Myspace, as a social network, is dead.
Myspace is for music (and occasionally film).

I think those who attended Unconvention are still collecting their thoughts and ideas that came of it, inspiring and motivating as so many of them were.

The first point being how to get your music heard – simple, give it away. Yes for free. If it’s good and people like it, they will come back for more. That “more” should be in the way that bands interact with fans; being personable and letting fans know what you are up to. Twitter, as ridiculous as it seems to many, is a great tool for communicating with people on a personal level, as well as helping promote the cause – but I stress that Twitter is not an arena for whoring your band, product and/or service, but a place to give a face and personality to whatever you are also trying to promote.

“The days of a major record deal are gone”

Bands have to put the work in themselves, avail of the technology and network online. The insights of band life, gig dates, radio sessions, new songs in the works, even allowing fans to contribute ideas to new material. Having a Myspace is now a given, it no longer needs to be mentioned. Though a blog is now just as important to a band’s online profile, preferably not simply through Myspace either.

The Unconvention team did a great job and the Black Box acted as a great venue with a (mostly) constant supply of coffee, beers and pizza. The speakers were informative and sparked great debate from the audience, as well as between each other.

John Shelly and the Creatures, spoke about their experience with their recent publishing deal where one of their songs has been used in an advertisement for the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, due to a simple submission via Bruisedfruit Promotions.

Later the band played a set – and, having not heard them before I thoroughly enjoyed the music, and will have to get a copy of their CD at some point soon (unless I can download some MP3s?).

A number of others have also expressed their thoughts on the event and there will be a lot more to come, including contacts and video on UnconventionBelfast.com.

Tagged belfast music northern ireland unconvention | 2 Comments