Global singing sensation Rag’N’Bone man is one of a host of leading musicians to lend their creative talents to a pioneering music project for young people which will light up the heart of Worthing.
Based at the town’s creative hub Colonnade House, #Scratchpad will see budding musicians receive expert mentoring from industry experts.
But, rather than simply going away to practice in their own bedrooms, the young people’s artistic talents will be showcased for all to see and hear – with their recordings being broadcast from a vinyl-wrapped virtual stage in the heart of the Worthing Borough Council-owned building.
The six-week project is being led by Northbrook MET college and youth music organisation AudioActive, whose track record of developing new talent includes #Scratchpad mentor Jack Stephens, of Drum n Bass outfit SpectraSoul, and Rizzle Kicks, who are now patrons of the charity.
Rag’n’Bone Man will make guest appearances
AudioActive’s newest patron Rag’n’Bone Man will also make guest appearances during the project. The Sussex-born singer is also supporting the charity’s ambitious longer term plans to develop a Centre of Excellence for grassroots talent development in Worthing.
Adam Joolia, AudioActive’s CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to be working on Scratchpad in collaboration with Northbrook MET & Colonnade House. It’s promising to be a really exciting project and with some amazing artist mentors already on board including SpectraSoul, Phonetic & As Described; young and emerging music producers, vocalists, musicians & VJ’s will get top notch support to create, record and perform new work.
“For a while now, AudioActive have been laying foundations towards some pretty major developments in Worthing, so we’re really excited to be getting a project off the ground from which we can build longer term.”
Groundbreaking music project for young people
Mike Pailthorpe, course leader at Northbrook MET, said: “Northbrook MET is delighted to be participating in this groundbreaking electronic music project for young people in Worthing.
“Having this great project in the middle of town can only give a boost to the awakening music scene. We can’t wait to bring some of these new music makers into our own recording studios at the University Centre in West Durrington to develop what has been started here.”
#Scratchpad workshops for those aged between 14 and 25 are already underway.
The transformation of Colonnade House has been designed by creative digital artists As Described, who brought their interactive installation Geminate II to Worthing last year. For this project they have vinyl-wrapped the ground floor of Colonnade House and turned it into a virtual stage where music and visual imagery from the project is being shared. Until the project ends on February 22, members of the public will be able to see and hear the work being made by young people as this building in Warwick Street is transformed at night into a video installation and listening booth.
Adam Seaman, of As Described, said: “The unique setting of Colonnade House provides such a great canvas for the public and participants to hear and see the creative work as it evolves through the project. Scratchpad takes the lid off in a truly innovative way, demystifying the process of both music production and visuals and giving young people in Worthing such a precious opportunity. It’s a pleasure to be working with such talented and skilled partners on this project.”
Colonnade House
Colonnade House is Worthing’s Creative Hub, and is leased to Adur & Worthing Trust, a local charity that supports arts and culture. It is managed through a partnership between the Trust and Worthing Borough Council with a team of three members of staff.
Since opening, the hub has become a central feature in Worthing’s creative sector, hosting events and exhibitions and providing affordable workspace for a wide range of people employed in the creative and digital industries.
The #Scratchpad project has been supported by Worthing Town Centre Initiative and Worthing Community Chest as well as a grant of nearly £15,000 from Arts Council England.
In March and April there will be follow-on performances at Bar 42 and Coast Café and in outdoor locations in Worthing, plus a music industry day to bring venues, producers and musicians together to energise Worthing’s live music scene.
Sharon Clarke, of Worthing Town Centre Initiative, said: “We are very excited to be involved with #Scratchpad and we are really looking forward to enjoying the outputs from the workshops. This is a fabulous project helping to develop young talent while providing a platform to showcase the work to Worthing residents and visitors.”
Sue Dare, of Adur & Worthing Trust, said: “The Trust is pleased to support this project through Colonnade House as it extends the fantastic work in supporting visual arts and design into music, and focuses especially on young people in Worthing, working in partnership with education. There are many opportunities for those interested in music to apply their skills and knowledge into creating businesses and careers in performance, technical production and digital. Scratchpad will give our young people the chance to learn from the best local and national professionals in the field.”
Sessions
Sessions are free and run on Wednesdays and Thursdays for six weeks from January 17. They are broken down into two age groups:
- 14 to 18-year-olds from 4pm to 6pm
- 19 to 25-year-olds from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
To register for sessions, visit – www.audioactive.org.uk/
For more details visit www.colonnadehouse.co.uk/
