Just a few short weeks ago, a peculiar hashtag caught my attention on Twitter - #AlbumWritingClub. Initially, I assumed it was simply a trendy social media challenge for musicians, something that popped up during the month of May. Little did I know, this online movement was much more than a passing Twitter trend.
Voting is still happening! Vote for your Top 3 Here
This initiative, brimming with creative energy and community spirit, completely captivated my curiosity. To my surprise I found myself not just a spectator, but also an active participant, designing an impromptu logo for one of the bands, Spoon Hammer (One of my friends from Dichroma). After diving deeper into the #AlbumWritingClub, its goals, and the mind behind it, I felt compelled to share my findings, especially as they provide an invaluable insight into the current indie music landscape.
The mastermind behind this intriguing venture is a small UK-based record label called Lights And Lines. They are not just a traditional record label, but also a dynamic music collective. Their mission is twofold:
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As a label, they sign promising artists, publish their music across various formats – be it CD, streaming platforms, or even cassette tapes, and hopefully, vinyl in the future. Above all, they're committed to ensuring artists get a fair deal and robust support.
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As a collective, they foster a cooperative environment to inspire and involve independent musicians. They conduct remix or cover competitions, live gigs, festivals, and other exciting opportunities. One of their recent projects involved approximately 50 artists singing a chorus for an upcoming September release, where all contributors would be acknowledged in the CD sleeve.
The #AlbumWritingClub is another successful initiative by Lights And Lines. Birthed last year, its success cemented it as an annual tradition. Here's how it works: independent musicians commit to writing and recording an album or EP throughout May. The shared deadline and group dynamic not only help reduce the typically isolating nature of music creation but also generate a sense of community and collective buzz.
This entire exercise is not just for fun, but it also serves as an A&R opportunity for the label. Awards for the 'Best Album' and 'Best Single' are up for grabs. The former, handpicked by the label, leads to a recording contract, while the latter, decided by public votes, gets featured in the Summer Singles Series.
Moreover, a handful of industry professionals, including reviewers and radio station owners, select their favorite albums or EPs, which earn a 'Judges Choice' award. These awards, along with the 'One To Watch' recognition for the final shortlist, aim to provide a well-deserved spotlight to the incredible talent and effort that these artists put in.
The #AlbumWritingClub is not just a hashtag but a movement. Over the next year, thanks to this initiative, the world will be graced with 36 new albums and EPs. This creative experiment underscores the power of community and how a cooperative spirit can revitalize independent music. Keep your eyes and ears open – you never know what gem you might discover next.
You can view all the participating artists in the playlist, and vote for your favorite at the links below.
The beating heart of Lights And Lines is its community of dedicated fans and supporters. Visit www.headlightsandwhitelines.com to uncover more of their indie music initiatives.
Even more, the entire project is fan-supported, with an annual subscription service that offers every release for a year, either digitally or on CD. By subscribing, you're not just keeping your music collection fresh - you're breathing life into the indie music scene. Check out www.headlightsandwhitelines.com/subscription to become a part of this incredible journey.