Summer 2019 Edition
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The Musician Journal of the Musicians’ Union Summer 2019 theMU.org Music And Moral Panic Why UK drill artists are being criminalised for making music Discrimination At Work The negative impact of having children on women’s careers Kaiser Chiefs The Leeds indie rockers on why it’s tough for young musicians Zara McFarlane A singer who is rising through the ranks of the new jazz scene contacts Union HQ Regional Offices General Secretary Head of Communications London Horace Trubridge & Government Relations Regional Organiser: Jamie Pullman Isabelle Gutierrez Palfrey Place, London SW PE Deputy General Secretary t Naomi Pohl (Music Industry) In-House Solicitor e [email protected] Dawn Rodger Assistant General Secretary East & South East England Nick Forshaw (Finance & Administration) PR & Marketing Official Regional Organiser: Paul Burrows Keith Ames a Fentiman Road, National Organiser London SW LD Jo Laverty (Orchestras) Recording & Broadcasting Official t Michael Sweeney e [email protected] National Organiser Diane Widdison (Education & Training) Licensing & Distribution Official Midlands Annie Turner Regional Organiser: Stephen Brown National Organiser Sovereign Court, Phil Kear (Recording & Broadcasting) Sessions Official Graham Street, Geoff Ellerby Birmingham B JR National Organiser t Dave Webster (Live Performance) Live Performance Official e [email protected] Kelly Wood Wales & South West England Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Official Regional Organiser: Andy Warnock John Shortell Transport House, Cathedral Rd, Cardiff CF SD Orchestras Official t Morris Stemp e cardiff@theMU.org Campaigns & Social Media Official North of England Maddy Radcliff Regional Organiser: Matt Wanstall Bloom Street, Manchester M LY Union HQ t – Clapham Road e [email protected] London sw jj Scotland & Northern Ireland t Regional Organiser: Caroline Sewell f Suite A, st floor, e [email protected] / Woodside Place, Glasgow G QF w theMU.org t @WeAreTheMU e [email protected] REPORT Ensuring A Bright Future A revamped Conference and taking the Executive Committee on the road are just two of the new initiatives of the past two years, but there is more that needs to be done. a number of changes that we believe Conference Motions and Amendments to be will, over time, grow the membership and fully debated and for any questions on the ensure a bright future for our great union. Conference Report to be addressed. The Conference Report itself was very much in The Join for a Pound initiative, which was need of an overhaul, and as such we believe launched in January, has already proved that delegates will find the new format much very popular; the membership of the MU, easier to follow and the activities of the MU as I write, is already breaking through the over the previous two years will be set out in , barrier for the first time in many a far more user-friendly way. years. Of course, the proof of the pudding will be how many of these new joiners Stronger links continue with their membership after the During my campaign to win election to first year and that will depend very much the post of General Secretary, I spoke at on the MU staff and officials delivering length of the need to demystify the work tangible services and benefits to these of the Executive Committee and build newbies over the next few months. If you much stronger links between the EC and know someone who has joined the MU the Regional Committees. To that end we under this new scheme, please talk to have, over the past two years, been taking 3 them about all the benefits and services the Executive Committee meetings on the © Joanna Dudderidge Joanna © that we offer that make membership of road to the regions and enabling Regional Horace Trubridge, the MU unbeatable value for money. Committee members to witness first hand General Secretary the way in which the Executive Committee Radical changes deals with all the varied and often You will have read about the radical challenging issues that it has to face. Firstly, I want to say how pleased we all changes we have made to the format of are that the European Parliament has at the MU biennial Delegate Conference and This new initiative has proved very popular last adopted the Copyright Directive (see the Conference Report. These changes are and has also served to ensure that all our the lead news story on p). Despite the as a direct result of members’ comments invaluable activists and committee members best efforts of the tech industries, and the that Conference focuses too much on the feel that they are playing an important part faltering support for the Directive from the work of the previous two years instead in the work of the MU. I want to continue this major rights owners, the EU has recognised of debating and agreeing policy for the initiative in future years and also explore the need to