If you were really into the music; really into the art; really into the dance; you would want to change things in your own City .
Why wouldn't you want do this?
The people in Cardiff wont change it. The people in London wont change it. The people in Newport wont do it. They are happy with the way things are. They are the ones that are getting they're music on the radio, they're the ones with arts venues, they are the ones that the A&R people are visiting, they are the ones the media is talking about.
Local people need to drive forward music and arts dance in Swansea and its area ? lobbying the media to show the mass of talent our region holds, organising meet ups and events to discuss what to do next as well as sharing ideas and resources.
At the moment Im sure Swansea and West Wales is still considered as the bad lands by most A&R people, media folk and anybody with influence in the scene- including art and performance. I'm certain They still secretly consider anything from our fair shores and east of Bridgend as the product of the worst type of country hicks and don't really take us seriously.
The solution:
Getting together to sort out the PR and marketing for musicians, performers and artists throughout our
City and region.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Lets stick together!
How's this for a big idea : arts organisation and bands, musicians individual artists and performer got together and concentrated their efforts to help the scene in and around Swansea. All musicians all artists all performers and dancers getting together on a regular basis to do something.
I know,we could create something unique:
a pow wow, a happening, a cabal, a network, a forum, a coven, a get together, a hive, a nexus, a sister and brother hood - all or one of these things.
Recreate that feeling you get at a great festival - that warm honey like buzz, amongst a sea of faces why cant we anchor this feeling in what we do together?
Yes - you could go it alone. Ignore what we've just said and do some great studio work and hit it big time on your own – Yes this could happen! It has happened!
Don't get me wrong people have moved away from our fair city and done this. But why not do both? Why not forget our egos for once and work together to help create something very cool.
We have a motto in the studio “the song is king.” Well in the same way our creative scene should be “king.” So lets give it something back.
I have seen the talent throughout Swansea. It stretches itself across the city: DJs, Artists , Film-makers, Writers, musicians, producers, bands, dancers,performers and makers . “Its that the same for any city!” I hear you cry. No I don't believe it is – I have been lucky enough to travel extensively throughout our blue planet and can firmly say Swansea is unique!
There is a Welsh Coast style that's different from anywhere else. So lets celebrate this. Lets come together in a partnership or what ever you want to make it and lets show the world that SWANSEA ROCKS! And has tons of talent!
I know,we could create something unique:
a pow wow, a happening, a cabal, a network, a forum, a coven, a get together, a hive, a nexus, a sister and brother hood - all or one of these things.
Recreate that feeling you get at a great festival - that warm honey like buzz, amongst a sea of faces why cant we anchor this feeling in what we do together?
Yes - you could go it alone. Ignore what we've just said and do some great studio work and hit it big time on your own – Yes this could happen! It has happened!
Don't get me wrong people have moved away from our fair city and done this. But why not do both? Why not forget our egos for once and work together to help create something very cool.
We have a motto in the studio “the song is king.” Well in the same way our creative scene should be “king.” So lets give it something back.
I have seen the talent throughout Swansea. It stretches itself across the city: DJs, Artists , Film-makers, Writers, musicians, producers, bands, dancers,performers and makers . “Its that the same for any city!” I hear you cry. No I don't believe it is – I have been lucky enough to travel extensively throughout our blue planet and can firmly say Swansea is unique!
There is a Welsh Coast style that's different from anywhere else. So lets celebrate this. Lets come together in a partnership or what ever you want to make it and lets show the world that SWANSEA ROCKS! And has tons of talent!
Thursday, 15 October 2009
We are capital!
Thanks to all who have kept faith with us over the last 2 years. We have now reached another significant milestone. Swansea M.A.D have just received a large capital grant from Swansea Development Funds to purchase audio visual recording equipment and begin running our A/V resource for artists, musicians and the community.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
"Something's happening and it's happening right now
You're too blind to see it
Something's happening and it's happening right now
Ain't got time to wait
I said something better change
I said something better change
I said something better change
I said something better change"
Stranglers Something Better Change 1977
M.A.D was started about 2 years ago in response to the needs of all musicians artists and performers/dancers in Swansea and its surrounding region. I'd only been back in Wales about 12 months and was really disappointed to find in same problems existed for creative artists as they did when I left 15 years ago: no dedicated city centre venue for artists musicians and performers to produce and show work; no one single night/event where they could meet, discuss and share ideas; a lack of affordable facilities - especially in the area of audio visual recording. Most of all a lack of interest in Swansea by the movers and shakers of the creative art and music world.
I was stood in my mates front room when the thought hit us that no one else was going to sort out the problems musicians artists and performers face. Even though the creative industries sector is now comparable in size to that of the financial services sector making up 7.3 of the UK economy and is growing at 5% per year.
I had been living away from Swansea for some time and had become used to the wealthy Midlands cities where creative artists have at least make shift or even purpose built facilities to work from and where artists get paid for their songs, performances or art work!
I remember during the 70s a the height of the punk rock revolution - and it was just that – there was one night in Swansea that every band , DJ, music jurno and artist would turn up to. It was mid week didn't go on that late but was always packed.
I'm desperately trying not trying to preach but if you live in the region and work in the arts or music and even If you don't read this any further then just hold this thought it: THINGS NEED TO CHANGE and the only people who can make this happen is US!
You're too blind to see it
Something's happening and it's happening right now
Ain't got time to wait
I said something better change
I said something better change
I said something better change
I said something better change"
Stranglers Something Better Change 1977
M.A.D was started about 2 years ago in response to the needs of all musicians artists and performers/dancers in Swansea and its surrounding region. I'd only been back in Wales about 12 months and was really disappointed to find in same problems existed for creative artists as they did when I left 15 years ago: no dedicated city centre venue for artists musicians and performers to produce and show work; no one single night/event where they could meet, discuss and share ideas; a lack of affordable facilities - especially in the area of audio visual recording. Most of all a lack of interest in Swansea by the movers and shakers of the creative art and music world.
I was stood in my mates front room when the thought hit us that no one else was going to sort out the problems musicians artists and performers face. Even though the creative industries sector is now comparable in size to that of the financial services sector making up 7.3 of the UK economy and is growing at 5% per year.
I had been living away from Swansea for some time and had become used to the wealthy Midlands cities where creative artists have at least make shift or even purpose built facilities to work from and where artists get paid for their songs, performances or art work!
I remember during the 70s a the height of the punk rock revolution - and it was just that – there was one night in Swansea that every band , DJ, music jurno and artist would turn up to. It was mid week didn't go on that late but was always packed.
I'm desperately trying not trying to preach but if you live in the region and work in the arts or music and even If you don't read this any further then just hold this thought it: THINGS NEED TO CHANGE and the only people who can make this happen is US!
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