Archive for January, 2010
Starting your own Music Magazine or Zine – Self Published and Funded
Jan 30th
The reason for me posting this article is because of my previous post on “Weak 13’s Nick Townsends impressive approach to promoting his Band”. Nick successfully started his own magazine promoting his local Music scene along with his Band. I was very impressed by Nick’s spirit and thought i would create a follow up on how to create your own magazine.
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Time to ask yourself a few questions before we get started
Do you have hours of time each week to commit to publishing your magazine?
Do you think you can produce enough content to make it worth while doing?
Do you have plenty of volunteers to help you write content?
Can you use a computer?
Do you have basic knowledge of Graphic software?
Can you write?
Do you have money to self fund the magazine?
These are all really important questions that you need to consider before committing yourself to starting a magazine.
All ok? on to step 1
Step 1)
Like any Business or product that you want people to use you have to solve a problem. Since this is a Music Website lets focus on starting a Music based magazine. What problems can we solve? is their a niche genre that currently doesn’t have a magazine? Does your local Music scene need a magazine? You need to decide what problem you are going to solve, if you don’t then why will anyone read your magazine? You will also need to consider a catchy name, a nicely branded theme / logo and of course the amount of pages and how much each edition will cost to print. Which brings nicely onto how much your going to charge for the magazine. I suggest setting the price at a cost level, most black and white paper based zine’s can be produced for around 80p each these days depending on the size and content. I suggest spending a few hours researching similar magazines, finding out what content they include, how many readers they have and how much they charge for each magazine. It might also be a good idea to find out who prints the magazines. Another point you should consider is how often will you be releasing your magazine, below are the most common release dates.
Weekly, 2 weekly, Monthly, 2 Monthly and every 6 months. I suggest Monthly as a start up magazine.
Please note, Rock Links is a free resource and we don’t offer any form of membership. Please show your support for Rock Links by taking the time to check out our below sponsors. Article Continued below Video.
Step 2)
Preparation is important! If you have rushed through step one without doing your research and without any idea of what your magazine is about, what it will look like or what content will be included then you might aswell give up now. Preparation is they key to most successful projects, you need to be ahead of the game at all times. I suggest working about 2 issues ahead which gives you plenty of time to correct any problems that may arise. You need to start getting together juicy stories, pictures, events and anything else your going to be included in the magazine. It might also be a good idea to get friends involved as columnists (i write for many of my friends small publications), they write the content so you don’t have to. Most people like to express their opinion and if your going to offer them the opportunity to voice their opinion to a few hundred people at a time then they will likely jump at the chance.
Next Steps coming very soon!
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Live and Unsigned 2010 the largest national music competition for Bands, Singers and Musicians
Jan 29th
Live and Unsigned is back for 2010 bigger, better and louder then ever. Over 30,000 acts have auditioned for the music competition over the last 3 years. If your a Musician or a Band the Music competition offers benefits such as performing live in front of an audience, aswell as the UK’s top Producers, Label executives, Promoters and DJ’s.
So what does this Music competition have to offer if you win?
How does £50,000 worth of prizes sound? Includes a Recording contract with Future Music and upto £30,000 worth of Investment.
Auditions
Auditions are held around the country. You will perform, infront of our prestigious judging panel, a live piece. Should you be successful you will be put through to your regional final.
The Live Regional Finals
Successful audtions will give you a place in the regional final. You will perform an original track with your band or backed by a backing track in front of a huge live crowd!
You will be battling for a place in the Grand Final and the Live and Unsigned Festival.
LIVE AND UNSIGNED FESTIVAL & NATIONAL SHOWCASE GRAND FINAL
The big one! The climax of the Music competition!
You could be playing at the The Live and Unsigned Festival! A capacity crowd could be cheering you on and applauding your music! If you win, you’ll be offered a record deal on the spot!
The winners will be thrust into the media spotlight! TV, Radio, Print … You’ll be there!
The country’s best talent, best labels, best producers and best everything music will be at The Live and Unsigned Festival … are you good enough to be there too?!
Judging
The expert panel of judges will be looking out for musical ability, originality and performance capability. They will also be looking at the originality of your image and professionalism on stage. The ultimate job of the judges is to find an act that can be launched in the UK as a major recording artist.
Other Live and Unsigned News
Radio 1 Star Greg James has confirmed his place as a judge.
Popular day time presenter and Radio 1 DJ Greg James has just confirmed his place on the judging panel of Live and Unsigned 2010!
Greg is set to join other top celebs and record industry A&R to cast his eye over unsigned talent at the Live and Unsigned Festival at the 02 in London this July.
