Full chart below.

We know you guys are all in bands because you love the creative process and just have the music inside of you dying to get out into the world, but surely at some point you have wondered what it takes to make actual money in the business. Via L Magazine, we found Digital Music News latest graphic on all the ways you can make money in music — from self-released albums to Spotify — and how many you have to sell to make minimum wage. It’s not entirely encouraging: You have to sell 171 iTunes albums or get 232,000 plays on Spotify per month, all to rake in $1,160. But its about the music, man! (more…)

A preview of that summer fun yet to come. Via L Magazine.

Oh sweet sweet summer time, this week has got us all hopped up in a nitfit for your sticky, muggy, garbage-smelling embrace. First we got the list of free movies playing Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer; now today we get the schedule for the L Magazine’s Summer Screen in McCarren Park. It starts July 11 with Cruel Intentions (which is hilariously dated if you watch it, but still great!) and hits up a bunch of 80s movies for the rest of the season. See the full schedule below! (And in case you’re wondering the Prospect Park Celebrate Brooklyn concert schedule is due out May 9, so stay tuned!) (more…)

Picnic time in Fort Greene Park. Via Flickr's NEGS26.

Before we link to this L Magazine post on the best picnic spots in Brooklyn, let’s take a moment to appreciate websites that give you a “view as single page” or “full text” options instead of forcing you to click through seven different parts of a slow loading list in order to grub up pageviews (You’re on notice, HuffPo). That said, the L is out today with this sweet list of their picks for the best pic-a-nic spots in the borough, giving you the pros and cons of each, and listing the nearest market at which to stock up your basket. For instance, Sunset Park gets a pro for having vista views of the city and the Statue of Liberty and cons for how easy it is to get lost in its thick growth. Despite the fact that the L seems to have picked the dumpiest, most unattractive Google street view picture of each spot, it’s a solid list for planning your outdoor season activities.

What’s your fave picnic spot?

From 2011's winning film Echotone.

If you made a film in the past three years on a Brokelyn budget, you should totally submit to this year’s Northside DIY Film Festival, part of The L Mag’s huge north Brooklyn arts fest. But know this: you’re likely to be outdone (or at least outspent) by your ultra-indie fellows, because according to the fest, “DIY” means “budget under $100,000.” And while obviously 100k isn’t going to buy you blockbuster production values — for context, last year’s Best Picture winner came in at $15 million — it’s not exactly the man-and-a-camcorder budget “DIY” seems to imply (not-so-DIY studio Paramount, after all, has an under $100k “micro-budget” division). (more…)

Bike date, anyone?

Just in time for the worst holiday of all time, the folks at L Magazine have compiled a list of 18 Brooklyn Dates: One For Every Conceivable Dating Scenario. Among these suggested evenings of passion are The Art Date (hit up some art galleries and toss back some PBRs), The Roof Date (WINE ON THA ROOF!), The Let’s Make Dinner Date, which honestly, this lady loves going on solo too, and, on that note, The Treat-Yourself Date for the Single Person, which includes a visit to my absolute favorite heart-break therapy spot, Buffalo Exchange.

What L Magazine refers to as “The Broke Date” is right up this Brokelynite’s alley and includes a free Saturday tour at the Brooklyn Brewery, cheap Mexican eats at Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos in Bushwick and finishes with a cozy beerfest (or winefest) on the couch. So no more excuses, dudes; who says Valentine’s Day has to be extravagant?

For the full list of 18 proposed dates, head over to L Magazine.

Titus Andronicus at Death By Audio. They ain't done so bad. Photo via Flickr's Ryan Dombal.

“Indie band success” might sound to you like “gainfully employed journalism major,” but people smarter than we in this area say apparently there is a way to make fat stacks while staying true to your DIY roots. The L Magazine published a huge feature this week of 101 secrets to indie rock success, with tips culled from the three layers of the power sandwich:  The Labels, The Experts (publicists, venue owners, mangers) and Us (aka the music media). It gives you a guide to tactics that annoy (Don’t call it a 7″ when it’s digital!), tricks to get noticed, like how to draft a booking email, and even how to act on stage. For even more tips, check Caroline’s post on how to get big-time buzz for your band.

Liars, lying in wait for you Saturday

The only thing people love more than summer is complaining about summer. “Everyone’s making fun of me for wearing jorts,” “This show is sold out,” “Wahhh, it smells like hot garbage everywhere.” Well… quit the whining, because we’re giving you something good: two tickets to see art punk noisemakers Liars at the Northside Festival this Saturday, June 26. And we’ll throw in the band’s complete five-album discography (together, an $80+ value). Happy now? (more…)

appaholics

Here at the intersection of frugality and technology, we’re always on the lookout for the best of both worlds to help you save your hard-earned coin. That’s why the idea of a happy-hour sleuthing iPhone app most appeals to us: it’s the perfect tool for the brokester on the go who’ll never let a little thing like geographic naiveté stop them from seeking cheap booze. L Magazine rolled out the first app late last year, and now there are two, thanks to the Village Voice. Both deserve a toast, but which to get: L Magazine’s “Cocktail Compass” or Village Voice Media’s “Happy Hours” app? Here’s the rundown of each and our verdict. (more…)

appaholics

Picture this scenario: you had a job interview in some foreign section of town and, if it went anything like our interviews, it was an unquestionable disaster, due to vague reasons of “not addressing the room” and less vague ones like “completely and totally flubbing questions about the economy for an economic reporter job.” Your morning hopes of being able to splurge on a $6 Hennepin in celebration have been replaced again by the afternoon reality of drink-special consolation. What you need is some sort of function or operation to help you find a cheap drink, and fast!

Thanks to the ever-expanding effort to leave no aspect of modern life un-apped, you are in luck. The Cocktail Compass from L Magazine and Night and Day Studios gives you access to a database of happy hour information for 866 bars (167 in Brooklyn, 662 in Manhattan). (more…)

Photo by Diego Cupolo

Goya orange sodas, Phillie Blunts, little vials of whatever they sell at the counters… what would NYC be without bodegas? If you have a favorite, enter L Magazine’s Best Bodega in  NYC Contest and you could win free beer for a week. The rules are simple: In 100 to 400 words, write the love letter you never wrote to your favorite NYC bodega, include a photo (optional) and email it here. The winner will receive a 6-pack of beer of their choice from their beloved bodega every day for one week, and—probably the best part—the prize will be delivered to your home by a staffer (intern, we say) of L Magazine. So whether you go for the $1 tall boys, the packages without expiration dates or the incredible magazine selection, start on your love letter today. Check out the details here.