Magic Man’s Sam Lee & Alex Caplow – HuffPost 6.30.14

Mike Ragogna: What advice do you have for new artists?

Alex Caplow: I would say that one of the things that helped us the most in reaching an audience was putting our first album out for free. Just focusing on sharing it with as many people as possible and not at all focusing on the money side of things. We knew that most importantly, we wanted people to hear the songs and if they liked them, they would share them with their friends. That’s how we built our fan base. The album was free and that blogs would post about it and say, “It’s free! Just click on this link to get the album, it’s actually pretty good!” So I would recommend that if you’re trying to get started, really send it around to as many people as possible.

Sam Lee: On that note, one thing that’s been pretty helpful for me on this journey so far is to remember that the reason you’re doing what you’re doing is because there are people out there who are supporting you, like the fans. They’re the reason you’re there. You wouldn’t be doing it if it weren’t for them. In the same vein, you try to give back or try to appreciate them. Sometimes there’s a show you don’t want to do because you’re tired and it’s been a long time and for you, it’s just another show. But for them? iI’s the show they’ve been really wanting to see or they’re just trying to have a good time that night. It’s important to remember that while you’re doing it for yourself because it’s your art, there are a lot of other people that are keeping you doing what you’re doing.

AC: Respond to their tweets, show them that you care and it will turn them into a life-long fan.