Archive for: Media Database

‘I pinch myself when I think I have interviewed people like Jim Kerr from Simple Minds, the guitar legend Johnny Marr and many more.’ Music blogger Mark Millar of XS Noize has met many music monoliths since starting his blog back in 2014, but also loves giving new bands and artists a platform for their music to be heard.

Writing about music has changed a lot since the days of Smash Hits magazine – read on for what Mark counts as the pros of digital publishing and which platforms for new musicians aren’t the best route to take if you want longevity in the charts and music collections.

How did you get started with writing about music?
I have loved music for as long as I can remember. My aunt made me sing along to Bye Bye Baby by the Bay City Rollers when I was three. So I suppose I was hooked from then! My parents played everything from Meatloaf to Simon & Garfunkel around the house growing up so I was exposed to loads of great stuff. Then I started buying my own records and tapes as I got older. I read all the music magazines like Smash Hits, Number One and NME from cover to cover.

I did an HNC in Interactive Multimedia. I planned to get into web design, but that didn’t work out. So I decided to marry my knowledge of web design and my passion for music and created XS Noize in 2014. It started as a hobby and now XS Noize is recognised as an authority in music, which is amazing.

What’s your favourite thing to post about?
I like to feature new bands and artists to give them a platform for their music. Also, I love to interview musicians who I admire and have been a fan of. It’s always interesting to hear about their process. I pinch myself when I think I have interviewed people like Jim Kerr from Simple Minds, the guitar legend Johnny Marr and many more.

What makes the music blogging community different (and better!) than others?
People love listening to music either on radio, streaming or by playing records and CDs, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to inform those people about new music. To do that I have to have my finger on the pulse by regularly checking my emails throughout the day because I never know when I’ll receive news about the next big release or confirmation about a band or artist I will be interviewing. My laptop is with me everywhere I go (even on holiday) to enable me to publish on XS Noize immediately. XS Noize is a team effort – we have contributors worldwide who are passionate about music and what they do, and it’s a real pleasure to work with them all.

Do you think shows like The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent are still a good route into the music industry for wannabe musicians?
No, not really – they are only entertainment shows. If you want 15 minutes of fame then go for it but today no one remembers who wins these shows. I don’t think any winner of The Voice has ever been successful. I suppose it’s a foot in the door for the acts, but ultimately those shows are about the judges. The best route for musicians is to play the circuit to as many people as they can and write loads of songs.

Do you see the increase in the intersection of tech with music (VR shows/holograms) as a good thing?
I have no problem with it – it’s novelty and fun, but it’s not the kind of show I would go and see. I would rather see the real thing.

What was the first song/album you bought and would you still listen to it?
The first single I bought with my own money was Wide Boy by Nik Kershaw. And yes, I would stick on his greatest hits now and again.

Favourite song lyric of all time?
‘Life’s a bag of Revels/And I’m looking for the orange one/She’s gone’ – Polar Bear by The Charlatans.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
Working with PRs is the lifeblood of XS Noize. I have built amazing relationships over the past six years with PRs. We work closely every minute of the working day on new content by arranging interviews, gig passes, photo passes, reviews and loads more. With brands, we have sponsored live events and organised competitions.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
PRs can get in touch with me mainly via email, but sometimes they get hold of my phone number and call me directly – I don’t mind either way. I get sent hundreds of emails daily from PRs and it’s impossible to go through them all, which I feel terrible about.

What other blogs do you read (whether music-related or not)?
I like The Quietus, it’s great! And Chordblossom and The Thin Air. The latter two are also based in Northern Ireland, and I like Nialler9, who is based in Dublin. They write fantastic coverage of the local music scenes and beyond, so check them out.

How does the music blogging sector continue to adapt as the way we share and stream music changes? For A&R Factory’s Stefan Toren, it’s ‘the creativity in connecting people’, whether through traditional features and interviews, curated playlists or Instagram stories.

Aiming to explore the meaning behind the music rather than straight-forward industry updates, Stefan’s blog has become a ‘hotspot’ for professionals in the sector. Read on for his approach to writing about music, how the music industry is changing and whether reality TV is a good thing for artists.

