A Guide to Starting your own Record Collection
In terms of music formats, it’s fairly safe to say that CDs are on their way out. With the advent of digital downloads, CDs are swiftly becoming outmoded technology. If you do want to own music physically, perhaps it’s time to start your very own record collection....more
07/05/2013
Record Store Day: 20th April 2013
Record Store Day came into being in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the USA came together to celebrate their unique culture. The UK followed suit and 2013 will see the sixth celebration of the UK's unique independent sector. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music. Special vinyl and CD releases and various promotional products are made exclusively for the day and hundreds of artists across the globe make special appearances and performances. Festivities include performances, meet & greets with artists, DJ's, in store quizzes and many other events....more
24/03/2013
Google launching Spotify rival
A report in the Financial Times has put Google ready to launch a streaming music service later in 2013. The tech giant is currently in negotiations with the four major music labels, indie record companies and music publishers. The company has an ace up its sleeve in the form of its mobile operating system Android....more
24/02/2013
Rob da Bank's weather worries
Rob da Bank, promoter of Bestival is understandably worried about the weather in 2013, last year saw monumental site problems as people flocked to the Isle of Wight festival and the heavens opened. ferries unable to dock, gridlocked roads and festival goers having to be towed on to the campsites. ...more
08/02/2013
Ticket touts target Wilko's farewell shows
The immoral greed of ticket touting has hit a new low when it targeted Wilko Johnson's farewell tour. Wilko's solo career has blossomed since his Dr Feelgood days and he has been a regular feature on the live circuit. But fans have been saddened by the recent tragic news that Wilko is suffering with terminal cancer....more
06/02/2013
HMV in administration
The last high street chain music retailer has gone into administration. The shops will continue to trade whilst the administrators search for a buyer for the ailing firm. Debts had risen to £176m and suppliers had refused to extend any more credit to the firm. 4,000 in 230 stores around the UK have woken up to an uncertain future this morning....more
15/01/2013
£1 a month streaming, Bloom.fm launches
Bloom.fm is a mobile app that combines radio, on-demand streaming and a pay-as-you-go system for offline playback. All for just £1 a month The UK's first ever streaming service to ask just a £1 a month subscription - dramatically undercutting rivals. ...more
10/01/2013
BBC Radio Cymru embroiled in royalty row
In September 2012, an alliance of 331 Welsh artists transferred the rights for their songs from PRS to a new body called Eos. The aim of this is to gain a better royalties bargain in the next deal from 1 January 2013. The BBC states that EOS is demanding ten times the amount in the existing arrangement with PRS. ...more
01/01/2013
New music agency launched in UK
A brand new booking agency, Regent Music, has burst onto the scene with an emphasis on both contemporary and traditional music. Regent Music has been launched by Phil Simpson, previously an agent with Adastra, the long-standing and well respected agency based in East Yorkshire. The new project was formed from a total love of the job and a desire to represent & develop acts in the Acoustic/Folk/Roots genres in the UK and overseas. ...more
30/10/2012
An Atlantic Bridge to UK Festivals
A unique collaboration between The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) and Atlantic Canadian Music Industry Associations (ACMIA) will see over 20 artists and events industry professionals from Canada join 200 UK delegates at this year’s AFO Conference in Nottingham....more
21/09/2012
Olympics - musician fees disgrace
Keith Harris, PPL's director of performer affairs, has called the fees offered by LOCOG to musicians to play music during London's summer Olympics a 'national disgrace'. Scottish musician Kris Drever recently posted on Facebook about his surprise and disgust that musicians were being asked to play for free at some events....more
16/07/2012
Tesco buy WE7
Supermarket giant Tesco has purchased a 91% stake in music streaming site We7 for £10.8m. It plans to buy the remainder of the company in the coming weeks. We7is an ad-supported internet radio service, it changed it's business model from a streaming service along the lines of Spotify last year to something more like lastfm. You enter an artist or album you like and it plays songs from and similar to that artist....more
22/06/2012
Well done Proper
Proper Music Distribution has won the Music Week Award for Best Distribution Team. This is the third time they have won it 'Once again we were up against some tough competition and we are, of course, delighted to be the proud owners of another Music Week Trophy. The award is a testament to all the hard work of everyone here at Proper. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Music Week judges, retailers, our labels, suppliers, industry colleagues and friends.'...more
05/05/2012
Marshall founder dies
Dr. Jim Marshall OBE, founder of amplification company Marshall, has died at the age of 88. Marshall created the iconic guitar amplifier and company and has been its leader for fifty years. In a statement the company said "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and leader for the past 50 years, Jim Marshall. While mourning the Guv’nor though, we also salute a legendary man who led a full and truly remarkable life.'...more
