Partner Article

Coventry graduate launches his own record label

A Coventry University graduate is hoping to take the music industry by storm after signing an alternative rock band to his own independent record label.

Denes Szigeti set-up Shamanize Records with the aim of helping talented artists sell records and establish themselves in the music industry.

The 36-year-old, who is originally from Hungary, moved to Coventry in 2008 to study Music Technology and after graduating in 2012, he decided to continue his passion for music and start his own business.

Denes was able to tune his business skills with the help of the SPEED Plus project, which gives students, graduates and alumni of Coventry University the opportunity to develop a business idea alongside their studies or after graduation.

He signed his first artist two months after the launch – a Budapest-based alternative rock band called ‘Ann My Guard’.

Denes said: “Everything seemed to fall into place, I was very lucky. After I was accepted onto the SPEED Plus project, I put the word out to some of my friends who are musicians and one of them had just joined an alternative rock band.

“The band was originally signed to Norwegian record label Smash Fabric Records, which had done a great job in introducing the band to the public and getting them into the spotlight in the metal scene.”

Denes is now working with ‘Ann My Guard’ to further boost their profile as well as getting the band’s album re-mastered by professional mastering engineer Pete Maher, who has worked with artists including U2, The Killers and Liam Gallagher.

He said: “Shamanize Records is different because I get involved in all stages of the band’s promotion including the distribution of the records, production and live gigging.

“The support I have received through the SPEED Plus project has played an integral role in its success so far. I have learnt how to negotiate and set-up contracts as well as gained a deeper understanding of social media.

“A big advantage is also the fact that you get assigned a personal mentor so you are able to work through your business plan together and if you get stuck, you have that security of being able to get professional advice.”

The SPEED Plus project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is led by the University of Wolverhampton alongside partner universities Coventry, Staffordshire, Keele and Birmingham City.

Sue Heath, project manager at SPEED Plus in Coventry, said: “It is great to see that the SPEED Plus project has helped Denes to achieve his childhood dream and establish a career in the music industry.

“Shamanize Records is one of the more original business ideas we have supported and with Denes taking full advantage of the seminars and business support available, I am confident the record label will continue to grow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .