It’s here.
The most exciting month for Nottingham’s music scene this Millenium, possibly ever. We haven’t had an artist register a Top 40 album* since PITCHSHIFTER went to 35 in June 2000, this month three artists could do it, and hey we might even get that hallowed Number One.
The last ten days have already given us a sample of the exciting vibes that await us. No one at The Theatre Royal for that amazing Nottingham Rocks gig will ever forget it whilst the excitement across Nottingham about NATALIE DUNCAN’s appearance on Jools Holland was clearly illustrated online as facebook went crazy, she trended on twitter and she gave the famous peeps a run for their money in The Guardian’s online poll.
October is packed full of potential incredible moments. We’re expecting DOG IS DEAD, JAKE BUGG and NATALIE DUNCAN to rack up a score of exciting media firsts in print, on the telly and on radio. Indeed in just 48 hours time Jake will have his first session with ZANE LOWE, definitely the first Nottingham solo artist to notch up this honour and possibly the first full stop depending on whether you classify Castle Donnington’s Late of the Pier as a Nottingham band. Today BBC 6 Music has basically been Jake FM.
For now let’s chat about some action points, the need for which was re-inforced by the Guardian article reaction last September. October musn’t be a ‘one-month wonder’, it is important:
1) WE ALL SUPPORT DOG IS DEAD, JAKE BUGG and NATALIE DUNCAN. THAT WE STAY POSITIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND HARMONIOUS CONTINUING TO SPREAD THE LOVE AMONGST OURSELVES ACROSS NOTTS.
2) WE NEED TO SEIZE THE MOMENT AND PROACTIVELY REACH OUT AND SPREAD THE LOVE BEYOND THE RIVER TRENT.
Having two or three Nottingham acts embed themselves in the national conscious is what makes the ‘Nottingham story’, one is not enough (that would be the scene equivalent of a one-hit wonder). It is in everyones’ interests for DOG IS DEAD, JAKE BUGG and NATALIE DUNCAN to succeed, ‘a rising tide raises all ships‘ as we never tire of saying (you probably tire of hearing!).
We need to all do what we can to help DOG IS DEAD, JAKE BUGG and NATALIE DUNCAN (details on all three albums HERE). You might well think they don’t need any more help yet there couldn’t be a more crucial time to keep supporting and help push them over the top, one hundred albums could be the difference between position 21 and Top 20, between 2 and an actual number 1! Their success will inspire individuals in its own right AS WELL AS create a national spotlight that will make it easier for the next wave of Nottingham artists. And that next wave is the other area we need to focus on. That is why this month Nusic will be shining a constant light on the progress of DOG IS DEAD, JAKE BUGG and NATALIE DUNCAN WHILST ALSO spreading the word beyond Nottingham, around town through street media, in schools, hosting a Nusic Academy workshop and playing our bit in the BRANCH OUT FESTIVAL, an opportunity to showcase the next wave in one awesome day. Read more about it HERE.
So October is here. The month the most vibrant music scene in the UK steps it up. Be proud, and let’s all do our bit.
#SpreadTheLove
Yours in Love of New Music
Mark Del
x
PS Full breakdown of key ‘October Moments’ HERE.
PPS Watch out for our Spread The Love comp launching after work today.
PPPS Thank you to everyone supporting these October efforts, you know who you are.
* Assuming you don’t count Late of the Pier who are from Castle Donnington and whose album peaked at 28 in 2008.
