Bandcamp

So this is my routine, creating new tunes, breathing life into them. At last, but not least, bandcamp is always on my list of spreading my song around the globe.

The Fly On The Wall Routine

For Your Pleasure..on Bandcamp

You know Bandcamp, yes? Streamable and fun to use and to discover under and above radar music. Next to my regular JoosTVD profile I have now created a second one: JoosTVD2, his instrumental twin. Already featured as licenses on Jamendo, it's all about spreading these groovy vibes even more. Curious videomakers will surely find something that can fit their tasty frames. Move your pictures.
Get hooked then, oi!

Sent away to the shops!

Yep! As you can see, officially 9 may 2018. AMAdea, who handles the distribution, notes:
"It takes from 3 weeks minimum, to 7 weeks maximum to get it up and selling, once you've given us ALL the info we need. (Usually 4 weeks) Once we send it to them, it's out of our hands and they do what they can to get it imported and active in their service. We push them to get it added as soon as possible, and they always do it as soon as they can."

Proof. Can I get a witness?

I'm glad. At first I was worried that something wasn't right. OMG western problems.

Done it again. Worked like a dog. I've finally decided to send my fresh babies away. Why? Because I like them too much!
Yes, I've got a good, strong feeling about these songs. More than ever I took special care to every aspect of the production process (inspiration, songwriting, playing, recording, mixing, mastering).
I think these tunes are a upbeat, sinister, melancholic, desperate but overall fun and groovy bunch, just like me. Ok, sometimes.

After a long, long ping-pong process (the details) of mixing and mastering that is. That was a very intense 3 months period, but I'm glad I didn't overrush things. These songs needed some breathing and I needed some distance from them once in a while. But now it's time I let you enjoy my new grooves.

Well on the distribution side, that will be taken care of by AMAdea (after approval) and it will take about 3 or 4 weeks to hear the album on Spotify and the like. There are so many streaming sites today, so take your pick.

I'll send a few free download links (Bandcamp) to a few of my supporters too, so maybe a few reviews will come up before the official release in may.
Watch this site for more details, news about the design, covers, promo and tell me..what about a title and.... Soon, stay stuned. Promo coming at ya!

Ready for the download

Yes It's ready! For a few words I've got a few downloadcodes left for ya....from Bandcamp.

Link up!

Busy working out details on Bandcamp and here's a soundcloud link with a download option of

Happy Pills. Keep a close watch on the release of a another video and the whole album. CU!

Platforms like....

      Bandcamp!

Songwriters fog

No, I don't have writer's block, never met any. Just want to talk a bit about the impenetrable fog that can cloud your overindulgent mind, when you've got a sudden burst of creativity. I've been there a few times. So for the aspiring, enthousiastic songwriters, here's my 50 cents.
Here's your first, ok second. working on it.... no, rewrite, aah here it is....your 550th song. Freshly composed with the help of those unstoppable brains that pour out emotions through your fingertips. "Is it that good? Wow, I can't believe what I just did! And I only know three chords! Better put it on tape now -just like that sleepdrunk Keith Richards did with the riff of Satisfaction- before I forget that special little ditty."

Keith is almost satisfied....

Don't be shy! If you' ve got the drive, the chops, the writings will be all over the place. Go with the flow, don't force it and before you know it, you've got that hook. Next thing, you want to play it over and over again....ok, now stop... before your mind is getting too much out there, like in a constant high. You imagine yourself on a stage in front of thousands of adoring and screaming fans: wow, bang, starstruck!
It's a pity, but there's a- too good to be true- foggy cloud that hangs all over you. There's always hope. Something like a dark vaderish voice comes to the rescue and says: "better come down to earth Luke (Skywalker). Think it over. Let the song breath for a while. You need some distraction, go and do the dishes, walk the dog, or throw out the trash. O, is it that late? Go to sleep. Sweet dreams. When you wake up (look in the mirror of truth first), listen to that wonderful stuff again with fresh ears. Does it still gives you the same thrills and chills? Yes? There it izzzz." Even if you've forgotten to record it, as long as you can remember the melody, there's nothing to fear.
It lies in the continuity of songwriting to build up your confidence and your personal style brothers and sisters. Trust in yourselves. Keep writing, playing, practising. I still do.

The obvious well-intentioned, but often false feedback every artistic talent gets and craves for in the beginning and too soon, is this: do my parents like it? "No mam/dad, stop the biased way of pleasing your obvious talented, but eagerly waiting for approvement son/ daughter!"
Well, it's a start. And even if your friends think your voice has got that special sound that belongs in some hyped TV contest, the best is, in my opinion, the humble attitude way.

JoosTVD used to gig you know...

