FAMOUS IN THE NETHERLANDS!

Well perhaps thats getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but if you can read Dutch then you might follow this link:

http://www.volkskrantblog.nl/blog/446

Brings back memories of our good times in Amsterdam!

MORE JUNKIE MADNESS

In the internet cafe.

Thats a good name for a movie.

MORE JUNKIE MADNESS IN THE INTERNET CAFE

Sounds kinda cool.

BALCONYTV NOMINATED FOR A GOLDEN SPIDER!!

It was bound to happen. Thus is life. After kicking up a fuss about the outrageous entry and attendence fees for various Irish internet award ceremonies, and indeed setting up our very own BalconyTV Internet Award (as form of protest), BalconyTV has been nominated in the Best Blogging Category for the Golden Spider Awards to be held November 22nd. Oh the irony.
The Blogging Category is the only category that is free to enter at the Golden Spiders, thus explaining our entry. ´Thus´ being the BalconyTV word for the Day.
We couldn´t stomach forking out to enter the other categories, which we probably would have had a better punt at. Such as eh...Best use of Film...or maybe Best Entertainment website perhaps.
I am trying to understand how they judged BalconyTV in terms of ´blogging´. If they judged this page, the page you are now reading, they will notice a million punctuation and spelling errors, virtually no feedback, and the small fact that we have been more or less slating them for the past month. I am perplexed.
There is the chance that they simply looked at our main page, which is base designed within the blogger system, but would hardly be called a blog.
Regardless, we are honored just to be nominated, to use the Hollywood cliche.
Now the question is, do we go to the awards? It would cost us a bloody fortune, and the chances are we wont win best blog. Added to which, we have our very own BalconyTV Internet Award Ceremony to be staged the very same day.
Perhaps we will send along a small Indian girl as form of protest ala Marlon Brando, Oscars, circa 1973.
Hmmmmmmm.

http://www.nativevillage.org

TEXT MESSAGES

I have to say, one of the biggest turn offs when it comes to music promotion today, is when a band text messages you. For me it's one step too far. It follows on from what I was writing about yesterday; that bands have to acquire their audience live, and not rely on web promotion. Thats pretty much what I was trying to get at anyway.
This has got me thinking in recent days on what alot of bands are doing wrong. When it comes to text messages; since we started BalconyTV I have been getting text messages from various very small time bands pointing out they have a gig coming up. These text messages are obviously group messages. As most of the bands are virtual unknowns, I can't understand how a text message is going to make me go out of my way to a gig.
Whats worse, is when a band text messages to say they have a single out and can you please go out and buy it to help them get in the charts. This is an awful sad, depressing statement of affairs, and unfortunatly all to familiar.
You get these type of messages through email too. Equally aggressive, invasive marketing, that is a complete turn off.
Why all these bands are releasing CDs, singles and albums is unexplainable to me. Just because they can, does not mean they should. As nobody is buying CDs at the moment, why would a person buy a CD of a complete unknown? Especially when there is competion from hundreds of other unknowns and in a time when people are more in the mood of illegelly downloading.
If I see a band or an act and am very impressed it would have me seeking out the gig/cd on my own accord. No influence is needed. In saying this, I say again, and in closing, bands and acts need to do it for the love of the music first and foremost. Playing live should facilitate that love. And if your live performance is good, and the music to booth, well then there is something and people will come back. And if loads and loads of people come back, then and only then should a CD be considered.
All over the place wannabe music journalism. Gotta love it.

IS ROCK N ROLL DEAD?

