Image by Photog Phillip

The website, as you may notice, is not looking its usual self. I’ve been talking about a site overhaul for months now, and it’s time I got to work on it.

So this weekend, I’m going to give it a go. I’ve upgraded to the latest version of Wordpress, I have a few ideas about what I’m going to do with the site - and I just kind of liked this template.

So… please excuse the mess and the missing navigation. There’s no easy way to do this without a bit of disruption to normal service.

I’ve been doing a bit of consultancy with independent labels and new online music startups recently. Very few of them can pay me - and actually, that’s fine.

Generally speaking, I’ve done my consultancy on a day rate, on a half day rate, and (in exceptional circumstances) for a bite of lunch and the train fare to London / Oxford / Manchester or wherever.

There are, of course, friends I give advice to back in Birmingham and also here in New Zealand (where I’ve just arrived for a few weeks of meetings, conferences and relaxation) for the price of a cup of coffee or a pint of something cold.

I do consultations in person and via Skype video hookup, though I vastly prefer the former.

But the cashflow thing is a real issue. There are people who have told me they read the blog, but won’t ask for me to come and spend the day with them sounding out ideas, even though they believe this would help focus, strategise and improve the eventual profitability of their online music business - simply because there is no budget whatsoever.

So I’ll put my (lack of) money where my mouth is: if you’re an independent artist, label or online startup, and would like my focused attention over an extended period of time with on-call advice, pointed questions and a sounding board thrown into the mix - and you don’t have any money to pay me, then I’ll cut you a deal.

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Sometimes going out to see a live act just smacks of effort. Put the kettle on, and invite one into your home.

This is a sponsored blog post.

The idea of in-home concerts is not necessarily a new one. People have been playing music in houses since people have had houses. But the idea of an intimate, at-home experience with a professional touring musician is quite an appealing one — especially when you can easily book one through a dedicated website that will make all the arrangements.

Fran Snyder, a touring artist with more than 500,000 miles on the clock set up Concerts In Your Home, a service to connect acoustic musicians with the owners of living rooms keen to host them.

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Pay attention. Things are changing.

Crazy busy week, but before we return to our regularly scheduled programme, I want to hold up a flag and let you know that this is going to be quite something. I’ve seen what’s under the lid and I am really rather impressed.

Keep an eye on these guys.