MJ Olaore appointed COO of the BPI
The BPI has appointed MJ Olaore to the newly-created role of BPI chief operating officer. Commencing November 1, and reporting to chief executive Geoff Taylor, Olaore will be responsible for the BPI’s day-to-day operational and financial affairs and for the further development of its commercial activities. She joins the BPI from leading independent market research company Firefish, where she has been chief operating officer since 2011. Olaore will be introduced to BPI members and partners at the BPI’s 2016 AGM, on Wednesday September 7.
AIF reveals core programme and additional speakers for Festival Congress 2016
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), the London-based trade association that represents UK festival organisers, has announced the core programme and additional speakers for FestivalCongress 2016, which will take place in Cardiff for the third year running later this year. Confirmed for November 1-2, 2016 Festival Congress, which will take place at the Wales Millennium Centre and DEPOT, will play host to over 400 delegates and will be a celebration of the independent festival industry. The Charlatans lead singer Tim Burgess and speakers from Secret Garden Party, Bluedot, The Eden Sessions and more join AIF's flagship event.
FUGA signs up Fire, Earth, V2 Benelux and Sounday
Digital music distribution and services company FUGA has added UK-based labels Fire Records and Earth Recordings, V2 Benelux and leading Italian distributor Sounday to its fast-expanding roster of international clients.
FUGA will handle global digital distribution for Fire Records' entire catalogue, including fellow independent, but closely related label, Earth Recordings. Earth have been nominated in two categories at Tuesday’s AIM Awards; Best Small Label and Special Catalogue Release of the Year, for Mikael Tariverdiev's Film Music. Alongside Tariverdiev, the fledgling label's impressive roster includes Bert Jansch, The "Inspired" Series, Judy Dyble and more. FUGA has also picked up the digital distribution for V2 Benelux and its associated labels Butler Records and Excelsior Recordings. V2 licenses artists including Mumford & Sons and Skunk Anansie for Benelux, with its own global roster including Blaudzun, John Coffey and Bombay. Highlights from Excelsior Recordings’ roster include Triggerfinger, Bewilder and Moss, while Butler Records handles artists such as Anneke van Giersbergen, LAMB and Chris de Burgh.
Cooking Vinyl signs singer-songwriterLewis Watson
UK singer-songwriter Lewis Watson has agreed a worldwide services deal with London-based independent label Cooking Vinyl, which will see him release his second album early next year. Lewis achieved early recognition when, after several years of uploading his own videos to YouTube, his self-released EP It's Got Four Sad Songs on it BTW became a Top 10 iTunes hit in 2012. Subsequently signed to Warner Bros. Records at just 18-years-old, Lewis’ debut album The Morning received widespread critical acclaim, strong radio support, impressive social media interest and entered the UK Top 30.
PRS for Music to offer advice to Newcastle’s songwriters
PRS for Music is visiting Newcastle to offer a free event for local songwriters and composers. Following a string of successful panels in Manchester, York, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield earlier this year, How to Make Your Music Pay will take place at The Cluny 2, on Monday September, 19. Across two panels, music industry professionals with hands-on experience from across the business will explain the importance protecting your music rights, as well as gaining knowledge about the business behind musical creativity, and understanding the various ways that creating music can generate an income.
Badly Drawn Boy announced as headliner for RNIB’s inaugural See Through Sound concert
Badly Drawn Boy, Doc Brown, Kevin Simm, Vaults and Andy Jordan are the first artists confirmed to perform at the inaugural See Through Sound concert in aid of RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People), with more artists to be announced. Taking place at Cadogan Hall in London on Friday, October 14, 2016, See Through Sound will bring together both established artists and some of the UK's most promising breakthrough acts for an evening of live music in support of RNIB. To accompany the fantastic auditory experience, audience members will be given ‘sim specs’ (glasses simulating sight loss), providing an insight into living with sight loss and creating a unique atmosphere for concert-goers and artists alike.
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