Funding | Birmingham Music Network

The English Folk Dance and Song Society opens applications for creative artist residencies

May 11, 2012 in Other by Mark Badger

The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has launched a new scheme offering creative residencies at its London base.

The initiative is open to individuals or groups who want to explore their creative potential and the English traditions by undertaking a residency at Cecil Sharp House to research and develop new work.

The creative residencies are open to professional artists across all sectors – from classical composers and contemporary dancers to poets, musicians or visual artists – not just those working within the folk arts.

EFDSS is keen to hear from artists who are interested in exploring the potential of working cross-genre, cross-arts, or cross-culture to create work that has the potential to go on tour. Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: 2012, 2013, awards, cecil sharp house, classical composers, contemporary dancers, creative residencies, efdss, english folk arts, english traditions, funding, musicians, neil pearson, poets, the english folk dance and song society, visual artists
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by Mark Badger

Destination Birmingham. Birmingham A Music City Scrutiny Report

February 28, 2012 in News, Other, Pitch, Strategy by Mark Badger

In 2010 Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry was asked to answer 10 Questions.

In May 2011 UK Music published “Destination: Music” the first study of its kind to scope the economic contribution of music festivals and major concerts to tourism throughout the UK. You can read all about it at http://www.ukmusic.org/news/post/147-music-tourists-contribute-at-least-864m-a-year-to-the-uk-economy

After May 2011 Emma Williamson (Group Overview and Scrutiny Manager) & Baseema Begum (Research & Policy Officer) at the Scrutiny Office of Birmingham City Council got in touch. Emma & Baseema sent through several documents that asked a number of interesting questions. Rather than try to answer the questions on your behalf, The Music Network decided to pass the questions on to you direct.

In October 2011 The Music Network asked Another 10 Questions.

The Music Network hope the discussion will continue. We have collected together your opinions, consultation and research here in the Strategy category.

In February 2012 An email and Scrutiny Report Document was sent to us by Baseema Begum, Research & Policy Officer, Scrutiny Office, Birmingham City Council. The email read as follows: Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: 10, 2011, 2012, 7th february, A Music City, andy derrick, andy roberts, another ten questions, answers, Arts Council England, B1 1BB, baseema begum, Ben calvert, birmingham, Birmingham A Music City Scrutiny Report, birmingham city council, birmingham music, birmingham music network, Chairman – Leisure, civil sevants, consultation, Councillor Philip Parkin, Destination Birmingham, Destination Music, document, downing street, draft, final draft, funding, how can government help creative entrepreneurs, how to develop and grow the music industry, independent, jon cotton, Keisha Thompson, Leisure Sport and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee, links, local music, Meeting, music, music scene, music west midlands, number ten, opinion, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pam Bishop, plan, Policy, report, research, Sport and Culture, state, Strategy, The Council House, The Music network, thoughts, uk music, Victoria Square, view, west midlands, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

Mark from Iron Man Records on Funding Creativity, Birmingham and A Thousand Envelopes

February 26, 2012 in News, Other, Strategy, Video, Visual by Mark Badger

Mark Sampson from Iron Man Records and Birmingham Music Network talks to Andy Ward and Pete Rhead at Musoplex about Funding Creativity, Birmingham and A Thousand Envelopes.

Mark is based in Birmingham, England and runs an independent record label called Iron Man Records. He set up the Birmingham Music Network in 2000, and organised gigs in Birmingham as Badger Promotions between 1992 and 2002. Mark spends much of his time helping musicians, and music based organisations, to deploy a more effective online strategy, and sometimes he gets asked to speak about social media and its use in promoting new music. Mark is a musician and currently plays in a band called Last Under The Sun, and another one called Police Bastard. Mark offers Tour Management and Driving for touring bands and has spent many hours driving musicians all over Europe. He has also done some lecturing at Birmingham City University as part of their Music Industry Skills degree course. Mark enjoys a good game of mental chess with local funding organisations who try and pocket most of the money intended for struggling local musicians and creatives and spends his time complaining about everything else. If something happens and you need help, you know where to find him.

