Arquivo de Tags: dirk schade

Interview with Mario Christiani – Managing Director of music2deal (Hamburg/Germany)

24 November, 2011 | Exchange

Music2deal:

music2deal.com is B2B community for the music industry. It is like MIDEM online or myspace but only for professionals as every single registration is checked for acceptance by  local representatives in over 30 territories. Music2deal is main topic is “networking and dealing with music” and the design of music2deal suits the needs of professionals to give them the best possibilities for matching, dealing and networking in a business context. www.music2deal.com

Mario Christiani:

Mario Christiani is the owner and managing director of music2deal. He started as a musician and studied economics at the University of Hamburg. He founded the very first version of music2deal in 2002.

Contact: Mario.Christiani@music2deal.com

Interview:

How interesting is music from Brazil for the music journalists and business people?

Brazilian music will be more on more in the focus due to FIFA world cup in 2014. So there is a great chance in the next years to make Brazilian music more popular in other countries.

What can musicians from Brazil do to catch the interest of the German media?

First of all they have to make good music independent from the media in Germany, France or UK. As the FIFA world cup is coming closer there will be a need of “typical” Brazilian music and some people will also look besides this “mainstream” so that also “non-typical” Brazilian music might be also discovered. To use the situation musicians and business people from Brazil should set up the basis for a success and build a business network in Germany/Europe and start to become known.

How important are digital media for promoting artists in Germany/Europe? Should people also use the traditional elements like CD‘s or print advertising?

Digital media is getting more and more relevant. But for now I would recommend a mix with traditional elements.

How would you recommend Brazilian artists or agents get started in Germany?

The first step is to contact people from the music biz in Germany. With the right people and with the right product you have the best possibilities to enter the German market. You could find most people on facebook and LinkedIn. Facebook has more or less a private focus whereas LinkedIn is a business community. Both are great but they are not made for the suits of the music business. Independent of the fact that I am the managing director I would join www.music2deal.com as there were more than 5.000 music business professionals and many of them are from Germany.

A registration is for free.

When you think of Brazilian music, what artists come to mind? Do you have any musical favourites from Brazil?

I do not think that many people know one Brazilian artist in Germany. Ivete Sangalo was mentioned in the media as the Madonna from Brazil but not many people known her before in Germany. Most people and also myself think about samba, happy music, colored dancers and sunshine when they think about Brazilian music.


(Port) BRMusicExchange Encounters Dirk Schade

11 October, 2011 | BM&A Actions, portuguese


Exclusive interview with Micha MC Lücke from Berlin/Germany

05 October, 2011 | Exchange

Dirk Schade, our PR in Berlin interviewed Micha MC Lücke, a very important radio presenter and music journalist in Germany. Check out his tips to enter the german music market by clicking here.


Exclusive interview with Micha MC Lücke from Berlin/Germany

05 October, 2011 | Exchange

Micha MC Lücke is one of the most popular music journalists and radio presenter in Berlin/Germany. His first radio show started in 1987. Radio Eins is the fourth program in 25 years he works for, and it’s based in Berlin/Brandenburg. This is one of the most important German radio channels with a high quality music program.

How interesting is music from Brazil for the music journalists and German radio stations?

In general Brazilian music to us is as interesting as any other music from all over the world, apart from England and the USA, where most of the music we listen to and play on the radio-comes from. Pop was invented in England, Rock n Roll in the States – and both genres are big in Germany, and therefore to be heard on Radio Eins.

But a few years ago a program called “MultiKulti” ( stands for multi-cultural) was closed, quite a few of the staff, including the director, enriched our program, and so did their taste in music. The percentage of music from all over the World, including Brazil, has increased and all our listeners liked it. For a change. Especially in the summer. Yes, these are stereotypes, but most Germans, including us and our listeners associate Brazilian music with Bossa Nova, and although we know that the Bossa can be quite melancholic, it first and foremost stands for a light felling, lightness so to say.

Of course up to 2014, with the World Cup, there will be an increasing interest in Brazilian music, mainly but not only in traditional Brazilian music.

What can musicians from Brazil do to catch the interest of the German media?

They can be sexy, like CSS! Or they can be rockin´, like Sepultura!

What I mean by that is that in the end it is a question of quality to conquer Germany´s beloved music genres Pop and Rock.

CSS got it, they are “Cansei de Ser Sexy”, look at it: out of five band-members four are good looking girls, that can sing and perform, oh my God, I´ve seen them, and Live they are a sensation! These are qualities that impress people all over the world. CSS are of international quality, as were Sepultura in the hard rockin/metal-biz, and that is what it takes: sing in English, be good on your instruments, think of global topics while you`re songwriting and be international if you want international success! There will always be a niche for traditional Brazilian music,, but on a larger scale you have to think global to beat them on their own turf!

