A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF SONGS UNDER THEIR BELT, BEATNIK TURTLE BEGIN “SONG OF THE WEEK CHALLENGE” FOR 2008
By janelle on January 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A YEAR’S SUPPLY OF SONGS UNDER THEIR BELT, BEATNIK TURTLE BEGIN “SONG OF THE WEEK CHALLENGE” FOR 2008
CHICAGO (January 3, 2008) – After successfully releasing a song a day for free on their website throughout 2007, Chicago-based band, Beatnik Turtle, begins“Song of the Week” campaign for 2008 on January 1, releasing a new song every Monday at TheSongOfTheDay.com.
Even after 365 song releases and over 150,000 song plays, the band’s following asked for more: “Some of them even wanted us to keep releasing a song every day,” said Randy Chertkow, the band’s saxophone player.”
The band is also releasing a book in 2008: The Indie Band Survival Guide: The Complete Manual for the Do-It–Yourself Musician through St. Martin’s Press in August to bookstores nationwide.
Made up of a community of musicians who share a similar musical vision, Beatnik Turtle released their fifth full-length CD, the office-themed All In a Day’s Work, in September 2007. They write, record and produce songs in their own studio as well as perform live.
To request an interview with the band please contact Janelle Rogers at jrogers@greenlightgopublicity.com.
Topics: Press Releases | No Comments »
Beatnik Turtle Hartford Advocate Review
By janelle on September 28, 2007
CD Shorts
Reviewed this week: Material from Beatnik Turtle, Numbers, Great Lakes Myth Society, The Pearlfishers, and Aesop Rock
By Hartford Advocate Editorial
Beatnik Turtle
All in a Day’s Work
(Self Released)
There have been a bunch of concept albums about dystopian scenarios (Styx’s Kilroy Was Here, Nine Inch Nails’ Year Zero) and inner explorations of hopelessness (Pink Floyd’s The Wall), but Beatnik Turtle’s All in a Day’s Work, which attempts both, is the most effective. The Barenaked Ladies-esque ensemble has crafted a concept album about white-collar workers and office work. Paeans to wireless mouses and blog reading are paired with laments about waking up early, conformity and other symptoms of days spent out of the sun. It’s the mellow-harsher of the year. — Adam Bulger
http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/article.cfm?aid=2908
Topics: Clippings | No Comments »
Beatnik Turtle On Tap Magazine Review
By janelle on September 28, 2007
Beatnik Turtle
All In a Days Work
www.beatnikturtle.com
Beatnik Turtle’s homage to a day at the office will strike just the right chords for anyone else listening from a cubicle. Beatnik Turtle’s latest album “All In a Days Work” brings together common events from a common workday into an album full of outrageously innovative instrumentals (they use trumpets, trombones, saxophones, guitar, keyboard, bass, drums, and more). Beatnik Turtle is definitely on to something with these tracks made for Joe and Jane Schmo, the everyday average office dweller. — CG
http://www.ontaponline.com/view_article.php?article_id=10788
Topics: Clippings | No Comments »
Metro Spirit Review
By janelle on September 28, 2007
“All in a Day’s Work”
Beatnik Turtle, Song of the Day Records
BY RICH MCCRACKEN I
“All in a Day’s Work”
Beatnik Turtle
Song of the Day Records
Beatnik Turtle is one of the most unusual groups that I have ever reviewed. When their new CD came in, I didn’t know what to expect. But when I saw their album cover for the 2002 CD called “Santa Doesn’t like You,” something told me that this would be a good review.
Their new CD called “All in a Day’s Work” is very eccentric. Most other bands have songs that are at random, but Beatnik Turtles’ new CD is a true concept album because the CD title actually reflects the songs on the CD. Every song has a concept about work and jobs. This is such a totally original idea that it sold me on the band Beatnik Turtle.
The song called “Can I Help You Please” tells the truth about jobs. The musicianship on this track is phenomenal. The arrangement of the horns at the beginning of this song reminds me of “The Wide Wide World of Sports” meets the band Chicago. It’s unique and ear-catching.
