It wasn’t planned and Mark the landlord was quite open about his inspiration: “I had a space in the diary and wanted to see what happened.”

This chance to sell CDs and other music related ephemera easily tempted me to be a Del Boy for the night.

Going under the banner of Showcase UK (Independent Traders) I set my stall out with Eamon Nancarrow’s autobiography Holywood Star, Tom Ashford’s début soundtrack ‘Point to Point‘ and the south coast compilation Showcase Sett.

Also included in this plethora of musical taste and style were the début albums from Coast and LST.

Other tables were festooned with quality guitars, amps and pedals that were quite tempting. There was also Dave (not Rodney), who lives opposite the venue and who normally sells his vinyl online. He thought it would be different to have a go in the real world. Luvely jubbly!

Hamish, the bass player from Coast, came down to fill me in on their current good news which involves supporting Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi in Germany. And I met Southampton’s punk poet Sean McGowan, who is building a great vibe on YouTube. More about them in coming weeks.

Even though first night nerves kept buyers away, the idea is promising and you never know, this time next month, we’ll all be millionaires.

First published by the Southern Daily Echo 29th April 2011

Oh the laughs we could have had watching people wave their communication device over a newspaper.

Funny thing is, it’s true! The image does have  a secret message inside. Below is the column from the Daily Echo and the image and if you are not reading this with your smart phone, give it a go!

It is not often I get really excited about technology but, when something beautifully simple comes along and works like magic, I immediately think about how it can help musicians.

QR Code (in Daily Echo)

The image on the right is one such piece of tech that you might have already seen but not known what it does.

It is called a ‘QR Code‘ with QR standing for ‘Quick Response’.

In that jumble of squares can be encoded text, special offers or in this case a web site address.

To unlock this secret message you use a smart phone which has a barcode reader or scanner.

If your phone doesn’t have one there might well be an app online waiting for you.

QR Codes were created by a Japanese company in 1994 where they now are used for selling and offering everything, everywhere!

In the UK it is taking time to catch on, mainly because mobile phone companies haven’t leapt on the idea and educated their customers in how to use them.

However now you have seen one I am sure you will see many more and discover a few hidden treats.

This QR Code takes you to a page that will give you a free mp3 from Tom Ashford’s debut soundtrack ‘Point to Point’; which is where musicians can utilise this marketing idea to good effect.

The square can be easily created online and added to tickets, t-shirts and CD covers giving every artists the chance to give their fans something personal. The QR Code above was created by http://qreateandtrack.com/

A scan of the original column from the Southern Daily Echo (1st April 2011) can be seen here

Daily Echo column 1 April 2011

But at least they knew where the jobs were.

In the music industry we know people are looking for new talent but it is very hard to find the right door to knock on.

Which is why the site ‘Audio Rokit‘ could be the next port of call for the south’s song writers.

It’s a new service that alerts musicians to which labels, publishers and managers are looking for new acts or particular styles of music.

All the postings are screened and according to their spokesman Dave: “we only list what we call ‘aspirational’ opportunities that are offering the musicians something useful.”

Being four weeks old you won’t find any major labels involved just yet, but that could actually be a bonus: “musicians tend to look up to the majors,” Dave explained. “But in reality it’s the smaller labels that are more likely to listen to and nurture talent.”

This collective of big and small independents has already thrown up some interesting opportunities. From a request for classical musicians & circus performers to an opportunity to work with legendary producer Trevor Horn.

It isn’t a free service, and that might put some musicians off as all they seem to do is continually pay out and get nothing in return, but the convenience of all these opportunities in one place tips the balance in the artists favour. See more at audiorokit.co.uk

And all would love to spend a day with their heroes asking pertinent questions.

Well, if you are a fledgling producer or someone who loves recording sound, there is a great chance this month to work with someone who knows the studio inside out.

Until his new album is released his handle is ‘ArtfulMark’ but originally he was in Artful Dodger, the very successful producers behind Craig David.

He’s giving some ‘intense’ workshops and masterclasses in Totton’s River Studios and also “…hoping to spot some new talent and help to develop them alongside the new project.”

The ten hour masterclass will cover every aspect of studio production plus allow plenty of time to ask about the tricks of the trade.

Plus this is open to groups as well as club DJs and MCs: “A band would definitely benefit as a large part is developing your ears and learning the importance of arrangement.”

Mark’s current output is on soundcloud.com, a web site he finds as helpful as the old club nights as it gives: “genuine instant feedback on the music. Its like having the crowd in the studio with you.”

The end product of the masterclass will be an original track with each student having a percentage of the publishing.

