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Tips To Choose A Competent Mobile App Company

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Thinking of a mobile app idea and designing it is definitely an easy task; however, picking a mobile app development company isn’t a walk in the park. There are too many agencies to pick from, and not all of them can do justice to your mobile app idea. To ensure your mobile app makes a noticeable impact, you need a great agency, and here are some tips to help you with the process.

Undoubtedly, every agency will claim to be the chicago mobile app development, but of course, not every company can be the best at what they do.

A future-focused mobile app development company will ensure to support you even after the mobile app is launched. Hire an agency that also focuses on the future of your mobile app.

Before you pick the company, you need to cross-check a few things off of your list.

Here are some tips that can prove handy.

The Only Tips You Need To Hire A Mobile App Development Company

1.      Background Checks

Now that you have a list of the best mobile app development companies, the next task on your list should be to run thorough background checks on each agency.

Don’t make the mistake of hiring an agency only because it appears on the first page of Google because that doesn’t guarantee the quality of the work.

Instead, check the company’s social media pages for reviews, ask them for references, and analyze all their currently live projects. In the end, don’t forget to get recommendations.

2.      Check The Relevance To Your Niche

Since there are many mobile app development companies, every agency specializes in a certain niche. When you have your niche, make sure to pick an agency that aligns with it.

A great way to do this is by checking their years of experience in developing apps similar to your niche. You need a company that can offer good value for money; hence, analyze their portfolio and experience before hiring a team.

3.      Cost Vs. Quality Analysis

There have been instances when people fall victim to app development agencies that offer poor quality apps in return for money.

It happens more than you’d think, which is why you need to play safe. Collaborate with an agency that comes highly recommended and offers good value for money. You don’t want to spend on a mobile app that isn’t slightly above average.

4.      Are They Future-Focused?

A future-focused mobile app development company will ensure to support you even after the mobile app is launched. Hire an agency that also focuses on the future of your mobile app.

A futuristic approach is important to make sure your mobile app is well-maintained and up-to-date. Talk to at least three agencies, and pick one that offers the best plan, including after launch services.

5.      Get The Source Code

Refrain from signing a contract with an agency unless they’re offering the source code to you. Having the provision for the source code will prove helpful in the long-run.

If you have the source code, you can use it in the future to make changes to your mobile app as needed. You can also switch to another developer easily or consider hiring an in-house developer who can modify the mobile app for you.

In Conclusion

Make sure you iron out all the details before you decide to hire an agency. Good luck, hiring!

Singer/Songwriter Frank Patrick Releases New Video for Emotional New Single “Mercy”

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Singer/Songwriter Frank Patrick Releases New Video for Emotional New Single “Mercy”

Frank Patrick, the Edmonton-born/Toronto-based adult contemporary musician, has released a new video for his emotionally-charged single, “Mercy” — available now.

In this thought-inducing song — which echoes the struggles and sadness associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — the award-winning singer gifts listeners with an offering of telling lyrical images, buttery guitar melodies, and emotional phrases, complemented beautifully by the harmonized backups of singer Rebecca Campbell.

“Mercy” was written by Frank months after the beginning of the global health crisis. He describes it as a “prayer for these fragile times.”

He enlisted local producer — and long-time collaborator — Rob Greenway (aka brilliantfish) to not only play drums and keyboards on the special track, but to produce it, and create the enticing and just-released music video for it, too.

As well as Frank, Rob, and Rebecca, “Mercy” features bassist Ian de Souza and guitarist Brian MacMillan.

Going in-depth, Frank says “Mercy” was “written from one man’s observations, feelings and sense of loss about the complexities of the COVID-19 crisis by bringing it all down to one simple statement: ‘Please tell me there’s still mercy here.’”

He wanted it to serve as a message of hope, despite the consistent sense of hopelessness that has loomed above us all in the last year.

