Starbucks Coffee

Please think about allowing stores to choose their own music or if not possible change the music more often than you do. For someone that sits in a starbucks often, I am getting pretty tired of the same tracks.

Sadly, this promo is spotty out here in Hawaii.  Not all stores have the music promo cards and some have old ones.  And this is across quite a few locations, not the same stores.  

Dear Ms. Broxton:

Please let stores pick their own tracks.  Please introduce more INSTRUMENTAL music.  Please cute  back on dissonant, jazzy, hip music.  Please please please.  Some of us like quietude in a cafe.  Like the cafes in Vienna.  There you hear much classical music.  Charming!

1.  Let stores pick their own music but provide criteria.  (A few do and it is wonderful but I'm not going to snitch on them!)

2.  Personally I love instrumentals and would probably end up buying some cds of classical or jazz.  As it stands I usually find the music annoying.

3. COLLEGE MUSIC!  This might contradict #2 but I can't help it.  When even I have lived in a smaller community with a college, the college radio FM station was a larger part of life than in NY or SF, for example.  They are free from commercial constraints and usually play music that is VASTLY better than anything we EVER get in our commercially driven music scene in the U.S. (yes including MySpace).  I have also seen this in Cuba, where every local bar has a band or singer that would put anything we offer to shame.  

Get creative!

and let your stores be creative too!

Art

Kelly,

I am a Starbucks regular who has enjoyed the pick of the week.  Unfortunately, not all stores are putting the cards out.    

In addition, I just tried downloading three of the cards last night and was told that they had expired.  However, on the back all cards indicated that they expired in August (7, 14 & 21).  Was there a printing error?   It was quite dissapointing.

Julie

Hi Kelly,

Is there a process in place where an artist can submit a single to be featured as a pick of the week? Any information on how to submit a song would be great. Thanks!!!

HI Kelly.  I am the co-writer and producer of a new  album about to be released for Toronto artist Big Rude Jake.   I think the nature of his new material would really appeal to the kind of things you have been presenting in your Pick of The Week program. A preview of the record can be heard at www.revsound.ca/REVartistprojects.html.

May I ask how one becomes a "solicited artist"?

Thanks Gary Justice

Dear Kelly,

I hope that you would consider a great indie band called "Shattered Atom" for the pick of the week.  My favorite tune is "Under The Stars".   Let me know what you think.

http://www.shatteredatom.com/

www.myspace.com/shatteredatom

Thanks !

Cbianco

Kelly,

I always wondered how do you guys decide on which new and indepenedent artist will be representd in stabucks stores. My sister jusr release difgitally her album, fully produced, written and composed by her. Her name is Nathalie Bretoneche she is only 23 and here in Miami she is starting to have lots of following. She is an alicia keys meets beyonce, but with lots of personal and own style.  I invite you to check her epk and her myspace, also you can find her in facebook where she has already around 3,000 fans.  Livin' the life which is the name of her album is now available on Itunes!!

Best regards,

Adeline. B. Nilsson

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XplJjzMfi3E

www.myspace.com/nathaliebretoneche

Hey Kelly.  

Quick question.  Who manufactures the Pick of the Week cards?  I'm looking to have some download cards made and I'd like them to be more like what Starbucks uses, rather some of the other download cards I've found online.  

If you could e-mail me (tom@hitsingularity.com) I'd really appreciate it.  Thanks!

Hi. I think the Starbucks/iTunes pick of the week initiative is awesome. I am a musician and have a couple of cds currently on itunes. How do I submit my music to be picked for Pick of the week?

u can check me out at www.cdbaby.com/armando for the music or at www.armandozuppa.com for my website or simply type my name on itunes :)

Hi Kelly -

Like the others above, I would love to know how I may have the privilage of being chosen as pick of the week.  It appears the creative collaboration is a huge success between iTunes and Starbucks, and as any indie artist knows, our passion for our work and the chance to be a part of this type of project is not only benefcial for you but mind - boggling  & exciting to us.

Thank you in advance for any attention you may pay to my music or any of the others who request a moment of your time.

Kindest regards,

Kristin Wilson

www.kristin-wilson.com

Hello Kelly! My name is Latarsha, the manager for Indie band Italian Japanese. If you please be so kind to take a listen..we can send you a CD is well. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks

www.myspace.com/italianjapanese

www.italianjapanese.com

Hi Kelly!

