Blooter Blog

Blooter Blog http://www.blooter.com All the Blooter News en-gb Copyright 2010 Blooter. http://www.blooter.com/rss/blogrss.xml Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:45:41 GMT Welcome to the Blog Hello earthlings, We hope that you like the new look site and the galactic new facilities that we have designed for your enjoyment. Remember Independent Artists, you can sell your material on blooter. All that we take to finance our exploration of new galaxies is 10p per single, 20p per EP and 30p per Album. Keep a lookout for the next stage in our development coming soon. We are sure that it will blow your human minds! Galuga and out! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/welcome_to_the_blog.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:45:39 GMT The First Live Event Blooter launched it's first live event on the 10th April 2007. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/the_first_live_event.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:50:37 GMT Summer of Sun As if! News for the last week - biblical rains returned to hit Gloucestershire and the South. One good thing to come out of this summer's terentials: at least the North got the hand-outs first! As for summer festivals so far: Glastonbury - wash out.....I'm going next year hopefully but apparently the opposite of El Nino that we are suffering could go on for 3 years!!! That means no sun next year either and and another mudfest!! Anybody who went to the Rockfest or O2 festivals let us know what you thought! Coming up we have Reading and Leeds - do we think that the sun will show itself??!! Ha - Are you having a laugh?!!! I'm on the next plane out of here garcon! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/summer_of_sun.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:03:03 GMT Blooter Update Unless you have been living in a cupboard over the last month you will have noticed that Blooter has been given a revamp. We think that the layout and look of the site is a whole lot better and the functionality has been improved. We hope that you utilise the blog facility to update us on any news regarding upcoming gigs and anything else that has happened in your world. The re-developement has still not reached completion though so keep your eyes peeled. Currently we are considering whether our media player is up to scratch. On one hand we like its simplictiy but on the other hand we'd like to be able to offer streaming. What do you think? Have fun and keep the music coming. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/blooter_update.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:25:14 GMT URL Mapping The updates keep coming at the moment :-) We now have URL Mapping on blooter. This makes it easier for you the artist to link to your blooter profiles and makes it easier for listeners to get to your music. For example if you type <a href='http://www.blooter.com/TheUniversals'>www.blooter.com/TheUniversals</a> into the URL it will direct you straight to The Universals' profile.... Keep your eyes peeled. More updates on the way!! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/url_mapping_2589.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:21:09 GMT Sampling Don't forget - we will provide the samples for you if you don't have the kit to create them yourselves. In case you are wondering: we have a sampling system in order to protect those blooter artists who wish to sell their material. Those of you who are releasing material 'free' of charge - you might want to just upload a duplicate track for each respective sample (Although the sample facility has a lower capacity than the single upload facility so beware. In particular long tracks might not work, in which case you will need to edit and shorten) If you have any problems, reply to this blog, post in the forum, send us an email or use a carrier pigeon to relay the issue to us :-) http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/sampling_5512.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Sun, 05 Aug 2007 01:16:05 GMT Freestyle Members We seem to be getting quite a few Freestyle sign ups of late.....This is confusing us here on Planet Blooter because currently Independent Membership is also FREE for a limited period. Independent has a greater capacity and gives you the facility to sell your material!! Freestyle is supposed to be fun and simple, and is meant to be a starting point for those musicians just testing the water. But please PLEASE make the most of the free Independent Membership offer whilst it lasts. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/freestyle_members.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:04:19 GMT Blooter Gig - Dog and Parrot, Newcastle At last!! The next blooter gig is upon us, and after initially having trouble getting a date to suit everyone we reached an agreement. Yes - we agreed. A miracle! Well - the line up is as it says on the flier on the homepage. Caroline Carfrae will start off the evening. Caroline will be followed by The Alaskans, Vegas Baby and The 27 Club who are blooter newcomers.....in fact I don't think that they have signed up to the site yet....I think I'll be having words (ed). All are welcome. You can purchase tickets through the website at a discounted rate, or pay on the door as per usual! Take care and see you all there, Will http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/blooter_gig__dog_and_parrot_newcastle.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:15:41 GMT Where did the weekend go?!! To those of you who made it to the gig, thanks for your support! The night went fantastically and everyone seemed to have a great time! Special thanks of course goes to the the four acts who took part. When it became apparent that the night was going to clash with England playing in the Rugby World cup semi final we were a bit worried! But it turns out that we needn't have been. Let us know what you thought!! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/where_did_the_weekend_go.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:06:41 GMT Server Maintenance You may have noticed that the site was down yesterday. This was due to maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/server_maintenance.