About Me

I am a 26-year-old acoustic and electric guitarist. Originating from Norfolk/Suffolk borders, and growing up playing the function/cover circuit around Norwich and Ipswich, I moved to London to study music at University when I felt I had exhausted the scene, and wanted to aim higher then playing functions and covers. I was also teaching guitar at this time, which is something I still do on a part-time basis. During my time studying I was working as a musician, supporting artists and singer/songwriters with my acoustic guitar and playing in numerous original and cover bands/duos. Now, a year after graduating, I feel I still haven't found what I'm looking for, be it the right originals project, or a well earning function band.
I am getting to the stage in life when I really want to start a good career in the music industry, preferably as a working musician, in a band or pop act, etc.
I am also open to the idea of an internship at a record label for example. My degree in music has helped me understand some of the in's and out's of a fickle industry, but realise there is still a lot to learn in an ever changing industry, and I think an rewarding internship could help in doing this.

Music

Experience

Instruments Played

Employment History & Experience

I am primarily a musician, and have been scrambling to make a living doing so for some time now. Whether in a band or pop act, or in a acoustic duo playing in a pub somewhere, you will usually find me writing, recording, rehearsing or gigging.

Experience & Qualifications

General Experience

Technician - February 2008 to present
This is a self-employed position which has taken me to many different places whilst as a student and a graduate. I learnt basic stage, sound and light technical skills with my Dad as a teenager who has his own retirement business in Norfolk. I further developed my knowledge and skills at the Albany Theatre in Deptford, in SE London, where I still work from time to time on a freelance status. This to lead to work at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, The Big Chill Festival, and work as a guitar tech for Right Said Fred through out the summer of 2010, which took me to places all round Europe, including Czech Republic, Switzerland, Latvia and Germany.

Guitar Tuition - September 2005 to present
Guitar tuition is something I have always done alongside my studies, and other work. I have mostly taught privately on a one on one basis, but there has been a number of times where I have taught a class of 8 to 10 year olds. I have found it increasingly difficult to keep the continuity to this work as I have constantly moved house since moving to London. This is something I enjoy, but would rather not settle on this as a career option just yet.

Sales Assistant - September 2005 to January 2006
Sound Connection Music Store, Norwich

Sales and demonstrations of guitars, basses and drum equipment. During this time I started teaching guitar to a varied age of students, from 6 to 60 years of age.

Labourer/Painter & Decorator - September 2002 to September 2005
MBS Construction, Norwich

Worked as a labourer and painter & decorator for around three years whilst studying music. I feel this experience gave me the knowledge and skills to exist as a hard working individual determined to achieve what I want. I feel it also gave me the invaluable lesson of the value of money, and not just to squander my hard earned cash. Life lessons were definitely learned in this job.

Qualifications & Training

Goldsmiths College University of London -Bachelor of Music in Popular Music Studies (2006-2009)
BMus (Hons) Popular Music
From mainstream to underground, the BMus in Popular Music at Goldsmiths embraces popular music in its many forms: rock, pop, folk, urban, jazz, experimental and commercial.
Graduated with a 2:1
British Academy of New Music - Session Musician Course (2004-2005)
HND course based in East London, bring instrumentalists and vocalists together, to hone their craft, taught by working examples.
Graduated with merit
Access to Music Studios, Norwich – (2002-2004)
2 year music course, equivalent to 3 A levels.
Bungay High School – Suffolk (1998-2000)
9 GCSE’s obtained at grades A – C

Other Information

Interests & Hobbies

Other than music, which is obvoiusly a major part of my life, I very much enjoy exercise : cyclying, running and tennis.
I'm also keen on watching films, and try to keep up to date on all the lastest releases.

Miscellaneous Information

• Full clean UK driving license
• Hard working, professional attitude and able to work as individual or team member
• Member of Musicians Union
Technical Equipment
Range of electric guitars (fender telecaster/stratocaster), as well as Ibanez archtop, electric bass, Martin acoustic 00015 guitar, with LR Baggs para acoustic DI, Fender Hotrod Deluxe valve amp. Plus I have a range of recording equipment, able to record
live drums, using Logic and Alesis firewire interface.
Musical style
Acoustic, Blues, Contemporary, Country, Electro, Electro Pop, Electroacoustic, Electronica, Folk, Funk, Indie, Jazz, MOR, Pop,
Progressive, Punk, R&B, Reggae, Rock, Rock / Pop covers, Soul, Soundtrack, Trip Hop
Instruments Played
Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Bass, Drums, Electric Guitar, Fretless Bass, Guitar
IT Skills
Ableton, Cool Edit Pro, Logic, Logic Pro, Microsoft Office, OS Knowledge Base, Pro Tools, Reason, Sibelius