Making A Break For It

We ask big names and upcoming talent how they got their big break.
THE FEELING - Q&A You just played The Silent Gig for the December Sessions, how was it? Weird, very strange! The last song, I’m used to people singing it back at me, so I normally rely on them. At a Silent Gig, the crowd listens to every detail of what you’re doing. Normally you get 80% of their attention, and 20% mingling, but with The Silent Gig, you get a full 100%. Totally weird. How did you get your ‘big break’? We had a CD of songs - about 3 or 4 of which ended up on our first album, a few as big hits. That CD ended up with a music lawyer who was a friend of a friend. It all happened very naturally, got passed around, and then we started getting phone calls from record companies. We did a season of gigs in the alps, did 10 shows a week, that was our thing! Residencies in bars and clubs etc. So yeah basically we came back and had offers as we’d had several hundreds of hours of stage times already. It’s all about getting out there and doing it. Would that be your advice for up-and-coming bands? Of course, no matter how painful it is, you learn 20 times more from a gig that you will from a rehearsal. http://www.facebook.com/decembersessions

THE FEELING - Q&A

You just played The Silent Gig for the December Sessions, how was it?

Weird, very strange! The last song, I’m used to people singing it back at me, so I normally rely on them. At a Silent Gig, the crowd listens to every detail of what you’re doing. Normally you get 80% of their attention, and 20% mingling, but with The Silent Gig, you get a full 100%. Totally weird.

How did you get your ‘big break’?

We had a CD of songs - about 3 or 4 of which ended up on our first album, a few as big hits. That CD ended up with a music lawyer who was a friend of a friend. It all happened very naturally, got passed around, and then we started getting phone calls from record companies. We did a season of gigs in the alps, did 10 shows a week, that was our thing! Residencies in bars and clubs etc. So yeah basically we came back and had offers as we’d had several hundreds of hours of stage times already. It’s all about getting out there and doing it.

Would that be your advice for up-and-coming bands?

Of course, no matter how painful it is, you learn 20 times more from a gig that you will from a rehearsal.

http://www.facebook.com/decembersessions

TWIZZLE - Profile

7pm, 20th Dec : December Sessions @ The O2 Piazza, London

Hey guys, firstly could you introduce yourselves and what role you each play in the band?
Twizzle . I’m a rapper / business man

How would you describe your sound?
Jus whatever mood I’m in and what the beats saying. Its rap/    hiphop/pop

What and who are your biggest influences?
My biggest influence is not failing. I have always got to win

If you could collaborate with any musician, who would it be?
Alicia Keys would be a good one she’s sick at singing

What are you like touring? Trashed hotel rooms and unwashed clothes?! Or healthy eating and government daily recommended amounts of sleep?!
Haven’t toured yet

If you each had to choose one album to take on a desert island, what would it be?
Thats a hard one. One of Young Jeezys tapes

If you could throw one genre of music into Room 101, killing it off forever, what would it be?
I can’t really say that coz in all music theres always one good tune

Let’s have a moment of Christmas Kitsch - what’s your favourite Christmas song (or Christmas number 1 single)?
Never really liked a Christmas song that i can remember. Maybe as a kid

Mulled wine or beer?
Not really a drinker. The occasional glass of champagne now and again

Finally, please sum up your excitement in playing at the December Sessions in 10 words…
Should be very interesting never preformed at the O2 so slightly nervous

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EMELI SANDE / My Big Break

Can you tell us about the one moment that gave you a big break in your career?

“When the first song I did with Naughty Boym Chipmunk’s Diamond Rings, went to the top 10, that’s when it started and I thought I could really pursue music as a career. And then when Heaven went to number two in the summer, it was my first debut single, and it had done so well in the charts. I thought - this is it. I’ve done it.”

See the next generation of up-and-coming acts, performing for free throughout December at the world famous The O2.

http://www.facebook.com/decembersessions


BWANI JUNCTION - Profile

December Sessions @ The O2 Piazza, London

Currently being championed by the BBC, this is the sparkling debut album from a young rock band with distinct Afro-Scottish influences - unsurprising given that they come from Edinburgh and their lead-guitarist was taught to play by his counterpart in the legendary Bhundu Boys.

On the day of release, the album reached and amazing Number 24 in the iTunes ‘Alternative’ charts and the controversial video for ‘Two Bridges’ is now racking up thousands of plays on Youtube.

The album was recorded with award-winning producer Paul Savage and mastered by Noel Summerville - previously known for his work with The Clash, The White Stripes and the Bhundu Boys.