“What We Need Is Some Interns In Her” is a rockin’ tune. These arrangements for these songs is stellar, especially for the horns. They really fit the groove of the songs.
“On her blog” is a Latin-groove inspired MUZAK extravaganza. The music is great and if you can keep a straight face while listening to this CD, you’re not human and you have no personality. This music is a lot of fun.
The song ” I.T. Department” tells the truth about the modern day hassles of computers and having to wait to get things fixed. The Windows sound at the beginning was a nice touch.
The band Beatnik Turtle is a group of really great musicians with a sense of humor. This world needs more positivity, and Beatnik Turtles’ All in a Day’s Work” gets a high score for their new CD. It’s available at TheSongOfTheDay.com and BeatnikTurtle.com.
http://metrospirit.com/index.php?cat=1993101070394080&ShowArticle_ID=11002208073360871
Topics: Clippings | No Comments »
“THE SONG OF THE DAY” REACHES HALFWAY MARK AT 183 SONGS RELEASED
By jason on July 9, 2007
CHICAGO (July 9, 2007) – Challenging themselves to release a song a day in 2007, Chicago-based band, Beatnik Turtle, closes in on the halfway mark-183 songs, celebrating their tuneful triumph with the launch of Beatnik Turtle Radio-a streaming audio player featuring the best songs from TheSongOfTheDay.com.
Given Beatnik Turtle’s propensity for writing songs in every style and genre, visitors who “tune in” to Beatnik Turtle Radio experience song rotations, call signs, and occasional parody commercials, qualities often associated with traditional radio stations. New songs are added regularly as they are released from TheSongOfTheDay.com making each visit to the site a new musical experience.
“When you obligate yourself to writing 365 songs you challenge yourself musically in ways you wouldn’t have otherwise,” says saxophonist, Randy Chertkow. “You aren’t concerned about trying to fit songs into a particular band ’sound’ and you feel free to collaborate with other singers and musicians which creates tremendous energy and variety.”
“The Song of the Day” campaign ends on December 31st, 2007 after posting 365 songs, literally releasing a song a day throughout the year.
On top of “The Song of the Day” campaign, the band releases a full-length office themed CD in September entitled All In A Day’s Work. In addition, band members Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan are currently writing the “Indie Band Survival Guide”, a book covering what independent musicians need to know to succeed on their own. The book will be released through St. Martin’s Press in 2008.
Comprised of a community of musicians, Beatnik Turtle shares a similar musical vision and sense of humor. They write, record and produce songs in their own studio as well as perform live. To request an interview with the band please contact Janelle Rogers at 248.336.9696.
www.beatnikturtle.com
www.thesongoftheday.com
www.beatnikturtle.biz
Topics: Press Releases | Comments Off
“STAR WARS” VIDEO MASHUP REACHES 5K VIEWS FOR CHICAGO BAND
By jason on June 28, 2007
CHICAGO (June 28, 2007) – Who needs a lightsaber when a guitar and wit will do as well? In a galactic feat to make the wise Yoda proud, Chicago-based band, Beatnik Turtle, reached over 5,000 views on their video MashUp at StarWars.com.
The video, available for viewing at MashUp.StarWars.com, makes use of the site’s mini-movie making features by allowing the band to mash “Star Wars” clips with their song “Star Wars (A Film Like No Other)”, a humorous tribute to the three original movies in the style of a traditional Irish folksong.
The website, www.TheSongOfTheDay.com, dedicated to Beatnik Turtle’s on-going Song of the Day Campaign, offers the playable and viewable version of the song. Originally posted on March 13th, “Star Wars (A Film Like No Other)” is only one of the songs they challenged themselves to write in 2007. The campaign ends on December 31st, 2007 after posting 365 songs, literally a song a day throughout the year.
“When you obligate yourself to writing 365 songs,” says saxophonist, Randy Chertkow, “you give yourself a reason to try to writing in every style and genre. You end up challenging yourself in a variety of musical ways you wouldn’t if it wasn’t for the project. You aren’t concerned about trying to fit things into a particular band ’sound’ and you don’t stifle your creative urges.”.
