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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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| 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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| Debbie Pearce (Music Publishers Association) visits BIMM (May 08) |
| Debbie Pearce (previously A&R Co-ordinator at Arista Records and publisher for 18 years at Chappell, Warner Chappell, PolyGram and Universal) paid a visit to BIMM to speak about PRS and publishing. Debbie had global responsibility for key artist and writer relationships including U2, Elton John, Van Morrison, ABBA, Bon Jovi, The Corrs, The Cranberries, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond and Andrew Lloyd Webber, and for valuable catalogues such as Bob Marley, Leonard Bernstein and John Lennon. The seminar was extremely insightful and opened the lid on the complex business of music publishing. Needless to say it was very well received by our musicians. |
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| Feeder visit BIMM (May 08) |
| Mark Richardson and Dean Tidey from Feeder paid a visit to BIMM for a Q&A. The guys spoke about being on tour as well as being in a high profile band. They talked about how it all came about and the ambition needed to drive the band up to the standard they are now. Stories of how they have to fill time by reading books and such when on tour also accompanied stories of performing large scale gigs and festivals. Mark additionally discussed his days in UK rock band Skunk Anansie and when they headlined Glastonbury ’99. Questions from BIMM musicians didn’t stop and the lads gave some excellent advice as well as how to get along with your bandmates on tour! To round off the day some very lucky BIMM musicians then had the opportunity to watch the band sound check for their gig that night at Concorde 2. |
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| Independent Label Scheme visit BIMM (May 08) |
| Lawyer Dean Marsh and Jonny Catskills (Reggae) from Independent Label Scheme came into BIMM for a masterclass on consultancy, label management, starting up and legal and business affairs. Jonny & Dean have unique industry endorsed advice and consultancy service for the independent music business. They offer expert and specialist guidance for bands whether they are unsigned or not. They discussed the state of the music industry and the DIY culture of today in the music industry; in particular how new bands can take control over their destiny and start their own record label. Dean, Jonny and BIMM tutor Jake Shillingford gave students advice and summarised the tools required to be a successful music entrepreneur. For more information on the company check out the link below. |
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| Steve Smyth from Testament visits BIMM (May 08) |
| Steve Smyth from Testament recently paid a visit to BIMM for a masterclass on Thrash Metal. Steve has toured the world over with the likes of Megadeth, Dream Theatre, Arch Enemy and Accept to name but a few. The focus of the masterclass included a historical overview of the thrash metal movement covering the beginnings and its influence, an overview of the movement today, its revival by the bands that helped start it, as well as a look at the “new” wave of thrash metal. Steve looked at the construction of a typical thrash metal song, as well as covering various aspects of the style, including rhythms and songwriting techniques of the musicians behind the music. Approximately 35+ transcribed examples were presented from the first wave of the movement to the second wave, as well as bands Steve has been a part of. Amongst these examples, musicians were brought up to play along with Steve and his backing band for the day as together they played through some thrash metal classics! |
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| THE WOMBATS VISIT BIMM WEST (May 08) |
| On Friday 16th May The Wombats squeezed in a visit to BIMM whilst they were in town for their gig. The band gave a fantastic insight into how they got their record deal and were extremely entertaining. They engaged our musicians with detailed and informative chats and then did something incredibly special! They performed a ’never done before rendition’ of a song about a goat that was in a picture they wanted to buy from an art gallery. The song was hilarious and had the whole room (including themselves) in stitches. They proceeded to perform their hits ‘Lets Dance to Joy Division’ and ’Moving to New York’ both which went down a storm. Finally the band invited everyone on to their guest list to watch them play as part of the Great Escape Festival at Concorde 2. |
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| BIMM MUSICIANS MEET THE SUBWAYS! (May 08) |
| The Subways came to meet some of our BIMM musicians for a Q&A at venue Concorde 2. The band took the time out to meet and greet some of our BIMM musicians and talk about various aspects of their career and music. They also spoke in detail about touring, management and promotion. Finally our BIMM musicians were offered to be put on the guest list for the show that evening which was being filmed by MTV. BIMM musician Conrad Snook said “It was great to meet successful musicians who are so down to earth. They played an amazing show too”. |
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| Lis Lewis Vocal Coach to the stars visits BIMM! (May 08) |
| Lis Lewis, US vocal coach to the stars paid a special visit to BIMM WEST for a vocal masterclass. Elements covered include live performance, vocal health, specially designed warm up system, a Q & A and much more. Lis’s training credits amongst others include: Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, The Pussycat Dolls, The All-American Rejects, Jack Black, Jimmy Eat World and members of Linkin Park. She explored in detail the topic of ‘finding your own voice and stage persona’; and gave some homework for our musicians to help them identify their own. Finally she taught a technique to move into the mixed head voice and of course a bit of gossip about the stars she teaches! |
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