Figures released at January's AGM reveal that Reeltime Figures released at January's AGM reveal that Reeltime Figures released at January's AGM reveal that Reeltime Figures released at January's AGM reveal that Reeltime Music can celebrate their 10th anniversary with their Music can celebrate their 10th anniversary with their Music can celebrate their 10th anniversary with their Music can celebrate their 10th anniversary with their most successful yeamost successful yeamost successful yeamost successful year yet r yet r yet r yet ---- and demonstrate that they and demonstrate that they and demonstrate that they and demonstrate that they are in a better position that ever to provide opportunities are in a better position that ever to provide opportunities are in a better position that ever to provide opportunities are in a better position that ever to provide opportunities for North Lanarkshire's youth.for North Lanarkshire's youth.for North Lanarkshire's youth.for North Lanarkshire's youth. Crowding into the studio's live room, representatives from the local community, organisations working in partnership with Reeltime, volunteers and - most importantly - many of the young people who taking advantage of the project's facilities, gathered to hear the much anticipated announcement. With typical modesty, Chairperson Ian Anderson and Project Manager Ryan Currie revealed that in the last year alone 1,684 young people have been directly involved in Reeltime projects. These include work placements for secondary school pupils; recordings out with the studio using mobile equipment; workshops; community celebrations such as Gala Days; and many more. Several of the projects have been large scale undertakings. In particular, liaisons with several secondary and primary schools have allowed children as young as nine to develop their songwriting and performance skills, record full scale albums, direct pop videos and release concert DVDs. Significantly, music has often been the vehicle to develop life skills. The ACCESS People programme, based in Motherwell, works with homeless and disengaged young people. Reeltime provided a music workshop for twelve of the participants, promoting teamwork, confidence building and self expression skills. Figures from North Lanarkshire council estimated there are 50,000 young people living in the region. The 1,684 Reeltime Music have been involved with in the last year represents an astonishing 3.3% of this total. Quite an achievement when you consider that Reeltime consists of only 1 full time member of

staff and 2 part time staff, with additional support being provided by volunteers and music tutors. Reeltime Music started 10 years ago when the now Project Manager Ryan Currie was one of a group of bored youngsters looking for somewhere to rehearse with his band. Community worker Ian Anderson, an impassioned believer in the empowerment of young people, was struck by the lack of affordable opportunities and decided to do something about it. Ideas and ambitions grew: the rehearsal space is now a fully functioning, state-of-the-art recording studio; the project achieved first charity - now company - status with a 20 strong Management Committee; and many of the disaffected youth attracted to Reeltime are now themselves providing opportunities for the next generation. Undergoing something of a refurbishment and upgrade, and looking to venture further in areas such as DVD production, Reeltime Music is looking forward to the next 10 years with relish.

Attendees at the AGM were entertained by a number of studio regulars.Attendees at the AGM were entertained by a number of studio regulars.Attendees at the AGM were entertained by a number of studio regulars.Attendees at the AGM were entertained by a number of studio regulars.

the reeltime music newsletter ~ spring 2007

Reeltime Break All Records

The Seven Bars music project is an innovative new The Seven Bars music project is an innovative new The Seven Bars music project is an innovative new The Seven Bars music project is an innovative new project in partnership with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, project in partnership with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, project in partnership with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, project in partnership with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, taking place between Jataking place between Jataking place between Jataking place between January and May 2007. Focusing nuary and May 2007. Focusing nuary and May 2007. Focusing nuary and May 2007. Focusing on the prevalent problem of young people and on the prevalent problem of young people and on the prevalent problem of young people and on the prevalent problem of young people and responsible drinking, the project will see local youthresponsible drinking, the project will see local youthresponsible drinking, the project will see local youthresponsible drinking, the project will see local youths s s s have the chance to produce their own music track with have the chance to produce their own music track with have the chance to produce their own music track with have the chance to produce their own music track with help from experienced music tutors. Local bands, help from experienced music tutors. Local bands, help from experienced music tutors. Local bands, help from experienced music tutors. Local bands, existing youth groups aexisting youth groups aexisting youth groups aexisting youth groups and young people hanging around nd young people hanging around nd young people hanging around nd young people hanging around the streets will all contribute their music to an album the streets will all contribute their music to an album the streets will all contribute their music to an album the streets will all contribute their music to an album which will be released sometime in May. which will be released sometime in May. which will be released sometime in May. which will be released sometime in May.

