General Ebel here, fresh off the plane from Fishcon 2011. I was recently interviewed by the Freelance 4 Real show and we talked about what it takes to survive as a small business- any small business -but particularly the über-competitive world of independent music. Co-hosts Justin Kownacki and Michael Sorg asked me about the delicate balance involved in asking YOU to spread the word about my music. It’s the difference between begging for attention and earning your assistance.

I don’t like begging, I don’t know anyone who does, but to be frank my very survival depends on your involvement. You’ve already heard the music and I’m glad you’re a fan, but I need you to go one step further than the ordinary masses out there. Chris Penn would talk about changes to Facebook and Google and how their systems now depend almost entirely on people sharing stuff with their friends, but I’ll put it in terms of the music industry:

• Blogs, Magazines, and Radio stations only want to run stories about bands that have a buzz going.
• Venues and booking agents only want to work with artists who inspire their fans to action.
• The #1 reason people buy new music is based on a recommendation from a friend, not from ads or promotions.
• I will only be able to tour to your town if we can generate enough buzz to get people’s attention.

Music, like any other small business, depends on people like you spreading the word around your town and your online community. Without your help, all I’m doing is begging for attention. It’s like two lovers having a fight: Music industry types aren’t going to hear me if I tell them I deserve a shot, but as soon as they hear the same message from one other trusted source they’ll take it seriously. It’s amazing what a little word of mouth can accomplish.

The Ask

Something we talked about during the interview was not being afraid to ask.  So what am I asking you to do? I need you to keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities to spread the word. Here are a few examples:

• Whenever I post a video on my YouTube Channel – Don’t just “Like” it, share it via email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.
• When I post something to the blog, use the Share buttons at the bottom.
• If you hear of a local event or business that could use my music, throw it at them. If I knew anyone behind #OccupyWallStreet right now, I’d be sending them copies of It’s Raining Bankers and They Got The Money

In a nutshell, YOU are my record label. Every artist you like depends on you to help them grow and survive. If you truly want to see this lone goofball’s music rise and dominate the world (a modest goal), then I need YOU to share me with your friends. Anything I do that doesn’t flat-out offend you or injure your soul, please share it with others. I’m counting on you every day, so thank you for not letting me down.

I’m doing my best not to let you down, ever.

What made you a Matthew Ebel fan? (Assuming you are one. If not, grab some free songs and tell me what you think.) It’s not always easy to quantify, but I’d like you to try. It may not even be my music that brought you here.

I know what made me a Ben Folds fan- His ability to produce amazing sounds with only a few instruments just seemed brilliant. Even the album he made for Shatner sounded great.

I know what made me a Henry Rollins fan- NOT his music. Seriously. His spoken word stuff is amazing; it should all be called “Tales of a Man Who Abhors Bullshit.”

I know what made me an Amanda Palmer fan- Her ability to parlay mediocre label support into a self-sustaining music career is inspiring for those of us trying to skip the label step entirely. She’s anything but Top 40 material and yet has a following that just won’t quit.

So what made you a fan of ME? What is it about me or my music that made you support me?

I’ve discovered that there are two factors that motivate The Powers That Be (otherwise known as the Us from my Manifesto): Eyeballs and Influence. You, my awesome fans, matter only insomuch as either how many of you are out there or how much you’ll do when I ask you. You’re either a valuable demographic or an eager volunteer.

If you want me to become famous and tour the planet, you need to help me prove myself to the Big Industry Players. At least, that’s the way they want it to work. If you ever want to see me on a big stage with sparklers and moving lights, I have to show The Powers That Be that I can mobilize you like… well, like a Robot Army.

Would you do that for me? If I asked you not just to share my music but to get five or ten of your friends to join my mailing list, would you make it your mission? If I book a show 50 miles from your house, would you pack the car with friends and road-trip out to the concert? Those are the kinds of things The Powers That Be want to see; I must be able to command you like the President deploying the 101st.

Fuck that.

Again, as I said in my Manifesto, you are not just a listener drone. I don’t empower you, You empower me. I am neither your commander-in-chief nor your boss nor your mom. All I’ve done to deserve your support is show You support when you use your voice.

Do I need more fans? Of course I do. Would “being noticed” by the Big Industry Players help me get on stage in your town? Very likely. I won’t pretend that an active crowd of Matthew Ebel fans wouldn’t propel me into a new echelon of rock stardom. I’m just not going to pretend I’m your leader, even if I call myself General Ebel from time to time.

If you need a mission, there are always a few over at www.matthewebel.com/help. But I’m proud to say that my fans are not mindless followers. You are creative, you are proactive, and you mobilize me.