So if you have to pick a pocket, maybe Artfulmark’s pocket is the one. Contact him on Twitter @artfulmark

]]> http://www.xan.co.uk/wordpress/2011/01/a-chance-to-pick-artfuls-pocket/feed/ 1 http://www.xan.co.uk/wordpress/2011/01/intimately-connect-with-your-fans/ http://www.xan.co.uk/wordpress/2011/01/intimately-connect-with-your-fans/#comments Fri, 07 Jan 2011 07:29:06 +0000 admin http://www.xan.co.uk/wordpress/?p=989 The most disappointing part of 2010 had to be the re-launch of MySpace.

What was once a valuable tool for musicians, fans and journalists is now a clunky and frustrating place to visit.

The music, biog and gigs are still on one page but somehow it is harder to find and takes longer to load!

Which is why many bands might well be migrating to BandApp this year.

It’s a service that allows musicians to create their own application (app) for the iPhone with Android devices to follow.

You pay for the use but your app won’t need approval and once you’ve added content, logos and images you are good to go.

“We’ve tried hard to build a site that really can make a difference to your band,” creator Adam Perry explained, “as well as providing a platform to actually make some money from your music!”

For a living Adam drums for “A” and “The Bloodhound Gang” and knows from long experience how difficult it is for musicians right now.

This is why he’s adding the money making element: BandApp Store – where bands will be able to sell their music for a very good return.

Adam gave me the chance to make my own version and I found it a breeze to create so I asked him how others are reacting:

“The feedback has been almost 100% positive. Music fans seem to love it, which makes the bands love it!”

And if the fans love it, I’m sure bands will be going ape for the app.

Find out more at bandapp.comat bandapp.com

First published in the Southern Daily Echo 7th Jan 2011

For south coast singer and songwriter Barnaby Newman the first part has become a reality on the Country circuit.

He had been a gardener for 17 years but found “driving up and down the country at weekends to do the shows and then trying to get back in time to do the full time gardening job proved too much.”

These days he can be found playing in clubs as far north as Wales, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire while sticking to the romantic nature of a travelling musician by living in a caravan.

It’s something he loves but when the snow comes it can be quite trying: “with a hair dryer pointed at the waste pipe because it’s frozen up, I think it’s at that point that your sense of humour gets tested!”

His repertoire includes tracks by US starts like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, and Waylon Jennings.

Barnaby is also able to include his own songs into his set and has just released his third album “When The Music Stops”.

He writes about the south, which is quite rare for country musicians, and he thinks the reason is partly because: “English place names never seem to sound as natural as when people sing of places in America.”

So if the country life is for you visit www.barnabynewman.com

Southampton based Still Moving has recently started employing painters and artists to create images and navigation for company web sites.

“It is very important for us to be ethical in our approach to business and using an illustrator not only gives websites a unique look and feel but also helps support an artist,” explained Still Moving’s co-founder Martin Davis. “Following the reaction of our clients we’re convinced the paintbrush is mightier than the mouse.”

Nova & Isabel Amber Ewen

Their latest collaboration is an entry to a competition to make the video for ‘Fires’ the next single by Southampton rock group Band of Skulls: the most recent south-coast act to gain major recognition in Europe and America.

vist and vote at: http://genero.tv/watch-video/10194/

“This challenge is an ideal way of introducing art into the ‘Moving’ aspect of our plan,” confirmed the other half of Still Moving, Isabel Amber Ewen,  “and although there are many great street artists in Southampton, once we saw Nova’s skull designs we knew who we wanted.”

Southampton street artist Nova uses stencils to spray multi-layered images on walls. Recently he was invited by the Portsmouth art collective P.A.M to add his creations to the alley-ways around Fratton Park.

“They have a much freer attitude towards street art in Portsmouth and they’ve opened up many walls,” he said “but the artists have to responsible and professional or this opportunity will disappear.”

Stencils and wall

The designs around the stadium have become so respected that Portsmouth football club is planning to invite P.A.M to create murals inside the ground.

With every creative aspect of this production based in and around Southampton the irony of shooting in Portsmouth is not lost on the video’s co-director Xan Phillips. “Although Southampton is famous for it’s walls, the city’s street artists have no where so public to express themselves.

Everyone who walked past Nova told him how good the art he and P.A.M have created. It definitely inspires rather than repels.”

Although the ‘Band of Skulls’ video competition has a £3000 cash prize and global exposure Isabel, who shot and edited the whole promo, is ambivalent about winning: “Every element of the project slotted into place so well that we’re already delighted with our achievement. The win would be very helpful but this video is already a great demonstration of how local art can work as a promotional device.”

NOTES

The video can be seen here http://genero.tv/watch-video/10194/

Closing date for public voting on the video – 11.59pm GMT, July 21

Winner announced: July 26, 2010

Example of a web site with local artist illustration: www.magpie-shop.co.uk

Nova can be found here: http://www.novaindustries.co.uk/

Still Moving: http://www.still-moving.co.uk/

Showcase UK: http://www.showcaseuk.tv/

P.A.M – the meaning of the acronym has not been released.