Mark has worked with Seasick Steve, Anthrax, Mika, Killing Joke, House of Pain, Talib Kweli, Little Barrie, Congo Natty, Gorillaz, Brand New Heavies, The Enemy, Friendly Fires, Okkervil River, The Wild Mercury Sound, Sierra Maestra, Jay Reatard, The Nightingales, Ivo Papasov, Endbutt Lane, The Rakes, Crystal Castles, The Magistrates, Bullet for my Valentine, The Orb, Barry Adamson, Soulsavers, As I lay Dying, Roisin Murphy, Police Bastard, Dufus, Arrows, Taio Cruz, Ladytron, Son de la Frontera, Jeffrey Daniel, Johnny Foreigner, Xova, Johnny 2 Bad, The Moons, The Lines, Phantom Limb, and many others…..

If you have an opinion you want to share please email Andy Ward at Musoplex (mail@musoplex.com), He would be interested to film your thoughts and ideas too.

Tags: a thousand envelopes, advice, Anthrax, Arrows, As I lay Dying, Barry Adamson, birmingham, birmingham music network, Brand New Heavies, Bullet for my Valentine, Congo Natty, consultant, council, creativity, Crystal Castles, dufus, Endbutt Lane, film, Friendly Fires, funding, funding creativity, Gorillaz, government, guidance, House of Pain, iron man records, Ivo Papasov, Jay Reatard, Jeffrey Daniel, Johnny 2 Bad, Johnny Foreigner, Killing Joke, Ladytron, Little Barrie, local, mark sampson, Mika, money, music, Okkervil River, Phantom Limb, police bastard, Roisin Murphy, Seasick Steve, Sierra Maestra, Son de la Frontera, Soulsavers, Strategy, Taio Cruz, Talib Kweli, Thalib Kweli, the digital age, The Enemy, the internet, The Lines, The Magistrates, The Moons, the nightingales, the orb, The Rakes, The Wild Mercury Sound, Video, xova
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by Mark Badger

Mark from Iron Man Records on Birmingham, Music, The Internet, Do it yourself & Doing It properly.

February 25, 2012 in News, Other, Strategy, Video, Visual by Mark Badger

Mark Sampson from Iron Man Records and Birmingham Music Network talks to Andy Ward and Pete Rhead at Musoplex about Music, Birmingham, the digital age, doing it yourself and doing it properly.

Mark is based in Birmingham, England and runs an independent record label called Iron Man Records. He set up the Birmingham Music Network in 2000, and organised gigs in Birmingham as Badger Promotions between 1992 and 2002. Mark spends much of his time helping musicians, and music based organisations, to deploy a more effective online strategy, and sometimes he gets asked to speak about social media and its use in promoting new music. Mark is a musician and currently plays in a band called Last Under The Sun, and another one called Police Bastard. Mark offers Tour Management and Driving for touring bands and has spent many hours driving musicians all over Europe. He has also done some lecturing at Birmingham City University as part of their Music Industry Skills degree course. Mark enjoya a good game of mental chess with local funding organisations who try and pocket most of the money intended for struggling local musicians and creatives and spends his time complaining about everything else. If something happens and you need help, you know where to find him.

If you have an opinion you want to share please email Andy Ward at Musoplex (mail@musoplex.com), He would be interested to film your thoughts and ideas too.

Tags: advice, Anthrax, Arrows, As I lay Dying, Barry Adamson, birmingham, birmingham music network, Brand New Heavies, Bullet for my Valentine, Congo Natty, consultant, council, creativity, Crystal Castles, dufus, Endbutt Lane, Friendly Fires, funding, Gorillaz, government, guidance, House of Pain, iron man records, Ivo Papasov, Jay Reatard, Jeffrey Daniel, Johnny 2 Bad, Johnny Foreigner, Killing Joke, Ladytron, Little Barrie, local, mark sampson, Mika, money, music, Okkervil River, Phantom Limb, police bastard, Roisin Murphy, Seasick Steve, Sierra Maestra, Son de la Frontera, Soulsavers, Strategy, Taio Cruz, Thalib Kweli, the digital age, The Enemy, the internet, The Lines, The Magistrates, The Moons, the nightingales, the orb, The Rakes, The Wild Mercury Sound, xova
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by Mark Badger

Musoplex film opinions on Music in the West Midlands

February 2, 2012 in Artists, News, Other, Pitch, Strategy by Mark Badger

Musoplex, a rehearsal and recording studio based in Oldbury, is looking for opinionated creative residents of the West Midlands e.g. promoters, bands, artists and management, to have a chat on video about the state of music in the region. They have posted a few of their pilots online, filmed and edited by Musoplex Director Andy Ward.