How did you get started with writing about music?
A+R Factory started around 10 years ago when I was working as a music manager for a few bands. Originally I just wanted to write about the different artists I had the pleasure of working with, but it started to evolve into something much bigger when I found we had organically become a hotspot for music industry professionals – ranging from unsigned talent to A+Rs from some of the world’s top labels. I guess the answer is almost boringly simple: I began because I wanted my own platform to give a voice to the unheard musician. A decade on, here we are.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your website/blog?
Just go on over to our homepage and take a look for yourself. We don’t tend to focus on industry news and developments – we focus purely on music and what it (might) mean to the listener. Exploring artists and their new projects is therefore, by far, our favorite stuff to post.

What makes the music blogging community different (and better!) than others?
Oh, it’s different alright – in all the good ways (and some bad, but let’s not get into that here!). One of the parts that make it so good is the ability for a blog to help curate a listener’s taste, and get them to explore new artists and new music that (literally) resonates with them. We’re also seeing the blog community explore different avenues to tell those artists’ stories too; some of the best music bloggers don’t even write these days, they curate playlists, create videos and post insta stories. I think the creativity in connecting people with art is the special something that makes music blogging stay relevant as online culture evolves.

Do you think shows like The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent are still a good route into the music industry for wannabe musicians? What are the pros and cons?
Have they ever been? Facetiousness aside, I think these shows have a cultural value to offer and do help show artists that they don’t just need to be good musicians – they need to be characters and have a story to tell. But I think it goes without saying that ten times out of ten, an artist should focus on their art and marketing before considering a musical reality show to be a viable option for getting into the industry.

Do you see the increase in the intersection of tech with music as a good thing – VR shows, holograms of musicians who are no longer with us, etc.?
I think most people look at tech in the music industry as these ‘flashy’ PR pieces – and that’s fair because a Tupac hologram catches eyes and ears. The real tech in the music industry is a lot more hidden and it’s all about data. Just like a brand needs data about its customers, music labels all need data about their listeners, and platforms like Spotify have all the value in this space. Because of this data, we’re seeing music labels adopt different approaches to new releases to maximise streaming value, perhaps at the risk of compromising artistic value. But for many artists, data can be their most powerful tool in building a following and cracking the online space – so there’s lots of pros and cons on all sides for tech being adopted more heavily in the music industry.

What was the first song/album you bought (and would you still listen to it)?
Eric B and Rakim’s Paid in Full. Who doesn’t still listen to it? It’s one of the seminal hip-hop albums.

Favourite song lyric of all time?
‘All my exes live in Texas’ by George Strait. I can’t explain why. I’ve never been to Texas.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
Our approach is heavily tied to our original and simple vision of spotlighting the world’s best independent artists and musicians. So of course when we work with PRs and brands, we only choose the ones with an offer that can bring something truly helpful to the table for unsigned musicians. There’s so many incredible services out there that act in line with A+R factory’s values, and we make sure each one we work with gives artists a real digital leg up in this crazy industry.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
We have a delightfully simple contact page here where you can reach out to us.

What other blogs do you read (whether music-related or not)?
Earmilk is great. Indie Shuffle and Resident Advisor are two other staples.

‘Shows like Take Me Out and Dinner Date, to me, are just for people who fancy five minutes of fame – sorry!’ Hoping to build more genuine connections with people looking for advice and support in love is Never Settle blogger Eve Greenow. Originally launched in November 2014 as ‘Eve’s Blog’, its first posts helped Eve come out of a toxic relationship, and has since evolved into an ‘honest, confidence-building go-to of what to do when dating, in a relationship, breaking up, having sex, dealing with mental health issues… you name it, I want to help people with it’.

Even if you’re choosing to ignore Valentine’s Day completely, make a commitment to checking out Eve’s thoughts on dating shows, her worst date ever and whether blogging about dating is a good or bad thing for her own relationships…

How did you originally get started with writing about relationships?
Truth be told, I never started my blog with the intention of writing solely about dating, sex, relationships and millennial lifestyle. Actually, Never Settle was founded in November 2014, as it’s original conception of ‘Eve’s Blog’ (revolutionary name, right?) six months after I came out of a four-year toxic relationship.

