2011 was the most exciting year for the Nottingham music scene in decades, if not of all time.

Highlights included record labels going crazy for our city, ‘THAT’ LeftLion cover and Mike Aktinson’s Guardian article, a major piece of recognition for our scene in one of the world’s most famous newspapers.

Twenty Twelve will be even bigger.

You may remember there was some moaning about the Guardian piece, ‘what about my band?’ That kind of thing, you can read our thoughts on the short-sightedness of that negativity HERE, some individuals forgetting that ‘a rising tide raises all ships’ as the old proverb goes.

For now let’s chat about some action points, the need for which was re-inforced by the Guardian article reaction:

1) AS OUR SCENE SUCCEEDS IT NEEDS TO STAY POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND HARMONIOUS. WE MUST CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE LOVE AMONGST OURSELVES.

2) WE NEED TO PROACTIVELY REACH OUT AND SPREAD THE LOVE BEYOND THE RIVER TRENT.

ONE – Staying positive

A) As a scene starts to succeed things can fracture, its easy to support each other when all huddled warmly at the bottom. As we see our peers climbing the music industry greasy pole, peers we may feel we are better than, we can start to get bitter. ‘Why are they getting on the radio? Getting label interest? Getting laid?’ we cry.

We need to appreciate that the success of ‘not-you’ individuals assists the ‘Nottingham Greater Good’ which in turn helps your individual ambitions. Maybe you don’t rate JAKE BUGG, NATALIE DUNCAN or DOG IS DEAD, but their success, their putting of Nottingham on the map is in your self-interest.

B) We’re hoping to increase the ‘self interest factor’ for you in being positive and spreading the love about your fellow Nottingham musicians. We are giving automatic entry into the semi finals of this year’s FUTURE SOUND OF NOTTINGHAM to the musician that spreads the most love about other Nottingham musicians. It’s like the football fairplay award getting ya into the UEFA Cup. Listen to the podcast HERE for more info and keep your eyes on Nusic for future updates.

C) We’re launching THE NUSIC LOVELINE. Phone 07899 872317 when you’ve seen a Nottingham artist nail it, tell us who you are and give us your impromptu review of the musician you’ve seen, the most passionate, love spreading and entertaining message every week will get broadcast on the next NUSIC New Music Podcast.

D) We’re talking to Nottingham City Council about a city-wide campaign and Summer School Tour (like back in the Trent FM days) to bring the news of the Nottingham scene direct into the world of thousands of students across Nottingham.

E) Over four years since our first show we are launching a new Commandment ‘Thou Shalt Always Spread The Love’, the other three were feeling a bit lonely.

TWO – Reaching out.

A) PRESS-WISE lets build on The Guardian article. The days lobbying local media have been very successful with new Notts-centric media outlets starting up almost much every week, mission accomplished there our focus is now on national media. Radio One, NME, hey even Nuts magazine we’re coming for you!

B) EVENTS-WISE let’s spread the love to London – love it or hate it it is the capital of the UK music industry. In fact lets make this year’s FSN prize even bigger and throw in a…, ah sorry I can’t talk about that yet. We can tell you that previous Nusic senior intern Liz Riordan is now our Nusic Ambassador to the Big Smoke and working on the development of London showcases for Nottingham artists.

C) KNOWLEDGE-WISE our workshops are great at getting the most in the know speakers from Nottingham to share their insights with you, but could we do something bigger? Something that taps into knowledge from music industry gurus from across the UK? Umm we wonder…

If you have any ideas on how we can spread the love even further please do get in touch.

Twenty Twelve – it’s your year.

Yours in Love of New Music

Vlr

Mark Del
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