October 2009
the big news is that our networking site Digging Your Scene is now up and running. Its really cool, a place where students and non students alike can seek out opportunities to collaborate and help each other out. Plus there's blogs, competitions, exclusives etc - well worth a look. Go to:
In other news, we are currently working on 3 great films - The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus, Made In Jamaica, a brilliant documentary about reggae and Seraphine, a wonderful french piece about the remarkable artist Seraphine Louis. Then there's music, and right now 1917 are embroiled in the campaigns for Erik Hassle (Island), Franko (independent), Little Comets (Columbia), Master Shortie (ATC), Dreamboats and Petticoats and the Nowhere Boy soundtrack (Sony), which by the way is a must see film.
Management wise, Stiff Dylan James Flannigan is in negotiations over a publishing deal and is writing some brilliant tunes, and the Stiff Dylans themselves are working with Bandstocks to raise money to make a long awaited record. And check out The Savage Nomads, tipped in The Mirror recently as heading the British fightback, their debut EP will be available to purchase soon - look at www.myspace.com/thesavagenomads to hear tracks from it NOW.
June 2009
As the college year starts to draw to a close we have a chance to draw breath and update you on what we are up to.
We have just completed the Island 50 Music Education Project. A total of 24 films about all areas of the label were sent out to around 70 colleges nationwide, allowing music students to study acts such as Bob Marley, U2, Tom Waits, PJ Harvey and Amy Winehouse in great depth. Its been a fantastic job to do, we've interviewed some really interesting people and enjoyed editing the films. Response from the colleges has been brilliant.
We are also in the final throes of the Island search for a stuent band to work with. 2 days were spent at the Gibson venue last week (thanks Gibson!) watching the cream of the talent in music colleges right now. The acts were almost universally ace, and we don't envy Island's A&R team in deciding which they will pick, its a tough call, but someone very good will have a deal soon, maybe more than one, who knows.
We continue to work on One eskimO, highlighting this great album to students of the creative arts. If there isn't a Mercury nomination waiting for this album then something is very wrong, and we have recently taken several more acts to this great market.
Lots of stuff in both film and music is already taking shape for next term.
One thing we will be very busy with is our new website www.diggingyourscene.co.uk. Its a student facing site that we expect to become a key part of the work we do, as well as students networking habits very soon. In a nutshell its a site where students with skills can hook up and help each other out - bands needing videos made, or photographers looking for bands etc - much will be achieved in the name of work experience. It will also have information on new acts and releases and should become a key reference point for the creative student market. It'll be live by July, fully ready and functional by September.
Management wise, its great having Toploader back on the scene. They play Godiva Festival, Guilfest and Belladrum this summer as well as a major headline show in their home town of Eastbourne, on the Bandstand, on August bank holiday weekend. They are the first major act to play this venue, and all proceeds go to a local charity. Tickets are selling fast. the new material is sounding awesome and if all goes to plan we sould have the first fruits in shops by the autumn, with an album early in 2010 - watch this space.
The Savage Nomads get better and better and will shortly be entering the studio to record an EP, which will feature 3 songs, including a very imaginative cover version. They continue to impress wherever they play - remember the name, it'll be around a long time.
What else? Well Martin is delighted as his team Leicester City went up this season, not so geordie Mark. There will be tension in 1917 land next season when the sides meet in the Championship.
Thats it for now. Keep coming back and check out Digging Your Scene - its going to be great!
March 2009
So much to tell you and so little time. Lots has been going on in 1917 world.
Our work with music, art and film colleges and courses continues apace. Currently we are running campaigns to these markets for Vagabond (Geffen), Julian Velard, Elviin and Alessi's Ark (all Virgin) and One eskimO (ATC). The Island 50 education project continues, with now about 14 films in use by music colleges nationwide. recent additions have been pieces on U2, Mika, Busted and Cat Stevens to name but 4. These are being very well received by the colleges and are positioning Island records as the iconic label they are.
Also as part of Isand 50 we have also been running a campaign to find an act (or acts) from a music college to sign to the label. Colleges have submitted all their entries now and the A&R team at the label is now in deliberation at the shortlist stage.
there will also be activity on Ladyhawke, VV Brown, Kevin Rudolf and the legends that are Iron Maiden coming soon - watch this space....
On the film front, we just completed a fantastic campaign to design a storyboard for the film Watchmen, with a lucky student getting to meet the director at the premiere in London. There is more film activity in the pipeline, including a very interesting project on Analogue - more on this to follow soon.
Big news on the management front. two new acts have joined the 1917 stable. You will know Toploader already. they have to date sold over 2 million records, and are working on a new album. watch out for them on some festival bills over the summer. There'll be a tour in the autumn.
You probably won't know The Savage Nomads right now. But you will, soon. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thesavagenomads. They are brilliant, we shall say no more. Go and see them.
As ever, get in touch if you want to know more....
1917
November 2008
Its all go here. Management act Stiff Dylans, whose debut single peaked at 41 in the hit parade for 2 weeks, set out on an 8 date UK tour in a few weeks, culminating in a Christmas show at Islington Academy. Watch out for more news on them soon.
Hot Leg, who we are marketing, are gearing up to release their first single proper, I've Met Jesus on December 15th. Coming off the back of 2 months solid touring and thousnads of downloads of their early christmas present Trojan Guitar this is shaping up to be a big hit so get your money on it for Christmas Number One now - all the good singers on the xfactor will have been voted off by then!
marketing wise we are in the midst of a massive student campaign for Ladyhawke, covering around 60 art, music and film colleges, we have The King Blues and VV Brown out doing visits and meeting students at music colleges, and Columbia's Julian Peretta about to do the same.
The Island 50 music education programme continues apace. We have produced 6 short films on the label and classic albums for use in the lecture theatre, and many more are in the works. Thanks to all who are helping. Its an original and effective campaign this one and proving very popular with the students.
Status Quo have their album Pictures out now, and to help promote the release we ran quiz events in bars nationwoide, which were a great success, as the album looks like being too. The USB shaped like a guitar is a must own....
Thats it for now, keep checking back for updates.....