modernise copyright in favour of next two years. We have shortened the more ways of recognising and celebrating performers and creators. The next step is to Delegate Conference to one day and the vital role that our committee members ensure that the UK government implements added a Members’ Conference, open to all play in the success of our union. the Directive in such a way as to ensure members, which will enable you to shape the maximum benefits and rewards for the the policy and decision making of the MU’s I can’t overemphasise how much I have performer/creator community. Executive Committee going forward. enjoyed the past two years and I thank you all for having the trust and confidence in me I’ve been in post now for two years and I am Through discussions with Regional to lead this fantastic union. There is much very pleased to say that with the help of my Committees and Section Committees, it is more that needs to be done and I have no colleagues I have been able to implement clear that members have overwhelmingly intention of taking my hand off the throttle. welcomed these changes and support In the meantime and more than ever, keep the new format as an important step telling people what a strong, progressive, towards ensuring that all members have pragmatic and listening union the MU is the opportunity to shape the MU’s future. and have a great summer. By significantly reducing the number of speakers that we will programme for the Horace Trubridge TO HEAR MORE FROM HORACE, Delegate Conference, we are confident VISIT THEMU.ORG that we have dedicated enough time for The usician • ummer Contents Summer 2019 4 30 “Jazz is a live music art form and the MU has always championed that.” Zara McFarlane The usician • ummer 16 Frontline Features MEPs give final approval Focus on the vibrant to Copyright Directive music scene in Coventry MU at TUC Young Why I joined the MU Workers’ Conference MU supports People’s Vote Your Voice Exclusive Interacting with MU members interview with Reports and supporters on Twitter indie rockers MU General Secretary Kaiser Chiefs. Deputy General Secretary Profile MU Women in Music The enduring appeal of Conference Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs How drill music artists The MOBO-winning singer- are being criminalised songwriter Zara McFarlane Union Notices MU research reveals profound 5 Cover star – session Key MU contacts Getty / Images Fireman Tabatha © inequality in music education drummer Ellie Daymond Ask Us First The discrimination faced by Tributes mothers in the workplace Reviews Statement of Accounts Maintaining your instrument Albums, EPs and downloads year ending ¢ The MU Theatre Section released by MU members 5 Member benefits 5 MU Contributors Duncan Katie Henry Neil Seaman Nicholls Yates Crossley Duncan is a Katie is a Henry is a A journalist and journalist and sub- freelance journalist freelance writer from editor who has written editor who regularly and editor whose Gloucestershire for The Independent, writes about music features and reviews who has written for The Daily Telegraph, for publications such have appeared in publications as diverse The Guardian and The as The Yorkshire Post, titles such as Mojo, as Classic Rock, Financial Times. Neil the i newspaper and The Guardian Total Guitar, NME and also fronts the band Louder Than War. p and Kerrang! p Record Collector. p Furlined. p Pete Ben Neil Maddy Chambers Jones Churchman Radcliff Pete received An ex-MU Neil is an Campaigns & a British Empire Medal Official and long- experienced journalist Social Media Official at for “volunteering time member, Ben in broadcasting and the Musicians’ Union, services to Coventry is now a freelance print. A former BBC Maddy also works on music”. He writes for music business national newsroom the Union’s Safe Space The Coventry Observer consultant and project assistant editor, he initiative and with the and runs Coventry manager for British now writes on music MU’s §, young Music Museum. p Underground. p and the media. p members. p Cover: Ellie Daymond elliedaymonddrums.co.uk Photo: Joseph Branston. © MU 2019 Photographed at Pirate Studios, Bristol Photo: Joseph Branston. © MU 2019 The usician • ummer BREXIT AND YOU The MU is fighting to protect musicians’ right to travel when working in the EU post-Brexit. We want to hear from you about how Brexit has ! affected your working plans for . #WorkingInTheEU bit.ly/ AzdUAV Summer frontlineThe MU in action, working on behalf of professional musicians. European Parliament Gives Final Approval to Copyright Directive Images Getty / kamisoka © The MU is delighted that MEPs have finally voted in favour of the Copyright Directive, following years of lobbying and work under the UK Music umbrella promoting the benefits 6 of the new laws for musicians and creators. The legislation makes streaming services and user-upload sites liable for copyright infringements rather than users.