New Paradigm Digest » Signs of the Times

Holodigm: A Multidimensional New Music Paradigm

Jeff — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:45:48 +0000

Like so many other disciplines, the old paradigm music industry is dying and the empowered artist is now in control of their destiny. This is both exciting and requires an understanding of the new game. That is exactly what fifty year career veteran and accomplished educator, John Hartmann offers through his brilliant online Holodigm Music Academy that provides artists or anyone in or aspiring to be in the music industry with a new paradigm music education and, beyond that, an opportunity to be part of the future of music. If that’s you, I strongly suggest you visit the Holodigm site and view John’s introductory Academy videos. If you know any musicians who are starting or developing their careers, you will do them a great service by introducing them to Holodigm.

John Hartmann began his professional career in the famous mailroom of the William Morris Agency. He later served as the Morris office liaison to Colonel Tom Parker the legendary manager of Elvis Presley the king of rock n’ roll.

A veteran music agent, personal manager and record executive, John has provided career direction for such luminaries as Chad & Jeremy, Sonny & Cher, Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Canned Heat, Eagles, Peter, Paul & Mary, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jackson Browne, America, Poco, and many others.

Hartmann is a result oriented operational leader with more than fifty years experience in the entertainment industry. His proven expertise in creating and executing career strategies is evidenced by the quantity and quality of great artists he has been honored to serve.

Hartmann lectures at UCLA and in the School of Film & Television at Loyola Marymount University, where the students voted him outstanding professor of the year for 2007, 2008 and again in 2009.

At Holodigm Music Academy John has put together a team of professionals who can help aspiring songwriters, musicians, producers and those in any other aspect of the music business. John knows the ins and outs of this new world as well or better than anyone and if you or anyone you know are or want to be part of the music business, you may want to consider taking the online classes and applying for membership. You can learn more about John and Holodigm at www.holodigmmusic.com

This exact course is offered at a major Southern California University for $2500 but tuition at Holodigm Music Academy is under fifty dollars making it what must be the best value in new music education. As a student, you’ll receive direct access to John Hartmann as your personal career coach, 15 lectures on the Holodigm System, The Career Direction and Coaching Forum, Songworks, Songwriting and Crafting System, Qualify for Membership in Holodigm Music Society, Free guest Lectures by Industry Veterans and Professional Forms and Contract Templates.

The Holodigm Music Seminars

THE HOLODIGM SEMINARS – This course of study is composed of a series of actual classroom lectures, on video, that reveal the history and future of concert music and the recording arts. They include an expansion on the free lectures already presented and more than twelve hours of additional instruction.

Upon completion of this course you will be qualified to apply for membership in the Holodigm Music Society. If accepted by the extant membership, you will join a new generation of creative artists and entrepreneurs united in a global support mechanism.

John Hartmann will personally guide you through The Holodigm System of visual and verbal technologies and provide you with a map of showbiz to follow for the rest of your professional life. You will learn how to play the game, build your career and compete for success in the music renaissance.

How To Build a Career in Music

Hartmann’s Laws – 100 Rules of Showbiz-This lecture presents brief video descriptions of 100 rules that govern the thinking processes that best serve the daily activities of artists and executives seeking to develop and advance carriers in the entertainment industry.

The Creative Process-Learn how to succeed by developing the discipline and creative thinking skills to define the possibilities and take constructive action to achieve your goals. (This lecture is an extended classroom version of the material covered in the free introductory lesson

The Holodigm-Learn how to use the map of showbiz to visualize your overview of the music industry and create a mental matrix for the pursuit of your career strategies. (This lecture is an extended classroom version of the material covered in the free introductory lesson.

The Music Publisher-Learn how the art and craft of songwriting is the cornerstone of music publishing and forms the foundation of all activities in the music industry. (This lecture is an extended classroom version of the material covered in the free introductory lesson.

The Artist-Learn how artists create, develop and exploit a body of music for the purpose of designing and developing careers in the music industry.

The Manager-Learn how the symmetry of the artist-manager relationship forms the core activity for conducting careers in The Music Renaissance.

The Agent-Learn how the booking-agent connects artists and managers to the live performance arena and how they supervise the financial systems and protocols of the performing arts.

The Promoter-Learn how concert promoters produce the contemporary, global concert business and provide a stable platform for the building and maintenance of the careers of musical artists.

