Bristol Beacon has launched a new artist residency program, offering three local musicians the chance to work on their music for six months, with full access to studio equipment.
The inaugural residents include Bristol-based artists Groves, Holysseus Fly, and Waldo’s Gift.
James Vine, drummer for Waldo’s Gift, shared the significance of the opportunity, emphasizing how the space and support from Bristol Beacon are essential to their growth as musicians.
“It’s the difference between being able to do this viably as a career or not, so it means everything to us,” Vine said.
Each artist has access to the studio space at the Beacon every Tuesday for several hours. Vine described the space as one for creativity and experimentation.
“There’s no immediate pressure. We are writing an album, but because of the nature of this residency, there’s no ticking clock—it’s taking these pressures off,” he explained.
The residency offers musicians a unique chance not only to write and record but also to collaborate with others.
Vine noted that the experience of creating music in isolation can be challenging, but the residency fosters a sense of community.
“It’s nice to be in a place with other people doing the same thing. We’re all in it together.”
Groves, producer and vocalist, compared the space to a “music co-working space” and explained how the combination of time, space, and resources is invaluable for her work.
“My initial plan is to make tracks for an album. I’m chipping away slowly at that and utilizing the space with some really good-quality equipment to just record in general, get a load of music down,” she said.
The residency provides a vital platform for local artists to pursue their creative ambitions without the financial pressures that often accompany music production, making it an exciting opportunity for the Bristol music scene.
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