Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 27th March 2014

Present:

Mark Sampson, Morgan Gleave aka Ruke, Fonzi Neutron, Debra Undarumhi, Otis Gordon, Nykolas Godwin, Joshua Spritz Visionnaire, Adrian Kimberline, Hugh McGuiness, Richard Blades, Anneliese Grand Chapel Studio Recording Studio, Sue Nicholls, Sarah Ann Cromwell Diva Gigs, Anthony Hughes, Richard,

Apologies: Clare Edwards

New Points:

Screen Image Network – Anthony Hughes:

Looking to talk to people for collaboration, music and screen. The Screen Image network will be joining Birmingham Music Network for meetings this year to encourage networking between Screen Image Network and Music Network contributors.

Sarah Ann Cromwell – Diva Gigs: A Week in the life of a Diva!

Britain’s first award winning Comedic Operatic Cabaret Diva Gigs: A Week in the Life of a Diva, is an unforgettable romp into the operatic world of Birmingham Conservatoire trained Soprano and comedian: Sarah-Ann Cromwell. “Diva Gigs, a show about opera, is enjoyable even for people who would shudder at the thought of it.” (Broadway Baby) Described as hilarious, charming, brilliant, unusual and vivacious Sarah-Ann’s lung busting voice, funny stories and expert characterisations provide a family friendly “show for all ages and nationalities, for the posh and the proudly working-class and proves that both music and laughter are pretty much universal.” Diva Gigs is an unforgettable musical performance which dispels any myth that opera is exclusively posh!

TIME OUT LONDON

Diva Gigs is far from a gimmicky show: it’s simply a pleasure, partly because of the quality of Cromwell’s voice but also because of her enormous charm, engaging humour and relaxed manner. 4 ? TIME OUT LONDON

FRINGEGURU

A highly enjoyable evening of music, hosted by possibly the most down-to-earth diva 4 ? FringeGuru

Sarah talked about doing it herself and working with Independents. More info www.divagigs.com

Hugh: Booking agent and music promoter looking to work with new bands playing good indie-guitar rock music. based in Moseley. talked about some of the bands he has listened to and the lack of decent bands to work with. Suggestions were made and discussion followed. Contact: 07737 299712

Sue Nicholls:
Birmingham Opera Next Production: Russian Opera April 22nd, 24th 28th 30th and 2nd May
If anyone wants to be involved, rehearsals at The Bond then moving to the Big Top at Cannon Hill Park.

Help create and perform in a one of a kind production of Khovanskygate: A National Enquiry. Individuals and Groups are all welcome, no previous performing experience needed or knowledge of music or theatre. This is about a never imagined experience for anyone.

So if you fancy unleashing your inner actor and being part of something unique, fun and unusual get in touch and come to a rehearsal.

For more information or to express your interest, please call Rachael on 07793 257537, or send an email to: getinvolved@birminghamopera.org.uk

You must be 16 or over, and if you are under 25 there may be opportunities to get an accredited certificate for your involvement. Help is also available to cover travel expenses within Birmingham.

Birmingham Opera Company stage opera in unpredictable and unusual places while opening the doors and inviting people to work with them. Their production of Mittwoch aus Licht, staged in a warehouse won a National award for their bold imagination and brilliant accomplishment.

Tickets are on sale. Tickets will sell out.
3.5 hours long with an interval
www.birminghamopera.org.uk

Adrian Kimberline – Exit Recordings: A few general points made and some discussion followed.

Otis Gordon – Ink Me magazine:

Ink Me is a Birmingham based company which promotes tattoo & media knowledge to people around the country. West Midlands has a lot to showcase but have no outlet for others to see, which is where we come in. We want to promote you!
Ink Me Magazine would like to encourage all ink lovers whether you use a canvas or are one from the West Midlands we want you to be a part of something big for our region. There will be a chance for us to showcase some of your work to create a buzz with what comes natural to you; if you are a lover of tattoos, we will love for you to send, hashtag or mention us in your picture to be involved. Otherwise if you are in the media business of the West Midlands we also want to hear about what you are doing. This is your mega-horn to announce your talent, aspiration or goals in one interactive magazine suitable for all.

https://www.facebook.com/inkmemag

First issue out in April
People can submit material to the magazine by email
Inkme.co.uk
Promote Media within the Midlands
A lot to do with Tattoos Dance, Art
Doing an article on P110 midlands based media company.
Outlet for young aspiring media artists.
To start with the magazine will be interactive and online working on an app too

Joshua – Spritz Visionnaire:

Visionnaire – Independent record label. Putting passion back into the music. More conscious lyrics with political awareness. packaging the music through mixtapes. Started working up in oxygen rooms in Hockley. Developed his writing, built his own music studio,

ACS: Anyone can sing.

@tweet_spritz
facebook as Spritz Visionnaire
Discussion followed and suggestions of tunecore.com, bigcartel.com, bandcamp.com

Debra Undarumhi:

Working on a project to market and Japanese Rock
Salem PR
Likes Afra Beat. into Nigerian artists and music.
Looking to start a record label for Nigerian Music.
@debrauno_
Promotes rap music
Does Spoken Word
Discussion followed and suggestion made:Magazine called Songlines suggested to Debra as something worth checking out.

Anneliese – Grand Chapel Studios:

Grand Chapel Studios is a unique recording environment, filming location and event space. Situated in Central Bedfordshire, 35 miles outside London and close to the M1 corridor, Grand Chapel Studios can cater for a wide range of functions and creative activities. If you would like to come and meet us before you book a session, or just for a chat about a project, please feel free to contact us.

