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Watch the series preview by clicking above.
OVERVIEW
In this three-part virtual workshop series, activist troubadour, David Rovics, shares his best tips for developing your skills as an activist musician. Each session takes place on the first Thursday of the month from August to October 2021 from 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (ET).
REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION
As soon as you complete registration, you receive an email confirmation with the Zoom Link for all three sessions in this series. Each session builds upon the others, but you may attend them in any combination. Registrants gain access to video recordings shortly after they take place, and if you sign up late in the series, you receive instant access to previous recordings. Showing up live is ideal because it gives you the chance to ask questions and participate in the discussion. Registration is free to PMN members with optional contributions welcome. Non-members may register on a sliding scale.
NOTE: After registering for this workshop as a non-member, if you decide you wish to join the People's Music Network, please send an email to pmn@peoplesmusic.org with subject line: "Would like to join PMN". You'll be given instructions for how to pay annual membership dues, minus whatever payment you made for this workshop.
DESCRIPTIONS
SESSION 1 of 3: Songwriting and Performing
Thursday, August 5, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (ET)
Of course, when we're talking about sharing music, getting it out there, and making any money from it, the songs are primary. So in this workshop, we focus on the craft of writing songs, particularly when it comes to writing songs about current or historical events, or the sorts of songs that will tend to get categorized as "activist." We'll talk about writing music -- an essential aspect of writing any song. Along with best practices, we'll talk about songwriting pitfalls best avoided. Finally, we'll also talk about performing.
SESSION 2 of 3: Sharing Your Music
Thursday, September 2, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (ET)
OK, so you have written a few great songs. Now what? Writing a song about something is much more exciting when people actually hear it. But with the millions of songs on music streaming platforms that have never even been played once, how can you possibly cut through all that noise? There are many ways, and we'll talk about some of them. We'll start with recording a song so it stands a chance of being heard in the first place. Then, the many different places you can share a song. Finally, we'll look at how you can maintain a musical presence on the web to build an audience for your music.
SESSION 3 of 3: Crowdsourcing Everything
Thursday, October 7, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM (ET)
So, you've written some great songs, you've recorded them well, you've gotten them onto the various online platforms, and you have an online presence that allows you to be part of the conversation with regards to your songs and other songs like them. But you're hungry. In this session, we talk about the many different ways you can monetize your success. By "success," I don't mean financial success or fame. I mean you've succeeded in writing some songs that everybody agrees are really, really good. Not your mom, or your roommate, or your guitar teacher. You've written sad songs that make strangers cry when they hear them. There's no money on Spotify even if you get a million streams a year (I know, I do). But there are still plenty of ways to make money from your music, allowing you to record more albums, tour, buy groceries, and even pay the rent. As an independent musician -- no matter how good and no matter how political you are -- you're also a businessperson, if you're trying to make any money at it. Once you accept that, I can help you, and that's what this section is all about.
PRESENTER BIO
DAVID ROVICS is a songwriter, musician, blogger and podcaster based in Portland, Oregon. Since the 1990’s, David has been touring regularly throughout North America, Europe, and occasionally elsewhere, playing on stages large and small, at protests and festivals as well as in squatted social centers and folk clubs. He has recorded dozens of albums and has millions of his songs viewed, streamed and downloaded every year. His podcast, "This Week with David Rovics" consists of interviews, new songs, rants, and concerts. He writes regularly for Counterpunch and Fifth Estate, among other publications. In the post-CD, housing crisis era, many of David’s creative and organizing efforts have focused on streaming justice and eviction abolition. David also plays music for kids.
SHARE THIS EVENT ON FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/events/143389471239952
This is a chance for PMN members to share songs of Freedom and Struggle in a fun and collaborative online setting!
How to Participate
Members of the People's Music Network, especially new members, and invited artists may use the online registration form to sign up to share a song or a poem during this event OR to be part of the audience. Just press the "Register" button on the left side of the web page. Registered performers and audience members receive an e-mail message containing the Zoom Meeting link immediately after they register. Registering as a performer does not automatically mean you'll be included in the final performance line up, but it is the first step (See below, "How we Select the Performers"). We encourage live performance, but you may submit a pre-recorded video when you register to substitute for a live performance. Members sharing videos first give a live introduction.
The content of the online swap will also be livestreamed free of charge via the PMN Facebook Page AND the PMN Youtube Channel.
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 9 at 8:00 PM (EDT)
The order of performance will be released the morning after the registration deadline. You may register for this event after the deadline, and you'll be added to the wait list.
The Topic
In this livestreamed video conference event, members of the People's Music Network are invited to share poetry and songs of Freedom and Struggle that speak to the struggles of people fighting for a better world, free from war, poverty, racism, and all forms of oppression. In these dangerous times, we gather strength and courage from songs that nourish our spirits, and that help us make sense of the events unfolding before us, and sustain the dream of a better future where people can live in dignity.
LYRICS: (posted the day before the event)
PERFORMER LIST: (posted the day before the event)
Eligibility to Perform:
Performers in this swap must:
1) Be invited artists and/or PMN members in good standing.* 2) Register using the online form. 3) Have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone. * If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN
1) Be invited artists and/or PMN members in good standing.*
2) Register using the online form.
3) Have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone.
