Tag: jbs

October 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

Present:
Andy Derrick, Adrian Kimberlin, Darren Roberts, Gary Heywood, Colin Tippin, Vince O’Malley, Iona, Robin valk,

Apologies:
Anthony Hughes
Clare Edwards
Kate Southall
Andy Ward

Announcements:
Andy Derrick, Mark Badger

New Points:
Darren Roberts, Robin Valk, Ioana, Mo Hawk, Colin Tippin,  Andy Derrick,

Andy Derrick:
Andy would like to acknowledge and thank Dave Taylor at BCU for help and support given to The Music Network and of course for supplying Teas and Coffees for the meeting.

Andy lead a discussion about #quitmyspaceday blogged about by Andrew Dubber and the Issues surrounding Myspace both For and Against.

Andy made the point that Myspace is still valid for many people but wanted to ask who else still uses myspace? A lively conversation followed.

Against:
Agreed that it is a terrible interface.
Myspace appears to be in decline.

For:
Still a useful resource to find out about stuff.
Some bands still find they need to use myspace as many people they wish to engage are still to be found on myspace.

If you google a bands name at present….usually first result is myspace.

Suggested alternatives: bandcamp, reverbnation, build your own wordpress site,

Concensus of opinion: Think, be independent, do what you think is suitable for your needs. Andy has invited people to add comments at: www.andyderrick.co.uk

Robin Valk:
The Pilot Project
www.pilot-project.co.uk
Bristish Library New Music Network
Website goes Live on 18th November, Project is working with The British Library.
There is an Audio Restoration project already going on but Robin is interested in targetting contemporary music and had an idea to start an experimental  project on a regional basis to assemble a project.

This will be a curated site as opposed to a band nominated site.

Clare Edwards, Katy Jay, Richard Elms, and many others have been invited to be involved.

Idea is to run the project for five years.

Nick J Townsend:
Made an interesting point that if you live in Kidderminster you can get airplay on Radio Hereford and Worcester but if you live in Brierly Hill, Dudley, Stourbridge then West Midlands Radio doesn’t seem to recognise those areas as part of their geographic catchment area and so does not prioritise playing or engaging music produced in those areas.

Ioana:
Uncle Jeb events
Bristish Bands to Romania
Ioana based in birmingham, she takes rising Birmingham or British bands and organises gigs for them in Bucharest Romania, covers their expenses.

Ioana is looking for indie, guitar based rock, post punk, punk bands

She is looking for bands with a unique selling point

Contact: Ioana Epure
www.unclejebediah.co.uk
Uncle Jebediah Ltd Trading as UnkleJeb Events,
Aston Cross, 6 rocky lane, Birmingham, West Midlands, B6 5RQ
(+44) 0755 476 5967 / (+40) 0724 249 379
She is also a photographer and journalist

Mo Hawk
Artist fusing African music Styles and Hip Hop
Looking for words of wisdom about how to market and promote their music in Birmingham. Suggestions made Giles Petersen
The Block Studio
Mo Hawk
Gambia tel: 220-9983980, 220-4371508
Sweden mobile 46736465996
Mohawkk1@yahoo.com
http://www.theblockstudios.com

Programme called “rooted” about promoting African languages
If anyone can help with a Birmingham gig and help marketing and promoting the record.

Try carlos www.birminghampromoters.com

Suggestions: rhubarb radio, shelley atkinson, brumcast, musicworldradio,

Darren Roberts:
Working on research to include local people involved with music in local government and politics
he has spoken to Councillor Martin Mullaney
suggestions made of Ernie Hendricks, Ed Vasey, David Furmage,
Also playing a gig: 20th november: the void at the actress and bishop
contact Darren: dxr827 at bham.ac.uk

Colin and Vince:
www.musicalexchanges.com
Recruit area where people can find each other, auction area on there
online shopping center for anything music related.
The website is coming together, has a social networking tool
A flyer was given out with more info

Nick J Townsend:
Provided feedback on the Dudly jbs situation. The gig he organised was very successful and the publicity that the venue has had has helped bring in a lot of interest

Next meeting thursday 25th November.