Originally built with flattering acoustics in mind, we like to think that the possibilities here are almost endless. Our hardwood floors and 22ft High Live Room give the Grand Chapel a beautiful ambience with reverberance up to 2 seconds.

Whether you are a single vocalist, a small string ensemble or a fully amplified band, you’ll get fantastic results at Grand Chapel Studios. If you are in a band and would like to record a Demo, a Single or an Album, our unique acoustics, relaxing environment and naturally lit live space will be the perfect atmosphere to get the creative results you require.

We can either act solely as a venue for you and your video crew, or if you would like to become part of the new Live Sessions taking place at Grand Chapel Studios in association with the University of Hertfordshire, you can apply now – please contact us directly.

As well as our live room, we have treated rooms in which you can record voice overs.

‘Studio Two’ is currently under development, and it will provide an ideal, private space for writing, recording dry vocals and further post production. Studio Two is due for completion in Spring 2014.

Grand Chapel Studios is also used as a Fashion Photography location, Meeting Space and will soon also become a venue for Weddings.

info@grandchapelstudios.co.uk

Fonzo – Bout Dat Enterprises:

With an ethos of elevation and expansion, Bout Dat Enterprises; creatively develops media opportunities to engage/support youth and communities.

On the Audio side sits ‘Bout Dat Music’ an independent record label with an ever growing roster and a source for a wide array of music related needs and services.

Through our visual department Bout Dat Productions covers various facets of screen work, from producing rich and innovative programming via ‘BDTv’ to offering a range of Media Production services.

Has been a recording artist, putting together mixtures, going to gigs, selling them, toured.
Looking at setting up a label with an artists from South Africa, Zambia,
Online media channel
BDTV – show being developed about artists
Also does work in the community to subsidise his music activity.
www.boutdat.co.uk
fonzo@boutdat.co.uk
Facebook twitter
fonzosworld

Morgan – Rock Ukele Ruke:

Ruke Doom Pop.

ruke.bandcamp.com

rukemusic.blogspot.com

morgan@morgangleave.co.uk

Makes heavy music with ukulele
Cross between Black sabbath
Tom Waits meets george Formby via Black Sabbath
Also a designer and Artist
Has had his music played on Tom Robinson 6 Music
Suggestions made to get out playing music, touring, open mic nights. Other suggestions made.

Matt – Giraffe Audio:

We are pleased to announce that our showroom and web shop will be officially open starting from March 31st 2014. To mark the occasion we shall be running an exciting range of demo days with some of our suppliers.

Launch Week Line Up

Monday 31st March

We will be joined by Audient. They will be bringing their new ASP880 microphone preamplifer along and will be showing that off with their iD22 interface.

Tuesday 1st April

Source Distribution will have with them a range from the brands they represent, including Universal Audio, API, Moog and Lynx Audio. Alongside them, we will have Ableton in, showing how their production and creative composition software, Live, integrates with the latest hardware controllers and synthesisers including Ableton Push. Nova will also be with us for the day with outboard from Lindell and Warm Audio and some of their Eve studio reference monitors.

Wednesday 2nd April

We will be host to Avid and Synthax. They will be demonstrating the Pro Tools 11 Native with RME interfaces for multi-channel audio solutions, including MADI systems for recording and broadcast applications.

Thursday 3rd April

We are presenting the Midlands launch for Bitwig Studio – the much anticipated, cutting edge, digital audio workstation software. They will be here with Nektar Tech, showing some of their latest production controllers and how these integrate into modern production workflows. We will also be joined by Soulsby Synthesizers, who will be on hand to show you around their new Atmegatron 8bit synth.

Friday 4th April

We round off the week with Sonic Distribution, who carry the heavyweight brands of Apogee, Waves Audio, SE Electronics and Rupert Neve Designs. They will be showing some of the new outboard systems available in 500 format, along with some of their other recording and production solutions. Native Instruments will also be here to demonstrate some of their acclaimed production software and hardware.

All demo days are free to attend and you do not need to register, just drop on by. If you would like more information on any of the above, please get in touch at sales@giraffeaudio.com

The demo days will be running from 12pm each day, the Big Peg reception is open till 5:30pm, but please contact us for access after that time. Hope to see you down here!

Richard Blades:
Makes short films
Looking for Composers for short films
Has made adverts
www.bladesanimations.co.uk

An Animation business based in Birmingham offering a variety of services ranging from commissions to education, aiming to find new markets and ways to innovate in the medium of Animation.

Our specialism is Stopmotion Animation a more tradition style of Animation. Stopmotion Animation involves animating real objects including puppets, models and even real people. We combine this with composited digital animation enabling us to meet a variety of needs and criteria. Educational Videos, Explainer Videos, Original Short Films, Custom Videos made to client needs, Script Writing, Character and Mascot design, Set, Puppet and Prop construction, Workshops and Animation classes.

Nyko – https://soundcloud.com/milkshake-alliance

Inquiries: milkshakealliance@gmail.com

Milkshake Alliance formed in July 2013 after our small group decided to put our skills/talents towards music production.

Our name derives from a habit that we have when creating music, just after we reach a solid idea we chill n have a glass of chocolate milk then put everything we have into our production.

Listen and vibe with our unique sound as we are a collaboration of American and English musicians creating original music, all aspects of which lead to the ultimate expression of our souls.