My So-Called Indie Rock Blog: Who Says No One Is Listening?
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Artist:
I'll just come out and say it: my MOG posts got me a book deal from a major publisher. I am not claiming I deserve it and I certainly wasn't expecting it. It is, in fact, more than a little embarrassing that years of hard work in the indie rock trenches haven't even earned me as much money as my (small) book advance, nor the kind of stability that a well-established publisher can offer.
It started in typical DIY fashion, back when I was trying to find an indie label to put out my first album, Placelessness. The editor of MOG, Michael Goldberg, had once run a great little online music zine called Neumu. I'd sent him my first EP and it turned out that he was one of the few and miraculous people who actually open random packages and listen to the cds inside of them. He sent me a nice note asking for an interview -- my first. I was so nervous that when I left the coffeeshop where I'd met with the Neumu reporter in Greenwich Village, I left my wallet behind. Six months later, someone walked into a branch of Bank of America in New Jersey and cleaned out my bank account using the original copy of my drivers license that I'd lost that day.
As I was looking for a decent indie label to put out my first full-length, Michael had my back. He was a surprisingly reassuring presence in my very uncertain life. I had a lot of close calls and more than a few heartbreaking disappointments and would e-mail him with little bulletins about the near misses, the tantalizing possibilities, the industry hustlers and the downright liars. I suppose it was the tenor of these on-the-edge missives that prompted Michael to ask me to blog for his new site, as a beta tester.
Honestly, I didn't really want to: it felt like work. I called my Dad to whine and he said, "What have you got going on? Can you really afford NOT to take an opportunity that comes your way?" Good point, Dad!
It had been years since I'd written anything other than an e-mail or a song, but I plugged away, working harder at just being honest than writing particularly well. After a while, once it was clear that MOG didn't need my help or anyone else's, I stopped. The MOG posts hung there, suspended in time somewhere in the MOGosphere. But I was a little ashamed of them. Of all the wanting and trying and the failure and the flat-out, open-heartedness of the whole venture. I didn't link to the posts and I didn't tell anyone about them.
Looking back at this time and my brief career as a Mogger, I wish could have pushed some kind of cosmic fast forward button and seen clear to today. Since 2006, I signed to a scrappy little indie label and released two albums. An editor at Farrar, Strauss and Giroux heard my music through Pandora and it peaked his interest. He did a little internet research and turned up my old MOG posts. Then one random day last February, I got an e-mail that ended in a surprising proposition: would you be interested in writing a book?
Now I am finishing a new album, my second original full-length. It is called "Make Your Own Danger," because that's what the bored kids from the suburbs where I grew up liked to do. After a good two years avoiding 'the industry,' I am steeling myself for another ride. I've decided to look for a new label, to see if I can take things up a notch. I have no idea if it will be any less heartbreaking this time around, but if there is one thing I have learned over the past two years that makes even the inevitable disappointments infinitely more bearable it is this: there is always someone out there listening.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (28)
Congrats!!! You well deserve it -- your writing has been very inspiring to me as a struggling songwriter. I just hope you keep making great music too!
Never stop! The struggle makes you stronger :)
you are so awesome! i always look forward to hearing what you're up to and I predict big things for you girl! can't wait to read the book. and hear the new album.
Ditto to you Ms. DIY indie record label owner and songwriter extraordinaire! Keep the indie spirit alive and kicking down in Atlanta!
we are here to serve alina. so glad about this. makes my day too!
Woo-hoo! Thrilling news! Make the most of it, Alina. Major congratulations!
Yee-ha!
This is fantastic news.
:=)
And this is why I love the internet so much. And Mog too!
congrats.I always find it interesting when a person works hard for their art and something else pops up unexpectedly.its great that you were open for the oppurtunity good luck
Cool, congrats. Btw, could you post a song of yours to this post please? I've noticed alot of moggers not bothering to post music they are referring to. Most people won't bother to go to your mog page. Just an FYI & the moggerly thing to do. Promote yourself!
Congratulations, that is awesome news! Ditto to Cpetersonart3,,,, you gotta follow your bliss! Keep the Mog world updated as to the book, I am sure you will have a built in audience just from here!
mazel tov!
Guys, sorry to be a bad Mogger, but I have no idea how to post one of my songs
: (
Technology is hard.
Congrats, its really good to see that someone's hard work and dedication paid off. I toast a relatively exspensive merlot to you.
Congrats to you! An inspiring story! I wanted to share my brand new song with you: The concept of writing a song about childhood and the freedom I had in mine has been on my mind. I see so many children now so constantly watched and monitored and scheduled that I grow concerend about my own. This song idea came to me when I went to my son's pre-school and watched the kids play in a fenced and secure yard. Even then there were some parents following their kids telling them what and what not to do. I just stood back and watched my boy have fun. I talked to another parent about how when I was a child I had no fences and used to take off and ride my bike or go fishing or hiking with friends. My parents always trusted that I would come home OK. Looking back on it I realize how lucky I was to have that freedom. My son is learning about the solar system right now so that's where I got the idea for "Light Years Away" referencing time travel and speed of light.
When you go to post, there are tabs to the right that say 'audio, photos, video, etc.' Make sure to tag the song w/the correct titles then find the mp3 on your computer after hitting the upload button. Then let it do it's thing. It' actually quite simple.
If you want people to hear your music, just DO IT! Make it so & figure it out lol! I won't bother to check out your music unless you make it EASY for me & your readers. So much music & so many other moggers take the time to figure out how to upload their music. No need for me to look you up, when others make it easy for me! Sorry, that's the reality of the sitch.
Thanks for explaining. I did it!
Oh Brava! Bravissima! Glad my explanation was clear enough for you dear. Listening now & liking what I hear. You must be a PJ Harvey fan, I definitely hear her influence in your music. I love me some PJ, so that's a huge compliment! Also hear Tom Waits in there too. What language are you singing in? It took me awhile to realize it was another language, lol. Very nice, thanks for uploading it!
When I first joined your posts were one of my favourite things to read. Congratulations on having them recognised! Looking forward to the book.
Gives the aspiring writers/musicians/novelists in the trenches hope--like me!! I guess sometimes the best things happen in spite of oneself. Hmm, gotta remember that one. Congrats! And thank you!
what an amazing journey & story you've had, felicitations! bravo it's well deserved :-)
Many congratulations! You really never know..and it's great that way.
What a great story, congrats lady. Never say die. Give em hell.
Congratulations to you! Great to see an indie songwriter out there making it happen! I'm at work now, but I'm definitely looking forward to checking out your song when I get home.
When you put your heart into your work, everyone knows it. And that's what makes all the difference. Regardless of what happens next, you will always be a success - because you are true to yourself and your art.
Congrats - just read about this on the MOG mail, but that's really cool. Good luck and enjoy the ride! :)
Great post Alina! Congrats on the book deal! Interesting tune. Enjoy the overall "feel" of it (if that makes sense). Dark, kinda shuffles, with a great choice of instruments.
Sounds like Michael is a true blue nice guy. Shows how some folks in "the industry", still have integrity and passion. Kudos all 'round!!!
Congrats on your success!
-G.