The Record Produce-Learn how the advent of digital production techniques has shifted the paradigm and lowered the threshold to entry into the world of recorded music.

The Accountant-Learn how Certified Public Accountants manage and control the economics of recording artists and personal appearance attractions.

The Lawyer-Learn how entertainment attorneys create and maintain the array of contracts that define the equity and distribution of profits in the music business.

The Publicist-Learn how public relations experts manipulate media relations for the promotion and marketing of personal appearances and recorded music.

The Crew-Learn how Road Managers design and assemble the players, technicians and logistics of theatrical productions and touring companies.

Video, Film & Television-Learn how music videos communicate the image and style of performing artists and how music is marketed to film and television producers.

The Internet-Learn how the Internet is carving a new business model for the marketing and distribution of recorded music and the development of touring artists.

For a great example of John’s teaching skills and the class curriculum, check out his powerful introductory lectures. And, if you want the essence of the new music paradigm, watch Segment 5: The Music Renaissance in which John describes the Holodigm Process. Even if you decide this class is not for you, these lectures will provide a deep grounding in the history and future of music that is well worth watching.

Kindness in Action

Jeff — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 04:16:37 +0000

Small is Beautiful and Affordable

Jeff — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:13:46 +0000

From one of my favorite daily news feeds, Daily Good, comes this great story which is part of Yahoo’s series, Second Act that looks at people’s life shifts. This article gives a whole new meaning to downsizing. This story has been viewed millions of times and certainly fits many people’s desire to live a simple life.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. –Confucius

Good News of the Day:
Jay Shafer lives in an 8-by-12 foot house. He built it from scratch. With no prior carpentry knowledge or experience. “I’m sure there are people out there who think I’m crazy for living so small, but living in this little house has allowed me to totally reinvent my life,” he says. With a desire to “escape the rat race,” the former grocery-store clerk’s intentions were simple: focus on the things he really wanted to do, and not on working for money. Now, he runs a company that builds small homes for others. “I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur in anything, but it’s my passion to design small houses,” he smiles. “It’s been really liberating.” [ more ]

Want to connect with Jay and explore building your own small home? Click here to visit his website and get started.

Window Farms

Jeff — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 06:13:34 +0000

Here is an exciting idea whose time has come. A window farm anyone can make from inexpensive supplies and the idea is constantly improved by users. Think how this might be applied to other ideas. With food prices projected to continue rising this self help project is taking off worldwide. Go green!

Human / Computer Interface Extraordinaire

Jeff — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:06:18 +0000

Obama Announces $2 Billion For Solar Power

Jeff — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 18:16:22 +0000

by The Associated Press

President Barack Obama announced Saturday the awarding of nearly $2 billion for new solar plants that he said will create thousands of jobs and increase the country’s use of renewable energy sources.

Obama disclosed the funding in his weekly radio and online address, saying it is part of his plan to bring new industries to the U.S.

“We’re going to keep competing aggressively to make sure the jobs and industries of the future are taking root right here in America,” Obama said.

The two companies that will receive the funds from the president’s $862 billion economic stimulus are Abengoa Solar, which will build one of the world’s largest solar plants in Arizona, creating 1,600 construction jobs; and Abound Solar Manufacturing, which is building plants in Colorado and Indiana. The Obama administration says those projects will create more than 2,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs.

On the Plight of the Tuna & Keeping the Faith

Jeff — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:59:02 +0000

In this piece by SF Gate columnist Mark Morford, he describes the plight of the tuna, the possibility of losing heart and his thoughts on keeping the faith.

I call it a “Republican moment,” one of those surreal and disturbing thoughts that sneaks into my soul every now and then like an unwelcome but insistent visitor, a nasty little thought made of equal parts greed and unchecked entitlement, all overlaced with a sort of willful ignorance that entirely blocks out that dangerous beast of burden known as “conscience.”

The moment came as I was reading the horrifying and deeply sad piece in the NYT Magazine about the plight of the wild bluefin tuna, the world’s most overexploited game fish, a top ocean predator and a totem animal like few others, an undeniably magnificent creature that is rapidly nearing extinction due to gluttonous overfishing and unchecked international greed.

