Hi and welcome to our blog!

Howdy, we set this blog up to post ideas, updates, cool music based stuff and useful info as we find it. Please feel free to comment, we welcome any feedback. I'm adding stuff to the blog that was on our forum which I was using to post info etc. The blog looks like a better medium to do this with. I'll start by adding some of the stuff from the forum which I'm closing soon.

SONGS WANTED FOR NEW PODCAST

The Moot are making a podcast called Skins n Strings and we need some music to play on it. If you would like us to play your music then please send us an e-mail to themootuk@gmail.com with a link to the MP3 file. Our first show will be posted at http://skinsnstrings.blogspot.com soon, Thanks The Moot

Rates the MU recommends for "casual stage rates"

We recently joined the Musicans Union and were shocked to see what rates the MU reckons musos should be paid for gigs. They reckon each muso should be paid a minimum of £59.32 for up to 2 hours and £71.40 for up to 3 hrs. This is before midnight. For gigs starting @ midnight or after you should be paid the £59.32 plus the extra £17.85 overtime per half hour. If you have to travel over 20 miles you should be paid 15p per mile with a minimum of £5. The engager should pay all conjestion and toll charges. The MU also reckon you should get any gig in writing. Now then, what do ya think to that?
CONCLUSION BY ERYL: The problem is that everyone is having to spend so much money, the economy has gone mad, the new laws are mad, venues have to pay for licences then if they get PA in they think they've done everyone the favour, and that we should all be pleased, because we are doing music, it can't be hard work, it must just be fun, so we should think ourselves lucky that they allow us to play in their venues. This does not include all venues. There are some decent venues out there. None of these venues or promoters think about the amount of time, money and hard slog that is involved in being part of a live gigging band. Neither do they think about the amount of money that is invested into individual equipment. Drum kits £1000, guitar amps £200-£1000, guitars £200-infinity. Exactly. If we had contracts then it would help with being paid properly but I think it would also help with people not being made to use each others equipment. I wonder if any MU advisers happen to be reading this. I wonder how much they think we should be paid for promoting when venues and promoters insist you bring a minimum number of people? Peace out, The Moot