Young people in Poplar making (radio) waves

June 22, 2018Leave a comment

This week we’re working with a very talented group of young people in Poplar in partnership with The Prince’s Trust Get Started.

As well as writing some brilliant original music together – ready for today’s gig – yesterday they spent the day learning about how to create their own radio show! The called the station ‘Woody Radio’ and the show ‘The Tea’.

If this all sounds wonderfully intriguing, why not check out the excellent show made by a group we worked with in Croydon in March below?

Making Tracks: new album ‘Moments’

April 27, 2018Leave a comment

In March 2018 a group of young people took part in Making Tracks, formed the band ‘Trustees’ and together created a set of songs written from their own perspectives and life experiences for the album ‘Moments’, as well as producing their own radio show ‘New Era on UA Radio’.

This album includes live recordings from the performance at Croydon Hive.

Making Tracks is a programme developed by the Irene Taylor Trust to positively engage young people in the community by providing enriching creative opportunities. This project was run in partnership with The Prince’s Trust’s Get Started programme.

More info about The Prince’s Trust’s Get Started programme is here.

Making Tracks: Food for Thought album

April 17, 2018Leave a comment

In February 2018 a group of young people from Lewisham YOS took part in Making Tracks, formed the band ‘Undecided (At The Lounge)’ and together produced a set of songs written from their own perspectives and life experiences for the album ‘Food for Thought’, available to listen to now:

Young Producers: Sesh N Sauce LIVE!

March 6, 2018Leave a comment

We’re feeling very proud of our Young Producers Müqzz and Yung Hamlit and all the young people who took to the stage at their ‘Sesh N Sauce’ event in Lewisham last night (postponed last week due to snow). The performances were magnificent – professional, original and entertaining! So much musical talent! It’s so inspiring to see the young people we work with on Making Tracks continue to flourish on Young Producers – and wonderful to have some familiar faces returning to share their new musical ventures with us.

Young Producers: Müqzz blog 3

January 25, 2018February 8, 2018Leave a comment

Young Producers is a new project for young people who have taken part in Making Tracks, supported by the Arts Patron Trust. Our Young Producers Müqzz and Pedro are collaborating to put on a gig involving other young people and will be blogging about the process.

On our third day at Young Producers, we attended the Sounding Out gig. The Fish Police were the first act to perform and I was blown away with the performance. It was quite odd, something I’ve never seen before. The sounds were great and I could see the whole crowd bopping. I never knew who they were, which gave me high expectation, but they managed to meet.

I managed to see all the acts before the actual gig at rehearsals and I was lost for words by the songs that Inside Out were going to perform. No words can do any justice but I have to say Alcoholic is my favourite song. It’s a song that gets you thinking, deep and has a strong message. I like songs with a story and a meaning behind it and I was glad to hear that song. Seeing it in rehearsals and then seeing it on the day, the song was bought to life and I could see the crowd enjoying it.

Before the Inside Out performance, Phaedra, a violinist group performed. Classical music isn’t really my cup of tea but their performance was amazing. It was something that I’ve never seen before, I’m used to listening to more contemporary music.

What I’ve learnt about the event was the different styles of artists that performed. Some of the songs had strong meanings and it told a story. It made me ponder about my experiences and gave me inspiration to write songs when I got home.

Young Producers: Müqzz blog 2

January 18, 2018February 8, 2018Leave a comment

On our second day at Young Producers we decided the name of our show which is Sesh ‘n’ Sauce. We then visited the two possible venues for the show which were Fox & Firkin and DIY Space.

I really liked the atmosphere of Fox & Firkin (Lewisham), quite quirky and contemporary. However the train station was quite far from the venue which could be a problem for people coming to the venue. It was set in a pub which means it is an open place, so anyone can come in and join. Also this means we won’t have to do a lot promoting.

The next venue was DIY Space for London (Peckham). The train station was quite far away from the venue. I liked the performance area – it was like a rave type feel. With this place we would have to do a lot of promoting to ensure we have a crowd unlike the other place this venue is a closed place.

In conclusion, I would go for Fox & Firkin. I like the vibe it was giving. There’s a pub so people can buy drinks, food, sit comfortably and enjoy the gig.

Young Producers: Pedro’s Blog 1

January 11, 2018February 8, 2018Leave a comment

The first day of Young Producers was just like any other first day; getting adjusted and calibrating to the type of challenges/activities we’ll undertake to accomplish and succeed in.

It was really about deciding and assuming our roles (Me and Müqzz ) , and getting to grips with the terminology of an event, the anatomy of it , and lastly understanding the Arts Award and what will be required from us to achieve it .

In short it was quite a good day in terms of stress and workload. The butterflies are gone now, so the next day should be more of a valiant effort from me.

Young Producers: Müqzz blog 1

January 11, 2018February 8, 2018Leave a comment

Young Producers is a new project for young people who have taken part in Making Tracks, supported by the Arts Patron Trust. Our 2 Young Producers Müqzz and Pedro are collaborating to put on a gig involving other young people and will be blogging about the process.

On our first day at Young Producers me and Pedro were introduced to the lovely Irene Taylor Trust and their amazing office. Lauren took us around the building and went through the boring stuff (Health & Safety).

We all sat in a meeting room to brainstorm what is a producer and here is what we came up with…

Afterwards, we went on to picking our roles each. My roles are; liaising with artists, promotion & marketing and managing schedule of the show.

We then listed down what we need to focus on which are; target audience, which artists to get for the show, name of the show, venue, equipment we need, sort out live band and schedule of show.

Lauren listed out steps to organising an event which are…

We then began making deadlines to complete what we need such as venues and promotion/marketing sorted out before February.

Making Tracks gigs 10th August & 1st September

July 24, 2017Leave a comment

Like the proverbial London bus, we have not one but two Making Tracks projects coming up this summer. Please join us to celebrate the achievements of the young people at these free live music events.

We’re excited to be taking our Making Tracks programme back to East London for our 2nd project with Newham YOT, and for the first time to West London for a project with Cobbs Hall, Hammersmith & Fulham YOS.

The projects will include live performances and we’d love for you to join us to enjoy the original music written and played by the young people.

If you would like to attend either of these gigs, please email: projects@irenetaylortrust.com

VISITING INFORMATION – NEWHAM YOT, 10 AUGUST, 5.30PM

Venue: E13 Mix, 1a Cumberland Road, London, E13 8LH

Nearest station: Canning Town (Jubilee Line/ DLR) – 20 mins walk from venue, or complete journey by buses 5, 115, 300, 330

VISITING INFORMATION – COBBS HALL, HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM YOS, 1 SEPTEMBER, 5.30PM

Venue: Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Square, London, W6 0QL

Nearest station: Hammersmith (District/ Piccadilly Lines) – 5 min walk

Muqzz (AKA Abdul) – Silent but Deadly

July 13, 2017July 13, 2017Leave a comment

Have a listen to Muqzz’ (aka Abdul) new track ‘Silent but Deadly’, written and performed on the most recent Young Producers’ event: ‘Summer Awakening’.

We first met Abdul on a Making Tracks project back in April, when he and the rest of the band Southsiders recorded an amazing album; Sounds of Creativity. Everyone at the ITT is looking forward to hearing more from Abdul!