Reform Radio, in partnership with Youth Music and Sound with Mike, have given seven young creatives the opportunity to run a record label during the pandemic.
The pandemic has seen a third of British Musicians seriously consider quitting music (Musicians Union, 2020) and at a time where almost all paid work has dried up, there has been little in the way of government support. Therefore, arts organisations across the country have stepped in. Award-winning online radio station, Reform Radio, have devised a forward thinking project that is providing seven paid opportunities at their record label, Rhythm Lab Records.
Director of Reform Radio, Jemma Tanswell, tells us, “at an unprecedented time like the one we find ourselves in, it is vital that organisations like ours are doing what they can do to ensure the next generation of those wishing to work in the creative industries are able to continue to develop new skills and gain industry experience, despite the ongoing pandemic”.
Rhythm Lab Records have previously worked with artists and collectives as varied and prolific as Manchester based Swing Ting, Mr Scruff and Iora, as well as a host of international artists working together through the pandemic via Zoom. Successfully establishing a collaborative and artist-friendly tone in their short tenure as a label.
Seven young creatives have now been chosen to learn, plan and execute the release cycle of ten tracks over four releases, between now and June 2021. The team will be led and supported by Mike Burgess who, since 2010, has supported over 900 creatives in navigating the music industry through his advisory service, Sound With Mike.
Mike says he’s “really excited to be involved in supporting Reform Radio with delivering this opportunity to creatives across Greater Manchester at a time where many young people are really struggling to find valuable paid learning opportunities within the creative industries in the North of England”.
Reform Radio has proved to be committed in facing the challenges set by the pandemic head on. Their newest chapter with their record label, Rhythm Lab Records, is a reflection of that commitment and true to form, the label will continue to align with the experimental and collaborative spirit of their previous projects and releases.
You can tune in everyday online at www.reformradio.co.uk or follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more.