The first phase of the project will see Reeltime Music tutors go out into communities using the Community Police’s bus, which we have converted into a mobile studio for the project. Having consulted the police about drinking hotspots, the bus will park up in these areas on Friday and Saturday nights and invite young people

onboard to learn how to make their own dance tracks. Each week, the young people will work on their track until finally travelling to the Reeltime Music studio to record the parts for their song.

The second phase of the project will see youth agencies and other groups getting involved in Seven Bars. Groups such as Rushes and Landed will be approached to take part as well as youth issues groups such as Breaking Down Barriers (supported by Community Learning and Development) who have young people from all over North Lanarkshire as members. A number of young people from a local children’s unit will also take part in fun, informal music workshops. These groups will work alongside their existing workers and Reeltime Music tutors to produce a track for the album.

The final phase of the project will see local young bands working with professional musicians over a period of 5 weeks to deliver one track for each band. Along the way, the bands will learn about what makes a good song; how to arrange different parts; and rehearsal and recording tips among other things.

The benefits for young people involved are:The benefits for young people involved are:The benefits for young people involved are:The benefits for young people involved are:

The chance to learn morThe chance to learn morThe chance to learn morThe chance to learn more about music and how it is made;e about music and how it is made;e about music and how it is made;e about music and how it is made;

The chance to learn in a group setting;The chance to learn in a group setting;The chance to learn in a group setting;The chance to learn in a group setting;

The chance to work with professional musicians;The chance to work with professional musicians;The chance to work with professional musicians;The chance to work with professional musicians;

The opThe opThe opThe opportunity to write and record a song and to have it portunity to write and record a song and to have it portunity to write and record a song and to have it portunity to write and record a song and to have it included on a professionally produced album;included on a professionally produced album;included on a professionally produced album;included on a professionally produced album;

Something else to do on a FridaSomething else to do on a FridaSomething else to do on a FridaSomething else to do on a Friday/Saturday night!y/Saturday night!y/Saturday night!y/Saturday night!

Fast and ModifiedFast and ModifiedFast and ModifiedFast and Modified Since December Reeltime Music have been working in Since December Reeltime Music have been working in Since December Reeltime Music have been working in Since December Reeltime Music have been working in association with Fast and Modified, Scotland's very own association with Fast and Modified, Scotland's very own association with Fast and Modified, Scotland's very own association with Fast and Modified, Scotland's very own mamamamagazine for car enthusiasts, based in Bellshill, gazine for car enthusiasts, based in Bellshill, gazine for car enthusiasts, based in Bellshill, gazine for car enthusiasts, based in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. The magazine is read by approximately Lanarkshire. The magazine is read by approximately Lanarkshire. The magazine is read by approximately Lanarkshire. The magazine is read by approximately 48,500 readers, and is target48,500 readers, and is target48,500 readers, and is target48,500 readers, and is targeted predominantly at young ed predominantly at young ed predominantly at young ed predominantly at young people age 16 people age 16 people age 16 people age 16 ---- 25 years old. 25 years old. 25 years old. 25 years old.

The partnership is represented by a full colour music section in each issue. Featuring articles, interviews, and reviews of all the latest CD releases and concerts, the 2 page spread provides great publicity for Reeltime Music. More importantly, it provides a great opportunity for young volunteers to write for a national magazine.

The volunteers involved are recruited and co-

ordinated by young staff member, Scott Brazil, once a Reeltime Music young volunteer himself.

Reeltime Music's volunteers have already accumulated 80 volunteer hours between them for their work alone on Fast and Modified's music pages, all of which are put forward for the Millennium Volunteers Award, positively recognised by the Scottish Executive.

