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    Each directory section includes information on specific areas of the music industry and expertise in getting gigs, getting your product in the stores, etc. It is extremely important to read the priorities to understand the prioritization of each directory section. For example, an experimental rock band with punk influences may find a larger selection of gigs in the PRESENTERS priority 3 section which includes a list emphasizing rock clubs.

  
  History of The Guide
   


Einstein's Guide to the Musical Universe was compiled in order to assist composers and musicians expand access to and distribution of their work in North America. At the time we initiated the project, there seemed to be a less developed distribution network for this music in North America than in Europe. Times change very quickly, as do companies, contact names, phone numbers and addresses. By bringing the Einstein's Guide to the World Wide Web, we have sought to make this resource a continually renewing and expanding resource. We have updated much of the information since publication, included European and Japanese Distributors, and have begun a modest list of labels.

Users should e-mail Roulette, for inclusion in the Guide of any changes, additions or annotations. In doing this, together, we can make this a viable resource for the promotion and distribution of experimental music.

Originally published in book format in December 1993, this directory was the result of a generous grant to break new ground for experimental music from the Arts Forward Fund. As it has been compiled, written and edited by the staff of the experimental music space Roulette, the priority 1 category is aimed to the experimental music bulls eye, i.e. anyone who would perform at an experimental music space such as ours. This only includes experimental in its most blatant forms in classical, jazz, rock, improv, etc. This book, however, also thoroughly covers organizations pertinent to every other form of adventurous music, such as new jazz, fringe indie rock, 20th Century classical, exotic world music and much more. The directory is extremely inclusive, and anyone involved in non-mainstream music will find it an invaluable tool.

  
       
  What Is Experimental Music?
   


Experimental music is the underground of the underground. It is important to understand the entire alternative scene top to bottom to find your place in it and how to best take advantage of it, no matter what your genre. The musical universe as it is today holds unique advantages for those willing to explore unfamiliar galaxies (NOTE: the first and last "universe" analogy found herein).

The thick outer crust of the underground is alternative rock. "Alternative" rock means many things to many people, from a major label band that you could swear was The Byrds to a kid with a guitar putting out homemade cassettes that defy description. Most of it, however, is indie rock released by a small-to-medium-sized independent label or the small spin-offs of the majors (see GLOSSARY). Much of this is not adventurous music (I'm not being critical, some of it's great) that just can't break through to the mainstream music outlets because the top of the music biz has closed its mind to them.

Musical trends run in cycles through the years, and as mainstream music progresses into a staleness that even the most conservative listener finds unappealing, the underground will eventually break through, causing a chain reaction that can affect it down to its core. Each time we see an indie rock band make its way to the numbe one position on the Billboard charts (for example R.E.M. in 1988, Nirvana in 1992), no matter how "straight" their sound is, the mainstream turns to the underground to find the next big thing (as it should have in the first place) and the underground cult balloons in size. Things are ballooning right now because of last year - the college radio market is gigantic, small "alternative" records stores are cropping up everywhere, venues are becoming more open-minded, etc. ( /\ go back to top)

While this does not mean experimental music is now in heavy rotation on MTV, it does mean the scene is a little more open in general and there is much more potential for the off-the-beaten-track musician. Those genuinely interested in high quality and significant underground music are looking more deeply to other genres and levels beyond the surface. Jazz appreciation is on the rise, and the pop and experimental worlds are looking to each other for influence more than ever.

Most "alternative" venues, radio stations, record stores, and press are overwhelmingly indie rock, however many of these establishments have at least some genuine interest in music beyond. They simply do not receive information about or aren't aware of the more adventurous genres, especially undiluted experimental. Researching this directory, I spoke with club owners whose schedules included nothing but indie rock, but who said they would be more than happy to give experimental music a try if artists actually gave a call or sent a tape. I spoke with similar people at record stores, radio stations, and in the press.

Truly experimental music is not designed to be presented to the masses, winning their affection. Because of this, it is often completely unknown to a large segment of the music population that does not attend their local non-profit performance space (if there is one). For this reason, and with the evident interest that we have observed pulling this book together, we feel it is to the advantage of the experimental music world to attempt exposure through music outlets that those in the fringe may feel are not fringe enough.

If an open-minded indie rock record store becomes aware of the other significant underground genres because they have received several product promotions, they may be convinced of its value. If an adventurous pop music magazine starts noticing an abundance of press material about the groundbreaking experimental music scene, they may realize the importance in covering it. If more alternative radio Music Directors begin to truly present the alternative, more interest will be stirred throughout the music world. Each outlet will feed on the others. It's like a big snowball rolling down a mountain, growing in size with each tumble. Then eventually it hits the bottom and the sun melts it into a big puddle. Take advantage while it's still solid.