“We thought it was not only important, but necessary to make an artistic statement on the current world situation from a personal perspective,” Frank concluded.

brilliantfish’s music video takes a close look at the devastating emotional and psychological toll the pandemic has had on everyone: not just the victims, but their families and the frontline workers who have been working so hard for more than a year now, as well.

Not only has Frank toured Canada, the U.S. (including Hawaii) and Europe in the last decade, but he’s shared the performing stage with countless renowned artists — including Buffy St. Marie, Cyril Neville (Neville Brothers), Jonathan Best (David Byrne), Kevin Breit (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson), and Dr. Timothy Leary. Before his solo career kicked off, he was the former lyricist, co-writer and lead vocalist of the band Zombo Zombo, and toured as part of the music ensemble in the Dora Award-winning ‘Sable/Sand’ with Dancemakers.

Frank spent years away from the music scene as a result of an unfortunate accident in 1999; forced to stop playing, he spent the following seven years recovering from the incident. In that time, however, he continued to write music, until he was properly able to record it. The work he put in during that period was what would become his debut solo album, 2006’s Worlds in Transition (which was also produced by Rob).

Since then, Frank has released one more studio album, Soul Medicine (2019), which includes the fan-favourite singles “Spectruma” and “Soul Medicine.”

“Mercy,” Frank’s latest effort, is now available through all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp — where listeners can donate to receive a digital copy of the track. All proceeds from the powerful, five-minute single will be donated to the frontline workers of Toronto.

Toronto Singer/Songwriter SHANNON DOOKS Eschews All “Doubts” in New Single

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Toronto Singer/Songwriter SHANNON DOOKS Eschews All “Doubts” in New Single

Ahead of the release of her new album, Do It Again, Shannon Dooks, lends her supple voice to its earnest and heartfelt lead single, “Doubts” — available now.

When a once-thriving connection turns dubious, acknowledging the signs can be a tough experience — and “Doubts” says it all. Everything from the innocent piano intro to the mellow rhythm sections that follow, the arrangements send the notion of a fond farewell wrapped in a melodic package.

The message within is signed, sealed and delivered by Shannon Dooks’s harmonious and smooth vocal style.

As light as the single sounds, the weight within the lyrics denotes a tipping point in a crumbling relationship. According to the Toronto-based artist, “it’s that feeling of constantly putting in effort into the relationship and each broken promise is that much more devastating as it goes on and then you finally reach a breaking point.”

The introductory lyrics in the first verse of “Doubts” perfectly summarizes the singer’s insight: “Don’t write, don’t text, don’t call, don’t do anything at all.”

Further reinforcing the message are the closing lyrics of the first verse: “You tell me go, you tell me stay, you tell me leave, but don’t tell me what I should believe.”

While Shannon Dooks is known for writing her own songs, “Doubts” was penned by Toronto-based internationally-renowned songwriter, Rosanne Baker Thornley. The single was intended to be a submission for film and television spots, however the voice of Shannon Dooks was found to be a perfect vessel for the tone of the single.

“Doubts” was then adopted to be the lead single for her forthcoming album, Do It Again — a follow-up to her 2014 self-titled debut EP, Shannon Dooks, that has over 150,000 streams on Spotify alone.

In between her aforementioned releases, Shannon Dooks has been active in the meantime; her YouTube channel is sprawling with live-off-the-floor funkified renditions of classics such as Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” among many others, and she also lends her vocals to “Violet” and a cover of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by JUNO Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter, Daniel Caesar. Her songwriting and vocal feature credits also extend to Canadian singer-songwriter Raff Pylon’s “Christmas in California,” featuring Snoop Dogg.

“Doubts,” and the album, Do It Again, were recorded at the legendary Kensington Sound recording studio in Toronto. Dooks’s team comprises of Canadian producer, Ben Pelchat, Los Angeles producer, Earl Powell and UK producer Will Schollar — with the latter single handedly producing “Doubts” — as well as songwriter Rosanne Baker Thornley.

