Countercultural Capital & the Creative Economy - How do 1990s DiY Music ‘Entrepreneurs’ talk about the contemporary music business?” by Charlotte Bedford 2008

Here is a link to “Countercultural Capital & the Creative Economy - How do 1990s DiY Music ‘Entrepreneurs’ talk about the contemporary music business?” written by Charlotte Bedford for her MA Media Enterprise – Birmingham City University (May 2008)

It makes an interesting read…..here is a brief summary:

Placing independent music at the centre of the wider creative industries, this paper captures experiences and perspectives from 1990s DiY Music in order to inform the understanding of the rapidly changing ‘business’ of music.  The research builds on Leadbetter and Oakley’s (1999) description of a ‘new’ model of work derived from cultural entrepreneurs’ characteristic ‘independence’, and Wilson and Stokes’ (2002) subsequent paper on the changing nature of small independent businesses in the music industry.  These ideas are considered in relation to cultural and popular music theory, particularly drawing on Thornton’s (1998) concept of ‘subcultural capital’ where value within a music scene relates to the lines of demarcation differentiating between underground and mainstream.  The role of the cultural entrepreneur is examined through accounts and opinions of independent music practice then and now, exploring the extent to which the current Do-it-Yourself digital music trend is new and ‘independent’.

Andy Ward - Another view of the West Midlands’ music industry and FUNDING

Andy Ward responds to the blog post

http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/02/03/what-is-your-view-of-the-west-midlands%E2%80%99-music-industry/

Off topic to start with I guess - it is the 1st time we (Musoplex.com) have been mentioned alongside Artisan and Magic Garden outside the phrase ‘a lot louder than….’ or ‘not as posh as…..’ but I am aware Si at Framework Studios is a more than exceptional producer but that is not why I am here (but thanks for the inclusion).

I feel I should establish my lack of credentials here….I have played for over 20 years from empty pubs to 3000 people….I love music, but not all of it - all my formal qualifications (degrees / MPhil) are outside of music - I have only been running my own business for less than two years.

Funding: It hasn’t yet been 18 months since we moved Framework Studios out of the congested basements of Hockley to bigger premises with a vision of creating a small hub of people genuinely interested in music and ALL of its associated artistic and business areas.

I have to say that after 6 months of sheer bloody-minded arguing and some truly mind-numbing blunders we received a 5k Creative Space grant - which was a massive boost for us in year 1. But this is the thing….that 5k went towards relocation, rent, building materials (we built every room ourselves),  infrastructure, security, legal and professional fees for 3 people in a 2, 500 square foot business. Now that’s value for money…

However - these types of grants are available for pretty much any start up - but here is the thing: we spent 5k and created a thriving, happy, encouraging, inclusive music playground AND business turning a small profit in year 2 from start up without the wasted hundreds of thousands thrown at most god-awful music programmes and projects in the West Midlands. So - I have to agree, though somewhat hypocritically, that I don’t hold with the principals of the funding either - or at least not under the current system anyway of chucking hundreds of thousands into a bottomless hole and hoping to fill it.

As another aside you have no idea how much bile and anger has started to come back to me just writing about this topic some 18 months after the events over funding.  A few people in the end were angels but the rest…and the system….AARGH!!

Having attended several funded and sponsored events over just the past 2 years I remain utterly dumbfounded as to where the money goes or exactly what any funding has hoped to achieve - except for watching some nepotistic, city-centric, self-promoting truly awful nonsense. I attended one with a Bristol arts writer bud and we left half way through both howling with laughter and crying that that is where our money was going - shameful really.

I have reached the point where I consider this to be fast becoming a rant and a tirade against the near-contuniuous stream of a**-holes that you have to wade through only to reach an uninhabited atomic island, stripped of ideas and bereft of a sense of reality (Lost, anybody??). It really shouldn’t be - there are some excellent bands out there, young and old, great promoters, great venues, great times ahead but all of them survive, just about.

