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BIMM GUESTS
Check out the latest special guest
musicians and music industry professionals who have visited
BIMM to talk to students and sign our Wall of Shame!
(Click on images for enlargements +
icons for downloads)
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| Nitin Sawhney holds a masterclass (Nov 08) |
| Award-winning artist Nitin Sawhney made time in his schedule to visit BIMM with his tabla player Aref Durvesh. They played two tracks of Nitin’s work and explained the ideas behind them using examples. This included a multitude of subjects from politics to the environment through to traditional Indian music. He also spoke about the artists he had collaborated with (Sting, Sir Paul McCartney) and his recent album “London Undersound” and how it drew inspiration from the London 07/07 bombings. Nitin and the musicians who worked on the album absorbed and used these transformations for his recordings taking in a mixture of sounds including the tube and the markets. He revealed Natty who is featured on the album experienced firsthand the change of climate by actually witnessing the bombing of the No 30 Tavistock Square bus and being two carriages behind the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. It was a refreshing take on music and music production that was awe-inspiring. |
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| Lemmy from Motorhead rocks out BIMM (Nov 08) |
| The only event of its kind in his 40 year career, the King of Hard Rock, Lemmy from Motorhead, stopped by whilst he was in town. As one of the most internationally recognised characters in rock history with a cult following to boot this masterclass was like no other.
BIMM musician Bob Tett headed up the questions with BIMM Director Bruce Dickinson to a very lively audience who were only too eager to hear what the man had to say. Lemmy gave details on his work, background and working with icons such as Jimmy Hendrix, Ozzy Osbourne and Sid Vicious. To close the Q&A BIMM band Arty Karate performed “Ace of Spades” in tribute to Lemmy followed by a Motorhead merchandise raffle! Bob said “getting to interview Lemmy was awesome!!!! The man is a true legend!!"
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| Hot Chip visit BIMM East (Nov 08) |
| Keyboard player and guitarist Al Doyle from Hot Chip visited BIMM to talk to our musicians. In an extremely informative session hosted by Head of Keyboards Jason Knight, he discussed how the band moved form Indie label Moshi Moshi to EMI, and the effect that had on the band not least that they could give up their day jobs! The students on the new BIMM Keys course were then taken to the sound check at the Brighton Dome where they were lucky enough to get taken through the complex live set up, consisting of a Moog Voyager and Little Phatty, Nord Wave, Roland SH101, Rhodes Piano and a network of triggers and time clocks, pedals and filters. Keyboard student Jason Noble said "It was amazing to hear exactly what sounds these keyboards generated, and how they ran them through pedal effects and amps to get such a fantastic sound. I was surprised to see there were no backing tracks and sequencers, and discover you could create electronic music by playing everything live." |
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| Alan Franks (The Times) visits BIMM (Oct 08) |
| Having interviewed some of the most influential musicians in the world (David Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Chuck Berry, Annie Lennox, Brian Wilson, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Ravi Shankar, Philip Glass) Alan Franks, The Times music journalist for over 30 years, came into BIMM for a masterclass. Various aspects included how to do a good interview, what influence a journalist has within the magazine and how to make it work for you. So often, music journalists make or break a bands career so Alan explained the tools you can use to conduct it to your advantage. Using great rock and roll stories and doing interview workshops our musicians left with a strong sense of how to manage their image, press and PR. |
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| Kenwyn House (REEF) and Jim Williams (Ivor Novello nominee) head up Guitar masterclass (Oct 08) |
| Kenwyn House (Reef) and Jim Williams (Ivor Novello nominee) headed up an excellent Guitar Sounds Masterclass in BIMM WEST with BIMM tutor Andy Bray interviewing the pair (previous MC to sessions with Zakk Wylde, Mark Knopfler and Steve Morse). They gave a full comprehensive breakdown of the basics, mistakes to avoid, anatomy of a guitar rig, generic tones and combining amps/stereo effects. Using demos and demonstrating with our musicians various examples from styles such as vintage rock to clean pop and funk. The masterclass finally came to a close with a Q&A session airing any queries regarding the material covered. |
