Tag: music

Iconic palace and country house announce summer outdoor theatre shows

Two east of Scotland treasures will host a series of outdoor theatre performances, allowing visitors to enjoy both Shakespeare beneath the stars and the classic Treasure Island.

This summer, the National Trust for Scotland is hosting outdoor theatre and music shows at a number of their properties across the country, including Falkland Palace in Fife and Newhailes near Edinburgh.

Families and theatre lovers are invited to bring their blankets and chairs and enjoy the open air shows, set within the gardens and grounds of two of Scotland’s iconic properties.

Fans of Shakespeare can see Henry V at Falkland Palace on Sunday 15 August. Against the dramatic backdrop of one of the former homes of Mary Queen of Scots, the stirring tale of the charismatic king will be brought to life over a summer’s evening. 

The Palladian country house of Newhailes will host The Tempest on Saturday 17 July and a production of Treasure Island on 21 July, will see pirates descend on the Musselburgh estate.

Open-air theatre goers are encouraged to bring blankets, rugs and picnics along to enjoy the alfresco entertainment. 

All events can be booked through each of the individual properties on the National Trust for Scotland website at www.nts.org.uk

All events have been prepared to be as safe as possible and will follow COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures. The National Trust for Scotland is urging anyone planning to visit the events to check the latest government guidance around COVID-19 restrictions.

LISTINGS

Falkland Palace

Shakespeare’s Henry V at Falkland Palace & Garden
Date: Sunday 15 August

Time: 7pm

Festival Players International bring you Shakespeare’s most popular history play: Henry V.

After a rebellious and spirited youth, carousing in the taverns of London, Prince Hal takes on the responsibility of kingship and leads his troops across the Channel to do battle with the French at Agincourt. Follow the charismatic King Henry V in this stirring tale of leadership, bravery, humour and love; two hours of exhilarating entertainment for a summer’s evening!

Book your ticket now

Newhailes

The Tempest
Date: Saturday 17 July

Time: 7pm

Folksy’s wonderful production is filled with live music, colourful characters, enchantment and a little touch of magic.

Book your ticket now

Treasure Island
Date: Wednesday 21 July

Time: 6pm

Join plucky Jim Hawkins and his swashbuckling buccaneer crew in this exciting new adaptation of the classic pirate adventure.

Book your ticket now

Shaheeda Sinckler launches new track as part of Royal Bank of Scotland campaign

Life After Lockdown: New music encourages young adults to get their lives back on track

·       Shaheeda Sinckler commissioned to pen a new track for Royal Bank of Scotland’s ‘Every Dream Needs Plan’ campaign 

·       Campaign will encourage under-35s to set up a financial plan to achieve future dreams

·       New track explores the milestones lost to lockdown but fosters optimism about post-pandemic life

Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) winner, Shaheeda Sinckler has released an exclusive new track in collaboration with Royal Bank of Scotland.

Labelled “Put Your Hands Up”, the 3-minute song, recorded at Glasgow’s Power Control Studio last month, was written and performed by rapper and DJ Shaheeda, aka Nova Scotia the Truth, over a beat by Sam Brodie, as part of Royal Bank’s ‘Every Dream Needs a Plan’ campaign.

The campaign is encouraging under 35s in Scotland to set up a financial plan to support their future dreams, following the impact of Covid-19 on their livelihoods and personal lives.

Research from the bank reveals that more than half (56%) of 18–34-year-olds in Scotland put a ‘life moment’ such as a wedding, graduation or first home purchase on hold during the last 12 months. A further fifth (22%) of all 18-34-year-olds also reported feeling anxious about money troubles in a post-Covid world.

Inspired by Shaheeda’s personal experience of the pandemic, lyrically and in her authentic style, the new track shines a light on some of the financial challenges felt by many but urges listeners to recognise the importance of setting a plan to help.

