The Sampler is launching a new opportunity and looking for proposals for a brand new Audiozine where we are looking to commission three pilot episodes.

SUMMARY

The Sampler Audiozine will be a series of short, 7-12 minute audio episodes which aim to capture what’s happening out in the new and experimental music world. We want The Sampler Audiozine to be responsive to new trends, moving fluidly with what’s going on and showcasing those at the heart of the new music scene.

We are looking for commission three audiozine episodes, paid at £175 per episode, to be released in the next two months.

Application Deadline: Monday 31 May 2021 at 11:59pm – see below for requirements and link to application form.

THE SAMPLER AUDIOZINE

The Sampler goes out and into the world bringing you close to the people who make it and the latest in new and experimental music. Rather than a polished, long-form podcast, we’re looking for is shorter, rough-around-the-edges, responsive audio content that listeners can engage with on the walk to the shops or on the way back from a gig.

Each episode should include some music and sound, either pre-recordings or real-world recordings (field recordings, gigs, albums, etc). Audiozines should respond to current topics, issues, or trends and could be in various formats, such as:

  • Your own commentary on a topic
  • Interviews with other people
  • Sourced of found materials

The Audiozines will be published on The Sampler Soundcloud page and it will be shared across The Sampler and Sound and Music social media channels and newsletters, with over 50k combined followers.

The fee is set to £175 per episode, and we anticipate it will take the equivalent of one day’s work to complete an episode. These first three commissions will also receive £25 for an evaluation of the process and your feedback will help us set a benchmark and shape this opportunity for the future.

You can listen to an example of an audiozine episode here:

APPLICATION

To apply you must:

  • Be a UK-based writer, podcaster, musician or artist (professional or amateur)
  • Tell us why you want to take part in creating an Audiozine pilot episode (150 words max)
  • Tell us one or two topics / trends which excite you and you would like to explore in an Audiozine episode (150 words max)
  • Provide links or attach examples of similar or relevant work you have done before (if applicable)

You will be expected to:

  • Record and produce an Audiozine episode within the agreed deadline
  • Make sure phonographic licensing is in place for any music tracks used (which we can support you with)
  • Provide any collateral material for promotion of the final episode
    • This includes profile photos and social media handles of yourself and anyone else appearing or involved in the Audiozine episode
  • Write a 50- to 100-word bio we can use to accompany the Audiozine
  • Offer feedback about the process  and help improve this opportunity for future  commissions

We will offer:

  • A fee of £175 per Audiozine episode (one episode per applicant)
  • An additional one-off £25 fee for a feedback session to help shape the future of the open call
  • Access to a professional transcription service for any interviews to help with editing
  • Recording equipment if needed (e.g. USB or handheld mics)
  • Support with post-production (mixing / editing)
  • Support with promotion and distribution

Selected applicants for this round will receive a total fee of £200 each (VAT inclusive where applicable): £175 for the episode and £25 for feedback.

We particularly want to hear from and encourage from applicants from under-represented backgrounds in the arts and new music in particular, including (but not limited to) black, disabled, gender-diverse and/or neuro-divergent applicants.

APPLY NOW

Deadline: Monday 31 May 2021 at 11:59pm.

Please apply by filling in this form (less than 20 mins):  https://airtable.com/shrPlQgkpBSxcNkvn

If you have any access needs not covered above and/or if you have any questions about the publishing process and/or you would like to apply via email or video or other method, please email Laonikos from Sound and Music: Laonikos.PC@soundandmusic.org