The Resonate Music Award

 

Deepak answers some questions on The Resonate Music Award:

What’s new this year?

The Resonate Music Award 2010 is building from the success we had in the inaugural 2009 version and we are making it better. So what’s changing?

The award is not restricted to just recording. It is however restricted to something tangible that helps the winner and eventually results in the release of professionally recorded material.

Based on feedback from Resonate 2009, we’ve decided to open things up a bit. We realise that some artists can’t travel to Bangalore, some artists are already in the process of recording and some artists have home recording setups, etc. So we are here to help. If you need gear to help you with your recording, or if you have a kickass album that needs branding/logo etc the INR 50,000 is up for grabs. We will expect you to release some music within a reasonable timescale though.

We also realise that a lot of artists remain eager to get into the studio and there is nothing that would make us happier than helping you to choose a recognised producer/engineer who will help record our album with the prize money.

So how will you choose what gets funded and what doesn’t?

Like last year we will be placing a great emphasis on the answers to the questions in the application form. The questions this year are:

a) What has your band achieved to date? What do you want to achieve further?
b) How do you plan to use the prize money? What progress towards this plan have you made so far? Please detail why this is important to you and what are the milestones you plan to achieve?

Of course – the artist’s music and the quality of the demo will remain important!

Who is going to judge the winner?

This year we have decided to widen the panel and are thrilled to announce that Bruce Lee Mani (Thermal and a Quarter), one of India’s finest musicians has agreed to join the panel in addition to our already impressive panel consisting of Nolan Lewis (Kryptos) and Sahil Makhija (Demonic Resurrection)

What will this award give me and my band?

• INR 50,000 (to be used for musical purposes only)
• The support of some of India’s leading musicians
• Branding advice by Prasad Bhat of Graphicurry
• Media coverage by Rolling Stone, myopusradio.com and our partners
• We continue to speak to our partners and will announce further news in the coming weeks

What will this award NOT give me and my band?

Cash to be spent with no questions asked. I want to ensure that this award will be used purely for the advancement of the artist’s career and once the use of prizemoney is agreed on you will have to stick to that. No money will be given to the winner directly. All expenses will be settled directly with the vendor up to a cap of INR 50,000.

Who should apply?

Serious bands who want to take that extra step. We encourage bands who dream big, who have spent significant time composing original material and are looking for a catalyst to start spreading their music.

I’m already part of a professional band, can we apply?

This award is aimed at easing the financial constraints of a serious band, looking for a “leg-up” in the recording and marketing process. Hence, we will not consider bands that would be deemed “professional”, as we assume that you have the means to secure financing for your recording. If you have any doubts about your eligibility, we’d be happy to have a chat with you.

I am a solo artist, can I apply?

Absolutely – in fact last year’s winner (Gowri) is a singer/songwriter. However please note that charges for session musicians are not included in the award. Please specify in your entry how you have gone about/plan to go about recording your compositions.

Do you accept entries from any genre?

We do. We listen to and appreciate many genres of music. If we think you have talent and fit into our vision we will not discriminate on basis of genre.

Sounds great! What do I need to provide you with?

Three songs along with lyrics, sent to us as MP3’s along with written answers to the following questions:

a) What has your band achieved to date? What do you want to achieve further?

b) How do you plan to use the prize money? Please detail why this is important to you and what are the milestones you plan to achieve?

The Resonate Music Award will accept no liability/responsibility for music submitted that infringes on any existing copyrights. Please ensure you submit original compositions.

My band is not from Bangalore, can I apply?

Absolutely! The award is open to all Indian bands.

What are the key dates in the process?

• Deadline to submit entries is 20 December 2010.
• The winner will be announced shortly thereafter.
• Use of prize money / gigs / handing out the prize money will be discussed with the winner

Are there really “no strings attached”?

For the large part – yes. You will remain in control of your music and your band’s activities. I am NOT looking to sign bands and control their activities, but I do require that you use the money for a valid music cause

How can I improve the odds of winning?

Two main points -

1) Submit good recordings. You could have the best own composition in the world, but if we can’t hear it properly, the odds are the judges won’t be able to give it the merit it deserves.

2) Be explicit and truthful while providing answers to the questions posed. We want to see your passion come through. At the same time, we want to see savvy musicians who have a plan to ensure that their music will get heard.

Why are you doing this?

Between 1999 and 2005, I was actively involved in the Bangalore music scene as frontman for the band Shrapnel. In 2004, we took the bold decision to self-finance our debut album, “Intellectual Pursuit”, and I was involved in every step of the creative and logistical process. We chose to independently fund the album, to remain free of any constraints and maintain creative control over the final product. This whole process was extremely satisfying, and in short, I’d like to support other bands to do the same. I know from first hand experience, that a helping hand goes a long way in the path to success.

Who is funding this?

The Resonate Music Award is currently solely funded by me from personal funds.