The Delta Collective takes the first-ever Memphis Music Launch

It started with 48 hours of musical collaboration between artists who’d never met, and it ended July 8 with The Delta Collective named the winner of the first-ever Memphis Music Launch.

The Memphis Music Launch is an innovative entrepreneurial music experience that brought artists and industry together to take a music concept from idea to full-fledged recording in the space of one weekend in April. After the initial Launch Weekend, four finalists – Arvada, Butta MD, Go Judo Presents: Sunny Uppercut and The Delta Collective – spent 90 days recording, writing and rehearsing, all in preparation for the showcase at The New Daisy Theater.

The Delta Collective has won a handsome prize package designed to effectively launch their career. It includes marketing and branding assistance, a photo shoot, album pressing, distribution and more, in addition to a $1,000 cash prize.

The Delta Collective was one of the most unique groups to form during the Launch Weekend, with no single band member knowing another single band member before they came together around the song pitch of Brad Riales, a pitch that would become their song “Valley of Kings.” (You can listen to Valley of Kings by clicking here now.)

If you want to know more about the MML experience from start to finish, you’re in the right place. Watch the video below to get a feel for the Launch Weekend and then read the FAQs to understand the process better. If you’d like to get involved next year or sponsor MML, please stay tuned here for announcements or get in touch with us at 527-1029.

Download a high-res version of this flyer here!

Memphis Music Launch FAQ

Check out the full Launch Weekend schedule by clicking here.

Memphis Music Launch Events
Pre-Launch Pitch Day: 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 2 at Emerge Memphis Building, 516 Tennessee St.
Memphis Music Launch Weekend: April 8-10, Emerge Memphis Building, 516 Tennessee St.
Memphis Music Launch Showcase: July 8, The New Daisy Theater
Reserve your spot now by clicking here!

What is 48 Hour Music Launch?

48 Hour Music Launch is a community project that seeks to join music creatives in the process of developing fresh ideas for new songs, music styles and more. The tiered program will provide participants with valuable music community networking and creation opportunities with other top industry personnel, individualized continuing education on subjects such as legal, business, and marketing plans, and a public showcase piece with prizes including a pressing and distribution deal, logo creation, merchandise, a paid public performance, and cash.

When and where does this all happen?

The event will be spread out across the spring and summer of 2011. An evening of idea pitches will get the ball rolling, with the initial Memphis Music Launch weekend taking place the following weekend, April 8-10. Afterwards, during the following 90 days the 4 emerging projects will receive studio time to fine tune their initial concept, followed by a showcase performance at The New Daisy Theater, where those 4 emergent groups will battle it out for top prize.

Who is organizing the event?

The event is being organized by the Memphis Music Foundation in conjunction with Launch Memphis. A number of Memphis businesses have offered time, services, or funds as sponsors, including Archer Malmo, Independent Bank, Center City Commission, Beale Street Merchants Association, Downtowner magazine, the Memphis Flyer, Ardent Studios, Music + Arts Studios, The Grove Studios, Young Avenue Sound, several local engineers, Street Savvy, Unltd., and a number of volunteer attorneys.

Who can participate?

ANYONE who is interested in contributing to the greater Memphis music community. This means singers, songwriters, rappers, producers, instrumentalists, promoters, attorneys, designers, managers, booking agents, engineers, beat makers, arrangers, and anyone else not mentioned here with a desire to contribute to the development of new music related concepts. In short, YOU!

How does it work?

As mentioned previously, the Memphis Music Launch is essentially a three-tiered event. First, participants can develop an idea based around a new music concept to release. This is optional, however, and those wanting just to participate in the creative process are encouraged to sign up as well. After pitches have been made, the entire group will vote to select the top four ideas to be worked on during the weekend of April 8-10. During this time participants will have 24-hour access to the Emerge Memphis building, with meals provided to allow everyone to focus on working as much as possible during the creation-focused weekend. Mobile recording rigs will be placed throughout the building to allow groups to capture a rough draft of their music concept.

