English · This & That

Mario Christiani (CEO Music2Deal) at the European Forum in Athens

“I was pleased to be at the European Forum in Athen, as Music2Deal was the international supporter and moreover I also presented Music2Deal on a panel.

The European Forum was held with the European Music Day Association (http://www.europeanmusicday.gr) during the Music Day events of Athens (19,20 & 21st of June 2013). Moreover it was also a great opportunity to meet the representatives of Music2Deal Greece and Music2Deal Hungary/Czech Republic.

The Greek network of the European Music Day is (though the crisis) one of the most active of Europe. Some facts will probably convince you!

This year’s edition hosted an European Cultural Forum, 3 open discussions, 50 lifelong learning workshops and music events in 28 cities, in 210 locations with more than 400 events, presenting 495 bands, DJs, choirs or orchestras… all in all more than 2.500 musicians.

To be honest: for someone from Hamburg it was also nice to stay in Athens as it was warm and sunny. The 1st meeting with the other participants was at the roof of the hotel at the bar and the swimming pool. A really great view on Athens and a wonderful relaxed situation to get in contact to the other participants. There were a lot of very high recommended and nice people from other European countries and it was interesting and fun to talk with them.

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The next day we went to the European Cultural Forum with the topic:  The role of Clusters for the development of the Music Sector. The forum was held at the Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, Culture and Sports. There were more than 80 representatives of various European organizations, institutions and enterprises of the music sector.  The aim was to point out the important contributions that the state, social actors, universities, NGOs and the private sector can make in relation to cluster creation.

One great solution was presented at the end of the forum with the EURICCA Initiative. The European Music Cluster is a Project of the EUROPEAN RESEARCH & INNOVATION AGENCY FOR CULTURAL CLUSTERS (EURICCA) aiming to create a Contact Point for all professions of the European Music Sector (in the wider sense).

– EURICCA Initiative   http://www.euricca.eu/

Of course Music2Deal is a part of this great initiative!

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After a long day in the ministry we were invited for a visit and a party at the roof of the town hall.

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It was a nice party (with a lot of good talks!) which I left later for going out for dinner with some very nice participants. And it was not just a dinner … it was amazing as we had dinner at the roof of the restaurant with a view to the Acropolis. 

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On Thursday I was on the panel of the open discussion of “Internet and New Media for the support of Vocational and Educational Training of Musicians”. This was a discussion on how internet, new technologies, digital opportunities, social media and blogs can help music and vocational education. The open discussion showed how the common needs of export and promotion of musicians are associated with a lifelong learning process and self-management.

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After many nice talks with my current representative, new partners and a new representative, I left Athens on Friday for a nice weekend on a Greek Island. Here are some impressions :-)”

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 Mario Christiani

CEO Music2Deal 

 

 

English · Interviews

Interview with Music2Deal Member AMANOVA

AMANOVA (10)

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi to the Music2Deal Community ! It’s always hard to present ourselves in a few words… but I’ll try ! I’m Amanova, a french singer and songwriter, in a style we could qualify as smooth-jazz with touches of blues, soul and latin influences. I’ve grew up in a musician family and started to sing on stage at the age of 12. I used to produce myself with coverbands until 2007, where I started my own project and dared to write and compose for myself.

Why do you think your kind of music will do well internationally?

First of all, I believe that music is universal, that’s the best language to share with somebody living at the opposite of the earth, with our emotions and our intentions. I like to think there’s a public for any kind of music, and realize I’m often more played on radios in US or Canada than in my own country. Maybe it’s a question of style or the result that I don’t sing a lot in French. Anyway, I’m always happy when my music finds an echo, whether it is with my neighbour or with an Australian, music’s made to travel !

Could you talk to us about notable projects you have completed in the past?

Any experience, any stage has been a benefit in learning. I started early and had the chance to experiment many things in music, a variety of groups, the work as backup singer which helped to participate at the Montreal’s Francofolies with great canadian singers, some radio advertisings, the direction of a music school and since I started my own project, I had the pleasure to produce myself in many places, as the Sunset Jazz Club Paris, some Jazz festivals, clubs, painting openings, some big private parties…

Do you have any upcoming projects, tours and concerts already planned? What are your plans for 2013?

