HOPE Portsmouth

The next few months are going to be pretty exciting for BackBeat records. We have been very busy doing lots of recording and we are set to see some stunning releases from some of our bands.

The first release is Defined Music’s debut EP – The Zone. These guys have been hard at work gigging and recording and this EP is a collection of 5 original songs recorded here with BackBeat records. It is a stunning EP and they are selling it at their gigs for the bargain price of £3.

If you can’t wait that long (or aren’t planning to go to a gig – shame on you) then you can catch them on Spotify or purchase the album on iTunes.

Check it on Spotify: ttp://open.spotify.com/album/5wig8LUt3XzefgpngQtdoW

Purchase on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-zone-ep/id396128896

All iTunes sales are going directly to support BackBeat records and the work we do promoting young people and music.

Work is fully underway to complete the Summer Academy 2010 DVD – but until then, we’ve got loads of photos her from the event:

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Our summer academy is one of the most enjoyable weeks of our year here at HOPE. This year it promises to be just as incredible! Once again we are inviting young people from all over Portsmouth the opportunity to get involved in vocal workshops, band workshops, dance, DJ, techy workshops as well as film making and graphic design workshops. All the work that we do in the week is building to our showcase gig which we do at the end of the week.

The week is simply incredible – and we would love as many young people as possible to be involved. If you would like to be involved this year, simply contact us and we will send you information about it.

Thanks to all who turned out for the gig last week. I am sure you will agree it was an incredible evening and all the acts were amazing. Thanks to Split Personalities, Heather Bailey, Defined Music and Zoo in the Sky for performing – and thanks to all of you who came.

At the gig we also launched the HOPE Music Mentoring 500 Club. This is our plan to raise some money to finish sound proofing our rehearsal and recording space. Check out the trailer for more information.

You can follow each of the bands on Facebook or MySpace and become their fans! This is a great way of keeping in touch with them and finding out what they are up to:

• Split Personalities
• Heather Bailey
• Defined Music
• Zoo In The Sky

We are launching the HOPE Music Mentoring 500 Club. See the video for more information but essentially we would like to raise £5000 to finish sound proofing our rehearsal rooms and recording studio to offer it to more young people at times that suit them.

Members of the 500 Club get exclusive information about the project, it’s gigs and a 20% discount off of all the merchandise we produce and sell at gigs.

If you would like to join the 500 Club it couldn’t be easier:

• Either contact us by sending us an email with your name and address and we’ll send you a form in the post to fill out and send back to us.
• You can do it online by sending in a donation via the Charity Giving website. Once you’ve made a donation you’ll automatically become part of the 500 Club.

HOPE Music, in association with BackBeat Records is pleased to announce that we are having an impromptu Easter gig next week. We have an incredible line-up and it is sure to be an amazing gig.

So come down to the Kings Centre on Elm Grove, 7pm on Thursday 8th April 2010. That is next Thursday!!

Entrance is £1 on the door and the line up includes:

• Split Personalities
• Heather Bailey
• Zoo In The Sky
• Defined Music

For more information check out the Facebook event (and also let us know you are coming!)

There is loads going on at the HOPE project at the moment – and so only right to let you all know:

1. The project received some money from Young Money to replace some tired musical instruments and to improve our video equipment. We are really grateful for this money and it will make a big difference to what we can offer here.
2. One of our bands DefinedMusic has recently been auditioned – and got in with flying colours – to the Portsmouth Variety Show happening in April at the New Theatre Royal. This will be a great opportunity for these guys to really show their stuff in a great venue to a large amount of people. These guys have been busy on their website – check out their amusing Video Blogs…
3. Split Personalities, although having suffered with illness over the last few weeks will also be auditioning for the variety show in the coming weeks and we reckon they’ll get in with flying colours!
4. Zoo In The Sky are booked in to record a demo in the studio over February half term. They are a very well respected local band and haven’t had the opportunity to do a decent demo yet. We hope to put that to rights!
5. Heather Bailey is hard at work on her acoustic sets and we hope to do a ‘lounge’ gig one afternoon in the future to give Heather the opportunity to perform. Keep your eyes peeled for more info on that one….

Backbeat records is very busy at the moment with bands coming and working with us after school. Some recent additions are:

• Split Personalities: After the last academy, the Big Shot Bandanas split and joined forces with Split Personalities to form a new and exciting band. These guys are hungry for gigs and we’ll be working with them on their live performances and recording some demos.
• Defined Music: A newly formed three piece, these guys have some gigs lined up and will be working with Backbeat to do some work on their material, their original songs and doing some recordings.
• Zoo In They Sky: A highly experienced young band who are up for recording some of their songs to produce a really class demo.
• Heather Bailey: Heather is a solo acoustic act who is working with Backbeat to sharpen her performance, her songs before getting stuck into some gigs.

Some exciting things going on. Check out the band websites (which are new) for the latest info…

I know it has taken longer than expected but the DVD’s are finally ready! We are really pleased at how amazing everyone performed at the gig and we know you are going to enjoy watching it along with all the special features and behind the scenes footage.

If you took part in the Summer Academy then you are eligible for a free copy. Extra copies can be ordered at the cost at £5 each. If you would like extra copies, contact us and let us know.

We are really please to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Summer Academy 2009! Last years Summer Academy was incredible fun and I know that this year will be even bigger and even better.

The academy is open to anyone between the ages of 11-16 and this year we will be offering the following streams for you to get involved with:

• Vocal stream
• Band stream (for anyone who plays an instrument)
• Dance stream
• Video editing stream
• Techy stream
• DJ stream
• Design stream

If you are interested in applying you can simply download the application form by clicking here or by collecting one from us at the Kings Centre. For more information either drop us an email or give us a call!

Once again this project is funded with the Heart Of Portsmouth Community Improvement Partnership.

Applications must be sent in to reach us no later than 17th August 2009.