Pyraminds' monthly guest lecture series
focused on entrepreneurship and success stories in the music industry. Each month a different guest is invited to speak about their unique carreer path and what lead them to where they are today. It is designed to show the many facets of the music business and provide a networking opportunity for all participants. This community service is a requirement for all Pyramind students and
is also open and FREE to the general public to attend.
All general public must RSVP in advance.
To RSVP please contact Bryan@pyramind.com.
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Christopher Buttner March 13th 2008
For our most recent installment of our “Planning for Success” Guest Lecture Series, Pyramind’s students were treated to a fantastic lecture event with long time music industry publicist Christopher Buttner from www.prthatrocks.com.
In the pre-MTV days of the late 1970's, he was fascinated with musical instruments and technology. He loved electric guitars, amplifiers and the amazing array of stomp boxes and other technology of the era. He pored over influential magazines such as CREEM, CIRCUS, GUITAR PLAYER, BILLBOARD, and MUSICIAN, whose writers I considered as integral and influential to my musical development as the members of Rush, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin. Christopher told the 20 or so students about how he dreamed of being a “Rock Star”.
Christopher’s 2 and a half hour lecture focused on his past as a musician and performer in New York while he was growing up, which eventually lead him to working with some of the nations largest equipment manufacturers as an in-house marketing person. His works with Mackie, Apogee, QSC, Pevey, and many other companies made him realize that he really enjoyed his relationships with the artists and labels he was meeting and eventually realized that connecting with them and helping them connect with various press and media contacts lead him to form Aarvak Marketing Communications which became PRthatrocks in 1994. His current client roster includes; Greg Khin, San Francisco’s Exotic Erotic Ball, and even promotions for the TJ Martell Foundation.
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He told the students about some DIY promo techniques that would help them get writer and editors attention, and even spent some time talking about writing one-sheets and other marketing materials. He also talked about how you could gain credibility with those same writers and editors by writing “technical articles” and getting them placed in various music and music equipment magazines. His main point was to follow up with every single contact in a timely manner, and to always accept and embrace whatever content you get.
Christopher concluded with a 30 minute long question and answer period where students asked specifics about how best to present themselves and how best to get a publicist involved with their projects. He also spent a few minutes after the presentation speaking with many of the students directly about their projects.
We look forward to having Christopher back at Pyramind later this year for a follow up to this amazing presentation.
Chuck Fishman Feb 28th 2008
This installment of our guest lecture series was one of the best, most interesting presentations in this series. Chuck Fishman, a musician, performer, radio producer, and digital media expert presented for almost 3 hours… and as far as the people in attendance were concerned, he could have gone on for three more! The main focus of his presentation centered on his early exposure to music as a child and covered the path to his current job with Cisco Systems. Although he explored a few other career choices, including a 3 year stint on the road with George Clinton and P-Funk, he settled on a job in the “entertainment” industry which allowed him to utilize his connections and various networks, while still producing and performing the music he loves.
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His presentation showed images of his first keyboard in the mid-1980s as well as his first “Portastudio2” on which he recorded some of his first compositions. The presentation also detailed how he enjoyed map making and later studied Cartography in college. He talked about how he got an invite to join George Clinton on the road, and travelled with him on many tours over the next 3 years. He also told the class of 20 plus people about his first jobs in radio, which eventually landed him a position producing a morning radio show for the Wall Street Journal.
The presentation then turned to his current job, and here is where his focus turned to the entertainment business, and looked at a handful of factors which showed that the “Biz” is constantly growing and that the future looked very bright for anyone who was interested in this career arc. He spend about an hour of the presentation detailing with various charts and graphs, how the business is growing, and what sectors would be growing and providing possible employment in this new era of media and music.
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He also detailed where (using a map of course!) many of these opportunities exist, and it turns out that many of the companies who are at the forefront of these new technologies and media platforms are located within walking distance of Pyramind. He pointed to companies who focused on everything from the technical side to advertising and marketing and promotion of these new media. He mentioned companies like Myspace.com, Cisco, IODA, InGrooves, Jambase.com, and many more all within a few blocks from the school.
In closing, he spoke about some really important aspects of social networking, and how to formulate a personal brand which would allow each of the students to present themselves in a positive and “relevant” manor. He spoke about the need to “do what you love”, “work smart” and to listen to the people you are working with and working for, and to always find a way to stand out when looking for possible jobs in the future.
