Sage Gateshead

Musicians from across the North are being inspired by the surroundings of Sage Gateshead as they work on new projects at the music centre this summer, as part of Great Exhibition of the North.

Sixteen artists have taken up free residencies at this year’s Summer Studio, which runs from 6 to 26 August, with the chance to learn from industry experts.

Summer Studio is part of Sage Gateshead’s commitment to nurturing emerging artists. It is one of 40 PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development partners.

For the next few weeks Sage Gateshead has opened its doors to musicians, singers and artists of all genres to create new work, develop their practice or prepare for a performance.

Residents also have the opportunity to shoot a video with Tyneside Cinema’s Northern Stars, be professionally photographed by Ian West and have one-to-one clinics with industry professionals. They include Julie Weir, Label Head at Music for Nations (Sony), Matthew Whitehouse, Arts and Culture Editor at i-D Magazine, Alison Weir, Manager at Prolifica Management, Suba Das, Associate Director at Curve Theatre and Joe Frankland, Senior Grants and Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation.

Newcastle-based electronic duo SQUARMS will be working on a new project.

They said: “Over the past three years we have been perfecting a series of ‘under the radar’ tracks and forging our own sound from experimental and improvisational roots.”

Fresh from a residency with Beth Orton, Manchester-based IORA, will be busy gearing up for her second single. She combines folk tones, a versatile voice and haunting arrangements and has been named ‘an artist to watch in 2018’ by BBC Radio 2.

Free experimental trio J Frisco will be rehearsing intensively for their next project, fresh from their showcase season with Jazz North Introduces.

Former Folkworks Summer Schools student Holly Clarke is a traditional singer who will be focusing on creating her new solo project.

Leeds-based NikNak will be developing the role and general perception of a DJ/turntablist. She is currently studying for an MA in Electronic and Computer Music.

North East traditional musicians Sam Partridge and Grace Smith will be unearthing old tunes from archive material as well as composing new work, using primarily English concertina and fiddle.

“We are so excited to be working on this project during our residency at Sage Gateshead before sharing it with audiences throughout the UK,” they said.

The final week also sees Brighter Sound bring The Hexagon Project to Sage Gateshead. The project is an audio adventure created by the next generation of young female composers, sound artists and musical innovators, featuring cutting-edge music technology and found sounds. It is led by four of the North’s most exciting electronic artists: Afrodeutsche, Caro C, Mandy Wigby, Vicky Clarke.

Other resident artists include virtuoso Sheffield-based clarinetist Jack McNeill; Australian jazz singer/songwriter Nishla, who is working on a debut recording; hypnotic electropop band and twin sisters Talk Like Tigers; cinematic rock band from Blackpool, Blanket; sonic explorer Fran Bundey and Newcastle and Glasgow based indie/folk singer-songwriter Zak Younger Banks (also a former Folkworks Summer School participant).

Summer Studio is produced by Sage Gateshead in association with NARC.magazine.