| Freeflow UK | - To take advantage of Freeflow UK, all you have to do is sign up to it on their website (linked below)
- The 100 acts that will become beneficiaries of the in-depth service will be chosen by September
- The scheme is open to all styles of music
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Backed by the University of Salford and the European Social Fund, the project will offer advice, guidance and practical help to the artists and bands that are signed up to its network. There will be help for anyone that wants it, but Freeflow will be paying particular attention to the 100 acts that it signs up for a more in-depth service. Not only is the service free, but it’s also going to be focused on what the bands actually want. "The major difference with this is that it’s beneficiary-led," says Simon Ashby, Freeflow’s production manager. "We’re not going to try and tell people what they want to hear, it’s going to be about the artists coming to us and telling us what they want to know, be that simple things like getting a gig or problems with their biographies, right through to people who want to talk about copyright issues and digital distribution."
 | | Freeflow's Simon Ashby |
Anyone wanting to get on the program needs to apply through the website, and it looks like being more than worth the effort. The help will be provided through six sources: - Individual monthly hour-long surgeries with the Freeflow team
- Talking head master-classes with everyone from music lawyers to successful artists to help understand how the industry really works
- An online business directory which will give free access to all sorts of listings, from records companies and management to venues and the press
- One-to-one on the spot advice for any queries or emergencies, in person, over the phone or by email
- Specialist services where the team will try and match any issues or problems that artists wish to discuss with someone who can help
- An annual industry showcase which will bring together the artists and the industry for seminars, workshops, showcases and discussions
In addition to this, four of the 100 will be chosen for an Incubation, where the team will work specifically on progressing their music to a point where they produce a professional quality demo and are ready to release a record. | "We’re not going to try and tell people what they want to hear, it’s going to be about the artists coming to us and telling us what they want to know." | | Simon Ashby explains Freeflow's core idea |
"The best way of looking at it is by thinking of Freeflow as surrogate management," explains Simon. "We’ll be looking at the development of the bands on every level, making sure their photos are fab, their biog’s great, any website they have is up-to-scratch, and actively trying to attract people to these artists." It’s an idea that’s got the backing of more than just the academics. Elbow’s Guy Garvey and I Am Kloot’s Johnny Bramwell both attended the launch of the project and are firmly behind the idea. "When you’re involved in the arts, it’s a free-for-all and it’s important that it allows people the freedom to express themselves," states Johnny. "I really like what Freeflow are doing. It’s important to do something that is helpful, but not overbearing. I’d never align myself to anything usually, but this feels right." Guy agrees that this is a great idea and is particularly pleased with the idea of a wider network for the artists involved.
 | | The Freeflow UK team and friends |
"It’s important to have shared spaces and ideas. When we were starting out, we used to use these big rehearsal complexes, and you’d see bands like the Stone Roses coming down the stairs. It makes it that much more achievable and tangible if you can mix in those sort of environments." |
Freeflow is accepting applications for beneficiaries now and the scheme is open to any style of music.
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