This month at the Stove, we were very lucky to have not one but twoDMC:Presents gigs in our Cafe Space! Photographer Kirstin McEwan was there to capture both evenings.
First up was a double headliner evening of folk style ukulele music from Galloway songstress Zoë Bestel, and Danish virtuoso Tobias Elof. The two ethereal artists performed an intimate gig of beautifully crafted songs, both together and solo to celebrate the launch of Transience, Bestel’s newly released album.
Next up was the amazing Glasgow based band from Castle Douglas ‘VanIves’, who held their first headline show in Dumfries at the Stove on 14th June. The electronic pop duo take influences from artists like Boniver, Matt Corby, Disclosure and SG lewis. They were supported by ‘Flew the Arrow’ – a fast-rising contemporary folk artist from Ayr.
In an effort to provide young musicians the opportunity to write, record, and release their own tracks; Blueprint100, in association with D&G Council and DGU, created the Song Factory. Running over the course of two months, participants were taken through various aspects of the music industry from songwriting to graphic advertising. Workshops ran every Wednesday from the 14th of a June to the 5th of July, with time to record until the 2nd of August when the final workshop was held.
During these workshops those involved were able to work with poet Hugh McMillan; singer-songwriter Jamie McClennan; graphic designer Sam Sparrow; and producer and owner of Lovers Lane Studios Grant Christian Henderson. They worked in groups to create 3 songs overall, paying ample attention to both music and lyrics, and then – after a tour of the studios – were funded to record these songs.
The final workshop focused on publicising your music, so as well as being taken through some basic graphic design participants were talked through an interview in preparation for a slot on the Thursday Night Showcase on Alive radio the following night. Here they talked about how they found the course and either played their track or performed their song live. All recorded tracks will be regularly featured on the show from this point onward.
The response to Song Factory has been truly touching, with the involved Blueprint members receiving messages of thanks from many of those involved, and the songs created will be worthy additions to Dumfries and Galloway’s ever-growing music scene.
All photographs credited to Kirstin McEwan Photography.
A ‘punk orchestra’ will come to Dumfries over April and May to collaborate, compose and improvise with young musicians during five Saturday workshops, as well as offering an opportunity to perform at the Theatre Royal. The Big Jam workshops, presented in collaboration with Dumfries Music Conference, and supported by The Stove Network and D&G Arts Festival, will provide musicians with the opportunity to work with the Tinderbox Orchestra. The Orchestra, which features a fusion of instruments, styles and people, write and perform original compositions. The group will host a series of free workshops in Dumfries town centre that are suitable for musicians aged 12 and over. Founded in 2010 as a small community youth orchestra with a difference, Tinderbox has grown to become a ground-breaking youth arts organisation, charity and social enterprise. Tinderbox aims to ignite a spark in young people; one which fills them with confidence, imagination and a sense of possibility, and which enables people to achieve things they never thought possible. Tinderbox Orchestra will collaborate with Dumfries Music Conference to undertake a five-week project in Dumfries during April and May, which will culminate with the group’s performance at the town’s Theatre Royal on 27th May. During these five-weeks, free workshops will be held for five consecutive Saturdays, starting on 22nd April at Lovers Lane Studios from 12-4pm. Musicians will have the opportunity to play with a real-life orchestra and learn the craft of scoring an orchestral composition to go along with their own performances and song-writing endeavours.
Participants are invited to attend all or some of the sessions and to bring along their instrument, so that they can play with the group. The sessions will focus on a different piece each week, which will interweave around writing a group composition. Experiment with ideas, collaborate with other musicians and become part of the country’s loudest, most innovative orchestra.
For more information, visit DMC on Facebook @DumfriesMusicConference
As a young musician playing in a “neo-folk” duo, I was under the impression that it was vital that you had to play an instrument to be able to work within the industry. I have never be more disillusioned! Last weekend my band member and I attended Off The Record at The Stove in Dumfries, an event where anyone from 14 to 25 interested in working within the music industry could learn about all it’s key factors and how important they are.
