Entertainment

Music matters to people. It reaches the bits that nothing else can. It stirs the emotions, helps us to connect with who we are. In war it can strengthen the resolve of tired and flagging soldiers. In a film it can turn a pleasant landscape into a threatening jungle or make an everyday encounter appear romantic. Music is deeply personal. It triggers memories, kindles half forgotten pangs of desire and even gives joy to a weary soul. For those who have rejected conventional religion, it can be the means by which they connect with their deeper selves.

Music is especially important to me as a filmmaker. Whilst it is true that some of the most memorable compositions have come from great film scores, it is equally true that much excellent film music is not noticed. Take a series like The Killing, the highly acclaimed Danish police drama. Can you remember the music? Probably not. Most of the time there is no music – silence is used to excellent effect – but what music there is points up the action in a subtle way that helps to build the overall effect.

The same approach should be employed in the humble corporate video. Music is there to establish a mood or to help the sequence along. A fairly dull set of images can be transformed if cut imaginatively to a good music track with a strong beat. Often it is the onset of music which has the greatest effect, encouraging us to make an emotional response to the images. That’s why music-free sections are so important, wall-to-wall music can become bland. With care it is usually possible to find the right tracks from music libraries but if you can afford to commission a composer the task is made so much easier. A good composer will work with a director to tease out exactly what effect he/she wants to achieve at each point in the film. Sometimes what evolves is so memorable that it goes on to become an acclaimed piece of music in its own right.

The personal musical tastes of the producer should never be considered. I tend to listen mainly to classical music, especially Bach and Mozart; and i’m very partial to jazz but I know I’m being indulgent if I try to apply my musical tastes when choosing music for a programme. The same should apply to the client. Just because they are paying for the video it doesn’t mean they have the right to choose the music! A corporate video isn’t Desert Island Discs or Inheritance Tracks. It doesn’t matter how attached to a piece of music the client may be. The music in the video should be selected purely on the basis of how it “works” with the rest of the material and the mood it is there to create.

Once you have your music, specially composed or just downloaded from a music library, you will have to mix it with the rest of the sound track. Levels are very important and you need to know how it will be played. Will most people view the video on a laptop or is its primary use at a presentation to a room full of people? If the music is too quiet it will all but disappear on a laptop but if it’s too loud over speech the audience will struggle to hear the dialogue. Carefully dubbing and editing can greatly enhance the overall effect, providing pace, signposting action and giving punctuation to the whole piece.

When you release the video you will probably get mixed reactions to the music. Some will like it, some will not – many people won’t have noticed it at all. And that’s a very good sign that it will have done its job.

Life is not short! We may have to live with our choices throughout our life. So, being cautious of the steps we take would not be a stupid thing to do. But humans often break down while giving life a fight and walk on the road, which leads to nowhere but devastation. Decisions is one such tale, which captures the same idea and presents it in the most gripping manner possible. To download some meaningful entertainment into our mind, we need not look beyond this movie.

It shows a group of pals trying to achieve something in their lives. They struggle with their own problems and share their joys and sorrows. Dollars are nowhere in sight as they keep walking on the righteous path. As the story moves forward, they feel saddened with the way things are going and decide to do something dangerous, which might put their lives on the right track.

Eventually, they decide to throw their financial troubles out of the window by pulling off a bank robbery. They sit down and plan the whole act. After the planning part, they would set out to make the steal. After facing some glitches, they will get their hands on a large amount of money. But things did go wrong while they planned the whole act, and this will set someone on their trail. A Decisions download will make you see detective Lou Andreas giving them a chase.

Lou Andreas is not from the pack of good cops. He is working closely with a powerful man, who wants to take control of the money. As the detective starts his investigation, he narrows the distance between the young lads and him. He wants the money badly, and would do anything necessary to find the people responsible for the robbery. One can watch Decisions online to see what Lou Andreas will do to get his hands on the money.

