Interview With Josh Epstein of Vision Music USA

Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service firm with the interest of their clients the driving force that makes them successful. President Josh Epstein and CEO Nick Stamoulis are focused on helping the Independent artists to maintain control of their career by saving them time and their hard-earned dollars. Josh took some time from his busy day to talk to me about their growing company.

MuzikMan: How did you and Nick meet? What interest and goals did you share that brought you together? What are your backgrounds and what qualifies you to provide all of these services to Independent artists?

Josh: Nick and I met in Boston. I was working as the Publicist at the Mama Kin Music Hall co-owned by Aerosmith. Nick and I care very much about music and musicians. Both Nick and I have always wanted to work in music. Specifically, we want to work on our own terms. Individually we have worked with people who care more about money then actually helping artists. We have seen hard working musician's be deceived by manipulators posing as true professionals. Our goal is to own and run a company that is a true resource for independent musicians. We both bring very specific talents to our company. Vision Music USA is Nick and Josh. A major prerequisite to gaining employment with Vision is to share not only our beliefs but our work ethic.

What qualifies Nick and I to assist others with their careers is our ability to relate to the artist. We have both spent several years in the trenches, similar to hard working musicians. Nick and I have worked in several key aspects of the music industry (booking, radio, marketing, artist development, promotions, management, etc). As the Showcase Coordinator for the NEMO Music Showcase and Conference I evaluated over 2,000 bands and musicians. I credit my ear for music and my eye for critiquing press kits to that conference. We chose to work with independent musicians for many reasons. One, with our assistance they might not be independent for long. Two, we have always wanted to provide the resources independent bands need to take their career's to the next level. This is what is so exciting. This is what makes going to work a pleasure. It's knowing that you are making an immediate impact in someone's career.

MuzikMan: Where did you get the name Vision Music USA? How long have you been in business and how does an artist know that you are the real deal and really a "No Bullshit Firm" that you profess to be? Do you have actual testimony from customers that supports that statement?

Josh: Vision is simply the artists own vision. It is where they perceive their career is headed. This is all before we start with them. Once we start with an artist we take their vision to the next level. Vision Music USA has been in business for about two years. "No bullshit firm" is Nick's idea. It is very true. It means that we don't give the artist the runaround. We know how important their time is. We see it as a privilege to be working with the people we do. An artist sees this when the two owners of the company are constantly involved or supervising their project. We are very proud of our testimonials. When our customers take the time to express their happiness with our work it truly makes our day. All of our customer testimonials are on our website.

MuzikMan: What happens if a particular artist is not satisfied with something you have done, what is your recourse?

Josh: The customer is always right. I learned that at an early age from my father who owned a clothing store. We make our clients feel like family. If there is a problem with a portion of a service we do our best to appease the situation. Nick and I will always find an amicable solution for both parties.

MuzikMan: Are you both available to communicate with on the phone or by e-mail during normal business hours? How long does it take you to respond to a clients query?

Josh:e are very busy. However, we are very accessible. Nick and both give our email addresses out freely. If we are busy, our procedure is to return all calls in 24 hours. For the most part, most people contact us and our employees via email.

MuzikMan: What made you decide to take the chance, quit your day jobs, and make this a full time gig? Most people are not willing to take that chance, what makes you different?

Josh: We both knew it was going to work. We have put countless hours of time into Vision Music USA. We feel that we have an innovative idea. We provide services to those who need it. Additionally, our services are very cost effective. This isn't a get rich quick scheme. Nick and I are interested in making money long term while helping musician's attain their individual goals.

MuzikMan: What can an artist expect to get in return for all of your services? What is the goal for each specific client?

Josh: First and foremost, we are consultants. It is our job to customize a client's service to fit their needs. With our assistance, the artist will have a far greater understanding of where they stand and where they need to go. For example,if an artist purchases a Press Kit Development package we completely critique their original work. After this critique we give them the recommend suggestions they need. We point the artist in a direction they are comfortable with. The goal is to bring them more recognition and make the press kit more effective for the artist. Each client's goals are assessed on a customized basis. This is our philosophy.