I went to see the fantastic Control on Thursday. The film is a biopic of Joy Divisions Ian Curtis. After seeing the film my curiousity had me revisit the book U2byU2. I was interested in reading about the late 70s and very early 80s, to see if the bands ever crossed parths.
In the book, the Edge claims the young band actually sat in on the recording session when Joy Division recorded 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', as the band were to work with Joy Divisons producer Martin Hannett on their first album Boy. It's interesting stuff. Hannetts involvement with U2 ended once Ian Curtis commited suicide. It's claimed he was too upset to work. The U2 song 'A Day Without Me' from Boy is supposedly a song about suicide and Ian Curtis.
I got the book U2byU2 last year, but never really made an effort to read it. I've been glued to it over the last couple of days. As a big fan of the band there is a tendency to think you've read it all, but the book gives a genuinely fascinating insight.
One of the main thing that stands out to me about U2 started off is the amount of hard work they put in. It has got me thinking.
On Thursday night I went to see The Live In Your Living Room/ Garageband gig in the Sugar Club. We went to see RoySeven in particular, but other good bands Borndays and Vesto Varro were also on the six band roster.
I got a sense that there wass something very diluted about the whole set up. It seems that if you are a band now, its pretty easy to get a gig, and release a CD. Gigs are so plentiful in Dublin especially where there are many nights and venues that just feature a string of bands and performers.
With so much music, so many bands, and record business effectively dead, how will an Irish band realistically expect to make an important impact again.
Reading the U2 book, I wonder are bands actually getting on the road and performing like yesteryear. Apart from the Ruby Sessions, Roisin Dubh, Sunday Roast fair, are bands doing the real graft. The real graft of performing in towns outside Dublin, Cork, Galway etc.
I'm not so sure.
Irish bands will have to make more of an effort if true success is to be achieved. That means thinking outide the box. And that does not mean endless internet promotion, horrific mass texting and boring lifeless performances in predictable venues.

I

INTERNET CONNECTION SPEEDS

It is just impossible not to moan. Impossible. Combining Irishness and the ability to blog is a recipe for disaster. Boring, tedious moaning.

But who cares? Here goes...

What the fuck is up with internet connection speeds in this country? It's so bloody frustrating. It's unreliable in so many places.

I have good mind to do a John Cleese with my Irish Broadband box. Bash it with a large tree branch. Or a Hunter S Thompson perhaps? Throw it from the balcony and shoot it with a shot gun.

And why so many junkies? Everytime I go to an newsagent or an internet cafe, junkies galore. They make the shop keepers nervous, they make me nervous...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Revolution is called for. Who's joining me? I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore.

Oh yeah, one last thing. Why the huge lack of any interesting websites? Very depressing. Very depressing indeed.

RATINGS AND AWARDS

BalconyTV hits the 900'000 videos viewed mark. Woooo hoooo.

And added to that, yesterday we also recieved the following email.

'We are delighted to inform you that your project has been awarded the official Top Talent Quality Seal.

Your achievement is outstanding because 278 entries from 29 countries were evaluated by the jury team of the EUROPRIX Top Talent Award. Only 48 projects have been chosen to receive the quality seal.

Your project was evaluated in two rounds by two different panels of jurors and with the award of the seal they wish to recommend your project to consumers and users.
The Top Talent Quality Seal is proof that your project is highly innovative and creative.'

Beat that!

NUTTY BREAD

A little bear reads the blog! Hurrah.
I'm just curious who this little bear is?

I'm eating the nuttiest bread as I write this. I hate nutty bread. And this is by far the nuttiest bread I've ever had.

'Whatever' I hear you say.

Went to see the amazing Zoe Conway last night. Absolutely god smacking talent. All the tunes were filled with drama, and settings. I spoke to Zoe briefly during the interval, and hinted that if I ever get around to doing another film, she would do the score. I'll have to work on my pitching skills.

I can't remember the guys name just now, but a man approached Tom and myself saying he recognised Tom from BalconyTV. Tom was well chuffed. It was good considering the man was UK based. He said BalconyTV is beginning to cause a stirr.

After the gig myself and Tom went for many a drink discussing the future of BalconyTV. The head hurts.