WEAK13, SONS OF BEACHES, KING RICH, THE MILITANTS – JB’s, Dudley, Friday October 22nd 2010

WEAK13 / SONS OF BEACHES / KING RICH / THE MILITANTS
Friday October 22nd
8pm start
@ JB’s
Castle Hill
Dudley
DY14QF
£2 DOOR

All proceeds go to the venue. Please can you help us spread awareness and raise money for JB’s?
Contact for press: Nick J.Townsend   MANAGEMENT 07898181574
A photo opportunity time can be arranged by calling 07898181574

Four bands and acts from across the Midlands including Wolverhampton based band The Militants, have come together to support the venue JB’s in Dudley by holding a Friday night show in which all the proceeds will go straight to the venue. The club has recently gone into administration. All the acts have agreed to play for free. Nick J.Townsend of British band WEAK13 approached Sam the JB’s owner and asked if he could help do something. Nick J.Townsend along with solo artist King Rich were the main people behind getting music back to Kidderminster Townhall way back in 2002 after there had been no names play in the historic building for 15 years.

“Although at the time we were young we organised big concerts in Kidderminster and soon after we had done so big names started playing their again such as Robert Plant, we helped spread awareness and it’s time to act again only this time for JB’s in Dudley” Quote: Nick J.Townsend.

Carl Wilkes from Sons Of Beaches said “It’s the venue that has brought music from around the world into the Midlands and it has to keep going” . The frontman who has played there many time encourages all musicians to stick together and come down to support the club. WEAK13 mainman Nick J.Townsend who also writes for Midland music magazine Ryan’s Gig Guide said: “JB’s is the best venue in the Midlands due to it’s 40 years of history and providing us with great bands”

Solo artist King Rich who tours the UK every year said “JB’s is a landmark for music and it has to stay open due to the important role it places in the music scene”

The event takes place on Friday October 22nd at JB’s in Dudley “We are asking everyone who has had a great time because of JB’s to come down and support the club. We also are expecting some of the bigger bands who have played there in the past to take a stand and step in as this is the club that helped their careers”. Nick added

The Militants
With eclectic musical tastes ranging from various genres the band “The Militants” shows no limitations with their writing ability and style. Starting in December 08 with a solid five piece line up “The Militants” have done nothing but focus on their sound. With music influenced by bands such as Oasis, Stereophonics, The Kinks, The Clash and Ryan Adams, the band would describe their sound as Indie Rock with a twist of Roll. The Militants have played a countless number of venues in the last two years across Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds. “The Militants” are currently preparing to start their next chapter and have finished recording their Demo at ‘The Magic Garden Studios’. The band is looking to support and gig with any other local bands while also searching for any possible label interest. Gear up for the journey to begin with this band as they make a name for themselves. Line-up: Wayne Buckley- Vocals / John Turley- Lead Guitar / Lee Waters-Rhythm Guitar / Stuart Buckley-Bass Guitar / Mike Coulter-Drums
http://www.myspace.com/themilitantsband

King Rich (Solo artist)
HONESTY, IMAGINATION, POWER, ARTISTRY, GUTS, CHARISMA, DIVERSITY, ORIGINALITY, ATMOSPHERE and EMOTION are all ingredients that are placed into the song writing, music and performance of KING RICH. He is a bulk of freshness in the acoustic genre, and could very easily become accepted in a vast array of music markets in the music industry. The King is different, but isn’t that what makes all King’s legends? The ever-versatile King is currently making extreme progress in the acoustic genre, shaking the ever-growing dust out of the dull climate acoustic music has currently reached. An exciting breath of fresh air is what King Rich delivers to the new-wave acoustic scene, providing his own stance and slants on music – emotion packed and punching – with much to offer as a fine representative and example of the new-age acoustic pioneer! Songs of vigor, eloquence, style, vivacity, depth and beauty glide out of the King’s entity. He transmits songs from his life experience, and is strong enough to pave a new direction for music as a whole. Crowds are often left thrilled and awoken after a King Rich performance.
http://kingrich.co.uk