Nowadays, Never Settle pushes the latest trends to the forefront of discussion, tackling controversial and taboo subjects head on, and looks to provide a range of outcomes and a way of achieving them, based on a mixture of personal experience and extensive psychological and sociological research. I’ve even got my own Ask Eve section where I accept anonymous questions, and podcast…

What’s your favourite thing to post about and why?
My favourite thing to write about is real, honest posts for people who find themselves in difficult dating situations. Often my Ask Eve inbox is full of lovely, brilliant people who are stuck in a difficult scenario and are so confused. Helping people just feel heard or listened to is my favourite thing. It’s not even giving advice, because often those who write in already know in their heart of hearts what they need to do; it’s just allowing them to have the cathartic experience of writing down their issues and knowing it’ll be read, and that they’re not alone.

I know many bloggers who blog for brand collaborations and the perks, but that was never why I created Never Settle – it’s to help people feel less alone and realise their true potential. Knowing I’ve helped someone is the best thing I ever get out of the blog.

How do you stay enthusiastic about Valentine’s Day?
Valentine’s Day is an interesting one. I used to be super into it, but as I’ve got older, I’ve not become cynical as such, but I’ve just realised that while Valentine’s Day is nice to celebrate your partner, it’s super-important to not just exclusively do so on this one day. I do think it’s become commercialised, and ultimately real relationships shouldn’t need the grand gestures and the expensive presents (depending on their love languages of course). Also, it can make singletons feel super-rubbish, and frankly, even more alone. So I think if someone would like to celebrate Valentine’s Day – absolutely, enjoy it! But if you’re single, honestly, it’s not the end of the world – 15 February is just a day away.

What’s the most romantic place in the world?
Oooh, that’s a toughy. Probably not the answer you’re looking for, but the most romantic place in the world is somewhere that means the most to you. It doesn’t need to be Paris or Rome, it can just be somewhere that makes you feel happy and romantic. It may be a place you share with your partner and means something, or somewhere you love to visit. Memories make the romance, and it builds to a whole new level when you love that place.

What is the worst date you’ve ever been on?
I guess the worst one-off dating experience for me started off as a really nice evening. We had some drinks in a Soho bar, and got on well initially. I was surprisingly calm, and just spoke naturally about what we do, our jobs, hobbies, etc. – had a laugh, even. After a few drinks and no dinner, he spoke about my blog and the fact that I review ‘lots of dildos’… and, as expected, things took a turn for the worse. Not only am I very protective of my blog, but I also find it says a lot about a person in the way they talk about intimacy. Before I knew it, he was complaining about his ex-girlfriend (who he’d been with for a long time), telling me intimate details about her and generally being really derogatory… safe to say, I took his ex-girlfriend’s side. Which went down like a lead balloon. He wanted a second date, remarkably. I did not.

Has blogging about relationships ever impacted your own relationships in real life?
Ha! Oh gosh yeah, unfortunately. People think I write about my life, my dating experiences and private information – which is simply not true. I’ve found people presume when I write a post, it’s about me or my boyfriend. Unfortunately, I have lost a few friends because of the blog. They’ve seen me as a hypocrite for doing something which goes against my own blog advice, or just ‘don’t get it’. It’s amazing how many people will give you backhanded compliments about your achievements, or always find the negative in something you hold pride in.

When I was single, men thought they would become a new feature on my blog. It was regularly said ‘oh, I guess this will end up on the blog then,’ which, again, if they’d read any of it, they’d know they would definitely not. My boyfriend’s friends took the mickey out of him about it too for a long time, which was tough. But to be honest, where I am with the blog, and what I’ve achieved, shows me that it was all worth it.

What are your favourite dating shows?
Ahh, I really hate many of the dating shows. Only because they don’t really do well to pair people up in the best way and basically it nearly always ends in a flop relationship – which is just a bit pointless.

I really like First Dates because they actually try and match people appropriately based on a variety of factors, and often that means you won’t waste your time. Celebs Go Dating is another one I really like. The matchmaking and coaching allow people to actually handle their baggage and deal with their problems, rather than jump from relationship to relationship and make the same mistakes.

Shows like Take Me Out and Dinner Date, to me, are just for people who fancy five minutes of fame – sorry!

