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Tue 06 May '08
South West Sound in 2008 has now been and gone and we would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our speakers, everyone that worked on and contributed to the event, and to all those that attended it and made it so special this year.
A full report will be available from June 08, plus event photos and much more, so be sure and check back here to find out what really went on.
Please do keep any comments coming in.
See you soon!
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Thu 24 Apr '08
1400 people hit the town in Bristol last night for the South West Sound Fringe 08. At venues across the city the brightest unsigned talent from the region set stages alight.
Matt Booth, Project Manager of South West Sound, says,
“This year was the best Fringe yet. 10 venues, 40 acts and over 1400 people across the city, seeing what the region has to offer. Phantom Limb, Turbowolf @ The Thekla were amazing. Only disappointment is that I missed The Gala Band who I’m hearing great things about. A great opening night for this year’s convention.”
Day 1 in Bristol has long since sold out but it’s not too late to get your delegate pass for day two by calling 01803 847003.
Don’t miss out it’s shaping up to be the best
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Wed 16 Apr '08
Day 1 NOW SOLD OUT. Day 2 tickets still available.
South West Sound is the event for the music industry of the South West of England and once again we welcome a fantastic range of speakers to Bristol and Dartington.
And those places are going fast.. so don’t delay if you want to catch..
Chris Morrison of CMO Management, the man behind Thin Lizzy, Blur, Elastica, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Gorillaz and many others, who will be joining us to give a keynote speech in Dartington on 25th April.
Melvin Benn, MD of Festival Republic, who will discuss his own work within the live music arena and with industry steering group Julie’s Bicycle to address the environmental impact of the music industry.
Feargal Sharkey, Jon Webster, Tim Smith and Jack Kingslake, who will be opening the event in Bristol on 24th April and discussing how we go forward ensuring young people today are educated to safeguard the industry of tomorrow.
Plus Nick Williams from the Brit School, Caroline Elleray from Universal Publishing, Tom Bywater from Power Amp Music, and many more including the greatest range of composers for film and TV in our special session on Scoring for Film.
Point your mouse to Speakers to find out more.
With a line up like this we take it we shall see you there!
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Fri 04 Apr '08
Mediascapes are happening all around you: games, stories, guides and music that make up a hidden landscape of experiences accessible to you through a handheld device.
At South West Sound 08 in Bristol we will be offering the chance to try out a musical mediascape in Harbourside throughout the day, courtesy of the Pervasive Media Studio.
We have selected some of our favourite tracks by artists from Bristol and the South West and loaded them into Mscape software. This attaches each track to a specific location, so that it will be triggered by GPS to play when you walk there.
Walk the space, and hear the sounds. Plug into our mscape and let our selection of local music provide the soundtrack of the city for you. You can take part in the session on your own, or in a pair. All that you will need to do on the day is give your name to the SWS desk at the Watershed and your preferred time to attend.
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Tue 01 Apr '08
On Wednesday 23rd April venues across Bristol will come alive to the sound of bands, singer-songwriters and DJs from across the South West. The South West Sound Fringe is a unique opportunity. The chance to experience the best unsigned talent that a whole region has to offer on one night, in one city, with just one ticket.
At the Thekla, Louisiana, Joe’s Public’s, The Cooler, The Croft, Mr Wolf’s, The Fleece, Native and The Polish Club, more than 30 artists will take to the stage, giving the industry pros assembled for South West Sound and discerning punters the chance to catch bands that are setting the region’s venues alight. So if you want to catch The Locarnos after their recent Radio 1 sessions with Steve Lamacq at Thekla, XFM faves Pinstripe at Joe Public’s, Lets Tea Party at The Croft your Fringe Wristband will get you into every venue and the official aftershow club nights. And the price for all this – just a fiver!
To keep up-to-date with everything Fringe in 08 keep an eye on the website or look out for you guide to SWS08 and the Bristol Fringe in Venue magazine. To book tickets point your mouse at Gigantic or in person go to the Bristol Ticket Shop in the Galleries, Broadmead.
