Get To Know Canadian Rockers YUCA

YUCA is a three-piece rock band from Langley, British Columbia that sounds like a five or six-member band. Their sound is so powerful; you will steadfastly believe that there have to be more members than just three comprising this killer band.

But, the truth is, YUCA is Matt Borck on guitar and lead vocals, Andy Boldt on bass and back-up vocals and Dave Atkinson on drums. These three deliver powerhouse stadium rock on an unparalleled level.

Success seems to follow YUCA. Accolades include:

• Chosen as a Top 20 Band in Western Canada for the 100.5FM Peak Performance Project, (out of a field of over 700 bands)
• The song, “It’s About Something” awarded title of “Top 15 Rock Songs in the World” Competition
• Numerous performances at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics including opening and closing ceremony performances
• Song “Tomorrow” chosen for Playstation 3, Xbox 360 Vancouver Olympics 2010 video game
• Pontiac Battle of the Bands winners at Whistler’s World TELUS World ski and Snowboard Festival
• 99.3FM Vancouver SEEDS Platinum Award Winners, (Chosen from over 500 Bands in Western Canada)

I could go on, but you get the point.

This talented trio first crossed my path in early April when their publicist from Rising Empire Records contacted me. About half-way through reviewing their single, “Where Are My Soldiers At”, I was adding them into that week’s play list. The song took hold of me and I knew I was listening to a major hit. What I could not know at that time was “Where Are My Soldiers At” was about to become the most requested song on any New Driven show, ever.  Three months later, the song still holds that record.

In a recent conversation, lead singer Matt Borck told me he and his band mates all feel a sense of gratitude for the growth and popularity YUCA has experienced. He told me they feel honored to be able to share their music with the world.

In that vein, the band heads off on their first tour of Japan, June 19^th. They’ll be playing shows throughout Japan including Okinawa, Numazu and Tokyo. Japanese audiences can expect YUCA to deliver their one-of-a-kind high energy performance at every stop along the tour.  The guys’ passion for the music as well as a deep desire to leave the audience wanting more is sure to set their Japanese audiences talking and requesting a return trip.

As soon as the band sets foot back in their native Canada, they’ll be opening the Canada Day celebration on July 1^st. When I asked Borck when he sleeps he quipped, “I’ll sleep when I die.”­­­­ He understands the need to strike while the iron is hot and for YUCA, the iron has never been hotter.

YUCA has their feet firmly planted on the ground but hold fast to a solid vision for their future that includes a realistic plan of action. When they tour your area, I strongly encourage you to grab the opportunity to experience them live. You’ll be telling your grandchildren about it one day.

To listen to the complete interview with Matt, click on the image below:

11 Reasons Twitter Rocks the Music World

1.  Networking.

Meeting new people and making new fans is the most important thing any band can do outside of creating excellent music.  Twitter is the number one marketing tool in the social media world.  Use it to build your audience worldwide, target new fans in new cities and build your voice and authority in the music community.  Be consistent.  Use twitter every day.  Respond to every comment and question and reTweet.  Use excellent manners, always give back and always say thank you.  Make people love you

 

2.  Build Your Fan Base.

Use Twitter Search to find new fans, venues and bands of like-genre in new cities, states and countries.  Remember social media is about a global conversation.  This is not “one-way”, “billboard”, “in-your-face”, “all-about-me” marketing.  Talk to other people, answer their questions, be friendly and engaging.  Be funny.  Use twitter to let your personality shine.  Follow those who follow you but take a minute to check out their profile and make sure they’re actually a real person or business.

 

3. Find Out What Your Audience Wants.

You love your art and you believe in it.  That’s vital.  But it does no good if you’re not delivering what your audience wants.  Find out what your crowd is looking for, and work to fit the bill.  Don’t change who you are, find a way to be who you are and give people what they want.  Ask questions, do some fact finding. Use Twitter Search wisely and you will benefit greatly as a performer.  Do people want small venues or large?  Do they want to purchase a CD or download a single?  Do they want to go to the city for shows or do they prefer the suburbs?  Always respond to those who take the time to answer your queries.

