News

In the news section you will find regular monthly updates on the progress of the album as well as details on appearances and airplay.

April/May/June 2005

Since my last update a lot has happened. I finally left the Council and started working full time on music. I also bought a lot more equipment. Check out my company website at www.southstarmusic.co.uk

February/March 2005

Ok since I last posted an update a few things have happened. I am still at the council and will be for around another 7 weeks. After that I shall purchase the kit for the updated studio set up. As I am staying on longer at work I shall have more money to buy the kit with hence I am looking at buying; a Neumann TLM 103 Mic, a Mackie 1642 Mixing Desk, a M-Audio Delta 44 Soundcard, A pair of Beyer 770 Pro headphones, the M-Audio Keystation 88ES midi keyboard andthe Samson 5KIT drum mic set. I am also looking at purchasing a valve compressor, such as the TLA Audio 5060 and a new set of monitoring speakers such as the Mackie HR624's or the ADAM ANF10's.

Currently I am working with several singers/songwriters including Anna Fox who is a very talented singer/songwriter and also Joe Tancock who has amazing voice both of which will be going very far! I am also working with some animation students with their soundtracks.

I shall be doing the final touches to the outside of the studio over the easter bankholiday weekend. I shall be adding a side panel and also giving it a proper roof.

December 2004/January 2005

Well a lot has happened since my last update in November. Christmas has come and gone and it is the beginning of another year. 2005 is the year that I make a real go at making it in the music business. Originally I had intended to be free of full time work by now but as is the way with things that is not the case. I am now staying on for around 10 more weeks with the Council. That means I can save more for the business, buy a little more equipment and also do a little more advertising.

To date I have now completely upgraded the studio, bought a lot of new equipment and have done alot to advertise the company. I have sorted out my business cards, letter heads, advertising with Yellow Pages, Thomson Local, as well as other directories. I have purchased 2 17" TFT monitors, a Hohner Drum kit for the new drum/vocal room, and also purchased a Yamaha DWX7C elctro/acoustic guitar. I have a lot of equipment to buy and am looking at now getting the Mackie ONYX 1640 mixer, TL Audio Fatman 1, Rode K2, Samson 7KIT drum set, a pair of Beyer DT100's and the M-Audio Keystation 88. Together that should mean have a top notch studio that I can hire out.

November 2004

Download "Living In A Capitalist World"

October 2004

The Shirleysongwriter expands!!

I a going to be setting up a new music company! It will be called:

South Star Music Ltd

The company will be officially registered through companies house and will mainly centre on hiring out the studio, artist management and maybe also publishing. I am going to also setting up a website at the following link www.southstarmusic.co.uk

I have now started to add the extension to my studio. I am adding a porch which will incorporate an extra door for added security.

During the course of October I am going to continue to update the studio. It is fully carpeted now and has more shelves and a little bar area!! I am also continuing to work on the soundtrack for "Sleeping with Fishes" and the Christmas song.

September 2004

The Studio refurbishment has begun !!!

Over the next few months I shall be completely changing the look and equipment in the studio to improve on both the production quality and the feeling of being in a semi-professional studio.

The Studio is still available for Hire!!!

I have been busy auditioning new singers during September as well as being very busy with work. I have also continued to update the studio. I am now running dual screens and have also started finish the carpeting. I have also decided to purchase the Focusrite Voicemaster pro rather than the Penta and also a set of Edirol MA-10A monitors in addtion to the Rode K2, Beyer DT100 and the Behringer Powerplay Pro-XL HA4700.

I have conitued to hire out the studio and recently had MC Thames in the studio.

August 2004

Interests still continues to come from publishers and record companies in the album and there has been interest from one publishing company with a view to signing me up as their writer. The publisher are going to put together an offer which they understand needs to be attractive enough for me to accept. This is a very exciting prospect for me and I will update with more details next month. I continue to write more songs for Stray Monkey's Feature film "Sleeping with fishes" which will be released next year. I am continuing to work full time and am saving money all the time in order to stop working around December and also purchase some new better quality kit which will include:

Focusrite Voicemaster Pro
Audiophile 2496
Rode NTK

I am continuing to work on new stuff as well as auditioning new singers for the new album. The passion8music studio is now complete and is up and running. Myself and Damien are starting to compile different types of music and showreels.

Signed "Breathe" and "Take Your Place" to 4807 Music Ltd c/o Paul Rodriguez Music Ltd. The publisher is a producer of television shows and wants to use in the music in a 52 part extreme sports series as well as other TV shows he produces.

June 2004

During June I intend to complete the new studio build in conjunction with Passion8Music.

May 2004

As of the 29th May I am now a published songwriter, signing over the publishing rights of "Day by Day". Good luck to it and I hope it is sucessful in the US!!!

Exciting News!!!

I have been offered a publishing deal on "Day by Day". It is offered by Post House Music and the company have links in Nashville, Tennesse and feel that the song could be sold to an artist in the USA.

Since 28th March I have sent off 110+ CD's to Publishers. I have heard back from roughly 15 of which about half have said that they liked the music and are looking to pitch it to their contacts. So I am waiting to hear back which could take several months, although I shall continue to send them away as long as there are publishers out there who will listen to it.

There are still copies of the album on sale, only £7 a bargain!!!

April 2004

Wave 105 Interview with Michelle Horn. Fern Geileskey and myself were interviewed and "Broken" was aire.

Copies of the album now on sale!!!

More copies of the album sent out to publishing companies.

Radio Interview on Southcity FM's "In-Sessions". Dani Godden and myself were interviewed by John Ellery and Broken, Now I Can See, Superstar and You've Got to Carry On were aired.

March 2004

Album "In a Lifetime" was completed after 7 months writing and recording.
Started sending album out to Publishing Companies as well as Wave 105, Power FM, Ocean FM, Radio 1 and Southcity FM.

Atlantic Seven Productions says: “…Liked Broken and Touching Heaven”.

Michelle Horn, Wave 105 says:” I’ve had a listen to some of your CD & am v impressed! I've asked my producer Gary Parker to get in touch with you to arrange an interview”.

Toby Darling Ltd says: “Thanks for your material. I enjoyed it. I would like to pitch it around some possible projects and move from there judging from the response”.