I’ve come across this great talk by a rather clever chap called Gerd Leonhard. Leonhard is a Media Futurist, which basically means he will tell you how sell your album / market your record company / become a top-earning publisher, whilst moving forward, and avoiding becoming extinct or viewed as untrustworthy by your consumers. He was filmed at this Google Tech Talk in London last month, covering topics such as the way that the internet is the biggest change to the music industry since radio, current and future predictions of social trends, and the way music may be sold online in the near future and how it will affect artists.

Anyone serious about the Music Industry really should watch this - It’s bang on the money, with his points regarding the UK Radio industry, the BPI, RIAA and many more. Plus, at just over 60 mins, it will fit nicely into your lunch break

The slideshow is also available here in a larger and clearer form, but i was focussing so much on his theories that i’d rather go out and buy his book

OK, I actually started typing this in July before I went on holiday, but I thought I’d post it up now anyway, as I’m feeling that there’s some great music out there at the moment, and thought I’d share.

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Ever since seeing Roisin Murphy at the St. Patrick Day’s Festival in Trafalgar square, I’ve been loving the tunes from her new album. Great and unique vocals, and extremely smooth sounds, making for a good, fun llistening album. I also checked her out at Sonar in Barcelona

Electronic-pop-cum-dance-diva.
Get it here: http://emirecords.co.uk/roisin/microsite/

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I’m also going to pick up a copy of the new N.E.R.D. album soon, being a big fan of both the band and the Neptunes remixes for many years now. Their fusion of rock band and forward thinking hip hop makes for some catchy numbers, and I’m gutted that I missed them live – I think it was at the O2 arena(?) But hopefully I’ll catch them on tour soon.

Gritty Street hip hop rock combo.
Get it here: http://www.n-e-r-d.com/

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Going underground, Mark Farina’s Fabric mix (number 40 if you are counting) is doing it for me too. It didn’t knock me over the first listen, but I thought it had a great groove, and now I can say that it really grows on you the more you listen to it. Farina’s taken this opportunity to push many new young artists, and some Digital-only labels too, but still retains his classic house groove that made him a worldwide star.

Deep and jackin house vibes.
Get it here: http://www.fabriclondon.com/label/release.php?item=fab40/mar

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A tune that hasn’t left my DJ bag for some time now is an remix EP of Alan Barratt’s ‘My kinda music’ (yes, this is the kind of noise I make regularly in clubs). The EP has four different remixes including heavyweights Inland Knights and Jason Jinx, and they are all so well produced and balance each other brilliantly, as if they were all designed for a different hour of the night. Top stuff.

Chunky rolling house music.
Get it here: http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/308249-01.htm

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There’s a whole heap of talent right here on the Music Jobs website in case you haven’t realized it yet! Checking out the Soundcheck area, some artists I’ve recently come across include:-

Elipse - Futuristic funk, synthesized sounds and disco beats. Also looking for other artists to record with so check him out!

http://uk.music-jobs.com/bands/index.php?band_uid=17816

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Head-Full - Bury based quartet, playing energetic funk with a classic rock twist.

http://uk.music-jobs.com/bands/index.php?band_uid=17801

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Cornerstone - After 2 years, over 100 shows, and 300 copies of their debut E.P they also won the welsh final of the BOTB

http://uk.music-jobs.com/bands/index.php?band_uid=17904

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Don’t forget to regularly keep your profile updated so I can find you and feature you in the UK MJ blog!

Upload your mp3s today so we can check you out!

Lee.

I, for one, am very excited for the Sonar Music Festival this year. Probably because I couldn’t go last year and kick-off this season is just 9 days away and counting! Sonar is a three day event in Barcelona, Spain that attracts artists, musicians and clubbers from across the globe. Their extravagant themes and mish-mish of music and art make for a weird and wonderful time; they have successfully hosted the annual event for the last 14 years and show no sign of slowing down, expecting 80,000 people this year.

The festival’s line-ups tend to favour electronic dance music, be that house, techno, electro, hip-hop or a modern mash-up of them all. They love to feature new exciting experimental acts, unafraid to push boundaries of music, DJing and VJing, and also support many home-grown artists.

