The EP Launch was yesterday; everything came together and I have been left feeling that despite a few technical hitches that were out of my control, it was a success. I even managed to get a bit of compensation off the venue for the technical hitches without making enemies there, which took the best of the skills I have learnt through working with new people over the last 8 months.
The night worked out so that Swansea Love Story played a half hour set, followed by our EP preview which was accompanied by Mike Pettyt's stunning videos; then we, Jeanie in the Radiator, played a 40 minute acoustic set accompanied by Devin's photos which she had edited and sent to me so I could create a slide show. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and commented on all of the audio/visual media as well as the live performances which is exactly what I wanted.
Swansea Love Story shifted 35 of their EPs, despite selling just 25 tickets to their fans and 60 people left with our EP USB wristbands. With our EP set to be released on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify on May 2nd, I can only hope that the sales will increase. However, whether they do or not, I have achieved a lot over the last 8 months which have culminated in a successful, public launch of my career as a producer, as well as the careers of two groups of musicians, a photographer and a video producer.
I have worked hard on gaining ground as an artist and producer since September. As with all things, there were times when I succeeded and times when I didn't so much, but the key thing is that I feel that I have thrown everything I have at putting myself out there in that time. I have secured my songs airtime on a regional BBC radio station; my band a radio interview on the same station; organised the production of the Soapworks Session youtube videos which now have, collectively, 5,466 views; I have successfully produced EPs for 2 bands including my own; gotten in touch with a BAFTA winning director and secured a work experience placement on her next shoot, as well as passed on a CV to her network of sound designers; released the Jeanie in the Radiator EP as a physical USB wristband and as a download on iTUNES, Amazon and Spotify; I just finalised plans for a job playing guitar in the show band of a production of 'Honk!' at the Royal Northern College of Music which is a great opportunity to further my performance skills; and just today I bumped in to Marc Riley of BBC6 Music and have organised to go and shadow one of the live session sound engineers on his radio show in the next few weeks.
This personal and professional development project has been an invaluable tool in documenting my achievements in order to access how far I have come in the last 8 months. It has also allowed me to evaluate the way in which I have dealt with situations and has taught me some valuable lessons in the field of networking, gaining contacts and securing work and experience for my art. The incident with Stuart Howatson, for example, was my first real taste of the exploitation that goes on in the music business and was an experience that will stay with me forever and remind me that one must be careful who they agree to do business with. On the other hand, the work experience I organised with Tinge Krishnan the very next day was a prime example of the swings and roundabouts of this business.
The case really is that the more I put in to something, the more chance I have of getting something out of it. I will continue to document my personal and professional development throughout the work I have coming up. Once I leave University in the next few weeks I hope to make the most of the work experience with Marc and Tinge and continue to build up a portfolio of work in music and audio, in the hope that I can apply what I have learnt throughout this project, to make even bigger waves in future.
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Monday 4 April 2011
Final preparations...
The big EP Launch, which will not only see the release of two projects I have produced but will finalise my Major Project, is tomorrow night. I have been extremely busy over the last few weeks finishing off the tracks for the Jeanie in the Radiator EP and organising other things to fill out the evening. I went to my friend Paul Allen's studio on Friday to work with him to master the tracks. The finished songs are sounding great and so, as I type, I am uploading them to some web space so that my drummer, Ben, may download them to put on to the USB pens which I have put him in charge of.
Mike Pettyt, who directed the Soapworks Session videos has put together some promising (I haven't seen the finished product yet) videos to make up the video installation/EP preview idea I had in mind. He sent over a link to two of the videos for two of the tracks earlier and they're looking great. I've sent him some feedback and he'll be making a few changes, but other than that, the videos look pretty much done.
Devin has been working on the EP art all day today. The initial idea we had decided upon as a band really wasn't working as cover art. Devin voiced her concerns to me, that the photo we had chosen looked too busy and wouldn't work. I went through a few ideas with her and eventually came up with this:
It was a simple idea but a good starting point and I had full confidence that Devin would be able to work wonders with it. She did and therefore, after a few minor alterations to the original mock-up she sent over to the band, we now have our finished EP design:
We're all really pleased with it. Devin did such a good job and it was great in the end that the whole band was able to spend a good 15 minutes during band practice this evening suggesting changes and alterations to the original design. Everyone had their say and then Devin did very well to make the best of all the ideas. The logo is courtesy of Sophie, our drummer Ben's sister with some tweaking by Ben. A group effort that has come out really well in my opinion.