The event was a series of seminars and talks from lots of different speakers who came from lots of different parts of the music industry. These talks ranged from learning about organising and getting gigs, producing and releasing music, working within the music industry, promoting your or your band’s music and getting the best images to promote your music and style.
There were many elements of the day that I found very informative including a presentation on realising music by Toni Malyn who works with EmuBands. He gave a step by step talk on how to get your music heard through companies such as Spotify, he also gave us useful information on how to release covers of other artists’ songs – this was something that we as a band duo found especially helpful. We learnt what the term “derivative work” meant from Toni, a phrase that has definitely stuck with me.
We also got the opportunity to listen to Nick Roberts, who is part of the team who run the very successful festival Electric Fields each year. He gave us a good insight of what his job was and how important it is to be a band or musician who is “good to work with”. He explained that you could be a rock star on stage but it is vital that you can work well with the organisers as it makes their jobs easier and everything runs smoothly. I thought that this piece of information was something that was very rudimentary but the most important.
He also gave some communication tips and how using emails effectively is also important. I was completely amazed as to how many bands copied and pasted emails to companies and promoters – I discovered that a “personal touch” can really go a long way within the industry.
We also got the chance listen to Jannica Honey, a well experienced photographer who has taken photos of bands such as The Killers. She gave us a presentation on the do’s and dont’s of music photography and provided helpful and nifty tips on creating the best photography so you or your band could get the best image for your sound and your style. She gave you simple questions to ask yourself like “who are you as a band or musician?” And “what and where does your music represent?” These simple questions made me really analyse our own band and where and what we symbolise.
Off The Record also highlighted a really fundamental part of the music industry – promoting your music. Derick Mackinnon of New Found Sound spoke about press packs and how using social media a lot can be a really great way to promote your music. This last talk was a really excellent way to wrap up the rest of day.
Attending Off The Record has really opened my eyes about the music industry and the amazing and unexpected destinations it can take you to, it isn’t just about playing music on a stage – there are numerous other jobs within the music business from sound engineering to promoting and even taking photos. It was less daunting to know how many career paths within music there really are. It was also really nice to hear humble advice such as “Be supportive to other bands” and “Flattery will get you everywhere” – modest guidance like that definitely reminded me of the excitement and enjoyment within the industry, and why I would really love to have a career in music whether it is playing in bands, promoting or even writing about it.
As a young musician, I would highly recommend going to Off The Record if you have the opportunity to. If you are a musician or interested in following a career within music then Off The Record is a phenomenal event where you can get a taste for it. It will open your eyes and fill your soul with first-hand knowledge from the best kind of people who have been there and done that.
What is DMC? It’s a good question. But ‘what wasn’t it?’ is better.
The third Dumfries Music Conference slid triumphantly on its knees into The Stove Building on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April 2015 – dragging in a heady concoction of workshops, panel discussion, live music, film and a radio station in its vapour trail. With two successes under their belt and a bagful of lessons tucked neatly under their arm, this was to be the coming of age DMC.
Participant during ‘Recording Audio Using Pro Tools’ workshop
While DMC2012 and DMC2013 were important in their own right – the first one for being first and the second for being a four-day monster (lesson learned) – DMC2015 carried an extra bit of weight on its shoulders. DMC2015 WILL BE THE EVENT THAT OPENS THE STOVE BUILDING. Yeah, you heard it. That project, started by a beautiful bunch of arty folks (of which team DMC belong), with a vision for a better Dumfries, which began, like, four years ago and has had more ups and downs than the Big Dipper – that one. Not to mention the fact that DMC had been in hibernation for 18 months.
Unfurl the bunting and re-hang the banners – this has to be big!
