Scott Andrew - lo-fi acoustic pop superhero!

CafePress has finally launched their on-demand CD service. It’s not terribly expensive, costing about $9 US for a single CD in a standard jewel case and four-color insert, including the tray card. I wouldn’t recommend it for demos and EP-length releases.

Speaking of which, I managed to distribute about 100 copies of the American Thing EP at SXSW. About half disappeared from the table at Fray Cafe 3, and the rest were divided between the promo tables and handouts to people I met. I even managed to get it into the hands of a few hotshot producers. (Not that I expect anything to come of it.) Some advice on such schmoozing: talk about anything except yourself. Ask them what they think of so-and-so, or how they got that sweet drum sound on that one album. A suprising lot of them love to discuss technology issues. Once they realize you’re not about to shove a CD in their face, they’ll relax, get chatty, and eventually will ask what you do. You’re a musician? Got a CD? Why yes, in fact, I have several right here, would you like one? Suddenly it’s solicited material.

Be honest, though. These people get approached a kajillion times a day, and when you’re desperate they can smell you coming for miles.