By Deaglan Howlett | Posted Tuesday, February 13, 2018

I recently reached out to Joey Affatato, guitarist and singer of The Carousers and The Ramparts Rebel. Affatato is an avid contributor and supporter of the NJ music scene and is a member of Asbury Park’s MOTO Records. He was kind enough to answer some questions I had about MOTO and what they are all about. Cheers, Joey!

What is MOTO Records?

Joey Affatato: MOTO Records is a collaborative independent record label that aims to provide state-of-the-art recording opportunities at Lakehouse Recording Studios, as well as continued professional resources and artistic support before, during, and after the recording process.

MOTO Records will create a community of Artist Program students who are looking to take their music career to the next level. In addition to the advice, direction, and overall mentorship they will receive from the leaders of the label, MOTO Records artists will be encouraged to collaborate and help each other to turn all of their hard work into exciting, professional music!

MOTO Records features:

- Step-by-step guidance through the budgeting, pre-production, recording, mixing, and mastering process at Lakehouse Recording Studios, including a special recording rate for MOTO Records artists

- Information from program directors on how to register, publish, and distribute all recorded songs for the MOTO Records label

- Direction on social media creation/promotion/maintenance

- Access to email/mailing lists for professional songwriters/musicians

- A significant list of professional resources (photography/videography, radio, merchandising, design/branding, performance/booking, and more) that MOTO Records artists can personally use to further multiple aspects of their careers

- Inclusion on MOTO Records-run concerts and events

Whenever an artist has recorded artist program songs, an original band may be formed to play the songs with the artist at potential future live shows.

- Inclusion on the Artist Program/MOTO Records/Lakehouse Music YouTube channel

- Information and direction for parents and/or business partners on how to executive produce/manage their artist

- Aside from co-writing/publishing splits, artists will not sign any contracts or be held to any long-standing obligation from MOTO Records. MOTO Records artists are free to pursue any opportunities that will benefit their career.

Who is part of it?

The label is run by Artist Program Directors (Albie Monterrosa, Eric Novod, and Jon Leidersdorff) and young industry professionals (Joey Affatato, Jordan Witt, and additional Lakehouse team members).

Why?

We wanted to be able to support our artists by offering guidance as to how to market themselves appropriately, resources to use, how to get their music on different platforms, etc.

Long term goals?

- Get artists playing at least 2/3 times a month

- CDs to further promote the label

- Have artists managing themselves and fully understand the value of each marketing element and what it can do for an artist -- Publicity, Radio, Live Performance, Merchandise

Recent accomplishments?

- Our artist Sonic Blume recently opened up for Gaten Matarazzo's (Dustin from Stranger Things) band Work In Progress at Starland Ballroom http://on.app.com/2CcMJLq

- Georgia Owen got featured on NJ.com http://bit.ly/2AfqbN3

- The label was featured in The Aquarian Weekly http://bit.ly/2nYHw56

- Had our biggest show to date at an in-store Russo Music show last month

How did it start?

A lot of our artists wanted to continue writing and studying while simultaneously learning how to get their music out in the world and start marketing themselves. So the educational label seemed like the next step to take to support our artists.

Make sure you give MOTO Records a like on Facebook and support their bands!