Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Jeeni - 'Coming Into Focus'

/ By Andie Jeenius
Jeeni - 'Coming Into Focus'

Friday 22 January saw the first of a month long project for Jeeni, as they work to connect directly with their members. 'Coming Into Focus' is a collection of Zoom meetings, set up for Friday afternoons at 2pm, giving performers, artists, writers and fans the chance to relay their user experiences and chat directly to the directors of the business.

With music platforms under increasing scrutiny from government committees, as well as their users, now seems the perfect time to meet the feedback face to face. Jeeni's ethos of 'Ethical, Honest, Fair' means they aren't afraid to hear what many are choosing to ignore. The directors' believe their platform can offer a better way for the music industry to operate and have been striving for this for the past 3 years.

From an online 'open' invite, the whole of social media was invited to register for the meeting and for a first outing, the take up was good. There was also a quick questionnaire to complete, to give an outline of usage of the platform. Once into the Zoom arena, guests were personally greeted by CEO Shena Mitchell, who gave a short briefing on the company, the reasons for starting the focus group project and it's plans going forward. The attendees were then given the 'floor' to discuss their experiences.

'Coming Into Focus' - Jeeni meeting

The group was an international mix of musicians, songwriters and music fans, with their feedback being extremely positive. All were amazed musicians, artists and performers were going to be earning 100% of the income generated by their postings, merchandise and tickets. This was seen as a huge positive against other platform competitors. There were some great ideas coming from the group, which Jeeni is interested in developing further.

One of the attendants, a recent graduate of The Songwriting Academy was keen to understand the process of uploading his work, and generating an income from this. Another participant, recently arrived from the Southern Hemisphere to the UK, wants to use the site and the Jeeni network to connect with fellow musicians and music fans. Shena was also told, fans want easy access to new and diverse music, rather than the constant stream of similar tracks which follow your previous choices on other platforms.

The next 'Coming Into Focus' meeting is scheduled for Friday 29 January at 2pm. To receive your invite, follow the link and register your details, http://focusgroupjeeni.eventbrite.co.uk/. There is even a rumour Roger Watson, an industry legend and Jeeni ambassador, who has sold over 500-million albums in his incredible career, may join the call!

www.jeeni.com

10
Aug

Jeeni reaches 50% of funding target in just a few hours.

Within hours of going public on Crowdcube Jeeni hit 50% of its overall £150K target. We launched our public raise at 10am this morning and we have already reached £75K. As you can imagine here at Jeeni HQ we are celebrating. After all our extremely hard work we are delighted that so many investors share our vision. Join them and help us reach our target. Check out our pitch here. https://bit.ly/3BhEeia Jeeni is a fast-growing entertainment company that rewards independent musicians and performers ethically and safely. Our achievements include: Over 4,000 active independent musicians and performersOver 2,300 brilliant artist showcasesOver 2.6million audience outreachOver 10,000 views in less than one hourManagement from senior roles at Apple, Chrysalis Records, Arista Records and EMI MusicGRAMMY-Award Winning ambassadors and supportersCurrent membership and audience growth rate of 4% per monthOver £350,000 raised in previous rounds for less than 10% equity, with a current company valuation of £4.5million We invite you to help us accelerate our success and scale up for the best benefit of our members and investors. Join our fast-growing family of 22 lead investors and over 400 smaller investors, and we look forward to answering any questions you may have. Please check out our pitch here: https://bit.ly/3BhEeia #Jeeni #invest #ethical #alternative #musicians #performers #crowdcube #crowdfunding

05
May

Artists' rights have been stuck like a broken record, until Broken Record asked for Reform

