This & That

New Opportunities for the Australian and New Zealand Music Industry

paul-iannuzzelli

Spaghetti Music Publishing, MusicPro and BabbleGum now join with Music2Deal in providing more opportunities for Music Industry Specialists and Artists to expand nationally and globally. (Interview with new Australian / New Zealand Music2Deal Representative, Paul Iannuzzelli)

 

Paul, you are the exclusive representative of Music2Deal in Australia, anything you would like to share about this?

Music2Deal is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and business entities in the Australian and New Zealand Music Industry. Thank you Mario Christiani and Music2Deal for inviting me to be involved. It is also great to see a high quality platform enabling international expansion for those musically minded people ‘down under’. There is so much fantastic and fresh music coming out of Australia and New Zealand at the moment, I count it a privilege to be able to contribute to its worldwide success.

 

Tell us a little bit about your experience in the Music Industry.

I began my passion for sharing music when I became the main church organist at only eight years old. Music as a career path was kind of frowned upon back then, but I had good parents who encouraged me to chase my dreams, and I discovered there is a whole world of opportunity in the Music Industry. My ‘musical career’ journey then meant I learnt to play a number of other instruments, performed all over the world, picked up a couple of degrees from the Conservatorium, and fell in love with Songwriting and Music Production. Consequently, I established myself as a Music Producer and Songwriter in London for many years and founded Dante Rhymes – connecting Musicians to Music Industry and Educational specialists all over the world. When I returned to Australia, I was blown away by the musical talent (often hidden) just waiting to be heard. To help that process, I founded Spaghetti Music Publishing, MusicPro and BabbleGum.

 

Very Impressive, please tell us a bit about Spaghetti Music Publishing, MusicPro and BabbleGum.

Spaghetti Music Publishing (www.spaghettimusicpublishing.com) has two main aims – to export Australian/New Zealand music to International opportunities, and to import music as a means of injecting foreign market interest and financial activity in the local Music Industry. The main focus for our writers is pitching their music, with a strong emphasis on International Sync opportunities such as Film/Advert placements. MusicPro (www.musicpro.com.au) is a Music & Media production company, with fully equipped recording studio and video facilities. MusicPro aims to provide local artists with the facilities and skills needed for those wanting to achieve International quality at local prices. BabbleGum (www.babblegum.com) is a Digital Marketing company developed in response to the revolutionary changes in the Music Industry worldwide. The way music is consumed and distributed today is entirely different and there are so many more opportunities for musicians to rise to global influence.   BabbleGum provides creative release strategies for musicians, providing high end Marketing Campaigns and Worldwide Distribution channels. It has since expanded to other industries, but its core intention still holds.   As you can guess, they all work hand in hand.   If you have great music recorded, Spaghetti Music Publishing can help you get it placed Internationally. If you want help in recording high quality exportable music or video, MusicPro can step in there. If you want your music to be heard and be successful on a global scale – then BabbleGum is the team to call.

 


Have there been any major “stumbling blocks” for you while growing in the competitive world of Entertainment?

Every stumbling block has ended up creating the learning experience I needed to step up another level. I don’t necessarily see competitors in the Australian/New Zealand Music Industry, we can all help each other – to me its a river not a pie. Sure, we all have unique strengths, and in that respect, we can all offer something that sets us apart. It still means we have to study each other’s strengths and understand our role in the market place, but its not a competition for me. If someone else is successful, I’m happy about that. If I’m as creative as I need to be, it won’t affect me negatively but will provide insight into how I can be successful with the unique qualities I have to offer.

 

What do you think is the single largest problem faced by the music industry today? How do you think it can be resolved?

Many are talking about the value gap, but I don’t see a ‘single’ problem. I read a Facebook post in Italian recently, which translated means “Negative people always find a problem for every solution”. It’s a matter of perspective. There are changes for sure, massive ones, and the largest being the way music is consumed and distributed. But they are all opportunities, and particularly for those in the Music Industry because it’s so full of super creative people. For example, sure, you can’t sell CD’s as easily through a local outlet store, but it just means you can now sell Digital CD’s online without having anywhere near the amount of manufacturing or distribution costs, and globally! Another one – sure, Generation Y (Echo Boomers and Millenniums) and the emerging Z almost expect music to be downloaded for free. That’s a perfect opportunity to develop inroads into streaming (less hard drive space than a download) and publishing royalties – not to mention the boom it has caused in Sync placements. The amount of Advertising spots needing music (and by the way, the trend is still toward songs rather than jingles – so more good news for bands and artists) has grown astronomically – thanks to the same ‘free’ platform which many were afraid would destroy them. Incidentally, global music revenues increased 3.2% as digital revenues overtook physical for the first time (IFPI Global Music Report 2016).