Quick question for you... is there anywhere that Starbucks posts what CDs have been in the stores recently? As the holidays roll around and I'm doing my xmas shopping, my mother recently mentioned that she would like a certain CD from starbucks, but it's not one of the ones out on the floor.... is there anywhere where you list what's been offered for the month? Thanks so much!

Hi Kelly!  'Sure you get 80-million ?'s like this one:  How do local unsigned artists get picked for the Pick of the Week?  I'm Michael Vincent, on iTunes and CD Baby with a solo CD 'Radio', and a great song 'Travel' that I think would make an excellent tune for Pick of the Week.  Does Starbucks and iTunes have any interest in doing this sort of thing?  You can also find me on myspace.com/michaelvmusic, and there's a more-better pic' on my FaceBook page (Michael Vincent Hollingshead).  Anyway, 'never hurts to ask, right?!  Cheers, and thx for ALL the great tunes (and personally I'm totally on with the jazzy, indie tunes and all)!  Lader and thx for listening, Mv

PS - 'Even have 'fans' as far away as Australia who picked up Travel and my CD off of iTunes/CD Baby!  Cheers...,  Mv

How does one locate songs played in your stores. I was recently in Starbucks and heard a great song. All I could get from the attendant was a name of the song. I have searched the internet for a possible artist to this song title but have come up with no results.  

Hi Kelly,

Big fan of your promotion and your picks.  Quick question -- how can I submit music to be considered?

- David

Hi Kelly,

How can I get a great new artist on your pick of the week?

JSolesky

Hi,

My name is Neil and I am a singer/musician here in Florida originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean. How do I get my music on the pic of the week. I have several albums out and I sing Hindi (Indian) music more world/international flavor.

I am curious.

Hi Kelly B!

This is the most AMAZING undiscovered ARTIST with the most PERFECT STARBUCKS MELODY!

COFFEE AND A SMILE

(Leesha Harvey)

What kind of day is it going to be

I hardly slept a wink

The sky looks gray, I feel so blue

And I can’t help but think

The best thing I could do

Is hide out under cover for a week or two

Then I see you bringing me

Coffee and a smile

www.cdbaby.com/.../leeshaharvey

Peace!

JohnnyK

hey, so i was at starbuck earlier today, and i got a pick of the week card and i started thinking of other artists that you could use as picks of the week.

Rogue Wave: www.myspace.com/roguewave

Micky Green: www.myspace.com/mickygreenmusic

Florence + the Machine: www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachine

Melanie Pain: www.myspace.com/melaniepain

Santigold: www.myspace.com/santigold

I love the program and appreciate Starbucks doing it.  But stores are not consistent about keeping up to date. I've totally missed cards when they didn't display them. They skip it one week and go to the next one. I've even gone to different stores to try to collect the card. I might have had a complete collection but for this problem.

Hi Kelly,

how can I get my music considered for the pick of the week program?

thanks!

Hi Kelly,

I, too, would like to know how one becomes a "solicited artist?"

Please respond to all these inquiring minds.  :-)

Thanks!

Honestly, I think our new Americana project would be a perfect audio CD for a Starbucks release. Fine musicianship, historicity, oldtime HITS, and, I mean,  who doesn't like Western Swing?

========================

I would like to introduce you to our Fort Worth band---THE GREAT RECESSION ORCHESTRA, our Americana Western Swing site, and our new CD.

We are are group of worldly music veterans, mostly from Fort Worth, who have recently recorded new arrangements of tunes popularized by Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies during the early years of the Great Depression.

Please visit

http://www.newtexasswing.com/

I hope you take time to check out the WESTERN SWING TIMELINE, the BIOS and the MUZIK.

The site is interesting and fun, the history stuff, particularly.

If you would like a copy of our CD,

just respond and tell me where to send it.

