Today (Nov 1st) sees the release of ‘Downtown’, a stunningly beautiful compilation album featuring some of the top UK folk artists on the up right now. Released by the small but perfectly formed Folkstock Records, you can get it now via their webpage if you like what you hear above.
However, if you do like what you hear above and you live in the London area, we have good news. You can get a free copy of ‘Downtown’ if you grab a ticket to one of their Emerging Artist Showcases at the London Folk and Roots Festival.
Kelly Oliver is headlining the all female ‘Folk’ evening on 11th November at The Islington. Joining her are Minnie Birch from Hemel Hempstead, Daria Kulesh from Kings Langley and Zoe Wren from London, currently studying music at Cambridge University. All the acts have impressive stories to tell and songs to sing and are worthy of a national platform.
The national singing competition TeenStar has found its latest winner! Joining a long line of prestigious Future Music competition winners, Rachel Ann from Bournemouth, Dorset has been crowned the champion of the national TeenStar competition at The NEC in Birmingham!
Singing Competition Winner
Rachel Ann was crowned champion in front of a capacity crowd and a prestigious music industry judging panel at The NEC in Birmingham on Saturday night. Her unique performance of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” won over the competition industry judges making her the overall winner of TeenStar. She will now be offered a recording and development deal including a £5,000 advance to spend on the development of her music.
The national singing competition is brought to you by Future Music – the company behind the discovery of artists such as such as Luke Friend and Karen Hardy both of which have had chart success this year, Jacob Banks, Warner Music’s Birdy, Columbia Record’s Lucy Spraggan, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley and Jahmene Douglas, both of which are now signed to Sony Music.
Music industry judges at the National Singing Competition Grand Final
After impressing the judging panel at the auditions, Rachel Ann battled against more than 9,000 acts who entered for TeenStar this year across the UK. She went on to perform in the TeenStar live showcases, battling through both Regional and Area Final heats to make it to the national Grand Final.
The judging panel for the Grand Final included record label representatives from Universal, as well representatives from music management companies, recording studios, professional musicians, national press representatives and the examination board, Rock School.
Rachel Ann has now won a comprehensive consultation package with Future Music, an extensive winner’s publicity package, and an amazing £5,000 advance to spend on the development of her music. On winning the prizes Rachel said, “I’m literally speechless, overjoyed with happiness. Thank you to everyone for all the support!”
Chris Grayston, Head Judge and Director of Future Music has said, “Rachel Ann has been a stand out act throughout the TeenStar competition. Her unique vocal range and emotive performances make her a clear winner!” Check out more information about the TeenStar Champion on the website here.
Future Music is also about to start singing auditions for Open Mic UK, find more information and enter music competition Open Mic UK now. Also check out the Future Music Songwriting Contest, which is specifically for songwriters of any age and genre.
Songwriting competition: New for 2015, Future Music is launching a UK songwriting competition to find the best songwriters in the UK. The competition will provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to get their music heard and potentially get signed. There is also the opportunity to perform in a Grand Final showcase in London in front of A&R who work for the three major record labels.
FUTURE MUSIC UK SONGWRITING COMPETITION
A prestigious panel of music industry judges are at every stage of the songwriting competition, offering songwriters exposure of their music to the most influential decision-makers in the music industry, including A&R representatives who work for the UK’s three major record labels – Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and Universal Music.
The UK songwriting competition is brought to you by Future Music, the company behind the discovery of many of the best songwriters in the UK song writers such as:
Atlantic Record’s Jacob Banks
Warner Music’s Birdy
Sony’s Luke Friend
Columbia Record’s Lucy Spraggan
SONGWRITING COMPETITION CATEGORIES
The songwriting contest is open to all ages; however there will be additional categories for songwriters under the age of 15 and 18 years of age. There will also be additional songwriting awards for the categories of genres including; Rock, Country, Jazz, Pop, World, Rhythm & Blues, Hip Hop, Urban, Christian, Gospel, Latin, Electronic and Folk.
Acts don’t need a professional recording to enter the songwriting competition, as entries will be judged on their originality, melody, composition, lyrics (where applicable) and their potential to be a hit song.
