Can you tell us a little about The Artful Dodgers Program?
The Artful Dodgers Studios in Melbourne is a unique program offering song writing, recording and live performance development for young people aged 15-27. This Thursday November 21 we are launching our 2013 compilation album at The Evelyn! The night will feature a mix of emerging talent playing hip-hop, pop, rock, acoustic and country! Over the years many high profile musicians such as Rebecca Barnard, Paul Kelly, Travis Demsey, Andrew McSweeney Nat Allison, Paul Stewart, Dave Arden, Charles Jenkins, Pete Satchell, Wasabi, Romy Hoffman, Abby Dobson, John Favaro, Thomas Butt, MC Jules, Andy Scott, Elf Tranzporter, Pataphysics, Dave Pace, Colin Badger, Clare Bowditch and Jesse Sullivan have worked in the space sharing their music and knowledge with aspiring performers and writers.
How did you become a part of the program?
I have run song writing workshops for schools and businesses throughout my band days, so having the opportunity to do music development at The Artful Dodgers Studios where people could return to was super exciting. I started at Artful Dodgers two years ago and love the atmosphere, people and vibe!
What is the main message you aim to instil in your students?
Just to enjoy themselves through creative expression and believe they can make something moving. Some people are just beginning to experiment with their music and others have already written songs and performed.
What do you focus on specifically in your mentoring?
We cover a good mix of song writing, arranging, recording and performing. I really believe in developing the song writing with everyone I collaborate with to help them walk out of the studio with something great they can play to friends, family or use to get gigs.
What do you love most about mentoring?
The creative collaborations! I have co-written songs around the world with heaps of established artists and writers but working with new talent here at the studios is inspirational and motivating. The real authentic stories that people tell are so powerful, like FLYBZ who are two young guys from Burundi who were child soldiers.
What has been the most memorable personal experience within the program so far?
Well there have been some great public exposure moments in over the past couple of years: performing live on ABC radio national for new singer-songwriters Casey Teale and Keagan Clothier; having Paul Kelly down to the studio to record with FLYBZ; seeing guys get these chances to share their music is so exciting for me to see.
Are you working on any of your own music at the moment? If so, please share.
Yes! While my sister Ella is releasing her solo work and now a part of the new Spicks n Specks, I have started writing and performing with an amazing vocalist, Keagan Clothier, around town. It’s a soulful acoustic sound so stay tuned next year for his debut single, which is sounding amazing. I feel like people are going to freak when they hear him sing…think Stevie Wonder meets Marvin Gaye meets the Dap Kings!
