Curator At the Core: Become a CityRep with youbloomConnect Today

07-Apr-2019 By Tanay Mulukutla

youbloomConnect offers a panoply of options for creators, doers, and achievers: a youbloomConnect CityRep is an individual with all those things rolled into one: a pro curator. If your passion for planning and curating live music is contagious enough, youbloomConnect might just be your next dream job! Here are 4 of the most prominent attributes we’ve had in our best CityReps so far, and why you can be one too:

Curator at the Core

Envisioning your event, setting goals, scraping your resources together and finally making it happen: your forte to create ‘experiences’ for individuals who wish to be part of something they call their own can now escalate rapidly. Curating a show with youbloomConnect gives you the power to pull off great gigs across the globe! The curator in you will operate as an eminent live music promoter in your vicinity to push the envelope for unsigned musicians!

A Deep Passion for Live Music

For a job like this, getting to be around live music at all times is the ultimate icing on the cake. Everyone dreams of a job where they can combine their productivity and skills with what they love the most – needless to say, we’ve got you covered on that front!

Marketing Master

Spreading the word and creating a buzz is key for pushing youbloom events. Your marketing skills can translate into you being an effective influencer in your local scene. While you set yourself up in preparations to promote your gig, experts at youbloomConnect will show you the ropes as well!

Pro Negotiator

As a CityRep you will be involved in the process of reaching out to vendors, managers, hosts, artists and fans. Your convincing skills to bring these stakeholders on-board with you will now come in handy. Being conscious of the costs and to effectively capitalise on every resource will be your mantra!

Sign up as a CityRep today: https://www.youbloom.com/cityrep/

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youbloomConnect: Share the Gift of Music

05-Mar-2019 By Anthony Flowers

youbloomConnect: the new way to experience live independent music

Everyone has that something special inside of them. Something to give to the world; so give the gift that can be taken anywhere. A gift that will fit in any suitcase or in the palm of your hands. You can enjoy it with a glass of wine after dinner or while hiking with the dogs. That gift is music; and it’s so much fun to share. You can share local music with a friend, colleague, or somebody you love. When you share local independent music; you are also sharing your dreams, passions, and life experiences with others. Let us paint the picture for you. In a few words, youbloom will show you fans, artists, and hosts, a few ways to get in on all the fun!

What is youbloomConnect?

youbloom, the parent company of youbloomConnect, is a global cooperative movement centered around bringing music lovers unforgettable musical experiences at affordable prices in cities around the world! youbloom definitely has humble beginnings, notably starting out as an online song competition in 2010. Over the years, having produced nine signature music festivals in two countries with 100’s of musicians, youbloom would like to introduce youbloomConnect.

youbloomConnect is: unforgettable, uninterrupted, live music experiences in a city near you!

To the creators, artists, and performers, it is a platform to empower the independent music community to share their gift through live music performances and build up the independent music community around the world.

Perform:

How many people reading this can play the guitar or sing beautiful melodies?

First and foremost, artists – we highly encourage you to share your gift with the world to help in creating what we call “The Global Music Village.” The more people who hear the stories you write about your dreams, passions, and life experiences – the more you get to perform. Check us out and sign-up to become one of the first performers with youbloomConnect in your city!

(If you’re ready to sign-up now? Click here!)

Request:

Where would music be without the fan?

Fans, let us tell you something. You are so important in creating and sustaining “The Global Music Village”. The artists you love and will soon discover are asking for your time and attention.

During a youbloomConnect™ show, artists will be pouring out their dreams, passions, and life experiences just for you! We simply ask you to sit back amongst friends and neighbors, (in most cases) bring your own snacks and beverages, and enjoy the music.

Fans: we also want to share another secret with all of you. The more you request your favorite bands and artists, the more likely you will see them performing their music live in your city. Join youbloomConnect as a fan and start requesting the performers you want to see and music you want to hear! Find out about the live music gigs in your city before anyone else.

(Fans: are you ready to sign-up & start requesting your favorite independent acts at this point? Click here!)

Host:

Wanna have a concert in your living room?

If you are still reading, it is safe to say you probably really love live music and finding the next concert near you.

Have you ever dreamt of hosting a live concert in your own space? Well, no worries. With youbloomConnect we can make that dream come true!

