Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 27th February 2014

Present:

Yaz Alexander – Singer in Jazz and Reggae
Ian Bourne – singer songwriter
Gary Davies – guitarist from Skullfox
Tony Guice – delivers music workshops in youth centres and does gig promotions
Matt Davis – Musicians – Popular Music Practice
Sue Nicolls – Works Tour manages Steve Poults
Sarah Ann Cromwell – Comedic Opera – Diva Gigs
Matt Fisher- Giraffe Audio – supply studio equipment
Nick Romluc – Giraffe Audio
Anthony Hughes – Screen Image Network/University of Birmingham
Michael Bickerton – BCU michael.bickerton@bcu.ac.uk
Clare Edwards – Freelance Producer

Apologies: Mark Badger

New Points:

Sue Nicholls – Birmingham Opera Company are looking for a space for their next opera – they need a very large empty space in Birmingham that they haven’t used before – but they have used a lot of places! Any good ideas post them here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/11136136266/?fref=ts

Yaz Alexander – Dome Club – has a blow up Dome that can be used for creative purposes. They would like to find a home for it within Birmingham for local creative people to use it. Does anyone know any venues that could house it? For more information www.domeclub.co.uk

Giraffe Audio have a launch event week with lots of suppliers doing demonstrations etc 31st March – 4th April – more news on their website coming soon so look out for updates – www.giraffeaudio.com

Tony Guice – is working with a band called the Radio Charmers and they have a single coming out in March – with a launch at Academy 3 on 15th March – tickets here – http://www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk/event/63144/radio-charmers-tickets
He is also working on a new festival on 19th and 20th September FinFest just outside Lichfield. More information here  www.finfest.co.uk

Gary Davies – Skullfox have done some Birmingham City Sessions at BCU and they have made 5 videos and they are being released on Youtube over 5 consecutive Saturdays. This is something other bands can apply to take part in but it is oversubscribed. Follow each video here https://twitter.com/SkullFox

Yaz Alexander is working with the Drum to  to develop a new platform for local artists called the Simmer Down Lounge  to feature music of black origin – more information coming soon here – http://www.the-drum.org.uk

There was then a general discussion about platforms for artists in Birmingham  and how artists network and gain the right contacts. There was also a discussion about the differences between the scenes in Birmingham, London and Manchester.

Michael Bickerton from BCU talked about how BCU students are making TV programmes and are looking for content and how local artists can take advantage of this to prepare for actual TV appearances. To offer content email Diane Kemp – diane.kemp@bcu.ac.uk. Also if you want to have a pop promo made for your band email Michael –   michael.bickerton@bcu.ac.uk

Clare Edwards promoted a project that is looking for people to take part – Crowd Out – On 8 June 2014 – 1000 individuals will give the world premiere performances of Crowd Out, David Lang’s new piece for 1000 voices, at Millennium Point. BCMG is holding a Crowd Out discovery workshop from 7.30-9pm on Thursday 13 March 2014 at CBSO Centre, for those interested in being one of the 1000. For more information – http://www.bcmg.org.uk/whats-on/insight-events-2013-14/crowd-out-discovery-workshop-2/