Generator Launches Slew of Initiatives to Mark 20 Years
Rolls out a host of new initiatives to celebrate including:
- Artist Development Scheme
- Urban Music Training Academy
- Massive Expansion of Managing a Music Business Enterprise Course
24th November 2011, London:- Leading UK music development agency, Generator celebrates 20 years of valuable service to the music industry this month. The organisation, which has aided the development of bands including Maxïmo Park and last year won a major European Regional Development Fund award, will unveil several new initiatives that will radically bolster support for UK talent from their base in North East England.The Artist Development Scheme and the Urban Music Training Academy make up the core of new programmes along with a dramatic roll out of their flourishing Managing a Music Business Enterprise Course.The Artist Development Scheme will mine Generator’s ever expanding web of tastemakers to locate and support talented acts trying to make a name in the competitive music market. Recognising the acknowledged gap of support currently hampering emerging artists in the UK, Generator will foster promising acts by building the necessary team around them and offering them the developmental opportunities once afforded to them by labels that are now reigning in their development budgets.In their drive to make acts ‘industry ready’ Generator is also launching an Urban Music Training Academy set to launch in January 2012. The academy will offer courses to DJs, producers and vocalists in Newcastle’s newly refurbished creative hub, Hoults Yard.Launched in 2011, the ‘Managing a Music Business Enterprise’ is an accredited course which is expected to quadruple from 60-240 places in the coming year. In 13 weeks small businesses can develop their own business plan and achieve a full level three Diploma. The course was tested in the North East and is running across various British cities in 2011 partnering with local musical organisations such as AIM (London), Higher Rhythm (Yorkshire) and Punch (Birmingham).Marking Generator’s birthday this month, the Music Futures Conference featured some of the most innovative and notable minds in the UK music industry from Tony Wadsworth, BPI Chairman to Caroline Elleray, Head of A&R Universal Music Publishing to Sean Adams, Founder and Editor Drowned in Sound and Shamal Ranasinghe of music marketing platform Topspin. Discussions throughout the 17th of November focused on the ongoing evolution of the music business, new ways of thinking and most importantly, how music businesses can access new potential revenue streams in the future.Originally conceived in the dusty back room of a sound equipment hire shop, Generator has gone from strength to strength since its humble beginnings but has remained a staunch advocate of music from the North East. Now with an office of 10, Generator plays a key role in the progression and forward thinking of the industry through events, courses, showcase opportunities and business and artist development programmes.In its extensive life span it has nurtured success stories Maxïmo Park and Futureheads, received an award from the European Regional Development Fund and provided key input into DCMS’ Live Music Forum and report.Said Tony Wadsworth, BPI Chairman and former Chairman & CEO, EMI Music UK & Ireland “The music industry is undergoing a radical period of change but with the support and guidance of a unique organisation like generator people embarking on a career in the industry will find themselves so much better equipped and motivated to make the most of the opportunities which the future will undoubtedly provide.”Said Feargal Sharkey Former CEO, UK Music “As a music development agency, Generator plays a hugely important role for the industry. Their courses and seminars are an invaluable source of information, especially for people outside London – supporting local talent and developing relevant skill sets for a career in music.”Said Alison Wenham Chairman and Chief Executive AIM “There are Music Development Agencies, and then there is Generator, in a league of its own. The North East is very lucky to have such an energetic and well run body providing support to the local communities music makers – wishing Generator a Very Happy Birthday from everyone at AIM”
Generator is recognised as the leading Music Development Agency in the UK. Originally starting out to serve the needs of the North East and Cumbria the agency expanded its role nationally when asked by Arts Council England to assist other fledgling agencies, organisations and groups in policy, programme development, governance and funding. As such Generator has represented the development sector at Government level with membership of both the Live Music and Music Education Forums. The agency also leads the Music Industry Development Association (MIDA), a body set up to establish common aims amongst similar organisations in the UK.Generator currently produces robust programmes in the areas of Music Business Development in a regional context, Artist Development (including the development of Commercial viability of artists) Live Music (most significantly in supporting promoters) and in supporting and representing the Music Development sector. - Notes for Editors -Coming Generator Activity:Artist Development Scheme – to launch in April 2012The Artist Development Scheme will be a multi-tiered development programme that will use Tipping Point, the first tippers network to span the UK(see below), to identify the nation’s hidden gems. A Bespoke services teams will then be formed to support and develop the act.One act will be selected every two months to have a single released in a promotional component of the scheme called The Singles Club. For up to two artists a year The Singles Club will upstream efforts and use its resources to leverage them into the industry. Urban Music Training Academy – to launch January 2012Generator’s Urban Music Training Academy offers a place where artists working within ‘Urban’ and ‘Dance’ genres can fast-track careers in music while building creative skills and producing industry standard recordings, mixes and events. Based their hugely successful Urban Music Training courses the Urban Music Training Academy offers