Andy said “Musoplex as a studio and rehearsal rooms hears a lot of opinions as to the good and bad going on in music in the area. We have decided to do something about it, we are documenting views and opinions on film. If you want to offer your own opinions or comments to camera, in no more than a 10 minute interview e-mail andy@musoplex.com.”

Watch the videos for yourself, and if you have something to say, get in touch.

Tags: 2012, A Music City, andy derrick, another ten questions, answers, Arts Council England, birmingham, birmingham city council, birmingham music, birmingham music network, Chairman – Leisure, civil sevants, consultation, Councillor Philip Parkin, Destination Birmingham, Destination Music, downing street, film, funding, how can government help creative entrepreneurs, how to develop and grow the music industry, independent, Leisure Sport and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee, links, local music, Meeting, music, music scene, music west midlands, musoplex, number ten, opinion, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Policy, research, Sport and Culture, state, Strategy, The Council House, The Music network, thoughts, uk music, view, west midlands, west midlands music, youtube
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by Mark Badger

Another 10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry.

October 19, 2011 in News, Other, Pitch, Strategy by Mark Badger

Last year, Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry was asked to answer 10 Questions. In 2011 The Music Network is asking Another 10 Questions to continue the discussion. Replies by email can be sent to: info at birminghammusicnetwork.com

In recent weeks Emma Williamson (Group Overview and Scrutiny Manager) & Baseema Begum (Research & Policy Officer) at the Scrutiny Office of Birmingham City Council have been in touch. Emma & Baseema sent through several documents that ask a number of interesting questions. Rather than try to answer the questions on your behalf, The Music Network has decided to pass the questions on to you direct. The questions have no deadline for submission, the questions will be open to anyone to answer at any time. Your thoughts and opinions are welcome, at any time. We hope the discussion will continue. For more opinion, consultation and research we have collected together, read through our posts so far in the Strategy category.

If you want to submit your own “Ten Questions” or even just “One new question” please email them in. When we have enough, I’ll post them as “More Questions”. Completed submissions will be published at http://www.birminghammusicnetwork.com unless you state otherwise. Please include your Name, brief biography or information about who you are and what you do, and links to your website or blog. You will be credited as the author of the response. Views from all sides are sought so don’t be afraid to speak your mind. We may learn something. I will invite Emma, Baseema and their colleagues to read your published answers here on the website for themselves.

The following questions have been inspired by the contents of a letter to Birmingham Music Network from Councillor Philip Parkin, Chairman – Leisure, Sport and Culture, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, The Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB. (The letter was dated 29 July 2011)

Destination Birmingham: Birmingham, A Music City Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: 10, 2011, A Music City, andy derrick, andy roberts, another ten questions, answers, Arts Council England, B1 1BB, baseema begum, Ben calvert, birmingham, birmingham city council, birmingham music, birmingham music network, Chairman – Leisure, civil sevants, consultation, Councillor Philip Parkin, Destination Birmingham, Destination Music, downing street, funding, how can government help creative entrepreneurs, how to develop and grow the music industry, independent, jon cotton, Keisha Thompson, Leisure Sport and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee, links, local music, Meeting, music, music scene, music west midlands, number ten, opinion, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Pam Bishop, Policy, research, Sport and Culture, state, Strategy, The Council House, The Music network, thoughts, uk music, Victoria Square, view, west midlands, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry.

March 5, 2011 in News, Other, Pitch, Strategy by Mark Badger

The Music Network invites people with an interest or active role within Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry to answer 10 questions.

There has a been a lot of discussion around these Ten questions. The questions have no deadline for submission, the questions will be open to anyone to answer at any time. You thoughts and opinions are welcome, at any time.

Ten Questions have already been answered by:

Andy Derrick, Keisha Thompson, Jon Cotton, Pam Bishop, Andy Roberts, Ben Calvert.

