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submitted by chronicartist
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Author: Dear Papabear, I was really on and off about writing you, but after reading your article about the EDM musician that is pressured by criticism, I though why not give it a shot. Another point of view never hurt anybody, right? Before I joined the fandom I never really pursued any creative art form. […]

Fuzzy Notes Episode 20, and in total this is the 41st episode of the show that showcases the music made by furs, with the occasional interruption and rambles from musician, music industry dude and overall music geek Potoroo! Today we hear some awesome electronic tracks...interrupted by a snow-hating metal song. Multigenre indeed! THE MUSIC Martyrs of Apathy (Folferz) - Been Standing Still for Far Too Long * Track: https://soundcloud.com/folferz/been-standing-still-for-far * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/folferz * Twitter: http://twitter.com/Folferz * FA: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/folfiebutt/ The Downgrade Complex - Catharsis Loops * Track: https://soundcloud.com/dwngrd/catharsis-loops * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dwngrd/ * FA: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/corwinenguerrand Rocko Wolfcoon (AMJ) - Die, Die in the Snow * Track - http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11565342/ * FA: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/rockowolfcoon/ * FB: https://www.facebook.com/amjrockband Demolition Dog - Tip Of The Hat * Track: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/9567850/ * FA: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/demolitiondog/ Asid Rayne - Ira's Theme * Track: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/11637467/ * Soundcloud: http://soundcloud.com/asid-rayne * Twitter: http://twitter.com/Tun_Dra_Gon * FurAffinity: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/tundra-gevin/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AsidRayne --- To help Roo and get something for yourself, follow this link and sign up for Copyblogger's amazing 'Authority' program. Learn to write and market yourself as a musician or a business with their helpful eBooks, articles and seminars! http://bit.ly/fuzzynotes --- HOUSEKEEPING: Please give Fuzzy Notes a review on iTunes or Podomatic...it helps us get furry musicians to more ears, perky and droopy...ALL! iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id581600769 Podomatic: http://fuzzynotes.podomatic.com Like me on Facebook! I'll like you back...a lot! Follow me on Twitter...I'll follow you too...a lot! But not in the stalkery way. Twitter: http://twitter.com/Potoroo Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FuzzyNotes Fuzzy Notes Dropbox: http://soundcloud.com/fuzzy-notes/dropbox Closing Track - Fuzzy Notes 4 by Asid Rayne Fuzzy Notes 20 - Furystack - Fuzzy Notes Episode 20, and in total this is the 41st episode of the show that showcases the musi...

submitted by FabloTheGayMoth
[link] [18 comments]

submitted by WideVirus
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We’ve mentioned the anthropomorphic works of write and artist Renaud Dillies before — things like Bubbles & Gondola and Abelard. Well now he’s back with Betty Blues, a new hardcover graphic novel coming this November from NBM Publishing. “Little Rice Duck has built himself quite the reputation around the West Wood, playing his trumpet in bars with their smoky, sweaty ambience, tequila sunrises, and jazz. But between his trumpet and his flame Betty, things are going astray. Betty is drowning her need of him in expensive champagne, something someone else is more than happy to provide… something he’d much prefer, like her, would just stay chilled.” NBM has more, including a preview.

image c. 2013 NBM Publishing

submitted by regular-wolf
[link] [122 comments]

I have very little artistic talent (by my standards), but I thought I'd give it a go. I'm actually quite happy with the result, and I rather like Zeke. He's playful, but quiet.

http://i.imgur.com/p3XxluS.jpg

I can't do paws, or noses, but that's the rough idea of what I was going for.

The colors up top are these.

submitted by Kirean
[link] [3 comments]

Ok, I have just got into the fandom a few months ago and I love it. I think the art is amazing. Personally, I think that I'm not a good artist. When I try to make a furry, it always ends up looking funny. I have tried going on FA and other sites where they try to help you get better at drawing, but they never really helped. So the question is, i want to draw better, any tips?

submitted by BlujayZ
[link] [4 comments]

Hello, /r/furry! I have started making hand paws and tails! Since they aren't high quality yet, I will be selling them very cheap! Paw gloves are 15 dollars for 4 finger gloves, and 17 dollars for 5 fingers. Pawpads are included, but claws are not.

Tails are 1 dollar per inch :) I have gray fur, white fur, and a two toned brown fur.

My paypal email adress is sarah.tyser@gmail.com. Post a comment if you are interested.

EDIT: example of a 5 finger glove (no paw pads yet) http://imgur.com/hJSMBbS

submitted by FERRET_TESTICLES
[link] [2 comments]

I've been thinking about checking out Rainfurrest for the past month now since I have free time then and it's only a 20 minute drive away. I've never been to any form of convention in my life and have no idea what to expect from one. I won't know anyone there, would be going alone, and may only be able to attend for a day or two. I'd be happy to just to wander around, see what kind of art people are working on, and have a place to relax and watch things happen. Aside from the event calendar, I have no idea what goes on there.

