Welcome to our new sleeker website.
For the past few weeks our website was a boring splash page informing you that a new site was coming and that we have a gig (which is this Friday); so it really does feel quite good to finally have a website back up.
All the announcements made in the last few weeks are missing, but the blog will now continue on.
We look forward to blogging more about our music-related adventures soon, so do keep an eye out.
Hello all, sorry for not posting here or updating you on what has been happening. Apart from the red tape, not much has happened recently, but we are finally reaching the end of that and into more exciting territory. Things will be exciting for both us and you as an audience. We have a few things to let you in on.
The main thing is that Cobalt Records will be cutting off services that deviate from the company’s focus so that we can concentrate on being a record label.
Essentially, we will cease to put on live gigs and stop dealing with the minor services we have provided before. We should have an artist signed by the end of this year (we’re looking to be working on this fully from now until the Summer). Whilst we have a few ideas on the artist/band, nothing is set in stone and we are currently working with the paperwork side of things such as legality.
In addition to our slight adjustment in how we operate, you’ll hear from us a lot more now as we will both be posting updates to the blog on the Cobalt Records website, so you’ll certainly be kept in the loop and eventually it’ll be a cool place for you to find the tracks, interviews, videos and information on the artist we sign.
Furthermore, within the next week or so we will be announcing a cool project which you and everyone with internet access will be able to enjoy. It’ll both be entertaining and exciting for all audiences, but will boost the performance and promotion of bands and artists that can take part too. By which time, we’ll have a brand new website and look.
Watch this space closely and you will not be disappointed.
- Brendan & James
Thanks to all the bands that managed to turn up and of course, to the people that attended.
There were a few complications last night that we haven’t had to deal with on this scale before, but we thank everyone for being very patient and we all managed to make a good night of it.
It’s a shame that several of the bands couldn’t make it due to the snowy weather. We made the decision to carry on with the gig in spite of the weather (which was clearing up) and we think it was a good decision.
We have been putting on popular events for nearly a year and are finally committing to signing an artist; we have the contracts ready and have only to pick a band.
We received many demo’s (and continue to do so) since we opened up the offer to the Internet, as well as regionally.
Whilst working on signing an artist, it has come to our attention that we are going to have to make some bold choices, some sooner than others. Nevertheless decisions in business are never simple and it is rare that there is one absolute answer.
When we thought about it, it was clear that we had already made our decisions though. We know what we expect from other record labels and we have a personal passion for music (hence why we started Cobalt Records).
The simple fact is, we can’t treat our customers or the bands fans as criminals. We cannot assume they are in the wrong. Doing so is damaging to people, bands and our reputation. It’s quite an obvious statement to make, yet the major record labels are making this very same mistake.
I’ve noticed with other independent labels that, like us, they are embracing the internet as a wonderful and social platform for music. For me, it is hard to see how technology, that provides such an opportunity, could be abused and neglected. The old dinosaurs of the industry are scared of change and will never really embrace it.
Of course, when it comes to our signed band releasing music, it wouldn’t be too far fetched to believe that their music will end up on file sharing sites/torrents. This is something that the big labels are ruthlessly targeting, whilst sticking their middle finger up at the little guys and the people that matter most, the customer.
Studies show that a good portion of those who “illegally download” music, also support the artist by later buying the album (if they like it), buying tickets to gigs, buying merchandise etc.
The big labels believe you’re supposed to pay a premium price for music and if you can’t afford it and get it through other means, then you’re a dirty filthy criminal and deserve jail time comparable to that of a rapist. Anyone who thinks that is fair needs to rethink things through.
So, with that in mind, Cobalt Records dedicates itself to operating honestly, fairly, openly and with transparency, embracing new technologies whilst not leaving customers in the dark. Being friendly with the people who matter and not victimising customers.
Feel free to let us know what you think.
We really need to blog more, it’s good to let you guys know what is happening.
