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Topic History of: Someone help me with this question Max. showing the last 5 posts - (Last post first)
Michael |
Mart wrote:
There is a major grass roots gigging problem for the up and coming new larger reggae bands as well.
The venues that can fit them on a stage as a start up unit are decreasing, although many are willing to do it, a ten piece act will allways have a following even in the smallest of venues.
Aswad were superb, I don`t know where Brinsley went, I used to see him regularly, but I do doubt that the whole band appeared on there last biggest hit(Shine).
UB40, seem to have done a wonderful and calculated long career move.
Interesting you mentioned France Michael, it is a scene in itself and very live based,but with less mud!
What are you all waiting for then?
Someone was asking about French download companies and I`m stumped on that one as well.
Is it a closed shop?
What you need is a supplier that works with Fnac.com and Virgin, hopefully with direct marketing links. Just ask the suppliers what they can do. Finetunes has good connections.
I know first hand that we had a dreadful runaround getting one of our mates bands out there, the booker we eventually found was in Holland as it turned out.
Whatever it takes! I'm not on the live side, but I know there are some good agents and indie distributors in the north of France. |
Kev |
You may find a turning point is just around the corner for UK Soul DJKZ, I saw this guy on The Apprentice the other week and found his Myspace site through their forums. Top class vocalist, top songs ("Lets Leave Together" is particularly strong) and the sound IMHO is UK, not US.
www.myspace.com/danielewalker
Judging by the comments from the girls on the Apprentice forum he's got the whole package as well, if you get my drift. |
Mart |
There is a major grass roots gigging problem for the up and coming new larger reggae bands as well.
The venues that can fit them on a stage as a start up unit are decreasing, although many are willing to do it, a ten piece act will allways have a following even in the smallest of venues.
Aswad were superb, I don`t know where Brinsley went, I used to see him regularly, but I do doubt that the whole band appeared on there last biggest hit(Shine).
UB40, seem to have done a wonderful and calculated long career move.
Interesting you mentioned France Michael, it is a scene in itself and very live based,but with less mud!
Someone was asking about French download companies and I`m stumped on that one as well.
Is it a closed shop?
I know first hand that we had a dreadful runaround getting one of our mates bands out there, the booker we eventually found was in Holland as it turned out. |
Michael |
It might be more helpful to look at another country: France. The new singers with a certain blackness seem to be far better singers and are being groomed for crossover appeal from the beginning. Reggae is still strong. There are loads of grassroots and upwards bands, labels and new sounds. Reggae and "ragga" (dancehall) are still evolving and are not considered old-fashioned.
I would say globally that the UK focuses to an unhealthy degree on rock music (ie, white, male, late teen guitar bands). I don't know why that is or what has to be done about it, but it's pruning the chances of a more healthy music scene. |
DJKZ |
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Label interference
Bad press.
I think the reasons why british black music is now in a worser state than ever before are twofold:
Label ineptitude.
Press not giving a toss.
Beverley Knight is a perfect example. The majors have no clue what to do with her. Is it rocket science to get her over to the States to work with producers over there ? Like Joss Stone.
Press and radio prefer to fall for the big budget promo dollars of the American imports than to develop homegrown stuff.
You don't go bad overnight. We don't go from a vibrant growing sector to one where there is nothing overnight. |
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