So, to the people that have gone in years past, What is Rainfurrest like and what is there to see and do there? Any info that even remotely involves the convention would be appreciated.

submitted by MrShrike
[link] [13 comments]

submitted by awesomeme99
[link] [16 comments]

Artist of the Week
http://www.furaffinity.net/user/xfurreh4lifex/

Nut Biting fish
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/08/130813-pacu-piranha-testicle-biting-fish-invasive-species/?rptregcta=reg_free_np&rptregcampaign=20130916_rw_membership_r1p_w#close-modal

Service poser dogs
http://news.discovery.com/animals/pets/dogs-who-pose-as-service-animals-130911.htm

Plant Furries
http://www.flayrah.com/5352/where-are-plant-based-fursuiters

Dear one and all..... my dear friend's son age 17 has declared his interest of the Furry lifestyle and I wish to understand what it is all about..... I joined to learn. I've searched a few places on line but this group has been the most excellent starting point for me, i just want to cuddle you all.......

submitted by oldladylearning
[link] [12 comments]

submitted by DonnytheGoat
[link] [3 comments]

Iiiiiit's back! The sequel to last season's Video Games in the Fandom has finally arrived for you on your Super Listening Entertainment System! Now featuring our latest player, Damon Husky! The trio embark on a quest to save your ears from boredom as they encounter game based discussion, find items of note, and finally confront THE GAME to win the show! Will they survive? Play and find out! BONUS LENGTH EPISODE!



NOW LISTEN!

Show Notes

Music and Breaks

Opening theme: Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Radio Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. Used with permission.  (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!)
Listener mail segment: Eskadet – Back To Kyoto ;  from the album “Solitudes” (Lemongrassmusic, 2010) - www.lemongrassmusic.de - Used under license.
Closing: Fredrik Miller – Cloud Fields (Chill Out Mix). USA: Bandcamp, 2011. Used with permission. (Buy a copy here – support your fellow furs!)

Special Thanks

Damon Husky
Fire Fox (for the ident!)
Naught0
Axel Thunderpaw
Mattsy
Yondas
Lumio Draco
Audio Freak
LittFox
Calebfox
Keyni Bluepaw
Kira the Fox

Next episode: Going to Rainfurrest? Check out FWIW LIVE! It's Friday at 7pm. Our next episode (not at RF) will be on Disney's Robin Hood! Did it get you into the fandom? Does it hold a special place in your heart? Let us know! S3 Episode 8 – Super Video Games in the Fandom! - Iiiiiit's back! The sequel to last season's Video Games in the Fandom has finally arrived for you on your Super Listening Entertainment System! Now featuring our latest player, Damon Husky! The trio embark

This week, Roland gets tired!

Stay thirsty, my friends.

Click below to listen:

http://www.unfurled.net/episodes/UnFurled_-_Episode_62.mp3

Click to download | Open Player in New Window

UnFurled Episode 62 – Of Ladies and Gentlebuhbuhs - This week, Roland gets tired! Stay thirsty, my friends.

Earlier this year I made my first yarn tail and it turned out great! I love it, but the top looks rough, reaally rough. I had no idea how to finish it so I just threw it together really quick. The base of it is literally tied around the clip.

Here's a picture.

How can I make the top look smoother like this one?

submitted by fuckwagon
[link] [8 comments]

submitted by ThePiachu
[link] [13 comments]

Dear Papabear,

I was really on and off about writing you, but after reading your article about the EDM musician that is pressured by criticism, I though why not give it a shot. Another point of view never hurt anybody, right?

Before I joined the fandom I never really pursued any creative art form. I have written occasionally, but that’s all there ever was. Just a little bit before I joined. I started playing bass in a band, and music became one of the biggest factors in my personal life (so to speak; I do not pursue a professional career with it).

After I joined the fandom I started working big time on a lot of art forms. I started building fursuits, more music and to lesser extent Writing and lately Drawing a little.

Now what exactly is my problem now?

After this year’s Eurofurence, I have fallen into a pit of self-doubt, anger, and, I admit, a good portion of depression. (Just to say up front, I am on the way of getting better).

Caused has this been by a few incidents at the EF that I don’t want to delve in further, but mostly by one thing: Nobody gives a ****.

Excuse my language, but that’s just the best way to describe it.

Whenever I put in a good chunk of work into a song so that I am halfway satisfied with the results (I am never fully happy, but that’s the thing with practice :P) and I post it hoping in vain for some feedback, all I see is a blank page saying: No New Messages.

