Recently got back from a trip to MIPCOM with Hacate Entertainment Group(HEG) and it was such a rewarding experience. MIPCOM stands for Marche International des Programmes de Communication, which translates to the international market of communication programs. It is a conference about entertainment content on diverse platforms from VR to digital streaming to TV productions. It is a global gathering for a wide range of media professionals such as producers, distributors, broadcasters, publishers, marketers, content sellers and buyers, and more. It is held in Cannes, France, every year at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the very same place the Cannes Film Festival is held.
This event however is more of a conference than an award ceremony, and it features talks from key players in the entertainment industry and even screenings of upcoming productions about to be released, not to mention the ample opportunities for network building, with drinks and food in between events and venues set up for meetings and encounters with other entertainment professionals, as well as an opening party at The Majestic Hotel.
I found my role at the event to be a sort of crossover between a functional assistant and a secretary, aiding in solving accessibility issues, specifically for wheelchair accessibility, and making notes from every talk and meeting we had. At the same time I'm there to learn from a vetted industry professional how business is done in the entertainment industry, and I am finding it truly inspiring. Hacate Entertainment Group is a music publisher established in New York in the 80s with headquarters in Oslo, Norway. The work as a publisher involves clearing the rights to use music for entertainment productions, such as TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games. HEG has been involved with clearing rights for award-winning productions. As someone aspiring to work with media and music, I am finding the insights I'm gaining immensely valuable, but also incredibly entertaining. The amount of stories that gather after a lifetime in this industry could(and should) be a show of its own.
This has proven to be such a wonderful opportunity and can hardly wait for future collaborations with HEG, specifically the MIDEM conference and the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
Reeperbahn Festival
September 18th - 21st, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
Truly grateful for this last gig. I was invited to be an assistant for Hacate Entertainment Group(HEG) at a festival in Hamburg called Reeperbahn Festival. The festival consists of both a conference part and a concert part. For the most part we went to the conferences, focusing heavily on sync licensing talks.
The manager of the company I assisted is a virtual power house and a library of knowledge within the field. Very inspiring to meet someone of this stature and learn more about this side of the industry. So many talented, hard working people, and what became clear is that there is no one path into a career in the music industry. Everyone has their own story and their own unique path.
Looking forward to assisting HEG again next month when we are going to the MIPCOM conference in Cannes, France. This conference is for content producers for TV shows and I can't wait to get more insight into this field.
Exciting New Collaboration
June 28th, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
There are no coincidences. This story is proof of that. If you believe and trust in your instincts, sometimes, magic happens. In a former position I found myself in a conversation on the phone with a very interesting lady, and found that she was working in a niche of the entertainment industry that I just happen to be super interested in and have studied a lot, both at university classes and independently.
As she told me about her work I felt compelled to reach out and asked if the company was hiring. She informed me that it was not currently hiring, but that I could send a resume and an open application, which I did. However, I didn´t hear from the company for a long time, until suddenly two years later, I received a phone call.
The enchanting lady was again on the other end of the line and asking me if I was still interested in a job. She invited me to two events this fall as her assistant. The first one is called Reeperbahn Festival and takes place in Hamburg, Germany, in September. The second one is called MIPCOM and is held in Cannes, France, in October. The first is a music festival, and the second a conference for media producers. Having a degree in media science and musicology, how could I say no? Looking much forward to these trips and to working with Hacate Entertainment Group. Very curious about the work this company does and excited about this opportunity.
Second Open Stage at Arendal Street Food
May 06, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
We just threw our second open stage event at Arendal Street Food this weekend, and I have to say I was blown away by the level of the performers. A special mention to the duo Bella & Aleksander, and the trio Blue Avenue.
Bella & Aleksander have known eachother since childhood, and recently started playing together. Bella delivers intricate soulful vocals that grabs the listeners by the heart. She has an undeniable magnetism on stage and in her voice. Accompanied by her good friend Aleksander on guitar they play laidback renditions of famous pop songs, and even managed to turn EDM bangers into beautiful acoustic music. Anyone in the Arendal area looking for great live music, look no further than to this duo from Froland.