There are no paid gigs except for those who turn to the dark side of covers and tributes, there are no easy promotions and many lazy promoters, there are venues looking and needing to make money in a tight and overcrowded market faced by closures that are reluctant to try new music for lack of new crowds or alienation of existing ones.

You do not fix these things by throwing money at them. Good bands will be listened to, good promoters will source good acts and promote them well, some venues will stick by their guns to raise themselves above the others. Sandwell needs a venue, cheap, simple for use by all - what do we get? The Public…shame on you all.

All this can be achieved by small donations and grants, spreading the money around in small packets to those with drive and commitment. Instead - all the huge amounts of money we get assigned goes to a handul of organisations to squander and fritter on self-glorification and the further promotion of expensive white elephants.

Andy ward, Musoplex.com

JUST ROCK PR opening its Japan infrastructure to assist basic booking, van/driver/interpreter, accommodations, discounted flights, poster printing/distro

Just Rock PR is going to be opening up its Japan infrastructure on a more piecemeal basis for use by labels who may have publicity or distribution aspects covered elsewhere, so I wanted to advise you of this for any artists planning to tour that market in the near future.

Basically this would mean that we can assist with basic booking operations, van/driver/interpreter needs, accommodations hook-ups, discounted flight reservations, poster printing/distro, etc., without the previous requirement of full promotions in conjunction.

We hope this will serve to complement the label’s own endeavors when opening this market for your artists and releases, and also provide a support structure which can be passed on to any bands on your roster who may wish to expand their own touring with the “help” of the label.

Let me know if any such plans are currently in discussion, and we can look at availability for you accordingly. Otherwise, keep us on file for anything that may arise down the road, and we’ll be here when the time comes.
Cheers,
Ren Scarab
Director, U.S. Publicity
JUST ROCK PR
2976 WASHINGTON BLVD
CLEVELAND HTS., OH 44118
TEL: 1 (216) 397-5610 [MON-FRI 9AM-5PM EST]
skype: renscarab
publicity @ justrockpr.com
MAIN SITE: http://justrockpr.com

Beach Party 2009 unsound-system.org 10 days non-stop from the 21st til the 31st of May

Hi.. the beach party is sorted for this year.. Another 10 days non-stop from the 21st til the 31st of May. Lineup so far is. Jerome Hill, Chris Liberator, HueJahFink, Warlock, NoYeahNo, Miss Pink, Bigga, Dead Man Walking, Savage Rehab, Louise+1, Billy the Kid, Unlikely, DubWreka, Controlled Wierdness, Lusinda, Skarper, Da Boogie, Dom the Bong + many more. Also daily open decks sessions…Gonna be the bollox…again :).. check unsound website for details . we got a couple of network links… Bruno Unsound on facebook and unsoundsystem666 on myspace..or get in touch through             beachparty2009 @ unsound-system.org          cheers lee

UK Music Sector Forum meet up

A Message from our man Peter Jenkinson at Music Sector Forum:

I was hoping to arrange a UK Music Sector Forum meeting so we can all catch up.

There is a good option at Liverpool Sound City - May 20th – 23rd where Dave Pichilingi has offered to host (22nd best for me), there is also Go North, Inverness 11-12 June and Doncaster Music Week (20th – 27th of March) and Great Escape, Brighton (14,15,16th May)

Please can you let me know if you plan to attend any of these events, or will be up for coming to Liverpool for a get together in May.

email: contact at musicsectorforum.org.uk

COLOUR BRING AUTHENTIC BLUES TO BIRMINGHAM, Charlie Parr + Support, Tuesday 24 February, 8:30pm, The Victoria, John Bright Street, Birmingham

COLOUR Presents: Charlie Parr + Support
Tuesday 24 February, 8:30pm
The Victoria, John Bright Street, Birmingham
COST: ?4

On Tuesday 24th February, Colour will host their first live music event in Birmingham, following on from several years of success in Wolverhampton. Headlining the event will be renowned Minnesota folk-blues artist Charlie Parr. It will take place at The Victoria, a recently refurbished Victorian pub at the heart of the city centre.