I can deal with negative feedback and criticism. Fine. Hell, I would love to have that kind of feedback, even!

What really hurts is that my work is either so mediocre, so bad or so flavorless that people don’t even bother with it.

I see that people are listening, viewing etc. but there is no: "Sounds good" or “part x:xx is weird/good"; not even a "You suck!" Nothing! And that by far concerns me way more.

I tried spreading my work through more than just one kind of social media, even ones dedicated to musicians—to no avail.

To see something that you care for, love, and, yes, I would call me passionate about it, getting absolutely no reaction, is just.... well, it hurts.

Again I am on the way of getting back on my feet, and I am nowhere near done with what I do so...

Thanks in advance and kind greetings,
Nahro

PS: Just to have some relation to how long I have been doing things: I work on and with music for about 5 years, so a pretty decent amount of time. Fursuit building I do for a little over 2 years now, not as much but as you can read I mostly refer to my music.

* * *

Hi, Nahro,

This is an interesting complement to my earlier response to the EDM composer. In his case, he was hurt by negative criticism; in your case, it’s the lack of any response at all. So, which is worse? Being criticized and told you suck or being completely ignored? In your opinion, anyway, being ignored is worse, and I would tend to agree. At least with negative criticism, you might learn something from audience reaction that improves your work. Without that, you are just in limbo.

As you and I both know, getting noticed and becoming famous doesn’t mean your art is good. It just means it is getting attention.  Some examples of crappy songs that got people famous include “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Macarena” by Los del Rio, and, more recently, “Gangnam Style” by PSY. These songs prove that you don’t have to be talented, just catchy and simplistic and a lot of people will eat it up (hope I don’t get hate mail for this, but it is one bear’s opinion.) Meanwhile, really cutting edge stuff that is friggin awesome often gets little recognition. Why? Because it doesn’t have mass appeal. Another thing to note is that the large majority of people enjoy things that are familiar. So, if they enjoy Coheed and Cambria’s “The Suffering” (people seem to think it is Emo, but sounds like Metal to me; love the hook on it) they will try and find music similar to that.

So, two possible strategies there are: 1) be imitative (at least at first), or 2) be simplistic, cater to the bottom tier (“Awesome! It’s got a good beat and you can dance to it!”).

Other ideas (some more crazy than others):

1. Find a gimmick, like Elton John’s eyeglasses or Michael Jackson’s sequined glove and epaulettes. 
2. Make a music video, do something to draw attention to you visually.
   
3. Do something shocking (but not illegal). Why do we still hear about Lindsay Lohan? Because she’s a talented actress? OMG, no. Because she keeps getting arrested and acting like a douche. Paris Hilton? A brainless wonder, but she’s rich and acts like a fool at parties, so we know her name. Now, I’m not recommending you get arrested (and you obviously aren’t rich), but “stunts” get people noticed and talking about you. Remember: there’s no such thing as bad publicity. The goal here is to get exposure to your music.
4. Be more vocal: post opinions—the more outrageous the better—on forums and chat rooms about your music and music in general. Get people talking about you, even if they hate your guts.
5. Get somebody to recommend you, someone people know. You do this by approaching people who have names that have some weight behind them; present them with your work and see if you can get a quote out of them.
6. Website: if you don’t already have one and are just posting your stuff on other people’s sites, then get one. Give it an eye-catching design and post your music on it and photos, update it regularly. 
7. Social media: get your own Facebook and Twitter sites. Not for you personally, but for marketing your music. These pages will be solely used to upsell what you are composing. Yes, you said you tried social media, but you can't just post things like, "Please listen to my song." You have to be really out there: Tweet, "My latest song puts Bruno Mars to shame." Even if most people disagree with you, it will get a reaction.
8. Mailing lists: Solicit people to join your email list and send them regular newsletters (once or twice a month) about what you are doing with your music.
9. Advertise: many people confuse advertising with marketing. They aren’t the same thing. Most of the stuff on this list is marketing; advertising merely deals with placing ads on websites or printed material, or sometimes on tchotchkes like mugs, T-shirts, and pens. Invest in some ad placement.
10. Get involved: Don’t just focus on what you are doing; get involved in the music industry as a whole. Become a reporter or blogger about the music industry, get your name out there and refer often to your own website and music.
11. Take a marketing class. Sounds boring, yes? Yes. But you can learn a lot from a good marketing course.

It’s not enough to be an artist in this world. Even if you’re talented, you just can’t sit back and hope people will find your stuff and react to it. You have to market yourself. If you do it right, quite frankly even if you really DO suck, you can become famous.

That’s America.

Good luck!

Papabear