Also, I would like to give a special mention to the trio Blue Avenue from Froland. Similar to the duo, this trio does laidback cover versions of famous songs. The vocalist has a beautiful voice and together they make truly heartfelt music. Cannot recommend these groups enough. Seriously check them out if you are in the Arendal region.
Thanks to all the artists for a wonderful evening and musical experience!
Mentorship Event with Impact Hub
April 25th, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
Many thanks to Impact Hub Agder and Impact Hub Zagreb for hosting the entrepeneurship mentoring event. Very exciting to meet aspiring entrepeneurs and hear about their journeys. My counseling focused on digital media such as websites, apps, and AI tools, for helping their business accelerate growth.
In todays world these are essential for marketing and networking. Part of my talk was about finding tailor made strategies for each entrepeneur based on their concept and stage of development. Had some real interesting discussions with the participants.
I hope some of the suggestions will be helpful for them in providing inspiration and direction for further development.
Were Yazoo fans of Dusty Springfield?
March 15, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
Since our first "Open Stage" was held, I have been rehearsing and looking for new material to perform. I was watching a Spanish show on HBO called “Veneno” and in the second season, I came across this track from the 80s that piqued my interest. It was “Only You” by Yazoo, an 80s pop duo making polished 80s synth pop. They are probably more famous for their song “Don’t Go” which has a more dancy vibe to it, however, their sentiment is sort of similar. Both songs are expressing a longing to be with someone. It is expressed as melancholy in “Only You”, and more as an unyielding faith in a connection, bordering on desperate longing in “Don’t Go”. I just adore the synth arrangements of former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke and the deep alto voice of Alison Moyet. These two were an unexpected and sort of coincidental collaboration, however, it turned out to be a huge success and left its mark on 80s pop culture.
As I was testing out the chords and melody on the piano, my sister heard it and mixed it up with another song, namely a hit song from the '60s: “I Only Want to Be with You” by Dusty Springfield. If she hadn’t made the connection I would have never noticed the similarities. The themes of these two stylistically different songs touch upon a shared subject: wanting to be with the person one loves. Dusty Springfield approaches it more joyfully, while Yazoo in a more vulnerable way. The tempo is different with the 60s song a bit more uptempo and with a lot more instrumentation, typical of the Motown era. The 80s song is much more minimalistic in terms of instrumentation, emphasizing synthesizers, which was perhaps the defining instrument of the 80s.
There are also some melodic and structural similarities. I noticed when I switched between the two how easy it was to play both songs with the same chords and melodic turns that are at times strikingly similar. The melody in the verses is primarily a descending movement. In the choruses, two lines make the similarities undeniably clear:
“All I ever knew. Only you.”
“It’s crazy but it’s true. I only want to be with you”
It makes one wonder if there is any real connection between them. Were Yazoo fans of Dusty Springfield? Or are these lyrics, chord progressions, and melody a typical approach to writing a ballad?
Open Stage at Arendal Street Food
February 19, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
This weekend, I had the honor of cohosting an open mic night at Arendal Street Food. Together with event coordinator Rebecka Sandbacka, we put together an evening with beautiful and inspiring performances by musicians in a broad range from talented self-taught beginners to vetted professional musicians with incredible skill on their instruments. We also had a diverse representation of musical genres. There was singer/songwriter solo artists on piano and guitar, rock bands, classical song, broadway and improvised jams.
When we say open stage, we mean it!
It was such a pleasure to be a part of it. I am looking forward to cohosting this event again in the spring. Hope to see(and hear) you all there!
Git and GitHub Certification
January 30, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
Happy to announce my Git and GitHub certification! The courses I'm taking are really accelerating my progress as developer. I'm now ready to collaborate on development projects, having the knowledge I need to work this well-known version control system. Not only have I learned valuable development skills, but I am also connected to a much larger extent to the development community. Can't wait to learn more about web development, software development and computer science in general.
Special thanks to Coursera, IBM and the instructor(s)(Rav Ahuja) of this course.