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| Keane visit BIMM Brighton (Oct 08) |
| BIMM Brighton started the academic year to a fantastic start by inviting members of UK rock band Keane to the Theatre Royal Induction day. Lead vocalist Tom Chaplin and bass player/songwriter Tim Rice Oxley were interviewed by BIMM tutor Jon Stewart on three major aspects. The first being on how the band came about and got their record deal, the second on the multi million selling first album and the last on touring and the forthcoming album. After their initial questions BIMM musicians then had an opportunity in asking themselves. The response was immense and the band was thoroughly impressed by the quality of questions asked by them. |
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| The legendary Nate Watts visits BIMM Brighton! (Sept 08) |
| Legendary bass player Nate Watts paid a very special visit to BIMM Brighton to hold a masterclass with our musicians. Nate is Stevie Wonder’s bassist and has been with him since the 1970’s. Nathan has lent his skills to some of the best known tracks of Stevie’s career including “Sir Duke”, “Masterblaster” and “I Wish”. He also has hits with The Jackson (albums include “Destiny” and “Triumph”), Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Nate took time out to chat to BIMM musicians about his career, the people he’s worked with, his influences and how it all came about. In response to the masterclass BIMM degree musician Matt Coello said "Nate was an electrifying character. His charismatic personality was not only seen and felt when talking to us, but it was also heard in his bass playing too. A truly legendary, inspiring and unforgettable guy!" |
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| Chris Difford of Squeeze visits Songwriting class! (June 08) |
| Chris Difford of Squeeze popped into BIMM for an amazing masterclass on songwriting, co-writing and his career in the music business. He spoke about his band Squeeze and how they formed alongside the bands that supported them. This included international acts such as U2, Dire Straits, REM and The Police amongst others. Chris discussed his writing relationship with fellow band mates Glenn Tilbrook and Jools Holland and other famous artists (e.g. Sir Elton John, Wet Wet Wet, Bryan Ferry and Paul Carrack). Finally he played his original demos which included Squeeze’s biggest hit ’Up the Junction’ and how he came to write the lyrics to it. It was a perfect ending to a terrific term! |
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| UK radio plugger Dylan White visits BIMM (June 08) |
| Dylan White multi award winning (Mercury Prize, Music Week) and most well known UK radio plugger came into BIMM West for an end of term masterclass. Dylan has worked with the best musicians in the business and his track record proves it. Clients include Oasis, Beth Orton, Leftfield, Arctic Monkeys, Babyshambles, Chemical Brothers, Morrissey, Daft Punk, Elbow, Portishead, Belle & Sebastian, Kaiser Chiefs, Editors, Paul Weller, Manic Street Preachers, Pete Doherty, Placebo and many, many more. Dylan’s role as National Radio, TV Promotion and Artist Management means he gave amazing advice on national and regional radio and TV promotion. He explained and assessed the areas of exposure and how one can achieve maximum impact through various examples such as radio playlists; needless to say we were extremely privileged to have him. |
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| Sarah Jay (Massive Attack) visits BIMM! (June 08) |
| Sarah Jay (Massive Attack vocalist) recently came to BIMM Brighton for a vocal masterclass. The main focuses were on correct breathing and the awareness of the body as an instrument and resonance chamber. She included exercises to release tension and anxiety both physical and mental, relieving stage fright and performance anxiety. Diction, projection were analysed and combined with group singing which were brilliant fun as well as uplifting, incorporating harmonies, dynamics and tones. Sarah also looked at various styles of music from modern pop to Madagascan folk giving our musicians the opportunity to implement skills and techniques learned and to make a brilliant big sound! BIMM vocalist Sabrina Altan said "Sarah Jay was a real inspiration to me. To see a singer who is in total control of her music career and doesn’t compromise her creativity is exciting." |
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