January 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes
February 14, 2010
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.
Music Teacher Vacancies - Birmingham, June 2009 - Keyboard Teacher, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Coach
June 5, 2009
Here is a message from Gary Seeney - Birmingham Yamaha Music School
Hello, My name is Gary Seeney, director of Birmingham Yamaha Music School - located in the Jewellery Quarter, near the City Centre.
I have the following Music Teacher vacancies.
Birmingham Yamaha Music School teaches over 200 children and adults each week - guitar, keyboards and drums to accredited standards.
Due to expansion we require the following teachers -
Keyboard Teacher
Guitar Teacher
Bass Guitar Teacher
Vocal Coach
All positions require great players who can read music and have the personality of a “children’s TV presenter”
We teach only rock and pop music and are open every evening Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.
For further information please contact Gary Seeney at info at byms.co.uk
Remember to quote “The Music Network” when applying for any position so Gary knows how you found the vacancy.
Feel free to pass this post on to anyone else who may be interested using the share button
May 2009 Music Network Meeting Minutes
June 4, 2009
Music Network Meeting Minutes
28th May 2009
Those present:
Andy Derrick - Web Music Solutions http://www.webmusicsolutions.com/
Vince O’Malley - Musical Exchanges / Guitar Tech www.musicalexchanges.com
Colin Tippin - IFA / Musical Exchanges www.musicalexchanges.com
Jamie - Sound engineering student at TIC releasing original electronic music
Josh - Manage and play Holy Moments - punk/hardcore band from Birmingham.
Andrew Bland - re-entering the music scene in Birmingham
Clare Edwards - working on number of music projects around the country and locally - including the Hockley Flyover Show with Soweto Kinch
Simon Howes - freelance sound engineer for tv, live sound etc. www.audioguy.co.uk
Abigail Seabrook - singer and community musician and lurker
Angela - Open mic nights for original
Pete Baker - songwriter/musician
Birmingham Music Network is an unfunded network and information point for anyone working in music in Birmingham and beyond. The room used at the TIC is kindly donated by Dave Taylor and his staff who run Creative Networks on the last Thursday of each month at the TIC, Birmingham City University, Millennium Point. The refreshments for the meeting have previously been supported by the Musicians’ Union. From now on, the £45 cost is being supported by local music businesses and musicians in return for advertising and exposure during the meeting and via the website. This months sponsor is Web Music Solutions, www.webmusicsolutions.co.uk If you are interested in supporting the Birmingham Music Network in the coming months, please get in touch via the website www.birminghammusicnetwork.com
Andy Derrick - Andy launched his new company Web Music Solutions which provides fixed price affordable and accessible websites for musicians. www.webmusicsolutions.co.uk is the place to go for more information. He also reminded those present about his music industry advice blog www.andyderrick.co.uk and his other site www.sessionhornsdirect.com which provides brass, string, percussion and music scoring/preparation services for live music projects.
Vince - Musical Exchanges is nearing launch and will feature a proper auction site for musical instruments and equipment as well as musicians wanted etc. A successful visit to the Manchester guitar show with lots of signups for website test pilots - soft launch soon, etc. They were looking for funding and found banks not liking start ups, and they are lacking finance for PR. They have now sold parts of the site to various investors and are looking for investors willing to support in £1k blocks - any potential investors please get in touch via email: enquiries at musicalexchanges.com
Jamie - Birmingham Music Month - as a result of twitter conversations, June should be a celebration of Birmingham music possibly including an online compilation of original artists, covers, remixes. Anyone interested in submitting a song, cover, putting on a gig, remix etc. a branded event in June 2009 - www.brummusicmonth.wordpress.com @brummusicmonth is the twitter id.
Angela - community based singer songwriter - looking for open mic focused on original material. Suggestions included: The Robin - Sunday night, The Roundhouse - Cotteridge, The Tower of Sng - Cotteridge, The Old Moseley Arms - Sunday nights, Katie Fitzgeralds - Stourbridge, The Yardbird - central brum - Tuesday, The Island Bar, near to Alexandra Theatre.
