Womex is an annual fair mainly for folk and so-called world music where everyone involved in the music industry gets the opportunity to meet and network. Participating in this year's fair were, for example, artists, bands, bookers, organizers, festivals and various networks / organizations in folk / world music. This year's fair took place in Porto, Portugal, where Terese Lien Evenstad represented MCV, Musikcentrum Riks and our new showcase channel Live Music From Sweden. This was done in collaboration with Ragnar Berthling from Musikcentrum Öst. We were on site 28-31 October and collaborated on meetings and to present our activities, members and projects.

 What was our purpose and what did our work result in?

When we attend trade fairs, the purpose is always to meet different potential partners in order to create future job opportunities for our members. We had about 15 meetings in total with various organizers, bookers, festivals and organizations while we met people we talked to in addition to these meetings. Our work resulted in several new contacts and exciting threads to draw in the current various collaborations. For example, an invitation to the English Folk Expo next year to be able to work out a collaboration and represent Sweden.

 Why should you as a musician go to Womex?

I (Terese) think you should go to trade fairs to be able to make new contacts and network. This can feel awkward (I understand!) But at the same time it is an incredibly good investment in your artistry when it comes to finding new markets with venues (other countries), get tips on which bookers are available and get their contact information. Another good thing is that you can walk around to all the stands from different countries and just be curious and ask what they arrange for festivals and concert stages in different countries. This gives you the opportunity to apply for gigs abroad and to broaden your network. It is also good to meet musicians from other countries with whom you can exchange contact information to be able to tell each other about venues or bookers / organizers etc.

I also find it very inspiring and instructive to see how agents and bookers work for their artists and groups. 

 Three important aha experiences during Womex

 Number 1: Most agents and bookers I met during Womex always presented their acts / artists by telling their story. They told what was interesting about the artists and what had shaped them into the musicians they are today and why they play the music they make. It's a good tip to take with you - to file your own story and put into words what your background is and what made you the musician / artist you are today. It catches interest! The booker told for example:

- "This artist is from Syria and writes music about his experiences of fleeing this place and now lives in this place where he has met local musicians and created this music"

 - “This artist stopped taking piano lessons at the age of 10 and trained as a mathematician. He plays free improv and uses his mathematical skills in his music and is now a music professor at this school ”.

Number 2: I had an interesting conversation with Hilda Sandgren at MTA Productions and we just talked about networking at trade fairs. What should one do? One idea she had about being a musician at a trade fair is that you do not have to feel that you have to push yourself on different bookers / organizers, but it can often be better to "just be a nice and nice person and talk about anything". We are all human beings and the most important thing is to create contact first and then develop a collaboration.

Number 3: Other general tips I received regarding the fair were that musicians / artists should always bring business cards / flyers (preferably with a QR code that goes to your website or your music!) And preferably records to hand out. Another important thing is to cut together a teaser of 1 minute where your music "goes straight to the point" because bookers / organizers do not have time to listen to an entire song. Feel free to bring a tablet with you and have the teaser ready to be able to show off to the first best person. Keep track of what the fair or Export Music Sweden offers of various events that you can sign up for, for example "speed-dating" or "matchmaking" where you get the opportunity to meet bookers and organizers. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water, take many breaks and eat often during the day! It is demanding to be social and to network for several days, but fun! 🙂

 

- Search for their showcase and get the opportunity to perform in front of lots of bookers, organizers, festivals and other networks / organizations!

 

Hope you want to hook on next year's Womex!

 

/ Terese

 

MCV answers questions closely. The other day, this relevant question was received. Here you can read our answer. Anything to add? It is free to add in the comments field <3

About digital distribution: I wonder if you can help me with how seventeen you do to publish music / records on eg Spotify? It feels like a jungle!

A first step is to try to get a "real" distribution agreement that also includes digital ones. Ie. an agreement with one of the major distribution companies, for example:

- Border which is also located in Gothenburg, https://www.bordermusic.eu

- Naxos with Sweden office in Örebro: https://naxosdirect.se/page/kontakta-oss-3

- Also Playground can you get an agreement for only distribution: https://www.playgroundmusic.com/distribution

If you do not find an "all-inclusive distribution" via one of the larger companies, then it is a jungle J

Most people I talked to use Distrokid or CD baby and seem happy with it. There are some details on how to get paid for original music that you have to solve yourself with certain services, someone has told me. STIM has quite a lot of info about this.

At the risk of making the jungle even more complicated, I would also like to mention Record Union and Amused, which are Swedish services for digital distribution and which I often hear about alongside CD Baby and Distrokid, and partly announce that yesterday (210213) I listened to a webinar where representatives of several distribution services (of which most iofs work primarily with labels - but many also with individual artists) seemed to agree that it is good to contact several different distribution services - to explain what you want help with hearing what they can offer - before deciding.

One of the basic conditions you need to decide on is whether to pay annual fees, lump sums or by giving the distributor a commission. But there are, of course, more factors to consider.

This is the best comparative review of different distributors I have managed to find (but that includes, for example, Record Union): https://aristake.com/digital-distribution-comparison. So I recommend taking a look at it if you want to immerse yourself a bit (again: with the risk that the jungle will thicken - but also with the possibility that it will become sparser and brighter).

And the panelists who participated in yesterday's webinar and who encouraged contact came from The orchard, CD Baby, Loaded, Secretly North and Ingrooves.