Frequently Asked Questions About Indy In-Tune
NOTE: For more general questions about podcasting, listening to podcasts, and subscribing to podcasts, check out the "
Subscriptions FAQ."
What Is Indy In-Tune?
A podcast (or possibly better described to old media people as an Internet radio show), blog, and web community dedicated to the central Indiana music scene.
Who Puts This Out?
Me, a music geek named
Darrin, with a little help from
my friends.
Are You a Musician?
It may be accurate to describe me as a "keyboard player" and occasional composer. I would consider "musician" a stretch -- and an insult to some of my best friends. I have, however, had years of lessons on multiple instruments, and aced just about every music course in college that didn't require me to change my major -- just to keep the GPA up.
Would I know you from any bands?
Over the last 23 years ... Sapphyre, The Turing Machine, the original lineup of Ida No, the final lineup of The Fabulous Huckleberries, Into the Mystic, various brief collaborations with people like Neil Marsh and Tim Spainhower, and the first incarnation of Blue Tear. Of those, only Blue Tear still exists, though it's now a cover band with only one original member in it.
How Often Does the Show Go Out?
Pretty much, "it comes out when it comes out." I try to average three to four episodes a month (though that sometimes means three in one week then three weeks of nothing), however I've also been known to take months off and work on other projects that help to feed the family and pay the mortgage.
How Do I Get on the Show?
Have a band, be from Central Indiana (or at least be a band visiting Central Indiana), write at least 15 minutes of original music, and fill out a
booking request form.
How Do You Choose Which Artists Get On the Show?
See above. I don't discriminate, and I try to get everybody on eventually ... sometimes it just takes several months to coordinate.
Do You Make Any Money Off This?
Heck, no. I'm the Don Davis of music.
Then Why Do It?
Please, don't make me stop to think about it.
What Equipment Do You Use?
It's varied over the years. It generally consists of a laptop running
Audacity, with a bunch of mics and y-splitters. The early shows were recorded on $7 gamer headsets designed for computers. These days I use six Shure Pro 8900WD's with On-Stage 6515 PosiLok Boom Desktop Microphone Stands and Large Foam Ball-Type Mic Windscreens (Black). Just in case anybody wanted to buy me a christmas present, I could use an 8-channel USB mixer.
Where/When Do You Record?
Everything's portable, and over the years we've recorded in just about every type of location imaginable: bars, restaurants, diners, bookstores, houses, sound studios, parking lots, coffee shops, restaurant kitchens, park benches, the back of a van, the hood of my car, hotel rooms, remotely via Skype, and just for kicks, we once set up in a crowded bowling alley. Obviously, I like using the background ambience to create a unique, organic sound and energy for each show.
How Long After Recording Will the Show Go Out?
Get off my back, I'll get to it as soon as I can. Oh, sorry, ummmm, you know, day jobs, other side projects, out drinking beer and listening to other bands ... a lot ..., a family that screams for attention, etc. It's like mixing and mastering an album, and it takes about four hours to edit a one-hour show. The trick is finding those four hours. Generally we like to record 3-6 weeks prior to release, but a more precise esitmate can be found on the
upcoming shows schedule -- though realistically, that errs on the side of optimism as well.
How Many Listeners Do You Have?
It varies depending on time of year, the popularity of the band, and how intensively the guest helps promote their appearance on the show. Some of the most popular shows have had download numbers in the thousands, most are in the hundreds. Either way, it's probably a lot more people than the band plays to on a typical night. According to stats, 80-85% of downloads are from the Indianapolis area, 10-15% from the sourrounding states, but we know for a fact that we have regular listeners in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as regular downloads coming from China, Russia, and Mexico.
How Can I Help You?
As I say at the end of most shows, "Get out there and visit these establishments that support local, live music (yes, even if it's a cover band)." Butts in the seats and drinks going to the tables means they can afford to hire and pay bands. If you want to talk up the joys of Indy In-Tune to your friends, random strangers, the band, or the venue owner while you're there, that's appreciated. If you want to reciprocate a link or a banner on your website, Facebook, or MySpace page, that would be awesome. If you want to play the
fun fan challenge, then you're even cooler that I thought by looking at you, and heck, I'll even buy you a drink for your efforts next time I see you.
