In addition to the reviews for magazines and websites which I am hired to write, as an independent journalist and publicist with 30 years of experience, I also offer a service of professionally written promo pieces, artist profiles, interviews, and feature articles to artists for use in marketing and publicity.
I offer a PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE which includes:
- An in-depth feature article that combines an artist profile and discussion of the CD, video, etc. from a promotional perspective.
- The article will be posted on this site on its own attractively designed customized web page with CD cover, color photos, and links to the website of your choice. Each page has its own url you can link to and include in marketing materials and post on a website or Facebook.
- Additionally a shorter edited version of the article will be created and posted on point of purchase sites such as the artist’s Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby pages, where it can be seen by millions worldwide. On Amazon so far, I have received hundreds of comments from readers stating that my reviews were helpful to them.
The cost of a promotional package is $35, and now includes a new benefit – Reviews will also be submitted to Zone Music Reporter for publication on their website. ZMR is a major industry resource for recording artists to gain exposure in the genres of new age, ambient, world music, and more: www.zonemusicreporter.com
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Artists considering this service should email me (mdiamondstudio@aol.com) and send an mp3 or link to a sample of their music so I can determine whether it is something I can represent authentically. My areas of specialty are new age, ambient, electronic, and world music.
Music and Media Focus had well over 15,000 views from more than 100 countries in the first two years, and is growing all the time.
I’m also available to write press releases, CD liner notes, and promotional materials.
Update: I was gratified to learn recently that three of the recording artists I did feature articles and promotion for in this past year are nominated for the 2012 GRAMMY AWARD in the New Age category: Steven Halpern, Peter Kater, and Michael DeMaria – congratulations!
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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS FROM ARTISTS & PUBLICISTS
“
A thousand thanks for your insightful, thoughtful and heartfelt review. Not only do you write exceptionally well with a poetic turn of phrase, you have really honed into the real message of this album. It’s such a joy also when a reviewer is able to mirror back to me things about the project that improves me as a composer/artist – and you have done that. Truly, this is by far the best review I’ve received on a number of levels. Thank you again for your time, expertise, and detailed review. It REALLY makes my day.Michael DeMaria 1/11
“What a great review – well said!
Looking forward to catching up with you again when Michele’s album arrives!”
Beth Hilton 2/11, music publicist – The B Company, Los Angeles
“Beth Hilton told me today that she enjoys working with you.
She says you are a true professional. I agree.” Ann Licater 3/11
“I am so glad that we contacted each other and that you are reviewing the artists we are sending you. You are doing a great job! I am so pleased and so should the artists be too!”
Ed Bonk 2/11, – broadcast & media promoter, Lazz Promotions, Toronto
“Michael Diamond, is a writer I first became acquainted with in 1985 when he was the music editor of New Frontier magazine. I am delighted he now reviews music for Awareness magazine; in fact, if you’re a musician, you may want to visit his Music & Media Focus website for info on his other consulting and writing services. And as a listener, his site offers reviews of music you may find of interest.”
Steven Halpern 6/11
“Thank you so much for your review – I am absolutely thrilled with it!
It is very evident that you have taken great time, trouble and care in writing the review Michael, as everything you have said reflects a true understanding of my music and its intent, as well as how my personal spiritual journey is tied in with that. The construction of the piece is superb…so beautifully written…and it’s a really comprehensive analysis of the purpose of my work in general, and not just this new album.” Lia Scallon 8/11
“Michael, I am always impressed with your thorough and knowlegdeable writing. You really understand the artist’s history and perspective, but you also make it easy for anyone else to grasp the essence of the music.”
Suzanne Doucet, award-winning new age music pioneer & publicist
“Fantastic! It is a wonderful review. It was just great to see someone describe Hennie’s music the way you did in your review – you really nailed it!”
Steven Saffer, president Abbeywood Records
“Hi Michael, I just read the Christmas Joy review – THANK YOU – that’s my best ever ever ever yet. I’m reading it again and again and thinking how lovely your words are. May I just say that this is truly the most wonderful review of my album……….Your work is very professional.”
Fiona Joy Hawkins 12/11
“Thank you very much… that is probably one of the most thoughtful reviews anyone has done of one of my albums… it’s obvious you took some time to research me and my history, and I really appreciate that. Wow.”
