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birkcreative · 4 months ago

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Do you want your business to succeed in design and business? Support women.

Branding expert JinJa Birkenbeuel, who has done design work for Google, Tesla, and Facebook, shares her rules of success. Chief among them: Raise up women.

Happy Women’s History Month!

JinJa Birkenbeuel is CEO of the branding agency Birk Creative, founder of The Honest Field Guide podcast, a songwriter in the band Utah Carol, and a business coach for underrepresented businesses, especially women-owned businesses. She spoke to Doreen Lorenzo for Designing Women, a series of interviews with brilliant women in the design industry.

Doreen Lorenzo: How did you find your way into the design world?

JinJa Birkenbeuel: As a little kid I grew up in Hyde Park, a multicultural, multinational, and diverse neighborhood in Chicago. We lived right across the street from the Museum of Science and Industry. My mother played a variety of music and my father was an orphan from South America who became an engineer, inventor, and artist. I grew up around so much creativity and art.

When I was in middle school, I remember being at a camp where some of the other kids were drinking alcohol. I didn’t partake, but I saw a bottle of Southern Comfort and thought the lettering and pattern on the glass was so cool that I decided to bring the empty bottle home in my suitcase. It was hard to explain to my mom when she opened my suitcase—she freaked out. But when I got to high school, an art class gave me the option of choosing a project. I chose to design lettering. Much later, I was very lucky when I stumbled into a brand and visual design program while searching for a degree in college. I ended up being the first Black student in the art school, and I graduated at the top of my class.

After I left college, I did not take the path of least resistance—I didn’t take the job that paid the most money, nor did I take the first few jobs offered to me. I held out for opportunities that I knew would advance my career, my network, and my skill set, and where I felt I could get along with the people who worked there. Most important, if I couldn’t be in a position to learn, then I wouldn’t take the position. I’m very curious, and my thirst for knowledge is how I’ve been able to create so many different roles in my career. There may have been doors closed to me because I am a Black woman, but I’m also an artist, a songwriter, and a designer, and I see the world differently. My varied interests and abilities have helped me create many opportunities for myself and others, and that’s made a huge difference in growing my career in my field.

DL: With your wide range of interests, which of them occupy most of your time?

JB: The majority of my time is spent at Birk Creative, my branding agency. Birk Creative is where I incorporate all of my interests, like writing a branded song for my agency client, applying my interest in research and ability to listen, or figuring out the best brand strategies to help my clients establish an effective online presence. Birk Creative also has allowed me to meet an incredible variety of thought leaders and work with some of the most recognized brands in the world, including Google, Facebook, and Tesla.

It’s funny when I look back—I had left a corporate role and decided I was going to be a rock star. My husband and I started our band, released three albums, got signed by a record label, and even toured Europe. I started the band like a business and was an early adopter of online distribution. I also made sure that our intellectual property was protected, so I set up a record label and publishing company. I’m an artist at heart, but I’m also a businesswoman. We sold a lot of records and our songs went into major motion pictures and advertising campaigns. But I don’t think any of it would have happened if not for the extensive branding work I had done in the corporate world.

DL: What are some of the accounts you’re most proud of?

JB: The collaborative relationship closest to my purpose is the one I created with Google. Google tapped my agency in 2014 for a whole range of services from creative and social media strategy to graphic design, content creation, and thought leadership. Back then, when I was a smaller firm, Google, one of the world’s most important and powerful corporations could “see” me, and they believed in and entrusted me with their brand.

Over the course of the assignment, we tackled problems businesses like mine have and figured out what we could do to help smaller brands operate online like the big brands. During this time, Google created a now deprecated pilot program called Accelerate with Google, and I was fortunate to be on the ground with them during its development. Google then created the Google Digital Coaches Program, which lives on today. The program features trained coaches that provide live workshops in-person, and now the program is running online because of the pandemic. The change to an online approach has actually been a blessing for me during the pandemic as this work keeps me grounded and allows me to help more businesses from anywhere in the world understand how to transform their in-person business sales to online experiences.

DL: Tell us about your podcast, The Honest Field Guide. Where does its name come from?

JB: The Honest Field Guide is my thought leadership platform. I launched it so that I could share what I know with others. Many business owners and entrepreneurs have trouble seeing the forest through the trees because they are so busy looking down, grinding it out. It’s one thing to have an idea. It’s another thing to execute. I’m all about the execution.

The name The Honest Field Guide podcast came from my desire to be honest and authentic about entrepreneurship. My idea is to open a conversation with an entrepreneur or a business owner who might be very protective of their idea, which is fair. But I try to say, “Look, can we just be honest and talk about how hard this is, what you’re doing? How hard it was for you to build this? What’s it like with your family? What it was like growing up?” I want to get to the meat in the details. I’ve been fortunate to interview celebrities like Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and Grammy Award-winner Tena Clark, but I try to open a dialogue with A-list business owners who are not celebrities. Celebrities already have a huge platform to help them launch a business. I want to talk to business owners, especially women, who are just as successful as people in the headlines but not as well-known. The Honest Field Guide is a way for me to help other people see the light and offer tips on how to be better at entrepreneurship.

DL: What are some projects or initiatives you’ve taken on to uplift and support women, Black people, and other people of color?

JB: The city of Chicago basically shut down in March, and many women I know were losing or about to lose their businesses. It’s still happening. I created a personal pandemic journey project to find women who were running their own business in spite of it all. When I found women that met my strict aesthetic and business criteria, I offered to train them on how they could become marketers and designers and create a brand presence without hiring other professionals.

I found three amazing women-owned businesses: boutique studio Fleur, owned by floral artist Kelly Marie Thompson; handmade jewelry store Beltshazzar Jewels, owned by jeweler Theresa Wangia; and art supply store Martha Mae, owned by curator Jean Cate. I collaborated with all three women to develop beautiful booklets based on their businesses. I designed, art directed, produced, and printed the books and then published them through my publishing company, Birkdesign Inc., hoping to drive business to my collaborators. That’s how I launched A Journey of Gratitude. It’s an expression of my gratitude for the opportunities I have and also a way to support and give visibility to other creative women

Another project emerged from a collaboration with a children’s book author in California, Mel Kaspin Blume. After George Floyd was murdered, Mel wrote a post on LinkedIn: “I’ve got to make a change. I’m starting to change today.” She shared a list of things she wanted to start doing differently. I felt in my gut she was being authentic, so I messaged her and wrote: “One thing that’s missing from your list is, ‘Hire Black women, pay Black women, make sure they get paid.'” Surprisingly, she wasn’t afraid of the challenge. She listened and added my suggestion to her post. Later, she reached out to collaborate. We didn’t yet know how but knew we would not let our social media call to action die with empty words. What emerged was an idea for an antiracist children’s book based on Mel’s life as a Jewish girl growing up thinking life’s struggles were the same for Black and white people, who later realized they were not. I worked with Mel as her cultural partner, designed the book, set up her publishing platform, protected her intellectual property, and art directed her illustrator to make sure that her depiction of the Black girl in the story reflected equal dignity. I also co-wrote, produced, and performed the song “400 years” that accompanies the book. I’m always trying to find ways to work with other creative people on significant projects. Collaboration is so important. If we all collaborated without greed and selfishness, especially women, we would be in a better place today.

DL: What changes would you like to see in diversity and inclusion efforts and recruitment?

JB: Having a diverse workforce builds company value and makes companies sustainable and better positioned for recruiting top talent. Many white male-dominant companies are realizing their lack of diversity is causing internal and external problems. Women in particular have a different way of thinking and problem solving. When women are in a room helping to make decisions, the best solutions will always emerge. Because I am a woman, a mother, and a woman who was raised by a single mom, I look for a social and economic justice angle when I’m working on any project with any of my clients. Will it help save someone’s life who is underrepresented? Is there a woman on the client side who I can help win? Can I help her get a job, make money, be successful, and feel like she is being seen?

Diversity creates self-determined people and communities. My agency helped create the CPASS Foundation, a nonprofit foundation designed to help Black and Latino students find the right networks to be successful in STEM fields. The founders of CPASS Foundation are Black men. They acknowledge the extraordinary barriers they had to climb to get to medical school. Without consistent support networks, they had to figure out ways to be entrepreneurial and multidisciplinary minded to survive. Even though the founders started off as doctors, they are now business owners in medical technologies and leaders in public health. Consider this: Medical school graduates who bypassed becoming a doctor but are now building life-changing medical devices and apps. Young people interested in STEM careers need to see that there are multiple paths to success after graduation, even from medical school.

DL: What advice would you give to other designers?

JB: I take a personal interest in advising young women designers to diversify their network and not be afraid to join forces with men who show dignity, respect, and professional guidance in the office. Men still have full access to the avenues of prosperity, long-term success, and relationship capital. When I launched Birk Creative I left behind a network of professionals who would answer the phone if I ever needed help to get a job done. My respect and reverence for these types of quiet relationships are why I have been able to build my business from its humble beginnings of just me to what it is today: a distributed and international workforce of more than 20 creatives who deliver thoughtful and impactful solutions to the best brands in the world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally appeared in Fast Company Magazine Doreen Lorenzo is Assistant Dean at the School of Design and Creative Technologies, and Founding Director of the Center for Integrated Design, both at The University of Texas at Austin.

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news365timesindia · 9 months ago

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[ad_1] 93.5 Red FM, India's leading private radio and entertainment network, is proud to announce the 'Kutty' edition of South Side Story in Mumbai. This year's festival brings a pocket-sized punch of South Indian flavor taking place at NESCO center, Goregaon, Mumbai, on December 14th, 2024.Red FM Brings South Side Story - Kutty Edition to MumbaiAfter the roaring success of the two-day extravaganza in Delhi that left the audience buzzing long after the last note, the Kutty Edition is set to bring South Indian vibes to Mumbai. In an ecosystem dominated by grand festivals, Red FM is serving up something refreshingly intimate and niche for the true connoisseurs of South Indian music, culture, and food. The festival will feature Vedan, Pal Dabba, Sooraj Santhosh, Yung Raja, Dopeadelicz and Baby Jean, marking their debut at South Side Story with their unique musical elements, all leading up to the majestic headlining performance by the renowned band Agam.But that's not all. South Side Story is going to be a full-fledged cultural experience. Festival-goers will get to indulge in Sadhya (a traditional South Indian feast) and a variety of other South Indian delicacies, paired with a curated selection of drinks and cocktails. Adding to the charm, expect immersive South Indian experiences to bring the essence of the south to Mumbai.Commenting on the Kutty edition, Nisha Narayanan, COO and Director, of Red FM & Magic FM, said, "In a sea of larger-than-life concerts, this is our humble effort to bring South Side Story to Mumbai in a unique, bite-sized format. As a Kutty edition, it continues to be packed with several flavors of the South. The festival brings both cultural evangelism and Indie music space on one stage and we continue to support it in whichever way we can. For this edition, we are focused on bringing an eclectic mix of hip-hop/rap, folk fusion, and progressive rock. We are supremely excited to bring six debuts to this year's edition, headlined by our South Side Story lucky charm - Agam the band. This festival is for those who seek out something special and niche. And as always, we look forward to hosting you all."Book your tickets here: bit.ly/3AgrhJCAbout 93.5 RED FMRed FM stands out as India's largest radio channel and one of the biggest entertainment networks. We are hyper-local, hyper vocal, and with our brand philosophy and attitude 'Bajaate Raho!' We are at the core of millennials' hearts. By leveraging our two-decades-old legacy and expertise, we sow the seeds of a 'larger than life experience'. We thrive on the emotional connection with the listeners and audience fashioned through a massive footprint of 69 radio stations nationwide. We create original podcasts, digital shows, and on-ground events, feature independent music, make 360-degree noise, and speak the truth. As the 'station of expression,' Red FM boasts over 663 award-winning campaigns including BEST BRAND, BEST FM STATION, and BEST RJs. [ad_2] Source link

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news365times · 9 months ago

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music-industry-updates · 10 months ago

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Optimizing Your SoundCloud Profile for Maximum Engagement

SoundCloud has long been a vital platform for musicians, DJs, podcasters, and producers, offering a space for creators to share their work, connect with fans, and grow their audience. With over 76 million users and a global reach, it's crucial for artists to optimize their profiles to stand out and attract attention. Your SoundCloud profile is often the first point of contact for new listeners, so making it engaging, clear, and professional is key to success. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to optimize your SoundCloud profile for maximum engagement.

