One question that always comes up is “How do you start a label?” Well, it’s really not just one question. That question is really the opener for a series of questions on the subject of labels. Joel Armstrong of Dot Dot Records and Pete Le Freq of Llama Farm Recordings have graciously sat down to give us their take on this timeless subject.

Read more: How NOT to run a record label: A Guide to Making it up as You go along...

I personally was pleasantly surprised a few months back when our long time member Dmitri Vaganov announced his engagement to our community. His wife’s name is Irina Berzin and I’m sure she’s a great woman because it would take one to take the mighty Vaganov! Actually, she’s truly blessed to have Dmitri by her side. He has been a pillar in our community. He’s challenged us when he felt that we were cutting corners and inspired us to strive harder in our relationship with God. Often times, he reminds me of just how far I still have to go. In many ways, he’s the very definition of a man after God’s own heart. 

Read more: Dima Gets Hitched

It has been a long time since we at TastyFresh were able to sit down with Andy Hunter and have a bit of a chat about what he has been up to. Last time we found him, he had just finished up his latest album Colour and scored the soundtrack for Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed with Robbie Bronnimann. This time around he has just released his new EP entitled Collide after spending several months touring in South America. Andy was kind enough to take some time away from his busy schedule to give us an update and answer some questions. So take a read!

Read more: Andy Hunter: Collide

It's that time of the year again. DJmag has launched its annual poll to see who is the most popular, sought after, and  well best known DJ.  Voting is open from now until September 2010. Last year the top djs were selected by over 350,000 votes and who knows how many viral campaigns by the DJs themselves and any record labels they are associated with.  Love it or hate it, you know that this poll is the biggest out there and it does effect the industry for the next year.

Read more: Top 100 DJs 2010: Vote Early, Vote Often

Way too often I see people who are totally clueless about the process of submitting music to labels for a potential deal.  Outside the random Myspace links, links to slow as Christmas 3rd party download sites, and tracks previously distributed for free or by the artist themselves, very few tracks actually come through random submission worth signing.  I guess the first key to getting signed is having a very good track, but you already knew that. With that knowledge in hand, here are 10 tips to help get your tracks signed. 

Read more: The 10 Commandments of Music Submission

Meet G-Powered, a  Christian vocal trance group out of Finland! Don’t forget to learn more about this group and their music by visiting their website. Through their website you can learn how to hook up with them on facebook, myspace, twitter & all of those fun sites. Enjoy!

Read more: Artist Spotlight: G-Powered

It is my honor to interview Colin and Justin Moreh, better known as the Progressive House icons Shiloh.  They have been a part of the Tastyfresh community since it’s inception, and over the years they have become my favorite artists.  Not only are they professional DJs and Producers, but they are some of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

Read more: Ultimate Alliance: Shiloh

There was a time when people did not really discuss money in underground artistic and ministry circles, but I think it is becoming far more widely acceptable that many people make all or part of their living in the music and entertainment business. Everyone has their own opinions and viewpoints on where they feel comfortable, some feel their music should impact the mainstream, others feel it should be kept for ministry or artistic purposes, and most listen to all types of music, and find their own balance somewhere in the spectrum. If you want to make all or part of your living from music, you should understand, depending on your choices, it is not always easy, but here are a few options.

Read more: Business Models for the Underground

During the summer of my junior year in high school I attended a week long art camp at Denver Art Institute. It was supposed to be one of those once in a lifetime, career charting experiences, but I remember practically nothing about it. The only thing I recollect is the last day; the closing ceremonies party. About twenty-five of us were gathered in a parking lot behind one of the buildings enjoying the outdoors, the Denver skyline, the complimentary snacks and a live DJ spinning top-40 under a tent in back. I was watching the DJ. He was thoroughly enjoying his craft even though no one in our little crowd was paying much attention to him. He was mainly mixing for himself. At one point he picked up a record, smiled at no one in particular and placed it on his turntable. Then, as if everyone suddenly noticed there was music playing, people started dancing. It was an up-beat song: a four-on-the-floor kick, a euro-dance synth, and a bouncy female vocal singing something in Spanish. The groove was catchy and our group loved it. One of the students leaned over to me and answered my unspoken question, “It's called the Macarena.”

Read more: Hey, Remember the Macarena?

This week’s spotlight is with Gospel House DJ, Frankie Vibe. My husband and I have had multiple opportunities to spend time with Frankie and I’m being honest in saying that he’s one of the most interactive, entertaining DJs I’ve ever known. I hope you enjoy this look into the man behind the speakers!

Read more: Artist Spotlight: Frankie Vibe