Pass Along Our Tools to Your Digital Strategists
ATC has been getting an increasing number of requests about how to support the causes you care about through your social network channels and online assets. We recently went through all of our resources to identify the tools we think would be most helpful to the digital strategy community. Many are focused on particular channels or technologies and include sample text for simple and effective calls-to-actions that can easily be pushed out to various fan bases through multiple channels.
Guest Post: Martín Perna on Immigration
In May of 2011, ATC & FMC brought a group of musicians on a fact-finding trip to Tucson, AZ to explore the multitude of issues at play in the immigration reform debate, including the role of the criminal justice system and media rights, and to hear directly from affected communities and experts. What follows is a first-hand account written by musician and retreat participant, Martín Perna, founder of the musical groups Antibalas and Ocote Soul Sounds.
Part I: Landing
Vote for Our SXSW 2012 Panels
It’s that time of year again. Please vote for ATC’s proposed panels on the official SXSW 2012 Panel Picker website or by clicking on the direct links below. Voting begins 8/15 and runs though 9/2. See below for panel descriptions and links. We have some really great content and speakers on board again this time around. 
It’s an Election Year!: http://bit.ly/mUK3nA
Go Green: Strategies For A More Sustainable Tour: http://bit.ly/pMNpFq
Responding to Natural Disasters: http://bit.ly/n1NRVH
ATC’s New App for Artists Helps Music Fans to “Go Green”
Fan transportation to and from venues constitutes the vast majority of carbon emissions on a tour—up to 85-90%. ATC has researched sustainable production and touring for several years presenting our findings and recommendations for a more sustainable tour to our network. During this time we have observed and evaluated many sustainable touring trends and have learned that – thanks to Radiohead’s pioneering research into fan transportation – encouraging fans to take public transportation and/or carpool is the single, most effective thing an artist can do to reduce the environmental impact of a tour.
U.S. Tornado Relief + Update on Japan Recommendations
Suggested text for sharing on Twitter/Facebook/Band sites – How to help: US tornado relief and Japan aid update http://bit.ly/kDYuSl #disasterrelief
TORNADO RELIEF
ATC has been monitoring response to the recent tornadoes that have ravaged parts of the Midwestern and Southern U.S. After researching what our philanthropy and aid experts advise (including advisers in disaster philanthropy and relief work) we recommend the following organizations. These groups are doing immediate relief and long-term rebuilding in the areas impacted by the flooding and tornadoes.
Artists Write List of Reasons to Support ATC & Celebrate Its 6th Year (It will make you laugh.)
At ATC we take a different approach to working with musicians (i.e.: we do not “use” them for social justice but rather, we are here to be used by them as a resource). In this same tradition, we also take a different approach to fundraising.
To celebrate our 6th anniversary (which is today!) & to ask for your support, we are not going to send you the typical, boring fundraising appeal. Instead, we have complied a list of reasons, as written by some of the artists, managers and organizers that we work with, to donate to ATC.
Tips for Musicians Navigating the Health Insurance World
ATC recently came upon this guest post with some great information for musicians looking for best practices on finding health care coverage. The post’s author, Dennis Carlson, runs Bespoke Benefits, an insurance agency in Davis, California as well as Gaslight-East, an artist development and licensing company.
Using his direct knowledge of the complexities of both the health insurance industry and the music business, Dennis put together a list of some of his best tips and tricks. While they provide no guarantee of getting coverage – they do provide some very helpful guidance and direction for navigating the health insurance world.
Music Tech Tools for Causes
There are a number of great online tools that provide a variety of solutions for independent musicians in a post-major label world from direct-to-fan marketing to booking your own gigs to DIY licensing/distribution services. ATC has also started to see an influx of online tools targeted at helping musicians raise money for various charities and causes. Here are a few that are using these new technologies and funding models to connect musicians and their fans directly to the causes they care about.
Net Neutrality Back in Court
ATC has been monitoring the status of the Net Neutrality debate and paying close attention to several policies in play in Washington that will determine whether access to the Internet will remain open and accessible for all. These rules will impact every aspect of our world today, including the lives and livelihoods of artists, musicians and entrepreneurs who rely on open internet policies to treat all websites equally — from the busiest online music store to the smallest blog allowing for a legitimate digital music marketplace where artists have access and fans can find the music they want.
