Namba Gear’s 2010 NAMM Show Roundup
January 26th, 2010 categories: Namba Gear
A few photos from the 2010 NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Namba Gear was located in the technology section of NAMM next to our good friends at Bias software and Apogee. Here is our booth with Akai APC40 resting in the open Studio Backpack. Notice the “sneak peak” of the new Midnight Blue Limited Edition Backpacks on the top of the shelf, and our buddy Fred the Mannequin displaying a Mayan Brown Remix Backpack.
Namba Gear owner Woody Moran (l) with Shaka Laptop Messenger Bag owner Jamez Bernardi (r) helping out at the Namba Gear booth. Nice t-shirt Jamez.
We noticed right away that Jamez has a “special talent” and was really good at making friends and showing off the Samba Personal Stash Bag. Pictured writer/reporter Amy Kelly (l) and Jamez (r).
Great friend, Grammy Award winning producer, and Namba Gear endorser Jason Miles (l) with Woody (r). Jason uses the Big Namba Studio Backpack, Kava Laptop Messenger and just purchased a Samba Personal Stash Bag.
Namba Gear co-sponsored a Fiesta Latina concert along with other companies represented in Latin America by Studio Sound International (SSI). From left to right Marco Renteria (bass), Norman Merten (guitar), Waldo Madera (drums) and SSI owner Chris “Fingers” Adams on keys.
At the party we ran into our Italian distributor Moreno from Soundwave Distribution (l) and award winning German composer and Namba Gear endorser Volker Barber (r).
By the time the fantastic Marco Mendoza Trio arrived on stage for a smokin’ set, things were starting to get a little fuzzy. At the time, we actually thought that this was a really good photo of the band taken from the house console. Sorry, this is the best photo we have of the band, but the music was an incredible treat.
It was not an unusual sight to find folks trying on the bags to see how they fit. Pictured are proud new Namba Gear owners Rebecca and Rene.
Several of the people who purchased bags while at the show promised to send us photos of their travels with Namba Gear. We’re looking forward to posting their photo adventures here, and/or on Facebook and MySpace. If you aren’t already our friend on these social networks, please friend us.
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Namba Gear Recommended Reading - Ignore Everybody
January 13th, 2010 categories: Musician Resources
We recently read Hugh MacLeod’s new book, “Ignore Everybody, and 39 Other Keys to Creativity“. You might already be aware of Hugh from his website www.gapingvoid.com, where he has successfully morphed his New York City bar & coffee shop past-time of using the back of a business card for his bizarre cartons and provoking observations into a nice little money-maker, with more than one million people having downloaded “How to be Creative”, his original post which inspired this book.
So essentially we have 40 tips on creativity.
Although Hugh was a copy writer for an advertising agency when he started his little hobby, most of the tips are easily transferable into the lives of songwriters and musicians. So, here’s a little sample of Hugh’s tips along with Namba Gear’s commentary.
Keep Your Day Job
Hugh refers to this as the Sex and Cash Theory (see we told you that you’d like this book). This is about balancing the need to make a good living (cash) while maintaining and nourishing the creative spirit (sex). Hugh provides several examples of individuals who balance this duality, many times throughout their entire lives. His observation is that this is not only a smart way to live, as no one really wants to be a starving artist, but may play a vital role in ultimate success. We all know great musicians who have given up everything to pursue their dreams, only to have it come crashing down; and now they are stock brokers or insurance salesmen or whatever. The “all in” folks rarely seem to make it.
Put The Hours In
“Doing anything worthwhile takes forever”, is the opening statement of this chapter and it’s so true. Hugh is a perfect example as he appears to be an overnight success story, but in reality has been pursuing his craft for over 10 years. We learn from both our successes and our failures, and it seems that long-term success is almost always a result of accumulated experience. “Stamina is utterly important,” says Hugh. If you are working the Sex & Cash Theory, you are staying grounded and the ups and downs of your creative pursuits don’t have the same impact, and you can be in for the long haul.
Ignore Everybody
This is the 1st tip in the book and probably the most relevant. “The more original your idea is, the less good advice other people will be able to give you.” As a musician, there is a great example that came to mind that illustrates this. First thought was The Ramones, who are credited with inventing Punk Rock and continue to be celebrated today. They were so passionate about their music that they created a bubble around themselves and ignored the people who said their music would never be appreciated, much less sell.
That’s just a sampling, but “Ignore Everybody” is a good read with easily applicable tips for the creative songwriter and musician to help you stay the course and enjoy life. (There are also lots of cartoons.) Enjoy.
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Visit Namba Gear at Anaheim NAMM 2010
January 2nd, 2010 categories: Namba Gear
Our first blog of the new year and it’s a nice event announcement. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is having their yearly exhibition on January 14th - 17th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Namba Gear will have a booth on the show floor in the technology area of Hall A, located between Bias software and Apogee Electronics at booth #6424(B).