Recording a song is like a selfie. Listening can be a painful ear experience in the beginning, but it will keep you on your toes. When I used to perform back in the day, we used to record almost every gig. Not just for laughs & kicks alone, but to use it as a truth mirror to get tighter as a band.
These days you don't have to gig to get some attention, although it's the most rewarding situation, if one exposes himself directly.
Find out what's working best for you. Are you an introspective singer-songwriter (James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens) or a frontman (with a band)- songwriter? So why not expose yourself in a small way. Bring your guitar/ bongos/ mouthharp (what else?) and good humour to your friend's party. Invite the whole neighbourhood if you like. Mouth to mouth advertising, next to the social media can be crucial in broadening your horizon.
Laaaaaazzzzzzy?
Hey, the world is flat, because of the unavoidable www, it's easy to try out a few tunes on some of these social interactive platforms (appreciate the feedback and return the favor). Because of the tsunami of songs these days, don't expect anything though. Just write, write, write and after that, write. The Pollock way. Cut/paste words, jumble chords, do it. The next song will/can be better. The most curious, hidden things about myself I have discovered through songwriting. It's a discipline, a way of life, a commitment.
The homestudio then?

Todd at work

A small setup (for example, these days wizz kid Todd Rundgren only uses a laptop, interface software, guitar/keyboard and some already discovered creativity) is enough to get things going and is relatively cheap. There's so much for the DIY on the internet by the way. Take advantage!
So I guess you already know where to go, but as an example I've put a few of my favourite (and if you don't mind, personal) links up here:

Emeraz
Bandcamp
Jamendo
Soundcloud
Reverbnation
Youtube
Amazing Tunes
Fresh On The Net

Yes, there's always more....

Bandcamp update (!)

Hai there!  Hope you're all enjoying your rest. Now get up!

Sometimes I have an enormous urge to do a complete make-over. Yes it's that time. My face needs a lift(!). Ahem, yeah wait for it.
Nope, it's just that some platforms needed some reworking, in my case Bandcamp. There's a lot you can add to a release (pictures, etc). I found out that a few older releases had just one or two tracks on them, so I've uploaded the full albums:

Gift Shot [2005]

Volumed 10 [2007] 

Hey José [2008] 

You Know Your Dad [2009] 

When The left Foot Fits The Right Shoe [2009] 

Orson Nietes [2011] 

& Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy [2012]

have got the "full album" treatment. Some tracks don't even appear on the official Spotify/ iTunes releases. Which ones? You figure it out.
You can pay what you want or have it freely handed over with a click (only your emailadres is required, so I can SPAM you, gna, gna)
You want free links? Yeah, they can be found somewhere around this blog...

More, more more tracks! Free full albums on Bandcamp

The full Bandcamp version of?

Spread like oil...

Well, good folks of mother earth, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that the new album arrived yesterday on Spotify. Next came iTunes. That's what I call fast delivery! Thanks to Routenote.

And now I "give it all" away (buy & links) on:

1.iTunes
2.Spotify
3.Bandcamp 
4.Noisetrade
5.Deezer
6.Amazon
7.Music.Xbox
8.Rdio
09.Emusic
10.Jamendo
11.Avaxhome
12.Southernbluesrock.blogspot
13.All about entertainment
14.Musicbay
15.Wimp

Keep checking, I'll update the links for more. It's a flat earth. Have earfun!

Take a free ride, give us a tip then!

In the middle of songwriting, recording, exploring ideas, I am always looking for new platforms to spread my works on. Grateful for those ingenious guys who put a lot of work in creating them! I found one, called Noisetrade that's very professional, easy to work with. A lot different options for musicians. Listeners can download all 8 albums I've digitized so far and- just like a waiter- you can leave a tip to support the good cause.....so why don't you try it out? (I know, there's a "grabbelton" up here, so why bother to go up there?)
And yes, I am working on some new stuff all the time. A lot of ideas I record right away, but as I get older, I'm becoming increasingly critical of the outcome. I just want the best songs to survive. But hey, I am just a creative, but mortal human being with these fustrating limitations. So what I really appreciate is the moral support, the feedback that is so important to keep me motivated, so don't hesitate, keep in touch!
Here are some cool platforms for ya (the list keeps growing):

Tip me on Noisetrade
Try me on soundcloud
Jamendo
Bandcamp
Stream on Spotify
YouTube
Routenote

BTW...to follow me....I'm also on Twitter under the name
Arthur Lokeend (free translation of my last album)

The "lite" version

For the ones who like it short and sweet:

Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy lite version on Bandcamp

It's up here too, on the right, in the widget section.....sooo wha'da'ya'think?