Best,

sssssssssteve in DFW

972-213-6767

I would love for one of my singles from the album "Drum" to be considered. Here's the link to my iTunes page. We will be releasing our third album at the end of Nov so I guess anything you find useful for your program is fine by me. :-)

Tann Starr - ax.itunes.apple.com/.../id332509693 #iTunes

someone said something about too loud music, someone said college radio, someone said let each store choose. i'd like to chime in.

loud--great! that and the friendly staff (and real butter and whipped cream) are why i come here. i find the coffee so-so. i've had and can make better. but i don't have an infinite music library! i can go to many, many places for background music. very few have it at a level to actually listen much. i think if its loud, whynot try another coffe place? there are plenty! don't make it so no one can listen to music louder than you like. no. find places you like, let we who enjoy the way it is here come here.

college radio -- yes! i've lived in college towns since i left my parents home and college radio can be truly inspired. when its not, i turn it off and do some other thing.

let stores choose their own: they don't? or it's changed? (i was away for awhile...) one of the things i tell people on the mainland is i like how starbucks to suit different moods are within a do-able distance. the now defunct one at discovery bay -- melancholy, and those two big chairs and huge windows. ah.

trade center tends to funky, jazzy, generally good beats. ward seems to be a mix of different things, possibly as shifts and days change. i've heard oldies, forumlaic pop (right now!), sad irish tunes, rock. nice.

i go to the chinatown ones but i cant think of what theynplay. do they? maybe its very low. i don't do those so much because they lack ample plugs and seats, and bathrooms. but in a pinch.

anyway, my most asked for gift over the years is always "just give me a starbucks gift card."

oh, last thing: i grew up playing second chair violin in an la jr symphony and really like certain composers and periods. but i hate hearing classical anywhere but concert hall or my place. why? its always the most bland, forgettable stuff i've heard a million times. much like radioin thrift shops: i don'tthink they've bought a new song since kelly clarkson won american idol. boring, stale, trite. i don't revere composers as such. i like some of raveland schubert, i tend to like sonatas and find symphonies overdone, heavy, too slick, and as if the emotion is behind glass. bach bores me. pianist richter ignites anything he touches. etc. i'd come less if you switched to forgettable stuff i can find everywhere.

sorry for typos. saving for bluetooth apple keyboard.

I'm here in Birmingham, AL and there are quite a few starbucks in my area that participate in the pick of the week but the cards are not consistently displayed. Sometimes they are there, sometimes not and they are often past weeks cards. When I ask about them the baristas look puzzled or tell me to come back later in the week.

Hi Kelly, I am an indie artist just about to release my sophomore record and I thought I'd ask how you become an artist pick of the week?  Can I get you my music for consideration.  Please let me know!  thanks!

cheers

marc

Hi Kelly -

I see that many artists have asked how to get their music considered for the Starbucks pick of the week. I have the same question. Any guidance for the hopeful?

Thanks,

Susan

Our new country artist Bo Brown is now on iTunes.

itunes.apple.com/.../id418714143

Great change up on New Artist.

Hello Kelly,

We have several Artists at MindFox Productions who have been on everything from the acclaimed RiverDance series to ABC Family, and are all on iTunes.

We would very much like to talk with you further about submitting one of our artists for your Starbucks Pick of the Week, as she is perfectly in line with your other picks, and has the track record, resumé, and refined sound to mesh exceptionally well with Starbucks.

Please feel free to contact me at Info@MindFox Productions.com, and we'll be happy to present you with further media and information.  Thanks again, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

Burke

The MindFox Productions Team

www.MindFoxProductions.com

Hi Kelly,

I have a great artist in mind for you.  Her newer stuff is not on i-tunes yet but some of her older cd's are.  She is currently in studio with a new album as well.

www.lisasandersonline.com

or

www.reverbnation.com/.../3277855

Thank you,

Julie

Lisa Sanders Music

marketing@lisasandersonline.com

Dear Kelly,

Regarding the featured artist of Pick of the Week.  I can pickup the card at my local SB.  I can also see the same artist on the SB website.  

Is there any reason the SB website cannot offer the same Pick of the Week song with a redeemable code.  The card gives an expiration date therefore indicating someone is going to electronically turn-off the access to this specific song on this specific date.  

What a nice addition this would be to go to the SB website, find that featured song along with the redeemable code, and still obtain it for free as you link over to I-Tunes.  

Hope this sparks a change for the better for SB, SB customers and featured artists as well.

Be well,

Michael R.

