The Village Music shop has launched live sessions to showcase some of the best homegrown talent in and around East Kilbride.
And it’s the perfect contribution to East Kilbride in the current climate, with the shop itself another victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing its closure on Monday evening.
VMLiveSessions is a short series of live music sessions filmed and recorded inside the Main Street store.
Shop owner Jamie Finn told the East Kilbride News the idea was born from a live recording of his dad jamming with bandmates, The JSD Band.
Colin Finn, retired owner of the store, is drummer for the 1970’s folk rock pioneers who, in their hey day, supported the late great David Bowie on his Ziggy Stardust tour.
Jamie, who also runs the Village School of Music (VSOM) with wife Lucy, was eager to build on this concept to promote incredible local music talent in the area.
The Strathaven dad said: “The idea is to help showcase and promote some of the excellent musicians and exciting new music from artists based in and around Glasgow – particularly East Kilbride.
“You’d really be amazed at the wealth of talent that’s actually out there on our own door step.
“The inspiration to start VMLiveSessions really came from two places: the success of the VSOM student videos that we’ve been filming for a few years and National Public Radio’s tiny desk recordings – a series of stripped back sessions filmed in the NPR office.
“So I decided to give recording a full live band a go.
“My father’s band – The JSD Band – were quite successful in the 70’s folk scene. They don’t gig anymore because they’re spread over Scotland and northern England, but when I asked if they fancied helping me out by recording a session they jumped at the chance.
“The video turned out better than expected so I made a plan to do a series of six VMLiveSessions to publish weekly on Village Music’s social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.”
Live sessions recorded so far include The JSD Band, Daniel Ladds and Toy Tin Soldier’s Joe Gallagher.
Jamie is also in talks with Glasgow rockers The Ninth Wave and up and coming EK punk rock outfit Spyres.
He added: “I’ve managed to get three episodes filmed, but had to stop due to the COVID-19 outbreak. However, I plan on completing the series as soon as possible and hope do a follow up series shortly after.”
VMLiveSessions aren’t exclusive to professional and semi-professional bands and musicians.
If you’re a keen hobbyist and are interested in taking part send a clip or recording to info@villagemusic.co.uk or get in touch through Facebook villagemusicek.
Last week the Village School of Music took the “difficult” measure to temporarily close in the interests of the health and safety of its students and tutors.
Their summer concert on May 20 has also be postponed until later in the year.
If you have any questions regarding lessons, payment, or access to online tuition call the shop on 01355 244 562.