Charlie Parr

Charlie has toured the UK several times before, astounding audiences with his contemporary take on American musical tradition. His rousing, heartfelt songs speak plainly of the darker places ordinary folks often lose themselves and of the hope that gets them through.

Lawrence Matkin of The Irish Times said:

“This is music that pulses and breathes, rhythms that sway heavy and deep, like fruit swung low on an autumnal tree; music that utterly captures the America of shunting trains and rolling plains, of home-made hooch and
Piedmont blues.”

Charlie counts among his fans Alan Sparhawk of Low and comics legend and aficionado of the blues, R. Crumb. He is touring in support of his new album Roustabout, which is released on 17 February on Misplaced Music.

More on Charlie Parr: Official Site

Colour

As well as stunning live music, the event will also feature Colour’s distinctive hosting style, with projected vintage slides, homemade cakes and DJ sets featuring folk, Americana and leftfield indie new and old.

For more information on Colour visit wearecolour.com

For photographs, interviews or quotes, email colourpromo@gmail.com

Johnny 2 Bad Valentines Day Reggae party Sat 14th Feb Birmingham Asylum, Hampton St, nr Snowhill station.£7

Johnny 2 Bad Valentines Day Reggae party Sat 14th Feb Birmingham Asylum, Hampton St, nr Snowhill station.£7 on door 8pm show 8.45-11.30pm

LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY 20th-23rd May 2009

Here’s some news just in

I am writing to let you know the second Liverpool Sound City takes place May 20th to 23rd.  www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

Last year we welcomed an audience of over 25,000 people and put on over 300 bands in over 20 venues.

We brought in speakers from over 10 different countries and held a world class conference in the amazing 4 star superior Hard Days Night Hotel.

This year we have teamed up with Musexpo and British Underground to deliver an even bigger and better conference and a brand new initiative called The Trial which will take place in the Victorian Law Courts of St Georges Hall.  We will welcome over 400 business delegates from all over the world.

The theme as ever will be the mavericks, new thinkers, entrepreneurs, chameleons, svengalis helping to shape the modern music business.  Effectively the DIYers!

We will present over 400 bands in 30+ venues and we will host parties and events with over 10 different territories including USA, Canada, France, Italy, Norway, Japan, China, Ireland, Caribbean and Nigeria.

Speakers confirmed so far include:
-Steve Schnur, Worldwide Head of Music & Marketing, EA Games and President, Artwerk Music Publishing.
-Jamie Nelson, Head of A&R, Parlaphone (UK)
-Benjamin Groff, Sr. VP, Kobalt Music Publishing (USA)
-Ajax Scott (MD, Woodshed Media, UK)
-Frank Takeshita, General Manager, Creativeman (Japan)
-Mike Walsh, Head of Music, Xfm (UK)
-Steven Stewart, Nokia Music
-Stephen Taverner (manager of Ting Tings)
-Andy Hipkiss, AAA Media
-Joe Taylor, A&R Field Recordings and Nuxx Music Publishing
-Sarah Stennett, Partner SS Law (represents Sugababes, Keane)

Zeitgeist artists confirmed so far include:
Little Boots, Black Lips, Biffy Clyro, Glasvegas, White Denim, Deerhunter, Screaming Lights, Sound of Guns, Hot Melts, Courteeners and many more every week.

We would love you to take part in the Sound City experience.  We have some amazing deals that allow you to host panels, get your artists involved, put on your own event or party or just simply come along to Liverpool for 4 days and 4 nights to DIY for!

www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk 

All the very best
David J. Pichilingi

LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY!
20, 21, 22, 23 May 2009

www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

International Urban stand-up comedy show brought to you by JEP Entertainment Ltd

If Anyone is after a Sponsorship Opportunity

International Urban stand-up comedy show brought to you by JEP Entertainment Ltd

The Real Deal Comedy Jam has established itself over the past 5 years as the no1 urban stand-up comedy show in the UK.  It offers not only a night of live entertainment and stand up comedy, but is also recognised as an event that has obtained a loyal fan base.  The show has a history of consistently producing hilarious nights of fun and laughter.   This is a great event not to be missed which always attracts audiences 1000 plus.