Music Network : next meeting June 25th at 4pm
CREATIVE NETWORKS - THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009, BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG
May 27, 2009
The Music Network 28 May 4pm – 6pm
Marketing for Creatives: Tales from the gaming industry 28 May 6pm – 9pm
Best of FLIP (Animation) CGI 28 May
Screening in the lounge area of our café 6pm
Lord David Puttnam CBE 10 June
Screen WM in collaboration with Creative Networks
Creative Communities Industry Event 16 June
New Generation Arts Graduate Showcase 12 -27 June
THE MUSIC NETWORK - with Andy Derrick
THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009, 4.00PM UNTIL 6.00PM
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG
The Music Network leads a monthly networking event at the tic for all music related businesses from the West Midlands region.
Running successfully since 2000, their meetings have proved inspirational in the support, development and promotion of thousands of music related activities. If you have news to report, events to promote, points for discussion or a pitch to make, the Music Network will be useful for you. They offer access to contacts, opportunities, help, advice and guidance - and even free tea and biscuits.
The Music Network is a voluntary, not for profit, social enterprise organisation seeking charitable status. Meetings take place on the last Thursday of each month, 4-6pm at Birmingham City University’s Technology Innovation Centre (tic), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
CREATIVE NETWORKS
THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009, 6.00PM UNTIL 9.00PM
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY, MILLENNIUM POINT, CURZON STREET, BIRMINGHAM B4 7XG
MARKETING FOR CREATIVES …tales from the gaming industry
Creative Networks welcomes Bruce Everiss, who will talk about his experiences in marketing and establishing
two major video game companies, Imagine and Codemasters.
In the digital age, we are all Marketeers and, in the current challenging economic climate, finding innovative
ways to promote and distribute content via new media platforms is all important.
Bruce has been involved with the home computer industry since its start in the late 1970s and his commitment
to the medium has helped to establish the U.K. as one of the world’s most important software producers.
Furthermore, as an internet entrepreneur and marketing expert, he has raised the industry’s profile beyond
the attention of enthusiasts and into the psyche of a much wider audience.
To join us for this FREE event, please email creative.networks@tic.ac.uk or call Dave Taylor on
0121 331 5400. Alternatively, register online at our portal www.creativenetworksonline.com
Screening in the lounge area of our café 6pm 28th May
Best of Flip CGI An international selection of some of the best CGI bits from the festival, including 2009 Oscar nominee, This Way Up from UK studio Nexus Productions and Replay, from, award winning French animation school, Ecole Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques. Flip is now in its 6th year; look out for this year’s festival, 5 – 7 November, 2009. For more info and to sign up to the newsletter, visit www.flipfestival.co.uk
The Music Network - 4pm Thursday 28th May 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. All Invited
May 19, 2009
The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 28th May 2009 4pm til 6pm at Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
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.
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 to you.
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
April 2009 Music Network Meeting Minutes
May 19, 2009
Music Network Meeting Minutes
30th april 2009
Present:
Mark Badger (Iron Man Records www.ironmanrecords.co.uk), Simon Howes (Sound Engineer www.audioguy.co.uk), Andy Derrick (Musician/Consultant/Agent/Publisher/www.andyderrick.co.uk), Heather Wastie(Singer, keyboard player, composer, minds eye music), Ian Davies (Music photographer), Mark Strawbridge (Areboretum records, Nottingham), Harry Parsons (Student), Alex Pegg (Student), Jami Welch (Student / Musician), Jamie Hewitt (Student), David Breeze (Student), Vince O’Malley (www.Musicalexchanges.com), Lindsey Benton (Musicians Career Coach), Colin Tippin (www.Musicialechanges.com),Adrian Kimberlin (Exit Recording), Robin Valk (www.radiotogo.com), Mike Mcdonash (Songwriter, occassional performer, Concert arranger)Keisha thompson (Singer Songwriter, Poet, Performer), Abi Seabrook (Musician), Phil Montford (MD of Fordante crossover Classical)
Apologies
Anthony Hughes - screen west midlands
New Points
Andy Derrick
Sostenuto Provides information and advice to musicians, about the industry, how to move on and generate money, marketing, all sorts of things.
www.sostenuto.org.uk
www.Livemusicsolutions.co.uk - Is an innovative agency for live music. populated by interesting querky groups that have something different about them. for public or private occasions.
www.sessionhornsdirect.com Is a horn session agency.
also www.andyderrick.co.uk blog
Simon Howes
Black Country social media cafe.: Alchemy bar in wolverhamption 12th may time: 2.30pm
30 to 50 fifty
website: www.bcsmc.wordpress.com
on twitter as bcsmc
email: blackcoun trysmc@gmail.com
all about social networking.
