BBC Sound of 2013: Who's made the cut?

This year's series of X Factor has just finished. Now what? 

The BBC yesterday released their longlist of fifteen music acts they predict will make it big (or, bigger)in 2013. 

Aimed at showcasing the talent of various acts of various genres, Huw Stephens has described the panel's favourites as "exciting", and sure to evoke "speculation about the state of the music scene" (BBC). The DJ will announce the winner of the BBC Sound of 2013 online during the BBC Breakfast Show on the 4th January. 

Acoustic and electro-pop act Ellie Goulding was among winners of the awards in previous years, while soul singer Michael Kiwanuka was last year's winner. 

You might think this involves the X Factor leftovers, like Lucy Spraggan or Ella Henderson, but competition rules state that competitors must not have reached the quarter, semi or final rounds of the show (thank God) within the last 3 years. They must not have had a UK top 20 single or album, nor been featured in the BBC Sound list previously.

Although I'm very surprised to find out that H A I M (the sister act equivalent of Hanson) haven't yet secured a high place in the UK charts, they are certainly a promising contender for this year's awards. They've recently toured with Mumford and Sons as well as Florence and the Machine, and with a Dad they dub "the original Simon Cowell" (BBC) again I struggle to see how these girls seem to get round the 'you can't be famous already' rule. Either way, the Californian chicks are proud to boldly claim their mixing of genres. Hit 'Forever' has already got them showing off their "Nu-folk–meets–nineties-R&B" with wild-spirited wheelies Bon Jovi would be proud of, hair even like Hanson and a Destiny's Child strut. With such big personalities, it's easy to understand why they've gone Miss Independent. After many auditions at the judge's houses(their parents' living room), they found out they were through. But soon after, they decided it wasn't for them and left the process and "RockinHaim". After resisting the urge to add copycat Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys dance moves to the family posse, the freshly liberated sisterhood could break free and combine their own 90s inspirations with the 70s rock their parents had got them into in their earlier years.

04/01/13 UPDATE: HAIM have secured the top position in the BBC Sound of 2013.
Reputably denounced with a "contagious enthusiasm", says DJ Huw Stephens, "they're brilliant musicians who have a real talent for tunes that merge their tales of growing up in the 21st Century with a classic songwriting ability."
With their increasing popularity, particularly following their recent tours with Mumford and Sons and also Florence and The Machine, HAIM announce they are "thrilled" and feel "overwhelmed and "embraced" by UK fans. With their increasing popularity in mind and the decision compiled using legitimate feedback from over 200 bloggers, critics and broadcasters, it's certainly easy to believe that the success of HAIM is highly deserved. 
Power to the bloggers. No vote rigging here... 

All images sourced from BBC Sound of 2013.

Tantrums, tips and Tumblr: When a music journalist doesn't get their own way...

A big artist finally announced they were coming to small little Exeter. 

But, guess what? 
Florence &  The  Machine's management wouldn't reply to my request for a press pass. Even after follow-up emails days ahead of the gig. 

Her performance is tonight and I'm here, sat alone, on Facebook seeing status proclamations of "FLO TONIGHT! WOOOOOOOOOO" and "Gunna use up all remaining air in my *'LUNGS'* to cheer on the glowing goddess tonight". 

Yeah, thanks guys.

Hmph.

florenceandthemachine.net

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Okay, after five minutes of deep breathing, inhaling, gasping and exhaling, I've calmed down.

At the end of the day, PR companies work very hard to make sure gigs run as smoothly as possible, contacting artist management to arrange interviews and/or free entry (in return for an at least relatively praising review) for the relevant members of press.

Any journalist, particularly an armature such as myself, needs to understand that they won't always get to review what they want, or what the company they are writing for needs. PR companies often deal and co-oporate with numerous artists at any one time- that's a lot of emails for them to read, reply to and send. And for particularly well-known acts, there's inevitably huge numbers of press wanting to feature their gig so competition is high.

My tips for aspiring journalists attempting to secure exclusive gig benefits:

1. Be polite and professional. Common sense, but you won't get an interview with your favourite act if you're yelling at the sir or madam reading your email in caps lock. You've been gifted with excellent communication skills, so utilise them. 

2. Show off your blog or magazine. If you've got stats on how many views you've had, or how many people are reading your magazine every issue, feel free to brag about it when contacting PRs. It will help to brief the person reading your email on what you do, and what your music-y blogspot or Tumblr has achieved- what is your Tumblr magazine about? What do you aim to achieve with your audience? Do you just feature music articles or lifestyle too?

3. Follow-up, but don't nag. There's nothing wrong with sending PR's a 'Hi there, did you get my email RE...?' if it's been 2 weeks and no reply, but don't keep duplicating them. One will be enough to show them that you're really interested and enthusiastic about reviewing their act. Leave it at least a week until you follow up, unless the gig is really really close. 

4. Be flexible. The reality of the fact is if you're a trainee, you might still be at school, college or have a part-time job alongside your journo. PR's might not reply to emails until the actual day before the gig, so assume you're going... unless it's in a faraway place and you need to book train tickets. Try local gigs first.

5. Ask for an interview. Always worth a try. With bigger acts, schedules are likely to be too busy for a Q&A, although try getting in early with your request. Interviewing will build your confidence as a trainee, and you never know when you might form some crucial contacts who might be able to offer you a journo job or opportunity. 

- Any questions? Comment below with your experiences of contacting artist management, or interviewing artists. Can you recommend any tips too?