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Fri 28 Mar '08
South West Sound 08 tackles the changing climate facing the music busineess during Day 2 at Dartington College of Arts. The nature of the business and the business’ effect on the environment are both put into the spotlight with key notes speeches by Gorillaz manager Chris Morrison and Carling Weekend, Glastonbury and Fleadh organiser Melvin Benn.
Chris Morrison has been in the music management business for over thirty years representing the best of cutting edge music from Thin Lizzy to The Jesus and Mary Chain, Dead or Alive to Blur. His company, CMO has adapted to the ever-changing industry over the decades and, in the era of the 360º deal, Chris will lead us through the rapidly evolving issues facing artists today.
Melvin Benn had a ten year background of producing political and campaigning festivals throughout the UK before establishing The Festival Office Ltd in 1989 to create and produce festivals for the Mean Fiddler. Today his company, Festival Republic, has a prortfolio that includes Carling Weekend Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Rise, St Patrick’s Day, Fleadh plus an involvement with Glastonbury Festival. Festival Republic is acutley aware of the environmental impact its business and festivals have on the environment. They strive to use innovative solutions to fundamental areas of impact such as energy, waste and transport.
Apart from the immediate benefit in ‘going green’ Melvin will show us how a focus on sustainable practices will positively impact the industry.
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Wed 26 Mar '08
In under a month South West Sound will kick start its 5th annual music convention – positioning itself at the heart of the UK music industry debate, while giving real careers advice and business development opportunities to some of the top music talent in the South West.
Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture and Creative Industries said: “It’s a great help for our musicians that they get the opportunity for networking, advice from experts about training and business possibilities and to hear from top level speakers. Events such as South West Sound offer this and give our musicians the chance to further their careers.”
Feargal Sharkey, who sat on the high level steering group that developed ‘Creative Britain’, last month’s government action plan for the creative industries, is the keynote speaker at the South West Sound event – which runs from 23-25 April at the Bristol Fringe (23 April) Bristol Watershed (24 April) and Dartington Hall (25 April).
Feargal who is the current Chief Executive of British Music Rights said, “South West Sound 2008 is an essential event for anyone who wants to develop a really tangible career in the music industry. The conference will benefit all those involved in music through the new links and partnerships that are being forged between the music industry, music educators, investors, funders, filmmakers and designers.”
This year’s South West Sound programme focuses on education, skills, business models and careers. Day 1 in Bristol will feature speakers Feargal Sharkey, Jon Webster (CEO of Music Managers Forum) and leading music educator Tim Smith – who was instrumental in the career of Mercury Music winner Dizzee Rascal.
Day 2 at Dartington will explore how regional musicians can maximise their career potential in the South West of England – looking at the pros and cons assocaited with staying west or going east. The Dartington event will culminate with an eagerly anticipated performance from the soon-to-be-supernova Beth Rowley (Oh My Life), the singer-songwriter who brings her incredible jazz and blues voice to the Great Hall on Friday 25 April 2008.
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Wed 19 Mar '08
Following on from gigs at London’s Roundhouse, Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall and Colston Hall in Bristol supporting David Gray, Beth Rowley brings her incredible blues and jazz voice to the Great Hall to headline South West Sound at The Great Hall, Dartington on Friday 25 April 2008.
With her current single ‘Oh My Life’ being played almost non-stop on BBC Radio 2 at the moment, the official synopsis of this amazing young talent goes like this…
Fusing a vintage sound & sensibility with a joyous, contemporary edge, Beth Rowley is essential listening for 2008. Born to British parents in Peru and raised in Bristol, the 26-year old singer/songwriter defies expectation with her towering vocals and sophisticated, gospel-tinged sound. Armed with an arsenal of timeless tracks, she releases her debut album ‘Little Dreamer’, April 21st.
And here’s what the fans have to say…
“I saw you live in Glasgow with Duke Special and you were fantastic – amazing voice! You deserve your success.”
“Violets was a stunning debut, I was happy to receive it for Christmas – it will carry through 2008 with ease.”
“Just heard her today and WOW what a singer.”
But don’t take our word for it, check out Beth’s vocals at www.myspace.com/bethrowley or click here to see her in action.
