I have reproduced an email exchange I recently had as it communicates a number of things...
1. It provides a few pointers about artist biographies which some people might find useful at a time when I’m asking them to send me similar information ahead of our gig on 22nd Feb.
By comparing the info that was originally sent through to me in the first message against the almost finished version of the notes on the last message and noting the pointers in my replies to Gary I hope you’ll see what I mean.
2. It shows how the peer development ethos of PXP works: as a result of being involved in PXP this new member now has a concise set of notes and I have had more raw material to practice on.
3. It shows how being involved with PXP can extend your audience: the band I manage now have another new fan!
To: Rob Horrocks
From: Gary Judge
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 19:04
Date: 15th January 2008
Hi Rob,
Not too sure how much detail you want me to go into, so I will give it
a bit of a go and you can cull / ask for more as necessary.
I started functioning fully as Arcade in 2001 after promoting and
djing at a number of local nights and getting the feeling that playing
other peoples music was not my bag. Through the nights I met up with
Craig & Rob (the driving force behind Brum Creative) and they offered
me the chance to play my own music live at one of their shows.
Following a few mixed (quality and turn out) gigs I was introduced to
Lee who was about to start Experimental Seafood Records. I gave him my
demo and a few days later I was offered a slot on the compilation
"Exploring the Male Vagina". This then lead on to a handful of cdr
releases through ESR and eventually the first 7" released by ESR - my
double A-side "l33t" (2002). It was well recieved by lots of folk
getting a favourable review in the size matters section of the Wire
and numerous internet sites. John Peel picked it up and played it on
one of his shows, which was a real bonus. As a result of the ineterest
I then played a few more live gigs the most enjoyable of which being
at the Medicine Bar and Electric Cinema.
To coincide with the 2004 Sonar festival I was asked to provide a
track for a CD promoting Birmingham music. This was being compiled by
Capsule and part funded by the Arts Council. I was fortunate enough to
have the track "Instant Jplug" picked up by the BPI, who placed the
track on a CD given to all delegates promoting new British music. At
this point I needed to start work on some new material, so spent the
rest of 2004 working on what became the "Chelmsley Wood e.p".
Unfortunately Experimental Seafood had no money left and I was pretty
clueless about how to get the music out there so I decieded to release
this myself.
A bit of time went by and I worked on material, sort some new ideas
and improved my home studio (which included a house move).
Recently I met Matt Price who was putting together Binary Oppositions.
He had already purchased my first single and really like the material
I had on my myspace page. He asked if I would do an edit of Chelmsely
Wood to fit in with the compilation and I duely obliged. This has been
an incredibly well recieved compilation being reviewed almost
everywhere. Stuart Maconie played my contribution along with with the
song by "Betty and the ID" on his Sunday night show "Freak Zone".
And now this is where I stand, eager to make something of 2008 with a
clutch of new material and loads of enthusiasm.
Alongside my music I run www.klunk.org which is a Local-ish blog with
a large empasis on Music Technology. The Myspace page is
www.myspace.com/arcade500 and my email address for anyone to contact
me is arcade500@msn.com.
Also wasn't too sure what to do about the photo, so sent you one I like.
Hope this is OK.
Gary
From: Rob
To: Gary
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 19:07
Date: 15th January 2008
Nice one Gary
I'd love to get on the Freak Zone! You must've been made up. Not to mention John Peel - you can retire happy!
I should be able to shape this into a couple of lines.
Tell me to mind my own if you want but I'd recommend that you get something similar together with pull out quotes from reviews etc ready for next time you're asked- a vital tool for any performer even if your only doing local stuff.
What you've done is great tho and i like the pic too.
Thanks
Rob
I gave your disc a spin. I can listen to that kind of stuff but I'm a guitar and soul boy at heart. I love the Birmingham references in the titles tho, that instantly gives me a connection with it and makes me want to give it more time. Cool
From: Rob
To: Gary
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 21:01
Date: 15th January 2008
Hi again Gary
I trimmed it down - what do you think?
What i need is a STRAP LINE - 3-6 words that sums you up. This will appear on the flyer and as a "HEADLINE" on the website. Just a quick way of making people aware of what you do. eg - last year I described JADE ONE as "Dissonant frequencies" or Einstellung as "mesmeric krautrock maestros" - you get the idea?
Also a quote from Maconie or the Wire review would be bostin mate.
Cheers
Let me know what you think.
