You have to send a DVD or VHS.

london only?

well that is where all the good bands come from isn't it?

Copied off www.bluesmatters.com

NEW/UNSIGNED BANDS - DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES FACTOR?

We are currently running a feature in our magazine to help support new/unsigned Blues-based artists. We would appreciate your support on this (if you can post news on your own website, in any newsletters you produce etc).

Blues Matters! has always featured some of the most respected and well known recording artists past and present (Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, White Stripes, Eric Clapton…), but we have always prided ourselves on the support we have given to ‘up-and-coming’ artists, who would otherwise be overlooked by the major publications (Blues Matters! being one of the first publications to include Martin Trimble, who has since gone on to the highly successful 22-20s).

It is always difficult for new artists to gain exposure (no matter how good they are), and it seems even harder if this artist has chosen to play the Blues or Blues-based music.

With this in mind, we have decided to give an opportunity to new artists to increase their profile in the UK’s MOST READ Blues magazine, Blues Matters!

Each issue we’ll allow, at least, one NEW artist a chance to talk to our readership (including respected industry figures) about themselves and their music. This is a big opportunity for any new artist to gain interest in their music and the possibility of even interesting a record label boss!

The only requirement being that they are not signed (or haven’t been signed) to a label, they have not released a full-length album (independently released EP’s and singles are fine) and they can supply at least one good shot of themselves. This opportunity is not limited to young artists, if you have started a band at 55 then you still deserve the same opportunity to showcase your music and talent.

The success of Blues Matters! magazine has allowed us to establish a record label to help showcase and promote the exciting new Blues talent, which is so often overlooked, and there will be the added opportunity for the bands featured in the magazine to be signed to our record label. This feature series will be open to artists Internationally.

We will also be looking at featuring artists included in this feature on future Blues Matters! events billings – an opportunity most established Blues artists would jump at.

If you are interested, or know an artist who would be suitable, please contact darren@bluesmatters.com or check out our magazine for further information.

Basically we need the following:
The artist/act needs to write maximum 400 words about themselves/the band. This 400 words can be whatever the act wants (obviously writing about the band would be quite useful).

We do not see this feature as a free advert so we don’t want it written from the third person perspective or as a kind of press release. We want it written as though the artist is talking directly to the reader. Think of it as a personal moment to persuade a Blues lover or industry figure to check out your music.

We do require at least one full size/hi-res image to run with the feature (more than one would be ideal – landscape and portrait). This image needs to be clear/high quality of the artist/band and should be no smaller than 300dpi (original) and approximately 15cm either way.

In addition to the 400 words the artist needs to answer the following (in no more than a few words each).

Who are the band members? (and what do they play)
Where are the band based in the UK?
What year did the band form?
Who the bands main blues influences are? (artists)
Where can our readers hear music from the band? (EP, website etc)
What is the bands ultimate aim/goal?

PLEASE NOTE: We do need to hear music from the artist (for obvious reasons) before we can include them in the feature. A link to a website or a demo, EP release (which can also be included for magazine review) will suffice.

if it's only open to london bands then they're going to get a lot of SHIT.

I'm sure if you were willing travel down there it wouldn't be a problem would it?

in the last 6 months i've had three A&R men from big labels who've offered to come and see us play but then break all contact as soon as i mention we live and gig in the east midlands.

pretty shady really.