Aquila TV
post production house. film video editing.
cd replication. videos to broadcast/dvd/hd/ etc
www.aquila-tv.com
broadstreet bid improvement district.
after performers and musicians
www.broadstreet.co.uk
tel: 0121 693 2566
Mike Mcdonash
found an article about ringtones and mobile phones.
discussion followed about whether or not to work with compaines providing ring tones.
mentioned monobomy aqa63336 and aqa2u
If anyone wants to get in touch email: flytheflag2006@hotmail.co.uk
mike mentioned: equipment on interest free credit. www.takeitaway.org.uk
www.myspace.com/takeitawayscheme
Colin and Vince
music exchanges
workable website to be launched in the next few weeks.
features including:
musicians only networking site
auction section
find a band find a musician resource too.
what music exchanges want is some test pilots to sign up and use the site and take it apart and find out what works and feedback on how the site could be improved and iron out any bugs.
looking to build the users very quickly.
website: www.musicalexchanges.com
email address on site for interested parties.
discussion about the recovery of stolen instruments.
Mark Badger
mentioned a few items including:
Bob Barry - Birmingham based Guitar repairs and Customising
If you are looking for the best guitar repairs and customisation in Birmingham there is only one choice in my opinion.
Find your way to Bob Barry tel: (uk+44) 0121 772 4873
email: bobbarryguitars at blueyonder.co.uk
Bob Barry, 70 Fosbroke Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, B10 9JX
also www.musoplex.com
Moving Space Tours open in LEEDS and London
Vehicle Hire for the Music and Film Industry arrives in Leeds
Moving Space Tours announced the opening of a new branch in the North of England.
Based in central Leeds, the new depot will service Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford and all the surrounding areas. All of the vehicles on website are available, plus they are able to deliver and collect vehicles to all these locations. Buses are fully insured for use within the music industry, for any driver over 21 with a full license for use within the UK and EU. It’s clear there has been a shortage of these specialist touring vehicles in the North of England.
Tel Leeds - 0844 335 1003Tel London - 0208 205 2503
http://www.movingspacetours.com
Phil Manford
looking for booking agent or tour booker
arts council interested but want to see phil with some accreditation.
discussion followed
Fairtrade Booking Agency
trying to help bands get gigs and money.
www.fairtrademusiclive.co.uk
based in coventry and some acoustic acts. working with promoters
launching on 15th may at kasbah in coventry.
Ditto Music
offer digital distribution
www.dittomusic.com
pitch on latest activities and offer of services available.
Lindsay Benton - musicians career coach. talked about what she does, how it works what services are on offer
www.bravura-group.com
also bodies on the edge. live performance and gallery of images. in coventry at coventry artsapce,
mention of website: www.lemonrock.com gig guide and good section for gigs “near me”
Mastering Studios: Green Eye Studios, Great Barr and Framework Studios at Musoplex.com
Mention of short runs of cds at dds Balsall Heath.
Next meeting will be at 4pm Thursday 28th May 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. All Invited
The Music Network meets at 4pm Thursday 30th April 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. All Invited
April 30, 2009
The Music Network is open to all on Thursday 30th April 2009 4pm til 6pm at Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
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.
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 to you.
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.
http://birminghammusicnetwork.com
The Music Network with Anthony Hughes, 4pm Thursday 26th March 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point.
March 24, 2009
The Music Network this month will be lead by Anthony Hughes and the meeting is open to all on Thursday 26th March 2009 4pm til 6pm at Technology and Innovation Centre(TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
Come and talk about music and 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 to you.
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.
http://anthonyjhughes.vox.com/
http://birminghammusicnetwork.com
The Music Network, 4pm Thursday 26th March 2009, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. Join a real conversation
March 19, 2009
The Music Network meeting is open to all on Thursday 26th March 2009 4pm til 6pm at Technology and Innovation Centre(TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
Come and talk about music and 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 to you.