This year’s show has two main themes as the basis for it’s programme: the “female factor” in today’s music and “hybridism” as the result of the intersection of musical genres and subgenres. Sonar has incorporated world class female acts into the immense line-up; live shows from Roisin Murphy and Goldfrapp complement DJ sets from the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs and Magda. A great example of the ‘hybridism’, and part of the sustained proof that Sonar is one of the best festivals in the world to check out the cream of national and international talent, is the premiere outing of a unique ‘dream team’. Pop jazz superstar Jamie Cullum, alongside brother Ben, have enlisted the help of original Underworld member Darren Emerson, then top it off with Matt White, guitarist for The Bays and The Egg, and Dave DeRose, drummer for Roisin Murphys band. Wow. I think you’ll be getting a full review on that!

The Sonar experience is split into two parts. Sonar by Day takes place in the centre of Barcelona from midday and is a great place to meet and network amongst a real variety of art and music. Sonar by Night is one crazy all-night party, out in the suburbs with the music taking place in huge arenas, hence the huge line-ups!

All this in the wonderful city of Barcelona, Gaudi’s playground, I just know that I’m going to be so torn and pushed for time, and ultimately, late for everything. Good job they don’t eat dinner until midnight.

Check the full Sonar Line up in our forums and add your comments here…

http://uk.music-jobs.com/forum/sonar-2008-thu-19-fri-20-sat-21jun-line-ups-announced-562112

Fancy working at a music festival this summer? Search our Jobs Board here…

http://uk.music-jobs.com/searchjobs.php

Lee Jarvis.

Welcome to our new series of Q&A’s with music professionals from all walks of the industry. The idea of this series is to provide you with advice and insights into working in the UK Music Industry.

Tony Platt is a freelance Music Engineer/Producer based in the U.K. His career in the music business started at Trident Studios in London but he made his name as an engineer at the now legendary Island Studios and has worked in most of the best studios around the world recording some of the best artists including Bob Marley, AC/DC, Buddy Guy and more recently The Bad Plus.

Q1. What made you want to get into the music industry?

Mostly just a desire to do something that entailed music and tape recorders.

Q2. How did you begin your career in music?

I got a job as a tea boy at Trident studios beofre moving on to Island Studios as a tape operator.

Q3. What was your first experience of success in the industry and how did you build on it?

My first realisation that I had done something that had been noticed was when a person i knew from school stopped me in the street to tell me he had seen my name on a Bob Marley album - and he liked the album! I didn’t build on it because I had no concept of self promotion in those days. It was very much a case of good work got you noticed.

Q4. How has networking with other musicians and in the music business helped you?

In later years networking has been essential - people need to know you are there.

Q5. What sort of networking do you find the most effective for you?

I share a project studio within a larger complex which enables me to meet people just by going to make a cup of tea - you see tea features again! Being a member of the Music Producers Guild is useful too.

Q6. Are you a member of any music industry organisation or professional body?

I am a member of Music Producers Guild and JAMES (Joint Audio Media Educational Services). Both these help me to keep in touch with the trends and attitudes that drive the industry.

Q7. What would you recommend as the most effective method of breaking into the industry or gaining experience?

This depends very much on who you are. I think the most effective way nowadays would be to take a course and use the time there to build yourself a profile and portfolio.

Q8. What would you describe as the best thing about working in the industry?

Music

Q9. What’s the best bit of advice you have even been given about working in music?

Work with it - don’t fight it.

Q10. Who do you admire most in the industry?

I can’t honestly come up with just one person - there is a list that still gets added to year by year.

To view Tony’s UK Music Jobs profile please click here;http://uk.music-jobs.com/fview1.php?uid=753139&type=&start=&position=0&search_uid=&uploads=

Well, here we go with the launch of the UK Music Jobs blogs! We hope to make your visit to the Music Jobs website a bit more informative and enjoyable, with news, reviews, advice and gossip from around the world.

My ’specialist subject’ is Dance music, although I aim to cover as much of the music world as possible. I love going to live gigs, so you’ll hear my rants on Jazz or Rock, and I’ll also bring you news from major labels and their latest troubles. I hope to cover these as completely as I can, and I expect a flurry of adulation / abuse as I attempt to do so. You guys may know more or feel different about what I write, so tell me so!  I want the emotional replies - blogs are supposed to be interactive, so please comment on anything you feel strongly about. I need to know what amuses and disgusts you so that I can delve deeper into the subjects that you all want to hear about.

The Music Industry is a big ol’ world, and I only have two hands and one groggy brain to try and get it all across to you…. but bear with me, it’ll be a fun journey.

Lee Jarvis.

We’re often asked how users of UK Music Jobs can maximise the value of their membership to the site - leading ultimately to that sought-after job.