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:49:32 GMT Happy New Year! Hello y'all, We hope that you had a good Christmas, and didn't over do it on the Turkey!! You may have noticed that blooter has gone a little 'oh so quiet' lately.....well - don't worry about that, because we have been calculating a cunning plan hohoho. For the past12 months we've been building the most innovative functions yet seen on a music content site. These functions are so different to anything out there at the moment that we are ABSOLUTELY sure that you, our adoring public, is going to love them. Currently we are in discussions with our legal partners about dotting the i's and crossing the t's etc. But the developments have at last been built!!! Keep an eye out, because by the end of January, blooter will be completely different. You 'listeners' will be entering into unchartered territory....That's all that we can say at the moment. Keep your eyes peeled! Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/happy_new_year.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:15:36 GMT New Media player with Video Streaming!! Check out the new media player, which now lets you stream your videos. Get them up now to accompany your tracks!! Thanks Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/new_media_player_with_video_streaming.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:54:43 GMT Saturday 26th Thanks to all the bands and the people who attended the gig on Saturday. Despite it not being a big crowd, the music rocked. A review will be posted soon, but particular thanks go to Deltasound who have been loyal blooterists for some time now! Other news: Development is still in progress on new functionality. We hope to have it launched within the next few days, but unfortunately it is out of our hands and we are relying on our developer to complete. Thanks for your continued support. Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/saturday_26th.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:19:53 GMT All New Blooter! MUSIC EXCLUSIVE NEWS FLASH! At last we are getting to the stage of having a pioneering website to be proud of! In case you hadn't noticed, we now have the following new features which are there for your benefit: 1/ the new media player so that you can now stream video with your tracks! 2/ A new membership category: 'Agent'. This concept enables amateur music enthusiasts and professionals already in the industry to manage and promote acts using Blooter. We give Blooter Agents the opportunity to get really involved with the development and progress of the artists that they represent. Blooter Agents can earn money through: i/ music sales commission: Blooter Agents receive 5p per single download, 10p per EP download and 15p per Album download for each sale made by their artists! ii/ by getting new acts to sign up to 'Blooter Independent' membership: We give you £1 for every new artist you get to sign up to Blooter Independent Membership, which costs just 5 pound per artist, if they sign up directly through a Blooter Agent! iii/ commission earned at 'Blooter Live' events: You receive 10% of the profits, per act that you represent, at Blooter Live events! AND an annual bonus is payable to the best performing Agent every year! (Based on total download sales). All of these functions are there to give our artists the best possible promotion opportunities on the web today. By using listeners and fans to do the leg work, you can spend more time concentrating on the music!! Get your friends to sign up as Blooter Agents today. Earn money by promoting your favourite Blooter artists and by bringing new artists to Blooter!!!! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/all_new_blooter.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:43:12 GMT Venue Representatives Any venue owners or managers who wish to have details included on the Blooter Database, please get in touch via promo@blooter.com We would be pleased to oblige! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/venue_representatives.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:48:48 GMT All New Blooter WE THINK THAT THIS FEATURE IS SO GOOD THAT WE'VE DECIDED TO HEADLINE IT AGAIN! MUSIC EXCLUSIVE NEWS FLASH! At last we are getting to the stage of having a pioneering website to be proud of! In case you hadn't noticed, we now have the following new features which are there for your benefit: 1/ the new media player so that you can now stream video with your tracks! 2/ A new membership category: 'Agent'. This concept enables amateur music enthusiasts and professionals already in the industry to manage and promote acts using Blooter. We give Blooter Agents the opportunity to get really involved with the development and progress of the artists that they represent. Blooter Agents can earn money through: i/ music sales commission: Blooter Agents receive 5p per single download, 10p per EP download and 15p per Album download for each sale made by their artists! ii/ by getting new acts to sign up to 'Blooter Independent' membership: We give you 1 pound for every new artist you get to sign up to Blooter Independent Membership, which costs just 5 pound per artist, if they sign up directly through a Blooter Agent! iii/ commission earned at 'Blooter Live' events: You receive 10% of the profits, per act that you represent, at Blooter Live events! * AND an annual bonus is payable to the best performing Agent every year! (Based on total download sales). All of these functions are there to give our artists the best possible promotion opportunities on the web today. By using listeners and fans to do the leg work, you can spend more time concentrating on the music!! Get your friends to sign up as Blooter Agents today. Earn money by promoting your favourite Blooter artists and by bringing new artists to Blooter!!!! *Any venues wishing to be included on the Blooter database, please get in touch! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/all_new_blooter_3020.