Budding artists and musicians across Aberdeenshire can earn themselves some free studio time – simply by performing live at events across the region.
As part of the new Recording Bank initiative, young and emerging performers can earn free studio time in Mintlaw and Macduff.
In return, the committed musicians will be asked to play at events hosted by Live Life Aberdeenshire, the new name for Aberdeenshire Council’s sports and culture services.
Carla Angus, performance and events development coordinator, said: “It’s a slightly new approach to raise awareness of the variety of services in the community and creates opportunities to celebrate some of the musicians in the Shire.
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“Simply put it’s an exchange – musicians can perform at our events and in return they get free recording time in studios.”
Yesterday, local musician Morag McCormick took to the Mintlaw studio at Aden Country Park ahead of her performances this weekend in Peterhead Library.
Sound technician Heitor Alves, who ran the session, said: “The best thing about the Recording Bank initiative is that it will promote the musicians from Aberdeenshire and get them visiting other areas so performers from Banchory will be playing in Fraserburgh and vice-versa.
“The idea that performers get time in the studio and then pay for it in performing time is great as it is also giving them a boost into the industry and helping them with their career.”
Members of the public will get the chance to see a variety of performances at the New Year, New You, New Us weekend, and have the chance to look around the Macduff recording studio in the arts centre from noon to 5pm on Saturday.
David Cook, chairman of the newly-formed Live Life Aberdeenshire sub-committee added: “We’re delighted to offer this unique initiative and look forward to connecting local musicians with Live Life Aberdeenshire’s excellent recording studios.
“We encourage young and emerging musicians to get in touch to see how we can support each other.”
For more information on the studios, e-mail arcmacstudios@aberdeenshire.gov.uk