Music industry insiders to help unsigned bands in business festival music showcase

Film and TV music composer William Goodchild is among a panel of judges set to give six unsigned local bands and artists some X-Factor advice on how they can make the big time during the Discuss and Do business festival being held in Frome in February.

 

The musicians will play a song to a panel which will include William Goodchild sitting alongside musician and manager Sam Lakeman, former EMI Creative Marketing Director Ciara Nolan and local musician and performer Martin Dimery.

 

The special music showcase, which is being supported by local sound designer Will Angelero, takes place on Friday February 24 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm in the Cheese and Grain. Bands have until January 30 to apply to take part and they can find out more about how to enter at www.discussanddo.co.uk

 

"Our aim with this event is to get unsigned bands to think about what they're doing and give them some tips and advice on where they should focus their energy if they want to move things forward. Our judging panel is packed with people who really know their stuff, from composers to recognised musicians and industry experts in marketing who want to share their insider know-how with young bands and artists," said Neil Howlett, President of Frome and District Chamber of Commerce which is helping to organise the festival alongside the Frome Creative Network with support from Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council and Frome Town Council.

 

"We're looking for bands and performers who are already gigging and have recorded a CD, but haven't yet secured a record deal. We think they'll hear some useful advice on how to do that in this special showcase event.

 

"The Discuss and Do business festival is all about offering practical advice to entrepreneurs, artists  and business people to move their enterprises forward. So we thought this music showcase would be a great way to involve young people in the event in a way that will hopefully help them realise their dreams in the music industry."

 

The bands need to send in their CD beforehand for the panel to look at and they will then set up and perform for five minutes before the panel and audience before getting some constructive advice and feedback about their performance and how they could promote themselves further.

 

William Goodchild is a well-known composer who specialises in creating music for wildlife and history documentaries. He has also scored films for all the major broadcasters including the BBC and National Geographic International and he has collaborated with artists from Tom Jones to Roni Size and Reprazent.

 

Ciara Nolan worked for EMI Records for over a decade as Creative Marketing Director. She has worked with major names like David Bowie and Dame Shirley Bassey and she is still involved in advising up-and-coming bands.

 

Sam Lakeman is a musician, songwriter, producer and record label owner and comes from a family of well-known performers who have had a lot of musical success.

 

Martin Dimery is a well-known local musician and performer with his band Sgt Pepper's Only Dartboard Band as well as being the creative director of Frome Festival and the programme and marketing manager at Frome's Cheese and Grain venue.