Three Days Away -- Here Goes Nothing!

I'm three days away from arriving in Cannes.  Very exciting!  I had an important meeting last week, with a friend-of-a-friend named Steve who not only has heard me perform, but actually is an exhibitor at MIDEM.  He spent an hour and a half with me, walking me through the details of what I should look for, how I should prepare, etc.  He was incredibly helpful and generous -- he's been attending MIDEM for 10 years or so, and gave me some powerful advice.  For example, he told me NOT to walk the (huge) exhibition floor with a stack of CDs; just bring a 3-ring binder with CDs and cover art, "one-sheets" (a photo of me, bio information, contact info, etc.), and an IPOD!  Let them LISTEN to the music... if they're interested, I can always get them a physical CD the next day, or by mail.  Brilliant -- with one recommendation, Steve saved my back from a lot of lugging CDs around.  He told me that with the advent of all-digital music, no-one really needs to truck physical CDs around with them anymore -- Amen to that.

And at the same time, I hit on another exciting idea that I've been pursuing for just the last week or so.

It occurred to me:  I'm going to France for what could be a powerful opportunity... why am I only bringing MYSELF?  So I sent out word to a small number of artists.  I couldn't invite everyone I know who makes great music, of course, since that would be a huge list, so I followed my instinct and picked just a few artists.  I emailed some folks whose songs are great, whose CDs are great, who are out working hard to build their careers, and whose styles are different from mine, but perhaps complementary in some way, perhaps artists with some pop/inspirational crossover potential too -- and I asked, basically, "Can I bring your music to MIDEM with me, and represent it to the world's music industry?"  And a majority of those artists wrote back to me saying Yes.

So not only am I bringing my OWN music with me to MIDEM, but I'm also bringing the CDs of a variety of other artists, all of whom have a positive or inspirational slant to their work.  They have a wide range of styles, and some compelling stories (an Emmy, a Grammy nomination, hit songs, devoted followings, etc.), and I'm excited to see how I might be able to jumpstart their own international careers by introducing their music to record label executives, music publishers, distributors, and booking agents from around the world.  And if it goes well, I can expand my 'roster' and invite even more of my talented friends to come on board.  It's a cool idea, I think -- a real win/win/win for ourselves and the world.  Who knows?  Where my little label has to date only worked with my own CDs, I may have (in just the last week!) birthed an international positive label called Humanity Music.  Great possibilities there.

In addition to that, I've also put out requests for meetings with record labels and booking agents around the world.  To be honest, I didn't really know how (or even IF) to approach companies in advance, but once I did, I was able to set up 8 meetings with interested companies.  So I'll be walking the floor, introducing myself to people, hopefully hanging out with my new friend Steve a little (he's actually on the same flight as me to France), and meeting with people from such countries as Singapore, England, Australia and Japan. 

So my trip has really taken shape in the last couple of weeks.  I'm excited, I've got a few nice shirts to wear :-) and I'm ready for -- open to -- whatever is to happen.

Thanks for reading.  I'll plan on posting a blog more than once during the trip (Thursday through next Friday, by the way) -- and for sure, I'll write afterwards.

Peace out!  Think good thoughts... bon chance (or however you write that :-)

Daniel

Daniel is gratefully accepting sponsorship of his trip to MIDEM 2009 in Cannes, France.  If you'd like to support his trip, click here to send a tithe online, or mail a check to Daniel Nahmod, PO Box 1130, Santa Monica, CA 90406.  Either way, be sure to note that your gift is for "Trip to France" so Daniel can thank you personally.