Kerrang DJ’s Join the Judging panel
Unsigned expert and popular voice of Kerrang Radio, Alex Baker is set to judge the Live and Unsigned Regional shows and will be bringing his wealth of experience of up and coming bands with him! It’s a double whammy for Kerrang as Alex will be judging alongside fellow presenter Christian Stevenson who confirmed his place on the panel last week.
For more information on Live and Unsigned the UK’s largest Unsigned Band Music Competition please visit Liveandunsigned.uk.com
Weak 13’s Nick Townsends impressive approach to promoting his Band
Jan 28th
Weak 13 Nick Townsend
WEAK13 are a British industrial / metal / grunge act, founded in 1999 by NICK J.TOWNSEND in Kidderminster, United Kingdom. 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 started the Band back in his college days where he recruited musicians to play live with him performing songs that Nick had been writing for years. The first Gig that weak 13 performed rocketed their name around the local area and launched the start of their music domination. Nick wanted to spread the word about his Music and come up with an unusual marketing method. Nick decided to start a Magazine along with John Clee, the magazine was self funded and between 300 – 500 copies where distributed through out the local area. The magazine become a popular ‘rag mag’ and Advertised Weak 13 and other Bands in the area. In total Nick release 6 issues of his magazine.
Nick Townsend’s entrepreneurial spirit resulted in him attracting local bands in the area and the set up of all day music events, a live local music scene was born. With the continued success of local gigs and the ever growing popularity of Weak 13 Nick started a fresh new magazine called P.M.T. Townsend also approached a club called ‘redwoods’ and started to organize regular Rock Nights.
The success of the second magazine resulted in advertising space being sold to fund more copies, this then created more opportunities for Gigs and promotion of Nick’s Rock Nights. News spread fast with a woping 200 out of town people came flocking to the nights which also attracted attention from Band’s all around the UK. The Magazine sky rocketed attracting attention from not only Band’s and Venues but also local Businesses. Nick went on to organize a charity Music Festival in Kidderminster which was a huge success.
The foundations of what Nick Townsend put into production in the early days has now created him a successful career in Music. Weak 13 are set to release a single “lunatic” in February. The single is available to buy from Amazon, Itunes and Emusic. Check out the Video below.
Red Bull Bedroom Jam 2010
Jan 27th
Red Bull Bedroom Jam is a weekly webcast to offer bands the chance to record, tour the UK and hit some of the best festivals this summer. The new, revamped season will offer young bands throughout the UK, who upload their videos and get the opportunity to perform on the live webcast as well as tour the hottest festivals and spend time in the studio – with the outright winner securing a two-week recording session at Red Bull’s brand new, state of the art studio in London with a top producer as well as a UK wide tour.
Red Bull Bedroom Jam will begin from 15th February 2010 every Monday at 5pm over at redbullbedroomjam.com
There’s a trailer available for this year’s Bedroom Jam series, encouraging bands to upload their own demos and win the chance to be in the webcast – from their own bedroom… The trailer shows what happened to one of last year’s bands, Don Broco [image attached] – who played one of the webcasts and went on to play at the Camden Crawl, Underage Festival and Download off the back of it…and explains what you have to do if you want to be a part of it this year.
B.Michelle – R & B with a Hip Hop Twist
Jan 27th
A slightly different Musician from the normal we have featured in the past.
Brittany Michelle Hines aka B.Michelle definitely has the talent and skills to make her mark on the world..With her unique sound and fresh style, she is hands down the next big thing coming straight out of VA. Don’t let the size fool you, there is a powerful and embracing voice behind her petite physique. She is creating quite the buzz with her Hit Single “DJ Play My Song”feat. VA Drive and is currently working on her Debut Album “ Love Story” that tells the tale of Love and its many different faces..”Nothing more, Nothing less..This is me..Music is my life and it’s what I was put on this earth for…Might as well share my god-given gift with the world,”says B.Michelle.
Q. So, Who is B.Michelle?
A. She’s a breath of fresh air.
Q. What makes you say that?
A. I say that because it’s raw, uncut, real R&B music cause there’s not that many artists that are singing real R&B so when people hear it, It’s a breath of fresh air.
Q. What type of music it is?
A. I would have to say it’s R&B with a Hip Hop Twist..I would consider it the 2009 Mary J. Blidge”What’s the 411” Album.There’s something for’ everyone on it.
Q. Is the Album Complete?
A.Pretty much, just putting the last finishing touches on it, but I am so proud of it and know with this album, I will make my mark in the game.
