PRS Foundation and Key Production Group present Flash Funding for Vinyl Panel Live at The Great Escape Festival in association with Metropolis Studios and Music Glue
- Flash Funding opportunity for emerging UK artists and bands to have 500x 12” vinyl made and receive release support
- Decision panel to choose the four winners will take place live at The Great Escape 2019
- Online portal open for applications today 23rd April 2019 – Deadline 30th April 2019.
PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, announces the return of Flash Funding for Vinyl in association with Key Production Group, offering four artists the opportunity to develop their careers with their music being pressed on to 500x 12” vinyl and receiving release support.
Flash Funding for Vinyl offers:
- 500 X 12” Vinyl from Key Production Group
Worth over £1,500, artists receive 500 x stunning 12” vinyl, with Key Production Group supporting artists based on a menu of design options
As well as the physical vinyl, the artists will receive:
- Offered by Metropolis Studios: 4 tracks mastering and vinyl cut mastering to the 4 winning artists.
- Release support from Music Glue: artists will receive tailored support from Music Glue to help with their direct-to-fan ecommerce, including free website build and integrated online store on the Music Glue platform and release strategy meeting with the Music Glue team.
Artist wanting to apply should head to https://prsfoundation.com/flashfunding/ from today (23rd April 2019) where they will need to submit 2 musical examples and a 3 minute video answering basic questions about their release. Artists that apply must be aware and consent to their proposal being discussed at The Great Escape session if shortlisted. Further details and information on eligibility are also available on the website.
Deadline for submissions is 30th April 2019.
The four winning artists will be chosen from a shortlist of 8 applicants at this year’s The Great Escape in Brighton on Thursday 9th May from 2.00pm at Jurys Inn Brighton Waterfront, King’s Road, Brighton, BN1 2GS. The panel is open to those with delegate passes at this year’s Great Escape festival.
The decision panel will be made up by special guest industry experts and will give a unique insight into how funding decisions are made. Panellists confirmed include, Anton Newcombe (Artist, The Brian Jonestown Massacre), Julie Weir (Label Head, Music For Nations/Sony), Jamz Supernova (Presenter, BBC Radio 1Xtra), David Bianchi (CEO, Various Artists Management), Claire Alliot (A&R Manager, Stellar Song Publishing / TW9 Management), Chaired by Joe Frankland (Senior Grants & Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation).
The event will also be broadcasted through Facebook Live on Key Production and PRS Foundation Facebook pages.
Flash Funding addresses different issues facing emerging music creators by responding with an innovative approach to funding, involving video submissions, quick turnaround and high-profile industry experts and partners. Flash Funding for Vinyl winners in previous years include Barney Artist, Yassassin, Speakman Sound, Annabel Allum, Queen Zee, Sabiyha, PARA ALTA and Mina Rose.
Comments from 2017 and 2018 Flash Funding winners:
“Receiving the PRS Foundation’s Flash Funding for vinyl was such a big moment for me! It has always been my dream to put my tracks to wax, and the grant made this possible. I still feel extremely lucky, and love being able to show them off at the merch table after shows.” Annabel Allum, 2018 winner
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“The response from fans has been great. It’s Annabel’s first proper physical release and features her two previously (digitally) released EPs, so fans have been really eager to get their hands on a tangible product.” Robert Lynch, Annabel Allum’s Manager
“I would definitely recommend other bands and artists to participate in PRS Foundation’s Flash Funding competitions, I have been overwhelmed by how much positivity and support has come from it. I would never of been able to get this EP pressed on vinyl if it wasn’t for Flash Funding and it was something I was determined to do. Especially as the artwork is so important to the body of work. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity!” Mina Rose, 2018 winner.
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“We were thrilled to have been chosen for the PRS Foundation’s Flash Funding in association with Key Production Group. For a band at our stage in the game, every bit of help make a huge difference to what we can achieve. We are so excited for our debut EP release and cannot wait for people to hear it.” Yassassin, 2017 winner.
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“The vinyl looked and sounded great, the band were delighted to have their own piece of vinyl to co-incide with the release of the EP. We sold them at gigs, distributed in shops, sold online and give-aways. We also distributed it around the country via Cargo Records in line with the release in November last year, as well as selling on our online store and at shows and running a couple of competitions. It was a useful and valuable ingredient to throw into our EP release campaign. Even though it’s still early days, as a developing act we’ve still got a lot to sell, the drip-feeding of merch sales at shows over upcoming months will be a useful cash injection to help with expenses. It’s great to have some physical merch to sell at shows and for fans to walk away with. Our fans response to our vinyl release was warmly and would definitely recommend other bands to participate in the PRS Foundation’s Flash Funding. If they have the demand for a physical release and have a distributor and team around them to make the most out of it.” Speakman Sound, 2017 winner.
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*Flash Funding partners envisage selected artists are most likely to release EPs. Metropolis Studios offer free mastering (where required) for up to 4 tracks. For releases with more tracks, partners will use best endeavours to cover costs or offer discounted mastering.
Joe Frankland Senior Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation said, “Our Flash Funding initiative has proved to be incredibly popular and it’s great to have established such an exciting annual decision panel at The Great Escape. We love working with Key Production Group, Metropolis and Music Glue to offer an unbeatable release and support package and expect another year of amazing applications.”
Karen Emanuel, Managing Director Key Production Group, said “Key Production Group is delighted to keep partnering with the PRS Foundation, Music Glue and Metropolis to support new music and emerging bands. We are proud to play a part in the development of the Flash Funding winners’ career as artists and spread the love for the amazing format that is vinyl.”
Dan Baldwin, Mastering Manager, Metropolis Studios said, “The UK is home to a vast number of incredibly talented artists and at Metropolis we believe it’s important this talent is given the support needed to reach it’s full potential. As part of our ongoing commitment to support emerging talent, we’re delighted to be part of the PRS Foundations’ flash funding and look forward to working on more outstanding music.”
Will Spencer, Senior Account Manager at Music Glue said, “Music Glue work closely with new and emerging talent to make sure that artists have the very best tools to help them build and maintain connections with their fans. As part of Flash Funding we can’t wait to join forces with three more fantastic organisations all of whom add real value and quality to a musicians’ career.”
