This left a major income steam for both the original creators as well as the rap artists and DJs untapped.  Listen as we talk with Dubset CEO Steven White about […]

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Gear Reviews/ Hardware Reviews/ Music Business/ Performance

Better Sounding Bass Solos with the POG!

Tony Hossri Bass Solo, making a Scene, Micro Pog December 1, 2018

The Effect Pedal Bass Players Need For Their Solos Dear fellow bass players, I’m going to speak a bit on the topic that increases our blood pressure. But we must face it, and we must find a way overcome it.  It’s the topic of when we take the bass solo, the audience of non musicians don’t […]

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Gear Reviews/ Hardware Reviews/ Music Business/ Performance

Buyers Guide to Wireless Microphones

Tony Hossri buyers guide, gear reviews, making a Scene, wireless mics November 25, 2018

Which Wireless Microphone’s Have The Longest Range? We know what you want, you want to jump in the audience as you crowd surf through out the entire Festival as you sing in to your wireless mic. Or maybe, that has absolutely nothing to do with the reason you want a long range wireless microphone. For […]

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Marketing/ Music Business

10 Best Music Blogs you can Submit to NOW!

Posted by Editor indie music, making a Scene, Music Blog, music marketing November 19, 2018

10 Best Music Blogs You can Submit To Now! Major media outlets aren’t exclusive to major-label sounds anymore, but they still don’t spend time on brand-new or largely unheard-of artists and bands – no matter how compelling their music may be. Even though streaming services, playlists and social media have become the new path to […]

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