URGENT ACTION: JAPAN RELIEF – HOW TO HELP
On March 11, 2011, a 8.9/9.0 earthquake – one of the largest in recorded history- and subsequent tsunami hit Japan, causing extensive damage across a large part of the country. The death toll is high and the number of displaced and homeless is even higher.
Immediate relief and search and rescue efforts are being led by the Japanese government, one of the most prepared in the world for this type of disaster. This makes aid and relief response very different from other recent disasters that took place in developing countries. Numerous countries and relief agencies have pledged support and aid to Japan when they are ready. Suggested organizations and text are noted below for immediate donations. They are mobilized and have presence on the ground in the affected areas.
NEW ORLEANS! ATC + FUTURE OF MUSIC COALITION PRESENT:
DEAR NOLA: A CONCERT FOR NEW ORLEANS” RETURNS TO THE BIG EASY
New Orleans’ own Bonerama with very special guests Cody ChesnuTT, DJ Spooky/That Subliminal Kid, Grammy Nominated Helen Bruner + Terry Jones, Ira Tuton of Yeasayer, Jenny Toomey & Kristin Thomson of Tsunami, M1 of Dead Prez, Mirah, Sage Francis, Shawn King of DeVotchKa, Sunpie Barnes, Vernon Reid, Zach Rogue of Rogue Wave to perform at Blue Nile on February 17, 2011.
Musicians from around the country celebrate New Orleans’ rich musical heritage & the community working to sustain it.
ATC AND TOPSPIN HELP MUSICIANS SUPPORT CHARITIES & NONPROFITS
A recent Topspin blog post highlights how ATC and Topspin having been working in partnership with several musicians to create successful and engaging social change campaigns. The post also notes some of the ways in which ATC can help to support artists in their efforts – helping to identify a beneficiary, collecting & delivering funds, managing compliance paperwork, evaluating the donation’s impact and more. Below is the original post showcasing some of the most successful case studies from the past year.
(Original post by Topspin can be found here: http://www.topspinmedia.com/case-studies-2/musicians-for-charity/)
DAVID MATTHEWS PUTS CHARITABLE GIVING IN FANS HANDS
With the goal of inspiring charitable giving amongst his fans, Dave Matthews played two benefit acoustic shows in Seattle, WA on Dec. 6th & 7th, 2010 where concertgoers were given a full credit back of $150 for each ticket purchased to donate to a charity of their choice. Through a partnership with JustGive, fans were able to pick from the 1.8 million charities featured on the nonprofit organization’s online platform for giving. The two acoustic shows are said to have raised around $1 million dollars.
ATC’S RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2010 HOLIDAY GIVING
It’s that time of year again! ATC has compiled a list of recommended nonprofits working on lead issues to consider for the 2010 holiday giving season. The list highlights effective organizations working on a range of issues important to the music community including education, food justice, gay rights, immigration, net neutrality and more. Below is a sample or download the full list here: ATC’S RECOMMENDED NONPROFITS FOR 2010 HOLIDAY GIVING.
GULF RESTORATION NETWORK (GRN) is committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations.
WHO SAYS THERE AREN’T ANY CURRENT (AND GOOD) PROTEST SONGS?!!
Over the last five years, there have been many articles lamenting a false conclusion that there are no good protest songs these days. In fact when asked, most writers and even many music fans think that the art of the protest song died in the sixties. In an effort to both highlight some of the great and creative examples that came to mind when pondering the question, and to attempt to curtail those naysayers continuing to report that they are none, here is ATC’s list of the best protest songs of THIS YEAR. Please email us with any we may have missed: info @ atctower.net
ATC HOSTS INAUGURAL “SUPPER CLUB” WITH THAO NGUYEN
ATC Supper Club is an intimate dinner event series designed with a guest artist with the goal of hosting an evening of music, food and community. Each event features a guest musician who curates and cooks a full dinner menu before giving a private acoustic performance.
ATC developed this idea with Thao Nguyen in the middle of 2010, after she attended one of our Artist-Activism Retreats in New Orleans. Thao piloted the first event, which sold out in a matter of days of its limited announcement and raised over $1200 for ATC and People’s Grocery. Future ATC Supper Clubs will be presented according to artist schedules.