 

Big plans ahead for 2017?

We hope to see Music2Deal open many doors for the Australian/New Zealand Music Industry. A focus on expanding awareness for this great platform will be high on our agenda. For Spaghetti Music Publishing, we hope to expand with new writers and artists looking to release globally. We are also launching a new initiative for all of our catalogues, both international and local, to increase placements in the Australian/NZ Media sector. MusicPro is increasing its number of engineers to provide more specialist services and there is talk of another studio and a music school. BabbleGum is rapidly growing in other industries enabling it to subsidise its musical initiatives. It’s a busy time for them with with 3 EP launches coming up soon and all the associated Social Media and Press Release campaigns, not to mention the airplay and video distribution channel timelines. So, good times ahead.

 

Do you think Music2Deal.com can help get Australian/NewZealand artists to a further audience both nationally and internationally?

Music2Deal has an inbuilt filtering system already allowing quality Australian/NewZealand artists to stand out above the crowd. There are a lot of opportunities out there for artists today, but having one which brings your music in front of valid Music Industry specialists provides a definite advantage. Keep in mind, connection through Music2Deal is not just about an exchange of product, but it is a coming together between like minded people all over the world – people who all love music and are actively working in the Music Industry. I say go for it!

This & That

Happy Holidays dear reader & member!

music2deal-logo-christmas

Myself & team wanted to take a brief pause & moment to wish you the best of life for the holiday season and also, to say a simple thank for your ongoing membership & musical endeavours via the Music2Deal platform, thank you so much!

As we look back, 2016 was a successful year for us here as we’re proud & pleased with the on-going platform changes, updates & improvements via the tools provided on the M2D site. We strongly believe that by providing members with the tools to build & focus their career, our members can create their own unique space & niche in the global music market-place.

If we achieve this, then frankly, that’s confirmation that we have achieved our goal & aim of giving something back to our beloved world of music. We’re also of course huge music lovers at Music2Deal and this is what drives us too so; it’s both a passion & a pleasure! These are the motivators that drive all of us at Music2Deal so we’re happy to let you clearly know this as we move into a new year.

The team at Music2Deal realise that in the immediate & short term, Music2Deal could be considered as just ‘another’ networking site but we always envisaged that members would use the tools and presence to become part of any professionals strategic music career build-out and to be used for their long term career aspirations. We provide that platform & experience so Music2Deal makes sense.

This is because although members may well be in regular contact with 5-10% of your business friends on other networking & social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook etc and you may well have met potential new contacts & associates at industry events 1 or 2 times a year, the fact remains that you still won’t always know what your contact may be offering or looking for right now in the professional market place and this is where Music2Deal gives you the opportunity to always be informed about music offers and requests from your network.

In addition, your circle of friends, followers on other platforms can also easily be made aware of new offers & requests from your work across other social media platforms. So, simply adjust your profile settings via the ‘connections’ option & multi-share your offers & wants per your particular own social media strategy.

With these subtle factors considered, it really makes sense to build your brand & strategic musical career on Music2Deal as we  are here for all professionals in the music industry that are seeking to create their own opportunities and to make deals & collaborations happen.

Nearly finished but we must say also whilst here that we’re very proud & happy to advise you that we now have 10,000 globally verified members and 10,000+ site visits per month. This makes all of us here very proud that Music2Deal has established itself as a must-have tool & an important part of the music industry as we move into 2017.

With all of the above in mind, we’d like to again thank all of our 10,000 members actively using Music2Deal and to wish you & your family best wishes for a peaceful and joyous holiday season.

Peace & Music, forever.

Mario Christiani & your Music2Deal Team

English · Interviews

‘Passion’ by Pier O (M2D Belgium) Music2Deal album review.

pier-o-colour

Genre:                 Lounge/downtempo

Release date:     22-Aug-16

Label:                   M-Sol Records http://m-solrecords.com/

Platforms:

https://www.music2deal.com/be/Im7870zerHhh_KBep2tmqXHmka0

https://soundcloud.com/pier-o-lounge/sets/passion-album

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/passion-presented-by-pier-o/id1142187757

https://www.beatport.com/release/passion-presented-by-pier-o/1830827

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Passion-Presented-Pier/dp/B01K37JSW0

http://m-solrecords.com/shop/lounge-chillout-music/passion-pier-o-album/

Album intro

Pier-O’s first album captures very high quality lounge music that follows the modern chill out trends & includes jazz and balearic elements in Pier’s own unique emotional musical style. A few tracks are included which were produced in collaboration with worldwide famous musicians such as Marga Sol, Euphonic Traveller, and Marie Therese. Experience Pier’s own ‘passion’ for music via the unique musical vibe & style captured in this, the producer’s debut album.