David Nevue 1/12
“What an incredibly beautiful, sensitive, deeply insightful review! Your genius with words matches your genius with music. I’m freshly inspired by your writing, and will be sitting at the piano, composing joyfully, for most of the weekend. Keep doing everything you do. You’re making a difference in so many ways.”
Kathryn Kaye 2/12
“I wanted to thank you personally for the lovely review/feature you did on me. You truly delved into my background/profile, weaving that in with the music review itself. I appreciate that you did that and presented a very real picture of me. I particularly loved the closing. I am a very spiritual person and it was so nice to see that you had captured that in your artistic assessment. Your own career is indeed impressive and though I don’t need to say this, I will, because you just are, such a fine writer!”
Ann Sweeten 2/12
“Wow – what a great write-up and I’m really glad you included some of my photography. And thanks so much for posting the shorter versions – I think will help quite a bit. Such a wonderful piece of writing – I think it has really captured the essence of who I am and what has influenced me over the years. I really can’t thank you enough for the incredible service you provide to musicians – I will be sending others your way for sure in future!!”
Lorrie Sarafin 3/12
“This is incredible. Wow. No one ever put it like you did – to the point and true to every fact regarding the making of the album. I am very grateful to you Michael. Your write up was the best yet.”
SAJJAD 4/12
“This is a great deal in my eyes. You are providing a very affordable service for us “non-mainstream artists”
Craig Padilla 4/12
“Thank you very much for your deep understanding of my music. I’m very appreciative of your work!”
Galya 4/12
“I am deeply grateful for all of your thoughtfulness in this. All of the 22 people on THE GATHERING are grateful for you support. I’ve contemplated this project for a couple of years now and knowing that it was worthwhile and appreciated in the world is a joy. Thanks for your considerable part in that.”
Will Ackerman – Windham Hill Records founder 7/12
“I am always very grateful for your well-written reviews. Your words mean more than you know. “
Corin Nelsen – Grammy winning music producer 9/12
Please tell Michael it’s great. Very flattering that he spent so much time listening and writing about each piece and my work in general. Please give him a heartfelt thanks for me. Peter Kater 10/12
Thanks for your write up about Peter Kater’s new album. I appreciate your positive take on the project and am grateful for your compliments about my performances. Thanks for your support. Paul McCandless, Grammy-winning member of Paul Winter Consort 10/12
I can’t tell you how much I was touched and moved by your beautiful, thoughtful and insightful review. It is by far the most comprehensive review of the album – that really explored the intricacies of the music/tracks and story it arises from. It means so much to me that you really delved into the liner notes and story with such depth. Michael DeMaria 11/12
I’m so pleased, and frankly honored, at what you’ve written! Once again, you’ve managed to capture and nailed the very essence of the work. You are an absolute genius when it comes to that! I don’t know if it’s your keen intuition, or your experience as a musician (or both!) that gives you that unique perspective. In any case, I truly appreciate it…it’s very special…
Isadar 12/12
Michael, I think this is the most beautiful review I have ever read let alone received. I’m very touched. Thank you so very much for this wonderful piece you have written.
Fiona Joy Hawkins 12/12
You impress me yet again with your scope of musical knowledge and understanding.
Beth Hilton, music publicist – The B Company, Los Angeles 1/13
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Here are a few of my favorite artist profiles from from over the years:
CARLOS SANTANA
published in Music and Media Focus and Awareness Magazine – 2012
After 36 releases, 10 Grammy awards, and 100 million albums sold over a 40-year career, I’ll assume I’m safe in invoking that classic opening line: “My next guest needs no introduction…” And I’m sure that I’m only one of countless guitarists that has cited Mr. Carlos Santana as a major influence on their playing – for me he’s always been number one.* However, it is more than his music that has touched my life, it is his Being… as a spiritual warrior, which not only flows through his fingers, but through his words, his actions, and his Soul to promote love, understanding, and unity in the world. Read more…
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RAVI SHANKAR PROFILE (excerpt)
Body Mind Spirit Magazine – 9/97
After an exclusive interview with Ravi Shankar, Michael Diamond wrote this article on his life, his music, and his special relationship with George Harrison:
Silence… as the dark embrace of night yields to the pre-dawn blush of the morning sun.
