Where I get my music.
 

OK, here is my big secret. I am going out on a limb here so please be kind to these folks and represent the community well. I'm trusting you guys not to blow it for me and the rest of us.

There is a website called http://www.unsignedbandweb.com. You can listen to music by artists and genre, etc. I am particularly fond of ambient and some of the electronic stuff. All these folks are looking for or have not yet discovered any representation. That is, they are unsigned to anyone. All you have to do is ask them if you can use a selection of theirs from the web site.

I have e-mailed dozens of folks and they have all said sure, I can use their stuff. I just have to let them know what and for what purpose it will be used. I never ask for anything other than usage rights. They retain all rights. I would never ask someone to sign over their art to me unless I was paying a hefty sum for it.

Granted there are quite a few folks on the web site I could never use because of quality issues. Then again there are folks like I have listed on my web page, Rec.Hat, KDream, and a new favorite of mine, Ronnie Raygun. They are professional sounding and cut pretty well.

Remember, if you go this route, play nice, ask permission, respect the artists and treat them as if they were gold. If you don't they won't be there for us when we need them. Then I would have to hunt you all down for ruining a good thing.

Last tip, surf around the Sony website for Sony Acid. They put tons of free loops up for grabs all the time. I have been known to use their free version to whip up something quick. I had to do a couple of 1/2 hour music shows recently from scratch. I whipped up some Acid tracks for the open, close and bumpers and we moved on.

Good luck and be nice to these guys. Also, only ask for stuff you think you'll use. Don't just blindly ask everyone on the site for their stuff. I could have done that and locked all you guys out but I didn't. If I were them and suudenly 30 people asked to use my stuff in videos, I would first be flattered, then I would get a lawyer. That would put an end to that.

Make some good videos folks.

Sean McHenry
DVC2 and DVC3 survivor

Thanks Sean
 

Hey Sean-

I ran across this web site in the process of searching around. Most excellent! Was too tired to write ALL the music in my flick-so only did some of it-and purchased a tune from another site.

Now that this challenge is over...I will certainly entertain the possibilities for the DVC#4.

I agree with you about respecting the artists and always do the same. I think it's important too.

I got my music from a work colleague who is trying to make it in the film industry as a soundtrack composer. He does my music for me for free cause he`s "my buddy", but is always open to challenges to write music. If you want him to work for pay he`s more than happy to, but he`ll also do it for free if you make no profit from the film, it gets him good recognition, and you ask him nicely.

If anyone is ever after some music, let me know and I`ll give you his email. (Once he`s back online !)

A taster of some of his work can be found on Speed Cameras Kill on Challenge #3.