In the past year or so the frequency with which I receive pitch emails has risen.
I’m sure that’s not some sign of my rising status as a blogger (as if), but more the general trend of people realizing blogs can help spread the word about the thing they’ve been toiling to produce.
A lot of the music pitches whiz by unnoticed, because they’re asking me to do something I don’t have time for – read up on some obscure artist, or come to a show with just a few days (or hours) notice.
The pitch I got from reader Lewen on behalf of local band Sunshine Superman was different:
I’m a long time reader/supporter of your blog and thought that you might like to check out a band I work with.
Here’s a video of ours that has been well received and gotten tons of views … I’ll keep this brief as I’m sure you get tons of emails.
Pretty simple: a person who claims to be a steady reader wants me to watch a video. I can do that. You can too – here’s their hyper-catchy, DIY-recorded, track, “Sorry I’m An Asshole.”
I am so freaking in love with this song! It appropriates a Ronnettes handclap rhythm, strips it of the wall of sound, and tops it with a slightly icy sing-song vocal that immediately made me think of Sia (aided by the up-close shots in the video, which are similar to her “Buttons”).
It’s not just the song that’s awesome. Let’s talk about all the awesome in this pitch:
1. Made it a point to read/interact before he pitched.
2. Asked me to do something really easy – watch a video. No press release to digest, album to download, or interview to schedule. He didn’t even point blank ask me to do it, just suggested it, because…
3. …he knows the genres of music I like from reading the blog. He isn’t pitching me classical oboists or amelodic indie stuff.
4. He actually gave me some useful information! In part of his email I didn’t excerpt, emphasized this was a totally DIY recording (clearly a major love of mine), and invited me to check out his DIY community for tips (so, he’s clearly paying attention when I write about things like DIY drum recording).
5. Kept it brief, and stroked my ego a little about receiving lots of emails (is it ego-stroking if it’s true?).
Bonus: Band is named after a Donovan song/album, which I know about via Gina. Extra cool points.
Now I’ve had the chance to naturally become a fan of Sunshine Superman, which is a way better outcome than the cost/benefit analysis of whether it’s worth my time to read someone’s press release to decide if it might be worth talking about them on the blog.
You can grab the track for $.99 at CDBaby, or see the band play it live at The Grape Room in Manayunk on November 17 for just a $7 cover.
I have two shows that week, so I’m not sure I’m going to make it, but the fact that I’m actually considering it (and mentioning it to you alongside my own shows) means Lewin’s casual pitch really hit home.
PS: Do not be surprised if you see a SS/AC split bill sometime in 2012. Philly DIYers unite!