Sons Of Beaches
Sons of Beaches are a 4 piece original rock outfit from Kidderminster, in the West Midlands. The band were formed in 2008 and have so far released two self recorded EP’s. The second Ep ‘Plague’, was met with great critical acclaim that spawned a nationwide tour taking in venues in cities such as, Liverpool, London, Birmingham, Leicester, and many more. The band played a sell out show at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool in April 09 and also headlined the new acts stage at the 2009 Glastonbudget Festival. Now firmly in 2010 The band have agreed their first recording contract with ‘Limbo Sounds’, and the highly anticipated debut album is nearing completion. In February 2010 the band appeared on the Friday Sessions of BBC Radio, performing four tracks and interviews. The band booked a coach to take their fans to Leicester’s Shed Venue which sold out in under 20 minutes! In May 2010 the band performed to over 1000 people at the Glastonbudget festival. An amazing launch is planned for the album at a 700 capacity venue in the Midlands. Following the launch of the album the band intend to take an 18 month tour of the UK As a live band Sons of Beaches put on an electric show and their lyrics and melodies are the very best in catchy infectious rock. The band put on regular coach trips to ferry fans to and from venues. The bands debut single Turn me on is scheduled for release on September 27th 2010 and a follow up Christmas single ‘Santa i’ve been good this year’ is also set for release during the season. To fully appreciate Sons of Beaches view them in their natural habitat, The live concert stage!  Line-up: Carl Wilkes- Vocals / Daniel Hollowway- Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar / Gareth Webster-Bass Guitar / Rich Milton-Drums
http://sonsofbeaches.co.uk/

WEAK13
WEAK13 is a British industrial / metal / grunge act, founded in 1999 by Nick J.Townsend in Kidderminster, United Kingdom. Inspired by 1980’s Video Nasties, Underground music, Comic books, The Grunge and 90’s music scene and real life. Each song is a different story. Lyrics about loved ones who have passed away, songs about the future, death, life, survival, friendship, love, hate and positive thinking. All the guitars on all the recordings are played using strange dark low tunings. WEAK13 is any style Nick J.Townsend wants to be. From Industrial Metal fused with death metal guitars to Dark electro beats entwined with Low tuned acoustic guitars. WEAK13 is every form of music in it’s rawest form. There is a song for everyone. As its main singer, producer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Townsend is the only official member of WEAK13 and remains solely responsible for its musical and artistic direction. WEAK13’s music is every genre with metal overtones. Townsend recruits a live band to perform with him on stage after recording WEAK13 material. WEAK13 when playing LIVE is ‘Nick J.Townsend’ (Vocals/Guitar), ‘Wesley Smith’ (Bass) and ‘Neel Parmar’ (Drums). Nick J.Townsend breaks as many rules as possible. Wanted feedback, dark subjects, erratic song structure, raw sounds, one take recordings, surreal ideas and hook lines that you will never forget. There is only one WEAK13 but there are many sounds. Nick J.Townsend is a British underground musician, singer and multi-instrumentalist. He operates under the studio name WEAK13. Line-up: Nick J.Townsend- Vocals, Lead Guitar & Rhythm Guitar / Wesley Smith-Bass Guitar / Neel Parmar-Drums
http://www.myspace.com/weak13music

WEAK13, SONS OF BEACHES, KING RICH, THE MILITANTS - JB's, Dudley, Friday October 22nd 2010

September 2010 Music Network Meeting Minutes

The Music Network Meeting Minutes 30th September 2010

Present: Mark Sampson, Darren Roberts, Clare Edwards, Adrian Kimberline, Andy Derrick, Andy Ward, Kate Southall, Simon Howes, Chris Whiting, John Taylor, Nick J Townsend, Saurab Thomas, Parminder, Chris,

Apologies: Robin Valk Radiotogo.com, Anthony Hughes Screen WM,

Andy Derrick:
Midlands Jazz Network, trying to build a community of Jazz Musicians. A hub online of Jazz musicians, venues, promoters. Anything from rag time piano right up to modern jazz fusion, funk, fusion etc.

On the website, place for Jazz Musicians to try and secure more work, news items, promoters from Leamington Spa, Coventry, Warwick, Black Country,

It is helping musicians get more gigs, more promotion, perhaps some advice and guidance.

 http://www.jazznetwork.wordpress.com
email: midlandsjazznetwork@gmail.com please send in content, press releases, news, gig dates, anything from the midlands area. The Midlands Jazz network is a resource network for audiences, musicians and promoters of jazz music in the Midlands.

Band directory, festival lists, latest news posts and more

Initially mostly Andy Derricks contacts but now it is becoming more diverse.

Donations are welcome
Promotion by word of mouth, personal recommendation

Andy also is involved with Sostenuto, runs Black Country Music Network.
Black Country Music Network are currently looking for a new venue to meet.
http://www.blackcountrymusicnetwork.wordpress.com

Andy Ward – Musoplex.com:
First releases coming out now on Universal
Musoplex have joined prs and ppl
Katy Jay did photography for indian artist called Mehsopuria album called  “Fearless” available on Universal in UK
Musoplex Filmed second video for the album

Musoplex.com is a Recording Studio, it has 4 Rehearsal Rooms, a Publishing arm, a Record Label, Photo Stage, Video Stage, and supplies and prints Merchandise.
Short runs of tshirts £5 a picee for minimum run of ten shirts.