Ugly SistersUgly SistersUgly SistersUgly Sisters By Roisin Hughes, Finola Tuite, Mairead Gribben, Louisa Irvine & Rachel Agnew

When we went to the Reeltime Music rWhen we went to the Reeltime Music rWhen we went to the Reeltime Music rWhen we went to the Reeltime Music recording studio we had ecording studio we had ecording studio we had ecording studio we had a fantastic time. We’ll tell you about it. Well, we are a group of a fantastic time. We’ll tell you about it. Well, we are a group of a fantastic time. We’ll tell you about it. Well, we are a group of a fantastic time. We’ll tell you about it. Well, we are a group of 5 girls and we are good singers. We ar5 girls and we are good singers. We ar5 girls and we are good singers. We ar5 girls and we are good singers. We are involved in a project e involved in a project e involved in a project e involved in a project about young kids acting like Neds, so we are trying to make about young kids acting like Neds, so we are trying to make about young kids acting like Neds, so we are trying to make about young kids acting like Neds, so we are trying to make them more responsible. This song is called Othem more responsible. This song is called Othem more responsible. This song is called Othem more responsible. This song is called One of the Crowd. ne of the Crowd. ne of the Crowd. ne of the Crowd. There are other children involved in this project There are other children involved in this project There are other children involved in this project There are other children involved in this project ---- mostly from mostly from mostly from mostly from high schools and we are a primary high schools and we are a primary high schools and we are a primary high schools and we are a primary ---- so we are v so we are v so we are v so we are very lucky to get ery lucky to get ery lucky to get ery lucky to get into this 7 Bars project.into this 7 Bars project.into this 7 Bars project.into this 7 Bars project.

Ryan is brilliant at his job. He is the manager and the recording engineer and is very good with children and he has been very helpful. We would like to thank Ryan because we were all very nervous and he calmed us down a lot.

At first we thought the studio was quite small from outside. But when we walked through the door we couldn't believe our eyes. It was huge. We got a feeling as we went into the live room that this experience would be fantastic. Ryan got things organized and then after it was all sorted we had a few practices.

Ryan wanted 2 good takes of everything. When he had that we were allowed a break to let him mix the solos and the chorus. When he was finished he let us hear a rough version. Our favorite thing was hearing it all put together at the end.

Black DelorianBlack DelorianBlack DelorianBlack Delorian

By Bryan Thompson

I phoned the studio to book a recording for my band, the I phoned the studio to book a recording for my band, the I phoned the studio to book a recording for my band, the I phoned the studio to book a recording for my band, the Black Delorian, and was given everyBlack Delorian, and was given everyBlack Delorian, and was given everyBlack Delorian, and was given every detail of the studio, detail of the studio, detail of the studio, detail of the studio, from what equipment would be used for the recording from what equipment would be used for the recording from what equipment would be used for the recording from what equipment would be used for the recording through to who would be recording and when. The date through to who would be recording and when. The date through to who would be recording and when. The date through to who would be recording and when. The date was set for 2 weeks after the phone call. I booked a full was set for 2 weeks after the phone call. I booked a full was set for 2 weeks after the phone call. I booked a full was set for 2 weeks after the phone call. I booked a full day of recording on Monday and a half day on Tuesday day of recording on Monday and a half day on Tuesday day of recording on Monday and a half day on Tuesday day of recording on Monday and a half day on Tuesday to finish things to finish things to finish things to finish things off. On Day 1 the engineer took control; off. On Day 1 the engineer took control; off. On Day 1 the engineer took control; off. On Day 1 the engineer took control; he knew exactly how to handle a young band and he he knew exactly how to handle a young band and he he knew exactly how to handle a young band and he he knew exactly how to handle a young band and he guided us into the process of recordiguided us into the process of recordiguided us into the process of recordiguided us into the process of recording. He drew up a ng. He drew up a ng. He drew up a ng. He drew up a plan for how we should use our time effectively and we plan for how we should use our time effectively and we plan for how we should use our time effectively and we plan for how we should use our time effectively and we stuck to it the whole way though.stuck to it the whole way though.stuck to it the whole way though.stuck to it the whole way though.

The first day was set for the music to be recorded. No vocals yet. So first up was the click track. We all hummed the song to the engineer and he tapped away on the tap tempo for the click track. Once the click track was set, the drummer was sent into the live room (which has no parallel walls) to start his takes for the first song. From the first to the last note the recording was a great experience for the whole band. We were treated like a real band rather than just some young guys wanting to make a quick CD. We had professional equipment at hand and we were never discouraged to use it. In fact, we were encouraged to use everything available to us, including the egg shakers!

To sum it up we all had a great time and we were more than happy with the results.