http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=312150913
Dylan For Virgins is a regular DIY music podcast which reviews the works of independent artists. Each episode we feature one song of the independent artist reviewed and provide helpful tips and tricks of the music industry that work for all performers in all genres. Aside from the music business, we also tell stories that have helped us as musicians in performances all around North America, and fascinating musical stories from great musical legends; from Bob Dylan, to Jimi Hendrix.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about how you got into music, as well as the other creative hobbies you have?
I started playing music at an early age with Piano till about 8 or 9. When I was 20, I bought my first guitar, and started teaching myself to play on acoustic, but it wasn’t until I was 26 or so that I started to take music seriously. I was really drawn to the creative process of songwriting, and how rewarding it can be. From that, I started to write a lot; and in 2008 I created a poetry project, where I wrote a poem everyday for a year. This last year in 2010, I self published and released a collective works of the poems, added with some new poetry, in a 160 page book titled “A Walk, Uphill in the snow”. I actually made only a hundred copies, numbered each one, and put a seal of wax on each one, to personalize the first edition, as this was a big accomplishment and goal for me in my life. Aside from a few I put aside to sell on my website, http://www.colinrinkmusic.com, I sold all of them whilst on my last tour/
2. How do you know Randy, your Dylan for Virgins co-host?
I actually met Randy when I was looking for places to record my first album “Bury Me Deep in the Ground”. I had gone to a few studios, around where I live in Vancouver, British Columbia, and met Randy that way. We have the same goals with music, as he is also a DIY musician, and insanely talented. My album was recorded there, something just clicked, and we’ve been good friends and working together ever since.
3. What made you decide to start a podcast about the music business?
I am a DIY musician myself, and have crossed many hurdles so far in my music career, as I’m sure all DIY musicians and bands have. I see a lot of talented people out there, and on the DIY level, it can be hard knowing where to start, and how to be effective to doing certain things, and moving forward. I also a big fan of independent music, so getting to review it, and listen to all the artists who are submitting, is great for me, cause I’m always discovering great music.
4. You’ve recently returned from a tour across Canada. What would you say you’ve gained from that experience?
I actually gained a lot from that tour, more so then I could have ever imagined. I booked 90% of the tour myself (the other artist booking 10% or so), and since the tour was 3 months long, from coast to coast, there was a lot of co-ordination, with club owners, radio and promotions along the way. It was a lot of back and fourth, but the experience was amazing. As for the shows and fans I met along the way, it was incredible how receptive people were to my music; people that I’d never met, and were first discovering my music. I did also get to network and meet up with a lot of other musicians which was great. I had a personal goal in my lifetime to tour all across Canada, dipping my foot in the Pacific ocean, then the Atlantic, so that was pretty epic for me. I tell myself every year to make goals for myself with music, and the arts, and do my best to follow through. 2009 was my first album and tour, which I accomplished. 2010 was book release and a tour across Canada.
5. What are your goals and aspirations for the new year?
2011, I really want to get more in touch with my fans, build a bigger audience, and maybe talk to labels and booking agents regarding my music. I love getting that one on one feel with people when it comes to my music. I’ve been writing a book of short stories, and a novel for some time, and that’s on the list for completion, as well as going to literary agents after it’s complete. Painting, also I would love to get back into, and album #2.
6. Do you have one show that you’ve done that you think is better than all the others?
I don’t really know if there is one that is better or not, sometimes things are amazing on stage and you can’t do anything wrong, sometimes you can’t to anything right. A special one for me in Vancouver, was my CD release party in June of 2009. That was pretty epic. I had promoted the show for about three months, and it was packed, and a great night and the bands that I got to play with. As for this past tour, one of the shows that was a highlight was playing at Sharkfest in Kamloops BC, a yearly festival, where we played for about 150 people, and there were about 8 bands. There was certain energy about that show that stuck with me.
7. If you could interview any living artist, who would it be?
There are so many that I would like to, but if I had to choose, probably Leonard Cohen or Bob Dylan. Thing is, there isn’t anything new you can say to those guys, they’ve heard it all, and they’re bigger then life. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some people that were heroes to me, but, no matter what you say to those guys they already heard it before, and answered it twice over.
8. What do you think is the role, if any, of podcasters in helping independent artists become more popular?
I think that in today’s world with DIY artists, it’s hard to break out and get noticed by people around you. The web is an amazing resource, and if you can get your name out there as much as possible, it will return to you in one way or another. I’ve found that big labels, and record companies, aren’t really interested in you unless you’ve done a lot of the work yourself, which is a lot different then the old days where they stuck with you for life. With facebook, twitter, and blogging, fans now are demanding and getting more from their favourite artists and bands, and whether it’s a review podcast, or just a podcast about what you or your band is up to, it gives the fans more to take away from just your album or shows.
9. What are your favorite Podcasts to listen to?
I try to listen to a lot of different podcasts. The great thing is on that there are so many different types; from sewing to music, or building houses, so any information you want is right at your fingertips. I personally check out the CD Baby DIY podcasts, as they have some helpful hints as well for the music industry, and also writing and poetry podcasts.
10. What do you do when your not running Dylan For Virgins?
I do have a regular 9-5 job as of right now, as I work on my music on my spare time. I have a lot of hobbies such as writing, painting and such, and I also go to school part time, to learn more, as the learning process never stops. This semester I’m taking Japanese for fun, and maybe another language in the summer semester. I also read as much as I can, right now I’m reading “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseni. So far, I love it.
11. If your podcast could cover just one Artist, who would it be?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. I like my podcast because it covers so many artists and that I can listen and follow the paths of many independent musicians and bands, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be Jimi Hendrix or Kurt Cobain. I know they are both dead, but it seems like me, many are drawn to not only the person, but what they stood for, and did so with integrity.
12. Between blogs, podcasts and internet radio stations, do you believe one source of media is more influential than the others? Why?
I think that that all internet medias can have a great influence, one vs. the other is hard to say, as people like different things. Some listen to podcasts, while others don’t and listen to internet radio, or read blogs instead. Personally I feel audio podcasting has exploded, and is probably the most beneficial source out there, however blogging would be a quick second for me. The ability to have fans follow you’re movements on your career and make them a part of your story, is a great concept, and makes it more exciting. Internet radio stations are an excellent way to discover independent music, as I do listen to them quite a bit.
13. What do you think makes your podcast stand out from all the others?
Our podcast is a little different, as Randy and I are both independent, DIY artists, and all the information we use is based off personal experience. We also drink beer on the air, and tell funny stories that have happened to us, and have a lot of fun too. We do promote a lot of music (1 artist / band per episode), as well as my own, however we aren’t pushing anything, and do it for the love of music, and fans, and DIY musicians, which is why I love doing it.
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Greetings from Western Australia! As I type this I am in the backseat of a car driving from Perth to Margaret River to enjoy a day of wine tasting and beach before I teach a masterclass to local musicians. I have been invited here by The West Australian Music Industry Association to kick off their workshop series and have so far met and presented to over 200 musicians, labels owners, music industry students and managers. This is my third visit to Australia in 18 months and I love this country. I have been welcome here and have met lifelong friends and some of the most wonderful musicians (knows as “musos” in Aussie speak) on earth. 
The Indie Maximum Exposure List is Ariel Hyatt’s manifesto on how indie musicians can realistically profit from Web 2.0 & social media. 