During the 90 days following the weekend of April 8-10, the top four emergent groups will receive a free day of studio time at some of the top studios in town (Ardent Studios, Music + Arts Studio, Young Avenue Sound, and The Grove Studios). They should use this day to create a final recording and mix of their music concept. The rest of the 90 days should be spent working to perfect a business plan, marketing strategy, and other support services for each group in partnership with the group members and the Memphis Music Foundation. All members will need to work with Cameron Mann and John Miller during this period to ensure progress.

Finally, the 90 day recording period will lead up to a showcase performance at The New Daisy Theater. Groups are encouraged to use the 90 days to promote the event to their fanbase and generate support for their idea. At the showcase, 4 groups will compete for the grand prize, a pressing deal with Audiographics Masterworks, a distribution deal with Select-O-Hits, photos by Joey Miller, logo design from Sache, merchandise from Bluff City Sports, $1,000 cash, and a paid performance at one of the Peabody Rooftop parties this summer. The grand prize will be selected by a mixed poll of audience members and a panel of judges.

What can I pitch?

Participants can pitch any concept for a music-related endeavor, including, but not limited to a new song, group, or genre, but the emphasis will be on content. The groups that will emerge will be the ones who are able to come together and execute a plan that results in a piece of recorded music, whatever the genre or format.

Should my music concept be pre-recorded?

While it is not necessary for the song, idea, or concept to be recorded before the weekend, it will make it easier to pitch and will give participants the ability to better judge the strength of your concept. Like recording a single, preproduction will also generally lead to a better final product.

What if my pitch idea is a music business?

We would love to meet with you and work to help refine your idea. We would also be happy to help you take this business concept to the 48 Hour Business Launch weekend, where emerging small businesses compete for office space within the Emerge Memphis building. While your idea may be great, music businesses without content creation will not be eligible for the Memphis Music Launch grand prize.

Who decides who gets to advance through each stage and who ultimately wins the showcase?

The first stage of the project will be determined by a vote from all participating members. The top 6-8 projects (depending on the number of people) will then begin work, with project leaders selecting their team members. Once recording is complete, an independent panel of local industry experts will judge which 4 groups will advance to the final showcase. At the showcase, there will be one grand prize winning group who will be determined by a split vote: 50% audience voting and 50% voting by a panel of judges (not made of Memphis Music Foundation employees).

Why would I want to participate in this event?

Memphis Music Launch is the first ever event of its kind. While there have been other launches around the country for short films or small business ideas, it has never been attempted in a musical format. The community based creative process will introduce you to potential collaborative partners in the Memphis music industry, as well as offering you the opportunity to record in one of the top studios in town, release a single and win a ton of great prizes – all for just the price of admission for the weekend.

Do I have to stay at the Emerge Memphis building all weekend long?

YES! No, just kidding. You can come and go as you like, but food and drinks will be provided all weekend so that you do not have to stop working on a project just to get food. Food will be provided by the fine members of the Beale Street Merchants Association.

This all sounds amazing, but does it cost $500 to register?

Nope, the event is an affordable $30 at the early bird price, and $40 the week of the event and at the door. That’s right, you can get your ticket for $30, which would probably be less than you’d spend on food for the weekend. Incredible? We think so.

If I have a band, can they come with me, and if so, do they each have to pay individually?

Yes and yes! The shared creative nature of the weekend will allow you to bring in your own band members or potential collaborators as well as meeting new collaborators.

What sort of equipment will be provided during Memphis Music Launch?

We will have a basic backline available with 2 drum kits, a Roland keyboard, and minimal guitar and bass amps. There will also be a midi drum bank available.

So what should I bring if I want to participate?

If you want to pitch an idea, bring along anything that will help you convey that idea better to the group. This may include a demo copy of your concept, a keyboard or guitar to play a basic melody, or anything (within reason) that helps you better present your idea. If you aren’t interested in pitching an idea, but wish to be a musician participant, then you should bring along your instrument(s), amps, cables, mics, turntable, or any other special equipment you will need to perform. We will have lockable rooms available so you can store your equipment, but you are of course free to store your property as you like. Leaving your equipment does not create a bailment situation, and under no circumstances are the Memphis Music Foundation or Emerge Memphis liable should any theft or damage occur to your property.

We owe a big thank you to all of our sponsors who are donating cash and prizes to make the Memphis Music Launch Showcase winner’s prize so handsome.