In this week’s episode, Ash Doherty from the Launchpad team spoke with Jed, who is 1/3rd of the band Galaxians; a group making music described as ‘pre digital dance music’ who taking much inspiration from the party lineage of their hometown in Leeds. We talked extensively about making it as an independent artist outside of London, the benefits and hardships to releasing independently, maximising your music income via sync and royalties and the support they have received from organisations and funds such as Help Musicians Do It Differently, Launchpad and Momentum. You can find Galaxians online at supergalaxians.com or on @GLXNZ on Instagram and Twitter and at Galaxians on Facebook. Support their music, including their 2020 album ‘Chemical Reactions’ on Bandcamp. Thanks to: This episode's guest - Matt from Galaxians Facilitator - Ash Doherty Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Galaxians Instagram - instagram.com/glxnz Twitter - twitter.com/GLXNS Facebook - facebook.com/galaxiansband Website - supergalaxians.com Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

In this episode, Lins caught up with Josh and Hannah of Team Picture. We discussed their new album ‘The Menace of Mechanical Music’ and how Do It Differently funding was instrumental in helping their ideas come to life. We also talked about how best to approach funding applications and they shared some hints and tips that they’ve picked up along the way. Team Picture are a 6 piece music outfit based in Yorkshire. Their personal brand of alternative art rock takes inspiration from eighties pop music and new-wave influences. Thank you to Josh and Hannah from Team Picture for joining us in this chat. Be sure to check out their album ‘The Menace of Mechanical Music’ on all streaming platforms and to check out their merch including vinyls, t-shirts and tote bags on their bandcamp. You can follow them on Twitter and Instagram on @teampictureband Thanks to: This episode's guests - Josh and Hannah of Team Picture Facilitator - Lins Wilson Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Team Picture Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/teampictureband/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/teampictureband Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/teampictureband Music - http://smarturl.it/teampicturetmomm Website - https://www.teampictureband.com/ Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

James Mabbett aka Napoleon IIIrd joined us in October 2020 to talk to us about his ever-evolving career as a musician, sound artist and all-round creative. Napoleon IIIrd first received Launchpad support in April 2020 and performed at a Virtual House Gig in May that year. We mainly focused on the intricacies of applying for the Developing Your Creative Practice fund from Arts Council England, which supports individuals who are cultural and creative practitioners and want to take time to focus on their creative development. We talked about his experiences applying for the fund and the freedom that it allowed him to work on his creative practice. Thanks to: This episode's guest - James Mabbett AKA Napoleon IIIrd Facilitator - Lins Wilson Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Napoleon IIIrd Instagram - instagram.com/napoleoniiird Twitter - twitter.com/NapoleonIIIrd Facebook - facebook.com/napoleoniiird  Website - napoleoniiird.com Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/  Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources  One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session  Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic  Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic  Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire  Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe  Website - launchpad-music.com 

In this episode, we talked with Nicole Raymond aka DJ NikNak. An Oram Award-winning and history-making storyteller in her own right, NikNak is devoted to developing her unique practice as a DJ and turntablist, sound artist, composer, producer, tutor, sound engineer and radio presenter. She is a strong advocate for diverse representation in the music industry, especially within DJ, turntablism and music production realms, and for musician wellbeing and mental health. We discussed the mentoring support that she received through Launchpad, her experiences applying to funding and opportunities and other opportunities that she has taken part in. This episode was recorded in September 2020, when NikNak was in the run-up to the release of her debut album ‘Bashi’. The first single ‘solo’ was released in September 2020 with the album coming out in November 2020. You can listen to this via your favourite streaming platforms and purchase it on Bandcamp, with all vinyl copies now sold out. We also mentioned Opera North’s Resonance Programme which is a workshop programme for minority ethnic professional musicians and composers, working in any genre, and based in the north of England. NikNak’s Work with Khadijah Ibrahim ‘Dead N Wake’ can be listened to on Opera North’s Soundcloud now. TC and the Groove Family’s single “let’s start” is on all major streaming platforms now. Thanks to: This episode's guest - Nicole Raymond Facilitator - Ash Doherty Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: NikNak: Instagram - instagram.com/niknakdjmusic/ Twitter - twitter.com/NikNakdjmusic Website - niknakdjmusic.uk/ Mixcloud - mixcloud.com/niknakdjmusic/ Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/108DScSlOQbchNa78euBES?si=-nnAy6iaRhasUgzagQzqhA Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