1. Crafting a Compelling Bio

The bio section of your SoundCloud profile is an excellent opportunity to introduce yourself to new listeners. It’s where you tell your story, share your musical journey, and let people know what they can expect from your tracks.

When writing your bio, aim for clarity and conciseness. It’s essential to strike a balance between personality and professionalism. While you want to showcase your unique style, you also need to communicate key information, like your genre, influences, and any notable achievements. Consider including:

Who you are: Mention your name, where you're from, and a little about your musical background.

Your style or genre: Let listeners know what kind of music they can expect. Are you an indie rock artist, an EDM producer, or a hip-hop performer?

Recent achievements: If you’ve released popular tracks, performed at notable venues, or collaborated with well-known artists, include these details in your bio.

A call-to-action: Encourage listeners to follow you, share your tracks, or check out your latest releases.

Remember, first impressions matter, so ensure your bio reflects who you are as an artist and gives potential followers a reason to stay engaged.

2. Choosing the Right Profile and Banner Images

Your profile picture and banner image are crucial visual elements that can help make your profile memorable. Just like the bio, these visuals should be professional, reflective of your brand, and eye-catching.

For the profile picture, it’s best to use a clear, high-quality image that showcases your personality. If you're a solo artist, a professional headshot or a picture of you performing can work well. For bands, a group photo or your logo might be a better choice. Ensure that the picture resonates with your music and genre.

Your banner image gives you even more room for creativity. The banner should complement your profile picture and reflect your musical identity. This could be artwork from your latest album, a concert photo, or a professionally designed graphic that ties into your overall brand. The key is consistency—your images should reflect your identity as an artist and the type of music you create.

3. Leveraging Playlists for Better Organization

Playlists are one of the best ways to organize your music on SoundCloud and give your listeners an easy way to explore your catalog. Whether you have a single release or a full album, creating a playlist can make it easier for your audience to enjoy your music in the intended order.

When creating playlists, think strategically about the order of your tracks. If you’re releasing an EP or album, make sure the songs are arranged in a way that enhances the listening experience. You can also create thematic or mood-based playlists to show off the diversity of your music. For example, you could create separate playlists for "upbeat tracks," "chill vibes," or "acoustic versions."

In addition to organizing your own music, you can also create playlists featuring tracks from other artists you admire. This can help showcase your influences and connect with other musicians, creating networking opportunities that can further grow your following.

4. Regular Uploads and Track Descriptions

Consistency is key to maintaining engagement on SoundCloud. Regular uploads keep your profile active and give listeners a reason to return. If you don’t have new music to upload, consider uploading remixes, live sessions, or unreleased demos to keep your audience engaged.

For every track you upload, take the time to write a descriptive caption. This not only gives context to your music but also helps with discoverability. Include the story behind the track, details about the recording process, or insights into your creative inspiration. Adding links to your social media, website, or where listeners can buy your music can also drive further engagement and sales.

Additionally, be sure to use tags wisely. Tags help SoundCloud categorize your music, making it easier for new listeners to find. Use relevant tags that describe the genre, mood, and specific elements of your track.

5. Interacting with Your Listeners

SoundCloud is more than just a platform for uploading music—it’s also a community. Engaging with your listeners by responding to comments and messages can help build a loyal fan base. Listeners appreciate when artists take the time to acknowledge their support, so don’t be afraid to reply to comments on your tracks or send a thank-you message to new followers.

You can also engage with the wider SoundCloud community by liking, reposting, and commenting on other artists’ tracks. Networking with fellow musicians can lead to collaboration opportunities and help increase your exposure on the platform.

6. Tracking Your Progress with SoundCloud Stats

One of the advantages of a SoundCloud Pro account is access to in-depth stats. These statistics provide valuable insights into your audience, showing you which tracks are performing well, where your listeners are located, and how they found your music.

Use this data to refine your strategy—if a particular track is getting a lot of engagement, consider promoting it further on social media or through collaborations. If your listeners are primarily from a specific region, you might tailor your releases or promotional efforts to appeal more to that audience.

Conclusion

Optimizing your SoundCloud profile is essential for standing out in a crowded digital space. By crafting a compelling bio, using professional images, organizing your music with playlists, regularly uploading tracks, and engaging with your listeners, you can create a profile that not only attracts new listeners but also keeps them coming back. SoundCloud offers a wealth of opportunities for musicians to grow their audience, and with a well-optimized profile, you can make the most of what the platform has to offer.

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ear-worthy · 1 year ago

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"How Long Gone" Podcast Extends North American Tour

Live podcast tours offer fans a chance to see their favorite podcasters live. For the podcasters, there are two obvious benefits, besides the money made on the tour. First, the podcasters receive that immediate feedback from the live audience that they don't receive while recording. Second, attendance at these live events demonstrates how dedicated the fans of the show are.

How Long Gonejoined theTalkhouse podcast network last year, delivering their singular brand of charm, unscriptable humor and colorful commentary on all things culture, fashion and fitness to widespread fan and critical acclaim spanning The New York Times, Esquire, Rolling Stone, W Magazine, Interview Magazine, Vulture and more. Hosts Chris Black and Jason Stewart have taken the show on the road with sold-out live shows in the US and UK. They just wrapped a May stint with an appearance at LA’s Just Like Heaven festival and are thrilled to continue with additional North American appearances throughout June. Tickets are available here.

Maintaining a tireless clip of three shows per week, and a growing audience of more than half a million monthly listeners, the podcast has welcomed an illustrious array of guests from the worlds of music (Jenny Lewis, Phoebe Bridgers, Waxahatchee, Amen Dunes, Caroline Polachek, Modest Mouse, Shamir, Sleater-Kinney), film (BJ Novak, Paul Scheer, Lee Pace), journalism and media (Bret Easton Ellis, The New Yorker's Naomi Fry, GQ's Will Welch, The Guardian’s Laura Snapes), art and design (Aries' Sofia Prantera, Chloe Wise, Roe Ethridge), culinary arts (Carla Lalli Music, Ghetto Gastro, Uncle Paulie), fellow podcasters (Chapo Trap House, Zane Lowe), and comedy (Moshe Kasher, Bowen Yang, Tom Scharpling, Cat Cohen, Esther King, Robby Hoffman).

Over the past four years, How Long Gone has expanded its brand to include collaborations with record label Jagjaguwar, MatchesFashion, Palmes and others.

Black and Stewart have built How Long Gone into something compelling and unique. First launched in the early weeks of the pandemic as a way for the pair to stay in touch and chat with their (smart, successful, often famous) friends, How Long Gone has now run for more than 450 episodes, each one acting like a comedy show, in-depth interview and niche scene report rolled into one.

How Long Gone Tour Dates - TICKETS

6/19: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge

6/20: Toronto, ON @ Great Hall

6/26: Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West

6/27: Washington, DC @ The Atlantis

6/28: Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s

7/01: St Paul, MN @ Turf Club

Black, 40, works as a creative consultant for brands such as Thom Browne and J Crew; Stewart, 42, is a DJ who threw an influential weekly party at Los Angeles’ now-defunct Cinespace club and taught Zac Efron how to DJ for the 2015 electronic dance music movie We Are Your Friends. Neither are bothered by the idea that their discussion of insidery restaurants, bars, publications and parties – many of which are discussed totally sans-context – may seem too niche. Black describes this quality as the podcast’s “special sauce”, and both hosts agree it is an inherent part of the appeal.

“The way I grew up was like, if you’re hanging out with cool older kids, and they mention a band or a place or a movie, instead of saying, ‘Oh, I don’t know what that is,’ you just laugh and smile, and then you go home, take the time to research what they’re talking about, and discover it yourself,” says Stewart in a Guardian article. “I want to create that for this generation.”

How Long Gone has inadvertently become one of the most insightful looks at sobriety in podcasting. Black is sober, after battling an addiction to prescription opiates in his 30s, while Stewart still drinks and takes drugs; the resulting conversations they have on the podcast about drugs and sobriety are vastly different from those on more specifically wellness-minded shows.

In general, How Long Gone has an air of unproduced reality that sets it apart from a lot of the more scripted-feeling chat shows that abound. Celebrity guests seem endeared to Black and Stewart’s conversational style, which means that How Long Gone’s interviews often feel more revealing.

Check out How Long Gone and the tour dates and ticket info.

#podcast #podcasting #comedy #live performance

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musicinsurancecompany · 1 year ago

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The Dos and Don’ts of Owning a Recording Studio

Owning a recording studio is a dream for many music enthusiasts. It offers the chance to be immersed in the creative process, collaborate with talented artists, and contribute to the birth of new music. However, the reality goes beyond just having a fancy microphone and some recording software. Isn't it?

It is a business venture that requires careful planning, hard work, and a deep understanding of the industry.

This guide explores the key considerations for aspiring studio owners, navigating them through the "dos" and "don'ts" of establishing a successful recording haven. Read on to learn the ifs and buts!

DO: Plan Your Niche

Identify Your Strengths: Are you passionate about capturing live bands, crafting electronic soundscapes, or specializing in voice-overs? Knowing your expertise helps attract the right clientele and equip your studio appropriately.

Market Research: Who are your ideal clients? Local musicians, podcasters, or established artists? Research existing studios in your area, identify gaps in their offerings, and position yourself to fill those needs.

Don't: Be across the genre. Trying to cater to every genre can spread you thin. Focus on what you excel at and build a reputation in that space.

DO: Invest in Quality Gear

Core Equipment: Start with the essentials like microphones, preamps, an audio interface, and a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Research reputable brands and prioritize sound quality over flashy features.

Consider Future Needs: Budget for additional gear based on your niche. For instance, a live recording studio might need drum mics and a multi-channel interface, while a vocal booth might prioritize a high-quality condenser microphone.

Don't: Skimp on Gear. Cheap equipment can hinder your ability to capture good recordings, leading to frustrated clients and a damaged reputation.

DO: Create a Welcoming Space

Ambiance Matters: Design a comfortable and inspiring space for artists to focus on their creativity. Invest in soundproofing and consider features like comfortable seating and good lighting.

Technical Accessibility: Ensure your equipment is user-friendly or offer basic training for clients who aren't recording veterans.

Don't: Neglect Your Studio's Vibe. A cluttered, uncomfortable space can stifle creativity.

DO: Hone Your Business Skills

Business Structure: Consult an accountant to choose the best structure for your goals and tax implications.

Develop a Pricing Strategy: Research industry standards and competitors. Offer flexible options like hourly rates, package deals, or project-based pricing.

