S’all very well talentless no-marks like me taking the P out of popstars all day long. It’s all too easy to forget that they are (well, some of them are) artists. Just like that Michelangelo fella and his nudey statues.
The Ivor Novello Awards is an event dear to the musician who cares deeply about his/her “craft”, and this year it coincides with London Songwriters Week (how badly do I want to place an apostrophe in that title?).
LSW, as I’ve just decided to call it, will feature loads of useful seminars and showcases designed to appeal to up-and-coming songwriters – and they’re all free to attend. They’ll be taking place between 19th and 23rd May at assorted London venues.

There are also performances to be seen, with UK hip-hop luminary Kano putting on a “lyricist session”. Elsewhere you’ll be able to catch a live jazz improvisation with Soweto Kinch, should that be your bag, you weirdo.
Useful-sounding presentations will include “Producers to Writers”, with new chart star H’Two’O joined by Soundbwoy to reveal how they’ve managed to secure songwriting credits despite working predominantly as producers.
The most intriguing event could be “The Negotiation”, which claims to be “a live negotiation of a publishing deal taking place between a songwriter and a music publisher as it happens in real time.” In my mind’s eye I’m seeing tears, tantrums, furniture-throwing and possibly knife-brandishing, but I’m sure it’ll be much more civilised than that.
You’ll need to pre-register for all events, so head to the London Songwriters Week website to sign up and get more information.

Posted by Stuart Waterman on Tuesday May 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am