Ideally, if we had had more time to do the photos I'd have preferred to have given Devin more time to do this design, as she was under a lot of stress to have it completed today. It is difficult to manage time when band members have educational or work commitments. These last two weekends have been the only two that all members have had time to spare for a while. I think we managed to work wonders in the time that we did have however, and in a way it has taught me the both the value of early planning, and the fact that the best laid plans of mice and men really do 'go oft awry'.
Hopefully that won't be the case tomorrow evening. Practice went really well tonight and I just have a few last minute bits of preparation before tomorrow including information leaflets and mailing lists. I also sent Ben a short PlainText document to put on to each USB wristband crediting the people who helped us make it, and the people who buy it. A nice touch to show our appreciation for the people who support us.
Mike Pettyt, who directed the Soapworks Session videos has put together some promising (I haven't seen the finished product yet) videos to make up the video installation/EP preview idea I had in mind. He sent over a link to two of the videos for two of the tracks earlier and they're looking great. I've sent him some feedback and he'll be making a few changes, but other than that, the videos look pretty much done.
Devin has been working on the EP art all day today. The initial idea we had decided upon as a band really wasn't working as cover art. Devin voiced her concerns to me, that the photo we had chosen looked too busy and wouldn't work. I went through a few ideas with her and eventually came up with this:
It was a simple idea but a good starting point and I had full confidence that Devin would be able to work wonders with it. She did and therefore, after a few minor alterations to the original mock-up she sent over to the band, we now have our finished EP design:
©Jeanie in the Radiator
We're all really pleased with it. Devin did such a good job and it was great in the end that the whole band was able to spend a good 15 minutes during band practice this evening suggesting changes and alterations to the original design. Everyone had their say and then Devin did very well to make the best of all the ideas. The logo is courtesy of Sophie, our drummer Ben's sister with some tweaking by Ben. A group effort that has come out really well in my opinion.
Ideally, if we had had more time to do the photos I'd have preferred to have given Devin more time to do this design, as she was under a lot of stress to have it completed today. It is difficult to manage time when band members have educational or work commitments. These last two weekends have been the only two that all members have had time to spare for a while. I think we managed to work wonders in the time that we did have however, and in a way it has taught me the both the value of early planning, and the fact that the best laid plans of mice and men really do 'go oft awry'.
Hopefully that won't be the case tomorrow evening. Practice went really well tonight and I just have a few last minute bits of preparation before tomorrow including information leaflets and mailing lists. I also sent Ben a short PlainText document to put on to each USB wristband crediting the people who helped us make it, and the people who buy it. A nice touch to show our appreciation for the people who support us.
Sunday 3 April 2011
Photoshoot...
The photoshoot went so well today and has left me feeling a lot better about this EP Launch on Tuesday. Although we arrived at Delamere 2 hours late due to one of our band members suffering from a rather vicious hangover, we worked really well to get the balloons blown up and take some full band photos, single portrait shots and some to work for our EP cover.
It was good practice today for photoshoots as I'm not very experienced as far as modeling for photographs goes, so having the photographer as someone we knew really helped us feel more relaxed about it. Devin had some really good ideas for the shots, as we only had the theme in mind and little more, and she also directed us well. All in all it was a successful morning.
We went straight straight from Delamere to practice and went through the set for Tuesday's Launch a couple of times. We're working on a cover of Radiohead's 'Lotus Flower' too which ought to go down a treat on the night. Devin has some editing to do as far as the photos go, but has offered to sort out the EP cover too so that's a weight off my mind. We won't have time now, however, to set up the photo display as we originally planned with Stephen but I am thinking that a slideshow of some of the best photos on the projector screen while we play will be just as good, if not better.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Devin comes up with for the EP cover, but for now she has finished editing some of the photographs.
It was good practice today for photoshoots as I'm not very experienced as far as modeling for photographs goes, so having the photographer as someone we knew really helped us feel more relaxed about it. Devin had some really good ideas for the shots, as we only had the theme in mind and little more, and she also directed us well. All in all it was a successful morning.
We went straight straight from Delamere to practice and went through the set for Tuesday's Launch a couple of times. We're working on a cover of Radiohead's 'Lotus Flower' too which ought to go down a treat on the night. Devin has some editing to do as far as the photos go, but has offered to sort out the EP cover too so that's a weight off my mind. We won't have time now, however, to set up the photo display as we originally planned with Stephen but I am thinking that a slideshow of some of the best photos on the projector screen while we play will be just as good, if not better.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Devin comes up with for the EP cover, but for now she has finished editing some of the photographs.