The young artist was forced to postpone live gigs, go on furlough, accept her SAY award in isolation and delay returning to live in Glasgow, instead opting to remain staying with her parents because of the pandemic.

The video is available to stream now via Shaheeda’s YouTube channel here.

Video credits are as follows: Creative director and videographer, Tj Sedisa; Fashion stylist, Jack Shanks; Make up artist MV Brown and Hair stylist, Emma Diamond

The 25-year-old artist, who grew up in Scotland’s creative scene, is known for her experiments with solo and collaborative works, creating tracks with a distinctive, independent sound.

Her repertoire boasts features on NME, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat, Clash Magazine, Mixmag, The Guardian, BBC Radio Scotland, Red Bull Music, The Basement x Nike BSMNT AIR MAX 90 campaign and Time Out London amongst others.

As lockdown lifts and Scots begin to press play on their lives once more, Royal Bank has committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities by offering every person a free Financial Health Check, to reduce money anxieties and help them achieve their goals.

Shaheeda Sinckler, said: “The past twelve months have given us all time to reflect. Put Your Hands Up was a chance for me to share something relatable and grounded in my own experiences and offer a positive look to the future now we’re hopefully coming out the other side.

“I managed to get on top of my finances during the lockdown, but I know not everyone will be feeling the same and that’s why it’s so important we talk more about money and equip ourselves with the tools to plan for the future.”

Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “As the economic recovery from the pandemic continues to build momentum, it’s clear that younger generations are keen to get back out into the world and continue working towards achieving their aspirations, which may now be bigger or more ambitious than before.

“It’s testament to the resilience and positivity of young people in Scotland that they have not been deterred from pursuing their goals.

“We want to play our part by providing them with the tools they need to manage their money, plan for the future and make their dreams a reality.”

Royal Bank is making financial management easier by providing the following:

·       Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a senior advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, and tips for everyday spending or achieving future goals.

This could include setting savings targets, advice on tracking monthly spending and creating budgets. Customers can choose to chat in a branch or over the phone. personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html

·       Royal Bank of Scotland Mobile App – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app will now be able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending each month, helping them stay in control of their money.

Joy as Fringe by the Sea programme announced

We’ve been working towards this momentous occasion for months now and it has been a herculean effort given the challenges we’ve faced putting on a festival that is both safe for our artists, staff and visitors and full of what we all need right now: joy.

We’re delighted to say that our FULL online programme has now gone live and you can leaf through it in your own time by clicking on the image to the right.

If you’re in East Lothian, our printed programme will drop with the next issue of the East Lothian Courier, out Thursday 8th July.

Tickets for all shows are on sale here.

WHAT’S NEW IN OUR PROGRAMME?

We’ve kept a few class acts up our sleeve until the big programme reveal and here are a few of them …

Mica Paris was an absolute sensation when she last performed at Fringe by the Sea in 2018 and she will be back this August after releasing Gospel, her first album in over a decade.

Fourteen year-old singer/songwriter from Bellshill, Connor Fyfe, is one to watch. His tour has completely sold out so get in quick! Connor will be supported by local indie band Bluetile.

The latest track from Edinburgh’s swim school ‘Anyway’ was featured in Spotify’s June New Music playlist. We’re expecting great things from this four piece whose debut EP will be landing next month.

Neu! Reekie! has been performing multi-arts extravaganzas around the world for over a decade and FBTS21 will see them joined on stage by a host of special guests including ex-Makar Liz Lochhead.

Maggie O’Farrell is the author of The Sunday Times no. 1 bestselling memoir I AM, I AM, I AM and eight novels including The Sunday Times bestseller HAMNET, ‘Immersive, at times shockingly intimate… ought to win prizes’ – Guardian. Maggie talks to Jennifer Crichton, editor and founder of The Flock.

It wouldn’t be Fringe by the Sea without a good dose of Phil and Aly! Together, they have established themselves as the epitome of excellence in the world of traditional music.

With their musical magic and quick-witted humour they will pull your emotional strings one moment and have you falling off the seat with laughter the next.

