You are browsing the Blog for framework studios.

← Previous Entries
Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

March 2011 Music Network Meeting Minutes

April 28, 2011 in Meeting Minutes by Mark Badger

Music Network Meeting Thursday 31st March 2011

TEE, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham

In attendance

Saurab Thomas (bcu graduate), Sheryl (student acces to music, starting ) Robin Valk (radiotogo), Clare Edwards, Simon Howes, Abi , Adrian Kimberline, Katy Jay (photographer musoplex),  Colin Tippin (musicalechanges.com), Peter Marchant (student), Matt Marchant (student musician, presenter on scratch radio), Alex (accounting and finnace student), Sean (student), Liam (composing and producing music, comedy script writing) Keisha Thompson (singer songwriter poet). Ann Sulaiman. Spence Cater.

Apologies

Nicola Toms – Oxjam, Martin Mullan – Changing Horses, Anthony Hughes – Musician, Andy Ward – Musoplex, Vince is touring with 10cc, Kevin Moore – Scratch Radio, Andy Derrick – Musician. Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

February 2011 Music Network Meeting Minutes

February 25, 2011 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

Music Network

Meeting Thursday 24th February 2011

TEE, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham

In attendance

Mark Sampson – BMN and Iron Man Records mark at ironmanrecords.co.uk

Andy Derrick – BMN and Sostenuto LLP andy at sostenuto.org.uk

Elisha Baptiste – media student, singer and songwriter showboizuk at gmail.com

Benjamin Puusta and Mark Caudery (Yes To Fairer Votes) m.caudery2010 at gmail.com

Charlie Carter – music producer and media design/consultation charliesletterbox at hotmail.co.uk

Adrian Kimberlin – Exit Recordings enquiries at exitrecording.com

Jenny Njuki – DJ

Simon Howes – independent sound engineer simon at audioguy.co.uk

Spence Cater – Pathways To Enterprise, singer/songwriter, Focus Point Photography

Rich Batsford – Pianist and singer songwriter batsfordpromotions at gmail.com

Johnny Kowalski – Johnny Kowalski and the Sexy Weirdos johnnykowalski at live.co.uk

Ramese – singer and lyric writer marakalah_36 at hotmail.com

Kevin Moore – scratch radio and South Birmingham Community Radio – kevin.moore at scatchradio.co.uk

David Blakemore – video and photography – Creative Enigma david_blakemore at hotmail.com

Germane Roberts – photography and film, urban arts

Gerard Davies gerard.davies@contented.net

Owen – CMAT Studios www.cmatstudios.com – Internet radio (radio CMAT), training, recording and mastering

Keisha Thompson – singer/songwriter and poet.

Apologies

Nicola Toms – Oxjam

Martin Mullan – Changing Horses

Minutes

Introduction from Mark Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

January 2011 Music Network Meeting Minutes

February 2, 2011 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

Present:

Mark Badger, Richard Mitton, Adrian Kimberline, Marcus Taylor, Gary Heywood, Kevin Moore, Nigel Right, Germaine Roberts, Jimmy Davis, Saurab Thomas, Raol, Rob Heaton, Richard Skelding, Clyde Mckenzie, Mart Mullan, Yannis Yfestos, Keisha Thomapson, Elisha Baptiste

Apologies:

Andy Derrick, Anthony Hughes, Clare Edwards, Kate Southall, Andy Ward

Announcements:

Mark Badger Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
4 Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

October 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

November 25, 2010 in Meeting Minutes by Mark Badger

Present:
Andy Derrick, Adrian Kimberlin, Darren Roberts, Gary Heywood, Colin Tippin, Vince O’Malley, Iona, Robin valk,

Apologies:
Anthony Hughes
Clare Edwards
Kate Southall
Andy Ward

Announcements:
Andy Derrick, Mark Badger

New Points:
Darren Roberts, Robin Valk, Ioana, Mo Hawk, Colin Tippin,  Andy Derrick,

Andy Derrick:
Andy would like to acknowledge and thank Dave Taylor at BCU for help and support given to The Music Network and of course for supplying Teas and Coffees for the meeting.

Andy lead a discussion about #quitmyspaceday blogged about by Andrew Dubber and the Issues surrounding Myspace both For and Against.

Andy made the point that Myspace is still valid for many people but wanted to ask who else still uses myspace? A lively conversation followed.

Against:
Agreed that it is a terrible interface.
Myspace appears to be in decline.

For:
Still a useful resource to find out about stuff.
Some bands still find they need to use myspace as many people they wish to engage are still to be found on myspace.

If you google a bands name at present….usually first result is myspace.

