Jeeni Blog

Helping the next generation of talent to build a global fanbase

Maple Sky, ‘Vision’ Single Review

/ By Doug Phillips
Maple Sky, ‘Vision’ Single Review

The already multi-faceted smooth jazz outfit, Maple Sky broaden their sound once more with this explosive, brand-new funk banger, named ‘Vision’.  

Maple Sky have been a key component of Jeeni’s jazz channel (https://jeeni.com/channel/all-channels/jazz/) since last September and after a few different iterations, it seems that the group have found their most effective formula of members and mindsets.  

Maple Sky have evolved. Their sweet lounge jazz tracks have their place and are performed and written superbly however, the control and dare I say, vision contained in this piece is so far, unparalleled in their work. Each instrument expresses individuality and flows with different breathes and personalities, yet they still exist solely in the context of each other and act as a part of a dynamic and expressive synergy.  

Maple Sky told Jeeni that drummer, Ed Jordan handles the production of the group’s latest work and he’s done a fantastic job handling all of the energy that Joel, Olivia, Christian and of course, himself brings to this track. Ed gives more space to the instruments via natural-feeling reverb which creates physical dimensions and atmosphere to the funky soundtrack.

Keyboardist, Joel Bamigboye also has a hand in production and produced the entirety of the group’s self-titled EP from 2020. The group’s consistent musicianship has meant that this change-up of producers has so far not created any kind of conflict or contradictions in their tone and sound. 

Following ‘Free Her’, their new EP, set to be released later this year is shaping up to be their strongest yet. 

‘Vision’ is set to be released on Saturday, the 5th of February. 

Follow Maple Sky on socials: 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mapleskyband  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MapleSkyBand/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapleskyband/  

Check out Maple Sky’s showcase on Jeeni here: https://jeeni.com/showcase/maple-sky/  

How can Jeeni support artists like Maple Sky?  

JEENI is a multi-channel platform for original entertainment on demand. We’re a direct service between creatives and the global audience.  

• We give creatives, independent artists and performers a showcase for their talent and services. And they keep 100% of everything they make.  
• We empower our audience and reward them every step of the way.  
• We promise to treat our members ethically, fairly, honestly and with respect.  
• Access to artist liaison and a supportive marketing team. 

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.

12
Mar

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

03
Mar

Jeeni proudly announces that Sammie Venn has joined Team Jeeni as Official Writer, Columnist and Blogger.

Sammie is an award-winning entrepreneur, a writer, columnist and blogger. We caught up with Sammie this afternoon and she told us about her Soul Warrior journey. "I began the Soul Warrior path after writing a series of poems based on my journey of self-discovery. Some were just late-night musings, others more conscious truths, but in essence they encompass the search for the strength that lies within ourselves. I love developing memorable stories and experiences through the emotional connection of words and images, and find writing a wonderful way to capture those inspiring moments and joyful experiences life has to offer. Preferring wild spaces that feel spirited and untamed, I’ve always aimed to be part of nature’s green army. I grew up in the countryside and have finally wound my way back home after decades of living in a densely populated city and feeling almost a stranger to the natural environment. Mindful of the future, we are providing for our children and generations to come, I have strived to turn my business “Soul Warriors” into an eco-friendly company: one that has an holistic approach to life, embracing support, learning, growth and inspiration by taking an alternative path to a traditional business plan. The “Business Garden” needs to be planted, nourished, weeded and watered, given air to breathe, sunshine to blossom and have roots strong enough to endure adversity. I believe that nature, love and adventure connect the mind, body and soul, the balance of each dependent on the other. Soul Warriors nurtures trust on both a personal and professional level, where positive and transparent ethics are key to its success. The vision embodies joyful soulful-entrepreneurship where positivity and emotional clarity are as important as the bottom line. I began making jewellery years ago and have loved the mindful dedication it takes to develop a bespoke product. Each collection is based on the poetry and stories I write and the collection of ethical treasures have been described as modern-day heirlooms that people can cherish, share and adore. Having been in the retail industry for over 25 years and winning the Business Woman of Excellence Award 2019 in Sussex, I endeavour to work with other award-winning partners who embody fair trade and eco-friendly standards, like Jeeni. In September 2019 I was invited to be part of Gok Wan’s Dream 8 retailers for his UK roadshow, a fun and vibrant event that has led to some interesting collaborations. From the moment I learnt to put pen to paper as a child, writing became a passion. My Grandmother was also a writer, I have many fond memories of typing her work on a battered Olivetti in her drawing room. My Grandfather was an accomplished saxophonist, so music has always been an central part of my life from a young age. My writing journey has been an integral part of my emotional well-being: it’s freeing, mindful and allows me to explore unique, exuberant and imaginative worlds. Storytelling is the skeleton of all my work, both in product development and the poetry, articles and blogs I write. My work has been published in the US literary journal The Starlight Emporium, which explores wonder-filled ideas relating to art, music, travel, storytelling, and all manner of things creative. I am also taking on the role of columnist with Town and County magazine, later this year. Blogging for Soulful Life Club, a company I founded with my business partner Sharron Goodyear 18 months ago, has been a springboard for my work, in creating a wellness community for women. Now my entrepreneurial journey has found a new niche." Welcome on board Sammie we are very excited to be working with you and know you will be a great asset to Team Jeeni. If you would like to find out more about Sammie please check out her website: www.soulwarriors.co.uk. Sammie Venn Click HERE to visit or return to jeeni.com