Bands given the chance to be heard

IT'S TIME for young bands to come forward and be heard.

If you are under the age of 18 and either in a band or perform individually, the music sub-committee of the Arts Commission wants to hear from you.

Since it started in March 2009, the committee has helped give exposure to 22 bands and soloists through a compilation CD that is due out this year, as well as holding various workshops.

Chaired by Usual Suspects drummer Russ Fossey, it carried out a survey last year asking bands and musicians about rehearsal space available in the island.

'We conducted the survey to find out if bands were having difficulties, in particular with rehearsal space,' said Russ.

'The main outcome we had is that bands are either end of the scale – paying a substantial amount of money for rehearsal space or they have free space at home.'

However, Russ said the majority of the people who had taken part were over the age of 18.

Those aged under 18 comprised just 5% of the total respondents.

'There is no middle ground for rehearsal space – it is either pay lots of money or use your bedroom,' said Russ.

'People over the age of 18 have more choice because they have the money to do so and do not have the worry of noise and parents.'

'So we really want under-18s to come forward and tell us about their problems and ideas.'

Russ said that, ideally, it would be great to be able to have bespoke facilities for bands in the island.

'In an ideal world, we could fund to have a place that is fully soundproof, with storage space for equipment and even a little coffee shop – that would be the dream,' he said.

'However, at the moment we have to make do with what we have, so we need the younger guys to come forward and let us know how we can help.'

Russ said that as well as helping with rehearsal space problems, the committee wanted to show that music was for some people not just a hobby but a career choice.

'Lots of people now develop their interests in music and arts into careers,' he said.

'Being in a band and writing music has many life skills involved, such as commitment, team work, meeting deadlines and communication skills.

'There are so many creative jobs part of the economy now that it is important we encourage young people to continue with it and have the facilities here to do so.'