Pop-R&B Chanteuse AIEYSHA HAWS Captivates with New Single, “Zodiac Signs”

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Pop-R&B Chanteuse AIEYSHA HAWS Captivates with New Single, “Zodiac Signs”

Enchanted by the stars above, Canadian pop-R&B chanteuse Aieysha Haws captivates with this, her sophomore single, “Zodiac Signs” — available now.

“My inner child comes out and is making friends in this song — the kid in you never dies,” Haws shares. “I wanted to lead with playfulness, and spark a quirky conversation that was framed to everyone’s favourite topic: the Self.

“I’m inspired by astrology and, while there are people who do and do not believe in it, it was important to me to create a sense of belonging for everyone in this song,” she continues. “I want listeners to be happy and feel good about themselves… It’s that sense of confidence and curiosity that connects the dots, and fun is in the detailed frequency of my questions and queries.”

These notions are organically encased by the very essence of who Aieysha Haws is; and it’s not just her — at 16,000+ streams and rising this year alone, her highly loyal fanbase, whom she dotingly refers to as the ‘Wise Eyes,’ are thrilled to orbit her lively and enchanting universe. “I love learning new things, and meeting new people. My ‘Wise Eyes’ resonate with that same zest of personality and positivity, too.

“We celebrate the best love — a cosmic love — that keeps us connected.”

Born in Orlando, Florida, and hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Aieysha Haws first rippled the scene with her lively, raw, and intriguing sound just this year with the 2021 release of “Butterflies” — a song that unravels unrequited love in metaphors for metamorphosis.

Enigmatic Power Pop Artists DOUGLAS VON IRVIN’S CARNIVAL Lift the Veil on “Punk Rock Heart” with New Release

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Enigmatic Power Pop Artists DOUGLAS VON IRVIN’S CARNIVAL Lift the Veil on “Punk Rock Heart” with New Release

Step right up: Toronto/Los Angeles’ Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival are set to put their “Punk Rock Heart” on display with this, their new single and video — available now.

The latest to land ahead of the garage-pop pioneers’ forthcoming album, Meet the Monster, this May, “the song was born a couple of years ago while working on a song’s chorus about my mean-eyed cat,” lead singer Douglas Von Irvin divulges. “Later, while on vacation in Las Vegas, my mother surprised me by throwing me into a songwriting class hosted by Gene Simmons.

“So, I came home and fooled around with the song — still writing about my cat’s feral, bouncy heart.”

Fast forward to late-2019, Von Irvin continues, and the sharing of the song with the mysterious frontman’s songwriting partner — and the band’s ‘spiritual advisor’ — Dr. Prycenstein (Dave Pryce), and the project’s producer, Matt Starr. “The two of them decided the song needed to grow up a little, and I could stop singing about my cat.

“From there, the three of us collaborated on lyrics about a feral, cat-like girl, and picked up the arrangement’s tempo. With the stripped-down arrangement of ratty guitars, drums, bass, and most of all, Dr. Prycenstein’s lyric lines of ‘Joan Jett grace’ and ‘we’ll show ‘em all and start a band,’ we all agreed the song needed to be called ‘Punk Rock Heart.’”

As for the video, it is filled with a neon palette of colors with a Jackson Pollock-like splash. “A very exciting visual for the eyes.”

It’s that artful invitation into escapism that’s landed Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival on a spotlit podium all its own. Where the band describes their oft-spooky and theatrical power-pop sound as if “Roy Orbison and The Cramps had a baby,” their ultimate mission is to whisk audiences on an adventurous and immersive mixed media experience.

“We want to give people a chance to take a break from the harsh realities of the world, all while staying in tune with our feelings and minds,” Von Irvin explains. “We offer a place where all walks of life are celebrated and welcome to hang around in our Carnival.”

While some audiences received an early preview for “Punk Rock Heart,” the video lands on the heels of both this year’s previous release, “Ultra Man,” and 2020 deliveries of “Cave Man Rock,” “Vampire Lovers,” and “Monster Pool Party.” The singles — and ultimate EP, Meet the Monsters — were produced by Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big), who also played drums, co-wrote, and arranged the release; Smiley Sean from Motley Crue/Tommy Lee’s studio, The Atrium, mixed the songs.