Opera at Arendal Winter Festival
January 26, 2024 by Christian Lerbo
I would just like to thank Arendal vinterfestival for booking accomplished opera singer Alexandar Rakicevic for its historical walk around the city center today. It was a perfect context for the Serbian singer to show off his operatic skills to the Arendal audience, and contributed to making the atmoshere feel more authentic and historically accurate.
Among some well known opera favorites, Rakicevic also performed an aria by renouned norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, entitled “Jeg elsker dig”(I love you). The music may well have been listened to by the historical people detailed by the knowledgable guides who lead the way through this experience. It was a pleasure working as a middle man between an eager host and a passionate performer, putting the right people in touch with each other and facilitating a good experience for performer and audiences alike.
Looking forward to future collaborations!
New meditation release by L'air Beau
December 23, 2023 by Christian Lerbo
Step into the enchanting world of tranquility with "Ethereal Reverie," a mesmerizing meditation music video by the artist L'air Beau. Immerse yourself in the sublime beauty of nature, where mist-laden mountains pierce the heavens, waterfalls cascade with gentle grace, and vibrant flowers sway in a harmonious dance. This visual journey seamlessly intertwines with the soothing melodies crafted by L'air Beau, creating a symphony of relaxation and healing.
As the ethereal fog caresses majestic peaks, the music unfolds like a gentle breeze, guiding you through a landscape adorned with ancient trees and delicate clouds that paint the sky. The composition, skillfully curated by L'air Beau, emanates a sense of calmness, inviting you to release the burdens of the day and embrace a moment of profound serenity.
Each frame of this video is a canvas of natural wonders, carefully chosen to enhance the meditative experience. The delicate balance between visuals and music creates a synergy that transcends the screen, allowing you to escape to a realm where time slows down, and the essence of nature becomes a balm for the soul.
Ethereal Reverie
Thank You, Welcome Hub Arendal
December 6, 2023 by Christian Lerbo
Are you new to Arendal, Norway? Struggling with paperwork, job searches, and social integration? Look no further than Welcome Hub Agder, your local ally in navigating these challenges. We recently had the honor of collaborating with Welcome Hub on their fantastic event, "Southern Norway Day.”
The Event
Southern Norway Day brought together key players—local organizations, businesses, and municipalities—to create a program tailored for immigrants in the Arendal area. Welcome Hub's commitment to assisting newcomers is truly commendable, fostering a sense of community and support.
Our Contribution
Studio Lerbo, a proud local media production company, played a crucial role in capturing the essence of Southern Norway Day. We produced a captivating video presentation that highlights the event's key moments, with an accompanying soundtrack.
A Heartfelt Thanks
Our sincerest gratitude to Welcome Hub for entrusting us with this project. It's inspiring to see a local business making a significant impact on the lives of immigrants. Together, we are fostering a more inclusive and vibrant community in Arendal.
Welcome to my brand new website. For my very first post on this blog I would just like to make an introduction of Studio Lerbo and its services.
Music Production
As an independent artist, I value uniqueness and think artists should strive to stand out rather than fit in. I'm a singer/songwriter that plays guitar, keys and I also do vocals.
My studio is available to anyone who wants to explore their musical side. If you have music in your soul that is longing to come out, I would love to help to make that happen. I work in a broad range of genres and I am open to work with anyone who is sincere about their art. Studio Lerbo offers music production services that provides tailor made music for your brand. In addition we can provide personalised visual imagery for cover art, flyers and posters.
Photography
In the practice of photography, I've acquired some keen insights on how to make meaningful photography. A good photograph needs light, composition and moment. There is so much beauty in the world and the art of photography lets us capture moments in time. Great photography tells a story of the moment. I provide professional photography services that capture special moments, create lasting memories, and make your vision come to life. My team use the latest equipment and techniques to provide you with stunning images that you’ll treasure for years to come. Book a session today and let us capture your special moments.
Content production
In terms of search-engine optimisation "Content is King". Journalism is key to drive traffic to your site and awareness of your brand. I can provide personalised, search engine optimised content that will increase your visibility on search engines by leveling up in the search engine rankings. The more content about your brand is out there, the better for you brand awareness.
Media and Music Production