It’s a harrowing, heartbreaking tale spanning generations, cultures and clashing beliefs of how we treat the earth. There are fascinating subtexts, politics, food history (the article is part of a larger book on the subject, Paul Greenberg’s “Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food”). But the grand upshot was simple enough: We are quickly destroying the last of humanity’s great food stocks, a truly marvelous, powerful and even mystical creature unlike any other. And very soon, there will be no turning back.

The facts are brutal. Simply put, we are gorging our way to the bluefin’s oblivion. Stocks in the Gulf of Mexico are now considered to be in full collapse with maybe 9,000 total fish left, all suddenly made far more dire and irreversible by the BP spill, which is destroying millions of fish eggs right at the start of spawning season. …

(click here to read the rest)

Mark Morford’s new book, ‘The Daring Spectacle: Adventures in Deviant Journalism,’ is now available at daringspectacle.com and Amazon. Join Mark on Facebook and Twitter, or email him.

Mark’s column appears every Wednesday and Friday on SFGate. To unsubscribe please click here and remove one article of clothing. To get on Mark’s personal mailing list (appearances, books, blogs, yoga and more), please click here and remove two more. His website is markmorford.com.

Retrofitting Cities

Jeff — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:06:47 +0000

Comedian & His Music Video Win Mayorial Race in Iceland – An Emerging Trend?

Jeff — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 06:24:27 +0000

Given the deteriorating state of the world’s economies, could this be the start of major political change? Watch the video, read the story and see what you think.

By SALLY McGRANE, Published: June 25, 2010

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — A polar bear display for the zoo. Free towels at public swimming pools. A “drug-free Parliament by 2020.” Iceland’s Best Party, founded in December by a comedian, Jon Gnarr, to satirize his country’s political system, ran a campaign that was one big joke. Or was it?

Last month, in the depressed aftermath of the country’s financial collapse, the Best Party emerged as the biggest winner in Reykjavik’s elections, with 34.7 percent of the vote, and Mr. Gnarr — who also promised a classroom of kindergartners he would build a Disneyland at the airport — is now the fourth mayor in four years of a city that is home to more than a third of the island’s 320,000 people.

In his acceptance speech he tried to calm the fears of the other 65.3 percent. “No one has to be afraid of the Best Party,” he said, “because it is the best party. If it wasn’t, it would be called the Worst Party or the Bad Party. We would never work with a party like that.”

With his party having won 6 of the City Council’s 15 seats, Mr. Gnarr needed a coalition partner, but ruled out any party whose members had not seen all five seasons of “The Wire.”

A sandy-haired 43-year-old, Mr. Gnarr is best known here for playing a television and film character named Georg Bjarnfredarson, a nasty, bald, middle-aged, Swedish-educated Marxist whose childhood was ruined by a militant feminist mother.

While his career may have given him visibility, few here doubt what actually propelled him into office. “It’s a protest vote,” said Gunnar Helgi Kristinsson, a political science professor at the University of Iceland.

In one of the first signs of Europe’s financial troubles, Iceland’s banks crashed in 2008, plunging the country into crisis. In April, voters were further upset by a report that detailed extreme negligence, cronyism and incompetence at the highest levels of government. They were ready for someone, anyone, other than the usual suspects, Professor Kristinsson said.

“People know Jon Gnarr is a good comedian, but they don’t know anything about his politics,” he said. “And even as a comedian, you never know if he’s serious or if he’s joking.”

But as Mr. Gnarr settles into the mayor’s office, he does not seem to be kidding at all.

The Best Party, whose members include a who’s who of Iceland’s punk rock scene, formed a coalition with the center-left Social Democrats (despite Mr. Gnarr’s suspicion that party leaders had assigned an underling to watch “The Wire” and take notes). With that, Mr. Gnarr took office last week, hoping to serve out a full, four-year term, and the new government granted free admission to swimming pools for everyone under 18. Its plans include turning Reykjavik, with its plentiful supply of geothermal energy, into a hub for electric cars.

“Just because something is funny doesn’t mean it isn’t serious,” said Mr. Gnarr, whose foreign relations experience includes a radio show in which he regularly crank-called the White House, the C.I.A., the F.B.I. and police stations in the Bronx to see if they had found his lost wallet.

THE polar bear idea, for example, was not totally facetious. As a result of global warming, a handful of polar bears have swum to Iceland in recent years and been shot. Better, Mr. Gnarr said, to capture them and put them in the zoo.

The free towels? That evolved from an idea to attract more tourists by attaining spa status for the city’s public pools, which have seawater and sulfur baths. For accreditation under certain European Union rules, however, a spa has to offer free towels, so that became a campaign slogan.

Mr. Gnarr, born in Reykjavik as Jon Gunnar Kristinsson to a policeman and a kitchen worker, was not a model child. At 11, he decided school was useless to his future as a circus clown or pirate and refused to learn any more. At 13, he stopped going to class and joined Reykjavik’s punk scene. At 14, he was sent to a boarding school for troubled teenagers and stayed until he was 16, when he left school for good.

Back in Reykjavik, he worked odd jobs, rented rooms, joined activist groups like Greenpeace and considered himself an anarchist (he still does). He also wrote poetry and traveled with the Sugarcubes, Bjork’s first band. He said he hated music but was a good singer, and began his career with humorous songs punctuated by monologues.

“I didn’t have many job options,” he said. “It was a way of making a living and still having fun.” His wife, Johanna Johannsdottir, a massage therapist, is Bjork’s best friend.

Mr. Gnarr said his idea for the Best Party was born of the profound distress and moral confusion after the banking collapse, when Icelanders fiercely debated their obligation to repay ruined British and Dutch depositors.

Practically speaking, Mr. Gnarr said he had no qualms. “Why should I repay money I never spent?” he asked, a common sentiment here. But on a deeper level, he had misgivings.

“I consider myself a very moral person,” he said. “Suddenly, I felt like a character in a Beckett play, where you have moral obligations towards something you have no possibility of understanding. It was like ‘Waiting for Godot’ — I was in limbo.”

LAST winter, he opened a Best Party Web site and started writing surreal “political” articles. “I got such good reactions to it,” Mr. Gnarr said, “and I started sensing the need for this — a breath of fresh air, a new interaction.”

The campaign released a popular video set to Tina Turner’s “The Best,” in which Mr. Gnarr posed with a stuffed polar bear and petted a rock, while joining his supporters in singing about the Best Party.

“A lot of us are singers,” said Ottarr Proppe, the third-ranking member of the Best Party, who was with the cult rock band HAM and the punk band Rass. Mr. Proppe now sits on the city’s executive board, where he will be deciding matters like how much money to allocate for roads. “Making a video was very easy,” he said.

At a recent budget meeting, Mr. Proppe, who has a wild red beard, ran his hand through his bleached-blond hair as he studied the fiscal report from behind tinted, gold-rimmed glasses. His old band mate S. Bjorn Blondal quizzed the city’s comptroller. Heida Helgadottir, who ran the campaign and is now assistant to the mayor, wore a diaphanous minidress and typed notes.

Mr. Gnarr, who comes across as thoughtful and reserved, did not speak often. When he did he had the whole room, including the strait-laced Social Democrat, in stitches. Still, he is not just playing a cutup; friends describe his move to politics as a spiritual awakening. He agreed.

“Of all the projects I’ve been involved with, this one has given me the most satisfaction, the greatest sense of contentment.”

A version of this article appeared in print on June 26, 2010, on page A1 of the New York edition.

Making Music and Money in Second Life

Jeff — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 04:40:02 +0000

Craig Lyons and other indie artists are leading the charge in the virtual online world. It’s a way to earn a living, promote their music, expand their fan base and support causes they believe in.

Musician Craig Lyons poses with his avatar from Second Life.

Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times

“If I could get some bubbles, I’d be forever indebted,” singer Craig Lyons tells the packed house at his Monday night gig. The crowd promptly complies, filling the room with bubbles while Lyons plays his tune “Under Water.”

Two nights earlier, the audience made it snow as he strummed the chords to his song “Winter.” Strangely enough, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter has come to expect this type of supernatural behavior at his shows, which take place several times a week in Second Life, the virtual online world that allows users to interact with one another as avatars.

Despite declining media coverage after a few years of overexposure, Second Life lives on, and within its virtual borders a music scene has been thriving, with independent artists such as Lyons leading the charge. These artists are earning livings, promoting their music and supporting causes they believe in by performing in this virtual space, which has approximately 1 million users each month.

For the rest of the story, click here.