Links

How about a few links that are handy for songwriters? There are about a million lyric sites that are reasonably good out there. These are links of more general interest.

Artists

• Perry Rose. A great singer and an equally great melody writer. Perry is an Irishman living in Brussels, whose family’s roots have circus folk on both sides. Site in English and French.
• Marka. Once a roadie in a band I sang in! Since then, he has become a regular fixture on the French live scene and chalked up a hit or two – notably the naughty “Accouplé“. We worked together more recently on a track for his album “Made in Liège”.
• James Peach Kevin Osborne is a British writer, producer and remixer (check his mash-ups) with whom I’ve done some writing.
• CB Milton/Clarence Milton Bekker. We had a few hits with him in the 90s, notably “It’s a Loving Thing”, and he later went on to great things later with the “Playing for Change” project.

Download and share music

• eMusic. 1 million tracks (25 free on sign-up) and very good recommendations. Lots of good indie music.
• 7Digital. Great UK site that offers fast downloads of recent material in MP3, i-Pod or WM formats. Recommended.

Writer and lyricist stuff

• A-Lyric Goodies. Fancy a US stamp with rappers? Or funky lyricist messenger bags? Start here for gifts and other items.
• MusicRoom. The UK’s foremost site for music books and assorted goodies. Ships free to Europe for larger orders.

Musician Stuff

• Music Library Report. Composers and songwriters rate their experiences with music libraries.

Lyric Search

• MetroLyrics. The foremost licensed lyric source.

Useful Links

• BBC Guide. The BBC seems to have discontinued their page on songwriting and publishing. Here’s a section on getting started in the biz.
• Wobbly Music. Services for mature artists & music lovers. “We record older artists & unite them with mature listeners”.
• Cannes or Bust! Midem, MIPCOM, MIPTV and the Cannes Film Festival: inside news and tips about the music and film worlds from Cannes.
• Music X-Ray. A site that lists openings for bands and songs. It’s bona-fide. You pay to pitch and get feedback.