“Punk Rock Heart” is available now. Meet the Monsters is available May 25, 2021.

Velvet-Voiced Alt-Pop Artist velours Sheds Painful Past in New Single, “Your Sweater”

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Multi-award nominated Canadian alt-pop, electro-synth and velvet-voiced artist velours pulls at some of life’s painful yarn in this, her new single “Your Sweater” — available now.

“For me, the concept of the ‘sweater’ represents the physical objects we tend to cling onto after a relationship has ended, and the other person has ‘checked out’ long before you have,” the Saskatoon-based singer/songwriter explains. “This idea of ‘what do you do when everything except them has been left behind’ really stood out to me; all of a sudden, these insignificant objects hold so much weight.”

The new single is the latest to land from breakthrough artist’s debut EP, Identity — which was produced by multi-Platinum JUNO Award-winning record producer Ryan Stewart (Carly Rae Jepsen, Bif Naked, CARYS).

Released in Fall 2020, the four-track offering has already resulted in a nomination for a 2020 Saskatchewan Music Awards Rock/Pop Artist of the Year; the album’s premiere single, “Summer Haze,” stacked more than 35,000+ streams across platforms, and its visual earned velours and Versa Films’ Dylan Hryciuk a second 2020 Saskatchewan Music Awards nomination for Music Video of the Year.

“For this video, I worked with Dylan again — who has been nothing less than amazing,” velours says. “He’s so talented, and his direction brings the message of the song to another visceral level.”

With features on CBC, velours has also been selected for a SaskMusic Songwriting Challenge, a semi-finalist for the Unsigned Only Music Competition, and has performed at the TSAR Showcase, the SaskMusic International Women’s Day concert (2020 and 2021), the SaskMusic Open House Livestream, and Telemiracle 2021. On the radio, Identity has been added to numerous stations across North America, including CBC Radio 3, hitting #2 on the charts of Core station WRSU in New Brunswick, NJ, as well as #11 on KMSC’s Top 30 chart in Moorhead, MN. velours’ songs have been added to multiple Spotify playlists and featured in articles across Canada.

“I was very aware that ‘Your Sweater’ was going to be very different from ‘Summer Haze,’” velours considers. “‘Summer Haze’ was the most intimate song I wrote for Identity, and it’s meant to evoke a feeling of renewal…

“‘Your Sweater’ inspires a renewal all its own, but it very much takes its own direction.

“Dylan and I talked a lot about my intentions for the song, and the symbolism of the sweater,” she continues. “He came up with the incredible concept of the sweater slowly falling apart throughout the entire storyline until I’m ‘free’ in the end. It’s a metaphor — along with the smoking, drinking, and the tearing of the sweater — for the pain, and just immersing yourself in toxic tendencies to not even relieve the pain, but actually indulge it…

“The ruins you’re trapped in, and how you destroy yourself by holding onto and dwelling on something that’s gone…

“The video was shot at my grandparents’ cabin, and on the highway nearby — no green screen, just raw footage of me in the dead of winter. The last chorus is all outside, and drives home the freedom and shedding of the remaining pieces of that person who broke you.

“It’s really uplifting to shed the past’s pain, and start again without it. ‘Your Sweater’ brings that message to life.”

Video: Derek and the Dominos Play ‘The Johnny Cash Show’

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Video: Derek and the Dominos Play ‘The Johnny Cash Show’

Derek and the Dominos performing “It’s Too Late” and “Matchbox” with Carl Perkins live on the Johnny Cash Show. The show was recorded on November 5, 1970 and broadcast on January 6, 1971.

Someone Created An AI-Generated Album Of The Beatles….And…Well….

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Someone Created An AI-Generated Album Of The Beatles….And…Well….