Don't: Undercharge for Your Services. You need your income to cover costs, reinvest in equipment, and sustain your business.

DO: Build Your Network

Connect with Musicians: Network with local musicians, bands, and music schools. Offer introductory discounts or advertise in relevant publications.

Collaborate with Other Studios: Build relationships with studios that cater to different needs. You can provide referrals and expand your reach.

Don't: Isolate Yourself. Building relationships within the music scene will bring in new clients and establish your studio as a trusted resource.

DO: Embrace Marketing

Develop an Online Presence: Create a professional website showcasing your studio, equipment, and services. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to connect with potential clients.

Word-of-mouth marketing: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews and recommend your services.

Don't: Neglect Marketing and a Recording Studio Insurance plan. Just because you've built a studio doesn't mean people will find it.

DO: Hone Your Recording Skills

Continuous Learning: Invest in training and workshops to stay current with recording techniques, software updates, and industry trends.

Develop Your Ear: Practice your mixing and mastering skills to enhance the sound of your clients' recordings.

Don't: Consider Yourself a Finished Product. The industry is constantly evolving. Keep learning to ensure you offer high-quality services.

DO: Be Patient and Persistent

Building a Clientele Takes Time: Don't expect instant success. Be patient, and consistent in your efforts, and deliver exceptional service to build a loyal client base.

Don't: Get Discouraged. Running a studio can be challenging. Maintain your passion for music and learn from your experiences.

Owning a recording studio offers immense creativity and the chance to be part of the musical journey. By following these "dos" and "don'ts," you can navigate the path to success and create a space that fosters musical magic. One of the most important things you should not forget is to buy a comprehensive Recording Studio Insurance plan.

#recording studio insurance #music studio #musicians #music #music equipment #insurance coverage #insurance

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randomvarious · 5 years ago

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Scorpions - “Wind of Change” Kuschelrock 6 Song released in 1990. Compilation released in 1992. Pop-Rock / Hard Rock / Hair Metal

From an oral history of the Scorpions' early 90s hit, "Wind of Change," published in 2015 in Rolling Stone:

[Lead guitarist, Rudolf] Schenker: In the Scorpions we have this kind of saying: Love, peace, and rock & roll. The love stands for "Still Loving You." The rock & roll stands for "Rock You Like a Hurricane." And the peace? That's for "Wind of Change."

When it comes to Hannover, Germany's Scorpions, Americans basically know the band for those three songs mentioned above, plus, of course, "No One Like You." But the Scorpions are way more than just a handful of classic rock radio hits. They've actually been around in some form or fashion since nineteen sixty-fucking-five. I mean, think about that. The Scorpions actually predate Revolver, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Velvet Underground. That's really not how anyone actually thinks of them in the timeline of rock history.

But that's because they took a long while to catch on, especially in the States. While 70s-era Scorpions represents the most technically perfect time in the band's tenure, largely because of lead guitarist Uli John Roth's wizardry, it didn't end up translating to American sales. It would take Roth's departure, which ultimately caused a change in the band's overall sound, to do that.

The Scorpions would find a way to adapt throughout the decade of excess by freely indulging themselves in crassly commercial hair metal, unleashing the instant guitar-squealing classic, "Rock You Like a Hurricane," in 1984. But if you know the tried and true hair metal formula, you know that for every few hard rockin' singles that a band pumps out, there's a power ballad to go along with them. And the Scorpions didn't just become known for their brash brand of metal; they could create quite the power ballad, too.

But while most power ballads tended to be about tender romance or sad heartbreak, the Scorpions decided to turn to more important things, like politics. And they were well-equipped for it. Unlike their American contemporaries who never faced a real day of political hardship in their lives, the Scorpions directly experienced the horrifying effects of Germany’s split into East and West. Not only that, but they were also raised by the generation that either subscribed to Nazism or, at the very least, failed to do anything to halt its rise.

So when the Scorpions were afforded the opportunity to be one of the first rock bands to play behind the Iron Curtain in Leningrad in 1988, they jumped at it, with two ideas in mind. One was to acknowledge the absolute terror that their ancestors had wrought upon the Russian people during World War II, showing that they were part of a new, peace-loving generation of Germans who found the actions of their ancestors to be awful and abhorrent (By this logic, US bands should be playing in just about every single country every single day. That goes for English bands, too). The other was to bring an implied message of hope and freedom to people who had been largely cut off from western art and culture. Not that Russians didn't know the Scorpions. Popular western music had been smuggled into the Soviet Union for years, but actually having the people who made that music performing right in front of their very eyes was, symbolically, a very big deal.

The Scorpions' Leningrad shows were so successful that they were invited back to play at the Moscow Music Peace Festival alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Cinderella, Skid Row, and Russian bands Gorky Park and Brigada-S in 1989. It was during this trip that lead singer Klaus Meine was inspired to write both the lyrics and music for "Wind of Change." Because of their adoption of glasnost, the Soviet Union was opening itself up, which generated a feeling of positivity that the Cold War was finally coming to an end.

It just so happened that a few months after the song was written, the Berlin Wall fell, which marked the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. "Wind of Change" would then appear on the Scorpions' eleventh studio album, Crazy World, in November of 1990, and be released as a single a couple months later. The music video would feature images of the Berlin Wall falling and Germans rejoicing and reuniting after having been forcibly separated from each other for decades.

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But contrary to popular belief, and probably thanks to the music video, "Wind of Change" was not about the Berlin Wall or Germany. It was strictly about Russia. The lines,

I follow the Moskva Down to Gorky Park Listening to the wind of change

make reference to the Moskva River, which runs through Moscow, and Gorky Park, a park in Moscow named after author Maxim Gorky. A Russian stringed instrument called the balalaika is also mentioned before the song's guitar solo.

But Klaus Meine was right about the fact that change was indeed coming. He just didn't know how much and how soon. Nevertheless, the world events that conveniently took place not long after "Wind of Change"'s completion would help propel the song to the top of the charts in multiple countries and amass something like 14 million copies sold worldwide. It was the #1 song in the world as it's now cited as the soundtrack to the fall of large-scale global authoritarian communism. And it was also the Scorpions' last real triumph.

But the "official" story about this global hit might not actually be true. A limited series podcast was released just this year called Wind of Change which alleges that the CIA may have actually written the song. A journalist received the hot tip from a trusted ex-CIA confidant and attempted to track down the story. And it's not really all that farfetched. The CIA has been surreptitiously involving itself in the production of pop culture for years with the latest credible allegations coming out of Venezuela. But when confronted with this question of who actually wrote "Wind of Change," Klaus Meine categorically denied the CIA's involvement between fits of laughter. But then again, he could just be gaslighting us all at the direction of the CIA.

Truthfully, in hindsight, this song sounds wistfully corny. And there were probably people who found it corny then, too. I mean, the whole idea of a hair metal band acting as liberators feels absurd, doesn't it? And that "sound that emanates from my electric guitar represents freedom and democracy" schtick feels almost transparently propagandistic. Plus, you can totally picture a bunch of suits in a room trying to figure out how to make a catchy song and someone going, “what if we put in a whistle?,” right? (The Rolling Stone oral history says there was a push and pull between band and label about whether or not to include it)

But what power ballad, political or not, doesn't sound corny today? We can still like this song from an ironic distance, can't we? Despite what we may think of it right now, we have to appreciate the cultural impact it had. Like it or not, it's one of the most important songs ever made. In 2005, the German TV network, ZDF, revealed that its viewers considered "Wind of Change" the song of the 20th century. And maybe its whole "We Are the World" charity single vibe is another reason to think that the CIA wrote it, but still, media, no matter how lame you might think it is, affects people's actions. If it didn't, the CIA wouldn't be in the pop culture business. And a song that aides in world-changing events, regardless of who wrote it and how it sounds nearly three decades after its release, deserves to be written about, don't you think?

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katebrownell · 5 years ago

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101 Business Ideas To Get You Thinking

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are always coming up with ideas but never know what direction to head in? Maybe you have thought about starting up your own business but you’re just not sure what type? We have put together a list of 101 business ideas to get you thinking. Have a look to see what options are available and if something sparks a light bulb moment in you then reach out to us! We can help you turn that idea into a reality.

Dance Teacher

Have you grown up dancing and love the idea of sharing your passion for dance with others? Why not start up a business as a dance teacher or an even larger grande jete, (see what we did there) set up your own dance studio. The possibilities are endless.

Nanny Service

Are you a kid person? Do you know how many busy families are out there? You could build up your own Nanny/Babysitting service.

Interior Design

Do you have a good eye aesthetics? Do you have the ability to visualise how colours, textures and patterns work together in a harmonious space? If you love the idea of styling homes and starting a business that utilises your creativity, then why not consider being an interior stylist?

Aerial Photographer

Drones used to be considered as something just for hobbyists, not anymore. This type of photography is not only used for pretty imagery, but can be utilised in agriculture, industrial mapping, and much more. Now more than ever with the growing trend of aerial photography, starting up in this space is the perfect business opportunity.

Room Rental/Airbnb

Have you ever thought about potentially renting out the granny flat in your backyard? Or maybe turning your entire house into a rental? But not just any rental with week to week income, what about running it like a hotel? An Airbnb listing could be your way of securing an additional stream of income or to generate some serious profit.

Makeup Artist

Do you love the beauty industry, keep up with the latest trends, have a flair for creativity and are passionate about all things makeup? Perhaps you should investigate freelance makeup artistry? As a makeup artist you have the opportunity to work on a bunch of different jobs, whether it be theatre, film, music videos, editorial, advertorial, fashion runway, TV, retail, and many, many more.

Dog Walking

If spending time with four-legged friends daily is your idea of a good time, then why not start a dog walking business and offer your services to pet owners who have a busy schedule.

Singer/Songwriter

Do you love to sing? Are you in a band? Did you know that musicians are entrepreneurial? As a singer or songwriter, you will practice, compose, perform, teach, promote, network, and make things happen day after day. This is an incredible way to make money doing something you are truly passionate about.

Barber Shop

For many barbers, opening an independent barbershop is the ultimate goal. This is the time when you can express your creative talent as a completely independent artist and craftsperson. You can set your own prices and potentially earn like the pros, go to international barbering events, give out your own business card, and develop a list of clients who will fly in to see you.

Event Catering

While most of us simply enjoy the culinary delights dished up by catering companies, those with a flair for food and an entrepreneurial spirit will be keen to know what business opportunities lie beneath the silver serving trays. The catering business is considered one of the most lucrative and profitable home-based business ventures, with a high potential for expansion and growth.

Restaurant Owner

Are you a chef ready to share your unique culinary creations with the world or an aspiring entrepreneur with an interest in the food industry? Then maybe opening a restaurant may be your calling.

Accountant

Do you love numbers? Or making sure all your figures add up succinctly? If you are a qualified accountant wanting to branch out on your own, you could start your own accounting business and build up your own client base.

Rideshare

Ever considered turning your car into a taxi so you can make some extra money on the side? Being an Uber driver can be the perfect side gig, It’s well paid and extremely flexible. As your own boss, you can work as many or as few hours a s you like.

17. Industrial Cleaning

If it can get dirty, chances are someone will be willing to pay you to clean it. You can choose to focus on the two primary market niches of the cleaning industry: commercial and consumer areas.

Bakery

Have you thought about turning your baking addiction into a profitable business? There are generally four types of bakeries – counter service bakeries, specialty service bakeries, sit-down bakeries and online bakeries.