For more opinion, consultation and research we have collected together, read through our posts in the Strategy category.

If you want to submit your own Ten Questions or even just One new question please email them in. When we have enough, I’ll post them as “Another Ten Questions”.

Completed submissions will be published at http://www.birminghammusicnetwork.com unless you state otherwise. Please include your Name, brief biography or information about who you are and what you do, and links to your website or blog. You will be credited as the author of the response. Views from all sides are sought so don’t be afraid to speak your mind. We may learn something.

Submission by email send to: info at birminghammusicnetwork.com – Thank You.

10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry:

1. In your view, what is the current state of the region’s “Independent Music Industry?”

2. What do you think are it’s immediate needs with reference to the areas that you are most familiar with?

3. As far as the region’s “Independent Music Industry” is concerned, what do you think shows the greatest potential for the next few years?

4. In recent years, there has been a range of initiatives and projects designed to support the development of music in Birmingham. Can you list 5 projects or initiatives that you think have proved beneficial to the “Independent Music Industry?”

5. Can you list any projects or initiatives that you think have proved “of little use or benefit” to the “Independent Music Industry?”

6. With regard to your answers to questions 4 and 5, do you think Birmingham should continue to pursue the idea of more initiatives and projects designed to support the development of music in Birmingham?

7. If you could make any changes to, or include any new ideas for, any “strategy for supporting the development of music in Birmingham” what would your top priorities be?

8. If you were given the task of evaluating whether a project or initiative had been successful, what would you suggest as the best indicators of success, failure, benefit or disaster for the “Independent Music Industry?”

9. As far as your knowledge or understanding of the region’s “Independent Music Industry” is concerned, what are it’s greatest strengths, and what are it’s greatest weaknesses?

10. If you could do anything to “support the development of music in Birmingham” what would you do and why would you choose to do that?

(The term “Region” as far as these questions are concerned refers to Birmingham or the geographic area Birmingham City Council works within.)

I have also quoted a number of existing articles below. Can anyone suggest any other existing articles that the group should read and consider that may have been omitted?

A DIGITAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES ACTION PLAN http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2008/03/06/a-digital-and-creative-industries-action-plan/

The people who control the Funding are damaging the Creative Industries in The West Midlands by Anthony J Hughes http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2008/06/12/the-people-who-control-the-funding-are-damaging-the-creative-industries-in-the-west-midlands/

Birmingham Twinned with Your Darkest Thought? by Mark Iron Man Records http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2008/11/10/birmingham-twinned-with-your-darkest-thought/

A Year later – Perspectives on the West Midlands Music Industry – Scott Roe, Solar Creations http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2008/11/10/a-year-later-perspectives-on-the-west-midlands-music-industry-scott-roe/

What is your view of the West Midlands’ music industry? by Mark Iron Man Records http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/02/03/what-is-your-view-of-the-west-midlands%E2%80%99-music-industry/

A Vision for the Music Industry in the West Midlands by Clare Edwards June 2008 http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/02/03/a-vision-for-the-music-industry-in-the-west-midlands-by-clare-edwards-june-2008/

Another view of the West Midlands’ music industry and FUNDING by Andy Ward http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/02/10/andy-ward-another-view-of-the-west-midlands%E2%80%99-music-industry-and-funding/

Countercultural Capital & the Creative Economy – How do 1990s DiY Music ‘Entrepreneurs’ talk about the contemporary music business?” by Charlotte Bedford 2008 http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/06/04/countercultural-capital-the-creative-economy-how-do-1990s-diy-music-%E2%80%98entrepreneurs%E2%80%99-talk-about-the-contemporary-music-business-by-charlotte-bedford-2008/

Funding the Creative Industries by Andy Derrick 13th Feb 2009 http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/02/13/funding-the-creative-industries-by-andy-derrick-13th-feb-2009/

The Scottish Music Industry Association(SMIA) – launched at Go North conference http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/07/21/the-scottish-music-industry-associationsmia-launched-at-go-north-conference/

Redefining the Music Industry – A public consultation on the future shape, needs, direction and ambitions of the music industry. http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/09/10/redefining-the-music-industry-a-public-consultation-on-the-future-shape-needs-direction-and-ambitions-of-the-music-industry/