On top of the Song of the Day campaign, the band releases a full-length office themed CD in September entitled All In a Day’s Work. In addition to the space and musical crusades, band members Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan are also currently writing the “Indie Band Survival Guide”, a book to help independent musicians with their careers.
Comprised of a community of musicians, Beatnik Turtle, shares a similar musical vision and sense of humor. They write, record and produce songs in their own studio as well as perform live. To request an interview with the band please contact Janelle Rogers at 248.336.9696 or jrogers@greenlightgopublicity.com.
Topics: Press Releases | No Comments »
One Band. One Year. 365 Free Songs.
By jason on January 1, 2007
Beatnik Turtle proudly announces their latest project: TheSongOfTheDay.com, a website where, starting January 1st, they will release a new, original song for free every single day of 2007! That’s 365.25 songs!
Beatnik Turtle started the ambitious project in 2006 and has been frantically writing and recording music to make sure that visitors to TheSongOfTheDay.com can listen to a new song every day. And, being Beatnik Turtle, the songs vary in styles, instrumentation, and even lead singers. In fact, adding to the fun, they worked with many guest musicians on the project. Some of the styles include techno, blues, rock, folk, ambient, jazz, disco, and much more.
But Beatnik Turtle has not just been in the studio writing and recording music–although that’s how they spend most of their time these days–they have also been in front of the camera. They will also release music videos for Beatnik Turtle music from the website as well. While it’s not certain, they hope to release one per month, and may even top that goal as well.
Visitors can listen to each song from the website itself, or The Song of The Day can be automatically downloaded to music players via a syndication feed as a daily podcast. Also planned for the website is a weekly podcast with behind-the-scenes commentary. Beatnik Turtle will also release an album every month which will be available on all of the major digital music stores.
So tune in to TheSongOfTheDay.com starting January 1st, 2007, and come back each day to hear fresh, new songs for free every single day for an entire year!
Topics: Press Releases | No Comments »
The Associated Press Interviews Beatnik Turtle
By randy on September 18, 2006
EVANSTON – The Associated Press interviewed Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan of Beatnik Turtle about The Indie Band Survival Guide. The article appeared on AP’s ASAP news website and in news sources around the country. The article follows:
Indie Band Survival Guide
Want to make it, but wary of a big label deal? CARYN ROUSSEAU chats with two guys who’ve written a FREE book about success in the biz.
EVANSTON, Ill. - Beatnik Turtle is a pop band headed by 30-something lawyer types. They sing silly songs and play energetic live shows. These guys have been at it for years.
Take two Beatnik Turtles, mix in nine years on the road and presto, “Indie Band Survival Guide.” (AP Photo/HO/Courtesy Beatnik Turtle)
But Beatnik Turtle the band isn’t just about making music. Two guys in Beatnik Turtle — Jason Feehan (the lawyer) and Randy Chertkow (computer specialist) — have written a book they posted on the band’s Web site in January. It’s been downloaded more than 1,200 times.
They call it the “Indie Band Survival Guide.”
“This is everything we would liked to have known when we started out as a band,” Feehan said. “We thought why don’t we consolidate this information and share it? It’s a book to give to other bands to help out.”
The result is 100 pages of painfully honest practical know-how on making it as an independent band. And it’s free.
So why trust these guys? Feehan and Chertkow have been at it with Beatnik Turtle for nine years. They’ve taken their own experience and added a lot of industry research to write the guide. They’ve included nearly everything — from selling digital music off of laptops straight to fans’ iPods at concerts to technical tidbits, like the difference between mastering and mixing your own music.
It all comes down to one simple message: “You can do it yourself, now more than ever,” Feehan said.
“When you’re in a band you start out thinking, how do I get signed? How do I get played on the radio? That’s not how it works anymore,” Chertkow said. “The middlemen that used to be the gatekeepers are no longer necessary. They no longer have a say in which bands get music out to the world. The only ones that bands need to convince that their music is good is their own fans.”
They believe in finding nontraditional ways to get your music out into the world.