Food Van Vendor

A food truck business can be the ultimate form of independence: not only do you run your own workplace but that workplace is mobile. Food trucks have become very popular over the last few years, but each type of unit has its own advantages, with mobility clearly being the key selling point. It’s entirely up to you to decide which will best suit your business needs.

Personal Trainer

Do you like working out and being fit? Do you want to share your enthusiasm for fitness with others and get paid? Then a personal training business might be for you.

House Painter

Have you completed your apprenticeship and thought you may want to go out on your own? A house painting business is a great choice for those who enjoy home improvement projects and prefer a greater degree of physical activity than many jobs provide. Flexible hours, low overhead, and the opportunity to develop new skills while earning as much as your own energy level permits are all factors that make this a desirable business choice for many people.

Photographer

Do you have your camera with you where ever you go? Are the go-to photographer at family functions? You can turn your interest, talent and hobby into a home-based photography business.

Tutor

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable home business that you can start quickly, tutoring is one you should consider. Tutoring is an ideal home business for teachers and instructors; however, you don’t need a teaching degree or any specialized training to be a tutor. What you do need is knowledge of the subject matter and the ability to explain in a way that others can learn.

Yoga Instructor

Yoga-savvy individuals keen on owning a small business might want to consider opening a studio and become an instructor. The yoga industry brings in almost $30 billion per year, and as the community grows, so do the opportunities, for example you could expand to do yoga classes, festivals, brand sponsorship’s and merchandise.

Graphic Designer

Do you know how to brand or create a logo? Are you handy with programs like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign? If you enjoy drawing and creating aesthetically pleasing visual materials, then becoming a Freelance Graphic Designer might just be the business for you. Graphic artists design items such as magazine advertising, brochures, business cards, communications documents and business websites.

Podcaster

The podcasting business is perfect for those who enjoy public entertainment. Podcast creators can join a slew of commercial and public networks, connecting with listeners, celebrities, and industry specialists.

Craft Brewer

Why not turn your love of great beer into a profession and start your own brewery? Many successful craft breweries and craft beer brands in Australia are thriving in what is, essentially, a hostile business environment. If you are realistic about the market, educate yourself, and seek expert advice, you will have the best chance of success.

Apart from these vaping business are grooming one in Australia and there are several online and offline stores available here. But nicotine is banned in Australia so one can import nicotine-based vapes and e-liquids from the online vape store in New Zealand for personal use and not for sale.

Read More: https://www.hunterfuturepreneurs.com.au/101-business-ideas/#comment-3403

#online vape store New Zealand #vape shop NZ #vape store nz #nicotine for vape

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buzrushcommunity · 5 years ago

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Succeed Through Online Marketing

How Electronic Advertising and marketing Will Change: 17 Forecasts for 2020

Electronic advertising is not any unknown person to modifications.

Succeed Through Online Marketing - We have to stay on our toes if we want to stay relevant with the never ending changes to algorithms and regulations and part of that is positioning ourselves for success.

Precisely what is digital marketing planning to look like in 2020?

We experienced possessed 17 computerized entrepreneurs weigh into tell us what they see about the horizon, therefore we can all prepare accordingly and also a great season ofclicks and engagement, and sales.

Allow me to share 17 forecasts for electronic advertising and marketing in 2020.

Benton Crane, CEO of Harmon Brothers

Ad platforms (looking at you Facebook or twitter) continues to highlight shorter content material (needless to say, they want to offer more thoughts). Brief-type, nonetheless, limits what you can do to construct your company persona, voice, and world.

We foresee the profitable strategy may be to perform advertising chess, not checkers. In chess your parts have various strengths and weaknesses, whilst all checkers parts are identical. If you build up your web marketing strategy use a mixture of simple, medium sized, and lengthy-develop information. Don’t stop building your brand character, voice, and universe with longer-form content, although use the short-form content to appease Facebook’s algorithms.

Logan Fletcher, Content material Marketing Administrator

If you aren’t posting videos on social media, 2020 NEEDS to be the year you start, otherwise, you’ll get left behind, Succeed Through Online Marketing -.

Beyond that, we foresee a higher appearance of companies on social websites, since they try to create a technique that can help them purchase an advantage on opponents. Online video on sociable systems will probably continue being with the fore-front of effective methods.

Not only are B2B companies going to focus on creating video for LinkedIn, but they will also start to take notice of IGTV. With changes to Instagram’s algorithm formula, video clip placed on IGTV will go to the top of your followers’ rss feeds, and also be discovered much more prevalently on users’ investigate web pages. This will result in more movie prospects, a more substantial audience, and more advantages.

What different will we see in 2020? We believe that online marketers will begin focusing more on consumer demands, instead of “marketing requires.” Entrepreneurs will start responding to customers’ questions directly that will create campaigns that solution these inquiries. The only real individuals who actually make a difference are definitely the people who we want using our service or product. Refocusing what exactly is sent to customers will be a pattern in 2020 that many firms will not be capable of disregard.

Michelle Barnum Smith, AMZ Messenger Bot Group

The Amazon marketplace is consistently in flux. There are far more individual label retailers now than before as well as the marketplace may become much more competing. To stay in the video game, sellers really need to be tough and flexible.

Probably the most crucial methods to adjust is to possess a brand name-attitude. A product is not pretty much turning up having a individual merchandise-it’s about creating a local community of fervent buyers. The best and easiest method to start off is by using driving a vehicle your very own outside website traffic employing Talk Advertising and marketing tactics by way of ManyChat.

ManyChat tends to make chat advertising and marketing an omni-channel expertise. Now dealers can operate multichannel promotions through a single tool and reach their viewers in the most efficient techniques possible. Chitchat advertising will certainly make market developing, item establishing, and item advertising seamless for Amazon . com Dealers.

Tara Robertson, Director of Customer Marketing and advertising at Sprout Sociable

2020 is all about refinement. Brands not just need to focus on who they really are but moreover, the way they are different from competitors that will create remarkable experiences for customers. In ahead of time, online marketers will emphasis much more about becoming buyer obsessed by making certain each and every touchpoint is steady and purposeful. Supplying outstanding consumer experiences has stopped being a “nice to have,” but an hope-specifically as businesses aim to get noticed inside their saturated markets.

For that conclusion, there will be an increased desire for content and experience that favors high quality more than quantity. We are living in the age of authentic marketing along with the a lot more related and relatable your marketing and advertising is, the better dedicated your market can become. It is not simply regarding the new system, sophisticated AI, or even a powerful technology stack. The truth is, I actually think it will likely be the opposite.

We have to cut back time contemplating our automation plus more time considering the way you can connect with our buyers and each and every other. We expect far more customization than ever before as buyers and it is essential that marketing and sales crews fully grasp the and this need for connection.

Jenna Snavely, Creation Content Manager at DigitalMarketer

I talk to a lot of experts in the industry, as host of The DigitalMarketer Podcast. From all of the my podcast job interviews across the minimum year, the marketplace developments we have been viewing carefully at DM, and my own acquiring habits-I believe the easiest way to get support in 2020 (or maintain your steer) will be serialized consumable online video content.

It is a huge opportunity to outline your company sound and make a crowd, and the majority of importantly…it’s a way to more than-produce.

Manufacturers which do the difficult job, receive the payout.

Nathalie Lussier, Founding father of AccessAlly

Succeed Through Online Marketing - In 2020, I forecast that more men and women will carry on and “cut the cord” from cord and proceed to streaming options for their entertainment. It’s approximated that 45 mil men and women will depart their cable tv or satellite suppliers in 2020.

Exactly what does that pertain to digital marketing and advertising?

This means that as interest changes far from classic Television set advertising, more marketers will have to get innovative and find approaches to get to individuals on-line alternatively.

That may be the two a true blessing and a curse: It’s going to raise the cost of advertising on the hottest platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Google, although it’s going to create more work for digital agencies.

Brand names may not be moving all their dollars to “pay for every click” advertising, they will often also up their content material advertising and marketing budgets in order to happen in social offers and chats, also! Content marketing organizations, be aware!

Splintering Community Platforms

For businesses that want to boost their communities on the internet (and who does not? ) there is an intensifying have to take acquisition of community place.

For many years the right spot to host a group has become via Facebook organizations. There is a great deal of growth and engagement on Facebook or twitter, because of an previously a built in habit (or possibly is it an dependency? !).

However, the tech giant has experienced some political and ethical backlash and more digital business owners are looking for alternatives.

I foresee that programs that permit you to generate neighborhood “on your very own turf” like Palapa, Mighty Sites, BuddyBoss, and Wp are going to see plenty of development.

However, as much as I see people building these networks outside of the Facebook ecosystem, those that have tried and failed say the the vortex is strong… and engagement isn’t as high.

So, there will likely be a splintering of communities across different platforms, and I suspect also a consolidation for those groups that don’t get enough traction off Facebook when they return.

Intensifying Polarization & Woke Advertising

So will the political polarization in 2020, as the planet’s climate continues to heat up.

Brand names can have an option to help make: remain neutral or have got a perspective.

The companies that stay higher than the fray will steer clear of the drama and the unpredictability that comes with going into the chat on everyone’s thoughts.

But those businesses that can genuinely share their point of view, will get long-term customer loyalty for being happy to place their ideals above short-run income. According to Cone Communications, 92% of consumers say they have a more positive image of a company when the company supports a social or environmental issue.

Yes, you will see drop out from businesses that embark on “woke marketing” and combine activism or national politics inside their message.

More businesses will be willing to put their reputations on the line to connect with Gen Z and Millennials who are more discerning about where they spend their hard earned dollars… and how it impacts the world at large. That is my prediction.

Rachel Pedersen, Chief executive officer in the Viral Touch And Social Media Marketing United

2020 is the 12 months the facade of flawlessly polished marketing burns and crashes. A lot of people happen to be burned up by influencers faking it with ideal photoshoots, and people are desperate for validity.

They will be looking for context outside of keynotes, as consumers get hungry for REAL answers. They are looking for signs and symptoms of congruency - proof that the favored individuals on systems are jogging the stroll.

In 2020 the internet marketer who supplies all-access, behind the curtain, contextual marketing is the winner. It is the entire year of humanized marketing.

Right here is how you can beat the band wagon internet marketers in 2020:

1.Tik. Tok: The clock is ticking. TikTok is actually a rare foundation that reveals a lot more measurements and permits audiences to adore your creative, impromptu and unpolished or UCG content.

2.Go live. Anywhere. Display the mayhem of getting prepared for an occasion with 3 kids when your baby provides the influenza along with your previous thoroughly clean outfit was *coughing* messed up.

3.Report your podcast in person situations. Enable your market to FEEL your life and surroundings with the mp3.

4.Decline Photoshop. So you have a scar on your eyebrow? The vacation consuming magically extra another 15 pounds in your photographs? Permit it to be. Let them see.

5.Online video conveys all. Shoppers are looking for contextual signs in your marketing with video. They desire over a best established and script. They need to see your identiity. Let them have more to work alongside.

6.Tell the reality. So, 2019 was a hard year? Tell them. And do not just clean it off with all the common ‘Oh gentleman, it was a challenging calendar year! ’ Tell them what went wrong. Inform them the way your cardiovascular system shattered. Let them know regarding the nighttime once you almost cease. Let them know concerning the mistakes that almost ruined you. Just inform them the truth.

Jody Milward, Founding father of Interpersonal Charlie

A game changer for Mentors and Electronic program designers starting 2020 is to include a Personal Liquidating Offer (SLO) at the front end conclusion in their Facebook or twitter Advertising. Because with the rising costs of Facebook ads, these offers weren’t profitable, over the years coaches have been told to drop the low ticket offers and focus entirely on High ticket sales.

