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.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (30TH MARCH)

Justin Bieber released his highly anticipated new single 'Boyfriend' earlier this week. The song feature production and co-writing credits from Mike Posner.

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.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - FRANCIS BOWIE

Welcome back to our weekly '10 For Tuesdays' features where we ask musicians/producers and also our own staff 10 questions of our choice. This week we have singer-songwriter Francis Bowie in to answer our questions. So lets get straight into it.

When did you start making music and what was the main reason behind it? When I was about eight years old. I apparently just have to do it.

Who are your main influences?

Placebo, David Bowie, The Doors, Roxette, The Cure.

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.

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?

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (9TH MARCH)

British Band The Wanted are this week celebrating some chart success stateside. Their first release in America 'Glad You Came' has charted at No.4 in the America singles chart (40 places above other Brit Band One Directions first release.) The band were also part of a recent filming for the next series of Punk'd where one of the band members was arrested in a prank.

10 FOR TUESDAYS - EL. TRAIN

Welcome back to another edition of '10 For Tuesdays.' This week I am going to be putting myself through the vigorous questioning! A little background on myself, I am a producer, I produced both my own stuff as well as production for look bands and also remix work. So lets get into it.


When did you start making music and what was it that led you to start?
My interest in music probably began when I first picket up the guitar aged 14/15. After a while I wanted to be able to record my own stuff so I got myself a copy of FL Studio and began learning about creating beats, playing the keyboard and also using live instrumentation such as my guitar.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (2ND MARCH)

The NME Awards took place earlier this week with Florence + The Machine and The Foo Fighters the big winners. Florence picked up the Best solo artist and Best song awards, where as the Foo Fighters took home Best International Artist and Best Film.

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.

THIS WEEKS MUSIC NEWS (FEB 10TH)

First up Jay-Z & Kanye West released the long awaited video for their track 'Nigg*s In Paris' yesterday. The video was filmed during the L.A. leg of their 'Watch The Throne' tour.