We’ve uploaded some photographs from our first Tuned On seminar of 2010 which you can view below.
The topic for the seminar was Is Black Music Dead? and speakers included representatives from West Midlands Police, promoters, artists and businesses.
+44 [0] 121 224 7444 info@punch-records.co.uk
We’ve uploaded some photographs from our first Tuned On seminar of 2010 which you can view below.
The topic for the seminar was Is Black Music Dead? and speakers included representatives from West Midlands Police, promoters, artists and businesses.
Eastside – an industrial, urban area to the east of Birmingham’s city centre – is the oldest part of Birmingham and was once home to a mass of foundries, workshops, and tanneries dating back to medieval times.
Today though there is a whole host of exciting and cutting edge organisations producing fantastic creative work – from visual arts exhibitions right through to rock music nights.
The creative organisations and artists who are based in Eastside (including us) have teamed up to showcase the exciting identity of the area, to ensure that both residents and visitors are aware of the activities going on in and around Digbeth and the surrounding area.
Here’s a snapshot of the introduction to the new website:
We Are Eastside – Birmingham’s Creative Playground
Underneath Eastside’s arches you’ll find a whole host of organisations making and presenting film, music, visual arts, digital media, craft, literature, and photography – and some great pubs and cafes too. We Are Eastside is a guide to some of these hidden treasures.
The website is well worth a look so head over to it by clicking here.
Birmingham based dance crew Smash Bro’z have won first prize in this year’s UK Hip Hop Dance Championships held on 21st February 2010. They are the first crew to win from Birmingham or West Midlands. As a result Smash Bro’z are competing in the World Finals to be held in Las Vegas later this year.
In addition Smash Bro’z lead artist Kashmir won first place in the solo freestyle and the group also won the freedom of expression award. They received the highest artistic scores of any crew in the competition. Massive congrats from everyone at Punch.
Smash Bro’z will also be performing at this year’s BASS Festival in June. Mean while keep updated with Smash Bro’z by checking out their blog, click here.
Below is a video footage of Smash Bro’z performing at the Championships.
BBC Asian Network presenter and DJ Bobby Friction is confirmed for our next Tuned On seminar on 29 March in Birmingham.
Bobby joins grime MC Ghetts and lifestyle and music blogger Amelia Ideh on our panel which will discuss the importance of online promotion for musicians.
Attending the seminars is free but you must book a place. There are limited places so attending will be on a first come first served basis.
For more information on the Tuned On seminars click here.
Legendary Grime MC GHETTS is confirmed as a speaker for March’s Tuned On music seminar.
Ghetts is hailed as one of the primer Grime MC’s and his hotly anticipated new album will be out in Summer 2010.
Ghetts joins the panel to talk about how important digital image and promotion is to artists and musicians.
Places for the seminar are free but you need to register to attend and places are limited, click here for all the details.
Below is the new video from Ghetts:
Whilst on the brilliant blog Cltr.Alt.Shift we came across a great little video directed by Rowan Pybus, artwork by FAITH47 and music by Fletcher all about South Africa.
FAITH47 was one of the key artists we worked with during BASS 2008.
See the blog article and watch the video by clicking here.
Our forthcoming Tuned On seminar Is Black Music Dead? is featured in this week’s The Voice newspaper.
The article is an interview with Punch Director Ammo, who explains the reasons of why this topic is being explored, ” We want this seminar to be a stepping stone to new work and business for everyone in the music world.”
Tuned On is a series of free seminars that explore issues affecting today’s contemporary music industry. For more information on the seminars click here.
That’s the first topic in our upcoming series of Tuned On music seminars.
Monday 8 February 2010 6pm – 7.30pm – Symphony Hall
Is Black music dead?
This seminar explores whether Black music events are still successful or whether the red tape and fears of violence surrounding them has made it harder for promoters and organisers, under continued pressure from police and local authorities. Panellists will discuss the implementation of the 696 form in London, a form which makes promoters highlight any events that may attract a BME crowd.
Confirmed speakers include Akala (Hip Hop Shakespeare Company & brother of Ms Dynamite), drum n bass MC Magika, Mo from The TickerSellers and Tyson from BMG, an event security firm in Birmingham.
We are also happy to confirm that the Superintendent and Sergeant from the Licensing and Planning unit at Steel House Lane, West Midlands Police will also be on the panel.
Interested? Then sign up for a FREE place by sending your name and email address to sophie@punch-records.co.uk or call us on 0121 224 7444.
Mitchy Bwoy has a vast portfolio of work mainly in music and clothing design and he continues to innovate & diversify. Post ‘graff’ / post ‘pop’ / post ‘whatever you like’….
We are thrilled to announce that the fantastic designer and artist Mitchy Bwoy is coming to Birmingham’s Sauce Gallery in April to showcase some of his amazing work.
From Reggae to Roots, Balkan Beats to Bruk, Dub Step to Disco, whatever you’re into, Mitchy Bwoy is likely to have made his mark on your record collection at some point.

Working from his own London studio over the last 10 years, Mitch has carved his own niche not only in music cover design but also in illustration, fashion, and more recently, video production.
His work has become synonymous with new music and club culture, working alongside the most prominent musicians of the last decade, including Chase & Status, Amp Fiddler, Bugz in the Attic, Nitin Sawhney, Ziggy Marley, Howie B and many others.
In addition, Mitch has worked on many special projects, live paints and collaborations with other artists: 55 Roots for 55 DSL (live paint and group art show with Dragon and Shibuya from Japan), Bacardi brand development (with Mode 2) and Blak Twang/We Love You album projects with Banksy.
His reputation has also led to his inclusion in numerous art shows, such as; the Art Basel / Miami (alongside Doze Green, Swoon, Rostar), Candela Festival / Puerto Rico (with Swifty, Mode 2 and HVW8) and Loud Graphix / Berlin (with Parra, Delta, Mode 2, Swifty and Machine).
Mitch has consistently come forward with the most true visual representation of modern times.
The exhibition will be at the Sauce Gallery, Custard Factory, Birmingham from 10 April 2010.
For more information call us on 0121 224 7444.
For those of you who haven’t yet managed to see the fantastic Swifty Pop Up Shop at The Custard Factory in Birmingham there is some great news.
The exhibition has been extended until the end of February. The exhibition is open Monday – Saturday from 10am – 6pm at the Sauce Gallery on Gibb Street, Custard Factory.
29 Mar 10
Continuing the success from last year’s Tuned On seminars we are thrilled to announce that these seminars will be returning in Spring 2010
10 Apr 10
Fantastic designer and artist Mitchy Bwoy is coming to Birmingham’s Sauce Gallery in March.
Sign up to our email newsletter and be the first to hear about our latest news, exclusive competitions, events and great deals from our partners.
Punch are part of a consortium of organisations called Black Routes who are working together with a committment to touring the best of African & Caribbean music to audiences across the UK.
Filed under News
Check out the photographs taken at our first Tuned On seminar of 2010.
Copyright 2009 Punch Records +44 [0] 121 224 7444 info@punch-records.co.uk Web design by substrakt
Punch elsewhere on the web: Twitter Facebook Flickr MySpace Vimeo