In addition to the reviews for magazines and websites which I am hired to write, as an independent journalist and publicist I also offer a service of professionally written promo pieces, artist profiles, interviews, feature articles, and reviews to independent artists. These can be used in one’s marketing and promotion and will also be posted here on Music and Media Focus – each on it’s own attractively designed web page with photos, graphics, and a CD, video, or book cover, as well it’s own direct link you can use for easy access and referral. It can also be quoted from or used in its entirety on the artist’s website, press kit, etc. This site had over six thousand five hundred views in the the first year, and is growing all the time.
The cost is $30 and also includes a shorter edited version which I will create and post on the artist’s iTunes, Amazon, and cdbaby pages, as well as a link to the article on Facebook. As an added feature, there will be a notice in each issue of my magazine column directing readers to this site. Magazine reviews I write are limited to a max of 200 words and are text-only, while the format of this site allows for much greater length and detail, pictures, graphics, links, etc.
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 a style or genre I can represent authentically. My areas of specialty are new age, ambient, electronic, and world music.
I’m also available to write press releases, CD liner notes, and promotional materials.
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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
“This is a well-written, insightful, broader picture review – a very, very, nice approach. I love your reference to the mountains as inspiration, and I like the way you tweaked the reader’s interest in the next recording, too. Thank you!!!!
I deeply appreciate the sharing of your time and talent in writing this review and promoting my music.”
Kathryn Kaye 2/11
“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, music publicist – Lazz Promotions, Toronto
“I’m grateful for the support you’ve been giving us. If I can be of any help with your music do let me know. We’d be delighted to have you here.”
Will Ackerman – Grammy winning producer/ Windham Hill Records founder.
“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
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Here are a couple of my favorite artist profiles from years past:
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.