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. http://birminghammusicnetwork.com
Moozim.com has never had any form of funding or government support and has no wish to pursue any in future
March 7, 2009
Moozim.com offers the opportunity for EVERY band and artist to have their own, fully functional website for just £3 per month and we think that’s great considering the price of web design and hosting!
Moozim has never had any form of funding or government support and we do not wish to pursue any in the future.
Thats it!
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Thanks very much.
Andy Charrington.
ps. This is all run from Kings Heath, South Birmingham.
WHITE NOISE FESTIVAL - 27 & 28 of MARCH 2009 Birmingham
March 7, 2009
So, 2009 is going to be the year of the great depression-recession, well this won’t ’stop the music’ because its a well known fact that ‘nobody can stop the music’, and White Noise will be one of the first festivals to kick off the bleakest 12 months of your life so far???.
The independent electronic music label White Label Music Present a new event for your festival calendar
The White Noise Electronic Music Festival. 2 Days of cutting edge electronic music from Krautrock to car alarm techno, Dub Folk-Moogtastic mayhem. Theremins galore- glam-tronic- electro-billy lunacy.
Pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and haul yourself out. Beg, borrow or turn the sofa upside down and get yourself a ticket. If you’re not from Brum there’s great/cheap hostels we can recommend too, all close to the venue so you can just stumble home in the early hours.
Venue: The Rainbow, Digbeth.Birmingham.
The White Noise Festival 2009 will be held at The Rainbow, Digbeth, Birmingham on the 27th & 28th of March 2009, featuring an international line up of music with 12 bands and 7 djs battling it out in this unique Victorian boozer in Birmingham?s regenerated arts quarter.
This intimate space, boasting a smokers courtyard, has recently enjoyed accolades from The Guardain and The Independant and regular features in The Metro newspaper.
Battle commences at 7pm each night and runs through to 4am each morning. Tickets are priced £10 for a day ticket or £20 for a 2 day pass (plus £1.50 booking fee.)
Featuring:
Dave Ball (DJ set)[SoftCell/TheGrid].Heim.HK119.Richard- Pop Will Eat Itself (DJ set).The Asbo Kid [James Atkin/EMF + Justin/Elastica]. Pygmy Globetrotters.DJ Whitenoise, Playground Mafia, Contra Mundum [Republica / Flowered up].Tongue & Groove (DJ set).Lung Rotter 7 feat.Barry 7 [add n to x].Vars Of Litchi.
Dub Chieftain. Beat Frequency.Ann [add n to x].Ribside. Beat Bigot. Gordon & Gunn (featuring Louis Gordon), Glatze.
Details: You can either buy a 1 day pass or a 2 day pass for the festival. 1 days passes are £10 + £1.50 booking fee and 2 day passes are £20 + £1.50 booking fee. Tickets can be bought exclusively through the website @. www.whitenoisefestival.co.uk
or @ www.theticketsellers.co.uk 0844 870 0000 (24 hours)
For full details of the line up please see the website.
The Music Network, 4pm Thursday 26th February, Birmingham TIC, Millennium Point. Join a real conversation
February 25, 2009
The Music Network organises a NETWORKING EVENT on the last Thursday of each month, 4-6pm
The Music Network meeting is open to all on Thursday 26th February 2009 4pm til 6pm
at Technology and Innovation Centre(TIC), Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG.
Come and talk about music and what you’re up to and meet some new people. Here’s a video from last month.
The Music Network organises the meeting 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 to you.
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.
http://birminghammusicnetwork.com
Jokers or time wasters who play on the internet all day and don’t actually do anything else other than talk about what cake they’re eating or how they are so successful and amazing all the time or whatever need not apply. Go and play on twitter.
A NIGHT OF PUNK ROCK ANARCHY - The Wagon and Horses, Digbeth, Birmingham, Saturday 14th march 8pm Door tax: £6
February 23, 2009
A NIGHT OF PUNK ROCK ANARCHY IN BIRMINGHAM
The Wagon and Horses, Digbeth, Birmingham
Saturday 14th march
8pm
Door tax: £6
A NIGHT WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN SALT . BIRMINGHAM WILL HOST 3 OF THE FINEST BANDS ON THE PUNK ROCK CIRCUIT.
