May Blog
April Highlights
April was a busy month for us here at the Sound Lab. We kicked off the month at Big Noise Govanhill’s Easter holiday club, where our tutor Lisa Meech, encouraged the young people to transfer their existing musicianship skills into the realm of songwriting. Simultaneously, our new tutor NKem led an arts workshop where the young people were able to try their hand at some screen-printing onto tote bags, which they were able to take home! It was a great week, and we hope to continue our work with Big Noise in the future! Here are our tutors looking very pleased with their creations!
This month marked the beginning of our collaboration with Community Renewal, and the drill collective G17, comprised of talented young individuals aged 15-21 from the Gorbals. Our tutor Steg G has been working with the group at Carlton studios; he has been immensely impressed by their skills and has been enthusiastically helping the group refine their lyrics, believing they have the potential for success.
Steg is also due to begin working with a separate group of young people from Govanhill, as part of our work with Community Renewal. In the upcoming weeks he will be leading them through a series of drill-writing, recording, and production sessions at Pirate Studios. These initial sessions have had a promising start - we eagerly anticipate witnessing the young peoples’ progress over the next month!
In April we also hosted an outstanding songwriting workshop in collaboration with LGBT Health and Wellbeing Glasgow. The workshop, facilitated by our talented new tutor Marina Rolink, who specializes in voice, songwriting, guitar, and keys, was a resounding success. Marina rose to the occasion for her first Sound Lab workshop supporting participants as they explored their own LGBTQ+ experiences and stories through words and music. She guided the group through a collaborative songwriting task where they wrote lyrics and a melody together, culminating in a song that they were able to perform along with Marina and her guitar. The evening was truly enriching - thank you to everyone who attended. A special mention goes to LGBT Health and Wellbeing for their exceptional hospitality as hosts, and to Marina, who has just released a new single “If/When”, which you can listen to here!
Towards the end of the month, we also began our work in the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton. Laurie Pitt has been along to teach drumming sessions, with Nicky Murray has led some group guitar sessions. We are so pleased to have expanded our support to young people in secure care , after seeing the positive impact our sessions have had with young people at St Mary’s Kenmure, where we have been working for over a year.
Steg is also due to begin working with a separate group of young people from Govanhill, as part of our work with Community Renewal. In the upcoming weeks he will be leading them through a series of drill-writing, recording, and production sessions at Pirate Studios. These initial sessions have had a promising start - we eagerly anticipate witnessing the young peoples’ progress over the next month!
In April we also hosted an outstanding songwriting workshop in collaboration with LGBT Health and Wellbeing Glasgow. The workshop, facilitated by our talented new tutor Marina Rolink, who specializes in voice, songwriting, guitar, and keys, was a resounding success. Marina rose to the occasion for her first Sound Lab workshop supporting participants as they explored their own LGBTQ+ experiences and stories through words and music. She guided the group through a collaborative songwriting task where they wrote lyrics and a melody together, culminating in a song that they were able to perform along with Marina and her guitar. The evening was truly enriching - thank you to everyone who attended. A special mention goes to LGBT Health and Wellbeing for their exceptional hospitality as hosts, and to Marina, who has just released a new single “If/When”, which you can listen to here!
Towards the end of the month, we also began our work in the Good Shepherd Centre in Bishopton. Laurie Pitt has been along to teach drumming sessions, with Nicky Murray has led some group guitar sessions. We are so pleased to have expanded our support to young people in secure care , after seeing the positive impact our sessions have had with young people at St Mary’s Kenmure, where we have been working for over a year.
Meet the Tutor
John is a powerhouse on the strings, and regularly delivers guitar and bass tuition to a diverse range of students both here at our space in the Pentagon Business Centre, and within a secure care setting at St Marys Kenmure. Over the last year John has worked closely with Ukrainian young people at Paisley’s YMCA, and was a huge part of the success of our showcase event last year at the CCA, supporting the young people to perform guitar in front of a huge audience! For greater insight to these workshops, and to get a feel for how much the young people enjoyed the work, check out this short video about our Ukraine project here.
