New Talent Night \ Music Special

On Wednesday the 19th of May BLEND, Streetlab_ and MassiveMusic, present a New Talent Night Special focused on our love for music. After six successful New Talent Nights combining different disciplines such as photography, fashion, art and graphic design, we are now welcoming all you music talents.

We have select the finest masters of the industry: producers, musicians, (radio)dj’s, programmers, bookers, journalists and the people behind the best labels. They will listen to your demo, share tips and tell you all about the best PR and production tricks in order to get your music career started.

New Talent Night \ Music Special
Date: Wednesday 19th of May, 2010
Time: 19.00 tot 23.00 uur. Entrance is free.
Venue: Pakhuis de Zwijger, Piet Heinkade 179, Amsterdam

Want to participate in this evening? Entrance is free, but you have to sent a mail to rsvp@blend.nl and mention your name and what kind of masters you want to speak with. Be sure you're present at 7 o'clock PM to list yourself with the masters you're interested in.

Masters:
Auke Riemersma (MassiveMusic), Bertus de Blaauw (Lowlands), Daan Spoek (Spooker.nl, 5 Days off, Voltt), Ferry Roseboom (Excelsior Recordings), Irfan Er (Topbillin'), Job de Wit (BLEND, Revu, Reload, 22Tracks), Joep Beving (MassiveMusic), Judith van Unen (Barkers Bookings & Productions), Kostijn Egberts (Magnetron Music, Instant Replay & Ismusic Management), Lucas van Slegtenhorst (Chrysalis Songs Benelux - publishing), Marc Derby (Dr.Media), Michel Penders (MTV Networks), Niels Aalberts (Kyteman & HKU Music Management), Olga Heijns (Unmanageable Artists), Perre van den Brink (BLEND), Victor Bakhuis (DJBroadcast).



More info on the masters

Auke Riemersma (studio engineer & composer MassiveMusic)
Auke Riemersma works as an engineer and composer at MassiveMusic. Besides that he is a freelance producer (MeloManics, Matik, Cujo, No!!Droids!!!), remixer (as ‘Blokgolf’) and a disco/electro DJ and producer named ‘Auxiliary tha Masterfader’. In the past he taught ‘Education in Audio Engineering’ at the SAE Institute for many years. Auke can give you feedback on the content of your music. He also knows a lot about the combination of music and image.

Ben Kamsma (programmer Paradiso)
Ben Kamsma is responsible for the great programming of the well-known venue Paradiso. Thanks to him, the London Calling festival is a great success. Each year the festival is sold out even before the line-up is published. So, he is a good role model for future programmers and has an eye - or should we say ear - for artists with great potential.

Benny Rodrigues (house & techno DJ)
Benny Rodrigues has infiltrated the Dutch dance scene as a very successful house and techno DJ. He has performed at many great parties and festivals in the Netherlands, like FFWD, Mysteryland, Innercity, and Sensation Black. But also abroad: Ibiza, for example, is also a place Benny often visits to show off his great funk and techno mixing skills. So talk to Benny and let his journey to success inspire you.

Bertus de Blaauw (programmer Lowlands)
Bertus de Blaauw is the programmer that books the acts for Lowlands Festival. For this job, he travels around the world to all kind of festivals to spot the most talented and innovative bands. Besides big names, Lowlands consists of a lot of new talent and Bertus has the experience and skills to find it.

Daan Spoek (director of Spooker, project manager for 5 Days Off, Mojo Concerts)
Daan Spoek is founder and director of Spooker, which is aimed at supporting artists and events primarily involved in electronic music and nightlife. A few Spooker names: DJ’s/producers 2000 and one, Anton Pieëte, Melon, Olene Kadar and Kabale und Liebe and the Voltt event. These are no small names in the dance scene. Besides that he is Project Manager at 5 days off, one of the leading electronic music festivals in the Netherlands. He also works for Mojo Concerts, for which he organizes concerts, for instance in the Melkweg and at Lowlands Festival.

Ferry Roseboom (founder & owner Excelsior Recordings)
Ferry Roseboom is founder and owner of Excelsior Recordings, the leading independent label of the Netherlands, which exists for over ten years now. Together with Frans Hagenaar and Jeroen Kleijn, he is always on the lookout for new good acts in the Netherlands. The label is for bands and sing/songwriters, and already represents names like Roosbeef, GEM, Fixkes and The Madd.

Irfan Er (production/pr specialist, booker and co-owner Topbillin’)
Under the name of Goozr, Irfan Er has done production and PR activities for festivals, clubs and venues like Lowlands, 5 days off, Tivoli, Nighttown, Off_corso, Paradiso and organizations such as Rotterdam Electronic Music Festival and The Sustainable Danceclub. Nowadays he’s a hotshot agent and partner with Topbillin’. His main task is building up the live career of acts, bands and DJ’s. Topbillin’ is always looking for new talent in all music genres, from hip-hop to dance. Or maybe you need some PR advice? He’s the man to talk to.

Job de Wit (music journalist for BLEND, Nieuwe Revu, Reload, curator at 22Tracks & DJ)
Job de Wit is a freelance journalist (Nieuwe Revu, BLEND, Reload), DJ (Club Up, Melkweg), curator at the popular 22tracks.com (disco, pop, rock) and writer of the book ‘Roxy en de Houserevolutie’. In the past he has made radio at VPRO 3FM, and 3VOOR12, was the editor in chief for State Magazine, and a regular editor at Update Magazine and OOR. Maybe he’s the one who will put your talent in the spotlights?

