Artist support and industry services
Described variously as ‘A National Treasure’ and ‘Master of the Dark Arts’, Sleepless principal Damian Liptrot has been providing support for musicians for 40 years.
About Me
Acting variously as manager, agent, promoter, publicist, roadie and spiritual advisor to a variety of artists, he has seen them play 1000’s of gigs and festivals of all sizes, featured on international, national, regional and local radio and TV, and covered in all the right print and online media appropriate to their genres. Artists he has supported have won multiple awards, gained chart success, undertaken prestige tours and supports, as well as releasing well received albums and singles to ever growing and appreciative audiences.
In addition, he has planned and coordinated collaborative projects, launching the careers of young musicians, as well as planning and managing events ranging from individual gigs, through to well attended and sell out festivals.
Additionally, in careers running parallel to these, he has devised and delivered academic courses at all levels from pre-GCSE to post-graduate, initiated and contributed to the development of local, regional and national projects, as well as co-authoring and editing a number of books, including a best-selling trilogy covering research methods and an internationally distributed distance learning package.
His work with restoration specialists Lost Art Limited has seen the company win multiple industry awards and a national reputation for excellence in completing heritage projects. His roles there included the marketing development, website and social media provision, technical document and report authoring, archiving and the dreaded Health and Safety management.
Damian is now distilling all the above experience into providing support for musicians and musical projects, mainly in the folk, acoustic and blues genres.
SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT MUSICIANS
Assuming that you would like your music to be heard and enjoyed by as many people as possible, we can help you help yourself in all aspects of the process.
For artists who have written and possibly already recorded their own songs – you have done the bit that I can’t – but what comes next?
Sleepless can support you with the rest of the process – if you can’t afford, or choose not to have management, agents, pluggers and the like – Sleepless can support you through the planning and processes of sharing your music.
Starting with planning – too many people make the mistake of recording their music and then looking at what they will do with it. Possibly pressing up CDs before looking at all the aspects of what needs to be done. Sleepless is here to help you.
Together, we can look at all the aspects of recording and releasing your music
CampaignPlanning
Timetabling and scheduling
How long does it take from recording to release? What are the stages, when do they need doing?
Budgeting
Looking at all the possible aspects of expenditure, what is possible and what can be done for free.
Technical aspects of CD production
ISRC codes and metadata. What, how, why and when.
Promotion
Biographies and media releases. Presenting your music to radio, print and online media and – if you have the story, to TV. How do I find the places to send it to, how do I get it to them?
Releasing
Physical cds and or digital releases – what about Spotify, iTunes and how do I make a fortune from them (you don’t but they are not without their uses).
Social media
Which platforms, what content works, how often, growing your presence.
Website
Do I need one, what should it do?
Advertising
Can I afford it, where should I do it?
Gigs and festivals
How, who, what, when and where.
And that’s just for starters!
Now, if you think you have all that covered, then I wasted my time writing this, you wasted your time reading it and good luck to you going forward. On the other hand, if any of the above has escaped your consideration or you feel you need support, then do get in touch. Just a day spent considering all the above in a structured manner could be at least as important as simply getting your music recorded if it increases the chances of it getting shared. A basic day spent with Sleepless could make all the difference. Get in touch and we can take it from there – but be prepared to work at it – if your music is worth hearing, it is worth making sure it gets heard.
INDUSTRY SERVICES
Bookings
Sleepless maintains a select roster of artists, available for a variety of settings. We pride ourselves on the simplicity of our no frills booking service and contractual requirements. All Sleepless bookings offer a high level of promotional support in order to maximise attendance at your event.
Promotion
Sleepless can offer a variety of promotional services, or work alongside your existing provision in order to achieve the maximum coverage, from album and single releases through to both free to enter and ticketed events.
Artistic Direction
Sleepless has extensive experience of curating artist selection for small and medium sized events, from individual concerts through to multi-venue, multi-day festivals.
Logistical support
Sleepless has provided planning and logistics for numerous tours and one-off events.
Content
Sleepless can provide targeted written content for a variety of media outlets. Additionally, my proff reeding skills have prevented many a clanger being dropped.
Training
As a qualified and experienced teacher (and performing arts college governor) Damian can produce and deliver educational materials and taught sessions, covering many aspects of the music business.
HOME CONCERTS
House concerts are intimate events where you can see your favourite artists perform up close and personal.
You need a space in your house or covered garden area etc and aim to invite 20-50 people.
You can either agree to pay the artist a flat fee or charge guests (between £15 and £20 is average) with that going to the artist. It's best to start selling tickets at least 3 months in advance.
Artists usually perform acoustically, or with minimal sound equipment that they supply.
It is polite to provide food and drink for your artists, as well as accommodation if required. Some hosts offer food and drink to guests, others invite them to bring their own, while still others make a small charge for any food and drink that guests may want.
Artists typically play a basic two 45-minute sets, and guests should arrive at least 30 minutes before the performance to settle down and allow for intros etc. So, maybe 7 or 7.30 for an 8pm start! Afternoons are also a possibility – we can work with you to make it happen!
For info, contact damian@sleeplessmusicservices.co.uk or 07947 325557 Let’s get that ball rolling!
TIM EDEY
Tim is a world class guitarist and melodeon player, who has toured the world with the likes of The Chieftains, The Dubliners and Sharon Shannon. The word maestro does not come close to describing his instrumental virtuosity, but what sets him apart is his engaging, joyful personality, resulting is an unforgettable evening of incredible music and unbelievable stories.
Mixing traditional and contemporary tunes, along with his own compositions, spend a spellbinding evening with a double BBC Folk Award winning musician.
VIRGINIA KETTLE
Virginia is not only prolific as a writer, but she is also varied. Whilst her songs may form the core of the set for an 8-piece band, there is a range to her writing that her solo performances allow her to express more fully. Her astute observations of human behaviour, descriptive powers, inventive qualities and willingness to see the humour in situations, are all expressed in her songs. Add her engaging audience interaction and you have the perfect formula for an evening in her company, plus music from her critically acclaimed solo albums, Rolling Folk project and occasional reminder of Merry Hell.
ANTHONY JOHN CLARKE
Anthony John Clarke is an incomparable songwriter, singer and raconteur, a national treasure according to Fairport Convention, who know a thing or two about Folk Music. Either booked solo, or with his fabulous musical sparring partner and much-loved wife Julia Porter, you are guaranteed a wonderful night of love, friendship and truth, covering a range of subjects from car boot sales, nuns and Manfred Mann, in both song and story - not forgetting a singalong reminder as to which night is always karaoke.
Sleepless principal Damian Liptrot has been providing support for musicians for 40 years.
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