I'm a Believer... 

 

One believer  who certainly doesn't want to miss out on SellaBand's New year's party is Utterly B Groovy. Always trying to go to as many gigs as possible, he's coming all the way from Great Britain to Amsterdam. This  hardcore music fan loves to put his money where his mouth is.

 

Who is the man behind Utterly B Groovy?

I’m Andy Wood, 44 years old, living with my wife in Kingston upon Thames. I work in IT and best of all, I work from home. Not commuting (or having to get dressed!) gives me 2 to 3 hours extra a day, and this gives me time to waste on the Internet. I love live music and will follow an artist I like (regardless of restraining orders) and try to get to as many of their gigs as possible, though, with The Lies being up in Leeds and me in London, that does make it tricky! Luckily I can pester Dan Ward-Murphy at the venues around London reasonably easily. Again, working from home means no commuting with a hangover the next day, which is the icing on the cake!

 

How did you become a 'Believer'?

I worked with a guy who was at university with Dan Ward-Murphy and was dragged along to see him play several years ago. When Dan signed up with Sellaband he obviously contacted his supporters and I was hooked! Put your money where their mouth is - it is such a simple idea, but then the best ideas often are!

 

What does an artist need to make you pull out your credit card?

I like a whole range of music from Nemesea to Cubworld, Dan, Kane Sole, through Second Person. I’ve not found anything more “classical” on Sellaband yet, but the system is there just waiting. When will we have our first Gregorian Chants on Sellaband? For me, the music has to have something that makes it unique in some way. Often this can simply be down to the voice. If I like it, I’m hooked. The quality of the song writing and the diversity of styles and sounds all help.

 

What made you decide to fly to Amsterdam for the New Year Party?

Did I mention I really like live music?  I also really like Amsterdam – it’s such a friendly place, and so laid back it’s horizontal (for some reason). So a Weekend in Amsterdam plus the chance to see the top 4 artists playing live is really not to be missed. I think it’s perhaps a shame that Nemesea aren’t going to be giving it the full beans, but an acoustic set should also be awesome!

 

If push cam to shove, who would be your absolute favorite SellaBand artist?

At the moment, I’d have to put Dan at the top of my list. His songwriting is extraordinary, from songs that can make you cry to songs you have to dance about too. Also, having seen him perform live so often makes a big difference. The musicians he’s managed to collect around him are fabulous and a joy to watch as well as listen too.

 

Any other acts you are keeping an eye on?

I’m keeping my eyes on a few bands that I’ve already mentioned. I was so annoyed to miss getting shares in Nemesea ($15000 in the last few days meant when I returned from a business trip all the parts had gone!) that I’m jumping in a bit earlier now! Cubworld’s well on his way, and it’s great to see Second Person so high in the charts and doing so well. The Lies are relatively new to Sellaband and are great live too. As I mentioned, they hail from Leeds where there’s a really vibrant music scene. They played Guilfest a couple of years ago and were simply fantastic! The energy the three of them bring to the stage is exhausting, and the idea of them having a full-blown professionally produced CD is very exciting.


Anything about SellaBand you'd like to change or add?

I’d like to be able to “watch” an artist without having to buy a part, and have a JukeBox playlist of artists I have believed in and artists I am watching. This would perhaps make it easier to listen to artists I’ve an interest in. Perhaps the ability to see a list of “people who believed in _this_, also believed in _that_” as another way to find new bands to believe in? Finally, why not sponsor an Unsigned Acts tent at a festival. I’ve already mentioned Guilfest above, and that would be great as it’s my local festival!


Q + A

Brice Davoli

 

He calls his lyrics "english yogourt" and he managed to raise over $1000 in less than 3 weeks. After a  classical music study and a lot of experience in a producing studio Brice Davoli is now ready to get on stage and let the world hear what he has to say.

 

Who is Brice Davoli?

I am 26 years old, I live in Paris in France. I've started music at 8 years old, learning classical piano and sing. I've studied piano during 12 years. At 14, I began to study classical composition and orchestration at the French Conservatoire of Paris, and I specialised myself in the 19th century, the romantic period, with composers like Berlioz, Beethoven, and later Ravel, Debussy, Prokofiev, Poulenc... From 18 to 21 I've studied music at the French University "la Sorbonne". The paradox is that during all those years, I listened rock music, like Led Zeppelin, Deep purple, Queen, Radiohead, Nirvana, Metalica... and I've played in a metal band called "Shrike" (no success but a great experience). At 21 years old I began to work like a vocal coach. I've coached lots of french singers and actors too; now I 'm coaching a very famous singer in France called Chimène BADI (Universal Music-AZ). Since 2 years, I compose and produce albums for french artists, which bring me a good experience of production.

How did you come to join SellaBand?

One day, my best friend told me about Sellaband. I thought it was a very good idea, and a good opportunity for me. So I've signed up and one week later I'm at the 4th place in Sellaband's charts, so it's really awesome!!!

 

Your influences seem to come from just about everywhere. How do you create your own style?

I think that my background is pretty original : I've got the chance to studied classical music, which brings me a very large musical culture, and to listened and played lot of rock music, those two kinds of music give me a real emotion which conducts my art. But I don't like the intellectual part of classical world, music must touch your heart and your spirit, not your brain! I try in my compositions to mix my inspirations into a style wich is mine. I'm very meticulous with the sounds I use, the guitar, the drums, the microphones... That's why I always prefer, and love, to produce my own songs, to create my sound. My experience as a producer teached me that.

 

Have you had professional musical training?

Yes, during the Conservatoire. But the most importants things I've learned were by myself, listening music, reading classical scores, playing in a band. I think that to become a good musician you don't need to go in a musical school, lots of good musicians and singers are self made men.

 

What are your ambitions?

My ambitions are to produce my songs, to go on stage to play them!!! I want people to know my music, and I've got many things to say through my songs. I think I've got my own style, and I can do a very various album. Since 2 years, I work with the Budapest Symphonic Orchestra for musics I arrange, and it gives me the desire to mix orchestra in my music. In a second time, I'd like to compose scores for movies, on my profile you con listen to a demo, with some pieces recorded with the Budapest Symphonic Orchestra.

 

Any special tactics to raise $50,000?

I compose new songs I will upload in my profile next month, to prove to my believers I work hard. I make lots of mailings to promote Sellaband, I hope it will bring new believers for me and for the other artists on Sellaband, because there are lots of talented artists on Sellaband

 

Are there any other SellaBand artist you particularly like?

I like Cubworld, T-Ka (a very fresh french band), Lenaluiz, Lily and the Fakes

 

Why should people Believe in Brice Davoli?

All I can say is that I've worked a lot to have my own style, because of that I hope I'll be rewarded one day, and maybe on your site!!! And above all I've got so many things to say with my music, so give me MY opportunity!!

www.sellaband.com/bricedavoli