All I ask is that you influence others as much as you’ve influenced this lone piano-rocker.

UPDATE: Holycrap, you guys filled this need in under 24 hours? Damn. I’m speechless! Thanks for the support, I’ll be sure to send video/photos of the sound panels when I start putting them together.

The dirty little secret of recording studios is that 90% of the work is done by the room. If the room sounds good, the recording sounds a whole lot better. I’m in a new studio now, complete with granite walls, low ceilings, and a furnace. You can help me prepare for The Lives of Dexter Peterson recording sessions, though, by helping me treat the studio walls!

Of course, there are always other ways to help listed over at http://matthewebel.com/help/

A while back I scoffed at the advice that I should “get booked on the Oprah Winfrey Show” to gain more exposure. Well, I’d like your help in trying something close to that. Another female powerhouse, Ellen Degeneres, actually WANTS MUSIC SUGGESTIONS for her show.

If you’ve got just a couple of minutes, I’d love to get your assistance in reaching out to her. It’s a long-shot, I know, but I’ve always wanted to try something like this! Here’s all you need to do:

1. Go to http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=257
2. Fill out the feedback form there.
3. Put Matthew Ebel as the Artist Name
4. Put your favorite Matthew Ebel song as the Song Title (my favorite is Everybody Needs A Robot).

That’s it! It’ll take you, like, 30 seconds to do all this. Who knows? I may be playing a show live on ABC someday thanks to your help!

We’re now 12 days into Movember and, thus far I’ve got mixed results. For those that aren’t up to speed on this, Movember is the month when men grow out the mustache to raise awareness and funds to fight prostate and testicular cancers. Hey, it’s a lot more macho than wearing a pink shirt, right?

Anyhoo, thus far my fans and I have only raised about $185 for the cause. ACK! This is pitiful! It’s not even close to the $1,250 that C.C. Chapman has raised! This is unacceptable! We must TAKE HIM DOWN! All you have to do to assure victory (and help fight cancer) is donate right here…

Of course, on the lighter side of things, my Mo is totally beating the crap out of C.C.’s. And that’s what really matters, isn’t it? He’s even trying to make his Mo look bigger by losing a bunch of weight… nice try, CCFC, but your little stunt will do nothing for you (except make you healthier and look better), my ‘stache is already lifting weights and taking Tae-Kwan-Mo. WE WILL DESTROY YOU IN A STEEL CAGE! Or something…

It’s time to kick testicular cancer in the balls.

In case you didn’t hear the latest episode of Accident Hash, I’m challenging C.C. Chapman and others to grow out a ‘stache to help raise awareness and funds for men’s cancer research.

So do me and every man a favor… go to www.matthewebel.com/movember and donate some cash (or grow your ‘stache). All proceeds are split between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, so every dollar helps!

UPDATE: All slots have been filled. Thanks so much to those of you who spread the word!

The next five people that join my mailing list will be gifted a FREE part of my next album at Sellaband. That means when I hit the goal and the album is produced, you’ll receive a free limited-edition version of the album and share in the sales for the next 5 years! Oh yeah, you’ll also get 3 free songs right now.

Along with them, anyone who referred those 5 people will ALSO get a free part. So if you’re already on my mailing list, go grab a friend and tell ‘em where to get their free music!

Of course, if you want more than just the one part, you can always grab more and get extra benefits right here:

http://sellaband.com/matthewebel

UPDATE: Hooray! I just made Artist of the Week! Thank all of you who voted, this is your victory!

Last week I made the #2 slot for Sellaband’s Artist of the Week contest. This week I’m back and I need your help to make #1 by Monday morning! Here’s what you need to do:

1. If you haven’t already, sign up for Sellaband as a Believer.
2. Once you’ve got an account, go to my page at http://sellaband.com/matthewebel
3. Click the giant button on the right-hand side that says:
   
4. BONUS: If you’ve invested any money in any artists (like me) on Sellaband, you can vote every day this week. Please do!

If I make it to the #1 spot this week I’ll get $200 towards my next album from Sellaband as well as a bunch of other promotional opportunities. So far they’ve been VERY good about not spamming people, too, so don’t worry. Please help by voting, thanks!

REAL quick, I promise… I’m part of their “Artist of the week” popularity contest right now and I need your votes. If you’ve already pre-ordered my next album you can vote daily, otherwise just make your mark once and you’ll help me out!

Just hit http://www2.sellaband.com/sixpack.html for more info and to see the competition.

Just LOG IN and VOTE at http://sellaband.com/matthewebel as often as you can. Thanks!