New platform for Fife's young bands

Erin joined a number of other performers at the session. Pic by George McLuskie

Darren Forbes and his pals formed the The Shambolicks just three months ago, but they are already hoping that the experience gained will provide the stepping stone they need to make the band a success.

“I must admit I was a little sceptical at first, but it proved to be a valuble project even though I already have some experience of how recording studios work,” Darren, who is currently studying sound production, explained.

The fourpiece have yet to play a gig in their home town, but with a batch of finished recordings now under their belts following two marathon 10 hour recording sessons, Darren says the demos will help them get bookings for a planned UK tour set to start in June.

It’s the third year the £18,000 project, jointly funded by the studio and Creative Scotland, has run in the town to provide professional tuition, studio time and mentors to help improve writing and recording.

And each of the seven fledgling acts involved have all come away not only with an experience alongside music industry professionals, but a professionally recorded demo of their song to present to potential promoters and record companies.

Andrew Mackay, S9fifty studio manager, who has been working tirelessly with the artists for the last three months, said the project offered each of them a real insight into the day-to-day processes of a recording studio environment,

“It’s aim was to engage with young musicians from across Fife who are making their own music and offer them the opportunity to use our studio facilities to rehearse, record and produce a track demo CD for free,” he said.

In order to remove all potential barriers to participation we also offered participants free transport to and from the studio as well as free use of any extra equipment that they needed to make full use of their sessions.

“We’ve had a really diverse set of people this time around which has been great. There was a real camaraderie built up with everyone supporting each other, and the end results have been pretty special,” added Andrew.