If you think that the best way to further your music career is by just checking on the Jobs Board once a week, then you really are missing out. UK Music Jobs has many tools to aid you on your journey. This blog and my wise words being one of them of course and also, the members directory is a great place to network. We all want to have contacts in the industry, and here are a few suggestions how to get started, along with some great member profiles…

Artists & Musicians – you should constantly be checking out other artists & musicians! Inspiration is everywhere, listen to the music that other people in your genre (and outside it) are making, look at the way they promote themselves, take tips on their promo shots and demo tapes. Of course, there is also the huge possibility of collaboration. Merging backgrounds and experimenting often create some of the most interesting and successful records in history. (Roxy Music anyone?)

Check out Maria Alessandra Dangelo or Simon Noble

Producers & Engineers – The competition is fierce for any kind of studio work, and you need to keep on top of your game. Look at some strong profiles and try to improve your own. Keep your CV up to date, and adding a picture and a sample of your work will help encourage companies and members who browse the profiles. Looking at your peers you may notice some new or updated courses you can check out – there may be some great certificates / extra qualifications you can learn right on your doorstep and then add to your achievements.

Check out Mark Stevenson or James Kerr

Journalists & New media – whilst looking for work, why not try interviewing some of our talented bands? Why not get in touch with an established producer and offer your help on a music video or press releases? Maybe a fellow journalist’s profile will give you a clue as to how they got started and how you can gain some experience, or open your eyes to new companies that may require some kind of written skills.

Check out Joe Ward

However you decide to start networking, remember to update your own UKMJ profile – people are much more likely to interact if your page has photos / links / press clippings / list of achievements / uploaded documents. Check out my own profile for examples.

Remember, these are just my own ideas that I have thought up to help you – the UKMJ network is there for you to use in any way you can, and by doing so you will improve your networking and chances of finding your way through this crazy industry, maybe even with some new acquaintances!

Lee.

PS – Why not start getting involved with a comment if you find this helpful / ludicrous / interesting / obvious / etc. You may draw my attention and find yourself in one of my future blogs!

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LL Cool J once said “I can’t live without my radio”, but do people still have radios nowadays? Hasn’t internet broadcasting killed off Tim Westwood, Pete Tong, Tony Blackburn et al? Not quite, but you catch my drift; you certainly can live without your radio. With the vast array of gadgets and gizmos available, it got me thinking what I can’t live without. We have personal mp3 players smaller then a matchbox and phones that can email and take photos (not forgetting, make the occasional phone call).

Apple have just unveiled their new iPods, and are rumoured to be announcing the launch of the Macbook Touch in October, combining the touch screen usability of their iPod Touch and iPhone ranges with their already successful MacBook laptops. Yet more kit that we don’t need but we all want.

For us recording artists, the gadget list snowballs. Learning my basic skills on an Akai 3000XL sampler, I’ll always have a soft spot for that. Popular dance artist Monika Kruse just yesterday told DJ Magazine that her Oscar Synthesizer will never leave her side.

Maybe you’re more classical and there’s one particular instrument that you will never sell. Maybe you are an aspiring music journo and you can make do without any of this, but you still can’t do without your inspiration (and maybe a pen that’s also a voice recorder).

Finally, those crazy Latvian disc jockeys, well, they just can’t live without their DJ Sport Games, so much so that they made an official event out of it! (Thanks to The Sound Republic for the heads up on that one).

Please share what you can’t live without by adding your comments. Or even pictures of you and your beloved

Lee.

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John Webber was a freelance engineer in several studios throughout the UK before becoming resident engineer at Blue Pro Studios. He has established himself mastering, mixing and producing for a wide variety of indie, jazz, pop, rock and world music acts from unsigned prospects through to major label talent. Previous clients include Universal, SonyBMG & World Music Network for artists including Whitey, Rooster, Simon Webbe and Polar Bear.

Hi John, what have I interrupted you doing today?
I have just completed mastering for Candid Records’ new signing, Joe Stilgoe, a really impressive Jazz album featuring a wonderful cover of the scarecrow’s song from the Wizard of Oz ‘If I only had a brain’.

How would you describe your role within the music industry?
Primarily within the industry my main role is as a mastering engineer. We have slowly built up the mastering facility at Blue Pro over the last 2 years to be truly world class and have become known for consistent high-end results. We do still offer recording and mixing but our mastering work does dominate our schedule these days.

