Jeff Royds: Creator, NewEnglandGarageBands.com
By Craig Lindberg
Ask local musicians about the biggest obstacle they face and about 99% would say, “Getting our music exposed to the masses.” Talent is only part of the equation ~ it’s exposure, getting the music out there ~ that is critical to the big “C” word: Career.
Jeff Royds, 36, and his NewEnglandGarageBands.com website are now one of the most powerful forces behind that equation, and the list of bands he has already helped is, to say the least, impressive. In fact, many of us got to know NEGB as Boston Garage Bands, but due to the growing popularity of the site, Jeff decided to change the name to New England Garage Bands on Jan. 1.
The launch of NewEnglandGarageBands.com (again, at that time called BostonGarageBands.com) in April of 2007 opened up for local musicians an avenue that had previously been almost impossible to access: widespread exposure at little to no cost!
“NEGB offers local musicians the opportunity to create a profile to network for gigs, upload music and video, and access other avenues to promote their music,” states Jeff. Bands with no budgets get to have their music played 24/7 on NEGB ~ and if they become premium members, they get a web presence, their own site, email, mp3s, blogs, the works ~ and all without any annoying ads.
“As a local musician, I had always been frustrated by ‘The Industry’ and how hard it was to get a little recognition locally, never mind nationally.” One of the first contacts Jeff makes with a band is to invite them to be on his “Behind the Scenes” podcast show that can be found on the NEGB website and on the NEGB page in iTunes ~ this first interview is often what gives a band its first legitimate entry on its press kit and that starts the ball rolling for gigs, new fans, and a general buzz. And once they’re in the NEGB family, Jeff contacts them about gigs he thinks they may be right for, keeping them in the loop and sometimes even creating shows ~ called “NEGB Live” ~ specifically for his “stable” of bands. Also, he often takes on the often challenging role of liaison between club owners and musicians.
Jeff, who fronts and plays bass guitar for “Bullethead,”,a local rock band, firmly believes that local musicians are a community, and as such should look out for each other and do what they can to support and promote each other. “The site felt like something I had to do as well as wanted to do…It’s a lot of time and work, but it’s a true labor of love,” Jeff explains. This labor of love extends to doing charity work as well, as he recently organized a fundraiser to benefit diabetic research.
What does the future hold for NEGB? “We are revolutionizing the music industry.” That’s a bold statement, but Jeff is backing it up with an exciting new project: “NEGB is now making it possible for local bands to get their music on the Rock Band Network.”
Jeff recently struck a deal with Hit Play Creations of Boston to offer NEGB Premium members an amazing deal on translating their music into Rock Band readable formatting. “The Rock Band Network is going to be the next big thing in the industry,” explains Jeff. “Artists will be able to create actual ‘Rock Band’ video game ready versions of their songs, The Rock Band Network will allow the artists to upload these songs to be previewed and, if liked, downloaded and used with their own Rock Band game!” The partnership with Hit Play, who found Jeff on the strength of NEGB, will give a very significant discount to members of the NEGB network of bands for the service.
If you are a local musician looking for superior networking and resources, look no further than newenglandgaragebands.com. Big things are happening…