"I
always find it valuable to receive objective feedback
from people, especially folks in the Industry.
My MakeaStar.com review confirmed a lot of my
original assumptions and conclusions.
I take every opportunity to listen to
people’s opinions and consider them, while still
maintaining my original vision.
The equal voting power at MakeaStar.com shows
me that both Industry and Fans are hearing my song and
liking it."
-
Greg
Lamboy
"I
completely agreed with the reviews I got from both of
my songs. It was very surprising to see that the
reviewer mentioned the same weaknesses and strengths
that I thought the songs had. I think the equal
voting power between the Industry and Fans is only
fair."
- Arnaly
"Thanks
for the great newsletter. Wow, you really do
things right over there. Great to see such a
professional in this biz :-) You got a friend over
here!"
-
Minster
Hill
"I was
surprised by the quality of the review. It's obvious
that the reviewer took the time to listen to the song
in detail, and was qualified to speak as an Industry
member. I found the comments to be sensible and
personalized, and even liked the style. Full marks."
-
Jjarrell
"I like the MakeAStar.com review
service – I have gotten to hear and review some
great bands. While
it’s a little pressure to get Fans to go up each
week and make it happen, it’s also exciting and a
little more of a grassroots approach that I don’t
feel with some rivals of MakeAStar.com.
Bravo to MakeAStar.com for giving some power
back to the most important people – the Fans."
-
Erik
Hendin
"I
like the way that MakeaStar.com conducts their voting.
I
found the review I received to be very much in tune
with the track.
I could tell that the
reviewer spent some time actually listening, and
didn’t simply write a “stamp” review.
I appreciate that."
-
Jimmy
Stewart
"I
wanted to take a moment and thank you for the opportunity
to enter my song in your contest. Although I didn't make
it past the first round, it was a very enjoyable
experience. I felt well informed by your organization
through everything and I think you have an excellent
process in place! Your e-mails were very specific and
prompt and contained exactly what I, as the artist, needed
to know. My review was very informative and easy to
understand - I would recommend that anyone who is curious
about the quality or development of their music submit at
least one entry to your contest. Thank you!
- Whamel
"I
thought it was just another way to promote my music, since
the money to submit didn’t seem a lot to me.
I
would have forgotten about your site, but the newsletter
would always come and remind about it from time to time.
So I thought I might send in a song as well and get a
review. Well I got this review and was surprised. The
person really took time to go through the music, lyrics
and everything. I was told things about my own song that I
hadn’t realized myself. The nicest thing I was told was
that I made the reviewers day with my song - and that made
my day."
-
Abacuss
"The
review on the song was very thorough. It’s difficult to
get unbiased people to take a hard look at your stuff and
give you very honest feedback. As far as the Fans/Industry
voting split goes, that’s a more difficult question.
Offsetting the ballot-stuffing problem is the obvious
goal. It seems to work pretty well. I like the idea of
giving Fans more points for picking winners. Maybe that
aspect should be advertised more to educate folks."
- Brick
Skin
"The
Industry review panel has a professional method of
assessing your song.
It is very constructive. We have actually decided
to do some changes to “Ghost” as a result of the
critique. After reading it (and going through your initial
defensive phase) you wake up to it and say ‘hey, wait,
he had a very good point there’. Great service you
provide at MakeaStar.com, the site really does deliver
what it says it will provide! Again, thanks!"
- Gazpacho
"It
was nice to see that the reviewer really put some thought
into it the review. I
think that’s what really makes it a good service.
As far as equal voting power goes, it’s a good
way to do it. It
keeps it from being strictly a popularity contest, and
enables Artists that maybe don’t have big mailing lists
to be competitive."
-
Purusa
"Thought
the review was very honest and constructive, and helpful.
Things I will keep in mind.
I
want my songs to appeal to the masses, but to get to the
masses it's gotta get past the Industry. So it’s important
to be open to advice from the pros, as well as pleasing the
Fans."
-
Stewed
Tomatoes
"I
think it is a good way for someone to get heard. It felt
like the reviewer treated the song with respect and took the
time to listen. Since I am German, I’m not familiar with
the U.S. Industry. I know that the major companies in
Germany often don’t really take the time to listen to the
whole song, but an Artist needs that. And deserves it. I
also like that Fans and the Industry both vote in the
contests."
-
Christina
Lux
"We’ve
really appreciated the reviews and what I like most is the
fact the reviewers don’t sugarcoat anything. They tell it
like it is! However, even the criticism is delivered in a
positive fashion and I feel that’s been important for us.
In short, rather than read someone saying, “This sucks
guys,” it’s nice to read, “Well, this isn’t really
what the Industry is looking for, but if you were to try
(some suggestion) this song could be improved. We
like the voting arrangement. I’d rather know our music
succeeded or failed because of Industry votes rather than
just because we recruited all our friends and family to vote
for a song that might not even be that good".
-
Gypsy
Child
One
of the points I’ve been stressing in the recent interviews
I’ve given in The Ventura Star and the Ojai Valley news is
that all you need is a good song and access to a computer. You
can get attention and success without having lawyers and
managers and such. It
seems to me that the major labels could learn a thing or two
from MakeaStar.com. I mean it’s the Fans that pay the bills!."
-
Deni
To
tell you the truth, this is what convinced me to participate.
Initially I was afraid I would be competing against bands with
big mailing lists - which I don’t have. When I saw that
members of the music Industry were given an equal vote, I felt
the playing field was level and the contest would be worth
entering. It was!
-
Robin
Frederick
"The artist I
referred to MakeaStar is Mike Burn who is now in the stadium
final. He is thrilled with MakeaStar and your site has exceeded
all expectations. Keep up the great work!"
-
Mark
Hewer
"I
wanted to reveal that a better version of our song Belly of God
is now on our mp3.com page. We had adjusted this song thanks to
your reviewer STINGRAY who gave us some very valid advice.
Please let him know that we have made some adjustments with his
advice in mind."
-
Elopium
I
think the equality is excellent and a much needed formula. The
Industry reviews are very important because as a writer/performer,
it is very necessary for me to know how (the Industry) feels.
There is always room to improve and that is what
MakeaStar.com offers. It gives me a great deal to think about when
I’m working on my next song.
-
Michael
Mulholland
The review I got was not only honest, but was written by a person
who obviously knows about music, production and the music
business. Overall, MakeaStar.com offers a very professional
service! All my weak points have been discussed and I've received
good advice. Not that all aspects mentioned were totally new for
me, but the reviewer simply did a professional job!...The equal
voting system is great! It is very interesting to see how the
Industry reps and the Fans voted. I think this is a fair system!
I
would say it was one of the best things I did in the last
months to
click on your advertising banner on MP3.com!"
-
Mike Burn