Well, it was less bunting and more Rock Against Racism. The exhibition, which depicts the vibrant fight against fascists and racists, who have intermittently raised their extremely ugly heads over the last four decades, was on display throughout DMC2015 – on the ground and middle floors. This is the artwork for marches, demos and gigs that have stood in the name of social justice and equality for all. It gave The Stove a look that it suited to a tee and brought out a part of its personality that had been hiding beneath its blank canvas.
Rock against Racism exhibition behind The Stove’s new Funktion-One soundsystem
The major addition to the Dumfries Music Conference format this year was Radio DMC. It’s an idea that the organisers found at goNORTH Festival (now XpoNorth) and it worked an absolute treat. It gave the event a currency and monkey bars to swing
across throughout the daytime. Presenters Craig Watson and Chazz (also known as Deep Fried Soul) and Melissa Gunn (of Thursday Night Showcase on Alive Radio fame) gave it the energy and professionalism that was so vital to it. Over 20 local musicians, bands and DJs performed over the two days – going out live to the room and over the digital airwaves. The special and unique moments that Radio DMC churned out were truly unforgettable.
Radio DMC presenters Craig Watson and Chazz
So many great Radio DMC moments. Listen back to (almost – slight technical issue) all of them here.
Melissa Gunn of Smalltown Sounds gets Rhi from Young Stove started on her 1hour programme for Radio DMC
A special mention and one of the many highlights of Radio DMC was when 15 year old Doonhamer Euan Leslie, who just happens to be ‘Young Scottish Drummer of the year 2015’, performed live and was then joined by a series of young musicians for an impromptu jam session on Saturday afternoon. The music was so sweet that Radio DMC presenter Chazz transformed himself into a rapper for an off the cuff rendition of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ by Sugarhill Gang or should we say the Stovietoon Gang – epic!
Rappers Delight during Radio DMC
Then there was Cinema DMC – a room on the top floor of the three-storey Stove Building, which was transformed into an intimate cinema room. The general subject, of course, was music. There was: End Of A Century: The Story Of The Ramones, Who Shot the Sheriff (about Rock Against Racism), Hector Bizerk’s Bird That Never Flew, The Punk Singer and Searching For Sugarman. All in all, a nice and relaxing addition to the DMC line-up. Bring your own popcorn was optional.
Cinema DMC
So those three things were the constants. The Rock Against Racism Exhibition was a backdrop to every DMC2015 event (apart from the cinema). Radio DMC broadcast both days between midday and teatime (6pm on Friday and 4.30pm on Saturday). And Cinema DMC rolled out the music documentaries between midday and 6pm both days.
Colin James performing live during Radio DMC
Since it began, DMC has been a bastion of sharing ideas. Their workshops are stuff of legend – and, frankly, this year was no different. MusicPlus+ have been valued DMC partners since the first event and this year the music-mentoring vehicle motored in with an absolute belter. Hector Bizerk frontman, Louie, with ‘Hip Hop was Born in Scotland’. The two-hour session provided a unique opportunity for young (and older) enthusiasts to hear from one of the UK’s most exciting hip-hop artists, who’s in one of the UK’s most exciting hip-hop groups. It was as much about knowledge and culture as it was about mastering the art – Louie was crowned King of Dumfries (for the day).
Hector Bizerk frontman, Louie, during ‘Hip Hop was Born in Scotland’ workshop
Number one soundman, Dave Miller, took charge of the other two workshops – ‘Recording Audio Using Pro Tools’ and ‘An Introduction to Live Sound’. For anyone at the live gig, which concluded DMC2015 and for which Dave was sound engineer, you’ll know the level of this man’s skills. The sound for the gig (in a pretty difficult acoustic environment) was stunning. Those who attended Dave’s workshops walked away as better people. Better knowledge. Better EQers. Better everything. Dave was King of Dumfries that day (sorry Louie).
