Internet Has Changed Music Distribution Forever

Musicians: why not make at least some if not all of your music free to download? In this new Internet-paradigm we live in most information is free. Music is information. It's the live performance that people pay to see. This is why MTV, the radio, and big label music must adapt or die. It's no longer about putting millions of dollars into promoting and distributing the music. It's about getting the music to go viral on the Internet so you can book the live (paying) shows. And your music will only go viral if it's free. Musicians who sign up to Artopium.com can utilize several options for distributing their work. You may sell your CD, Vinyl (you distribute) or Mp3 downloads. All options allow you to include samples of your music that cannot easily be downloaded (the player masks the source of the music but anything being played through One's speakers can be copied. E.g. I can rip music from bandcamp all day long). However, therein lies the paradox. It's unlikely somone is going to buy your music if they can't hear your music. Musicians on Artopium.com can also include free downloads of their music. This is best because someone is more likely to turn on to your sound if they're introduced to it through a friend rather than a website. You make this infinitely easier when it's free. I suggest having your entire album in both purchasable download and free download SIDE BY SIDE when you distribute. Who knows? You might even make MORE $$$$ Just something to think about.

Artopium Roving Festival is BACK!!

I'm excited to announce that after a very long hiatus, Artopium's Roving Festival is BACK and BETTER than ever before! After taking some time to finish Artopium's Guide to Urban Camping, a Youtube video series I did as a way of "branding" the Artopium image. You can watch it all right here: http://www.Youtube.com/StealthCamping. In any case I'm proud to say that not only have I nearly completed the the video series, I have also completely revamped both Artopium.com and RovingFestival.com. They not only have a new, smart look, but are completely mobilized and smartphone ready. So now you can add your art, music, fashion, film or book right from the palm of your hand. Not only have the websites enjoyed a rebirth, but Artopium's Roving Festival is also starting up again and will be at Third Eye Shoppe on Hawthorne Blvd and 39th, Portland, OR on August 23rd, 2014. this is very exciting as it's been a rather long time since the past festival. This festival will be centered and themed around shamanism and I will hopefully have some nice surprises. As usual the artist and music lineup is completely local to Portland and include a wide variety of acts. Check out the event page: http://www.rovingfestival.com/cgi/a.cgi?P=thirdeye.htm

Pros & Cons of Being an Urban Camper

Pros of being an urban camper.
_______

I'm free.
I'm closer to nature.
I meet more people.
I make my own schedule and work when I want to.
I'm less burdened with the responsibilities of material things.
I pay no rent.
I pay no bills. Well, OK, I have bills, for the phone and credit cards, but my debt is much smaller than yours.
I see and experience new and interesting things every day.
I have more time to be creative.
I'm constantly learning new things about the world around me.
I watch no television, but I do watch movies on my laptop.
I have more time to reflect upon things.
I worry less, or not at all.
All the money I make is mine.
I'm more physically active and a bit healthier for it.
I have more time to study the books I really wanted to study but couldn't while I was in college.
I've learned to defend myself against most of the elements (still working on almost freezing rain).
I'm a survivor.
I have amazing stories to tell.
I live "off the grid".
I'm a gypsy, pirate, nomad, and a lot of other words that always fascinated me as a child.
_______ _________
Cons of being an urban camper.
____________________

People look at you differently, sometimes badly (I'm trying to change this).
If you're not mentally prepared, like, you've never been camping before, then it isn't for you.

__________________
Pros of being a "House-y", that's someone who lives in a walled "House" structure thing, apartments included.
___________________

Get to sit on the couch and watch television.
Easy access to refrigeration.
Easy access to bathroom facilities.
Easier access to potable water.
Less chores and maintenance.
Easier access to entertainment.
Can invite friends over for entertainment in all weather.
Can give friends a place to stay for a while.
__________________
Cons of being a "House-y".
____________________

Rent/Mortgage.
Bills.
Work.
More "things" to worry about, like the security of your "things" (lock the door), how are "things" with the boss, now I must replace this "thing" (light bulbs), etc.
Isolation, cabin fever.
Disconnection from neighbors.
Disconnection from society at large.
More materialistic.
More polluting and damaging to the environment (more chemicals poured down drain, more toilet flushes, more electrical energy consumed, waste lumber and construction materials, more oil consumed, etc.).
You can probably dream up a host of personal reasons from here...

Have Gas Scooter, Will Travel

I am glad to announce that I have finally obtained the gas scooter I have been talking about for so long! I bought it off of Portland's craigslist for $200 (that's half it's value) using the money donated to the Artopium Art Troupe so that we can create the Artopium Art Booth. Having the scooter is going to go a long way in helping to haul the Art Booth equipment from location to location so we are very grateful that we have it and we kindly thank everyone, like people like you, who have helped to make it happen. Look forward to seeing me and my struggle to understand the inner workings of the 33cc engine that propels me toward my Artopium future showcased in the first episode of this next season's Guide to Urban Camping.

New urban camping episodes now playing!

Two more fantastic episodes of Artopium's Guide to Urban Camping have been released! Come check them out. Watch them here or on the official Art Troupe video blog channel at youtube.com/stealthcamping.

Artopium Art Troupe Charter to be released soon!

Where to even begin with this blog. I would like to introduce to you a new face in the Artopium journey, and you may know him as Kami. Kami came to me in the most random series of meetings and encounters and ended with He and I sharing a common idea: to put forth all art/music and to travel the world doing it. We have both collaborated to write up an official charter to lay down the rules of initiation and duties to the Artopium Art Troupe. Once the charter is written we will only need one more of the three founders necessary to set the charter into effect. We hope to find that person soon.

Episode II is now playing!

I just released the second episode of Artopium's "Guide to Guerrilla Urban Camping" and it's now playing on my YouTube channel.