To be able to put on performances this year, we need more space than we usually would and so FBTS this year is spread out over the town in various open-air venues. How beautiful is this venue map, designed by our artist in residence, Eilidh Muldoon!

The North Berwick Trust Harbour Home is where you will be able to pick up tasty food and drink at our Streetfood Market and handcrafted wares at the Mactaggart & Mickel Makers’ Market. It’s also the place where a lot of the music will happen with the Lighthouse Live Stage hosting open mic talent daily from 12pm till late.

Up at the Lodge Grounds will stand the Belhaven Big Top and SSE Renewables Envirozone tent, the Glenkinchie Lowland Stage located at the library. Further afield, the newly-reopened Marine North Berwick Hotel will be putting on masterclasses on an array of subjects from crime-writing and brewing to baking and whisky.

The show simply wouldn’t go on without all our amazing supporters, from our sponsors to our volunteers and to everyone who buys a ticket and shows up.

So thank you one and all and we look forward to seeing you seaside next month!

Big Noise in Wester Hailes!

Sistema Scotland has announced that a new Big Noise programme will begin in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh in spring 2022. The project will work in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and with Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill Primary and Nursery Schools.

Big Noise Wester Hailes will work initially with all children in Primary 1 and 2. Over the course of its first year, the programme will expand to reach all nursery to Primary 3 age children, approximately 400 participants in total across the community.

Big Noise will grow year on year, retaining the involvement of the children as they age, and introducing the next generations of nursery and Primary 1 children. It will ultimately work with babies through to school-leavers in Wester Hailes, as well as offering opportunities to stay involved in the programme as adults. 

Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra becomes a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.

Through music and nurturing relationships, from infancy to adulthood, Big Noise supports participants’ wellbeing and helps them reach their full potential.

The programme also aims to strengthen the amazing communities where it is based; developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.

While there are currently four Big Noise programmes, operating in Raploch (Stirling), Govanhill (Glasgow), Torry (Aberdeen) and Douglas (Dundee), this will be the first Big Noise programme to be based in Scotland’s capital city.

Independent evaluation of the Big Noise model by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps children to improve their concentration and language skills, enhance their problem solving and decision making, increase their self-esteem and develop strong friendships and support networks.

Benny Higgins, Chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “Sistema Scotland believes that all children and young people have great skills, talents and potential. We also know that many of Scotland’s communities face long-standing inequalities and challenges that make it extremely difficult for children to achieve their hopes, ambitions and dreams.

“The impact of Covid-19 has greatly exacerbated these inequalities. Now more than ever, we must think and act creatively to ensure Scotland’s children are given the opportunities and support that they deserve.

“Our charity is committed to ensuring that more children and communities across Scotland are able to take part in Big Noise and I am delighted that Wester Hailes will be the home of the next Big Noise programme.”

Councillor Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Sistema Scotland to Edinburgh.

“I very much look forward to seeing the Big Noise programme in action, working with and supporting children, young people and families within the Wester Hailes community.”

Nicole Killean OBE, Chief Executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are greatly looking forward to starting a new Big Noise programme in Wester Hailes which will work in partnership with children, young people, families, schools and the community for many years to come.

” We also hope to work alongside local charities and community groups to bring additional support and value to Wester Hailes.”

Sam Laidlaw, mother of three from Wester Hailes, said: “Big Noise coming to Wester Hailes is such a great opportunity. Taking part in Big Noise will help the children grow their confidence.

“I’m excited to see the joy in the children’s faces as they explore music and movement. They will also come away from the programme with the ability to play a musical instrument by the time they leave high school which is great.

“I think Big Noise will help bring the community together and bring people together from different areas of Wester Hailes. I think it will bring a sense of pride to the community.”

