To be an independent recording artist today, you have to be involved in every aspect of the business, from writing, arranging, and recording to managing tour and promotional details. For singer-songwriter Jeff Trott, an active and compelling Web site is a vital means of disseminating information to promoters, booking agents, press contacts, and, most important, his fans.
Trott is probably best known for his songwriting collaboration with Sheryl Crow, which has yielded the singles “If It Makes You Happy” and “Soak Up the Sun.” But Trott has also produced Stevie Nicks and Jeremy Toback and played guitar for Wire Train, World Party, Pete Droge, and Tears for Fears.
Like many songwriters, Trott is a multi-instrumentalist, covering guitar, piano, synthesizer, and mandolin on his solo release, Dig Up the Astroturf, for his Black Apple label. Trott cut the tracks at home. “I used a 16-track Ampex, 2-inch machine and a 1969 API board to record the bass, drums, and vocals,” Trott says. “The tracks were later dumped into a Pro Tools|24 Mixplus system for overdubs and processing”
The songs on Dig Up the Astroturf are laced with pop hooks and orchestrations that suggest influences as diverse as the Beatles and Television. For example, the opening track, “Walk a Cloud,” combines remix-style cut-and-paste effects with retro vocal harmonies, Wurlitzer electric piano, and backward guitar fills.
To get the word out, Trott has recently revamped his Web site (www.jefftrott.com), making it a fun place for fans to visit. For example, the Fan Q&A page lets visitors leave a question that will be answered by the artist on the Web page. Trott's site also includes bios of Trott and his band, audio examples, lyrics, tour info, and lots of photos. “That way if a promoter needs a photo, there are plenty to choose from,” Trott says.
He is also looking for more direct ways to connect with fans, such as a chat forum that is in the works. “I'm interested in utilizing fan input, such as getting feedback about mixes, which is what this technology allows,” Trott says. “This gives my listeners creative input into the music and makes for greater connectedness between us.”