Band of Skulls www.bandofskulls.com

The single Fires will be released September 13th 2010 see http://www.nme.com/news/band-of-skulls/51147

Belfast born Eamon Nancarrow didn’t expect his autobiography ‘Holywood Star to cause such ructions seeing as the climax of his rock career was a disastrous tour of Scotland during a bleak winter.

But the singer’s tales of rock and roll misadventure have sent beds rocking with uncontrollable laughter leaving many partners irritated and awake.

‘It would start with Michael’s shoulders shaking,’ said bank manager Angela O’Sullivan (49) of her husband’s reaction to certain passages, “and then turn into a belly laugh.”

As a resident of Holywood, County Down, her irritation was needing to know what, and more importantly who, in Eamon’s adventure was making Michael laugh so much.

Funny / not funny

This reaction has spread to the mainland with Rhian French (37), a copy writer from Andover, Hampshire, suffering the same fate. Although her wound was self inflicted as she bought the book as a Christmas present for her husband Alan (right), another struggling musician.

“I had to ask him to stop making so much noise. Every night he was having a bit of a snort and if it wasn’t an outright guffaw there would be a lot of giggling and more snorting. It’s a bit worrying when someone is having so much fun on their own in the same bed.”

Her solution was simple: “He had to read it downstairs before he came up to sleep.”

Eamon’s Irish eyes might be smiling at the thought of bringing laughter into some people’s lives but the negative aspect is beginning to concern him:

“It is never great to cause friction in the boudoir, especially when there are nylon sheets involved, and it was never my intention to set marital sparks flying. The book was only supposed to make people laugh and that seems to be the crux of the problem.”

If this is another calamity to befall Eamon Nancarrow at least he’s used to it. From the horrors of his first perm in the early 80’s to the moment a misplaced stage pyrotechnic almost curtailed his parenting capabilities, he has still been able to see the funny side of life.

However, in some bedrooms around the country, there is only one side of the bed laughing.

Holywood Star is available in paperback priced £9.99 (Showcase UK) from Amazon, WH Smith and www.showcaseuk.tv

Those who keep a straight face and don’t chuckle ”at least once” will receive a cheque for the book’s £9.99 cover price. He will also send ”miserable critics” a handwritten letter as an apology.

According to experts, the offer is a publishing first and could prompt hundreds of other authors to follow suit.
But despite the guarantee, Mr Nancarrow insists only ”one-in-a-million” readers will ask for their money back.

The book, which went on sale this week, tells the story of his failed attempts to make it as a rock star during the 80s. It has already attracted a string of rave reviews since its official release.

Eamon Nancarrow in the Maypole Bar (Ned's), Holywood

The station’s founder, Paul Campbell, said: ”We try to reflect the realities of life for musicians, and help them overcome some of the difficulties of writing, recording and gigging.

”Eamon’s taken that simple idea and made it hilarious. We’re delighted to be able to broadcast extracts from his brilliant book on Amazing Radio. We’re certain it will raise lots of rueful smiles from listening musos, as well as tons of laughs.”

Billed as a ”crazy rock n’ roll tour of calamity”, Holywood Star tells of the author’s futile attempts to secure a record deal. Having grown up on a rough council estate in Holywood, a village near Belfast, Northern Ireland, he dreams of performing with his band on the world’s biggest stages.

But his grand aspirations fall flat time after time, and his plan to reach the ‘’sleazy heights” of super-stardom repeatedly fail. Mr Nancarrow, who lives in Belfast, penned Holywood Star – his first book – in less than 24 months.

Following a number of ‘’superb” reviews, he is now offering a money-back guarantee to those who fail to find the memoirs funny. The father-of-two will contact and question critics individually in a bid to prevent the offer being exploited.

Refunds will only be made to those he is convinced are telling the truth.

No Joke

Mr Nancarrow, 44, who still performs with his band Strictly No Ballroom, said: ”The offer might sound a little crazy, but I think it’s fair. ”The book is billed as a ’side-splitting’ autobiography, so if people don’t find it funny then I’ve not done what I set out to do. As a result, I’ll contact and question anyone who claims not to have laughed at least once and, if they can prove that they’ve read the book from cover to cover without doing so, I’ll return their money.”

Miles Bailey has run The Choir Press, an independent publishers based in Gloucester, since 1982. He said the offer could be the first of its kind in the publishing world.  ”This is the first time that I’ve heard about an author offering a money-back guarantee,” he said.

”Depending on its success, the offer has the potential of being copied by other authors in a number of genres.” But he added: ”I can’t imagine that the offer will be taken up by many people, though. I’ve read the book and haven’t laughed so much in years.”

Holywood Star is available in paperback priced £9.99 (Showcase UK) from Amazon, WH Smith and www.showcaseuk.tv