That Was The Year That Was

2008 what a year, full of great moments, ups and downs, new discoveries and people moving on to other things. 2008 was a good year for music, but a bad year for the musical industry and folk/acoustic movement had it's share of both.

On a personal level, by far the most important thing that happened in the Fatea camp this year was the introduction of the Fatea Showcase Sessions. In total forty nine solo artists, duos and bands took part in the Showcase Sessions.

We started off in May with "Songsmiths" that was followed in August with "Duos" and "Bandstand" released in November will see out 08 and the start of 09 when it will be replaced by a new solo artist session.

The Fatea Showcase Sessions have highlighted the quality of music that is out there just waiting to be heard. A special thanks to all the bands that have taken part, who have had the faith in us to entrust us with one of their songs so that we could make the sessions a reality.

Another person that we couldn't have done the Fatea Showcase Sessions without was Mark Coyle of Woven Wheat Whispers. Without his encouragement an help at the very beginning, the sessions would never have happened. For that many thanks.

That also brings me to my low point of the year, hearing that Woven Wheat Whispers was to be no more. Having been involved in the "John Barleycorn" release and having supported a great number of up and coming bands and labels, a combination of circumstance worked against Mark and Woven Wheat Whispers closed it's doors to the detriment of all those involved in folk music. We wish Mark well with all his future plans.

As it happens that was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the industry side of things was concerned. Two of the UKs major distributors went belly up at the end of the year, damaging record shops and reaping as yet untold havoc on minor labels and self releasing artists.

This unfortunately puts more power into the likes of Apple and I-Tunes who continue to act like gangsters abusing their position. Apple don't make music, they just make machines to play it on. They act like slave masters paying musicians a pittance in royalties so they can sell more machines to play the music on.

They've done a deal with the plantation owners in the shape of the major artists to ensure they have access to the bigger name artists, but as for the small labels and self releasing artists you'll have to take the terms they're offering or lump it.

More artists have decided to lump it figuring that complete control over some sales is better than a pittance from lots of sales. Hopefully a trend that will continue through 09 and also be a better year for the remaining independent distributors, such as Proper Records.

On the live front there were a lot of great festivals and gigs during 08, but also the signs of problems. Bad weather killed a lot of festivals, so did the lack of insurance meaning that cancellation meant loss of money for festival goers and bands alike,

With the credit crunch and recession it's beginning to look like there'll be less festivals, some won't survive with planning, organisation and bookings being more important than ever.

In terms of the actual music, 2008 was a terrific vintage. I don't think there was a week went by that there wasn't something truly exceptional arriving at the PO Box. The choices for the Fatea Awards this year were harder than I can ever remember.

It's not just the established names that brought out really fantastic releases, there were so many good albums and singles from bands doing the whole thing themselves on a budget of almost literally peanuts.

I said earlier in the year, 'It's easier than ever to make a record, harder than ever to get it heard.' Unfortunately it's true. The choice of magazines prepared to move outside of the established acts, continues to decrease as does the opportunity to be heard on the radio.

A common theme on the message boards, was 'Do you have to be young, female and pretty to get a break these days?' The jury is still out on the answer to that, but I have to say there was some great music from all ages and genres.

A similar row developed over is folk music world music. Following Jim Moray's well deserved win at the world music awards. Whatever the reason, folk music still can't seem to break into the public consciousness in a way that rock can, to the detriment of artists and public alike.

Maybe the credit crunch will see people returning to local music clubs rather than mega, multimillion pound, hugely inflated ticket price tours and talent get wider recognition.

I'd also like to pay particular thanks to Brian McNeill who was our Life Time Achievement Award holder throughout 2008 and who hosted us at his famous Cambridge Session and recorded a great interview for us.

2008 was a good year, plenty of strong music that kept the Fatea team typing away at their keyboards to bring you as big a slice of it as we could. From the whole Fatea team and myself, thank you to all the readers, musicians, producers etc that helped make the year what it was. Have a great 2009.

Neil King