Nicola Benedetti CBE, internationally-renowned violinist and official Big Sister to the participants of Big Noise, said: “Sistema Scotland’s consistent dedication to quality and expansion is an inspiration to all of us and I am so excited that they are finally in Edinburgh with this new Big Noise programme at Wester Hailes.”

Pete Townshend’s music amplifies Blood Donor Day celebrations

  • Musician Pete Townshend has given permission for his classic song ‘Give Blood’ to be used for the first time to promote blood donation. Global Blood Fund, a charity focused on encouraging voluntary blood donation, has produced world-music interpretations in multiple languages for international use to inspire a new generation of blood donors.
  • World Blood Donor Day on 14 June is one of only nine official WHO Global Health Days, celebrating each year the vital contributions of tens of millions of blood donors around the world in enabling hospital procedures and saving lives. This year’s event is especially important as global pandemic has devastated worldwide blood collection.

To celebrate World Blood Donor Day today (14 June), the charity Global Blood Fund (GBF) has released multiple interpretations of Pete Townshend’s song ‘Give Blood’, performed by leading musicians from around the world.

Set to video to encourage sharing on social media and through other channels, these are being donated by the charity free-of-charge to blood services in low and middle-income countries throughout Africa, Latin America and the Middle-East for use on and around World Blood Donor Day.

Pete Townshend, guitarist and principal songwriter for the legendary rock band The Who comments; “Although it is now more than 35 years since I wrote the song ‘Give Blood’, this is the first time it has actually been used to encourage donation.

“Shortage of blood around the world is a huge issue, particularly in poorer countries, and so I was delighted to give permission for Global Blood Fund to use my work to help communicate the need for more donors to come forward.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that the minimum number of units of blood needed to sustain an adequate level of health equals 1% of a nation’s population – 10 units per 1000 people.

Yet many poorer countries fall well short of this goal. The lack of infrastructure and equipment for collection and processing of blood components is a key impediment to providing a sustainable blood supply, as is a severe shortage of volunteer donors.

Though blood and safe transfusion services are essential parts of any strong health system, the safety, sustainability and adequacy of blood remains a major health challenge for numerous countries.

GBF’s Executive Director, Gavin Evans, explains the thinking behind the approach. “Each year it becomes harder for messages about the importance of blood donation to cut through to the public, even though tens of thousands tragically die because of blood shortages.

“But with music such an influential part of people’s lives – especially in many of those countries that struggle most to collect enough blood – for 2021 we are using lyrics and melody to highlight the extraordinary impact of donor generosity.

“Not only do these individuals help save the lives of those in need of a blood transfusion, but the benefit to family, friends and the wider community of helping that patient recover is also profound. Using music as the medium, we think we have some really powerful messaging – and a great set of songs that people will enjoy in their own right.”

Working closely with national and regional blood services around the world, the music tracks will be released through multiple channels in the run up to 14 June, with national blood services encouraged to ‘get creative’ in how they use materials; as young donors in Bungoma County in Kenya did here and in Cameroon here.

Evans adds; “Our hope is that thousands of new life-saving blood donors will come forward in all the countries using these materials.”

The following versions of the song, which are featured in a purpose-made video, are being released:

As well as YouTube links above, all materials can also be accessed via: 

https://globalbloodfund.org/wbdd-resources/

Edinburgh hip-hop artist, CTRL, breaking through with poignant new single ahead of Father’s Day

From a childhood diagnosis of ADHD to his darkest moments dealing with grief – the latest track from Edinburgh hip-hop artist, CTRL, is a raw, gritty, full, and frank autobiographical insight into his life.

Solo artist Chris Thomas, also known as CTRL – a play on his initials and a reference to his determination to control his own future – speaks openly about his personal experiences on the single, ‘R.S’. The most defining moment being the untimely death of his father, Richard, when CTRL was just 19 years old. His decision to release the record ahead of Father’s Day is a fitting tribute to the most important figure in his life story.