Bits and Bobs

Hello! Websites! Is there anyone out there? I'm beginning to think there is no one reading this blog. We need a marketing budget, and fast! The cool websites are not exactly flooding in, which is worrying to say the least.

I'll say it again. The BalconyTV Internet Award will be given out on November 22nd. So suggestions are welcomed.

I had the idea to call the award, The Golden Cobweb...or the Balcony Cobweb award. Ha...hi-larious.

The BalconyTV Hamburg crew are producing some great shows at the moment. The last week or so has showcased come amazing bands there. Check em out.

Finally, a couple of great gigs tonight about town. Christine Deady, form yesterdays BalconyTV will be playing in Doyles...and Zoe Conway Whelans. Both in Dublin.

Zoe Conways performance on BalconyTV is already the most viewed BalconyTV performance of all time! That after less than a month. Holy-Ratings Batman.

Here it again, for your viewing pleasure.

ENRIQUE ON THE BALCONY!!!

We are not suggesting he stole the idea. Not at all.
Nice balcony though.

POLICE THE CROWDS!

Went to see The Police last night who were fantastic. Pity about the crowd though.
I got a last minute expensive freebie. Miles back from the stage. Why pay so much, when so far back?
Anyway, I can't stand being so removed from gigs anymore. Everybody sits down, and its all so formal. Its like going to see a play. And when you stand, all you can hear is...'tut', 'sit down will you, I'm trying to see the concert', 'forgod sake'.
You have people who want to stay at the bar as long as they can before hand, and then annoyingly go to their seats half way through the first song (which is always a biggie). So they miss half of 'Message in a Bottle' and ruin the other half for people who actually want to see the gig.
Then two songs later they have to go to the jacks (toilet if you will). Up they get again.
Then they come back 10 minutes later.
Then they they don't recognise two songs, hmmmm, time for another beer. Up they get again.
Ofcoarse, the band then plays their biggest hit, something like 'Roxanne', back they come, half way through ofcoarse.
The band comes back after the encore. Up they get again. Want to get out before the crowds ofcoarse.
This is no exageration as to what it was like. Infact it was much worse.
Up, down, up, down, up, down.
These are the type of people who never go to concerts, who fail to keep up with music, and just go to say 'Yeah, I went to the Police last week'. 'Ah great yeah'.
I think if you go to a concert like The Police you should be given a bathroom card, which you can use only once. If you get up a second time, thats it, your out. These people completly kill the atmosphere of concerts.
I guess it is the bands greed in a way which is to blame. By playing such large venues, you get every Tom Dick and Harry along.
I recall going to a U2 concert a couple of years back in Croker. Half the people didn't have a clue. Just there for the sake of it. Talking through the whole thing.
What I wouldn't give for a large sock with horse manure in it!

Right, enough of that. Heres a couple of dainty band websites:

www.storyofhair.com
www.sydneyparade.com

We want more. They don't have to be music related! But we do want good design and entertaining websites. They don't have to have any real point. They can be as Pauline might say 'artsy fartsy' when refering to any film that doesn't have Adam Sandler.

RYAN CONFIDENTIAL

I happened to come accross Ryan Confidential last night on RTE. I couldn't believe how loud and interruptive Gerry Ryan was throughout as he interviewed Johnny Logan.

Logan came accross somewhat fragile. But who could blame him, considering Ryans intrusions.

Example (By Memory):

Gerry Ryan: Have you ever let down your family?

Johnny Logan: Well...

Gerry Ryan: Have you ever embarressed your family?

Johnny Logan: Well I mean...

Gerry Ryan: I have.

Johnny Logan: Well...

Gerry Ryan: More than once I can tell you.

Ahhhhhhh!!! Shut up Gerry. Let the man talk. It's only a 25 minute show.

And why does he look so smug all the time?

ENDLESS WEBS

More websites...

The great Riona Hartman suggested this -
Noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com

Although, thats not Irish. It is nice though. Is there any nice Irish sites? I'm using the word nice now. Cool and funky are out the window.