MUSIC COMMUNITY SUPPORTS GAY RIGHTS THROUGH SONG
While policies around gays in the military and same-sex marriage remain unmoved and harassment of gays in schools has led to dozens of suicides across the United States, pop music remains an arena where gay rights and tolerance is embraced. Several songs such as Ke$ha’s “We R Who We R”, Taylor Swift’s “Mean”, Pink’s “Raise Your Glass” and Katy Perry’s “Firework”, many of which were written in response to the recent wave of gay teen suicides and anti-gay bullying incidents, contain themes of overcoming persecution and self acceptance. Lady Gaga, who has spoken out many times against “don’t ask don’t tell” both in public appearances and on her website, will also add her upcoming single “Born This Way” to this list.
MAKING FUNDRAISING FOR CHARITY EASY + LEGALLY SOUND: PROCESS AND CHECKLIST
Raising money for a charity should be easy for bands. But beyond consideration of the issue or organizations to support, there are also legal issues to think about that differ by state. These laws and regulations are overlooked by bands and their managers.
To streamline the information on this legal compliance, ATC and Joe Voss, a lawyer at Clark Hill’s Entertainment Division, have created a checklist on the process that you can download here. ATC has also created a philanthropic advising program that can provide focus, administrative oversight, identification and vetting of organizations, management of compliance and nonprofit relations, and impact reporting to bands that want to raise funds for charities. For more information about this work, please contact us by emailing tara at atctower dot net.
OUT TODAY! DEAR NEW ORLEANS DIGITAL BENEFIT COMPILATION
It feels really good to say it and sell it! The response to Dear New Orleans has been overwhelming and wonderful. The album has garnered much press and coverage. On Monday, Amazon offered the 31 track album as its daily deal and the compilation quickly reached #1 of Amazon’s most purchased Mp3′s and remained in that position until just yesterday evening.
Dear New Orleans is available for purchase from all of the major on-line music outlets: iTunes, Amazon, emusic and Rhapsody. But of course, we prefer it if everyone purchased it from our own TopSpin store on www.dearno.la so ATC can raise more funds for New Orleans and you get 3 bonus tracks and stream the full album before purchasing.
MY MORNING JACKET + ATC: PHILANTHROPY, OUR ALBUM + NEW ORLEANS
ATC has been working with My Morning Jacket on a range of philanthropic efforts over the years. Jim James and Patrick Hallahan both participated in our New Orleans artist activism retreats and, along with their band, have gone on to do incredible philanthropy and activism work that is making a real impact for the issues they care about. We love this interview where they talk about how we collaborate, their time in New Orleans and our upcoming album, Dear New Orleans.
IT’S OFFICIAL: OUR DEAR NEW ORLEANS ALBUM ANNOUNCED
We are really excited about our Dear New Orleans benefit compilation and cannot wait to share the music with everyone. The official press release just went out and lots of great press has already been generated:
Discovery Channel Planet Green
…to name a few.
Full album details, release date, where to buy and track listing are all available on our album site: www.dearneworleansmusic.org
COMING AUG 24: DEAR NEW ORLEANS – ALBUM MARKS 5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE STORM & FLOODS
Album cover artwork for Dear New Orleans
ABOUT DEAR NEW ORLEANS: Air Traffic Control has been hosting artist activism retreats in New Orleans for the last four years. To mark the 5 year anniversary of the storm and floods we thought it appropriate to produce a benefit album. We started by asking the 60 alumni artists who participated in the retreats if they’d be interested in donating a track for a benefit album — we had no idea over half of them would send us music.
We are grateful they did.
Ta Da!….OUR NEW WEBSITE
We are excited to reveal the new ATC website.
Please bear with us as we tweak and refine our website content in the next week or so.
Thank you!
The ATC Team
HAITI AID: RECOMMENDED ORGS FOR MUSICIANS + FANS AND HOW WE SELECT THEM
ATC’s suggestions are the result of talking with disaster philanthropy experts and reviewing what worked and didn’t in previous disaster efforts by musicians.
We focused on those organizations that have a long-standing presence in Haiti, and were focused on poverty and health infrastructure (important for both relief and rebuilding). An added bonus were several have worked with our musicians in the past (Oxfam + Yele). Also, Yele can receive gift via mobile for musicians in a concert setting when people aren’t in front of their computers but motivated to give on-the-spot.
