10 FOR TUESDAYS - MONKS OF MELLONWAH PART TWO

If you were stuck on a desert island, which other artist would you want to be stuck with?

Muse for sure! I think that band would be awesome to be with. I’m guessing we have our guitars and drums so the jamming and ideas would be unreal, but watching videos of them back stage and interviews, they seem like they would be heaps of fun to chill with and most importantly a good laugh.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - MONKS OF MELLONWAH PART ONE

Welcome back to our '10 For Tuesdays' series, this year we have band Monks of Mellonwah to answer our questions. So lets get straight into it!

When did you start making music and what was the main reason behind it?

By the end of our high school days we had all become pretty aware of each other’s skills as musicians. Josh (drums) and I (Joe) were in the same music class and were awesome mates so we had been jamming on and off for 2 years before we really considered the idea of a band. In late 2009 when we heard Will sing for the first time it kinda just clicked for us both and we knew we had an opportunity for something special. Me and our other guitarist back then Vikram turned to my brother John to ask if he was interested in playing the bass for us. He had always been a guitarist and was the reason I picked up the guitar, and he loved the idea. So I guess it just went from there – we all loved our music and we all loved each other so it was such a perfect thing.

CREATING A DEMO

Welcome back to our musicians info series. In today’s addition, we will look at the importance of creating a demo for your band. A demo is short for demonstration and that is exactly what it is, a demonstration of your bands songs. When a band is coming up it is important that they create a professional sounding demo as this will probably be the first bit of music that most people hear of them. I am going to break down the most important aspects of bringing a demo CD together.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (23RD MARCH)

After a turbelent start to the week for N-Dubz and X-Factor star Tulisa with the leak of an old sex tape onto the web, we finally get some positive news with the first play of her new single 'We Are Young' earlier today on the Chris Moyles show.

CELEBRITY PROFILES - LABRINTH

Welcome to the second instalment of the 'Celebrity Profiles' series. In this instalment we will be profiling singer/songwriter/producer Labrinth.

Labrinth first appeared in the public eye when he produced Tinie Tempah's first two singles 'Pass Out' and 'Frisky.' However he had been busy honing his craft way before that having grown up in a very musical family with 9 siblings. His first big production credits came when he produced the majority of Master Shortie's debut album and this led to him being offered a publishing deal with EMI, this then led to him working with the majority of the UK’s finest Urban artists.

10 FOR TUESDAYS WITH MIKE MOSS

This week we have given singer-songwriter Mike Moss the task of completing our '10 For Tuesdays. So lets get straight into it!

When did you start making music and what was the main reason behind it?

I was at school and I remember going out and buying a 4 track recorder.  I put it in my bedroom alongside my mic and my amp, but I didn’t even own a guitar at this stage!  The first song I ever wrote came from a short composition that a friend of mine had left on that 4 track recorder, combined with a poem I’d written to create a very early version of what is now ‘Morning Call’ on the album. 

Who are your main influences?

My musical tastes are quite eclectic and always have been.  There are obvious choices such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, George Harrison, and U2.  On other days you could quite as easily find me listening to Metallica, ACDC, Paul Oakenfold, The Prodigy, or Matt Monro.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (16TH MARCH)

This week the line-up for Reading & Leeds festival was announced with The Cure, Foo Fighters and Kasabian set to headline.The festival will take place during the August bank holiday weekend (24-26th.) You can see the full line-up below.

I'm sure everybody would think the highest earning British musician in America last year is Adele, however in actual face singer Sade beat her to the crown. Sade is said to have earned £10.5 million through touring and her CD 'The Ultimate Collection.'

New music releases this week include albums from Marcus Collins, Estelle and Michael Kiwanuka and singles include releases from Jay-Z & Kanye, The Maccabees, Miike Snow & M.I.A. This weeks midweek charts see Gotye hanging onto their top spot in the singles chart for the third week running and Bruce Springsteen topping the album chart.



And finally for this weeks weird and wacky video. This week we have a Skateboarder/Parkourer (is that a word?) Just watch and be amazed!

PROMOTING YOUR MUSIC ONLINE

With the introduction of the social networks it has become a lot easier to promote your band over the internet and if used effectively can even lead to an artist/band being signed (if that’s what you want.) The big advantage to internet promoting is that it can be done at little or no cost. This article has been written to provide you with a few tips to help you with your online promotion.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - BOODDHA

Welcome back to our '10 For Tuesdays' feature, this week we have Dutch producer Booddha going under the spotlight. So lets get straight into it.

When did you start making music and what was it that led you to start?

I think it was about 4 years ago, I was already really deep into electronic music and I wanted to give it a try for myself. I started reading massive amount of tutorials and made full albums to try everything out.

What software do you use to make music?