a range of programmes designed for different levels of experience to bring out the best in a performance. On offer are UMT:DJ (Basic) – an entry level DJ course; UMT:DJ (Advance) –a course taking DJs to the next level covering EQ, set structure, using FX and performance tips; and UMT:PRO, a course giving aspiring producers a complete grounding in music production. Recent Generator Projects:Music Futures Conference – Newcastle, November 17th 2011Music Futures Conference was a one day conference featuring some of the most innovative minds in the music industry today. Taking place in Newcastle this conference’s panels covered Marketing to Fans; Is Live Music Future-proof?; Discovering and Developing New Artists; Monetising Everything but the Music; Record Label Re-Boot; and Synchronisation–Marketing Opportunity or Revenue Stream?For speakers and more information visit the website on http://www.generator.org.uk/musicfutures Managing a Music Business Enterprise CourseA 13 week fully accredited course, for small music businesses to develop their own business plan and achieve a full Level 3 Diploma. It was tested and launched in the North East, delivered in Leeds, London and Birmingham during 2011. 60 did the course between June 2010 and May 2011 but as it’s rolled out this number is expected to rise dramatically to around 240 in 2011/2012.On the delivery of MMBE partnered with AIM (London), Higher Rhythm in Yorkshire, Music South West, Punch (Birmingham), CME (Norwich) and Liverpool Sound City / Liverpool Vision. Music Futures YorkshireThis is the regions first music business network that had 500 members registered in the first 12 months which culminated in a sold out first Music Futures conference in Leeds. The Tipping PointThe Tipping Point unearths the best new music coming out of the UK. www.generator.org.uk/tippingpoint tips the best tracks, videos and tour news five days a week, with thousands of music industry figures receiving fortnightly email roundups.Its music is discovered via a unique ‘Tippers Network’ of reliable tastemakers across the UK. Unlike many music blogs, PR spin is not depended on and as such the network members are the first to hear about buzz artists. In addition, high profile guest bloggers contribute to The Tipping Point and artists and managers can submit their own tips for consideration.The Tipping Point has been brought to you by Generator’s Artist Development Team Joe Frankland and Bob Allan. The blog is written by Joe, Bob and a selection of the upcoming journalists who write for publications including Artrocker, NME, Musos Guide and Drowned in Sound. The team has a strong track record for unearthing and supporting new music within the UK, as well as strong links with tastemakers such as Tom Robinson, John Kennedy and Huw Stephens. Past 20 years:November 1991 - Idea for Generator hatched and put into action following a report by the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURB) reports that the music of the North East of England largely goes unnoticed by the London based Music Industry.November 1992 – Generator achieves regular funding status from the Arts Council of England to provide a signposting service and a small number of annual showcase events per year. A part time person employed while a volunteer management committee produces events and a newsletter 6 times a year.Summer 1997 – Generator invited by Newcastle City Council to lobby Radio One to bring ‘Sound City’ to Newcastle. Campaign successful and Radio 1 Sound City produced as a partnership between BBC, Generator and Newcastle City Council produces the event in 1998.September 1998 – Generator’s application for an A4E grant successful resulting in the employment of a further 3 part time staff (all of who had other jobs / businesses in the region’s music industry) to roll out a 2 plan of Artist development.May 1999 – Generator staff (Jim Mawdsley and Sue Wilkinson) partner with Newcastle Gateshead promoters ‘Jumpin’ Hot Club’ to produce Newcastle 2000 for the following year. This venue based festival changed its name in early 2002 to Evolution.August 2002 – Generator partners other cultural organisations to bid (through the Arts Council North East) for European Funding. This results in the designing and establishment of Generator’s Business of Music training courses and music business clinics which assist new music businesses in acquiring the skills and planning advice needed to succeedSeptember 2003 – Generator builds on the Music Business development success and adds a management training programme.February 2004 – Generator invited to take part in the DCMS sponsored Live Music Forum chaired by Feargal Sharkey. Jim Mawdsley Chair’s the group responsible for making key ‘Live Music’ related recommendations in the final report.September 2007 – With a realisation that in order to attract economic funding to grow the Business Development offering the Management Committee steps down, appoints a new Chair and a new board of Directors are approached.March 2008 – Jim Mawdsley appointed as Chief Executive OfficerSeptember 2008 – The new board now fully appointed approves a full strategic direction in artist development, music business development and sector representation and assistance with growth. This supplies the team of 5 people working at Generator the remit to pursue economic investment types of funding.December 2009 – Generator awarded £832,000 from the European Regional Development Fund to be matched from existing and future resources to deliver over the full strategy of Generator.February 2010 – Generator reshapes the Music Development Association into a body that represents key organisations with a remit to developing Music Industry infrastructure in their particular region or nation within the UK. In March 2011 this is renamed the Music Industry Development Association, Jim Mawdsley is appointed Chair.March 2010 – Generator invited by Yorkshire Forward to Screen Yorkshire to establish a Yorkshire Music Network and produce elements of business support to assist growth.April 2010 – Generator doubles its executive team to 10 people to deliver the strategic plans of the organisation.November 2011 – Generator marks its 20th anniversary with the first ‘Music Futures’ conference in Newcastle.