Social Media Portal interview with Francis Gane from Chartburst

Social Media Portal (SMP) profiled interview with Francis Gane, founder and CEO of Chartburst

Social Media Portal (SMP): What is your name and what do you do there for Chartburst?

Franics Gane (FG): My name is Francis Gane and I?m the founder and CEO of Chartburst. My role is a varied one to say the least! I oversee the site development, perform all PR tasks and look after our partners.

SMP: Briefly, tell us about Chartburst, what is it, what does it do and how is it funded?

FG: Chartburst is a web service for putting unsigned music in front of major record labels A&R (talent scouts), producers and management companies for record deal consideration and review. Chartburst is also a place for music fans to come and find new music and vote for their favourite (in doing so they have their ?say? in the future of popular music). We are currently totally self-funded.

SMP: Who are your target audience and why?

FG: Our target audience are unsigned musicians, record label A&R, producers, management companies and the press. Why? Well, we give unsigned musicians the chance to have their music heard by top record labels, we give top record labels A&R pre-vetted music (as voted for by the public) and we provide a place for music fans to listen to the best new musical talent.  As for the press, they are able to discover promising/up and coming musicians before they make it into the mainstream.

SMP: When did the service launch and how long did it take to create / build?

FG: The service launched in beta on 14 January 2013! It took around 6-months to build but is constantly undergoing adjustments.

SMP: How are you differentiating what the service is and what is does?

FG: There is currently no other service that specialises in connecting unsigned musicians with the worlds major record labels. We are also the only service that is making an effort to provide something for everyone involved in the music industry, from those who make the music, to those who report music news to those who put out the music and of course, those who listen to music.

SMP: How did you initially attract users to your service and how do you do it now?

FG: We are one day in, so I can?t really comment on our long term plans for attracting users just yet. What we?ve done so far, with great success, is get great coverage on major online news/technology sites such as TechCrunch, Mashable and TechDiem (to name a few).

SMP: What are the costs involved for artists and musicians ? how does it work for them?

FG: There is no cost whatsoever for listeners. They  can create a free account, vote for their favourite tracks, save playlists and interact with musicians and other listeners on the site.

SMP: How did you get labels involved and what are the plans to extend this and keep them interested?

FG: We got labels involved simply by picking up the phone and pitching the concept to them. Virtually every A&R we spoke to really liked the concept and were happy to come on board.

To keep them interested we need to do one thing: keep sending them the very best in new, unsigned music.

SMP: What are the low moments of what you have been doing so far (regarding Chartburst)?




FG: Living on a shoestring budget while working to cover the costs has had its low points I must admit, but I?m finally working in the industry I love and have such enthusiasm for the project that it?s never that bad!

SMP: What are the high moments of what you have been doing so far (regarding Chartburst)?

FG: Launch day! We had over 300 people sign up in the first 24-hours and plenty more since. We weren?t expecting those sorts of numbers so it was a really nice surprise!

SMP: What do you see as your biggest challenges and opportunities?

FG: Our biggest challenge I would say is keeping both the labels A&R happy with the music we forward to them and keep the listeners coming back again and again to vote for their favourite new music. I think our biggest opportunities are numerous. The music industry has so many facets, therefore there are so many places we could take Chartburst.

SMP: Apps are important to many businesses, why so for Chartburst (what?s the ballpark for when they will be ready)?

FG: This is very true! The importance of a Chartburst app lies in the speed of the uptake of mobile internet use in general and the fact that people want to listen to music not just at home but on the move also. With that being said, the Chartburst app is next in line and we hope to have it ready in the next few months.

SMP: What?s the next big step for social media / networks and what impact may this have for artists and musicians?

FG: Chartburst is all about leveraging musicians social following in a useful way. We want to be heavily interconnected with Facebook and Twitter etc., as musicians will be able to climb our charts much faster with the help of their fans. I think as networks like Facebook advance, we?ll see them merge more and more with the sites that we use on a day-to-day basis (including Chartburst).

SMP: What was the most challenging part of building on the brands presence in digital environments (including social media)?

FG: Getting heard above the ?noise?. Connecting with the right people has been tricky at times as has been getting our message out to the right people.

SMP: What?s going to be the most interesting aspect regarding social media / technology for the next 12 to 18-months and why could this have a positive impact for artists and musicians?

FG: I?m not sure to be totally honest. I?m excited to see how cloud computing grows and what new ideas it might give us.

SMP: What are your top five predictions for social media for the next 12 to 18-months?

FG: The noise will grow and it will be harder and harder to be heard. I predict more and more specialised/niche social networks to combat this.

SMP: What are your top social media tips for artists and musicians?

FG replies with:

• Target, target, target! Make sure you are interacting with people who have a good chance of being interested in the music you are making!
• Don?t spam everybody. It doesn?t help anyone
• Give away free music in the hope of attracting new fans. Everybody loves a freebie

SMP: Best way to contact you and Chartburst?

Email: info @ chartburst.com, Facebook, Soundcloud, Twitter and YouTube.


SMP: What did you have for breakfast / lunch?

FG: Blueberry flavoured wheat cereal.

SMP: What?s the last good thing that you did for someone?

FG: Sent an email!

SMP: How many hours do you work a week?

FG: Around 50 usually.

SMP: If you weren?t running or working on Chartburst what would you be doing?

FG: Brainstorming other ideas for start-ups.

SMP: What was your New Years resolution (and why) and how are you doing in sticking to it?

FG: Read every night before bed as I have a ton of books to get through and I need a bedtime routine again! I?m doing pretty well so far!

SMP: What was the record / CD you bought and why?

FG: The last record I bought was a Drum n Bass track of some description as I?m a DJ in my spare time.

SMP: If you cloud play any instrument and why?

FG: Piano. Such a great sound and such a versatile instrument.

SMP: Favourite DJ and why?

FG: Andy C. I grew up listening to his mix CD?s and idolising his career.

SMP: When and where did you go on your last holiday?

FG: A short break with my girlfriend to London in July 2011. So long ago! :(

SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?

FG: Login to Google Analytics!

SMP: If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

FG: Fly of course ? I?d never need to pay ridiculous fuel prices to get places!

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