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The Oh Yeah Music Centre Belfast is set to launch the third year of its talent development programme ‘Scratch My Progress’.

April 10, 2014

ohyeahThe Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast is set to launch the third year of its talent development programme ‘Scratch My Progress’. The scheme will again offer four musical acts the chance to hothouse their talent, learning about the business of music plus the trades of performing and writing.

The successful Scratch participants will spend the rest of 2014 in meetings and workshops with music industry professionals, including lawyers and accountants, vocal coaches, PR experts and more. The team will be encouraged to share ideas in interactive songwriter sessions and receive mentoring in everything from business and marketing, to interview skills and stage management. They will write and record a track professionally for a showcase EP and organise a showcase event at the end of the programme.

This follows on the success of two previous Scratch My Progress programmes. Some of our graduates are already making strong progress, namely:

  • Katharine      Philippa has performed at the Ulster Hall with the Ulster Orchestra and      played at the London showcase for Belfast Music Week 2012. Her tracks have      been played numerous times on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music and was chosen by DJ      Tom Ravenscroft to feature in his curated festival at the      MAC, Belfast, September 2013.
  • Since graduating from Scratch      My Progress in 2013 Go Wolf have been featured on a music compilation on      the prestigious French Kitsuné Maison      label, home to the likes of Two Door Cinema Club and Hot Chip.
  • Frances Mitchell had a song at number three in the      Irish singles chart, August 2013.

‘Who Do You Love?’ was co-written by 21 year-old Frances and Mark Graham, both from Lisburn.  The song, released by singer Ryan O’ Shaunessy, was on RTE1 series ‘The Hit’, featuring the talents of songwriters from all over Ireland.

Charlotte Dryden, Project Manager said, “Scratch My Progress is opening the doors again to new music potential. It’s the third recruitment drive for this project, and it’s always an interesting time for us to see who is out there eager to develop their craft. We’ve had an exciting couple of years already, with a variety of artists taking advantage of the mentoring and services offered to them. We’re hoping to tap into more great talent again in 2014, and confident there is plenty of potential out there.”

The scheme is supported by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the PRS for Music Foundation and Invest Northern Ireland.

The Scratch concept was inspired by the work of Battersea Arts Centre in London, which pioneered the idea of a ‘ladder of progress’ using achievable steps and constant feedback. The project allows artists to test and develop their ideas “from scratch” with the audience, and each other.

The application process is now open, for full details on how to apply to be on ‘Scratch My Progress’ 2014, e-mail rebecca@nullohyeahbelfast.com . Deadline for submission is Friday 2nd May.

Oh Yeah provides something unique in a cynical industry; a place to get advice and support, asking for nothing in return, bar enthusiasm, and the enjoyment that comes ”                                                                                                               Scott Jamison (Go Wolf), Scratch My Progress participant, 2013.

“This scheme has been like walking into a house and all the lights coming on. Stuff is illuminated, and you can start to explore with open eyes. It’s supportive, a boost, as well as growth. I’d say the Oh Yeah Centre is a base, where people can gather and you can talk stuff over, and I think everybody needs that.”
Katharine Philippa, Scratch My Progress participant, 2012.

The Oh Yeah Music Centre is a registered charity that opened its doors in 2007. It houses rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, a music exhibition and office units for emerging businesses. It organises music industry training programmes and outreach projects. Oh Yeah has been the official coordinator of Belfast Music Week, 2011-13.

http://www.ohyeahbelfast.com/scratch_my_progress

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