Last weekend I had the pleasure of going on a songwriters retreat in an old manor house in  the middle of the gorgeous Kent Countryside.


It was at the invitation of Singer- song writer and BBC presenter, Tom Robinson, and the event was sponsored by Notting Hill Music,  Publishers behind hits for acts  including Beyonce, Eminem,  Michael Jackson, Christina Aguilera , Prince, Usher, Madonna, and countless others.

 

It was a really inspiring trip, in a really gorgeous  setting. Basically  12 song writers from various bands were invited  to  write songs using a technique known as  the ' Immersion songwriting ' method, collaborating with each other, over a period of 30 hours.. well with time off for sleeping, probably 24 hours . And in that space of 24 hours, some great songs were written in that time, and some firm friendships made!

The other writers-artists on the trip were Singer- Songwriter Alice Gun, Producer  Al Mobbs from ambiguous Records, Singer Dan Whitehouse, Nik and Lou from duo, Hoodlums, singer Al Joshua from Indie band Orphans and vandals, Singer- songwriter Natalie Ross, and Tony and Aleysha, from paper Street Soap Company.

Right at the end of the retreat, we had to get up and perform the songs in front of two executives from Notting Hill Publishing.

So there was i, singing five new songs I hadn't rehearsed the words to, in front of all the other acts, plus the chairman and Head of A&R of the Notting Hill Group. Talk about pressure!! 

To let you into a little secret- we all knew that we had to perform in front of two executives, but Tom had played it down so well, that we only realised afterwards that we were being watched by the head of the Company, and the Head of A&R, which is just as well, as none of us felt inhibited.

Anyway, tomorrow- saturday night on BBC radio 6 music's Tom Robinson Introducing show, you can hear all of the above mentioned acts, plus Tom will be spinning a tune by Mooli. So check out the show if you can. It starts at midnight, but for all you clubbers and early birds, you can of course check out the show by logging onto the BBC website, where for 7 days, after the live broadcast,  you can listen to the show online.

 

Ben :) 

 

 

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