Discussing the inspiration behind the track, CTRL explains: ‘R.S. is about facing up to the worst moments in my life, processing it all, and channelling that energy into shaping my future. It’s based on a text message my father sent me – his words of wisdom which still guide me today – and it’s what I wish I had the chance to say to him today’.

The artist, now 23, first made a name for himself in the Edinburgh rap and hip-hop scene as a regular DJ in the capital. And now he’s taking his love for the genre one step further by founding a record label, Habibi Records, with fellow music lovers, Paddy Do Rego and Mezzo.

‘We want to provide a platform for the amazing talent here in Scotland and we’re looking to sign aspiring, hungry, lyrically-driven rappers’ says CTRL.

Spotting and nurturing talent is something that comes naturally to CTRL, who is also CEO of tech company, incovo, co-owner of street food venue, Ozen, and podcast presenter on The Chris & Ryan Show.

As he says on the single, ‘Richard said, anything worth having in life will take a plan, time and effort’. And with plans to release further tracks in the coming months as well as talk of musical collaborations, it’s clear his father instilled an admirable work ethic in his son, whose unrelenting dynamism and energy is getting him noticed.

R.S. was written and performed by CTRL, produced by Paddy Do Rego, and mixed and mastered by Leftmind. It was recorded in Edinburgh, and the accompanying video was also shot in the city. Watch the full video at https://youtu.be/zjSK-SqI44s or download the track at ditto.fm/rs-ctrl.

To find out more, follow @ctrl_musicofficial on Instagram, @habibirecords_ on Instagram, and Habibi Records on YouTube.

Music students perform exclusive gig for care home residents

ASPIRING musicians from Edinburgh College blew care home residents away during a private garden concert.

The three performers, Nualla Macgregor, Seonaid Wilson and Chloe Mak, visited Mansfield Care’s Pine Villa to deliver an outdoor musical extravaganza consisting of singing, piano, clarinet and clarsach – a Celtic harp.

Inspired by a class project, the group, NCS Collective, chose to play for the Midlothian-based care home after it was recommended to them by a teacher.

Band member, Seonaid said: “After hearing about the concerts our teacher had performed at Pine Villa, and how much the residents loved it, we all decided to perform there ourselves.

 “It was our first concert out of lockdown and first concert at a care home so we were especially keen to organise a socially distanced performance to bring some in-house entertainment while venues are still closed.

“It was amazing to finally be able to make music again and perform for other people. It was really gratifying.”

After hosting a successful concert in April, the group were eager to schedule a summer performance in the sunshine.

The band perform a variety of songs from Disney anthems to The Beatles and are all selected by the residents themselves.

Clarsach player, Nualla, added: “It’s important to us that we perform songs the residents want to listen to, so we prepare a questionnaire with lots of different choices for residents to fill out.

“From there, we compile a set list and rehearse together ahead of the concert. Some top picks included Abba, Disney, The Beatles and pop songs – which were all so fun to perform and very different from our usual classical music set list.”

“We’re hoping to keep this going on a regular basis and arrange for concerts every couple of months if we have the time and if the residents want us back.”

Denise Williams, Pine Villa Care Home Manager in Loanhead, said: “It was amazing. We had residents tapping their feet and singing along, they really enjoyed it.

Margaret Morton, resident at Pine Villa said: “It was lovely sitting in the sunshine listening to the music.

Rena Flavell, resident at Pine Villa added: “The harp music was very special, it was all really lovely.”

20 year old Chloe said: “It was a great time! I think both the staff and residents really enjoyed it. The residents loved seeing all of our individual instruments and talents, so we prepared more solos as well as ensemble pieces.

“As classical performers, this isn’t something we usually get to do, so seeing how much everyone at Pine Villa enjoyed our performance was really inspiring and has definitely encouraged us to go back.”

Mansfield Care specialise in small, friendly residential care homes in Edinburgh, Borders and west of Scotland; each designed to an exceptional standard with state-of-the-art facilities.