MuzikMan: Where does Vision Music USA want to go from here?

Josh: We would like to maintain our growth. We will be developing more products and services for our customers. It is important to Vision Music USA to maintain and continually develop relationships with other companies. We have a few other ideas but that's another interview.

MuzikMan: Do you both feel that eventually labels will not exist and all artists will have complete control of their work in the aspects of production, distribution and promotion? A lot of that is happening on the Internet right now, do you think it's a good thing? Are there some drawbacks to this radical departure from the status quo?

Josh: If people can do things on their own that was never possible, then go for it. Artists should have more control over their own work in general. I think the internet is amazing. Considering what I do for a living. I feel there are too may artists who don't fully understand what a record deal is. Too many artists think getting signed is the goal. I think it should be the start.

Take your Career to YOUR next level with Vision Music USA!

Vision Music USA is a TRUE independent musician's resource!

Some services include: Artist Development, Booking, Merchandise, Graphic Design,Website Design, CD Duplication and much more!

About The Author

MuzikMan writes reviews, interviews and articles covering Independent and Major Artists

khannaleck@yahoo.com

---

They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano... but When I Started to Play...

Remember the old ad that used to run endlessly in... Read More

Five Great Practice Ideas I Learned From My Piano Students!

Sometimes the teacher learns more from the student than the... Read More

Piano Playing For Adults: More Fun Than Sex And Not Nearly As Dangerous!

OK, so I lied about the fun part.Maybe piano playing... Read More

Music for Cross Cultural Accelerated Learning

The Search for the Right MusicEver since Georgi Lozonav, the... Read More

Bono: From Music To Fashion To Helping The Poor

U2s lead singer Bono isn't content with being part of... Read More

The First Step and Most Important Thing in Learning Guitar

Most of the guitar lovers playing guitar for few years... Read More

Surf Waves With Jack Johnson

Lately I've been listening to some pretty cool music by... Read More

Fiddle Tab Makes Learning Fiddle Fast and Easy

Learning fiddle tab is so intuitive and so easy that... Read More

Are iPods Changing the Way We Listen to Music

They're everywhere, and not only are they everywhere, they look... Read More

Downloading MP3s Made Easy

The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of... Read More

So You Want to be President? Learn to Play a Musical Instrument!

President Harry S. Truman, the man in the White House... Read More

Piano Playing is Easier than You Think When You Understand Musical Form

Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME - Eliminate Throat Tension

As a vocal coach, I hear it all the time.... Read More

What is Music?

That's a fair question!Basically, you can call music any noise... Read More

The Future for Independent Record Labels

Small independent record labels are facing a different fight today... Read More

If Seals Can Sing, Why Cant You?

It sounds like a side show, doesn't it? It does... Read More

Is Rhapsody Music Downloads Service Getting A Good Rhap?

Rhapsody music, from RealNetworks is one of several reputable legal... Read More

Review: The Dissociatives - Self Titled

In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More

Musicians: What Chords Do You Absolutely, Positively Have To Know?

As you probably know, there are thousands and thousands of... Read More

Is Your Child Struggling in School? Get Him (Or Her) Music Lessons

This is counterintuitive, I know. Our natural response to seeing... Read More

A Dying Cat And A Nylon String Guitar

"Music isn't just learning notes and playing them, you learn... Read More

Piano Teachers - Whats Wrong with Them?

Most of us like to use what we learn right... Read More

Copyright Basics for Songwriters

Should you copyright your song? If you're a songwriter, sooner... Read More

How To Make Money On A Music Website Through Pay-Per-Click?

Interested in making money while you're asleep, or making money... Read More

Motorhead Inferno

Motorhead-"Inferno"-Review by Les Lewellyn When David Grohl... Read More