ICYMI: Time is running out. Royal City Studios February sale*—50% off recording studio time—ends February 28th. (*Engineer time extra.) Just $50/hour gets you the DAW (Pro Tools), microphones, and sound treatment. Don’t feel like hauling drums to the studio? RCS has an excellent in-house kit. Bring your own engineer or hire one of the RCS engineers (rates starting at $25/hour).

Email RCS at info@royalcitystudios.ca, call (226) 314-2177, DM RCS on social, or drop around to 930 Woodlawn Rd. W., Unit 1 in Guelph, ON, before Feb. 28th to book the studio and lock in this amazing deal before it’s too late.

RCS Records’ First Release Coming Soon

Some five months after Royal City Studios announced the formation of a small independent label, RCS Records will soon be releasing its first single, “The World That We Know” by the newly formed Guelph-based music project ParadoX Arcade. Other releases may also be coming in 2023. Stay tuned to this newsletter, RCS on Facebook or Instagram, or RCS Records on Instagram.

Save 20% on Royal City Studios Membership (Limited Memberships Available)

  • Unlimited rehearsals for bands for 12 months for $2,000 (normally $2,500). That’s less than $167 per month for your band, or less than $42 per month broken out among four band members.
  • Unlimited rehearsals for an individual for 12 months for $800 (normally $1,000). That’s less than $67 per month.

Limited discount memberships available. To grab yours, email info@royalcitystudios.ca or call (226) 314-2177.

Open Mic Nights and More at Royal City Studios

Looking for an opportunity to let your music/vocals shine? RCS has you covered:

  • Open Mic Night—Every Thursday Night (7-10 PM)

All genres, musicians, instruments, and singers are welcome. Amps, drums, mics, and PA provided. Just bring your instrument, voice, patch cables, and/or sticks. $5 cover for musicians to sign up and perform. No cost for others to come along and enjoy live music in the licensed RCS Music Hall.

  • All Blues Open Mic Night—Every Wednesday Night (8:30-11 PM)

Amps, drums, mics, and PA provided. Just bring your instrument, voice, patch cables, and/or sticks. $5 cover for musicians to sign up and perform. All proceeds help support ongoing events and operations of RCS as a community music facility. No cost for others to come along and enjoy live music in the licensed RCS Music Hall.

RCS House band—The Dirty Riffs: Cary Juan, Caleb Bourgeois, Steve Wilson, Brendan Somervillw, and Paul Laufert.

  • Karaoke Sundays—Coming March 5th

Hosted by Jimmy Breeze (The Flamboro Guns), Karaoke Sundays will happen on the first and third Sunday of each month. Food available to order. $5 cover per performer. No cost for others to come along and enjoy live music in the licensed RCS Music Hall.

All above events are accessible and inclusive. Lots of free parking. All proceeds collected from the above events help support ongoing events and operations of RCS as a community music facility.

Questions? Concerns? Email RCS at info@royalcitystudios.ca, call (226) 314-2177, or DM RCS on social (Facebook or Instagram). Royal City Studios is located at 930 Woodlawn Rd. W., Unit 1 in Guelph, ON.

The Loop – The Latest Insights to Help with Band Marketing

More Proof That Radio Is Alive and Well

With all the chatter about streaming, it’s easy to forget that traditional media remains alive and well, and radio still rocks in terms of audience reach.

According to recent MRI-Simmons data published by Statista, 91% of U.S. adults listen to terrestrial radio at least once a week, which far exceeds the reach of live and time-shifted TV (76%), social media (70%), and online video (67%).

Given the often-rigid playlist nature of many (or most) terrestrial radio stations, artists may understandably ask, “How does this help me get airplay for my music when terrestrial radio is basically a closed door for indie music submission?”

Terrestrial radio may not represent a viable medium for indie or small-label music submission, but the MRI-Simmons data also shows that 53% of U.S. adults listen to online radio, and a quick search of online radio stations will soon show you that many online radio stations do accept indie music submission.

Moreover, radio offers artists advantages that streaming can’t offer. Read Why Radio Still Matters to Bands and Live Shows.

Instagram Projected to Gain Ground on Facebook

With 2 billion monthly active users (MAUs), Instagram may stand behind Facebook (2.9 billion MAUs), but that’s projected to change.

According to Business of Apps, Instagram has grown at a steady pace, and is on track to reach 2.5 billion MAUs at some point in 2023. In contrast, Facebook’s user growth stalled in 2021 for the first time since Facebook’s launch. Providing similar statistics, Insider Intelligence reported in February 2022, “[Facebook’s] rapid growth days could be a thing of the past.”

This isn’t to say Facebook isn’t a key social media marketing channel to promote gigs and market your music. Mark Zuckerberg’s big blue platform still has incredible reach. Yet marketing on Instagram is to market on a platform where user numbers have steadily grown and are projected to continue.

The Best Times to Post on Instagram

Different sources provide different answers.

HubSpot, for example, recently reported that across all industries, the best times to post on Instagram are mid to late afternoon and mid to late evening. Inversely, Search Engine Journal found that mornings and 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. are good.

The disparate nature or such reports comes down to variables:

  • Where someone is located
  • A person’s time zone relative to other people
  • The online habits of a particular audience
  • Fluctuating work and lifestyle influences
  • Seasonal influences like summer vacations

And more.

So, it comes down to testing. Use Instagram Insights to track how certain posts perform and adjust post times and even post elements to ensure optimal reach and engagement.

Are hashtags still useful to boost post reach?

They may not be. Here’s why. Read “Social Media: The New Google?”

Tell Friends – Keep Them in the Loop

If you can’t use Royal City Studios’ 50% off recording studio time offer but know someone who can, share this newsletter. Win big karma!