Oh Yeah News

The first graduates have emerged from the special ‘Scratch My Progress’ programme that has been taking place at the Centre.  These are: Katharine Phillippa, Conor Brown, 20 Second Century and Everyday Superheroes. At the end of this six month scheme they have each recorded a track for a compilation CD, and will celebrate their completion of the pilot project with a gig.

This live event takes place at on Friday June 29th at the Centre, the compilation CD will be available on the night, and a special guest will also feature.

Scratch My Progress is the first version of a talent development project, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Invest NI. Three of the acts were chosen by the Oh Yeah team after a public call for submissions, while 20 Second Century were selected with the help of the Citybeat radio station and their ‘Next Big Thing’ initiative.

The musicians were then introduced to vocal coaching, PR, photo sessions and meetings with a series of industry professionals. These included a specialist lawyer, a music industry accountant, an executive at Domino Records and a former A&R chief at Virgin Records. They learnt about copyright, film synch and survival skills on tour.

All of the acts have now been profiled by BBC Radio 1 Introducing. Meanwhile Katharine Phillippa appeared with the Ulster Orchestra in a live BBC broadcast from the Ulster Hall on May 22.

Katharine says:

" I think I need a surrogate musical family.  In Northern Ireland, I've seen it for sure - in other musicians, BBC Radio Ulster folk, and of course, at the Oh Yeah Centre, which is such a necessary base and nucleus within the music scene. With this kind of nurturing at the onset, a more stable musical growth can occur, just as the opportunity for music to be heard by as many ears as possible deepens."

The second series of Scratch My Progress will be launched in the second half of 2012. Details and application form will be available at the gig on the 29th June.