Dave Miller (right) and a participant during ‘Recording Audio Using Pro Tools’ workshop
For many people, Friday night’s DMC2015 Seminar will go down as their favourite part of the event. Masterminded and held together by Derick Mackinnon (there are rumours that the D M and C in DMC come from Derick’s name, which are so far unsubstantiated, however, there is no denying how important he is to the event and its organisation), it featured a (again, this cannot be overstated) ridiculously brilliant cast of music industry movers and shakers. Let’s re-cap: Ally McCrae (manager Prides and A&R Sentric Music), Keren McKean (We Make Music Work and Deep Blue Festivals), Scott Kirkwood (manager KLOË, Hit The Road and First Run Records), Alan Morrison (The Herald), Jeff Thompson (Un-Convention and Off Axis) and Nick Roberts (Electric Fields Festival). The seminar was ace – revealing industry secrets about media coverage, records labels and management.
All star cast of DMC2015 Seminar
Post-seminar saw the part of the evening that all the bands and musicians in the audience (featuring a who’s who of the D&G music scene) were most excited and downright petrified about – the A&R Listening Lounge, in which their music would be played and reviewed before an audience of roughly 60 people. All acts of bravery should be commended. These particular acts received warm appreciation from both the audience and the industry experts. It could have been terrible but, in fact, it was a topper of an ending to a blinding evening and smile-inducing day.
Packed house during the A&R Listening Lounge
The Saturday night was, of course, crowned by DMC Live, featuring Miaoux Miaoux, KLOË, Sean vs The Robots and MØGEN. Pretty much everybody knew this gig would be great beforehand. All it needed was good sound (check – nice one Dave and The Stove for investing in a super boss Funktion-One sound sytem) and an appreciative audience. Hello to the 100 or so (sold out) good souls who made it down for that and sorry for making you stand outside while the bands finished the sound-checks. Turns out the timings were pretty much spot on (lesson learned). It really was a treat for the ears. Afterwards, some DMCers toddled off to Electric Theatre Workshop for the aftershow, while others disappeared into the night.
Miaoux Miaoux soundchecking before DMC Live
Whichever way, they and all who sailed its path were united by the warm glow of all that had been DMC2015. A brilliant event, in a splendid new creative hub for the town and the start of a new chapter for all.
Following on from Tea with Moxie, our herald, she has become interested in the many different kinds of members in The Stove Network. She’s been catching up with and speaking to various members, and we’ll be introducing one every Friday over the next wee while. You can get in touch with Moxie on The Stove Herald facebook page here or by email.
This week is the turn of Melissa Gunn!
Melissa is a full-time Business Lecturer, part-time radio presenter and all-round promoter of local music. She has lived in Dumfries all of her life and presents the Thursday Night Showcase on community radio station Alive 107.3, a show which is entirely dedicated to promoting Dumfries & Galloway musicians and gigs. She also runs Small Town Sounds, a small project which uses local music to raise money for local charities. Melissa also did a radio show as part of last weekends Radio DMC.
What drew you to the Stove?
I love the whole concept of The Stove because it has the potential to bring together such a wide range of art ‘genres’. I am hugely passionate about local music and was pleased to see that The Stove classified music as an ‘art’. I wanted to be a part of The Stove to try to raise the profile of our local music scene.
Share your hope and dreams for The Stove?
I hope it will be all inclusive, and help put Dumfries & Galloway on the map when it comes to creativity.
Which film changed your life?
The Crow – I was totally obsessed by it as a teenager.
What keeps you in and around Dumfries?
My job, my hobbies, my friends, my family, the fresh air and the beautiful scenery.
What makes you feel alive?
Listening to amazing music with fantastic company and great conversation. And Berocca.
Where were you when you saw your favourite sunset?
Eden Festival.
What’s your dream for the arts in D&G?
I want it to be more accessible, and for there to be something that appeals to everyone.
What’s your favourite piece/event that you’ve produced?
I co-organised the Small Town Sounds CD launch (as well as the making of the CD) back in October 2013. Small Town Sounds is a charity CD which features local musicians and every penny made goes to local charities. To date it has raised around £1700.
