Free music careers event supported by BBC Introducing

A FREE music careers event for young people, ‘You Can’t Have A Career in the Music Industry… Can You?! will be held at Town Hall Arts, Trowbridge, on Friday 6th April, 6pm – 8pm, supported by BBC Introducing in the West.

If you are aged 14-25 and interested in working as a professional musician, in a band, in radio, studio work, or music videos, come along to find out more.

Organisers say, “Chaired by Richard Pitt, presenter of BBC Introducing in the West, this is a fantastic opportunity for young people to bring questions to our expert, professional panel and hear their music business insider tips and advice!

“This event is also a great opportunity for parents, carers, music teachers, tutors and music leaders to explore music career options with their young people, helping to identify progression pathways and busting some music industry myths along the way!

“’You Can’t Have A Career in the Music Industry… Can You?!’ will be followed by our monthly free youth music night ‘Unsigned’ at the later time of 8pm – 10pm. Come along and hear young local performers programmed by Alice McNeil.

“If you would like to perform at an Unsigned event, please get in touch.”

The professional panel at the music careers event will be hosted by Richard Pitt, Matthew Priest, Lady Nade, Simon Whitehead and Alice McNeil.

Richard Pitt has presented BBC Introducing since 2008, supporting and promoting new music in Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. BBC Introducing supports unsigned, undiscovered and under the radar musicians, offering them a network of opportunities to get their music aired on the BBC’s national stations and play at the biggest festivals and events in the country.

Richard has long been a fan of new music and said, “I feel privileged to get to play it on the radio, often for the very first time. Acts like George Ezra and Gabrielle Aplin received their first airplay on their local BBC Introducing show in the West”.

Lady Nade is a Jazz and Blues influenced soul and folk award-winning singer-songwriter from Bristol. Her music has recently been selected by Sam Bain (writer of Peep show and Freshman) to be the closing theme for his  new BBC Radio 4 show, ‘Yours Truly, Pierre Stone’. Lady Nade has supported the likes of Zara McFarlane and Vintage Trouble, she is a sought out session singer and recent collaborations have gained her Airplay on BBC6 Music and BBC Introducing. Her increasing profile has earned her endorsement from Taylor Guitars this year, and she is working with Channel 4 for a forthcoming TV production series called Jerusalem.

Alice McNeil is the creative force behind the Trowbridge monthly youth music nights, ‘Unsigned’. A singer-songwriter herself, she has deep roots into the local music scene. Alice has a great ear for up and coming musicians and programmes a number of bands and solo artists to perform alongside her.

Matthew Priest, best known as the drummer and co-songwriter for Dodgy, known for their nineties summer hits “Good Enough For You” and “Staying out for The Summer”, Mathew has also played with The Lightning Seeds, The Electric Soft Parade, Gene, The Yellow Moon Band and Ian McNabb and The Icicle Works.  He has managed acts and also produced and presented shows on BBC Radio London, BBC Somerset and BBC Solent. He also works with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

He said, “Being around musicians for over 25 years has given me a unique set of skills that should be put to good use.”

Simon Whitehead is a professional video editor, cameraman and musician. Having worked in music, feature film, TV and corporate production, Simon is now working as a freelancer in the South West. His clients range from major label recording artists through to FTSE100 businesses and independent documentary projects.