Busy Busy Bee

I did say last week that I am also involved in a couple of other projects at the moment. Yes, I know I am fucking idiot. Who in their right mind takes on even more stuff on top of everything I already do, plus add the addition of the arrival of Erin (Peenko Jnr). So far I have found that cutting back on sleep helps do a lot more, although it does make me a right ratty fecker at times. Then again I enjoy what I do, so I shouldn't really complain, although a couple of extra hours in bed would be nice. Anyway, enough of me moaning, I've done enough of that already, it's about time that I told you a bit more about some projects that I have been asked to be involved in.


The first project I am still getting to get my head round what they want me to do, but it does sound pretty exciting. Basically the good folk over at New Found Sound have launched an exciting new project, promoting up and coming Scottish artists.
So how are they going to be doing this then you might wonder. The plan is to host regular nights at the Frankenstein venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, showcasing local talent. Taking place on Wednesdays in Glasgow and Fridays in Edinburgh, the events are aimed at unearthing local talent and giving them exposure to some of the coolest music companies in the country including record labels, studios, merchandise companies, touring, press (I think that I come under the umbrella of press, although I would argue that I certainly don't fall into the category of cool).
All bands that perform on of the evenings will apparently be well looked after (they'll feed and water ye), plus every artist will get an exclusive discounts from every sponsor.

So that's pretty much all I know for no, I did ask if it was like a Battle of the Bands, but apparently that was pretty wide of the mark. That being said, it still sounds like one to me, I am not against the idea, as I like the idea that you can bring in an array of people that give it a degree of credibility. Far too often in this country we turn our noses up at things like this.
It's daft that we look down on people when they try to do something this constructive, it's almost as if the hipsters have won. Anyway, that's enough of my ramblings, here's the important stuff that you need to know....

This is open to bands in any genre from metal, rock/pop to singer songwriters and solo acts and open to bands anywhere in the Country. Some of the Country’s most reputable music companies are supporting the series with the following on offer:
• Recording Session (Glasgow) – Courtesy of HOUSE PRACTISE STUDIOS
• Recording Session (Edinburgh) – Courtesy of VERDEN STUDIOS
• Single Release – Courtesy of GREEN FLAME RECORDINGS
• Press, PR Campaign and Scottish Tour – Courtesy of NEW FOUND SOUND
• Radio Podcast / Exposure – Courtesy of JIM GELLATLY’S NEW MUSIC
• Distribution – Courtesy of EMUBANDS
• Reviews / Exposure – Courtesy of PEENKO - look it's little old me, in amongst a load of important sounding folk
• Merchandise Deal – Courtesy of VEXED APPAREL
• Website / Online Package – Courtesy of PIXELGAPS
• Design – Courtesy of BLOODYHONEY

If you are interested in getting involved just click this link to find out more, in all honesty it seems like a cracking wee idea to me. If you're an up and coming artist why not give it a go, there's no point in looking a gift horse in the mouth.


The other venture that I have been asked to get involved in comes from Eli & Oz, a new digital label set up by a lovely lady by the name of Jen Anderson, whom The Pop Cop appointed her with the cringe worthy title of 'King Maker'. The plan is that her label will release monthly digital singles featuring 'the best Scottish bands'. In coming months they have singles from the poptastic Bear Bones in December, followed by a single with Peenko favourites the Son(s) early in the New Year. After these releases things get more interesting, as Jen has devised quite a novel idea which brings together an array of talented folk from the Scottish music industry, and me.
The premise seems pretty straight forward, each month Jen picks out 5 bands who have submitted some of their music to Eli and Oz. These songs are then sent out to a list of folk who work within the Scottish music industry, they then put the bands in order of who they think would be the next best release. Whichever band is the most popular is then be released on the label. Personally I think it's a cracking idea, simple, yet brilliant. I am not just saying that as I got asked to be involved, honest guv.
Also, before anyone starts moaning about it (not that I am trying to suggest us Scots whinge!), no band will be ‘out’ because they didn’t win, as they will probably come up again in another vote. Below are the five songs that we have to choose from, now I am not 100% if I am supposed to be sharing this with you, but I am of the opinion that a bit of transparency can't do any harm.

