Still not releasing the name of the artist yet I have almost signed.
However.......for a special exclusive listen to a work in progress demo, check out http://www.myspace.com/sharabangartist. This is real exclusive, not putting this link up anywhere else. A little treat for followers! Feel free to spread the link so others can listen, but they're remaining as a secret 'Mystery Artist' for now! Still working on the contracts but hope to have these sorted by next week and the real work will then begin!

Ideas for the website are beginning to form. I've spent what seems an age trawling through loads of websites to create a mood board of concepts. I will then go through these with rintinpindesign next week and hope to finalise the layout and aesthetics. Then its time for creation! Everything seems to be falling in to place very nicely at the moment.....let's hope things stay this way!

And.....in other news...... looks like I've got the Trademark for Sharabang! I've received an email saying that they haven't found any conflicting Trademarks already registered. The next step is that Sharabang will be added to the Trademark Journal and then there's two months for any objections to be raised, then it's officially mine!

So......Check out the link for a listen to the demo. Bear in mind that it is awork in progress, but let me know what you think in the comments below. Love you to love it!

Labels: first artist, fishbowl1, matt, trademark, website

Blimey, I hate filling in forms! They’re pretty much always proper boring, but there’s no avoiding them. Been trying to Trademark Sharabang to protect the beautiful name form being used by others in a musical context. Got in a bit of a panic because I probably should have done this before announcing the name?? I started to apply for it a few days ago….but stopped! The form got a bit complicated, and it’s £200 per application and you can’t amend the blighter once it’s been sent. Best get this right the first time then I thought and so it was time to call mentor, Phil Clarke at The Hive.

With his help we went through the form together and it’s now been sent off. Got to wait until I get official confirmation, but it looks as if no one can now get their grubby hands on my Sharabang! 

Working on the contracts today. I’ve also begun looking for web developers and designers for logos and other bits and bobs. Want to get the website up as soon as possible and start promoting the bands! Am trying to get Nottingham Trent Students involved in the design process and hope to gatecrash a seminar or two to try and lure in some recruits! Had a couple of meetings with some web designers and looks as if rintinpindesigns are on board. Will let you all know how things develop shortly!

Labels: fishbowl1, matt, mentor, The Hive, trademark

Absolute boom!! Super news! One of the two bands with which I’ve always wanted to kick off Sharabang are on board, (not sure if pun intended there or not, really!)! Not going to reveal who they are yet (especially as contracts not finalised!) but it is an amazing artist with fantastic potential! Stay closely tuned….will be putting up a work in progress demo of the secret ‘Mystery Artist’ in the next few days for you to get your lug-holes around!!

Next step is the dam contracts, then! This is going to be tricky as so much involved in music contracts and I need to strike the balance so the deals work for both Sharabang and the artists. There’s so much murkiness and hidden and overly complicated clauses within many record label contracts. Sharabang wants to avoid any confusion, with clear, uncomplicated and most importantly, extremely fair contracts.

I'm going to start by simply scribbling down in plain English what I want to establish with the contracts. I will then be seeking professional advice on how to turn my list into a fully fledged contract. Must make sure they’ll stand up to scrutiny when my bands hit the big time!

Big, big excited about this band, you all should be too! Can’t wait for things to kick off properly now! Be back in the next couple of days with the demo!!

Labels: first artist, fishbowl1, writing contracts

So why call my business Sharabang Music??  Like I said before, I wanted something to do with the bus we’ll be touring and playing in.  Spent ages looking at different names for buses, different parts of busses, pretty much anything to do with a blomin’ bus!  Then I heard Sharabang as a slang word for a bus.  Loved the sound of it, so I did some research.

Turns out that it comes from the French word char-à-banc, meaning an open topped motor coach, often used for sightseeing (thank you Wikapedia!!).  It can also be spelt Charabanc, but I thought that the spelling I’ve decided on is easier to remember and more like how it’s pronounced.

On further digging, I found that Sharabang rides could often get pretty rowdy, with lots of music and partying!  Boom!  The more I found out about the ol’ Sharabang, the more perfect it sounded!  So, let’s get these bands signed, web site up, music out there and get the Sharabang ready for the road!!

Labels: fishbowl1

Everyone loves their own ideas.  It can be pretty easy for your ideas to become overly precious to you and to become kind of blinkered to potential weaknesses.  I’m aware of this, but when you’re personally involved, it can be hard to work out if critical advice is plain wrong (perhaps they don’t quite get what your going on about), just another persons point of view, or a fault in your ideas that you had not personally recognised.

I went to see someone from Business Link on Friday (6/11/09).  Wasn’t really sure what it was they could offer, but I want to seek out all the help and advice I can get at the moment!  Not too sure how helpful it was, but it definitely got me thinking.  The adviser that I saw thinks I’ve not thought through the consequences of giving the music away for free properly.  Thinks that the music is key to the business and I should be placing a value on this, not dishing it out for free.

He believes giving it away in a lower quality form is even worse, as it won’t be doing the bands justice.  I tried to explain that the quality will be set at a level so that it will be fine to listen to, and completely satisfactory for many people.  But true fans and music lovers will see the benefit in paying for the music when the extra sound quality and the worth of the artwork are considered. 

I believe (and my research suggests) that this is the case.  That a significant proportion of my target market no longer believes they should pay for the music they consume.  Surely you should listen to what your customers’ want, especially if there are other related areas that can produce revenue streams and allow the supply of free music???  Sharabang will give the option of not paying for the music, or paying a bit and getting something superior in return.

So, should I consider his advice as just his personal opinion, simply incorrect or am I too personally involved with the concept and need to admit to a re-think??

Labels: fishbowl1