How do you collaborate with brands and which kind of brands do you really like working with?
I really do love collaborating with brands. I’ve worked with sooo many and have a handful I love to work with. Ann Summers, LELO, Lovehoney are among my favourite pleasure brands, and I love that they continuously push towards smashing taboos around female pleasure. Brands which are relevant to women’s health, relationships or dating are what I look for, and anything promoting equality and feminism is a big plus!

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you and with what kind of content?
If you actually research my blog, it will get you so far! I get all sorts of emails, but recently received one from a PR agency who had actually clearly done their research and I felt so warm towards them. It really helps! Brands who care about a mutual relationship really tick my box – someone who just wants to use my blog, or make out like they’re doing me a favour for free promotion will most likely never hear back from me.

What other blogs do you check out regularly (whether relationship-related or not)?
I have so many! I still love to read Naomi Narrative, Lucy Goes Dating and Alice in Wonder. Also love Natasha Atlas and my blogging besties, Hannah of The Giraffe’s Life and Jess from Fierce & Fabulous Revolution. These are some of the hardest working ladies in the blogging world!

‘I’m getting on a bit now and the site is, too’ – we catch up with veteran movie blogger (and fourth in our Top 10 UK Film Blogs) Sean Evans of Back To The Movies.

With the BAFTAs behind us and the Oscars on their way, find out what Sean thinks of this year’s Academy Award nominees and which superhero movie gets his vote (sorry in advance, Cap).

How did you get started with writing about film?
I was close to turning 21 and my girlfriend at the time wanted to do something special to celebrate my 21st birthday. We had a think of some ideas and we thought that celebrity video messages would be a cool way to remember the occasion. I messaged various official sites and any agency emails I could find. I was surprised at the replies from people who didn’t know who I was sending video messages and even signed gifts. I had video messages from such actors as Jeremy Bullock from Star Wars, Thomas Nicholas from American Pie and Kane Hodder from Friday the 13th. Daniel Craig and Russell Brand even sent signed goodies via their agents.

As a result, I managed to not only get these messages but personal email correspondence with some well-known faces. It was then I had the idea to set up a website where I could interview these people and talk about movies at the same time.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your website/blog?
I always love posting a good rant or rave about a certain production but interviews are my all-time favourite. Sitting down with an industry legend and just chatting movies is always a good time. I try to make the interviews as easy going as possible. My film site reviews films as fans would and not critics, so my interviews are exactly the same. A casual Skype chat, a quick trip to a local bar or even an interview after many, many drinks. No cameras, no PR agents telling them what they can and can’t say. Just a laid back, good ol’ fashioned chin-wag.

What makes the film/entertainment blogging community different (and better!) than others?
Every single person in this community is like a family. We support each other’s content, we share articles, we share links. We chat regularly on how we can help one another out. You only need to look at Twitter when you guys announced the UK Top 10 and everyone was there congratulating one another, regardless of which position we were voted.

If you or your team ever attend industry events and launches, what’s the most fun or weird one you’ve been invited to?
I always laugh when people say ‘team’. Everyone thinks the site is run by a team rather than a 28-year-old whose hair is turning greyer by the second. The site for 99% of the time I’ve been doing this is a one-man-band. I do get the odd bit of help now and again when I really need it but it’s literally just me.

I love being invited to film premieres, even better getting to walk the red carpet at the BAFTA awards every year. I’m also doing a lot of theme park and entertainment reviews lately so being invited down to be the first to ride a brand new rollercoaster or the first to experience a new attraction opening is amazing.

As far as weird places go, The Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosity in London is certainly the weirdest place I’ve ever been. A museum of some of the weirdest items you’ll ever see in your life and even a celebrity stool sample collection. Safe to say out of every single place I’ve reviewed, that is the weirdest place I’ve ever been to in my entire life. But I’m a bit weird myself so aside from the stool collection everything else was pretty awesome!

With #oscarssowhite trending again, a lot of people were surprised at the lack of diversity in this year’s Oscar nominations line-up – what are your thoughts on this?
I was incredibly surprised by this year’s line-up. I thought for sure Eddie Murphy would be in the nominations for Dolemite Is My Name, Jennifer Lopez nominated for her incredible role in Hustlers. It’s a real shame. Cynthia Erivo is the only non-white performer in the entire line-up which is crazy to me! She fully deserves to be there and I wish her all the best.

