When it comes to organizational skills, graphic design, even dee-jaying—Noel Ramos‘ credentials are impeccable. From a strictly marketing perspective, however, one cannot help but at least raise an eyebrow at an independent music conference that prides itself on not getting its participants a record deal any time soon. At least, that is, until Ramos expands upon the thinking behind the seemingly soul-squashing statement.
“We focus on attainable goals,” the executive director of the 2010 Independent Music Conference—occurring Nov. 17-20 at the Clarion in Northampton—explains. “If you’re smart enough to know that the chances are slim to none that someone in a stretch limo will pull up to your curb and hand you superstardom on a silver platter, on the other hand, then this is a conference you should attend.”
While similar events dangle the prospect of impending major label deals, Noel says that his conference—currently in its 11th installment—has become a big deal in its own right by keeping outcomes realistic, costs at a minimum and offerings “of the moment.”
“Indies need to keep on top of the dizzying amounts of information out there,” Noel says. “And they need this to wear the increasing number of hats they have to these days—ranging from independent entrepreneur to fortune teller.”
For $75 (or less for those taking advantage of advance purchase offers), attendees of the 2010 conference can soak up as many as four full days and nights of workshops, panel sessions and performance instruction and critique, including specific courses on digital recording in the home studio, pirate-proofing your next release and branding the band. Nightly IMC concerts will also occur at the Clarion and Union Station. Those shows are free for the public to attend.
For full schedules and more information, kindly point your browser to indiefans.com
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In other news, Tony Jillson—previously of Ostrich Farm infamy—will rear his hip-hop-filled head at the Ashfield Lake House this Friday, Nov. 19 for two distinctly different sets by his current band, St. Mix. The first will feature selections from the band’s current calling card, Your Table Awaits at the Rapa Nui Lounge CD as well as a few O-farm chestnuts.
For the second, Jillson says that he and bandmates Kevin Smith and Dan Johanson will throw a top-to-bottom re-working of ZZ Tops’ famous Tres Hombres album into the Mix.
“I consider Hombres to be just a perfect album,” Jillson says. “It helped me through a tough time, too, so I thought it would be fun to do this and we’ll be doing more ‘Perfect Album’ pieces in the future, too.”
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Meanwhile, seminal ’80s rockers Joined Forces will… well, join forces once again this Friday, Nov. 19 at Black Eyed Sally’s (blackeyedsallys.com) in Hartford.
According to guitarist Jimi Bell, the band’s first concert in years owes a large debt to social media.
“[Bassist/vocalist] Mark Franco put it out on Facebook, as did I, and the response was amazing,” Bell chimes. “Then someone from Retrospect Records in Vegas saw a Youtube clip of us someone had posted, so here we are, 25 years later, signing our first record deal. So the band is back—and not just for a one-shot reunion.”
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Last but not least, look for Peter Wolf to pack ’em into the Iron Horse when he comes to town this Sunday, Nov. 21. In addition to riding high on the critical acclaim garnered by his recently released seventh solo disc, Midnight Souvenirs, the former J. Geils frontman is also a 2011 Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Tix are $35 in advance, $40 at the door and available at iheg.com.
Catch the Nightcrawler every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. on the Steve Cantara Radio Show, WRNX 100.9 FM. Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, PO Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
