ktoddstorch @ business thoughts: People You Need to Meet: Chance

Chance is an independent solo artist. I first heard his band on Adam Curry's Daily Source Code (read rest of story). As a huge music fan and secret (ie. wanna be) rock and roll star, I am fascinated and extremely interested in how this artist is using new media and technology to make a living.

Chance is an artist that C.C. Chapman apparently has his eye on with his new Podshow Music Network. The times are changing and it is an exciting time to watch how businesses are adapting (and not!) to new technology. With all of the discussions about how ASCAP, BMI and RIAA will play into the world of podcast music, along with new opportunities for independant artists like Chance; this is a business trend you need to watch.

I invite you to read more about Chance, his music and how he plans to dominate the world, one new song at a time.

Business Thoughts: Tell me about your band. When did you start the group and tell me about the name Chance? Also, tell us who are your favorite current artist and what got you started playing music?

Chance: Well, actually I'm an independent solo artist, and my name is Chance. So, that was easy! I write, perform and record pretty much almost everything I do.

Regarding current favorite artists: that's probably Queens of the Stone Age. Not as thrilled with their latest as I was with the last few, but still enjoy them tremendously. I like Outkast a lot, at least the last few albums, and currently believe the White Stripes can do no wrong. Now, believe it or not, I have been listening to alto of old Salsa! Seriously, old Tito Puentes and more. Ha.

I started playing the piano when I was 7, but it wasn't for a few years that I found my calling. I decided--for no reason--to put my old beat up stereo on top of my piano and try to play along. It was at that point that I said "wow, what's coming out of the speakers---I can do!" Very simple and innocent, but it's pretty much exactly how it played out. It was a few years before I wrote my first song, but I knew at that moment what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

BT: I noticed on your website that you have quite a few CD's. How often do you release your music?

C: Well, that's an interesting question, because I guess you could say i release new music all the time. The reason is I believe do things a little different than other artists.

What I do is release MP3 singles "about" once a month or so, selling them on my site for 99 cents. But each single plays out as sort of a "mini-event."
You get: Lyrics; a story (Genesis) of how the song came to be; single "poster art" for each single; samples; a section called "geek out" where I showcase the recording aspect of the single, and sometimes an alternate version (maybe acoustic or something).

Once I get to 5, I release a compilation of those singles on CD. I usually include something special like re-mixes or unreleased tracks. The 1st compilation was called 1 through 5 and the 2nd i just released called--you guessed it--Six through Ten. So, I plan on releasing my 11th single in the next month or so.

So, my fans (and potential fans) can either get the music on CD when the comps are available or as MP3 singles, if they just want to try a few at a time. I had a few the other day download everything instead of picking up the CD's! IPOD generation, I'm telling ya....

BT: Do you have a current record deal? Also, tell us about how you record.

C: I am an unsigned, independent solo artist. For recording, I have a very small apartment studio, so small it doesn't deserve a name. That's cause it's a desk!

I use a Toshiba Laptop and record everything using ProTools Digi 002. My guitars go through Amplitube (I have a 57 Strat that I absolutely adore and my cheapo Mexi Fender Jazz that I call "El Bajo.") My microphone is an AKG C451 B. For all non-geeks out there, that mic is usually used for recording overhead cymbals (when paired) or perhaps a hihat or acoustic guitar. But a close engineer friend of mine (he mixed Say What You Will, actually) suggested the C451 for my voice, and I've never heard a mic sound better on my voice.

I use Reason 2.5 (well, i just upgraded to 3.0 and am going home TONIGHT to crack it open!!!) for all my synth and sequencing, and for my drum programming. I have a Kawai ES-x 88 weighted key piano that I also adore.
And that's it!

BT: I found out about your band through Adam Curry's Daily Source Code. How did he find out about you and your song Say What You Will?

C: Well, I have had the recent great fortune of being embraced by members of the podcasting community. It started with Insomnia Radio Podcast, a GREAT podcast run by Jason Evangelho.

