Student News: Anth Mills Assistant Engineer on Therapy?'s New Album
Anth Mills is a Gateshead student and superb drummer – not necessarily in that order. But, we’re not here to talk about his drumming, he’s just spent nearly 300 hours of studio time as Assistant Engineer for producer, Chris Sheldon, on Therapy?’s new album at Blast Studios.
Chris Sheldon has an extensive portfolio including Foo Fighters, Pixies, Biffy Clyro, Idlewild, Radio Head, Roger Waters.. The list goes on!
Student News: Kyle Hughes Joins Marco Mendoza's European Tour
Gateshead student, Kyle Hughes, will be drumming for The Dead Daisys and Thin Lizzy’s Bassist, Marco Mendoza, on his European Tour, Viva La Rock, this month.
Kyle has quickly made an impact with the skills he’s built up since the age of 6, playing shows in LA, Washington and across Europe, as well as playing Glastonbury Festival 2017.
He’s played in a variety of different bands supporting the likes of Jools Holland, The Jacksons, Texas, Simple Minds, Scouting for Girls and many more. Kyle’s drumming caught the eye of Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, who quickly snapped him up to be his drummer for all his shows, worldwide.
We’d say he’s a Rock Star in the making – but perhaps he already is! Looking forward to hearing what he gets up to next!
It’s festival season!
The last of the students are filtering out of the Academy for the year having passed their courses, well done guys. It’s no rest for me though as festival season is in full swing. Last week students and myself,all played Corbridge together and from here on in; weekends are full of shouting in fields. This weekend it’s with The Wonder Stuff in Frome, Holmfirth and Reading.
The students are really busy too! Some are embarking on s new business called Rock Works where they are teaching primary school children to rock! When you are a musician … the work never stops!!!
Source: Dan on Tour
AMS Swindon New Premises Launch
On 30th January, AMS Swindon held the official opening event for their new centre. Situated at 1 Milton Road in the town centre, Swindon Music Courses are now easy to access.
Swindon Mayor Cllr Eric Shaw attended the event to cut the ribbon and officially open the newly refurbished academy. Of the new centre, Cllr Shaw said: “Centres like this are really important because they make the arts accessible to all. Now that the Academy is in the centre of town, it’s not only physically more accessible but will get a lot more attention from passers by and that can only be a good thing.”
Musicians guests make a smashing opening.
As well as official Mayoral Endorsement, local singer/songwriter legend Nick Harper attended the event to play a guest acoustic set. Harper christened the building by smashing a guitar on the entrance in true rock star fashion.
Following the opening ceremony, guest were able to tour the building at their leisure and enjoy live performances from the students in the brand new space.
Come and see for yourself
All in all, it was a fantastic evening for the academy of music and sound and the Swindon music scene. If you're interested in touring the new centre, please contact [email protected] or call us on 01793 644477.
Graduation Ceremonies 2016
Students and staff from our centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh & North East (Gateshead) gathered together on 9th September to celebrate the graduation of students from our BA(hons) Performance Industries course. Guests were treated to a guitar performance from Hamish Roberts before the ceremony began. Speeches from our Principal; Steve Ryan and Academic Director; Shaun Baxter preceded a speech from Dean of Faculty; John Pymm. Recipients of the award were presented by representatives from each of our centres.
AMS Swindon at Swindon Chilli Fiesta 2016
The sun was shining on Wharf Green in Swindon on Saturday 30th July as 3 AMS Swindon students took to the stage at Swindon Chilli Fiesta 2016. Playing a mixture of covers and original material, Bradley Cowtan, Moesha Ottaway and Jordan Marvell entertained the ever-expanding crowd as they explored the firey offerings of the festival.
Congrats to all 3 students for their outstanding performances. Please check out Brad, Mo and Jordan’s music pages below and show them your support!
https://www.facebook.com/BradleyCowtanUK
https://www.facebook.com/groups/885972408146984/
https://www.facebook.com/JordanMarvellMusic
Special thanks go to Anthony and Rachael at inSwindon
(http://www.swindontowncentre.co.uk/inswindon) and Holmes Music (http://www.holmesmusic.co.uk) for providing sound and equipment.
Dan on Tour: The Wight Stuff!
Today I am on the Isle of Wight playing along side Queen, Mike and the Mechanics and Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue. The ferry here is surprisingly short and apparently the most expensive in Europe! Nikki Sixx’s rock show was really entertaining and did exactly what you would want from a rock band…
We are on at 9 at the same time as Queen but I’m hoping to run over after we play and catch a little … Just to tick it off the bucket list!!
The afternoon was spent watching Northern Ireland get beat by Poland… Unfortunately! We drive back through the night and I’ll be in the Academy tomorrow with my ears ringing...!
Source: Dan on Tour
Gateshead students lead Queen 90th birthday celebrations
Today is the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations in Trinity Square Gateshead. Our students are out in force leading the celebrations in song!
The crowds are loving it… It’s worth working on a Saturday to see them in action.. This is their serving outdoor gig of the week after having played in saltwell park on Wednesday for the carers association.
AMS Gateshead's Fletcher Jackson Band are "one to watch"
The Independent have called them ‘one to watch’ and
they’re booked to play Live at Leeds festival!
Fletcher Jackson Band are made up of some of our Gateshead students. And they are fast becoming the North East’s hottest ticket! They are not only booked to play Live at Leeds festival but they are tipped as one of the bands to go and see by the Indiependent.
