Summer Holiday and Music Funding News
Hi all.
I am back from my summer holidays. I know I haven't updated this blog in a little while. Instead I went to Sicily. It was terrific. In addition, I'm been chugging away at my PhD, aiming to submit it this side of Christmas. Unfortunately, the amount of hours in the day makes updating this difficult. But, there's news!
FIRST IN THE UK:
The UKTI, in association with UK Music and the BPI has announced a £3m injection of funds to support the export of "small and medium sized music companies". Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, stated:
"“The British music industry is a real success story,” said Vince Cable. “We are world leaders in creative talent and our music has been exported all over the world. It’s not just about enjoying the music. This worldwide success means jobs and economic growth back in the UK, so the Government must do all we can to back our winning sectors and ensure their future success. Today’s money will do just that by helping hundreds of small and medium sized businesses to export more.”
This is great news, whichever way one spins it. While it is questionable that the BPI, the trade association for majors (none of them British owned) is administering this with the BPI for indies, its efficacy will be revealed. This will help a lot of British acts, so theoretically I support it.
Furthermore, the first bands that succeeded in our Momentum Music Fund have been announced. They are: Brolin, Dutch Uncles, Esco Williams, Floating Points, Hacktivist, Hannah Peel, Kindness, Teleman, Thumpers and The Wytches. There's a Deezer playlist of the acts, as Deezer has partnered with the fund to add more cash into it.
AUSTRIA NEWS:
I haven't written much about Austria in the past, but there's some interesting things occurring there in the world of popular music funding. 25 acts have been selected to be funded over the coming few years in a project titled "The New Austrian Sound of Music." This is a novel approach, where five acts from a set amount of stock genres are picked and guaranteed funding for two years. Here's some info:
Austrian Funding News
There's also a focus on 'increased funding for international performances'. Food for thought indeed.
SAD CANADA NEWS:
I would like to express my deep condolences re: the death of music industry and popular music funding legend Brian Chater. I met Brian many times but didn't realize how important he was. He was part of every decision in the history of Canada's music funding system and without him, the industry as we know it wouldn't exist. He will be missed.
Here's a Lovely Article:
Ta!