Soma Skool

YMI teams up with King Tut's and Soma Records

As part of the Youth Music Initiative’s commitment to supporting independent music-making among young people, it has been working closely with one of Glasgow's leading concert venues and one of Scotland’s top dance labels to develop opportunities for young people to perform and learn about the workings of the music industry.

Leading dance label Soma Records will host Soma Skool on 25 April, supported by funding from the Scottish Arts Council’s Youth Music Initiative (YMI).

The one day event will include music and software demos, Q&A sessions and panel discussions with industry professionals, providing young people from across Scotland with an insight into the workings of the music industry.

The event will be structured around the process of producing a finished piece of music and covers topics such as the design and impact of visual and graphic artwork, filming and editing a video and the development of marketing and business plans.

Some of the most respected names in the industry will be taking part in the event including Dave Clarke, DJ Sneak, Anja Schneider, Biffy Clyro Manager Dee Bahl, Vic Galloway and Belle & Sebastian Manager John Williamson.

The YMI has also joined forces with King Tut's to expand Your Sound, a music networking event run by King Tut’s each month which provides an opportunity for unsigned artists, bands and DJs of all musical genres to meet with industry figures, network, and learn how to gain exposure within the music industry.

Funding from the YMI will help develop and widen the reach of the event including; the development of Your Sound Academy, a series of structured sessions for unsigned bands to meet with leading industry figures and discuss topics such as marketing, recording and performance skills; Your Sound Your Place which will take Your Sound on the road to Scotland’s 6 cities and Ayr in 2009; and production of a Your Sound CD featuring music from ‘artists of the month’, in partnership with The List. The YMI will also be supporting the Your Sound stage at this year’s Connect festival, providing unsigned bands with a platform to showcase their talent to new audiences and gain exposure at a major event which this year sees Kasabian, Manic Street Preachers and Franz Ferdinand among the headliners.