So for your information, tickets for our upcoming event are arriving to us on Tuesday, a little later than planned. You can get them from bands if you know them, or order them online (see the ‘Events’ page). £4 per ticket, or £5 on the door.
There will be a bar at the event too and like all our events at the Ski Centre, we expect it to be a really fun and social atmosphere.
The lineup is good too and we may have some other surprises too.
We will update when we know more. Brendan and James will be whizzing around Ashby, Coalville, Moira, Swadlincote and Burton on Tuesday and Wednesday. So if you don’t know any bands, can’t figure out the interwebs and don’t want to pay an extra pound, then contact us and we can arrange something.
We have announced our upcoming gig and it’s going to be pretty cool. Go check it out by clicking here or see our Facebook events page.
Oh, by the way, there is a bar.
It’s 2010 and we’re back. We have a few exciting things yet to happen, including signing an artist which we are working on.
We are also going to host our first gig of 2010 very shortly, which we hope will be ready to happen in February. So, like usual, if any bands want to play — let us know now.
For the rest of you music patriots, we hope to see you at the gig (once we officially announce it) and we also think you will enjoy everything we have to offer you guys this year.
2009 is soon coming to a close and 2010 will be welcomed with open arms. We have some exciting things happening in the future, more than just gigs. We are spending a lot of time on signing our first artist in the next month or so, but 2009 was were it all began.
Founded in spring 2009 (June to be precise), we started up where others were failing. We brought entertainment locally in the form of gigs and events, as well as doing hire work for live sound.
This was made possible because of our business model which allowed us to be the first local company in live sound and events organisation to pay all bands for their work. We were also able to organise and work hard to achieve great gigs for both the bands and the audience. We had great style and design. The live sound was superb and mixed to a high standard, it always sounded great.
We were able to do all of this because of James Morrell’s talent and ear as a sound engineer and Brendan Clarke’s modern and stylish design.
We have made mistakes along the way but have grown from strength to strength and are happy with our position in the local music scene.
Our first ever independent gig was in August 2009 with ‘Night at the Zen’, but we had worked for others before that, including OVM, a prominent music promotor at the time.
Our next gig, ‘Live at the Ski Centre’ was a great success and we packed the house, it later led on to our extremely fun ‘Halloween’ event, whilst both Brendan and James worked on sound and design for other companies.
In October we announced and began the extensive process of signing an artist to our independent label and managed to see and hear some fantastic bands (and continue to do so).
The conclusion is that Cobalt Records is still a baby, a new company in the area, and whilst we make the odd mistake, we are absolutely committed to continue growing and providing the best we can. We started Cobalt Records because we are enthusiastic about music, we love it and if you do too, then keep an eye on our website as we continue to grow.
2009 was very interesting for us and we hope it was for you too, but now we enter a new decade and we are going to make sure we are a big part of it.
Love,
Brendan & James.
Just to let you guys know, we are still looking to sign an artist in January, we’ve been very busy on the business side of things and listening to the demo’s you’ve sent in.
We can’t always reply to emails, but we assure you we have got them and listening to them and we may contact you about it in January.
We had planned to have a Christmas gig, but due to complications and us being busy on things, this isn’t going to happen anymore. But don’t worry, there are some other great events going on in the Midlands area (check out ‘Wired’). We will be back in January, where we will put on a gig or two and hopefully announce more on the signing.
Just in case we don’t post here again before Christmas, have a good one! 2009 has been a good year since our founding in June, time has gone fast, thank you for a good year, we have another one to come.
Cobalt Records is pleased to announce that in early 2010, we will be signing our first artist to the label.
We will be looking for talented bands or artists with potential and accepting any requests from bands/artists themselves where will then decide on one group or individual to sign.
It will help if any willing artists have written songs already and help further if they have recorded demo’s (studio, home or live recordings). Needless to say cover bands will not be signed.
Artists should be passionate about what they do, but we’re sure you knew that already. Watch this space.