“For fans of the new wave of Bob Dylan imitators, take a detour to catch Fletcher Jackson’s set. He’s bringing back what Jake Bugg was trying to do with his debut album, but in a slightly more refreshing way. A raw, tuneful voice coupled with chugging guitars and pleasing melodies, Jackson’s songs will be a welcome respite from the more mainstream acts on the line up.” – Zia Larty-Healy, The Indiependant.
Higher Education at the Academy of Music and Sound
Higher Education at the Academy of Music and Sound has never been more attractive!
Higher education has never been more important. The Academy of Music and Sound has a strong history of preparing students for rigours of the modern music industry. We are conscious that this is a rapidly changing industry we’re preparing our students for and so we can’t stand still when it comes to our student experience. Our Foundation Degree courses in Music and Creative Music Production and BA (hons) in Performance Industries are constantly reviewed, evaluated and updated in light of changes in the industry.
Today a degree is only half the story when it comes to your education, modern musicians needs to be incredibly skilled on their instrument or in their discipline. They also need to be experienced and connected. In response to this, we have developed a brand new, comprehensive enrichment program. All Higher Education students will have exclusive access to this program.
Our industry led masterclasses will provide specific training and connections with top class practitioners. Previous masterclasses have been delivered by Nat Powers, Newton Faulkner, Futureheads, Bumblefoot, Vintage Trouble, PRS, Musicians Union and many more.
Our industry mentor scheme will connect students with dedicated professionals who will offer help and advice. The mentors will be available throughout the course and for 6 months after graduation to really help students to get their careers off the ground.
Our mentors include:
- Roy Harter: New York based Emmy award-winning, composer, sound designer and audio mixer, best known for his work in television and film. He is also a multi-instrumentalist for various performing and recording artists. Roy is the founder and owner of the post-production facility SkinnyMan, located in New York City.
- Glen Brady: Based in California, Glen Brady is a music producer & audio engineer. He writes and produces music which has been used by on TV networks such as CBS, Fox Sports, MTV, CW Network and Sky Sports. Glen specializes in analogue synth systems, modular synths and drum machines.
- Simon Efemey: A record producer, noted for his work with Napalm Death, Paradise Lost, Obituary, Amorphis, Deceased & The Wildhearts. Simon also works mixing live sound for The Wonder Stuff, Jesus Jones, Napalm Death, Diamond Head, Orson & Obituary.
- Rick McMurray: Founding member of Alternative Rock band Ash, Rick has toured the world as a drummer. Rick has extensive experience of the live and record industry, working professionally since the early 90s!
- Plus many more, covering all aspects of the music industry!
At the end of your first year on the Foundation Degree in Music Performance, students will be taken on a tour bus to a showcase event at a location within the UK. They will showcase their talents at a gig with students from across the UK. After the gig, they will spend the night on a tour bus as they're taken home. Music Performance students will be given delegate passes to Liverpool Sound City where you can network with the who’s who of the UK music industry. Music Production students will have the opportunity to attend Sónar in Barcelona.
Applications for our courses starting in September 2016 are still open. Apply via UCAS for the Foundation Degree courses and through the University of Wolverhampton for the BA (hons) course. Our Foundation Degrees are available in our Birmingham, Exeter, Gateshead, Swindon and Southampton centres and our BA (hons) course is available in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gateshead, Birmingham, Swindon, Southampton and Exeter.
Generator's Business of Songwriting with Dan Donnelly
The UK’s Leading music development agency Generator, continues their series. Wednesday 23rd September 6.00pm The Core, Science Central, Newcastle.
Next up in Generator’s series ‘The Business of…’ we focus on Songwriting and the business behind it. Joining us to offer practical advice and first-hand experiences are songwriter manager, Will Frank (SBW Music) who represents Ivor Novello and Grammy winning songwriter Cathy Dennis among others and Rebecca Jones known for her collaborations with Groove Armada and her own work as Saint Saviour. Chairing the Generator discussion and asking the all important questions is singer-songwriter Dan Donnelly, who also heads up our Gateshead centre. Dan is also a member of The Wonder Stuff.
Generator’s ‘The Business of… Music Production’ Highlights
Last night we took an enlightening look at the world of Music Production. Joining us for a thoroughly engaging discussion were producers Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey, Anna Calvi, Bat for Lashes), Matthew Johnson (Hookworms, Frankie & The Heartstrings, Joanna Gruesome) and Andrew Archer (Trafik).
With a mixture of anecdotes and informative information, the trio, whose experience of the industry varied and covered all levels and many genres, helped attendees grasp the role of a modern producer and how to earn income from the craft.
Here’s some golden nuggets that came out of the Generator discussion:
- Remember you’re working for the band on their record, offer advice and guidance but don’t impose your ideas.
- There’s more to the role than purely the creative skills, to be efficient you need to learn about project management. You also need people skills and on occasion, be a mediator during band squabbles.
- As a producer, if you play on a recording or are named as ‘eligible studio producer’, make sure you register with PPL to generate revenue from airplay and public performances of the record. Forms can be found on the PPL website
- Remixing is becoming an increasingly valuable revenue stream and can generate leads for future work and creative collaborations.
- It shouldn’t be all about making money, remember why you got into music and do it because you have a passion for it.