National Survey and Mapping Exercise assessing provision & scope of music support work across UK 2009 http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/09/22/national-survey-and-mapping-exercise-assessing-provision-scope-of-music-support-work-across-uk-2009/

How does Iron Man Records choose it’s artists and how does it promote them? http://birminghammusicnetwork.com/2009/11/28/how-does-iron-man-records-choose-its-artists-and-how-does-it-promote-them/

your comments please…..

cheers Mark – The Music Network, January 2011

Tags: 10, 10 questions, 2011, andy derrick, andy roberts, answers, Arts Council England, Ben calvert, birmingham, birmingham city council, birmingham music, birmingham music network, consultation, funding, how to develop and grow the music industry, independent, january, jon cotton, Keisha Thompson, links, local music, Meeting, music, music scene, music west midlands, opinion, Pam Bishop, research, state, Strategy, ten questions, The Music network, thoughts, view, visit birmingham, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 27th May 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG. All Invited

May 24, 2010 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 27th May 2010 4pm til 6pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. The Meeting will be lead this month by Mark Badger

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 have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people.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, a student, someone who works with musicians, represents musicians, has 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 serious discussion…you are 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.

http://birminghammusicnetwork.com Come and Join us.

About Mark Badger:

Mark runs Iron Man Records, based in Birmingham England. The record label has been running since 1996 and in 2000 he set up Birmingham Music Network which is also known as just The Music Network.

Mark has organised more than 1000 gigs in and around Birmingham since 1994 using many different identities but most of them used the name Badger Promotions until 2002.

Mark plays in a band called Last Under The Sun and another called Police Bastard. He works as a tour manager and driver helping bands out on the live circuit and when he finds time he writes and maintains several music related blogs. Mark has assembled simple online strategies for established bands, like the The Orb, and countless other new bands who have asked for help.

Mark has done some lecturing at Birmingham City University as part of their Music Business degree course, and bits and pieces for the Musicians Union, Birmingham City Council, Learning and Skills Council and Advantage West Midlands.

Mark also operates a shop on ebay selling all sorts of good alternative music on cd or vinyl.

Midlands Calling?…the new opps and apps for audio broadcast
Speaker – Robin Valk www.radiotogo.co.uk

Robin Valk is a broadcast and software consultant whose career started in the 60s at the very first Student radio station in the UK. In the 70s he worked in US Rock Radio before becoming the first DJ hired at BRMB, and in the 90s at BBC Radio 2 at Pebble Mill.

When not consulting in the UK and Europe, teaching, podcasting or blogging, Robin works on radio and music projects. He is currently working on a documentary project about the music and musicians of Handsworth, Birmingham, as well as leading a pilot project for the British Library. He is one of the most experienced Selector music programming software operators in Europe and has a ten year association with RCS New York as help author for their flagship products.

A Panel Discussion will follow Robin’s keynote presentation. We’ll be looking at the status of Radio today, where the talent that’s needed is to be found and how the digital age affects production yet offers new opportunities. We’ll examine the expanded horizons for audio broadcast platforms and how to capitalise on the perfect synergy of local music with local radio.

To join us for this FREE event, please call Dave Taylor on 0121 331 5400. Alternatively, register online at www.creativenetworksonline.com

Tags: 2010, 27th, bcu, birmingham, birmingham city university, birmingham music, birmingham music month, birmingham music network, brum music month, created in birmingham, creative network, creative networks, funding, may, Meeting, music west midlands, robin valk, students, The Music network, visit birmingham, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 29th April 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point, Birmingham, B4 7XG. All Invited

April 29, 2010 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 29th April 2010 4pm til 6pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. The Meeting will be lead this month by Mark Badger

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.

http://birminghammusicnetwork.com Come and Join us.

About Mark Badger:

Mark runs Iron Man Records, based in Birmingham England. The record label has been running since 1996 and in 2000 he set up Birmingham Music Network which is also known as just The Music Network.

Mark has organised more than 1000 gigs in and around Birmingham since 1994 using many different identities but most of them used the name Badger Promotions until 2002.

Mark also operates a shop on ebay selling all sorts of good alternative music on cd or vinyl.