It’s something that does need to be addressed but the academy should never bow down to an agenda because people complain. That’s when things get messy. For example, people up in arms that Little Women wasn’t in the mix this year and Greta Gerwig should be in the mix for best director – it wasn’t a film even close to being on the same level as the nominated films this year. It’s as simple as that. Just my opinion, of course. People should be there because of their talent and talent alone and not for agenda purposes – that’s why I was even more shocked by Eddie and Jennifer not being included, because their performances were incredible and that’s just naming two!

Do you agree with Martin Scorsese’s thoughts on superhero movies, and what do you think of Joker’s chances at the Oscars this year?
I wholeheartedly agree with Martin Scorsese. It was a big topic on Back To The Movies this past year. While I thought Infinity War was a masterpiece, the way they churn out 90% of these superhero films to make a quick buck is ludicrous. Some are so simplistic in their design, amped up with green screen scale and fan service to keep the comic book faithful salivating at a sequel or a new character being added in the next movie. Most (not all) of them aren’t cinema. They’re fluff pieces aimed at making money through simple means, and make money they do.

Joker, on the other hand, is cinema. There’s churning out film after film, year after year to dominate the box office and there’s films that are made with heart, direction, depth and acting that transcends the screen. Joaquin Phoenix will win the Oscar and he deserves every accolade that comes his way. One character and one character alone, not a movie stuffed full of them to the point where saturation of characters leaves us admiring the pretty pictures and technical achievements rather than the film itself (1917, anyone?). Joker is one movie you can look back and go wow, now that’s a cinematic experience. We get to know our character, in a weird twisted way relate to our character, explore his backstory and his character comes full circle, intertwined in a beautifully-crafted world with a near-perfect script. It’s rare we see movies like that nowadays. Especially superhero movies. While I agree with Scorsese for the most part, films like Joker are those rare golden nuggets that are released and put Scorsese’s theory to bed.

Favourite three films of all time?
Back to the Future, The Wolf of Wall Street, Goodfellas (with a special mention to American Pie for corrupting me as a child).

How do you work with PRs and brands?
To tell you the truth, this last year has been so strange. I’ve been working with so many brands it all becomes a blur. From Hooch to 4DX to Sony, it’s a whirlwind.

As I mentioned in last year’s interview, if you haven’t got a budget and want me to promote your product or service then please look elsewhere. I’m not starting out looking for content to publish, I’m getting on a bit now and the site is, too. If you want promotion, be willing to pay for it. Even now, to this day, many PR companies try to milk the free content. It does grind a bit.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog/website, how would you prefer they approach you?
More than happy to get email through my contact form via the website.

What other blogs do you read (whether film-related or not)?
I’m a huge fan of Blazing Minds. Karen Woodham is one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the privilege of speaking to over the years. We’ve never even met in person and I speak to her more times than half of my own family!

Flickering Myth and Live For Films are always the sites I aim to be like. Lots of writers, lots of content, always reaching, always aiming, always achieving. That’s the mindset those guys give me. They set the benchmark for me to go out there and get my site on a Hollywood trailer or up on a billboard somewhere. Last year’s goal was to get my name on the cover of a studio movie; I achieved that. This year is getting my name on a billboard or even a bus station ad, at least. I’d be cool with that.

‘Stay hydrated’, ‘invest in sleep’ and ‘move more’ are just some of the top tips for staying in tip-top shape from blogger Faya Nilsson in today’s spotlight on Fitness on Toast. One tip Faya has picked up in her time in the fitness industry that she’d advise to stay away from, though? Eating a generous tablespoon of butter every morning… Read on for that as well as more palatable anecdotes from her life as a top fitness blogger.

How did you get started with blogging about fitness?
I originally started Fitness on Toast way back in 2013 as a place to share healthy and unusual recipes, nutritional tips, and to communicate informative workout ideas with my personal training clients, as well as to style fitness fashion looks. It was a way to share a lot of the information I felt I never got the time to share in the short one-hour slot with clients. I also used to take pictures when I was abroad and was often asked about my trips (where I stayed, and how I stayed healthy while travelling, etc.) so wellness escapes and active travel grew to become a thing on FOT, somewhat before the concept was popular. It’s awesome to see the world embracing fitness in so many ways.