The show will be undertaking its first tour of the UK in 2009 and will be in Birmingham on Saturday 28th February 2009 at the internationally famous Alexandra Theatre. Showcasing a cast of famous comedians from both the UK and the USA, this show will feature 2 headline acts from the US hit shows ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and the Nick Cannon’s ‘Wild ‘N’ Out’.

We target a multicultural audience aged 18 upwards. Further research has proven that a large majority of our cliental are repeat customers, who welcome the opportunity to hear from us when we have up and coming events and promotions.

So what does this all have to do with you?

Well we are offering you the opportunity to be one of our selected promotional partners. Wouldn’t your brand benefit from being associated with feeling good?  If you take this fantastic opportunity to promote your business at our event, the promotional work that we will be carrying out will elevate your business and push your company into the forefront of our audience which can be anything up to 1300 people at the show, all fit into the category of being people with ‘expendable incomes’, and a further 100,000 people plus through our marketing campaign. Your brand will benefit from being associated with one of the ‘coolest/trendiest’ events that Birmingham has to offer. Our aim is to maximise your exposure and return on your investment.

So why spend money on marketing and brand awareness in these turbulent times?

We’ll as most economist will tell you, when the economy in on a downturn it is important to stay ahead of your competition and in the forefront of your customers minds.  The Real Deal Comedy jam can help your company/organisation to do this.  During our marketing campaign, we reach out to the whole of the West Midlands through various means including leafleting in the city centre, leaflets through the post, emails, web-marketing, radio, texts, magazines/newspapers, posters A3/A2/B1 and Billboard

Packages have been tailored to suit companies of all sizes giving you the opportunity to pick what best suits your business. We will offer advice on all packages to make sure you get the best return.  Additionally if there is anything you would like to do at our show that is not listed above we would be happy to discuss this with you.
N.B. There are only spaces in the programme with a 100K distribution, including attendees to Bristol, London & Bham show. Prices start from as little as £150!

We will also keep you updated with the marketing progress and any new opportunities to market your company.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to assist.

Nzinga Graham-Smith
PR/Marketing Officer
JEP Entertainment Ltd
____________________________________
The Real Deal Comedy Jam Show is coming to a TV screen near you soon……
Click Link to view Trailer - www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4994ah0aDg
————————————————————
QUEEN OF THE CROP©
…in PR, Consultancy & Event Planning
MUSIC | ENTERTAINMENT | ARTS
c/o: (Reception), The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AA

A Vision for the Music Industry in the West Midlands by Clare Edwards June 2008

This report was commissioned primarily to inform potential investment in the West Midlands music industry by Advantage West Midlands between 2008 and 2011.

In particular this report suggested options for projects to be included in the Audio and Music Programme of Activities that is outlined in the Screen, Image and Sound Cluster Plan 2008 –2011.

To do this the report included:
1) A Brief Evaluation of the Music work undertaken by Digital Central

2) An Overview of the Region

3) A Suggested Outline of Activities

The report was compiled using a number of sources of information:

1) Minutes and Documentation from the Digital Central project at Birmingham City University (BCU)

2) Reports, Strategies and Planning Documents for music and the creative industries both National and Regional.

3) Interviews with Music companies, freelancers and organisations and agencies that support the Music Industry

This approach was adopted to gain as many views as possible and to set them against the current context for music. The ambition for this report was to try to set out a  vision based on the needs of the industry as a whole to try to build consensus around a package of support for the forthcoming Audio and Music Programme of Activities.

A Brief Evaluation
This section will look at the work undertaken by Digital Central so far and look at the opportunities that arise from thefirst phase of activity (2005 –2008).