But that is EXACTLY why they should be part of product suite in 2020. We’re experiencing individuals generating 6 stats in less than a 12 months by using a $27 provide. As an example, Allie Bjerk, runs Facebook advertising to frosty traffic on her SLO using a $27 offer you. This has made practically $500,000 in 9 months having an total 2.4 by ROAS. So, not only is she generating covering and leads her ad spend, she’s also making money. When she promoted her higher ticket offer she experienced a good quality market of consumers and of individuals who joined, 70% got bought her $27 offer.

Then there’s Ashley who has an SLO for Freelance writers and it is covering up her ad invest as she will grow her subscriber list. Engaged community and her SLO was a major contributor to the success of her five figure program launch, by having people come into her community via a paid offer she’s seeing significant growth in her Facebook Group with a lively.

A great SLO can not only cover your advert invest but in addition make you funds when attracting an excellent audience of buyers, as an alternative to plenty of tyre kicking inexpensive leads who never ever even go and available your emails. When the intitial front end offer you is mixed inside a product sales funnel with complementary upsells, we are finding what starts with a $27 provide actually have a standard purchase price of $61 along with an average charge for every transaction of $33.

So, rather than pouring money into free lead magnets and filling up your CRM with cheap unqualified leads, turning that lead magnet into an excellent low ticket offer to bring in quality customers who are actually paying to get on your email list, will make a massive difference to your Facebook Ad Budget and business in 2020.

(NOTE: Need to have a helping palm along with your electronic advertising initiatives? Or you would just like established, workable advertising and marketing instruments, techniques, and layouts to put into action in your organization? Look into the most up-to-date bargain from DigitalMarketer, and you will be moving toward aiding your small business grow.)

For more info visit:- BuzRush

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haulix · 6 years ago

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Music Industry Job Board (January 14, 2019)

New openings:

Music Content & Artist Relations Specialist (Musicnotes - Madison, WI)

Join us in being a part of the global music community by shaping the delivery of digital sheet music. Due to growth, Musicnotes.com is seeking a full-time Music Content & Artist Relations Specialist who excels in managing the details including database management, file indexing, acquisition, and organization. Successful candidates will have experience and an interest in music research and analytics in this data-driven opportunity.

Manager (Singularity - Yonkers, NY)

We are looking for a person with strong connections to the major labels and high-level music industry people. Being on a first name basis with the upper-level management is a must, someone who knows how to source music licensing deals, a person with good connections to source sync licenses for TV shows, movies, video games, etc. In addition, we are looking for strong connections to paid shows major venues, with the relationship to attach your artists to a major tour. We need an experienced manager with an excellent track record and great reputation. We are a private media company backed by a businessman with close to 30 years in the music industry is seeking a artist management partner. Our office is located In Yonkers, New York. We have invested millions of dollars into our business and are close to launching a great new project.

Administrative Assistant (WMG - Los Angeles, CA)

Warner Chappell Music Publishing is the smallest major publishing company. We operate as a boutique company with the outreach and resources of a major. We arguably have the most in-demand roster in the business and the company as a whole has never been this “hot.” Join a winning team and work with some of the best songwriters in the business on their never a dull moment journey to a #1, or #1s for that matter!

Audio Engineer (PARMA Recordings - North Hampton, NH)

If you're bubbling over with audio engineering talent and creativity, PARMA Recordings’ audio engineer opportunity might just be your perfect job.

This is not your average audio gig. This is a unique opportunity to work as part of a team with world renowned artists in classical, jazz and world music. PARMA's mission is to bring light to new music and the audio work we do to bring this music to life plays a vital role in our artists' success.

Successful candidate will have at least 1-2 years of audio experience in editing, mixing and mastering music. Music degree a must, classical music experience a plus.

Day to Day Music Manager (Small Giant Management + Records - Santa Monica, CA)

Day-to-day manager working as the sole point for a major label pop artist. The position requires astute attention to detail, a high level of organization, a big picture understanding of the ever-changing landscape of the music and entertainment industries, and a creative approach to problem solving.

Admin (TAXI Music Independent A&R - Calabasas, CA)

FULL-TIME STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE POSITION available at a well-established, Music Company for an intelligent, hard-working self-starter that wants a “starter job” with growth potential. Strong verbal and written communication skills are critical. Experience with basic (but meticulous) data entry and MAC OSX is required. Knowing Film/TV music licensing jargon is a plus!

Are you star that’s ready to shine given the right opportunity? Are you ethical, personable, and articulate? Do you live within 35 minutes of Calabasas?

This is a Full-Time position: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm, with an hour lunch. Hours are not flexible. Small, friendly staff, and a great work environment. Paid vacation and sick time. Health insurance offered after successful completion of the probationary period.

Executive Assistant (NBCUniversal - Universal City, CA)

The Executive Assistant provides support to the President of Global Film Music and Film Music Department as necessary.

Coordinator, Film & TV Music Licensing (UMPG - Santa Monica, CA)

The Universal Music Publishing Film & TV licensing team is looking for a detail oriented, efficient individual for a manager position to work within our fast paced synchronization licensing department. The right candidate will have a general knowledge of music licensing and be able to multi task at a high level. Excellent oral and written communication skills are crucial, as well as the ability to work mindfully within a team driven atmosphere. A strong passion for music is a must!

Legal Assistant, Production (Viacom - NYC)

Legal Assistant (“Assistant”) is responsible for drafting standard letters, amendments, agreements and distributions for Supervisors, screening and transfer incoming calls with a positive attitude and high degree of professionalism. The Assistant will manage all mailing, faxing, maintaining of files, and faxing of correspondence. The Assistant will also input, revise, proofread, and redline documents while maintaining a highly organized, efficient, and logical filing system of all documents for working and archival purposes. He/She will also manage all scheduling and booking of conference rooms and placing multi-party conference calls for staff meetings and for Supervisors, as well as maintaining departmental lists, calendars, and contacts. Assistant will prepare travel and expenditure reports, order supplies, prioritize the Supervisors’ daily schedule by coordinating appointments and scheduling meetings among parties with demanding calendars.

Music Operations Coordinator (TouchTunes - NYC)

The Licensing Coordinator is responsible for the copyright research and publishing clearance of recorded music to be performed in commercial establishments.

Tour Accountant (Zeisler, Zeisler, Rawson & Johnson LLP - San Rafael, CA)

This is an opportunity to join one of the premier business management/CPA firms and work in the world of musicians, entertainers and professional athletes. Zeisler, Zeisler, Rawson and Johnson LLP is looking for an experienced and highly motivated business manager to oversee the day to day activities of busy touring bands and related entities. Prior direct experience in the music industry is a must (tour accounting experience preferred).

Executive Assistant (AEG - Austin, TX)

The Executive Assistant provides high-level support to executives by managing operational duties and travel arrangements, conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing administrative/clerical functions. Administrative functions include but are not limited to, preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, travel arrangements, scheduling meetings and heavy calendaring. This individual will also work on various projects of a confidential nature as assigned by the executive.

Executive Assistant (Industria Films - NYC)

Industria Films has upcoming projects in creating branded content, ad commercials, viral campaigns for non-profits, a podcast series, feature length documentaries, music videos, travel series, and television programming for various networks.

We seek to hire a motivated self-starter who loves media with strong knowledge of production and organizational assistance.

Must possess exceptional administrative skills, with a working knowledge of scheduling, programming, production, communication, marketing, and other related areas.

This is a freelance position with the potential to become a part time or full-time position.

The Executive Assistant will be working directly with the Chief Executive Officer (also a founder and investor of several business startup entities)

Salary is commensurate upon experience and based on skill as well as budget. If your application meets our requirements, we’ll contact you to schedule an interview.

Executive Assistant (BMG - NYC)

You live by the words of trustworthiness, organization, and dependability. Everyone will recognize you as the prime go-to-person for just about anything, and your abilities have never disappointed anyone. Managing the lives of the company’s decision-makers is not an easy task, but then you showed up and made it seem like cake.

Global Copyright Assistant (UMPG - Franklin, TN)

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

Arts Administration Assistant (ArtOps/Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings - Southfield, MI)

The Arts Administration Assistant has a strong interest in a career in Arts Administration, a background in classical music, is extremely organized and detail oriented. This individual will engage with many clients and artists and must have exceptional communication skills. In addition, an aptitude for numbers is essential to support budgeting and bookkeeping tasks. The ideal candidate will have the ability to learn and execute a variety of activities essential to managing a performing art non-profit.

Business Continuity & Crisis Mgmt Manager (Madison Square Garden Company - NYC)

The BC/CM Manager is responsible for the day to day direction, coordination, implementation, execution, control and completion of both the Business Continuity Management and Crisis Management Programs at Madison Square Gardens. The Business Continuity Project scope will include the creation and implementation of business continuity plans and procedures. The Manager will be responsible for interacting with all Stakeholders, Internal Auditors and Senior Management for both programs. The scope includes working with the Stakeholders in defining, training, and testing business continuity, crisis management and disaster recovery plans and procedures to reduce business interruptions, ensure continuity, minimize financial impact and adhere to legal/regulatory requirements. The plans and procedures will govern the Corporate Office, remote Offices (Obscura, Farmingdale) and the MSG Venues. The implementation of the plans and procedures will include documentation, training, and the approach for creating a business recovery command center for managing through a business interruption. The Manager will also have responsibility for administering a crisis management enterprise-wide operational program, create and lead an enterprise-wide employee assistance initiative, cultivate relationships with key leaders in emergency management and identifying and implementing industry best practices, establishing a corporate emergency response, and forecast and manage a business continuity/crisis management budget.

Music and Entertainment Sponsorship Manager (Verizon - Basking Ridge, NJ)

This position is responsible for leading entertainment partnerships within the sponsorships marketing organization. The Manager will manage all entertainment partnerships, experiential marketing programs and work with internal cross-functional teams to execute integrated marketing campaigns that deliver against key business objectives. This position reports to the Associate Director of Sponsorships.

Membership Coordinator (ASCAP - Atlanta, GA)

We are looking for someone with previous experience in the business and in event coordination, who is looking for an opportunity to grow within the position, is good at multi-tasking and handles pressure well.

Live Entertainment Supervision (Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH)

Live Entertainment Supervisors are involved with the coordination, production & rehearsal process, and daily operation of all live shows, events, and entertainment at Cedar Point.

Marketing Manager (Rare Americans - San Francisco, CA)

We’re Rare Americans, a Vancouver based band that went viral after a series of singles launched in June 2018. Since then we’ve amassed millions of YouTube plays and Spotify/Apple Music streams.

As we’re about to launch our second album we’re looking to add a high level difference maker to our team. Someone with a proven track record in marketing (both organic and paid), social media, and has experience growing a band in the music industry.

Our biggest priority is growth and we believe we need a full time person to assist our team. We’re advertising abroad as this position can be done remotely.

We have 6 music video assets for this launch, we’re touring UK, USA, and Canada, and we have a big “give away” contest that should also land us new fans and significant press.

$4-8k per month depending on experience level with full benefits included.

Coordinator, Music Programming (SiriusXM - Washington DC)

Works with members of the music programming team to create superior radio programs as needed. Supports creative processes, content development and production. Exercises both creative abilities and technical skills. Edits materials and operates an audio board. May be assigned to more than one program and perform slightly different functions across channels.