I’ve just released my first EP (« On a smoothy way ») last summer so I’m trying to promote it the best way I can :) and I’ve already started to work on the next album, ideas are there and I like the atmosphere in the studio! People interested can take a look on my website www.amanova.net to discover all of this.

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

There are many large problems (laughs) and I can’t speak for everyone, but from my point of view, one of the most important is a problem of « pace », I mean that the larger part of the marketed music come from some big societies, which own like a monopole and receive alone the support of the media. All is concentrated on a few artists, but there is so much to discover outside ! So, how to resolve it ? I  unfortunately don’t have the answer, except than push people to be the more curious they can, and search to discover things from everywhere.

What are you currently looking for? A label, a distributor, a manager, a producer, licencing, etc?

Until now, I had to apply the DIY from A to Z, I don’t have a label, but I was supported by followers on Ulule to produce my CD, don’t have a manager, so I handle everything. I’d really like to meet some people helping me to find gigs, a label to believe in my next album, if anyone is interested, just contact me!

A good word on Music2Deal.com?

The music community that breaks all the borders, let’s meet and share !

MORE INFO:

EMAIL : promotion.amanova@gmail.com

WEBSITE : www.amanova.net

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/amanovartistic

TWITTER : https://twitter.com/Amanovartistic

VIDEO CLIP : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipRBn_3R-KQ

ALBUM: http://amanova.bandcamp.com/

by Sara Shirazi

English · Interviews

Interview with Music2Deal Member Wito Rodriguez

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Wito Rodriguez is a Chicago born Puerto Rican and a musician since childhood. Despite his tour of military service in Europe, he pursued his musical career by playing in several orchestras as a singer and taking singing lessons. With Orchestra Conexion Latina, Wito recorded two records, “Carlorcito” and “Un Poco Loco”.

You started off playing in a Rock’n Roll band. How did you discover your love for latin music?

In 1968 my dad decided to move back to Puerto Rico.  There I had to go to Spanish school and start learning how to speak Spanish language correctly.  I started listening to Spanish radio and really liked the music.  At the age of 16 and a half I got into a Salsa group and started to sing Salsa music.

For those of us who don’t speak Spanish, what are your songs about?

I have different types of songs and beats in my recordings.  Some are talking about love, about the world, about a certain style of music like “Bomba Puertorriquen” in my CD “Calorcito” and about something funny.

Tell us a little bit about the Latin Music scene. Is there a lot going on at the moment?

Right now the way I see it. Salsa hasn’t died and it’s getting powerful again.  Hard part about it all is that the promoters are not buying a big band like they used to, because of the amount of musicians they need to move from point A to B and return.  Normally a Salsa Ochestra has from 9-13 musicians.

You lived in the US, Puerto Rico and Europe.  What are the differences between the different music communities?

There is not really much difference!! Here in the USA you are able to hear every style of music the same as Puerto Rico.  Germany and Europe are now doing the same. When I started singing in Germany Salsa music back in the 70’s, there was not much Latin Music being played.  But through the years I started going to many places in Germany where the music was being liked and Germans wanted to know how to dance it.

Do you like contemporary music that is a mixture of Latin and Pop?

I love all kinds of music just as long it’s played right and sounds good.

Your biography shows you are an international person and artist. What do you think, how important are international presence and networking in the music business today?

It is very important!!!  I have been around all of Europe, Puerto Rico and USA.  This gave me more experience in how to present my music to people that did not understand it or have never heard the music.  This was great doing it.

What are your plans for 2013 and the future?

Well I want to be able to play in more venues.  I plan to record my next CD in August 2013 in Puerto Rico. I am appearing this August in one of the biggest Musikfest in the country.  It’s called Musikfest Bethlehem, PA musikfest.org. Also I have been sending my promo packet all around.  I believe that 2014 will be better than this year.

Interviewed by Lorena Campbell

Find Wito Rodriguez on Music2Deal: www.music2deal.com/us/vv8gzg_tflZpj2AWIVjUfbFHPaM_