Shortlist for February release by eliandoz

Just so you know, the judges are as follows:

Simon Singleton (Pure Groove record store)
Mikey Stirton (Fourthfloor Music Management)
Robert Hicks (Beyond It Promotions)
Ross Morrison (Agent at Primary Talent)
Craig Michie (A&R at Chrysalis)
Yvonne McLellan (A&R at Island)
David O’Hagan (A&R at Mercury)
Vic Galloway (BBC)
Jim Gellatly (Radio Magnetic, Original 106, Amazing Radio)
Jonathan Geddes (The Herald/Evening Times)
Tim Barr (News of the World)
Lloyd Meredith (Peenko)
Ally McCrae (Detour)
David Weaver (Detour)
Andrew Maitland (Booker at The Arches)
Avril Cadden (Sunday Mail)
Jason Edwards (Agent at 13 artists)
Jenny Myles (Toast Press)
Craig Johnston (DF Concerts)
Dave McGeachan (DF Concerts)
Craig Wylie (Mean Fiddler)
Grainne Braithwaite (Synergy)
Andy Cook (agent at CAA)
David Mogendorf (MTV)
Hazel Berry (Berry Branch Music Management)
Paul Cardow (PCL)
Stuart Thomas
Matthew Young (Song By Toad)

If I am honest, it still feels pretty odd to be asked to do these kind of things, the perception of me being some kind of taste maker still feels pretty odd to me. That being said Halina from Glasgow Podcart brought down a peg or two the other week by telling me my music tastes were shite. Then again we have set up a label together, so I am not quite sure how to take that!

If you fancy your chances of being considered for future release by Eli and Oz, then you can upload a track to their Soundcloud page (make sure that you click the ‘share button' though).

Born To Be Wide - A&R Seminar, Edinburgh (06/10/10)

I had actually toyed with doing a post on A&R at some point in the future, so I will keep schtum on that one for now. Far too often I find myself opening my mouth without thinking, it's easy to forget what a small community the Scottish music scene really is. It is for this reason that I guess that it's important that we are all supportive of one another, there are too many folk out there who only seem to function by shooting others down.
The nice folk over at Born To Be Wide certainly seem to be 'doing their bit' in helping to break these borders down. On Thursday night (7th) in Edinburgh they are hosting a special one off A&R seminar night featuring Kenny McGoff, head of A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing [UK] and senior A&R at Columbia Records [UK], who signed the publishing for acts including Arctic Monkeys, Sharleen Spiteri and Bloc Party. He will be joined by Stewart Henderson, co-owner of seminal Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, Hannah Overton, A&R director, XL Recordings and Island Records’ Scottish scout, Yvonne McLellan.
That's quite an array of important sounding folk that they've roped in for the evening. I think it's important that we have events like this as I really do feel as if the Scottish music scene is somewhat neglected on a national level. The majority of artists that have 'made it' have really had to put in some hard graft or made it in America before they did anything here. So it is great that you can be given the opportunity to come along and meet these kind of people in person and find out more about how the industry really works.

Right this seems to be turning into a bit of ramble, so I'll spare you all and direct you towards the Born To Be Wide website for some more detailed and less rambly (is that a word?) information....

Community Service #10 - Born To Be Wide

I know I have been a bit lapse with my Community Service posts lately, sorry kids. I promise that I'll try to do better in future, 'try' being the operative word there. Some of you that were paying attention to my ramblings about my adventures at GoNorth might have picked up on the fact that it was the good folk from Born To Be Wide that invited me up to cover it. I bet they're still regretting that decision! While I was up in Inverness I attended a fair few different seminars that they put on, really good they were too. Hence now that they have another event planned for this coming Thursday in Edinburgh, I thought I would get them to answer a few wee questions for me, letting them explain how they are and what they do.
Having seen what they do in person I would urge any musicians out there who are serious about giving it a go to try and 'make it', to attend their events. They're spot on guys that know their stuff, and more importantly they give you the opportunity to go out there and talk to folk that you would probably never have access to. Now I'll pass you over to Derick from Born To Be Wide for some more sensible chat...

In your own words describe what Born To Be Wide is and does?