Suggested alternatives: bandcamp, reverbnation, build your own wordpress site,

Concensus of opinion: Think, be independent, do what you think is suitable for your needs. Andy has invited people to add comments at: www.andyderrick.co.uk

Robin Valk:
The Pilot Project
www.pilot-project.co.uk
Bristish Library New Music Network
Website goes Live on 18th November, Project is working with The British Library.
There is an Audio Restoration project already going on but Robin is interested in targetting contemporary music and had an idea to start an experimental  project on a regional basis to assemble a project.

This will be a curated site as opposed to a band nominated site.

Clare Edwards, Katy Jay, Richard Elms, and many others have been invited to be involved.

Idea is to run the project for five years.

Nick J Townsend:
Made an interesting point that if you live in Kidderminster you can get airplay on Radio Hereford and Worcester but if you live in Brierly Hill, Dudley, Stourbridge then West Midlands Radio doesn’t seem to recognise those areas as part of their geographic catchment area and so does not prioritise playing or engaging music produced in those areas.

Ioana:
Uncle Jeb events
Bristish Bands to Romania
Ioana based in birmingham, she takes rising Birmingham or British bands and organises gigs for them in Bucharest Romania, covers their expenses.

Ioana is looking for indie, guitar based rock, post punk, punk bands

She is looking for bands with a unique selling point

Contact: Ioana Epure
www.unclejebediah.co.uk
Uncle Jebediah Ltd Trading as UnkleJeb Events,
Aston Cross, 6 rocky lane, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 5RQ
(+44) 0755 476 5967 / (+40) 0724 249 379
She is also a photographer and journalist

Mo Hawk
Artist fusing African music Styles and Hip Hop
Looking for words of wisdom about how to market and promote their music in Birmingham. Suggestions made Giles Petersen
The Block Studio
Mo Hawk
Gambia tel: 220-9983980, 220-4371508
Sweden mobile 46736465996
Mohawkk1@yahoo.com
http://www.theblockstudios.com

Programme called “rooted” about promoting African languages
If anyone can help with a Birmingham gig and help marketing and promoting the record.

Try carlos www.birminghampromoters.com

Suggestions: rhubarb radio, shelley atkinson, brumcast, musicworldradio,

Darren Roberts:
Working on research to include local people involved with music in local government and politics
he has spoken to Councillor Martin Mullaney
suggestions made of Ernie Hendricks, Ed Vasey, David Furmage,
Also playing a gig: 20th november: the void at the actress and bishop
contact Darren: dxr827 at bham.ac.uk

Colin and Vince:
www.musicalexchanges.com
Recruit area where people can find each other, auction area on there
online shopping center for anything music related.
The website is coming together, has a social networking tool
A flyer was given out with more info

Nick J Townsend:
Provided feedback on the Dudly jbs situation. The gig he organised was very successful and the publicity that the venue has had has helped bring in a lot of interest

Next meeting thursday 25th November.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

September 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

October 4, 2010 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network Meeting Minutes 30th September 2010

Present: Mark Sampson, Darren Roberts, Clare Edwards, Adrian Kimberline, Andy Derrick, Andy Ward, Kate Southall, Simon Howes, Chris Whiting, John Taylor, Nick J Townsend, Saurab Thomas, Parminder, Chris,

Apologies: Robin Valk Radiotogo.com, Anthony Hughes Screen WM,

Andy Derrick:
Midlands Jazz Network, trying to build a community of Jazz Musicians. A hub online of Jazz musicians, venues, promoters. Anything from rag time piano right up to modern jazz fusion, funk, fusion etc.

On the website, place for Jazz Musicians to try and secure more work, news items, promoters from Leamington Spa, Coventry, Warwick, Black Country,

It is helping musicians get more gigs, more promotion, perhaps some advice and guidance.

 http://www.jazznetwork.wordpress.com
email: midlandsjazznetwork@gmail.com please send in content, press releases, news, gig dates, anything from the midlands area. The Midlands Jazz network is a resource network for audiences, musicians and promoters of jazz music in the Midlands.

Band directory, festival lists, latest news posts and more

Initially mostly Andy Derricks contacts but now it is becoming more diverse.

Donations are welcome
Promotion by word of mouth, personal recommendation

Andy also is involved with Sostenuto, runs Black Country Music Network.
Black Country Music Network are currently looking for a new venue to meet.
http://www.blackcountrymusicnetwork.wordpress.com

Andy Ward – Musoplex.com:
First releases coming out now on Universal
Musoplex have joined prs and ppl
Katy Jay did photography for indian artist called Mehsopuria album called  “Fearless” available on Universal in UK
Musoplex Filmed second video for the album

Musoplex.com is a Recording Studio, it has 4 Rehearsal Rooms, a Publishing arm, a Record Label, Photo Stage, Video Stage, and supplies and prints Merchandise.
Short runs of tshirts £5 a picee for minimum run of ten shirts.

