Well, #11 is in the books. What a fantastic weekend! As we begin our come down, we must share our gratitude. We are thankful to many.

Thank you, UMS Artists. You are the reason this event exists. Thank you for sharing your gifts.

Thank you, UMS Fans. We are amazed and humbled by your unwavering support for our mission. We do not take this task lightly, and endeavour to continually improve your experience at The UMS.

Thank you, Sponsors. We are proud to be associated with you and look forward to working with you in the future.

Thank you, Volunteers. Your dedication to providing our region with a premiers, artist friendly event is unmatched. You give so freely of your time and energy. It is inspiring.

Thank you, Venues and Neighbors of Baker District on Broadway. It is no easy feat to absorb the thousands of music loving folks who flock to The UMS. We appreciate your patience and support.

So, while our staff catches a few winks, know that we are ever grateful and proud to have worked with you all… And, 2012 is gonna be great!!!

It’s been a tremendous few days, but we are far from finished. A full slate of goodness awaits us. Come on out for Day 4 of the UMS!!! Over 100 acts! More films! More Comedy! More panel discussions! More Art! MORE! MORE! MORE!

*Single day passes are still available at the box office on Archer Street next to Goodwill. *

See you out there!

Have you been doing your homework? Do you have a plan? Are you ready to see friends both new and old?

Do you have your passes? Remember, the box office is cash only. It will be located on Archer St. next to Goodwill. Friday, the box office opens at 4:15.

Also, please note. We are starting earlier on Thursday and Friday than past years. Thursday we kick off at 6:00 and on Friday, at 5:15, The Heyday get the Goodwill lot rocking. Lay that groundwork to scoot out of work early!

Since there’s no limit to the amount of awesome we can pack into one single late July weekend, we are proud to announce the inaugural year of Reel Sounds: Music Film at The UMS, a 3-day film odyssey into the heart and soul of Denver underground music… and a little beyond.

As we all know, Denver hosts one of the most vibrant, diverse, and exciting local music communities in the world. We are further blessed with an excess of video documentation of our scene, from music videos to documentaries to features. Reel Sounds: Music Film at the UMS will piece together a grassroots history of Denver independent music on film. Video premieres, feature screenings, and in-person director Q&A’s make Reel Sounds at the UMS a “can’t miss” addition to the festival.

The festivities begin on Friday, July 22nd, right in the thick of UMS goodness with a music video lounge at Delite. Over 2 hours of local music videos will be running non-stop starting at 7pm. At 8pm we’re proud to present premieres of new music videos from Fingers of the Sun, Hindershot, Hot White, and more. So stop in, have a drink, mingle with some of Denver’s finest audio-visual talent, and watch some kickass music videos by all of your local favorites.

Then it’s on to the main event. On Saturday, July 23rd and Sunday, July 24th, we are proud to present a program of feature length films, hosted by the fine folks at the Spark Theater (240 S. Broadway). Get out of the sun and into the AC for a few hours, and feast your eyes and ears on the best of Denver music film as well as a few surprises. Did I mention that there will be filmmakers present for the majority of the screenings? Yeah, we went there. There’s a little somethin’-somethin’ for everyone. Check it:

Friday, July 22 @ DeLite

7:00 pm Local Music Videos

8:00 pm Music Video Premiers featuring new music videos from Fingers of the Sun, Hindershot, Hot White, and more .

Saturday, July 23 @ Spark Theater

3:00 pm Soulz of the Rockies – An oral history of Denver hip-hop in the 80s and early 90s, with director Musa and special guests in person.

5:00 pm Denver Undiscovered – Westword writer Tom Murphy and local man-about-town Dane Bernhardt’s triumphant attempt to catalogue Denver’s kaleidoscopic indie music scene, directors in person.

7:00 pm Echotone – An eye-opening look into the nuts and bolts of “making it” as a musician, this Austin-focused documentary is a must-see for any musician seeking fame, fortune, or even just a comped drink at the bar.

