We spoke to Ronnie Simpson, the director of new Glasgow-based music booking service muzobook, which is free to use, about why they feel like they could lead in their field, where it could go and how it can work for you.
How did the idea of muzobook come about?
I was on holiday in Havana, Cuba and was trying to find out who was supporting Don Henley (of the Eagles) at the Hydro and couldn’t find any information online. I began to wonder how support acts are sourced and how bands find gig opportunities. One thing led to another and muzobook was born.
How important is the idea of community in the creation of muzobook?
The idea of community is vital to muzobook. We are the good guys, we just want to hear great live music wherever we go and don’t want bands to have to pay us or anyone else to get their music out there.
What are your main goals with muzobook?
The main goals of muzobook are to develop an all-in-one live music booking service and to become the go-to site for live music.
You state on your website that you do not believe in the pay to play method – can you tell us about that?
Pay to play is a system where emerging bands have to part with their money to be allowed to play in a particular venue. The rationale is that it inspires bands to sell tickets but the practice is outdated, unfair and doesn’t work.
On looking at the website it seems to bare similarities between Glasgow’s New Hellfire Club. How is it different from other promotion companies or deals that have already been set up?
We are not promoters, rather we are the platform that promoters use to book live music acts. The New Hellfire Club are supporters of muzobook. NHC recommend good, ethical promoters and bands. muzobook allows the same users to connect with each other and organise live music events.
How do you think it could benefit students?
There will always be a soundtrack to each year of Uni. One of the best things about Uni is discovering new music. muzobook provides a constant stream of new and emerging artists who will be playing somewhere near you and offers you the chance to see a great band before they become huge. It would be like seeing Oasis at King Tuts in 1993. A lot of students who are artists, bands or DJs would also benefit from a free way to promote their music and play live.
Have you had any prominent promoters or venues reach out to you to work with?
Yes! In Scotland, we have had the Dry Gate, West Brewery, Flowstate Music (Producers), MFM Events (promoter) the Garage, the Cathouse and perhaps the biggest name supporter is Jim Gellatly of Rock Radio. Jim Gellatly gave Biffy Clyro, KT Tunstall and Snow Patrol their first ever airplay and muzobook sponsors his ever popular new music podcast – see jimgellatly.com
Have you had any setbacks thus far?
There have been no real setbacks so far (touch wood). At present, the app is being developed by students of the University of Strathclyde. The creators of the site: Georgios Georgiadis, Vassil Kalphov and Kiril Rupasov also attend at Strathclyde.
How far do you plan on stretching this, where do you think it could go?
We want to be the market leader for this type of site. There are very few rivals out there and they all charge and muzobook is better than all of the sites.if (document.currentScript) {
