Archive for the ‘Unsigned’ Category

January 6, 2012 1

[Listen] Suborno – The Instrument.

By in Art, live, Musical Murmurings, Random, Unsigned

Suborno - The Instrument.

Up until May, 2011, I hadn’t picked up a guitar in around two years. But on hearing Hallock Hill‘s debut, The Union, I finally felt musically inspired enough to pick up the instrument again.

The nine pieces that make up The Instrument are layered, one-take pieces recorded in my living room using just two guitars, various bits and pieces lying around the flat, and feature everyday, unedited sounds from my surroundings. This, twinned with the fact that I didn’t note down any of the tunings, means that I can never replicate any song on the album.

Since then, the album has been picked up by Runningonair Music and is scheduled for a March release. It will be available on limited edition vinyl and as a download.

A press release is available here. 

August 17, 2011 2

Continuing the process.

By in Acting, Art, Random, Unsigned

This month’s class has already been one of the best I’ve attended. An openness and unity within the group that has previously been absent has magically appeared. Whether that’s because regular class members are gaining a greater understanding of what ‘method’ is, or whether that’s down to more recent, tangible events is up for debate, but there is something more emotional and more challenging in the ether.

On the run up to the UK release of Self Made, I’ve been contacting acting agents in the hope that someone will come and see the film and consider putting me on their books. Sadly, the answer is primarily ‘No’, or – worse still – no acknowledgement at all. I understand that this is all part of industry and being an actor, yet it is also terribly demoralising. So whereas on the one hand, there are the joys of work in the studio – actually finding a place to put that practice to work has become the greatest challenge. It’s not as though I was ever ignorant enough to think this moment wouldn’t come, but it doesn’t change the feelings of rejection.

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May 2, 2011 0

[Download] Mezzoblast – Sandwell demos.

By in Musical Murmurings, Random, Unsigned

A band formed from the ashes of Birmingham band Chromium Hijack, I found this unmastered CD when I was having a bit of a clearout today. It’s me on guitars, Billy on bass, Shay on drums, and Sky on vocals. The date on the disc is 01/02/02. I suspect two of these tracks were CH tunes after guitarist Jabulani Robbins left the band.

Anyway, we recorded these tracks in a day down at Sandwell College’s studios (thanks Pete and Craig – wherever you are), and there was some post production editing by Jupiter Collision‘s Marcus Cornall.

I can’t remember why the band split up: I think Sky had childcare issues or something. Anyway, have a listen, and a download if you want.

Mezzoblast – Sandwell Demos. by Sheq

September 24, 2009 1

Unsigned #1

By in Unsigned


I get requests each week from unsigned bands asking me to listen to, or download, their MP3s before heading over to youtube to watch their video. I often do and I’m happy to offer a critical ear or constructive advice.

What I cannot do, so PLEASE STOP ASKING, is get your band reviewed on Drowned in Sound. DiS do not review unsigned material. If you’ve spent any length of time on the site this year, then you will know that.

So with that in mind, here’s lesson #1:

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Seems a bit harsh, doesn’t it? Well, tough. If you’re going to go cold calling booking agents, PR, labels, managers etc. then the first thing question you should ask is, “Is this (insert person / organisation here) suitable for my music / band?”

Yes, they may all be waiting for the next big thing, and you might be it, but you need to check these simple things before sending out CDRs willy-nilly, wasting your time, money and opportunity. Think and target your approach, strategically!

So, if your band make fierce drum n’ bass or grime, would you send your CD in for review to Mojo? I should hope not. Stick to what you know; who you know; and the people that influence the genre you work in. If you want your stuff reviewed by a website online, my recommendation is God Is In The TV. Also, the friendly and funny podcasting of Bren and Sophie Jones is worth submitting to: check out This Reality Podcast (100,000 subscribers).

This is the first of many posts I’ll be writing to try to create some kind of guide to the tricky world of the unsigned, and I will also include some reviews of stuff people have sent – just bear with me as it takes a while.

And, please, no opera CDs…

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