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Music man’s mission to nurture new talent
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| Sharing the knowledge - course leaders Amit Valand, Tom Tyler and Nik Vaughn |
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CREATING new and unheard sounds from the circuit board of an old toy is as unusual as it is inventive.
But this is what the cream of Southend's young musicians, multimedia artists and film-makers may soon be up to on a new course which launches on Friday, May 9.
Switch Music and Media, a team of professionals from producers and remixers to video directors and song writers, are providing the course to youngsters who aspire to carve a career within the notoriously tough music business.
The eclectic range of teaching on offer includes music production, such as turntable scratching, music engineering in both live and studio environments, and multimedia art using the latest digital technology and traditional mediums.
"We're hoping to encourage young musicians, film-makers and artists to take responsibility of their own careers, and make them progress with the new technology," says Nik Vaughn, course manager and founder of Switch.
"As part of what we do here we want to make sure the students find work, but by being free we can appeal to the whole community."
Nik, 38, is an accomplished musician and artist who has played in bands, produced TV and film soundtracks, and even runs his own record label.
He has been involved in organising stages and acts at music festivals from the Sutton with Shopland Festival, in Rochford, to T in the Park, in Leeds and Reading, and the world-renowned Glastonbury.
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| Pump it up - course leader Nik Vaughn with student Edward Tula at the Switch Studios in Southend |
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Nik says: "I've always worked in music and crossed between that and art, but my career has mostly been in the music side.
"As the UK's third largest industry, the music business is important and now I think you can have a proper job in this industry, where as in previous years it was more difficult to make a living.
"It's enjoyable and doesn't really feel like a job, and this is what I want to pass on to the students."
Nik's passion for music extends to his desire to educate youngsters and give them the opportunity to succeed.
"In school my music education was poor," he explains. "I had a negative experience, but this is definitely changing now, and I want to give something back to the kids.
"Working with young people, who wouldn't normally get the opportunity to do this is great."
Nik praised Southend for producing some very talented names in the current music scene.
"I have always been surprised by the up-and-coming talent here," he acknowledges.
"Southend is a very creative town. The amount of talent to have come from around here such as the Horrors and Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, is just incredible and inspiring. I think there is a lot more to come."
Industry professionals teaching at Switch include Blood Hound Gang and drummer Adam Perry, who has written and produced the likes of Sugarbabes and McFly, Tom Tyler, who's remixes include Eminem and the Cinematic Orchestra, and Paul Scott, a film maker and music video director for the BBC.
These names help to create an inspiring teaching team, according to Nik. "If students can go into the record shops and see their tutors in bands and on CDs it gives them inspiration."
The Switch Studios, in Ambleside Drive, next to Southend YMCA, has the latest technology, including a control room with a pre-production sweet for each student, and a live studio with equipment including amplifiers, microphones and PA systems.
On the artistic side, students can expect a creative hub to engage in anything from photographic and filmed media to computer generated imagery.
The innovative course is open to youngsters aged 16 to 19, and Nik hopes to take on about 50 students for the courses which run on a 15 to 20 week basis.
Switch will be launching at Southend YMCA on Friday, with live music from Southend drum'n'bass outfit Analog Live DnB, all-girl funk band Dirty Fairies from Leigh, and a host of DJs and VJs.
The free event is hosted by Radio One's Daniel P Carter and kicks off at 1pm.
3:51am Wednesday 7th May 2008
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