Thursday, 5 April 2012

Centre Stage 2012 (Press Release)

Yorkshire Music Collective is proud to assist this amazing competition. This year we will be judging one of the nights and will be present the whole week. We are specially pleased this year that Dan Carroll and Steven Newsham from BCB radio where YMC broadcasts its show will be hosting two of the nights. This competition helps young people to get their music to a wider audience at the same time as it raises money for Martin House Children's Hospice, here is the official press release.

The eagerly anticipated Centre Stage 2012 is now upon us and is set to bring local, young bands and artists into the limelight. Now in its third year, the competition is about to kick off and from April 16th – 19th, The Wardrobe, Leeds, will host this year’s Heats: a platform for over thirty performers, bands and soloists, to compete for a place at July’s Final at O2 Academy, Leeds.

The Pigeon Detectives helped to launch 2012’s Competition in November, at O2 Academy, Leeds, before their gig at the venue that evening, supported by winners of 2011, The Mexanines. Since then,  Martin House have been very busy recruiting for the competition throughout West Yorkshire

To enter, artists must be under 21 years old, with at least one band member at school or college in West Yorkshire. To put themselves forward for this fantastic opportunity, artists/bands commit to undertake their own fundraising ventures and raise vital funds for the hospice: to care for children and young adults, with life limiting illnesses. The perfect example of young people helping young people.

Festival Republic are continuing their dedicated support and once again are welcoming the winners to perform at both Leeds and Reading 2012. The lucky winners will also receive £1000 worth of musical equipment from John Hornby Skewes and Co. Ltd, a performance music video by Shot by Sodium and also a graphic design consultation, with West Yorkshire company Define Creative, to work on their branding.

Fantastic prizes also awarded to ‘the best fundraisers’, ‘the runners up’ and ‘act to bring the most support’.   

Whether or not you support any of the contenders, this is an event not to be missed if you care about music and the best up and coming talent in West Yorkshire. Winners of the first two years, Penguin (2010) and The Mexanines (2011), who have benefited tremendously from their involvement, will also take to the stage over the week as special guests.

The event is supported by a professional and dedicated team of volunteer judges, crew and hosts, including Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale (Embrace), Alan Raw (BBC Introducing) and Isaac Heywood (Nightmares on Wax/Rock School UK).

Contenders include:  The Gonzos, Forgot About Leo, The Riatines, Traffic Wire, Edna Sulejmanovic, Euthemia, Seas-of-Green, British Daylight. You Had Me At Hello, Exit Strategy, MetroGnomes, Frequency, The Arcane, Another Life, Roadside Light, Alice At Last. Glassbody, French Soul Party, Distorted Sky, Test Transmission, Rebecca Kendall, Stay The Night, This Legion, Suicidal Republic. The Artists, Seaton, Indecisive Crisis, PaperPlane, Elliott's Incentive, White Comic, The Scandal

The Heats will run from 16th – 19th April at The Wardrobe, Leeds. Doors 6pm. Show starts 6.50pm. The event is pay on the door £4/£3 concessions.

Find out more here:
twitter: @centrestage2012

Monday, 26 March 2012

Radio Playlist - 22 March 2012

Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every other Thursday at 10pm on BCB Radio.


You can listen to the 22nd March show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab.


Don't forget to send your music to michelle@yorkshiremusiccollective.co.uk and post any events on the facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/yorkshiremusiccollective or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc


Our studio guest was The Blind Dead McJones Band.




What we played:


Three Cheers for the Underdog by Mr. Gary C.
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mr-Gary-C/123904301315


Try Some Wrong and live tracks,  by The Blind Dead McJones Band
Leeds
http://www.blinddeadmcjonesband.com


Don't come knocking by Idle Maestro
North Yorkshire
http://www.idlemaestro.co.uk


Before We Burn by Decode
Sheffield
http://www.facebook.com/decodeonline


Broken Army by Catfish and The Bottlemen
Llandudno
http://www.catfishandthebottlemen.com


Love is Magic by 12:27
Heckmondwike
http://www.facebook.com/1227uk


Bricks Not Sticks or Straw by Van Susans
Bromley
http://www.vansusans.com


Morley Song by Dylan Brierley
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dylan-Brierley-Musician/162198073816116


Domino by Little Vegas Lies
Dewsbury/Heckmondwike/Leeds/Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/littlevegaslies


Backfire by The Paper Smiles
Leeds/Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/thepapersmiles

Friday, 9 March 2012

Radio Playlist - 8th March 2012

Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every other Thursday at 10pm on BCB Radio.


You can listen to the 8th March show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab.


Don't forget to send your music to michelle@yorkshiremusiccollective.co.uk and post any events on the facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/yorkshiremusiccollective or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc


Our studio guest was Kayla Kavanagh.


What we played:


Seeds of Tomorrow by Chasing Dragons
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/musicchasingdragons


Colour Me In, Broken Dreams and Better This Way by Kayla Kavanagh
Barnsley
http://www.kaylakavanagh.com


Party Hard by Skarlett Riot
Scunthorpe
http://www.facebook.com/skarlettriotuk


Sorry by Emily Sargant
Haworth
http://www.emilysargant.co.uk


Moments by Koala
Bradford
http://heyitskoala.bandcamp.com


The Right Way by Katy Haymer
Dewsbury
http://www.facebook.com/katyhaymermusic


Young Again by M.A.S.K.S
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/wearemasks


Barbarians of the North by Joolz Denby
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/JoolzDenby


Succesfully Connected by Jasmine Kennedy
Batley
http://www.facebook.com/asjasminekennedy

Friday, 2 March 2012

YMC visits Jam On Top Music Hub

I've always been intrigued by Jam on Top studios, because several bands I've chatted to have made a point of telling me they rehearse there. At Rock and Rail festival last year I met the owners and they invited me to go look around. It's taken an unbelievably long time but at last I made it.


