Call for Papers, Workshops and Compositions

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My alma mater, Leeds College of Music is from the 10^th to the 11^th of March 2016 holding the next International Festival for Innovations in Music Production and Composition (iFIMPAC). The deadline for the submission of proposals is the 16^th of November 2015.

I believe next year’s iFIMPAC should be extra special as the college turns 50 and is celebrating through the year.

For more on the call for submissions, click here.

For more on the conference, click here.

Call for submissions, for #LCoM50 IFIMPAC, is open! With events from @Nonclassical and @MortButane. Full info here: http://t.co/IWwpU8EuJW

— Leeds College 'Music (@LeedsMusic) August 14, 2015

WELCOME TO FIFTY YEARS OF MUSIC! 2015-16 is our 50th Anniversary... Read about #LCoM50 here: http://t.co/ilUVRwiaB6 pic.twitter.com/XPaeDUCQ3r

— Leeds College 'Music (@LeedsMusic) August 11, 2015

Three Shouts! (pt. 1 - Musicians)

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In this post I’ll give a shout out to three people I have either met or worked with recently. They are three names in the world of music well worth getting to know. The observant reader may have noticed the ‘(pt. 1)’ in the header, which indicates that there will be more of these posts coming soon!

Eddie Hick

Eddie Hick is a professional UK-based drummer. We met while visiting a small studio in Blantyre, Malawi, last December. It turned out we went to Leeds College of Music at the same time but had never met before! In a relatively short amount of time Eddie has worked with an impressive collection of well-known artists. Just to name a few, these include Mark Ronson, Alicia Keys and Tinie Tempah. Jazzwise has named him a musician to look out for and he recorded on the theme song for the London 2012 Olympics, ‘Anywhere in the World’ by Mark Ronson and Katy B. A quick browse through the long and eclectic list of artists he has played with is recommended if you are looking for a top-drawer drummer. Eddie tours, records and teaches and have worked extensively both in Europe and America. For more information or to get in touch, here is a link to his webpage.

DJ Xfuse

Last year in Malawi I programmed the music for a wedding-dinner. Making people dance is entirely another business though, since regional music scenes always have their own vibe. DJ Xfuse, who played at the late night dance, knows well what’s going on in the Malawian and regional music scenes. He and his team travel both in- and outside of Malawi to play music, and have all the necessary gear. You can find him on Facebook.

Geir Simonsen

Geir Simonsen is another top-pick drummer who has moved gradually into production. In the 90’s he was touring and recording, and in the 2000’s he led a radio station in Norway. He has collaborated with both local and international acts and has provided recording-opportunities for several up-and-coming artists. He’s been involved in the early stages for Norwegian bands like Lionheart Brothers, Silence The Foe and Marry Me Young. Over the last few years Geir has focused on developing a portfolio of local talents in his converted radio-studio. I have mentioned him in a couple of earlier post, like when I worked with him on the live-webcast for the release of singer/ songwriter An-Magritt’s album ‘Memoriam.’ This album was produced by him and has gained a fair bit of Norwegian radio-play.

Three Hot Runway Mixtapes

I just put out three runway mixtapes on Mixcloud. They were made some time back for my good friend Andreas Constantinou who is a top of the range international hair stylist. Andreas runs Zoosh International in the UK and you can check it out on this link! Andreas choreographed some amazing shows to these tapes. It was all captured on camera by the equally amazing photographer Dave Sander.


Hope these get you dancing and jumping around!

Runway Mixtape 1 (For Stylist Andreas Constantiou) - by DJ Snowdrift by Snowdrift on Mixcloud

Runway Mixtape 2 (For Stylist Andreas Constantiou) - by DJ Snowdrift by Snowdrift on Mixcloud

Runway Mixtape 3 (For Stylist Andreas Constantiou) - by DJ Snowdrift by Snowdrift on Mixcloud

Programming Wedding Music in Malawi

I just had the fabulous pleasure of going to a wedding in Malawi where two of my friends tied the knot! It was a two day event with a traditional ceremony on the first day, and the Church-wedding and official dinner on the second (not that we lacked food at any time outside the official dinner though! #AfricanHospitality). I did the programming of the music for the dinner and had been working closely with the couple for a while to develop a playlist that would represent the vibes they wanted. 
  

The list stretches from jazz through James Brown to contemporary R’n B, African popular music and more. I’ve attached the playlist on the pictures below if you’re looking to get married, or just need some playlist inspiration!

I also had the fun of working alongside a local DJ. Him and his crew did the music for the Berikani-berikani (if you’re familiar with it) and the dancing after the dinner. Which was great—cause then I could go and dance!

Great view from the venue for the dinner, Malawi Sun, Blantyre

IMPACT in Bradford

It’s happening again! Tomorrow, October 30th 2010 to be exact.

Come and dance and enjoy life at Ac Hc in Bradford!
DJ Snowdrift (Harald Haltvik) has made the mixtape for the runway-show and does the first set from 6:30 pm and an hour onwards. It’s gonna be Northern Soul, old school R’n B, Funk and other things that will make you wanna move!

There will be several live acts, and DJ Agent M will set the final vibe of the night and play into the early hours of the next day.

See you there!



Click here for Facebook event.