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

		The Kooks – No.1 album & 2 million album sales worldwide ! (April 08) Congratulations to The Kooks who have now sold an incredible 2 million albums worldwide. Their second album ‘Konk’, produced by Tony Hoffer (The Thrills, Beck, Air) went straight into the album chart at 1 in April 2008. The band’s triple platinum debut album ‘Inside In, Inside Out’ entered the UK charts at No.2 in January 2006. The band were also nominated for a Brit Award in 2006 and were winners of an MTV Europe Music Award for Best UK Act in 2006.

		Beth Rowley – Brit Nomiated Graduate has Top 10 album success (May 08) BIMM graduate Beth Rowley debut album “Little Dreamer” reached number 6 in the UK Top 40 Album Chart. Beth studied Professional Diploma Vocals at BIMM during which time she supported backing vocals for artists such as Ronan Keating and Enrique Iglesias. After her studies she went on to be signed to major label Universal. Beth has collaborated with Crowed House on their track “Transit Lounge”, Duke Special and more recently with Burt Bacharach on BBC Electric Proms. Her music was also featured in the film “The Edge of Love” (Keira Knightly, Sienna Miller) and she supported David Gray on his tour in March 2008. Other TV appearances include Parkinson, Top of the Pops, This Morning, The Charlotte Church Show and GMTV.

		Kate Walsh - First unsigned act to have a No.1. album in the UK on iTunes (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’s influences include Claude Debussy, Tori Amos and Joni Mitchell.

		BIMM Musicians - Record label signings Ghost Of A Thousand signed to Epitaph. The Kooks signed to Virgin Records (EMI). Beth Rowley signed to Blue Thumb (Universal Music). Kate Walsh signed to Mercury Records (Universal). Paul Steel signed to Polydor Records (Universal Music). Will and The People signed to RCA Records (Sony Music). Ross Martin’s band Absent Elk signed to Sony Music UK. Stiff Dylans signed to Columbia Records (Sony Music UK). Laura Cyganik signed to Peakhour USA. Dani Wilde signed to Ruff Records. Dan Grace and Dave Delgado in Tiffany Page’s band signed to Mercury Records (Universal). James Watts in Karen Overton’s band signed to Columbia Records (Sony Music UK). Elliott Andrews in Kate Nash’s band signed to Fiction Records (Universal Music). Ghost Of A Thousand (pictured).

		BIMM guitarists in Total Guitar ’Guitar Wars’ final (Feb 10) BIMM guitarists Ben Poole and Joe Tighe have reached the final of Total Guitar magazine’s ’Guitar Wars’ competition. Readers were voting for their favourite three up-and-coming guitarists and the final will take place in Bristol, as part of BIMM’s Night of Guitars on the 18th of February. The event includes special performances from Guthrie Govan and Adrian Legg. There will also be a VIP guest judge and the winning guitarist and his band will get the opportunity to play at this year’s Download festival!

		Koopa – First unsigned act in history to enter the Top 40 single chart! (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 guitarist signs with UK’s leading pop production songwriting house - Xenomania (June 08) BIMM degree graduate Steve Carter signed to Xenomania Records and Warner Chappell Music. Steve secured his role as an in-house songwriter and guitarist for the company whose track record is enormous! Clients include Girls Aloud, Franz Ferdinand, Kylie Minogue, and Alesha Dixon amongst many others. Steve will also be playing with some of the acts signed to Xenomania too. In response to his role in the company Steve said "it is an honour to be working with the greatest songwriters and musicians in the country, this is a one off opportunity and I am thrilled to be in this position!" More recently his band Vagabond signed to Geffen Records is currently on tour with James Morrison.

		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 musicians join Mercury Records Tiffany Page’s band (Dec 09) BIMM Graduates, bass player Dave Delgado and guitarist Dan Grace have joined up and coming artist Tiffany Page’s band after successfully auditioning at BIMM for the positions. Within two weeks, Dave and Dan were already performing live on the road with Tiffany, supporting Juliette Lewis and The Licks! Tiffany is signed to Mercury Records in the UK and is a priority act for the label in 2010. They are currently touring with The Noisettes.

		Natasha Bent working for The Agency - Major London Tour Promoter Graduate Natasha Bent has been very successful since leaving BIMM in 2003. She now works as a tour promoter for major booking agents - The Agency in London. Natasha is the promoter for Amy McDonald, Noisettes, Cage The Elephant, The Antlers, Tiffany Page and Foals.