Well, friends laugh at me for using it but I started using FL Studio and I still use it. I am not ashamed of it haha. Just as long as you don’t call it “Fruity Loops”

STEVIE SB PRESENTS "THE WEEK" EPISODE 3 (PODCAST)

Welcome back to 'The Week' presented by the one and only Stevie SB. 'The Week' is a weekly podcast rounding up the weeks biggest music news and this week we have a special song written and sung by Stevie himself, what more could you ask for?

CELEBRITY PROFILES - FEARNE COTTON

Here's another new monthly feature for you guys, the 'Celebrity Profile' series. In the first edition we profile Radio/TV personality Fearne Cotton.

I don’t think a day will go by when you won’t see Fearne on your TV or hear her blasting out of your Radio. She is one of the most popular presenters on UK Television and Radio and since bursting onto the scene as one of the host of GMTV’s ‘The Disney Club’ in 1997 at the tender age of 17, she has gone on to appear in such shows as Children In Need, Top Of The Pops and Celebrity Juice to name but a few.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - WHAT IF.....PHARRELL WILLIAMS (PART TWO)

In 2005 Pharrell was voted as Esquire magazines ‘Best Dressed Man In The World.’ He has been seen by many in the world as a major fashion icon and has worked with the likes of Louis Vuitton and other big brands on numerous products.

Pharrell is a massive Star Trek fan and was inspired to name his record label ‘Star Trak’ after the franchise. You will also notice his use of the Vulcan Salute in many pictures.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (24TH FEB)

The Brit Awards took place this week and there was massive controversy when producers cut short Adele's speech half way through due to an over running schedule. Adele was fuming and showed producers the middle finger whilst leaving the stage.

HAS MUSIC GONE DIGITAL - PITCHFORK MEDIA

Hey StudioBookers once a month we are going to take a look at some of the music industries biggest publications in our latest feature 'Has Music Gone Digital?'. For this first edition we are going to take a look at Pitchfork Media.

Pitchfork Media is an Internet publication that was established by Ryan Schreiber in 1995. The aim of Pitchfork is to provide its readers with music criticism, commentary, news and artist interviews. Originally it was set up to provide information on independent music (mainly indie rock) however over time they have extended their coverage to include electronic, pop, hip hop, dance, folk, jazz, metal and experimental music.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (17TH FEB)

The Grammy Awards took place last Sunday and the big winner of the night turned out to be Brit Singer Adele. Adele took home 6 Grammy's equalling (held by Beyonce the record of most gong's taken home by a single female artist in one ceremony.

THE WORLDS GREATEST RECORDING STUDIOS - PART ONE

Welcome to StudioBookers 'Worlds Greatest Recording Studios' series. In this feature we will aim to take a look at some of the worlds best studios past and present and attempting to detail what makes them so great. This first edition will see us take a look at Abbey Road Studios, Motown Hitsville USA, Electric Lady Studios and Olympic Studios.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - ED LEIGH PART TWO

How do you think the Internet has helped musicians?
The Internet has made it so much easier for musicians these days. At one point it would have been solely up to getting gigs and finding representation to build a fan base, working your way slowly to the top. Now however, someone can be as well known as The Who were without even leaving his or her bedroom. It allows the freedom to reach out to virtually anyone you want in the world without directly dealing with anyone. Websites like Soundcloud have made it so much easier for any artist (no matter how talented) to be seen by a huge audience, which is great.


What advice would you give to an up and coming producer/artist from your own experiences?
I would say most of all, don’t be afraid of rejection, and speak to as many people as you can. It’s all about getting in contact with the right people. But you don’t want to be coming across the wrong way so I’d say it’s vital to be friendly with people and take any criticism you get in the most positive of ways. Also, you should be as passionate about other peoples music as you are with own (or vice versa).

10 FOR TUESDAYS - ED LEIGH

Welcome back to our '10 For Tuesday's' series. This week we have Preston based producer Ed Leigh. So lets get straight into it.


When did you start making music and what was it that led you to start?
I officially began producing music in around 2008; this was achieved via my brother’s iMac and messing around in Garageband. I like to think I started trying to make my own music when I began playing the guitar, which was at the end of primary school (around 2006). Once I’d learnt a few chords and scales I just loved trying to come up with my own sound.


What software do you use to make music?
I am now an avid Ableton Live user. I did try Reason for a while, which was good, but it didn’t allow me (personally) to utilize the skills I had as a musician as opposed to a producer.

ADVERTISING YOUR STUDIO

Why is nobody using my studio? Why am I not making any money? Are these questions that you find yourself pondering on a regular occasion? Then hopefully this guide will give you a few tips to help you promote your studio.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - DEEPAK SHUKLA PART TWO

What musicians are you listening to at the moment and who is your tip for future success?

I’m a big fan of Ed Sheeran and Jessie J at the moment. I really like what their introductions to the music scene in the UK has done for the industry. And their acoustic/edgy/raw and personable approach really appeals to up and coming musicians and the average consumer who can identify with their journey alot more.