Day 3 ASCAP Expo

Today was the final day of the expo, and once again these panels reminded me of how worth it it was to pay for, and travel to this event. The day started at 8am with a panel consisting of Roy Elkins founder and CEO of Broadjam, and Patrick Faucher CEO of Nimbit. These guys talked about how Myspace is not dead for the musician, and how every artist should guide their fans to a central website; their best website. They also mentioned numerous times that blogging is essential to gaining and maintaining a fan base. That said, please feel free to pass along any blog that I have written to a friend. =)

The second panel was astonishing in the amount of info that was crammed into a one hour period. Don Passman was the one and only speaker. He is an attorney and author of “All You Need To Know About The Music Business.” This guy had an enormous amount of information on both the industry as it was and as it is becoming now. He spoke of the drastic changes that are occurring within the music industry. He spoke of all the different types of rights and what criteria needed to be met in order to get paid for the rights in that particular category. His panel strictly discussed the legal and business end to the music industry, and I am very grateful to have listened to him speak. The entire EXPO was incredibly informative.

That was the last part of the EXPO that I attended before we checked out and headed home. Now the real work begins! Feel free to respond with a question in case I was able to learn something about the industry that I can pass on to you more specifically.

Have a good night friends!

-Maria Staump

Day Two of ASCAP Expo 2009

Today was another informative and inspiring day. I started it off with some room service; Belgian waffles and OJ. My first panel was at 9am, and this one was geared towards “Production Music” placing your music in film, TV, video games, and advertising. You NEED a publisher!

The next panel was dealing with music placement, the reality of getting your music heard. This panel consisted of reps like John Anderson CEO of Hunnypot, Gabe Mcdonough DDB Chicago, Tracy Mcknight VP Lionsgate, and Dave Stone VP Bunim-Murray Productions. They talked about how to submit your music to them, what avenues they use to find new artists, and which ones preferred independent artists.

The next panel was “The role of technology in the creative process.” The panelists consisted of Mike Elizondo who has done songs like “In Da Club” “How We Do” and “Rich Girl”, Alex Greenwald who has done songs like “California” and “Do The Panic”, Greg Kurstin who has done songs like “Again and Again” and “Wow”, Nicole Morier who has done songs like “Rock Me In” and “Heaven on Earth,” and Brian West (Nelly, Whoa, and Folklore). These panelists spoke of the benefits to having a project studio. The fact that we can all create music with less money, in a much shorter period of time, and with an awesome sound. They all used a lot of samples but were also very fluent on instruments like piano and guitar.

I was also able to attend a master class for Jeff Lynne from Electric Light Orchestra. This guy has a great sense of humor, a kind heart, and is truly chillin’. He does not know how to read an ounce of music. He wrote strictly by ear. He told us about his long successful career and what his inspirations were. You could tell that he had a passion for sound, and how to structure it to create a melody.

Next I was off to the Highlands for another intimate performance by signed and successful songwriters. I saw Dan Kimpel who hosted, Rory Feek who wrote “Cheater Cheater” and “Chain of Love”, Jesca Hoop who has a very interesting sound and wrote “Seed of Wonder” and “Intelligentactile 101” Lenka who performed “Show” and has written “Don’t Let Me Fall” and “Trouble is a Friend” , and Jason Reeves who wrote songs like “Bubbly” and “Realize”.They each had a very unique sound, and a very pure sound. They were a pleasure to watch.

Tonight is my last night in Hollywood before I go back and start applying everything I have learned here. I can’t wait!

-Maria Staump

Day 1 ASCAP Expo 2009:

Today was filled with inspiration, entertainment, and loads of information. I started the day with checking into the Renaissance Hollywood. From there I attended the ASCAP opening session and then had the pleasure of witnessing an outstanding line up of talented panelists. These successful panelists were Natasha Bedingfield who has written and performed songs like “Unwritten,” and “Pocket Full of Sunshine,” Sean Callery, who composes music for the TV series Bones, 24, and Medium, Wyclef Jean who wrote and performed “Hips Don’t Lie,” and “Gone Till November,” Ryan Tedder, who has written songs like “Stop and Stare,” and “Bleeding Love,” and finally Craig Wiseman, who has written songs like, “Live Like You Were Dyin’” and “A Baby Changes Everything.” All of the panelists were humble, sincere, grateful, and very willing to answer questions thoroughly.

