I just read a really interesting article about the trials and tribulations of getting signed to a major label, and what happened to the Hoosiers after being dropped from RCA records.
It's a great story from a band who were selling out Arenas, on the top of all radio playlists and the toast of the recording industry.
Have a read here... http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/mar/24/the-hoosiers-bumpy-ride
I've started listening to 6Music whenever their is a digital radio in listening distance, and although last year when it was close to being shut down I did nothing, I am pleased that everyone else did.
On Monday I listened to The Mark Riley show (also pleased to hear Radcliffe is shifting over too), and stumbled across John Stammers. I recommend you take a listen, here's a link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zj1j1 ... forward it on to around 8pm and he's performing live then.
Hopefully he'll be playing in a little venue near you soon.
We're on the look out for people of all ages who want to get involved in live music, from producing and promoting live concerts, to coordinating tours, to writing reviews, previews and blogs... and general get stuck in.
If you love your music, whether it be 'live' or not and would like to get involved in some way, please register on Musicosity and then email info@musicosity.com and we'll be in touch.
We need enthusiastic people all over the UK, currently Reps range from existing concert promoters to people wanting to organise their first gig. You don't have to work in the industry, so if you're curious and want to get involved, get in touch.
We've been interviewing for possible placement students recently, which took me back to when I did a placement at Glastonbury Festival, where I had the somewhat overwhelming task of booking artists for the theatre and circus fields for the festival in 1999.
I worked alongside Arabella Churchill, one of the most interesting, extraverted and talented people you would have had the pleasure to have met. The granddaughter of Sir Winston she taught me so much about the business by letting me make mistakes (not too many of course) and to build relationships, some of which came in handy whilst managing the BIC a few years later.
Back then I had the option of numerous placements all over the country and many offering a reasonable salary, but Glasto was unpaid. The decision was easy. To have the opportunity to work with such great characters and to have independence, the money didn't come into it (I just had to keep the part time job going)... and I'm very pleased that some of the students we're talking too, see the long term benefits, over the short term strain on the student overdraft.
Hey Guys
The video of my gig at the Goldsmiths Student Union in London UK on Saturday is now posted. I sang my song ` No More Second Best` You can view it here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip7m9tHGZ74&feature=channel_video_title .
Just to say that I had a great day and made many new friends. I would like to thank tipsy D and all those at Tipper Ents who made the show possible.
One of the many new friends I made was the DJ/Mc/Presenter Mr Play. Check out the photo`s posted on my Facebook Page here
http://www.facebook.com/RoziiChaos
Jack Gorman of Radio Sonar here in Southampton Reviewed my EP on his blog and you can read it here.
http://overkillspoonman.wordpress.com/2011/02/20/rozii-chaos-ep/
Please visit my website www.rozii-chaos.com for further information or email me at Rozii@rozii-chaos.com if you just want to say hello
Rozii :)
The New Governors Last Ever Gig March 26th!!!!
Hello all
Can't wait to see you all for the last ever New Governors gig next week at The Winchester 26th March!
Doors open at 7:30 and tunes will be on straight away. Tell everyone you know to get down and party with us one last time. We want to go out with a huge bang and make it a huge party!
Free entry, Free Merch and 3 live bands!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/thenewgovernors
http://www.myspace.com/theofficialotherhalf
http://www.myspace.com/aspwkc
Facebook event can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135615726487396
I was reminded recently about the time when I turned down Muse for a show. Of course, they weren't who they have become today, but that of course is why people like to remind me.
In 2000 I was booking a concert at Brixton Academy, part of the National Student Music Awards which I'd founded with a friend of mine. A CD arrived in our offices (a mobile office/shed) in Bournemouth. I put the CD on and thought it sounded like Queen, and as a Queen fan that should have been positive, but we decided to pass on the offer.
I wander if things would have turned out differently for them, if we had booked them. They probably owe me a favour.
Anyway, the obvious moral of the story is, if it sounds like Queen, book it.
When producing an album, single, or your latest autobiography perhaps, remember that in the long run the cost of storage far outweighs the cost of producing more.
It's not just a financial thing. It's also better for the ego. There's few better feelings than selling out (in the product sense).
Next time you book a gig, whilst you consider the pros of that huge stage, the lighting rig and dressing rooms, think about looking out and seeing large spaces in front of the stage. Stage diving becomes dangerous too.
It's not just about being realistic in the short term, it's about laying the foundations for future. Fans like to have 'been there', got the t-shirt before everyone else.
So, focus on selling out.
It's tough being a new Artist, with limited resources, whether it be time, financial, contacts and networks or know-how. It's difficult to decide where to start.
It's very easy to spend all the resources they do have on trying to get the attention of a manager, a record label, a radio DJ, a venue boss, a promoter... someone... anyone who will pluck them from the obscurity. However, an "overnight success" tend to have been built over many years and with a lot of hard work.
As with any business, it's essential to know what business you're in and who you are selling to. Who are your customers?!
In the first instance it's friends, colleagues, your peers and anyone who you can reach with a leaflet, poke, tweet or even talk too. Remember, when you start out you are are artist, manager, agent, promoter.
Do this well and work hard and building your audience and you start to feel a warm vibrating sensation and strange noises. The phone starts ringing (or emails ping, facebooks poke back and twitters tweet in return).
Stop allocating resources on the wrong people, and put everything into your future fans.
If you think about all the biggest names in the world of live music, whether it be heritage acts like Bowie, McCartney or The Stones, or simply make a list of you're favorite bands. They all have one thing in common. They decided to do something. They chose to start.
The common misconception of 'the talent' is that they are lazy, and the media like nothing more than encouraging this, as 'rock n roll' sells more magazines or papers (although they would prefer you subscribed online these days). The fact is the only way to get written about by anyone is by getting out there and starting something. Of course, starting something is just the beginning.
You decide to make a recording. You've started. Now you have to get out there and make people listen to it. And you will have to 'make' people listen, because if it were simply up to them, they wouldn't, they would stick to what they know, or what is 'known'. At the moment, the vast majority are not known.
ITunes, EMusic and the hundreds of other online stores for music are wonderful, but just like their local council run library, walk-in not knowing what you're looking for and you'll get lost and gravitate to what you know, what you trust. You have to make it easy for people and start small... worldwide distribution is essential when you have a audience to match.
The same rules apply to live shows. You won't sell tickets by simply distributing allocations on every website. People have to know how to find it, why they should buy it... and not just spend their money on their current favourites (which hopefully you will become in time).
In the beginning you are the artist, manager, agent, promoter (and audience potentially), so each day do a bit towards each role. Experience and learn from the trials, tribulations and fun of marketing, With the target in your sight and can look forward to everything that comes with starting something.