Everything is possible

This week my job took me on another rewarding journey as part of SOSLAM, as a bunch of us re-grouped for the Young Musicians Project: this time with a difference.

This annual project brings together creatives from across the town to facilitate songwriting skills with up to 15 of the towns brightest rising talents. In usual times, this takes place at METAL Southend, who have the most beautiful and creative space in the middle of Chalkwell Park. The young musicians have the run of the building for the week, taking part in workshops and writing sessions with the facilitators and each other. The week usually ends in a showcase at Chalkwell house for friends and family and we follow up with radio interviews and recording sessions to release a compilation album full of material from the week. The whole project is funded by Ewan’s Music Trust and Music-on-sea, meaning it is accessible for young people from all backgrounds.

I’m sure you can already spot a number of potential hurdles to us running this year: we certainly could as we went into the week. Despite this, off we went! Zoom became our Chalkwell house and all sessions were delivered remotely; practical and otherwise. At the end of the week, The Isolation Room (a virtual live gig room on Facebook) became the place for anyone who was ready to perform.

Once again, the level of talent and commitment to the craft was wonderful to witness. Each young musician relished the opportunity to dedicate a whole week of their time to the process of making music. They lapped up all of the information in every seminar we ran, asking really pertinent questions that lead some really interesting discussions and story telling. Some re-found the passion for music that had been lost along the way. And they all loved meeting other young musicians just like them: we always get most excited about this as, as experienced musos, we understand the importance of your ‘tribe’

There is a lot more to come from these guys; once lockdown is over, we will pick up the radio interviews and recording sessions for the album and we will bring them together for their own live gig. In the meantime, here’s the gang signing off!

Click on the following article titles to read about the projects from previous years: ‘Stop Collaborate and Listen’ and ‘Talent is just the entrance fee’