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gabaldon · 4 years ago

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An American Kingdom

A new and rapidly growing Christian movement is openly political, wants a nation under God’s authority, and is central to Donald Trump’s GOP

Mercy Culture Church in Fort Worth. (Dylan Hollingsworth for The Washington Post)

By Stephanie McCrummen

July 11, 2021|Updated July 12, 2021 at 3:05 a.m. EDT

FORT WORTH — The pastor was already pacing when he gave the first signal. Then he gave another, and another, until a giant video screen behind him was lit up with an enormous colored map of Fort Worth divided into four quadrants.

Greed, the map read over the west side. Competition, it said over the east side. Rebellion, it said over the north part of the city. Lust, it said over the south.

It was an hour and a half into the 11 a.m. service of a church that represents a rapidly growing kind of Christianity in the United States, one whose goal includes bringing under the authority of a biblical God every facet of life, from schools to city halls to Washington, where the pastor had traveled a month after the Jan. 6 insurrection and filmed himself in front of the U.S. Capitol saying quietly, “Father, we declare America is yours.”

Now he stood in front of the glowing map, a 38-year-old White man in skinny jeans telling a congregation of some 1,500 people what he said the Lord had told him: that Fort Worth was in thrall to four “high-ranking demonic forces.” That all of America was in the grip of “an anti-Christ spirit.” That the Lord had told him that 2021 was going to be the “Year of the Supernatural,” a time when believers would rise up and wage “spiritual warfare” to advance God’s Kingdom, which was one reason for the bright-red T-shirt he was wearing. It bore the name of a church elder who was running for mayor of Fort Worth. And when the pastor cued the band, the candidate, a Guatemalan American businessman, stood along with the rest of the congregation as spotlights flashed on faces that were young and old, rich and poor, White and various shades of Brown — a church that had grown so large since its founding in 2019 that there were now three services every Sunday totaling some 4,500 people, a growing Saturday service in Spanish and plans for expansion to other parts of the country.

“Say, ‘Cleanse me,’ ” the pastor continued as drums began pounding and the people repeated his words. “Say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servants are listening.’ ”

***

The church is called Mercy Culture, and it is part of a growing Christian movement that is nondenominational, openly political and has become an engine of former president Donald Trump’s Republican Party. It includes some of the largest congregations in the nation, housed in the husks of old Baptist churches, former big-box stores and sprawling multimillion-dollar buildings with private security to direct traffic on Sundays. Its most successful leaders are considered apostles and prophets, including some with followings in the hundreds of thousands, publishing empires, TV shows, vast prayer networks, podcasts, spiritual academies, and branding in the form of T-shirts, bumper stickers and even flags. It is a world in which demons are real, miracles are real, and the ultimate mission is not just transforming individual lives but also turning civilization itself into their version of God’s Kingdom: one with two genders, no abortion, a free-market economy, Bible-based education, church-based social programs and laws such as the ones curtailing LGBTQ rights now moving through statehouses around the country.

This is the world of Trump’s spiritual adviser Paula White and many more lesser-known but influential religious leaders who prophesied that Trump would win the election and helped organize nationwide prayer rallies in the days before the Jan. 6 insurrection, speaking of an imminent “heavenly strike” and “a Christian populist uprising,” leading many who stormed the Capitol to believe they were taking back the country for God.

Even as mainline Protestant and evangelical denominations continue an overall decline in numbers in a changing America, nondenominational congregations have surged from being virtually nonexistent in the 1980s to accounting for roughly 1 in 10 Americans in 2020, according to long-term academic surveys of religious affiliation. Church leaders tend to attribute the growth to the power of an uncompromised Christianity. Experts seeking a more historical understanding point to a relatively recent development called the New Apostolic Reformation, or NAR.

A California-based theologian coined the phrase in the 1990s to describe what he said he had seen as a missionary in Latin America — vast church growth, miracles, and modern-day prophets and apostles endowed with special powers to fight demonic forces. He and others promoted new church models using sociological principles to attract members. They also began advancing a set of beliefs called dominionism, which holds that God commands Christians to assert authority over the “seven mountains” of life — family, religion, education, economy, arts, media and government — after which time Jesus Christ will return and God will reign for eternity.

None of which is new, exactly. Strains of this thinking formed the basis of the Christian right in the 1970s and have fueled the GOP for decades.

What is new is the degree to which Trump elevated a fresh network of NAR-style leaders who in turn elevated him as God’s chosen president, a fusion that has secured the movement as a grass-roots force within the GOP just as the old Christian right is waning. Increasingly, this is the world that the term “evangelical voter” refers to — not white-haired Southern Baptists in wooden pews but the comparatively younger, more diverse, more extreme world of millions drawn to leaders who believe they are igniting a new Great Awakening in America, one whose epicenter is Texas.

That is where the pastor wearing the bright-red T-shirt, Landon Schott, had been on the third day of a 40-day fast when he said the Lord told him something he found especially interesting.

It was 2017, and he was walking the streets of downtown Fort Worth asking God to make him a “spiritual father” of the city when he heard God say no. What he needed was “spiritual authority,” he remembered God telling him, and the way to get that was to seek the blessing of a pastor named Robert Morris, an evangelical adviser to Trump, and the founder of one of the largest church networks in the nation, called Gateway, with nine branches and weekly attendance in the tens of thousands, including some of the wealthiest businessmen in Texas.

Morris blessed him. Not long after that, a bank blessed him with the funds to purchase an aging church called Calvary Cathedral International, a polygonal structure with a tall white steeple visible from Interstate 35. Soon, the old red carpet was being ripped up. The old wooden pews were being hauled out. The cross on the stage was removed, and in came a huge screen, black and white paint, speakers, lights and modern chandeliers as the new church called Mercy Culture was born.

“Mercy” for undeserved grace.

“Culture” for the world they wanted to create.

***

Mercy Culture

A video introduces the theme of the pastor’s sermon at Mercy Culture Church. (Stephanie McCrummen/The Washington Post)

That world is most visible on Sundays, beginning at sunrise, when the worship team arrives to set up for services.

In the lobby, they place straw baskets filled with earplugs.

In the sanctuary, they put boxes of tissues at the end of each row of chairs.

On the stage one recent Sunday, the band was doing its usual run-through — two guitar players, a bass player, a keyboardist and two singers, one of whom was saying through her mic to the earpiece of the drummer: “When we start, I want you to wait to build it — then I want you to do those drum rolls as we’re building it.” He nodded, and as they went over song transitions, the rest of the worship team filtered in for the pre-service prayer.

The sound technician prayed over the board controlling stacks of D&B Audiotechnik professional speakers. The lighting technician asked the Lord to guide the 24 professional-grade spotlights with colors named “good green” and “good red.” Pacing up and down the aisles were the ushers, the parking attendants, the security guards, the greeters, the camera operators, the dancers, the intercessors, all of them praying, whispering, speaking in tongues, inviting into the room what they believed to be the Holy Spirit — not in any metaphorical sense, and not in some vague sense of oneness with an incomprehensible universe. Theirs was the spirit of a knowable Christian God, a tangible force they believed could be drawn in through the brown roof, through the cement walls, along the gray-carpeted hallways and in through the double doors of the sanctuary where they could literally breathe it into their bodies. Some people spoke of tasting it. Others said they felt it — a sensation of warm hands pressing, or of knowing that someone has entered the room even when your eyes are closed. Others claimed to see it — golden auras or gold dust or feathers of angels drifting down.

That was the intent of all this, and now the first 1,500 people of the day seeking out those feelings began arriving, pulling in past fluttering white flags stamped with a small black cross over a black “MC,” in through an entrance where the words “Fear Go” were painted in huge block letters above doors that had remained open for much of the pandemic. Inside, the church smelled like fresh coffee.

“Welcome to Mercy,” the greeters said to people who could tell stories of how what happened to them here had delivered them from drug addiction, alcoholism, psychological traumas, PTSD, depression, infidelities, or what the pastor told them was the “sexual confusion” of being gay, queer or transgender. They lingered awhile in a communal area, sipping coffee on modern leather couches, taking selfies in front of a wall with a pink neon “Mercy” sign, or browsing a narrow selection of books about demonic spirits. On a wall, a large clock counted down the final five minutes as they headed into the windowless sanctuary.

Inside, the lights were dim, and the walls were bare. No paintings of parables. No stained glass, crosses, or images of Jesus. Nothing but the stage and the enormous, glowing screen where another clock was spinning down the last seconds as cymbals began playing, and people began standing and lifting their arms because they knew what was about to happen. Cameras 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were in position. The live stream was on standby. In the front row, the 85-year-old retired pastor of the church this used to be secured his earplugs.

What happened next was 40 nonstop minutes of swelling, blasting, drum-pounding music at times so loud that chairs and walls seemed to vibrate. The huge screen became a video of swirling clouds, then a black galaxy of spinning stars. The spotlights went from blue to amber to gold to white. A camera slid back and forth on a dolly. Fog spilled onto the stage. Modern dancers raced around waving shiny flags. One song melded into the next, rising and falling and rising again into extended, mantralike choruses about surrender while people in the congregation began kneeling and bowing.

A few rows back, the pastor stood with one hand raised and the other holding a coffee cup. And when the last song faded, a worship team member walked onstage to explain what was happening in case anyone was new.

“The Holy Spirit is in this room,” he said.

Now everyone sat down and watched the glowing screen. Another video began playing — this one futuristic, techno music over flash-cut images of a nuclear blast, a spinning planet, advancing soldiers, and when it was over, the pastor was standing on the stage to deliver his sermon, the essence of which was repeated in these kinds of churches all over the nation:

America is in the midst of a great battle between the forces of God and Satan, and the forces of Satan roughly resemble the liberal, progressive agenda. Beware of the “seductive, political, demonic, power-hungry spirit that uses witchcraft to control God’s people.” Beware of “freedom that is actually just rebellion against God.” Beware of confusion. Beware of “rogue leaders.” Beware of a world that “preaches toleration of things God does not tolerate,” and on it went for a full hour, a man with a microphone in a spotlight, pacing, sweating, whispering about evil forces until he cued the band and gave instructions for eternal salvation.

“Just say, ‘Holy Spirit, would you teach me how to choose to obey you,’ ” he said, asking people to close their eyes, or kneel, or bow, and as the drums began pounding again, the reaction was the same as it was every Sunday.

People closed their eyes. They knelt. They bowed. They believed, and as they did, people with cameras roamed the congregation capturing peak moments for videos that would be posted to the church’s website and social media accounts: a man with tattooed arms crying; a whole row of people on their knees bowing; a blond woman in a flower-print dress lying all the way down on the floor, forehead to carpet.

When it was over, people streamed outside, squinting into the bright Fort Worth morning as the next 1,500 people pulled in past the fluttering white flags.

“Welcome to Mercy,” the greeters said again.

Music portion at Mercy Culture

Part of the music portion of worship services at Mercy Culture. (Stephanie McCrummen/The Washington Post)

***

By late afternoon Sunday, the parking lot was empty and the rest of the work of kingdom-building could begin.

One day, this meant a meeting of the Distinct Business Ministry, whose goal was “raising up an army of influential leaders” across Fort Worth.

Another day, it meant the church hosting a meeting of a group called the Freedom Shield Foundation, a dozen or so men huddled over laptops organizing what one participant described as clandestine “operations” around Fort Worth to rescue people they said were victims of sex trafficking. This was a core issue for the church. Members were raising money to build housing for alleged victims. There were always prayer nights for the cause, including one where church members laid hands on Fort Worth’s sheriff, who sat with a Bible in his lap and said that the problem was “the demonic battle of our lifetime” and told those gathered that “you are the warriors in that battle.”