Simon Reeves is producer and Engineer at Framework Studios
http://www.musoplex.com
email: andy@musoplex.com

Kate Southall:

Kate has been a Radio DJ for 11 years and has been much more in public eye since 2007. Kate Launched “Freshly Picked” in 2008 but due to radio and broadcasting changes Katy decided to pick from a group of volunteers a new presenter to take over the show.

Kate plans to operate as Katy Jay doing a new regular podcast called “Scene and not Herd” available for download through iTunes. Katy has left WCR and will be developing a hub or hive for unsigned music aimed at local community radio stations.

Clare Edwards and Katy Jay were picked for having access to diverse music in loads of different styles by Robin Valk who is heading up a Music Archive Project. The project is called “West Midlands Music Pilot” and will be working with the likes of Brumcast, Godiva, and many more. There is a website on the way.
For more info contact Robin@radiotogo.com (ask robin for press release.)

Contact Katy Jay: scene.and.not.herd@live.co.uk
There is a blog on its way going up on typepad soon.

Nick. J. Townsend:
Nick writes a column for Ryans Gig Guide, runs a Night at Basement Studios each week on a friday, Plays and sings with a his own band called weak 13 and runs Basement Sound Radio.

Nick talked at length about Dudley JBs. JBs is going into administration. Nick has approached JBs to find out what can be done to help. JBs are struggling and needs peoples help and support.

Nick is putting on three good nights between now and Christmas starting on Oct 22nd, all the money goes to the club. Nick suggested that if JBs goes down, it will affect the midlands as there are so few clubs left that can support good touring bands. Nick wants to try and get 1000 people through the door.

Nick wants peoples help to try and market and promote the club by any means to try and help them out.

Jbs needs help with marketing and promotion, it needs people to support the shows, it needs promoters to take on nights and organise shows, it needs people with ideas to come forward and suggest new ways it can move forward and avoid going bust without compromising the sorts of bands it has been working with up to now. A lengthy discussion followed…..

www.jbsdudley.co.uk
Sam and martin at jbs are the people to talk to. Their email and contact number is on the jbs website.

or contact: Nick J Townsend: www.myspace.com/Weak13music
tel: 07898 181574

Ryans gig Guide now going out to Birmingham, black country, bromsgrove, tamworth, nuneaton, walsall.

Ryans gig Guide is not online, only available as a publication.

Clare Edwards:
Soweto Kinch: “new emancipation” new album is out.
www.soweto-kinch.com

Clare said if you look up bbc music website…it has review with clips from each track.

Darren Roberts
Darren is at Birmingham University and doing research, talking to people in the music industry, still trying to get stories and voices and opinion on the local music industry.

Some of his research has involved some performance and he has been to base studios, bluewhale studios, exit recording. Musoplex was also suggested.

Darren has a gig gig coming up at actress and bishop 6th november, The Void www.myspace.com/voidd and the show itself is part of his research into what is actually going on in local venues and what bands have to go through to get a show.

Darren has been involved in collaborations too. If anyone is still interested in talking to Darren email Darren dxr827@bham.ac.uk

Darren wants to talk to people who have experience and some degree of understanding of what they do and etc in the music industry for example
music promoters, venue owners, musicians, labels etc

John Taylor

Black Sheep Records: John runs a small independent label based in Worcester called Blacksheep records, currently email is: john@blacksheeprecords.co.uk
John has been involved in the Worcester Music Festival and has just done third year. This years festival included 230 acts in over 30 venues across the city. The event was all voluntary, all genres, raised money for charity, in excess of £5,000 raised.

www.wmf2010.co.uk

Site gives details…will be inviting artists for 2011 to submit applications for playing.

Off the back of the first festival from a few years ago, John set up Blacksheep Records to provide a service for artists with limited budget to try and help artists raise their own profile. John provides everything from artwork, design, wesbite, cds, digital distribution etc.

John has a huge love of music and wants to help local artsist get their music out there.

John also works as a business partner with Loungetree, Chis Whiting.

John also trying to organise gigs swaps

Marrsbar, Keystones, a lot of cafe and bars do acoustic music acts, guildhall,

Adrian Kimberline
www.AdrianKimberline.com
Latest release is act called : heatseeker feat Jackie baker track is called (u r my) inspiration

Next Music Network Meeting will be Thursday 28th October 4pm