So many important sites in the development of the contemporary British music scene remain unheralded.
Tag: News
Maida Vale
A fascinating yet mood-settling visit to the BBC’s historic Maida Vale Studios in north west London today in the company of MU National Organiser for Orchestras, Jo Laverty, and photographer Jonathan Stewart. We were there to support the BBC Singers who received the devastating news last week that the BBC were axing the entire group after ninety-nine years of top class performing and recording.
Conference comms
The MU has announced the details of the summer’s Delegate Conference today, following the distribution of a printed brochure to all 33,000 members.
No to visa increase
The Musicians’ Union together with other music industry bodies has signed a joint letter from UK Music to Kemi Badenoch MP (Secretary of State for Business and Trade), setting out our serious concerns for the future of US touring should the proposed increases in the US become law.
Power Station
An impromptu day proved rewarding as I marked my birthday with a trip down the Thames in the company of my wife Julie, my son Ben and stepdaughter Lisa. The destination being Battersea Power Station with a view to seeing what had been constructed, following all its years lying empty since the legendary landmark was decommissioned in 1983.
Studio 2
A superb afternoon at Abbey Road courtesy of Revival, as producer James Reynolds steered the team in completing vocals, bass and piano for their next set of releases. On hand were star names Jools Holland and Emeli Sande, who joined us to add their world-renowned talents to the tracks, plus Mousse-T and choir leader Peyton and his host of excellent vocalists.
Lyric sheet
A productive morning with Steve at Prinststore in Kingston preparing a lyric sheet as an insert for the Waterloo Sunrise album. This gave the opportunity to include more of Jonathan Stewart’s superb photographs on the reverse, as we were able to fit all of the lyrics on one side (albeit at 7 point!)
Team drinks
A relaxing lunch with the MU Comms team today at The Woolpack in Bermondsey St. Great to catch up in real time with colleagues Isabelle Gutierrez, Maddy Radcliff, Autumn Sharkey and Katerina Baranova.
Musicians’ Census
Help Musicians and the MU have launched a census to generate the first ever comprehensive picture of the UK’s music-making population.
Streaming update
The MU today welcomed the new Report by the Select Committee of the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS), recommending more of a focus on fair remuneration in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) process examining music streaming.
Advertising
For over a decade I have had responsibility for print advertising at the MU, both the cost negotiation and the production of artwork. My thanks go to all my contacts in this side of the business for their support.
Oval House
On the 4th January 1999 I proudly entered the National Office of the Musicians’ Union in Clapham Road for the first time as a full-time employee of the largest organisation of musicians in the UK.
Whisky galore
A pleasant and informative afternoon in the company of marketing consultant Mark Batchelor as he brought over a single malt whisky tasting collection, which we proceeded to enjoy straight, with ice, water and ginger.
Promises at midnight
A lovely afternoon at Petham in Canterbury with producer Greg Fitzgerald and his partner Jenny. I was originally visiting to collect a pair of shoes that I had left during a video recording session! However, our attention quickly turned to one element of my forthcoming album.
The Musician (winter)
The winter 2022 edition of The Musician, the magazine of the Musicians’ Union, is being dispatched in print and digital format to members across the UK this week. This my seventy-first edition as editor and the contents include profile interviews with Sarah Bennett and the Brodsky Quartet, plus features on hearing, podcasts, AI and the Union’s EDI Conference.
PR coverage
Kindred PR has kindly supplied a report of the MU media coverage for the period September to November 2022. My thanks to Courtney, Hannah and Rebecca of the excellent team at Kindred for their valuable assistance.
ENO videos
I spent the late afternoon with Jonathan Stewart and his assistant Charlotte at the Coliseum in Charing Cross Road, interviewing some of the musicians in the English National Opera orchestra who have been affected by the severe cuts in funding for the organisation.
Tribute to Rab Noakes
Rab Noakes was a fine singer, songwriter, guitarist, BBC Radio music producer and Union activist. He served superbly representing musicians’ rights on the MU’s Executive Committee for many years.
Coral Room
One of my favourite bars in central London can be found in the Bloomsbury Hotel in Great Russell St, just along from TUC Congress House. The Coral Room serves a fine range of beers, shorts and cocktails, in surroundings inspired by the jazz age of the 1920’s and created in collaboration with Martin Brudnizki.
ACE funding
The MU has today heavily criticised the decision by Arts Council England to make major cuts in public funding to English National Opera and other arts organisations. While the MU supports increased funding for arts organisations outside London, today’s announcement reveals a deliberate decision to do this at a direct cost of London-based companies.
Record of the Day anniversary
The excellent daily news service for the music industry, Record of the Day (RotD), has just distributed its 1000th issue, which is a considerable milestone for any such service, and I have joined many colleagues in the business in acknowledging this feat.
Northern Cowboys
It has been a delight working with the superb team from Northern Cowboy Films, led by Mark Lewis and Thomas Dibb, who have been recording our MU EDI Conference in Leeds so effectively.
