Posts tagged unsigned
Open Mic UK Audition are in Full Swing
Aug 19th
Thousands of unsigned singers entered last year and this year it’s set to be even bigger! Open Mic UK is the national music competition for singers and solo artists in the UK and auditions are in full swing!
2010 auditions kicked off at the start of August and are travelling across the country in the search for the UK’s best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists. It’s open to all genres, so whether you’re into RnB, Rap, Acoustic, Pop or Classical – Open Mic UK has it all! Acts can perform either covers or original material and they’ll be invited to a live audition in front of the judging panel.
Those who make it through the audition stage will go on to perform across the UK in live shows, in front of a live audience and judging panel, for the chance to sing at the Grand Final at the 02 in London. The panel is made up of industry insiders, A&R, vocal coaches and guest celebrities.
There are plenty of opportunities to win prizes throughout the competition. There’s over £50, 000 worth of prizes up for grabs and the winning act will be offered a recording and management contract to develop their music and release their single. Competing acts will also have the chance to perform live in some of the best music venues in the country.
The competition is divided into age categories; Under 18, 18-24 and 25 and over. All types of singers, vocal performers, groups and acoustic singer/songwriters are invited to enter Open Mic UK. It’s all about finding an act that has the ability to become a professional recording artist.
So, if you think you’ve got what it takes, get on the mic for Open Mic UK 2010!
For dates, venues and more information go to www.openmic.co.uk
Rockstar Energy Drink partners with Live and Unsigned
Mar 17th
Rock Star Energy Drink Logo
Drinks giant Rockstar Energy Drink Rockstar Energy Drink Website have confirmed as a sponsor of the Rock category of Live and Unsigned 2010.
They’ll be at the Live and Unsigned Festival in July at the 02 in London to cast their eye over the finalists in the Rock category, and will be awarding one of the bands an exclusive prize!
They’ll be choosing one band to join their prestigious Rockstar UK roster and will be presenting the award on the main stage of the festival.
The band that wins the award will get a host of prizes including; a monthly delivery of Rockstar Enery Drink for one year to keep them energised on tour, in rehearsals or in the studio, Rockstar apparel including t shirts, sweatbands, hats, accessories and stickers, a profile on www.rockstarenergy.co.uk which is visited by thousands each month, a blog section on the website to blog from the road and special perks like tickets to other Rockstar Energy sponsored events (subject to availability)
Gordon Donald, Market Manager for Rockstar Energy, commented, “Rockstar Energy Drink has always supported unsigned musicians and artists and we look forward to adding a new act to our exciting roster through Live and Unsigned 2010″
A spokesperson for Live and Unsigned commented, “This is such great news for all the Rock finalists. We recognise that it’s extremely hard to gain good, high profile coverage for unsigned bands, so we’re really excited to see what doors this opportunity will open. Rockstar are of course a huge brand, and picking a band for the roster is a huge compliment and privilege. Not only do they get merchandise, but they’ll be able to blog from the road on the Rockstar website – we’re sure the winning band will see a lot of benefit from this!”
For more information on Live and Unsigned the UK’s largest Music Competition please vists liveandunsigned.uk.com
41 ways to promote your Music or Band
Mar 9th
1) Make sure people have resources available to find out more about you. Websites, Myspace, Facebook and Twitter
2) Make sure people can easily find out how to find those resources.
3) Word of Mouth is best the form of promotion! Give them something to talk about
4) Get involved with your local Music scene. Go along to local Gigs, see other Bands, get to know promoters and network.
5) Get some Business Cards printed, vistaprint.com offer 250 for free!
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.
6) Brand your Music, get an eye catching logo designed.
7) Set up a mailing list, notifylist.com, aardvarkmailinglist.net, yourmailinglistprovider.com, freelists.org
8 Set up a Blog wordpress.com www.blogger.com and write about your Music, other Music anything that will pull in readers. Make sure you write about well known artists similar to your Music style, by doing this you will attract fans for that artist and will then be able to market your Music to those fans.
9) Get involved in Music sites, forums and internet radio. There are hundreds of Music sites available and some of them only concentrate on certain music styles. Target the small ones and they will love to have you onboard, then the big sites will follow suit. Music forums are also brilliant for promoting music, include your website links in your signature and your traffic will grow.
10) Keep your fans updated. Read my article on how to do this easily
11) Start a video advertising campaign, upload videos to youtube.com, vimeo.com and www.muzu.tv. Ideally you want to upload music videos, if you don’t have one then create video blogs talking about your music or reviewing other artists that are similar to you. For example if your Music sounds a lot like The Beatles then review The Beatles or make a video which has a connection with the Beatles. Include your website details at the end of the video and in the Descriptions and Tags that go along with the video. This way whenever someone searches for the beatles, your video has a chance of appearing and interest will lead them to your site. Another handy tip is to also have your username as your domain name. For example my username on youtube is rocklinkscouk.