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
©Devin Grier 2011
Thursday 31 March 2011
Putting new, last-minute plans in to action...
I had already put new plans for our photoshoot in motion, but it was good to hear from Stephen today to apologize and confirm that he couldn't possibly get time away from the hospital to do the photo shoot for us this weekend. I told him that it was fine, but we were sorry that we couldn't work with him and we'd be okay to work something else out.
We have done away with the idea of doing it indoors at all on my girlfriend, Devin's, advice and instead have decided to do it this Sunday at Delamere Forest, making the most of the forecast morning sunshine. Georgie, my sister and our synth player/backing vocalist, will be doing our clown make-up and Hollie, our lead singer, has bought a load of balloons for us to use. Hopefully we will be able to get some really effective shots. I have a lot of confidence in both Devin and Georgie's abilities, so I'm sure we wont have too much trouble.
I'm pleased with the way that I was quick to instigate a new plan and pleased at everyone else's willingness to change the shooting day. It is always awkward making business decisions around family issues such as the illness of Stephen's daughter, but he is a professional and we have both expressed our interest in working together on another project in the future.
We have done away with the idea of doing it indoors at all on my girlfriend, Devin's, advice and instead have decided to do it this Sunday at Delamere Forest, making the most of the forecast morning sunshine. Georgie, my sister and our synth player/backing vocalist, will be doing our clown make-up and Hollie, our lead singer, has bought a load of balloons for us to use. Hopefully we will be able to get some really effective shots. I have a lot of confidence in both Devin and Georgie's abilities, so I'm sure we wont have too much trouble.
I'm pleased with the way that I was quick to instigate a new plan and pleased at everyone else's willingness to change the shooting day. It is always awkward making business decisions around family issues such as the illness of Stephen's daughter, but he is a professional and we have both expressed our interest in working together on another project in the future.
Wednesday 30 March 2011
All clouds...
I just got off the phone with Tinge Krishnan, the director my Uncle had put me in touch with. I sent her a Facebook message just over a week and a half ago and was expecting to have to just cold call her, until she sent me a text 20 minutes ago asking me to ring her whenever I wanted.
I jumped at the opportunity and rang her almost immediately. She said that she had quickly read my Facebook message despite being very busy and would be pleased to help me out. According to her, I'm best to get working on a film music and sound design portfolio, which is something I had planned to do as soon as my University work is finished. She also said that she would be happy for me to come and act as runner on the set of her next shoot, which is possibly for an advert in May, and that if I emailed her my CV she would pass it on to the sound designers who worked on her feature film, 'Junkhearts', in the hope that they might give me some work experience.
All in all it was great hearing from her, she seemed really nice and willing to help me out, and more importantly genuine. I'm glad I went ahead and rang her. I really feel like I have a good ability to make and seize opportunities and will look to continue this in to the future. The phonecall has more than made up for what happened yesterday and so, with renewed positivity, I soldier on with the final mix for 'In Heaven' in preparation for the EP Launch in 5 days time.
I jumped at the opportunity and rang her almost immediately. She said that she had quickly read my Facebook message despite being very busy and would be pleased to help me out. According to her, I'm best to get working on a film music and sound design portfolio, which is something I had planned to do as soon as my University work is finished. She also said that she would be happy for me to come and act as runner on the set of her next shoot, which is possibly for an advert in May, and that if I emailed her my CV she would pass it on to the sound designers who worked on her feature film, 'Junkhearts', in the hope that they might give me some work experience.
All in all it was great hearing from her, she seemed really nice and willing to help me out, and more importantly genuine. I'm glad I went ahead and rang her. I really feel like I have a good ability to make and seize opportunities and will look to continue this in to the future. The phonecall has more than made up for what happened yesterday and so, with renewed positivity, I soldier on with the final mix for 'In Heaven' in preparation for the EP Launch in 5 days time.
One day, I will look back and laugh...
Sometimes I wonder if more things happen like they did yesterday, I might one day have enough material to write a rather entertaining book.