Jam on Top is very close to the railway station in Keighley, it's on the third floor of an industrial building, hand painted signs point you in the right direction as soon as you enter the the building. I am met upstairs by Brian and Tracy, the owners. 


There is a lovely reception area which also serves as a shop with refreshments, you can also buy cables, guitar picks, etc.


They take me on a tour of the building which you can tell they are extremely proud of - hardly surprising, a lot of care has been taken to make a great environment for musicians. The first room I'm shown is used for recording and for rehearsal. Brian tells me that all the rehearsal rooms are fully equipped with PA system, vocal mics, drum kit, guitar and bass amps. An engineer sets up the band until they are happy with the sound. Bands can of course take their own equipment if they prefer.


I'm quite fortunate to be there in the afternoon, as the evening is fully booked, so I can have a good look around all rooms. Even at this hour there are people popping in with gig posters or to help out and you get a real sense of community.


There are rooms for guitar and drum tuition and an instrument repair service is also offered. I notice that all the walls are covered with original artwork and am told this is all provided by Aireville school, there are some amazing pieces here.


Next I see the rest of the rehearsal rooms, I really like that they have glass windows which means bands can see each other and it encourages collaboration and friendship.


There is also an ample green room with a pool table for that chill-out time that is essential when you're working. 


The Jam On Top Studios also house the community radio station Jam-Radio, whereas the studio is a business the radio is run by dedciated volunteers. It currently broadcasts 7 days a week from 7-10pm. Although a relatively new project it is quickly building up listeners and providing Keighley with a community station.


There are a couple of shows that play local music and they would be pleased to receive music from unsigned bands across the region.


Check out the website at http://www.jam-radio.co.uk for contact details.


After the tour, we sat on the famous red sofa and chatted about bands we knew and music in general, I felt really at home here and can understand why its so popular. Well worth a visit.

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Radio Playlist - 23rd February 2012

You can listen to the 23rd January show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab.




Don't forget to send your music to michelle@yorkshiremusiccollective.co.uk and post any events on the facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/yorkshiremusiccollective or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc




Our studio guests were Joe Matthewman, Dan Greaves and Jack Clayton from Pontefract band Jack's Attic and Chris Charlesworth, Mark Hall and Oli Day from Utopia Live Lounge.




What we played:


The Moth by Deep in The Mire
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/deepinthemire


Wishing and Waiting, Never be Alone and A contestant (For Love) by Jack's Attic
Pontefract
http://www.jacksattic.co.uk


Lucky Streak by Martin Plock
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Martin-Plock/186886498032288


The Monkey Song by Laika Dog
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/LaikaDog


Protected by Thee Deadtime Philharmonic
Midlands
https://www.facebook.com/TheeDeadtimePhilharmonic


Domino by Little Vegas Lies
Dewsbury/Heckmondwike/Leeds/Bradford
https://www.facebook.com/littlevegaslies

Friday, 10 February 2012

Radio Playlist - 9th February 2012

Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every other Thursday at 10pm on BCB Radio.


You can listen to the 9th February show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab.


Don't forget to send your music to yorkshiremc@gmail.com and post any events on the facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/yorkshiremusiccollective or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc




Our studio guest was Luke Thompson, lead singer of Leeds band The Artists.


What we played:


The Beat by M.A.S.K.S.
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/wearemasks


Off The Radar by Talk to Angels
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/talktoangels


Live tracks by The Artists
I greeted you with Goodbye, Torch Queen, Stray Cat Strut
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/theartistsleeds


Circles by All We Know
Wakefield
http://www.facebook.com/pages/All-We-Know/178653652154935


Don't push it too Far by Tiny Giants
Barnsley/Newcastle
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-tiny-Giants/321824128417


Silence by Irene Kaali
Bradford
http://soundcloud.com/irenekaali


Losing You by Ben Chapman
Scarborough


A New Dawn by Circus Envy
Hull
http://www.facebook.com/circusenvyband


Better by Lifescreen
Leeds
https://www.facebook.com/lifescreenmusic

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Radio Playlist - 26th January 2012

Yorkshire Music Collective broadcasts every 2 Thursdays at 10pm on BCB Radio.


You can listen to the 26th January show on this blog, by clicking on the YMC on The Radio tab.


Don't forget to send your music to yorkshiremc@gmail.com and post any events on the facebook wall, http://www.facebook.com/yorkshiremusiccollective or tweet us on http://twitter.com/yorkshiremc


Our studio guests were The Rudiments.


What we played:


White Horses by Backyards
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/backyardsmusic


Chasing Rainbows by Dave McKinley
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/DaveMcKinleyMusic


The Rambler by Ground Pilots
London
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002098641544&ref=ts


Rumour Mill and In Your Head by The Rudiments
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Rudiments/138317687341


White Russians by Bisley
Hudderfield
http://www.facebook.com/Bisleymusic


Sweetest Moment by Kascarde
Bradford
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kascarade/130434943669357


Breaking The Dawn by Circadian Radio
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Circadian-Radio/170596323047025


Floating Away by The Voices
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Voices/100801940009786


Philosophy by The Hypes
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/TheHypes


Slipping Away by Down The Machine
Leeds
http://www.facebook.com/DownTheMachineOfficialFB