Background
Digital Central was a regional development project funded by Advantage West Midlands that worked to help the West Midlands to be nationally andinternationally recognised for its digital media and music sectors. That includes Film, Television, Animation, Interactive Media, Computer Games, Digital Imaging, Music and Radio. Digital Central developed and supported activity against three key strategic themes: networking, showcasing and innovation.

From 2008/9 the funding from AWM that was spent on Digital Central will be split into three pots.

The first will be aimed at support for Film, Television, Animation, Interactive Media, Computer Games and Digital Imaging and will be administered by Screen West Midlands.

The second will support the Business Futures programme and the final pot will be aimed at support for audio and music and will be put out to tender so that it can be delivered by the most appropriate organisation(s).

Evaluation
After reviewing the documentation from the project such as reports and minutes from meetings it is clear that Digital Central has achieved many things during its two years. It is not in the scope of this report to comment on the non-music activity of Digital Central other than to say that the screen and new media sectors do seem to have a more coherent strand of activity in the project.

The music projects that have been supported were all worthwhile and in most cases very successful. Digital Central’s role in these projects varied, sometimes simply adding a small amount of funding support to match a great deal from elsewhere
through to projects where Digital Central took the lead and funded the projects entirely.

Feedback from those in the music industry that I interviewed was mixed. Some of this was due to the high expectations placed on the Digital Central project from the outset set against the relatively small budgets that Digital Central had to implement the many ambitions people had for it. Other issues came out of the way the project progressed and some individuals’ personal experience of applying for funding through the scheme. These are addressed below.

Impact
Digital Central has had a number of successes that will leave a lasting impact on the local industry:

The Research
A significant strength of Digital Central was its ability to utilise the academic assets of Birmingham City University. As a result a number of helpful reports and studies were published during the project. Amongst the music based research there were three reports that in the end formed a box set of music reports. The first one was ‘Making Money out of Music’ by Professor Tim Wall. This was a very useful document outlining how the music industry makes money and how the international market relates to regional music activity.
The second document ’20 Things You Need To Know About Music Online’ by Andrew Dubber is equally helpful and continues to be quoted by people I meet as useful.

Simon Harper’s collection of views from members of the region’s music industry ‘Music Matters –a regional profile’ was equally useful and was a good basis for this report. This booklet concluded that the priorities for the regional music industry going forward were:

Working Together
Working with public bodies
Promoting the West Midlands
Working internationally
Capitalising on our heritage

All of these areas are considered again in this report as they came up as key themes in the interviews I conducted with music industry professionals. However, for those of us who like to read these documents they are very useful but
for the vast majority of music industry practitioners their impact is less tangible at this stage. There is a feeling now amongst those I interviewed who had engaged with Digital Central, that the focus of the next phase (i.e. the Audio and Music Programme of Activities) should focus on action leading from those report findings.

Venue Development
The venue development project was very simple: To look at what venues needed to do to improve their ability to host live music and to help a number of venues make those improvements. There was an interesting and helpful music venue survey that lead to a report that informed the funding process. Despite a reasonably small response to the survey this project was successful as it had a very clear vision behind it and garnered good support from the industry.

Projects
Digital Central was able to support a number of important and successful initiatives in
the region including:
supporting Capsule to hold the Metal Symposium and a subsequent project on music heritage
enabling music companies to go to MIDEM and to San Francisco for a games conference
Events like Birmingham Jazz Festival, Gigbeth and Rootsville were also supported

Issues for Digital Central
Letting committees get in the way
The most important issue that has arisen from my observations and from people I have spoken to on this subject is the lack of strong direction for the music work that DC undertook. This may well be in part due to a sensitivity that has arisen from the perceived ‘ in fighting’ in the sector. This led to DC holding a series of consultative meetings and forming a number of groups to try to steer the direction of the music work. This approach took in the views of a very diverse group of sector specialists and so there was no shortage of ideas and no real mechanism to prioritising them. DC should have taken a stronger lead so that the parameters of these discussions could be more clearly defined. A common observation was that many projects started and then stalled because of apparent changes of direction during the project. This lead to disengagement by many industry partners and some mistrust that was a result of a simple lack of clarity. Also from the minutes of one of the meetings there was concern raised by those on the committee about the admin spend of the project –however they also wanted those on the committees to get paid for their time. This model was obviously unsustainable but perhaps came out of frustration from those ‘consulted’ that their time was not being well spent.