We had our meeting with Stuart Howatson yesterday, who I had been communicating with via email regarding a gig he had offered Jeanie in the Radiator at the Silverstone Grand Prix in July. The meeting was full of fantastic news. He worked as part of the Mercedes F1 team and was also in charge of a company which organised their corporate events. We sat and talked with him for over two hours, during which he offered us two high profile gigs including the Silverstone one and a black tie event which would be taking place a few days beforehand. Each gig would earn the band between £5,000-£7,500 and we would get transported to and from the venues. It would be a big opportunity for all of us to play for a highly influential audience and he was willing to give the opportunity to a talented unsigned band as opposed to the usual mainstream acts they would book.
All sounded fantastic and we left the meeting elated. He had even offered to sort us out with a venue for and transport to an EP Launch after-party, as several venues around Manchester owed him favours. When I arrived home my dad was thrilled for us and encouraged me to check out how high up he was in the F1 team. His name and picture did indeed come up on Google.
Unfortunately, this was the article that contained them: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/12/get-used-to-that-view-115875-21960485/
It turns out that Stuart has just recently got out of prison, having been jailed last year for Fraud, convincing his family and friends that he was a police officer for years. He had also pleaded guilty to downloading indecent images of children and it seems that, upon his release, he has immediately started a new lie, conning people again. He got us good.
He had mentioned being in touch with comedian Stephen K Amos. I can only deduce that he did this to us, not for any monetary gain, but for the cheap thrill of meeting a 'celebrity' in our ex-Hollyoaks actress lead singer and to be a man with power for a few hours in our company. Judging by Stuart's twitter feed, he had planned to do the same with Stephen K Amos and a host of other, more accessible, British 'celebrities'.
I have therefore spent this morning getting in touch with Stephen K Amos' manager, Mercedes-Benz, Odder bar (which Stuart had booked the whole top floor of for our 'Afterparty') and the police. Long story short, everyone is now aware and I have resisted the urge to take any action against him personally. At the end of the day, he wasted a whole afternoon of EP mixing as far as I'm concerned, and the professional thing to do is to make sure that he wastes no more of it.
This experience did initially leave me feeling quite shaken and confused. But it would be detrimental to me and to my work to think much more about it. I have put it out of my mind and started concentrating on the EP Launch, my major project, once more. Although I always organise any meetings in a public place, in future I will also make sure that I try to further research anyone I speak to via email or otherwise not face-to-face.
At least the time I sat in a gig meeting with a paedophile con-man will make a great anecdote or, indeed, chapter of a book one day.
We had our meeting with Stuart Howatson yesterday, who I had been communicating with via email regarding a gig he had offered Jeanie in the Radiator at the Silverstone Grand Prix in July. The meeting was full of fantastic news. He worked as part of the Mercedes F1 team and was also in charge of a company which organised their corporate events. We sat and talked with him for over two hours, during which he offered us two high profile gigs including the Silverstone one and a black tie event which would be taking place a few days beforehand. Each gig would earn the band between £5,000-£7,500 and we would get transported to and from the venues. It would be a big opportunity for all of us to play for a highly influential audience and he was willing to give the opportunity to a talented unsigned band as opposed to the usual mainstream acts they would book.
All sounded fantastic and we left the meeting elated. He had even offered to sort us out with a venue for and transport to an EP Launch after-party, as several venues around Manchester owed him favours. When I arrived home my dad was thrilled for us and encouraged me to check out how high up he was in the F1 team. His name and picture did indeed come up on Google.
Unfortunately, this was the article that contained them: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/12/get-used-to-that-view-115875-21960485/
It turns out that Stuart has just recently got out of prison, having been jailed last year for Fraud, convincing his family and friends that he was a police officer for years. He had also pleaded guilty to downloading indecent images of children and it seems that, upon his release, he has immediately started a new lie, conning people again. He got us good.
He had mentioned being in touch with comedian Stephen K Amos. I can only deduce that he did this to us, not for any monetary gain, but for the cheap thrill of meeting a 'celebrity' in our ex-Hollyoaks actress lead singer and to be a man with power for a few hours in our company. Judging by Stuart's twitter feed, he had planned to do the same with Stephen K Amos and a host of other, more accessible, British 'celebrities'.
I have therefore spent this morning getting in touch with Stephen K Amos' manager, Mercedes-Benz, Odder bar (which Stuart had booked the whole top floor of for our 'Afterparty') and the police. Long story short, everyone is now aware and I have resisted the urge to take any action against him personally. At the end of the day, he wasted a whole afternoon of EP mixing as far as I'm concerned, and the professional thing to do is to make sure that he wastes no more of it.