The NAMM show is for the trade only and is not open to the public. However, if you are going to be attending NAMM and already own a Namba Gear bag, please stop by, say hi and let us get a photo with you. See our 2009 NAMM Show wrapup by clicking here.
If you are a reseller, distributor or independent rep, please give us a moment to show you why Namba Gear is in a league apart from other laptop gear transportation solutions and why we proudly proclaim our products to be “high performance”. If you would like to set an appointment, write to: woody@nambagear.com.
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Happy Namba Gear New Year!
December 27th, 2009 categories: Namba Gear
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Best 103 Music Websites from Music Connection
December 9th, 2009 categories: Musician Resources
We always find the content from Music Connection Magazine to be interesting, but this article is a “must read” for any independent musician. Think you already know all the best websites? Guess again. Music Connection polled its AMP network members and readers to find out which sites are most helpful to the careers of artists and musicians. This list is as long as it is wide, and it’s sure to turn you on to some effective new internet tools. Since this is from the current December 2009 issue, and they change the issue on their website each month, we suggest that you check this out ASAP. The Best 103 Music Websites starts on page 44.
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New Namba Gear T-Shirts & Holiday Special
November 20th, 2009 categories: Namba Gear
OK, we suspect that it’s a little childish, but the Namba Gear crew was actually giggling with excitement when our 1st Official Namba Gear T-Shirts arrived. The boxes of navy blue t-shirts were opened in our warehouse and a big cheer went up as the shirts were displayed for the 1st time. The consensus seems to be; these are very cool shirts and a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe. To find out more about our t-shirts click here.
Here’s the Holiday Special
We are going to get just a little jump on the holiday spirit. Since we can hardly wait to start seeing our shirts being worn… on the streets, in the studios, in the clubs, (Heck, we would be happy to see one on someone weeding their garden). But we digress, since we can hardly wait to see our shirts being worn, we are going to include a FREE Namba Gear t-shirt ($20.00 value) with every webshop laptop bag order from now until January 1st, 2010.
Order either the Big Namba or Lil Namba laptop backpack, or Kava or Shaka laptop messenger bags off our online webshop (sorry, the Samba Personal Stash Bag doesn’t qualify) and we’ll put a free men’s large t-shirt in the box. You don’t even need to order the shirt, we’ll just put it in the box. The shirts are also available in men’s medium or men’s xl sizes, so if you need a different size just tell us in the comments section of the order form.
We have limited quantities, so this offer is available only from our online webshop, while supplies last. Our webshop ships U.S. orders only.
Happy Holidays from your friends at Namba Gear!
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Luigi Lazareno - Namba Gear Featured Artist
November 10th, 2009 categories: Artists
Luigi Lazareno (musician, producer, certified Pro Tools instructor)
CITY: Houston, TX / Mexico City, MX
WEBSITE: www.midilandia.com
FAVORITE MUSIC SOFTWARE: Pro Tools
Namba Gear: Big Namba Studio Backpack
Luigi Lazareno is an honor graduate of the Berkee School of Music, with experience of over 35 years in the music industry as a Director, Producer, Composer, Arranger and Pianist for the most important record labels in the industry: Polygram Records, Peerless, Musart, Melody, Sony, and BMG/Ariola. He has participated as Producer, Musical Director with artists such as: Vicky Carr, Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Lucero, Jorge Muñiz, Rocío Banquells, Wilfrido Vargas, Manoela Torres, Lorenzo Antonio, Emanuel, Alberto Vázquez, Cesar Costa, Napoleón, Trigo Limpio and Frank Pourcel among others.
Luigi has also participated as a producer, arranger in the most popular music festivals in Latin America, Festival OTI, Valores Juveniles, Juguemos a cantar and Talento Grupero. He was selected as musical director of theater musicals like The Fantastiks and Kumán Rock Opera and has performed as pianist and keyboardist for different types of bands of Latin Music, Jazz and Pop.
Producer and Musical director for Latin TV series like: Somos (with news broadcaster legend Jacobo Sabludowsky), and Soap operas like: Al filo de la muerte, Muchachitas, and The Show of the Stars with Cesar Costa, Luigi has received several nominations, awards and gold records throughout his 35 year career.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST PROJECT.
I just moved to Texas and I opened an Official Digidesign Certification Training Facility, I always liked to share my knowledge and this new adventure gives me the chance to do it teaching Pro Tools users in English and Spanish and living full time in the USA; it’s a one time life experience.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR NAMBA GEAR BAG?
As a computer freak I’d like to have my computer and portable recording with me at all times, and especially when I go on the road or to teach on site, My Big Namba Studio Backpack allows me to take my stuff effortlessly, due to the fact that it’s so well designed that the weight is evenly distributed, so my back doesn’t get hurt even in long walks in airport aisles. And it fits perfectly on the upper bin over the passenger seat.
