Success Beyond The Score

Electronic music is young, and techno, even younger. So much, in fact, that Andrea Gill, known professionally as The Tunegirl, was born before it, in the 60s, at what was West Germany back then.

Techno first appeared in Detroit, USA, during the 80s, when Andrea was already a young adult. It is a genre that focuses on rhythm and the use of sound synthesis to develop new timbres, which means that it is heavily reliant on sound technology. Electronic instruments, digital audio workstations, software emulators and synthesizers are what allow techno artists to build their music across long periods of time —sets, rather than songs.

Andrea was captivated by the genre and its possibilities. She spent that decade and the next exploring minimal techno and working as a DJ. Then, she had a long pause, during which sound technology developed at great speeds and changed the field for electronic musicians. By the time she came back, the use of music software was so widespread that it looked inescap...

There is still time to join Time For My Music, our online community group to help and guide emerging female musicians in their path to achieve their music dreams. Sign up to work together with like-minded women like Joannie, to whom you can listen in the video below, talking about how she gained confidence and improved several of her skills thanks to the support of the group:

 

 

 

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Just like her, upon entering, you will become part of a network, engage with projects and participate in talks and social events aimed at getting you closer to your goals.

If you sign up before tomorrow night, when enrollment closes, you will get a 14 days free trial during which you will be able to:

• Explore our extensive library, including the recent series of workshops we have held about amplifiers and mixers.
• Get acquainted with the other members and talk in our forums.
• Attend one drink, c
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Episodes 2 and 3 of the third season of Success Beyond The Score address very different matters, although both are critical for the gigging musician: fanbase and sound.

There is an audience for every form of music, that is for sure. The real question is how to find them, reach them, and most importantly, how to show to promoters, labels and clients that you have the skills to pull a crowd. Listen what Millicent has to say about this topic on episode 2:

At first glance, episode 3 seems to be about something obvious. Music is sound, therefore low quality sound is detrimental to it. However, many tend to delegate this vital part of their performance to others, trusting that whoever said they'd be in charge of the equipment knows what they are doing and understand what the artist likes.

It's not so easy! Have a listen to Millicent's take:

Both episodes are available as audio only, and there are also transcriptions.

• Episode 2
• Episode 3

If you are a woman in music who would ...

Patricia has been an active member of Time For My Music, our online community that helps emerging female musicians achieve their music dreams, since the beginning. Through the years, we have seen her grow, challenge herself and achieve wonderful things. Let Patricia herself tell you about it:

 

 

 

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This clip comes from our live concert in Birmingham some time ago. You can watch the whole show on YouTube.

Now, if you are:

• A female singer, musician, rapper or DJ, who would like to take your music hobby further by performing outside your four walls, and get paid, but don’t know how to make it happen
• Perhaps a woman who is already performing, but who struggles to some extent with things like sound tech, ways to improve stage craft, how to get bookings, etc.
• A woman who wants to return to music after a break, or give it one more push before quitting, and is now looking for t
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People across the UK, including the West Midlands, have been suffering far-right riots, violent attacks, arson, intimidation and aggression targeting migrants and "foreign people". These discriminatory actions are promoted and supported by Reform UK, Restore Britain, and other actors of the far right.

Stand Up to Racism was born in 2015 to oppose such propaganda and stop its outrageous consequences. Together with the Trade Union Congress Midlands, they have summoned more than 60 organisations to congregate at Victoria Square, Birmingham, this Sunday 4th October. There will be key speeches, performances, and a march to celebrate the diverse and multicultural spirit of the West Midlands.

The Musicians Union will be present, marching with the trade union bloc. If you are a member, don’t hesitate joining the group. There is no need to register or do anything beforehand, just arrive on the day.

Come along and bring your friends and family. Let's rally together, create connections, and sh...

Time For My Music is our online private membership group for emerging female musicians. This denomination includes singers, instrumentalists, singer-songwriters, rappers, DJs and spoken word artistes. Starting today, and for two weeks, it is open for new members. If you have been reading our updates from the group, and wondering how you can take part, this is your chance!

Specifically, Time For My Music is the right fit for you if:

• Music is your hobby, but you would like to perform and eventually get paid.
• You're returning to music after a break, and want support to get back in and boost your confidence. 

• You have gigged occasionally, but it doesn't seem to be working. However, you'd like to give your music one last push to see if you can realise your music dreams.

You can read more about the project in the about page.

Still unsure? No problem, signing up allows you to access the community group for 14 days before you have to pay even a penny. Come and have a look!

Click...

We have already covered the basics of health and safety, and also what amplifiers and mixers are. Now, to round up this first batch of summaries, we will go over how to set them up and down properly.

Recap on risk management

Before setting up, check for potential hazards: uneven surfaces, proximity to transit areas, and whether there is a chance your equipment will get wet (by being outdoors or close to where drinks are being served).

Tape your leads to the floor in order to prevent accidents. You can also tape them to the sides of poles or tripods, and if it's important that people see them, you can wrap them in colourful or reflective tape.

Set up your equipment within your reach, but not so close that you could hit it by accident while you perform. If you have poles, extend the legs as wide as the space allows it, and don't make the pole higher than yourself.

During soundcheck, make sure that there is no risk of interference between your devices, and that you have enough spa...

Today, we start revisiting the third, and for now last, season of the podcast Success Beyond The Score. For it, Millicent changed formats once again, deciding to explore the world of livestreaming.

The biggest advantage of recording the episodes live with an audience was the interaction. As you will see, she answered questions on the spot, and also reconnected with listeners at later episodes to clarify things. It was a good experience that reflected on her later e-learning opportunities. Speaking of that, you can join the mailing list to learn whenever more of those become available.

Here is the first episode, which outlined the structure of the whole season. It explains the seven stages that every gigging musician goes through during their career:

Here is the audio-only version. As always, you can find it at most podcast streaming platforms. Shares are appreciated!

You need only claim the events of your life to make yourself yours.
—Florida Scott-Maxwell, in ‘The Measure of My Days: One Woman's Vivid, Enduring Celebration of Life and Aging’ (1972) 

Florida Scott-Maxwell was an American playwright, author and Jungian analyst. When she was in her eighties and living in a nursing home, she turned her journal into the memoir ‘The Measure of My Days’ , where this quote comes from. The title of the memoir itself might come from psalm 39:4, which reads: “Oh Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!" 

• What does this mean to you?
• What influence could this have in your music?

As always, you can share your thoughts here.

As we have discussed before in the blog, New Year's Eve is not the only point in time where we can stop, look at what we have done, think about where we want to go, and make plans. In fact, to reach your goals, you should most definitely be tracking your progress and adjusting your actions way more frequently.

The beginning of September is a good checkpoint. Summer vacation is mostly over, kids go back to school. The demand for gigs decreases slightly, and the uninviting weather of early autumn is a great excuse to sit down inside and focus. Also, there is still enough time before Christmas to assess your situation at different levels of your life (family, music, finances, etc.) and make a solid plan to tweak what you need to tweak.

Dust off that list of new year's resolutions you made in January and evaluate. First, acknowledge any and all achievements and progress you have got so far. Good job! Then, in regard to the goals that are still pending, ask yourself why that is and answer...