Become a Host and find out how to use your space to bring other music loving fans together to experience an unforgettable live music experience in your city, the youbloomConnect way. If you have enough space for the artists and fans; you can bring your neighbors and friends together to have a live music concert in your very own backyard, garden, office courtyard, coffee shop, art gallery…you get the point! youbloomConnect has a CityRep near you ready to facilitate everything and curate a truly unforgettable live music experience. If you are interested in becoming a host in your city, submit the information we need to get you in touch with the CityRep for your city!

(c’mon is it even a question? Sign-up to become a host now!)

Cheers to live music!

If you enjoy this blog about music and want to know more about youbloomConnect be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. As always thank you for reading and being part of “The Global Music Village.” – youbloom: The Global Music Village

youbloom Through the Years

14-May-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

Here’s a look back at what youbloomDublin and LA festivals have been doing since 2010.

youbloomDublin 2017 took place in Dublin’s city centre (Dame District) and at Bloom with a mix of Irish and international bands. The conference keynote was by Scott Cohen, founder of The Orchard.

youbloomLA 2017 took place in the NELA area of LA. Over 90 acts played in venues including HiHat, Highland Bowl, Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita, Griffins of Kinsale, Offbeat Bar and Five Star Bar with conference keynote speaker Andy Gould (Linkin Park, Pantera, Rob Zombie) with a total of over 40 speakers.

youbloomDublin 2016 took place in Dublin’s city centre and at Bloom with a mix of Irish
and international bands. The conference keynote was by legendary trad Irish musician Donal Lunny.

youbloomLA 2016 took place in the NELA and DTLA areas of LA. Over 80 acts played in venues including Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita, Griffins of Kinsale, The Lexington and Five Star Bar with conference keynote speakers Liz Garo, Talent buyer for Spaceland (The Echo/Echoplex/Regent Theater) and Darrell Brown, Hit Songwriter, Arranger & Producer with a total of over 40 speakers.

youbloomDublin 2015 took place in Dublin’s Dame District with a mix of Irish and international bands, and saw over [insert figure] of acts plat over the three days. The conference keynote was by Martin Elbourne (Founder of Great Escape, booker for Glastonbury, New Order, The Smiths etc).

youbloomLA 2015 took place again in the NELA area of LA. Over 50 acts played in venues including Old Towne Pub, La Cuevita and Griffins of Kinsale with conference keynote speaker Tom Sturges.

youbloomDublin 2014 where Alan McGee, the legendary manager of Oasis, Primal Scream and The Libertines was the keynote speaker, had 110 bands from 20 countries play to venues in Dublin’s Dame District.

youbloomLA 2014 took place in November 2014. Los Angeles hosted over 60 bands from all over the world for a rockin’ 3 days/nights of live music and networking. The conference hosted UK A&R legend, Nigel Grainge as keynote speaker. Other speakers included Dede Flemming, Jan Fairchild, Mike Bone, Vince Bannon and Tom Sturges.

youbloomDublin 2013 took place in June 2013. This consisted of a two day industry led music conference and 90 bands from 11 countries playing over three nights. The conference included music industry icons Dave Robinson of Stiff Records who gave the keynote address, Tommy Silverman of the New Music Seminar and producer Rupert Hine.

youbloom Music Awards 2010: The youbloom Music Awards began in 2010 primarily as an online event with fan voting and high profile judges led by Bob Geldof, Nigel Graine (Thin Lizzy, Boomtown Rats, Sinead O’Connor, 10 CC, Waterboys) and Rupert Hine (Tina Turner, Rush, Stevie Nicks). youbloom formed an A&R team that ran alongside the roll out of the live program in the UK, Ireland and Argentina.

Check out there rest of our video interviews with youbloom artists and speakers on youbloomTV.

Danu5ik Interview – Part 2

29-Jan-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

In the second half of my music interview with Danu5ik, he and I tried to pin down what exactly it is that gets an artist’s creative water wheel spinning. Also, Daniel offers sage advice on how to mine that creativity once it’s found. We also discuss his newest project and how EDM is being changed by increased collaborations between DJs.

You were talking about getting hit with this surge of creativity. Could you talk more about how that hits you?

I find it very difficult to sit down in the studio and say I’m going to pump out something. Usually, when I try to do that I end up with tracks that get put on hold for a later date. You can’t really force creativity. Chances are I’ll be sitting in an airport when a concept for a track will come to me and I’ll pull out my laptop and see where I can go with that.

LA was an amazing experience meeting everyone at youbloom. The ideas that were pitched and listening to everyone else’s sounds, those things are really inspirational.

Do you have advice for musicians or artists on how to develop that initial stroke of creativity into a fleshed out piece of work?