Q. Who did you work with on your album?
A. Well the production and song writing was created by B.Eazy and Robo also known as VA Drive..The 3 of us make up a unit called VMC (Virginia Music Corporation) The vocal arrangements, Backgrounds, Etc was done by me. I also worked with some of the Hottest Rappers from VA by the name of M.Watts, Peso, and D. Gramm.
Q. So why “Love Story”
A. Because no matter what age, size, color, who you are trying to be, EVERYONE can relate Love whether it be good or bad..This is my way of expressing the trials and tribulations with my experience with love.
Q. How long have you been singing?
A. I aint even gon lie, I didn’t even know I could sing til I was in the 5th grade and since then I haven’t stopped. Before I knew I could sing, dancing was my thang..So you know not only can I sing, but I am also ready to perform at the drop of a dime. I have loved music since I was in the womb..Both my parents can sing and dance so it’s only right that I inherit the talent..
Q. Who would you compare your style to?
A. My style comes from my environment..I’m a product of where I’m from, Virginia ALL DAY..There’s a lot of talent out here and not just the ones you see on T.V. It’s not just me, it’s VA Drive, VMC, M, Watts, Peso, D. Gramm, etc. We are all pushing to put VA on the Map..
Q. Being that you rep VA All Day, What part of Virginia are you from?
A. I was born in Norfolk, and I was raised in Chesapeake…Shouts out to Great Bridge. LOL
Q. So when will the world get to hear B.Michelle?
VERY SOON. We just finished the video for my single “DJ Play My Song” feat VA Drive. It’s a Club Banger that’s getting heavy spins on 91.1( Hot 91)..Make sure you call your local radio stations and request “ DJ Play My Song” By B.Michelle feat. VA Drive..I feel good about my project and I hope everyone loves it as much as I do.
Get Signed LIVE! helping Bands make money out of their Music
Jan 8th
Get Signed LIVE!
Get Signed LIVE! is a new event launched to help aspiring bands, artists and DJs make money out of their music. The event will help them navigate the complex world of the music business, avoid the pitfalls and set themselves on the path to success.
The Event uses a combination of Expo, Workshops and a Live Stage, with the expo featuring services such as Recording, Mastering, Pressing, Artwork, and Tour Vans to name but a few. Speakers include: Adam Sieff (Global Head of A&R, SellaBand and Industry guru), Ian Clifford (MD, Mumbo Jumbo Management & Author of How to Make it in Music) and Leonard Lowy (Leonard Lowy Solicitors and Founder of the Musicians Clinic).
The Live stage offers a chance to see some of the latest break through acts to hit the Music scene and of course the opportunity for Bands to showcase their Music ability.
The event is set for 22-23 of May at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, in the heart of London’s creative community.
Show founder Toby Duckworth said, “Young musicians need advice. Get Signed LIVE! delivers just that. The event offers everything up and coming acts need to develop and kick-start their careers. It brings bands, artists and DJs closer to realising their full potential in an inspiring atmosphere mixing creativity and education with all the services emerging music makers need; it bridges the gap between artist and service provider”
Tickets for Get Signed LIVE! are available from the end of February. Maximum price per person will be £20 and there will be special offers and giveaways running up to the opening.
Want to meet new business, speak or sponsor? Call the GSL! team on 020 7300 7317
Want to visit? Register your interest by e-mailing visit@getsignedlive.com
Contact:
Swink Productions Ltd
0207 300 7316
www.getsignedlive.com
Becoming a Perfectionist aswell as a Musician
Jan 6th
Perfectionism is underrated, i have been working with Bands for a huge chunk of my life and some of the top level Bands i have worked with have obsessed over getting things perfect. I’m not just on about Sound or Skills, i’m on about the whole package. I once worked with a Band as a Sound Engineer, the Bands manager was extremely strict on how the stage looked, what direction the PA was facing, the angle of the lights, visible cables, the lot. At the beginning i was naive and thought it was picky, untill the Band later that night performed. It all come together and looked outstandingly professional. Image, sound and a quality act will always earn you extra points, a lazy attitude will get you nowhere! I wanted to make a brief post about this as it’s a subject often missed, it may sound a little obvious (which is why i have kept this brief) but it’s very easy to say “that will do”. If you walked into a restaurant and got a half hearted meal put in front of you for £15 would you be happy? It’s the same for the people who pay to see you at Gigs, pay for your Music and generally deal with you on a daily basis. Become a perfectionist, raise your game and it will also raise your overall profile.
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