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:53:38 GMT Blooter gig on Feb 23rd Dear Peeps, Blooter is working to activley promote it's artists and give them opportunites to expand their fanbase. As part of this we are putting on a series of live events in Newcastle upon Tyne to give artists from outside of the area a chance to come up and play to some new crowds. If your interested in getting a gig in Newcastle please contact us on <a href='mailto:promo@blooter.com'>promo@blooter.com</a> Cheers ears! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/blooter_gig_on_feb_23rd.cfm admin@blooter.com (Lisa) Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:39:05 GMT Why use Blooter?? From an artist's perspective we provide a solid facility to actually distribute and sell your music! We are non corporate but have professional values. Why build your own website and take transactions over a web page, when we can do that for you??? Why pay out annual hosting/design costs to a web developer when we provide a profile and upload facilities for your singles, eps and albums!??? On Blooter, you have the power. YOU set the prices for your material, not us!!! Blooter has been built with security in mind. Unlike other sites that allow users to randomly embed html script, amongst other languages within their pages, Blooter enforces much more control. This means that pages load faster because the script will be valid; and you aren't going to lose cash to a fraudulent 'phisher' who makes a living setting up forms using html in order to take transaction details off you!!! You can rest assured that Blooter is secure. Blooter also offers the unique opportunity for an artist to be represented online by a Blooter Agent. The purpose of Blooter's Agents is to promote the Acts on site, whilst giving them an incentive to do so! Blooter Agents earn commission by bringing acts to Blooter AND through download sales. In order to make money, the Blooter Agent has to promote the acts that he/she represents! Therefore the Artist AND the Agent are happy!!! Simple!!!! The price of becoming a Blooter Agent is currently just 5 pounds (that's around $10US) per year. Blooter has something for everyone, whether you are in a band, a promoter or just a music enthusiast. YOU have a place on Blooter!!! Welcome to Blooter! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/why_use_blooter.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:48:34 GMT Blooter Update Freestyle Members - We have now increased your track upload capacity to 10. We are also in the process of building a merchant facility so that you can sell your singles too!!! Independent Members - Your track capacity has been increased to 15! Remember, you can also upload and sell digital singles, EPs and LPs!! Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/blooter_update_3924.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:06:01 GMT Interesting (yet useless) fact Hmmm....how unexpected! Did you know that Blooter was one of the most popular search words on Google for February? On February 8th it was THE most searched for word on Google. And it's partly thanks to US political journalist Bill O'Reilly who used the uncommon word on his popular Fox News show....Thanks Bill.....even if you are in the enemy's camp! We also received some good publicity on National Public Radio in the United States. Copy and paste the link below into your URL and click on the 'listen now' tag. The headline of the feature is 'Bats Suffer a Mysterious Plague' (don't ask!!!), and we are featured as one of the stories: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=npr&btnG=Google+Search&meta= Just to remind everyone: We are upgrading Freestyle so that these members can also sell their tracks. This facility should be available by the middle of next week. Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/interesting__(yet_useless)_fact.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:16:20 GMT Venues Any venues or promoters wishing to be featured on our database, please email us with your details: promo@blooter.com. Despite being a UK based company, we are particularly interested in hearing from our members in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Ireland and any other members from the international community. So if you know of any cool venues that Blooter artists should consider if planning an international gig, please let us know!! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/venues.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:33:09 GMT Membership Fees versus Advertising We are often asked why we charge membership fees on Blooter. If we didn't, you would have pop up adverts all over the site. Although we aren't against all types of advertising, pop ups and floating ads are things that we want to avoid if at all possible. Membership fees are vital if we are to keep advertising to a minimum on Blooter. Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/_membership_fees_versus_advertising.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:48:33 GMT Freestyle Members Functionality Update Freestyle members now have merchant functionality which means that they can now sell their tracks http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/freestyle_members_functionality_update.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:14:23 GMT And The Award Goes To....... ...BLOOTER!!! (well, hopefully anyway) <a href='http://www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk/view/140/vote/'><img title='North East Digital Awards 07 - Please vote for me!' alt='North East Digital Awards 07 - Please vote for me!' border='0' src='http://www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk/public/images/banners/please_vote_for_me_125x125.jpg' /></a> That's right, Blooter.com has been entered into <a target='_blank' href='http://www.northeastdigitalawards.co.uk/view/140/vote/'>North East Digital Awards</a> under the category of "Best Music Website". Since it all began, all of us on the Blooter team have put in a lot of hard work to make the site what it is - and we're proud of what we've achieved. From the early days of deciding on the logo, to the flooding of the first Blooter Gig, we've put in the sweat and beers to make Blooter what it is today - and we're just getting warmed up. Anyway, we're extremely grateful for your continued support and would appreciate it if you could help us get the recognition that Blooter deserves, by clicking on the link above to register your vote. