Barrow-based independent record label Seahouse Records has announced the first of its new Scholarship awards. 

The awards, supported by a grant from BarrowFull’s Boosting Barrow’s Creativity scheme, aim to support young songwriters who are looking to make a start in the music industry. 

Seahouse Records director Jonny Swift explains what the Scholarship is: 

“We want to encourage creativity in young songwriters, and sometimes financial barriers can prevent young people from making steps into the industry. Our scholarship gives the successful artist studio time to record a release-ready song, a year’s subscription to Seahouse Records, which covers distribution fees, and a personalised PR campaign to promote the song.”

Matt Kassell, who runs Digital Man Recording Studio in Barrow, will work with the recipients on producing their song, as well as giving music technology tuition to another young person as part of the project. “Music technology and sound recording are important skills for musicians to have as the industry is becoming increasingly DIY. It’s great to be able to offer tuition in this as part of a real life project, knowing the work done will get an official release into the world”. 

The first recipients of the Scholarship are Olivia Dacre and Finn Blake. Olivia, who is already a Seahouse Records artist, has just finished her GCSEs and as such has had her recording career on hold while she prioritised her education. “I am beyond grateful for the opportunity proposed to me to be the first recipient of the Seahouse Scholarship”, says Olivia. “This opportunity will provide me with tools I require to further progress my music career, make new connections, and most importantly do what I love most. I am excited for what is to come with Seahouse Records and I can’t wait to get started!”

Finn Blake will be working with Olivia as part of his learning experience at Digital Man Recording Studio, and is excited for the opportunity: “This is a brilliant means for new emerging musicians to learn the release process without making a financial commitment, which may be the thing stopping so many brilliant voices and minds from leaving their mark.”

“We are grateful to BarrowFull for their assistance with this project, and we hope to be able to offer further assistance for young music writers and artists in the future” said Jonny. 

If you are a young songwriter and are interested in this scheme, or to see what else Seahouse Records can offer, please visit www.seahouserecords.com