12) Get more Twitter followers, the average rule with twitter is the more people your follow the more followers you get back. Tweetadder.com is a really cool tool to automate the process of following people, not only that you can also target certain twitter members by interests and location. For example a keyword could be Music, and a location Portsmouth, tweet adder will then find users in Portsmouth who have the keywords music in their profile. Now you should be able to see the awesome power of this tool!
13) Add a Twitter widget to your Website or Myspace. Login to your Twitter account and click on Gadgets at the bottom.
14) Create a page on Facebook so people can be come a fan. Invite all your friends to become a fan.
15) Add a Facebook Page widget to your website, so your website users can become a fan.
16) Be social on your social networks
17) Start a local magazine? Like our good friend Nick J Townsend did
18) By a shed load of custom printed t-shirts and give them out for free. When everyone turns up at your gig in the same t-shirt it really attracts attention. I know for a fact this works as I have done this on a number of occasions.
19) Appear on Videos and TV, a prime time slot on itv3 might be hard to come by but not impossible (there are loads of big name acts who have been discovered this way). If your not lucky enough to get these opportunities then create your own, send emails to film organizations, art councils and anyone involved with film. You can also attract attention by contacting small film companies and another good idea is to contact extreme sports style websites who create sports videos.
20) Create a lens (a page) at squidoo.com it really does create a wealth of traffic for your site
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
21) Create a decent Press Release, I personally feel press packs have become extinct. If someone is seriously interested in working with your Music the first place they will go is your myspace or website.
22) Contact Newspapers and Magazines
23) Offer freebies everyone loves Badges and Stickers!
24) Get out on the streets and talk to people about your Music, invite them to you upcoming Gigs.
25) Contact Radio stations, radio is a massive asset to promoting Music. Luckily there is a lot of National and Local Radio stations opening their doors to unknown Artists. Use this to your full advantage.
26) Get involved with a charity. By scratching their back they will also scratch yours.
27) Create an account at eventful.com
28) Start a text service, like the t-mobile advert or using a service such as txtlocal.com
29) Make people feel apart of what your doing, you should make time for everyone who comes along to your gigs.
30) Contact build, it’s what makes the Music Industry work.
31) Start a facebook event for every gig. This has always been successful for my own gigs you can also persuade other people to invite their friends. Make sure you do periodic status updates reminding people of the gig.
32) Go round local Music Shops, get to know the staff and ask if you can leave some promo gear in the shop. I find a lot of music shops actively try to promote the local music scene.
33) Create a Last.fm account!
34) Start podcasting, they weirdly attract a lot of attention.
35) Pay a professional photographer to take some snaps of you.
36) Get your Music reviewed
37) Get Interviewed
38) Place carefully positioned Posters around your local area, cafes, bars, clubs, venues ect
39) Flyers are handy when used effectively. I wouldn’t suggest handing them out willy nilly. Use them to your advantage at Gigs, leave them on tables, at the bar, hand them to people as they leave a venue. If your Band is playing that night then great, if someone likes your music they will more than likely pick up a flyer and keep hold of it.
40) Get involved with local Music sites
41) Leave a comment below with a link to your website. If you have another method of Promoting Music that I haven’t mentioned above then please add it below.
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Why you should indentify 3 selling points to Promote and sell Your Music
Mar 3rd
I have a little saying that i say to most Band’s “it’s about time your turned your Band into a Brand”, although i’m not directly writing this article about branding your Band, it does come under the same bracket. From when you walk past a product on the shelf in Asda to driving past a billboard on the M3, they all you use the same principles to get your juices flowing. Every product or service that is advertised identifies 3 selling points for that product and it should be the same for your Music. Most people who read an advertisement will make a decision on that product or service within 10 seconds, if they haven’t identified keywords that interests them in a product they will most likely put it back on the shelf. If you think of your Music as a product you will start to see how advertising your Music properly is important, by identifying 3 selling points about your Music that will grab the reader within 10 seconds you will more than likely generate more interest. The Human mind is very curious so make full use of this fact!
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.
So how do you identify selling points?
Selling points are everywhere, back in 2008 Rock Links was awarded an Innovation and Entrepreneurial Business award, so one of our key selling points is “The Award Winning Rock Links”, maybe your Music has won an award? Maybe you won a talent contest?
I happen to know a few all Lesbian girl Bands, imagine walking past a poster with the words “Band name! The all Lesbian Girl Band”. It provokes interest to read more!
Have you been featured on a National or Local Radio Station? In my local area we have Heart FM, although i don’t think they actually play Unsigned Acts i’m sure other local Radio Stations do, so again “Band Name! As featured on Radio FM”.
