Ketch A Vibe: diversifying a career
One of the people with whom I have had repeated discussions in the past year about music and the business of making money is Cardiff's . She's a jazz and soul singer with almost two decades' experience and a lot of fans including ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ 6 Music's Craig Charles.
Good friends, good reputation and a pair of powerfully smoky lungs isn't enough though, and she's vocal about the problems she has making a living out of her music. Read her blog entry .
But she's ever-positive, and she's doing something that musicians are being advised to look into these days: diversifying. Conventionally, this might be to 'open up revenue streams' - self-publish, go into promoting, that kind of thing - but it doesn't have to be.
Simone has turned a passion for music into an internet radio show that has given her an outlet for playing tracks she loves, and also - in a round-about fashion - increased her own profile.
is the brainchild of Simone and Anthony Aja Allsop, "a self-confessed soul boy from London's East End". In the world of the internet, so much stuff gets lost, but Ketch A Vibe ("recorded on the top of a mountain in Caerphilly"), with its eclectic music policy and concentration on new, independent and unsigned artists, is punching above its weight.
It's been picked up and syndicated by radio stations across the world and the UK, including in Las Vegas, Birmingham, Montenegro, London and Lithuania. In addition, they've become regular guests on more radio stations also internationally.
"Getting involved with radio has definitely helped raise my profile," she says. "We do not focus on me, or indeed my music, in our shows; it is about exposing all new music, but I do get the opportunity to play my tracks and of course plug my website!
"The job of networking, building contacts and potential working relationships is one of the most difficult things when you're an independent artist. Aja and I receive new music every day from artists and producers from around the world. Having this direct link and contact with them has given me the opportunity to seek out people I could work with and discuss possibilities.
"It has broadened my horizons and subsequently am currently working on projects with a number of great producers here in the UK and the US."
Thinking tangentially about music and the way it can be disseminated is now part of an artist's armoury. It might not add revenue straight away, but it can't be bad to widen your contact base and pool ideas can it?
(caution: contains adult themes).
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Adam Walton
Bethan Elfyn
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Laura Sinnerton
Comment number 1.
At 13th Oct 2010, Ken wrote:Great singer, great show - Claire definietly deserves wider recognition.
Ken.
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Oct 2010, George wrote:Claire and AJA are a great team, and Claire is a great singer and deserves a lot more attention.
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Comment number 3.
At 13th Oct 2010, Elizabeth Fields wrote:HI Claire Simone and Aja..
I love your vibe, your style and your Musical Architecture:) Am over the moon you are collaborating with me on our final album E.P. Your support has been fantastic:) Thanks again:) Can't wait for your Radio show to arrive for our guest launch party on the 2nd of July 2011, at The New Hampton Centre In Wolverhampton:) You have made my week:)
For more info please use www.elizabethfields.co.uk or www.elizabethfieldscollective.org Which will feature Claire Simone once it is up and running...Thank you again;) Add yourselves and your hardcore fanbase are welcome too, to my contacts base on my webaddress and I will send you invites or new unreleased material featuring Claire Simone:)xx Many good musical vibes. With Love... Elizabeth Fields xxx
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Comment number 4.
At 13th Oct 2010, Brian wrote:Claire and Aja produce a great show, and I'm grateful to them for allowing my music to be heard. Would be great to hear them on a major station (hint hint ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ).
I look forward to working with Claire on a collab in the near future, she is a great singer and deserves to go far !
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Comment number 5.
At 13th Oct 2010, DJ Marky Mark wrote:What can I say about Claire Simmone? A true profesional singer and song writer that breaks the mould!Claire could easily be on the top flight given the right chance! I'm glad see the pair of them are getting the recogntion they deserve, not just from the production of their show but the way they break new jazz acts that others miss or do not give airplay to!
Marky mark
Salou Soul Weekender
Jazz60
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Oct 2010, seachild wrote:Claire and Aja...significant names for ground-breaking, innovative artists. They provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance to let 'unheard voices' shine! As a team, they're hilarious and giving. Not only that, they're fantastic artists themselves. Aja is a wonderful songwriter/producer, while Claire truly deserves recognition as a solid vocalist caught up in the web of the American-Idol-X-Factor-Loving madness...everyone needs to KETCH A VIBE!
Annabel (lee)
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Comment number 7.
At 13th Oct 2010, Jua wrote:Aja and Claire's show is an invaluable outlet for unsigned/undiscovered artists and I couldn't be more appreciative. I am ecstatic to see your show growing and reaching more people on a daily basis. Plus, Claire is an amazing talent who is sooooo underrated. I remain faithful that her day is coming for the world to recognize!!!
Regarding the topic, it's extremely difficult to make a living as a working musician these days. It is of the utmost importance that a musician/artist diversify to create multiple income sources. Lord knows I speak from experience. It's not all roses despite what some people think who don't have an accurate depiction of the music industry. Please keep posting "real" blogs like this!:)
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Comment number 8.
At 14th Oct 2010, Schema Records wrote:Definetely one of the best music passionated duo.
Once again I need to thank them for their music and their support.
Keep up the good work.
With love, daniele
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Comment number 9.
At 14th Oct 2010, elkie wrote:Claire and Aja are a great team and KetchAVibe is a great show to hear new music and artists that some stations do not have the good sense to play Great music and great presenters - what more could you ask for! Claire has a voice like no other and is fantastic singer with a great personality
Their You Tube piece (with no advertising of course!!!) is a hoot
Love them both
Sarada xx
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Comment number 10.
At 15th Oct 2010, sinfull wrote:Loving it hun, glad to see you getting some long deserved recognition! sheer class!
Paul, Kate and Sofia
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Comment number 11.
At 18th Oct 2010, Soul-Soother wrote:I've never been what you'd call a 'jazz' follower, but Claires commitment to her true style and refusal to fall into a generic Jjzz mould has totally drawn me in! Especially my weekly Aja and Claire KetchAVibe updates, with their down to earth banter and tag team effect.
So here's to seeing Claires talent, warmth and energy more widely acknowledged! You're public is waiting....and there will be cheering :)
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Comment number 12.
At 31st Oct 2010, MAQman wrote:Ketch A Vibe... playing music for the SOUL... and supporting true unsigned artists.
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