Open mic nights at local bars, coffee shops, libraries, and other places are a great outlet for songwriters looking for an easy way to take their music to a receptive audience. If you’re a newbie to public performance then playing some open mics when you’re just starting out is a must. If you’re a more experienced gigger, you might use open mics to try out your latest songs on a real audience, or use your open mic performance to promote an upcoming full set performance in the area, or at the same bar. Here’s a list of some of the best go-to resources for finding a great open mic.

This week’s links roundup is all things design and art related to the music world. Artwork, graphic design, and photography play a huge role in the presentation and appreciation of music. From concert promotion, cover art, web design, band photography, t-shirt design, you name it… great design matters. Here’s a batch of links to get your creative ideas flowing.

Welcome to the very first installment of the Friday links roundup here at Serve The Song. Today’s helping is all things Twitter. Get tips for songwriters, find Apps to help you promote, and dive deeper into the Twitter universe.

’tis the year for publishing “best of the year” lists and I thought I’d take this opportunity to put together a list of the lists that are floating around the music world.

I separated the list into two sections: The first is a roundup of the common best albums and best songs list (from both mainstream media, and others). The second is a list of lists with a twist, which put a healthy spin on their recap of 2008.

Whether you’re looking for new music to fill your shiny new ipod, or you’re in the mood to criticize the critcs (a favorite pastime for most songwriters), this list of lists should help you pass the time between the family roundups and the drunken holiday parties. Enjoy…