Another day, it meant the steady stream of cars inching toward the church food bank, one team loading boxes into trunks and another fanning out along the idling line offering prayers.

A man in a dented green sedan requested one for his clogged arteries.

A man trying to feed a family of seven asked in Spanish, “Please, just bless my life.”

A stone-faced woman said her mother had died of covid, then her sister, and now a volunteer reached inside and touched her shoulder: “Jesus, wrap your arms around Jasmine,” she said, and when she moved on to others who tried to politely decline, the volunteer, a young woman, gave them personal messages she said she had received from the Lord.

“God wants to tell you that you’re so beautiful,” she said into one window.

“I feel God is saying that you’ve done a good job for your family,” she said into another.

“I feel God is saying, if anything, He is proud of you,” she said in Spanish to a woman gripping the steering wheel, her elderly mother in the passenger seat. “When God sees you, He is so pleased, He is so proud,” she continued as the woman stared straight ahead. “I feel you are carrying so much regret, maybe? And pain?” she persisted, and now the woman began nodding. “And I think God wants to release you from the past. Say, ‘Jesus, I give you my shame.’ Say, ‘Jesus, I give you my regret,’ ” the volunteer said, and the woman repeated the words. “ ‘You know I tried my best, Jesus. I receive your acceptance. I receive your love,’ ” the volunteer continued, and now the woman was crying, and the food was being loaded into the back seat, and a volunteer was taking her name, saying, “Welcome to the family.”

Another day, the Kingdom looked like rows of white tents where a woman in a white dress was playing a harp as more than a thousand mostly young women were arriving for something called Marked Women’s Night.

“I feel the Lord is going to be implanting something in us tonight,” a 27-year-old named Autumn said to her friend, their silver eye shadow glowing in the setting sun.

“Every time I come here the Lord always speaks to me,” her friend said.

“Yeah, that happens to me all the time, too,” said Autumn, who described how the Lord had told her to move from Ohio to Texas, and then to attend Gateway Church, and then to enroll in a Gateway-approved school called Lifestyle Christianity University, where she said the Lord sent a stranger to pay her tuition. Not long after that, the Lord sent her into an Aldi supermarket, where she met a woman who told her about Mercy Culture, which is how she ended up sitting here on the grass on a summer evening, believing that the Lord was preparing her to go to Montana to “prophesy over the land” in anticipation of a revival.

“I don’t understand it; I just know it’s God,” Autumn said.

“So many miracles,” said her friend, and soon the drums were pounding.

They joined the crowd heading inside for another thunderous concert followed by a sermon by the pastor’s wife, during which she referred to the women as “vessels” and described “the Kingdom of Heaven growing and taking authority over our nation.”

Another day — Election Day in Fort Worth — hundreds of church members gathered at a downtown event space to find out whether their very own church elder, Steve Penate, would become the next mayor, and the sense in the room was that of a miracle unfolding.

“Supernatural,” said Penate, a first-time candidate, looking at the crowd of volunteers who’d knocked on thousands of doors around the city.

A candidate for the 2022 governor’s race stopped by. A wealthy businessman who helped lead the Republican National Hispanic Assembly drove over from Dallas. The pastor came by to declare that “this is the beginning of a righteous movement.”

“We are not just going after the mayorship — we’re going after every seat,” he said as the first batch of votes came in showing Penate in sixth place out of 10 candidates, and then fifth place, and then fourth, which was where he stayed as the last votes came in and he huddled with his campaign team to pray.

“Jesus, you just put a dent in the kingdom of darkness,” his campaign adviser said. “We stand up to the darkness. We stand up to the establishment. God, this is only the beginning.”

Another day, 100 or so young people crowded into a church conference room singing, “God, I’ll go anywhere; God, I’ll do anything,” hands raised, eyes closed, kneeling, bowing, crying, hugging. At the front of the room, a man with blond hair and a beard was talking about love.

“Everyone says they have the definition for what love is, but the Bible says, ‘By this we know love,’ ” he said. “Jesus laid down his life for us, and we are to lay down our lives for others.”

He dimmed the lights and continued in this vein for another hour, the music playing, the young people rocking back and forth mouthing, “Jesus, Jesus,” trancelike, until the blond man said, “It’s about that time.”

He turned the lights back on and soon, he sent them out on missions into the four demonic quadrants of Fort Worth.

***

Avoca Coffee Roasters, on Magnolia Avenue, is in a Fort Worth neighborhood designated by Mercy Culture for its missionaries as Lust. (Dylan Hollingsworth for The Washington Post)

One group headed east into Competition, a swath of the city that included the mirrored skyscrapers of downtown and struggling neighborhoods such as one called Stop 6, where the young people had claimed two salvations in a park the day before.

Another team headed west toward the green lawns and sprawling mansions of Greed.

Another rolled south toward Lust, where it was normal these days to see rainbow flags on bungalow porches and cafe windows including the one where a barista named Ryan Winters was behind the counter, eyeing the door.

It wasn’t the evangelicals he was worried about but the young customers who came in and were sometimes vulnerable.

“Maybe someone is struggling with their identity,” Ryan said.

He was not struggling. He was 27, a lapsed Methodist who counted himself lucky that he had never heard the voice of a God that would deem him unholy for being who he was, the pansexual lead singer of a psychedelic punk band called Alice Void.

“I never had a time when I was uncomfortable or ashamed of myself,” he said. “We all take care of each other, right, Tom?”

“Oh, yeah,” said a man with long gray hair, Tom Brunen, a Baptist turned Buddhist artist who was 62 and had witnessed the transformation of the neighborhood from a dangerous, castoff district that was a refuge for people he called “misfits” into a place that represented what much of America was becoming: more accepting, more inclined to see churches in terms of the people they had forsaken.

“It’s all mythology and fear and guilt that keeps the plutocracy and the greed in line above everybody else,” Tom said. “That’s what the universe showed me. If you want to call it God, fine. The creative force, whatever. Jesus tried to teach people that it’s all one thing. He tried and got killed for it. Christianity killed Jesus. The end. That’s my testimony.”

That was what the kingdom-builders were up against, and in the late afternoon, Nick Davenport, 24, braced himself as he arrived at his demonic battlefield, Rebellion, a noisy, crowded tourist zone of bars, souvenir shops and cobblestone streets in the north part of the city. He began walking around, searching out faces.

“The sheep will know the shepherd’s voice,” he repeated to himself to calm his nerves.

“Hey, Jesus loves y’all,” he said tentatively to a blond woman walking by.

“He does, he does,” the woman said, and he pressed on.

“Is anything bothering you?” he said to a man holding a shopping bag.

“No, I’m good,” the man said, and Nick continued down the sidewalk.

It was hot, and he passed bars and restaurants and gusts of sour-smelling air. A cacophony of music drifted out of open doors. A jacked-up truck roared by.

He moved on through the crowds, scanning the faces of people sitting at some outdoor tables. He zeroed in on a man eating a burger, a red scar visible at the top of his chest.

“Do you talk to God?” Nick asked him.

“Every day — I died twice,” the man said, explaining he had survived a car accident.

“What happened when you died?” Nick asked.

“Didn’t see any white lights,” the man said. “Nothing.”

“Well, Jesus loves you,” Nick said, and kept walking until he felt God pulling him toward a young man in plaid shorts standing outside a bar. He seemed to be alone. He was drinking a beer, his eyes red.

“Hi, I’m Nick, and I wanted to know, how are you doing?”

“Kind of you to ask,” the man said. “My uncle killed himself yesterday.”

“Oh,” said Nick, pausing for a moment. “I’m sorry. You know, God is close to the brokenhearted. I know it doesn’t feel like it all the time.”

He began telling him his own story of a troubled home life and a childhood of bullying, and how he had been close to suicide himself when he was 18 years old, and how, on a whim, he went with a friend to a massive Christian youth conference in Nashville of the sort that is increasingly common these days. A worship band called Planet Shakers was playing, he said, and deep into one of their songs, he heard what he believed to be the voice of God for the first time.

“The singer said if you’re struggling, let it go, and I halfheartedly said, ‘Okay, God, I guess I give it to you,’ and all of the sudden I felt shaky. I fell to the ground. I felt like a hand on my chest. Like, ‘I have you.’ I heard God say, ‘I love you. I made you for a purpose.’ When I heard that, I bawled like a baby. That was when I knew what I was created for. For Jesus.”

The man with red eyes listened.

“Thanks for saying that,” he said, and Nick continued walking the sidewalks into the early evening, his confidence bolstered, feeling more certain than ever that he would soon be leaving his roofing job to do something else for the Lord, something big. He had been preparing, absorbing the lessons of a church that taught him his cause was righteous, and that in the great spiritual battle for America, the time was coming when he might be called upon to face the ultimate test.

“If I have any choice, I want to die like the disciples,” said Nick. “John the Baptist was beheaded. One or two were boiled alive. Peter, I believe he was crucified upside down. If it goes that way? I’m ready. If people want to stone me, shoot me, cut my fingers off — it doesn’t matter what you do to me. We will give anything for the gospel. We are open. We are ready.”

***

Mercy Culture took over a building once used by Calvary Cathedral International, a polygonal structure with a tall white steeple visible from Interstate 35. (Dylan Hollingsworth for The Washington Post)

Ready for what, though, is the lingering question.

Those inside the movement have heard all the criticisms. That their churches are cults that prey on human frailties. That what their churches are preaching about LGTBQ people is a lie that is costing lives in the form of suicides. That the language of spiritual warfare, demonic forces, good and evil is creating exactly the sort of radical worldview that could turn politics into holy war. That the U.S. Constitution does not allow laws privileging a religion. That America does not exist to advance some Christian Kingdom of God or to usher in the second coming of Jesus.

To which Penate, the former mayoral candidate, said, “There’s a big misconception when it comes to separation of church and state. It never meant that Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics. It’s just loving the city. Being engaged. Our children are in public schools. Our cars are on public streets. The reality is that people who don’t align with the church have hijacked everything. If I ever get elected, my only allegiance will be to the Lord.”

Or as a member of Mercy Culture who campaigned for Penate said: “Can you imagine if every church took a more active role in society? If teachers were preachers? If church took a more active role in health? In business? If every church took ownership over their communities? There would be no homeless. No widows. No orphans. It would look like a society that has a value system. A Christian value system.”

That was the American Kingdom they were working to advance, and as another Sunday arrived, thousands of believers streamed past the fluttering white flags and into the sanctuary to bathe in the Holy Spirit for the righteous battles and glories to come.

The drums began pounding. The screen began spinning. The band began blasting, and when it was time, the pastor stood on the stage to introduce a topic he knew was controversial, and to deliver a very specific word. He leaned in.

“Submission,” he said.

“We’ve been taught obedience to man instead of obedience to God,” he continued.

“God makes an army out of people who will learn to submit themselves,” he continued.

“When you submit, God fights for you,” he concluded.

He cued the band. The drums began to pound again, and he told people to “breathe in the presence of God,” and they breathed. He told them to close their eyes, and they closed their eyes. He gave them words to repeat, and the people repeated them.

“I declare beautiful, supernatural submission,” they said.

By Stephanie McCrummen

Stephanie McCrummen is a national enterprise reporter covering an array of subjects for The Washington Post. Previously, she was the paper's East Africa bureau chief based in Nairobi. She has also reported from Egypt, Iraq and Mexico, among other places. She joined The Post as a Metro reporter in 2004.