Tickets £12.50
Concessions £11.50
Young People & Students £5.00
Box Office: 01803 847070 or book online at www.dartington.org
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Wed 19 Mar '08
The South West Sound delegation, made up of 12 individuals from the South West music industry and 6 bands are all now heading home at the close of SXSW. Matt Booth, South West Sound Project Manager, reports back:
“This was the first time that a delegation has traveled out from the South West together to Austin, Texas for the event and first word back says it is was a great success. Amid plenty of BBQ, large amounts of seafood, Shiner Bock and the odd tequila, showcases were held by Pinstripe, Phantom Limb, Secret Shine and others and much networking, bonding and learning was done by all.
The South West Sound organisers attended seminars and keynotes and continued to pick up hints, tips and new friends from what remains still the leading event of its type in the world. A boat party was co-hosted by South West Sound with ASCAP, and plans are now afoot, not only for a bigger and better return in 2009, but for other similar trips also.
Watch, as they say, this space, y’all.”
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Mon 17 Mar '08
South West Sound opens in 08 with a keynote debate on how people can be empowered through music and how music educators and industry can work together to ensure all music practitioners learn about the importance of rights and the processes towards successfully developing their own careers.
Presented in association with British Music Rights and the Music Managers Forum, this opening debate will feature Feargal Sharkey (BMR), Jon Webster (MMF), Jack Kingslake, and Tim Smith.
Once an Undertone, Feargal Sharkey is now an authority on how government and the music industry can work together. He previously chaired the Live Music Forum for the DCMS, is the music industry intermediary for the National Skills Academy, and recently became the CEO of British Music Rights. He is running the rehearsal spaces programme for hard to reach young people with the DCMS, and is establishing a pilot in Bristol with the BMF.
Jon Webster was previously MD of Virgin Records, Head of Independent Services at the BPI, and recently became, in response to power shifts within the music industry, the CEO of the UK Music Managers Forum. ‘Webbo’ will chair this discussion.
Tim Smith is a leading music educator in London working in particular with hard to reach young people. He taught music to the young Dizzee Rascal at a school in East London. Dizzee Rascal went on to have two gold albums and famously dedicated his Mercury Music Prize in 2003 to Tim.
Jack Kingslake runs Hello Interactive, a community music group that works with young people in St Werburghs, St Pauls and Easton in Bristol.
Don’t miss out and book your delegate pass today.
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Tue 04 Mar '08
Over 300 artists. Rock, pop, indie, folk, world, classical, avant garde, dance, electronica, classical, jazz, big bands, punk, soul. Signed, unsigned. Managed, agents or just doing it themselves. Just starting, getting it together or a few years in. Recorded in bedrooms, back rooms and studios. This year’s South West Sound Search was the biggest and best yet. Uncovering the most eclectic, exciting and high quality music the region has to offer. It took a panel of industry experts with millions of record sales to their credit, two days to get down to the final 15 that will go onto the South West Sound 08 Music Week covermount. The artists to be featured in April, in no particular order, are:
Cosmo Jarvis Mel’s Song
The Locarnos Give It To Me Straight
The Sea Don’t You Want Me
Astro Firs Battery Power
Carrivick Sisters Down On The Sand
Melancholy Moose Society Say You Will
Medallist Brothers and Sisters
The Scribes Home Comforts
Seagull Strange Peter and The Wolf (demo)
JMW Band One Midnight Back When??
Gill King of Me
Slow Seeds
Tubelord Night of The Pencils
Scientist The Orange Pip Proof of Propensity
Walking Strange Gambling
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Mon 25 Feb '08
The film industry would be unimaginable without the creative input of musicians. This year South West Sound will be welcoming two new partners, Cinéformation and Bristol Media, making the annual symposium the place to be for region’s aspiring Morricones and Barrys.
Want to get yourself into the movie world, composing and performing film soundtracks? ‘Scoring for Film’ will offer a priceless insight for musicians working for the film industry. Delegates will benefit from the knowledge and insight from our panel of film business pros. Martin Kiszko who recently composed the score for BAFTA nominated The Killing of John Lennon, Dan Jones who regularly works on film and TV productions, and Sarah Liversedge who specialises in placing music with film and TV.