Overall, his presentation was interactive, fun, and really gave the students, and all who were in attendance a complete understanding of how he has reached a level of success in his career, and that he has always been able to create and perform as well as being a great employee at a job that he loves. The presentation closed with a rousing ovation and many students rushed to give Chuck their business cards. We look forward to having Chuck Fishman back at Pyramind in the coming months.
Shaunna Hall Jan 31st 2008
Vernon Black November 16th 2007.
The latest guest in the "Planning for Success" Lecture Series, Vernon Black, shared an abundance of information and experience on the creative process, particularly that of collaborative songwriting, with an interview, a presentation and an interactive songwriting workshop. An accomplished guitarist and vocalist, Vernon Black spent most of the past 20 years touring, recording and film tracking with music legends like Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Chakka Kahn and Lionel Richie.
He's currently playing with music legends Clarence Clemons, T.M. Stevens, and Narada Michael Walden under the band name: "Temple of Soul." Their debut music video "Anna" can be viewed on YouTube http://youtube.com.
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The interview was conducted by Dave Toole from Outhink media, whose collaborations and friendship with Vernon go back many years, giving the entire interview a familiar tone and, at times, a comic levity. Dave asked Vernon about his favorite songwriters, about his philosophies on creative inspiration, on producing new artists, and collaborations with fellow songwriters. Students then asked Vernon about his workflow, his tools, his techniques and so forth. After the interview, Vernon connected his instruments to the classroom's integrated sound system, while Eli Spector of Outhink Media demonstrated Outhink's free SpinXpress software. SpinXpress is an application that allows creative professionals from all over the world to connect and easily share large media files fast, by downloading the files directly from their collaborator's computers. More information on this innovative free software can be found at http://spinxpress.com/.
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After the presentation it was time to make some music, and students were invited to hook up their Glyph drives to play some loops they've created. These loops were then taken as the starting point, and Vernon added guitar riffs on the spot, while students contributed hooks, verses and raps. Other students used the Axiom USB Midi controllers that are connected to every station, and played bass, harmony and melodies through software straight from the computers. These guest lectures are open and free to the public, so keep an eye on the Pyramind website to find out about the next guest, and reserve a seat!
Larry the "O" September 20th 2007.
Septembers "Planning for Success" Guest Lecture marked the first
lecture held in Pyramind's new educational facility at 832 Folsom
St. And for the occasion, Larry The "O" brought his expertise and
numerous years of experience to bear with a presentation entitled
"Game Audio and Beyond."
Larry spoke to the students of Pyramind with a frankness and candor
that epitomize the spirit of the "Planning for Success" Lectures. He
covered a range of topics that spanned from the creative side of
sound design and music composition in modern video game production to
the necessity of file management, the religiosity with which you must
approach data backup, and the stresses and benefits of working with
and managing a team.
Larry The "O" has spent his whole career at top companies, entering
the field at Lexicon; engineering at renowned San Francisco studios
like Russian Hill Recording, SOMA Sync, and Focused Audio; and
holding the position of Audio Director at Electronic Arts after
spending over seven years as a Senior Sound Designer and technical
supervisor at LucasArts Entertainment.
Tim Hart. August 15th 2007
In our latest installment of "Planning for Success in the Music
Business," Tim Hart visited the students of Pyramind for a lecture on
marketing and promotion in the music industry. Tim's insight into
what makes an artist's reputation really pop and get media attention
was pertinent to those who are trying to break through and get
tangible results. His presentation included everything from the
importance of the way you present and speak about yourself and the
elusive but imperative skill for crafting an "elevator pitch" to the
need for professional looking and sounding websites, press kits, and
related paraphernalia (posters, photography, artwork, etc.).
Tim is the owner of Hart Communications, a San Francisco public
relations agency serving clients in food & wine, health & wellness,
community and the arts. Current clients range from a global wine
company to an artisan San Francisco chocolatier and an Irish jazz
singer.
Tim is also a working musician -- a performer, recording artist and
music instructor. Musically, Tim plays an innovative,"uptown" version
of Celtic music with his trio Greenbridge (www.greenbridge.us). His
solo CD of traditional and original music, Five After Four, was
released in 2005 (http://cdbaby.com/cd/timhart).
For more information visit www.hart-communications.com.
Steve Oppenheimer. July 18th 2007
Last Wednesday, the students of Pyramind sat intently and listened as
Steve Oppenheimer recounted his journey in this industry and then
gave them a special sneak peak at a new technology which has
tremendous repercussions for anyone in the world of digital media
creation. Steve, who is Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Musician
magazine, has been a musician for nearly his entire life, beginning
piano lessons at the age of four. In addition to studying music and
engineering, he has a background in publishing and a dgree in
anthropology.