Next I went to a second panel of composers for video games. It was very interesting to hear these composers talk about how this part of the industry is still evolving, so not everything is figured out yet. Then, I watched a master class with Billy Steinberg, who wrote songs like “Like a Virgin,” which was eventually done by Madonna. The next panel consisted of producers. Probably the most “in demand” producers currently. Antonina Armato who produces artists like Miley Cyrus for the song “Seven Things,” Dr.Luke who has produced songs like"I kissed A Girl," performed by Katie Perry, Stargate who produced the song “Miss Independent,” and many more, “Tricky,” who produced song like “Umbrella,” and "Touch My Body, and finally “Dan Wilson” who has written and performed songs like “Closing Time.” All of them said the same things when asked “How do you get a hit?” They simply said “Write a Smash…something that is relevant.”

After that panel was finished I was really excited to watch an interview with Heart. They sang a new song, and they also sang “Crazy On You.” They were really down to earth, and of course blow your mind talented. Their number one advice was “Never forget who you are or where you come from!”

The evening ended with performances. I went to the Highlands to watch some of the panelists perform. I had the opportunity to see two people that I had not heard before, and I recommend everyone to check them out because they were amazing…“Siedah Garrett,” and “Alejandro Lerner.” They performed the songs that have become hits, but also a few that weren’t picked up, but they personally liked a lot. When that concert was finished I went up to my room, did a little live web cam performance, and now I’m getting ready to do more great things tomorrow.

To finish off, I would have to say that the main points that were repeatedly made today are:

1. There is no one way to “make it” in the industry. There are numerous ways that someone can be discovered.

2. It’s all about the song. If you write a good song someone will notice it.

3. Don’t be too judgemental or critical when you’re writing music. Just let it flow out of you.

4. Don’t give up. You never know exactly when or how you may gain the success you desire, so just go for it!

Talk to you tomorrow!

-Maria Staump

Mi Vida Bonita is almost sold out! This is a Limited Edition instrumental CD, with original music all composed and performed by Maria Staump. After selling just over 400 CD’s so far, less than 600 copies remain.There will be no other copies made after these last 600 are sold! Only 1000 copies of this album were made. I wrote this album to help introduce me to the music world, but more importantly, because I wanted others to listen to music that was inspired by feelings of gratitude for life. Mi Vida Bonita, or “My Beautiful Life”, was inspired by my experiences after almost losing my life in a car accident. This album is meant to interpret the ups and downs of my experiences through music, and though there were defintely bad times, there was always beauty found within both the positive and negative. From the negative we become stronger and from the positive we are encouraged. As you are taken through the journey of my beautiful life, I am sure you will hear some of the beauty that encompasses your own life. God Bless!

Track 1: Mi Vida Bonita, “My Beautiful Life”: contains three parts, all played on classical guitar. These three parts consist of rhythm, bass, and melody.

Track 2: Sonando, “Dreaming”: the rhythmic guitar is played on an acoustic and the solo is played on a hollow-body electric.

Track 3: Alivio, “Relief”: consists on guitar and piano. The piano maintains the rhythm and bass while the classical guitar solos.

Track 4: Salida Del Sol, “Sunrise”: this is a quartet consisting of bass, rhythm, and harmonizing melodies. Each part was played with classical guitar.

Track 5: Amante, “Lover”: this song features piano and classical guitar. Each instrument alternates between accompaniament and melody.

Track 6: Anochecer, “Nightfall”: this song is all piano. A minuet feel that maintains the dreamy atmosphere of the rest of the album.

God Bless, Maria

Visit mividabonita.com to purchase your CD!