You think it’s already great now, but you wait until computers have feelings. Then we’ll see them on the charts.

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Your Used DJ Equipment in 2021

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If you want to sell your DJ gear online, you have two options. Firstly, you can find places that buy used DJ equipment and then resell it. Secondly, you can sell the equipment directly to someone looking to buy the gear for themselves. However, no matter which option you choose, it’s important to price your DJ gear correctly. Read on to find out how much you should charge for your DJ equipment and what the best places to sell it are:

How to Choose a Price

So, you have some used DJ equipment for sale, and you’re wondering how much you can sell it for. The DJ device price will depend on the condition it’s in and how long you’ve had it for.

Although you can’t sell your DJ equipment for a higher price than you initially paid for it, you can still earn a reasonable amount on it. If you invested in a high-quality product and took care of it properly, you can get over half of your money back, even if you’ve used the gear for over a year.

Still, you should be cautious when choosing a price. If the gear is in mint condition and you’ve only had it for about half a year, you can set a price that’s 80% or more of what you paid. However, the value of the equipment will go down for every six months of use.

Therefore, if you’ve used the gear for a year, you’re looking at a value of about 70% of the purchase price. Similarly, if you bought the equipment over two years ago, you can’t expect the value to be over 50% of the initial price.

How to Optimize the Value of Your DJ Equipment

If you want to sell your DJ equipment for the highest price possible, it’s important to optimize its value. First and foremost, you should look after your gear while you’re using it.

Secondly, make sure you clean the equipment thoroughly before trying to sell it. Take off all the fader caps and knobs before you start the cleanup process. It’s best to use an electronic wipe when cleaning your gear because regular wipes can cause damage. Once you make sure the gear is completely clean, place the caps and knobs back on.

Thirdly, make sure to take plenty of high-quality photos of your equipment. The pictures should be clear and well-lit. Additionally, make sure you take pictures from all angles and a few closeups, as well. Potential buyers will be more willing to purchase from you if they know exactly what they’ll be receiving.

Lastly, if you still have the original packaging and a warranty, make sure to take pictures of them as well. Additionally, mention any software licenses you may have. If your gear comes with licensed software, the value of the equipment will go up.

Where Can You Sell Your DJ Equipment

Now that you know how to get your DJ gear in tip-top shape, let’s talk about where you can sell it. Nowadays, there are a lot of ways to sell used DJ equipment online. However, on these 5 websites, you can get your gear sold the fastest and earn the most.

Facebook

Since the creation of Facebook Marketplace, this website has quickly become the best place to sell unwanted DJ equipment. The main reason for that is the fact that Facebook doesn’t take a cut of the profits. Everything, from listing your product to sharing your post and ultimately selling your gear, is completely free.

Additionally, Facebook allows you to post as many pictures as you want to your listing. Plus, you can join as many groups for buying and selling used gear. However, Facebook does not protect you from scammers, so you’ll have to investigate the person you’re selling to yourself. If you can, it’s best to find someone in your area. That way, you can do the exchange in person. Still, in order to stay safe, make sure to make the sale in a public place.

Sweetwater Used Gear Marketplace

Sweetwater Used Gear Marketplace is another great option for selling DJ equipment. If you choose this website, you have two selling options. Firstly, you can sell gently used gear directly to Sweetwater. However, instead of paying you in cash, they will give you credit towards future purchases on their website. This is a great option for those who are looking to buy new gear, as you can save quite a bit of money on the equipment.

Secondly, you can post a listing on their website and wait for someone to buy the gear. In that case, you must include a detailed description and photographs of the item you’re selling. Once someone’s interested, you talk to them directly about payment and shipping details. Sweetwater doesn’t take a cut of your earnings, which is a huge benefit and the main reason many use it to sell their gear online.

Craigslist

The main benefit of Craigslist is that it’s free to post listings, and they don’t take a cut of your earnings. It’s also quite easy to use and, since the website’s been around for a while, it has a large traffic volume. If you live in America, you can easily find anything you’re looking for on Craigslist. Similarly, you’ll be able to find a buyer in your area quite quickly.