Lack of joined up planning
Many of the businesses I interviewed observed that Digital Central seemed to operate in isolation to other similar projects, possibly missing out on opportunities to make the Digital Central budget go further through strategic partnerships. This is backed up by interviews undertaken with key agencies during this research that almost universally felt that they had very little involvement in Digital Central and so had not found ways to add value to the project through the work that they were
doing. Most had praise for some elements of the projects work but felt that their own lack of knowledge of the project as a whole was probably evidence of a general lack of a joined up approach.

To download and read the rest of the report click here

comments on this invited

CLUB 444 @ THE RAINBOW, DIGBETH: MAEVEN, DRAG AND NEWSPEAK DIVIDE, AGE 14+ GIG

Event Title - CLUB 444 @ THE RAINBOW, DIGBETH

Event description - FEMALE FRONTED BANDS, MAEVEN, DRAG AND NEWSPEAK DIVIDE PERFORM AT THE RAINBOW IN DIGBETH, AGE 14+ GIG

Event Date(s) and Time(s) - MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, DOORS 8PM

Website link to event information - HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/KAMIKAZEE

Website link to book tickets - £4 FROM HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FORERUNNERRECORDS

Any other external links (such as a performers website) - HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DRESSEDASGIRL, HTTP://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NEWSPEAKDIVIDE

Event Title - FORERUNNER RECORDS OFFICIAL LAUNCH
Event description - Forerunner Records is the new record label of Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham. Its main purpose is to give students the experience of working in the music industry, in a safe and educational environment. The label is of benefit to student-musicians, as well as those wishing to gain experience in sound engineering, live sound, photography and journalism. The official launch will take the form of a performance ind introduction featuring some of the artists Forerunner Records is currently working with. Tickets are FREE, but must be prebooked.
Event Date(s) and Time(s) - Thursday 26th February, 2pm (schools event) and 7pm (public)
Website link to event information - http://www.myspace.com/forerunnerrecords
Website link to book tickets - email forerunnerrecords@hotmail.com stating how many tickets you require and for which performance

Forerunner Records
http://www.myspace.com/forerunnerrecords
“The forerunner in innovative music…”

Andek Music Publishing calls for composers, offering a new way of buying sheet music

Call for composers!
Andek Music Publishing is a new name in music offering a new way of buying sheet music.

Digital download of sheet music has existed for sometime with copy protection.  Andek Music Publishing now offers sheet music only via digital download and without any form of copy protection.  Priced reasonably, Andek Music Publishing believes in trusting the customer.

Are you a writer of music?  Have you written for brass instruments?  Then we want to hear from you.

Andek Music Publishing wants to build up a stable of new music for brass instruments and ensembles.
Visit the website or just email Andek Music Publishing to submit your manuscript.  Formats accepted include pdf, jpg and Finale.  Sorry, we do not accept Sibelius files.  Remember, we are only interested in music for solo or ensemble brass instruments with or without accompaniment.
Email: andekmusic at gmail.com
Web: www.andekmusicpublishing.co.uk

Works accepted will be subject to publishing agreement.  Composers always retain their copyright.  Minimum royalty on works sold is 20% of cover price.

Andy Derrick
http://www.andyderrick.co.uk

Dominic McGonigal PPL Director of Government Relations launches blog on the copyright term directive

I don’t know if you are aware, but Dominic McGonigal, our Director of Government Relations just launched a blog concentrating on the progress of the copyright term directive and the surrounding debate. We have had a huge amount of interest in this subject from our performers (38,000 of them!) and there is of course wider interest in the debate. The particularities of the European process leads to an unusual unfolding of the story, one that must be told for all the performers who as I’m sure you know, are currently treated as second class creators.