How important are digital media for promoting artists in Germany/Europe? Should people also use the traditional elements like CD‘s or print advertising?

Digital Media is extremely important on many different levels. It is cheap, quick and of course, the future. If a digital media picks you up, you don´t need a label nor a distributer. Digital media got an instant impact. Look at the success the “New York Times” had, although they charge money on the net, and everybody said that this is not going to work! Well, it did, also due to the nowadays ruling I-Pad. Or look at the important German news-magazine “Der Spiegel”, where the two former bosses split up, one taking care of the old print business, whereas the other is now in charge of everything online. So right now the two worlds, print and digital media, are at level, but not for much longer, I´m afraid. CDs we will still need for quite some years. Every year you can read articles about the CD dying, and although there has been a vinyl renaissance and a far more important download

increase in numbers, the CD-sales in Germany in 2010 are about 40 % of all music sold on the market. As for print advertising you might as well burn your money, I´m sorry to say! For big names it might still be working, because people will notice and maybe remember that Madonna is having a new record out, but for having new artists getting people´s attention it is a useless and not to forget expensive tool these days.

How would you recommend Brazilian artists or agents get started in Germany?

If I was a Brazilian artists or agent I would contact Christina Ruiz-Kellersmann, wife of the Classic&Jazz-Boss at Universal Music Germany. From what I know all strings are pulled and kept together by Christina. She is from Brazil, lives in Berlin, knows everybody from

Brazil living and working in town, and is also the one who takes care of artists from Brazil, up to the biggest names like Sergio Mendes, who she coordinated business and media encounters last July.

Apart from that I would recommend to contact radio stations directly. It doesn´t always fit, but I know from my experience that quite often acts, especially from more “exotic” places like Brazil, find their way into our program by luck, or better to say by a lack of big stars willing to make the effort to come to our station. Sad, but true, as Metallica would put it, there’s always a chance for young and hungry artists. In our daily program for example, between 7 and 9 p.m.  We´re always looking for special acts, that perform that week in Berlin, and who we can support by giving them time on air. At night we´ve got a program called “Planet Fruit”, that is meant for music from all over the world. And for genres that are not typical Pop&Rock. If there is some money I would always recommend a showcase. It doesn´t happen too often these days, not like in the 90s, so journalists are more willing to go out and have a drink for

free…! No, but seriously, there great little bars in Berlin, where great deals can be made, like you have to play for free, but therefore you are allowed to invite your friend and the media, and you don´t have to pay anything else apart from the drinks you´re giving out.

When you think of Brazilian music, what artists come to mind? Do you have any musical favourites from Brazil?

I love Tom Jobim and Luiz Bonfa, especially for their work on “Orfeu Negro” and I love Joao Gilberto for his unique way to play the guitar. When it comes down to Rock my favorites are Los Hermanos and Roberto Carlos, Legiao Urbana were a great Punk-Band, and when it gets really bad I enjoy Sepultura/Soulfly and Krisiun. Mainly Max Cavaleras is a singer and performer, I admire. I know him quite well, because I interviewed him a few times. I also liked the Brazil Funk back in the day when DJ Marlboro invented the “Funk Brasil”. But above all are still my Bossa-heroes Gilberto Gil and Sergio Mendes.

Micha MC Lücke is available at mc@wdp.net


Get to know the Leondra music social network, from Germany

19 August, 2011 | Exchange

There is a new social network in Germany, Leondra Music. As the name indicates, it is focused in music. The network is a business platform where the artist and the booker can meet. BM&A´s PR in Berlin, Dirk Schade, talked to Sandra Leonie Ritter, the head of this project. Check it below:

What does Leondra music mean and what is the idea behind it?

Leondra music is the network of the Player in the musicbiz. With the Leondra music business platform we provide a recipe for modern mu- sic-professionals to optimize their entrance in an all changed, digital world and direct access to their audience (fans). We primarily help young talents in the music market to maintain and we support musicians, depending on the career level to find the correct and appropriate partners to advance/get ahead. That means: More gigs! More success! More money!

Leondra music gives artists all they need, to manage their career autonomously and with success.

About Leondra

The company Leondra GmbH & Co. KG promotes young music acts who embody a modern lifestyle. A style that is characterized by a constant willingness to experiment and a reinterpretation of both the classic and the contemporary. Leondra produces and promotes under its own label Leondra music. Its aim is to support artists in their development and to prepare them for working with big labels and, increasingly, event organizers. This support includes, amongst other things, the production of the artist’s first song as a basis for promoting their first record or online release as well as organizing small concerts. In addition to placing its artists with concert agencies, Leondra, in cooperation with a growing number of partner companies, also handles issues like sales, public relations and marketing for the musicians and their music.