As the movie progresses, things get bloody as guns leave the holster. Plans go haywire and the young lives would be at stake. Together in such an adversity, they will try to make their way out of the tight corner, but the detective will keep on crossing their paths. Would the friends part ways to secure their lives, or would they stick together to face the enemy? Watch the crime drama Decisions online to see what unfolds with the young minds.

As the end will approach, the events will evade the common logic and will set on a path, which will conclude on a bloody note. The movie will surely make the audience glued to their seats, as its plot will keep on twisting and turning to make the guess work impossible. All in all, Decisions tells the tale of how wrong choices can lead to bloody ends.

Most musicians have heard of the Musicians Union but what are the benefits? If you are professional musicians then you should definitely become a member. Even if you are an amateur musician who performs part time then you should still consider joining.

The Musicians Union was set up to protect the right of musicians. They negotiate and set standard minimum fees and terms of service for those in the industry. There is also a whole range of advice and guidance available including approved performance and recording contract for things like session work as well as legal advice available. It can be costly having contracts drawn up and professional music industry legal advice is very expensive. Joining the MU give you access to these.

An important benefit is that as a member you are covered for public liability insurance so that if any member of the public is injured then you have protection up to £10 million in place. Many venues and promoters will ask for evidence of this so you should really have this in place. Joining the MU is a cost effective way of doing so.

Being a member of the MU also allows you to participate in seminars and industry workshops and is great for networking. You have access to a whole range of music professional working in different disciplines. For a monthly fee you can get all of this and more. There are different levels of membership according to your needs so the MU is affordable to everyone.

In 2011 it is important the musicians are represented in the industry separately to all the major organisations. Individually many musicians don’t have a voice but collectively through the MU they do. Being a member of the MU also shows that you take your career seriously and are committed to being a professional musician – something that potential employers are looking for.

The MU also plays a big part in government policy and is influential in shaping such policies. It allows musicians to stay in touch with issues that affect them and acts as a feedback forum. With fewer live performance venues due to government policy the justification for the MU has never been greater.

The music industry is a great industry to work in but it is after all a business. It is great to know that there is some protection out there for grassroots musicians trying to make a living. For more information visit the Musicians Union website.

Just like in any other industry the music industry has its fair share of scams. On the whole however the industry has an excellent reputation; it is just a few companies who don’t play by the rules. Young hopefuls in the music industry are perhaps more vulnerable than some as youngsters hoping to make it big in the music industry know little or nothing about how the industry works. And sometimes promises of fame and fortune lure them towards scammers.

The key rule of thumb is not to be led into forking out cash for a demo/photos etc… based on promises of work. If the company encouraging you to do so are really so convinced of your talent then they should be more than happy to put their hand in their pocket and back you. In fact it is now illegal for such companies to ask for upfront payments for such things.

There are many wannabe managers and entertainment agents out there too. A lot have no track record whatsoever so do your research and find out. Some make claims that are totally false about who they have worked with and their influence in the industry.  The music industry is extremely hard to break into and the same applies for new managers and music agents. Getting a foot in the door can be very difficult so always check out the agents claims first. Of course this doesn’t mean you should avoid new managers altogether. They may well really want to make you successful and go all out to make it happen but if this is the case then they should take the financial risk.

The main thing is to trust your instinct. Always meet face to face with the potential agent and build a relationship built on trust.  If you are convinced that the agent is working in your interest then you may decide to sign a contract. Contracts are standard in the music industry but you should always get them looked over by a music industry lawyer. Your local divorce lawyer will find himself out of his depth with such agreements.

There are many reputable music agents and managers out there.  The industry does a great job of sourcing and developing new talent and has brought us some of the world’s biggest stars. The thing is not to get swept up in the idea of being famous to the point where you’re blinded by the promises made. If you are lucky enough to have an offer from a reputable manager/agent then who knows you could be the next big thing!

Promoting yourself in the music industry is essential to success. The days of major labels ploughing hundreds of thousands into new bands have gone and more creative ways of promoting new music need to be used.  Of course there are still some traditional methods that have merit…  Let’s take a look.

