Music Talks Sessions @ The Virgin Money Lounge

Do It Yourself – Disrupting the Music Industry

Come join us at the Virgin Money Lounge London Eagle Place on Friday December 04 where Peter Cook will be talking with Mark Christopher Lee, leader of cult indie band “the pocket gods”. Mark was discovered by the late John Peel who liked his song written about his local curry house - "Ballad Of The Peshwari Naan" and was called a “wilful maverick” by Tom Robinson. Mark has just released an album called 100 x 30. Mark explains the concept himself:

"I wanted to do something to help musicians gain fairer royalties from the music industry/streaming giants with an album of 100 songs all 30 seconds long – For example Spotfiy pays out a tiny royalty of 0.007p per track over 30 seconds. This gave me the idea of recording an album of 100 songs that were 30 seconds long each. Why write songs that are any longer? All the songs were recorded on laptops in garages from just a few takes in a lo-fi style - the album is all about ideas and creativity as opposed to perfectionism and over production - technology allows people to record great quality music at low cost at home which is very punk and empowering”.

Mark has written and recorded 72 albums since 1998. As well as an indie legend, having previously played bass in Jesus and The Mary Chain, he also runs his own indie label - Nub Country Records - initially to release his own material after being offered so many dodgy deals. The label now is home to 20 or so aspiring new artists, many of whom are favourites on BBC 6 music as well as home to more established acts such as the legendary songwriter Larry Weiss, who wrote million sellers Rhinestone Cowboy, Bend Me Shape Me and Hi Ho Silver Lining.

The event is hosted by Peter Cook, business author and owner of Human Dynamics and The Academy of Rock.

Please contact the Virgin Money Lounge London Eagle Place on 0207 439 8802 to register your place (limited spaces)