Is Leondra music specialized in any musical styles? If so, which ones?

The Leondra music business platform is open to all genres. Anyone can participate and distinguish himself. From solo to orchestra, from Gregorian chant to the present day, from piccolo to tuba and newcomer to professional musicians – Leondra music welcomes all of them. Our inhouse music label Leondra music focuses on the categories of classical music and jazz. In our network there are plenty of producers and labels, which operate in the other sectors and acquire new talents on us.

Why is Leondra music interested in music from Brazil?

Leondra music observed a general trend toward Latin America. This is evident in the quotations on the subject of language, dance and related venues. The rhythm and the phonetics are closely connected with the music. We also note that more and more artists from abroad, mainly from South America, entering the German music market, which is after all the third-largest music market in the world. Therefore, we are also open in this regard and look forward to Brazilian music and matching events.

Is Leondra music spezialized in any kinds of events or concerts?

Leondra music conveys gig for birthday parties and other festivities in the private and corporate sector, which are offered on the Leondra music business platform. Among the Leondra customers increasingly are privateers who organize house concerts in a luxurious ambience as well as corporate customers looking for musical highlights for their company parties and customer events. Even professional organizers, such as festival director and the Mannheim National Theatre, represent a requests for specific projects on Leondra music.

An example of artists from abroad: The organizers of the Young Euro Classic Festival in Berlin are looking for connection dates and sponsors for the participating orchestras via Leondra music.

What are the procedures and how do you register on Leondra music and what does it cost?

It is that easy to start: You register free of charge on Leondra music and chose, depending on your career level, for a free basic account or a premium account.

Basis = free
Newcomer = 10 € per month
Midlevel Artist = 30 € per month
Profi = 50 € per month

You feed your Leondra Sed Card with everything you have and present photos, videos, news, audio files and grow up your fan base. Via your Leondra Sed Card you will be found by all organizers, whose gig offer fits your profile and repertoire.

At the same time you can apply to gig offers and actively raise your chance of get- ting more gigs, more success, more money! You will be booked and Leondra music does the rest, from contract to payment via escrow.

The feedback from the organizers, companies and locations as well as references from your own fans also help you to distinguish yourself and rise in prices (fee amount).

Leondra charges a commission fee, depending on the type of booking. For book- ings 10% of the artist’s fee and for tour bookings 20% of the artist’s fee.

How realistic are my chances to get a deal in Germany if I register on Leondra music?

As already mentioned on Leondra music artists find everything they need to manage autonomously and successfully.

This means that every musician has it in their own hands. The more he maintains his complete data, the more meaningful is his Leondra Sed Card and the better musicians can be introduced to promoters and producers or be found and booked by interested parties via the Leondra music business platform.

Leondra music presents and introduces the artists around the clock online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Initiative is paying off! Everyone who is keeping his Leondra Sed card updated and who applies actively simple and convenient with on click for gig offers is raising his chances to be booked.

Who wants to learn more about self-promotion and Gig acquisition register to the Leondra workshop, uses the Leondra certificate and applies to Leondra’s own event series and “Genuss3” and “Live on Stage”.

E-Mail: booking@leondra.de Internet: www.leondra-music.de

www.leondra-musiclovers.de


Sergio Mendes live in Berlin

05 August, 2011 | Exchange

Rainy summer day in Berlin. I hold in my hands an expensive printed invitation for a private concert with Sergio Mendes and Band here. The place is very special. “Skulpturengarten hinter der Neuen Nationalgalerie”. (The building was created by Mies van der Rohe, one of the most important European architects.) The host is one of the best event agencies in Germany.

One week later:

The concert date on the 26th July is sunny, perfect weather for music from Brazil. The location is beautiful with all the sculptures and art around the stage. Approx. 200 people are here in front of the small stage. Then the band, the 2 singers and the master comes onto the stage. The master starts with hits from Joao Gilberto and Tom Jobim. He is very relaxed and seems happy. The band is excellent and the singers are perfect. It’s much more than just a concert. It’s pure energy and a special moment in the history of my personal concerts.

Special guests are the Rap singer Harrell Harris/H2O and the German jazz trumpet player Till Bröner, successful German music export. Mendes enjoys everything and everybody knows who is the boss on stage. His band is very international and the musicians come from Brazil, Japan and the US.

The audience in front of the stage is happy and everyone is moving their bodies (When I say moving the body it means not the same movements as the movements of Brazilians. Because we Germans are as stiff as a poker.)

Mendes is one of the most important music exports under the flag of Brazil. After more than 40 years people are dancing to his music on the dance floors around the world. Young and old together. Sergio Mendes is a legend and it is more than a slogan. I participated and could feel what it means.

After the concert on the way at home I wondered: Who of the young talents from Brazil is the next to capture the world? Is it ever possible again?