Arcade
Gary Judge has been making digital music in Birmingham since 2001. Appearances at Brum Creative nights lead to releases on Experimental Seafood Records, plays by John Peel and reviews in the Wire. More home-town gigs followed including an appearance at The Electric Cinema.
With a strong sense of the local to the fore The Chemsely Wood ep was released in 2004. Arcade contributed a track to the seminal Binary Oppositions compilation released by Static Caravan in 2007. The remix of Chemsely Wood found a perfect home when spun by Stuart Maconie during his ultra hip esoteric exploration The Freak Zone (Radio6). To be singled out for airplay when in the company of leading local lights including Broadcast and Modified Toy Orchestra is a measure of Arcade’s innovative approach to digital composition.
With arbiters of taste such as Maconie and The Wire receptive to his work the future looks bright for Arcade and all that emerges from his home studio in Birmingham.
Ends...
like I say - I'd kill to get Einstellung on the Freak Zone. I've put in so many calls to the producer...
Sender: Gary
To: Rob
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 21:20
Date: 15th January 2008
Hi Rob, Thanks for the rework on the info. I am very impressed how you
captured the essence of the last 7 years work in such a short space.
I will dig out the copy of the wire and listen back to the freak zone
so and sort said quotes for you.
Strange isn't it. I always wanted to be played on mixing it (not yet)
and I didn’t know about the freak zone until very recently.
- I would have thought releasing material through shifty disco would
have helped the cause considerably.
Speak soon. Gary
From: Rob
To: Gary
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 21:31
Date: 15th January 2008
Thanks Gary
brill to hear someone make appreciative noises about my efforts.
A full set of notes - 4/500 words would include details of the more interesting gigs (who else was on the bill is always a good one), referencing other similar artists so that people get a handle on what to expect from the music - just some positioning/branding pointers and those quotes from reviews etc Maybe make more of the local thing WHY Chelmsely Wood, WHAT is Chemsley Wood – give yourself a plot - but it all depends on who you are targeting, National Press/local press/labels or agents
Look forward to the quote from The Wire & Maconie - i remember listening to that show when it went out - what am i saying - I ALWAYS listen to the Freak Zone!
Rob
Sender: Gary
To: Rob
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 21:43
Date: 15th January 2008
Cheers for the advice. As you can probably tell I am a bit clueless in
this area. I just do stuff.
Just checked the Einstellung myspace and loving the grooves. I love Stereolab and
Tortoise and your stuff resonates with me.
I will definitely be looking forward to catching one of your live
performances in the near future.
Take Care, Gary
Sender: Gary
To: Rob
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 22:34
Date: 15th January 2008
Here is the page of the wire scanned...Saves me typing it out.
Something I just noticed is that Northern Indie kids The Cribs appear
on the same page. Just think if Id have followed their path I could be
being chatted up by Zane Lowe. oh well.
Cheers, Gary
From: Rob
To: Gary
Subject: PXP biog
Time: 23:09
Date: 15th January 2008
Glad you like Einstellung. Next Birmingham gig is Friday 7th March at The Rainbow Pub. Will be debuting a couple of tracks from the new album ...Und Das Rest Sind Doner (trans ...and the Rest Are Thunder) which is a Catalonian phrase one of them picked up from his mother-in-law.
I’ve fed the Wire review in - now the reader has more tools to anticipate where you are coming from, latch on to and be excited by what they might hear when they show up/press play.
Send me more and I'll come back to it: I need to include the patronage of Capsule to ensure that you occupy a highly visible place on Credibility Street. Also like to read back after I’ve slept on it for polish. Then this time next year my son - Zane Lowe won't get a call back!!!
Arcade – messing with electronic basics
“One of the weirdest approaches to drum n bass dissemblage ever” – The Wire
Gary Judge has been making digital music in Birmingham since 2001. Appearances at Brum Creative nights led to releases on Experimental Seafood Records, plays by John Peel and reviews in The Wire. More home-town gigs followed including an appearance at The Electric Cinema.
With a strong sense of the local The Chemsely Wood ep was released in 2004. Aracde contributed a track to the seminal Binary Oppositions compilation released by Static Caravan in 2007. The remix of Chemsely Wood found a perfect home when spun by Stuart Maconie during his ultra hip esoteric exploration The Freak Zone (Radio 6). To be singled out for airplay when in the company of leading local lights including Broadcast and Modified Toy Orchestra is a measure of Arcade’s innovative approach to digital composition.
With arbiters of taste such as Maconie and The Wire receptive to his work the future looks bright for Arcade and all that emerges from his home studio in Birmingham.
www.myspace.com/arcade500
ends