Lucy from Dead Naked Hippies joined us to talk about the support that the band have received. Dead Naked Hippies are alt-rock outsiders. The trio, fronted by force-of-nature front woman Lucy Jowett, will lull you in with subtlety before taking your head off with their wall of sound. They are a force to be reckoned with live with huge guitars, booming drums and Jowett’s banshee-like approach hitting hard, with freneticism and attitude to boot. In this episode, we discussed Help Musicians ‘Do It Differently’ fund, as well as support from Come Play With Me and Launchpad. Lucy spoke really honestly about resilience, learning curves and recognising and appreciating the hard work required to be an independent artist. Thanks to: This episode's guest - Lucy of Dead Naked Hippies Facilitator - Lins Wilson Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Dead Naked Hippies: Instagram - instagram.com/deadnakedhippies/ Twitter - twitter.com/DeadNkdHippies Facebook - facebook.com/deadnkdhippies Music - smarturl.it/DNH-Curiosity-Dawn Website - musicglue.com/deadnakedhippies/ Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

In this episode of the Launchpad connect podcast, Ash Doherty spoke with the wonderful composer, keyboardist and vocalist Jemma Freese. Jemma’s Project ‘Freese Trio’ was supported through Launchpad in 2019 with 1-1 mentoring and funding towards recording. For those who aren’t familiar with Freese Trio’s sound, they are a heavy triphop electronica post-punk band whose compositions explore inner demons and difficult truths. We recorded this episode in September 2020, and since then Jemma has gone on to release music with multiple bands including the album ‘Cut Throat’ with J Frisco, ‘Someone New’ with DOMI and ‘Nature Always Wins’ with Maximo Park. In this episode we talked about the benefits of mentoring, taking all the opportunities you can get your hands on and confidence. Thanks to: This episode's guest - Jemma Freese Facilitator - Ash Doherty Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Jemma Freese: Instagram - instagram.com/jemmafreese Twitter - twitter.com/jemma_freese Freese Trio - freesetrio.bandcamp.com J Frisco - jfrisco.bandcamp.com/album/cut-throat DOMI - youtube.com/watch?v=No0F0_Hythw Maximo Park- open.spotify.com/artist/048FBwXjFYBWxSggPDipic?si=Gy5dU9kFReeyHLMWhGyPYg  Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

The first conversation in this series was with composer and pianist Simeon Walker and was facilitated by our project coordinator Lins Wilson. After a decade working as a musician, Simeon Walker has quickly emerged as a leading light in the burgeoning Modern Classical scene, following the release of his EP Preface, and two albums Mono and Winnow, with Winnow being released in November 2020. In recent years, Simeon has performed & toured across the UK and Europe, including supporting S. Carey, Sebastian Plano & Loscil, also appearing at Latitude Festival, Q3Ambientfest, FAN Festival and a range of concerts shows and live music events. His music is regularly played on BBC Radio 3 alongside BBC 6Music, BBC World Service & BBC Introducing, KEXP and NeoFM, his music has been streamed 10 million times across platforms. In this episode, we discussed the support that Sim has received through Launchpad, Help Musicians and how he was one of the first awardees of the new ring-fenced Momentum Accelerator fund for artists in Yorkshire. We threw in a dash of love for Leeds and Yorkshire and the importance of perseverance and constant learning. Thanks to: This episode's guest - Simeon Walker Facilitator - Lins Wilson Production and editing - Ash Doherty and Emily Marlow Podcast Artwork - Jon Foulger Links: Simeon Walker: Instagram - instagram.com/simeonwalkermusic Twitter - twitter.com/SimeonWalker Facebook - facebook.com/simeonwalkermusic Bandcamp - simeonwalkermusic.bandcamp.com Spotify - open.spotify.com/artist/5jEGjnI2WdRyJSUICQQIrK?si=A4o-IePHTo-vsYWOHtFdug Resources: Artist level of support infographic - instagram.com/p/CDg3ep3BFd5/ Launchpad resources page - launchpad-music.com/other-resources One-to-one advice sessions - musicleeds.appointlet.com/s/online-advice-session Launchpad: Instagram - instagram.com/_launchpadmusic Twitter - twitter.com/_launchpadmusic Facebook - facebook.com/launchpadyorkshire Mailing List - launchpad-music.com/subscribe Website - launchpad-music.com

The Launchpad Connect podcast features conversations with artists and music industry professionals in Yorkshire. These podcasts are adaptations of chats held on Instagram Live via our page @_launchpadmusic. The aim of these conversations is to demystify and democratise the inner workings of the music industry including; successfully applying for funding, self-releasing new music and managing all aspects of a music project. This podcast brought to you by Launchpad, a talent development programme offering a range of support to artists and music industry professionals based in Yorkshire. Launchpad Instagram Twitter Facebook Mailing List Website