Sunday, July 24 @ "Spark Theater":http://sparktheater.org/

3:00pm Friends Forever – The classic Denver documentary about perhaps the most exciting band in the history of Denver DIY, Friends Forever. If you are new to the scene, this is essential viewing! Your ears will bleed.

4:45pm We Are the Sea – A Denver-produced, heartstring-tugging drama set to the haunting sounds of Iron and Wine, with director Neil Truglio in person.

So come on down to the Spark and Delite on UMS weekend for Reel Sounds: Film at The UMS. See the sights and hear the sounds! Witness the spectacle! Be all the UMS-goer you can be!

The Denver Music Summit presents The SESH @ the UMS

Our friends at WESTAF and the Denver Music Summit are graciously providing the programming for this year’s Sesh. A combination of panel discussions, a Spotlight on the President of a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and development of the independant recording industry and “Storm Sessions”

These Storm Session seminars provide high-level opportunities for local musicians to receive important professional development tools to expand their careers. Storm Gloor, assistant professor in the Department of Music and Entertainment Industry Studies at the University of Colorado-Denver, will lead each seminar.

South Broadway Christian Church, Lincoln St and Ellsworth Ave

Saturday, July 23

1:00 p.m.

Networking: Coffee and Snacks provided by Pablo’s Coffee

1:30 p.m.

SESH Spotlight 1

Is your Band Tour-Ready? A panel on touring
The Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), conveners of the Denver Music Summit, is developing a program to assist touring musicians and bands in the western region of the United States. In developing this program, WESTAF is bringing together international experts in public, nonprofit and commercial support for touring artists to discuss what makes a band “tour ready”. The panel will also be a chance for the Denver music community to weigh in on the needs of touring artists in the West through facilitated audience participation.

Panelists:
Duncan McKie, President, FACTOR Canada
Shawn King, Devotchka
Craig Grossman, Green Room Touring Source
Shannon Daut, Deputy Director, WESTAF

2:45 p.m.

Storm Session Music Seminar 1

When You’re 64: What You Should Know About The Future of Music and Planning Your Career Around It
Career planning should be no different for musicians than for any other profession. It’s even more challenging, though, given the uncertain shape of the music industry of the future. The realities of quitting one’s “day job” and looking ahead given such an environment are the focus of this session.

4:00 p.m.
The SESH Spotlight 2

A conversation with Duncan McKie, President, FACTOR Canada
FACTOR, a private nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian independent recording industry. The foundation administers contributions from sponsoring radio broadcasters as well as two components of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Canada Music Fund to support the Canadian music industry. Duncan McKie has a broad and distinguished career in association management, media and market research. He will discuss FACTOR’s programs and commitment to musicians, and share ways in which the FACTOR model of support may be translated to strengthening Denver’s musicians.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

1:00 p.m.

Networking: Coffee and Snacks provided by Pablo’s Coffee

1:30 p.m.

Storm Session Music Seminar 2

‘Til Our Next Record Do We Part: Maintaining Fan Relationships in a Social Media World
In a world of overwhelming media, especially in social networks, how do artists gain and keep the attention of their fans and continue to engage with them? What part should it play in their work as artists? How have some artists successfully and creatively utilized their relationships with their fans and networks?

2:45 p.m.

Storm Session Music Seminar 3

Pennies From Heaven? How Do Artists Make Money in the Digital Age?
Technology has transformed the ways musicians and songwriters profit from their work. We’ll take a look at just what these changes mean, and some creative ways artists are monetizing what they do in such an evolving business.

4:00 p.m.

Storm Session Music Seminar 4

Your Art as a “Product” and Tracking Its Success
“Product”, “brand”, and “content” are among the several un-hip descriptions of artists and their work these days. Why do they need to understand these concepts in order to be successful? How could they know WHEN they have achieved success in those terms?