On Wednesday 24th September you will be given a rare opportunity to promote yourself to the people in the music business who have the connexions to change your life.
You will showcase for three minutes to a panel of experts who are associated with everyone from Britney and Randy Crawford to Paula Abdul and the Spice Girls. Each artist will receive brief written feedback and positive advice on your performance and how to improve for your future development.
Through the day the panel will collectively select their three favourite performers who will receive a full one-to-one appraisal, worth £250 at a future date.
Bob James on 'How to get a Record Deal'
A sold out event! - The Artists
"Really useful, realistic view of inside the music industry. I feel I left the day feeling better prepared, and more empowered about my singing career and future. There is lots to know and this day has opened my eyes a lot!
Thanks" - Rabia
The Panel of industry experts
Richard Smith talking about agents
"Thank you for a wicked day!! We have learned so much today and saw some amazing talent. Thank you for the opportunity. Awesome!" - Tangem
Rubylux enjoying talking with Ema French
Ema French on A&R
"We found today to be one of our best experiences (as a band) we have had. To be face to face with industry reps was an experience to die for, this was PRICELESS" - 3TL
Simon Ellis talking about songwriting and production
Artists perform
"I found the event insightful, and encouraging. It was professionally run and unlike other events, it gave artists an opportunity to both network and showcase their material. Being given direct access to the industry experience and knowledge of the panelists was a rare opportunity and an asset to every artist in the room" - Lama
Check out performances from earlier Connexions events - More videos coming soon
"An absolute must for any artist who is serious about having a career in the music industry. A wealth of insights and useful information" - Paolo
A&R Manager for Fascination/Polydor Records
Fascination is the pop division of Polydor and I work on acts including Girls Aloud, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Jonas Brothers, The Saturdays, Andrew lloyd Webber, Lee Mead.. His job involves finding songs and helping artists find their direction for each record. He picks the songs, producers, writers for each record. His job also involves picking remixers, mastering engineers etc. He is consistently working with songwriters and publishers to find songs for his acts and am always out scouting new talent. It is important for him to keep up with musical trends and to think about how musical tastes are developing months before they do publicly.
Owner of Delicious PR
Delicious is a grass roots PR Company providing traditional and online PR. Delicious is part of the Quite Great PR Network for National campaigns whose clients have included: Danni Minogue, Nickelback, Mick Jagger, Newton Faulkner, Sandi Thom and Stevie Wonder to name just a few.
Songwriter & Producer for Deekay Music
With production and writing credits for acts such as Lemar, Blue, Paula Abdul, Method Man, Fat Joe and many others, Obi is an accomplished songwriter and producer. He recently produced and co-wrote "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow", Paula Abdul's first single in over a decade. The single became her 2nd biggest club record ever (#2 Billboard Club Play Chart) and topped the US iTunes video chart and dance chart. He has participated on multiplatinum records in UK and Europe and recently had a US top 40 (R&B Chart) hit with Barbi Esco, a brand new artist he is developing. Obi is a specialist in both melody and lyrics and will be speaking about the art of songwriting.
MCPS/PRS Alliance
Jules works in the Membership Development dept at MCPS/PRS dealing with member aquisition, helping high-profile songwriters join and keeps an eye out for new writers and acts breaking through. His aim is to make sure that new writers know what PRS is and how it can help them and provides a valuable link to the higher earning songwriters in the PRS and to the rest of the music industry. Previously published by BMG and having worked extensively with Universal and Warners, Jules is also still an active songwriter.
Wardlaw Banks Publishing
One of the new breed of proactive Music Publishers. Stan also looks after the publishing for one Mr Trevor Horn (ZTT, Seal etc..) He has been involved in music publishing for approximately the last 23 years. Including 6 years at EMI Music Publishing, 2 Years at MCA Music Publishing and 12 years at the coal face of independent publishing working for Trevor Horn at Perfect Songs Limited. During that time he has had experience of and managed the departments that comprise the main limbs of any publishing company. From royalties administration, copyright management/protection on a worldwide basis, general business affairs, song promotion (including pitching, procuring and negotiating synchronisation licenses for Film, TV and Advertising), Arranging for collaborations between song writers and promoting their musical works for potential placements with recording artists and/or synchronisation usage. In recent years he has started his own independent Publishing boutique titled Wardlaw Banks Limited which is very eclectic with respect to its roster and flexible in its dealing with the new (or not so new) media world we live in.
New Media Law
One of the founders of New Media Law, Ian is a solicitor specialising in Media & Entertainment. He works with a wide range of high profile clients within the internet, television, film, music, gaming, software and publishing industries, as well as other commercial organisations in related sectors providing clients with specialist media advice in areas such as Copyright, Intellectual Property Rights, Trade Marks, Licensing, Distribution and Production as well as overall commercial advice in areas such as Employment Law, Mergers and Acquisitions, Libel and Slander, Litigation and Corporate and Commercial Agreements.
CEO and founder of the Asylum Group
With 25 Years of Music Industry Experience including Publishing, Record Label, Management, Digital and other areas of exploitation of Intellectual Copyright, Bob's companies have provided management services to Platinum selling artists Misteeq and Darius amongst others. The Writers and producers he manages have sold collectively in excess of 70 million Records. With Brit Awards, Grammys and ASCAP awards to their credit. Songs have been used by Sugababes, Lemar, Rascal Flatts, Leanne Rimes, Keith Urban and Paula Abdul again, to name just a few!
Label Owners and BBC Radio Hosts
Mike Bromfield and Ollie Winiberg are known as the ‘unsigned pioneers’ and work for BBC radio Essex. Their new show plays the best, hottest and most exiting new music from emerging talent, unsigned bands and breaking artists. They have their own record label, and constantly on the look out for new talent.
During the day, there will be short keynote presentations on subjects such as publishing, songwriting, record company deals, marketing and promotion etc.
You will be seated with other artists on a round table and during the day each member of the panel will come and sit at your table in turn. This is a totally unique opportunity to meet these people and ask them any questions you like about the industry. We would ask that you respect this time for asking questions that will benefit the group and not use the time to promote yourself. The time to promote yourself is in in your three minute showcase or at the exclusive private dinner event in the evening.
The ultimate private networking event. The first 10 PEOPLE ONLY to call our offices and reserve a place will attend the private dinner with the panel. This is an unprecedented opportunity to promote yourself and get to the know the panel individually. The dinner will be from 7.30pm and carries a supplementary charge of £100 which includes the food and wine but excludes all other drinks ordered. You cannot attend the dinner without attending the day.
Welcome and Introductions
Keynote One
Showcase One
Network Event One
Break
Complimentary tea and coffee
Showcase Two
Network Event Two
Showcase Three
Keynote Two
Showcase Four
Lunch
Lunch is not included in price but available at extra cost by the hotel
Please contact the hotel direct to reserve
Showcase Five
Network Three
Keynote Three
Showcase Six
Break
Complimentary tea and coffee
Network Four
Showcase Seven
Keynote Four
Showcase Eight
Network Five
Showcase Nine
Results and wrap up
It costs just £149 to book your place at the next Connexions Event.
Reservations can only be accepted with payment.