An open letter was sent to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the 20th of April, demanding, finally, that there be a reform in music streaming services. Hoorah! We hear you say, but what does this mean? Well, everything that Jeeni stands for, in essence the fair and equal treatment of music makers and artists.  High profile artists such as Sir Paul McCartney, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Boy George and Jessie Ware, have all signed the open letter and petition asking for a regulator to ensure these actions, in order to make the UK “…the best place in the world to be a musician or songwriter.” The move was spearheaded by the Musicians’ Union and the Broken Record campaign but has garnered more than 150 signatures from famous faces across the UK music industry and the support of over 5000 musicians and fans.  Since the launch of Spotify in 2008, streaming services have quickly become our primary method for listening to music instead of through the more traditional methods of radio and Television. What these streaming services don’t offer however, is protection and fair treatment of the artists and songwriters.  In November 2020, as part of an investigation into streaming royalties, it was found that some artists were receiving just a fraction of a US cent per song streamed and worse, some no compensation at all.  In order for this to change, only small amendments need to be made to the 1998 Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, however the outcome for artists could mean the difference in being able to pay next month’s rent or not as many have unfortunately experienced. At a time when we need to be looking for ways to restart the post-Covid financial recovery, a truly free market would allow a song to achieve greater profits and therefore, as the letter addresses, put more money in the pockets of UK taxpayers which can only benefit our economy.  Fundamentally we don’t want to stop listening to and seeing the artists and musicians we love. When we are able, we want to dance along at concerts, sing our hearts out at gigs and sway to the rhythm that an artist has worked hard to create for us, so why should they not be paid and treated fairly?  We want the music industry to thrive, and it is why we at Jeeni believe that it is so important to do this.  You can support the petition at  https://www.change.org/p/boris-johnson-put-the-value-of-music-back-where-it-belongs-in-the-hands-of-music-makers Let’s make 2021 a great and fair one.

