Glasgow has been named a United Nations City of Music. The award has prompted the creation of a new group called Glasgow City of Music to help the city’s music community reach greater heights. Glasgow becomes only the 11th city to become part of the Creative Cities Network which was launched by the UN in 2004.

Seville and Bologna are the only two other European cities to share the title. Scotland now has two world cities, with Edinburgh being the other after being named as the first UNESCO City of Literature, in 2004.

You either love him or you hate. I’m in the latter group. Jeremy Paxman is at it again. Not only is he infuriatingly annoying on TV but he’s just as bad in print. This time having a sly dig [2] at Scotland’s most famous bard, Robert Burns.

Although I am afraid I find the Scottish national poet no more than a king of sentimental doggerel, one might as well have used his ramfeezled to describe our state.

Last.fm are now starting to pay royalties to independent and unsigned bands who upload their music to the Last.fm music service. Originally announced in January and on the Last.fm blog.

Last.fm is an online radio station where users can broadcast their music collections, listen to music and meet people with similar music tastes (Social Network).

We already have licenses with the various royalty collection societies, but now unsigned artists can put their music on Last.fm and be paid directly for every song played. This helps to level the playing-field—now you can make music, upload it to Last.fm and earn money for each play.

Musicians can opt into the programme when they upload music to the site. Despite the problem that artists will require a lot of plays to make any decent money it’s not a bad thing considering the likes of MySpace who pay royalties only to major record labels and not unsigned musicians.

We’ve have some reliability issues recently with the site and this is largely due to our hosting company migrating their infrastructure to a new location. We can only appologise for the inconvenience this has caused and may continue to cause over the next few days but rest assured we are keeping an eye on things.

Thank you for your continued support.

Register now!

goNorth 2008 Film Programme

In partnership with goNorth, DCA is celebrating the time-honoured cocktail of music and film with an awesome programme of documentaries, never-seen-before concert footage and film premieres. The makers of all the films are either introducing their work or are available for questions afterwards.

• Jack Penate: Loose at the Seams: Documentary about young singer songwriter, Jack Penate. Loose at the Seams finds out what makes him tick, what makes him create and discovers a lot more than you’d expect in today’s modern rock’n'roller. The screening will be introduced by Goetz Werner & Craig McNeil

• 20 Cigarettes: Set against the modern backdrop of Moscow’s advertising world, we follow Andrey, a successful creative, through his day. With each cigarette, the storm of events becomes more fraught. Confronted with a situation in which his professional and personal future is jeopardized, Andrey must make the one and only right decision. Alexander Gornovsky’s successful first feature film since graduating from the prestigious Russian State Institute of Cinematography with soundtrack featuring goNorth band the Jyrojets. Producer Irina Smolko introduces the film and you are welcome to join the Director and Producer for drinks and an informal Q&A session in the DCA Activity Room after the screening

• World Premiere. The View Live at the Caird Hall: Documentary featuring live footage of The View’s blistering 2007 gig at the Caird Hall. Filmed and produced by ex-students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

• Dizzee Rascal: Bow Selector: In this film Mercury Prize winning Dizzee Rascal talks about his musical journey so far including his current album Maths & English. Featuring cameos from a rapping Jonathan Ross, Lily Allen and N.E.R.D, plus a Bez-narrated cartoon and much more. Introduced by Goetz Werner & Craig McNeil.

Register now online at www.gonorth.biz

If you have any questions please contact Emily Dewhurst, Music Development Workshops on 01382 432476

Regards
Emily Dewhurst, Music Development Officer

Do business and develop your skills at Go North Dundee, Scotland’s Premier New Music Showcase where we’ll be showcasing 60 bands, over 2 days, in 6 venues. As a delegate you’ll have the opportunity to…

• Network with other industry delegates
• Participate in a wide-ranging programme of informative, provocative panel discussions and workshops featuring specialists from all areas of the creative industries.
• Receive preferential access to Showcase events
• Free entry to the DCA/goNorth film programme
• Access to industry receptions and the Clash and Norway Aftershows
• and a place on the infamous GoNorth Mystery Tour.

The Workshop Programme will take place in Dundee Contemporary Arts and the VISION Building on the 5/6 June 2008 from 09.00 until 18.00. The Showcases will take place in various venues including Fat Sams & Fat Sams Live, The Doghouse, the Westport Bar, and No 25s from 19.00 onwards. Please see enclosed programme and www.gonorth.biz for all this and more including details of the Film and Fringe Programme.

Register now online at www.gonorth.biz

If you have any questions please contact Emily Dewhurst, Music Development Workshops on 01382 432476

Regards
Emily Dewhurst, Music Development Officer