The Brisbane Sounds 2008 Project Background:
The Brisbane Sounds project has been developed for the following reasons:
1. Boost the profile of Brisbane bands and solo artists.
2. Set up support slots for local Brisbane bands when international bands toured Brisbane.
3. Radio airplay
4. Make it easier for Brisbane bands to tour the UK and tap into the UK music industry.
5. Promote the Brisbane live music scene, particularly the community spirit amongst bands and the establishment of Fortitude Valley as being the first entertainment precinct in Australia.
Here is a timeline of activities since Mid 2006:
• Mid 2006- billboard USA publishes a review about Brisbane being one of the cities to watch for new music..
• Sep 06- I first start to think about the 'Brisbane sounds' project and what I can do to promote the scene in the UK/Europe.
• October-Dec 06- Get first cd 'Brisbane Sounds 2007' manufactured. Blank cd's, burnt discs, Microsoft word artwork, no mastering, 250 copies with another 250 made again when I was in the UK throughout 2007 (500 total to promote).
• Jan 07-October 07- Promote cd throughout UK/Europe. Meet up with bands including BRMC and Tegan and Sara as well as record companies, music industry UK/Europe figures, Radio and print press etc. Some reviews and good feedback..
• Oct 07- score job at the zoo nightclub- http://www.thezoo.com.au/.
• Nov 07- Start planning 2008 version of the record. Contacting bands, managers, record companies, press.
• Dec 07- Start writing grant proposal for funding of project. Intending to target QLD government and Brisbane City Council..
Dec 07- First suggestions of putting on a gig at the Zoo nightclub..
• Dec 07-Feb 08- Planning of gig. 7 bands to play and for people to contribute to the funding of the project....cd's, shipping, mastering etc..
• February 2, 2008: The Brisbane Sounds 2008 FUNDRAISER gig. 380 People who contributed their time and money to the project to fund the cd pressing and production, mastering, artwork. 7 diverse bands play sets to the crowd, Brisbane music playing in between sets, and each band performing a cover song of another Brisbane band through time. Gig raises $3500. Documentary-http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v8CGIvODn-I&feature=related.
• Feb- March 2008- Brisbane Sounds 2008 CD pressing, mastering by Bryce Moorhead. 1000 Cd's pressed. Tim Steward from legendary Australian band Screamfeeder on board for Artwork and design..
• March 2008- Record finalised and shipped by QMusic to meet me in the UK to start the promotional trail..
• March 2008-Now- Radio play Leeds, Nottingham, London, Cambridge, monthly radio interviews back in Brisbane for ABC 612 Brisbane radio station-http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2008/05/promoting-brisb.html?no_prefetch=1 .
• Review by Everett true in the village voice, http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/archives/authors/everett_true/ number #48..
• Toured through Europe and UK with Brisbane bands the boat people at great escape festival in Brighton, Texas tea in germany/holland, regurgitator in UK and Powderfinger in Ireland..
• The Boat people signed to USA publishing deal through Brisbane Sounds 2008 CD at Great Escape festival, Brighton, England..
• I Heart Hiroshima- TNT magazine press.
• Constantly promoting the bands and scene, sending copies to press, industry figures, record companies, bands etc.
• Oct- Dec 08 - organisation of 2009 version with an aim to make 1000 sampler copies for media/press and industry and 1000 copies for retail sale from soon to be run website and online store. .
The Brisbane Sounds 2008 gig aimed to achieve the following objectives:
1. Professional CD pressing of 1000 CD's and production of an 8-page booklet (which will have a short biography of each band, band photo and contact details of each band).
2. Website development (which will have further details and links to each of the bands which are presented on the album.)
3. Shipping (Sending the CD's over to the UK).
4. A6 postcards/posters/stickers for distribution throughout the UK/ Europe.
5. Artwork (logo and 8 page booklet).
6. Mastering of the CD (This is so the CD sounds consistent throughout the recording).
The CD will be distributed as a free promotional copy to bands, managers, bookers, promoters, venues, radio and TV stations and music media press throughout the UK and Europe from April 2008 to April 2009. I will work with the existing partnerships i created in 2007 as well as networking with further contacts in the UK/Europe music industry
The Brisbane Sounds 2008 record contains the following bands (The bands that are appearing on the album are in the opposite section). (Track listing to be confirmed)
About Myself:
My name is Blair Hughes, 24 from Brisbane. I originally travelled to the UK in 2007 where i taught at a school in Mildenhall, Suffolk. I combined my passion for teaching with my enthusiasm for the Brisbane music scene and developed the initial CD as a way to play a part in promoting the bands and scene from Brisbane. I graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 with a degree in Behavioural Studies as well as a degree in Education (specialising in the middle years of schooling/ grades 5-10).
I would like to be able to work in the music industry and combine my two degrees to be a manager, venue owner booker or promoter. Maybe even a youth band manager, or something which involves working with young people as well as being music related. I intend to teach in the following settings over the next 3-5 years: UAE, UK, USA, India and Indigenous Australia, the latter of which is of a major priority.
Thanks for taking the time to read about the project. The Brisbane Sounds 2008 project is a non=profit organisation. If you think that you can support the project financially or in-kind please don’t hesitate to contact me personally on one of the following forms of contact:
1. Phone- In the UK- 07948 478 384, Back In Australia in December 2008 0400071882
2. Email- brisbanesounds@hotmail.com
