URBAN ROCK UPDATE

Its been a while i know but there has been some some changes at management level. Jake Emma and Dai are now playing bigger management roles as we develop into new exiting times.
We now have the PAUL NICHOLAS acting school in Crewe that is manged by Emma Wilkinson with principal teacher Angela Young and Caroline Court.
We can now confirm that this Acting school has the exclusive rights to supply and train any young actors for the feature film GRIDIRON to be filmed next Feb/March so hopefully we will see some local youngsters/teenagers on the big screen mingling with well known Britsh actors.

Jake now operates and runs the new Farida Guitar outlet in Crewe and he has been getting some good reviews from customers from this Fantastic award winning range.
He stocks the only 5* GOLD reviewed Guitar in Crewe from Jim Chapman and" Guitarist" magazine.

The Urban Team are now full business partners with Paul Nicholas and Emma and Jake are working on the nationwide Rock School Franchise with him and its early days yet but there may be inputs from Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend from the WHO as well as Sandi Thom.

We at Urban Rock/Paul Nicholas PA schools will be playing a big part in the M clubs vision of a performing arts centre as along with Gary Delaney from Brushy Creek films. CAT FM radio, Ghost and Playground recording studios the plan is to locate all together under one venue.
Farida Guitars will also play a bigger part in this project as there are plans to put a Guitar tech centre in Crewe where guitarists of any age can build, learn about the different woods, Pick ups and design and build concepts of guitars at a full hands on level..

Along with Brushey Creek films we will also be piloting a hands on Music DVD production centre/facility for Pro filming and teaching.

SANDI THOM

Urban Rock and Farida guitars have privileged access to meet Sandi Thom at her Jazz and blues slot this easter. This is a fantastic PR scoop for us and we will hopefully get a good review from Sandi. Its not arranged yet but if she is happy with it we will ask for a recorde radio interview for the CAT FMs next RSL. Thanks to Phil Martin co Crown bar and Restaurant.

FARIDA GUITARS

Within the next 2-3 weeks we will be opening the awaited Farida guitar outlet. We will have a double unit in the Crewe indoor market and as well as the Farida range we will also stock STAGG, and OLDFIELD instruments. Along with strings, straps, drum sticks ,books and other accesories. We will concentrate on the FARIDA brand as we believe this independent,high quality range will fill a niche in South Cheshire and north staffs.
FARIDA have gained excellent reviews with 5 star ratings from "Total Guitar" and "Which Guitar" so dont take just our word for it,as the industry standard press gave these awards.
When we are open ,we invite you to come and see for yourselves the Build,quality and playing experience for yourselves. Virtually ALL acoustic guitars come with a FREE padded hard case as well as our own free goodies thrown in.The entry level FST6 electric guitar proved just as good as guitars twice the price inc. matching a £290 Fender and bearing in mind the FST6 starts at £149.The Farida D8 acoustic is probably one of the best value acoustics,with a 5 star review and free hard case coming in at £149. !!
We arrange lessons,and will also be Launching the awaited PAUL NICHOLAS ROCK SCHOOLS around Urban Rock utilising the Rock scholl teaching format with credits to GCSE.

GUITAR FAIR MMU

Syd Wagstaffe a friend of mine is organising a Guitar and Record fair next Sunday 1 March. It will be at the MMU campus and its a mixture of Sales ,memorabilia,live music from Chloe and her band. We will be there representing Farida Guitars as well as other muiscal instrument outlets.

FEEDER

Had the Guys from FEEDER using the studio for Chill out pre their Gig at the M club. We all got chatting about music and stuff and they commented on the fantastic projects evolving around the M club and its studio. We knew we were serious about whats being developed but when ICONIC bands such as Feeder, OCS and Hayseed Dixie have visited it and ALL agreed what brillaint arts projects are being developed around this building.
Of course we at the building will say what we are doing is great,but dont take just our words as the above bands have all given it their seal of approval

RECORDING STUDIO

Can i say a big thanks to Robert,Steve,Nick,Jake and Goose for all there hard work over the last few days in getting the studio up to scratch withe the new software and kit.
If i have missed anyone out sorry.
Crewe and Nantwich now has a Recording studio that can match and even better in some respects studios you have to travel to.
Cheers Guys. Sean

GRIDIRON

Got some very good news over last couple of days. Gary Delaneys film Gridiron has now secured officially DAVID SOUL to work with him on the film. It also recieving some serious attention in the film world and some well know actors now showing serious interest.
This is a marvelous opportunity for us to be linked with this production and we cannot thank Gary enough.. Well Done Gary and team for getting this project up and working.
Massive boost for Crewe and its people.

Recording Studio

I have been in various discussions over the last few days and can now anounce developments.
Ghost MFX studios are going to merge with Playground studios and join us at the M club. This means the whole first floor of the building is to become a dedicated recording complex with two recording and mixing rooms and a dedicated Vocal booth.
One room will be set up with Full LOGIC 8 software through a MAC and thanks to a dedicted music lover the other room will now be running on Full PRO TOOLS 8 again through a MAC.
This will also enable us to deliver full training packages in the most modern upto date music recording and mixing software as well as astounding quality recordings for bands and artists.
We are also working with M records the new local record label based around the M club and our first signing is Bournemouth band FEARNE who are supporting FEEDER on 14 Feb at the club.
We also hope, after very early talks to be working locally at first with HMV but this is very early days yet. We can also offer to bands/Artists who use the studio full music DVDs to accompany their CDs and pro photo shoots.

MUSIC AND FILM CAREERS DAY

Had a meeting today with Jocelyn Macmillan CNBC arts officer and local musician Claire Smith (Fluff). This years Music Careers day is hopefully getting the go ahead to be rolled out in April. This year there will be inputs from the MMU, Ghost recording studios, and CAT FM our local radio station whilst on air doing its RSL.
This years event is going to be very hands on with people getting inputs on Recording,Radio and Broadcasting and Live music set up. There will a large Jam session which culminates in a showcase of young musicians/bands performing.
We will hopefully be in a position to showcase a film production input from Gary Delaneys Brushy Creek films.
Farida guitars will be there as well as Atticus clothing as well as opportunitys to meet and discuss music topics with professionals

Film and Arts

We have had a busy Christmas and new year period and have a positive outlook for 2009. We have been in contact with Gary Delaney and his team over the last few days and they have awarded us places on his production team for the new film to be made this year GRIDIRON. We will endeavour to help them with location sites, props and supply studio and club use for Auditions for extras etc. For more info on the film go to www.brusheycreekfilms.co.uk.
Urban Rock looks like it will be getting a Paul Nicholas acting school to the area and along with Brushy Creek Films we can offer training in Film Production as well as the acting and stage craft to this industry.