Silence… except for the gentle lapping of the water against the hull of the houseboat. Piercing the veils of sleep, a sound, deeply mystical and achingly beautiful, weaves it’s way into the receding dreams of the students who are beginning to awaken to continue their studies with the great master. The sound of Ravi Shankar tuning his instrument reminded the young disciples how fortunate they were to be in the presence of such a gifted soul. The year was 1966 and a young George Harrison, on sabbatical from the Beatles reminisces: “we lived on a houseboat in the lake, just Ravi’s advanced students, himself, and me. They’d wake us up before the sun and give us tea and biscuits, and you’d see boats go by pulling these floating gardens, and next door, I’d hear Ravi doing morning practice with the sitar. It was a very privileged position to be in, just to hear him.”
Now over thirty years later, Harrison, no doubt, shares some of the same feelings. Although he is still a student of the master, his relationship has evolved into that of a colleague and close personal friend. Ravi Shankar’s new album “Chants Of India:” – which Harrison played on and produced has just been released. A remarkable achievement for a man of 77 who has suffered two heart attacks. But then again, remarkable achievements have been the keynote for Shankar’s momentous career. Having received such accolades as being called “the single most recognizable world music artist”, “an icon of world music”, “a model musical ambassador”, and “the Godfather of world music”… Shankar manages to maintain a sense of perspective and humility: “I always feel I can do more. I am never satisfied. I think whatever I do is not enough. Mastery is one word I never use”.
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PORTRAIT OF A DREAM WEAVER:
A Profile of Suzanne Ciani (exerpt)
Body Mind Spirit Magazine – 7/95
The career of recording artist Suzanne Ciani is featured in an exclusive interview with Michael Diamond at her San Francisco Bay studio.
Looking up from her array of synthesizers and digital recording equipment, Suzanne Ciani pauses to watch the waves caressing the northern California coast far below her cliff-side abode. a large hawk glides silently by, while the horizon drinks the last drops of color from the golden purple sunset that fills the panoramic view from her studio windows. As the lights of San Francisco begin to twinkle in the gathering darkness across the water, it is easy to imagine that this breathtaking vista has been the inspiration for the seven albums of lush romantic music that Suzanne has produced in the past ten years. This, however, is not the case. As a relatively recent arrival in California, the last lights she saw twinkling from her studio window were those of New York City where she lived and worked for nineteen years, carving out a unique niche for herself in what is perhaps the music capitol of the world.
In the dawn of the electronic music era, when synthesizers were unwieldy beasts that bore more resemblance to telephone switchboards than to musical instruments, Suzanne was there learning and mastering the emerging technology. In a relatively short time, she went on to become one of the most well known sound designers in New York, doing innovative studio work for the likes of Columbia Pictures, Kodak, General Motors, United Airlines, and many of the world’s largest companies. It was this aspect of her work that afforded her the financial and music industry resources to begin her career a solo recording artist. Although her professional work at the time was highly commercial, her personal musical style was far from top-forty. Since that time, music that utilizes layers of synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines has found mass acceptance as exemplified by popular artists like Yanni and Kitaro. While many musicians paint sonic masterpieces from a digital palette, few are able to coax such softness, sensitivity, and human feel out of their circuitry as Suzanne Ciani.
Sitting in Suzanne’s studio, surrounded by the latest, state of the art equipment, it is interesting to note the juxtaposition of all this high-tech electronic gear and the decidedly acoustic oceanic scene that unfolds on the other side of the window a few feet away. Suzanne explains, “Most of my inspiration comes from nature. The sea has always been an inspiration for me. The rhythm and the motion of the waves, that to me is music.” The concept of waves has always played an important part in her music, including the title of her first album “Seven Waves”, and the name of her newly formed record label, “Seventh Wave.”
From playing with many of the top studio musicians in the world, to being a guest on the David Letterman Show, to playing at the Olympics in Barcelona, Suzanne has certainly achieved a level of success that many musicians only dream of. But then, transposing dreams into reality has been the true magic of this gifted artist.