Simon Reeves is producer and Engineer at Framework Studios
http://www.musoplex.com
email: andy@musoplex.com

Kate Southall:
Kate has been a Radio DJ for 11 years and has been much more in public eye since 2007. Kate Launched “Freshly Picked” in 2008 but due to radio and broadcasting changes Katy decided to pick from a group of volunteers a new presenter to take over the show.

Kate plans to operate as Katy Jay doing a new regular podcast called “Scene and not Herd” available for download through iTunes. Katy has left WCR and will be developing a hub or hive for unsigned music aimed at local community radio stations.

Clare Edwards and Katy Jay were picked for having access to diverse music in loads of different styles by Robin Valk who is heading up a Music Archive Project. The project is called “West Midlands Music Pilot” and will be working with the likes of Brumcast, Godiva, and many more. There is a website on the way.
For more info contact Robin@radiotogo.com (ask robin for press release.)

Contact Katy Jay: scene.and.not.herd@live.co.uk
There is a blog on its way going up on typepad soon.

Nick. J. Townsend:
Nick writes a column for Ryans Gig Guide, runs a Night at Basement Studios each week on a friday, Plays and sings with a his own band called weak 13 and runs Basement Sound Radio.

Nick talked at length about Dudley JBs. JBs is going into administration. Nick has approached JBs to find out what can be done to help. JBs are struggling and needs peoples help and support.

Nick is putting on three good nights between now and Christmas starting on Oct 22nd, all the money goes to the club. Nick suggested that if JBs goes down, it will affect the midlands as there are so few clubs left that can support good touring bands. Nick wants to try and get 1000 people through the door.

Nick wants peoples help to try and market and promote the club by any means to try and help them out.

Jbs needs help with marketing and promotion, it needs people to support the shows, it needs promoters to take on nights and organise shows, it needs people with ideas to come forward and suggest new ways it can move forward and avoid going bust without compromising the sorts of bands it has been working with up to now. A lengthy discussion followed…..

www.jbsdudley.co.uk
Sam and martin at jbs are the people to talk to. Their email and contact number is on the jbs website.

or contact: Nick J Townsend: www.myspace.com/Weak13music
tel: 07898 181574

Ryans gig Guide now going out to Birmingham, black country, bromsgrove, tamworth, nuneaton, walsall.

Ryans gig Guide is not online, only available as a publication.

Clare Edwards:
Soweto Kinch: “new emancipation” new album is out.
www.soweto-kinch.com
Clare said if you look up bbc music website…it has review with clips from each track.

Darren Roberts
Darren is at Birmingham University and doing research, talking to people in the music industry, still trying to get stories and voices and opinion on the local music industry.

Some of his research has involved some performance and he has been to base studios, bluewhale studios, exit recording. Musoplex was also suggested.

Darren has a gig gig coming up at actress and bishop 6th november, The Void www.myspace.com/voidd and the show itself is part of his research into what is actually going on in local venues and what bands have to go through to get a show.

Darren has been involved in collaborations too. If anyone is still interested in talking to Darren email Darren dxr827@bham.ac.uk

Darren wants to talk to people who have experience and some degree of understanding of what they do and etc in the music industry for example
music promoters, venue owners, musicians, labels etc

John Taylor
Black Sheep Records: John runs a small independent label based in Worcester called Blacksheep records, currently email is: john@blacksheeprecords.co.uk
John has been involved in the Worcester Music Festival and has just done third year. This years festival included 230 acts in over 30 venues across the city. The event was all voluntary, all genres, raised money for charity, in excess of £5,000 raised.

www.wmf2010.co.uk

Site gives details…will be inviting artists for 2011 to submit applications for playing.

Off the back of the first festival from a few years ago, John set up Blacksheep Records to provide a service for artists with limited budget to try and help artists raise their own profile. John provides everything from artwork, design, wesbite, cds, digital distribution etc.

John has a huge love of music and wants to help local artsist get their music out there.

John also works as a business partner with Loungetree, Chis Whiting.