Born To Be Wide is a networking and social music industry night where we invite music industry professionals to provide insight into their particular field (whether that’s publishing, management, PR, touring, etc). Generally takes the form of an informal seminar, followed up with self indulgent DJ sets from our guests, as long as they don’t play the Smiths, Morrissey or Joy Division. Olaf only invites those he genuinely believes are the best in their field, so it’s always really high quality, high profile guests. Born To Be Wide provides a platform for the professionals to share their experiences and expertise with our audience but most importantly the DJ club aspect of our night allows bands, promoters, budding managers, anyone that attends, an excellent opportunity to network with our guests, and get the best from their knowledge and develop what they’re doing, all in a relaxed environment.

What was the inspiration for starting up Born To Be Wide?

You’d really need to ask Olaf that one as he started it six years ago, but I’d say Born To Be Wide was inspired by the lack of any real scene in Edinburgh, lack of community, Olaf was looking to address that, get industry, media, managers and bands all talking and provide a focal point for everyone to meet. Olaf being Olaf, with his bulging address book was the man to make that happen. Today, Edinburgh’s scene is extremely vibrant; there is no doubt in my mind that Born To Be Wide contributed heavily to that. I think when everyone knows each other, networks and co-operates the overall scene becomes healthier and healthier.

What would you say to any musicians out there who are thinking of coming along to one of your evenings?

I’d say it’s the best couple of quid you are ever likely to spend on your band. Seriously, I know bands that have got record deals, publishing deals, tours, even just one off gigs as a result of meeting our guests or being introduced to people that come to Born To Be Wide. Most recently, as a result of our German Birthday party in February, Olaf set up a festival slot for five Scottish bands in Berlin, that’s the sort of opportunity on offer at Born To Be Wide every month. Not only is it worthwhile meeting our guests but we have a really good bunch of regulars that come down too, including journalists, promoters, managers, record labels, A&R folk and more. Myself and Olaf are always happy to introduce bands to anyone at our night and we’re also more likely to say yes if you want meet us for a chat or write about your band if you support us and come to our night.

What has been your personal highlight of Born To Be Wide since it started?

Actually, it’s difficult to choose any one highlight, it’s always amazing. Also, I can only speak for the years I’ve been to Born To Be Wide, so for me it’d either be our all day festival Wide Days or possibly our sixth birthday party with the German Consulate. Perhaps because I’m more involved in the live scene so I enjoy having bands perform. So yeah, Wide Days as we got gigs as well as venue tours and slight variations and similarly the German night as we had Jean’s Team play as well as the music quiz with cool prizes, amazing seeing the Counsel staff DJ ing too, that was cool. In fact, we always have a big party in August to coincide with the Edinburgh Festival. A couple years ago we had Irvine Welsh, Kristin Hersh and more incredible people, that was an excellent night, and it’s always cool hearing what our guests favourite tunes are, always surprising too.

Your next seminar is all about ‘Booking Agents’, who do you have lined up for that? Is it focused on bands that are at a certain level and want to know more or do you think it could be useful to artists at all levels?

We’ve got some brilliant guests for our Booking Agents seminar. Lisa Whytock from Active Events, the biggest agency in Scotland, mostly in the folk and jazz world of booking and I think she programs a lot of Celtic Connections festival too. We also have Joanna Malpas from ITB and Alex Lloyd from Main Stage Artists, (who incidentally we drunkenly met at goNorth last month and invited him up) both of them are brilliant at what they do and also represent Scottish acts. Finally, young Jason Edwards who founded his own agency The Art Of.. and is shortly moving to 13 Artists. The seminar will be essential to artists at all levels, we’ll be covering what an agents job is, what an artist should look for and hopefully go a long way to giving bands valuable insight into their role and how they could help. I think agents can be extremely important to an artist, an agent can make the difference to getting paid and getting festival slots or not. Really good agents also tend to develop the profile of bands they work with, so really invaluable for any artist at any level I reckon.

Lastly, what can we expect to see from Born To Be Wide in the future?

We have lots of plans and variations in the pipeline. Of course next year will see the return of a bigger version of our all day seminar and showcase event Wide Days, that’s going to be a challenge to better. We have plans to extend Wide Days into one off events in other parts of the country and a few other ideas we’re discussing too. Either way, whatever we do it should be worthwhile and valuable to people that come along and support us.



The next Born To Be Wide Seminar on 'Booking Agents' is being held on the 1st of July at the Electric Circus in Edinurgh. You can order tickets here (NB there are discounted tickets if you are a member of the Musician's Union).

Born To Be Wide
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