06/04/2012
Seth lakeman signs publishing deal
Seth Lakeman has signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV to look after the publishing rights of his music. Formerly signed to EMI, who then became Relentless and then Virgin (muddy eh?). Now that Lakeman and his management have full control we should expect to see some exciting developments over the coming months. EMI never marketed Seth in other territories, a baffling omission when you think how well his style of music should work in Europe, America and Australia....more
06/04/2012
The AFO commits to development
The AFO has announced the addition of TASH DALY (Leamington Peace and Warwick Festivals) to the team to work on Membership services and Association development. Steve Heap, General Secretary of AFO said “Tash joins us with a wealth of festival experience in Production, Staffing, Site Management and backroom office admin and I’m sure will help us get our message out to the booming and successful festival and events world”....more
23/03/2012
EFDSS introduces new role to support folk artists
A new role to offer more support and create new opportunities for folk artists has been introduced by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS). Neil Pearson has been appointed as Artist Development Manager at EFDSS. Key aspects of his job will be to manage the Society’s Folk Rising programme, which showcases emerging musicians, commission new projects and administer the bursary programme....more
22/03/2012
Transform your finances by clearing out old CDs
With all the fun and frolics of the Christmas party season behind us January offers an opportunity to reflect on our lives, plan for the future and make a few changes where necessary. With all that present buying, food shopping and festive rounds down the pub, your wallet may feeling considerably lighter. January is a terrific time to de-clutter your life, and you may be able to grab cash for unwanted belongings as you go about it....more
30/01/2012
Google launches music service
Google has launchd it's own music service that combines streaming, downloads and social media. The full service launched in the US last night, deals have been done with Universal, Sony and EMI meaning they offer around 13 million tracks. A music store has been launched in the Android market integrating with Google Music, the user's entire music library and playlists are synced across all devices automatically....more
14/11/2011
Feargal Sharkey keynote at AFO conference
As the UK Festival industry continues to grow, some events thrive, some struggle but all share similar challenges, common goals and aspirations. Through all the ups and down the Association of Festival Organisers (AFO), now 25 years old has been there supporting its members and providing a voice for small and medium sized festivals and events. The AFO’s annual Conference is the number one networking opportunity for the sector, but more than that, it provides an opportunity to review, refresh and plan. Delegates can share experiences and information, debate the ups and downs of festival management and take time to get relax in the convivial c...more
04/10/2011
Facebook steps into music
Facebook recently held a developer conference wher they rolled out some new developments for the forthcoming months. They had been widely tipped to be doing something significant involving music, the announcement was that they intend to make digital music truly social. They have cannily partnered with a raft of services rather than developing their own technology to deliver the music....more
27/09/2011
New Appointments at the EFDSS
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is delighted to announce four important new appointments: Neil Pearson as Programming Manager; Sophia Linehan as Marketing & Communications Director; Laura Reid as Learning Manager; and Laura Smyth as Assistant Librarian. ...more
13/09/2011
£190,000 stolen last year from UK festival goers
It is that time of year again where music lovers from around the world flock to their favourite festivals. This year festival goers will be treated to some of the biggest acts from around the world. Glastonbury plays host to U2, BB King and Plan B whilst this years Isle of Wight festival is set to be rocked by Kings of Leon, Kasabian and the ever popular Foo Fighters. Last year, despite the rains holding off and many being treated to their favourite music in the sun, it was the increase in crime that dampened the spirits of many festival goers....more
24/08/2011
PIAS and AIM establish fund for labels
Following the fire that devastated the Sony/Pias distribution centre in London this week, [PIAS] has been overwhelmed by the response and incredible support offered to it in the UK....more
12/08/2011
Sony/PIAS warehouse destroyed in London Riots
The wave of destruction engulfing London is nightmarish, property, businesses and homes looted, damaged or destroyed, news has come in that a large music distribution centre in Enfield went up in flames on the night of 8th August. Pias is the UK's largest independent sales, marketing and distribution company. A full list of the labels affected is below....more
09/08/2011
Kris and Matheu demo Taran guitars
Rory Dowling has been making stringed instruments since 2002 and it is his belief that a truly extraordinary instrument is the result of the meticulous selection of the finest tonewoods and careful construction along with a clear vision of the end result. This straight forward set of guidelines seems to be paying off for Rory as his Taran instruments sound spectacular....more