If you are looking to get signed to a major label then you will definitely need a demo recording. In fact nowadays poorly recorded demos just don’t cut it. Labels are looking for almost finished mastered recordings from professional bands in many cases. They will be looking for you to have already done most of the hard work. Record label budgets don’t go as far as they used to and there is simply not as much money in music any more. Labels now make much or their money through other avenues such as touring. Therefore spend as much time as you can on making a great demo.

Playing lots of gigs is still a great way to learn your trade and get noticed. More than ever labels are looking for bands that can really cut it on the live scene. Don’t play just a few gigs… play hundreds. This is how you get really good at performing. We would all love to be suddenly propelled to super stardom but unfortunately it rarely works like that. You can take your chances and go on the X factor but your career will probably be short lived and you probably won’t make much money! Those acts that have longevity have done the ground work first.

You should also build a website and social networking site. Don’t be fooled though -the fact that you have 100,000 song plays won’t mean squat to a record label. They will be looking for something much more in depth than that. You will probably need to be already quite successful and making a living out of music before a record label will consider you.  Websites are great for networking and letting people know about your music.

You should contact reputable managers and entertainment agencies first of all as you have a much better chance of getting in the door. A manager’s job then is to get you in the door of the record company. The music industry is notoriously hard to break into so you had better make sure you are as good as you can be. There are bands out there that do make it and hang around having successful careers. To be one of those you need to work hard and promote yourselves relentlessly. For more advice visit the Music Live UK blog.

If you are planning a live music event you will need to make sure you have a contract in place with the performers. This is especially important if you have a financial stake in the event and are inviting paying customers. You need to make sure you have a written guarantee that the band will attend the engagement and what is expected from both parties. There may be occasions with local cover bands where a contract is not needed. Sometimes an email confirmation may be enough if you know of the act.

If you do go down the contract route the band may issue you a standard contract with their terms. These are available from the Musicians Union and are very simple straightforward contracts. It will usually include as a minimum the date and time of the engagement, the location, fee and duration of the performance. More in depth contracts may include who is responsible to providing equipment such as staging and PA systems. Some bands will be paid a set fee for the gig and other larger acts may ask for a percentage of ticket sales as well. This is something that should be negotiated early on.

If the function band has an agent the contract may also include the percentage that is payable to the entertainment agency and payment terms. Sometimes it is much easier dealing with a music agent as they can offer advice and guidance. Remember however that an agent is not a legal representative and will not be able to offer you legal advice. Even if they did you are entering into a contract with them so they would be the last person you want to take legal advice from!

It is not usually necessary to take legal advice unless the contract is complex. Then you should approach a music industry lawyer to look at it for you. Usually though you can review it yourself. Some live bands also have what is known as a performance rider. This will set out what the band requires in terms of accommodation, refreshments etc…

Performance contracts are commonplace and not something you should be afraid of. After all it helps secure your position and gives you some comeback should you need it. Contracts are in place to set out clearly who is responsible for what so that there is not ambiguity. After all the music business is a business much like any other .

For more music industry advice visit the Music Live Blog.

This article has received 3 Ducks – Gerald Duck

Tribute bands are more popular than ever, especially those who pay tribute to acts who are no longer with us. One act however has always been at the top of the tribute act list – Elvis Presley.

Some good and some bad Elvis impersonators keep the dream alive and it’s happening across the board. There are now professional tribute bands for acts such as U2, Take That and more and the truth is they are pretty good! Lots or corporate business are booking tribute acts for their events and these acts are demanding huge fees, sometimes several thousand pounds.

Audiences can’t always get to or afford to go and see their favourite band so tribute acts are a great alternative. Plus for some music fans it is simply not possible to see their favourite act any more as they have sadly passed on so for them it is great to relive the experience all over again – all be it a tribute.

Many entertainment agents have caught on the idea of tribute singers and some have a whole list of acts on their list. Tribute bands are proving to be big business! A contributing factor to their success is that many music lovers are not catered for by what the record labels are offering in 2011.  Today’s music does not appeal to everyone so many are looking elsewhere. Many grew up with bands from previous decades and feel the modern music has let them down.

