I decided to keep up with the times, so now I tweet. Check me out at http://twitter.com/CoConiMusic

Click image to read the review

Sacred Hoop Magazine have given Venusian Butterfly a very favourable review. Click on the thumbnail image to read it in full.

It’s been an exciting month! My single “Get Your Light Up” got it’s 1st radio play on Radio 2, Dermot O Leary show and then that same evening, on BBC London on Gary Crowley’s show.

So it’s all a good start but there is still a long way to go of course, this is only the beginning. So to promote myself in a different way here is my next focus.

Whilst I was over in the U.S., I have had a lot of success with doing tours of House Concerts. They are huge out there and I am setting up a tour of them in the U.K. So if you would like to host a house concert for us or have a friend that would do it please pass this info along. Here is all the details below:

WHAT is a House Concert?

The hippest, most viable and rewarding venue option for musicians today – and you can host one in your living room!

A house concert is a chance to experience music in a warm and intimate environment. It’s when someone opens up their home and invites you into their living room to share in a performance by one of their favorite musicians. It’s a chance to meet the performers and get them to sign their CD. A house concert is also a great social evening for friends and neighbours.

You Can Host A House Concert!

How do I do it?
It’s simple, you just invite 20-35 (or more) friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, the postman and whoever else, to a concert at your home.

Since it’s usually a smallish space to work with, most of them are performed acoustically. Round up all your chairs (patio furniture, etc.) and arrange them concert style. Cosy is good, you don’t use a PA unless the house is really big (70 folks or more). If it’s a decent space than there is the option of us doing a proper electric set. i.e. If someone owns a great big barn etc.

I can’t charge my friends money!
We suggest they simply place a jar by the entrance with a visible sign that says e.g:
SUGGESTED DONATION – £8 each/kids free. THANKS
(you and the artist set this together beforehand)

Since it would always be requested as a donation that is how you get around having to have insurance and a music license.

Most house concerts give all the proceeds to the artists, many guarantee a set fee when they get confident of selling all tickets, some take a percentage to help with expenses; it’s your choice.

Maybe a mention of the donation concept during the welcome and introduction of the concert can serve as a reminder. This combination of tactics assures that everyone contributes to the ‘jar’ while keeping the host out of the money collecting responsibility.

What’s in it for me?
A house concert is a unique and magical experience. Everyone walks away happy and it’s a win/win situation. Your guests are thrilled to be part of a ‘happening’ and you look great for being a ‘trendsetter’ and bringing everyone together for such an exciting new experience.

There is little or no cost to you, unlike throwing a party. A pot of coffee and some munchies is sufficient, although some folks ask guests to bring goodies, food and drink.etc.

How long do artists play?
Artists normally play a 45 minute listening set (house concerts are not parties; folks really sit and listen – up close and personal) and then take a 15-20 minute break for socializing, selling CDs and refreshments. Then, one more 45 minute set and that’s a wrap.

Fancy doing a house concert but don’t have a front room big enough?
Perhaps you have a long suffering friend who has a bigger house and loves music too.

Another good tip is to try them out on Mondays and Tuesdays. These are hard days to fill for artists so you will be more likely to attract bigger names. If your pals are all into the odd social mid-week get-together, then some strategic net stocking and myspace/house concert hub spamming could very well attract your favourite artists to stop over at your place, instead of paying out for hotel accommodation. Your hospitality and friends’ generosity will help balance the tour books and could help the artist stay in the black – it can be that close sometimes.

To book your House Concert call Alison Payge (CoConi’s manager) on: 07792 092252

Talk to you soon

“Get Your Light Up” will be played later today on Gary Crowley’s BBC Radio London show at approx 7.55pm

My new single “Get Your Light Up” will be played for the first time on national radio tomorrow (Saturday 2nd May) on Dermot O’Leary’s BBC Radio 2 show.

Get Your Light Up

‘‘Get Your Light Up’’ has already achieved critical acclaim globally reaching number one on the “Pod Music Countdown”, a highly influential music podcast reaching audiences of over 200,000 worldwide, and was amongst the top twenty most played singles in the whole of the podcast world last year. It is also the first track on the forthcoming album “Venusian Butterfly”.

“Get Your Light Up” is available now at all major music download stores including iTunes, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Napster,emusic.

CoConi – Get Your Light Up EP

Price: £3.99

This limited edition EP features the song “Get Your Light Up” which has already achieved critical acclaim globally reaching number one on 2008 on the “Pod Music Countdown”, a highly influential music podcast reaching audiences of over 200,000 worldwide. All three tracks are taken from the album “Venusian Butterfly”.

Preview the three tracks on this CD below:

Venusian Butterfly

Price: £8.99

“Venusian Butterfly” is a collection of twelve original compositions which depicts messages of optimism and a desire for a brighter future. Buoyant tracks such as ‘‘Say It Again’’ and ‘‘Dynamite’’ contrast with darker songs of past love losses and heartache including “Taking The Blame” and ‘‘Sarah’’.

Track Listing

1. Get Your Light Up

2. Jewels

3. Asian Eyes

4. Spirits on the Telephone

5. Counting Down Without Permission

6. Sarah

7. Dynamite

8. Bats (Lie Where They’re Hung)

9. Say It Again

10. Tidal Wave

11. Icy Skidding

12. Taking the Blame

Preview the entire album at Last.fm

“Venusian Butterfly” is available for download at most major download sites including iTunes, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com, Napster, emusic, and will be released on CD on May 11th 2009. A limited number of pre-release copies of the CD are available to buy now exclusively from CoconiMusic.com.