The Mansfield Care ethos is inspired by the kind of care we would wish for ourselves in later life – supportive, friendly, bright, positive, empathetic, respectful and homely.

Hidden Door Festival heads to Granton Gasometer

MAIN PICTURE: Fabio Scalici Photography

Hidden Door Festival 2021 is heading to Granton Gasworks, with the festival taking place in the shadow of the historic gas holder. The site at West Shore Road will be transformed into an outdoor celebration of music, visual art, theatre, dance and spoken word from 15 – 19 September 2021.

Organisers plan on building two stages for music performances, lighting up the gas holder to create a dramatic backdrop, with sculptures displayed throughout the site.

The large, open space will allow Hidden Door 2021 to be flexible, adapting to comply with the  coronavirus restrictions in place at the time.

Over five days, the event will showcase the work of at least 30 graduates, four site artists, eight dance groups and two theatre companies, highlighting some of the best emerging talent in Scotland.

An old pencil drawing of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza sitting on their horses, by Wilhelm Marstrand.

David Martin, Creative Director of Hidden Door, said: “Taking on the site of the Granton Gasworks is an exciting opportunity for Hidden Door to adapt, as we need to, in order to start bringing live events back to the city. We are used to working in the nooks and crannies of disused buildings, so moving to a big open site like this is really liberating!

“We are designing the event so that there will be enough space for everyone to be safe and to be able to accommodate social distancing if we still need to work with those restrictions, but the epic nature of the site, with the incredible gas tower landmark looming over us, means we will be able to create a spectacle and an atmosphere, and bring about the wow-factor that our audience expects from a Hidden Door venue. 

“We can’t wait to get on site and start turning it into a creative and joyful showcase of Scotland’s emerging talent. Early career artists and performers have been so badly affected by the pandemic, so they are front and centre for this event, and we are looking forward to showing how much talent there is to celebrate.”

Edinburgh College, who occupy the area close to the Gasworks where the festival will be held, are enthusiastically welcoming the festival on to the site. As well as opening the gates to Hidden Door, they hope to use the festival as a training opportunity for students on a number of courses.

Jakki Jeffery, Head of Creative Industries at Edinburgh College, said: “It’s fantastic that Hidden Door have chosen this site close to the iconic Granton Gasworks to host their 2021 festival.

“It will be wonderful to see the space transformed to showcase creative talent which we hope our students can play a part in, and take inspiration and experience from to boost their future careers.” 

Tickets

Tickets are available via www.hiddendoorblog.org/tickets or from Citizen Ticket. Once the full programme is announced, ticket holders will be able to select which days they would like to attend.

Native Edinburgh to host Scottish band Fatherson on their terrace

Leading aparthotel group Native is set to host Scottish alternative rock band, Fatherson on their private garden terrace next month.  

This one-off money-can’t-buy event takes place on June 5th with thirty lucky guests to celebrate the stylish Edinburgh hotel reopening. 

The band made up of Ross Leighton, Greg Walkinshaw and Marc Strain have toured relentlessly including sold-out headline shows across the UK and Europe, plus support slots with Lewis Capaldi, Kings Of Leon, Biffy Clyro, Frightened Rabbit, Augustines, Idlewild and Twin Atlantic

When they’re not touring, Fatherson spends the rest of their time cooking up a storm – and sharing their recipes with fans through their ‘Cooking With Fatherson’ channels on their website. Their pizza pop-ups have become legendary amongst other bands backstage at festivals across the country and now they’re bringing their cooking to Native Edinburgh.

This exclusive ‘Cooking With Fatherson X Native’ event will be a chance for fans of the band to hang out and enjoy a pizza Fatherson on Native’s terrace. They’ve previously cooked for Lewis Capaldi so you’ll be in good company. 

To get your hands on complimentary tickets for this intimate gig, simply head to Fatherson’s Instagram between Tuesday 25 to Thursday,  27 May to enter their giveaway.

Thirty lucky winners will be announced to join them at Native Edinburgh for this exclusive get-together and complimentary pizza and drink.  

