A ground-breaking mentoring programme for young musicians in Dundee has been hailed as an international success after two of the acts were signed up to record deals.
The Gardyne Youth Music Initiative (YMI), which helped bands cut their first CD and saw them tutored by some of Dundee’s top musicians, has seen 19-year-old singer-songwriter Syann Gilroy contracted to record her debut album in a London/Berlin/Dundee production link-up.
Meanwhile, teenage female duo Blood Indians are set to release their first single through the Gardyne Studios own label next month.
Mike Brown, who runs the label and is the project manager for the Gardyne YMI, said the recording deals highlight both the success of the course and also the depth of young musical talent in Dundee.
He said: “We were all astounded by the quality of the kids on the course last year and Syann blew all our minds.
“She is a wonderful singer and has a great chance to be a star of the future.
“Along with myself, Anth (Mike’s twin brother, who is a producer and musician in London) and Steve Aungle, who lives and works in Berlin and previously collaborated with Billy MacKenzie, we are working with Syann on the album.
“She’s written some great new songs and we’re hoping to release it early next year.
“Blood Indians are great as well. The girls have been working hard to get their single recorded, it’s sounding great and will be released and launched at Pre-Production in Clark’s on Thursday April 24.
“After the success of last year, we’re extending the course this summer to include a music journalism aspect.”
Last summer, nine young bands or solo performers were mentored by four of Dundee’s most accomplished musicians Christopher Marra, Stevie Anderson, Dave Webster and Paul (Lefty) Wright, and given advice on songwriting, production and performing techniques.
A compilation CD was recorded and released featuring all the bands and solo acts performing new material written and produced on the course, and all the acts performed at a showcase night at Gardyne Theatre in November.
Now, Gardyne YMI 2 is set for an £8,000 boost from the city council in the form of a grant as it expands to include a music journalism course this year.
The course is coordinated by Dundee and Angus College and delivered by Gardyne Studios in conjunction with Creative Scotland, The Courier and Radio Tay.
Councillors are being asked to approve the proposed grant to the initiative at Monday’s policy and resources committee meeting.
The project is expected to cost a total of £64,000.