Tags: 2010, 29th, april, bcu, birmingham, birmingham city university, birmingham music, birmingham music month, birmingham music network, brum music month, created in birmingham, creative network, creative networks, funding, Meeting, music west midlands, students, The Music network, visit birmingham, west midlands music
4 Comments »

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: 2010, andy derrick, andy roberts, andy ward, bcu, birmingham, birmingham music, birmingham music network, birmingham promoters, blue whale studios, capital of culture, city of culture, creative network, creative networks, culture, custard factory, digbeth, final cut, framework studios, funding, katie southall, katyjay, keisha thomson, kidderminster, logic, march, mark horton, mark malone, Meeting, Meeting Minutes, music west midlands, musical exchanges, musoplex, rainbow, simon howes, speech fewapy network, the league of experts, The Music network, visit birmingham, wcr, west midlands music
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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: 2010, abi seabrook, action for haiti, andy roberts, andy ward, birmingham, birmingham music, birmingham music network, birmingham promoters, blue whale studios, carlo, caroline bevan, clare edwards, created in birmingham, creative network, creative networks, custard factory, digbeth, february, framework studios, funding, gary seeney, katie southall, Keisha Thompson, kerrang, kidderminster, mark horton, Meeting, Meeting Minutes, music west midlands, musical exchanges, musoplex, nicola, oxjam, paul linton, punch taverns, robert lane, the league of experts, The Music network, visit birmingham, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

Andy Derrick on why Birmingham Music Network should be funded by A.W.M.

April 1, 2010 in News, Other by Mark Badger

Andy Derrick has written an interesting piece, he starts by saying:

“I have the great pleasure of frequently attending and sometimes chairing the Birmingham Music Network. For those of you that don’t know, the BMN meets on the last Thursday of each month inside the TEE, a faculty of Birmingham City University at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham. The network also has a dynamic online presence here: http://birminghammusicnetwork.com

It was set up by Mark Sampson and Anthony Hughes some time ago and is run on a voluntary basis. It meets an average of 20 people each month providing advice, support and a place to meet others and make good contacts. Businesses represented include sound engineers, singers, songwriters, radio dj’s, studio owners, performers, music students, media consultant, venue owners, gig promoters and everyone from across the music industry spectrum in the West Midlands.

The website and the network are vital parts of the local music scene, in my opinion, but it could do more.

Imagine a world where the website is continuously updated by a team of dedicated experts, where less time was spent finding a sponsor for some tea and coffee and more on promoting the meetings to the people that need them, where there was a budget to advertise effectively, where the volunteers were paid a modest amount to cover their time and expenses. Imagine what could be achieved. It could be achieved with some financial support.”

You can read the full article and leave your comments here: http://andyderrick.co.uk

Tags: advantage west midlands, andy derrick, awm, birmingham, birmingham music network, funding, midlands, music, opinion, The Music network
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by Mark Badger

The Music Network – 4pm Thursday 25th March 2010, Birmingham T.E.E, Millennium Point. All Invited

March 22, 2010 in Networking, News, Other by Mark Badger

The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 25th March 2010 4pm til 6pm at Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. The Meeting will be lead this month by Andy Derrick

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

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.

http://birminghammusicnetwork.com Come and Join us.

Andy Derrick is an independent freelance musician based in Birmingham, UK. Andy used to work for the Musicians’ Union delivering front line services and advice to musicians of all genres, experience and backgrounds.

Andy’s main work is as a trombonist in many groups playing Jazz, big band, classical and other kinds of music. He has also worked in studios as a session musician providing horn tracks for writers and composers.

Since 1992 Andy has written and arranged music and he currently has works published by Warwick Music and Andek Music.

Teaching jazz, trombone and music theory is also a passion that sees Andy working with pupils of all ages and standards across the Midlands.

Tags: 2010, 25th, birmingham, birmingham music, birmingham music month, birmingham music network, brum music month, created in birmingham, creative network, creative networks, funding, march, Meeting, music west midlands, The Music network, visit birmingham, west midlands music
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by Mark Badger

Feedback on 10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry

March 15, 2010 in News, Other, Strategy by Mark Badger

Here is some feedback on your answers to “10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry” from Sue at Birmingham City Council.

