Elisa Bray: Caught in the Net

At this time of flux within the music industry, what could be a more opportune moment to come up with ideas and have a chance of seeing them through. The new website www.makeyourmarkinmusic.org is an online resource offering advice and information to young people on getting started in the industry.

To launch the site there is an online game for people between 14 and 30 to try their hand at being a top music executive. It's a taster of what goes on behind the scenes, from A&R and management, to press and promotion.

In the game, players have the power to sign new talent, organise tours and compare chart successes while facing real-life dilemmas. Players will make or lose money and gain credibility points for how well they manage their label. The competition will run for one week from 3 March and you can register online now. The winner will receive £5,000 as well as meeting some significant London music executives.

Nashville-based duo Magic Wands are giving away their debut single "Teenage Love" as a free download on www.myspace.com/themagicwands on Valentine's Day.

Good news that Rough Trade East's in-store gigs, which were suspended after Radiohead's January performance when 1,500 fans turned up, are soon back on. We can see from the shop's website www.roughtrade.com/site/instore.lasso that Reading indie rock pop punk quintet Pete and the Pirates will be first to resume the in-store gigs with a show on 18 February to celebrate the release of their debut album Little Death. Sebastian Tellier will play on 20 February, and Vampire Weekend bring their blend of indie rock, reggae and African pop to the store on 29 February.

The only way to guarantee entrance is to email instores@roughtrade.com. The venue might have to invite less hotly tipped acts if they want to avoid future run-ins with large crowds of fans...