 

4.  Reach.

Target your tweets at specific audiences.  Twitter allows you to specifically aim at a small micro-group or broadcast to a larger audience.  Pay attention to keywords on what is going on in your community.  You can do this with Tweetdeck and Hootsuite. Follow your band name to make sure you know what people are saying about you. Also follow key terms that will help broaden your knowledge of what people want and what is trending in your industry and genre.

 

5.  Twitter Loves Breaking News

This is the place to broadcast your press releases and news updates.  Make sure to use bit.ly to shorten URL’s and to track how many times the link was clicked on.  No other place in social media is more news friendly or more news searched than Twitter.  Twitter is tops in search and is only second to Google.

6.  Follow Industry Thought Leaders

Know what is going on in the music industry and what is hot in the indie world.  The independent rock world is in a state of flux and growth and change, be a part of that by joining that conversation.  People will take note, and people will follow.  Make your mark. While you’re at it, follow us on Twitter! We are @NewDriven.

 

7.  Twitter is a Marketing Strong Arm

If you’re smart, and I know you are, you are keeping a blog fresh and alive.  Blogging is often one of the most missed opportunities by bands.  Plan out your blog posts in advance in the beginning as you get into the practice. Don’t worry about being profound or elaborate. Post a picture and a few good sentences – maybe of a song writing session?  As you get good at it you might want to increase to several posts a week.  Always post the links to your blog posts on Twitter.  Use Hootsuite or Tweetdeck to schedule tweets about your blog post throughout the week.  Never bombard your audience.  Maybe schedule two or three tweets a day about the blog post, spread out with six or 7 hours between posts.  Use a bit.ly to shorten URLs and track hits.  Market your Pinterest, Tumblr, YouTube and other pages on Twitter. But never overwhelm. Try to aim at talking about yourself 50% of the time and engaging with your audience 50% of the time.

 

8.  Respect

You will shine like new penny if you stay upbeat, positive and above the bull shit.  If someone says something negative, SMILE.  They’re talking about you baby.  And that’s a good thing.  You know you have made it, when you’ve earned a few haters.  Brand yourself as self-assured professionals.  Give respect, earn respect.

And remember, respect also means taking the time to say thank you to those who are hoping you on your way.

 

9.  Shine

Show them your personality and make them love you.  Develop your own distinct voice.  Be authentic.  Decide how you want to come across to your audience, and be THAT.  Give your audience a taste of who you are on stage.  Let them get a feel for who you are and what your music is about.  Make them want to see you live.

 

10.  Pictures

Don’t be fooled –Twitter’s a great place for images.  Use them often.  Switch it up.  Post pictures of you, and practice, shows, audience members and your dog.  Tweet pictures from pop culture.  They spread like wildfire.

 

11.  Community

Twitter allows communities to form around the ideas and interests important to you.  It is vastly different than Facebook.  And its benefits are completely unique.  Many people complain they don’t understand Twitter.  Take the time to figure it out.  The rewards will be great.  Start discussions, talk to people, find new friends and have fun.  The world is at your fingertips –make it your oyster.

 

Being a band gives you automatic clout.  You are cool by definition.  Use that to your benefit.  But word of caution – once you begin you cannot stop.  Be prepared to think about Twitter all day long.  Update throughout the day, reply to other people quickly.  Find your audience and run with the ball.

Twitter is a lot of fun and the most useful of all the social tools.  Let us know about your Twitter success!

Sherry DJ of New Driven

Wanna Get Played?

New Driven creates syndicated weekly shows that spotlight all-independent soft and hard rock, pop, acoustic, roots music and more!

We look for professional-level artists.  Music submitted to us must have been released within the past 8 months.  Our focus is to present to our audience not only the best independent music but the newest singles in order to stay current.

Why?

We serve as taste-makers to the listening community. Our audience knows they can look to us to find the newest music from the hottest emerging bands.

Criteria for airplay on New Driven shows:

• Exceptional sound – head and shoulders above the crowd. Please submit in MP3 format, 1-3 of your most recent singles that have been released within the past 8 months.
• Independent status – New Driven artists are professional-level, either making a full-time living from music or well on their way to that end.
• Solid Facebook, Twitter and other social media marketing strategy that is engaging their fan base on a consistent, daily basis
• Robust touring schedule.

If that criteria is met, then email us at NewDriven@gmail.com and send 1 – 3 of your most recent, top singles, bio and links to facebook and twitter.

Thanks!