My Mobile DAW contains a Mac PowerBook, Oxygen8 V2, Profire 610, a external HD to accommodate sound data and all the goodies and cables and more cables… …the Studio Backpack has plenty of room to accommodate all that and much more, writing pads, cell phone, etc…can’t move without my Big Namba.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE REMOTE RECORDING LOCATION.
Well, Well..I’d certainly like to use my mobile Pro Tools DAW and do programming at the pool, nothing more relaxing and inspiring than the sound of water and the breathing of fresh air.
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Namba Gear Coolness Factor - Software Piracy Survey
October 25th, 2009 categories: Musician Resources
Have you ever wanted the chance to tell software companies how you feel about copy protection, limited installs and iLoks? This is your opportunity to have a perfectly good rant and you have a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the bargain. How cool is that?
If you complete IMSTA’s survey and opt to reveal your identity, you are entered into a contest with 18 fantastic software prizes. The prizes include some of the Big Dogs of software; Komplete 6 from NI, Reason or Record from Propellerheads, Sonar from Cakewalk, and AmpliTube Fender from IK are just a few of the great prizes. Not only are the prizes of the highest level, but the chances of you actually winning something in this contest are about the best you could ever hope for.
Here is the link to “Let’s Talk Piracy” Survey: http://imsta.org/imsta_survey.html
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Namba Gear Adds Two New Colors to Remix Backpack
October 21st, 2009 categories: Namba Gear
Introduced in the Spring of 2009 in Namba Gear’s recognizable Mayan Brown exterior with blue interior, the Lil Namba Remix Backpack is now available in Namba Gear’s Olive Green and Charcoal Grey colors. Both bags follow Namba Gear’s bright interior color scheme with a bronze interior for the Olive Green bag and red interior for the Charcoal Grey bag, so that a musician or Dj can easily find their gear even in a dimly lit backstage area.
The Lil Namba Remix Backpack was created by our design crew to provide the best carrying solution for a computer Dj using Rane/Serat0 or Vestax VCI300. The Remix Backpack functions equally well for transport of a laptop mobile studio using a smaller footprint keyboard controller such as the M-Audio Oxygen 8, and using up to a 15″ laptop computer, including the larger screened 15.4″ MacBook Pro.
The Lil Namba Remix Backpack is another in our line of high performance bags. We gave them the high performance designation because of the attention to construction detail and the extreme high grade weather-resistant 1680D poly nylon materials used.
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Namba Gear Recommended Reading - THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF A MARGINALLY SUCCESSFUL MUSICIAN
October 16th, 2009 categories: Musician Resources
We came across this book entitled The Amazing Adventures of a Marginally Succesful Musician which describes the 4200 gigs, 250 Film and TV song placements and 30 years in music of author/musician Bill Cinque.
For your enjoyment, here’s a snippet from a chapter entitled The Music World’s Most Over Used Phrases:
I will interpret some of the most common language you will hear directly after you walk off the bandstand after a show. As with all matters in my book, I will do my level best to handle this with the delicacy it deserves:
“Sounded great out front” = you sucked.
“The bass player was solid” = he sucked.
“The material is really commercial” = it sucks.
“Great stage presence” = don’t sing.
“The chick singer is awesome” = I want to have sex with the chick singer.
Be realistic. All your friends are trying to be supportive. They know how excited you are about your new band. They are truly happy for you. They drove 20 miles in the rain and paid $14 for cheese fries and a glass of something brown just to give you an audience. You come running out of the foot lights and say, “So, what did you think? Did you like that last tune? Don’t you love the new drummer? You know you can tell me what you really think.” Right about now is the moment of truth. Your college room mate, Uncle Tad and J.J. from shipping and receiving all look you right in the eye and start using words like “amazing” and “awesome.” Then, as if scripted, comes a stream of the above mentioned phrases.Hey, you had it coming. Asking these people how they liked your show is similar to your girlfriend asking you if she looks fat in that skirt. The truth? You want the truth? Every Jack Nicholson fan knows the next line. No one wants to crush you. No one has the heart. Except me.
BOTTOM LINE: Bad shows are going to happen. There will be any number of reasons for a bad show. Sometimes it’s the soundman. Sometimes it’s technical problems. Every once in awhile, you have to face the fact that the band just wasn’t up to the task.In reality, the good shows will far outnumber the bad. You have to learn from the mistakes. You have to trust your ears and instincts. Be analytical. Take the time to record or video several of your shows. Dissect the set. Be prepared to take some criticism. Choose your words carefully when critiquing your bandmates. Be open to making the appropriate changes. Be willing to rehearse these changes. You can’t always rely on your close circle of friends to tell you how well you’re doing.
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