This experience did initially leave me feeling quite shaken and confused. But it would be detrimental to me and to my work to think much more about it. I have put it out of my mind and started concentrating on the EP Launch, my major project, once more. Although I always organise any meetings in a public place, in future I will also make sure that I try to further research anyone I speak to via email or otherwise not face-to-face.
At least the time I sat in a gig meeting with a paedophile con-man will make a great anecdote or, indeed, chapter of a book one day.
Saturday 26 March 2011
Bad news...
I woke up this morning at 8:30am for the photoshoot with Stephen and the rest of Jeanie in the Radiator, only to get some bad news. Stephen had texted me late in the night to tell me that his daughter had been taken to hospital very ill yesterday and he wasn't yet sure if he would be able to get away to do the photoshoot. To be honest, I couldn't do anything but send a text back wishing his daughter all the best for a full recovery and assume we wouldn't be shooting today at all.
These kinds of situations are difficult, because obviously Stephen's family need him and none of us would argue that for a second, but at the same time we have a deadline to meet and so it was up to me to get my business head on and sort something out. Fortunately, my girlfriend happens to be a very good photographer so it didn't take much to find a replacement. However, we would have to possibly find a new location, as Stephen had planned the shoot to take place this morning at Sound Control in Manchester, but with even less time to sort something out, it is doubtful that they will have the time to accommodate us once more.
Stephen is still hopeful that he might be free next week to rearrange, but that is the last weekend possible to get this done so I'm reluctant to take the chance. I also don't want to put any pressure on him, but I will see what he says midweek.
I know I can adapt things to ensure our deadline is met. The only time things haven't worked out for me in the past have been when I have taken too big a risk on similar decisions. And so, though I will see what unfolds over the next few days, I have 'plan B' very much in motion.
These kinds of situations are difficult, because obviously Stephen's family need him and none of us would argue that for a second, but at the same time we have a deadline to meet and so it was up to me to get my business head on and sort something out. Fortunately, my girlfriend happens to be a very good photographer so it didn't take much to find a replacement. However, we would have to possibly find a new location, as Stephen had planned the shoot to take place this morning at Sound Control in Manchester, but with even less time to sort something out, it is doubtful that they will have the time to accommodate us once more.
Stephen is still hopeful that he might be free next week to rearrange, but that is the last weekend possible to get this done so I'm reluctant to take the chance. I also don't want to put any pressure on him, but I will see what he says midweek.
I know I can adapt things to ensure our deadline is met. The only time things haven't worked out for me in the past have been when I have taken too big a risk on similar decisions. And so, though I will see what unfolds over the next few days, I have 'plan B' very much in motion.
Friday 25 March 2011
Limited Edition Jeanie in the Radiator EP USB Wristbands...
Our USBs arrived in the post today and they look great. After almost a week of Facebook messages back and forth between band members and collaborators, we came to a logo design we could all agree upon and it looks great.
Although it is a lengthy process, Facebook is perfect for these discussions as everyone can work on ideas and post them in to one big message, without us having to take too much time out of our busy schedules. I have included a photo of the finished product as well as the process we went through to finally get there.
Although it is a lengthy process, Facebook is perfect for these discussions as everyone can work on ideas and post them in to one big message, without us having to take too much time out of our busy schedules. I have included a photo of the finished product as well as the process we went through to finally get there.
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Finally.
Friday 18 March 2011
Photoshoots and a great opportunity...
I met with Stephen Campbell yesterday regarding organising a photoshoot with him before the EP Launch. We got some good ideas together roughly based on a creepy clown/balloon theme that ought to get us some great colourful and quirky photos. He also seemed keen to incorporate some ideas he had had for awhile in to the shoot and I said we were up for a bit of experimentation with interesting shots. We've agreed on March 26th as a shoot date and he has said that we will be able to use Sound Control (oh, how the memories come flooding back...) as a venue for it, free of charge. It's good to see things starting to come together and feel the weight of the April 5th event start lift off my shoulders a bit.
On another good note, I have pretty much finished two out of three of the Jeanie in the Radiator EP tracks. There will be no let up getting the other one done, but it is all progress.
I also got an email today which was a bit of exciting news. A company wants to book Jeanie in the Radiator for a corporate event in July. It's all supposed to be pretty confidential, but it looks like a really good opportunity. We're meeting with one of the organisers on March 29th so I'll look forward to finding out more details then. At least it might put some money towards a summer holiday...I think I'll be needing one after the stress of this Launch.