27/07/2011
Association of Festival Organisers
Created in 1987 with a small gathering of people working in the community festival business. The Association of Festival Organisers now has hundreds of members who regularly exchange ideas, support one another to help develop our sector. If you have anything to do with festivals, Yes anything, you should join AFO....more
19/07/2011
MySpace, is the end nigh? - UPDATED
In what can only be described as a shock announcement, Justin Timberlake along with Californian digital advertising agency Specific Media have bought MySpace. After our news yesterday of job losses at the ailing company, todays news states that the workforce will be cut to around just 200. The new owners paid £22m for the site, News Corp originally paid £360m to acquire it....more
29/06/2011
Fair access to the USA for British musicians
John Robb, music journalist and frontman of Goldblade and the Membranes, has teamed up with Labour MP Kerry McCarthy to lobby the Government for fair access to the USA for British musicians. The pair are meeting with Culture Minister Ed Vaizey on Tuesday 14th June to enlist the support of the Government in calling for a change to the US visa system, which has constrained the ability of UK musicians to travel and work in the USA....more
13/06/2011
Music Week Awards 2011
Music Week is the UK weekly music industry bible and their awards celebrate the whole range of the music trade from A&R to PR. Obviously specialist music rarely gets a look in as it is dominated by the major labels and the major budgets. The biggest independant distributor does get in on the nominations however, Proper Music Distribution are nominated in 'Distributor of the Year', 'Sales team of the Year' and 'Independent Artist marketing Campaign of the Year'....more
25/04/2011
EFDSS win big with Arts Council
Amidst the hundreds of arts groups losing funding in Arts Council England cuts the EFDSS have managed to grab £300,000 a year for three years in 'national portfolio' funding from the Arts Council and an additional £30,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund with a view to a full award of £615,400 towards their 'The Full English' project....more
30/03/2011
Patrick James Eggle's revamped guitar website
Patrick James Eggle, one of the world's leading guitar makers, has created a feast for the ears and eyes of any guitar fan, and those who appreciate craftsmanship and good music, with his newly updated website. ...more
24/02/2011
Bellowhead move to DMF
Bellowhead have changed their booking agency to DMF, joining a roster including the Levellers, Seth Lakeman and Dreadzone. With the phenomenal success that the band have enjoyed over the past few years we can expect them to be playing bigger venues and bigger festivals to satisfy the seemingly unceasing demand to see them....more
20/02/2011
Google music service?
Google has launched it's own digital content store, fuelling rumours that it might be about to go head to head with Apple. The Google system is called 'One Pass' and lets users sign up to subscription-based services while taking a 10% cut. Apples recently launched subscription system takes a whopping 30%. One Pass will run on the Android operating system used in many smartphone handsets (sales of which are outstripping the iPhone)....more
17/02/2011
Fairport win at TPi Awards 2011
The 'Total Production International' awards event honours all of the behind the scene skills and services such as live event organisers, sound engineers, lighting directors, show and video designers and other industry professionals. Obviously it is aimed at the really big players in the industry, the winner of Best Live Production was Gorrilaz Escape to Plastic Beach. Yet amongst all those mainstream hits Fairports Cropredy Convention received the Editors award. ...more
13/02/2011
Is Myspace floundering?
Not long after Myspace had a major overhaul there have been announcements of major job cuts and talk of a possible sell off. Our previous news items have detailed the once major players fall from grace due to lack of development, but what effect would the loss of Myspace have on musicians?...more
19/01/2011
Soundcloud adds new features
Soundcloud has rapidly become the platform for artists to be able to publish their music and get it heard. It's free and easy to use and has several excellent features, who needs Myspace when you can embed a soundcloud player anywhere and have control over how it works, a huge plus is that they have partnered with Audible Magic who have developed fingerprinting technology to determine copyright ownership of music exchanged on Soundcloud....more
12/01/2011
MU squares up to BBC
The Musicians' Union has stepped into the rising outcry against the BBC axing popular specialist and regional radio programmes. Both 'BBC Radio London’s A World in London' and Radio Derby’s award winning 'Folkwaves' are going to be cancelled at the end of the year (2010). Despite London being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, the Beeb is chopping the one world/roots show being broadcast by them....more
21/12/2010
How to make money from Twitter
Sorry, catchy title I know, I'm sure we would all be keen to make money from Twitter but the question is actually being asked of the owners of the microblogging site as the garner a further $200m of investment. Twitter is valued at a phenomenal £3.7BN, despite the fact it's not actually making money yet. But they have to to satisfy those investors, so how could this change the service so many artists have latched on to as a great way of connecting with fans?...more
17/12/2010
Live music tarifs to increase?