There is a whole debate about what good music is and what isn’t but what is important in the music industry is that there is something for everyone. There is a whole social element to tribute bands too such as dressing up for an 80’s themed party and dancing along to an 80’s tribute band. Other popular tributes include Pink Floyd and Queen. In fact the Queen tribute band ‘Killer Queen’ even have a dedicated stage show to accurately recreate the experience of being at a Queen concert.

It seems music fans are willing to pay for such show with these bands often selling hundreds if not thousands of tickets. Of course it is also much more affordable than the price you would pay for a ticket to see the real artist and often you can hardly tell the difference.

So – why not take a look at your local gig listings and find out where you nearest tribute band are performing. You might just be surprised at how good they actually are!

There are thousands of bands out there but how do you go about finding a quality live band? Unless you happen to know a really great band on your doorstep then you will have to look elsewhere. On the most important day of your life you don’t want to take any chances with the entertainment. In cases such as this your first port of call should be an entertainment agent.

You can find one simply by searching the internet. It’s important thought to have a look through the range of acts they supply. There are lots of very reputable music agents out there but as in any industry you have to be careful. You will get a feeling for how trustworthy the music agent is so trust your instincts.

It’s important to speak to the agent and tell them your exact requirements. They will have wedding bands that can perform in a variety of genres so have a think first about what style you want. Soul and funk bands are very popular for weddings. The agent will direct you to bands on their website where you can usually listen to demo recordings or watch videos. This is a hugely important step and you probably won’t get the opportunity to watch the band live. Listen carefully to how well the band play together and the quality of the recording. A professional band that has spent some time on their promotional material are often serious professionals. Bear in mind that the recording may sound very different to the band live so try and watch a video too.

If you can speak to past clients about the quality of the band then that is a good start. At least then you will have a bit more confidence in their abilities as wedding musicians. You may also be able to find reviews of bands online. There are several good sites out there simply by searching the internet.

By working with an entertainment agent you are sure to get professional advice and guidance and it will take the stress out of planning your entertainment needs. After all it’s your wedding day and you need it to be as stress free as possible! There are many really great bands out there to get your party going. For more information on professional wedding bands or to hire a band then get in touch with Music Live who can offer impartial advice.

If you are putting on your own live music event you will inevitably come across deciding how best to promote it. If you have a financial stake in the event then promoting it will be high on your list of priorities. You will need people to buy tickets so getting it wrong can be disastrous. To make sure you advertise in the right places you need to consider who your audience are.

Some obvious traditional routes include press advertising. Depending on the type of event you need to be very careful about where you choose to advertise. There are specialist music magazines and newspapers such as the NME that are great if you are trying to capture a national audience. If you are just promoting a local gig then the local paper makes sense. Press advertising can be expensive though so consider if your target audience will respond to this kind of advertising.

Posters and flyers are another great traditional way of promoting events. They are reasonable inexpensive to print but you will need to put the time in distributing them. You could hire a promotions company to do this if you are working on a larger scale. Remember you cannot just put posters up anywhere. It is illegal to fly poster so be careful where you put them. You may decide to mail them out to music shops/recording studios/rehearsal rooms to try and target music fans or you may decide to target a larger audience.

Another option in 2011 is the internet. There are thousands of music websites and forums where you can post free ads. Some sites charge for advertising but if they receive a high amount of traffic then this might be very worthwhile. Social networking sites also plays a big part in promoting music these days so don’t overlook them.

Radio advertising is also much more affordable than you might think. Local radio stations will allow you to promote your event with 30 second ads that they will create for you. If you are working on a larger scale and need to sell several hundred tickets or more this might be a good option.

Whatever you decide to do to promote your event consider your budget! A good mix of all the above should work but it can swallow all your money. You may be limited to a few of the above but don’t have too many worries your promotion can still be successful.  There is a lot to consider when promoting a live music event but get it right and you’ll be on track for a successful event.