Sue says: Councillor Ernie Hendricks and James Burkmar have asked me to forward the email below on their behalf.

Dear Colleague

In the interests of staying in touch with you all.

Following on from our event last month at the Orange Studios (and thanks again to all those who attended), we are completing a number of short interviews with people to finish this stage of the consultation.

A clear picture is emerging of strengths, specialism, opportunities and needs across the city.

On Monday 22nd February, we held a similar event to the one with the stakeholders. We won’t go into it now, but the attendance from Birmingham City Council, Advantage West Midlands, UKTI, Business Link and others was excellent. The session was forward-looking, open and honest.

What we would like you to know is that the ideas and thoughts you expressed proved to be a powerful critical stimulus for their thinking – attendees found the session useful and were candid about how their thinking had been informed, with some saying openly their view of the sector had changed as a result. The value of dialogue perhaps…

In essence, the sector came across as positive in the extreme, ambitious, innovative, entrepreneurial and balancing a strong artistic and commercial focus.

What happens now?

It will take about a month to complete a short and hopefully punchy report which will make recommendations for action and development. You will be provided with copies.

We are sure you’re aware, but both Birmingham Music Network and Capsule are running surveys/blogs related to this area of interest – please contribute to the discussion if you feel able.

Regards
James Burkmar and Councillor Ernie Hendricks
Planning, Evaluation, Facilitation – Joining things up for the Creative Sector
(James 07736 709350)

Tags: 10 questions, 2010, birmingham, birmingham city council, birmingham music, birmingham music network, capsule, feedbck, funding, gigbeth, Meeting, music west midlands, The Music network, visit birmingham, west midlands music
1 Comment »

by Mark Badger

CREATIVE LEAP – A NEW FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS

March 14, 2010 in Artists, News, Other, Pitch by Mark Badger

CREATIVE LEAP…..

Call all Artists who want to kick start a career in the creative sector

Creative Leap is a new development programme for emerging artists which will enable you to turn your creative ideas into reality…..

It is open to artists working in any artform including film and digital media, visual and performing arts, written and spoken word.

The scheme is aimed at individuals who have had limited opportunities to produce and showcase work.

Artists from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

Creative Leap will offer artists the chance to:

·         Apply for a grant of up to £2,000 to develop and showcase innovative new work/projects
·         Participate in a professional development training programme working within a pool of artists
·         Work with an artform mentor to support the development of creative ideas and new work
·         Work with a career start-up mentor and receive industry information, advice and support

Creative Leap is about new work, new collaborations and new ideas to create work in both traditional and unusual spaces. We want ideas for new work to be artist generated and led, and we’re here to discuss your ideas with you and to support you from the initial development stage through to showcasing. We’re also here to help newer artists access or progress in the industry and to support your career development needs.

A Creative Leap introductory meeting will take place in early May and the programme will then run in part time stages with showcasing taking place between September 2010 and March 2011.

Taking part in the programme is free of charge.

To apply for a place on Creative Leap, you will need to be:

· Over 18
· Living or working in any of wards making up the following Birmingham constituencies :

Erdington     - Erdington, Kingstanding, Stockland Green, Tyburn wards
Hodge Hill   –   Bordesley Green, Hodge Hill, Shard End, Washwood Heath wards
Ladywood   - Aston, Ladywood, Nechells , Soho wards
Perry Barr   – Handsworth Wood, Lozells & East Handsworth, Oscott, Perry Barr wards

· The deadline to apply for a place is Wednesday 14th April 2010

If you want further information on Creative Leap, and to apply for a place, please contact:

Pat Dawson on 0121 446 3267 or email pat@sampad.org.uk and mention you got the details from Birmingham Music Network.

Creative Leap is a collaborative project run in partnership by sampad, Ulfah Arts and the Drum.

Tags: Artists, Aston, birmingham, Bordesley Green, creative, East Handsworth, Erdington, funding, Handsworth Wood, Hodge Hill, Kingstanding, Ladywood, leap, Lozells, music, Nechells, Oscott, Perry Barr, Shard End, Soho, Stockland Green, Tyburn, wards, Washwood Heath Ladywood
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CREATIVE LEAP – A NEW FUNDING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ARTISTS

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