Greg Walkinshaw of Fatherson said: “Cooking With Fatherson started out after we took our pizza oven on tour feeding our crew, pals and other bands backstage at festivals.

“After a long year without seeing anyone, we’re really looking forward to dishing out some slices to some new pals next month in Edinburgh!”

Native Edinburgh – newly opened last year in Kintore House on Queens Street, was originally constructed in the 1790s. The building is a significant part of the original fabric of Edinburgh’s New Town, an area of outstanding neo-classical and Georgian architecture and a UNESCO world heritage site.

With 82 apartments comprising studios, one bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh provides the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.

Gary White, Regional Manager of Scotland Native aparthotels, said: “Like the rest of the world, it feels good to be back reopened and being able to put on intimate events.

“Cooking with Fatherson is our first event on our Edinburgh terrace and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick things off than with this incredible Scottish band. If you’d like to join us, make sure you visit Fatherson’s Instagram page.”

Cooking with Fatherson X Native Edinburgh will take place on Saturday, 5th June from 4pm until 7pm on the Native Edinburgh terrace. 

For more information on Native aparthotels, head to:

https://www.nativeplaces.com/property/native-edinburgh/ 

Napier students hit the right note with record label launch

Up and coming musicians, bands and artists from across Scotland have a new platform to showcase their talents on thanks to a new record label launched by Edinburgh Napier music students.

Launching last night (10 May) with a special online showcase event, Mirror Glass Records and its first four bands and artists were unleashed into the world.

Founded and run by 14 third year BA (Hons) Popular Music students, the label aims to give a platform to the best new music from Edinburgh and further afield.

The first batch of artists signed to the label include Niamhy Mac, an 18-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from the remote village of Applecross in the Highlands, Edinburgh-based producer Coben, Edinburgh band Ketracel White and Glasgow-born, Hawaii-raised artist, Sacul.

All four were part of last night’s online launch event and will feature on the label’s first showcase EP which will be released later this month.

Mirror Glass Records has been set up as part of the students’ Music Industries and Entrepreneurship business module, but the aims and goals of the label are far-reaching.

The students behind the label want to redefine how a music label operates and aim to give its artists and community the voice they believe they deserve.

From supporting its artists through transparent and fair contracts, to being committed to equality among its staff, artists and events, the label is focused on doing things differently. 

Anibal Ravani, a member of Mirror Glass Records’ development team, said: “Mirror Glass Records is an ethical, eclectic, new artist music label that aims to do things differently from day one.

“Led by a group of musicians and entrepreneurs from all over the world, we are committed to developing and innovating our own and our artists’ musical practice in Edinburgh.

“We’re so excited to launch the label after months of planning and we’re so proud of our four initial bands and artists – we can’t wait to help shine a spotlight on their talent.

“We want to be known as a transparent and ethical record label, involving our artists and staff in the entire process, making it as fair and as equal as we can. This is really the bedrock on which the entire label has been founded upon.

“We have a vision for Mirror Glass Records in that we want to create a community of creative professionals, firstly from within Edinburgh Napier and then further afield. The University, through its creative students such as those who study Graphic Design, Journalism and Film, already has this community but we want to harness this even more and help create something that all associated with the University – and hopefully many others – can be proud of.”

Dr Paul Harkins, Lecturer in Music, said: “I’m very proud of what this group of students have achieved over the last few months. As part of the Entrepreneurship module, we set them a task in January to plan, organise, and release an EP of music by Edinburgh Napier students.

“They have worked with energy and enthusiasm to develop a label for the University based on new and innovative ideas.

“Collaborating with students on other programmes to create a strong visual identity, they have identified some of the most exciting talent on both our undergraduate and postgraduate courses.”

More details on Mirror Glass Records can be found at www.mirrorglassrecords.co.uk

The label and EP launch event can be viewed at the label’s Facebook and YouTube channels.