Yes, go outside. Take a deep breath. Sitting down in front of the keyboard or guitar is one thing but what I’ve found is if you try to push yourself after that certain time, that creativity just goes down. So do something completely different and then go back to it. What you’ll find is when you go back to that track you’re coming back with a different take but you’re keeping that energy level there.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m about high energy; the enjoyment, the laughter, the happiness. Music to me is an aura, it’s supposed to transition fluently and be able to captivate people in the way starting a conversation with someone new does. You need to be able to just open up your mouth and say “Hello.”

If you missed Danu5ik’s newest Single and Music Video in Part 1 of the interview then take a peak. Or just watch it again. It’s as good the second time around.

Imagine wasn’t created all in one day, it was created over time and it was something I had to listen to over again. Whatever you’ve created you do need to get it reviewed by someone else, either friends or family. Feedback is everything, that’s the only way you can know you’re on the right path.

Yes, I feel like there is this tendency among musicians to hole themselves away until they create something worthwhile but what I hear from you is the opposite.

Yes, if you want to inspire to make something great that goes around the world, than you need to be able to show people that you’re not just an artist in the studio not connected to your fans or the world. You need to be able to show them that you can get out there and enjoy life, accept feedback and learn from others. That can only make your music better and that differentiates you from every other artist.

How do you find a space for collaboration in an EDM circle? Do places like youbloom foster that connection?

LA was an amazing experience meeting everyone at youbloom. The ideas that were pitched and listening to everyone else’s sounds, those things are really inspirational. For instance, being a part of youbloom I’ve been able to listen to so many other electronica artists and we get to pitch ideas at each other. It’s all about networking and youbloom is fantastic for that being able to connect different artists from different genres because you can never tell where a collaboration may occur.

32. At youbloom it’s great if you have different artists approach you and say they like your sound and want to come up with something. You can never tell where the next hit will come from. I got collaboration requests from youbloom Dublin and that was fantastic. You get to learn more about other artists and in a sense you’re piggy-backing off of each other in a positive way. The top artists wouldn’t be where they are if they hadn’t started somewhere similar so for local artists it’s a great opportunity.

What’s your vision as Danu5ik going forward?

At the present moment we are planning a US tour in the new year that takes place from New York to LA and a tour in Canada in 2019. I look forward to it! It gives me a perfect opportunity to connect with fans across the world and visit these different cities and make them a part of the live experience.

Is there a different type of atmosphere when you travel to these places you haven’t played at before?

As a DJ you always have to read the crowd. When I perform in different places where the fan following isn’t that strong it’s always interesting to see how those new fans listen to the music and see how it captivates them or doesn’t. For me, it’s always great to take those few moment before performances to connect with fans because I don’t want to be one of those artist who just comes to do the performance and then is out the door. You’re here for the fans so connect with them. It adds more of a one to one with them which is what I set out to achieve and they know I’m always in arms reach or they can take a picture with me or we can grab a drink if it’s a small location.

Its always going to be a challenge to be a local artist.

Never give up on your sound. Know that your sound will evolve.

Do you have any advice for other artists who are trying to make it in this industry right now?

Never give up. I’ve met a lot of artists who always struggle with this. Its always going to be a challenge to be a local artist. Never give up on your sound. Know that your sound will evolve. Keep networking, there are various outlets you can learn from.

It took me going to LA and talking with Andy Gould and he said it quite clearly, the info is there for us artists, it’s all laid out. We don’t have to find things difficult because if you want to connect to another artist there are avenues there. In terms of creating new sounds, there is a wide range of tools out there, experts that can give you feedback. Just reach out and never feel like you’re alone because you’re not.

17. You heard it here folks, Danu5ik has got fresh beats cooking in the oven so follow him at @DDanu5ik to know when those tracks hit. Also, Danu5ik will be at youblomDublin for the 2018 Music Festival & Summit (May 30-June 4) and you should be too. All bands gain free admission to the 5 days of musical performances, workshops, and master classes about navigating the music industry. Apply To Play -Deadlines hit February 19th.

Danu5ik Interview – Part 1

22-Jan-2018 By Robert Loustaunau

Danu5ik, the award-winning DJ and producer from Edmonton, Canada has recently dropped his latest in a line of captivating music videos and singles, Imagine. Today, I sat down with the man behind the sleek EDM beats and dreamy vocals, Daniel Lee. With a few international music awards under his belt, including the prestigious IMEA Electronica Artist of the Year for 2016, Daniel was the clear choice when youbloom decided to shine the spotlight on a local artist who was finding success in the music industry. In this two part interview, Daniel and I talk about the cosmic flavor of Imagine, the molting EDM scene, and what goes into finding international success as a local artist.