What’s your favourite thing to post about on your blog?
I genuinely think I don’t have a favourite. What I enjoy the most is the variation of the different topics which often blend together – travel, fitness, fashion and nutrition. To me, that’s the nature of living a perpetually healthy and balanced life, where all aspects of it are underpinned by a wellbeing ethos. That said, telling the story of great travel, on occasion, can be quite standout – writing about an exceptional trip punctuated by world-class hospitality is something that I very much enjoy.

What are your tips for getting back into an exercise routine for those who’ve fallen out of it?
I’ve written extensively about this on my blog. My top tips would be…
1) Be realistic when setting goals – realistic weekly goals, as well as a realistic deadline (e.g. a three-month window), then break it down into weekly targets.
2) Be consistent – any change takes time.
3) Nourish your body with the most delicious healthy colourful foods. You don’t have to eat bland foods to get results!
4) Stay hydrated – 70% of our bodies are made up of water, so staying hydrated will make a noticeable difference after a few weeks!
5) Invest in sleep – the muscular and mental recovery will compound your ability to perform better during your next session.
6) Move more – it’s not ‘all or nothing’, but ‘as often as possible’. Take the stairs, power-walk to get your salad at lunch and just keep moving!
7) Stretch – it aids recovery, balance and releases built-up tension/stiffness.
8) Keep track of your progress – write down your workout so you don’t end up doing the same weight every week.

What makes the fitness blogging community different (and better!) than others?
I can’t say whether it’s necessarily ‘better’ than other communities; all have their own flavours and purposes. I think the fitness domain comes with its own set of unique challenges. The things I like about the fitness community is it can be very encouraging in the sense that people who genuinely are interested in fitness and have worked in the industry for a while can appreciate each other’s good work and spur one another on. I think it’s become more welcoming and less intimidating to people who are new to the industry in the sense that people can be very open with their struggles; it is increasingly accessible, and that is increasingly aspirational for more and more people.

Weirdest fitness trend you’ve tried/heard about?
I haven’t tried any of the super-exotic ones, because they tend to be diet-related and I like to pursue a more balanced approach. A client of mine was told to pursue the ‘high-fat diet’ and ‘eat a generous tablespoon of butter every morning’ – I thought that sounded pretty horrendous. I’d say I’m happy that some of the more extreme legging fashion trends have passed over now – mega-bold colours and over the top prints induced a sense of ‘hypnotic trip’ during a trip to the gym, or supermarket alike!

What are the best songs to have on your iPod to get you fired up to work out?
I LOVE Disclosure; the Settle album is still a favourite to work out to. Other than that, you simply cannot beat a bit of Taylor Swift for the spark of energy! And failing that, some classic old school Miguel Migs house will do the job very nicely indeed.

How do you work with PRs and brands?
I have an excellent agent at Storm Model Management, who acts as an intermediary for me. She and her team know the type of content I love to produce, and they help to field the outreach accordingly, which is an enormous help, as there is just too little time in the day to tackle all PR emails properly. When we decide on a super exciting project with an agency, then the fun part begins, and I love to get really hands-on at that point – that allows me to really focus on delivery on the creative side of things. Short-term or long-term partnerships – ambassadorial roles as well as hosting fitness classes. I’ve laid out the ways in which I work with marketers and PRs on a separate Disclosure page on my blog, which I think is an important manifesto to consider for any blogger.

For PRs looking to work with you and your blog, how would you prefer they approach you?
I would always prefer that PRs reach out via email, copying in my agent at Storm. The address can be found on my Contact page.

What other blogs do you read (whether fitness-related or not)?
I try not to read too many other blogs, as I think it’s somewhat of an occupational hazard. I mainly read Swedish politics, if anything online. If not, I stick to the old school traditional paper books. That said, occasionally I’ll dip into The Blonde Salad, A Blog To Watch, Sheerluxe, The Food Effect, AJ Odudu’s blog.