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slpublicity · 4 years ago

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Scripted Horror Anthology BLEEDERS DIEGEST Launches on Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network

From your speakers straight into your psyche, Bleeders DIEgest has launched on the Bloody Disgusting podcast network. The scripted horror anthology is created and written by Powerman 5000 frontman Spider One, filmmaker Krsy Fox, and The Boo Crew podcast hosts Trevor and Lauren Shand.

Ranging from 15 to 30 minutes, each episode tells a new, original story of dark fiction complete with immersive audio production. Select tales feature guest stars such as Bonnie Aarons (The Nun), Adam Busch (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), and Ice Nine Kills vocalist Spencer Charnas.

From sinister voices in the darkness to malevolent forces lurking at home, the first two episodes are available on all major podcast providers courtesy of Acast. New episodes will debut weekly every Thursday.

"Ever since I was a little kid, I was transfixed by horror and science fiction," explains Spider One. "Endless hours of my youth were spent watching Creature Double Feature and scouring the aisles of my local video store for the goriest of cover art. It’s a dream come true to be able to now partner with Bloody Disgusting and share my own brand of scary with an audience."

"We're so excited to share the darkest parts of our minds with an audience we know will truly appreciate it," adds Krsy Fox. "Making terrifying original short stories into such a theatrical and interactive show has been a dream come true. The stories of Bleeders DIEgest are already giving me nightmares, and I hope it does the same for all of you!"

"There is something so magical about crafting characters and their worlds that don't exist painted with words," Lauren Shand notes. "Being able to do this in the horror space with Bloody Disgusting is so incredibly cool."

"The 'theater of the mind' is something I retreated to so often as a kid with old-school radio dramas and tales of horror that emanated from the small speaker I’d stash under my pillow at night," reminisces Trevor Shand. "To be able to play in that world with the support of this small group of friends and our Bloody Disgusting family is a nightmare come true. Our goal is that these stories might live in yours."

"We're so excited to grow the Bloody Disgusting podcast network with the addition of Bleeders DIEgest," Bloody Disgusting co-founder Tom Owen comments. "These stories are truly terrifying, and the intimate format of podcasting is the perfect platform to deliver them straight into the listener's ear. I can't wait for everyone to hear what Spider, Krsy, Trevor, and Lauren have created."

We dare you to listen to Bleeders DIEgest on your favorite podcast provider: bleedersdiegest.carrd.co

youtube

About Spider One

Spider One dropped out of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts. Started the band Powerman 5000. Released eleven albums (and counting), enjoyed platinum success and toured the world. He has directed several music videos in addition to writing and directing the horror feature Allegoria starring John Ennis and Scout Compton. Spider also served as an on air personality for the horror network FEARnet and created and co-produced the horror/comedy TV series Death Valley for MTV.

About Krsy Fox

Born in British Columbia, Canada, Krsy Fox began acting professionally at the age of 12, appearing in such productions as Underworld: Evolution, In the Land of Women, and the CW series Aliens in America. In addition to acting, her passion for music led her to write with numerous artists, garnering three number-one radio hits and seven top-ten singles with bands like Theory of a Deadman and Halestorm. She has also toured internationally as the frontwoman of Knee High Fox and is working on new music with her latest band QUINN. Fox founded OneFox Productions with fellow musician-filmmaker Spider One, producing and directing music videos and films. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Fox wrote, directed, and starred in the horror feature FRANK, set for release later this year. She is currently in production on her next movie, I Live Alone starring Bonnie Aarons, and will next direct a feature version of her award-winning short, What the Spell?

About Lauren Shand

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Lauren immersed herself in the local music scene. This led to a decade-long stint at the world famous KROQ-FM running the boards and answering phone calls for America's most popular DJs and tastemakers. She soon found herself as assistant producer of the legendary syndicated radio show Loveline with Adam Carolla and Dr. Drew. She made the leap following her passion in music working for Warner Bros. Records. In 2018 she channeled her love of horror into the co-creation of The Boo Crew along with her husband Trevor, Leone D'Antonio and friends, as well as co-hosting she is producer of The Boo Crew podcast and TV show. She also works for the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network.

About Trevor Shand

Trevor grew up in Canada engulfed in the indie music scene as a guitar player and on the air as a radio personality in his teens. Moved to Boston to join a major label band, toured North America and returned to a broadcasting career that eventually landed him as the creative imaging director of the world famous KROQ in Los Angeles. He has been the voice for Disney XD, the Outdoor Life Network, projects for Adult Swim and 20th Century Fox films and over 20 radio stations across Canada. He is currently behind the audio branding of the sound of alternative radio in the US including KROQ, Alt 923 New York and over a dozen others. As an obsessive horror fan, he co-created The Boo Crew Podcast in 2018 with his wife Lauren, Leone D’Antonio and their friends, joining the Bloody Disgusting Network. The Boo Crew has welcomed everyone from Danny Elfman to Elvira, Phoebe Bridgers to Mike Flanagan and Gerard Way and most recently expanded into a TV show on BD’s linear Roku channel.

About Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network

The Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network offers a wide variety of some of the fastest-growing, chart-topping, and highest-quality genre podcasts. Featuring nine exclusive shows ranging from original audio dramas, to in-depth horror discussions, to interviews with horror's biggest stars, the network receives over 2 million monthly downloads and sits atop the Apple Podcasts and Spotify charts.

#bloody disgusting #bleeders diegest #spider one #powerman 5000 #podcast

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hannahwaterman · 4 years ago

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Professional Practice Talks

Jonathan Barnbrook

Jonathan Barnbrook is an experienced and exciting graphic designer with rock and roll spirit and an eye for detail. He covered many topics in his talk for us, including his time working with the late David Bowie. He has his own design studio called Barnbrook, where he and his team work on album covers, branding and typography.

Jonathan made a point of declaring design to be a lifestyle, not just a career, and he said that graphic designers “should not like design too much”. He says to “do pure extreme work that you love”, adding that the main criteria we should take into consideration when taking on work, is whether or not we find it interesting. He says that portfolios should represent what we want to do, not what looks professional or makes us look commercially viable. I enjoyed his optimistic and passion-driven outlook on his career.

Barnbrook is an experienced album cover designer - “there’s something special about graphic design’s relationship to music” he says. Although his work has been praised by critics and fans alike, he received hate mail galore for his work on Bowie’s “The Next Day”, which he looks back on as a pretty standard job hazard when doing branding for much loved cultural icons.

He persuasively argues that “good graphic designers tell the truth”, and encourages us to “stay away from corporations that want you to lie for them”. He says imagination is more important than knowledge of theory and history, insisting that “everything is research”, and the best way to be a researched designer is to take in visual information from every facet of your daily life, taking influence from as many sources as possible.

I found Barnbrook’s talk to be very inspiring and heartfelt. I’m very glad he took the time to explain to us about his practice, and his thoughts on the practice of design generally.

Monique Jackson

Monique Jackson is a Brighton University illustration graduate, who has gone onto being a professional illustrator, workshop facilitator, podcaster, and activist. Since first falling ill with Covid-19 in March 2020, she has suffered from a drawn out battle with a novel chronic post-viral illness named Long-Covid. She started an Instagram account to document her journey with the syndrome, chronologically journalling her Coronavirus infection and subsequent illness, named Corona Diary, and has garnered attention from the media and other activists looking to raise awareness of the dangers of Long-Covid syndrome. She has gone onto make documentary style videos and interviews with other Covid-19 survivors.

Monique encourages art students not to be afraid to work in many different industries at once - her illustration, videos, activist work and workshop jobs have all played roles in the success of each other. Being a creative person, Monique says, means you should feel confident to have your fingers in many pies, and try many different kinds of creative roles.

Network, network, network, she encouraged us to do as BA students, saying that her success is down to nepotism and remarking “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Monique told us that it’s been beneficial for her to meet people from many different industries and mediums, as it has expanded her creative practice outward into many different walks of life. Monqiue’s experiences with Long-Covid have lead her to tell us that “pain is a teacher”; and we should take our life experiences, and our pain, and turn them into something beautiful and useful, and if you want to be a good ally to those affected by painful causes, she says to ask questions and try to understand where other people are coming from.

Kate Gibb

Kate Gibb is a commercial illustrator and printmaker, whose weapon of choice is silk screen. She describes her method of screen printing as unorthodox and freeform - the unconventional technique makes her stand out from the crowd. Kate says her work is all about process, and therefore employing less technically strict workflow methods allow for a more tactile and free creative process. Make it up, and do what feels good, she says. Not many civilians these days are too aware of what screen printing entails and how the technique works, and therefore clients can be misinformed about Kate’s limitations. She says it’s important to explain carefully to clients how your process works, and what one can and cannot do. In order to make her client work easier and keep clients happier, she employs what she calls “digital silk screen” - she prints layer by layer in one dark colour, scans those in, and then puts them in photoshop to layer them over each other and colour them. This method makes client requests and alterations much faster and more flexible. I really enjoyed listening to Kate Gibb talk about her innovative ways of practicing an older printing style in a modern world. She also talked a lot about inspiration and creativity, remarking that “it is most important to make original intuitive work that you enjoy”, and that as creatives we should be collecting inspiration from many many sources, from every aspect of our lives. She pressed us to “keep collaborating, keep on learning, and remain open to a bigger experience”. Kate made a plea for us to stay authentic to ourselves and try not to get jealous of other artists - she said, “you’re not going to make anybody’s work but your own”, so there is no point wishing you could make the work someone else made.

Tim Wan

Tim Wan is a graphic designer who has most notably worked for COlours Magazine. His favourite projects to work on are layout and print design. He has worked for fashion, design and photography magazines as well as working on branding for bands, real estate agents and even P&O ferries. He is enthused about how travel can inspire creativity, how lunch is super important and breaks through the workday help productivity and team spirit, and how visual collaboration is an imperative creative tool.

Tim enjoys creating brand identities and tells us to break each element down into small pieces, zooming in and out of a project in huge detail to assess every small element of a design or set of designs, to see how each small piece contributes and communicates the brand identity. Tim tells us to constantly have self initiated projects on the go in order to keep energised.

Adam Bridgland

Adam Bridgland says he “accidentally” became a printmaker and that he is very glad that life brought him to that point. He was told by a peer that he painted repetitively and made works like that of a printmaker, so he began to express himself using printing techniques. He says he enjoys being a graphic designer because he enjoys working to deadlines, and it allows his creativity to be more strictly channelled. One of his most well known and favourite parts of his practice is to put typographic work out in open landscapes, as installations for everybody in that area to witness and enjoy. He says “design alone can never be as good as design in context.”

Chloé Legret

Chloe is an excellent graphic designer whose main practice consists of typography. She talked to us about appreciating naivety in your work, setting visual rules and restrictions in order to aide your process, and how to design your own type faces to best get your message across. Chloe loves to use letterpress to create her work and says that the imperfections that hand printing creates makes the design outcomes much more special.

Chloe addressed the differences in working styles between corporate and boutique studios. She tells us not to be afraid fo corporate work as it’s not as big and scary as young designers tend to think. She also really loves having side hustles and told us about the benefits of having as many side projects and passion projects as possible. I can relate to Chloe as she expressed that she works weekends and evenings, just because she loves type design so much that it energises her and stays fun in her off time. I feel similarly about my work and I often finish workdays wanting to continue working.

#professional practice talks #agp500 #posters

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