Created in Birmingham

After contact from a group drawn from Birmingham City Council and Arts Council England, The Music Network has asked 10 open questions to begin to determine an overview of the current state, needs, and potential of the independent music industry in Birmingham.

I’d hope there’d be lot of strong views in this area, so if you’ve got something to say, you’ve got until 24th January to respond. Below are the 10 questions, which are also available in a handy Google survey here.

1. In your view, what is the current state of the region’s “Independent Music Industry?”

2. What do you think are it’s immediate needs with reference to the areas that you are most familiar with?

3. As far as the region’s “Independent Music Industry” is concerned, what do you think shows the greatest potential for the next few years?

4. In recent years, there has been a range of initiatives and projects designed to support the development of music in Birmingham. Can you list 5 projects or initiatives that you think have proved beneficial to the “Independent Music Industry?”

5. Can you list any projects or initiatives that you think have proved “of little use or benefit” to the “Independent Music Industry?”

6. With regard to your answers to questions 4 and 5, do you think Birmingham should continue to pursue the idea of more initiatives and projects designed to support the development of music in Birmingham?

7. If you could make any changes to, or include any new ideas for, any “strategy for supporting the development of music in Birmingham” what would your top priorities be?

8. If you were given the task of evaluating whether a project or initiative had been successful, what would you suggest as the best indicators of success, failure, benefit or disaster for the “Independent Music Industry?”

9. As far as your knowledge or understanding of the region’s “Independent Music Industry” is concerned, what are it’s greatest strengths, and what are it’s greatest weaknesses?

10. If you could do anything to “support the development of music in Birmingham” what would you do and why would you choose to do that?

The Music Network would also like you to send any comments, links, articles or opinions that may be useful toinfo@birminghammusicnetwork.com. Otherwise, they say, “a decision will be made on your behalf without any reference to you, and you may not benefit from any strategy that gets agreed and put into action”.

I’ve just had an email from Heather at Forerunner Records saying:

I’m currently compiling an article for FEED industry magazine about female fronted bands in Birmingham.

I’d like to interview (via email) as many female fronted Birmingham bands as possible to feature and maybe review for this article I’m writing. They should contact me at forerunnerrecords@hotmail.com

So if that’s you, or someone you know, or a local band you know of then get in touch with her.

Incidentally, Forerunner Records’ MySpace tells that they are:

the official record label of Matthew Boulton College in Birmingham. We currently offer our services to existing students, and have special events to search for emerging talent in the 14-16 age group

Which is interesting.  It looks like they’re going to get going in time for the start of the new academic year (that’s Sept 08).

Also, apologies for the childish and obvious title of this post.

Birmingham’s own Commercially Inviable Records (motto “you record it, we release it… and we shall head off to the poorhouse together”) has been in touch about the release of an album by Birmingham’s own James Summerfield.

The album’s not out until August but to whet your appetite for good things to come here’s a link to a free 4-track sampler, no registration or anything required. Please leave a comment on their site though, it’s only polite.

James Summerfield will be playing at the Moseley Folk Festival in August as will labelmates, Friends of the Stars.