Biographies of Contributors to How Music Works
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BIOGRAPHIES OF CONTRIBUTORS TO HOW MUSIC WORKS STUART STENHOUSE – EMUBANDS About EmuBands EmuBands is a powerful, yet simple to use, low-cost digital music distribution service that allows artists and record labels to get their music on the World’s leading digital retailers like iTunes, Spotify, Amazon MP3 and many others, for just a simple, one-time fee. Personal Bio Stuart Stenhouse | Operations Director, EmuBands Stuart joined EmuBands whilst at University in 2007. Having developed an extensive and practical knowledge of digital distribution, Stuart has been invited to speak at a number of industry events across the UK and also provides lectures relating to digital distribution and similar subjects at Universities and Colleges across Scotland. Other experience also includes founding and running an independent record label. www.emubands.com ALISON SMITH – MAXWELL MUSIC Maxwell Music was established by Alison Smith, who after years of working in the music industry realised there was a need for a comprehensive service where musicians and labels can get help with a broad range of tasks. Much of the feedback received from colleagues and fellow musicians over the years was related to the royalty minefield. Maxwell Music is passionate about helping musicians, composers and record labels receive all royalties due to them and alleviate administrative tasks in order to allow more time to concentrate on the creative process. Whether it be a one off tour or new album, some filing for the tax return, ongoing admin support or simply a barcode, we are happy to help. Alison’s extensive career in the music industry has also covered multimedia development, project management, playing fiddle and teaching part time. She also has 3 years experience as coordinator for Celtic Connections Festival. www.maxwellmusic.co.uk GORDON WEBBER – SNOWGOOSE PROMOTIONS Gordon has worked in the arts industry both in Canada and the UK for over 20 years and is now director of Snowgoose Promotions. He is presently manager for Shooglenifty and works freelance in artist representation, graphic design and artist administration support. www.snowgoosepromotions.com RONNIE GURR Ronnie has over 30 years experience in the music industry as a leading music promoter and journalist. Ronnie joined Virgin Records in 1981 where he orchestrated the launch of Culture Club. He was also involved with acts such as XTC, The Blue Nile and Public Image Ltd. After a spell as A&R Director of Sony Music’s Columbia label in the States, Ronnie moved to oversee the formation of the V2 record label, best known for the success of Stereophonics. Ronnie returned to Scotland in 1991 and became involved in artist management and television and radio production. Ronnie has sat on the Scottish Arts Council`s Performing Arts Committee, The British Council’s Creative Industries Advisory Committee and Scottish Parliament`s Cross Party Group on Contemporary Music. He has also organised and co-ordinated the presence and showcases of Scottish acts at the South By South West (SXSW) music conference in Austin, Texas. Ronnie is currently Creative & Cultural Skills Apprenticeships Manager (Scotland), and is also a Music Advisor with the Cultural Enterprise Office. JAMES MACKINTOSH (Percussionist, Composer, CABN Music Advocate) James is an experienced touring and session musician, composer and teacher; equally at home on the road, in the recording studio and on the film set. He is a founding member of groundbreaking Scottish group Shooglenifty, touring globally for over 20 years, playing concerts and festivals in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, USA, Canada and Asia. He is co founder of label "Shoogle Records". He has extensive teaching and workshop experience in drums, percussion and group work and has hosted workshops at concerts and festivals areound the globe, from Seattle to Sydney. AMY GEDDES Musician & educator Amy Geddes grew up in Galloway and is now at the forefront of contemporary Scottish Fiddle playing as a performer, teacher and composer. Her CV is as long as it is varied starting out as Musician in Residence in Clydesdale, now working as a trainer for ABC Creative Music and in between times fulfilling such roles as; Artistic Director (SMG Inspire project), Music Instructor (Midlothian Council) & Principal Tutor (Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop). Amy maintains a freelance career as a performer in her own trio & with the Scottish Stepdance Company, as a fiddle tutor for a number of organisations including Riddell Fiddles (Selkirk) and is a member of the Pathhead Music Collective. www.amygeddes.co.uk http://pathheadmusiccollective.org.uk/about/ DUNCAN McCRONE (MCPS Scotland) Born and raised in Glasgow, Duncan McCrone took up a post with MCPS in Scotland in 1989. Since then, he has travelled all over Scotland meeting record companies, pressing plants, studios, TV producers, and other music users, as well as MCPS member publishers and composers. Due to increased activities in the scene, MCPS opened a Scottish office in 1996 in Glasgow City Centre. Duncan is in regular contact with people from Shetland to the Borders and has become very well known in the industry. www.prsformusic.com SANDY WATSON (ISLE Music Scotland) Sandy Watson has been involved in folk/traditional music (and the arts in general) for a very long time: • singing/playing in pubs and clubs from the age of 15 • getting fed up and dropping out of the scene • starting a youth ceilidh band (because music tuition in schools wasn’t working vey well - the Small Hall Band is still on the go after 20 years) • starting a local traditional music festival (the Border Gaitherin is still on the go after 13 years) • starting, and playing with, a semi-pro ceilidh band (Clarty Cloot is still on the go - without Sandy - after 18 years) • running a small record label - ISLE Music Scotland • supporting folk/traditional music (and the arts in general) through various groups, platforms and initiatives) Sandy believes that: • musicians (of all stripes, and artists) should be able to earn a decent living from their work and that art (in general) is not valued as it should be in our society • radical change is required in order to address this (and is wiling to discuss this with anyone who will listen!).