Save the CD!

“SAVE THE CD”

‘Love It or Lose It’

“CD will be dead in five years” the New Musical Express reported almost, uh, five years ago now. “Music lovers predict the end of the disc,” it continued. “A new survey is predicting that CDs will die within the next five years. The report, compiled by former NME writer Johnny Davis, found that up to six out of 10 under 24-year-olds believe physical formats will decline as people turn to digital methods.”

Sub-prophetic the above has proven as the mass transmigration to MP3, and even cassettes, have left the ugly sister format struggling for respect. Okay, so it is tinny, the artwork always sucks and the cases invariably crack, but the CD has for all its grotesque unlikeliness, stood by us over twenty years now.

Swansea MAD, in honour of this great oncoming silver, circular dinosaur, is this month launching – somewhat paradoxically– an “online cover disc” of the kind that in its physicality clutters the gutters of newsagent display units everywhere. Featuring four foremost compact disc-less acts of Wales’s second-to-none city, the “online cover disc” or, for short, “OCD”, will be a hit not to be missed for all those wanting to wait a little longer for the format of doom to go down.

So join the fray and play! Download the debut Swansea MAD OCD and join virtual hands in a spinning circle of sound prayer. Don’t let that CD die! You won’t miss it…but what will you do for a coaster!?!

Lights, Camera, Action!!!

With the new film studio on its way we will soon be offering recording opportunities. The studio is intended to be free for those who have brilliant and ingenious ideas but not the funds to expand them, and for those with a little money, a small payment would be necessary. At the film studio we will have the kit to produce and edit quality promo or art based videos and short films for bands artists and unfunded community organisations. I will be keeping you all updated on the progress that the studio is making and of course, when I know, give you that all important opening date.

Ringing Around

I'm not having too much luck so far in finding shops willing to play local band's music. The problem with all the high street stores is that their music playlists are already predetermined by some... higher power. So I'm now thinking perhaps it'd be more worthwhile trying to find a few smaller businesses willing to indulge in our offer. If any of you know of any such shops, mainly small fashion outlets, drop us a line. It'd be a great help!

Let There Be Light

It's the start of a new week and the shop is definitely coming together. This weekend new lighting has been installed, over night I might add, by our very helpful sparky... Mr John, and I'm now preparing to start contacting some local bands regarding promotion of their music here at the shop, and all around Swansea. Week 1 working here was great but it seems to just keep getting better, roll on week 3!

The M.A.D Shop Sadly Stopped

On Friday 3rd the fantastic progress the shop had been making sadly came to a halt. The police were called to the scene at 1am to find the window damaged and the shop ablaze. Luckily the fire was contained, mostly, to the window display, though there was a worrying display of smoke damage throughout the shop.

   Now 6 days after the incident the shop is looking cheerier. After a lick of paint to cover up the darkened walls and a new window being fitted the shop is well on its way to returning to its former glory.

With the way things are going the M.A.D shop should be back in business before Christmas and I can tell you its looking forward to a happy new year. 

For more information on the incident check out the following link for the news article.

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Charity-shop-hit-arsonists-just-days-opening-doors/article-2969780-detail/article.html

I come in peace

I'm Toby, I've just started work at M.A.D and it's now my second day on the job. I've settled down in my office and am now concentrating on getting my head down. The shop is making good progress despite the slight bump in the road with regards to the... incident (see post above) and I'm glad to see that everyone is still in high spirit. Anyway I'm now popping out for a spot of lunch but I look forward to keeping you all updated with the latest news here at M.A.D.

Bye for now.