PRS for Music, the collection society for music royalties, want to revise the tariff on live music performances. The current rate of 3% of gross ticket receipts was set in 1998 and the society say that the live music sector has changed in that time and they want to change the tarrif they charge. In the rest of Europe the figure is closer to 10%, PRS have a consultation period that ends on 31 Dec, you can have your say......more
06/12/2010
Luminaire to close
Another independent music venue bites the dust as the award-winning venue The Luminaire in north London is to close at the end of this year. It is pretty dire that a venue that was named UK venue of the year at the 2007 Music Week Awards and Time Out's London venue of the year in 2006 can't survive in the current climate. As a venue it was very special, they have notices on the wall to remind the punters they are there to listen and watch, not have a chat....more
26/11/2010
AFO 2010 conference
It's all over for another year and the attendees have all gone home with heads buzzing with new information and ideas. OK, you could be forgiven for thinking that 'The Folk Industry and Association Festival Organisers Conference 2010' sounds just a wee bit dull, but you would be so wrong. The AFO brings together independent festivals of all sizes and proves that sharing knowledge helps everyone. The Folk Industry part was run by three stalwart organisations in the folk arts world, EFDSS, the Musicians Union and FolkArts England....more
22/11/2010
Myspace and Facebook collude
In a sign that Myspace is throwing in the social networking towel they have partnered with Facebook. Users will be able to log in to facebook via Myspace so all their likes and interests will be shared, then Myspace delivers entertainment content based on these likes. No great surprise really as no one in their right mind has been using Myspace in a social context for some time, it's clunky and scruffy interface has driven them all away....more
19/11/2010
AFO conference
Or to give it its full title 'The Folk Industry & the Association of Festival Organisers Conference 2010' gets underway on 19 November. It is the pre-eminent event for anyone involved in the folk world, whether festivals, club or artist 'This is not a Conference just for the mighty and successful to show off. It is for all of us to tell of our ups and downs, our rich knowledge and experiences, put a face to the name and solve the problem in your work. A place to ask the questions, learn from and teach others, share what you know and take away a great deal more useful information than you arrived with!'...more
12/11/2010
Woe is EMI
EMI is one of the worlds most respected record labels and home to some of the most successful acts ever. That is until Guy Hands bought it at the height of the greed fuelled bubble that has cost us all so much. Hands is a 'successful' businessman and entrepreneur in the emperors new clothes sense. His run of luck ran out when he paid way over the odds for the business just at the point everything crashed....more
09/11/2010
Make or break for Myspace
Once the dominant online social network and platform for music, Myspace has seen a steady decline in popularity since it was bought by Rupert Mudochs News Corp some years ago. The losses have been stacking up too within the corporate division that houses Myspace, growing from $30m (£18.6m) last year to a whopping $156m (£97m)....more
04/11/2010
David Kushar: Guitars, Guitars, Guitars - Part 2
As we had already seen with the Fyldes and Lowdens, for a thriving guitar-makers scene, you needn't look beyond these shores. There's a plentiful supply of top notch builders on your doorstep and our favourite artists are taking full advantage....more
12/06/2009
David Kushar: Guitars, Guitars, Guitars - Part 1
It was love at first sight when I was given a cheap classical guitar for my eighth birthday. But even with a few decades of playing on progressively better guitars, to this day, if I have a tune in front of me, it still might as well be the phone book. However, this hasn't tarnished my passion for the six-stringed beauties and when I was invited to join the Spiral Earth team my first thought was, Do I get to talk to people about guitars? Closely followed by, Do I get to meet Bert Jansch? For me, these were tantalizing prospects, having had a long term obsession with both for quite some time. The latter has remained elusive but I have made sig...more
12/06/2009
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