For example, Beatnik Turtle turned a boardgame clue — “Were All These Beer Cans Here Last Night?” — into a song. They recorded a demo and sent it to the boardgame maker, Seattle-based Cheapass Games, which posted it on their Web site. It’s been downloaded more than 15,000 times. Cheapass Games was so happy they had Beatnik Turtle record an album that the company distributed with its games. Since then, the song has been played on TV commercials and on podcasts all over the world.
“You never know where your music will go,” Chertkow said.
But still, you fancy becoming a rock star, not a small-time band? Great, they say — get yourself signed on a major label. You’ll be a big rock star, have lots of groupies, travel all over. Or do you care more about playing your music and keeping rights to what you’ve written? Then read up, the guys from Beatnik Turtle have done the hard work for you.
asap asked Chertkow and Feehan to offer some advice to independent bands and artists wanting to get their music out in the world, but still retain control of their art.
___
Five Lessons from Beatnik Turtle’s “Indie Band Survival Guide”:
1. You are not a local musician. The Internet has given you a global fanbase. Go get it.
2. Your Web site is your ambassador. Put your music out there for the world to discover. Without a Web site, you don’t exist.
3. Sell your music worldwide. Sites like CDBaby.com can get you CD and digital distribution with no strings attached.
4. Leverage the new media. Find ways to get your music listened to. Focus on podcasts, blogs, MySpace, YouTube, free file sharing.
5. Do it yourself. All of the above can be done by you, focus on making new fans, not “getting signed.”
__
Download the survival guide at beatnikturtle.com
Caryn Rousseau is asap’s Midwest writer, based in Kansas City, Mo.
Topics: Clippings | No Comments »
Billboard Magazine Interviews Beatnik Turtle
By jason on June 14, 2006
LOS ANGELES – Billboard Magazine interviewed Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan of Beatnik Turtle about The Indie Band Survival Guide. The article appeared in Todd Martens “The Indies” column in the May 20th edition of Billboard. The article follows:
By Todd Martens
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Every few months an act breaks out of indie rock obscurity by intentionally sharing its music for free on peer-to-peer networks and blogs. But Chicago’s Beatnik Turtle is dishing out another kind of freebie to the online community: advice.
Beatnik Turtle, a longtime working bar band with a slight novelty streak (think They Might Be Giants, Barenaked Ladies), launched its “Indie Band Survival Guide” about two months ago. Spearheaded by lead vocalist Jason Feehan and horn/flute player Randy Chertkow, the project has been a couple of years in the making.
A few days after launching the guide at http://www.beatnikturtle.com, Stanford law professor and frequent Wired magazine contributor Lawrence Lessig name-checked the site on his blog. It was a career highlight for Chertkow, who cites Lessig’s “Free Culture,” a book that looks at the intersection of new technologies and old copyright laws, as a prime influence on the band’s Web guide.
The members of Beatnik Turtle have split the guide into about a dozen chapters, looking at everything from major-label contracts (they’re against them) to file sharing (they’re for it) and physical distribution (their expectations are low). Perhaps what’s most notable about the guide, however, is that it strives to offer practical advice based on the experiences of an everyday band — most members of the eight-person group have a day job and a family.
“This guide has always been bubbling under the surface,” Feehan says. “There’s no sense for someone to reinvent the wheel. You can learn from our mistakes.”
Chertkow says he purchased dozens of how-to guides while writing for the Web site but didn’t find many that he believed related to his band. He also says he never thought about writing a book and pitching it to publishers, but if the blog community demands a paper version, he will heed the call.
“I bought a whole stack of books for research, and none of what’s on our site was in one place, especially from the point of view of a band that isn’t necessarily looking to find a big label,” he says. “A lot of them are targeted at making your big break. From our point of view, we wanted to share what we learned, and we don’t think we can charge for that. This is a living document.”
To that end, the band will add new observations regularly. All chapters are annotated and linked to other sources, and the act is also working on an interviews section. It recently completed a Q&A with Bob Koester, who runs Chicago’s Jazz Record Mart.
Chertkow says he hasn’t received many e-mails about the guide, but he says he knows it’s being read. He searches for it, and is happy to see some Beatnik Turtle work getting shared online.
“Rather than talking to us, people are just blogging about it,” Chertkow says.
Topics: Clippings | Comments Off