bimm student SUCCESS STORIES
Check out the latest success stories + news from BIMM students - both past + present.
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	All Success Stories Top 10 Success Stories Archive

		BIMM Musician Elliott Andrews in Kate Nash band (Oct 07) BIMM musician Elliott Andrews is playing drums in Kate Nash’s band. Elliott performed with Kate in various destinations within Europe, USA and the UK. They have received a UK number two hit for single “Foundations” and the album (produced by Paul Epworth of Bloc Party and Maximo Park fame) went Number 1 all in the same week! With massive UK festivals under his belt including O2 Wireless, Glastonbury, Oxegen, T in the Park, Isle of White Festival and Carling Weekend the success doesn’t end there. UK TV performances this year include Popworld, Later with Jools Holland and The Friday Night Project. Elliott recently performed at the Royal Albert Hall, received Best British Newcomer at the Q Awards and has a sold out UK tour. Extra dates at Hammersmith Apollo for 2008 are already selling fast. Elliott’s previous professional experience includes The Maccabees, Wolfmother and The Fratellis. It’s amazing to think Elliott only finished BIMM in 2006!

		BIMM Musician Paul Steel signs with Polydor Records (April 07) BIMM musician Paul Steel has been signed to Polydor Records (part of Universal) and Warner Music Publishing. Paul has since supported Amy Winehouse, Air Traffic, Cornelius, Ed Harcourt and Sean Lennon this year. He has also performed at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. Paul Steel’s home-recorded mini album “April and I” was released to critical acclaim in Summer 2007. His first full-length release, “Moon Rock” will be released in early 2008. Paul’s band includes BIMM graduates and tutors Andy Nixon, Rachel Wood, Makato Kano and Gemme Carre. His celebrity fans include Andy Partridge, Wondermints and Van Dyke Parks.

		BIMM Musician Kate Walsh Storms iTunes Chart (SEPT 07) BIMM songwriting graduate Kate Walsh stormed the UK iTunes chart topping Elton John and Take That! Kate’s second album “Tim’s House” was released under Kate’s own label ‘Blueberry Pie’ and soon became the No. 1 album on the download chart. Her most popular song on the album “Your Song” has received critical acclaim from BBC Radio 2. Kate has recently signed to major label Mercury Records. Kate’s influences include Claude Debussy, Tori Amos and Joni Mitchell.

		BIMM Musician Dani Wilde signed by Ruf Records (Oct 07) BIMM Graduate Dani Wilde has had an amazing summer after completing her studies and getting a first for her degree. After opening shows for Gary Moore and Jools Holland at The Royal Albert Hall, Dani has just signed to blues label Ruf Records. Ruf Records is home to artists such as Canned Heat, Omar and The Howlers and Jeff Healey. What’s great is some of Dani’s blues heroes are under the same label she’s now signed too! These include Sue Foley, Aynsley Lister and Jimmy Vaughan. In December, Dani will fly out to the USA to record her debut album with her brother Will ‘Harmonica’ Wilde (Will is also a BIMM musician). Her first World Tour the “Blues Caravan Tour” starts in January 2008. Artists touring with Dani include Deborah Coleman and Candye Kane. The tour will start in Germany, move through Europe and finally cover the USA by summer 2008! During the tour Dani will also be gigging all over the UK. You can get more details by going to Dani’s website www.daniwilde.com

		BIMM Musician Rene Woollard tours with Sophie Ellis-Bextor (Oct 07) BIMM musician Rene Woollard is currently touring with Sophie Ellis-Bextor. He has toured all over the UK doing shows, radio and TV including T4 On The Beach, Chiswick House, GMTV, Dance X, This Morning etc! Other venues include Sopot Festival in Poland, JJB tent at V-Festival, O2 Arena (supporting Elton John), GQ Awards in Munich and more! He will continue working with Sophie playing her headlining tour in March 2008. During these gigs Rene shot a video for Mutya Buena’s current single "Just A Little Bit". He played five shows supporting Take That in Belfast and will tour through December. Rene said “this is the biggest tour I’ve ever been on. Playing 5 nights at Birmingham NEC, 3 nights at Glasgow SECC, 2 nights at Newcastle Arena, 8 nights at the O2 in London and 11 nights at the MEN in Manchester”. Aside from this Rene signed a publishing deal with MCS and worked in Metropolis Studios as a pro tools engineer/in house session guitarist/bassist for De Angelis records

		Vocal Graduate Beth Rowley to release debut album (March 08) BIMM graduate Beth Rowley is releasing her debut album “Little Dreamer” this March. Beth studied Professional Diploma Vocals here at BIMM and went on to be signed to major label Universal. Her Violets EP can be bought on iTunes and includes the song “Nobody’s Fault But Mine” which was featured as Single of the Week on iTunes. Previous artists honoured this title include BIMM’s Kate Walsh, Gorillaz, Paolo Nutini, Mika and James Blunt. Beth is currently doing a residency for two weeks at Cherry Jam, London. Check out her website for more details by clicking on the link below.

		The Kooks - Top 10 Album (Feb 06) Congratulations to The Kooks who’s debut album “Inside In Inside Out” have sold more than a million copies and obtained triple platinum status. The album stayed in the UK Top 20 charts for more than half a year in 2006! The band received nominations for Best New Act at the Q Awards 2006, The Brit Awards and won Best UK and Ireland Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2006. The band is currently in pre production for their second album with producer Tony Hoffer (The Thrills, Beck, Turin Brakes, Air) who previously produced their first album.

		Ollie Cooper and Koopa make music history! (Jan 07) Ollie Cooper and his band Koopa released debut album “Blag, Steal and Borrow” to critical acclaim. The band made music history when they became the first unsigned band to reach the UK official Top 40. Their single “Blag, Steal and Borrow” reached number 31! Consequently the band was invited to open Isle of Wight festival 2007 on the main stage. Something of a rarity for an unsigned band! The guys have previously toured with Space, played a packed Arsenal Stadium and recorded for the BBC Peel sessions at Maida Vale studios. This band is tipped for big things so look out for them and make sure you check out their killer live gigs.

		BIMM musician Jon Mills wins Red Stripe Awards 2008 (May 08) BIMM musician Jon Mills recently beat over 1000 musician’s to win the Red Stripe Award! Jon got put on to a bill supporting Dirty Pretty Things at the London Forum and played to 2000 people. On top of it he’s won headline slots at Great Escape, support for Lightspeed Champion, ZOO 08 (with Mark Ronson, Gallows and The Hives) and The Go Team at Lovebox Festival and Blissfields Festival. The main prize also included a Mercedes Sprinter tour bus with a plasma TV inside! Since the awards Jon has been touring extensively with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Jacobs Stories and Youthmovies. He’s had features and album reviews in NME and The Fly and had his debut single played on BBC Radio 1 and XFM. He’s also confirmed he’ll be joining the BBC Introducing Tour and releasing an EP on London label “Unlabel”.

		BIMM Musician Stephen Carter works with The Spice Girls (Aug 07) BIMM Degree student Stephen Carter just recently recorded two tracks for the Spice Girls in London. He has been working with The Spice Girls producer Biff Stannard. Stephen’s response to his recent employment was “It was a great experience working with a top British act like The Spice Girls and I hope to work with them again in the future”. Stephen has also worked for Simon Webbe, Will Young, Shane Ward and Kylie Minogue. We shall all be listening out for you Stephen!