A Musician’s Manifesto
By D. Allie
I want to be heard. However, it seems today that people are listening less and less. Personally, I remember counting down the days until an album came out like I was counting down the days till Christmas. With each countdown, I knew I was receiving a gift, and those classic CD’s still get play long after those Christmas boxers and socks have been thrown out. I still play Criminal Minded, Illmatic, Paid in Full, Midnight Marauders, Stakes is High, and so many other classic titles like they came out yesterday. Nowadays an artist is lucky if his peers even pick up the ring tone. On the flipside, to be fair the consumer, a listener is lucky if an artist drops anything deserving of being more than a ring tone. It is both unproductive and pointless in my mind to assign blame to either side because we are where we are and it is what it is, so to speak. Ultimately, what I am more interested in is where we, as a people, go from here.
As both an artist and a listener, I have seen first hand how both sides are extremely frustrated with the other. As I want this to change I decided to take the first step towards the listener in the fall of 2007. It was then I released my debut solo album, The Cooperative. I took my time and money to slowly craft a listening experience that I am proud of. Unfortunately, at times I feel like a tree in an unpopulated forest save the fact that I have not yet fallen. I am and would like to remain an independent artist because I refuse to change what I do and how I do it. Music is my love and I want to remain free creatively and intellectually as well as physically. That is why I have decided to take a second step toward the listener in the hopes you will take a couple steps my way.
A year after my albums initial release I have decided to give The Cooperative to the people for free. As established artists might release a single to get you excited for their release, I am confident enough in my entire album for you to hear the entire recording. I am still a largely unknown artist so I would like people to hear who I am in anyway possible. I can only do so many shows and spread the message so far by myself. Therefore, I am giving the album to you for free to hopefully enlist your support in my movement.
With this ever changing musical landscape there are many ways you can support me. For instance if you truly enjoy this release than please purchase and physical or digital copy, or purchase a future release. You are even helping me by burning this CD for a friend and helping spread the word about me in anyway possible. Put a song on your myspace or facebook page or email a friend. Come see me perform when I come to your town, or better yet help me perform in your city. If you’re a writer, pitch an article about me or review my CD. If you’re a Radio DJ get at me for radio edits. Buy a t-shirt, button, or sticker. Believe me when I say that any little thing you can do will help me a great deal. I really just need to spread the word in anyway possible and the possibilities of doing this are infinite. Tell people about my project and let them know I have put it up for free. Please let me know if you have an idea as to spread the word and I will let people know.
You will find some promotional materials in this download and if you’d like more you need only ask. You will also find all my contact info. Myspace me, facebook me, e-mail me, call me, see me, whatever me. I always want to be connected with people who feel the same way I do about music. I used to believe music was one of, if not the, most powerful mediums that existed in society and I grew up desperately wanting to contribute to that medium. I would like to believe that again and I am forever grateful that you have chosen to help me along my path. THANK YOU.
D. Allie
Feel Free To Download My Solo Debut “The Cooperative” By Clicking On The Picture Below And Spread The Word.
You Guys Truly Mean The World To Me
