“Middle Tennessee Music was happy to welcome a long-time friend and partner in my band StephensonRd, Stephen Clower to our roster of writers a couple of weeks ago. Stephen has been learning his way around Google Plus and getting to know some of our MidTn friends (#midtnfriends ).
Like us he always enjoys reading or writing a good interview, so when he heard a conversation between myself and +Richard Wildman, he decided to do a bit more homework. Following is Stephen’s interview with Richard about ‘Music Scene Investigation.’ “- Bret
Richard is on G+!
I just popped on to You Tube to watch an episode of MSI: Music Scene Investigation. This was my first time viewing the show and it looks like a really neat reviewing process.
My curiosity is sparked and so I have a few questions for the lead detective, Rich Wildman.
Richard, tell us a little bit about what M.S.I. is and what the goals of the show are.
Music Scene Investigation is a live broadcast where a panel of music experts are brought together to review original songs submitted by independent artists from around the world. Our panelists hear songs for the first time live on the show, without knowing the genre, or name of the song and without knowing the artist name; a true blind and unbiased review. Each expert offers their first impressions and thoughts about the music they’ve just heard, no punches pulled. They offer constructive and technical criticism on the music they hear, using their experience to guide them. Music Scene Investigation maintains two in-house panelists, Ian Husbands and Tom Chianti, and invites other industry experts to sit in our guest panelist chair each week.
Ian Husbands has been involved in the music industry for over 15 years, having worked as a manager, booking agent/stage manager , musical director, as well as a graphic designer for major record labels, including EMI (David Bowie, Joe Cocker), Parlophone (The Beastie Boys, Bentley Rhythm Ace) Sony/BMG (T.L.C.) to name a few. Ian is also a published singer/songwriter having played at venues large and small across the UK, with several different bands playing both original and covers songs and running one of West London’s longest running Jam Nights.
Tom Chianti is a recording engineer, with over 25 years experience. He’s worked on projects for Atlantic, BMG, Capital EMI, Sony and may others, with artists like 50 Cent, Method Man, Cher, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Busta Rhymes and many others. He owns and operates his own recording studio, The Cube, in New York City and assists independent artists by offering mixing, mastering and many other production services.
As I’ve mentioned, in addition to our in-house panelists, a guest panelist joins us each week. Our guest panelists come from all aspects of the music industry: musicians, radio, audio engineering, producers, A&R, music journalists, public relations, to mention a few. Many guest panelists are well known, such as John Schroeder, Ivor Novella Award winning songwriter and producer, credited with introducing Motown to the UK and Tony Palmer, BAFTA and Emmy award winning director, who has worked with The Beatles, and written for the New York Times.
I, personally, am the host of Music Scene Investigation and have been involved in the music industry, from a broadcasting perspective, for over 15 years.
Music Scene Investigation isn’t about the panelists, or myself for that matter. MSI: is about the artists and the music they submit. It is our goal to introduce new independent artists and their music to our viewers and listeners, to place the artists in the front of new potential fans and to help these artists by offering advice, from people who’ve been through the same steps, to make the music the best that it can be.
MSI: does what it does out of love of music. The advice and reviews provided, to the independent artists that submit their music, is always free.
How did it get started?
Music Scene Investigation began as an idea in late 2010, during a conversation between Ian and myself. We were discussing ideas that might make an interesting live broadcast. We both, having been involved with independent music for some time, thought that the idea of offering constructive criticism and helpful technical reviews for independent artists was something that would be very helpful, as we had not really seen any place that offered such. Neither of us had seen anything like this, being offered for free, by music experts and specifically for independent artists, in a similar format. The idea of producing a live video and audio broadcast, offering constructive technical advice (reviews you can use – as we like to call them), was something that had never been done before. From that moment we began the process of designing and creating the broadcast. The format and depth of what MSI: does has changed and expanded, with the addition of the MSI:Hitlist and our yearly awards, but the premise is still the same.
How long have you been into music?
I, personally, have been involved with music since 1982, when I began playing keyboards with an underground independent band called ‘Steel Teeth’. The band was together for 10 years. However, in 1983 I began my broadcasting career, as on-air talent in radio. I’ve been involved in broadcasting, either from a terrestrial or digital perspective, ever since. I’ve, also, had a very successful career in IT engineering for over 20 years.
How many artists have you had on the show?
Each week, MSI: places three artists and their songs before the panel. Each artist is randomly chosen, so their is no bias, no idea of what genre of music will be presented to the panel. We’ve been broadcasting since January of 2011 and have showcased over 250 songs before our panel. I would estimate that over 700 artists have submitted tracks to MSI: since we opened the site.
What is something that you like about using Google + and how long have you been using it?
I’ve found that Google+ is a great platform to use in the discovery and creating connections with independent artists, other music industry people and great groups of like-minded people. Although we do have a page for MSI:, we use the platform, mostly, to create those personal connections, with independent musicians and experts alike, with very little effort made in promoting the broadcast on Google+ itself.
Is there anything that you would like to share?
I’d, first, like to thank you and Middle Tennessee Music for taking the time to sit down with me to talk about MSI:. Secondly, I’d like to take this opportunity to invite independent artists from all over the world to submit their music, if they are interested in honest, non-biased, critical and technical reviews of their work – something that they can actually use, as opposed to some of the cryptic replies that are so often received from other ‘review’ sites.
Where all can we find you?
We’re always available on the MSI: site You can, also, find us on:
We look forward to being able to hear and help any independent artists, regardless of their career level and being able to introduce independent music lovers to new artists and music each week.
