Fopp Award 2006 Info

After the huge success of the 2005 Fopp Award winners showcase at a packed Borderline in Central London, Independent Music retailer Fopp is giving emerging bands in London and the South East an amazing opportunity in partnership with the PRS Foundation (PRSF) and Clear Sound & Vision to:

Record a three track ep at a professional studio for free

Have their recording edited, mixed, mastered and pressed.

Work with designers on artwork for their finished CDs.

Have their music sold at Fopp stores nationwide

Play at a London Showcase in front of key industry players

There'll be four winners chosen by a panel of music industry insiders. The panel will include key figures such as Dougie Bruce from Universal Publishing who works with The Kaiser Chiefs and Maximo Park; Stuart Clarke - the Talent Editor at industry trade bible Music Week; Jimmy Smith, A & R at Parlophone, home of Coldplay and Radiohead and Colin Roberts, editor of Drowned in Sound, Europe's most popular independent music website.

Now in its third year the Fopp Award has already completed successful schemes in the South West in 2004 and Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England last year, taking ten bands to the next level of their careers, and showcasing them to key industry figures in London.

Ewan Santer, lead singer of 2005 winners Thee Comrades says: "We have learnt so much about the music industry from taking part in this scheme. The partners have all been hugely supportive and we have gained a lot of exposure and increased our profile significantly as a result."

The award launches on 17th March 2006 and entries can come from any genre; you can be in a band or a solo artist. If you're over 18 and write your own original material (no covers!) then you're eligible. More information, application forms and terms & conditions are available in Fopp Stores and from Fopp), Clear Sound & Vision) and PRSF) websites. Deadline for applications is the 26th of May 2006.

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