SHOWCASE OF UK SONGWRITING TALENT
The winning acts that make the Grand Final showcase in London will have the chance to perform on a stage that has hosted the likes of Mumford & Sons, Ellie Goulding, Coldplay and the Foo Fighters at Dingwalls, a world-renowned music venue right in the hub of London’s music scene in Camden.
One of the UK’s hottest new singer/songwriters 19 year old Jess Thristan has recorded a breath taking live version of her upcoming new single ‘Little Bird’. The stripped back version of the wonderfully melodic and catchy tune is a masterly piece of music that fuses classic singer/songwriting with contemporary pop sensitivities.
The new single, which is released October 20th, is a follow up to April’s ‘Side By Side’ EP which gained major national radio play and reached number 8 in the iTunes singer/songwriter chart.
‘Little Bird’ shows a progression in the development of Jess as an extremely credible writer and performer. Also recorded at the Ont’ Sofa sessions was Jess’ interpretation of the classic Beatles track ‘From Me To You’. To view ‘From Me To You’ visit the link below.
With ‘Little Bird’ already achieving national radio play on BBC Radio 2 and with a live performance already booked on Clare Balding’s radio show, the single looks certain to further Jess Thristan’s reputation.
To see Jess perform ‘Little Bird’ for the Ont’ Sofa sessions visit the link below.
With national auditions coming this weekend for their annual competition (enter now), Open Mic UK are offering these tips for singers who are looking forward to an audition.
Preparing for your audition
Singing audition tips for singers: So you want to impress at your audition? Auditioning for a competition and any part is about so much more than the way you sing in front of those judging you. Preparing for your audition and making sure you’re in the right mind set is just as important. So how to do that:
Practice!! Know your audition song like the back of your hand! You will be nervous in the audition room so the song needs to come naturally to you.
Dress smart! Dress like you would on stage. Make sure your image matches your style. If you sing like Freddie Mercury you would not dress like Marilyn Manson!
If singing a cover, put your own stamp on it. Maybe play with the arrangement or musical style to suit your style. Singing a carbon copy won’t show the judges anything about you! You need to think outside the box. It’s an audition, not a karaoke session.
Look after your vocals leading up to the audition. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and smoking and make sure you warm up thoroughly!
During your audition
The audition starts the moment you walk through the door. The judges will gauge you on your attitude the moment you step foot through the door! Give them a smile, it will be remembered!
If you have any demo recordings, place them on the judge’s table when you enter. They will see professionalism at being one step ahead with the demo recordings and may just take a little more interest when you are performing.
Time will be tight! Start your performance with the strongest part of the song. Songs like Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My love’ take too long to get to the chorus and on a busy day this will frustrate the judges.
The audition isn’t just about your image and vocal, your performance value will be noticed. Try to avoid being rooted to the spot, treat the area as a stage and use it!
Eye contact is essential! Avoid looking at the ground, give the judges a reason to keep their eyes on you. Engage with your audience which in this case is the judges.
Thank the judges as you leave the room. Keep polite and courteous. The audition isn’t over until you leave the room!
Whether or not you are successful, consider it valuable experience. Make the most of any feedback you are given. Use it constructively and implement it into your performance for future auditions. Don’t let it bring you down; if you believe in your ability you will bounce back. More doors close before one opens, you just have to be ready!
Future Music is about to start auditions for Open Mic UK this weekend. It’s not too late to enter and audition in the next few coming weeks. To find out more and enter Open Mic UK now go to www.openmicukco.uk.
Mina Tindle has announced a headline show at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London on Thursday 13th November 2014. The show will follow Tindle’s support to The National at their forthcoming Usher Hall, Edinburgh show on Thursday 10th July.
Last week, Parisian folk and new-wave singer, song-writer and multi-instrumentalist Tindle also announced the forthcoming release of her second album Parades. The album is mixed by Craig Silvey(The National, Arcade Fire, Anna Calvi) and will be released in October 2014 via Believe Recordings.
A taster of Parades is available in the form of first single I Command (out now), the video of which premiered recently on The Girls Are website in the UK.
Real Music Network 