A note from the artist

I have had a history of love for music since I was born. This love of music ranges from classical to metal, with a never-ending love for Pink Floyd. During the mid 90’s I was listening to a lot of 12″ house music vinyl releases, had a few of my own old skool trance tracks released too and as this was first decade of the new millennium, I remember how at that time, I was just amazed at the musical possibilities so I first specialized in analogue vintage synths. This taught me how to work well with both synthesizer sound creation as well as modular synths and I’m proud to say that I’ve been the owner of many classic synthesizers over the years. That list has included the ARP, Elka, EML, EMS, MOOG, Oberheim & Roland legends and even the mighty Yamaha CS-80 (yes, the very same synthesiser Vangelis utilised so well on the classic ‘Chariots of Fire’ and ‘Blade Runner’ soundtracks).

I actually do still have some of the original tracks that I produced during that ambient music period of my life on my SoundCloud profile;

https://soundcloud.com/pier-o-lounge/sets/excerpts-from-my-pre-lounge

The underlying concept of Music2Deal was the major draw factor that made me want to join the platform. Music2Deal’s global musician networking premise, the ability to offer music for licensing as well as the free tools on the site are frankly a breath of fresh air for the music industry.”

https://www.music2deal.com/be/Im7870zerHhh_KBep2tmqXHmka0

Authors note; Wonderful of sound that are mellow, classy & capture certain panache. That’s how Pier’s music makes me feel. I really dig it when I hear music & abstract sounds in a track & more so from those with an ear for quality music based on their previous track/album work, social media shares as well as general on & off-line conversations. So, with that said, it was a real pleasure to both hear as well as scribe some words on this new piece of work, the debut album from Pier released via the label of our mutual associate; the multi-talented Marga Sol. Thank you both, myself & many others appreciate your musical efforts, so, well there it is dear reader, please enjoy my review & sound experience when listening to this album for the first time recently.

Peace & Music, forever

Darren @ Music2Deal, Nov’ 16

pier-his-moog

Elisa’s Story (Space Dream Mix)Love the opening, dreamalicious, definitely. Lots of good touches here & an extremely chilled vibe throughout, big like & thoroughly enjoyed the wind work samples. In this instance, Pier takes the sound of the trumpet, records and then ‘plays the trumpet’ via his MIDI piano keyboard until satisfied with the sound created. If Pier is not happy with the initial sound then he simply edits or re-records again until comfortable, refinement works.

Hot Summer Breeze – Wow, love the ocean opener and then the bass, such a good & instant vibe, with beats, trumpet & vibe all merged so very well. I feel the influence of Sven Van Hees and his Matrass Mambo** track which is wonderful to hear and, perhaps even an homage to that classic Latin lounge track but regardless that’s what this feels like, intentional or not. An excellent down tempo track Pier and now as I type it’s once more with the trumpet sample (Y) so good on the ear and, the title is perfect! I’d personally enjoy hearing this (loudly) on a beach anywhere in the sun with good company & a cool glass in hand, chuckles J the ending is a nice touch too, quality.

*which, dear reader is in-fact the technically correct track title from Sven’s classic ‘Gemini’ album, i.e. not Mattress, it’s a language thing peeps :)

Red Sunset (feat. Mia Lemar) – I really enjoyed the opening sequence on this track and once more, such good accompanying work from the trumpet. Mia Lemar delivers her contribution perfectly I feel vs. the overall ‘tone’ of the track & mood in-play, excellent. Definitely, a lazy Sunday morning vibe & flavor to it, yep, a first track of the day selection with good coffee please, that’ll work. Another like is the tinkling piano throughout…perfect & then the sax, horn & vocal together as we move on through the track, very chic Pier! J #GotPanache #GotClass

Waiting (For You) – Yet another dreamy opening sequence, I can see why Pier & I both like DF Tram and that’s all I can really say about that J it’s a music-lover ‘thing’ peeps, chuckles. Aaaanyway and then, the synths begin, nice background atmosphere generated here, all elements in play, clearly a soundscape track, love that guitar riff & the piano, it’s just right, not too much, not too little, on the cusp, tight track.