Steve has been on the cutting edge of the industry for decades. His
renaissance man style has enabled him, throughout the years, to lead
effectively and innovate constantly. His most recent innovation is a
website/database that will change the way we, as media producers,
will interface with our audience. On this new site, tentatively
titled audioinsider, the magazines that Steve oversees will be
available in digital format. But that's not all, this site will
contain a slurry of new media relating back to those very
publications. Everything from tutorials with screencasts, podcasts
of interviews in the magazine and, for subscribers, numerous
discounts to other partner sites with services ranging from tech
support to server space.
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Steve's new job as Director of Technology has been keeping him very
busy in recent weeks. And he told the group that his job has
completely changed because of that. He is now the point man for all
the content and content creation for the new endeavor. One of his
key points, as it related to the students, was that magazines and
companies in all fields will be looking to go online with digital
media in a very similar way. And that means a whole new set of
opportunities for people coming through programs like Pyramind.
Media creators who can literally step into positions like these the
minute they leave the halls of their educational institution.
Morty Wiggins. June 28th 2007
Morty Wiggins, President of Outhink Media, Inc., spoke to Pyramind students this June in the latest installment of Pyramind’s “Planning for Success in the Music Business” guest lecture series. A Savvy businessman, Morty is characterized by his overwhelming desire to succeed and his “win-win” business strategy; “There is no place for losing in the music industry today, if you want to make it, you must have a win/win attitude under all circumstances.”
Morty began his career as a trailblazer, leasing a Northern California theatre and promoting a variety of shows on a regular basis. As an artist manager, Morty worked with the likes of Sheryl Crow, The Gin Blossoms, and The Neville Brothers. After this auspicious beginning, for over a decade Morty worked for Bill Graham Presents, where he eventually climbed to the position of Vice President. After his time with Bill Graham, Morty took a position as A&M Records General Manager where he helped launch 33rd Street Records for Tower Records. Subsequent to his time with A&M, Morty took his current position as President of Outhink Media.
Morty imparted to Pyramind students the need to stay current with trends in music as well as the importance of how new technologies will impact future artists and members of the music business community. Morty’s extensive knowledge in just about every facet of the music business was invaluable to all those in attendance.
Gary Malkin. April 18 2007
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Emmy award-winning composer Gary Malkin has composed hundreds of scores
for national commercials, feature films, television shows and recordings
since 1979. Formerly the founder of the leading Bay Area music production
companies known as Music Design, as well as Remal
Music Group, Malkin
is now the principal composer of MUSAIC, a leading Bay Area music production
company specializing in creating original musical solutions for all
media applications including video games and web environments.
In addition to scoring a remarkable 14 seasons of NBC's Unsolved
Mysteries,
Malkin has composed for numerous Movies of the Week and documentaries
for HBO, NBC, CBS and PBS. He has created scores for independent
features such as MARIA’S LOVERS, (MGM), BREAKIN’, (MGM), THOUSAND PIECES OF GOLD, (AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE) and RICOCHET
RIVER, starring
Kate Hudson.
As a music producer of other artists, Malkin has worked in the studio
with the likes of Beth Neilson Chapman, Keith
Carradine, Bobby McFerrin, Tuck and Patti, Kenny Loggins, Bonnie
Raitt, Mickey Hart , David Grisman, Roy Rogers, SoVoSo, and Rhiannon, among many others. He has enjoyed
a long collaboration with the well respected music professional, Dan
Alvarez, who has been composing and producing for Musaic for the last
fifteen years .
(For more information, go to www.musaic.biz and/or www.wisdomoftheworld.com
)
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Will Bronson and Annie Lane March 14th 2007
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Will Bronson, VP of SMC records, and Annie Lane, artist marketing rep
for Fontana Distribution, spent three engaging hours talking about their
their career paths and what they do now.
Having the VP of a label like SMC and the the artist marketing rep
for their distribution company both in the same room was a unique opportunity
for students to gain insight into the working and ever changing and
evolving relationship between label and distributor.
Will pointed out that Fontana's desire to work with "independent
music" and San Francisco's positioning in the independent music
market created very fertile ground for this partnership to be born
from.
