The British Council and PRS for Music Foundation have selected four UK musicians to spend six weeks in China writing new music and building new international relationships.
aaamusic | On 05, Oct 2011
The British Council and PRS for Music Foundation have selected four UK musicians to spend six weeks in China writing new music and building new international relationships.
IMOGEN HEAP, JAMIE WOON, GARETH BONELLO AND MATTHEW BOURNE have been chosen from around 40 applicants to take part in a residency programme organised by the British Council and PRS for Music Foundation. The residencies are designed to enable innovative British musicians to explore new musical territory, reach new audiences and write new material in the context of a changing international market.
Between October 2011 and March 2012, the musicians will travel to four cities across China: Hangzhou (East China), Xi’a (North China), Chengdu (South West China) and Xiamen (South China). They will immerse themselves in and respond to their environment, meet local people and share their experiences via local and international media. The new music will then be performed publicly in China and the UK in 2012.
Grammy Award-winning singer, composer and songwriter Imogen Heap will travel to Hangzhou where she will work with local artists and communities to create two new tracks for her current album. She will be hosted by West Lake Music Festival, which is working to build up the local appetite for arts and culture in a city renowned for its beautiful natural scenery and historical relics.
BRIT school graduate and R&B/dubstep-influenced singer/producer Jamie Woon will travel to Xi’an, home to the First Emperor’s tomb and his terracotta warriors. Jamie will be exploring the local rock scene in Xi’an and sharing his musical ideas via a regular radio programme, performances and recording sessions.
Welsh folk multi-instrumentalist Gareth Bonello will travel to Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province. Bonello, who was nominated for this residency by BBC DJ Huw Stephens, will work with local folk instrumentalists on material for a new album
Pianist and composer Matthew Bourne will travel to Xiamen and the nearby Gu Lang Yu Island known as ‘piano island’ since the 19th century. Bourne will be hosted by the Art College of Xiamen University where he will give lectures and create new musical pieces which will build on his impressive body of experimental work for piano.
Cathy Graham, British Council Director of Music, says:
The thought of these talented musicians – who between them represent a wonderful breadth of music – taking inspiration from the cultures and environments of cities across China is so exciting. I’m very happy that the collective experience and expertise of our two organisations has made these residencies possible, and look forward with huge anticipation to the music which will be created.
Vanessa Reed, Executive Director of PRS for Music Foundation, says:
We’re delighted that our partnership with the British Council has led to this pioneering residency programme for UK music creators. To explore new musical ideas and collaborations in a country where the market for Western artists is still developing is a great opportunity for the creators who’ve been selected. I look forward to following their stories and listening to the music that results from this adventure.
Imogen Heap says:
Many eyes are on China to see where she goes. To be a part of that blossoming journey from the inside for a few weeks will be inspiring. I’m not planning to go to China with prepared ideas; I want to react to the unique experiences I will encounter and I want to work with the people I meet to create new tracks for my current album.