05
Jun

How to Apply To Play Music Festivals & Events Across the World

I found this great article on Di++O website with links to current UK and overseas opportunities. It's really useful and very informative, as it is up to date and also has direct links to the festival or event where you can apply - so super helpful. Remember, before you apply to perform at any of these music festivals and events, be sure to read the application instructions and conditions carefully for the best chance of success. Some events may only accept submissions from artists of certain styles and genres, so make sure your act fits the bill before submitting your application. CURRENT UK & EUROPE OPPORTUNITIES Are You Listening? Festival | April 2020 | Reading, UK | Apply here Live at Leeds | May 2020 | Leeds, UK | Apply here Hanwell Hootie | May 2020 | London, UK | Apply here Mello Festival | May 2020 | Worcestershire, UK | Apply here Elderflower Fields | May 2020 | East Sussex, UK | Apply here The Great Escape | May 2020 | Brighton, UK |Apply here Sound City | May 2020 | Liverpool, UK | Apply here Leestock | May 2020 | Suffolk, UK | Apply here Wychwood Festival | May 2020 | Cheltenham, UK | Apply here Camden Rocks | May 2020 | London, UK | Apply here Long Division Festival | June 2020 | Wakefield, UK | Apply here Sweden Rock | June 2020 | Sölvesborg, Sweden | Apply here Eden Festival | June 2020 | Dumfries, Scotland | Apply here Isle of Wight Festival | June 2020 | Isle of Wight | Apply here Beacon Festival | June 2020 | Oxford, UK | Apply here Sea Sessions | June 2020 | Donegal, Ireland | Apply here Leigh Folk Festival | June 2020 | Essex, UK | Apply here Black Deer Festival | June 2020 | Kent, UK | Apply here Kendal Calling | July 2020 | Kendal, UK | Apply here Y Not? Festival | July 2020 | Derbyshire, UK | Apply here Ampthill Festival | July 2020 | Bedfordshire, UK | Apply here EskFest | July 2020 | Cumbria, UK | Apply here Nibley | July 2020 | Cotswolds, UK | Apply here Daxonbury Festival | July 2020 | North Bedfordshire, UK | Apply here Techfest | July 2020 | Nottinghamshire, UK | Apply here El Dorado | July 2020 | Herefordshire, UK | Apply here Ipswich Music Day | July 2020 | Ipswich, UK | Apply here Barn On The Farm | July 2020 | Gloucester, UK | Apply here Brainchild Festival | July 2020 | East Sussex, UK | Apply here Not a Cult Festival | July 2020 | Worcestershire, UK | Apply here Nass Festival | July 2020 | Somerset, UK | Apply here Beat-Herder | July 2020 | Lancashire, UK | Apply here Ashford Festival in the Park | July 2020 | Kent, UK | Apply here Shankra Festival | July 2020 | Lostallo, Switzerland | Apply here Nozstock | July 2020 | Herefordshire, UK | Apply here Boomtown | August 2020 | Hampshire, UK | Apply here 110 Above | August 2020 | Leicestershire, UK | Apply here Off Festival | August 2020 | Katowice, Poland | Apply here Humber Street Sesh | August 2020 | Hull, UK | Apply here Beyond the Woods | August 2020 | Lincolnshire, UK | Apply here Farmer Phil’s Music Festival | August 2020 | Shrewsbury, UK | Apply here Arctangent | August 2020 | Bristol, UK | Apply here Green Man | August 2020 | Brecon, UK | Apply here Beautiful Days | August 2020 | Devon, UK | Apply here Weyfest | August 2020 | Surrey, UK | Apply here Victorious | August 2020 | Portsmouth, UK | Apply here Valley Fest | August 2020 | Bristol, UK | Apply here Phoenix Festival | August 2020 | Cotswolds, UK | Apply here Cambridge Folk Festival | August 2020 | Cambridge, UK | Apply here Off The Tracks Festival | August 2020 | Leicestershire, UK | Apply here End of the Road | September 2020 | Dorset, UK | Apply here Illusive Festival | September 2020 | Northamptonshire, UK | Apply here Worcester Music Festival | September 2020 | Worcester, UK | Apply here Euroblast | September 2020 | Cologne, Germany | Apply here Live at Heart | September 2020 |Örebro, Sweden | Apply here Reeperbahn Festival | September 2020 | Hamburg, Germany | Apply here Equinox Festival | September 2020 | Lincolnshire, UK | Apply here Waves Vienna | September 2020 | Vienna, Austria | Apply here Moseley Folk Festival | September 2020 | Birmingham | Apply here Mercat de Musica | September 2020 | Barcelona, Spain | Apply here Iceland Airwaves | November 2020 | Reykjavik, Iceland | Apply here CURRENT USA, CANADA & SOUTH AMERICA OPPORTUNITIES Tiny Lights Festival | June 2020 | Ymir, Canada | Apply here Blue Ox Festival | June 2020 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Apply here NXNE | June 2020 | Toronto, Canada | Apply here Nelsonville Festival | June 2020 | Nelsonville, Ohio | Apply here Epicenter Festival | May 2020 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Apply here Music at the View | May 2020 | Tonasket, Washington | Apply here Texas Music Showcase | July 2020 | San Antonio, Texas | Apply here Red, White & Bluegrass Festival | July 2020 | Beaver Creek, Ohio | Apply here Hopscotch | September 2020 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Apply here Arise Music Festival | August 2020 | Loveland, Colarado | Apply here Springfield Indie Soul Fest | August 2020 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Apply here Rock al Parque | August 2020 | Bogota, Colombia | Apply here Americanafest | September 2020 | Nashville, Tennesee | Apply here Deadwood Jam | September 2020 | Deadwood, South Dakota | Apply here Strawberry Music Festival | Spring/Fall Annually | California | Apply here Joshua Tree Music Festival | Spring/Fall Annually | Joshua Tree, California | Apply here CURRENT AUSTRALIA, AFRICA & ASIA OPPORTUNITIES Bali Spirit Festival | April 2020 | Bali, Indonesia | Apply here Cape Town Coffee Festival | May 2020 | Cape Town, South Africa | Apply here Bayimba International Festival | August 2020 | Uganda | Apply here Winter Fest | August 2020 | Lesotho | Apply here Music Matters | September 2020 | Singapore | Apply here Maldon Folk Festival | October 2020 | Maldon, VIC, Australia | Apply here Mushroom Valley | October 2020 | Yalboroo, QLD, Australia | Apply here Tablelands Folk Festival | October 2020 | Yungaburra, QLD, Australia | Apply here Queenscliff Music Festival | November 2020 | Queenscliff, Vic, Australia | Apply here Thanks Di++O Team for such a great article, we have sent links to your website so that our members can find out more. https://www.dittomusic.com/ Our next blog will pinpoint what you need to consider once you have applied and been accepted to play. We are going to create a check-list that our members can actually use. Best of luck and let us know how you got on.