Dear Kelly,

Like many of the other people on here I am curious as to how one would go about being the pick of the week. The artist is a young girl currently on Itunes who is similar to a Taylor Swift. I would truly appreciate a message back if possible whenever you get a chance.

Thank you,

E. James

I'm sure by now you are probably growing tired of this blog with all the people asking you to check out their music, but I'm going to "pile on" with mine  : )

I think you will find my music is worth the listen:

itunes.apple.com/.../id430704777

peace,

Kennesaw

Hey Kelly,   My name is Donny Morrison and I go by the moniker Kilpanda.  I have a few records on the market, all of which are instrumental.  A couple are downtempo, and a couple are uptempo.  I have managed cafe's for years, and every time I play my music I get nothing but positive comments and feedback.  Hence the reason I'm wondering what it would take for me to get my music into Starbucks locations.  If you have any information that would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you and have an amazing day!!

itunes.apple.com/.../id412050346

Kelly,

If a person has a Starbucks card and uses it frequently, I think you guys should have a website where people can just download the music from online.

I know you want people to come in to the stores every week. A person with an active card should be allowed to miss a week and catch up, as people travel. Plus, often I go in and there are no cards left!  

The logic:

One, it would allow people who miss a week to catch up; Two, it would further promote the artists; and

Three, it would save on paper, ink, etc., making it more GREEN/Carbon-Neutral.

Also, at a minimum, why not print the codes on your receipts when cards run out? Or a unique password to a website where a download code could be obtained.

This process is just too sketchy. If I was an artist who was being featured, I would want people to get the music even if they missed a week at Starbucks or if the cards ran out.

Hi Kelly,

Could you please tell me how you become a 'solicited artist'?

Hi Kelly,

A song for your consideration!

http://youtu.be/vi8eutBR4Go    

Hello Kelly,

I was wondering how an artist can be considered to be featured as the pick of the week.

I am a promoter for Top Floor Connections and J.Sharif has just released his new album "Life Matters" which can be found on itunes.

Looking forward to your feedback.

O.Blackaller@topfloorconnections.com

I really enjoy the Pick Of The Week cards and pick some up every chance I get.  I live in a town of 800 so I don't get to a Starbucks nearly enough :0(  I recently picked up a card and can't read the download code.  They aren't printed very clearly.  Is there anyway to obtain those from Starbucks?

Thanks,

Kelly B

Texas

Kelly, I received Howard's latest e-mail about the economy and the state of American business...  My band CUBICLE has a punk song all about the same frustrations that he expresses in his letter...  The song's entitled "Coffee Break," and we think it's a worthy "Pick of the Week" in the month of September.  CUBICLEBand.com.

Hi Kelly, I have been a Starbucks consumer since the first time i tasted the greatest coffee on earth over 10years ago. Nearly everyday i make my way to starbucks to enjoy my "Grande Redeye" along with a good book and my journal. I always pick up the latest "PICK OF THE WEEK" and enjoy the free download. almost everyday i check-in to starbucks on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/danielpetermusic) and take a picture of my fresh cup of coffee. People often ask me if i work for starbucks:) I tell them i just enjoy the great taste.

I am an artist too that just finished recording a new record and would love to submit it for "THE PICK OF THE WEEK". It has been released worldwide on iTunes under Artist "danielpeter" and the album "For The Life of Me", I have attached a link to itunes so you can take a listen. I would be honored to have any of my songs chosen as pick of the week. Thank you Kelly, keep up the great work and i look forward to the next "PICK OF THE WEEK"

Have a great week:)dP

links to my new record;

itunes.apple.com/.../id461457536

Hi Kelly,

While travelling in Vancouver this past Aug, I cam across the Pick of the Week cards and thought it was a fantastic idea to help promote music everywhere.  

Check out this band called "Fairchild" at www.fairchildrocks.com.  Listen to their songs or watch their EPK.   They are four brothers from Toronto that perform and sing together with fantastic harmonies.  They have some amazing songs that would be great for your Pick of the Week.  Check them out... you'll love what you hear... and so will your customers.

Hello, I love Starbucks+iTunes....I would like to know how do I put my band music on this cards?

Thanks!!!!.