On another good note, I have pretty much finished two out of three of the Jeanie in the Radiator EP tracks. There will be no let up getting the other one done, but it is all progress.
I also got an email today which was a bit of exciting news. A company wants to book Jeanie in the Radiator for a corporate event in July. It's all supposed to be pretty confidential, but it looks like a really good opportunity. We're meeting with one of the organisers on March 29th so I'll look forward to finding out more details then. At least it might put some money towards a summer holiday...I think I'll be needing one after the stress of this Launch.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Live engineering...
I was in the studio today with Aaron 'AKFX' Kara, my friend and classmate, who is launching his upcoming rap EP along with an online video featuring himself and his band performing live in the Futureworks SSL studio which is what we were filming and recording today. It is the first time he has gotten such a big band together to play his songs and it sounded fantastic. He asked me a few weeks ago if I could engineer the session, and although I have been busy with my own production I'm really glad I agreed.
We were recording Aaron on vocals as well as an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drumkit, keyboards and a violinist, all live with no overdubs. It was similar to our Soapworks Sessions in that sense, except that now I was behind the recording desk as opposed to performing and it was a lot of fun. The band were obviously well rehearsed and I was mixing on the way in to Protools so Aaron would have a live, balanced recording to work with from the offset.
It was another test of my engineering and production skills and I really enjoyed the spontaneity of the live recording. Although Aaron will be mixing the tracks post-production, it was a lot of fun and great experience to mix a live band on the way in to Protools, and Aaron agreed that Mazzie, who was engineering with me, and I had done a great job. Another one for the CV for sure.
We were recording Aaron on vocals as well as an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drumkit, keyboards and a violinist, all live with no overdubs. It was similar to our Soapworks Sessions in that sense, except that now I was behind the recording desk as opposed to performing and it was a lot of fun. The band were obviously well rehearsed and I was mixing on the way in to Protools so Aaron would have a live, balanced recording to work with from the offset.
It was another test of my engineering and production skills and I really enjoyed the spontaneity of the live recording. Although Aaron will be mixing the tracks post-production, it was a lot of fun and great experience to mix a live band on the way in to Protools, and Aaron agreed that Mazzie, who was engineering with me, and I had done a great job. Another one for the CV for sure.
©AKFXmusic
Thursday 3 March 2011
Broadening horizons...
I've been looking recently at branching out from the Music Production side of things in to Film Audio as well. I have never been one to put all my eggs in one basket and since I have always been at least as fanatical about film as I have been about music, it is definitely an avenue I would look at going down.
I have just come back from a short trip to Edinburgh where I was staying with my uncle for a few days. He has put me in touch, through facebook, with a director called Tinge Krishnan who he knows. Googling her reveals that she has not only directed a music video for Dido, but won a BAFTA for her short film 'Shadowscan', and is currently in the post-production stage of her debut feature film 'Junkhearts' which is due for release this year. She said that she'd be happy to speak to me and has passed on her mobile number.
I'm not great at calls so I will probably send her a facebook message tomorrow and see if I might get some insight in to a career in the Film industry. If I could gain some work experience through her or some of her contacts that would be great. So fingers crossed for a reply. If not. My awkward phone demeanor will have to be put to the test!
Tuesday 1 March 2011
EP Launch...
Beatbullyz support slot behind us, I have now turned my full attention towards my Major Project, the Jeanie in the Radiator EP Launch.
Over the last few weeks things have started to develop a lot quicker. I have booked the venue, Nexus Art Cafe, and have got to give in my deposit in the next few weeks. It is a great space with a relaxed atmosphere, lots of comfy chairs and a nice cafe service with a decent stage which will be perfect for a JITR acoustic set.
As far as the event itself is concerned, I was originally planning a 'Jeanie in the Radiator showcase'. I would have an acoustic performance by the band as well as an extended play of the record, small photography exhibition and video installation to tie in with the band's music. However, it has changed slightly with the news that Swansea Love Story have had to cancel their March EP Launch as their venue cancelled the event. I have used this to my advantage and offered them to play with us and share our EP Launch so that now I will be presenting two pieces of work I have produced to an audience at the event.
The running order will be something like:
Over the last few weeks things have started to develop a lot quicker. I have booked the venue, Nexus Art Cafe, and have got to give in my deposit in the next few weeks. It is a great space with a relaxed atmosphere, lots of comfy chairs and a nice cafe service with a decent stage which will be perfect for a JITR acoustic set.
