Birmingham Music Network Meeting May 30th. 4:30-6:00pm
Speaker : Nick J.Townsend (WEAK13)
Apologies:
Mark Badger
Attending:
Jaum – Bassist from Spain (Wolverhampton University music student)
Ryan Hill and Tony Guice represent Music Propagator CIC and the label Propagator Records.
Both are looking to give opportunities for young musicians, songwriters and bands. They aim to stage 10-16 live music events this year and area excited by the news of their first Propagator Presents event at the Birmingham 02 Academy 3 which takes place on July 13th. Their main website is www.propagatorrecords.co.uk and all their contact details are on there.
Manoj Solanki is an all round dance music enthusiast and specialises in drum ‘n bass, breakbeat and electronica. He is looking for companies or labels to take his music seriously along with his producing skills. Manoj has a soundcloud which demonstrates some of his talents and can be heard on www.soundcloud.come/outway and he is open to consider any interesting music projects that require his expertise.
George the bassist for the act Marc Malone along with Marc himself are looking for help with their band and are seeking management and promotion to help get their music noticed. Marc Malone is playing next at the Asylum 2 in Birmingham on Friday 5th july, their website is www.marcmalone.co.uk and their new EP is titled Shadow Side and is available on http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shadow-Side-Explicit/dp/B00C7RRODA
Musicians Gary Haywood, Sarah Birks and Tony Birks represent Acoustic 1 Radio which is one of Birmingham’s, if not the first, Acoustic Radio programmes. The show plays both unsigned and music from famous artists. Their show can be found on www.acoustic1radio.biz and they also have a Facebook page which is Facebook.Com/Acoustic1radio so if you are an acoustic artist, songwriter or your band has an acoustic tune you want to plug then email them on: acoustic1radio@hotmail.co.uk as they are looking for artists to play on their show.
Gillian Stapleton is a singer songwriter and script writer and has recently been offended by how the organisation known as Creative England isn’t taking her music seriously. Is this an isolated case or has anyone else had similar dealings? According to Gillian the company Creative England which has been awarded funds from the National Lottery has been very unsupportive not only to her but Birmingham applicants. Gillian music can be heard on www.myspace.com/gillianstapleton2
Nick J.Townsend runs the Midlands rock band WEAK13 and is happy to invite people to watch his band’s 10th music video titled Sex Pest which is on YouTube. WEAK13 are grateful for any help with promoting this music video which is commercial despite the title. The video can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vhPVdTwJl8
Emma Scott who is one of the people in charge of marketing for Birmingham University is keen to inform all about a brand new music building at the University which opened November 2012 which is named the Bramall Music Building. Emma would like music, promoters, labels and companies etc to be aware that the venue is available for hire. The website for the Bramall Music Building is www.venuebirmingham.com and also reveals previously hosting concerts, weddings, conferences, The 2010 General Elections Leaders Debate and the Antiques Roadshow.
Peter Harris is a music producer and Dance music specialist. He wants to see a new music festival take place in Birmingham that welcomes all music forms. Peter is making an album that fuses all genres dance, rock, ska, metal, a cappella and reggae and is seeking different singers for each track.
If you would like to be involved with this exciting music project then contact Peter on www.soundcloud.com/darkfiredub
Clare Edwards – Festival Producer of Simmer Down Reggae Festival in Handsworth Park in Birmingham and Voices Now Choral Festival at the Roundhouse in London.
Question:
Musically, what works in your favour in Birmingham and what works against you?
Bandstands need to be used, the permission system is unknown and complicated, can the city council allow people to understand the liability insurance rules and make playing on all the lovely Bandstands in the city more possible.
“I work outside of Birmingham, a lot of variety of music but from talking to musicians there aren’t many paid gigs” – Juam
“Some amazing venues in Brum but it is harder to get gigs, not much money in Birmingham music, the general public won’t see the great artists Birmingham offers as there are few bands and performers being paid. Later buses to venues would be nice, free carparking, make it less harder for people to set up, public need more awareness of the venues around Birmingham too such as The Roadhouse (Stirchley)”
– Tony & Ryan Hill
“Loads of good venues, but there are problems, some great places but hard to travel to. Such as The Roadhouse and Route 44” – George (marc malone)
“The curfew in Birmingham venues is a massive problem so you can’t mix people, what would be good is if promoters and venues ran club events alongside to go on after live Birmingham events”
– Marc Malone
“Birmingham needs to do more, as far as the live scene is concerned it has a good openmic scene but it is not backed Birmingham council”
– Gary Haywood
“Lowfunding in Birmingham for artists and projects,can keep young people off the streets,community radio needs to be funded”
– Sarah Birks
“Using public performance spaces, it is sealed in red tape, it will cost you so much, at least £350 for permission, bring down the prices, make it easy for local artists and bands to set up public events, bands need the freedom to do their bit for the community. Have booking procedures needed, maybe make it easier for the bands to approach a park officials as not everyone can understand all the unnecessary red tape, park officials should be more active promoting band stands looking for live music”
– Tony birks
“Film screenplay writers are in need of funding, they feel removed, Birmingham has less funding now for script writers, Creative England has cut facilities”
– Gillian Stapleton
“Festival events ,the cancellation of Birmingham Arts Festival is not good, more funding cut, is there any chance we can have a B-Fest made?”
– Peter Harris