Eiffel Tower Dream – I was both intrigued & immediately curious for more simply by the starting sequence & trumpet sampling here. That aspect brings the track alive instantly & grabbed my ears too. Enjoyed the slight echo on this, don’t know if this is freestyle but it works & I dig it. The pause & rebuild @ 2.55 then the sax is a nice touch and again, that echo, another nice touch. Like the end sequence also, it’s that echo again but this time on the vibraphones. Cool fade-out to end also here.

Long Kiss at Trocadero – Another wonderful beginning that makes me curious for more, like it when that happens, lovely high synth & waves of sound in the background, an immediate dreamy atmosphere created, it all hangs together very well.

And now, a brief interlude & some ad-hoc background on this track from Pier himself:

“Long Kiss at Trocadero was composed after my first meeting in Paris with my former girlfriend who I still love, we kissed first time in Paris on a seat in Trocadero Park in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower…also, the many “I love you’s” on the album and sensual whisperings in the background were recorded by her side on that day, good memories.”**

** The splash of life & love that adds fuel to ‘the process’ I’m sure, thank you for sharing that insight Pier, DP)

Le Ciel de Paris (Pier-O Pont Des Arts Mix) by Euphonic Traveller – Always a quality track, it’s just sooooo Parisian & mellow. Btw and frankly, anything composed by Euphonic Traveller (such a cool handle, always thought so) is allll ways worth a listen per the high-quality consistency of ET’s output; guy’s got taste & a good ear for the sweet-sounds.

Poison & Passion (Pier O Passionata remix) by Marga Sol) – Nice remix of Marga’s own original track , it’s clear that Pier & Marga work very well together based on this album as well as other historic collaborative albums & singles, yep, like that.

Love Jazz (for the weekend) – Sighs, lovely track, I can imagine myself in good company in a smoky bar anywhere in the world listening to this, very sensual saxophone so yep, definitely a ‘love Jazz feeling’ here.

Promenade – Love the opening as the music bleeds in, a mini soundscape in itself this track and the piano overlay is pure pleasure on the ears.

Fermer Les Yeux – Simple but effective this track, not overdone, a nice slice of downtempo

Air of Love (feat. Marga Sol) – Very much enjoyed the guitar & vocal effect’s here and of course, my beloved flute, I just love that instrument! J

Lady Fantasy (The Next Summer) – Grabbed my ear from the start, its sooo chilled & I really enjoyed the keyboard work & sound effects. Simply put; a pleasure to both listen to & to work with in the morning with coffee but hey, that statement goes for the whole album dear reader, highly recommended with caffeine, most definitely, trust D.

Gin & Tonic (Pier-O Bossa Chill Mix) by Marie Therese – I always enjoy the mood & atmosphere captured in this track and the excellent saxophone work by Hal Millen so good to see it’s been captured also as it’s been a while so, like bumping into an old friend, if you will, chuckles J

A word from Pier about this particular track: “The wonderful original track, pure chill-out, composed by the lovely Marie Therese, who’s always been a great friend of mine too.”

Beach Waves – Frankly, this tracks sounds just like its title, so that’s kicking back on a beach, anywhere, listening to this & gazing out at the oceans…oh yes, a definite Zen track for sure, biiiiig like from DP on that.

Finally & to wrap-up this review, I thought it would be informative for readers to have an insight into some of the technical & tooling background utilised in the production of this album & from Pier himself;

  • All the tracks were fully created using samples except for the human voices as all the sensual whisperings & background voices are my muse (i.e. my former girlfriend). The French talking voices are samples from Mia Lemar as well as an associate of Euphonic Traveller who also utilised the same lady’s voice-over talents on his ‘Lounging Paris’ album.
  • I try to do all mixing and mastering myself too except for the final mastering ahead of release & when all the tracks are ready. That aspect is performed by Marga and her team only and covers areas such as ensuring that the overall loudness of all songs is equal. Regardless I’m still learning some aspects of production so I have up’s & down’s day after day… After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. J
  • Today’s sample libraries are very close to the real instruments so sometimes I use sample loops, but generally, I try not to use too many sample loops like some other musicians can do so I compose most of the melodies & chords myself. Generally, I’m playing everything, instrument by instrument using a sample library of that particular instrument. Only the electric piano comes from my real Rhodes EP mk I while the deeper bass sounds are produced via my vintage MOOG Minimoog. I also usually utilize the following sample tools in my production process; a piano or an electronic piano, strings, pads, trumpet, tenor saxophone, horns and vibraphones.
  • All the above tools are utilised via the Pro Tools music system on my computer, my DAW.

Hope that was a good flava of the album peeps & I hope your enjoyed!

Darren – Music2Deal UK

©DP @ Music2Deal