The band’s curious moniker was derived from the title of a 1956 feature film set in an Indian railway town - whilst the label name is the result of a deranged axeman attacking one of their gigs.

Ever generous, the lads give away ‘train tickets’ at every show - each one featuring quirky artwork by band members or their hardcore fans.

“Afro-beat somersaults, duelling guitar solos and swaggering, tumbling drums… these guys have tunes and they aren’t afraid to use them. Be afraid!” - ARTROCKER

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LITTLE COMETS / My Big Break

Can you tell us about the one moment that gave you a big break in your career?

I’m not sure we’ve ever had a big break really but having the support of Huw Stephens at a very early stage was great - it gave us a lot of confidence and as an unsigned act being played on the radio it gave us a lot of exposure.

Was performing live important for you when you were trying to get a name for yourself?

Yeah, but in a quite structured way. We made sure we played at events where there would be a captive audience - on a bus, a lecture theatre, or a house party for example. Also, playing in such a close environment with a listener only centimeters away taught us a lot musically. Playing in somebody’s front room you simply have to capitalise on the immediacy of the situation to make the song connect.

People are saying right now that we need to nurture new talent more than ever because of record companies wanting to take less of a punt on new acts due to reduced budgets - would you agree and if so why do you think new talent is so important?

Not really… music should be reactive and capture a moment in time, provoke thoughts and feelings and counter societal indifference. The way talent is currently nurtured is crass, resulting in an output which is about as intellectual as sand. I think the role of A&R needs to be totally redefined, as does the record label as an entity. The digitalisation of music offers a unique opportunity for the artist to once again set the creative agenda and eschew many of the tired conventions that our industry currently adheres to. Basically, unless you are going to unearth a new wave of visionaries like Berry Gordy and Clive Davis, talent should ostensibly nurture itself.

What advice would you give to up an up and coming act trying to break through right now?

We’re still in that position haha… but to any artist I would always say do as much as you can for yourself - never forget your craft (performing and writing), but learn how to present your music in both a sonic and visual sense.

http://www.facebook.com/decembersessions


SULK - Profile

7th Dec, 9.10pm - The O2 Piazza, London

How would you describe your band’s sound?

Hooky, floaty, guitary, dreamy, poppy, psychedelicy.

What and who are your biggest influences?

British alternative music somewhere between 1979 – 1996

If you could collaborate with any musician, who would it be?

Without a doubt Jazz Coleman from Kiiling Joke…anything the guy does is relevant.

Trashed hotel rooms and unwashed clothes? Or healthy eating and government daily recommended amounts of sleep?

Healthy eating and government daily recommended amounts of sleep to give you the energy to trash hotel rooms in unwashed clothes.



If you each had to choose one album to take on a desert island, what would it be?

HELP by The Beatles or Forever Changes by Love

Finally, please sum up your excitement in playing at the December Sessions in 10 words or less:

Come and enjoy your Xmas celebration with SULK!

 This is it!

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KELLY ROWLAND / My Big Break

Can you tell us about the one moment that gave you a big break in your career?

It was firstly meeting Whitney and secondly performing on the Grammy’s for the first time. You feel like you’ve really arrived in that moment because you’re performing in front of your peers and these are the people that actually vote for you to get a Grammy Award. I respect the Grammy’s so much.

Was performing live important for you when you were trying to get a name for yourself?

Absolutely. I just remember coming up with Destiny’s Child and we would watch video tapes of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, The Jackson 5 and the Supremes and look at how they were having fun above anything but how they just commanded the audience and you have to embrace that as a performer and constantly work on that as well.  It’s pretty hard to go out there and do your first live performance. I mean you’re performing in front of so many people but it’s also important to have fun. You have to have fun.

People are saying right now that we need to nurture new talent more than ever because of record companies wanting to take less of a punt on new acts due to reduced budgets - would you agree and if so why do you think new talent is so important?

I think there are new ways to invest in new talent. I’m investing in myself. There used to be a time when record labels would shoot so many different video’s and have more of a budget but it is all stripped down now. But when you believe in something you put money behind it.

What advice would you give to up an up and coming act trying to break through right now?
Definitely self promote, find places to perform and get out there. Perform everywhere. And YouTube - i constantly go on to YouTube to find new things and ideas, it’s such a great inspiration.

See the next generation of up-and-coming acts, performing for free throughout December at the world famous The O2.

http://www.facebook.com/decembersessions

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