Maybe your age is a key factor? Maybe you under 16? Maybe your over 60? Again this provokes interest.
Maybe your a Country/Electronic/Funky/Banjo Playing act? Now that i would like to see!
Other key selling Points
Genre style, Size (maybe you have 8 Band members), fashion, bizarre instruments used, connection with a charity, jedward hairstyles, Free Music, Cover Songs, Endorsements, maybe your all born in the same city / town? (people love to support local people), basically anything that sets you apart from the rest that people can relate to or would want to know more about.
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.
Once you have identified your key selling points, make sure they are the first thing anyone reads, your Myspace, Website, Press Releases, Artwork, Posters, Facebook, Twitter, i’m sure your getting the picture. Like i have previously said, you have about 10 seconds to ‘catch’ the persons attention, choose your selling points wisely and the rewards will be more interest in your Music, it’s guaranteed and has been used by marketers since the first roman sandal hit the south coast!
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Main Man Of BBC Introducing Vic Galloway Joins Live and Unsigned
Feb 16th
The main man of BBC Introducing in Scotland, Vic Galloway, is set to join the Live and Unsigned 2010 judging panel.
With an extensive background in music and a thirst for unsigned, fresh acts in the UK, Vic’s knowledge and experience is sure to be a hit on the panel!
Currently fronting the BBC Introducing show in Scotland, Vic is obsessed with unsigned and established musicians. He was launched into the world of music after he witnessed his first live concert by The Damned, and as his obsession grew so did his record collection!
Vic began his career as a musician himself. He immersed himself in Rock ‘n’ Roll when he left school and set out to form a band, get into recording and perform music. And to prove his dedication, he busked his way around Europe for 6 months.
Vic moved onto to working on the other side of the industry, writing for fanzines, working as a venue lighting director in Edinburgh, helping to set up and develop independent labels and working as a press and radio promoter. It was when he was prompted to make a tape for his new regional Radio 1 show that he moved onto the airwaves.
Hayley Stovold, Press Officer for Live and Unsigned commented, “It’s fantastic news that Vic’s joining us for the 2010 live shows, he’s a very influential name. He’s already so busy with the station and his packed out events! He’ll be joining a few other famous names from the world of unsigned music, so we’re sure lots of bands will want to ask him lots of questions about the industry! And let’s face it; he’s always after new bands so some bands might even get played on his show!”
Nowadays, Vic fronts the Introducing show in Scotland and also writes and produces his own music – he’s currently working with prog-pop pioneers Deaf Mutes and punk band Family Man. You’ll also find Vic co-running a club night at the Glasgow Barfly every Friday, called the Funhouse. He’s been pulling in crowds of over 400 people for the last three years. He also spends a lot of time DJ’ing in clubs and writing a freelance column for The List magazine.
Vic lives in Edinburgh , likes getting tattooed, eats spicy food and wants World peace…
For more information on Live and Unsigned please visit http://www.rocklinks.co.uk/music-competitions/live-and-unsigned-2010-the-largest-national-music-competition-for-band-singers-and-musicians
An Interview with Stereo Journey
Feb 9th
How did the Band first get together?
I guess its the same with all, artists or currently ” One man bands’, Like Eno for instance, the inspiration is there and I guess for me ‘ Taking Tiger Mountain by strategy ‘ by Brian Eno, lit that blue touch paper way back when.
What makes you different to other Bands?
I guess my very strong affiliation, in a student sense to Brian Eno and there is something different with the music I produce and I guess the similarity to Brains is not, the end product, its in a tactilicity.
Do you think there is enough opportunities for Bands to get noticed?
Eventually, if it is worth listening to and has something to say, it might be listened to but as Brian has said, the best recordings generally sell the least.
What are your views on the current Music scene?
Rock music is the key, to real tactilicity.
Do you prefer buying CD’s to Downloads? Explain why
I generally try to avoid both.
How did you get your first booking for a gig?
Gigging is something, for a later date, I could always try the Albert in Brighton but for me there is something about the stench of stale beer that is, kind of puke making.
Do you have a favorite Unsigned Band?
Well, that’s me – I am a follower of my own passion.
Do you use social networking to promote your Band? Do you find it
effective?
The key, to sociality, is quite simply, being wanted,
Do you agree with TV shows such as X-factor?
Amazing entertainment but not my cup of ‘e’, but Amanda Holden does it for me, she is just so Gorgeous.
How would you change the UK Music Industry?
Return to three channel TV, remove the Internet and empty cans of coke into all digital recording devices.
Where do you see your Music in 12 months time?
Sitting on Amanda Holden’s Lap, purring contently . . ..
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
