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
Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 27th February 2014
Present:
Yaz Alexander – Singer in Jazz and Reggae Ian Bourne – singer songwriter Gary Davies – guitarist from Skullfox Tony Guice – delivers music workshops in youth centres and does gig promotions Matt Davis – Musicians – Popular Music Practice Sue Nicolls – Works Tour manages Steve Poults Sarah Ann Cromwell – Comedic Opera – Diva Gigs Matt Fisher- Giraffe Audio – supply studio equipment Nick Romluc – Giraffe Audio Anthony Hughes – Screen Image Network/University of Birmingham Michael Bickerton – BCU michael.bickerton@bcu.ac.uk Clare Edwards – Freelance Producer
Apologies: Mark Badger
New Points:
Sue Nicholls – Birmingham Opera Company are looking for a space for their next opera – they need a very large empty space in Birmingham that they haven’t used before – but they have used a lot of places! Any good ideas post them here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/11136136266/?fref=ts
Yaz Alexander – Dome Club – has a blow up Dome that can be used for creative purposes. They would like to find a home for it within Birmingham for local creative people to use it. Does anyone know any venues that could house it? For more information www.domeclub.co.uk
Giraffe Audio have a launch event week with lots of suppliers doing demonstrations etc 31st March – 4th April – more news on their website coming soon so look out for updates – www.giraffeaudio.com
Tony Guice – is working with a band called the Radio Charmers and they have a single coming out in March – with a launch at Academy 3 on 15th March – tickets here – http://www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk/event/63144/radio-charmers-tickets He is also working on a new festival on 19th and 20th September FinFest just outside Lichfield. More information here www.finfest.co.uk
Gary Davies – Skullfox have done some Birmingham City Sessions at BCU and they have made 5 videos and they are being released on Youtube over 5 consecutive Saturdays. This is something other bands can apply to take part in but it is oversubscribed. Follow each video here https://twitter.com/SkullFox
Yaz Alexander is working with the Drum to to develop a new platform for local artists called the Simmer Down Lounge to feature music of black origin – more information coming soon here – http://www.the-drum.org.uk
There was then a general discussion about platforms for artists in Birmingham and how artists network and gain the right contacts. There was also a discussion about the differences between the scenes in Birmingham, London and Manchester.
Michael Bickerton from BCU talked about how BCU students are making TV programmes and are looking for content and how local artists can take advantage of this to prepare for actual TV appearances. To offer content email Diane Kemp – diane.kemp@bcu.ac.uk. Also if you want to have a pop promo made for your band email Michael – michael.bickerton@bcu.ac.uk
Clare Edwards promoted a project that is looking for people to take part – Crowd Out – On 8 June 2014 – 1000 individuals will give the world premiere performances of Crowd Out, David Lang’s new piece for 1000 voices, at Millennium Point. BCMG is holding a Crowd Out discovery workshop from 7.30-9pm on Thursday 13 March 2014 at CBSO Centre, for those interested in being one of the 1000. For more information – http://www.bcmg.org.uk/whats-on/insight-events-2013-14/crowd-out-discovery-workshop-2/
Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 30th January 2014
Present: Robin Valk – Radio To Go, Matt Fisher – Giraffe Audio, Nick Romluc – Giraffe Audio, Yaz Alexander – Domeclub / Indie Artist, Mark Sampson – Iron Man Records / Birmingham Music Network, Adrian Kimberline – Exit Recording, Dave Simcox – Lichfield Arts, Dan Griffin – Illustrator / Animator, Dan Nicholas – Interested in Music Platforms, Peter Murtagh – Freelance Audio Engineer, Laura – Student BCU, Patrick – Student BCU
New Points
Robin Valk – Radio To Go
Talked about some of the articles on his blog:
Boat to Row: The hot topics are a tour, a single on vinyl and download, their own label, and a video shot for very little money. We’re weighing up what they should charge for the single launch gig on February 28th, with the vinyl thrown in. http://radiotogo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/Boat-To-Row-Rock.html
The BBC in the midlands: I’m a big BBC fan. I see and hear inspiring stuff on the Beeb. More often than not, I give up in boredom, despair or disbelief watching and listening to anyone else. I use the BBC website every day. I respect Reithian principles. http://radiotogo.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/Desolation-Of-Smug-BBC-InMidlands.html
We’re currently looking for an inexpensive venue for the dome, so we can run commercial shows & work with local students & artists. If you love art, film and music you’ll love this – for everyone interested in digital film, photography, graphic design, 360 degree film technology, art, music, dance, theatre, drama, script-writing, collaborative work and much more check out www.domeclub.co.uk
To book your tickets click the link above for the show you’d like to see! (No password required)
This is an exciting new medium that needs to be seen in person to get the full experience.
Dome Club has enjoyed a superb first season at The Custard Factory. All tickets sold out half way through the month and the happy customers and encouraging comments on our Facebook page – as well as a number of positive reviews elsewhere – bear witness to the appeal of the fulldome experience.
We’re putting on an extra event this Friday 31st January consisting of three special performances.
We’ve reduced tickets to only 30 per performance, so don’t delay.
The events have been going well and the Pink Floyd shows have been selling out each time so get your tickets early.
Dome Club are looking for people to create content for showing on the Dome Screen
Ideas suggested to get in touch with Alex Patterson, The Orb, John Sinclair, Youth about the 360 dome club idea….
Discussion followed….
“success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm”
mention of gerv at mission print and lunar festival
Nick Giraffe Audio
A few questions about Dome Club and discussion followed.
Dave Simcox
www.lichfieldarts.org.uk 07989 165361 dave.simcox@lichfieldarts.org.uk Lichfield is only 30mins from Birmingham city center In March they have a rock night, with three bands for £6 Idea to bring out a younger audience Fred Zeppelin are playing Fuse festival happens every year Dance Circus skills, spoken word. A lot of work is going into programming interesting events in Lichfield for younger audiences right up to the more senior audiences. Anyone with good ideas or suggestions is welcome to get in touch. Dave would like to hear from good bands, booking agents, theatre or event organisers with pitches for events to be considered by Lichfield Arts.
Dan Griffin Animator…had a few points to make and questions about Dome Club. He is interested in providing content for the 360 screen.
Looking for work experience in the music industry. Music Management, A&R. A number of suggestions made and offer of work experience from Iron Man Records.
Next meeting will be last Thursday of February from 4pm-5.30pm