This is a great way to expose people to the diversity of Canada's music scene! My 14 year old daughter has discovered music she would never have been exposed to had she just stuck to what she knows. That said...how does someone get their music selected? Is it a random draw? Do you all look for new and innovative music? I'm curious and I've noticed that others are as well...not that I want to submit personally...I just want to know  how Starbucks is supporting Canadian artists to get noticed!

Hello Kelly B!  I lead a 20 piece big band from Louisiana living in Savannah, GA called Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.  Here' an original from my new CD.  Please consider us for your pick of the week sometime!

It's a fun song called "Dance Like Nobody's Watching You":

soundcloud.com/.../04-dancing-like-nobodys

Here's the full CD preview on itunes:

itunes.apple.com/.../id477878051

Thanks!

Hi Kelly!

I'm a Canadian DJ from Alberta... I would love to be considered for your pick of the week!

itunes.apple.com/.../id550160687

Thanks,

Trevor

Egregious Beats

iPod Touch 4G iOS6

WiFi-only device

When you use wi-fi at Starbucks, you are entitled to download the "pick of  the week" (POTW)  from iTunes.

In your iPod Touch web browser:

it is supposed to navigate to the Starbucks Digital Network download page.

now  when you click on the download option, is navigates to the Mac/PC iTunes download page in error.

At that point you are unable to reach the POTW download page.

Not good.

You probably get this all the time but, how would a band go about getting selected for pick of the weak or get CD's featured at Starbucks?

Thanks,

Eric

Great program Kelly!  

Here's a new song I heard recently that might be cool enough to be in your program:

itunes.apple.com/.../id572567367

Thanks!

-charles

Hi Kelly,

I have a couple comments. I use the Starbucks app but it I find it difficult to listen to the pick of the week without finding it on itunes first. It would be great if you could preview the pick of the week right on the Starbucks app. Also I have a friend who is a fantastic up and coming artist I can email you a few of his songs if you can take a few moments out of your busy work schedule to listen to them. I feel they would fit right in with Starbucks style....

Thanks

noah

I am a indie artist and was wondering how I can get my music into this program.

Hello! I work with a popular musician and am also wondering about getting music into this program. Please contact me if possible! Thanks so much!

Hi Kelly,

I'm a huge fan of pick of the week. Who doesn't love free music? I think it would be awesome for different Starbucks locations to feature a CD from a local artist each  month, or something of the sort. That was the stores can support artists within their own communities. Also, I live in Denver, as my nickname describes, and I've been hearing this band, Vetta Star on the radio. They are really good and I think they have the right sound for Starbucks. Jazzy/pop rock. They are on iTunes if anyone wants to check them out,

itunes.apple.com/.../id574690025

Thanks for taking your time to go through all these comments. I hope some of the suggestions get noticed.

Best,

Chelsea

Hi Kelly,

I'm a huge fan of pick of the week. Who doesn't love free music? I think it would be awesome for different Starbucks locations to feature a CD from a local artist each  month, or something of the sort. That was the stores can support artists within their own communities. Also, I live in Denver, as my nickname describes, and I've been hearing this band, Vetta Star on the radio. They are really good and I think they have the right sound for Starbucks. Jazzy/pop rock. They are on iTunes if anyone wants to check them out,

itunes.apple.com/.../id574690025

Thanks for taking your time to go through all these comments. I hope some of the suggestions get noticed.

Best,

Chelsea

Hi Kelly,

How do they choose "App" of the week?

There is an awsome App called AlignerMeter that will determine if you are a candidate for Invisible Braces in a quick and easy process.

How can it be  showcased in Starbucks?

https://t.co/hbTwBu2I

www.AlignerMeter.com

Hello Kelly,

I am interested in getting Cary Morin's music on the Starbucks pick of the week.  I am wondering what the process is for doing this.

You can check Cary out at www.carymorin.com.

If possible, I'd like to send you an email with all the pertinent info.

Thanks so much!

Celeste

Hi - I've been trying to get information from corporate offices but so far have been unsuccessful.  What I am looking for is what I need to do to get a new artists music featured in your weekly free Itunes downloads.  She is just about to bring out her first album (country music) and would like to initiate the process to get a song of hers which will soon be on iTunes chosen as one of your freebies.  Thank you