Get ahead the independent way, Reeperbahn Festival

Everyone seems to want to be an "Independent music producer". They want to be in control of their own destiny, decide on their music direction, artwork, recording process, but they also want a "Big Label" to pay for it all. Well if you are the type of person that like to do it on your own, I will recommend going to the numerour music conferences world wide. One that is coming up shortly is the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. Or.. Deutschland for you multilingual readers. Reeperbahn Festival Read all about it. I have represented people at conferences like this for years. It is a music convention, conference and showcase. The reason everyone needs to have much better connections in the industry, and be booked with major acts on a big tour. You will NEVER get a big support gig tour, unless you are on a major record label with bands that are similar, or with a major booking agent. Start small, but get prepared!!! There are lots of small companies that will help you climb the ladder. IF you do go to this festival, you will also have a bit of work to do. Mainly research and letting the labels, publishers, and your favorite bands that you want to support, and which labels you think suit your music that you will be there. MAKE A MEETING!!! Keep in contact with them. There is no point in applying for a meeting with a classical label for a rock band. Etc.. Also, there are SO many people attending, you would not be able to email all of them. When you buy a ticket you get access to the list of people coming, delegates, and contact details for them. It is a major plus. All meetings must be organised before you get there, or nobody will meet you, it must be organised. Make a definable and reachable goal for Reeperbahn. Get you name in the ears of people so that when you come over next year, you go to the Reeperbahn, try to get on the festival playing, and meet people that you already have a connection to. Long term commitment is important to the big labels. So start now, and don't give up. Cheers, Steve Iorio Epic-tourin.com

Remembrance Day, a time to reflect.

Remembrance Day. I know life is for the living, and we have carry on even when people die, but to remember is the way to make sure that people really learn, and don't make the same mistakes over and over. Remembrance Day will be different to many people. For me, I will always think of the futility of war. After hearing about the horrors and talking about World War 2 to my father, in the US Army, my father in law, in the German army, and Uncle in the British army, they all say the same thing. Nobody wants to be there. I grew up reading Kurt Vonegut's Slaughterhouse 5, and having a definite feeling that there is something wrong with the idea of killing someone. I also read the bible, and a few other books that look down on the idea of killing. Freedom isn't free, we know this from the tyrannies of the past. We have to rise up against that. We also know that governments wage war for economic and idealistic reasons, which are not always good reasons. So I am using today to reflect on both, and hope that one day, we will no longer have war. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day

Moving to Europe, permanently.

Moving to Europe, permanently. The Vagrants (Steve and Renate Iorio) have lived the lives of true independence, and vagrancy. We have sold everything and moved countries once again. Although Renate is from Melbourne, Australia, I am originally from New York, I have lived for 15 years in Australia, and before that 18 years in Europe working in various countries and markets. Just so all of my contacts and business partners know, now I will be based in St. Anton am Arlberg, Tirol, Austria for the foreseeable future. Please contact me on any of my previous emails or the new details on my LinkedIn profile, facebook or email me on steve@thevagrants.com Cheers, Steve

This winter in Australia, The Vagrants

Hello Again, Long time no write, sorry. Now that we are back from our European tour, I want to say thanks to all the people that came to see The Vagrants play, had a beer with us, gave us a place to stay, and for all the musicians in The Vagrants, and the bands that played with us, especially The On Fires. It is always a great night when you are playing with us. A quick update as to what The Vagrants are doing at the moment. All of the songs that I have written have always been written on an acoustic guitar. I didn't plan it that way, it is just the way it seems to happen. So now Renate and I are doing some acoustic shows. We have played a house party already and we are gearing up to do some more acoustic shows in and around Melbourne and then a bit in NSW, SA and QLD. We are also in the middle of writing new music as well. The new material will definitely be more diverse and we hope to not travel down roads we have already been down. We are Vagrants at heart!!! The other major item on our list is that Renate and I are working our asses off to make our small, but growing all too quickly, art/ gifts/ import/ greeting card company www.iqartcards.com. This company has been going for 12 years and helped to fund the beginning of The Vagrants and is dear to our hearts. It is art, it is helping artists, and helped us to stay sane/ insane during the day. Just wanted to say hi, hope you are all well, and let me know if you want to do a gig with The Vagrants (acoustic or electric) here in Australia before I head overseas in November. Cheers, Steve

Love the Debonaire's Luncheon. I have met so many great people there and they are a real community!!! They support fantastic causes and also have fun doing it. If you are a musician, a nice person, or just like to contribute to a great cause check this out: http://www.supportact.com.au/ If anyone is having problems with Immigration, student visas, working visas, etc... you can contact Benjamin. Great guy, very switched on and heart in the right place. http://www.access-australia.com.au/ And congrats to the Deb's Lunch, 10 years of fantastic networking, fund raising, and of course.... FUN!!!! Cheers, Steve

The Vagrants, "Back Home?"

Renate and I are back in Australia. It is an odd feeling finishing a tour. We love the road, and we love the unfolding of new musicians that tour with us. This year was a ripper with an all Aussie cast of, Josh Celata, "Bruce"... Lachlan Bruce, and Cal Blackman. They all came into their own, became Vagrants and tore up the stage with us. We have some new songs that are getting recorded soon, and we will have lots more news coming up. We love the challenge, and we love the new sounds that come with playing with new people, but also want to get some of the veteran players from The Vagrants projects on the next CD. I will keep you posted. I AM BACK on the blogging. Cheers, Steve steve@thevagrants.com

Weak Minded Fools.

Firstly... The Vagrants will be playing down at the Espy this Sat. the 21st of July. I was just wondering if there are any people out there that are interested in managing The Vagrants. If you are, please write to mgmt@thevagrants.com More importantly, in the news of Australia, there is so much "Street Violence". It is usually an unprovoked attack on a person small of stature, and not a very macho type. I just want to say to all the weak minded people, if you want to prove you are tough, pick on someone bigger than you!!! Pick a fight with someone else that likes to fight. Beating up a person that is not a fighter is like kicking a dog, punching a child or someone in bed while they are sleeping. It doesn't take a hero, a tough guy, or half a brain. Does this really make you feel big? Maybe you can boast about it, but I know it will eat you up over time, and just make you feel smaller and smaller inside. Rest in peace all the people that have had their lives ended by thugs with no idea how their actions affect lives, families and other in the long term. To all of you that don't get involved.... Help catch these people, turn the idiots in, let the police know what you have seen!!!!