As far as the event itself is concerned, I was originally planning a 'Jeanie in the Radiator showcase'. I would have an acoustic performance by the band as well as an extended play of the record, small photography exhibition and video installation to tie in with the band's music. However, it has changed slightly with the news that Swansea Love Story have had to cancel their March EP Launch as their venue cancelled the event. I have used this to my advantage and offered them to play with us and share our EP Launch so that now I will be presenting two pieces of work I have produced to an audience at the event.
The running order will be something like:
- Swansea Love Story 30 minute set
- Break to give people time to enjoy cafe and photography exhibit.
- Video installation along with playing of the Jeanie in the Radiator EP.
- Jeanie in the Radiator 30 minute acoustic set.
We are also getting custom USB wristbands made for the event with our logo on them. I'll load our EP on to the wristbands and have planned it so that we will give a free USB wristband to the first 40 people at the door and after that, we will be selling them for about £3. It is costing us quite a lot for the USBs but hopefully people will see them as a bit of a one off limited item, as well as getting the music they will be getting a souvenir of the event; and we will make our money back.
I'm meeting with the photographer who will be putting together a small display for the Launch in the next few days to organise a photoshoot. But so far all is going well, if a little slowly. I am confident everything will get done, it is just going to be a bit of a rush and push towards the end....as these things always are.
Wednesday 23 February 2011
Supporting Beatbullyz @ Sound Control...
Never have I played a gig with so many ups and downs. The day didn't begin brilliantly with our lead singer turning up an hour late to the venue, however she was just in time for the soundcheck which went extremely well. We came away from the soundcheck feeling confident, it was about the best sound system we have played through and it all seemed to be leveled so well.
Inevitably, the sound was the major issue that let us down when it came to the actual gig. Not only was the sound leveled so poorly on stage that our singer couldn't hear the other instruments, but the word from the audience after the gig was that the first half of our gig was dominated by the bass and drums to the point where vocals, guitar and keys were hardly audible. Not to mention a lack of concentration causing a big slip up in the vocals; despite most of us playing pretty solidly and competently the numerous issues really ruined for us.
It is frustrating when a gig you have practiced so hard for is let down by poor sound on the night. Admittedly, many of the vocal errors were also down to inexperience on the part of our singer. It isn't her fault that she hasn't been singing for a long time. It just meant that while the sound issues affected us all, they affected her in particular and singing issues are always more noticeable. Luckily, I think it was pretty obvious to most there that the sound was horrible on the night and that we played our best under the circumstances. We sweep it under the rug, and live to play another day. We're looking forward to redemption at the EP launch and aim to make it a much more enjoyable gig.
Inevitably, the sound was the major issue that let us down when it came to the actual gig. Not only was the sound leveled so poorly on stage that our singer couldn't hear the other instruments, but the word from the audience after the gig was that the first half of our gig was dominated by the bass and drums to the point where vocals, guitar and keys were hardly audible. Not to mention a lack of concentration causing a big slip up in the vocals; despite most of us playing pretty solidly and competently the numerous issues really ruined for us.
It is frustrating when a gig you have practiced so hard for is let down by poor sound on the night. Admittedly, many of the vocal errors were also down to inexperience on the part of our singer. It isn't her fault that she hasn't been singing for a long time. It just meant that while the sound issues affected us all, they affected her in particular and singing issues are always more noticeable. Luckily, I think it was pretty obvious to most there that the sound was horrible on the night and that we played our best under the circumstances. We sweep it under the rug, and live to play another day. We're looking forward to redemption at the EP launch and aim to make it a much more enjoyable gig.
Wednesday 2 February 2011
BBC Radio Manchester Introducing...
Yesterday I emailed the producer of BBC Radio Manchester Introducing (a contact I had gained through a promoter friend we have gigged for a lot in the past). Today we found ourselves being interviewed on the BBC Introducing show.
In the email I had mentioned the Beatbullyz gig we have coming up, and the online marketing we were doing by the way of youtube videos of the Soapworks sessions. I explained how we were planning to release one video every week for four weeks in the run up to the gig, promoting it on facebook and twitter. The producer really liked the idea and so invited us in to talk about it.
Interviews aren't my favourite, but Behnam, Hollie and I did our best and managed to give the audience a feel for what we were about and plugged our youtube promo campaign. We mentioned coming back on to the show to the host, Sam Walker, and she seemed enthusiastic about the idea. I also spoke to the producer and told him that I would email him any updates and new songs etc.
