Monday, August 4, 2008

Coming Out of the Dark

Designed as a companion to the singer's 1991 Into The Light--World Tour concert video, this look behind the scenes in Gloria Estefan's career draws drama and urgency from her recovery following a disastrous bus accident, which crippled the Cuban-American performer even as her popularity pushed further into the pop mainstream. Produced for the video arm of her record company, Coming Out of the Dark is hardly an objective documentary, laced as it is with testimonials from executives and frankly designed as a valentine to the feisty star; when we're given an "informal" look at Estefan composing new material in her music room, there isn't a figurative hair out of place as captured through these expertly shot segments.

The story, however, is intrinsically compelling, and Estefan offers her fans glimpses into the genesis of the songs from her Into the Light album. The singer's steely resolve, which doubtless explained the speed of her recovery, is visible, too, as is her sure sense of command over recording sessions. Brief performance excerpts show her saucy style of salsa-drenched pop, as well as less satisfying stabs at boiler-plate pop-rock songs that were aimed squarely at the charts. A segment chronicling a video shoot with choreographer-turned-director Kenny Ortega reveals both the technical intricacy of shooting elaborate dance sequences and the hyperbolic coddling platinum stars can expect from their most diplomatic handlers. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Review: THAT MOVIE IS THE BEST
i thought that movie is the best gloria did a great job on her recovery and i thought it was great. the picture was a little fizzy but it goes away .. great movie get it ..
Customer Review: Re: ASAP
Does this Moves show the accicent and does it show her recovery


One of the hardest things about choosing the independent route for any artist is how to get your product out to the masses. Rejecting the road the big labels have paved (and blocked!) means that you retain control over your product, but it also means that all of the advertising techniques used by the big guys to flood the market with the latest hit are not available.

It used to be that independent musical artists could start with their local scene and create an in to bigger fame that way, a sort of osmosis effect. However, the modern era has seen a huge rise in conglomeration, where most radio stations, even those touted as local, are in fact owned and their programming controlled by corporations. Like the big labels, these media giants have business, and not necessarily quality, governing the bottom line.

Without being able to count on a lot of local support in the form of airplay, independent artists are now forced to rely on the other tool to get their message out: touring. Again, the life of an indie group in this area is made more difficult due to the lack of support. Venues need to be sought out and sealed by the band or individual themselves, and events are hard-won.

Battle of the bands competitions and side stages at major music festivals have also proved to be effective marketing tools for the promotion of a bands music. It may take a lot of time and effort, but a relentless touring schedule may be the only avenue left for an indie band to make their mark.

Greg Aldrich is the CEO of InBlaze Entertainment, and owner of the Indie Update blog, IndieUpdate.com. He has a passion for helping independent artists and getting the word out about great indie music. This is a sample article from the IndieUpdate blog.

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