Category: The Big Project

Music for the Head and Heart

The Story so far…

Almost 3 years ago I set up a platform called “Original Ukulele Songs” with the intention of creating a portal for all the original ukulele artists around the globe. This project included a central site and the idea was to sponsor a number of live events. However although the site and social media received good attention, I realised that the “ukulele world” was too niche for what I had in mind. There is also a massive amount of politics and status seeking in such niche interests which at times make for a very odd dynamic!

The concept behind this beta tester platform was a good one, but I realised that I needed to think BIGGER and attract a much more diverse and skilled set of musicians. Hence “Music for The Head and Heart” began to formulated.

Giving a voice to all the mavericks

In the early days of working on this platform I had a meeting with Dean Anthony Murray from the wonderful band Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers, to talk to him about being a guest on the platform. To my amazement we ended up chatting for three hours straight and I soon realised that he would be a perfect sounding board for the platform. Dean has a very good insight into the music business and how many excellent musicians find it very hard to get their voice out to a wider audience. The “gatekeepers” to many established existing platforms are mostly looking for a very cookie cutter type act. Talent shows on TV have not greatly helped in this respect and many record companies are unable and/or unwilling to invest in artists as in days gone by.

Music for the Head and Heart is a platform for all those artists who want to connect to a wider audience. My own experience is that these days there are huge popular bands with loyal audiences playing major venues and many really great relatively unknown bands that find it hard to reach an appreciative audience. Many of these artists are maverick types in the best musical tradition. I can’t help but wonder how original artists like Tom Waits and Neil Young would do in this current musical era.

Watch this Space…

In the next few weeks I’ll be revealing some elements of the platform including the live concert on October 26th. Special thanks to Dean Anthony Murray, Nicky Bray, Ceri Woods and Nick Bloomfield who have been invaluable in making this platform possible. Even greater thanks to all the artists who have already agreed to take part. Music for the Head and Heart is not my platform but rather a platform that gives all kinds of music lovers their own voice uncensored and as they intend. Artists can only appear on the platform by invitation and each artist who contributes to the platform can then in turn invite artists of their choice, so this platform grows organically.

Best Regards

Nick Cody

When I set up Original Ukulele Songs I had the idea to create a platform for original ukulele based artists to showcase a wide diversity of music. I also had the idea to partner with specific uke based festivals to sponsor specific stages.  I have also sad that OUS was always a beta tester for something bigger,  more inclusive and with a greater focus on music rather than any niche instrument. I have come to realise that the uke world is too limited for what I originally had in mind and that is why I’m now focussing on the bigger project. 

Whereas artists could apply to OUS, the new project will be by invitation only. This invitation process has already begun in the USA and UK. While in New York I had the chance to meet some great folks to talk about this and everyone I have approached has agreed to be on board, which is of course very encouraging. 

I’m lucky to have a team of people with a great love of music who are helping with this as there are a lot of moving parts. I have long thought that there is a gap in the market for people wanting to hear and play really great music and my aim is to fill that gap. I’m lucky to know many really great musicians and performers worldwide who have a real love of music and this will be a chance to connect them all up in a unique way. There’s an online as well as a live dimension to this 

The first stage of the new platform will be rolled out to the wider public later this year and we already have the branding and technical aspects in hand.