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/and_the_award_goes_to.cfm admin@blooter.com (Phil Munro) Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:15:01 GMT New Developments We apologise for any errors that users may be experiencing at the moment. Blooter is undergoing further re-development to make the site even better! http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/new_developments.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:40:06 GMT Jeez....We just keep on getting better and BETTER Hello y'all.....Hope you are well. Summer is just around the corner, which makes us all at Blooter just a little bit happier with life....It also means that festival season is almost upon us. For me, Mr Blooter, it starts with a Primal Scream gig at Lotherton Hall in Leeds on the 31st May....and I am SOOOO excited! As for the site: Have you noticed that it is now completely FREE for artists??!!! That means that all of you lucky peeps get to upload tracks, videos, EPs and Albums, AND sell them, AND get the chance to be represented by a Blooter Agent FOR ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE AT ALL!!!! ....Oh my oh my...I am hyperventilating with all the excitement! Have you also noticed that it is still completely FREE to sign up as an Agent too?!!! Bizarrely there are still peeps signing up as Listeners during this free period.....I can't quite figure out why. Get signing up as AGENTS!!!! You get something for nothing!!!! What the hell do we have to do to give something away?!!! Anyway. Take care, and have fun on site! Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/jeezwe_just_keep_on_getting_better_and_better.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:51:15 GMT Latest Talent Take a look at a selection of Blooter's newest talent: www.blooter.com/GuitarSal www.blooter.com/chadsaylor www.blooter.com/DjPhew www.blooter.com/Lifescreen www.blooter.com/StruggledaPreacher International and diverse....What more could you ask for?!!! Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/latest_talent.cfm admin@blooter.com (Vinny Moran) Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:55:24 GMT Agent Commission Payouts have been increased Agents now receive 30p per EP and 50p per Album sold by their artists. See the 'Help' section for further details. Enjoy. Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/agent_commission_payouts_have_been_increased.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Wed, 07 May 2008 22:29:58 GMT Blooter Directory Check out the new Blooter Directory. Use it to: <ul> <li>Post details of any venues that you have been to or are involved with. Let our users know where to go and where not to go. </li> <li>Post details of any festivals that you may be organising, and want to promote. </li> <li>Promote a music related business that you may run or want Blooter users to be aware of. </li> </ul> If you have any suggestions about further additions, just drop us an email. Mr Blooter. http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/blooter_directory.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:15:28 GMT Update Hi guys. We hope you like the new functionality of the site, added over the last few months. We decided to change the homepage so that new artists are listed rather than just the artists currently in the blooter chart. We recommend you use the 'Search Function' to look through our database of acts. Don't just head straight for the chart. If you do, things get pretty stale - especially when there are so many new innovative artists on blooter. Also - if you want to have a listen to a sample of our artists, why not check out our on site media player, which can be found at the top of the homepage......If you don't want the hassle of looking for anything in particular, this can save you the trouble!! Remember, this site is for you, so if you have any suggestions, please let us know. But remember, we don't make the music, you do! Keep it real. Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/update.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:25:52 GMT Happy 2009 Happy 2009 from Blooter, We hope that you have all, by now, recovered from your festive hangovers! If not, you should get checked out by a doctor because we are well into January!! Joking aside, we have a lot planned for Blooter over the coming year, and wish all of our artists well over the next 12 months. Expect a site design shake up, and also a few extra additions to functionality. Although the world economy is in meltdown, you can rest assured that Blooter will be completely unaffected, as we have always got by with limited resources. But then aliens from Planet Blooter, don't use money right?! Thanks to all of you for your support in 2008. As always, keep us posted with your suggestions about Blooter. We would also like to bring your attention (in case you weren't aware) to our on site Directory. Wherever you are from in the UK, you can post details of a music store, great gig venue close to you, or pretty much anything else that is related to the music industry. Whether you are a manager or a fan, you could let everyone know about it on Blooter. We will be looking to add new features for our growing community of non UK members over the coming weeks, so that the stores and venues close to you and your hearts may also get the recognition that they deserve. All the best Earthlings, Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/happy_2009.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:19:38 GMT Top Night Coming Up with a Blooter Act This Friday, at the Infamous Cockpit club in Leeds, Blooter act 'Meet Me in Vegas' are performing.... We from Blooter are turning up to offer our support. Anybody from the area who would like to be there should get to the club early, at around 7pm. The music starts at 7.30'ish. Cheers Mr Blooter http://www.blooter.com/index.cfm?page=modules/blog/archive/top_night_coming_up_with_a_blooter_act.cfm admin@blooter.com (Will Atkinson) Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:54:58 GMT