How did you first get into the industry?
Well, I have always been into music and started playing guitar at a very young age. My first paid audio related role was making speaker grills at a local sweatshop, sorry factory, near my hometown (Southend On Sea). Feeling like I’d never escape, I got lucky and was employed as a technician in a local studio, which eventually led to engineering work. I was then invited onto the second year of a degree at LCM (London College Of Music) which resulted in meeting with Charles Westropp, which soon after resulted in mixing for Rooster (Sony BMG/Brightside) at Blue Pro Studios.

I understand you are launching a new website soon, can you tell me a little bit about it?
Well over the coming weeks www.blueprostudios.com will be replaced with what we feel is the most informative and interactive studio website around. Users can create accounts to upload material and book sessions. The site will also contain news feeds and offer lots of useful industry insight and tips.

Soon after the main studio site goes up we will also be launching www.remotemastering.com, the worlds most ‘easy to use’ and ‘functional’ online mastering facility. Nothing particularly groundbreaking on paper but the interface and site design is truly unique. Users will be able to check DDP masters, compare mastered and un-mastered material in real time and effortlessly submit work with a 5-day turnaround.

What projects are you currently working on?
Well as I mentioned I just finished the master for Joe (Stilgoe). I am about to start a mix with songwriter/producer Adam Crowe. I am also working with Goodbye/Delete on their debut EP (John is actually the founding member). I’m doing more work with The Operators who are on the cusp of being very big. Aside from this I am always mastering and often do several records a week.

Who have you enjoyed working with?
I enjoy anything that pushes me to enhance my own skills. If the music’s good and the people involved are passionate then I get a kick from it.

Who would you like to work with in the future?
Any artists who have the potential for greatness!

Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
It would be great to win a Grammy Award, as being noticed for your efforts is always cool! Really though, to be associated with great music in any shape or form would be fine. I also intend to do a bit more writing for other acts.

What tips could you give to help people survive the crazy world of music business?
What I tried to do was to be diverse and see what direction my opportunities led me in. I can write, produce, record, mix and master music. If you’re looking to make a living you certainly will find it hard to survive in one area exclusively, so be smart and dare I say it ‘think outside of the box’.

In general be persistent, be stubborn and never say no to anything work wise. Talent is not enough alone, it takes seriously hard work!

John Webber’s UK Music Jobs profile: http://my.music-jobs.com/john.webber
John Webber’s Myspace blog (full of advice on Home recording!): http://www.myspace.com/johnwebbermusic
Blue Pro Studios: http://www.blueprostudios.com

Lee.

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It has just been announced that London clubbing Mecca, The End, is to close it’s doors for the final time in January 2009. Known and loved by many all over the world, The End has been a true pioneer of underground dance music over the last 12 or so years, hosting groundbreaking nights across house, techno, drum&bass, breakbeat and much more.

Director Layo Paskin states “Even though the past few years have arguably been our most successful as a club and as a business, I don’t particularly believe that there’s anything more that we can achieve”, and I have to say I’d find it challenging to think of how they could continue to top their record, especially with some key members of the team eager to try new things. It’s not as if the club were over the hill, far from it, but that almost makes it even greater, to go out on a high, and be remembered as outstanding.

Built by Layo (as in ‘Layo & Bushwacka’) and Mr C (as in ‘Ebeneezer Goode’), The End was often seen as the perfect club in many ways for DJs and clubbers; that circular DJ booth in the middle of the dance floor, the incredible sound system, and the friendly and diverse crowd.

Layo continues, “It’s partially a circumstantial decision, and partially a decision of choice”, adding, “We’ve had offers for the club before, and yes, this was the best one. But I wouldn’t say that it’s so good that it makes this a purely financial issue … If it was seven or eight years ago, an offer like this wouldn’t have been accepted. It’s a lot to do with the timing.”

On a personal level, I know I will certainly miss the club; my first ‘proper’ night clubbing was about 7 years ago to see Steve Lawler play a 6 hour set in the main room, and I’ve been hooked ever since, returning for the likes of Jeff Mills, Layo & Bushwacka, Chew the Fat, and the infamous Jaded after-hours parties. I know I will not be alone, judging by the eleven pages of comments on the website since yesterday’s announcement!

On a business level, add this to the other superclub closures of 2008 (The Cross, The Key, Canvas and Turnmills), and clubland has been well and truly shaken up. What will the future hold for the likes of a newly refurbed Pacha, a re-launched Bar Rhumba, and new-kid-on-the-block Matter, opening any day now from the people who brought you Fabric? Stay tuned for more news and interviews

Lee.

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