HOPE Portsmouth

Exciting times for the Split Personalities band!

Firstly they also will be playing at the Portsmouth Variety show alongside Defined Music. Get down to the New Theatre Royal on the 16th April to see both bands.

Secondly, the SP’s have been back in the studio to do some more recording and CD’s of their latest efforts will be on sale at the Variety Show gig (along with as much other merchandise that we can squeeze in the van). We will get some samples of their recordings available for a sneak peek soon.

And finally check out their new website www.splitpersonalities.co.uk.

Zoo in the Sky who recently came and recorded with the HOPE project have their new EP on sale from today. A sample of the track we recorded (called There Lie the Boots) can be heard on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/zoointhesky.

Zoo In The Sky are playing at the Edge of the Wedge on 17th March – more details can be found here.

Defined Music managed to get their photo up on the Galaxy FM website strutting their stuff. Nice work guys!

http://www.galaxysouthcoast.co.uk/photo-albums-4270/view/65048#photo

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.

Work is progressing really well on the HOPE Summer 2009 DVD. And to whet your appetites we’ve uploaded a trailer for your viewing pleasure…

Now I know that the DVD is a little behind schedule – but believe me I have a good excuse! As you can see me and my wife had a little baby girl a couple of weeks ago and as such it has stopped us getting the DVD out on time. But rest assured we are back on the case and we hope to have it ready in a couple of weeks.

I know you are having to wait – but isn’t she cute…….

My man Stu was a very busy boy on the day of the Summer Academy gig taking lots of photos of us all. We’ve put a selection of them up here for your viewing pleasure.

Work on the DVD is going well and we expect it to be ready for release in the first week of October. We’ll of course let you know when you can get hold of them!

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

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Another Summer Academy has been and gone – and it was a really incredible week I can tell you. I won’t post much here but very soon we’ll get online some photos from the gig and movie trailers for you to watch. We may not get them up straight away but trust me they will be worth the wait!

Thanks again to all who took part and especially the mentors for all their hard work.