John also trying to organise gigs swaps

Marrsbar, Keystones, a lot of cafe and bars do acoustic music acts, guildhall,

Adrian Kimberline
www.AdrianKimberline.com
Latest release is act called : heatseeker feat Jackie baker track is called (u r my) inspiration

Next Music Network Meeting will be Thursday 28th October 4pm

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

March 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2010 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network Meeting Minutes 25th March 2010

Chaired by Andy Derrick

Simon Howes – self employed sound engineer in tv and film

Andy Ward – Musoplex, video, cd and live and merchandise

Katie Southall – WCR – DJ playing music to unsigned bands and musicians regardless of genre – send stuff to katy@wcrfm.com – Facebook – search for ‘katyjay’. Also a what’s on guide is being setup – contact Katie for more info about when and who. Business Development Consultant – making radio stations sustainable with a mixture of private and public funding.

Andy Roberts – Blue Whale @ Custard Factory and writes for The Fly magazine. Blog and a show on Rhubarb Radio. www.rhubarbradio.com – a mix of cutting touring acts playing in Birmingham plus artists from Blue Whale.  Podcast on Speech Fewapy network – 1500 subscribers it’s a feed of different podcasts from around the world.  Promoting gigs at The Rainbow.  Also running Intro to Logic and FInal Cut courses. andrew-roberts at hotmail.co.uk

Alex – BCU Architect Student looking at pathways beyond degree.  Just here to absorb and be inspired. Interested in voluntereering talk2alex@gmail.com @alex_john

Rich – here out of curiosity – guitarist – interested in using media to promote music here and beyond – Post Grad at Aston Business School, former President of Birmingham Uni Students’ Union and promoted many nights. – rj.walker87 at gmail.com

Vince and Colin from Musical Excahnges – Sunday 18th April The Bridge FM 102.2 FM – 2-4pm. Also issuing invites for test pilots for the web site.  Give email for an invite. enquiries at musicialexchanges.com
Also played Newcastle Guitar Show – record signups.  New collaborative diary service.  MX Recruit – musicians and tech recruitment section launching this weekend.

Spence – songwriter and looking for other songwriters with which to collaborate – ones with studios a bonus.  Also a photographer for live music and studio based.  http://www.myspace.com/themackenziefriend
Also a tutor a Access To Music. ATM band playing at the O2 – 3 Joyous performing tonight.

Sam – ATM student – sing semi pro doing a vocal course – also singing teaching – into singer/songwriter.  Looking to collaborate with other artists. myspace.com/samstarrmusic

Sarah – singer, songwriter and pianist at ATM.  Also a tutor at Yamaha Music School.

Jay – form Hinckley – freelance audio engineer – starting a new shared creative studio, space – shared resource centre – large footprint building 4 – 6,000 sq ft. spaces.  secretlabproductions at hotmail.com

Adrian – Exit Recording – songwriter and producer working with a variety of artists. New website www.adriankimberlin.com – Also looking for contacts experienced in placing dance tracks.

Anthony – musician, co-founder of BMN, video production company with proven track record of videos for musicians

Jenny – pa to Dusky Violet Sky Management -  getting exposure for bands. – present Saturday Rocks on Rhubarb Radio – info at violet-sky.com jennytaterocks at gmail.com saturdayrocks at rhubarbradio.com -

Dusky Edwards – Violet Sky Management – artist management, managing talent generally.  Keen on fairly managing and developing talent.  www.violet-sky.com – happy for new talent to get in touch. myspace.com/hopeorthetruth - HOT are a band managed Violet Sky – rock with an electric undertone – American Rock

Keisha Thomson – Action for Haiti – feedback – event really well, 500 people, £3000 raised.  Keisha performed her own track Who Loved Themselves – reggae jazz vibe – looking to develop it as a charity single – @keisha_thompson – twitter

Mark Malone – ATM student – songwriter/musician – released on soundclick – amateur internet store website – good ratings – broad genre – rock/acoustic/folk/indie – also working with Crisis Homeless Charity – looking for vocalists (gravelly preferred). – maloneproductions at live.co.uk – available for session guitar/bass/producer/song writer.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

February 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2010 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network Meeting Minutes 25th February 2010

Chaired by Andy Derrick

Andy Roberts – Blue whale studios based at the Custard Factory in Digbeth – looking to connect with potential customers – they offer live location recording, filming plus lots more – blog: http://bluewhalestudios.wordpress.com – also running training courses in music production, final cut, logic etc.

Vince – MX – guitar tech – update on MX
Colin – MX -

Keisha Thompson – singer, songwriter and poet – looking to network with other musicians.

