How to open-source a record label

It's a reoccurring thought that has been popping up since the label's inception (nearly a year ago now!!). It came up again last night in a conversation with Andrew and it seems like it might make a great deal of sense. We were discussing what the best way to keep the entire band updated on the ongoing progress of The New Whole Usuals might be and I brought this thought to light once again. One of my main gripes with the industry as whole is its utter lack of transparency. The root of this problem could stem from a number of long-running factors. There's no shame in making it up as you go along when it comes to creativity. Hell, that's basis of creativity. You've got to walk before you can run and when you're trying to make money in an industry that is built almost solely on the personal emotions of an artist, you're clearly not dealing with a predicable business model. I'm of the opinion that if you open the doors and let the fans share in the emotional ups and downs of an artist from both a musical and a business standpoint, as a whole, you facilitate the building of a stronger artist/fan relationship as well as the artist/label relationship.

So, with that little diatribe out of the way, let's give this idea a spin. Comments are not only welcomed but strongly encouraged. More on all of this very soon.

Guitar Hero

Ok. So a few weeks back in a haze of regression, Bean and I went out and picked up Guitar Hero III for the Xbox 360 (along w/ a few pints of Ben and Jerry's). Being a guitar player, I kinda figured this would be the one video game that I would be able to play without embarrassing myself. While I thought I was the shit by beating it pretty quickly on the medium level, some little 8 year old kid comes along and schools me (and everyone else that ever picked up that guitar-shaped piece of plastic). Here's the video I'm talking about:



Did you know that the new Guitar Hero game sold 1.5 million copies in the first week of release? Amazing.

Milkshake Remix

Andrew and I were writing last night and it sounds nothing like this.

Pictures - The New Whole Usuals After-Party

Josh and Adam


Nick and Daniel


Brad's Hat, Brad, Bean and Nick


Adam and Andrew


Andrew, Daniel, Brad and Brad's Hat


Daniel, Brad and Brad's Hat


Nick Shelton and Bean