Please feel free to use material from the blog. Equally, we would be very interested in any information or viewpoint you might want to contribute to this particular saga.

You can find Dominic’s blog at: http://dominicseuroblog.wordpress.com/

-Dan.

DAN MELLINS
Web Editor

PPL
1 Upper James Street, London W1F 9DE

What is your view of the West Midlands’ music industry? by Mark Iron Man Records

What is your view of the West Midlands’ music industry? In particular, what are our strengths and weaknesses?

Here’s something I wrote in 2007, if anyone would like to take the title of this blog post and write their own version then please do, the more thoughts and opinions the better. I don’t know it all, I am only familiar with my small area of activity within the so called “Music Industry.”

Written by Mark Iron Man Records, Birmingham, June 2007

Wikipedia defines the Music Industry as “the business industry connected with the creation and sale of music. It consists of record companies, labels and publishers that distribute recorded music products internationally and that often control the rights to those products. Some music labels are “independent,” while others are subsidiaries of larger corporate entities or international media groups. The world music market is currently dominated by the “big four” record groups, Sony BMG, EMI, Universal and Warner, each of which consists of many smaller companies and labels serving under different regions and markets.“ (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_industry) As far as the West Midlands is concerned, I would suggest that The music industry is a term most people use to describe a range of music-related businesses and organisations including community groups and not-for-profit organisations and others such as Musicians’ Unions and writers’ copyright collectives and performance rights organisations.

In order to look at the West Midlands Industry I sometimes find it helpful to imagine what the “West Midlands Music Industry” might consist of (in general terms) in a simplistic, imaginary world and then look to see if this is demonstrated to be true in practice.

[Read more]

Cubans to record new single at Framework Studios, part of Musoplex.com

Over the next week the Cubans will be recording a new AA single with Head Producer Si Reeves at Framework Studios - part of the Musoplex family of music lovers.

Please Don’t Start Again is in a style that has got them recognised across the Midlands and beyond as a distinctive indie band that stands head and shoulders above the crowd.

Face to Face will see a slightly heavier leaning with a departure from other material and a bass-driven monster-beat of a song that has been the star of recent live performances.

The success of the last single (now sold out on hard copy but available on iTunes) and the remastered album of earlier work saw them sell out the Little Civic in Dec 2008 and get a joint headline in March 2009 (7th!!) with the legendary reformed Bluetones.

The new single will be released in time for their biggest gig to date but just so you know what you might miss - the review from the Little Civic….
The rise continues…

RYANS GIG GUIDE - ISSUE JAN 09 - REVIEW “LITTLE CIVIC GIG”
Early on it was clear to see why they are called The Cubans. The Latin feel to the music, combined with some harder guitar riffs was a unique sound base which instantly draws you to them. Song titles, such as ‘Ron’s last Act’ and ‘Women Tennis’ are especially quirky, and apparently the latter is best not questioned! During the 45 minute set, the band treated us to a first live hearing of new track ‘Flow’ with quick fire vocals and an addictive bass line. Most enjoyable and reflective of range was ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ which had the big boned man in front of me waggling stuff I didn’t need to see, and the whole room bouncing happily. There is a cultural feel to their verses, flattered by catchy choruses and an eclectic mix of influences to ensure each track is different. On stage, the band play as a solid unit, with a clear respect for each other’s input and space. There was great movement by the band and some of the gutsiest bass playing I’ve heard in years. They looked comfortable on stage with a performance that reflected their touring experience, whilst showing no arrogance. Many bands brag to love what they do, but few prove it so intensely. This band is not to be missed!

The culinary delights from Mr Sizzle brought my evening to an end, with The Cuban’s excellence still ringing in my ears. There were many surprises and I give thanks to whoever it was that recommended The Cubans to me. Breaking news is that they are set to headline at The Wulfrun in March, so there’s an opportunity for you, but don’t leave it too late as this band have a reputation for selling out wherever they play. I’ll be front row with my glow sticks.” Meriel Flavell 2008

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