FROM IRELAND: PARANOID VISIONS (THE HATE OF THE CITY)
(includes members ex members of : striknien dc / P.A.I.N.and Bad Manners)
LONDON PUNKS :
THE RESTARTS - ANARCHO PUNK AT ITS BEST
FROM DERBY:
POUNDAFLESH - LIKE WATCHING A RIOT KICK OFF
Wolverhampton based producer’s studio flooded but Musoplex by way of The Music Network to the rescue
February 23, 2009
Mark and Andy, and all those others who help run and support the Birmingham Music Network, surely this is partly what the BMN was created for.
1. Producer and studio flooded out in Wolverhampton
2. Producer goes to BMN to ask for help
3. BMN asks members for help
4. Producer happy with offer of help from new studio (Musoplex.com) and should move in soon
Andy Ward - Another view of the West Midlands’ music industry and FUNDING
February 10, 2009
Andy Ward responds to the blog post
Off topic to start with I guess - it is the 1st time we (Musoplex.com) have been mentioned alongside Artisan and Magic Garden outside the phrase ‘a lot louder than….’ or ‘not as posh as…..’ but I am aware Si at Framework Studios is a more than exceptional producer but that is not why I am here (but thanks for the inclusion).
I feel I should establish my lack of credentials here….I have played for over 20 years from empty pubs to 3000 people….I love music, but not all of it - all my formal qualifications (degrees / MPhil) are outside of music - I have only been running my own business for less than two years.
Funding: It hasn’t yet been 18 months since we moved Framework Studios out of the congested basements of Hockley to bigger premises with a vision of creating a small hub of people genuinely interested in music and ALL of its associated artistic and business areas.
I have to say that after 6 months of sheer bloody-minded arguing and some truly mind-numbing blunders we received a 5k Creative Space grant - which was a massive boost for us in year 1. But this is the thing….that 5k went towards relocation, rent, building materials (we built every room ourselves), infrastructure, security, legal and professional fees for 3 people in a 2, 500 square foot business. Now that’s value for money…
However - these types of grants are available for pretty much any start up - but here is the thing: we spent 5k and created a thriving, happy, encouraging, inclusive music playground AND business turning a small profit in year 2 from start up without the wasted hundreds of thousands thrown at most god-awful music programmes and projects in the West Midlands. So - I have to agree, though somewhat hypocritically, that I don’t hold with the principals of the funding either - or at least not under the current system anyway of chucking hundreds of thousands into a bottomless hole and hoping to fill it.
As another aside you have no idea how much bile and anger has started to come back to me just writing about this topic some 18 months after the events over funding. A few people in the end were angels but the rest…and the system….AARGH!!
Having attended several funded and sponsored events over just the past 2 years I remain utterly dumbfounded as to where the money goes or exactly what any funding has hoped to achieve - except for watching some nepotistic, city-centric, self-promoting truly awful nonsense. I attended one with a Bristol arts writer bud and we left half way through both howling with laughter and crying that that is where our money was going - shameful really.
I have reached the point where I consider this to be fast becoming a rant and a tirade against the near-contuniuous stream of a**-holes that you have to wade through only to reach an uninhabited atomic island, stripped of ideas and bereft of a sense of reality (Lost, anybody??). It really shouldn’t be - there are some excellent bands out there, young and old, great promoters, great venues, great times ahead but all of them survive, just about.
There are no paid gigs except for those who turn to the dark side of covers and tributes, there are no easy promotions and many lazy promoters, there are venues looking and needing to make money in a tight and overcrowded market faced by closures that are reluctant to try new music for lack of new crowds or alienation of existing ones.
You do not fix these things by throwing money at them. Good bands will be listened to, good promoters will source good acts and promote them well, some venues will stick by their guns to raise themselves above the others. Sandwell needs a venue, cheap, simple for use by all - what do we get? The Public…shame on you all.
All this can be achieved by small donations and grants, spreading the money around in small packets to those with drive and commitment. Instead - all the huge amounts of money we get assigned goes to a handul of organisations to squander and fritter on self-glorification and the further promotion of expensive white elephants.
Andy ward, Musoplex.com
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