Abi Seabrook – freelance singer and community musician

Katie Southall – Wolverhampton Community Radio (WCR) – community development role – only community station in Wolvo – 280,000 listeners 20-55 age group – volunteer dj’s production training plus courses – http://wcrfm.com

Andy Ward – Musoplex – company of creative enterprise in Oldbury – Framework recording studio, video production and editing, live sound, sound stage, green screen and rehearsal rooms

Tom – local assistant – recently did the sound for amateur film ‘Killing Me Softly’ – student at BCU music technology – electric blues player also

Adrian Kimberline – Exit recording – songwriter and producer – always looking for interesting collaborations.

Paul Linton / Mark Horton – Punch taverns – looking to recruit a partner for a large pub/music venue in the Black Country

Nicola – Oxjam festival – interested in bands, engineers and others in Oct 2010 – 16th April The Victoria, raise money and awareness  – showcasing four acts with female lead -

Caroline Bevan – ex-Kerrang journalist now working as an independent blogger/journo, run the blog for Wolvo Civic Hall

Darren – Birmingham Uni – research in music

Simon Howes – professional live and studio sound engineer with experience in live music and TV.

Gary Seeney – Yamaha music school and melting ice

Robert Lane – singer songwriter – recorded and self released an EP – interested in festivals
www.robertlanemusic.blogspot.com

Minutes

Keisha Action for Haiti – 7/3/10 – charity event for survivors of Haiti earthquake @actionforhaiti – twitter evening gig and afternoon education session. £5 ticket

Andy Ward – looking for publishers interested in licensing a band Discotheque Wreck

Tom – The Camp – open mic night – Thursday nights £9 – Free – Pershore Road – Stirchley – jam/open mic night – looking to expand the night for a broader night – sound assistant looking for work – hard worker – looking for gigs for a blues band (A Boy Named Sue – gigging already in Aylesbury). Teched The Old FOlkers – worth a look – very
entertaining

Paul and Mark – publicans – Punch Taverns – A site in Kidderminster – think it could become a live music venue (with outdoor license and covered area).  Hosting an open day 10th March and have a look. Looking for a pub manager to rent it – no criminal record!, investment required, no experience required – but pub knowledge obviously a bonus.

Nicola – Oxjam – looking for a female compere. Also looking for people interested in putting on smaller satellite Oxjam events.

Caroline – carolinebevan.com – former presenter and newsreader at Kerrang – interested in opportunities in music journalism online/video suggestions: Katie FItzgeralds, City TV, Balcony TV. ELT Records launching a music show in the midlands. Also offers media training for musicians.

Musical Exchanges – week 53 – live! – musicalexchanges.com – 3 parts – networking – 1-facebook-esque  2-auction site like ebay but without traders 3-recuitment(find a muso, crew, arrangers, art work etc.). New: coming soon a diary system.

Carlo – Birmingham Promoters – signed touring bands and local groups

Gary Seeney – Birmingham Yamaha Music School – 350 students – lots of activity for Childline – Beatles Tribute band – gary at byms.co.uk New course – Yamaha – junior play for keys Key stage 1

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

Musoplex – A collective of music-centric professionals working under one roof in Oldbury

February 16, 2010 in News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

Dictionary: -  Musoplex (aka the ‘plex)

Birmingham’s brightest collective of music-centric professionals working under one roof in Oldbury.

Musoplex is home to: -

Framework Studios – headed up by Si Reeves this legendary studio works across the board – in the last 2 months alone we have recorded everything from acoustic songs for a West End show to the new Police Bastard EP for UK and US release soon and everything in between from tribute bands to mayhem metal from Frozen Theory and indie-disco from Discotheque Wreck. Lee Phillips – Corner Studios, Wolverhampton, is also on our Producer roster.

Rehearsal Rooms – we have 4 – they all work, they are much used cos they are only £9 per hour.

Raven: Record Label – housed in the small office at the front Andy works on finding quality bands (usually by sticking his head out the door and listening to whoever is in) and we record them and release them. Only a year old and 5 releases in but it does get easier as it goes along. March 1st sees the release of a 3 version single – Your Silence – from Discotheque Wreck to be followed by the EP later in March. Pre-orders alone have already made the Top 10 for Indiestore downloads and the songs go live on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon etc on March 1st. The band tour the UK to promote the single and EP soon – see www.discothequewreck.co.uk

Photography - The ‘plex has it’s own photo / video studio too – and 3 photographers to choose from. The last few weeks have seen shoots for The Ganders, Butterfly Fan the Inferno, Planet Rock and more. Competitive to completely creative – you choose what you want from us and we deliver.

Promotion – we have just secured a much-needed local venue for live gig promotion – watch this space.