Joep Beving (global business & strategy MassiveMusic)
Joep Beving is a music producer (Scallymatic Orchestra) and business development and strategy director at MassiveMusic. MassiveMusic is a global music agency network specialized in music for the moving image - for commercials, for broadcast companies, games, films, for small and major brands around the globe. Their work field: music production, composition, sound design, music search, licensing, talent scouting (the MassiveTalent division) and (music) events. Joep can tell you all about the relation between brands and music: what a sync can imply for a musician.

Judith van Unen (co-owner Barkers Bookings & Productions)
Judith van Unen is one of the owners of Barkers. Barkers, founded in 1995, is an Amsterdam based booking agency. The business is run by owners Kim Tuin & Judith van Unen and their bookers, who are well connected in the worldwide underground music scene. Besides the booking activities, Barkers (co-) organizes events like Valtifest, BarkersBar, Miko loves Barkers, The Annual Network Bash during ADE, and arranges tours for their artists. Judith is responsible for the scouting of new artists; she’s booker of the international branch of Barkers, and the manager for Mightyfools.

Kees de Koning (Universal Music & founder TopNotch)
Kees de Koning started as a journalist for music magazine OOR. Besides that he was a radio DJ for the VPRO. In 1995 he started TopNotch, which is the best label in the Dutch hip-hop scene at the moment. Extince, Dio, Opgezwolle and Flinke Namen have already joined the label. TopNotch is now a part of Universal Music, where Kees is the Director Artist Development. He also hosts the radio show 3VOOR12XL for the VPRO with Andrew Makkinga and Mr. Wix, and he is Anouk’s manager since 2007.

Kostijn Egberts (co-owner Magnetron Music & Instant Replay, artist manager Ismusic Management)
Kostijn Egberts is co-owner and artist manager at Magnetron Music and Ismusic Management, and now also of the new Instant Replay label. With his label Magnetron Music he signed De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig and Le Le for instance. Now, with Instant Replay, he also wants to focus on his love for dance music. So he’s looking for new talent in and outside the dance scene. In the past he was also a label manager (ID&T), a programmer (Club Arena) and a journalist/editor (Basic Groove).

Lee Stuart (editor in chief of Statemagazine, jury member Grote Prijs van Nederland)
Lee Stuart is editor in chief of Statemagazine, the Dutch online hip-hop magazine. Besides that he’s also a jury member of the Grote Prijs van Nederland, in the hip-hop category. De Grote Prijs van Nederland is the biggest and oldest national pop competition in the Netherlands. For almost 25 years now, the GPVN offers an opportunity for talented musicians, bands, MCs, and producers who are ready for the next step. Do you want to know if you’re ready for that next step? Lee can give you advise about your demo if you’re into hip-hop.

Lucas van Slegtenhorst (general manager Chrysalis Songs Benelux - publishing)
Lucas van Slegtenhorst is the general manager of Chrysalis Songs Benelux. Chrysalis Songs Benelux is a new joint venture with Cloud 9 Music, based in Amsterdam. Chrysalis Music operates as a worldwide independent music publisher and represents copyrights and writers such as: Blondie, Aphex Twin, Gnarls Barkley, Motor, Metric, Kraak & Smaak, Yonderboi, Outkast, and many others. One of Lucas’s tasks is to sign and develop new and talented songwriters.

Marc Derby (creative director Dr. Media & artist manager)
Marc Derby is founder and creative director at Dr. Media, a concept office that deals with the development of artists, by a vision which is adapted to the needs of the contemporary (popular) culture. Besides that he’s also the manager of popular hip-hop artist Dio. Want to get your career running? Maybe Marc can give you the right advise!

Michel Penders (manager artist & events MTV Networks)
Michel Penders, manager artist and events, is responsible for managing MTV Networks events like Valtifest, Nokia Trends Lab, and arranging new events for all MTV Networks channels. He also programs MTV events and deals with the developments of in-house-formed acts.

Niels Aalberts (manager Kyteman, head teacher Music Management HKU & blogger at Eerste Hulp bij Plaat Opnamen/EHPO)
Niels Aalberts is owner of Eerste Hulp bij Plaat Opname. With this company, Niels is always looking for new talent. He also deals with the marketing and promotion of artists, singles, and albums. He was the manager for the internationally successful Kyteman, with his hip-hop orchestra. Besides EHPO, he is the main teacher of music management education at the art academy in Utrecht (HKU).

Olga Heijns (artist manager Unmanageable Artists)
Olga Heijns is artist manager for Roger Sanchez, Laidback Luke and the Partysquad, and has her own company Unmanageable Artists. She is a successful artist manager and focuses primarily on the success of her artists. She’s the perfect woman to give you all the advice you need to work your way up in the dance scene.

Perre van den Brink (editor in chief BLEND)
Perre van den Brink is editor-in-chief of BLEND Magazine. He is also a blogger with a well visited website: Niceandimportant.com. Once impressed, he could write about you, whether it’s in BLEND Magazine, Paper, or on his blog. It’s up to you to convince him!

Victor Bakhuis (publisher DJ Broadcast)
Victor Bakhuis is publisher with Magazine DJ Broadcast and also a DJ (deep house & soul techno with acid/electro influences) on his own. DJ Broadcast is one of the leading magazines in the dance scene. He is pretty much the perfect man to talk to when you need something published!

Yousef Gnaoui (Flinke Namen)
Yousef Gnaoui is one of the rappers in the popular group Flinke Namen. This well-known foursome has had great success in the past few years with hits like Als zij langs loopt and Wolken. Since he worked hard to get where he is, his story can be an inspiration for you. Or maybe you're a rapper yourself and you want Yousef's opinion on your demo? He's the man for you!