Tag: birmingham music network (Page 25 of 51)

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

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: https://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

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

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, Birmingham, 2008

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.

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 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.

https://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.

Feedback on 10 Questions for Birmingham’s Independent Music Industry

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)

MUSIC WORLD RADIO Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

The Alternative Top20 Chart – February Week 4

MWR Weekly Listener Music Chart – Music by the People, voted for by the people and played for the people.

Music World Radio – Our mission is simple; to bring great music to music fans, no matter the style or genre. We are sometimes eclectic and different but always classy and never ever staid or boring. If you love great music, Music World Radio is the place to be for all your musical tastes and needs and perhaps you’ll hear some stuff you’ve never heard before. So check our schedule, tune in and get involved with one of the hottest cool music stations out there. Remember, it’s your music, your world, your radio! Contact MWR here

http://www.musicworldradio.com

MWR Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

1. Nice As Pie – Bad Girl

2. Rudy Jr & The Lovepirates – Stupid Chick Opus8

3. Neongrau – Hi Level Slacker

4. Dead Drunk Society – Black Beauty Musclecar

5. Redlight – Whats Going On ?

6. Katrin the Thrill – You Make Me Wanna Die

7. Victims of Bad Television – Questions

8. Johnny Normal – Time

9. Fistfuzz – Tongue Depressor

10. Shag Nasty – Punk Anthem 77

11. Iguana – Undone

12. The Satin Dolls – Walk Away

13. Pop Incorporated – Looking 4 KLF

14. Seven Thorns – Forest Majesty

15. Frauenarzt & Manny Marc – Disco Pogo

16. Sarah June – Cowboy

17. The Rotten Rebels – My D-Day

18. Richard Snow & The Inlaws – Silent Girlfriend

19. Vinyl Fiction – Dont Call For A Revolution

20. Conflict and Kemmikal – The Dancer

MWR Top 20 Chartshow – Vote & Nominate at http://www.topchoons.com

The Alternative chart at Music World Radio is presented live on air every friday night – a guarantee for airplay to every track that makes it to the Top20. A wide selection of nomimations are equally given a spin on air during the chart show – and over the week by all the MWR DJs.

No genre is left out of the MWR Alternative Top20. If the listeners want dance, techno, death metal, punk or indie rock – thats what theyre gonna get – and if they change their mind and jump on the europop train, so does the chart. The listeners have all the power to nominate and vote!

If you have an appetite for more music rants, alternative charts, album reviews, news from Club Impulse Second Life and a wide variety of other music related randomness drop past the gossip blog and leave your comments.

Check out the bands in the charts here, there are plenty of goodies from new and unsigned acts burning through the barriers with fresh ideas, established acts firing up the party with monumentally powefull musical parades and thought-to-be has-beens making their way back to the charts with new interesting material

How can Government help creative entrepreneurs? What questions would you ask Policy Advisors on this issue?

Clare Edwards would like you to send her YOUR views, opinions and questions to put to some senior civil servants at Downing Street on the subject of How can Government help creative entrepreneurs?”

Clare says on her blog: “Well the latest opportunity is a chance to go to Downing Street next week to talk with senior civil servants (and possibly the odd policy advisor or Minister) in a 90 minute session to tell Government how they can better help creative entrepreneurs and where things are working and where are they failing.

I thought it would be interesting to see what questions you think I should be asking and in general what sort of constructive messages you think this group of policy makers and shapers should hear from creative businesses.

I’m not the only person who has been asked by the British Council to do this but I’m probably the only person from the the West Midlands so if you have ideas of how the government could help creative businesses in the future – leave me some comments and I’ll let you know which points I take with me and how I get on…

I have my own ideas on this but I’d love to go along with a broader understanding of the ideas, struggles and questions that others in the sector have. As you know I go with a music hat on personally but I think some of the issues for music are the same for other ‘creative industries‘. So if you run a creative business and think there is a burning issue I need to be aware of when I walk into Number 10 – let me know!

I’m going next Wednesday so you can suggest ideas right up to that time so…. I can take them with me!”

I’ve been reading with interest some of the comments already submitted including comments from Stef Lewandowski, Sarah Habgee, Nick Dunn, Ed King, Nick Booth, Dave Harte,  Norman Perrin, Robin Valk, and others. You can add your own comments, ideas or submit your questions to Clare Edwards here

Clare Edwards is a freelance music consultant and event organiser – she has run Gigbeth over the past few years, works with Soweto Kinch Productions, conducts Notorious and is a Chair of Sound It Out. Clare is involved with the board of Arts Council England WM, Moby Duck and is a Chair of Governors at a local primary school. In between Clare has found time to lead The Music Network monthly meeting and she sings with Ex Cathedra.

« Older posts Newer posts »