At the Sound Lab, we offer a range of musical and creative tuition across a huge selection of creative disciplines! Our goal is to provide access to the transformative power of music for all, regardless of background or ability. If you know a young person who you think we could support, please email us at thesoundlab@live.co.uk
At the Sound Lab, we offer a range of musical and creative tuition across a huge selection of creative disciplines! Our goal is to provide access to the transformative power of music for all, regardless of background or ability. If you know a young person who you think we could support, please email us at thesoundlab@live.co.uk
Upcoming in May
May is gearing up to be an action-packed month for us here at The Sound Lab, with plenty of new workshops on the horizon. Our tutor Steg G is set to kick things off by spearheading DJ and Rap tuition sessions at Quarriers Homeless Stopover service and Camstradden Primary, starting this week. Additionally, we're thrilled to announce our partnership with Turf Community Project in Cardonald, where we'll be offering rap and drill sessions to young people on the fringes of the criminal justice system.
But that's not all—we're also getting ready to launch guitar and singing tuition with young people at Drumchapel High School's ASN Unit. It's going to be a month filled with creativity, collaboration, and the joy of music. We can't wait to embark on these endeavors and make a positive impact within these communities. If you know a young person who you think we could support, please email us at thesoundlab@live.co.uk, or get in touch via our website www.thesoundlab.org.uk. |
Radio Shows
Last month, one of our programme coordinators, Mairi Fletcher took to the decks at Radio Buena Vida to chat about her Sound Lab journey over the last four years. Mairi started with us as a volunteer, and has worn several hats as tutor, board member, and now full-time staff member. Listen back here for, more about Mairi’s favorite Sound Lab memories, why music matters to her, and to hear a blend of funky tunes that she has had on repeat recently!
In April, we also had our wonderful guitar and production tutor Scott Bathgate, on Clyde Built Radio to deliver his very own ‘New Unsigned Hour’. Scott took the opportunity to showcase the music of his favorite unsigned artists from across Glasgow, highlighting some talents he's had the pleasure of working with at the Sound Lab, including our very own New Sounds Academy graduate, Josh Maguire. With years of experience at the Sound Lab, Scott has brought invaluable tutoring and industry insight to our team. Listen back here.
Scott also worked closely with New Sounds Academy participant Sir Cerise, guiding them through the process of creating, recording, and performing their music at our New Sounds gig in Stereo last summer. Scott’s band Lo Rays have been on tour this month, promoting their latest single ‘Forget Myself’. His other band, Doom Scroller, play Sneaky Pete’s on May 31st, and King Tut’s in June.
It’s all happening for Scott this month; listen back on CBR to hear recommendations from one of Scotland’s most versatile young producers.
Coming up this month on our radio residencies, we have an exciting show for both Clyde Built Radio and Radio Buena Vida! Join our tutors Laurie and Nick as they share the outdoor soundscapes and found sounds crafted by the young people we worked with at Concrete Garden. Through a series of dynamic sound-based workshops held in The Back Garden in March, these youngsters transformed ordinary elements like mud squelching and bins into musical marvels. With engaging interviews peppered throughout, this broadcast promises an insight into the fun (and controlled chaos!) that took place at this remarkable community space. Mark your calendars for the 25th of May from 3-4pm for our RBV instalment, and tune into Clyde Built Radio on May 24th from 1-2pm - you won't want to miss it!
Scott also worked closely with New Sounds Academy participant Sir Cerise, guiding them through the process of creating, recording, and performing their music at our New Sounds gig in Stereo last summer. Scott’s band Lo Rays have been on tour this month, promoting their latest single ‘Forget Myself’. His other band, Doom Scroller, play Sneaky Pete’s on May 31st, and King Tut’s in June.
It’s all happening for Scott this month; listen back on CBR to hear recommendations from one of Scotland’s most versatile young producers.
Coming up this month on our radio residencies, we have an exciting show for both Clyde Built Radio and Radio Buena Vida! Join our tutors Laurie and Nick as they share the outdoor soundscapes and found sounds crafted by the young people we worked with at Concrete Garden. Through a series of dynamic sound-based workshops held in The Back Garden in March, these youngsters transformed ordinary elements like mud squelching and bins into musical marvels. With engaging interviews peppered throughout, this broadcast promises an insight into the fun (and controlled chaos!) that took place at this remarkable community space. Mark your calendars for the 25th of May from 3-4pm for our RBV instalment, and tune into Clyde Built Radio on May 24th from 1-2pm - you won't want to miss it!
Girls Rock Glasgow
Applications are now open to take part in Girls Rock Glasgow Summer School! The weeklong summer school is open to girls and non-binary young people who want to learn instruments, form a band, make art, merch and new pals and play a gig at the end of the week.
