NEWS ANALYSIS
that has an unusual intention. While the project will attempt to uncover new artists and, more unusually, top live music venues from across the country, Weatherley also wants to raise awareness of the issues surrounding music copyright and why it is so important that artists protect their intellectual property. An official launch event held last month at the Sanctum Soho Hotel in London saw the competition officially unveiled in front of an audience of music industry professionals, press and politicians. The event outlined the aims of Rock the House, which will see young talent sending their local MP their demo recordings (which must be performable live), from which the MP will select a band to go through to the final. The entries will be put in front of a judging panel before the closing date of March 31st and the winners will be announced at the end of May. All finalists will be invited to an exclusive event at the House of Commons on June 30th. The venue competition will see nominated pubs and clubs demonstrating their ability to showcase new talent. Photographs and testimonials from musicians who have played the venue can also be submitted with the application “There are a couple of key issues I really
“
Uncommon rockers T
he MP for Hove and Portslade, Mike Weatherley, has introduced Rock The House, a national music competition
MI Pro pointed out that the record
majors are among the worst when it comes to protecting intellectual property – for the artists, that is. For themselves they do pretty well. “I’m certainly not saying that the economic models of the industry are ideal,” admitted Weatherley. “They have been very slow on the uptake of new technology – even lobbying to make format conversion illegal – and attempted to keep prices too high. I’m pleased to say they are beginning to accept this.” Weatherley is one of
We’ve given MPs some guidelines, namely that we’re not looking for some kind of Parliamentary Pop Idol.
Cameron’s ‘new wave’ MPs, voted in at the May 2010 elections and full of youth and verve – he apparently asked his first question in the House donning his Iron Maiden T-shirt – so, with with some political cynicism MI Pro asked how much
effect he might have on what is one of the most traditional establishments in this most traditional of countries. For a start, he is relying on the good taste of his colleagues in forwarding the best songs. “I was initially worried that I would get
anyone interested at all,” he said. “So I set the target of getting 20 MPs behind the idea. I have achieved that already, so if I can get up to 50, I will be delighted. “As for the MPs’ taste, I have faith in
want to nudge along in the House,” explained Weatherley. “These are copyright issues and the need for improvements to live music in the country.” On the live music issue, Weatherley is very clear that the smaller pubs and clubs that double up as music venues are key to a thriving industry beyond music alone. “Of course there are so many examples of how these venues develop young talent – not least The Beatles, who gained all their early experience in the pubs and clubs of Hamburg and Liverpool. But music helps these pubs survive, as well, it keeps them at the centre of our community – and that’s where pubs should be.” The issue of intellectual property has slipped under the radar recently, but Weatherley is keen to bring the problem back to the fore. “There has been an acceptance among many that music should be free,” he pointed out. “This leads to a lack of investment in
new music and that means a lack of awareness of new bands.”
WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK
them. We’ve given them some guidelines, namely that we’re not looking for some sort of Parliamentary Pop Idol, but passion. Their nominations could be kids or they could be old blokes – it’s the passion that counts.” Faith in the taste of the
MPs, then, but what about faith in their perception of a ‘young upstart’ in the House. Isn’t Weatherley putting his neck on the line here for what many will see as minor issues? “Possibly – a little bit,”
he shrugged. “But I’m not too worried. I’ve got good cross-party support for this, at least 20 MPs behind it. But I think this is key: even if it isn’t successful, it will have furthered the issue and that’s what we want to do. Nudge it along a little bit – and have a bit of fun in the process, because that’s what music’s all about.”
miPRO MARCH 2011 15
Mike Weatherley MP has recognised that sending demos to record companies is something of an exercise in pointlessness and masochism. So, he asks Andy Barrett, why not send them to your local MP...?
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92