Videography – We work very closely with Pete of Abstract Reaction. His 4 camera live videos are stunning, his visual creativity beyond compare. Pete is just back from a European tour making a band documentary as well as accompanying Dufus on mush of their UK tour. We are now looking forward to making the first of a series of interview videos. Pete is also a superb Wolves Uni grad photographer.

Learning and Development – Katie Southall (radio presenter Katy Jay) helps us to keep on top of learning and development projects – currently running the excellent Sound It Out project. Katie is also a superb photographer.

We have links to management teams, get our bands radio play and generally help in any way we can.

The ‘plex Team.

Si Reeves – Studio, Head Producer
Andy Ward – Studio, Photography, label, business
Katie Southall – Learning and Development, Photography

Affiliates

Pete Rhead – Videography and photography
Lee Phillips – Producer

Musoplex
Junction 2, M5 – Oldbury
mail at musoplex.com

http://www.musoplex.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

January 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2010 in Meeting Minutes, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network Meeting Minutes 28th January 2010

Introductions:

Simon Howes, Robert Edwards, Saurabh Thomas, Gwen King, Jamiee Hewitt,  Dan May-Miller, Jack Kennerly, Simon Evison, Vince O’Malley, Karl  Tippin, Kevin, Tom Prottey, Jack Perry, Aidan Laverty, Darren Roberts, Rob Heaton, Tom, Clare Edwards, Joe Blanks, Doug Blanks, Colin Tippin, Marcus Dellicompagni, Scott Sheppard, Phil Mountford.

Apologies: Mark Sampson, Andy derrick, Anthony Hughes.

New Points:

Karl from Musical Exchanges talked about www.musicalexchanges.com – which has now gone live! This brand new website is social networking site, diary and recruitment site designed for anyone working in the music industry.

Marcus Dellicompagni – Doing a PHD and researching the power relationships in music industry of Birmingham has started by looking at Urban music concentrating on Lozells but now wants to widen the scope to other genres and areas.

Robert Edwards – working in own TV studio making a range of shows from games shows and children’s tv. Interested in finding musicians who can produce theme tunes, perform on the station and help the children presenters develop their own band! To find out more go to www.lovemedialtd.co.uk or contact email: Robert at lovemedia.co.uk

Tom – Jam night from the Roadhouse looking for a new venue as they’ve had to move on from the Roadhouse. Looking for a venue with some backline equipment already – the night attracts about 20 performers and had a good momentum. And is usually a Thursday. If someone knows a venue contact Tom Richardson 07956 368998

Tom – interested in starting offering his services paid and free apprentice work doing almost anything in the music industry. 07956 368998

World Unlimited, Folk night at the Hare and Hounds – Yeah Sparrow performs on 31st January. Also playing are the Kings of Spain and Alex Moir and its £3 in! Also he is playing for Silent Filter Promotions gig at the Wagon Horses in Digbeth and they are trying to set some new nights there supporting local bands. http://www.myspace.com/yeahsparrow and http://www.myspace.com/silentfilter

Simon Howes – Social Media Café is tomorrow (Friday 29th Jan) at 10am at Coffee Lounge and every last Friday of the month – a good way to meet other social media types in the city and get ideas and ask questions http://www.birminghamsmc.com/

Rob Heaton from Wolverhampton – looking to start up a business offering music production, on location recording, audio editing and mixing. Contact Rob on 07858 520318

Gwen King – is looking for someone to write theme music for her TV show and other musicians who can compose good songs email: gwen at gwenking.co.uk

Clare Edwards – updated everyone on Music Central which is a new project probably starting in April 2010 which will be designed to support music industry companies and individuals eg, managers, labels, promoters etc through a programme of mentoring, seminars, networking and a conference. Go to clareedwards@mac.com after April for more details.

Stafford based studio and staff currently mostly taken up by one band – ‘The Tunics’ – no website but you can get a message to them via www.joeblanks.com

Jack Perry – The Razorbax have just made their first record. Go to www.therazorbax.co.uk for more details. Dave Midson has mastered it – they are now looking for contacts for distribution, promotion and getting gigs.