First thing I have to ask, where did you get that space suit for Imagine and can I get one two?
Getting the space suit was actually a bit tricky. We tried to get one of the Apollo space suits but those are pretty rare. And I’ve got to tell you, those space suits can get pretty hot especially when you’re on set all day. The suit was a really interesting idea when the song was first created. I wanted to do something with a twist.

What were some of the ideas behind Imagine?
The concept behind Imagine was that it was a journey and it’s about this Spaceman in the middle of nowhere and he got lost and wanted to be able to find his way back and he spent all his time in space alone so it’s about getting back into that social circle.

Yeah, that message of dissociation from social groups really comes out. The whole video is fun to just watch but also you’re able to put this deeper underlying message into it.
Well that’s what I really wanted to achieve with it. We’ve become so in tune with social media that we disassociate ourselves with the person sitting right by us. We are always in tune with our phones but how do you reintegrate yourself with society?

If I reflect back on myself back in 2017, going down to youbloom Dublin and meeting new faces and having such a blast or going to LA and connecting with so many people out there. No matter where I went it was fantastic but you have to put yourself out there and that was the message I was trying to achieve with Imagine.

Imagine Music Video – Danu5ik

When did music making begin for you?
I started to dabble in music when I was in high school. My music teacher, he had this old Yamaha keyboard synthesizer connected to a monitor and I didn’t know the logistics of the hardware itself but it was able to synthesize some amazing sounds and I used to spend my lunches there just creating unique sounds and dabbling there.

Moving forward I didn’t do anything with music for awhile and it was only in 2014 where I actually started to jump back into it. That’s when I first came out to Canada and that’s what evolved into the first album, From Sea to Kanata, which is a very Deep House kind of sound. Edmonton was still relatively new to the EDM scene and I wanted to put something out there that could show other artists what this is and what my take on all of this was.

And how do you feel your sound has evolved since then and how have fans responded to it?
Now my sound has evolved from House to more of Electro-House. Especially when I look at a track like Imagine, it’s just a banging track and I love the fact that when I create these tracks fans have such a positive feedback. That’s not to say its always positive but that’s okay I love all criticism. You have to be able to accept positive and negative feedback from your fans. I wouldn’t be anywhere today without them.

“I’m always sitting on that creative edge.”

Would you say EDM has gone through a transformation where now you’re seeing a lot of subgenres borrowing from each other?
Yes, when I ask what people what type of music they listen to and they say EDM, I always ask what they mean by that. There is a wide range inside of it, and we have to be more particular than that. Is it Progressive, is it Trap, is it House, Is it Deep-House? You’re right it’s evolved into a massive genre and that’s how you get those crossovers. If you look at the top 40s, you’re seeing a lot of EDM artists making it in there and it’s great to be a part of it.

Is there a shoebox of unheard Danu5ik tracks hidden somewhere?
Yes, there is a thumbdrive of tracks that I started and which have never seen the light of the day. In the last album Day Light/Dark Night I was surprised by how many tracks I had started but that didn’t make it onto the album. I think just from that album itself I had enough tracks to make two more albums out of it. I’m always sitting on that creative edge. I get an idea for a track and start it and then put it on hold and then start something new and then I might come back to it.

Imagine was not one on the back-burner though, it was one I came up with on the go. I love tracks like that! The last track I came up with was at the airport and I almost missed my flight because I was so in tune with putting down this beat. Its sound was just so surreal.

We may actually hear some of those old tracks in 2018. I’m in the process of creating the new album which will be released in the next year. There will probably be a few remixes of old tracks as well. It’s looking really well for 2018.

What can fans expect from Danu5ik going forward here? Any hints?
For 2018, I want to start out with a big bang. We may be seeing an Imagine Remix which will hopefully spark some interest. It’s too early in the game to say for sure but Imagine is a good hint of what’s to come. There’s going to be a string of music videos coming out in 2018 but I can’t say more than that.

Keep an eye on our tweets to catch the rest of my interview with Danu5ik. And why not take his advice and, “Put yourself out there;” Daniel will be playing at youbloomDublin in May and is eager to meet fans and collaborators alike. Artists that Apply to Play will get free admission to the Festival and Summit.