However, you should be cautious if you choose to sell your gear via Craigslist. If you find someone who wants to buy second-hand DJ equipment from you, make sure to meet with them in a safe, public space.

Ebay

Ebay is probably the first site that comes to mind when you think about selling used musical instruments. Although there are plenty of new, similar websites available today, Ebay remains a popular choice. If you’re looking to sell your equipment quickly, this website may be your best option. That’s because a lot of people look up Ebay first when buying used CDJs. 

However, the Ebay fees are the highest of any option we’ve mentioned. They take a 10% success fee, in addition to a 2-3% transaction cut. Still, they do provide a layer of protection for the sellers and buyers, so the risk of getting scammed is lower.

Reverb

Reverb is similar to Ebay, but it specializes in music equipment reselling. It’s quite easy to use, and they even offer a mobile app, so you’ll be notified as soon as someone is interested in your product. However, Reverb is newer than Ebay, and it has a smaller audience. That means you’ll likely wait longer for someone to notice your listing than you would if you were selling on Ebay.

Still, Reverb has a lower success fee, which averages at about 3.5%, so you’ll keep more of the money if you choose to sell there. Additionally, they protect their sellers and are quite reliable. Because of that, you can feel free to sell your equipment, even if it’s to someone on the other side of the world. If someone tries to scam you, you can rest assured Reverb will help you deal with it.

In Conclusion

Selling your DJ equipment online is easier than ever. You can choose from a plethora of websites, many of which offer free listings. However, no matter which option you choose, it’s important to practice safe selling. Using reliable payment methods, such as PayPal, is your best bet. Alternatively, if you’re selling your gear locally, the best option is cash. Additionally, make sure you arrange in-person sales in a safe and public space.

Toronto Singer/Songwriter STEVE PAUL SIMMS has Some “Blues for Back Alley John” in New Single

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Toronto Singer/Songwriter STEVE PAUL SIMMS has Some “Blues for Back Alley John” in New Single

Toronto singer/songwriter Steve Paul Simms has some “Blues for Back Alley John” in this, his latest single — available now.

The song serves as a celebration for one of Ottawa — and later, Calgary’s — finest bluesmen, the late, great Back Alley John Wilson, Simms shares. “I conjured up a little of Back Alley John’s harmonica magic and philosophical musings for this one,” he explains. “There’s also some vintage Byward Market scenery for good measure.”

The song sits atop the swirling keyboards and biting guitar stylings of Ed Michael Roth and Bob Cohen, respectively, and is the latest to land off of Steve Paul Simms’ fourth album, Ingrid and the Messenger Boy.

Released December 2020, the 12-track LP offers a fine introduction to the Toronto-based troubadour whose signature brand of storytelling has long evoked notions of cabarets to cityscapes, dreams to memories, alike.

A classically trained actor who’s performed in well over 60+ theatrical productions nationwide, this is Simms’ first album available via digital streaming. In all, Ingrid and the Messenger Boy is the culmination of Simms’ genre-spanning talents; while “Blues for Back Alley John” may be blues in focus, the veteran of the creative arts scene includes pop, jazz, ragtime, rock, soul, country, world, and Broadway tunes among his expansive repertoire.

In addition to Back Alley John Wilson, Ingrid and the Messenger Boy pays tribute to the likes of a screen legend in “Anything with Ingrid,” a classic 1960s songwriter in “Goodbye Ellie,” and more.“ A one-man doo-wop group laments the life of a legal ‘Messenger Boy, and ‘Te Quiero’ celebrates young love without borders,” Simms shares. “‘Karma Makes a Comeback’ is a song about consequences, and ‘Rolling’ captures the lure of the open road.

“‘No Money Comin’ In’ chronicles one of life’s most familiar struggles,” he concludes, “and ‘Anytime’ is a declaration of love and friendship.”

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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