Next meeting Thursday 25th February 2010 4pm – 6pm. Special thanks to Clare Edwards for leading the January meeting and at short notice. If anyone else wants to lead a Music Network meeting get in touch, you know it has to be a good thing to do for local music.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2 Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 28th January 2010, Birmingham TEE, Millennium Point. All Invited

December 22, 2009 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

It has been suggested that Birminghamusic.com spent a lot of money and is no longer running. Creative Insight tried and failed. Creative lauchpad came and went. The Learning and Skills council had a go and gave up, so did the Chambers of Commerce, Mentoring projects got set up and then scrapped, music festivals, seminars, workshops and endless consultations have been and gone, compilation cds have been and gone, websites have been built and taken down, networks were set up and taken apart, even the Universities are at it, but how long will it last? People talk about “all this money.” …..”all this money” to help the creative industries, “all this money” to help struggling musicians in the region, all this help for all these different things, all these schemes to enhance the region’s music industry. And where has it got us? What has it cost? What has been achieved? Where is the evaluation? Will anyone be held to account? Does anyone care? Its a grim history. The place is full of “Music consultants” but still nothing appears to be happening. Or is it? Don’t panic. There’s probably nothing you can do apart from shut up and be happy. Or is there? These funded projects have absolutely nothing to do with you. So rejoice, the good news is this.

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 28th January 2010 4pm til 6pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.

The Music Network, Birmingham, 2008

If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people.

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region. These Events are not about telling you what to do or how to do it, they’re not part of a wider academic research project and this is not some funded project after your name or address, and you’re not part of a wider marketing excercise.

These Networking events are about all things music in the region. They’re about helping you to teach yourself how to do it, by yourself, for yourself and encourages you to share the knowledge with others so they can do the same.  If you are a musician, work with musicians, represent musicians, have involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some quality entertainment…you are all invited.

You can also post in by email any news or gig dates or press release information for inclusion on the website and for distribution through the mailing list and RSS feed. More details on the website.

There will be luxury chocolate biscuits and good coffee for all. There’s food and drink afterwards supplied by the creative networks too. Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit. Jokers and time wasters need not apply.

WARNING: THE MUSIC SCENE IS NOT THE MUSIC SCENE. 

If you want to join a real conversation and get ahead with your own music…..and if you choose not to involve yourself in another botched scheme that pays for everything except anything useful for you and your music…..

…..You know what to do:  http://birminghammusicnetwork.com Started in 2000 and still going on a budget you can stick under a glass. Funded Project? What Funded project? Learn to like it. Come and Join us.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

‘Routes To Music’ – an introduction to the music industry – July 29th 2009

July 16, 2009 in Education, Networking, News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

‘Routes To Music’ is an informal introduction to the music industry for all those interested in increasing their potential, gaining knowledge and looking to get more involved in the many areas of the music industry.

Starting in July across the Black Country, unemployed people* can access free workshops and networking sessions focusing on numerous parts of the music industry.

If you want to look at how to develop your potential and gain con?dence through working in one of the many areas of the music business, then please come along to our introductory workshop:

Wednesday 29th July
10.30am – 2.30pm
The Bingley Enterprise Centre, Norfolk Road, Penn?elds, Wolverhampton, WV3 0JE

To sign up or for more information email info at sostenuto.org.uk or phone/text 07595 663966

*To qualify for a free place you must be unemployed and between the ages of 18 – 65

Routes To Music is run by Sostenuto LLP (www.sostenuto.org.uk) and is supported by

European Social Fund, Learning and Skills Council and the Black Country Consortium.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

June 2009 Music Network Meeting Minutes

June 30, 2009 in Meeting Minutes by Mark Badger

June 2009

Music Network Meeting Minutes

Present : Andy Derrick (Sostenuto LLP), Mark Badger (Iron Man Records, The Music Network), Adrian Kimberlin (Exit Recording), David Powell, Jayla Nyota (Performance Poet) , Ashley (prole position, numb ratio) and a number of latecomers whose names i didn’t get.

Apologies:  Anthony Hughes, Clare Edwards,

Jayla:
She is putting on a showcase for unsigned acts,
1st july 2009 7.20pm
£2.00 with flyer
lizzie dean(from boy george) basil gavidon(ex steel pulse), shakti, j-disco, chinky, jackpike, jayla
the acorn pub, high street, erdington, birmingham, www.myspace.com/totalydifferent
see flyer.
www.myspace.com/totalydifferent

also she is on student internet radio station called kick fm mostly rnb. jaylas show is called epic fusions www.myspace.com/epicfusions
www.kickfm.com
email: epicfusions at rocketmail.com

Andy Derrick:
Andy runs several businesses.
web music solutions offers fixed price web site deisgn and hosting
www.webmusicsolutions.co.uk
also Sostenuto:
project starts next month called routes to music.
aimed at people who are economically inactive.(ie people who are not working or not studying)
people between 18-65
series of workshops and network meetings
www.sostenuto.org
project will be free, the workshops will start in july. stourbridge west bromwich

There was a long discussion of brum music month both pros and cons. Shame no one involved showed up to talk about how it was going. Brum Music Month is an idea of well meaning people choosing a month to celebrate brum music.