Annie and Will both spoke at length about the strength of this
relationship and the strong brand awareness that SMC has created for
it's roster of artists/labels. Will's intuitive understanding of Bay
Area Hip Hop and his charisma and drive have all clearly contributed to
where he finds himself now. Clearly his partnership with Ralph Tashjian,
a long time Bay Area music industry and independent radio promotions icon
hasn't hurt either! |
Ravi Feb 14th 2007
Ravi has appeared on Letterman, Leno, Saturday Night Live and
has performed at the most prestigious venues.
His music and musicianship
have garnered rave reviews. In addition, Ravi is the founder of ArtisticIntegrity.org and CultureofIntegrity.org
Ravi (rah-vee), an artist whose credits span from
the dives of Manhattan to the Oval Office, regularly tours the country
performing original music, conducting guitar
clinics, and providing consulting services on crucial issues facing
the music industry. This February, Ravi appeared at Pyramind as part
of the guest lecture series, “Planning for Success in the Music
Business.” This series of guest speakers gives the Pyramind student
first-hand exposure to multiple avenues of success in the industry.
The singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from New York City—now
residing in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia following
a three-year sojourn in New Orleans—has appeared on Letterman,
Leno, Saturday Night Live, Today Show, and Good Morning America, and
has performed at many of the country’s most prestigious venues
including Madison Square Garden, Louisiana Superdome (the world's largest
indoor arena), and a White House Christmas Party.
Most recently, Ravi appeared at the music industry's celebrated biannual
event, "Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night," leading
a band of some of the world's finest players.
The "crème de la crème" of the entertainment
industry frequently calls on Ravi. Mercury Records/PolyGram hired him
in 1997 to play guitar on tour with three-time Grammy nominee Hanson (the
top selling band in the world that year). Simon & Schuster published
his tour journal/autobiography. Electronic Musician, Onstage, and Musician
magazines feature Ravi's articles, and his column "Ravi
on Record" appears each month in Music & Sound Retailer. Berklee
College of Music, Pepperdine University, and others including NAMM (National
Association of Music Merchants) and most music business conferences
host his lectures. Most recently, the world's largest manufacturer
of guitars and pianos, SMC (Samick Music Corp.), sought
out Ravi to represent Greg
Bennett Guitars as the brand's national electric guitar clinician. |
HYIM January 17th 2007
Using his extensive background as a bandleader,
songwriter, producer and instrumentalist, HYIM engaged
the students for three hours in intellectually compelling
and humorous anecdotes of his personal career experience.
He played samples of his work and had the students
analyze them for songwriting and production value.
He also discussed various aspects of publishing rights
management and discussed his first hand experiences
with major labels and running his own independent label.
Hyim also performed material from his repertoire of
songs and engaged the students to sing with him. His
presentation was engaging, uplifting and motivating
and all the students seemed to respond very positively.
"California Music Award Nominee, eclectic maestro,
critically acclaimed producer, pianist, guitarist,
percussionist and performer. He is a singer songwriter.
He is the next generations music fusionisto, following
in the footsteps of Peter Gabriel, Michael Franti,
Manu Chao, and Paul Simon. Hyim has traveled and studied
music throughout the globe and blends the rhythms of
the world as chariots for his brilliant songs. His
award-winning ballads and his live percussion loops
are coupled with his storytelling--all capped by his
sheer undeniable talent and spirit." |
DJ
Ean Golden
Ean spoke about the five ways to make money with djing outside
of clubs. He addressed how to make a living as a dj including
how to travel around the world and have your djing pay for it,
the top 5 mistakes djs make in the local scene, a break down
of the digital dj gear options and some cutting edge ways to
use them. as well as how production can help your dj career.
Haji Mike: Running A Label in the Digital Age
Kicking off his west coast "Power of Words" tour in SF, Cyprus national
and PHD Haji Mike, dropped some knowledge
at Pyramind on running a label in the digital age and the power of being able
to do international business from over seas.
Attendees included Steffen Franz of Positive Sound Massive and The Independent
Distribution Collective,
and Craig Hordlow of Red Bricks Media who both contributed their experience and
perspective.
Craig spoke to the power of search engine optimization and Steffen contributed
with nuggets of wisdom from his years
of experience in running both a label and distribution company.
Birdman Records: David Katznelson
David Katznelson kept students engaged without a break for
three solid hours of insider industry wisdom generated from
over twenty years in the music business. He spoke of his
ten years as VP of A&R for Warner Bothers, his winners and losers,
and why he chose to part from Warner and pursue his own labels,
publishing and distribution. He spoke to the need for diversified
revenue streams and the need to control your publishing and
distribution and his
strong vision and part ownership in IODA, The Independent Online
Distribution Alliance.
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