Leeds Conservatoire Music Business Student Jemma Crane is creator of 'Beyond the Melodies', an Instagram based Music Blog. Designed to feature up and coming artists, bands and musicians from around the world, 'Beyond the Melodies' interviews, reviews, and promotes artists' work, including new music, live performances and collaborations.
We spoke to Jemma about the inspiration behind her project and the upcoming 'Beyond the Melodies' Showcase coming to Hyde Park Book Club on 14 June produced in collaboration with 'Come Play With Me'.
Hi Jemma - What inspired you to start 'Beyond the Melodies'?
In October 2020, after just starting my Music Business degree at Leeds Conservatoire, the live music scene was very much at a standstill. I wanted to make a platform that put what I was learning in my course into practice and to show off the music artists, bands, and musicians were making during lockdown. A year and a half later, live music is back, and Beyond the Melodies can now start to work with the features at regular showcases, which shows off their work at a live event.
Follow Beyond the MelodiesAre you excited about the Beyond the Melodies Showcase at Hyde Park Book Club? What can audience members expect?
Of course, I am excited, but I am also very nervous. As this is the first event I have ever run, there's a lot of pressure to get it right. I am so excited to positively exploit the talent coming out of the conservatoire and elsewhere. Audience members can expect performances from previous features on the page, which is a lot more exciting them seeing them through a phone screen! The night will include five acts, varying from hip hop rapper Derrick Nenzo to an acoustic pop duo Eletto, so there will definitely be a genre played during the evening that everyone will love!
You are co-promoting the event with Leeds based record label Come Play With Me. How did this collaboration come about?
After being given a chance to be mentored by the incredible Come Play With Me founder Tony Ereira, he encouraged me to apply for the record label's promoting venture 'Come Platform Me'. Come Play With Me were looking for creatives of colour, women, trans and non-binary people, individuals of different abilities and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to apply. As a woman in the industry, I applied and pitched the Beyond the Melodies Showcase to them. After great anticipation, I was awarded a place to co-promote the event with them. This means I will be given expert support and advice to ensure the showcase is a brilliant night.
How has the Music Business course at Leeds Conservatoire inspired your blog?
After starting the Music Business course, the live music industry was nowhere to be seen. The industry had to adapt, and with this, so did I as a student. In my first year, Dr Sally Rodgers led a marketing module that totally bought out my creative side. The module taught us about photo editing software such as Canva, mailing list software such as MailChimp and the importance of being organised when producing a marketing campaign. Ultimately the module taught us about branding. Because of this, it has helped give me the skills that I use for Beyond the Melodies every day.
Do you have any advice for people who are keen to start a music-based blog?
Just go for it; you never know where it will take you. The opportunities I have been given because of a little idea that I thought of back in 2020 have been phenomenal! I've been to Liverpool Sound City as an artist manager. PR companies have approached me to write up about their artists' new music. I have even been given funding from the Leeds Conservatoire Artist and Business enterprise program to expand Beyond the Melodies. It's cliche, but it's crazy where life can take you!
What is your favourite thing about studying at Leeds Conservatoire?
My favourite thing about studying at Leeds Conservatoire is definitely the people that I meet and the creative minds I am surrounded by each day. Not only do I get to work with up and coming musicians, but I get to make friends for life and share my experiences with them. I'm so glad I study here!