Discussion of Birmingham Social Media Cafe – a regular free monthly meeting friday 26th june at the coffee lounge at the back entrance to newstreet station. 10am til 12pm. free wifi

Discussion of Black Country Social Media Cafe – regular monthly meeting

Ashley: asked question about cd manufacturing and audio mastering. suggestions made of musoplex.com, gavin monghan magic garden, cmat studios handsworth, simon hall conservatoire, and a number of other people and places.
top suggestions for venues in coventry: casbah, covscene.com(website for coventry) the phoenix, taylor johns, tin angel, the golden cross(now called the mint), dog and trumpet, the rising sun, the escape bar,

A number of ther points were raised but more detail will follow in blog posts to the www.birminghammusicnetwork.com website.

The next meeting will most likely be September as Creative Networks will be taking a break from meeting for the next few months. Details of next meeting will be posted to the site.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

Is it time to take creative industries seriously? 4pm-9pm Thursday 25th June 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point

June 24, 2009 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

Creative content producers need to take project management seriously, according to one industry expert. Steve Stopps, from Leamington Spa-based Blitz Games Studios, says that many creative companies need to reassess how they run their operations.

Steve, who is the keynote speaker at ‘Creative Networks’ event on Thursday 25 June, believes that project management is increasingly important, given the growth of the creative industries sector. The creative industries are expected to employ 1.3 million people by 2013 – more than the financial sector – and will contribute £85 billion to the UK, up from £57 billion in 2009.

A quarter of those employed in the UK games industry are located in the West Midlands. Steve said: “This is a multi-billion dollar industry, which strongly performs even during the recession.

“The current generation of the highest quality AAA games are similar to Hollywood blockbusters. If a company is going to risk huge amounts of money on a product it needs to gets its project management right. A huge amount of skills and disciplines contribute towards the end product and it’s important that these are properly managed.

“With the possibilities offered by digital technologies there is a real opportunity for the screen and sound based sector to capitalise on the growth in demand for its products, but it has to get serious about managing content production

The Music Network meets at 4pm Thursday 25th June 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. Steve will be speaking afterwards at 6pm.

Creative Networks and The Music Network meeting are both part of a FREE event.

Creative Networks was established in 2004 as a regular monthly hub of networking and expertise for those working or hoping to work in the creative industries. For more information call 0121 331 5400 or visit www.creativenetworksonline.com

Visit The Music Network at http://birminghammusicnetwork.com

This months talk follows the visit earlier this month by Lord David Puttnam who addressed more than 200 guests at Birmingham Hippodrome as part of an event called Platform Alteration, hosted by Screen WM in association with 4iP and Creative Networks.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 25th June 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. All Invited

June 24, 2009 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 25th June 2009 4pm til 6pm at Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.

The Music Network, Birmingham, 2008If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people.

The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region.

If you are a musician, work with musicians, represent musicians, have involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you just want the free tea and biscuits and some quality entertainment…you are all invited.

You can also post in by email any news or gig dates or press release information for inclusion on the website and for distribution through the mailing list and RSS feed. More details on the website.

There will be luxury chocolate biscuits and good coffee for all. There’s food and drink afterwards supplied by the creative networks too. Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit. Jokers and time wasters need not apply.

WARNING: THE MUSIC SCENE IS NOT THE MUSIC SCENE

If you want to join a real conversation and get ahead with your own music…..

…..You know what to do:  http://birminghammusicnetwork.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1 Comment »

Avatar of Mark Badger

by Mark Badger

Sostenuto LLP – Birmingham and Black Country

June 11, 2009 in News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

Sostenuto LLP is a partnership of creative workers bringing their collective experience and expertise together under one organisation.

We offer: -

  • Consultation

A bespoke service aimed at creative enterprises offering advice and strategy in developing a sustainable business. 

We do this through an initial needs analysis, mentoring and online support in a variety of formats.

  • Visual Branding

Using video, photography and other visual media to broaden, enhance and develop marketing strategy, reach and effectiveness.

  • Online Strategies

Integration of digital media with established marketing and delivery models leading to a greater targeted online presence and new routes to market.

Areas of professional expertise: - 

  • Performing Arts.
  • Video and Muliti-Media Production.
  • Music Composition and Production.
  • Business Training – ranging from SME/ Start up to public and private sector.
  • Business Mentoring and Consultancy.
  • Education and Network event Development, Planning and Delivery.

If you would like to contact Sostenuto LLP, please email info at sostenuto.org.uk

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
No Comments »

← Previous Entries