TheDIYMethod.com

There's been a lot of talk about DIY releasing over the last few years but no-one has championed it more than this man, known to us here as Mr Futuristic. As futuristic in nature as he is in name, he has highlighted many areas where a low budget campaign can benefit from not only exposure but also profit.

Now he is turning his ideas into reality and in just 2 short weeks has made quite a dent with his video, 'The Power Of Love' by 'Project Sunday Featuring Sesha' becoming the 19th most viewed Australian music video on YouTube.

The artist, song, production and video are all exquisite and our intrepid pioneer says on the YouTube page, '...let me know what you think and I will tell you how it was made...'. We're certainly interested to know not only about the making of both song and video but also the details of the 'futuristic' marketing campaign behind it.

Watch this space.

If I said to you the name Fitzpain you'd more than likely say, 'Fitzwho?'. Fair enough I suppose, I am a bit early on this one I'll admit. But I think this is a band we need to watch, DIY all the way and having just played The Royal Albert Hall in London (yep, seriously) I think this band are going places. I spoke to their manager and mentor, Martin Kitcher.

So, how long have Fitzpain been around and how long have you been involved?
I have been involved since day one, which is nearly four years back.
I obviously did not take them seriously at first as they were just kids making a noise and I hate 'Dad Rock' bands.
Who is in the line-up?
Aaron Smart, James McCready, Josh Hennesey, Andrew Diplock-Kitcher.
I've checked them out on Myspace and Youtube, they look pretty young. What are their ages?
They are 16 currently, although a couple of 17th birthdays loom.
Do you find that their ages are problem with School/College and of course their parents?
The parents are not a problem, they all chip and appreciate the hard work and pressure the boys feel under, which we try to avoid.
We do look at the problems at school where they are obviously big fish in small ponds, but hey? Weren't we all?
Who is involved in the writing process?
The boys write their own tunes, we tidy them up in the studio. Some of them I won't touch, but they do need their freedom.
And where do you record? At home or in a studio?
Both, we tend to demo here and then get the appropriate studio for the song.
Do the band manage to play many gigs?
Too many in my opinion, but I don't get involved in that process.
How have you/the band been building the fanbase?
We started an internet regime, but the live gigs are essential.

So tell me all about the Royal Albert Hall gig, how did Fitzpain get to play such a prestigious venue?
Well that was hard work.
A competition was announced to find the 'Best Youth Band In Dorset', (the Albert Hall gig was the prize) but the result appeared to be announced already, so I kicked and screamed and got them an audition, but they duly went into a competition process against many other great young bands and won through.I know the organisers very well now and I would like to apologise to them for being a pain in proverbial, but they do know I was right all along now.
And what effect has it had on the band? Are you now finding that sales have increased as a result?
Sales have been incredible, I do not regret having no major label behind us.
All we earn, is our money with no deductions.
You're totally DIY right now. Do you see this as the route to take to break into the industry and secure a deal or is it something you'd like to continue with?
Yes I do. I would love to have the ego boost of 'EMI' stamped on our stuff, but I believe in the long run we cannot afford it.
What do you envisage for the future of Fitzpain?
I take it day to day. They write so many songs, many of which I am not interested in, but the kids that watch them are.
I think as long as they change with the times they will be fine, as long as they continue to listen to new music and enjoy their own. I actually see no end to their career together, just variations.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Without plugging my own stuff no, but I just heard the Raconteurs new stuff and if any band / act can carry that sort of belief in them, there will always be new music. Without that, we are just a bunch of kids, some of us getting older, still sending out demo tapes in hope of a lottery win.

Check out Fitzpain here

Written by K.Osborne.