We gained some good experience in radio interviews, having personally never done one before. It is up to us now to use the extra exposure to our advantage and really promote these weekly youtube videos.
*Update: The finished videos from the Soapworks shoot are below. Mike has been finishing them each week in time to upload a new one every Monday before the gig. We're all really pleased with the results, especially so with the sound provided by Paul Allen. I had gone round to his studio a few weeks ago to help him mix the tracks and they sound great. We did the right thing buy going the extra mile and paying a bit more money for higher production values and have come out with something we're all really proud of.
In the email I had mentioned the Beatbullyz gig we have coming up, and the online marketing we were doing by the way of youtube videos of the Soapworks sessions. I explained how we were planning to release one video every week for four weeks in the run up to the gig, promoting it on facebook and twitter. The producer really liked the idea and so invited us in to talk about it.
Interviews aren't my favourite, but Behnam, Hollie and I did our best and managed to give the audience a feel for what we were about and plugged our youtube promo campaign. We mentioned coming back on to the show to the host, Sam Walker, and she seemed enthusiastic about the idea. I also spoke to the producer and told him that I would email him any updates and new songs etc.
We gained some good experience in radio interviews, having personally never done one before. It is up to us now to use the extra exposure to our advantage and really promote these weekly youtube videos.
*Update: The finished videos from the Soapworks shoot are below. Mike has been finishing them each week in time to upload a new one every Monday before the gig. We're all really pleased with the results, especially so with the sound provided by Paul Allen. I had gone round to his studio a few weeks ago to help him mix the tracks and they sound great. We did the right thing buy going the extra mile and paying a bit more money for higher production values and have come out with something we're all really proud of.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Potential Manager?
The rest of the band and I met with Sharon yesterday, the woman who was proposing to be our manager. The meeting went well; Sharon had got a few things lined up for us including a potential slot at Friends of Mine festival, that much was the good news. The bad news was that Shaun Ryder had agreed to have us support him on two dates he was playing in Manchester and London, but the dates clashed with our prearranged gig supporting Beatbullyz; encouraging nonetheless.
She seemed really nice and enthusiastic, but at this stage we struggled to see exactly what she could bring to the band other than getting us gigs, which we have never had trouble doing ourselves in the past. I contacted her afterwards to suggest that she prove herself to us over the next few weeks so we can decide whether she would truly be an asset to the band. She replied back to say she's fine with doing that, so only time will tell now.
In the meantime I'm starting recording sessions again now for the EP I will be launching as part of my Major Project in April. I'm also visiting a potential venue next week: Nexus Art Cafe. The more I can get done now, the better as I imagine things are going to get more and more busy as we get closer to the end of the year.
She seemed really nice and enthusiastic, but at this stage we struggled to see exactly what she could bring to the band other than getting us gigs, which we have never had trouble doing ourselves in the past. I contacted her afterwards to suggest that she prove herself to us over the next few weeks so we can decide whether she would truly be an asset to the band. She replied back to say she's fine with doing that, so only time will tell now.
In the meantime I'm starting recording sessions again now for the EP I will be launching as part of my Major Project in April. I'm also visiting a potential venue next week: Nexus Art Cafe. The more I can get done now, the better as I imagine things are going to get more and more busy as we get closer to the end of the year.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Some New Year's Press...
I got notified of this nice article through Facebook, which praises both Jeanie in the Radiator and my old, currently on the back-burner, band League Liege. A good way to start a busy year:
http://designermagazine.tripod.com/NewBandsFor2011.htm
It's good to get some positive press when sometimes you can feel like noone is recognising your efforts. Though I am pleased to be in the article with Jeanie, I am actually more pleasantly surprised at the mention of my old band. I think we will go back to it one day soon and try out some new ideas. It's always good to keep as many things going to as high a standard as possible I think. Here's to a year of new opportunities and bigger steps in better directions...
http://designermagazine.tripod.com/NewBandsFor2011.htm
It's good to get some positive press when sometimes you can feel like noone is recognising your efforts. Though I am pleased to be in the article with Jeanie, I am actually more pleasantly surprised at the mention of my old band. I think we will go back to it one day soon and try out some new ideas. It's always good to keep as many things going to as high a standard as possible I think. Here's to a year of new opportunities and bigger steps in better directions...
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