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Flanfire (Duggan Flanakin) is bringing LIFE to Austin music -- and telling the world how sweet it is!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Blastbeat: A Gift from Ireland!
About a decade ago, Irish music promoter Robert Stephenson had had enough of the grimy London music scene -- so he cleaned up his own act and began working with youngsters just starting out as live performers. Did pretty well, too -- but there was still this nagging feeling that he could do more. He had an idea for starting a nonprofit to teach kids the music business from the ground up -- but sat on it for years .... until he got this e-mail from a young singer-songwriter.
Rory Griffin had just finished his own program in music management with a heavy focus on youth. Stephenson immediately recognized his prayers for a partner had been answered ... and the rest is history in the making. Starting in Ireland, but already in South Africa, Belgium, and several U.S. cities (now including Austin), Blastbeat (which is seeking nonprofit status here and elsewhere, while Blastspace is a for-profit arm) works with high schoolers who create and manage Music & Multimedia Companies who earn money organizing concerts using the talents of photographers, videographers, journalists, sales and marketing managers, talent scouts, and of course a CEO.
About a decade ago, Irish music promoter Robert Stephenson had had enough of the grimy London music scene -- so he cleaned up his own act and began working with youngsters just starting out as live performers. Did pretty well, too -- but there was still this nagging feeling that he could do more. He had an idea for starting a nonprofit to teach kids the music business from the ground up -- but sat on it for years .... until he got this e-mail from a young singer-songwriter.
Rory Griffin had just finished his own program in music management with a heavy focus on youth. Stephenson immediately recognized his prayers for a partner had been answered ... and the rest is history in the making. Starting in Ireland, but already in South Africa, Belgium, and several U.S. cities (now including Austin), Blastbeat (which is seeking nonprofit status here and elsewhere, while Blastspace is a for-profit arm) works with high schoolers who create and manage Music & Multimedia Companies who earn money organizing concerts using the talents of photographers, videographers, journalists, sales and marketing managers, talent scouts, and of course a CEO. Irish bands Steer Clear and HotStop.
The MMC's compete for prizes, as do the bands they recruit for their concert events (battles of the bands). Winners in both categories have a chance to fly to Ireland for the world finals -- and recording contract offers. Judging is done by industry professionals (chosen at the local level by the MMC's, but at higher levels by Blastbeat personnel). The kids earn money while learning entrepreneurship skills and trying out professions they may enter as adults and also participate in helping others by donating 25 percent to charitable activities such as MyLife in South Africa and 2WinAid in Sri Lanka. Blastbeat has had corporate sponsorship in Ireland from Coca-Cola and similar support in other nations as well. Sister site Blastspace.com is where the bands can post their profiles and music, the MMC's can promote their shows, and fans can log on and listen -- and comment.
Stephenson brought two Irish bands to Austin for a showcase on Saturday at Freddie's on South First Street. Belfast's Steer Clear was a world finalist two years ago -- now they are playing gigs all over Ireland and the United Kingdom; Hotstop, from Wicklow, Ireland, won this year's world competition. Stephenson also invited several teen bands from Austin to share the stage as part of the marketing effort -- Blues Mafia, The Daze (just done with their work in "Will"), Cranes of the Republic, and Super Pal Universe (a band put together by Sara Hickman as part of a broader vision).
Stephenson brought two Irish bands to Austin for a showcase on Saturday at Freddie's on South First Street. Belfast's Steer Clear was a world finalist two years ago -- now they are playing gigs all over Ireland and the United Kingdom; Hotstop, from Wicklow, Ireland, won this year's world competition. Stephenson also invited several teen bands from Austin to share the stage as part of the marketing effort -- Blues Mafia, The Daze (just done with their work in "Will"), Cranes of the Republic, and Super Pal Universe (a band put together by Sara Hickman as part of a broader vision).
Bands gathered at Freddie's; Patrick and Sasha (Blues Mafia) with Evan Butts (The Daze); Blastbeat's Ryan Sweeney with The Daze.
Earlier on Saturday, I stopped by to catch a set from the wonderful Tommy Womack (with my pal Brett Staggs of Slowtrain on drums), the Nashville-based writer of intelligent, quirky songs about life as a singer-songwriter father and husband trying to sort out meaning after the dream has died (rock stardom, that is). Jovita's inside and outside was a big sardine can all day.Later, I went back to Cafe Caffeine to show my friend Robert even MORE teenaged music makers from the Live Music Capital -- Althea Capra and Griffin Yu (as TheHeroCycle and with Kelvin Stewart and Jackson as An Even 3), a band called Girl in the Closet, and the amazing Mother Falcon, featuring three cellists and the songs of Nick Gregg (second from right). All in all, a very satisfying SXSW week -- including a special Deja Vu Friday afternoon at Bull McCabe's Irish Pub with Slowtrain, Bryce Clifford, Ricky Stein, and the duo of B. Sterling Archer and Nicolette Manglos. Special turned to phenomenal on the duo's last number, as they were joined by their bandmates on a brand-new song -- and by the legendary Beatle Bob!
Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.