Jason is one of my biggest fans and has just been wonderful. A few others climbed aboard and began playing Chance music, and then my music came to the attention of C.C. Chapman, another great podcaster. The community is so tight knit, which is a great thing so they all sort of help each other out.

Well, C.C. has recently started working with Adam on some new thing called the Podshow (i think that's what it's called.) Anyway, C.C. was kind enough to promote my music to Adam's show, and that's how it got played, I believe. It was quite the surprise to me; I heard about it the day or the day after it aired. I'd be interested to hear what Adam thinks of the material. Regardless of that, I'm just grateful that people like Jason and C.C. promote me the way they do. It is VERY grassroots. The hype, if you will, is genuine.

BT: How many people bought your song or other CD's after being feature on the DSC?

C: Hard to say, because I don't always know how people found me. I try to send an e-mail out to everyone who picks up my music but they don't always respond. Most people are genuinely shocked to see the artist writing them, but I like to speak to as many people as I can. The connection is important to me. It's what makes us human, ya know?

BT: What would you like the readers of Business Thoughts to know about you and your music?

C: Well, I think the thing I'd most like to be clear about is how much I enjoy every aspect of being a musician, of being a songwriter. A lot of my friends call me sort of a Renaissance kind of guy in that I immerse myself in so many artistic endeavors. It's the only way I really know how to be. But the music itself, along with my performances and my recordings come from a very "what you see is what you get" theme. I do not hide behind titles or mystique or genres. Well, at least I don't think so! Some songs are happy, some are sad, some are angry. To me, that is more life than an entire album of bitter tunes, or an entire album of professed love. I prefer being dimensional.

BT: What is one question I didn't ask you that you wish I did?

C: Well, I guess I could take the time now to tell people about my web site. It's called MYNAMEISCHANCE.COM and there are a tremendous amount of things going on there.

#1, the store has all the CD's and Singles and extras there. Two of my songs, Say What You Will, and Taste of the Good Life, are currently ranked #2 and #12 on Garageband.com, a HUGE music site.

#2: The Friends of Chance Message Board: I have a burgeoning message board with fans and friends from all over the world. These are truly genuinely good people, and I am truly blessed to have them with me. I'd definitely suggest signing up and saying hello. There are a variety of topics on there we post on, and I'm almost always on.

While you're there, definitely check out the "Friends of Chance Cover Song." I do this thing where the fans suggest then vote on a song for me to cover. Whatever is selected, I record and release exclusively for them. All in good fun, it's sort of my way of giving back. The 1st was Creep by Radiohead, and the 2nd was When Doves Cry by Prince. I'm recording the 3rd now. (it's a surprise, you'll have to log on to find out what!)

#3: MyNameisChance Comix! I have a comic strip i just started. I'm working with an extremely talented artist by the name of Zero. We just released the 3rd one and he's really starting to cook. I come up with the stories, and he does all the art.

There are many more things on the site: a section for my artwork, photographs, quotes from fans, show info. You could get caught up there for a while if you're not careful. But the most important thing I hope your readers will do is check out my music and sign up to my e-mail list. I send out very graphical flyers and newsletters. My attitude is: if you're going to get e-mails from me to interrupt your day, I will at least make them interesting!

So that's it. Thanks for giving me the time! Definitely tell everyone you know about me and my music. This grassroots approach is something I completely depend on. It makes all the difference in the world.
Chance

Comments

So great to see a cool person and indie artist such as Chance getting more expsosure. His music kicks ass and he's a great guy on top of it all. Thanks for writing this up. It was a great read.

Posted by: C.C. | Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at 05:17 AM

I'm with C.C. on this one ;-) Chance is doing a great job and he does so much for his fans and admirers that you would start feeling guilty if you didn't at least try to make him world's greatest musician. And I'm real happy about Chance rooting so well within the podcast community. Great interview, Mr. Storch.

Posted by: Eddyspeeder | Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 10:44 AM