The club is run by Girls Rock Glasgow, a grassroots CIC, who work to make art and music accessible for young girls and non-binary kids across Glasgow.
The Summer club will run from 20th-28th of July and be held between the Kinning Park Complex, and Empire Studios.
If you support a young person aged 8-16, who you think would like to get involved this summer, you can click here to sign up and find out some more about this exciting opportunity.
The club is run by Girls Rock Glasgow, a grassroots CIC, who work to make art and music accessible for young girls and non-binary kids across Glasgow.
The Summer club will run from 20th-28th of July and be held between the Kinning Park Complex, and Empire Studios.
If you support a young person aged 8-16, who you think would like to get involved this summer, you can click here to sign up and find out some more about this exciting opportunity.
SMIA Advisory Group
The Scottish Music Industry Association are hiring! They are recruiting for new members of their EDIA Advisory Group, who will look to shape the future of the Scottish music industry by crafting a comprehensive EDIA Strategy. But that's not all! They are also seeking a dynamic individual to chair the Advisory Group. The chair will steer bi-monthly meetings, providing strategic direction, and foster collaboration among members.
Both roles will be reasonably compensated, with Advisory Group Members receiving £150 for approximately a half-day engagement every second month, and the chair receiving £300 for approximately a full-day engagement every second month.
If you are passionate about building a more inclusive and vibrant music industry for all, you can apply here. Deadline is 10th of May at 5pm.
The Scottish Music Industry Association are hiring! They are recruiting for new members of their EDIA Advisory Group, who will look to shape the future of the Scottish music industry by crafting a comprehensive EDIA Strategy. But that's not all! They are also seeking a dynamic individual to chair the Advisory Group. The chair will steer bi-monthly meetings, providing strategic direction, and foster collaboration among members.
Both roles will be reasonably compensated, with Advisory Group Members receiving £150 for approximately a half-day engagement every second month, and the chair receiving £300 for approximately a full-day engagement every second month.
If you are passionate about building a more inclusive and vibrant music industry for all, you can apply here. Deadline is 10th of May at 5pm.
Bigger Better Brains On Tour
Following Dr. Anita Collins's viral TED Education video on the benefits of playing an instrument, Bigger Better Brains (BBB) emerged as a platform to share neuromusical research globally. BBB aims to simplify access to this research and empower individuals, including musicians, educators, parents, and advocates, to utilize it in advocating for music education and understanding brain development in children.
This June they are returning to Scotland to collaborate once more with educators in Glasgow! Join the BBB team on 3rd June for a session on Musical Advocacy, to help practitioners share the magic of music learning in ways that are more impactful and make us feel comfortable and confident. They will also be delivering a session in Dundee on the 5th June on the neurological impact of music! Both workshops are completely free, so head over to their website here, where you can read more about the event and snag yourself a spot!
Following Dr. Anita Collins's viral TED Education video on the benefits of playing an instrument, Bigger Better Brains (BBB) emerged as a platform to share neuromusical research globally. BBB aims to simplify access to this research and empower individuals, including musicians, educators, parents, and advocates, to utilize it in advocating for music education and understanding brain development in children.
This June they are returning to Scotland to collaborate once more with educators in Glasgow! Join the BBB team on 3rd June for a session on Musical Advocacy, to help practitioners share the magic of music learning in ways that are more impactful and make us feel comfortable and confident. They will also be delivering a session in Dundee on the 5th June on the neurological impact of music! Both workshops are completely free, so head over to their website here, where you can read more about the event and snag yourself a spot!
Thanks to our Funders
A quick shoutout to our funders, who have made all of this amazing work possible!
With their support we hope to continue to grow as an organisation and reach as many young people as possible. So, a massive thank you goes out to Creative Scotland’s National Lottery Extended Program Fund, Inspiring Scotland Creative Communities Glasgow Fund, the Corra Foundation Henry Duncan Grants, the Robertson Trust, the Foyle Foundation, and the National Lottery Community Fund Young Start programme, for continuing to support our work.
A quick shoutout to our funders, who have made all of this amazing work possible!
With their support we hope to continue to grow as an organisation and reach as many young people as possible. So, a massive thank you goes out to Creative Scotland’s National Lottery Extended Program Fund, Inspiring Scotland Creative Communities Glasgow Fund, the Corra Foundation Henry Duncan Grants, the Robertson Trust, the Foyle Foundation, and the National Lottery Community Fund Young Start programme, for continuing to support our work.