* If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN
How we Select the Performers
We give priority to new PMN members as well as PMN members who have not yet performed in one of our previous online swap events. Every PMN member wishing to perform at this event is invited to register and to do so sooner than later. Selection for the final performer list, however, is not first-come first-served. PMN hosts song sharing events regularly. If we can't fit you in this time, anticipate more opportunities soon!
Technical Orientation Session: Tuesday, August 10, 4:00-5:00 PM
Selected performers will receive an e-mail invitation to a technical orientation session at the time listed above by the morning of the same day. We will discuss and practice how to get the best sound when sharing music on Zoom. Each performer will have a chance to sing a verse of a song and then receive feedback on ways to improve the audio quality. While perfection is not expected, artists new to Zoom are strongly encouraged to attend the tech run through, because doing so will build your confidence in using these tools. The audio quality that listeners hear of your live performance depends on the equipment you have and how you use it. Find tips to improve audio quality here.
Free Livestream
TUNE INTO THE LIVE BROADCAST via YOUTUBE
[LinkComingSoon]
Wednesday, August 11, 4:00 - 6:00 PM (ET)
**Past and future Livestreams are available through the PMN Facebook Live Page: https://www.facebook.com/Peoples.Music.Network/live
Help Publicize!
Encourage your friends to tune into this online musical event for progressive culture: Share the event on Facebook!! [LinkComingSoon]
After a fantastic initial PMN Ensembles song Swap in July, we're doing it again in August! This format emphasizes performances by groups with 2 or more people who make music together. The promotional image for this event includes images of ensembles who have performed at previous PMN online events (from left to right and top to bottom: Da Fours, Occupella, Hot Glue and the Gun, and the Black Workers Center Chorus.
Members of the People's Music Network may use the online registration form to sign up an ensemble they're part of to share two songs during this event. Members may also register to be in the audience. Just press the "Register" button on the left side of the web page. Registered performers and audience members receive an e-mail message containing the Zoom Meeting link immediately after they register. Registering your ensemble does not automatically mean you'll be included in the final performance line up, but it is the first step (See below, "How we Select the Performers"). We encourage live performance, but you may submit a pre-recorded video when you register to substitute for a live performance. Members sharing videos first give a live introduction.
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 15 at 8:00 PM (EDT)
We're looking for poetry and songs of Freedom and Struggle that speak to the struggles of people fighting for a better world, free from war, poverty, racism, and all forms of oppression. In these dangerous times, we gather strength and courage from songs that nourish our spirits, and that help us make sense of the events unfolding before us, and sustain the dream of a better future where people can live in dignity.
To perform in this song swap, you must:
1) Be a PMN member in good standing and/or have received a special invitation. 2) Be part of a musical ensemble that is confirmed. 2) Register using the online form. 3) Have a computer with functioning video camera and microphone. * If you are not a PMN member, you may join here: https://www.peoplesmusic.org/join-PMN
1) Be a PMN member in good standing and/or have received a special invitation.
2) Be part of a musical ensemble that is confirmed.
For this event we are prioritizing PMN members who belong to performing ensembles. New members are particularly encouraged to register. Each member wishing to perform is invited to register sooner than later, but selection for the final performer list, is not first-come first-served. Because we are giving each act 10 minutes, we can only accommodate a maximum of 9 acts. If we can't fit in every act this time, anticipate more opportunities similar to this one coming soon!
Technical Orientation Session: Monday, August 16, 6:00-7:00 PM
Selected ensembles will receive an e-mail invitation to a technical orientation session at the time listed above by the morning of the same day. We will discuss and practice how to get the best sound when sharing music on Zoom. Each performer will have a chance to sing a verse of a song and then receive feedback on ways to improve the audio quality. While perfection is not expected, artists new to Zoom are strongly encouraged to attend the tech run through, because doing so will build your confidence in using these tools. The audio quality that listeners hear from your live performance depends on the equipment you have and how you use it. Find tips to improve audio quality here.
[linkcomingsoon]
Tuesday, August 17, 7:00 - 9:00 PM (ET)
Encourage your friends to tune into this online musical event for progressive culture: Share the event on Facebook!! [linkcomingsoon]
Registration Deadline
The deadline to register is Thursday, August 19 at 8:00 PM.
Workshop Description
Pete Seeger said, "a song is not an editorial." How can we get our message across without pontificating or resorting to clichés in lyrics and melody? What is it about songs with a political edge that enables them to cut through convention and allow people to think new thoughts?
Writing songs that deliver a compelling message of social justice in ways that move people's hearts is both a political and artistic process that integrates analysis with feeling, rhythm, and style. If you are somewhere in the middle of this process, and interested in receiving peer feedback on your own work in progress, then this workshop is for you.
This popular PMN workshop is an invitation to present your song-in-progress to a group of like-minded songwriters for feedback and critique. We'll discuss "stars and wishes" -- what works well, and where there's room for improvement. We'll explore the songwriting process as we listen to each others' songs and discover, not only the components of an effective song, but how to give and receive positive and/or constructive feedback.
How to participate:
Workshop Facilitators:
Ben Grosscup: Executive director of PMN; award-winning songwriter and parodist who sings about the ideas and values of the revolutionary social movements he’s part of at rallies, strikes, picket lines, and other events. www.youtube.com/c/BenGrosscup
Eligibility to Participate
Participants in this workshop must:
The deadline to register is Friday, September 24 at 8:00 PM.
©2017-2021 People's Music Network for Songs of Freedom and Struggle is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