South West Sound is delighted to be working with two of the region’s leading film agencies to deliver this new part of our programme. Cinéformation is small collective of filmmakers and enthusiasts established in 2003. Committed to developing and sustaining a creative, active filmmaking community in the South West by providing opportunities for media professionals & enthusiasts to meet, show work, exchange ideas and collaborate.
Bristol Media is an active network for companies and individuals who are part of the city’s lively and fast-growing creative media scene. The organisation exists to bring together people engaged in the creative and media industries to share ideas, build up skills, track developments, identify opportunities, forge new partnerships, celebrate achievement and promote growth in this exciting and dynamic sector.
So if you’re a filmmaker who wants to meet musicians or a musician who wants to score for movies, get yourself to South West Sound 08 to be seen and heard.
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Fri 15 Feb '08
The South West Sound Search 2008 came to a close at midnight last night, 14th February. With the level of interest in the Search at an all time high we can’t accept any more tracks for consideration.
All the tracks received are now being collated and the process begins of whitling down so much talent to the best that the region has to offer.
All the successful acts will be notified by March 11th 2008.
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Wed 13 Feb '08
There are just 24 hours left to get your entry in for South West Sound Search 08
If you want to get your music into the ears of the music business we need to hear from you by the end of play tomorrow, 14th February.
Don’t miss out. You still have time to enter South West Sound Search 08 by sending 2 original songs to search@southwestsound.org.uk
All the successful acts will be notified by March 11th 2008.
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Mon 11 Feb '08
Over the last couple of days we’ve been hard at work updating southwestsound.org.uk with all the latest info on this the 5th annual music symposium for the South West.
This year’s programme is rapidly filling up with some of the most inspirational figures in the music business. You can get you delegate pass confirmed today by pointing your mouse at our bookings page. And to make the most of our low, low Early Bird rates get your booking to us before 3rd March.
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Thu 07 Feb '08
If you’re looking to get your music into the ears of industry professionals, you’ve got just 7 days left to enter South West Sound Search 08!
Over the last few weeks some of the region’s finest new music has been dropping into our inbox at South West Sound. Over 100 of you have sent in tracks to be part of the biggest showcase in the region but we want more.
South West Sound Search is the perfect showcase for any new act that wants to be seen, but more importantly heard, by the music business. Not just a chance to get your music included on the SW Sound compilation but also a chance to perform at The Bristol Fringe night or Dartington during South West Sound 2008. And don’t forget at least one of the unsigned artists will get a singles deal with South West Recordings.
Don’t miss out. If you want to be seen by the business be part of South West Sound Search 08 by sending 2 original songs to:
South West Sound Search 2008, Rick Rogers, Dartington College of Arts, Totnes, TQ9 6EJ or
search@southwestsound.org.uk
All entries must be received by February 14th with all the successful acts being notified by March 11th 2008.
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Mon 14 Jan '08
Grab your diaries, open your calendars or boot up your PDAs, South West Sound wants to make sure that you’ve got the dates and places for this year’s event.
The Bristol leg of South West Sound, kicks off on 23rd April with the Bristol Fringe when 15 venues across the city come alive with the South West’s best new talent. 24th April, the first day of the annual convention will be hosted in Bristol by the Watershed Media Centre. 25th April, the convention will move down to Dartington where South West Sound will come to a close with a major performance in the Great Hall.
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Mon 07 Jan '08
Last month we announced that 15 organisations from across the region would be heading to Austin, Texas to attend South By South West and all under the banner of South West Sound.
We’re delighted that the idea of getting a group of businesses from the South West to head out to Texas has now become a reality. The delegation that will be putting our region on the global map will be made up of representatives of The Bristol Music Foundation, The Colson Hall, South West Recordings, Hope Music Group, Dartington Plus, Plymouth Music Collective, DCB Management, Something Sound,
Dangerous Management/Sawmills Studios,
Metropolis Music, Secret Shine and Midnight Mango.
South West Sound will also be supporting six bands from the region who will be performing at a showcases in Austin in front of the great and the good from the world’s music business. Bands from the South West of England performing at SXSW are:
Pinstripe
Gravenhurst
Secret Shine
Phantom Limb
Fuck Buttons
John Smith
For more information email us at info@southwestsound.org.uk
And not forgetting, have a successful 2008!