Here is a cool one...click for Ireland!!!
http://www.clickclickclick.com/

And there is a good link from that one to this pointless sites page...
http://www.pointlesssites.com/

And my favourite site there thus far is...
http://www.zimm-co.com/PressTheSpaceBar/pressthespacebar2000.html

But there seems to be loads.

Heres a nice Irish one...
www.myleftventricle.com

And another...
http://www.debsball.ie
And another...
http://www.nimble.ie

Sorry that you can't click any of these directly from here. I have no idea how to solve that problem. Hmmmm.

WEBSITES AND MOANS

OK, a splattering of randomness.

Apparently there is one more Irish Internet Awards. They are known as the Net Visionary Awards. These awards are respected(I think) more than the Digital Media Awards and Golden Spiders because they are free to enter, and are judged by the public. Alas BalconyTV wasn't aware of them. Something we feel stupid for.

The Net Visionary awards claims to be the biggest Internet Awards in Ireland. They charge 250 Euros to attend for non members.

BalconyTV are non members :-(

Doesn't matter really, as we missed the deadline for entry, and are thus not nominated.

So this is how the facts compare -

Digital Media Awards
Held in the Burlington
Over 130Euros to be considered per category
Over 220Euros to attend per person

The Golden Spiders
Held in the Burlington
Over 130Euros to be considered per category
Over 220Euros to attend per person

The Net Visionary Awards
Held in the Mansion House
Free to enter
Over 250 to attend per person

Hmmmmmmmm, I wish I wasn't feeling so cynical now. But I am. Feeling damn cynical.

I'm also beginning to worry that we won't find five amazing, creative, interesting, bizarre, fun websites in Ireland. Websites that in themselves are entertaining. Not websites that simply offer to sell you something. Not banking websites, or property websites.

But websites like...hmmmmm

NetDisaster.Com
- Destroy the web!

DeathClock.Com
- When will you die!

TheMillionDollarHomePage.Com
- Your going to wish you thought of it!

Planetdan.net/pics/misc/georgie.htm
- Not quite a website, but your going to have fun with a falling George Bush!

And here is one I just discovered today.

JackNifeLee.com
- Creative website from the well known music producer.

It's amazing how few websites are entertaining on to themselves when you think about it. It seems there are very few out and out entertaining websites around. I wonder why this is? It's not as if there is a lack of very talented designers. I could be wrong.

We need more suggestions! We are looking for entertaining, clever website concepts.

Where are you entertaining clever website concepts!?

Eh...from Ireland.

WEBSITES GALORE!!!

We've had loads of suggestions so far for the BalconyTV Internet Award. Keep em coming in, no matter how obscure. They don't have to be music related.

Heres just some websites for you to explore...

www.downloadmusic.ie
www.conman.tv
www.candycollective.com
www.thezodiacsessions.com
www.minuscircus.com
www.pix.ie
www.fujipix.ie
www.pixenate.com
www.langerland.com
www.gaire.com
www.craicon.com
www.ratemypub.ie
www.doreenkennedy.com
www.nophotography.com

BTV THE NEW MTV EUROPE

Lars and Johanna at BalconyTV Hamburg are telling me its tricky to automatically change from German to English when speaking to a non German speaking guest.
I think its charming. It reminds me of the golden era of MTV Europe, when the presenters would come from all over Europe, and would speak with almost perfect English. They tended to be very good looking too.
I can´t find much about all those presenters online.
Hmmmmmmm.
Heres a blog that gets into it...
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=0d518c7d878dc93ff0177ce7c96b799b&t=115224
And here is a Wikipedia of all the presenters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MTV_VJs#MTV_Europe

Don´t forget the BalconyTV Internet Awards (soon to be renamed), is on the look out for Irelands five funkiest websites. Coolest websites. Amazingest websites. Send in your entries!!!

More on that soon.