Dave Allen – Still On the Scene

The great punk/funk pioneer bassist Dave Allen has not been idle since veering from the public eye, founding the terrific but overlooked World Domination label, and now pushing the cutting edge artist development-marketing monster, Overland Entertainment.

Allen was a founder and the rhythmic heart of one of the most important punk/postpunk bands, Gang of Four, leading their groove-based charge through radical politics and amazing songs like “Where We All Belong” “At Home He’s a Tourist” “Anthrax” “To Hell With Poverty,” before leaving in ’82 to create the bone-deep alt-funk of Shriekback with such timeless moody floor-thumpers as “Lined Up” “Hand On My Heart” “My Spine (Is the Bassline)” “Nemesis” (some of my favorite lyrics all-time: “Big black nemesis, parthenogenesis, everybody’s happy when the dead come home” – can’t say it without chanting it), and the lovely and evocative “The Shining Path.”

Now Allen is leading artists, their management, and even labels through the maze of the digital revolution:

OED FOR ARTISTS

Our mission: We offer artists an alternative to the record industry.
Your mission: Make music and make a living from doing what you love.

The problem as we see it: Major labels are followers not leaders, they are not aware of what is happening on the street. They also want to own your master recordings and copyrights forever. There are some independent labels out there that are amazing but there are many that are seriously under-funded. And that 50/50 deal they offer? Well, 50% of zero is still zero!

As a band or a solo artist you are a brand. It’s not complicated. Your talent, your music, your image and your performances are all aspects of your brand. We know the music industry. We also know branding, marketing, promotion, sales and distribution.
We can help you.

The full Artists Development Package:
This includes a web site, an online store, an MP3 streaming radio station, viral email flash cards and specialized online marketing plans and more — and no up front costs either! We even do your hosting for you.
By using our package you eliminate the middleman and keep the bulk of your income.

Or you can pick and choose. Offer your CDs for sale in our store. Use our flash cards to market them and to help develop or add to your email database. Check out one of our flash cards —
Maybe you just need to add an online store to your existing web site with the ability to accept credit card payments or PayPal.

….OED FOR MANAGERS

While you are trying to herd cats we can be promoting your artists.

We offer the ability to build email databases from as little as a few hundred addresses gathered at your bands’ shows.

We can help you build an online community of fans who can serve as a street team.

How would you like to send an email to your fans that includes the links to radio stations, independent music stores and promoters in their zip codes? Our zip code engine can do that for you.

….OED FOR LABELS

For record labels we offer a full-blown Artists Development Package that includes a web site, an online store, an MP3 streaming radio station, viral email flash cards and specialized online marketing plans. We will also handle all your hosting needs. Our viral email flash cards are backed by a heavy duty database engine that tracks use of the card and collects email addresses. You can then send an email to all the new email addresses that you receive asking their owners to opt-in to your future updates and news.

How would you like to send an email to your artist’s fans that includes the links to radio stations, independent music stores and promoters in their zip codes?

Our zip code engine can do that for you.

Or you can pick and choose. Offer your CDs for sale in our store. Use our viral email flash cards to market them and to help develop or add to your email database.

….OED FOR BUSINESSES

Need help maneuvering through the labyrinths of the music industry?
We know the way.
Looking for a track for an ad campaign?
We can help you find what you are looking for
Need help clearing the master and publishing rights?
We have licensing expertise
Need original music?
We have musicians who can write your piece today
Wondering what’s happening on the street today?
The Bronx, The Blood Brothers and Conor Oberst to name a few

In addition, the Overland site features a offer a free flash-embedded MP3 player for folks to listen to. It includes a bunch of unsigned Portland bands and a growing list of national acts and indie labels like Sub Pop, Ninja Tune etc. It’s multiple channel so you can select a genre of music you like.

There is also a music news and commentary section – an excellent resource for professionals and fans alike – check it out.